Big Stick Diplomacy | The Fireside Post
wpedon id=8560

About the Author

author photo

Gary L. Clark is an author. After a thirty year career he retired to become a writer. He has written three novels, one is published He recently completed the annotation of a self-help book on faith-based self-help. Mr. Clark is the Editor of thefiresidepost.com. He lives in St. Joseph, Missouri.

See All Posts by This Author

Big Stick Diplomacy

December 10th, 2016 • Related • Filed Under

President T.R. Roosevelt is quoted as having said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick”.  Don’t you just love those easy clever witticisms?  Bumper sticker diplomacy at its finest.  Wit is not the same as wisdom.  Clever is not the same as wisdom.  Wisdom speaks softly and carries a big stick – and carries the judgment to know when to use what.  President elect Donal Trump is stacking his cabinet and administration with military leaders – Generals – big stick fellas we might presume.  But I don’t think so.

The United States Military is the largest organization ever imagined on the face of humanity.  They run more golf courses than Donald Trump.  Check it out.  My son was a Navy man.  He graduated from boot camp about twenty some years ago – I don’t remember exactly.  But I do remember the graduation ceremony at Great Lakes Navy Base.  The military does big things in a big way.  I arrived at the ceremony building and was told specifically which seat among 5,000 was mine.  Odd, I thought, bothering with reserving a seat for me.  The ceremony began and the brass band marched in playing Anchors Away with the Flag Corp following the prearranged ceremony of fifty state flags.  Quite impressive.  Then the graduates came marching in.  Nine hundred of them.  The marched in front of us, stopped and turned to face us.  My son was standing directly in front of me.  Are you impressed yet? The Navy graduates 900 every Friday at Great Lakes.  Wait until we get to the part about the military taking charge in New Orleans after Katrina.  FEMA get out of the way – the General is taking over.

Our efforts were failing in Iraq in the early years.  Rebels and insurgents gained round and popularity.  Army General David Patraeus stepped up with a plan.  It was not rocket science.  Swing that big stick – but follow it quickly, or simultaneously, with soft speech.  These are lessons learned from WWI and WWII – and every other nonsensical war waged by humans.

The Big Stick does not win by itself.  Speaking softly does not win by itself.  The largest organization of any type at any time in history is run by some very sophisticated “Generals”.   We are not talking Gomer Pyle or even his Sargent.  We are talking about people with advanced degrees in the arts and sciences.

I am one with great faith in our Generals to be better politicians than Donald Trump ever imagined being.  The modern American military is very sophisticated.  Modern Generals understand victory is a way that likely escapes the intellectual breadth of Donald Trump.  Victory is not achieved with 19th century military tactics – victory is very considerate of post military triumph.

Diplomacy in a delicate global economy is precarious when some governments do not buy the plan.  There are despots and dictators and totalitarian leaders around the world that do not respect soft speech.  Neither do they respect idle threats. And there is the catch.  These leaders do not respect the lives of their own citizens.  Some of other people carry their own big sticks.  Their stick is not as big as our stick – but it sure hurts when they smack you on the shin bone.

There are military leaders who only understand military tactics. There are military leaders who resent civilian rule.  There are military leaders who hold diplomacy in contempt.  Some of those people get close to the top on shear intellect and ego.  But the military people who do not see the bigger picture of the carrot along with the stick seldom reach the top in the United State Military.

Watching Trump select from the ranks of the military is a fascinating spectator sport.  Trump is in for an awakening.

There Are 1,077 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by ???????????? ?????? — Strojka-Gid on 12 November 2025:

    ??? ????????? ????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ???? ?????? ? ??????? ?????????????? ??????.

  2. Comment by JerryPaumn on 12 November 2025:

    mexico pharmacy online [url=https://drmedsadvisor.xyz/#]mexican pharmacies near me[/url] certified Mexican pharmacy discounts

  3. Comment by LarryDes on 12 November 2025:

    mexico pharmacy [url=https://drmedsadvisor.xyz/#]mexican pharmacy[/url] generic medicine from Mexico

  4. Comment by JerryPaumn on 13 November 2025:

    DrMedsAdvisor [url=https://drmedsadvisor.xyz/#]doctor recommended Mexican pharmacy[/url] safe medications from Mexico

  5. Comment by JerryPaumn on 13 November 2025:

    india online medicine [url=http://drindiameds.com/#]no prescription pharmacy India[/url] verified Indian drugstores

