Bush Hypes Threat from Iran in Surge “Success” Speech
In his speech on Thursday, Bush wasted little time before getting to the ominous subject of Iran.
Time and time again, he lumped the alleged threat from Iran in the same breadth as the one from Al Qaeda, once again fusing enemies in the minds of the American people.
“Serious and complex challenges remain in Iraq, from the presence of Al Qaeda to the destructive influence of Iran,” he said, even before declaring that the surge has “renewed and revived the prospect of success.”
A little later, he said, “Iraq is the convergence point for two of the greatest threats to America in this new century: Al Qaeda and Iran.” (Bush has now elevated Iran over China as the looming threat of the century!)
And in the next paragraph, he said, “If we succeed in Iraq after all that Al Qaeda and Iran have invested there, it would be a historic blow to the global terrorist movement and a severe setback for Iran.”
Al Qaeda-Iran, Al Qaeda-Iran, Al Qaeda-Iran. That is the chant emanating from the White House.
But Bush was not content to be subtle about his belligerence toward Iran.
Listen to the saber rattle:
“The regime in Tehran also has a choice to make,” Bush said. “It can live in peace with its neighbor, enjoy strong economic and cultural and religious ties. Or it can continue to arm and train and fund illegal militant groups, which are terrorizing the Iraqi people and turning them against Iran. If Iran makes the right choice, America will encourage a peaceful relationship between Iran and Iraq. Iran makes the wrong choice, America will act to protect our interests, and our troops, and our Iraqi partners.”
By “America will act,” Bush is making damn clear that he intends to go ahead and bomb Iran.
We can keep telling ourselves that Bush wouldn’t be so foolish as to widen the war to Iran when the one in Iraq is going so badly. But foolishness has never stopped him before.
Regard his words.
They put not only Tehran on notice.
They put Congress and the American people on notice.
This man is planning on waging another illegal war, and we need to do all that we can, nonviolently, to stop him.
Matthew Rothschild is the editor of The Progressive magazine.
© 2008 The Progressive
Yap, this guy is a psychopath. How the hell you put this guy in charge, twice. I have no mercy for any republican. Please don’t cross my path, I’ll have no mercy for you. Hope the people in Iraq will one day kik the oppresor out.
I still believe that Laura Bush will try to talk George out of starting something else wholly unpredictable at this late date on the grounds of not wishing to leave office in an “undignified” manner.
Not that our comments on CD are a pipeline to Laura Bush, but I wish someone else was talking about this in larger press in a way she would hear it. Of all people on the planet, SHE has the most influence on George.
Daniel David -
Being that Bush associates with evangelicals, listening to a woman is not something he’d ever do.
Bush told the world six years ago who he was going to attack. Iraq. Iran. North Korea. Iraq is now a smoking ruin. North korea has piss pot half operable nukes and is off the list because they might , just MIGHT. be able to really screw up the American economy.
That leaves Iran.
Any bets what W is going to do with all that lovely milspec hardware floating around in the Straights of Hormuz off the coast of Iran?
aldo, what do you do when these republicans are your parents? My aging dad, would look at me with violence in his eyes whenever I challenged a Rush Limbaugh precept. Once he said to me: “you don’t really believe there are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, do you???” I shrugged, and did not answer the question. We do not talk about politics now.
My mother who also voted for Bush recently complained about the cost of her contacts, apparently starting to feel a financial squeeze for the first time in her life. I said to her, now you know the dilemma millions of Americans go through every day. My comment didn’t even register.
Its seems that many republicans are oblivious, or in deep denial about the effects of policies they profess to support. My brother and my wife lost their jobs (actually, my wife lost 3 of her manufacturing jobs to outsourcing, and went back to school twice!) to Chinese outsourcing. Even my profession, IT, is mostly temp and contract work now, and the competition for the full time jobs that are available is cutthroat.
My dad’s response? Profit is not a dirty word, and the market sets the wages. Go back to school and retrain, if you don’t like it. Outsourcing is great because now we get cheaper goods…
Perhaps I’m wrong, but being a professed republican seems to go hand in hand with a kind of hardened ignorance, and a lack of understanding and compassion.
Daniel David - Would that she could! Do you have any first hand knowledge of what living with a drunk, an abuser, a know-it-all, and all the rest that makes up this man, does to a woman? I do. With all the years she’s lived it, I’d be surprised if she talks to him about anything other than what the girls are doing.
I seriously doubt anyone involved in this scheme has had second thoughts on bombing Iran since before 2000. They’ve got everything sewn up so tight, they’ve got clear sailing all the way. Come June or July, I think “fun” will begin.
“This man is planning on waging another illegal war, and we need to do all that we can, nonviolently, to stop him.”
And just WHAT is that? Write a bobble-head Congressman? That’ll work!
How about march in protests? That worked well to stop Afghanistan and Iraq.
The only people capable of stopping him are the soldiers and I doubt they are willing.
I think I’ll just get drunk and watch the cities burn on CNN.
That’s it! Start another totally unnecessary war that he knows by now he can’t win. Because he just doesn’t have the resources anymore. He has squandered them in Iraq and Afghanistan. And drag the US further into the gutter of bankruptcy and economic woes. What ever possessed the American people to vote this nut into office twice only speaks to the evil that has taken over this countries thinking. What’s even sadder. I really think we are going to have McBush in the White House in 08. I don’t think the American people have had a belly full of these freaks yet. The polls show that McCain is tied with Obama. The American people are their own worst enemy! So I look for the worst to happen!
This underscores the need for impeachment. The fact that it would not succeed nor finish is not the point. It would give US military personnel strong reason to refuse orders to do something insane such as attack Iran.
“All military options (with Iran) lead to disaster”
Col. Sam Gardiner
The business of Pax Romana was war. Pax Americana is not different and never was.
Bombing of Iran will most definitely end the American century and may be even American culture of ragged individualism, individually and collectively. I am not going to shed any tears for demise of Nuke-em-all-Empire. Having left New Jersey 7 months ago I was greeted as American only in Albania, one hellish country out of dozen I had crossed so far. Not very nice statistics, my fellow Americans.
The saddest fact is that wide friendly smile of our beloved Bill Clinton was but mask to cover deadly fangs little Bush has shown so openly.
Lamenting about the violation of that ‘piece of parchment in National Archives’, in Bush’s own words, became waste of time. American Empire is beyond point of no return. Only financial collapse of size of Great Depression my stop imperialists.
I am afraid that American people have dillemma on their hands: either continue policy of “let ‘em hate us” or risk blow back of enormous proportion. History teaches us that German resistance to the very deadly end was fueled by fear of retribution for all they did in Europe and especially in Russia. I am afraid that as a nation we are in the same predicament as Germans were in 1945.
God help America!
Our president has plans to go into Iran, but ONLY if there is no other way. We’d be pulling out if Iraq if it wern’t for Iran and it’s evil doings.
Do you people have any compassion for those poor souls in N. Korea? I do, but how could that be, as a run of the mill Rebublican.
I listen to my darling wife’s advice and pay heed also, but, as a Christian, how could this be?
Talk about stereotyping people…..My daily driver to work is an old pickup, does that make me stupid? My God, I also enjoy country music; “Am I now the product of incest?”
Your dissent is healthy, but your anger? I’ve got many more years behind me than in front of me, and only you and the Almighty know if that’s true for you, as well.
I’m quite happy and it feels good. Life is definately too short. After being called vermin and pedophilic by some here yesterday, I was the one who was censored. I thought C.D. was above that. I hope THIS post sticks!
