Dead Carl
@deadcarl.bsky.social
www.deadcarl.com
Writer on Clausewitz, international relations, and German history. Words in American Purpose.
Kiran Pfitzner
Writer on Clausewitz, international relations, and German history. Words in American Purpose.
Kiran Pfitzner
It’s less to do with tenure (though that can impact things) and more to do with positioning and presentation ie how much are you running against the party/leadership
February 17, 2026 at 4:04 AM
It’s less to do with tenure (though that can impact things) and more to do with positioning and presentation ie how much are you running against the party/leadership
A primary can also get bitter, which is a dangerous prospect for someone like AOC who has done a lot of work advancing within the party.
February 17, 2026 at 2:48 AM
A primary can also get bitter, which is a dangerous prospect for someone like AOC who has done a lot of work advancing within the party.
Yeah we’re never restoring civic virtue if it’s acceptable to curate your engagement to be mindless validation
February 16, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Yeah we’re never restoring civic virtue if it’s acceptable to curate your engagement to be mindless validation
That the second strategy failed does not mean the first would have succeeded or is obviously correct.
February 16, 2026 at 8:47 PM
That the second strategy failed does not mean the first would have succeeded or is obviously correct.
You prosecute cautiously with strict procedural correctness, you have less of a chance of convicting before the election, but you don’t pay as much of a political price (and the prosecution appears less partisan and so more damaging).
February 16, 2026 at 8:47 PM
You prosecute cautiously with strict procedural correctness, you have less of a chance of convicting before the election, but you don’t pay as much of a political price (and the prosecution appears less partisan and so more damaging).
I’m not saying the alternative might not have been better, I’m saying that, without the benefit of hindsight, both courses were risky. You prosecute aggressively, and there’s immediate political costs with no guarantee of conviction, especially in time for the election.
February 16, 2026 at 8:47 PM
I’m not saying the alternative might not have been better, I’m saying that, without the benefit of hindsight, both courses were risky. You prosecute aggressively, and there’s immediate political costs with no guarantee of conviction, especially in time for the election.
As it was, the prosecution was following unimpeachable procedures at the cost of time. How those centrists might have reacted had Biden and his AG taken exceptional action (that the media would likely criticize) is an open question.
February 16, 2026 at 8:47 PM
As it was, the prosecution was following unimpeachable procedures at the cost of time. How those centrists might have reacted had Biden and his AG taken exceptional action (that the media would likely criticize) is an open question.
There’s about a dozen quotes from the big C about how the general must also be a statesman and the point of strategy is to attain what will lead to a political settlement. It is the kind of error worthy of Clausewitz’s characteristic condescension and sarcasm.
February 16, 2026 at 8:33 PM
There’s about a dozen quotes from the big C about how the general must also be a statesman and the point of strategy is to attain what will lead to a political settlement. It is the kind of error worthy of Clausewitz’s characteristic condescension and sarcasm.
Reposted by Dead Carl
>we shouldn't have people thinking of politics when their job is warfighting
>proceeds to insert a political judgement about the efficacy of the use of violence to achieve a strategic end
curious
>proceeds to insert a political judgement about the efficacy of the use of violence to achieve a strategic end
curious
February 16, 2026 at 6:29 PM
>we shouldn't have people thinking of politics when their job is warfighting
>proceeds to insert a political judgement about the efficacy of the use of violence to achieve a strategic end
curious
>proceeds to insert a political judgement about the efficacy of the use of violence to achieve a strategic end
curious
“Clausewitz is very complicated, who can say what he meant” is very useful excuse for ignoring anything in the text that would prevent you from doing what you want.
February 16, 2026 at 6:45 PM
“Clausewitz is very complicated, who can say what he meant” is very useful excuse for ignoring anything in the text that would prevent you from doing what you want.
I think the issues are largely separate in that the people complaining about the first are largely people who want to not vote and not be shamed. The sense of crisis wears more on people who are high propensity but low to moderate engagement.
February 16, 2026 at 6:14 PM
I think the issues are largely separate in that the people complaining about the first are largely people who want to not vote and not be shamed. The sense of crisis wears more on people who are high propensity but low to moderate engagement.