  6. Comment by LarryDes on 13 November 2025:

    Doctor North Rx [url=http://doctornorthrx.com/#]canadian pharmacy[/url] canadian pharmacy online

  7. Comment by JerryPaumn on 13 November 2025:

    legitimate pharmacy shipping to USA [url=http://doctornorthrx.com/#]verified Canada drugstores[/url] affordable medications from Canada

  8. Comment by JerryPaumn on 13 November 2025:

    india pharmacy [url=http://drindiameds.com/#]trusted medical sources from India[/url] safe Indian generics for US patients

  9. Comment by trip-abroad — ????? ?????? ? ?????????? ??????? ?? ???? ??????????? on 13 November 2025:

    ????? ?????????? ???????????? ????????????, ??????? ????? ???? ??????? ? ???????? ????? ??? ??????? ????????.

  10. Comment by trip-abroad — ????? ?????? ? ?????????? ??????? ?? ???? ??????????? on 13 November 2025:

    ?????? ???????? ???????? ?????????? ? ?????????, ?????????????? ???????? ?? ??????????? ?????????.

  11. Comment by JerryPaumn on 14 November 2025:

    verified Mexican pharmacies USA delivery [url=http://drmedsadvisor.com/#]mexico pharmacy[/url] mexico pharmacy

  12. Comment by LarryDes on 14 November 2025:

    DrIndiaMeds [url=https://drindiameds.xyz/#]doctor recommended Indian pharmacy[/url] no prescription pharmacy India

  13. Comment by trip-abroad — ????? ?????? ? ?????????? ??????? ?? ???? ??????????? on 14 November 2025:

    ?????? ???????????? ?????????? ????? ??????????? ???????????? ? ????????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????? ????????. ??? ????????????? ??????? ????????? ????? ??? ???, ??? ????? ??????? ???? ????? ????????.

  14. Comment by trip-abroad.ru on 14 November 2025:

    ????? ?????????? ?????????, ?????????????? ???????????? ???????????, ????? ??????? ???????? ? ????? ????????????.

  15. Comment by trip-abroad — ????? ?????? ? ?????????? ??????? ?? ???? ??????????? on 14 November 2025:

    What’s up, all is going nicely here and ofcourse every one is sharing data, that’s in fact fine, keep up writing.

  16. Comment by trip-abroad.ru on 14 November 2025:

    Very good article. I am facing a few of these issues as well..

  17. Comment by trip-abroad — ????? ?????? ? ?????????? ??????? ?? ???? ??????????? on 14 November 2025:

    ????????? ??????????????? ??????????? ?????????????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ??????????.

  18. Comment by TimothyFus on 14 November 2025:

    StromectaDirect [url=https://stromectadirect.xyz/#]Stromectol over the counter[/url] Stromectol tablets

  19. Comment by TimothyFus on 14 November 2025:

    indian pharmacy [url=https://indiavameds.com/#]IndiavaMeds[/url] online medicine

  20. Comment by ??? ?? ????????? ? ????????? ???? on 15 November 2025:

    Right now it sounds like Expression Engine is the preferred blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

  21. Comment by ??? ?? ????????? ? ????????? ???? on 15 November 2025:

    ????? ?????????? ???????? ?????????????? ??????? ??? ????????? ?????????? ? ????.

  22. Comment by v-teple.com on 15 November 2025:

    ????? ?????? ?????????? ??????????? ?????? ? ?????, ?????????????? ? ??????????? ?????.

  23. Comment by TimothyFus on 15 November 2025:

    e pharmacy in india [url=https://indiavameds.xyz/#]IndiavaMeds[/url] Indiava Meds

  24. Comment by TimothyFus on 15 November 2025:

    buy prednisone [url=https://prednexamed.com/#]Prednexa Med[/url] prednisone where can i buy

  25. Comment by TimothyFus on 16 November 2025:

    Prednexa Med [url=http://prednexamed.com/#]prednisone price[/url] prednisone price

  26. Comment by TimothyFus on 17 November 2025:

    india pharmacy [url=http://indiavameds.com/#]indian pharmacy[/url] order medicine online india

  27. Comment by TimothyFus on 17 November 2025:

    antibiotic amoxicillin [url=http://navikarapharmacy.com/#]generic amoxil[/url] Navikara Pharmacy

  28. Comment by TristanZop on 18 November 2025:

    EveraMeds [url=http://everameds.com/#]EveraMeds[/url] Buy Tadalafil 20mg

  29. Comment by TristanZop on 18 November 2025:

    AeroMedsRx [url=https://aeromedsrx.xyz/#]generic sildenafil[/url] AeroMedsRx

  30. Comment by tarif-zkh.ru on 18 November 2025:

    Great article. I’m dealing with some of these issues as well..

