Former CIA Director Woolsey: ‘I Think We Ought To Execute Some Air Strikes Against Syria’
Former CIA Director Woolsey: ‘I Think We Ought To Execute Some Air Strikes Against Syria’
Today, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack stated that the United States’ position with respect to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is to deescalate the tensions:
We believe that finding a way to deescalate the tensions in the current crisis…is really the way forward to achieve that ultimate goal which everybody agrees upon.
But Joseph Cirincione explained this morning that deescalation works against the goals of neoconservatives. Those who argued strenuously for a preemptive war against Iraq are now clamoring for a deeper regional war against Iran and Syria.
Former CIA Director James Woolsey, who signed his name to a letter addressed to President Clinton in 1998 arguing for the Iraq war, appeared on Fox to make the case against Syria. “I think we ought to execute some air strikes against Syria,†adding, “The last thing we ought to do now is to start talking about cease-fires and the rest.†Watch it.
Full transcript:
WOOLSEY: Without talking to Lebanon about it, frankly, John, I think we ought to execute some air strikes against Syria, against the instruments of power of that state, against the airport, which is the place where the weapons shuttle through from Iran to Hezbollah and Hamas. I think both Syria and Iran think that we’re cowards. They saw us leave Lebanon after the ‘83 Marine Corps bombing. They saw us leave Mogadishu in 1993. They saw us back off in 1991 when we had Saddam on the ropes and there were revolts in 14 of Iraq’s 18 provinces, and we stood there. I think they think Israel, similarly, by backing out of Lebanon a few years ago, and by backing out of Gaza, they’re fielding their oats. In that part of the world, the most dangerous thing to do is look like cowards in the face of these totalitarian groups.
QUESTION: Mr. Woolsey, are you saying that we should be hitting Syria? We should be hitting the airport? We should be hitting Bashar Assad’s office?
WOOLSEY: Yes. The last thing we ought to do now —
QUESTION: You mean we the United States, not Israel?
WOOLSEY: Yes, yes. The last thing we ought to do now is to start talking about cease-fires and the rest.
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
Yes, more war!
War here, war there. In taken over the world time.
Yeeeeeeee haaaaa.
July 17th, 2006 at 7:37 pmWoosley now:
Dick Cheney then:
Does this mean we can fire Dick Cheney now?
July 17th, 2006 at 7:40 pmENOUGH ALREADY!!! If these bastards want more war, let THEM go fight it. HELL NO…I WON”T GO!!!!!
July 17th, 2006 at 7:52 pmhere it is folks, affirmed by thom hartmann…
July 17th, 2006 at 7:55 pmthe war they need to keep themselved in power…
that “can’t change horses” mentality…
damn them all to hell…
These people are absolutely certifiable.
“Shouldn’t be promoting a cease – fire”?
So, forget the whole DIPLOMACY thing?
Fox News needs to be shut down, and this Administration rounded up and impeached.
July 17th, 2006 at 7:56 pmAlright, what’s the skinny on this ‘con? What’s his military record? I wanna know if he’s a big or just a small chickenhawk. Anybody know?
July 17th, 2006 at 7:57 pmI think it would be great to bomb him with some hair.
Wake up america Hitlers regime survived… they are in washington DC
July 17th, 2006 at 8:04 pmWOOLSEY: Yes, yes. The last thing we ought to do now is to start talking about cease-fires and the rest.
but WHY ??? how twisted can it get?
July 17th, 2006 at 8:05 pmIm wondering if the Bush administration is taking its time evacuating our citizens with the hopes that hamas or hezbollah will kill a few of them and make the idea of yet another war more palatable for the american public. Just a thought.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:09 pmHillary shilling for Israel also – probably to make up for her decision to back the Dem primary winner in CT.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/17/world/17cnd-hillary.html
July 17th, 2006 at 8:11 pmI would not be too surprised if the Iraqi government and internal forces were suddenly deemed adequate to quell it’s internal insurgency, freeing up some 120,000 U.S. forces to cross the border into Syria (to look for Saddam’s missing WMD’s?).
The rapidity of the escalating rhetoric, coupled with the refusal to call for a temporary cease fire suggests that this has been planned for awhile.
Those of you with loved ones in the armed forces, my heart goes out to you. Those with children/husbands/wives of draft age … so far the border to Canada hasn’t been closed.
Peace and Blessings … I must go off-line for awhile.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:13 pmI watched Woolsey directly after 9/11 pimping for the war on Iraq literally in the 1-2 days after. I was screaming at my TV and yelling at Woolsey. The man has zero credibility. He should not be taken seriously anywhere or put on outside of Fox News.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:16 pmThese guys just orgasm at the thought of killing more of our kids, don’t they? Conservative porn, it’s not just for breakfast anymore.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:19 pmhttp://www.nybooks.com/articles/19062
EXCERPT:
I trust that all of you are aware of AIPAC, the pro-Israeli lobby that is embroiled in the Larry Franklin spy scandal.
More on AIPAC: http://www.lrb.co.uk/v28/n06/mear01_.html
July 17th, 2006 at 8:22 pmThe quickest way to de-esculate the hostilities is for the US to get the hell out of the Middle East. Appropriate all Arab assets in this Country and turn Halliburton over to Chavez in Venezuela (they can keep the voting machine company too) in return for all their oil. We can send Bushco to Mexico cause if the voting machines are not rigged he would be in jail anyway to help recount the vote if Mexico will keep them and all the illegal aliens and send their oil. When Israel gets the job done in the Middle East we can then go back and celebrate Hanukkah with them.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:23 pmsounds to me like another chickenhawk…from Wikipedia
Robert James Woolsey Jr. (born September 21, 1941) is a foreign policy specialist and former Director of Central Intelligence of the Central Intelligence Agency (February 5, 1993 – January 10, 1995).
