Great post! Billmon is right to believe Hersh, we all need to believe Hersh and commit ourselves to the serious business of getting Congress to recognize this. As far as the Generals, it gives new meaning to the bumper sticker, "Support the Troops". If only they would stand up for their own.
Posted by mainsailset at August 28, 2006 09:12 AMWhat happened to us?
The GOP happened to us.
Posted by God Of War at August 28, 2006 09:22 AMWhat Happened? We allowed a presidential election to be stolen in 2000, thats what. We sat by and witnessed a political coup de estat. I'm increasingly sure we will never be allowed to vote these criminals out of office. Sure hope I'm wrong.
Posted by T2 at August 28, 2006 09:29 AMWar is all they've got to stay in power. Even terrorism isn't working so well anymore. With war, everybody rallies around the flag, the media bends over even more, the president's rating soar, and everybody forgets about all those other problems. Perfect solution to low poll ratings.
Posted by Phil from New York at August 28, 2006 10:01 AMI'm counting on those fer'gn IOU holders to tell Georgie to limit his war-mongering-wandering eye and hold that triggerfinger. He and his little Dicky pal aren't listening to the US taxpayers, most of whom don't give a shit anyway. And if not, then it's been nice knowin' ya.
Posted by Sharon at August 28, 2006 10:06 AMpr, nc pc. Nks n rn? W'v sd DP n th Blkns, bth rq pllgs, nd th srl rp f Lb. Why wld mr pwrfl nks nt b sd? Lk y sd, wht hs hppnd t s?
jst hp smn wll sk m t nswr tht qstn.
[Editor: ignore=off]Politicians, follow the money.
Posted by degustibus at August 28, 2006 10:14 AMI just hope someone will ask me to answer that question.
Let's see?
Depravity & corporations.
In a nutshell anyway.
Posted by snark at August 28, 2006 10:14 AM
Military madness has killed my country. It really looks like we are on the road to fascism. I know most of us in leftest blog land are doing their best and not being "good Germans". We have to keep fighting but these bush gangsters are crazed wounded animals. Prepare for the worst which would be nukes and seriously prepare to escape this bush nut house.
snrk, thnks fr stlng my thndr.
[Editor: ignore=off]Thunder? More like predictable yadda yadda, scout. It appears snark was hoping you would refrain from the same old ten paragraph diatribe.
Posted by iamcoyote at August 28, 2006 10:55 AM1. American militarism has been carefully encouraged and fostered over the past 20 years, mostly by Republican "conservatives" and the Religious Right, with help from the neocon movement.
2. American ignorance is at extremely high levels, despite supposed increases in levels of educational attainment.
3. After 9/11, one of the nation's two political parties elected to manipulate and divide the people, intentionally generating fear as a political weapon to acquire/retain political power, and demonizing the other party as being "against" American security.
4. The major press outlets became a stenographic operation, with no "check" on which "position" made sense, while TV cable news was permitted to morph into conservative "flavors", so people can reinforce what they already believe before watching the "news". Thus, we all have our "facts" as well as our own opinions.
Result: preemptive nuclear attack on Iran is now a "mainstream" conservative position, and not recognized as solely a lunatic position.
Posted by euzoius at August 28, 2006 10:57 AMWhat makes you think a Dem in power is any less likely to commit war crimes or nuclear genocide? You think Lockheed, TRW, Boeing, McDonnel-Douglas, Hughes and all the rest are going to LET a Democrat conduct peaceful, rational, diplomatic foreign policy? Their weapons have to be tested in a live enviroment. They have to get used up and degraded. They have to be deployed in war so their shortcomings and obsolescense can lead to calls for ever more complex and expensive replacements. America is death and war. Shifting gears and changing that is akin to the proverbial "turning around an aircraft carrier". It takes so much time and effort it's easier to leave the poor S.O.B. overboard to drown than it is to attempt a rescue. We're all man overboard on this ship of state.
Posted by steve duncan at August 28, 2006 11:10 AMsomeone tell me when the republicans get a new idea. folks "read trolls" always say the dems offer no ideas, but what exactly is your new thought. its been the same thing for five years, fight there, not over here. wmd's. dems weak on homeland security, etc. however, your the one in power, and you're steadily short changing our country. support the troops, lets not equip them and then keep calling them up to the front. "but me and my kids," we support, but don't fight. matter of fact, i got out of viet-nam with a hang nail.
everything in dc points to a power grab by the executive branch, to the point of "constitutional crisis." that's my definition of high crimes and misdeamenors.
what happened, we the people stopped believing in and searching for the truth and got corrupted by sound bites.