Look for the good; the bad will find you without a second wink. Your friend, Banjoman
Every person in this country now owes $30,000. Can anyone here imagine what those people who’re spending trillions to get what they want think of that piddling amount of money? It’s less than nothing to them. Before this is over, we’ll probably all owe a couple of billion; foreign countries will own this country, and we’ll be under Red China rule. And those who brought it all about will be setting in their Dubai palaces being waited on by all their slaves, or down in South America watching the whipping of their slaves to get them to work harder at cutting the brush.
chessgames56: I can sympathize with you. My son is a rabid Republican and hasn’t spoken to his father or I in three years now. My husband had the audacity to tell him if he would stop listening to Fox News he might learn something. I think Republicanism warps people’s minds and makes them unable to feel for other humans around them. It’s all part of the Republican philosophy. It’s a cancer that’s eating away at the moral fabric of this country. If something isn’t done to stop it we won’t survive.
“You may fool all the people some of the time, you can even fool some of the people all of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time.”
Abraham Lincoln
“There’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.”
George Bush
Banjoman you can quit the act now. You’re no Republican but you sure do a fine stereotypical impersonation of one.
Thanks tumbleweed. I can only imagine how I’d feel if my son turned out to be a hardened republican; it would be much more difficult to accept than my father, given that he was so mean to us growing up. In a way it is sad to think that he will be taking that same lack of compassion to the grave.
The neocons will not give up on their dream of attacking Iran. Both McCain and Clinton are quite capable of doing this.
I have a feeling our wars will come to an end sooner than expected for exactly the Soviets ended their escapade in Afghanistan: the bank will run out of funding. Those politicians talking about increasing military spending and increasing the number of military personnel likely will not be able to follow through on those promises–for the same reasons.
“Do you people have any compassion for those poor souls in N. Korea? I do, but how could that be, as a run of the mill Rebublican.”
Banjoman,
I’ve been wanting to ask someone like you this hypothetical question for a long time. What if, in 1860, England and France has decided that slavery was a crime against humanity, and had given the United States six months to free the slaves before they invaded and did it themselves? Do you think they would have been right, or do you think slavery was a matter best solved by Americans without foreign interference (Because this is a hypethetical question, we’ll ignore the fact that both France and England were imperial nations that held their colonial subjects in a state of near-slavery)? Had you been alive at the time, would you have welcomed them and collaborated with them because they did it in the name of “freedom,” or would you have resisted? Do you feel that “compassion” for the slaves would have been a legitimate reason for other nations to interfere in our affairs?
Before you answer, I’ll warn you: Don’t fall back on the canard that “People were different then and believed different things.” There were people at the time in this country who were opposed to slavery, not to mention the obvious fact that the slaves themselves weren’t too happy with the institution. Other than that I await your reply.
Lord Trigo
chessgames56 and tumbleweed,
Thanks for your insightful posts describing family political differences. These first-hand stories of how tenaciously some hold their conservative beliefs are important reading for those who would try to finally tilt America in another direction.
Some people can be married to a child abuser and pretend it isnt happening. That is Banjoman’s defense.
Refuses to believe the US is anything but wonderful and the leaders are perfect. No, the US didnt bomb Japan to test the A bomb and scare Russia(which backfired–just made Russia go after the bomb too), it did it because the Japanese would never surrender.
No, the US didnt test chemicals on unsuspecting US citizens in hospitals from the 40s-70s.
No the US didnt help get rid of the democratically elected leader of Iran because he wanted to nationalize the oil and lean towards Communism.
No the US didnt arm the muhjahadeen fighters including Osama Bin laden.
For some people the truth is just too hard to fathom–its much easier to buy into a fantasy and live a simple, selfish life where you think of no problems but your own.
I really think we are going to have McBush in the White House in 08. I don’t think the American people have had a belly full of these freaks yet.
-does that mean a large portion of this country is psychopathic as well?
If so, I am reminded of a quote I once heard from Vernon Howard:
“It’s lunacy to attempt to lower the lunatic level of lunatics.”
Bush (or the next corporate crony in the Whitehouse) WILL attack Iran.
That is a given.
Why else would they have so much milspec hardware floating in the waters of Iran and Syria?
I would be willing to place money that this election year’s ‘October Surprise’ will be a month or so early, and will be a mushroom shaped cloud rising over the powdered ruins of Tehran…
This is how my paranoia sees this play out. GW will attack Iran.Iran will rage. Iran probably won’t attack Israel but will stream across the Iraq border, welcomed by many of the population. The US military doesn’t have the troop strength do immediatly push back the onslaught and will suffer massive casualties. And there is a distinct possiblity that Bush’s actions may inflame the middle east so much that other Arab states join with Iran. The only alternative for US forces would be massive conventional bombing both in Iraq and Iran. Utter chaos ensues and America still cannot win. To top it off; during this epic disaster huge protests all over the US frieghten the current administration so much that suspension of elections happen and possible marshall law. This will be the only way the administration can avoid arrest and imprisonment.
Israel wishes us to attack Iran, and the Likud party/AIPAC own both political parties. So the attack WILL happen. Is it even remotely in our own interest? HELL, NO! But Israel doesn’t care a wit about US interests, only it’s own. After the Zionists have used up our country, they will discard us to avoid having any responsibility for the wreckage they will create.
Want to avoid another tragic war? Figure out how to get the Zionists and the dual-nationality traitors who are in the highest levels of government out of the US and back to that pathetic little anti-American, socialist, theorcratic black hole that is Israel.
The RepubLikuds will bomb Iran for Cheney’s final Act and the Warm-Up for McCain-Lieberman.
The Israeli’s crow about how they control the American Congress and more. And they do.
We should just burn our flags and sing Sig Heil to the Star of DAvid, let it fly over DC, AND DRAPE IT OVER THE COFFINS OF DEAD AMERICANS.
Iraq would never have happened w/o the “neocons;’ code for Likud, that’s a million plus corpses. Cool.
Lord Trigo….good question….My 1st reaction would be to hope they stayed out, as any patriot would, even if I abhorred the situation (slavery) they were trying to remedy. After they were here, and accomplishing a noble cause, I would do my best to try and quell those who would oppose them for the better of my country. Right vs. wrong? Yes, it would be the best for all and get this country on the right track.
I never owned a slave (my wife may lovingly joke about that) and never was one or want to be.
I take some pride in knowing good and evil, right and wrong, etc.
I hope your my response helps all involved in this discussion (it could be a catch 22 question which I will be jumped on by all interested) but I did not take it that way or I may not have even answered; “people like me” here have to have broad shoulders or get eaten alive. I hope you take my reply in the same way, I mean, what good does it do to ‘entrap’ anyone.
Moreover, alot of this is “preaching to the chior”. It is obvious that I am not in the chior, so why have some been so hateful and insultive? Are they not defeating your purpose in trying to “re-educate” and pursuade the outsiders here and bring them into your circle.
Perhaps that what intrigues me most about some of your regulars here. The names I have been called. WOW? To sound like Beaver Cleaver…”Geepers Creepers Wally?
your friend, Banjoman
PS: to that other guy. “I am a card carrying Republican, even considerring to vote for Obama in the fall, until I heard his buddy Rev? Wright spew all that hate. Obama has lost one vote in the Keystone state, that’s for sure.
limric, and the rest of my CD brothers and sisters, scary scenarios all.
But if anyone doubts that conservativism isn’t a mental disorder, just observe the behaviour of the Republican’s in Congress and their tools in the media, and most astonishing, their followers amoung the people.
ANY proposal that goes up for a vote in the Congress that helps working families, is axed by the Republican lawmakers. ONLY legislation that helps their corporate donors gets their approval. Yet they get elected by claiming to represent their constituents. Only the ignorant and lazy who fail to check the FACTS vote against their best interests.
The current world order, built on the myth that only growth and consumption is what makes for success in business - is going to end. But its end will be violent and millions will die, either through war or through acts of nature.