Woolsey was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1941 where he graduated from Tulsa Central High School. In 1963 he received his BA from Stanford University (Phi Beta Kappa), and in 1965 his MA from Oxford University—where he was a Rhodes Scholar—and an LLB from Yale Law School in 1968.
Woolsey has had an eclectic career. He has been known primarily as a conservative Democrat–hawkish on foreign policy issues but more traditionally Democratic on economic and social issues. A classic Washington insider, Woolsey has held important positions in both Democratic and Republican administrations. His influence has been felt during the Carter, Reagan, Bush (Sr.), and Clinton administrations. During the second Bush administration, he has been strong proponent of the war in Iraq.
Woolsey has served in the U.S. government as:
* Advisor (during military service) on the U.S. Delegation to the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT 1), Helsinki and Vienna, 1969-1970
* General Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, 1970-73
* Under Secretary of the Navy, 1977-1979
* Delegate at Large to the U.S.-Soviet Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) and Nuclear and Space Arms Talks (NST), Geneva, 1983-1986
* Ambassador to the Negotiation on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE), Vienna, 1989-1991
* Director of Central Intelligence, 1993-1995
He is currently a trustee at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Advisor of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, Founding Member of the Set America Free Coalition, and Vice President at Booz Allen Hamilton for Global Strategic Security. He was formerly chairman of the Freedom House board of trustees.
He is also a member of the Project for the New American Century (PNAC) and was one of the signatories to the January 26, 1998, PNAC letter sent to President Clinton that called for the removal of Saddam Hussein.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:26 pm#17 I am a white asshole so I guess I am just missing the peckerwood part of the equation for voting for Hellery. Please, please, please nominate a real Dem!
July 17th, 2006 at 8:28 pmWhat makes these war mongers think that the American people want another war? They lied to us about Iraq, why should we trust them about Isreal? And I agree, they should be talking about a cease fire not about more war. So this is the October surprise only it came early this year. The Repugs want us all to rally around the flag. Sure, we can do that and now that the flag burning ammendment didn’t pass, we can burn the flag in defiance. Thank god for the 2nd Ammendment… the right to bear arms to form a militia.
“Your flag decal won’t get you into heaven anymore…” John Prine
July 17th, 2006 at 8:29 pmYou can read all about Woolsey at http://www.fightingterror.org/ – the good ol’ Committee on the Present Danger. If no danger is present, some will be manufactured shortly from a variety of sources.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:30 pm#10 – you got a really good point there. So this is Bush&Co plan to keeps us in war and the Republicans plan to keep control of the Congress. I heard some American in Lebanon on the radio today say that he may have to cross over into Syria.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:32 pm#20
That has been taken away from our troops as well. Bushco sent the National Guard to patrol the border and fight the incvaders and TOOK THEIR WEAPONS FROM THEM! There isn’t any thing sacred with these assholes.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:34 pm#
These guys just orgasm at the thought of killing more of our kids, don’t they? Conservative porn, it’s not just for breakfast anymore.
Comment by JPark — July 17, 2006 @ 8:19 pm
Right on, brother. You said it.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:35 pmUnbelieveable…
Never have the lyrics of Black Sabbath’s War Pigs been more relevant:
If we don’t do something quickly, these monsters will be unstoppable.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:38 pmIn all my long life, I have never felt so powerless.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:41 pmWe should cut off our financial support to Isreal.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:44 pm#25 I guess I am a peckerwood too then! Hilary still doesn’t get my vote. My Senator, Russ Feingold, is getting all of my support.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:48 pmThe CIA/NSC are the greatest terror organizations in the world. From National Security State in 1947, to Secret State in 2001. What great progress this country is making! Watch Moyers “The Secret Government” at http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2397496401234089687&q=secret
The “Freedom fighters” of Afghanistan work for us too. The US gave them $5 Billion and the Saudis added another $5 Billion. See http://www.juancole.com/2005/08/fisking-war-on-terror-once-upon-time.html for more information.
There is no possible way that the US didn’t know that the catastrophy was comming in 2001. The war pigs need a reason to keep their empires.
July 17th, 2006 at 8:49 pmMay I have a link or a brief answer on what we get out of the friendship with Israel? I know that we give Israel money, UN support, and military aid but I have yet to hear what we get in return?
July 17th, 2006 at 8:49 pm#Dixie blood: Time to pick up the gun, the revolution has come. Don’t mourn…. organize! ORGANIZE!
July 17th, 2006 at 9:00 pmWhat??!! Only Syria? I thought the neo-cons wanted to nuke Tehran? Did Jimmy miss that one? uh-oh. Dick Cheney will be chewing him out tonight.
http://www.sunstateactivist.org/ssablog.php
July 17th, 2006 at 9:07 pmThe latest on the war of Israeli aggression in Lebanon. Plus, U.S. troops in Iraq until 2016.
Only on SSA Blog
http://www.sunstateactivist.org/ssablog.php
Goes to show how easy it is to talk about war from the comfort of your own living room. Specially when your behind will never be on the line of fire.
Why is it that these some are so eager to send others to kill and die? Although I am almost certain newspeak for that stance is “support our troops”, and “collateral damage”…
July 17th, 2006 at 9:11 pmThere are some scary,delusional people in this world.
And many of them show up on Fox.
July 17th, 2006 at 9:13 pm- dixie blood:
Believe me, I know exactly how you feel. I feel the same despair and hopelessness on a daily basis.
In these times, one of the most important things to do is maintain your resolve in the face of the enemy. Remember, you are not alone…if Bush’s poll numbers are to be believed, there’s a lot more of us than the MSM is letting on.
