He actually shut them down. That was surely a good thing. All that is working now through the system and yes he will get us out of all these clearly optional wars that serve nothing except to train young officers.
The core problem with generals is that they believe a bunch of stuff that is simply not true and whose purpose is to motivate them to follow orders to enter the thick of battle. That is one reason that i want to see the Chinese General staff slapped down as often as possible. And why the death of Solumani of Iran was decisive. The Mullahs suddenly lost their core weapon and received instruction in extreme caution.
Sooner or later, NATO will be tasked to conjoin with Russia to protect the expansion of resurgent Christianity throughout the European and the Muslim world. This must be a slow process but will soon develop internal momentum. The real conflict of the future will be a WAR of CONFRONTATION rather than a direct shooting WAR. We can no longer throw away lives.
A lot of material here from a lot of voices. Of course no one seems to think that Trump knows what he is doing. Understand he fully empowered MIL INTEL when he took office and we have been at WAR since. A forty plus year plan to infiltrate the USA Government by the NWO has been confronted and is been winkled out. Of course you do not know any of this and it may not even be true..
How Trump Rebelled Against The Generals
January 17, 2020
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2020/01/how-trump-rebelled-against-the-generals.html
In early 2017, just as Trump was inaugurated, we wrote how an old
power center theory that seemed to explain how Trump won the elections:
Seen from the perspective of power centers Clinton once had all the support she needed. But she then lost a decisive group due to her uncompromising neo-conned foreign policy. Here is an interesting take based on a theory from the 1950s:
[T]he power elite can be best described as a “triangle of power,” linking the corporate, executive government, and military factions: “There is a political economy numerously linked with military order and decision. This triangle of power is now a structural fact, and it is the key to any understanding of the higher circles in America today.” The 2016 US election, like all other US elections, featured a gallery of pre-selected candidates that represented the three factions and their interests within the power elite. The 2016 US election, however, was vastly different from previous elections. As the election dragged on the power elite became bitterly divided, with the majority supporting Hilary Clinton, the candidate pre-selected by the political and corporate factions, while the military faction rallied around their choice of Donald Trump.... The decisive political point in this election round was the fight between neo-conservatives/liberal-interventionists and foreign policy realists. One side is represented as exemplary by the CIA with the U.S. military on the other:
A schism developed between the Defense Department and the highly politicized CIA. This schism, which can be attributed to the corporate-deep-state’s covert foreign policy, traces back to the CIA orchestrated “color revolutions” that had swept the Middle East and North Africa.The CIA created bloodthirsty future enemies the military will later have to defeat. ...
That explanation has held up well. At the beginning of his regime
Trump stuffed the White House with the military faction while the
executive government -the deep state- waged a war against him. The
corporate side of triangle of power was quite happy with his tax
policies.
But Trump soon discovered that the military faction did not concur
with his 'America first' isolationist tendencies. The 'grown ups' and
generals wanted to explain to Trump why they believe that the U.S. needs
many allies and bases and why the many long wars the U.S. fights are
sensible policy.
According to a new book, partly adapted in a Washington Post piece, that effort did not end well:
Trump organized his unorthodox worldview under the simplistic banner of “America First,” but [Secretary of Defense Jim] Mattis, [Secretary of State Rex] Tillerson, and [Director of the National Economic Council Gary] Cohn feared his proposals were rash, barely considered, and a danger to America’s superpower standing. They also felt that many of Trump’s impulsive ideas stemmed from his lack of familiarity with U.S. history and, even, where countries were located. To have a useful discussion with him, the trio agreed, they had to create a basic knowledge, a shared language. So on July 20, 2017, Mattis invited Trump to the Tank for what he, Tillerson, and Cohn had carefully organized as a tailored tutorial.
The meeting in the Tank, a secure conference room in the Pentagon, were part of an effort to subdue Trump's insurgency
against the top military's world view. and the presentation by top
generals came off as a lecture which Trump immediately disliked:
An opening line flashed on the screen, setting the tone: “The post-war international rules-based order is the greatest gift of the greatest generation.” Mattis then gave a 20-minute briefing on the power of the NATO alliance to stabilize Europe and keep the United States safe. Bannon thought to himself, “Not good. Trump is not going to like that one bit.” The internationalist language Mattis was using was a trigger for Trump. “Oh, baby, this is going to be f---ing wild,” [White House chief strategist Stephen K.] Bannon thought. “If you stood up and threatened to shoot [Trump], he couldn’t say ‘postwar rules-based international order.’ It’s just not the way he thinks.”