When the world comes crashing down on us, know this - the only thing that matters is how much we have Loved. That is it. And the conditions on this planet right now are a direct response to the loss of Love man feels for his fellow man.
Without Love, there is distrust. Without Love there is hatred. Without Love there is violence.
And without Love - we will perish
When Iran gets whacked, the oil will stop flowing.
Period.
No oil, no industry.
No industry, no economy.
No economy, no food.
No food for you.
Lots of hoarded goodies for Bushco. Lots of guns too.
There it is. A simple equation.
It’s up to you to solve it…
Do those cards that Republicans carry say on the reverse “Certified Insane”?
Hoping Banjoman’s shoulders are as broad as the Tigris…
See what I mean? Insults! And yesterday, I got the stamp of censorship…….open-mindidness? go figure
your friend, banjoman
and yes, they’re quite broad; my foxy wife thinks so, too.
“This man is planning on waging another illegal war, and we need to do all that we can, nonviolently, to stop him.”
Adm. Fallon to Esquire: “Get serious. They’re (75 million Iranians) ants. When the time comes, we’ll crush them.”
WHEN the time comes - not IF.
A 4000 year old country - nothing but ants to be crushed. If you’re a “serious” person, that is.
Tic, tic, tic, tic…
Hang in there banjoman.
If you are a Republican, you’ve got guts hanging out here at CD.
Your opinions will receive a thorough testing.
Good luck.
No entrapment intended, banjoman. I don’t think my question had a “right” answer, in the sense that sincere patriots could probably argue either course of action, i.e, fighting off an invader no matter what their intent, or cooperating with one who appears to be working for the better good of the occupied nation. That was certainly the case during our own revolution. I read somewhere that a third of the colonists supported the revolution, a third opposed it and the rest didn’t care. So it certainly wasn’t as cut-and-dried as it’s portrayed today. In my neck of the world, some people still argue over what was the proper “patriotic” course of action to take during the Civil War.
That being said, I do believe that attempting to dictate the development of another nation culturally or economically, through military means, has far more minuses than pluses, particularly for a democracy.
Lies, lies, lies. Demonization, just like that before our invasion of Iraq. Bush, Cheney, Lieberman, Gates and all his generals, all joining in EXCEPT the IAEA, which continues to inform us all that Iran does not have a nuclear weapons development program. And why do we want to attack? To protect Israel from any possible future nuclear attack by a country that is no danger to them. John McCain’s Christian Zionist advisor and link to right-wing evangelical voters, preacher John Hagee, says the US and Israel “must join together to attack Iran” in order to assure the God’s plan for Israel and the West may be fulfilled. PLEASE IMPEACH THESE IRRATIONAL PEOPLE NOW.
There will be aggression on Iran like there was on Iraq. The decision to attack Iran has been made by Israel. Israel is the “decider”, not Bush. They are the true rulers. If only Americans were aware of these facts!
Admiral William “there will be no attack on Iran on my watch” Fallon has been removed as US chief of Central Command, thus clearing the way for Cheney’s planned attack on Iran.
The Iranians don’t seem to believe it, despite the dispatch of US nuclear submarines and another aircraft carrier attack group to the Persian Gulf. To counter any Iranian missiles launched in response to an attack, the US is deploying anti-missile defenses to protect US bases and Saudi oil fields.
Two massive failures by the American media, the Democratic Party, and the American people have paved the way for Cheney’s long-planned attack on Iran. One failure is the lack of skepticism about the US government’s explanation of 9/11. The other failure is the Democrats’ refusal to begin impeachment proceedings against President Bush for lying to the Congress, the American people, and the world and launching an invasion of Iraq based on deception and fabricated evidence.
If an American president can start a war exactly as Adolf Hitler did with pure lies and not be held accountable, he can get away with anything. And Bush and his evil regime have.
Hitler launched World War II with his invasion of Poland after staging a “Polish attack” on a German radio station. On the night of August 31, 1939, a group of Nazis disguised in Polish uniforms seized a radio station in Germany. Hitler announced that “last night Polish troops crossed the frontier and attacked Germany,” a claim no more true than the Bush Regime’s claim that “Saddam Hussein has weapons of mass destruction.” Hitler’s lie failed, because his invasion of Poland, which began the next day allegedly in reprisal for the Polish attack, had obviously been planned for many months.
Iran is a beautiful and developed country. It is an ancient civilization. It has attacked no one. Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty. Iran is permitted by the treaty to have a nuclear energy program. The Bush Regime’s case against Iran is based on the Bush Regime’s desire to deny Iran its rights under the treaty.
If we invade Iran…we will be invading a bigger problem…Russia won’t stand by and say “oh no, look what they did. How sad.”
As the Japanese Admiral said…I fear we have awakened a sleeping tiger…
Attacking Iran is WWIII…
Bend over and kiss your a*** goodbye…nuclear war is hell.
Make that…sleeping giant..
Just as the world could not believe Hitler’s next horror and thus was always unprepared, the Iranians despite all the evidence cannot believe that even the Great Satan would gratuitously attack Iran based on nothing but lies about non-existent nuclear weapons.
It is important to emphasize that Iran is making no moves toward war. Having tamed, blackmailed, and purchased Congress, the US media, and US allies and puppets, Cheney might delight in the arrogance with which he can now attack Iran free of any restraint or fabricated provocation.
On the other hand, he might cover himself by orchestrating an “Iranian provocation” to justify his attack as a response. But like Hitler’s planned attack against Poland, Cheney’s attack on Iran has long been in the works.
On March 29 the Associated Press reported that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi “poured contempt on fellow Arab leaders” at the Arab summit that day. Gadhafi told the Arab “leaders,” many of whom are on the American payroll, that their American masters would turn on them all, just as America turned on Saddam Hussein after using him to fight a proxy war against Iran.
Saddam had once been an ally of Washington, Gadhafi reminded the Arabs, “but they sold him out.” Gadhafi told the American puppets, “Your turn is next.”
mr. rothschild, your article speaks of a man - subhuman by most standards - who is arguably the most hated, the most despised, the most ignorant, and the most arrogant leader (that word is used loosely) in the history of the free world. this so-called man is responsible for the displacement of millions of lives, responsible for an unimaginable national debt, responsible for a grossly inaccurate reported loss of life, responsible for trashing this country’s constitution, responsible for the cream of our society getting disgustingly rich (even beyond their wildest imaginations), responsible for the unforeseen medical bills (physical, emotional, mental, and biological) once our vets return home, responsible for a major american city still lying in ruins, responsible for skyrocketing property taxes, responsible for too many misdeeds to mention, and you suggest we stop him, nonviolently? there really is only one way to rid oneself of vermin, of rodents, of cockroaches, or of anything else that one chooses to not have in their life.
Galen
Attacking Iran will put into a dark hole so deep, we won’t see light for a long time to come…
Our economy will be a disaster…
If you think gas and food prices are high now…just wait…
Attacking Iran will destory our economy…
I hope all those supporting the warmongers enjoy poverty and starvation…we are headed there if this admin is that stupid….
Attacking Iran = bankruptcy of the American society
By the way, Al Qaeda hates Iran, and vise versa….didn’t Washington get the memo?
To link them is ridiculous
Samski
I am a conservative Republican…not all of us are brain dead….I passed on the koolaide when they handed it out…
I am a member of the MFSO and support the IVAW…
All Repubs aren’t a part of the sheep!!
Samski
Right now, the inmates are running the asylum….
We just have to figure out how to contain them before it is too late….if it isn’t already…
chessman
I have the same issues with my mother.
Retrain….for what….the non-existent jobs at the bankrupt companies that are laying people off in droves? Companies that are moving to other countries and bailing on America?
