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Posted July 23, 2002
Liberventionism
[Regarding "Liberventionism II: The Flight from Theory" by Joseph Stromberg:]
In 2000 Florida voters did pass a state constitutional amendment that was good. It places all political parties and independent candidates on a level playing field regarding ballot access. In one fell stroke Florida went from being one of the most restrictive ballots in the Union to being one of the most open.
While I have not been tempted to rejoin "the Party of Principle," preferring to stay with my colleagues in the "Stupid Party," (Reelect Homer Simpson in '04!) there are going to be lots more choices on the November ballot....
Went to the Libertarian Party site, thinking, "what the hell, it's been awhile" and was amazed by the article on "historic changes" in the LP platform....
What is amazing is the complete retreat by the LP from anything like principle on domestic spying.
Grist for all our mills.
Vietnam Vet Politicians
Justin Raimondo's latest commentary, "Our Phony Foreign Policy 'Debate'," is right on target. Unfortunately, that perspective is not presented in the mainstream media. Also John Kerry (D-Mass.) is no political hero, in fact politicians who were Vietnam Veterans are a huge disappointment in favoring big government as the salvation to the country's problems. They create more problems than they solve....
Promoting Nationalism
I just read Justin's "Our Phony Foreign Policy 'Debate'" post. Justin quite rightly observes that the debate about war on Iraq is phony because only the war option is included in acceptable discourse. But while making this point, Justin makes assertions which are not only wrong, but, more importantly, are fundamental pillars of the propaganda used by the War parties to justify their actions.
Here is what I mean. Bush and company, like all rich and powerful elites in history, need to obscure the conflict between themselves and the majority of people over whom they rule. They do this by promoting nationalism, the idea that everybody in a given nation has the same fundamental goals and interests and is represented by the rulers of the nation. They want Americans to view foreigners the same way -- as members of this or that nation. They don't want people to think in terms of elites with elite values and goals versus most ordinary people with very different values and goals that are pretty much the same regardless of which "nation" they live in. Unfortunately, Justin writes in terms of nationalism just as much as the politicians he rightfully criticizes. For example, he says that a U.S. invasion "serves the interest of one and only one country, and that is Israel." Nonsense. It serves the interests of both US and Israeli leaders and it attacks the welfare of ordinary people in both countries. What Justin doesn't seem to grasp is that the US corporate elite uses the Zionists to polarize the Middle East along ethnic lines (Jew versus Arab) in order to keep the corporate-friendly Arab dictators in power. Israel acts as a lightning rod for class struggle, diverting Arab "street" anger against "Israel" and away from the almost equally hated Arab regimes, whose leaders' legitimacy comes mainly from their posing as "champions of the people against Israel."
Justin says that "When Ariel Sharon tells Bush to 'Jump!', his only question is 'How high?'" This has it all wrong. US leaders for decades have made the Zionists militarily and economically powerful because the Zionists (for their own reasons) are eager to play the "lightning rod" role for US leaders. If the Zionists weren't willing to play this role, Zionism would be an obscure cult in Judaism and not the leader of the 4th most powerful army in the world. The Israeli leaders can barely control their own population (700,000 Israelis went on a general strike in 1997 and the Finance Minister called them an "exploding bomb more dangerous than Arab terrorists") except when they mobilize them against Arabs. When Justin writes, "No American interest is served by such a mad course [war on Iraq]" he obscures the fact that elite corporate American interests are very much served.
Lastly, I object to Justin's reference to the American Constitution as if it had any valid authority over us, as when he berates Bush for viewing it only as a "courtesy" to obey it, and when he complains that the Democrats are the only ones who even pay lip service to "that nearly forgotten document." Come on! The Constitution is an agreement entered into by, at best, some property owners who are long since dead; it is not in any way an agreement voluntarily entered into by anybody living today and it has no legitimate authority over us. It, like "God's will" in feudal days, is used as a mumbo jumbo incantation by powerful people to make the rest of us think we have to obey their "government of the people, by the people, bla bla bla."
If we are going to defeat Bush and company, lets start by rejecting the lies they use to control us.
I just felt that I (UK Citizen) wanted to let you know that, in this new era of unlimited conflict, I invariably turn to your website first. It is the most widely resourced and best informed website and usually carries stories which appear through other channels many days later....
Cynical Ploy
Re: "French Sources: US to Attack Iraq Soon":
I have wondered for some time if all those predictions of war in 2003 were just prolefeed, and we would instead all be surprised by an attack on Saddam in September or October.
We should be doing everything we can to poison the well of public opinion against a pre-November attack on Iraq. Such timing would be ideal for Bush & Co., who have nearly exhausted their political capital from 9-11. A long series of corporate scandals, coupled with questions over the administration's competence in processing intelligence, has reassured the Democrats that they can get away with acting like an opposition party. Millions of working people have seen their pension funds go in the toilet over the past few weeks. Bush's standing in the polls is probably on the brink of a long-term slide, if nothing is done.
When the attack on Iraq comes, the public should be prepared to view it as a cynical ploy to reverse the above trends and give the GOP a boost on the eve of the elections. And we should be in a position to say, "See, what did I tell you? Do you think this is a coincidence?"
Wouldn't it be great if, for perhaps the first time in our history, a president couldn't get away with wagging the dog?
Do Something in Baltimore
...I was so excited to actually see an antiwar website on the internet. I am not alone! This reminds me of the times back when the Vietnam war took place, and you had the doves and the hawks (although I was not alive, I have history class!). I would love to contribute something to you all, but since seeing how I am only 14 and do not have a job yet, I was wondering if you all could do something in Baltimore, my hometown....
Diabolical Tragedy
I've come to believe Justin Raimondo is the "greatest and most fearless" pundit in America.
If his likes were permitted regularly on the talk shows and "mainstream papers" (i.e., real freedom of discussion) this would truly be a better world. That he and his cerebral cohorts aren't is nothing short of a diabolical tragedy. I can only pray he too doesn't become compromised and start angling for rewards from the Israeli lobby.
~ Joe S.