Friday, March 9, 2012

The Start Of The Border Wars...!

No telling just how many times in the past we have done this sort of thing!

We start off by befriending and supporting one side, then we tire of them and start supporting the opposing side! I guess we just never learn!

Mar 9, 1916:
Pancho Villa attacks Columbus, New Mexico

Angered over American support of his rivals for the control of Mexico, the peasant-born revolutionary leader Pancho Villa attacks the border town of Columbus, New Mexico.

In 1913, a bloody civil war in Mexico brought the ruthless general Victoriano Huerta to power. American President Woodrow Wilson despised the new regime, referring to it as a "government of butchers," and provided active military support to a challenger, Venustiano Carranza. Unfortunately, when Carranza won power in 1914, he also proved a disappointment and Wilson supported yet another rebel leader, Pancho Villa.

A wily, peasant-born leader, Villa joined with Emiliano Zapata to keep the spirit of rebellion alive in Mexico and harass the Carranza government. A year later, though, Wilson decided Carranza had made enough steps towards democratic reform to merit official American support, and the president abandoned Villa. Outraged, Villa turned against the United States. In January 1916, he kidnapped 18 Americans from a Mexican train and slaughtered them. A few weeks later, on this day in 1916, Villa led an army of about 1,500 guerillas across the border to stage a brutal raid against the small American town of Columbus, New Mexico. Villa and his men killed 19 people and left the town in flames.

Now determined to destroy the rebel he had once supported, Wilson ordered General John Pershing to lead 6,000 American troops into Mexico and capture Villa. Reluctantly, Carranza agreed to allow the U.S. to invade Mexican territory. For nearly two years, Pershing and his soldiers chased the elusive Villa on horseback, in automobiles, and with airplanes. The American troops had several bloody skirmishes with the rebels, but Pershing was never able to find and engage Villa.

Finally losing patience with the American military presence in his nation, Carranza withdrew permission for the occupation. Pershing returned home in early 1917, and three months later left for Europe as the head of the American Expeditionary Force of World War I. Though Pershing never captured Villa, his efforts did convince Villa never again to attack American citizens or territory. After helping remove Carranza from power in 1920, Villa agreed to retire from politics. His enemies assassinated him in 1923. The resentment engendered in Mexico by the efforts against PanchoVilla, however, did not fade with his death, and Mexican-American relations remained strained for decades to come.

You know, sometimes I think that for way too long we have been sticking our noses into the business of other countries and their politics. Most of the time it only leads to trouble! I'm thinking that maybe we should start cleaning our own house and stay the hell out of places we don't really belong!

Besides, with our own political situation being in such a mess, we have more than enough to keep us busy for quite a while, don't you think? Now this is, of course, just my opinion!

Coffee in the kitchen, all nice and fresh! Mom made a lemon cake yesterday, so I'll sneak over and get us some! Sound good?

11 comments:

XXXXX said...

From what I can see in my little corner of the world, seems like more and more folks are feeling the same way. The exception is the fear factor which some politicians do their darnest to keep alive in us. It is interesting how we never learn, isn't it? Sure do wish we would turn our attention to our own.

Ben in Texas said...

That airplane used in the skirmishes was the first use of military air power by us.
And I'm pretty sure one of Pershing's lieutenant's was George Patton.

JO said...

I read a book about Poncho Villa, it was very interesting. But let me tell you he and those he fought were ruthless killers. They killed innocent children, women and old people and loved every minute of it.

Annie Mouse said...

Jim
history fascinates me.
Pancho Villa also attacked towns in Arizona and Texas. I believe he attacked three towns in Texas.

He fought with Emilio Zapata, and both are considered heroes by some in their country.
Zapata is known for his comment that he'd rather die on his feet than live on his knees.

Annie Mouse

Dizzy-Dick said...

He must have been a pretty good bandito to evade an army for two years and never get caught.

HermitJim said...

Hey George...
It almost seems that the government creates a situation for us to fear so that they can "protect " us from ourselves and be in charge...with our blessing!

Looking to our own mess is an excellent idea, but that would mean that a lot of the PTB would be out of work. Therefore, it just won't happen!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey Ben...
Seems to me that you are right, buddy! Started a lot of different trends!

Thanks for coming by today!


Hey JoJo...
Pretty blood thirsty bunch, that's for sure!

Reminds me of several places around the globe today!

Thanks, sweetie, for coming by today!


Hey Anne...
No doubt he was a good leader and a brutal man! Their mindset back then was unlike anything we had seen at that time!

Of course, there is nothing "civilized" about war! But some groups just seem to like killing!

Glad you could drop by today!


Hey Dizzy...
I was thinking that very thing! One example where knowing the terrain would certainly be handy!

I've always felt that fighting an enemy on their home turf is a bad idea!

Thanks, buddy, for coming over today!

Judy said...

Instead of sneaking over to your mom's and bringing back cake. Let's all take our cups over and visit for a while.

And as for us tending our own knitting, the PTB don't want 300+ million people scrutinizing their behavior. They would be lucky to escape with their lives.

HermitJim said...

Hey Judy...
She would enjoy the visit, I'm sure!

Better bring your thimble, 'cause she might just put you to work on a quilt! She does love to sew!

Thanks so much for the visit today!

Gorges Smythe said...

From what I've read, the Gremans were secretly supporting Villa and some rebels in Panama to keep the U.S. busy enough that we'd think twice about going to war against Germany. Ultimately, it didn't work.

BBC said...

Our ancestors came here and kicked the shit out of the natives and took over this country. So we think of ourselves as the natives here.

It would serve us right if someone came and kicked our asses.

Mayberry said...

One thing is for sure, sticking our noses in other country's affairs has never really done anything but cost American lives. It's a vicious circle that needs to be broken...