It won’t hit home with them until our economy is completely destroyed…and we are in a deep and consuming depression filled with starvation and poverty.
jjpeter…
Well said.
I don’t chalk it all up to being conservative, which I am…I attribute it to people just not giving a damn about their fellow man…
Money and power have become the priority…not people…
Caring crosses party lines with the average guy….so does apathy and greed…
Once people realize there is a bigger party to belong to…that of the human race…they will quit arguing Repub/Dem partylines…and realize we are all in this together and better start alligning ourselves against the evil in government and big business….
I want to see Ms Rice stand before the UN with evidence that Iran is providing funding, training and arms to the majority of the Iraqi militant groups.
This just in… more mystery speedboats are ‘threatening’ US warships.
‘Gulf of Tonkin II’ warm ups anyone?
WTF
Rice can stand before the UN and lie as well as Bush…
Galen…
Figures….is the paint still fresh where the “USS” used to be on the “USS Speedboat”?
C.G.Jung said that, when things go really bad, look in the mirror for the problem.
It’s not a problem with the ‘other’ and it never was. The Running Total = 4032 and that is entirely our doing. It’s the job of Congress to remove an insane Helmsman from the helm of this ship of state but they seem to be awaiting Father Time’s grim hand to do it. We are all being sold down the River Styx.
Eight and one-half months looms as a lifetime away (deathtime away?). It is clear that Democratic leadership will scold if we strike, but they will fund whatever weapons related project follows.
I stay sane today by listening to Joe Cirincione on nuclear proliferation.
He reports that the neocons’ continued war requires framing the threat as regimes that have nuclear weapons. The threat, however, is the nuclear weapons. Per Joe all but the right wingnuts understand this. Per Joe, Obama and Clinton know this and are our only chance this election to lead by example, execute new treaties, and dismantle our own nuclear weapons. I am not naive. But the silent sane people who are horrified know that we have gamed ourselves and need to stop.
It may be a bigger fight than bush is prepared for.
Officially reported troup counts:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_total_troops
Rank Nation Total Troops
1 Iran 12,285,000
2 Vietnam 9,564,000
3 People’s Republic of China** 7,024,000
4 North Korea** 5,995,000
5 South Korea 5,209,000
6 Russia** 3,796,100
7 India** 3,773,300
8 United States** 2,938,213
9 Republic of China (Taiwan) 1,965,000
10 Brazil 1,687,600
limrik: I think that your scenario is probably the best bet. Martial law and more Bush-Cheney madness are in our future for sure. These people have a sense of historical mission and destiny which discounts the value of constitutionally mandated elections. It will be no great loss to world culture if a pathological America leaves the scene as hyperpower. Bush has already pushed the military to the brink with a huge percentage who have had multiple deployments now seriously mentally disturbed. Bush is the American Nero and Caligula combined, and YES a huge percentage of our country´s brainwashed and braindamaged populace has enabled the monster. We dissidents are screaming into a vacuum here. Edward Bernays, Freud´s nephew, would be horrified at the huge success of his mass brainwashing techniques which he pioneered during the 20th century in the US and which Goebbels used as his textbook in Nazi Germany. We are headed for a big catastrophe.
My lovely local newspaper likes to print a daily stream of the most liberal-bating government hating editorialists it can find. You know the names. They’re all screaming at the top of their lungs about the terrors of regulation, and the phonies in the Congress haven’t even done a damn thing yet.
And they won’t stop screaming until the bottom falls out. As it was before (1929) so it will be again.
Banjoman: Your attitude is horrible. You are an enabler. I don’t think you learn here. You give me the creeps.
Bush’s words remind me of a greeting card my sister once sent me.
“You could have an expensive gift, or this greeting card…”
(turn page)
“I see you’ve chosen the greeting card.”
That about sums up Bush logic on Iran. He’s only talking to the Fox news right wing echo chamber, certainly not anyone with an attention span greater than 20 minutes who happens to be quite aware of the LIES (pretty much being replayed again) used for the previous unnecessary war of aggression.
Makes me really want to pray for angels, as it seems only Divine Intervention can save our nation, and what in its mindless wrath it might do to innocents… short of lightning striking Air Force One, preferably with all chiefs aboard.
Glenn Goodman said: “This underscores the need for impeachment. ”
Actually, the need is for something much more than impeachment… impeachment means Bush is no longer president but can disappear into the oblivion of history. What is needed is for the entire administration to be arrested and charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity…. THAT is what would happen if there was any real justice in the world.
Banjoman, why not vote third party progressive candidates like Ralph Nader? This is the only vote that can help shift the power of America away from a few dozen criminals and back to 300 million Americans where it belongs. It’s your choice. Do you want the power returned to the people or not?
GottaGetOffTheGrid: Yes, Iran has a very large ground force… I would suspect what the neo-con psychopaths intend to do is to try and neutralize Iran’s military from the air… wouldn’t be surprised if tactical nukes were used. There’s no way the US could succeed in a conventional ground war with Iran, even if their hardware is superior. The Iranian troops would be much more motivated to defend their country than the poor hick redneck US Troop that just wants to get his ass home in one piece.
devil1: Huh? it’s been 7 years of peace and love, fuck not fight kinda talk here at CD… perhaps some of us are just getting to the point where that doesn’t seem enough anymore. But really, it was hard to discern the point of your post.
rtdrury said: “Do you want the power returned to the people or not?”
The power has NEVER belonged to the people in the US my friend. It’s ALWAYS been in the hands of the moneyed class… Everyone else are peons to be exploited at their leisure.
UNCHAINED: thank you for the post that parallels Hitler with Bush & the neocons. If you are indeed a conservative, I salute the enlightenment of your posts as shared in the forum today. I wish there were more like you!
BANJOMAN: If you read LINO’s post, which touches some of the core CRIMES of the Bush administration and still feel so nonchalant, and happy go lucky, then your heart is a very small organ. CD once published an article that suggested that Republicans reported being more happy than Democrats. AS in any poll, the WAY a question is asked influences responses. If my sense of happiness is limited to me and my small circle (i.e. family) then I am a very selfish person. Since BUSH and his supporters have MURDERED over ONE MILLION persons from a nation that did NOTHING to the US, how you can be so complacent is a statement of your own lack of conscience. Pediophiles feel comfortable sharing their stories with others on the web, just as republicans, no doubt, think that their numbers excuse their abject amorality and lack of conscience for what policies that enrich them DO to others.
CHESSGAME: Financial problems sent me from the Florida Keys to GAinesville, Florida (and environs) the past decade. I’ve lived in the Bible belt and had to deal with conservative republicans mostly. Celibacy can only last so long… so it’s “sleeping with the enemy” sometimes. I wrote a play called BORN AGAIN to assuage my feelings about this scenario, a kind of political (for our times) West Side Story.
Being born to privilege is a factor in those with hardened hearts. They seem incapable of recognizing, if they’ve labored in any way in their own lives, that someone born of a different race without any financial benefits has it much harder than they do. They are not good at sharing. When I’ve tried to tell my companion about the evisceation of the constitution, the shrinking liberties, he takes the stance the government must know more than we do to do these things. He has a childlike naive faith in government, but then again, having read John Dean’s IMPORTANT book, “Conservatives without Conscience” the nazis themselves recognized specific traits that a portion of the population is given to that prompts such persons to seek out authority figures. These are people who NEED rules, which in my view means, they do not trust themselves. Furthermore, the 2000 plus years of Christian programming (particularly with respect to sin and repression of NATURAL drives) has turned many against themselves, i.e. their true instinctive natures. I find Wilhelm Reich (”Function of Orgasm”) an instructive read on that aspect of warped human nature. (Many “experts” use the warped, long-twisted and diabolically programmed components of human nature to make their case for what it is. I argue back that human nature, like a bacteria raised in a specific petri dish, has not had the opportunity to largely demonstrate other, so long has the history of war, privation, anger, and the various ism divisions been its legacy. This is a failure on the part of leadership and the bodies of power that own the capacity to educate. It is not indicative of the WHOLE of what we are and might be!