Posted by anthony at August 28, 2006 11:15 AMRight on, anthony!
steve d, you're one of my favs, and I don't disagree with the main point of the enormous political power of the military-industrial complex. It's a big ship at this point, and hard to change course.
But Clinton reduced overall "defense" spending (to the disgust of the generals), contained Saddam while the Republican Loons clamored for regime change, worked to defuse the nuclear threat from N. Korea (and was on the verge of a comprehensive missile deal with them), held back against Serbian aggression, and forced Israel to the table with the Palestinians, even if the process ultimately failed.
He didn't look for a military solution to every international problem, and he was a popular president.
And he was a conservative Dem! So party can make a big difference on these militarism vs. diplomacy issues.
Posted by euzoius at August 28, 2006 11:45 AMWe was robbed.
Posted by mparker at August 28, 2006 11:48 AMCurrently the Iranians have done nothing to anyone. Nothing.
Remember Iran's upcoming euro-based oil Bourse.
p, Wrote about it back in March, I think.
Then of course from herr bu$h:
“This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous...Having said that, all options are on the table.”
– President George W. Bush, February 2005
So in this, day is night, light is dark repuke world, we're fucked!
Great post Paradox - I don't have any answers, but you've clearly articulated the meta-question.
Posted by Jim Faith at August 28, 2006 12:17 PMI think a better theme than "A new Direction" would be "Repair America"
Posted by DOT at August 28, 2006 01:44 PM"... they will actually possess in ten years."
Rather a definative statement: may I quote you in the future?
"Currently the Iranians have done nothing to anyone."
Ummm....Hezbollah...terrorists in Iraq?
"The psychotically sick among us call it 'preventive war.'"
You would prefer another 9/11? (You may recall that the current leadership in Iran has called for the elimination of Israel....and war on the West, in general.)
"After WWII the US abandoned its extremely wise practice of having no standing armies."
Perhaps it was "wise" when our only adversary was Mexico, but -- again -- you may recall a threat referred to in the past (tense) as the Soviet Union. Probably does not fit into your reality picture, though.
"The result was eight years of excellent moderate Republican administration,..."
And an increasing global, Jihadist threat.
"After 9/11..."
9/11? What happened on 9/11?
"I am still a proud Democracy Bond holder....."
Yeah, how is that investment doing? Perhaps as well as Ned Lamont.
"...there is no doubt at all, the United States has completely lost the ability to tell the truth to itself or others as it commits crime after crime, domestically and internationally.
Why do Lefties hate this country so very much. Pess, if you do not like it, perhaps you can move to a country more in-lne with your politics. I understand that Tehran is very nice this time of year.
"...but the results are still inconclusive."
Actually, the results are conclusive....care to guess what these results are (hint: Ned Lamont).
"The psychotic United States on the killing loose again, dreaded and actively undermined everywhere, fear and death our constant companions."
Please see my previous comment regarding the "wonderfulness" of Tehran this time of year. Perhaps, you can get a direct flight? (Bring your Burka.)
"....great deal of hope for a bright, happy future full of promise. The human condition has fully recovered after far, far worse circumstances, we can stop the sickness that has overtaken the United States."
All together now, sing Kumbayah as loud as you can: the Islamicist will then run away.
Regards,
Bagley
P.S. Glad to see you got your shovel out of storage.
Posted by Bagley at August 28, 2006 06:19 PMWhy do Lefties hate this country so very much.
You're engaging in Freudian projection, my son. You honestly are. We're the last patriots, yet the neo-cons have you so confused you don't realize it. Everything you said above screams "Nuke the Sand Niggers!" Shameful of you. You should reflect on your thoughts and understand you have become the thing you fear the most.
Posted by phidipides at August 28, 2006 06:33 PMFirst of all, I must compliment Paradox: this poster is as capable of "digging a hole" as deep as pessimist. (I thought pessimist posted this: pess, you have a competitor in the competition for the most pretzel-like thought process in the Lefty world).
"Shameful of you. You should reflect on your thoughts and understand you have become the thing you fear the most."
I fear those people who proclaim that they want to kill me and my loved ones -- and, not only pursue the means to do so on a nuclear scale, but do so on a lesser scale every day. All things considered, I think that this is a healthy consideration.
However, phidipides, I do suppose that you have retreated into the world where -- what was it you posted? -- [you] choose to be ignorant.
Cheers!
Posted by Bagley at August 28, 2006 06:55 PMFuck bagley, can't you even read? This piece was written by paradox, not pessimist!