It may seem as if you’re surrounded by fascist kool-aid chuggers, but the reality is that it only seems that way because the fascist kool-aid chuggers are so vocal. There’s plenty of rational thinkers out there, as well as people who, in the face of BushCo’s ongoing horror show and the public outcry of concerned citizens like you and me, are just starting to shake loose the mental shackles and start to think for themselves.
If you lose hope and give up, you send a message to the other free thinkers out there that fighting is hopeless, and you send a message to those who aren’t thinking freely yet that perhaps it’s better to just trust blindly in the Powers That Be…that it’s easier and safer to continue to have their opinions spoon-fed to them by Hannity, Coulter, and O’Reilly, than it is to try to work things out by themelves.
In short, if we lose hope, we’ve lost. Period.
If we maintain our resolve, however, the message sent will be a positive one, encouraging others to take up the banner. Remember, you are far from alone, and the vast majority of those who still blindly support the current state of affairs only do so because they’ve been fooled by the neocons into thinking they don’t have a choice in the matter. By your example, show them they have a choice.
OK…so much for the pep talk….now on to practical matters.
Things aren’t so bad at this point that all hope is gone. I’m not being jailed and tortured for writing this post (yet). Elections are still being held in this country…the appearance of elections, anyway.
The one major thing we can do in this country is to take back the electoral process. The 71% of people in this country who disagree with the direction that BushCo is taking us MUST vote in the elections this November. The turnout has to be so dramatic that stealing another election will be blatantly obvious even to the kool-aid chuggers.
If we successfully get the vote out this November (assuming we have one and everything), one of two things will happen:
1) The neocons will refrain from stealing it, and we can move on to more important things, like impeachment proceedings.
2) Th neocons will steal it anyway, in which case, if not corrected, will signal the death of this 230-year old experiment. If this comes to pass, I’m sorry to say that our only alternative will be to follow the advice Ho Chi Minh outlined in post #34.
Hope this helped, dixie…and please check out this link as well…again (and I cannot stress this enough), you are not nearly as alone as you feel.
July 17th, 2006 at 9:40 pmYes, Woolsey is as much a war monger as the rest of the neocons. Was a bastard back at the CIA under Clinton and continues to this day.
The Nixonians were much better at displomacy than the Clintonites or the Bushites. They understood that even when you couldn’t stand the other guy you still talked to him. Consider China!
Now, we have rendered all moderating forces in the middle east powerless, because we won’t talk to any governments if a terrorist group happens to reside there or is elected into power. How did Hamas gain power (because we would not talk to the palestimian govt – or FATAH—- which is more extremist)? How did the fellow resembling Gilligan gain power in Iran? — OH yeah, we don’t talk to Iran, even moderates and because we took Saddam out of power in Iraq. Why is there a shift in Central and SOuth America to the left —- we don’t talk to leftists.
There Neocons. You have your next WW.
By the way Woollsey SUCKS!
July 17th, 2006 at 9:45 pmIf Woolsey really gave his advice, it would be to attack Russia, China, Japan, and Germany….ALL AT THE SAME TIME! YEAH WAR MONGER.
Jesus, these guys makes Goerring look like Ghandi!
July 17th, 2006 at 10:06 pm- dixie:
Is there a way to overcome the Diebold/SCOTUS election machine before this November? If not then you can vote a billion times and it won’t matter.
Yes, it will most definitely matter. Look to what is currently going on in Mexico to see how much it can matter.
Now, you might say that the big difference between Mexico 2006 and U.S.A. 2000 & 2004 is that Mexico’s Obrador is leading the fight, while our Gore and Kerry folded like wet towels, but that’s only half of the problem. Regardless of whether or not we’re led by a disenfranchised democratic candidate, we must take it to the streets all the same.
After 9/11, Bush made a big speech about how al Quada hd ‘woken the sleeeping giant. Nothing could be further from the truth. 9/11 was the sucker punch that knocked this nation out, and it’s been tossing and turning in the grip of the neocons’ fever dream ever since. It’s not enough that we’ve finally woken up…we have to wake up as many other citizens as possible. Having done that, we must let the neocons know in no uncertain terms that we are now awake, and will tolerate no more of their mischief.
Things may look bleak now, but Ghandi managed to effect change, as did MLK.
July 17th, 2006 at 10:32 pmWoolsey and his ilk are refugees from Dr. Strangelove. He is like the Sheb Wooley character, Bat Guano, and like him, Woolsey should ride the rocket into oblivion.
July 17th, 2006 at 10:33 pm#39 tripmaster
July 17th, 2006 at 10:40 pmThanks for the wrods of encouragement – for those of us who vacillate between anger and despair, the words are comforting.
Also, if we lose another election through theft and manipulation, then it surely will be the time for pitchforks and torches, if not guns.
I have joked about that before (a la the French revolution) but if 2006 doesn’t turn things around, it won’t be a joke any longer.
#32d.gambel…an answer to your question. We get to play with the money changers and we get screwed……….You remember the old saying about sex, you buy it or marry for it either way it’s gonna cost you, A LOT…..Same goes for power……Blessings, peace is the answer.
July 17th, 2006 at 10:41 pmOk, I see a lot of grips among the 2 or 3 three of you, but where’s your plan, a white flag, I know, but then what?
July 17th, 2006 at 10:41 pmfor the idiot who wants to critique the spelling, that gripes.
July 17th, 2006 at 10:43 pmSure fire cure for despir, dont believe everything you read.
July 17th, 2006 at 10:45 pm- Marie:
Also, if we lose another election through theft and manipulation, then it surely will be the time for pitchforks and torches, if not guns.
