They're Down, But Still Not Out....
Now that the scale and implications of the disaster in Iraq are becoming obvious to even the most steadfast denialists, the frantic scramble is on for ideological cover. For an appropriately scathing takedown of the CYA set, read this.
Every so often I'll get an email asking why I spend time on Ledeen, Hanson, Reynolds, Hewitt, etc. The answer is that as long as these people hold themselves out as experts on anything, have any influence on public debate and/or on policymakers, and have the cojones to opine on Iran in much the same way they did on Iraq, then they can't be ignored -- even in this ultimately insignificant space.
Read the first four words of this piece. Should we dismiss that, or keep a wary eye on it?
Every so often I'll get an email asking why I spend time on Ledeen, Hanson, Reynolds, Hewitt, etc. The answer is that as long as these people hold themselves out as experts on anything, have any influence on public debate and/or on policymakers, and have the cojones to opine on Iran in much the same way they did on Iraq, then they can't be ignored -- even in this ultimately insignificant space.
Read the first four words of this piece. Should we dismiss that, or keep a wary eye on it?
posted by The Cunning Realist at Monday, November 27, 2006
15 Comments:
Yeah, keep an watchful eye out on stuff like this, and take the time when you can to denounce it as evil, the kind of that guarantees, somewhere down the road, of evil and terror returning on us. Kinda like the old ideas about reaping what you sow.
the danger within.
It seems to me that these nutcases have always been lurking in the recesses of the republican party. They managed to pop their heads out for a brief period of time in the Nixon Administration, then were chased back underground. They retooled themselves during the Reagan and Bush I years, but blew a gasket when Clinton won and reverted to form. They have been openly flourishing in all their nutcase splendor during this administration, at least until this last election, and now they are squirming in their desperation to hang on to power.
Cheney (and the guy who wrote this article) remind me of that scene at the end of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" when the villain is exposed and can't hide behind the mask anymore (twirling eyes, steam coming out of his ears, high-pitched squealing). These people are truly fucking crazy.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/27/AR2006112701175.html
your blog is not an insignificant space realist...'an oasis for...'
i vote for "keep a wary eye on it".
I will never forget the talking head that came on msnbc, moments after the most recent failed bombing in London saying "this shows all the hallmarks of Iran" with a straight face.
Be on alert for all the old fearmongering and sales techniques and tricks when the ad campaign for operation "Iranian Freedom" hits the airwaves in force.
The constitution shredding party continues:
http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Gingrich+raises+alarm+at+event+honoring+those+who+stand+up+for+freedom+of+speech&articleId=d3f4ee4e-1e90-475a-b1b0-bbcd5baedd78
I vote for wary eye, but I also vote to demand to know why the likes of the L.A. Times, which used to be a decent newspaper (I live in L.A.), finds it necessary to give space SO OFTEN to fringe warmongering lunatics like JOSHUA MURAVCHIK. It gives them false legitimacy.
Dear Cunning Realist:
I wish you wouldn't describe your excellent site as "ultimately insignificant."
On most social issues I am a dyed-in-the-wool liberal. And yet I've been a frequent visitor here for well over a year. Why? Because you (and often the folks leaving comments) provide a wellspring of SANE, RATIONAL conservative thought. In a political atmosphere made toxic by the Malkins, the Coulters and the Limbaughs, I simply cannot overstate how refreshing you are. And that's pretty damned significant!
My best wishes are always with you.
Iraq is a diversion. As the army attacks Iraq, the US gov't erodes rights at home by suspending habeas corpus, stealing private lands, banning books like "America Deceived" from Amazon, rigging elections, conducting warrantless wiretaps and starting 2 illegal wars based on lies. Soon, another US false-flag operation will occur (sinking of an Aircraft Carrier by Mossad) and the US will invade Iran (on behalf of Israel).
Final link (before Google Books bends to gov't demands and censors the title):
America Deceived (book)
http://jimbovard.com/blog/2006/11/17/the-torturous-servility-of-washington-think-tanks/
Great article! Thanks.
Thanks for interesting article.
Excellent website. Good work. Very useful. I will bookmark!
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