“This man is planning on waging another illegal war, and we need to do all that we can, nonviolently, to stop him.”
Why non-violently? When you’re dealing with a megalomaniac and a psychopath, you have to use all available measures to stop them causing harm. Don’t you? Or are you going to sit back and let the stupid bastard cause a war that could well end our world? Over to you!
P.S. The American Constitution causes violence? Join the conversation on Dangerous Creation.
elmysterio: You´re right–we need a citizen´s arrest of the entire administration. But it isn´t going to happen. The only scenario that makes any sense (and unfortunately won’t happen) is a military coup by a group of sane generals if such exist–questionable. There are high officers in the military who are pissed off about the long deployments and the war itself, but they wouldn´t dare challenge the civilian government even if they recognize it has gone way over the line and become tyrannical as is the case with Bush-Cheney and Co. I don’t think elections will settle anything in the US, because the reactionaries will make sure that McCain wins by doing what they´ve done in the last two presidential elections. In Ecuador where I am presently, when the people decide that a president has to go, they pour out into the streets until the military withdraws support and the criminal flies from the roof of the presidential palace in a helicopter into oblivion. It has happened twice when I have been here. Of course nothing like that can happen in our country of the brainwashed, demoralized, and disempowered.
Sec Def gates just said that support for Iran is growing in the small towns and villages of Iraq.
One more PR spin step on the road to war with Iran?
Probably.
Just as probably the truth. Who would you want to support: The country your US backed and armed dictator attacked on CIA orders, who never attacked you first? Or the invading and occupying nation that put you bloody dictator in power in the first place?
Hmmm…. decisions, decisions.
Unchained
You’re no conservative in the current vernacular, which has morphed into NEO - CON. You are fully aware of the dangers our nation is in with these people in control.
I reach out my hand in friendship and stand ready to help when the horizon is lit with the last sliver of light, announcing that we are seeing the end of our way of life.
Go in peace.
I just enjoy screwing you Americans up because you are such incorigible petsy. I’ am going to drive you into a crazy frenzy. I was in Sydney in 1987 to attend my daughter’s graduation and I was waiting for my family shopping, and idle as I was I just reached out to browse a copy of the ASIAN WEEKLY a business and political analysis Magazine published by some American media. The Magazine is now discontinued, gone broke like so many things in the USA.
Well back to my story. I browsed a story about the Chinese government BUYING SCRAP IRON IN GERMANY; and the author of this story was having a good laugh at the Chinese and he could not understand what the Chinese were doing. The Chinese bought a superceeded motor scooter factory FOR SCRAP and they sent a whole bunch of Chinese workers to Germany. These wrokers went through the whole factory carefully marking out the pieces of connecting joints similar to marking the whole jigsaw puzzle so that they could be put together again. They purchased this factory as scrap therefore the factory was purchased BY THE POUND. It just went for a song. All the pieces were carefully shipped back to China to be reassembled into the same factory that previously existed in Germany. This factory used to make the scooter NSU and almost over night China had bought an NSU factory complete free of design and architectural expenses. They then went on to produce NSU scooter under a Chinese name.
The moral of this story is not to laugh at what we Chinese do because we grew up by our boot straps. This is also to gloat and tell you that the joke is on you Americans. This story also marks the begining of the Chinese revival from our boot straps to today’s China that is almost “a reasonably well off society”. Today we do not need any of those scrap iron factory anymore; we travel first class (only we do not because it is cheaper to travel economy no frills). China today deals in BILLIONS OF 4 AND SAVE IN TRILLIONS OF $. Therefore when you gloat about China being Cheap, yes we see CHEAP, you are also saying why China is so cheap. We are cheap because we save for the rainy day ! Now we are the cheap guys who are flushed in trillions and you Americans buy expensive and owing 9 trillions. I just read one of your posters that the USA owes every man woman and child US$30,000 per head of the world’s population. The USA by this measure is already a bankrupt by US$9 trillion. Therefore is CVhina cheap ? Is America RICH ?
Chinese firsts: Movable type printing press. Paper money. Toilet paper. Silk.
American firsts: Assembly production line. Mass produced motor car. Atomic and nuclear weapons.
Guess which culture I admire more?
We all bitch and scream. What comes of it? More bitching and screaming. The majoity of Humans (as we know them) supposedly have one thing in common; the will to survive. Are any of us really prepared to put this into play?
Hey yap:
I hope China (and India) enjoys its 15 minutes of industrial fame. After we deplete the remaining non-renewable resources, ruin what is left of the water supply, wipe out all the fish, and global warming brings us all to our knees, it will be over for China AND the “West”. If we survive, that is. We need to set the world on a different course. Keep reading the great posts on CD!
PS yap:
being an industrial superpower isn’t all that great. You lose your soul to the competition and chasing the almighty dollar (or yuan). Then there is the pollution. The world’s oldest civilization doesn’t need to catch up with anyone.
Reporters, ask President Bush the following question. Don’t give him a chance to consult one of his paid obfuscators, but make him answer on the spot and by himself. Maybe he’ll then have a nervous breakdown, and Dick and Condi can both sign for his institutionalization, and others can sign for their institutionalization, and we can be rid of the lot once and for all.
“President Bush, since you favor us staying in Iraq, you in fact favor big countries occupying small countries, and everyone knows why. Because the big country always does such a good job. So you would support a return of Russia and your friend Vladimir to Afghanistan, right?
Thank you.”
” Or it can continue to arm and train and fund illegal militant groups, which are terrorizing the Iraqi people and turning them against Iran. “:
What is with this stupid SOB?!! WE are the ones that are arming illegal militias, from the Badr Militia that was instrumental in ethnic cleansing to the Sunnis who will inevitably turn those arms against us. In case he hadn’t noticed, it is the US that the Iraqis have turned against, not Iran. Or doesn’t the fact that he has to sneak into the country and hide in an air base while the president of Iran gets a red carpet welcome and goes anywhere register with him? What kind of hallucinogen is he using? I thought the DEA was supposed to have cut off his supply.
Banjoman gives me the impression he is a religious nutcase and like a child can’t see the damage the USA has done not only to America but a lot of the rest of the world too. Invading another country based on manufactured information, murdering 3000 of your own citizens in order to get the flags flying and the people wound up is no laughing matter.
Looking on the bright side will only get a lot of sand in your eyes Banjoman if you ever dare open them.
The USA is done, it’s served it’s usefulness, time to move on to more lucrative pastures, that’s what the likes of Bush do, but first let’s really make certain of the USAs demise, bomb Iran, that should be fun, my final act.
I can see a depression in the USA which will make 1930 look like a small correction but the religious/ Republican nutjobs will still have a smile on their ignorant faces, you know the sort of smile you get from mental patients.
thank you Matthew Rothschild for following this issue…
the plans to attack iran have been in the works for a long time,
http://www.democracynow.org/2007/10/2/seymour_hersh_white_house_intensifying_plans
every reference by the administration in the press amplifies the risk.the Iranian oil bourse (set to open in may) raises the stakes for the oil companies.
it’s unlikely a democratic administration in 2009 would go to war w/ iran over sketchy evidence presented in polemic terms that defy reason (like a nuclear threat, or boxes dropped in the water by speedboats, or smuggled arms in iraq -obviously the US corners the market on guns in baghdad-, or questions of anti zionism, or the possibility people in lebanon resisting western pressure may have aligned themselves w/ their natural shiite cousins).
the real reasons won’t be discussed, the fact iran is a leading figure in the non aligned movement of the 21st century - w/ venezuela -, and the fact that iran is now selling oil to china. however the oil bourse is the greater threat to the united states (maybe not the saudi family, they can sell the remainder of their oil to whomever the wish after the US empire collapses). the dollars symbolic economic dominance and the US economy will be f*cked beyond recognition.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=2076
{“A full challenge to the domination of the dollar as world central bank reserve currency entails a de facto declaration of war on the ‘full spectrum dominance’ of the United States today. The mighty members of the European Central Bank Council well know this. The heads of state of every EU country know that. The Chinese leadership as well as Japanese and Indian know that. So does Vladimir Putin.”