Unfortunately, I have to agree. This is why turning out for the election this November is so crucial….not only to give the process a final chance, but to justify what comes after if the neocons hold true to form.
July 17th, 2006 at 10:53 pmJust a quick glance at Iraq should tell the world all they need to know about the failure of the neocons and Woolsey.
July 17th, 2006 at 10:54 pmAll the critics, still no answeres. If your ass hurts, get your finger out of it.
July 17th, 2006 at 10:59 pmI think we have to grease the old guillotines.
July 17th, 2006 at 11:13 pmWorks for me
July 17th, 2006 at 11:16 pmWIth a major world war in the wings these monsters will wet their pants ! They will get their mid east war for global domination and who will have time to arrest them ,we’ll all be too busy loading artillery shells into the war machine ,if not struggling under martial law.The bush white house is recieving body blows from all sides and this is the best place for them to run for cover .I don’t believe the G8 misspeak was real at all either, just an attempt at deceit ! These people want war .I wish I had any doubts about that ,but I don’t !
July 17th, 2006 at 11:18 pmIm getting excited, lets bomb them. Uh who’s they?
July 17th, 2006 at 11:20 pmToday has been a really bad day, first it was cool outside, then the freepers wanted their souls warmed because armageddon nears, then after I got home and look in the box the damn the beer was cold. I hate Cold beer.
And now I have all these people praying for the death of other people and wanting me to go slay them in the name of some God.
I am sorry I ever took this Job.
July 17th, 2006 at 11:22 pmAnon, I’m just wondering…do you have anything of substance to contribute?
July 17th, 2006 at 11:22 pmI think we have to grease the old guillotines.
Comment by Juan C
Look, You guys are gonna have to do your own greasing, blade sharpening and killing.
Me and Jesus are gonna go have a nice dinner and a meal while you folks grease the guillotine and slay one another.
The Gods are so tired of you idiots….
July 17th, 2006 at 11:25 pmJust responding to your stupid rederick…. sorry it has no substance, no relevance, nothing to do witth reality, but its life….. aint it?
July 17th, 2006 at 11:25 pmoh no I didn’t mean you Juan
You are not on my list, you are on the other guys list.
July 17th, 2006 at 11:26 pmWe are fighting a worldwide war against Islamist terrorists. That the left refuses to recognize this does not make it any less a fact. Iran and Syria back and promote terror–namely Hamas and Hezbollah. So, sooner or later, these nations will have to be defeated.
July 17th, 2006 at 11:26 pmat least oldpuppy has the smarts to realize where we are, thank you….
July 17th, 2006 at 11:28 pmThe good guy list that is..We are fighting a worldwide war against Islamist terrorists.
Not me Pal but you. May I suggest the nearest recruitment office?
July 17th, 2006 at 11:29 pmBeen there done that, pal…. You dont want anything here,,, dont know what to tell you without seeing your face…..
July 17th, 2006 at 11:30 pmat least oldpuppy has the smarts to realize where ‘we’ are, thank you….
If he was smart he would follow you to the recruitment office.
July 17th, 2006 at 11:31 pmDear old Bob has his ass sticking up…. anyone with a pole
July 17th, 2006 at 11:31 pmI believe bob has been there… you been to the aids clinic lately
July 17th, 2006 at 11:32 pmReally cool, you wannaa know your id number…. wasnt me bob, dear bob, cant take any crap…
July 17th, 2006 at 11:33 pmWow, got an address for your white flag, fag?
July 17th, 2006 at 11:34 pmId number lmao
July 17th, 2006 at 11:35 pmNot a prob. got it with a whois ping….
July 17th, 2006 at 11:35 pmtell me o wise wizard!!
July 17th, 2006 at 11:35 pm# 63 yeah nowhere How many times has Iran for instance overthrown the gov’t here?… 0…How many times has the US overthrown the gov’t of Iran….2 and a third failed attempt led to the arming of Saddam and the war between Iraq and Iran that led to the deaths of a million souls .and most likely the sentiments that led to hamas and hezbollah .Ignorance must sooner or later be defeated puppy chow not other sovereign nations !!!
July 17th, 2006 at 11:36 pmNot a prob. got it with a whois ping….
LMAO really? show me.
July 17th, 2006 at 11:36 pmYour boyfriend says hello
July 17th, 2006 at 11:36 pmOLDPUPPYMAX:
We are fighting a worldwide war against Islamist terrorists
1) Declared by who?
2) No more than the rest of the world against Israel or US intervening in foreign affairs.
Iran and Syria back and promote terror–namely Hamas and Hezbollah.
While US backs another terrorist state: Israel.
Nukes owned by Islamist Terrorrists = 0. Nukes owned by Israel = like 200
So, sooner or later, these nations will have to be defeated.
July 17th, 2006 at 11:37 pmPoor boy. You are going to get out of there just like in Vietnam. Remember: US has never fought for a freedom cause. Name one time, please.
cmon anon show your arin-who is
July 17th, 2006 at 11:38 pmooga booga !
booga ooga!
you think I care about a DNS lookup?
freeman, don’t even bother to respond to anon…he’s a troll of the absolute lowest order. We can only hope that his mom catches him on the computer again and sends him off to bed with a paddling.
July 17th, 2006 at 11:39 pmYour boyfriend says hello
Dunno who you got me mixed up with wannabee script kiddie…
July 17th, 2006 at 11:40 pmhe’s a troll of the absolute lowest order.
And the fool thinks Arin is hacking LMAO!!
July 17th, 2006 at 11:41 pmYeah….He’s a 733t haX0r, all right.
Hey, anon, want my IP address?
