How America Can Make Penance to Iraq
LOS ANGELES--It's over. We're pulling out of Iraq. It's a question of when.
Don't get me wrong. To paraphrase Richard Hell, I said we should get out of there before we even went in. And to paraphrase Katrina and the Waves, the fact that 91% of Americans agree with me feels like walking on sunshine. (My solemn pledge: There will be no more music references in this column.)
The inimitable Ted.
I am vindicated. More than that, I love that good sense has prevailed and that the end of this unprovoked, nightmarish conflagration is finally drawing nigh. The day that the last occupation soldier leaves Iraq will mark the beginning of our country's opportunity to redeem itself, to prove to the world that the United States can become a force for good. Even so, I can't shake the feeling that cutting and running from the inferno of Iraq--and the misery we chose to create--is reprehensibly irresponsible.
The U.S. military has slaughtered at least 600,000 Iraqis--twice as many as Saddam, who ruled seven times longer. We've begun the political disintegration of Iraq by allowing the creation of a Kurdistan that's an independent state in everything but name. Our bombs have destroyed schools, ministries, museums, bridges and billions of dollars worth of infrastructure; our laissez faire approach to security has ruined the economy. About 10% of Iraq' prewar population has fled into exile. Imagine the level of chaos that would have to be present here to turn 30 million Americans into refugees!
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#2
I challenge him to go over there and make those comments in front of US troops, or better, Iraqi troops and police. The ones that have suffered more casualties than we have, the ones fighting for a decent government.
No need to worry about him picking up the challenge - in addition to being an asshole, and delusional, Ted Rall is a rank coward.
#4
I suggest he start our atonement personally, with as painful a suicide method as possible.
From what I read on the 'burg, torching yourself to protest the eeeeevvilll Bushies is rather trendy, Ted. It's the new black! Give it a shot and see if it's right for you. I'll spot you the match and fuel....
#7
...Ya know, I like to think that I will at least sit down and have a reasonable, no raised-voices debate on the subject of the war with just about anybody. I had a conversation the other night with a young man who started the conversation with "Bush should be hung!", and when we left, he was quietly and seriously reconsidering his stance.
On the other hand, I cannot imagine even talking to Ted Rall - just shaking my head in despair at his utter and complete BDS/HAF (Hate America First) syndrome.
Let's look at what he's proposing:
*That America leave a nation to homicidal terrorists who daily commit mass murder in the name of their God.
*Replace a duly elected government with a condemned mass murderer who killed at least a million of his citizens, not to mention the hundreds of thousands he killed in ILLEGAL WARS (Iran-Iraq, GW I....and if those weren't illegal under the international law Rall and his friends often seem so devoted to, I'd like an explanation, please) and the tens of thosuands of civilians he killed in indiscriminate bombing and missile raids on Iranian cities.
*The forced expatriation of 600,000 American citizens.
*Invade a region whose citizens are not only innocent of any hostility or belligerence towards us but who are allies in that region second perhaps only to the Israelis.
I'd like to think that Mr. Rall intended this to be a shock piece to get us to think about what he believes are American injustices and crimes in Iraq. He is entitled to his beliefs, and I will unhesitatingly lay my life down to defend them - I swore to do so six times in my life and as far as I'm concerned, that vow is still binding. But there is nothing - NOTHING - in this piece that even remotely suggests logical or intelligent thinking, or reasonable suggestions for alternative actions. This is free speech but it is the free speech of a deply disturbed mind that happens to have access to a soapbox.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
12/20/2006 9:22 Comments ||
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#8
Operating in the vacuum of his mind . . .
My favorite: Given the sectarian divisions and dozens of armed militias, only a strongman--a brutal, despotic dictator--will be able to pull Iraq back together. Only one man has the experience for the job: Saddam Hussein. We have to put the Butcher of Baghdad back in charge (and promise not to overthrow him anymore.)
#9
I'd like to think that this is some sort of twisted attempt at sarcasm or humor, but then I look at the author's name and his past such hit pieces and I can only think that he's entirely serious.
Go ahead, Ted. Try your lottery. What will you do when those 6oo thousand simply say "Sorry, ain't goin'"?
#10
...NOTHING - in this piece that even remotely suggests logical or intelligent thinking...
Erm? I gather you aren't familiar with Our Ted. Ted went over to Afghanistan and nosed around, and concluded that the war there was solely for the purpose of building a pipeline across the country. Oh, yeah, that whole 9/11 thing gave a sort of cover of legitimacy to the whole operation, but it was all about the pipeline. A pipeline which was considered and abandoned (by chief villain Unocal, anyway) in 1998.
Nothing Ted Rall has ever said has even remotely suggested logical or intelligent thinking.