Bannon was right. Verbal scuffles about NATO, South Korea and U.S. bases followed. Then Trump took on the generals:
“We are owed money you haven’t been collecting!” Trump told them. “You would totally go bankrupt if you had to run your own business.”
The discussion turned to the war on Afghanistan:
Trump erupted to revive another frequent complaint: the war in Afghanistan, which was now America’s longest war. He demanded an explanation for why the United States hadn’t won in Afghanistan yet, now 16 years after the nation began fighting there in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Trump unleashed his disdain, calling Afghanistan a “loser war.” That phrase hung in the air and disgusted not only the military leaders at the table but also the men and women in uniform sitting along the back wall behind their principals. They all were sworn to obey their commander in chief’s commands, and here he was calling the war they had been fighting a loser war.
“You’re all losers,” Trump said. “You don’t know how to win anymore.”
When one reads the recent Congress testimony of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan one can see that Trump has a point. The war is long lost and the military is lying about it:
“There’s an odor of mendacity throughout the Afghanistan issue . . . mendacity and hubris,” John F. Sopko said in testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “The problem is there is a disincentive, really, to tell the truth. We have created an incentive to almost require people to lie.”
...
“When we talk about mendacity, when we talk about lying, it’s not just lying about a particular program. It’s lying by omissions,” he said. “It turns out that everything that is bad news has been classified for the last few years.”
Trump's rant during the meeting with the generals continued:
Trump mused about removing General John Nicholson, the U.S. commander in charge of troops in Afghanistan. “I don’t think he knows how to win,” the president said, impugning Nicholson, who was not present at the meeting.
...
“I want to win,” he said. “We don’t win any wars anymore . . . We spend $7 trillion, everybody else got the oil and we’re not winning anymore.”
...
“I wouldn’t go to war with you people,” Trump told the assembled brass. Addressing the room, the commander in chief barked, “You’re a bunch of dopes and babies.”
A drill sergeant act performed on recruits with four stars on their shoulders. I find that quite impressive. Those perfumed princes must have fumed.
While some will certainly say that Trump disgraced the military with
his rant most of the soldiers in the field will likely agree with his
opinion about their generals.
Most of the 'dopes and babies' who were in that room have since been
fired or retired. Their replacements are yes-men more to Trump's liking.
They did not even protest about Trump's latest blunder. He rented out
scarce air defense units to Saudi Arabia and went on to murder Qassem
Soleimani in Iraq while the U.S. bases there no longer had air defenses
to protect them against the inevitable retaliation.
The anti-Trump leaders of the executive side of the triangle have
likewise been removed and replaced with people who are unlikely to put
up a fight against Trump.
The third side of the triangle, the corporate faction, is happy that
Trump pressed the Fed to douse the markets with free money. Unless the
inevitable stock market crash comes before the election, which is
unlikely, they will stick to Trump's side.
With all three sides of the triangle of power inclined to favor him
or neutralized Trump seems to have a good chance to win the next
election.
That is unless he continues to follow the advice of neocons with a bad record and, by sheer stupidity, starts a war against Iran.
Trump being surrounded by yes men is a recipe for disaster, which is
already happening. The simple fact is the US military is not very good,
certainly nowhere near where it thinks it is. A commander in chief,
surrounded by political and equal opportunity hires, with zero military
experience in the modern era is ludicrous. And there are crack heads who
think they could take on China, or God forbid, Russia. Even Iran would
hand them their fat asses. That Trump judges the military by how much it
spends shows how totally out of touch he is.
Posted by: cdvision | Jan 17 2020 18:59 utc | 1
"[T]he power elite can be best described as a “triangle of power,”
linking the corporate, executive government, and military factions:
“There is a political economy numerously linked with military order and
decision. This triangle of power is now a structural fact, and it is the
key to any understanding of the higher circles in America today.” "
Significant that Congress (which Eisenhower wanted to include in the MI(C)C) is not part of the triangle. The only remotely democratic element being the quadrennial plebiscite/election for President/Commander in Chief.
As to those "never ending wars". They are not so much wars as colonial police actions-casualties on the imperial side are rare and generally restricted to foreign mercenaries, Casualties on the part of the colonised are measured to keep the conflict boiling: massacres, murders and atrocities that ensure that, dreaded, peace is postponed indefinitely. In other words there is plenty of work for the military, which means budgets are unchallenged and recruitment continues. Which means regular promotions through the ranks until the long for nirvana of a cushy corporate billet in civvy street.
Your theory says as much: Hillary, unstable and vindictive, scared the shit out of the Pentagon for whom fighting any force better armed than the Sioux and the Apaches were, is a very dangerous business.
