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The Next QuagmirePosted on Sep 3, 2007
By Chris Hedges The most effective diplomats, like the most effective intelligence officers and foreign correspondents, possess empathy. They have the intellectual, cultural and linguistic literacy to get inside the heads of those they must analyze or cover. They know the vast array of historical, religious, economic and cultural antecedents that go into making up decisions and reactions. And because of this—endowed with the ability to communicate and more able to find ways of resolving conflicts through diplomacy—they are less prone to blunders.
To make rational decisions in international relations we must perceive how others see us. We must grasp how they think about us and be sensitive to their fears and insecurities. But this is becoming hard to accomplish. Our embassies are packed with analysts whose main attribute is long service in the armed forces and who frequently report to intelligence agencies rather than the State Department. Our area specialists in the State Department are ignored by the ideologues driving foreign policy. Their complex view of the world is an inconvenience. And foreign correspondents are an endangered species, along with foreign coverage.
We speak to the rest of the globe in the language of violence. The proposed multibillion-dollar arms supply package for the Persian Gulf countries is the newest form of weapons-systems-as-message. U.S. Undersecretary of State
The arrogant call for U.S. hegemony over the rest of the globe is making enemies of a lot of people who might be predisposed to support us, even in the Middle East. And it is terrifying those, such as the Iraqis, Iranians and Syrians, whom we have demonized. Empathy and knowledge, the qualities that make real communication possible, have been discarded. We use tough talk and big weapons deals to communicate. We spread fear, distrust and violence. And we expect missile systems to protect us. “Imagine an Iranian government that was powerful, radical, and in possession of nuclear weapons; imagine the threat that would pose to Israel and to the American-led balance of power, which has been so important in the Middle East since the close of the Second World War,” Burns said in a speech at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston last April 11. “That is our first challenge.” “Our second challenge is that Iran continues to be the central banker of Middle East terrorism,” he went on. “It is the leading funder and director of Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine general command. Third, Iran is in our judgment a major violator of the human rights of its own people; it denies religious, political, and press rights to the people of a very great country representing a very great civilization. And so we see a problem that is going to be with us for a long time, and we are trying to fashion a strategy that will work for the long term.” George W. Bush’s latest salvo, on Aug. 28, was more of the same. “Iran’s active pursuit of technology that could lead to nuclear weapons threatens to put a region already known for instability and violence under the shadow of a nuclear holocaust,” he said. Bush warned that the United States and its allies would confront Iran “before it is too late.” These kinds of words, pouring out of the administration, send a clear message to any Iranian: You are in trouble. Bend to our will or we destroy you. These were the same words, with a few minor changes, that the Bush administration delivered to Saddam Hussein, who, despite numerous compromises, including letting the U.N. inspectors back into his country, was overthrown and put to death during a U.S. occupation. And the Iranians know that without the bomb, which no intelligence agency thinks they can produce for a few years, they are now probably going to be attacked. The Pentagon has reportedly drawn up plans for a series of airstrikes against 1,200 targets in Iran. The air attacks are designed to cripple the Iranians’ military capability in three days. The Bushehr nuclear power plant, along with targets in Saghand and Yazd, the uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, a heavy-water plant and radioisotope facility in Arak, the Ardekan Nuclear Fuel Unit, and the uranium conversion facility and nuclear technology center in Isfahan, will all probably be struck by the United States and perhaps even Israeli warplanes. The Tehran Nuclear Research Center, the Tehran molybdenum, iodine and xenon radioisotope production facility, the Tehran Jabr Ibn Hayan Multipurpose Laboratories, and the Kalaye Electric Co. in the Tehran suburbs will also most likely come under attack.
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By Skruff, September 11, 2007 at 1:17 pm # Will they Have Mogan-David in heaven? Gatlin Bros.
By Inherit The Wind, September 10, 2007 at 12:52 pm # Just for DogShit...words penned by a far cleverer man than I am: The Preacher and The Slave Long-haired preachers come out every night, You will eat, bye and bye, The starvation army they play, You will eat, bye and bye, Holy Rollers and jumpers come out, You will eat, bye and bye, If you fight hard for children and wife -- You will eat, bye and bye, Workingmen of all countries, unite, You will eat, bye and bye, --Joe Hill. Murdered 1915 by the State of Utah
By Conservative Yankee, September 10, 2007 at 4:09 am # #99544 by GodSend on 9/09 at 9:09 pm Hey, wild old Indian TAO Walker.....’The Way’ is the way of the Cross! Jesus said “I am the Way” (and the Truth and the Life). Seems like you went astray while walking away! Let me suggest for the last time that you find a way to find The Way, while it is still Day! Soon, the Night will come your way and that will mean ‘curtains’. When it comes to your eternal Salvation, it’s essential to do it His Way rather than Frank Sinatra’s or your own ‘My Way’ (which can only end in dismay)! wink Okay? “Remember your God before the silver cord is loosed”. With most sermons at least one gets a free lunch. This tired, worn out, disjointed monologue hasn’t ANY benefit… I’m done on this thread.
