The Problem with All U.S. Military Interventions

I recently came across an excellent letter to the editor published in Liberty magazine back in 1990. The writer was criticizing a Liberty article which argued that “lesser interactions” like the invasion of Grenada do not add to the domestic power of the government. He gave four effects to consider:

1. Increases in the popularity of the President, making it more likely that he will get his way in elections and on Capitol Hill.
2. Building a core of flag-waving, my-country-right-or-wrong “super-patriots” that make a flag burning amendment and other liberty restrictions more likely.
3. Hardening the citizens to such actions by the government, whether in foreign lands or here at home.
4. Diverting public scrutiny from other situations, which the government can then handle outside the public eye.

What was true in 1990 is still true in 2007.

Raje Hage

Lebanon on the Brink of Disaster

[audio:http://dissentradio.com/radio/07_06_14_hage.mp3]

Raje Hage, a friend of the show from Beirut, explains his view of the situation in Lebanon, some history, last year’s war, Hezbollah, Syria, Iran, Israel, the Redirection and his hopes for some form of unity government.

MP3 here.

Raje Hage is an Antiwar.com fan from Beirut, Lebanon.

Dilip Hiro

Nuclear Power, Weapons and the Future of the Middle East

[audio:http://dissentradio.com/charles/awdiliphiro061207.mp3]

Journalist and author Dilip Hiro, discusses Iran’s nuclear program, Israel’s nuclear weapons,  North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, the logic of nuclear deterrence.

MP3 here. (34:08)

Born in the Indian sub-continent, Dilip Hiro was educated in India, Britain and America, where he received a master’s degree at Virginia Polytechnic & State University. He then settled in London in the mid-1960s, and became a full-time writer, journalist and commentator. He has published 28 books.

Bravo Judge Walton!

Will there actually be some justice rendered to a Bush administration top dog?

Federal judge Reggie Walton ruled today that convicted felon Irving “Scooter” Libby must begin serving his prison sentence within the next several weeks.

This will send the NeoConservatives and other pro-war types into Full Indignation/Rage.  They will redouble the pressure on Bush to pardon Libby before he sets one foot inside of a penitentiary.

Oh, the photo opportunities…..

This summer could be more entertaining than I expected….

Comments & hooting welcome at my blog here.

Antiwar.com Webmaster Eric Garris on the Radio Today

[audio:http://dissentradio.com/radio/07_06_14_garris_540am.mp3]

Antiwar.com Webmaster Eric Garris will be the guest on The Show with Hal Ginsberg on KRXA-AM in Monterey, California (540 on the AM dial), in the 1-2pm hour, Pacific time (4-5pm Eastern time). Garris is scheduled to start 6 minutes after the hour. He will be talking about the war in Iraq and preparations for war against Iran.

MP3 here.