Perhaps it was "wise" when our only adversary was Mexico, but -- again -- you may recall a threat referred to in the past (tense) as the Soviet Union. Probably does not fit into your reality picture, though.
Now that they both vote like us, who is to worry!
Posted by Seven of Six at August 28, 2006 06:55 PMI fear those people who proclaim that they want to kill me and my loved ones -- and, not only pursue the means to do so on a nuclear scale, but do so on a lesser scale every day.
Hey bagley....BOO!!
Posted by Seven of Six at August 28, 2006 06:58 PM"Fuck bagley, can't you even read? This piece was written by paradox, not pessimist!"
Already addressed.
"Hey bagley....BOO!!"
I do wish that the threat were that simple: you do not read the news reports, do you?
Posted by Bagley at August 28, 2006 07:09 PMSlow night here at TLC.
With only phidipides and Seven of Six, it must be a night reserved for the lesser Lefties.
Goodnoght all. Steve, thanks for the bandwidth.
Posted by Bagley at August 28, 2006 07:21 PMWith only phidipides and Seven of Six, it must be a night reserved for the lesser Lefties.
That was easy! And to be placed in such company as Phid! Shit, I feel good!
Goodnoght bagley.
BTW bags, I'd be more afraid of your own government! If this is indeed your own government!
Lesser lefties, no! Lower lefties!
Posted by Seven of Six at August 28, 2006 07:44 PMOh, Baggy has bought the fear factor hook, line and sinker. I bet he believed that there was 'a red under every bed' back in the 50s and 60s too. Hey big man, whatsa matter? You scared? Well, you should be, but not from forces outside this Country you motherfucker.
(Now wait for the post telling me that my message is diuted by cursing or why do I hate America). Counting 1, 2, 3.....
Posted by Judith at August 28, 2006 08:38 PMBy-the-way Paradox, great post. We all feel the same frustration and anger. I feel like I have no Country, no Party, no truth, no future. What are we going to do. Sit at our computers until the knock comes at our doors? I don't know.
I have never known a man so intent on bringing about destruction. It's like he gets a hard on just thinking about dropping a nuclear bomb. To bad one isn't dropped on this WH. Rest assured that we are going to drop a bomb on Iran. It is just a matter of when. Maybe an October Surprise.
Posted by Judith at August 28, 2006 08:53 PMEither you are comfortable with Iran developing a plutonium industry or you are not.
If not can you give any specific ways in which you see as stopping Iran from developing such weapons.
Bush made a terrible blunder in his invasion of Iraq. This has left us without a viable threat of
military invasion. There are few options. Bush has given one.
Since you do not like Bush's solution, do you have any other? Or are you willing to give Iran bombs by default?
Judith, Is it me or have I noticed a bit more anger from you lately!
I'm with you woman! I'm ready for the marches and protests to begin. The local PDA meeting is a little tame for my blood. They sit around and talk. They organize for the takeover after the eventual downfall of the chimperor.
If things don't change after this election, watch for the shit to hit the fan. Just a hunch!
Either you are comfortable with Iran developing a plutonium industry or you are not.
How far away are they from being a nuclear threat, realistically? 10 years, sooner maybe? Don't you think this is enough time to exhaust all options for diplomacy.
aeolius, Have confidence, remember he's leaving Iraq to the next pRe$ident! That's only a little over 2 years. Just think how much we will be able to accomplish with a new Congress.
Believe me you have more to fear from the bu$h administration than you do from Iran! Meaning he will cause our death sooner!
At least if Iran had nukes there would be forced peace in the Middle East. Either they wouldn't kill each other with a few big bangs or they would. Either way the end result is peace.
Posted by at August 28, 2006 09:32 PM"Judith, Is it me or have I noticed a bit more anger from you lately!"
Seven of Six, yes, I am more angry than even a month ago. Like millions of others, I am scared to death about the future, and just where in the hell this is all leading.
I am angry at people such as Bagley and all the rest of those who come here to post their propagands disbursed by the WH&Co. Why? Because THEY ARE THE ENEMY. My tolerance is gone. These are the people who are out to destroy you and I and our freedoms. These are the people who betray this Country. These are the people who led the witch hunts in Salem. These are the people who support torture. These are the people who lie, steal and murder to win their goals. These are the people who wipe their asses with the Constitution and then say, "oh well, it's just a piece of paper." I will show them no respect, because they are not worthy of my respect. Remember something, these are the people who helped Hitler lead the Jews into the burning furnaces.
Harsh? You bet. Am I acting like a Christian right now? No, I am not. God forgive me.
I'm with you woman!
Posted by Seven of Six at August 29, 2006 08:46 AM