A pending war with Iran has a lot to do with US unholy imperialism as well as the US’s unhealthy (INSANE) codependency with the leadership of Israel.
First thing, Obama will never be trustworthy in the eyes of the borderline personality Israeli government. Israel with its reported 200 nuclear weapons has been ever-threatening to strike Iran and pull the US into joining in or doing it for Israel over ANY REMOTE (or successfully manufactured) intelligence (not evidence) that Iran is developing its FIRST nuclear warhead. The US, by the way, is said to have over 5000 nuclear warheads (Wikipedia). When have you ever heard this interesting international “double standard” cited? But when were US wars ever about actual justice, logic and reality? Instead a patriarchal leadership spoon feeds an unquestioning media bellicose American exceptionalism bullshit.
The US, now under “everything on the table” (except universal health care and peace) Obama is ready to do nearly anything to make Israel happy and to of course promote the new world order of hegemony for economic supremacy in the oil-rich Middle East and now Africa.
Incidentally, Obama’s Panetta might schmooze Israel well most of the time, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton certainly has sold out to Israel profoundly ever since even becoming a NY senator (her not that long ago description of the illegal massive and shameful settlement building in Palestine as being “unhelpful” -- UNHELPFUL -- a case in point), but the Dems do get undeserved support from progressives who give lip service at least to world peace, which that and $5 at Starbucks will get you a latte. Anyway, that probably troubles borderline Israel that wants bow-down full-out obsequiousness like it gets from most of the AIPAC-needy-for-election Senate and Congress. We should be so lucky Obama had spine-potential with Israel.
Alas, the blank check cooperation the Republicans (save for Ron Paul) are willing to give Israel for political support and the unholy neocon and neoliberal marriage of profits-always-over-people (the roots of islamophobia have more to do with oil-lust than religion) no matter how many millions of people are violated is stunning and foretells war with Iran. After Iraq. Afghanistan. Libya. Hell, after Viet Nam. The inertia of the US (and, let’s face it, NATO’s) AMORAL AND PSCYHOPATHIC war-machine seems unstoppable.
Who can stop it? The only 2012 candidate in either party not irrationally promoting violent imperialism has a troubling domestic policy and a history of racist comments.
If myopic America gets goose-stepped into another war scenario (and the likelihood is strong) from the irrational narcissism at the cost of national welfare of political electioneering and obscene corporate-cronyism there will be YET ANOTHER WAR, this time with Iran.
The Republicans have out and out promised it to Israel except for Paul. McCain was drooling to go for it in 2008.
Even if Obama wins, he will wage war with Iran out of a reward or placation of Israel and its militarized reality-denying paranoia. Consider, this is Obama and there is, among many other things, a lesson in codependency he refuses to learn, not to keep on rewarding your avowed enemies to turn them around. I would feel sorry for Obama if he didn’t hold the fate of millions in his callow, troubled, vulnerable, constitution- and citizen-betraying hands. About as trustworthy as the hands of a McCain or Gingrich or even a Perry or Palin, since it would seem any politicians who even get close to the pinnacle of power are so profoundly media-branded and pimped out by oligarchy they are too amoral to steer the US anywhere but deeper into fascism.
As for the media. Well, the media is a craven puppet. Not dedicated to truth, reality, peace. The media gets its marching orders from the power brokers. It helped easily slide us into a war against a country we should never have been at war with and even after comprehending that nationally the war continued and continued and will continue despite governmental propaganda to the contrary. The media helped slide us into a war with another country we could easily have negotiated with to originally and actually apprehend and arrest Osama bin Laden long ago in the name of a police action, not launching a jingoistic, religion-demonizing crusade for ulterior hegemonic, economic purposes. The media blacked out totally the reality of the US/NATO economic and military rape of Libya.
The media has cheerled waging war, never peace, for decades now. They, granted, did some eventual “calling out” of the war madness way back with Viet Nam after millions had died and citizen protests were saturating the country. Even media daddy Walter Cronkite began to see the light of America’s evil hegemony and declared it. But we don’t have a serious fourth estate of media any more. The political rabid rat bastards learned the importance of dismantling a working press. Money and cronyism took care of media as efficiently as it took care of our oath-taking reps.
