All
over the Middle East, a word spreads fear into the indigenous mind –
Apache. In war, there is a concept known as a force multiplier. There
are many types. From the number of soldiers and how well they are
trained to the shape of the landscape, what constitutes a force
multiplier is simple: how does a thing affect the nature of battle.
With the right force multipliers, an impossible situation becomes
simple. A big bully with a bat will beat you down. Put the bat in
your hands, blind the bully, and what you have is easy pickens.
Sun
Tzu speaks in depth about the definition and employment of their use.
He spoke of the relationship between Heaven and Earth. Heaven will
win in its attack but Earth will not lose in its defense. An
offensive war requires a powerful Heaven to beat the indigenous
Earth. Air superiority is a prerequisite for ground forces. When it
comes to Heaven, the front-line is where planes become helicopters.
Geronimo
led his small band of Apache against the Mexican and American armies.
He makes clear that the warring would have continued if not for the
persuasion of a familiar General and the use of a native tracker –
Sun Tzu's last chapter is on the ultimate power of spies. Geronimo's
ability to multiply his small force enough to stymie his enemies made
him famous and is no doubt the origin of the helicopter's name.
And
this is the ugly irony. Many are scarred by the power of this tool.
This noble name drips from their lips with hatred. How difficult does
it become for them to want to know anything about the real Apache,
the people and the history? What they know is pain and loss. In an
attempt to honor the warrior Geronimo, the US Army continues to harm
these people, the proud owners of the name.
Red*kins is not be the
only name to change.
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