At Pentagon Christian service, Hegseth prays for violence 'against those who deserve no mercy'

[Journeyman]

5. It seems Kegsbreath has given voice to the silent portion of Twain's "War Prayer" . . .

and bypassed the hypocrisy of the appeal for God's good graces. Or, to borrow from another American satirist, Kurt Vonnegut, we have now seen the face of pure evil.

”There are plenty of good reasons for fighting but no good reason ever to hate without reservation, to imagine that God Almighty Himself hates with you. Where's evil? It's that large part of every man that wants to hate without limit, that wants to hate with God on its side. It's that part of every man that finds all kinds of ugliness so attractive. It's that part of an imbecile that punishes and vilifies and makes war gladly.“

-- Howard Campbell, Jr., Mother Night