We are a fascist country and if you take issue with that, tell me how 87 US senators bipartisanly decided it was okay that American citizens lose their right to due process two weeks ago. Tell me why there is not NON-STOP OUTRAGE in this country over that incredible sell-out, even within the blogosphere!
We will goose-step to war with Iran and only the rest of the world will consciously connect the ongoing dots of US murderous hegemonic evil. But this time we, the bubble people, will suffer even more the grim consequences of war’s obscene costs, not just losing our young to the murderous madness, but the economic devastation of more and more of the 99% who are ever-irrelevant to the sociopathic, avaricious one percenters.
The 1% is willing to kill and harm anything and anyone for profit. Whether outside or inside US borders.
War with Iran? You betcha.
[cross-posted at correntewire and sacramento for democracy]
------------
Hey, Libby:
Just wanted to put aside our considerable differences for a moment and take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year. Lots of shit coming down for our country and the world right now—I think we both recognize and acknowledge that. We’ll see how it works out on the grand scale in 2012, but I certainly hope that your personal life is as fulfilling as possible.
f.
Just wanted to put aside our considerable differences for a moment and take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year. Lots of shit coming down for our country and the world right now—I think we both recognize and acknowledge that. We’ll see how it works out on the grand scale in 2012, but I certainly hope that your personal life is as fulfilling as possible.
f.
happy new year, frank. thanks for your good will! libby
I leave after this comment. Heehaws.
Jan Sand gave me some great ideas for gifts.
Wrap spoonfuls of peanut butter on cheese.
Send politicos hacked gopher balls. Aipsa?
Frank may be willing to donate golf balls.
Wrap moth balls and send to Capital Hell.
I wrap rolls them of Charmin' Bath tissue.
Our family opens gag-gifts today. Eat kale.
There's a old green kale recipe we gulp ups.
Hopefully - No body do burps 7- up or kale.
Slice dill pickles and eat with ice cream.
Writing is like walking on poison snakes.
I got to wrap cans of hominy and peas.
Jan Sand gave me some great ideas for gifts.
Wrap spoonfuls of peanut butter on cheese.
Send politicos hacked gopher balls. Aipsa?
Frank may be willing to donate golf balls.
Wrap moth balls and send to Capital Hell.
I wrap rolls them of Charmin' Bath tissue.
Our family opens gag-gifts today. Eat kale.
There's a old green kale recipe we gulp ups.
Hopefully - No body do burps 7- up or kale.
Slice dill pickles and eat with ice cream.
Writing is like walking on poison snakes.
I got to wrap cans of hominy and peas.
happy new year, art.
Re Iran and Syria from Shamus Cooke:
http://www.laprogressive.com/the-middle-east/war-with-iran/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+laprogressive+%28The+LA+Progressive%29
"The lie of humanitarian intervention is best exposed when U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia are considered: On December 29th the Obama Administration agreed to send $30 billion worth of sophisticated weaponry to one of the most repressive regimes in human history. The U.S. media publishes anti- Syria “humanitarian” news and Saudi arm sales on the same page, on the same day, without a second thought as to the hypocrisy in plain sight."
"To shield the U.S. motives and U.S. weaponry used in a possible Syria attack, the Arab League will again be enlisted. What is the Arab League? Most of the Arab League consists of nations that have very close political/military ties to the U.S. and are utterly dependent on the U.S. for weaponry and political support. is not an exaggeration to call the Arab League diplomatic puppets of the U.S. The membership of the Arab League includes the brutal dictatorships of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, United Arab Emigrates, Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Sudan, etc., nearly all exist purely because of U.S. military/police support."