Significant that Congress (which Eisenhower wanted to include in the MI(C)C) is not part of the triangle. The only remotely democratic element being the quadrennial plebiscite/election for President/Commander in Chief.
As to those "never ending wars". They are not so much wars as colonial police actions-casualties on the imperial side are rare and generally restricted to foreign mercenaries, Casualties on the part of the colonised are measured to keep the conflict boiling: massacres, murders and atrocities that ensure that, dreaded, peace is postponed indefinitely. In other words there is plenty of work for the military, which means budgets are unchallenged and recruitment continues. Which means regular promotions through the ranks until the long for nirvana of a cushy corporate billet in civvy street.
Your theory says as much: Hillary, unstable and vindictive, scared the shit out of the Pentagon for whom fighting any force better armed than the Sioux and the Apaches were, is a very dangerous business.
Posted by: bevin | Jan 17 2020 19:02 utc | 2
Trump can't start a war without ruling class backing any more than he can end the wars if the rulers veto it.
US foreign policy is not run by White House puppets.
The US trash-talked Saddam Hussein and starved Iraqis for 14 years, but didn't actually invade until he started trading oil in Euros.
The US trash-talked Ghaddafi for decades, and even launched missiles which killed his child in the 80s, but didn't destroy Libya until Ghaddafi decided to sell oil in dinars.
The US has trash-talked and sanctioned Iran for decades, but it was the threat of Iran and Saudi Arabia making peace that pushed them to assassinate General Soleimani, as he arrived at the airport on that diplomatic mission.
If Iran and Saudi Arabia make peace, and the Saudis drop the petro-dollar, the US Empire crumbles.
It doesn't matter at all who is in the White House at the time, the Empire will never allow that.
The elections are a farce, by the way. We have no way to know how people vote, because they put in electronic voting machines after the 2000 election was stolen by the Supreme Court. We no longer have any idea how people voted, the talking heads on the TV just give us the name of the selected on, on Election Night.
US foreign policy is not run by White House puppets.
The US trash-talked Saddam Hussein and starved Iraqis for 14 years, but didn't actually invade until he started trading oil in Euros.
The US trash-talked Ghaddafi for decades, and even launched missiles which killed his child in the 80s, but didn't destroy Libya until Ghaddafi decided to sell oil in dinars.
The US has trash-talked and sanctioned Iran for decades, but it was the threat of Iran and Saudi Arabia making peace that pushed them to assassinate General Soleimani, as he arrived at the airport on that diplomatic mission.
If Iran and Saudi Arabia make peace, and the Saudis drop the petro-dollar, the US Empire crumbles.
It doesn't matter at all who is in the White House at the time, the Empire will never allow that.
The elections are a farce, by the way. We have no way to know how people vote, because they put in electronic voting machines after the 2000 election was stolen by the Supreme Court. We no longer have any idea how people voted, the talking heads on the TV just give us the name of the selected on, on Election Night.
Posted by: wagelaborer | Jan 17 2020 19:04 utc | 3
Charlie Chan says
What exactly is "winning" in these wars? Millions already dead/dying,,, cities bombed out,,, infrastructure destroyed,,, oil stolen,,, mass starving,,,
There's more to do!,,, to win?
What exactly is "winning" in these wars? Millions already dead/dying,,, cities bombed out,,, infrastructure destroyed,,, oil stolen,,, mass starving,,,
There's more to do!,,, to win?
Posted by: Charlie Chan | Jan 17 2020 19:14 utc | 4
Any sense when "the inevitable stock market crash" can be expected?
Posted by: casey | Jan 17 2020 19:17 utc | 5
Yes! The inability to tell the truth about the genuine aim of policy
despite its being published because that policy goal--to attain Full
Spectrum Dominance over the planet and its people such that neoliberal
bankers can rule the world--is actually 100% against genuine American
Values as expressed by the Four Freedoms (1.Freedom of speech; 2.Freedom
of worship; 3.Freedom from want; 4.Freedom from fear) and the
articulated goals/vision of the UN Charter--World Peace arrived at via
collective security and diplomacy, not war--which are still taught in
schools along with Wilson's 14 Points. Then of course, there's the war
against British Tyranny known as the Spirit of '76 and the Revolutionary
War for Independence and the documents that bookend that era. In 1948,
Kennan stated, in an internal discussion that was never censored, the
USA consumed 60% of global resources with only 5% of the population and
needed to somehow come up with a policy to both continue and justify
that great disparity to both the domestic and international audience.
