I'm sure some anti war hippie would make a joke here.

In any case, it's fascinating how horses, dogs, pigeons, and various other animals were only recently (less than 100 years) replaced by machines. Horses were precious and highly exploited in both world wars.

Was thinking recently about how close we came to pigeon-guided missiles.

Or the somewhat similar concept of bombs attached to bats, which was similarly very successful at doing damage, just not very directed damage.

We had them, but they didn't work well.

What better period than a revolution for dogs to practice free love of owners and open loyalty relationships?

I’ve always thought the word Revolution was the wrong word for this war. Other revolutions have focused on destroying monarchy, the church, landowners, etc. but this was none of that. It was a war for independence.

The founders called it the War for Independence.

I’m not surprised, it wouldn’t have made sense to call it a revolution. I do wonder when the less accurate phrase was first applied and who was responsible.

Merriam-Webster defines revolution as (and I would agree this is how I see it used):

> a fundamental change in political organization.

> especially : the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed

I have no idea if that definition was in use in the 18th century, but in the 21st I think it's accurate enough terminology.

I don't think the incumbent government ever calls an insurrection a revolution, does it? That's the word the victors use for it after they gain power.

there was a revolution to "overthrow" the monarchy - just a local overthrow instead of a empire wide revolution

There is a big difference between throw off and overthrow.

Colonial independence wars often have multiple factions where some are advocating a nationalist approach that mostly preserves the existing institutions, and others want to radically redesign government at the same time.

If the latter groups get the upper hand, it’s called a revolution. And the Americans certainly fit the bill because they set out to write a federal constitution and bill of rights that bore no resemblance to the English system.

> bore no resemblance to the English system.

Except the Bill of Rights being based on it’s English equivalent and multiple other documents and customs in the English constitution.

Two timing SOB

Why did they glorify a traitor? Nowadays we'll throw anyone a bone if they can garner clicks.

A cat would never. I'm just saying.

A cat would look at both sides in a battle, yawn, and wander off while the stupid humans kill each other.

And then feast ravenously on the remains when the battle is over.

Dogs obviously know nothing about human warfare. At least not enough to consciously pick a side.

This is now my favorite Hacker News comment ever.

dril level

Article wasn't about benedict arnold's dog.

Smart dog, they should have appointed him to the reserve bank.