"Syria has pointed out the hypocrisy of the Arab League’s humanitarian “monitors,” headed by a Sudanese General long known for being an enemy of human rights. The Associated Press correctly noted that Syria’s complaints about the Sudanese General:"
“'…raises troubling questions about whether Arab League member states, with some of the world’s poorest human rights records, were fit for the mission to monitor compliance with a plan to end to the crackdown on political opponents by security forces loyal to President Bashar Assad.” (December 29, 2011)."
"If the Arab League expels Syria from its membership, as it did Libya, the U.S./ Arab “coalition” will have been given the green light for a military “humanitarian” invasion. If an “Arab army” does invade Syria for “humanitarian” purposes, it be under the direction and assistance of the U.S. military, which will–as in Libya– be the behind-the-scenes leader, coordinating actions while providing military intelligence for the invasion. All of the dropped bombs will be “made in the USA.'”
"The Iranian situation is no better. The new economic sanctions that the Obama administration plans to implement equal an act of war against Iran, since they would have a crippling effect on Iran’s economy. Sanctions are used in this case to provoke, and when Iran reacted by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz (a vital trade point), the U.S. military instantly responded. The spokesperson for the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, Lt. Rebecca Rebarich, threatened Iran by saying: [the U.S. Navy] is always ready to counter malevolent actions to ensure freedom of navigation.” This is a blatant threat of war. Obama’s silence implies agreement.
"Many other high-ranking U.S. government officials have recently made highly provocative war comments against Iran in the media, focusing on the “near future” threat of Iran having a nuclear weapon. There is no concrete evidence that Iran is anywhere near having a nuclear weapon, just like no evidence existed proving that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. The constant rhetoric against Iran having a nuclear weapon is dishonest hyperbole; even if Iran were to obtain nuclear weapons it would have little motivation to use them, since Israel could easily obliterate Iran with its arsenal of nuclear weapons."
end of quote
The more vzn's-label war machine gets away with, the more reckless and ruthless the warmachine will go manipulated by its amoral leaders and their conscienceless, obscene, Orwellian geopolitical gamesmanship. As Donegal calls us, "the bubble people", too many of us who don't want their bubble disturbed and the longer they postpone exiting said bubble the more dire and fascistic this country becomes. my humble take! ll
Re Iran and Syria from Shamus Cooke:
http://www.laprogressive.com/the-middle-east/war-with-iran/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+laprogressive+%28The+LA+Progressive%29
"The lie of humanitarian intervention is best exposed when U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia are considered: On December 29th the Obama Administration agreed to send $30 billion worth of sophisticated weaponry to one of the most repressive regimes in human history. The U.S. media publishes anti- Syria “humanitarian” news and Saudi arm sales on the same page, on the same day, without a second thought as to the hypocrisy in plain sight."
"To shield the U.S. motives and U.S. weaponry used in a possible Syria attack, the Arab League will again be enlisted. What is the Arab League? Most of the Arab League consists of nations that have very close political/military ties to the U.S. and are utterly dependent on the U.S. for weaponry and political support. is not an exaggeration to call the Arab League diplomatic puppets of the U.S. The membership of the Arab League includes the brutal dictatorships of Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Jordan, United Arab Emigrates, Egypt, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Sudan, etc., nearly all exist purely because of U.S. military/police support."
"Syria has pointed out the hypocrisy of the Arab League’s humanitarian “monitors,” headed by a Sudanese General long known for being an enemy of human rights. The Associated Press correctly noted that Syria’s complaints about the Sudanese General:"
“'…raises troubling questions about whether Arab League member states, with some of the world’s poorest human rights records, were fit for the mission to monitor compliance with a plan to end to the crackdown on political opponents by security forces loyal to President Bashar Assad.” (December 29, 2011)."
"If the Arab League expels Syria from its membership, as it did Libya, the U.S./ Arab “coalition” will have been given the green light for a military “humanitarian” invasion. If an “Arab army” does invade Syria for “humanitarian” purposes, it be under the direction and assistance of the U.S. military, which will–as in Libya– be the behind-the-scenes leader, coordinating actions while providing military intelligence for the invasion. All of the dropped bombs will be “made in the USA.'”
