Sam Seder on "aspirational terrorists"

[Postman]

Sam suggesting that what we are witnessing in the revelations recently of the Miami Seven and the Holland Tunnel plot are the republican strategy for winning in November.

If they truly were going after terrorists, maybe they would have drawn out these investigations further and possibly have captured or killed some real, actual terrorists instead of people wishing they could do something.

Republican strategy to keep people scared and to show that they are strong in finding and destroying terrorist plots.

[pinto]

1. Good point. Glad this new terminology spin is getting picked up

and discussed. What's an aspirational plot? The vagueness baffles me.

I understand the concrete differences between a plan and an operation in process.

In suicide prevention discussions, counselors use a "lethality scale" that includes some nut and bolts considerations as in - What are you going to use? If you don't have the gun, where will you get it? When are you going to do it? Where are you going to do it? Who is going to find you? - etc.

Maybe federal intelligence authorities could use a similar model and keep the politicos and their spin out of the picture for a bit. Maybe...

(Aside) And what exactly is the role of a "mastermind" in an aspirational plot?

[Avalux]

2. Read John Dean's new book -

It is vital for the Republicans to have an enemy to rally against; they WANT terrorists, they even help create them because it helps them hang onto power. And I believe the threat isn't nearly as bad as what we're lead to believe. The "war on terror" is bullshit.

[Postman]

3. Extrapolate that idea to the need for a military the size of ours...

there is no need for the size of military we have now.

It's not "defense" it's imperialism.

Sell off half this BS military and we can have National Healthcare, Fully Funded Education Programs, etc., etc. you name it.