July 17th, 2006 at 11:43 pmThe US has been assasinating the leaders of other democratic nations and toppling their gov’ts continuously for more than a half century ,Iquess that makes us the good guys .Do you actually know anything about world history since the end of the last world war ,or do you just rely on blatant ignorance to win arguements .Hey nice obcenities by the way ,you must be a very proficient moron when your carrying a gun .
July 17th, 2006 at 11:43 pmHey anon my address is 127.0.0.1
July 17th, 2006 at 11:43 pmPIng me!! lol
July 17th, 2006 at 11:44 pmConsider thyself “pinged”, cyber aquantaince.
July 17th, 2006 at 11:48 pmOkay anon is gone back to topic
Remember: US has never fought for a freedom cause. Name one time, please.
Iraq?..
July 17th, 2006 at 11:50 pmConsider thyself “pingedâ€, cyber aquantaince.
Comment by DieNowForPeace
Salud
July 17th, 2006 at 11:52 pmI notice Vietnam isn’t on Woolsey’s resume. I’m sure his doorman’s son will enjoy dying in Syria
July 17th, 2006 at 11:56 pmthe criminals (u.s and israel) seem to be getting a little parnoid. hopefully britain wises up and pulls the hell out.
July 18th, 2006 at 12:02 amIraq?..
Comment by Bob Satan — July 17, 2006 @ 11:50 pm
Gulp! Freedom? What part of illegal war, thousands of dead and injured iraqi civilians sounds to you as freedom?
July 18th, 2006 at 12:06 amMr. Woolsey, the innocent people you are about to kill want to tell you something: their lives have value, too. Can you hear them, whispering?
“I don’t want to die, Mr. Woolsey, I didn’t do anything to you, why do you want to kill me?”
July 18th, 2006 at 12:34 amA Mental Exercise (Off-Topic)
Imagine that you were a progressive American, and hated the Bush/Cheney administration for all the usual reasons: their cronyism with Big Oil, their tax cuts for the rich, the continuous erosion of civil liberties, and their lies, lies, lies….
But what if, in spite of this, it was common belief, for liberals and conservatives alike, that Sadaam Hussein actually HAD developed Weapons of Mass Destruction, was connected to Al Qaeda, and was an imminent threat to us; therefore, our invasion/occupation of Iraq was completely justified?
Imagine that it was such a “given” that the administration and the media were telling us all we needed to know that we steadfastly went along with their masquerade? And if we ran across bits of information that contradicted the official story, we would ignore it, much as a conservative will ignore the facts that a liberal gives them because they conflict with their established world view.
In such a scenario, the pressure to believe the conventional wisdom would be so intense that few would have the courage to express their doubts publicly … to their friends, family, and fellow liberals. And those occasional musings from people who’ve stumbled on news stories or websites or books that doubted the official Bush story would be denounced as lies and crackpot theories.
Thankfully, we know that the war was unjustified and was based on lies. But think for a minute…. are there any other assumptions that we as Americans from all over the political spectrum hold? Beliefs about the world that we live in that might actually have been manipulated by the Bush/Cheney administration and the media? Are there any tidbits of information that we have run across in the last few years that just don’t quite stack up, but we ignore because they contradict our established beliefs? Is there anything that a few daring souls are starting to espouse, only to be shot down, by the likes of both Kos AND Hannity?
Perhaps it’s time to start questioning some of the beliefs that we hold about our world since Bush entered office and the reason he has been able to remain President in spite of our efforts. If enough of us start to question our assumptions, as I recently did, we might start noticing, and even welcoming, new perspectives about the current administration. Maybe we can start talking to our friends and fellow progressives about it rather than worrying about what they will think of us if we discuss such matters.
Our leaders are far worse than most of us can admit to ourselves, and everything we need to know is out there, just slightly hidden, if we look hard enough. That’s all I’m saying for now.
July 18th, 2006 at 12:40 amIf this keeps up, voting in November will be too late. Only blood in American streets will stop it if woolsey gets his way.
July 18th, 2006 at 12:41 amWoolsey sides with the Neocons and wants WWIII in the Middle East! He once was the Director of the CIA, but Pres. Clinton fired him for lunacy, so now he lurks in the shadows with the Bush Regime flunkies and the GOP toads!
July 18th, 2006 at 12:43 amVery mysterious frog ,What does that mean ,?????
July 18th, 2006 at 12:44 amSlowboilingfrog has been making the rounds. What’s the special secret scoop, kid?
July 18th, 2006 at 1:08 amI think we should execute some air strikes straight up James Woolsey’s ass.
July 18th, 2006 at 1:08 ammaybe frog knows a secret way to make the neo cons croak !
July 18th, 2006 at 1:12 ammaybe frog knows a secret way to make the neo cons croak !
Comment by freeman — July 18, 2006 @ 1:12 am
…excellent.
July 18th, 2006 at 1:15 am“The Bush administration is charging Americans for evacuating them from Lebanon”
http://www.teambio.org/2006/07/us-charging-evacuees-to-get-out-of-lebanon/
July 18th, 2006 at 1:24 am‘I Think We Ought To Execute Some Air Strikes Against Syria’
Why hit Syria? You’d think this administration would have their hands full with Iraq, and Afghanistan where the Taliban seems to be making a comeback:
Scores of Taliban forces overran police holed up Sunday in a compound in the nearby Helmand town of Garmser. The security forces and a handful of government officials fled, a local government official said. (…)
“We have heard reports of two districts in southern Helmand being under control of the Taliban, and we are in contact with lots of people to build an accurate picture,” said another coalition spokesman, Maj. Scott Lundy.
Taliban seize 2 towns, police flee
Afghanistan: The forgotten war.
