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Praetorian Prefect
"Beware the ides of March." Caesar
replies, "He is a dreamer, let us leave him. Pass."
- Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar
Prior to the fateful day of March 15, Spurinna, the astrologer had first given Julius Caesar the famous warning to "beware
of the Ides of March." On that day and on his way to the Senate, Caesar "accidentally" met up again with this astrologer.
Upon seeing, Caesar confidently informed Spurinna: "The Ides of March are come." Spurinna answered, "Yes, they are come, but
they are not past." In today’s world, leaders may not openly consult soothsayers, but they surely plan to avoid risking,
the pressing of the flesh, with their Senates. Political assassins have changed the course of history more often than most
Senators. So it is understandable the lengths that presidents, premiers and dictators go, to protect their own personal safety.
But what is the nature of those who surrender their protector, when they are charged with his protection?
After his uncle was executed, the youthful Octavius swore revenge and schemed
to become what eluded Caesar; first emperor of Rome. He selected the name Augustus, and set out to ensure his own personal
security by creating a special unit, called the Praetorian Guard, to protect him from assassination. Consisting of nine cohorts,
these select, elite and loyal bodyguards were sworn to serve Augustus. They used undercover operatives housed among the civilian
residents, and became entrusted to maintain the shield of preservation and embodiment of the emperor. The transfer from the
Republic into an Empire, would become synonymous with the meaning of Praetorian - sinister, dishonest and corrupt.
It is understandable, that many leaders see themselves as the guardian of
the State. But every so often a few see themselves as the essence of apotheosis rule. Those regents are the most dangerous
and pose the greatest threat to the tranquillity and liberty of their fellow citizens. No sensible observer would argue that
Saddam Hussein is anything but a thug. We have all seen strongmen come and go, but he is hardly a mystic leader in the pattern
that Bin Laden seeks his legacy. So when Saddam’s personal guards resist all attempts to eliminate him, how can it be
explained?
Back in Rome, the Severan dynasty began with the assassination of Commodus and the rise of Pertinax to the throne by the praetorian prefect. Commodus had
extravagant possessions, like Saddam; he was killed by his sentry, but Hussein still lives. Why? Could the answer lie not
in the Iraqi security techniques, distrust of everyone or fear of reprisals; but in the willingness of his protectors to keep
Saddam in power?
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| Those Troops Guard Me - NOT You |
George W Bush has lofty poll approvals. He is a president, not a dictator
- right? He will leave office voluntarily, just like his predecessor did after his term. William Jefferson Clinton was the
American version of Caligula. But he was not expunged, like that vile emperor. His Praetorian Guard, the Secret Service, took
their sworn duty “To Protect the PRESIDENT” seriously, even during disgusting circumstances. Just ask Gary Aldrich! So what makes dedicated “public servants” transfer their
allegiance from their supreme duty - their oath to the constitution of the people - and substitute it with their fidelity
to a president, any president? The Senate saw in Caligula's assassination an opportunity to eliminate the office of Emperor and restore
the Republic, but the Praetorian Guard recognized that their services would not be much in demand if there were no Emperor
to guard, so they cast hurriedly about for a viable Imperial candidate. Today the entire federal executive bureaucracy acts
as a Praetorian Prefect to protect, not just the man in the oval office, but their entire system of imperial control.
“Temporary” - Emperor Bush II - is the ‘skull and bones’
name for junior. It’s not the office that is permanent, it’s the empire.
Claudius succeeded Caligula, with the approval of the Praetorian Prefect. Despite not
being a military man, Claudius managed to successfully bring most of Britain under Roman control, a prize that had eluded
his predecessors. Also added to the empire under Claudius were Thrace (Greece/Bulgaria), Lycia (Turkey), Mauretania (Morocco),
and Noricum (Slovenia). He also proved to be a fairly astute politician, avoiding the acrimony with the Senate that Caligula
had enjoyed, even while reducing the Senate's power.
Bush is no emperor - RIGHT? He is only the president . . . His deployment
of troops into Asia Minor is only temporary - don’t you think? Certainly, the U.S. Senate would reign him in if he expands
an Iraqi campaign to other provinces, like Iran - surely they would? Why should we worry, George W Bush is a ‘good man’,
he’s religious - or so we are told!
Claudius always feared a coup and during one such occasion his chief secretary,
Narcissus, saved him by getting him to the safety of the Praetorian protection. Narcissus’s loyalty was short lived
and after he married Caligula's sister, the scheming Agrippina; she was determined to place her son Nero, next in line. Through
her intrigue, Agrippina conspired with the imperial taster, Halotus, and an expert poisoner named Locusta to feed Claudius
a mushroom that had been sprinkled with poison. The Praetorian Guard could not, or was it - would not - protect Claudius.
So why is it so hard to find an Agrippina to circumvent Saddam’s Republican Guard? Surely, the Bush clan can bring about
a permanent peace with a simple toxin slipped into a cup? Avoiding this expedition is but one drop away . . . So why will
war be necessary!
President Bush, take your pick, father or son, never needed to worry about
such treachery while the Secret Service does the guarding. We all know it can’t happen here. Just ask Senator Arlen
Specter - only a madman is capable of killing a president. Teddy Kennedy will just nod in agreement. Saddam’s attempt
in Kuwait on George H Bush doesn’t make it a personal feud, especially when you have a professional secret service surrounding
and protecting. The script for change doesn’t include a screen to write out the bully (take your pick which one) that
is supposed to be the reason that the legions must march. No, the Praetorian Prefect, that protects both regimes really are
loyal to the Empire, the real one, called the New World Order. Now, all U.S. Presidents are just cousins, from different branches
of the same tree; protected by the exalted system, and enforced by Praetorian goons.
There is no offspring named Brutus in the Bush clan, so rest assured, ‘Temporary’
is safe as long as he worships the dominion of globalism. The only Brutus’ left know that killing the man won’t
restore the Republic. They are not mad. However, when a leader is removed unexpectedly and prematurely, it usually some part
of the Praetorian Prefect following orders. With the Ides of March rapidly approaching, what will Spurinna tell Caesar? There
are millions that go by the named of Brutus, and your cohorts are outnumbered. Restore the Republic, because the Empire will
be slain, you will be spared.
SARTRE - February 26, 2003
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