Corporal Gripweed: "Divide and Conquer", The Tired Tactic of The Cabal

Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011
By Corporal Gripweed


"It is the rule in war ….if double the enemy's strength; be able to divide them……."
            Sun Tzu's "Art of War"


I had the pleasure recently of attending a meeting of like-minded individuals from the Augusta Today group: a collection  of people  known was the "inner circle". I was immediately struck by the amount of diversity I encountered….political and racial. Some were black, some where white. Some were conservative, some were liberal. And some were in between. There may have even been an anarchist or two in the bunch.


But we were united in our stated goal of holding ALL politicians in Augusta-Richmond County government accountable when doing the people's business. When it came my turn to speak I remarked that it was the diversity of our group that makes us strong. I was also impressed that our dissatisfaction with some city leaders' recent decisions went across racial and political lines.


Mainly I wanted to make the point that for too long, local politicians, their cronies in business, and in particular the local media, have for generations used the tactic of "divide and conquer". If they can make an issue black vs. white,  liberal vs. conservative or haves vs. have nots, they can divide our voices and win the day.


The strategy of "divide and conquer" as developed by the Chinese General Sun Tzu over 2,500 years ago, has been used successfully down through the centuries by evil empire builders as a means to subdue and subjugate nations and people, thus maintaining power more easily. I submitted to the group that the issues we face in this county aren't black or white, liberal or conservative. The issues we face are mostly right vs. wrong.


Was the land swap deal involving the parking deck legal? All indications are that it was. But as my momma used to say, "That doesn't make it right".  The budget deal recently passed by the Augusta Commission included $100,000. for another assistant to the Mayor, while the city is millions in the hole. Is this legal? Of course. BUT, "That doesn't make it right. " Remember…needs before wants.


Properties surrounding the proposed  mixed-use facility are owned by a handful of well connected people who hide this information  under a myriad of LLC's because they stand to profit from the deal. Is this legal? Yes.
BUT, that doesn't make it right.


Slavery was legal for over 200 years in America….BUT...That didn't make it right.
I told my friends that night, that I hoped our common interests would overcome our differences. I have the same hope for all Augustans.  That the "divide and conquer" tactics used by the elites in this city would be diluted by the fact that we have "right" on our side. Those in power may do things legally in most cases, but if we hold them to the standard of right vs. wrong, we'll win the argument every time. And they won't be able to "divide and conquer" any longer. ***


CG
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***Do you have a story idea, a tip, or would you like to write for City Stink? Then please contact us at: CityStink@gmail.com***
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