Larry Johnson Ponders The Exploding Jigsaw Puzzle On Our TV Screens

[kpete]

Larry C. Johnson at No Quarter (don't mess with him) ponders the exploding jigsaw puzzle popping up on our TV screens:
http://jameswolcott.com/archives/2006/07/magnum_farce.php


Israel Takes A Stupid Pill
by
Larry C Johnson

"...Let's see if I have this right. The Arab 'terrorists' attack military units, destroy at least one tank, and are therefore terrorists. Israel retaliates by launching aerial, naval, and artillery bombardments of civilian areas and they are engaging in self-defense. If we are unable to recognize the hypocrisy of this construct then we ourselves are so enveloped by propaganda and emotion that, like the Israelis, Hezbollah, and Hamas, we can't think rationally. We can only think in terms of tribalism and revenge.

"Iran, meanwhile, is sitting in the catbird's seat. They have a well-trained and highly competent surrogate force in Hezbollah. Hezbollah's successful attack on Friday on an Israeli naval vessel is a reminder that Hezbollah is not a bunch of crazy kids carrying RPGs and wearing flip flops. I would be willing to wager that at least one Iranian military advisor was helping Hezbollah launch the missile that hit the Israeli ship. But Iran is doing more than simply engage in tit-for-tat. They are thinking strategically.

"The events unfolding in Iraq and Lebanon are going Tehran's way. The United States is being portrayed in the world media as someone who tolerates and excuses attacks on civilian populations. The perception becomes the reality and the ability of the United States to rally support among the Russians, the Chinese, and even the French becomes more impaired. We need the international community to deal effectively with nuclear proliferation in North Korea and Iran. Now, we will be bogged down trying to defend Israel from an angry international community.

"In the past, the United States had enough credibility on both sides and kept enough of a distance during these blood feuds so that we could intervene and prevent the fighting from escalating into a gigantic war. It appears that there is no one in the Bush Administration who can step up and intervene to calm the situation. Hell, with John Bolton and Elliot Abrams leading the charge, we are Israel's enablers."
..............


more at:
http://noquarter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/07/isarael_taks_a_.html#more

[stepnw1f]

1. Damn Straight That's What Bush and His People Want

"We can only think in terms of tribalism and revenge."

[annabanana]

2. Where we need strategic thinkers...

we have ideologues.

We could hardly be in a worse position..

[TahitiNut]

3. It's a key strategy in assymetrical warfare ...

... to sucker/taunt the greater force into committing heavy-handed atrocities. A relatively painless path to comprehending this is to watch (and think about) the 1966 movie "La Battaglia di Algeri" ("The Battle of Algiers").

Israel has been, unfortunately, under the 'leadership' of the Likuddites, altogether too eager to get suckered into such behavior. Like the U.S. under the fascist Bushoilini cabal, such disproportionate military power breeds arrogance and blindered avarice results in adolescent frustration.

[killbotfactory]

6. Were they suckered, or were they looking for an excuse?

With the current bunch in power, I would say they want the whole region to turn to shit.

[ChiciB1]

4. Hats Off To Larry!!!! Anyone Remember THAT Song???

It's and "Oldie but Goodie" from way back around the middle 60's I think. I remember it myself because my husband's name is Larry, even though the words of the song never quite fit!

As these days have passed I've been trying to remain "balanced" about what has just happened, but find myself more and more a little irritated with Israel. Not having had much of a "real" problem with the money and attention we've paid to them all these many many years, I'm unable to shake this quasi-anti feeling toward them.

I didn't think I would feel quite this way... but somehow I think they kind of, sort of provoked a situation that didn't need much prodding. I think Israel might just be surprised at just how many Americans aren't really feeling that kindly toward them either.

Regardless, this situation has escalated the ME into an even more dangerous place! It's just such a shame, how I wish the KILLING would just STOP!

[DELUSIONAL]

5. What is happening is so text book -- courses are taught

in this sort of mess we are seeing being played out in the Middle East.

If we are unable to recognize the hypocrisy of this construct then we ourselves are so enveloped by propaganda and emotion that, like the Israelis, Hezbollah, and Hamas, we can't think rationally. We can only think in terms of tribalism and revenge.

All you need is a memory of the last 20 years --

"they're bad -- evil -- have no right to exist"

"No they are the evil ones -- we must eradicate them"


repeat. repeat. repeat.

Or merely take a look at the Jewish history as told in the Old Testament. God told the Jews to eradicate this or that enemy -- take territory etc etc etc. They obeyed -- or they didn't -- depends on the story.

Fast forward -- Israel is still trying to eradicate their enemies using overwhelming force and killing a whole lot of civilians.

Fast forward to the future -- same story -- no change.

[chill_wind]

7. In fact, Elliot Abrams is said to over there right now.

Bush and Olmert’s Dangerous Game
http://progressive.org/mag_wx071406

(...)

The U.S. government, from one administration to the next, has reflexively supported the belligerent actions of the Israeli government.

The Bush Administration has been even more lopsided in its preferential treatment, sending a clear signal throughout the Arab and Muslim world that the United States is not on their side.

This has not made the U.S. any more secure.

Nor would waging war against Syria and Iran. That would make four Muslim countries Bush has attacked in less than five years, a fact that would not be lost on 1.3 billion people around the world.

Israeli aggression and U.S. aggression reinforce every radical element in the Arab and Muslim world.

(...)

Bush foreign policy FUBAR.