The Federalist Papers

A pure Democracy, by which I mean a Society consisting of a small number of citizens, who assemble and administer the Government in person, can admit of no cure for the mischiefs of faction.

A common passion or interest will, in almost every case, be felt by a majority of the whole; a communication and concert result from the form of Government itself; and there is nothing to check the inducements to sacrifice the weaker party, or an obnoxious individual.

Hence it is, that such Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; and have in general been as short in their lives, as they have been violent in their deaths.

Theoretic politicians, who have patronized this species of Government, have erroneously supposed, that by reducing mankind to a perfect equality in their political rights, they would, at the same time, be perfectly equalized and assimilated in their possessions, their opinions, and their passions.

James Madison, Federalist No. 10

Pre 9-11, heard the stories of digging trenches, and who would be the sacrificial lamb to take their mask off after an attack. Well, 2003, I got to witness this poor E-1 take his mask off after an attack on Camp Thunder in Kuwait.
1SG says, “ take you mask and MOPP gear with you to the aircraft”. The aircraft were 1/2 mile to a mile away from our tents. As the crew chiefs were out doing daily maintenance on the blackhawks, the patriot missiles fired off. A loud explosion was heard and seen over our heads. I was on top of the bird and looked over to the other aircraft and saw everyone looking up. One crew chief yelled “gas gas gas” while giving the hand and arm signal at the same time. I swear I leaped off the top of the aircraft did a PLF went inside the cabin and grabbed my mask. I donned it in the fastest time ever. I did not bring the rest of my gear. So I ran back to the tents, with about 20 other CEs. Having the mask on didn’t phase me or slow me down. I don’t think I took a breath the whole time. Got to my bunk and finished putting on the rest of my suit. Everyone else was in the trench already. Sat there for hours until the LTC asked this one Soldier to stand up and stand in front of everyone and take his mask off.
“All Clear” said the Doc. It just so happened that the thunderous boom over our heads was a patriot missile self detonated because it was off course. But in fact, the other 4 patriot missiles did knock down 3 scuds that were headed to Kuwait City.

for my fellow pilots and crew chiefs

https://fb.watch/oBMmCRDVfN/?mibextid=Nif5oz