by Robert Darmody

Created on: June 29, 2009   Last Updated: July 06, 2009

The Geneva Convention and dangerously effete notions that warfare is something manageable to the point of becoming civilized have come into unquestioned acceptance in this 21st. Century. These immune deficient attitudes are limited primarily to the same decaying West that gave birth to such absurd notions in the last century.

The assumption is as erroneous as it is popular. How is it that in the most murderous of all human eras, surviving masses could be convinced that adoption of treaties and conventions could in any way result in dignifying war? Or did they, really? Several generations have passed since. It is about as tragic and senseless as an epitaph that reads: "Hey, no fair!"

Torture is as old as warfare itself and, performed effectively, it can serve more purposes than intelligence gathering. No matter how desperate our wishes, there is no way to dress-up something as terrible as war in cultured, well mannered attire.

Such documents serve in reality as proverbial fig leaves for politicians who will unleash military minions to commit monstrous acts of murder and mayhem with great gusto. Only to spin 180 degrees after the damage to redeem phony public images with feigned shock, shock to learn there is barbarism going on here!' 'Has torture gone on? Why, we certainly cannot countenance such barbarity! What kind of people are we?' The answer to what kind of people politicians are is alive and well in the memory of anyone with the slightest interest in history.

Quite above the jeopardy and stench of combat, from the comfort of offices paid for with lies, the 'elect' posture, strut and sign treaties with price tags payable in young lives; just like they spend and waste money belonging to tomorrow's young. What do they care? The blood will be shed and money honestly earned by the toil of others.

Alexander of Macedonia cautioned, well over two thousand years ago, that enemies should be chosen carefully because you will become 'just like them.' Al didn't have to deal with Geneva accords or United Nations Resolutions and sometimes the choice of enemies is not ours.

Alexander the Great was busy making history at an age that would be insufficient to legally purchase cigarettes in 21st Century Athens, Georgia. He became the most successful warrior of his time, and his caution came from knowledge that the rules of engagement are defined by victory.

If an enemy prevails in battle with different tactics, it is the

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