Of course the neocons do not possess the spirit of capitalism and free enterprise. The very fact that they are not willing to be accounted for their exploits and the very fact that they will believe that someone will pay for the wealth, American or otherwise, that they are wasting on their ideology, and so no one has to worry about it, excludes them from being capitalists.”

Indeed. In fact one could properly identify the neo-conservatives, in an economic sense, as neo-mercantilists, an advanced form of old-style British mercantilism or a form of corporatism lying between a free market and Mussolinian Fascism; i.e., kleptocracy.

I don’t remember who said it but one of those neocon psychos said something like: “…We’re an empire now, we create our own reality…and while you’re studying that reality we’ll act again, creating other new realities..”

Hehe…they don’t give a rats @ss what we think Larry!

The pen is no longer mightier than the sword…so write whatever you want Larry, they still won’t give a f#&k; this is the primary reason why the “anti-war” movement – as we know it today – is a complete farce! With people like these neocons you’ll have to break bones and draw real blood to get them in line…can you do that Larry? Can you, or ANY of the multitude of writers and columnists, break bones and draw real blood? No?…

1) Russia does nothing and looks weak, allowing the National Endowment for Democracy to purchase more “elections” and thus encouraging even more expansion of NATO. (Funny how it’s OK for the US to contribute financially to political parties in foreign countries but it’s illegal for them to contribute to political parties here.) Renewal of Cold War justifies increased US military budget.

2) Russia decides on a long term occupation of Georgia while we support anti-Russian insurgents there. Renewal of Cold War justifies increased US military budget.

3) Russia invades and punishes Georgia but then withdraws. We claim it was our criticism and threats of economic sanctions that “forced” Russia to withdraw. Renewal of Cold War justifies increased US military budget.

As Olbermann’s been saying, “The purpose of the war in Iraq was…to have a war in Iraq.”

You are entitled to define “Capitalism” any way you choose, but this definition goes nowhere.

Ironically, Marx did not invent “Communism” (there are even ancient Greek varieties) but he did invent “Capitalism”, and also was entitled to use his definition any way he chose.

As a critical tool, he used it very effectively, despite many flaws.

At any rate, however one defines it, there is no reason whatever, all things being equal, that the Capitalist will not buy any state if it is available for sale, which, in the US, it most certainly is.

The U.S. deserves to be bashed with a big old stupid stick for the amazing idiocy of its foreign (and domestic) policies. Instead of establishing a basis for a lasting friendship with post-Soviet Russia, beginning under Clinton the U.S. has consistently taken every opportunity to harm that country. The U.S. backed the drunken Yeltsin to the hilt, applauding his (no doubt “democratic”) military assault on the Russian parliament – yes, we’ve heard the Party Line, the building was full of “bad guys”, it deserved to be shelled – all the while American financial “advisers” assisted in the looting of the country by a clique of gangsters.

Likewise the U.S. through both the Clinton and Bush Admins has torn up its “solemn” promise not to push for the expansion of NATO into former Soviet territory. Your problem, Tim R., is that the Russians have finally wised up to the fact that “the Americans can’t be trusted”. Not even by their “allies”, the Georgians, I might add, who just found out that the U.S. won’t be there for you because the imbeciles in Washington have gone off on some grandiose “conquer the world” jag and have tied themselves up in strategic knots in South Asia.

So go on, Tim R., follow the Party Line and “get tough with Russia”. And don’t forget your useless air assault on Iran (either by Washington or Israel, what’s the difference) – wonder how sympathetic Russia will be in that case, with you “getting all tough” and everything? And don’t forget that you intend to “get tough on China” down the road!

Excuse my rudeness, but I am sick and tired of the humiliation of being “represented” by a claque of incompetent imbeciles from both parties and am tired of rubbing shoulders with those of “my fellow Americans” who insist on remaining their pathetically bleating, brainwashed sheep. I am tired of being the laughingstock of the world (thanks to people like you, Tim R.).

I hold you and each and every one of the apparently 30% of the American population who consistently support this madness PERSONALLY responsible for the predictable results. If this is the “democracy” you claim it is, then YOU are to be held responsible. You #$%^%^@ idiots are wrecking the country!!!

There is one thing worse than being bad, and that is being stupid.