"The Iranian situation is no better. The new economic sanctions that the Obama administration plans to implement equal an act of war against Iran, since they would have a crippling effect on Iran’s economy. Sanctions are used in this case to provoke, and when Iran reacted by threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz (a vital trade point), the U.S. military instantly responded. The spokesperson for the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, Lt. Rebecca Rebarich, threatened Iran by saying: [the U.S. Navy] is always ready to counter malevolent actions to ensure freedom of navigation.” This is a blatant threat of war. Obama’s silence implies agreement.
"Many other high-ranking U.S. government officials have recently made highly provocative war comments against Iran in the media, focusing on the “near future” threat of Iran having a nuclear weapon. There is no concrete evidence that Iran is anywhere near having a nuclear weapon, just like no evidence existed proving that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. The constant rhetoric against Iran having a nuclear weapon is dishonest hyperbole; even if Iran were to obtain nuclear weapons it would have little motivation to use them, since Israel could easily obliterate Iran with its arsenal of nuclear weapons."
end of quote
The more vzn's-label war machine gets away with, the more reckless and ruthless the warmachine will go manipulated by its amoral leaders and their conscienceless, obscene, Orwellian geopolitical gamesmanship. As Donegal calls us, "the bubble people", too many of us who don't want their bubble disturbed and the longer they postpone exiting said bubble the more dire and fascistic this country becomes. my humble take! ll
Jack Random:
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30115.htm
"The lies of war are forgotten as easily and readily as the wrappings of Christmas or the resolutions of a new year. Like a child still in diapers, the lessons of war must be learned again and again until finally they are taken to heart."
"The lies of the war in Iraq are so easily buried that six out of seven Republican candidates for president of the United States have publicly pledged to go to war in Iran based on the identical unsubstantiated claims that led us to war in Iraq. The lessons of that ill-fated war, the largest strategic blunder since Vietnam, are so readily put behind us that even before that colossal disaster officially ended, six of seven Republican candidates pledged his and her allegiance to the same neoconservative brain trust that guided us into the snake pit. And the White House is not far behind."
"Those of us who remember the war in Vietnam and the years we committed to ending it will find the bipartisan rationalizations of the Iraq War all too familiar and profoundly disturbing."
"The lie that drove the Vietnam War was the Domino Theory: If we lose one nation to the red menace of communism, then we will lose them all. On that basis, three generations of western powers (Britain, France and America) chose a little country on the doorstep of China as their playground of war."
"It required over three million lives to prove that a child’s game was not a legitimate basis for a foreign policy. It only made sense because it fit on a bumper sticker and because our leaders were dominated by military minds in search of power, glory and the spoils of empire."
"The great postwar lie of Vietnam was that we lost the war because we were never fully committed. The politicians in Washington held our generals back. Between 1965 and 1968 we dropped over a million tons of missiles, bombs and rockets on North Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia but we were never fully committed. We sprayed 12 million gallons of the deadly chemical defoliant Agent Orange over wide swaths of Southeast Asia but we were not fully committed. At the height of the war in 1968 we deployed over half a million soldiers, including the first conscripts since the Korean War, but we were not fully committed."
"Short of nuclear bombs, we were as committed to that unjustifiable war as any nation could have been yet the lies of war survive. The lies of war take on mythological characteristics and believing them becomes a ritual of patriotism."
"Little wonder we commit the same strategic mistakes, the same errors in judgment, the same acts of criminal inhumanity, the same ultimately desperate and self-destroying measures over and over again."
"In the wake of Vietnam, America’s leaders were confined to small-scale interventions until George Herbert Walker Bush, former Director of the CIA, conspired to wage war in Iraq. Though the Gulf War was short-lived, its military success inspired President Bush to announce: “The specter of Vietnam has been buried forever in the desert sands of the Arabian Peninsula.”
"Forever was not a long time as his eldest son was to initiate two wars that brought the specter of Vietnam back into focus. One was the ongoing ten-year war in Afghanistan and the other was a return to his father’s war in Iraq."