“Until some combination of those Eurasian powers congeal in a cohesive challenge to the unbridled domination of the USA as sole superpower, there will be no Euro or Yen or even Chinese Yuan challenging the role of the dollar. The issue is of enormous importance, as it is vital to understand the true dynamics bringing the world to the brink of possible nuclear catastrophe today.”}
iranian oil bourse relative to US economic power….
www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=7998
—————
cheney and bush - as representatives of big oil - will not risk the opportunity to assert military/nuclear power to control the world in a more direct way, at this moment in time (the next 7 months). the reason we’re hyped (at least to a degree, i’m a little spooked about the consequences of US aggression against Iran) is because the consequences of war against Iran are greater then the dismal consequences (yet apparently oblivious to many americans) of our experience in Iraq. the president and VP have previously said they would use nukes, they’ll wage a massive air campaign, destroying civilian and military targets.
it will be interesting to see how the other powers (military) respond. it’s a huge gamble and what exactly are the benefits (even for the elites) of completely destabilizing the world economy?? maybe to impose martial law in the developed world, in light of what? because if the shipping lanes off the coast of iran/arabian peninsula are disrupted - everyone in the world will immediately feel the response.
i doubt they’ll be sympathetic to cheney’s/bush’s endeavor - so cheney/bush will blackmail them w/ the threat of nuclear war, while using the shuttle as a means to disable (remember it’s black and white like a cop car) all of china, russia, eu’s communications / surveillance/ guidance systems satellites (blackmail cheney/bush are very familiar w/ black ops…)
…peace…
resistance is futile…. it becomes extremely absurd at this point to imagine what america would look like under martial law, who’s to say exactly how effective the department of homeland security is? do they even know how effective their tools are?
the USSR when faced w/ civil uprisings backed down, the Chinese did not, the US trained governments in el salvador and guatemala - and now iraq did not stand down. will the US govt back down like the USSR or will they employ hyper authoritarian techniques at home coupled w/ military aggression abroad to achieve their masters objective ? (the only tools left in the bag)
communists, jews, and other political dissidents escaped nazi germany as slaves in the US used the underground railroad to find freedom. american activists and progressives have a rich history of harboring the victims of oppression. let’s hope our karma returns to assist us in our plights.
always have your escape route planned in the back of your mind (read the hand maidens tale), and try to be level headed when you make that decision (not to romanticize, nor trivialize the very real nature of fascist societies and the means/history of resistance).
the fates of the writers posted on the homepage of CD are canaries in the coal mine…
i hate to sound like a nihilist at a progressive board…
…peace….
How can so many people be so blind and indeed stupid? Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Iran; it is all just a big grab for OIL! There are no threats from these places. they just have lots of OIL and America wants it to sustain its power in the world; it is as simple as that.
And when will everyone also realise that GWB is just a mouth piece for the Pentagon, Cheney and his mates. He’s as empty-headed as those who believe his rhetoric. Who thinks he and Laura talk about world affairs and how they will handle them? Oh come-on, give me a break! How much money they are making is a much more likely subject for a family discussion.
As an very experienced structural engineer, I know 911 was a sham; buildings absolutely cannot collapse as they did without there being huge amounts of explosives involved. (Google ‘911 truth’ and do your own research) The whole world is being deceived so that the US can steal Middle East OIL…..WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!
Several have posted here that with all the firepower located in the gulf next to Iran, that our great leaders are figuring on using it at the proper time to manipulate another election, as well as give them a thrill to see more distruction. Even though the consequences would be horrendous, that would obviously not bother this gang, and they could then continue their dictatorship.
We have madmen at the helm of this ship of state, and nothing would be too extreme to expect, as they have demonstrated their concern is for themselves and their rich warmongering cronies, amd not for the good old USA.
The problem is there are not enough people that are willing to risk their comfortable existance by violent protest, and we have all seen how that approach works in our post 9-11 country anyway. Of course we are too busy dragging both Dem candidates through the mud, while the Repubs watch and laugh, to worry about an action that could possibly end our country as we have known it.
SIOUXROSE, Good posts on this article. You are a “First Class” human being. “In the fullness of time” you’re economic circumstances will change for the better. My cousin in Key Largo sends her regards.
Peace and Harmony to you and to all in this world. We certainly need it.
By the way, everybody, as long as there are willing participants ready to engage in combat against citizens elsewhere for the benefit of the ruling elite, there will always be death, destruction, misery and suffering on this finite planet. With very few exceptions, the war inducers and the industrial/financial profiteers stay clear of harm’s way, but are ready to sacrifice the common population of a nation in order to steal another countries’ resources and eliminate that country/s common population as much as possible. The history of humanity, people. To end so-called war, which I call “gangsterism on a national level,” is to consciously refuse to participate in violent, aggressive activity. If the “common people” stop being flunkies for the ruling elite, do you think they would don a uniform and take up arms against a false foe? I get tired repeating myself, and I’m sure most of you feel the same. It’s 2008 AD not 2008 BC. Haven’t we evolved at all?
Are you folks aware that CD removes posts when they want to?
Free speech? Dissent? They did it to me 2 days ago. What do you think of the “censorship policy” here.
I will ‘paste’ a post from yesterday as proof. It went like this:
banjoman April 11th, 2008 5:55 am
Thanx Matti, and I agree with everything you posted, even Amy Goodman’s physical attributes. She IS a nice looking woman, and I felt for her when I saw she was afflicted with Bell’s palsy.
We all went thru it when it hit my kid sister over 20 years ago, and it’s definately no fun. Probably easier to take for someone of Amy Goodmans age vice a teenage girl, but not much easier.
I do not agree with much of what she preaches, but, as a veteran, I’d go back in to preserve that right…I’m just too old….wife and kids depending on me here. Responsible? I’d like to think that.
I’d sit down and tip a beer with anyone posting here, even if some think of me as vermin…My shoulders are too broad to be offended by that or much else anymore.
Thanx again there, Matti…you sound like a good egg to me…I hope Common Dreams lets this stay posted…for both of us.
Censorship HERE? evidently so…who knows what else didn’t stay put. Thanx again Matti. Your friend, Banjoman
REAL TIME: If you look at Amy Goodmans article the other day, you will certainly see lots of comments about that terrible “Banjoman”, but not what started it.
Stamp of censorship? you bet!!! Are you really all that surprised? Not really…….To those who made me feel welcome here, many thanx. To the name callers, you need to find out why your lives are so miserable. This is a rough croud for a guy like me, but I’ve been thrown out of classier joints than this, that’s for sure, by golly, that’s for sure.
Don’t be surprised if the US quietly moves the fleet OUT of the Persian Gulf and disperses troops away from military bases within striking distance from Iran, and does a “surgical” strike on the Natanz centrifuge complex. Of course, Israel will be on full alert. After that, anything that moves or flies will be in the crosshairs, and the US would pound Iran if it retaliates.
The Iranians don’t need centrifuges. They don’t need to enrich Uranium. They should shut down the centrifuges, allow the sanctions to end, and eventually contract companies from a neutral nation, such as France, Russia or Canada, to develop their nuclear power.
