So very, very exceptional, [1] as in American exceptionalism:

One thing is for certain, until these conflicts are solved once and for all, they’ll continue to flare up like the current fighting in Lebanon. More evidence of the dangers of peace and the uselessness of ceasefires that maintain the status quo. Someone has to win.

My thoughts on revolution and revision [2] have been fleshed out many times in the past. [3]

George W. Bush resembles Napoleon III more than any other historical figure. Louis Napoleon [4] thinking he had the same genius of his uncle, did his level best to overthrow the Concert of Europe, [5] that amalgam of states which banded together after his uncle's defeat to keep order on the continent.

Poor Louis succeeded in overthrowing the old order, and in his success unleashed the pent up energies of a divided Germany, led by a rising Prussia and met his defeat at Sedan in 1870. [6]

Louis would have done well to heed the benefits of peace, the usefulness of ceasefires and the maintanence of the status quo, as those were the only things keeping him in power and France great.

As well, Chirol [7]would do well to heed the good Colonel's words. [8] Ideas, seductive and transient as they are, aren't worth much when order and stability have fled.