"Few will recall the lies of the father but the lies of the son are too fresh to be so soon forgotten. They include not only the infamous weapons of mass destruction but also the later claim that virtually all the world believed the lie. For the record, we lost our appeal before the United Nations Security Council to justify military action on the basis of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. The International Atomic Energy Agency thoroughly debunked our claims and the measure was withdrawn when it became clear that the Council would vote overwhelmingly against our cause for war."
"Members of the Bush administration falsely claimed that Saddam Hussein was a party to the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. They falsely claimed that Iraq harbored and worked with Al Qaeda operatives. These claims were so clearly and demonstrably false that even President Bush was forced ultimately to disavow them."
"The lies of war had served their purpose. Once the first bombs lit up the Baghdad skyline, supporting the war became a matter of patriotism."
"The next lie was that our actions had nothing to do with Iraqi oil and everything to do with establishing democracy in the Arab world. That lie was exposed when our first action was to protect the oil fields. Well before an Iraqi government could be established we contracted Iraqi oil to the highest corporate bidders. Mission accomplished."
'The lies of war are really not that difficult to detect. It only requires an open mind, an appetite for facts, and a willingness to think.'
"The lies of the Iraq War will survive unless those of us who witnessed them, from the soldiers who sacrificed to the citizens who supported and opposed them, unless each of us vows to accept the truth and pass that horrid account forward to future generations."
snip
"But when the president announces that we have created an opportunity for the Iraqis to thrive and prosper as a democratic nation, he is not only being disingenuous; he is perpetuating the lies of war. When the president declares that our fight in Iraq was for Iraqi freedom and international justice, he is paving the way for another unjust war in America’s future. He is attempting to bury the specter of Vietnam."
"Leaving Afghanistan for another day, we should all agree that the Iraq War was wrong from its inception. It was never about democracy. It was never about justice. It was always about oil and strategic advantage."
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article30115.htm
"The lies of war are forgotten as easily and readily as the wrappings of Christmas or the resolutions of a new year. Like a child still in diapers, the lessons of war must be learned again and again until finally they are taken to heart."
"The lies of the war in Iraq are so easily buried that six out of seven Republican candidates for president of the United States have publicly pledged to go to war in Iran based on the identical unsubstantiated claims that led us to war in Iraq. The lessons of that ill-fated war, the largest strategic blunder since Vietnam, are so readily put behind us that even before that colossal disaster officially ended, six of seven Republican candidates pledged his and her allegiance to the same neoconservative brain trust that guided us into the snake pit. And the White House is not far behind."
"Those of us who remember the war in Vietnam and the years we committed to ending it will find the bipartisan rationalizations of the Iraq War all too familiar and profoundly disturbing."
"The lie that drove the Vietnam War was the Domino Theory: If we lose one nation to the red menace of communism, then we will lose them all. On that basis, three generations of western powers (Britain, France and America) chose a little country on the doorstep of China as their playground of war."
"It required over three million lives to prove that a child’s game was not a legitimate basis for a foreign policy. It only made sense because it fit on a bumper sticker and because our leaders were dominated by military minds in search of power, glory and the spoils of empire."
"The great postwar lie of Vietnam was that we lost the war because we were never fully committed. The politicians in Washington held our generals back. Between 1965 and 1968 we dropped over a million tons of missiles, bombs and rockets on North Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia but we were never fully committed. We sprayed 12 million gallons of the deadly chemical defoliant Agent Orange over wide swaths of Southeast Asia but we were not fully committed. At the height of the war in 1968 we deployed over half a million soldiers, including the first conscripts since the Korean War, but we were not fully committed."
"Short of nuclear bombs, we were as committed to that unjustifiable war as any nation could have been yet the lies of war survive. The lies of war take on mythological characteristics and believing them becomes a ritual of patriotism."
"Little wonder we commit the same strategic mistakes, the same errors in judgment, the same acts of criminal inhumanity, the same ultimately desperate and self-destroying measures over and over again."