July 18th, 2006 at 1:40 ami will be 60 on thursday of this week. i served with the 101st airborne division in that other war which was based upon a lie.
unless and until we as a people can drop our national allegiance, based upon geographical boundaries, as well as our religious zealotry, based upon fear, and start developing a GLOBAL CONSCIOUSNESS, based upon the premise of peaceful co-existence — i’m afraid we’re all phucked.
i feel an old bob dylan song coming on…
Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build the big bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks
You that never done nothin’
But build to destroy
You play with my world
Like it’s your little toy
You put a gun in my hand
And you hide from my eyes
And you turn and run farther
When the fast bullets fly
Like Judas of old
You lie and deceive
A world war can be won
You want me to believe
But I see through your eyes
And I see through your brain
Like I see through the water
That runs down my drain
You fasten the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you set back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion
As young people’s blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud
You’ve thrown the worst fear
That can ever be hurled
Fear to bring children
Into the world
For threatening my baby
Unborn and unnamed
You ain’t worth the blood
That runs in your veins
How much do I know
To talk out of turn
You might say that I’m young
You might say I’m unlearned
But there’s one thing I know
Though I’m younger than you
Even Jesus would never
Forgive what you do
Let me ask you one question
Is your money that good
Will it buy you forgiveness
Do you think that it could
I think you will find
When your death takes its toll
All the money you made
Will never buy back your soul
And I hope that you die
And your death’ll come soon
I will follow your casket
In the pale afternoon
And I’ll watch while you’re lowered
Down to your deathbed
And I’ll stand o’er your grave
‘Til I’m sure that you’re dead
i’ll leave you with an old saw from the ’60’s: what if they gave a war and nobody came?
July 18th, 2006 at 2:10 amMakes one wonder if the whole point of going to war in Afghanistan was just to prepare the US public for a war in Iraq. Who wants Iraqi-style democracy? Who wants US-style rigged elections, either? Still, it’s worth voting, if only for the sake of the exit polls.
July 18th, 2006 at 2:11 amFive in the noggin
July 18th, 2006 at 2:35 amWhy should American soldiers die for Israel? What do Americans owe Israel? What is the objective and purpose of helping Israel destroy its neighbours? If Israel’s survival is at stake, doesn’t it make more sense to secure peace treaties and agreements? Any sane person would support ceasefires and peacekeeping, not escalation of violence and hatred. We look on at this Administration encouragement of more bombings of civilians in Lebanon in disbelief, yet we forget that history is replete with such examples of such lunatic megalomaniacs, Hitler & co., Tojo & Hirohito, who believe they can wage wars forever. They will collapse the entire world into death, war crimes and economic misery. Don’t just sit there and blog, please do something, call, write, campaign, to end the hijacking of American interests by these war hungry Zionists.
July 18th, 2006 at 2:48 ammore pointedly, why should anybody die for any government’s aspiration of world dominance or greed?
July 18th, 2006 at 2:58 amhttp://apoeticjustice.blogspot.com/2006/07/our-anger-fouled.html
OUR ANGER FOULED-
July 18th, 2006 at 4:38 amWoolsey is the type of Harry Truman-JFK-Bill Clinton Democrat that represents the best chance the Democrats have of being taken again as a serious and viable political party. If Democrats are ever again to be taken seriously (and electable), we need to start recognizing that people like Woolsey are correct. Otherwise, it is just more years in the political wilderness.
July 18th, 2006 at 5:13 amthank you, thepoetryman, a poem worthy of Howl, but please….some warning about the graphic nature of the picture. I know we shouldn’t censor the images of war, for it sanitizes war’s ugliness. Children are torn to shreds, bodies of men women and toddlers charred and burnt. They should be plastered on our papers’ front pages every morning and look us in the eye as we munch on our cereals…but I’m convinced of war’s evil, it already causes me a lot of distress to read about the war, it’ll send me over the edge into depression if I see this horror and yet can’t do anything about it. So, a warning to all about the link…I hate myself for being so impotent in the face of naked aggression. You ask yourselves, how did decent ordinary Christian Germans let the Holocaust take place, and I guess we’re headed in their footstep.
July 18th, 2006 at 5:37 amWhat the hell is Woolsey “correct” about, pray explain!!!???
July 18th, 2006 at 5:38 amQwerty, Woolsey is correct that the Middle-East and, by extension, the United States is threatened by state-sponsored Islamic fundamentalist terrorism and that such threat needs to be confronted and thwarted.
July 18th, 2006 at 5:42 amJuan C asks: “US has never fought for a freedom cause. Name one time, please”:
The American Revolution
July 18th, 2006 at 5:54 amWar of 1812
Mexican-American War
Civil War
Spanish-American War
World War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
Grenada
Persian Gulf War
Battle of Afghanistan (War on Terror)
Liberation of Iraq (War on Terror)
If The great almighty America cannot stop the insurgency HOW do you expect Syria to stop the Hezbullah Militia ?????
To start on Syria will Involve Iran as they have a pact , a bit like NATO why dont you Americans obey your constitution and get stuffed when i comes to foreign involment
July 18th, 2006 at 6:17 amIsrael Violates US Law With Attack on Lebanon
Israel is in violation of U.S. arms-control laws for deploying U.S.-made fighter planes, combat helicopters, and missiles to kill civilians and destroy Lebanon’s infrastructure in the ongoing six-day devastation of that militarily weak country.
The death toll, according to published reports, is over 200 people – mostly civilians – while the economic losses have been estimated at about $100 million per day.
“Section 4 of the [U.S.] Arms Export Control Act requires that military items transferred to foreign governments by the United States be used solely for internal security and legitimate self-defense,” says Stephen Zunes, professor of politics at the University of San Francisco.
