learning lessons from history

Submitted by Alan White (United States), Jan 4, 2016 at 21:30

I am old enough to have fought in WW2, and survived all the social and generational upheavals since that time. If there is one thing one learns from that period of 75-85 years, it is that the lessons taught by history are never considered by younger generations to be valid for their generation, despite all the evidence that historical processes repeat over and over, differing only in insignificant details. The old Bolsheviks, National Socialists and Vietcong, and the new ISIS have elements in common that are crucial to recognize for the danger they represent. Religious-like devotion to a cause, and a strong belief that the end justifies ANY means necessary, are two of the most important.

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