#12
Nothing Ted Rall has ever said has even remotely suggested logical or intelligent thinking.
I keep trying to picture the thought process of whomever gave him a job: "Let's see: you can't draw, you're not funny, and your writing sounds like a badly done parody of someone on an acid trip. You're hired!"
After getting bitch-slapped as the red-headed stepchild of reality that he is, Jimmuh tries to "explain". Those factual errors prolly get nuanced within an inch of their lives and those inconvenient truths prolly get blurred to the point of irrelevancy. To be honest, I didn't finish it... I hit this bit and bailed:
For 39 years, Israel has occupied Palestinian land, and has confiscated and colonized hundreds of choice sites.
As one of his fundamental points, what follows can be nothing more than fantasy.
As far as I saw, no purloined maps or facts were harmed in the making of this pile of steaming shit. Some, otherwise, innocent platitudes prolly took a serious beating, however.
#1
There are frequent denunciations of fabricated "straw man" accusations: that I have claimed that apartheid exists within Israel; that the system of apartheid in Palestine is based on racism;
Jeez, Jimmy. Ya think that might have something to do with...what you picked for a title?
Hope you autographed the Glopbe's editorial board's kneepads...
#2
Instead, there has been a pattern of ad hominem statements, alleging that I am a liar, plagiarist, anti-Semite, racist, bigot, ignorant, etc.
That couldn't be because you are a liar, palgiarist, anti-Semite, racist, bigot and just plain ignorant could it? There are frequent denunciations of fabricated "straw man" accusations: that I have claimed that apartheid exists within Israel; that the system of apartheid in Palestine is based on racism; and that Jews control and manipulate the news media of America.
Of course we are to accept your accusations without a shred of evidence...
How about I add a few:
Jimmie Carter - you are a lying sack of shit. And those are your good points! why don't you STFU.
#3
I'm right, darnit! I'm right! I'm right! I'm right! All the rest of you ought to listen to me and, and, and that guy Kerry! We're both smarter than any of the rest of you! If you don't listen to me I'm going to hold my breath till I die!
Posted by: President Jimmy Carter ||
12/20/2006 10:53 Comments ||
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#4
Hey Jimmuh:
What's a "Palestinian"?
What exactly is "Palestinian" Land?
Show me any historical map, thoroughout world history, that includes a country called "Palestine".
#5
OK, Jimmuh, just where are the Jews supposed to live? They tried Europe and that didn't work so well. So they went to the land that you refer to as "Palestinian land". But guess what, before it was "paleostan" it was...Israel. So who really belongs there anyway? Then they tried living with their new Arab neighbors and that didn't work so well either mainly because Islam does not co-exist with any kind of intelligence, energy, enterprise or education. Do you think they should just turn the other cheek when suicide bombers blow up their buses and cafes? I read just today than in Zawahiri's latest video he criticizes Hamas for negotiating with Abbas because Abbas would negotiate with Israel. Zawahiri wants no negotiations, just jihad, just war and death. So what is your "final solution", Jimmuh? No, I am not going to buy your book to find out because I learned all I need to know about you during the malaise that was brought about by your failed presidency. You are not just an incompetent who "means well". You are an evil, spiteful, dangerous lunatic.
#6
Israel gets both DISARMED, DE-NUKED, iff not MASON-DIXONIZED divided unto being a Bi-National, Non-Federalist, Two/Two-plus States-in-One Nation or Other, and while Radical Iran keeps its nukes + controls the surrounding Region. SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN, i.e. roughly the same plan the US DemoLeft wants to see happen to America vv RUSSIA-CHINA + OWG. OIL STORM > RUSSIA-CHINA gets to stay RUSSIA AND OR CHINA, AMERICA is the only one that has to become the UNITED SOCIALIST REPUBLICS. "USSA, NOT USSR" ergo USSA is the only one thats NOT allowed to rule its own Region let alone its own Global Empire. THE GOOD NEWS IS AMERIKA IS ALLOWED AND DEMANDED, BUT NOT ANYONE ELSE, TO PAY EVERYONE'S FUTURE REGIONAL-GLOBAL = LUNAR/SPACE? TAXES FOR OWG.
#1
These camel f**kers have 90% of the identified oil reserves, but they need it for "peaceful" energy generation. Makes one gag. However, I too, believe they should have neclear bombs. Ours. Right over their capital cities, 2 AM local time, 3000 feet above surface, 2 megatons, working.
Sheikh Omar Abdel Rahman is gravely ill, and authorities are jittery. The mastermind of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, whose red-and-white knit cap and white beard give him an eerily Santa-esque appearance, Sheikh Omar has told his Al-Qaeda followers: My Brothers...If they [the Americans] kill me, which they will certainly do hold my funeral and send my corpse to my family, but do not let my blood be shed in vain. Rather, extract the most violent revenge, and remember your brother who spoke the truth and died for the will of God...The Mujahid Sheikh Omar Abdel al Rahman. In the name of God the kind and merciful.