“Since Israeli attacks against Lebanon’s civilian infrastructure and population centers clearly go beyond legitimate self-defense, the United States is legally obliged to suspend arms transfers to Israel,” Zunes told IPS.
July 18th, 2006 at 7:15 amJim Woolsey and I were on the same dormitory floor in our freshman year in college. Jim, apparently at the insistence of his father (who was I believe an admiral), was taking 22 units–no mean feat at Stanford, where sixteen units meant a great deal of studying every week. One day, as a bunch of other boys (coed dorms were still several years away) were making noise, something apparently snapped inside him. He calmly went to the end of the hall where the fire hose was stored, removed it from the wall, turned on the water and sluiced the noisemakers down the hall.
Perhgaps he thinks those Iraqis and Iranians and Syrians and the like are nothing but a bunch of noisemakers to be sluiced down the Euphrates River.
July 18th, 2006 at 7:16 amScrew these war mongering bastards who are war profiteering BIG TIME!
July 18th, 2006 at 7:16 amReply to #114 (Exley):
You’re joking, right?
I’ll give you the American Revolution, but the rest of your ‘examples’ are pure pernicious nonsense. Let’s address them one at a time, shall we?
In conclusion, you really ought to study your history a bit more closely, as it is in the process of repeating itself.
July 18th, 2006 at 7:18 amNick Kristof, whom I’m liking more and more lately, weighs in on the Israeli/Hezbollah conflict.
Seems like there are a lot of people who want to bring about the End of Days.
July 18th, 2006 at 7:28 amExeley,
“Qwerty, Woolsey is correct that the Middle-East and, by extension, the United States is threatened by state-sponsored Islamic fundamentalist terrorism and that such threat needs to be confronted and thwarted.”
A bunch of lies. The only terrorist GROUP, that ever attacked US is Al Qaeda, and Al Qaeda is STATELESS. You NeoCons and Israeli poodles tried really, really hard to convince us that Saddam was involved, spreading all the fake evidence and lies, and then now Syria and Iran. Hezbollah and Hamas are ISRAEL’s enemies, NOT America’s enemies. You just want to EXPAND the war and have Americans dragged in, see more Americans die so Israel can grab all the land she has her eye on, instead of working out a PEACE settlement with her neighbours. Why are you serving the interests of another countrty, instead of your own????
July 18th, 2006 at 7:46 amNoitice how the phrasing works – “the Middle East” standing for Israel, “and by extension, the United States”…How the hell are we “by extension” threatened by Israel’s enemies??? NO, the US is ONLY threatened by Al Qaeda, a STATELESS entity, its mastermind a diabetic old man hiding in a cave somewhere and there are ways to go after them and to protect ourselves. Joining Israel in bombing civilians, homes and infrastructure with illegal weapons like phosperous bombs and vacuum bombs will make Americans more hated, with NO TANGIBLE benefits to us. Israel has to learn to cope by herself, maybe without the US-supplied arms and $$$billions in aid, it WILL THEN SIT DOWN AND NEGOTIATE PEACE. Instead, the NeoCons with their dual loyalty are fuelling this dangerous armageddon which will result in blowback and hatred against Americans.
July 18th, 2006 at 7:52 amWeird. Ex-CIA guy talking in that same made-for-TV movie language of the appearances of strength and weakness.
Why do some Americans think that non-American, non-whites are just going to cringe when we blow stuff up? The Japanese thought we’d cringe and hide after Pearl Harbor. Big mistake. Butchering Syrian civilians will only take the Sunni powers (like Saudi Arabia) off the fence and then a split region unites against you.
Stupid.
July 18th, 2006 at 9:09 am.
Flight of the neocons…
The Israeli bombardment of Lebanon is bringing out the crazy … crazy … crazy … in the last sputtering vestiges of the neocon movement….
July 18th, 2006 at 9:57 am#114 – I don’t agree with juan that there are none, but your list is a fantasy:
1. self-interest – small business aganist large multinationals (need to do this again)
2. get stuffed – american opportunism during napoleonic wars, thought they’d ‘liberate’ canada – canadians burned washington in response
3. you are kidding right? manufactured war for natural resources
4. civil war – given that true civil rights took another 100 years, I don’t think Billy Yank was on board with freeing the slaves altogether
5. right and half a million Filipinos died before they figured out the US soldiers were shooting at them so they could be free
6. ww2 – fair enough, I know why you didn’t include ww1 because your command of history is poor (’making the world safe for democracy’)
7. korean – ok
8. vietnam – see #5 above
9. oh come on – that was Reagan’s ‘big johnson contest’ and was supposed to rescue us students.
10. er – the oil?
11. er – to capture Bin Laden – you remember him right?
12 see #10 and also see #5
Sorry Exley but your self-image doesn’t hold up as well as you think.
July 18th, 2006 at 10:28 amthis is as nutty as Iraq lobbing SCUDs at Saudi Arabia and Israel during the first Gulf war (GWI)…
July 18th, 2006 at 10:38 amQwerty, Woolsey is correct that the Middle-East and, by extension, the United States is threatened by state-sponsored Islamic fundamentalist terrorism and that such threat needs to be confronted and thwarted.
Comment by Exley
Are you going to include religious fundamentalist terroism in general, or is your argument exclusive to the Islamic religion?
July 18th, 2006 at 10:58 amWoolsey is a very astute business man. He had a bunch of inside information and shortly after 9/11 he started a business called PALADIN GROUP. Knowing that the US was going to go into Iraq & Afghanistan he also knew that private security firms would be much in demand.
The Paladin Group finances private security firms and provides start-up funds for these types of enterprises. He raises millions for this endeavor, and is making millions off of the effort.