With their ongoing actions and rhetoric, the Iranians are painting a target on themselves. Playing games with the IAEA is particularly bad. Israel probably does have nuclear weapons, but they are reserved as last gasp equilizers in a war that would otherwise end its existence. Iran having the ability to end Israel’s (and Palestine’s)existence (just ONE nuke might be enough) cancels out the equalizer.
Israel really can’t stike Natanz on its own. Too far, and their aircraft would be too exposed. Dubya and Cheney are willing to do the dirty job for them, and there are still a lot of Americans who would support this. It would have to happen before Obama is elected, so we have about a 7 month window for this thing.
www.presstv.ir to see what the other side are saying………..
PEACEMAN: Same compliment right back at you! And Gracias. Your point about the would-be conscience of civilian soldiers is a good one; however, note that the nature of our economy imploding due to the jobs sent elsewhere almost pressures certain young people to believe the military is the answer to their adveturism and career potentials! Just as seductive ads got people to smoke against their own health, many ads truly seduce young people by utilizing highly potent buzz words and images. It’s slick behavior mod, and not everyone has come to the realization that there IS no enemy, just manipulation by nations and governments to get what isn’t intended to be theirs.
Good points rose! And that’s why it’s up to parents to teach what the schools refuse to teach, and media and advertising try to obfuscate for profit. Namely, that the military is not really an honorable institution, and that militaries exist because of the confusion and corruption of mankind; that as a parent, you will NOT be proud if your son or daughter joins the military, that patriotism is really a brand of division and separatism as is all nationalistic sentiment.
Now, this will not make you or your son or daughter popular in the public schools system, where it’s Pledge of Allegiance (a nationalistic brain-washing technique) is said aloud at the start of every school day, and members of the PTA might shun you as they would doggy poo.
Nevertheless, you and your offspring are much less likely to suffer the death and destruction of combat.
Much better, I think, is to teach to your children how to face and deal with their inner ‘demons’ which, of course, are the cause of all outward ‘evil’ as well.
“This man is planning on waging another illegal war, and we need to do all that we can, nonviolently, to stop him.”
Bullshit. I will assassinate any of them for the highest bidder.
Who’s first?
Banjoman,
I have not bothered to look at past posts, so am not certain of the context. However, I have found human nature to be in full form, regardless of political view. Most people will discuss topics in forums where there is little to no disagreement. To challenge anyone’s viewpoint is perceived as an attack on them (their ego). This is true on so-called progressive/liberal sites (CD, alternet, et. al.) as well as conservative.
The most interesting exchange I’ve ever had was 7-8 years ago, when Yahoo had message boards, prior to them being overrun with spammers and people interested in 1-way discussions. Had an online conversation with a Serbian professing hatred for all Muslims. At some point during the discussion, it was evident there was some doubt about absolutes. To me, that moment was a great victory - to have an understanding on multiple sides of an argument/view … something lacking in these boards. Most do not have the strength of character to respectfully disagree.
Before society as a whole can begin to heal, the entire system of greed, corruption, and exploitation must collapse, as it is beginning to now under its own weight. The more we resist this collapse, individually and collectively, the worse it will be.
Without a widespread spiritual awakening for humanity, where ego no longer rules, self-destruction can be the ONLY outcome. There is the individual will (ego) and cosmic Will (arising from an Intelligence which is beyond ordinary thought and reason and does not properly belong to any individual, but is at the core of our being). Cosmic Will is revealed to us through essence, where there is attention and awareness. It is sometimes called intuition.
Many do not realize that all psychological suffering, fear, and confusion are the result of unconsciously resisting cosmic Will–or what Its essence within us really longs for; some might say, what our ‘hearts’ deep down really want.
Egoic will by nature is always at odds with, and cannot coexist with, cosmic Will; it embodies the ‘dark side’ of human nature, which presently dominates mankind. That is why as long as we seek solutions to human problems within the egoic sphere (where any means, including war and killing justify the ends), mankind will continue to spiral downward, and worldwide suffering will only increase, as it is now.
The intelligence in nature is part of this cosmic Will, and its essence is order and harmony. We are peculiar creatures in that, unlike other creatures, we were given the ability to think and be aware of ourselves as part of nature. Eckart Tolle wrote in Stillness Speaks:
“Through you nature becomes aware of itself. Nature has been waiting for you, as it were, for millions of years.”
Unfortunately, for us, the flip side of this self-awareness is ego, which squelches out the awareness of our eternal essence, or unity with cosmic or natural Will. At birth we are alive with essence and natural wonder and slowly lose it as we are taught (conditioned) to compare and compete with one another, and worry over our body image and other such nonsense.
So-called self-esteem is just ego-identity that we label positive or negative, and is really just an artifact of inattention; essence never compares itself in that way because it is already whole and complete.
Like Super Tramp’s Logical Song, the essence within us is gradually drowned out–and we forget we ever had it, or that there is a completely different way to live. Life then becomes a never ending rat’s nest of problems and concerns (ego secretly loves unnecessary complications and entanglements because without them it would dissolve).
Instead of being taught how to be free inwardly, we are taught to live in fear, and that suffering must be accepted like a thorn in one’s toe. And, of course, this is reflected collectivelly, as well.
Many have spoken about these things, especially J. Krishnamurti, who said that mankind was/is on the brink of disaster and catastrophe, where only an ‘inner revolution’ can save it. He said our dilemma can be likened to those watching a big fire, while we sit and argue over the color of the hair of the man who set the fire, rather than bringing water to put it out. The ‘water’ here being freedom from fear and ego-identity.
Some good movies that point to this are “Peaceful Warrior,” and the “Celestine Prophecy.” The Matrix is also a good one. If we awaken individually, that cannot help but transform the world around us, and awaken AUTHENTIC compassion in others as well.
Best wishes to all those on the path.
I completely disagree with the censorship of posts on this site, if that is indeed what is happening. If you’re going to delete someone’s post, you should delete all the replies that directly reference it as well, since it just allows others to take select remarks from the OP to make their argument, without allowing others to reference the OP for context. It’s inherently one-sided and unfair, if the point of CD is to allow intelligent debate on issues.
Maybe bot censor, but censure. Especially MacJr. If he wants to be a murderous “True Believer”, he’s on the worng site.
Democrats, as usual, will be to blame. They’ll give Bush anything, everything, he’ll need for yet another war.
Filthy, corrupt Democrats.
SIOUXROSE,
The main reason for joining the military at this time is a matter of economics. You’re correct about the “job potential” and the adventurism involved in signing on. If you remember, several months ago, I wrote my reasons why people join the military. There are the “Mars” bars, as you have explained so well so many times on CD, and I’m in full agreement with you on that, having served in the Army for eight years and have met those types of individuals. Most men and women are looking for a steady paycheck with “fringe” benefits. Remember that term?
When proponents of “the free market” and capitalism would rather sacrifice our fellow citizens for a profit, by moving decent paying jobs overseas for cheap, exploited labor and then rip off the taxpayer and give our hard earned dollars to an insatiable military budget and spy machine, the answer is, in my opinion, clear. A career in the military with a guaranteed paycheck and benefits, one of the best retirement programs in the world, in which the whole nine yards of it is a form of Socialism, which is fine with me. (I’m an Emma Goldman devotee)
The military person (and civillian as well) convince themselves they are doing the right thing in order to justify the wrong thing they are doing or have engaged in. Some people pass lie detector tests while lying through their teeth because the mind has been conditioned in rationalizing the behavior of their actions.
After seven and a half years of the most criminal administration in US history, why would a discerning individual lift a finger for this regime? Let alone place themselves in “harm’s way” for two of the most cowardly, despicable…use whatever adjective you deem appropriate, people to ever occupy the White House.