  31. Comment by ?????? ??????, ????????? ??????????????, ???????????? ?? ?????? ? ?????? on 18 November 2025:

    Why visitors still make use of to read news papers when in this technological world all is accessible on net?

  32. Comment by zdesinstrument.ru on 18 November 2025:

    ????? ????????? ??????????? ???????? ??????????, ??? ???????? ????????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??????????? ????.

  33. Comment by TristanZop on 18 November 2025:

    online pharmacy for Kamagra [url=https://bluewavemeds.xyz/#]kamagra[/url] online pharmacy for Kamagra

  34. Comment by TristanZop on 18 November 2025:

    fast delivery Kamagra pills [url=http://bluewavemeds.com/#]fast delivery Kamagra pills[/url] buy Kamagra online

  35. Comment by TristanZop on 19 November 2025:

    AeroMedsRx [url=https://aeromedsrx.xyz/#]Sildenafil 100mg price[/url] best price for viagra 100mg

  36. Comment by jalon on 19 November 2025:

    ???????, ??? ?????????? ??? ???????????!

  37. Comment by ru - ???????????? ?????????????-????????? ???? on 19 November 2025:

    Nice blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol

  38. Comment by TristanZop on 19 November 2025:

    Viagra online price [url=http://aeromedsrx.com/#]AeroMedsRx[/url] buy Viagra over the counter

  39. Comment by ?????????? ? ???????????? ??? ??????? ?????? ??????! on 19 November 2025:

    I visited several web pages but the audio quality for audio songs present at this web page is in fact wonderful.

  40. Comment by ????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????????????? ? ???????????? ??????? ????? on 19 November 2025:

    Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and all. But just imagine if you added some great visuals or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and clips, this blog could definitely be one of the best in its field. Superb blog!

  41. Comment by TristanZop on 19 November 2025:

    order Kamagra discreetly [url=http://bluewavemeds.com/#]kamagra[/url] order Kamagra discreetly

  42. Comment by TristanZop on 20 November 2025:

    cheapest cialis [url=https://everameds.com/#]EveraMeds[/url] EveraMeds

  43. Comment by TristanZop on 20 November 2025:

    EveraMeds [url=https://everameds.com/#]Cialis without a doctor prescription[/url] Cialis 20mg price in USA

  44. Comment by Tablier on 20 November 2025:

    ?????? ???????????? ????????? ??????? ???? ? ???????? ???????? ?????? ???????.

  45. Comment by TristanZop on 20 November 2025:

    online pharmacy for Kamagra [url=https://bluewavemeds.xyz/#]trusted Kamagra supplier in the US[/url] kamagra

  46. Comment by TristanZop on 20 November 2025:

    online pharmacy for Kamagra [url=https://bluewavemeds.com/#]trusted Kamagra supplier in the US[/url] Blue Wave Meds

  47. Comment by TristanZop on 20 November 2025:

    order Kamagra discreetly [url=https://bluewavemeds.xyz/#]buy Kamagra online[/url] fast delivery Kamagra pills

  48. Comment by TristanZop on 21 November 2025:

    EveraMeds [url=https://everameds.xyz/#]Buy Tadalafil 5mg[/url] EveraMeds

  49. Comment by gkh-centre.ru on 21 November 2025:

    ? ???????? ???? ???????! ??? ?? ?????? ????????????? ??????????, ?? ? ???????? ? ???? ????????????? ??????. ????? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ? ???????????, ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ???????? ????????????.

  50. Comment by TristanZop on 21 November 2025:

    AeroMedsRx [url=http://aeromedsrx.com/#]AeroMedsRx[/url] buy viagra here

  51. Comment by TristanZop on 21 November 2025:

    Cheap Viagra 100mg [url=http://aeromedsrx.com/#]Buy Viagra online cheap[/url] AeroMedsRx

  52. Comment by TristanZop on 21 November 2025:

    EveraMeds [url=https://everameds.xyz/#]Generic Cialis without a doctor prescription[/url] Buy Cialis online

  53. Comment by TristanZop on 22 November 2025:

    buy Kamagra online [url=https://bluewavemeds.xyz/#]Blue Wave Meds[/url] BlueWaveMeds

  54. Comment by TristanZop on 22 November 2025:

    Blue Wave Meds [url=http://bluewavemeds.com/#]Blue Wave Meds[/url] fast delivery Kamagra pills

  55. Comment by ??????? on 22 November 2025:

    ? ???????? ??? ?????? ? ???????? ?????????! ????? ????? ????????? ?????, ?????????? ? ???????????? ???????, ??? ?????? ?? ????????? ????????. ? ??????? ????? ????? ?????? ? ???????????. ?????!

