Preventive war, nukes and politicians: "All options are on the table"

It's one of the verities, I think. of American politics, that sabre rattling has become a mark of stength and virtue. Maybe it was ever thus?Those who advocate force, or the possible use of force, to subdue all sorts of existential threats (mainly in their own minds, and the threat's they would like to project for public consupmpiton to validate thier bellicosity), have it easy. I mean, what's the price: talking heads gonna object? I don't think so. So what if the rest of the world objects. They don't vote, at least in our so-called elections.

There is no price to pay for talking aggressviely -- instead its called supporting defense, being patriotic, countering the "terrorist" threat.Those who advocate caution, nuance, god forbid, action toward peace, come across as weak, mockable, not red-blooded americans (especially for women politicians; sad for their better qualties). There is a price to pay. Talking heads talk in horrified tones.

We had an election in November that apparently said americans don't like "losing" a war. Probably didn't say much more or less.So what have the Edwards, the Clintons, and the rest learned? They don't sound like they've learned anything. It's all very lizard brain and discouraging.

I have an image of this huge cycle of political discourse and action in american politics, this wheel of history, that seems so heavily weighted towards the dark, ignorant and fearful that there is not force sufficient to even turn it, much less quickly. More like a cam, forever stuck in a small amplitude at the bottom of its rotation.