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Author: hszmv1

May 23rd 2017 at 12:19:23 PM

It's not a well known quote.  DecapitationStrike is the real world name for this tactic:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decapitation_strike

We have plenty of tropes that are "Not To Be Confused With" and while this may involve an "OffWithHisHead" it's not necessary.  All that remains is the swift removal of command authority in the execution of an attack.   ThePurge is internal policy where as the DecapitationStrike is external.  The Godfather example is an example because its the systematic removal of leadership from a rival organization.

Compared with Azula and the Dai Li coup in AvatarTheLastAirbender where they moved to eliminate the Earth King's command and control of the military in order to quietly take Ba Sing Se OR in AvatarTheLegendOfKorra when Republic City was rendered mostly powerless after four of the five members of City Council were removed in simultaneous attacks.

It's not about location so much as timing... Location can factor because a number of leadership is gathering in one place OR can be spread out but done quickly in order to ensure that leadership cannot coordinate or tip others off/issue orders.

Either way, the effect is an outside force scoring a quick victory by removing the executive function of an organization or nation, rather than a direct conflict with with their armies.

If you are insistent on the use of the quote, you should probably try "The Eggs are in one Basket" but that might get slapped with NoNewStockPhrases.   As it stands, a quick google search of "Blowing Up The Basket" yields nothing remotely close to this idea.

* This is the reason why WOPR cannot be "unplugged" to resolve the problem in Film/WarGames.  A power loss would be interpreted as a decapitation strike and would launch immediately.  Many real world NuclearPowers do have safety measures in place that will launch if there is no positive signal from Command.