He is just another war profiteer, nothing more. But – a smart and dangerous one.
July 18th, 2006 at 11:00 amkill another baby for Jesus
July 18th, 2006 at 11:12 amLily asks: “Are you going to include religious fundamentalist terroism in general, or is your argument exclusive to the Islamic religion?”
I am not aware of any other religious fundamentalist terrorism other than Islamic fundamentalist terrorism. But, of course, if religious fundamentalists from any religion flew civilian airliners into office buildings causing the deaths of thousands of people, I would advocate the strongest measures be taken against such groups. But, as of know, the distinction of perpetrating such horrors belongs exclusively to the Islamists.
July 18th, 2006 at 1:46 pmFunny how these modern wars are fought from the air, cowardly, a reflection of the guys who instigate these wars. Wonder what those pilots feel, dropping bombs, as they kill lots and lots of people…take Woolsey up in a jet fighter & have him press the button.
July 18th, 2006 at 1:57 pmExley, you conveniently leave out religious fundamentalists such as the Hindu mobs that attack Muslim civilians in India, the Tamil Tigers, not to mention the Jewish fundamentalist groups that bomb Palestinian mosques or kill Palestinian worshippers. What about the Christian fundamentalists that target abortion clinics and attack, even killing abortion doctor?? What about the Christian Branch Davidians? How about all the cults that sometimes commit mass suicide? There are religious fundamentalists everywhere. The difference with Al Qaeda, Hamas and Hezbollah is they are supported by political agenda, much like the IRA’s support among the Irish Catholic. And the IRA bombed and killed Britons for decades until a political settlement was reached. This crypt-killer approach to Muslims will simply lead us to a war we will all pay dearly for, there is only so much invasions and attacks they will take, and of course that’s your ultimate goal, you are here to convince us all that Woolsey talks sense, not lunacy, in trying to expand the conflict, even after the terrible price of Iraq bankrolled with debt that we have to face some day. You want a war, you pay for it and go and fight it yourself. Fair? When we decide that it really is in our interest to fight for Israel, then we’ll do it.
July 18th, 2006 at 2:25 pm#131 – eric rudolph and friends, the Isaac Stern gang, Bosnian Serbs mladic and co., the IRA. the first, second, third and fourth Crusades
July 18th, 2006 at 2:30 pmForgot one: Sabra and Shatila.
Of course if we can include state terrorism (as geneva 4 would include) my list gets longer…
July 18th, 2006 at 2:32 pmAl Qaeda flew the planes, we should go after them, but it seems they are no longer of concern to us. Suddenly, instead of doubling our efforts to round up the last of them or expanding our intelligence network, speeding up operations in the areas where Al Qaeda might be hiding, all of the resources, military and monetary are being spent in Iraq, and now, “by extension” to Syria and Iran, none of them has anything to do with Al Qaeda. Amazingly, the CIA specialist Al Q unit with 10 years’ expertise has recently been dismantled by this administration. Our enemeies are suddenly looking suspiciously like Israel’s enemies. Do you really think we’re as stupid as the Sheeple on the wingnut sites you hail from?
July 18th, 2006 at 2:34 pmThere are 1 billion Muslims in the world. While a majority of them resent America’s unmitigated support for Israel, only a few of them attacked American targets, out of a billion of ordinary Muslims going about their business from Indonesia to Lebanon. While Al Q has killed 3000+ Americans, over a hundred thousand Muslims in Iraq, Afghanistan have neen killed to “pay” for 9/11, not to mention the complete destruction of Iraqi cities, the kidnapping, torture and abuse without trial of Muislim prisoners from over the world. How many more of “them” Muslims, almost all having nothing to do with 9/11, need to die before we’ve satisfied the Yale cowboy? Just going by numbers alone, it makes sense for us to engage with the 1 billion Muslims and work out peace accords that resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict. I’m all for US and European participation in a peacekeeping UN army in the region to enforce any accords reached. Peace yes, escalation, NO!
July 18th, 2006 at 2:48 pmVance:
You are more right than you think.
How does the Bush Administration get the US nation to agree to send more of its sons and daughters to die for nothing, agree to give up its precious rights and live under tyranny?
You arrange for 25,000 US citizen’s to die in a foreign land, so you use it as an excuse to start nuclear armagedon.
July 18th, 2006 at 7:40 pmWoolsey is right and you liberals will not see the error of your ways until there is a mushroom cloud over the US or these terrorist have so infiltrated the US and start blowing up things, then you all will be yelling Bush didn’t do enough, when now you bomoan he is doing too much and making the world “community” not like Americans, the islamist love ya’all
July 20th, 2006 at 5:47 pmDan, the Israelis love y’all MORE. Israel loves you for giving her the weapons and $$$$ to kill Arabs.
July 21st, 2006 at 4:49 amI, very sincerely think that most of the American Neocons have gone berserk. they only talk of war and more war. What have they done to iraq. If sanity prevailed the US Public should have kicked the present ruling junta out of office. They lied to the world and the American people. To remain in power they will do anything; may it doom USA in the end. The fall of the American Empire has started and Mr Bush and co are the architects. Labanon is a US ally , a small country with no Army worth its name. Instead of saving and supporting it the US is watching and enjoying its destruction. I’m alarmed at the mindset of US administration. Such stone hearted leadership ! As compared to these people Saddam was an angel. I pray to God almighty to put some fear in the hearts of these draculas or extirpate them from the face of this earth
July 24th, 2006 at 10:53 am[...] Israel and Hezbollah that he was ready to take the fight to Syria. At the time, Woolsey told Fox News, I think we ought to execute some air strikes against Syria, against the instruments of power of [...]
February 27th, 2007 at 10:08 pm