  56. Comment by TristanZop on 22 November 2025:

    cialis for sale [url=https://everameds.com/#]Buy Cialis online[/url] buy cialis pill

  57. Comment by TristanZop on 22 November 2025:

    Buy Viagra online cheap [url=https://aeromedsrx.com/#]Buy generic 100mg Viagra online[/url] AeroMedsRx

  58. Comment by ru on 22 November 2025:

    Ahaa, its fastidious conversation regarding this post here at this blog, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting at this place.

  59. Comment by TristanZop on 23 November 2025:

    Blue Wave Meds [url=https://bluewavemeds.xyz/#]trusted Kamagra supplier in the US[/url] Blue Wave Meds

  60. Comment by TristanZop on 23 November 2025:

    Cialis over the counter [url=http://everameds.com/#]EveraMeds[/url] EveraMeds

  61. Comment by ??????? - ?????? ??????? on 23 November 2025:

    Very descriptive blog, I loved that a lot. Will there be a part 2?

  62. Comment by Forestboony on 23 November 2025:

    phentermine in mexico pharmacy [url=http://uvapharm.com/#]mexico pharmacies[/url] tijuana pharmacy online

  63. Comment by Forestboony on 24 November 2025:

    MHFA Pharm [url=https://mhfapharm.xyz/#]MHFA Pharm[/url] MHFA Pharm

  64. Comment by Forestboony on 24 November 2025:

    Iso Pharm [url=http://isoindiapharm.com/#]IsoIndiaPharm[/url] Iso Pharm

  65. Comment by Forestboony on 25 November 2025:

    MhfaPharm [url=http://mhfapharm.com/#]MHFA Pharm[/url] MhfaPharm

  66. Comment by ??????? on 25 November 2025:

    Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.

  67. Comment by Forestboony on 25 November 2025:

    MHFA Pharm [url=https://mhfapharm.xyz/#]canada drugs online review[/url] MhfaPharm

  68. Comment by Daviddem on 26 November 2025:

    Socal Abortion Pill [url=https://socalabortionpill.xyz/#]SocalAbortionPill[/url] Socal Abortion Pill

  69. Comment by Daviddem on 26 November 2025:

    BswFinasteride [url=http://bswfinasteride.com/#]BSW Finasteride[/url] get generic propecia without dr prescription

  70. Comment by 499 703-17-61 on 27 November 2025:

    ?????? ???????? ????????????? ?????? ? ???????? ? ???????????? ????????????? ????? ??????.

  71. Comment by Daviddem on 27 November 2025:

    Socal Abortion Pill [url=http://cytpremium.com/#]SocalAbortionPill[/url] Socal Abortion Pill

  72. Comment by Daviddem on 27 November 2025:

    SocalAbortionPill [url=http://cytpremium.com/#]Socal Abortion Pill[/url] SocalAbortionPill

  73. Comment by Ramonzem on 30 November 2025:

    DmuCialis [url=https://dmucialis.com/#]Dmu Cialis[/url] Dmu Cialis

  74. Comment by Williamweids on 3 December 2025:

    viagra canadian pharmacy [url=http://corpharmacy.com/#]canadian pharmacy levitra[/url] CorPharmacy

  75. Comment by Williamweids on 3 December 2025:

    CorPharmacy [url=https://corpharmacy.com/#]Cor Pharmacy[/url] Cor Pharmacy

  76. Comment by Williamweids on 4 December 2025:

    Cor Pharmacy [url=https://corpharmacy.com/#]CorPharmacy[/url] CorPharmacy

  77. Comment by Williamweids on 4 December 2025:

    online erectile dysfunction pills [url=https://edpillsafib.xyz/#]Ed Pills Afib[/url] get ed meds today

  78. Comment by Williamweids on 4 December 2025:

    ViagraNewark [url=http://viagranewark.com/#]Viagra Newark[/url] ViagraNewark

Post a Response