"In the wake of Vietnam, America’s leaders were confined to small-scale interventions until George Herbert Walker Bush, former Director of the CIA, conspired to wage war in Iraq. Though the Gulf War was short-lived, its military success inspired President Bush to announce: “The specter of Vietnam has been buried forever in the desert sands of the Arabian Peninsula.”
"Forever was not a long time as his eldest son was to initiate two wars that brought the specter of Vietnam back into focus. One was the ongoing ten-year war in Afghanistan and the other was a return to his father’s war in Iraq."
"Few will recall the lies of the father but the lies of the son are too fresh to be so soon forgotten. They include not only the infamous weapons of mass destruction but also the later claim that virtually all the world believed the lie. For the record, we lost our appeal before the United Nations Security Council to justify military action on the basis of Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. The International Atomic Energy Agency thoroughly debunked our claims and the measure was withdrawn when it became clear that the Council would vote overwhelmingly against our cause for war."
"Members of the Bush administration falsely claimed that Saddam Hussein was a party to the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. They falsely claimed that Iraq harbored and worked with Al Qaeda operatives. These claims were so clearly and demonstrably false that even President Bush was forced ultimately to disavow them."
"The lies of war had served their purpose. Once the first bombs lit up the Baghdad skyline, supporting the war became a matter of patriotism."
"The next lie was that our actions had nothing to do with Iraqi oil and everything to do with establishing democracy in the Arab world. That lie was exposed when our first action was to protect the oil fields. Well before an Iraqi government could be established we contracted Iraqi oil to the highest corporate bidders. Mission accomplished."
'The lies of war are really not that difficult to detect. It only requires an open mind, an appetite for facts, and a willingness to think.'
"The lies of the Iraq War will survive unless those of us who witnessed them, from the soldiers who sacrificed to the citizens who supported and opposed them, unless each of us vows to accept the truth and pass that horrid account forward to future generations."
snip
"But when the president announces that we have created an opportunity for the Iraqis to thrive and prosper as a democratic nation, he is not only being disingenuous; he is perpetuating the lies of war. When the president declares that our fight in Iraq was for Iraqi freedom and international justice, he is paving the way for another unjust war in America’s future. He is attempting to bury the specter of Vietnam."
"Leaving Afghanistan for another day, we should all agree that the Iraq War was wrong from its inception. It was never about democracy. It was never about justice. It was always about oil and strategic advantage."
As Yogi Berra used to say, it's deja vu all over again. Thanks.
I think Syria may be on the chopping block first. But the warmongers will certainly be bloodthirsty this new year (as any)...
I can't say here how much I agree with all of this Libby.
I would have to take up the whole day.
But if anyone ever wants to know where the taxpayers' dollar goes, they need only to look at the Defense budget.
War with Iran?? Why not. We just got a few extra military outta Iraq. They need jobs. Ship them across the border to Iran. Save some money. We can always give some more dollars to Israel.
I hope you recognize snark here dear.I am trying not to use cuss words.
But angry I am at the thought of more endless wars...
Keep writing. I'm reading.
I would have to take up the whole day.
But if anyone ever wants to know where the taxpayers' dollar goes, they need only to look at the Defense budget.
War with Iran?? Why not. We just got a few extra military outta Iraq. They need jobs. Ship them across the border to Iran. Save some money. We can always give some more dollars to Israel.
I hope you recognize snark here dear.I am trying not to use cuss words.
But angry I am at the thought of more endless wars...
Keep writing. I'm reading.
The only thing that will stop a war with Iran is collapse of the global economic system - the real deal this times. With the impending collapse of the Eurozone, the odds are 2 to 1 it will happen before the November elections.
Sean, yes, Syria is on the chopping block and not getting the media attention along with mine it deserves. Thanks for bringing that up.
Mission, I am glad this resonants with you. We seem too small a minority! I will keep writing!
Hey Stuart. Yes, power addicts DEFY reality. Amazing to what profound degrees! Thanks for comment!
Mission, I am glad this resonants with you. We seem too small a minority! I will keep writing!
Hey Stuart. Yes, power addicts DEFY reality. Amazing to what profound degrees! Thanks for comment!
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