Adding to nervousness among Western officials during this holiday season are indications that jihadists are planning to strike around Christmastime. British Home Secretary John Reid said last Sunday that the possibility of an attack in the next few weeks was very high indeed, and British authorities were aware of as many as thirty planned jihad attacks. The terrorists, Reid noted, only have to get through once, as they did on July 7, for us to see the terrible carnage that it causes.
A French official concurred: All of the warning lights are red The threat is at its highest level. All [security] services are on tenterhooks, and its not just us [in France]. Work is under way everywhere, but nothing concrete is emerging.
The threat is not confined to Europe. Indonesian officials fear that Noordin Muhammad Top, one of the masterminds of the Bali bombing of 2002, may be planning Christmas attacks in Indonesia.
This is not the first year jihadists have chosen the Christmas season to ratchet up their threats which, even if they never materialize, are useful in themselves to to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies of Allah (Quran 8:60). Jihadists would want to sow this terror during one of the holiest seasons of the Christian year not just to maximize the potential for terror, but to emphasize that theirs is, as they see it, a holy struggle. The suitability of Christmastime for a jihad attack is an outgrowth of the idea that, in the words of Islamic preacher Husayn Mahfooth Shuayb, one of the most critical manifestations of loyalty towards the infidels is celebrating their religious festivals. Some Islamic clerics have even exhorted Muslims not to extend Christmas greetings to Christians, for that would be seen as an endorsement of their holiday, which they consider has no legitimacy; however, other clerics have rejected this view.
Nevertheless, the idea that Christian belief and observance is illegitimate is deeply rooted within Islam. The Islamic prophet Muhammad composed for the Muslims a brief prayer, known as the Fatiha (Opening), that became the cornerstone of Muslim prayer (it is recited seventeen times a day by the Muslim who performs the five daily prayers) and the first sura of the Quran:
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds,
The Beneficent, the Merciful.
Master of the Day of Judgment,
Thee (alone) we worship; Thee (alone) we ask for help.
Show us the straight path,
The path of those whom Thou hast favoured;
Not the (path) of those who earn Thine anger nor of those who go astray. (Quran 1:1-7)
Even this, which has a status among Muslims analogous to the centrality of the Lords Prayer for Christians, has a polemical edge. Traditionally Muslim divines have identified those who have earned Allahs anger with Jews and those who have gone astray with Christians. The Quranic commentator Ibn Kathir (1301-1372) explains that these two paths are the paths of the Christians and Jews, a fact that the believer should be aware of so that he avoids them. The path of the believers is the knowledge of truth and abiding by it. In comparison, Jews abandoned practicing the religion, while the Christians lost the true knowledge. This is why anger descended upon the Jews, while being described as led astray is more appropriate of the Christians (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, vol. 1, 87). Late in his life Muhammad received revelations that were among the harshest toward Jews and Christians than any that he had ever received before, including one that asserted that Jews called Ezra a son of God, just as Christians called Christ the Son of God, and declared that both groups had thereby incurred Allahs curse (Quran 9:30).
If the Christians having gone astray is epitomized by their calling Christ the Son of God, and Christmas celebrates Christs birth, then what better time to strike terror into the hearts of infidels? Here again, jihadist behavior becomes clear with reference to Islamic beliefs and assumptions. It is good that authorities in Britain and elsewhere are closely monitoring holiday terror threats. It will be even better when they begin to realize the importance of being thoroughly versed in the Islamic theology which motivates and guides jihadists for only by knowing the enemy thoroughly can he ultimately be defeated.
#1
Announce that should there be a terrorist strike upon the West during our Yuletide season, the haj will be greeted with a tidy bit of handiwork. Reciprocity. Reciprocity.
Before the invention of movable type in the 15th century, the media of mass communication was limited to architecture, paintings, sculpture, images on coins and songs sung by balladeers. Christians learned about the dangers of Hell from the stained-glass stories in the cathedrals. The people might have had an idea of what their king looked like by his minted (usually heroic) image on coins. But they might not have known much about their king or what he was doing that might change or even end their lives suddenly.
After the printing press, the sliver of humanity that was literate (mostly clerics, some of the more motivated aristocracy and a few merchants) engaged in continental communication of key new ideas. Slowly over centuries, literacy spread downward and politics and news began to be informed by books, newspapers and pamphlets. Prior to the invention of the telegraph in the 1840s, whatever news there was could move no faster than the trot of a horse although semaphore, yodeling, smoke-signals and carrier pigeons could move some vital information slightly faster over short distances.
