Sometimes there is something that makes us say, Look, this is new! — But it has already existed for ages before us.
~Ecclesiastes
History does repeat itself, often in ways that are eerily unsettling: In the year 70, as the Roman legions tightened their siege around Jerusalem, residents of the city grew increasingly desperate.
Do you imagine that the Jews came together to form a plan of action to defend Israel’s capital? If so, you would be wrong.
Two ideological factions despised each other with such vehemence that day after day bloody battles raged through the streets of the city. The sages called out for unity and an end to the fighting. Their pleas were ignored.
And what did the Roman soldiers do? They sat back and waited while the Jews destroyed themselves.
Aren’t we doing exactly the same thing?
Isn’t it time we learned the lessons of history?
Of course they weren’t aware, Andre. They would no doubt think that Robespierre is a French designer of men’s bedroom attire. It’s like we’re living in one of those sci-fi movies where they go back in time to save the world and end up being the cause of it’s destruction.
Thanks for your note, and for your contributions. All we can do is promote the cause of reason. I’m glad to have you as an ally.
Brilliant Yonason – the message cannot be emphasised enough. I found it rather eerie to hear the Minneapolis councillors who want to get rid of the police suggesting that they would set up a Committee of Public Safety. Were they even aware of the Reign of Terror that was the consequence of the first one?