CHESSGAMESS56,
Excellent comments! I’m in agreement.
Filthy, Corrupt Democrats.
Clean, Incorruptable Republicans.
The Democrats are to blame for all our problems. Not the Democrats AND the RepubLikud.
Was Paul Wellstone a Republican? The Likud/McCain WILL attack Iran. Obama would not.
Obama ‘08.
By the by… earlier this week the various oil producing nations of the Middle East all got together and were discussing dumping the US dollar as the currency of choice for oil trading…
This is tantamount to saying the truth… the US dollar, and thereby the US economy are done.
A few points. First, Banjoman, if you don’t like the heat, then get out of the kitchen. Did you expect your opinions to be welcomed here with open arms? Also, please drop the ‘being persecuted’ act, it’s beginning to get old. That being said, I am certainly not for censorship.
What I find very interesting is that some former, and I daresay, disillusioned, Bushites are coming to this site and claim that their considering voting for Obama.
The problem they’re having is they still wanting to keep one foot inside and retain some of their republican views, while trying to reconcile the true effect of these views. The fallacies of the so-called conservative right are beginning to ooze through the spin, and even many of them can no longer deny what has been appearant to many of us for sometime now.
I’d like to remind them that it’s no longer about ‘left’ and ‘right,’ but truth. First, though, you must be willing to let go of the false (whether it be a democratic or republican falsehood), to perceive what is. Many that post here are disgusted with the Dems as well (if that helps). For God sakes, let us just start being honest about the facts. Then we can go from there to examine cause and effect.
bbr-001, time for a reality check. First of all, Iran IS a signatory to the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty, this allows them not only the right to have a domestic nuclear program for peaceful purposes (in Iran’s case the production of electricity) but also allows them to enrich uranium to the 5% or so required for reactors producing electricity. For weapons grade material uranium has to be enriched to about 95% or so. This is a huge leap requiring massive plant and material to achieve. There is ZERO, nada, zip evidence of Iran being anywhere near this capacity OR even wanting this capacity. Furthermore it’s about sovereignty, why the hell should Iran be forced to put themselves at a disadvantage by being forced to buy processed uranium from Russia for example?
Further, there are those who say Iran doesn’t need nuclear generated electricity because they are sitting on a pile of oil and natural gas - this rationale alone is one of the dumbest I have ever read and heard from the talking idiots on TV. Anybody know what other saleable commodities the Iranians have that can command the revenue of oil and natural gas? Also, anyone familiar with the size and growth rate of Iran’s population can easily see the problem - stronger consumption at home means less available for export (the Middle East also has this very same problem). Oil isn’t infinite and production ain’t what it used to be in Iran.
And lastly bbr-001, Israel DOES have nuclear weapons and NO, Israel DID NOT sign the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. I’m not entirely sure who we should be more concerned about, Israel or Iran.
Any U.S. attack would be the gravest mistake possible, even dumber than the attack on and invasion of Iraq. Because its so dumb, it just might be up Bush’s alley.
Hey BobbySea:
No arguments from me. One man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist. One nation’s nuclear security is another’s blackmail.
Yes, Iran is a sovereign nation and did sign the NPT, but it really doesn’t need nuclear power today, this year, or even this decade. Its a chip on the shoulder that worries the paranoid Israelis and plays to the trigger happy neocons. If Amadinijad is strutting his stuff, he picked some really dangerous and stupid people to confront.
Yes. Grave and stupid. Stupid on both sides.
Per bbr-”Maybe bot censor, but censure. Especially MacJr. If he wants to be a murderous “True Believer”, he’s on the worng site.”
Where the hell did the “true believer” stuff come from? All I’m saying uis that all the talk is cheap and going nowhere. Non-violence doesn’t apply here because all your non-violent means will be met with violence. So why not play the game to win?
And I wasn’t talking about assassinating “their” bad guys…I was talking about assassinating OURS.
CHESSGAME 56: Your posting was very powerful and enlightening. I had the same exact thing with my father, but now that he’s crossed over into zones beyond this mortal sphere, I believe he gets to see the bigger picture. Some will say it’s ego, but I think souls like us who came in to enlarge perception of a wider paradigm of inclusion, are very hard to bear for those who are LOYAL to a specific group/perspective/race/religion/ethnicity. In our embrace of wholeness, they see an attack on what they believe in. It’s my understanding from reading a lot of channeled material (Seth, Cayce, Ruth Montgomery, etc) that when the soul crosses over, they REVIEW their lifetime; however, the assessment does not take place at the level of limited ego in which the lifetime was lived, rather it’s enlarged on account of the power of LIGHT projected by guides who assist in this evaluation process. These guides I believe are related to the lords of karma.
PEACEMAN: I so appreciate your acknowledging the degree to which the premise of god has devolved into a rabid worship of Mars. Thank you. Some may tire of my making the analogy, but when religious folks push for war and when they evangelize the military, AND when weapon systems are powerful enough to take us ALL out, it bears being mentioned until enough people get it, and it’s my hope this can help create the shift in consciousness to turn America away from its M.A.D embrace of its own form of Armageddon in the M.E.
Hey MacJr:
Killing is wrong. Assassinating anyone’s bad guys is wrong. It brings you down to their level. Secondly, one man’s good guy is another’s bad guy. Hugo Chavez, for example. Finally, advocating assassination of leaders of the US is treasonous and may get you investigated, even charged, passport revoked… Even if you’re not serious, its like telling the sky marshall a bomb joke.
“True Believer” is a book written a number of years ago that discusses how young people take up radical and violent causes, mostly because they need something bigger than themselves and their religions, educations and communities to make life meaningful. It was mostly about the IRA and Irish terrorists, but it fits well with suicide bombers, jihadists, and those crazy folks in Texas who thing God is telling us to bomb Iran.
TheLorax wrote: “This man is planning on waging another illegal war, and we need to do all that we can, nonviolently, to stop him.”
And just WHAT is that? Write a bobble-head Congressman? That’ll work!
How about march in protests? That worked well to stop Afghanistan and Iraq.
Two words (deliberately mis-spelt to avoid the CD-censor): Genral Stryke!
peaceman,
and others (banjoman, WTF) thank you for the note…..
does alternet, truthdig or democratic underground censor key phrases ?? i don’t know i generally just post here at CD. 10 minutes ago i tried entering the forbidden term 4 times gs, gs, gs, gs… 8 words.
the post wasn’t posted and there was no indication that the post had an error or was sitting in moderation. i clicked back one window reentered the comment and received a comment from word press that said i had already said that…..
that’s fucked up. period. what’s so progressive about censorship ????
…peace…
iowablackbird:
I’ve posted on alternet, truthdig, infomationclearinghouse, before with no problem. Like yourself, I generally post here on CD. I’m only guessing, but our “friendly” uncle in D.C. may have something to do with it, not the hard-working staff at Common Dreams. I’ve never been to “democratic underground,” so no comment there. One health/nutritional website I read has deleted reader comments if they didn’t meet the criteria, and somehow the comments are read or scanned (?) before being posted several minutes later.
Last year on CD, one of my posts had the “your comment is awaiting moderation” tag for about 7-9 hours, and removed afterward with my entire comments intact. I really don’t have an answer.
Peace and Harmony
@chesgames: You said:
“it’s up to parents to teach what the schools refuse to teach, and media and advertising try to obfuscate for profit. Namely, that the military is not really an honorable institution, and that militaries exist because of the confusion and corruption of mankind; that as a parent, you will NOT be proud if your son or daughter joins the military, that patriotism is really a brand of division and separatism as is all nationalistic sentiment.”
Beautifully put! Huzzah!