The Art of War

Amazing. My dentist at Bragg was a retired Phantom driver in VN. He had an amazing piece of art which showed F-4s in 'Rolling Thunder.' I remember him stating that the kill ratio of his unit was aout 3 or 4 to 1 (F-4 vs Migs). Being interested in his story, I asked him why that ratio was so low, considering how advanced our technology was vs the NV Air Force. He looked at me and said, 'Exactly, technology don't shoot down planes, Son, pilots do. Back then, we forgot how to 'dog-fight.'

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Durr at an air show in Fort Worth, TX a few years ago. He's good people.

It seems the USMC is doing a great job in using artists on the battlefield to capture history and the feeling of the moment. The USAF has a similar program. I just wish the Army could do a better job at it...maybe we're too "hooah" for that

war is not art. art is beautiful and emotional. war is ugly and profane.

sheep.

ugh, do we have another flippin' troll.

ugh, do we have another flippin' troll.

Yup, one of the sheep flippin' variety, it seems.

Beautifully rendered artwork at his site.

Social Justice/Socialist Justifier:

You are wrong. Although war is ugly, combat art has a long history of rendering the images and sensations of battle in a way the camera and pen cannot. WO1 Fay exhibited his work last year at the Farnsworth Museum, and his point to any and all protestors was, "It's about the art. Disagree about the war if you want, but talk to me about the art." You won't find anything glorifying war in the Fay collection; you will find wonderfully executed drawings and paintings of ordinary Americans in extraordinary circumstances. And you might learn something from his commentary too. Go to his site-- mdfay.blogspot.com-- and email him if you like.

Maj P

This includes Sheep!!

“War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things.
The decayed and degraded state of which moral and patriotic feeling, which thinks that nothing is worth war, is MUCH WORSE.
The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself”

John Stewart Mill (1868)

Emphasis is Mine, enough said
Saber 2

Alex Durr? I taught that kid to fly jets. No joke.

Several years later we almost killed each other in a near mid-air collision down at Key West. Whole 'nuther story.

BTW, Social Justice? You've got it wrong - You're the sheep. We're the sheep dogs. And out there? Out there are the wolves.

Don't fret though. Go back to sleep.

In response to Sheep, you are right that war is not art and it is ugly. So why do men take up arms to defend what they love? Why do they confront the appalling ugliness? It is to protect something that is beautiful. Why else face death than to protect something worth dying for? Their courage the bond forged in extreme adversity is beautiful. It is much more beautiful in person than you can imagine, and it is this that combat artist strive to capture.

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

--George Orwell

Remember sheep are protected by sheep dogs because wolves are not open to diplomacy.

It's call the "Paradox of the Warrior" Sheep.

We master the Art and Science of War because we love peace. When war occurs, we use our skills to fight and end it as quickly as possible, restoring peace.

That's why insurgencies go on so long. The insurgents are amatuers who don't know when to quit...

CPT RainMaker RIGHT ON!! I shouted out loud and smiled and then gritted my teeth reading your post. It seems as a country, many have forgoten what the lack of freedom feels like, or what it takes to keep it. I am proud to have served and should the need arise I will proudly server again.

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