In fast succession mass and long-distance communication was advanced by the general availability of telephones (1870s), linotype-fast newspapers (1880s), radios (1920s), televisions (1950s), computers (1970s), the Internet (1990s) and cellular text, audio and now video devices (2000s).
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#1
This idea - that mass media is something our species cannot or will not understand or use properly for many generations - is not a new one.
Kennedy's election in 1960 was undoubtedly the result of an electorate bedazzled by his visual charms. Polling data showed very clearly that those who listened to the debates via radio (ie, got the substance of ideas) went strongly for Nixon, while those who watched on TV (ideas obscured by charisma and sexuality) went for JFK.
In the '70's there was the film "Network" which very clearly articulated the notion that people were so enamored with their mass entertainment that they could easily be motivated to absurd or even deadly behavior by said entertainment because they couldn't distinguish reality from propaganda.
There was a talk show host in Boston named Jerry Williams who said more than a decade ago (after the advent of 24/7 cable news but before widespread internet use) that people were actually overwhelmed by the amount of information, particularly visual, that inundated them and as a result were opting out of the stream entirely, making them shy away from being engaged citizens.
Blankley's article continues this observation.
Those who are simply opting out are a growing population. People who trust the MSM for their information stream are manipulated into believing things that are provably false, and are voting on that basis. Those who are able to pick out the truth from the factoids are small in number. Washing over all of this are base animal things like charisma and physical attractiveness which smaller minds cannot put aside for the sake of ideas.
Could a bald guy (Eisenhower), or a redhead (Jefferson), be elected today? How about a short guy (Buchanan)? A man who lisps or stutters (Jefferson, again)? A fat man (Arthur)? A guy in a wheelchair (FDR)?
Humans have created this wide and overwhelming information stream and certainly lack the ability to use it wisely. I think Blankley's onto something here.
Posted by: no mo uro ||
12/20/2006 6:51 Comments ||
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The people who play Wiki certainly agree with you and Tony - this is Big JuJu. I think the notion floated in the information overload page, that this actually harms peoples' IQ is a little bizarre, but how they adapt, what defense mechanism they employ is important - as you detail.
Opting out of the fact-based world and, under the cover of new-age pop psychobabble, choosing to believe that their feelings are equally important, if not moreso, scares the crap out of me. I first encountered this form of insanity with a "marriage counselor" in 1980. He told my, now, ex-wife that how she felt over-rode the fact that how she felt was factually absurd. Then he had the gall to tell me I needed to "adjust my reality to accept her reality" (i.e. fantasy version). I told him Sears was always looking for top-notch appliance salesmen.
#3
Then there is the problem that we live in a world where people who don't know what their king looks like and people in the information overload phase are both actors on the same stage.
#5
I first encountered this form of insanity with a "marriage counselor" in 1980. He told my, now, ex-wife that how she felt over-rode the fact that how she felt was factually absurd. Then he had the gall to tell me I needed to "adjust my reality to accept her reality" (i.e. fantasy version).
And it's only gotten worse since. Add to that the fact that damn near anybody can hang a "counselling" shingle outside their door, and ya end up with a lot of screwy stuff floating around.
Extend this squishy feel-good crap to the national level, compounded with identity politics and aggressive group-entitlement mentality (Jeff Goldstein should write a book about that - he has it down cold) and the USA is in deep sh*t indeed.
I told him Sears was always looking for top-notch appliance salesmen.
#8
Tony Blankley is one of only a handful of journalists that I trust. The problem with media is: group-think (spin).
A decade ago, one pundit reported: democracies rarely invade their neighbors. Ergo: promote democraticization in Muslimania. Facto: given democratic choice and in absense of foreign aid bribery, Muslims chose whoever thumps the Koran with the most relish. Once elected, they claim pious authority for life.
As Lenin said: "The purpose of Parliamentarianism, is the destruction of Parliamentarianism." Void of common sense, Jimmy Carter promoted "broad based" governments, inclusive of anti democratic forces. Result: catastrophe in Central America. Lesson: Ignored, as we indulge Taliban-Lite in Afghanistan, and a "broad based" Wahabist-Khomeinist scorpions in a bottle, government in Iraq.
Notwithstanding the ease in setting up IED, RPG, sniper traps in a city, we still fight trap-breakout engagements in Iraq cities. And we conduct 24-7 show the flag patrols, which don't make a dent in enemy strength. Consequence: as US equipment deteriorates are a rate of $2 billion per month, and terrorist morale increases exponentially with each success, future conflagrations - including post 9-11 radicalized Latin America - against US allies will result in enemy victories.
The corner turns if and when Iran is attacked. Somebody better get a grip.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
By Robert Spencer