By bill payne, September 9, 2007 at 6:10 pm # Our money! What’s going to happen? http://www.prosefights.org/nmlegal/dcvoid/dcvoid.htm#f eehan3 Viz link http://www.peakoil.com/post517912.html#517912 viz is all important in litigation. Smiles
By bogi666, September 8, 2007 at 1:32 pm # Remembering that Bush had his epiphany in 1984 while at a matinée movie “The Last Starfighter” it’s not surprising that he and the U.S. in general would embrace the Borg, of Star Trek Next Generation, tactics which started with declaring that they are the Borg[the U.S.]and to resist their pending attack is futile and that the whomever they are attacking should just surrender because of the futility of resisting. To think that Bush didn’t adopt the Borg’s tactic would be foolhardy because what and how he does things so much resemble the Borg.
By Conservative Yankee, September 8, 2007 at 4:54 am # 99270 by GodSend on 9/07 at 10:34 pm “Think of Hell as any city with a permanent Blackout, 24x7. You’re lost and can SEE nothing but you sense that other lost souls are there. Think of Heaven as your favorite city, where you are always surrounded by those you love and who love you.” Exactly the answer I would expect from a carnival huckster. “under which shell is the pea?” No divine person with all the answers = one must think and do for himself. No heaven = we must appriciate what we have rather than expect better no hell = a morality based on individual conscience and personal attachments, rather than one based on fear. “god” “heaven” & “hell” are nothing but an old fashioned take on the “war on terror” which may be summed up by saying Be afraid “terrorized” and put your faith in anonymous others for protection. Personally, I just can’t buy this.
By bill payne, September 7, 2007 at 4:39 pm # We used the spy sting on Iran for visibility reasons. Nothing evil. But we’re a bit concerned that we are getting TOO VISIBLE.
By Conservative Yankee, September 7, 2007 at 2:02 pm # 99183 by GodSend on 9/07 at 12:36 pm “Conservative Yankee = Atheist = Hell (this is NO joke!)” If all those sanctimonious idiot-grin xtians are gonna be somewhere else, Hell won’t be that bad....if I believed in it… which as you have probably assumed I do not! Tell me this evangelist.. If hell were a city, which one? what about heaven?
By Conservative Yankee, September 7, 2007 at 4:32 am # #99034 by GodSend on 9/06 at 7:10 pm TAO Walker: “Enlightened people from all races and nations follow Jesus the Christ, including Native American Indians! smile Visit: http://www.tribeofchrist.com (This gotta be a joke!) and join up! smile” The concept of “god” was invented by a poor king who wanted to get his peasants to work, but couldn’t pay them...What better way then telling them “You’ll get your reward in heaven” Who ever came back and complained their compensation was not adequate. Xtianity is a pleasant fairy-tale akin to tooth faeries Santa Clause, and Oz. AND Sheep follow…
By Conservative Yankee, September 6, 2007 at 12:08 pm # 98967 by Michael on 9/06 at 11:13 am cyrena: Michael You are so right Michael… Any State that can produce an Ann Richards, a Barbara Jordan, a Ladybird Johnson, A John Denver, and a city like San Antonio can’t be “backward.” I usually reserve that title for Arkansas! Wonderful friendly people in Amarillo, Big Glitzy buildings in Dallas, Great wide white-sand beeches just south of Galviston, and Tex Mex food all point to a splendid civilization. Honking along Interstate 20 west of Abilene makes one think about the TRUE freedom of life… still wide-open empty spaces! Nothing wrong with Texas… Oh BTW is that hair REALLY Rick’s or did he buy it at that place that still sells “scalps” a bit East of Tucumcari NM?
By michael, September 6, 2007 at 11:13 am # Even in that now so republican and backward state, cyrena I usally look forward to your comment but In this case can you PLEASE STOP BASHING TEXAS. Ok we fell for this moron but so did a bunch of other people across this county. Even you metion he is a fake texan but blame us for him. Most people hear where for what he talked about but never did. Goverment that was honest for fiscal responsibillity and compassion. we got none of this. OH by the way I am 43 grew up on a farm in texas I believe in gun ownership but think the gov should stay the hell out the people lives and bedrooms and pocketbooks. I am neither republican or demo because neither one of the scumbags is for me. thanks keeps up the comments but please cut us a little slack.
By michael, September 6, 2007 at 9:57 am # Imagine an Iranian government that was powerful, radical, and in possession of nuclear weapons; imagine the threat that would pose to Israel and to the American-led balance of power, which has been so important in the Middle East since the close of the Second World War,” Burns said in a speech at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston last April 11. “That is our first challenge.” Imagine one that was peacefull democratic and our friend. Oh wait we had that in the 50’s we helped overthrow that goverment and installed the sha all over oil. If I rember right it was the sha’s excess’s that cause the revolt of the 70’s. THIS IS THE IMPORTANCE WE HAVE HAD IN THE MIDDLE EAST. Over and over and over agian.
By FFURKS, September 6, 2007 at 4:13 am # 98408 by felicity on 9/03 at 3:01 pm “Thanks for more details. The last article I read on the subject emphasized the role of Israel over and above North, Poindexter...It actually said that the idea was Israel’s baby - as a cost-free way to update their arsenals. Then again, as anyone who reads widely knows there are as many versions of events as there are people writing about them.” There is far more evidence for the Poindexter/North alliance than for an Israeli incursion. The “Israeli version” is full of wholes, and does not explain the major thrust (to arm the Contra rebels) nor the part played by Air America in running drugs from South America to The US. ALSO The Mossad is far more professional than the North Gang. Had they been handling this opp, it would not have been so widely discovered. Actually, it was a real botch job getting none of the primaries done! |
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