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Posted August 23, 2001
Developing Downwards
It is interesting to note that [Justin Raimondo supports Kostunica], especially in view of the fact that Kostunica, together with Otpor, has been, from the beginning, supported by the USA and, therefore, the Clinton administration. Djindjic, on the other hand was always a German man. I suggest that you research the fight for influence in the Balkans in general and ex-Yugoslavia in particular between the USA and Germany. It would make interesting reading. Why do you think both Kostunica and Otpor are so concerned with crime and corruption at this particular time in the Yugoslav economic crisis? Yugoslavia is "developing downwards" under the "supportive" hands of IMF, WB and Washington via G17 plus.
I wish you a good trip to my homeland, and if I was to give you one advice it would be: if you use the Western stick to measure the Balkans – you may as well stay at home.
The Power of the Power Elite
[Regarding Jon Basil Utley's guest column of August 16, "American Interventionism and the Terrorist Threat":]
I believe you are on the money with respect to the reasons any terrorist group(s) would want to harm we, the people. There has been so much done to so many across the globe by the US Government, in our name, thus making enemies for us all over the world, that it was only a matter of time until such begins. When such begins, the power elite will be licking their chops, knowing full well that Americans will give up what little freedom we have left for the security they promise against the threats and actions they have caused. Such is how power is gained and freedom lost.
Only the most obscenely ignorant individual would not make the connection that our actions all over the world will have consequences, as all acts of war do, and that these consequences will be on our soil against us. When such does begin, we will see just how many of our fellow citizens thrive in this state of obscene ignorance as they clamor for "protection" from those who are responsible for our difficulties. In the end, we will have a police state of "security" which will change nothing but our status as somewhat free men to overt servitude. It does not pay to be obscenely ignorant of anything, much less something of this magnitude with such consequences, but, nevertheless, our fellow citizens, in my estimation, will willingly go through the gate into servitude for security without once thinking of who or what caused the problems, willingly submitting to the former provocateurs that are their present masters to achieve evanescent "security."
Personally, I am surprised it took so long for these countries that hate us to export terror to us. We cannot go about "business as usual," kicking people around, slaughtering them, stealing their resources, etc. without instilling a lot of hate against us. I have often wondered if "foreign policy" simply means the creation of enemies so that we will always need a "foreign policy" with the additional caveat that the results will increase the power of the power elite in this nation. I would not be surprised if such were the case, as nothing the power elite and government do surprise me anymore.
In conclusion, "trade with all, foreign entanglements with none" was the best advice given to we, the people, at the outset of this nation. We have ignored this advice at our peril (not the peril of the power brokers) and now the consequences of ignoring this admonishment are at our doorstep. Once again, our "leaders" have done "well" for us. Will we ever learn?!
Brouhaha Continues
I
read with interest ["Yasukuni
Brouhaha"] by Justin Raimondo. It seems that there is a lot of
evidence (i.e.. works by Stinnett)
that the "issue" of Japanese war guilt exists due to the provocation
by the US which pushed Japan into attack. However, the term "war
guilt," to me, is properly extended to the imperialism of a proud
nation – perhaps too proud – insisting on extending its territories
(even for resources) . This occurred well before World War II, when Japan
was exercising a cruel hand over the Chinese (i.e. the Rape of Nanjing).
For me this is also what war guilt is about. Don't the Japanese have this
to face up to, regardless of whether they were pushed into attacking the
US?
Haven't they also been strongly resisting facing up to and acknowledging
their actions back then? Hasn't this manifested itself in strongly editing
or even omitting the truth about what they did? This is what I deplore
– painting over the truth. Sure, most nations are guilty of their
atrocities but many acknowledge it (to some degree). I don't expect the
Japanese to cringe and over-apologize the way Germany has had to for the
Jews, but hiding the truth from the younger generations is no way to behave
for anyone who really regrets their actions. ...The Japanese have a strong
sense of pride and shame, and perhaps this stymies them.
I get the impression Justin is being a little too much of an apologist
for the Japanese.
~ J. Page
Justin Raimondo replies:
I commend to you my answer to "Kerry C." in yesterday's Backtalk.