How to end a war, and why journalism needs you

What's war good for?  ͏  ͏  ͏ [expressnews.com]( [View in Browser]( [Tomlinson's Take]( Reader, we hope you've been enjoying this newsletter. It will soon be for paid subscribers only. To continue accessing award-winning commentary on politics, money and life in Texas, [subscribe now: 6 months for 99¢](.   FALL SALE! Unlimited Digital Access: Only 25¢ [Subscribe Today.](   --------------------------------------------------------------- [When Politics Fail]( Nothing inspires bloodlust like a surprise attack on civilians. The intent is to spark fear and rage, which is why such tactics [violate the laws of war]( and are considered terrorism. I am not an expert on the Israel-Palestinian conflict. My only on-the-ground reporting consists of a trip to Lebanon in search of al-Qaida fighters in Palestinian refugee camps a few days after 9/11. Palestinian Liberation Organization and Hezbollah leaders welcomed me and explained how they had driven the extremists out of the country. I have reported from the front lines of nine wars, trained as a soldier and studied violent conflict. I agree with [German strategist Carl von Clausewitz](’s 19th-century observation that [“war is simply a continuation of political intercourse, with the addition of other means.”]( [Israel has occupied Palestinian lands for 56 years](. The government has kept [Hamas and the Gaza Strip isolated for 16 years](. A majority of adult Gazans have [supported organizations dedicated to destroying Israel for decades](. There’s a lot behind what’s happening today. The deadlock in Gaza has radicalized Israeli and Palestinian politicians and made the strip unbearable for the 2 million people living there. History is filled with cynical leaders convincing desperate people to commit despicable acts. There are no excuses or justifications for what Hamas has done over the past week. If those responsible survive, they should face justice for their crimes against humanity. Every country would have the right and obligation to destroy an enemy’s capacity for violence after a surprise attack. But smart leaders know they must also take away the enemy’s will to fight, and that requires “a continuation of political intercourse.” In the past few days, images of human suffering have flooded the world’s media. Most of it comes from news organizations, [but much of it is doctored](. Politicians always try to manipulate public opinion through the media. As the images stir your emotions, you should always ask yourself: “Am I seeing images from both sides? Are they balanced in eliciting sympathy and anger? Am I being conditioned to dehumanize one side of the conflict?” Your reaction is important because both sides want your sympathies as they plot more extreme violence to get an upper hand before the inevitable negotiations. There is no military solution to any war, only a political one. Societies must remove their enemy’s will to fight by finding political accommodation. This is true in every conflict, and the failure of politics always explains why fighting continues.   [Photo of Chris Tomlinson] Chris Tomlinson, Business Columnist   --------------------------------------------------------------- What Else I'm Writing [Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick presides in the Senate on the first day of the first special session at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)]( [Vouchers are financially ruinous, unfair]( Texas may spend $8 billion annually on school vouchers if $8,000 went to every child in private school or home school.   [House Speaker Dade Phelan is congratulated after adjourning Sine Die after only one day of the first special session at the Capitol in Austin, Texas, Tuesday, May 30, 2023. (Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP)]( [Texas Lege a model to fix D.C. gridlock]( Republicans appoint Democrats to chair committees in the Texas Legislature in return for bipartisan support and better laws.   --------------------------------------------------------------- What I'm Reading Must Read: [An Alamo program about the Mexican soldier was set to go. Now it's still being worked on.]( Conservatives only want to tell one side of the story. (Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News) Should Read:[Influential Texas activist Jonathan Stickland hosted white supremacist Nick Fuentes]( Christian nationalists and white supremacists often flock together. (Texas Tribune) Interesting Read: [Why Can’t We Stop Unauthorized Immigration? Because It Works.]( (New York Times Magazine) Technical Read: [Did too much faith in free markets undo globalization?]( The global trading system slashed tariffs and fostered borderless commerce. But the system was built on free-market theories, over which there was little scope for enforcement behind national borders. (Hinrich Foundation) Fun Read: [Why Are So Many Tortoises on the Loose in Texas?]( (Texas Monthly)   --------------------------------------------------------------- Question of the Week Should we negotiate with violent groups, even if some call them terrorists? Reply directly to this email and tell me your thoughts.   --------------------------------------------------------------- Mailbag Last Week’s Question: Is there a celebrity that gives you a buzz of excitement or a sense of awe? “I appreciate all celebrities that use their status/influence to give voice and action for ‘good.’ My good might be different from your good, but for me, it is about facts, logic, perspective, and a willingness to pursue change. Bono from U2 is a great example of that.” – Joe Diana, San Antonio “Having lived in Black skin as a woman (two other principles of biology over which I had no control) for 71 years, as I navigated American public schools and private workplaces, I realized I had to get along with others to achieve my goals. When I learned the Universal Truth that one sows what one reaps, I decided if I wanted to live my best life, I should probably emulate the life of Christ.” – Evelyn F. McClain, Houston “Hands down, I got to see and touch on his sleeve: General Colin Powell, a class act all the way. My hero.” – Barbara Francis, San Antonio “I am in awe of extraordinary talent, not the person possessing the talent, which permits me to enjoy their performance without all of that other stuff getting in the way.” – Scott Hayden, Houston “I truly respect and am in awe of Simone Biles. Her athleticism is mind-blowing, and I admire her courage in admitting her issues with the twisties. I feel her statements have helped many people understand that their own issues, whatever they may be, can be dealt with and should not be looked upon as embarrassing. I also admired her courage in confronting Dr. Nassar.” – Darlene Clark, Houston   --------------------------------------------------------------- The Takeaway Thank you for reading; you've made my newsletter a success. Tomlinson’s Take is becoming a subscriber-only newsletter next month. If you already subscribe to the Houston Chronicle or the San Antonio Express-News, you are all set. Thank you for supporting my journalism. If you have enjoyed my weekly observations, links and reader questions for free, well, probably saw a notice at the top of this email. You have a few choices: you can subscribe to one of the newspapers, or pay a small fee to keep reading the newsletter. The good news is that a newsletter subscription entitled you to free access to the Chronicle and Express-News links I embed. The Hearst Corp. is doing this to help pay for local journalism. My salary is modest, but it’s still an expense. So are my laptop and my editors on Houston and San Antonio. You should also know that companies are cutting back on advertising, especially in the print editions. We will need subscription revenue to cover most of our bills as advertising revenue goes to search engines and social media. I am proud of the Express-News and the Chronicle, named the best newspaper in Texas for the last five years. We have aspirations to expand our newsroom and our geographic coverage. I also, humbly, believe Tomlinson’s Take is worth a few bucks. If you are not a subscriber, please support my work and local journalism. The sooner you sign up, the better the discount. I promise I will do my best to ensure you get your money’s worth.   --------------------------------------------------------------- Share With Your Friends Do you know someone who would like Tomlinson's Take? 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