Yet, those truths were never provided in an overt manner to the American
public or the international audience. The upshot being the US federal
government since it dropped the bombs on Japan has been lying or
misleading its people such that it's now habitual. And Trump's diatribe
against the generals reflects the reality that he too was taken in by
those lies.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jan 17 2020 19:24 utc | 6
That Power Elite theory which was written in the 50s by C.W. Mills is
incomplete for today because in the 60s there was a split among the
power elite between the new "movement conservatives" and the old eastern
bank establishment. The conservatives were more focused on the pacific
region and containing China, and the liberal establishment were more
focused on Europe and containing Russia.
The movement conservatives leader was Barry Goldwater who Trump's dad was a big supporter of, and Trump was raised in and among AND represents that faction of elite power. In fact he is the 1st president from that faction of the elites to hold the oval office, many people thought Reagan was, but he was brought under the control of George Bush and the liberal elites after taking office after he was injured by a Bush related person. The different agendas of the the two factions are out in the open today with one being focused on anti-Russia and the other being focused on anti-China. It has been like that since the 1960s.
The anti-China movement conservative faction which Trump represents (and led the Viet Nam War) is screwing up the "rules based order" aka "Liberal Internaltional Economic Order" aka Pax Americana which was set up after WWII at Bretton Woods and then altered in the 1970s with the creation of the petrodollar and petrodollar recycling into Treasury Bonds, by destroying the monetary scam they set up to control the world, it needed the cooperation of the elites of Europe and elsewhere, which Trump and his faction doesn't care about--they only care about short term profits on Wall St.
The LIEO or Rules Based Order is based on being closely allied with European elites against Russia to contain the Middle East and Central Asia (Iran and Afghanistan) based on Zbigniew Brzezinski's Grand Chessboard theory. China trade is important for them, Russia is their main enemy. (War of the Worlds: The New Class). Trump and his movement conservative faction is ruining their world order for their own short term gain on Wall St.
The movement conservatives leader was Barry Goldwater who Trump's dad was a big supporter of, and Trump was raised in and among AND represents that faction of elite power. In fact he is the 1st president from that faction of the elites to hold the oval office, many people thought Reagan was, but he was brought under the control of George Bush and the liberal elites after taking office after he was injured by a Bush related person. The different agendas of the the two factions are out in the open today with one being focused on anti-Russia and the other being focused on anti-China. It has been like that since the 1960s.
The anti-China movement conservative faction which Trump represents (and led the Viet Nam War) is screwing up the "rules based order" aka "Liberal Internaltional Economic Order" aka Pax Americana which was set up after WWII at Bretton Woods and then altered in the 1970s with the creation of the petrodollar and petrodollar recycling into Treasury Bonds, by destroying the monetary scam they set up to control the world, it needed the cooperation of the elites of Europe and elsewhere, which Trump and his faction doesn't care about--they only care about short term profits on Wall St.
The LIEO or Rules Based Order is based on being closely allied with European elites against Russia to contain the Middle East and Central Asia (Iran and Afghanistan) based on Zbigniew Brzezinski's Grand Chessboard theory. China trade is important for them, Russia is their main enemy. (War of the Worlds: The New Class). Trump and his movement conservative faction is ruining their world order for their own short term gain on Wall St.
Posted by: Kali | Jan 17 2020 19:26 utc | 7
Sure, there was the fight … Trump’s political instinct got him
elected … had to survive the attack from Intelligence community with
allegiance to Democrats. The “progressive” blog community still does the
DNC and HRC bidding by declaring all was lost due to Putin. Sanctions
alert.
After surviving the Mueller investigation, Trump consolidated the advisors he liked.
Simple philosophy: Negate all that is Obama’s … Shia and MB became Sunni and the Arab Gulf monarchies of Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Bahrein belongs to KSA anyway. Trump’s winning bet to beat any Democrat was his allegiance to Israel and Netanyahu. The three gifts from King Donald went to Israel. The Arab States had learned to become an ally wit Israel, as Iran and its proxies were a pain in the a$$ and more in the ME and on the Arabian peninsula. Although the Arabs had covered the White House with a paper trail of multi-billion arms contracts during the Obama administration, the choice of Democrats was for Qatar, MB, Turkey and Iran with the Nuclear Deal. That sealed the loss for Democrats in 2016 to any contender.
The rightwing coalition of billionaires and their funding won it for the Republicans with help from Bannon, Breitbart, Cambridge Analytica, Facebook, Zuckerberg, Erik Prince, et al.
After surviving the Mueller investigation, Trump consolidated the advisors he liked.
Simple philosophy: Negate all that is Obama’s … Shia and MB became Sunni and the Arab Gulf monarchies of Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Bahrein belongs to KSA anyway. Trump’s winning bet to beat any Democrat was his allegiance to Israel and Netanyahu. The three gifts from King Donald went to Israel. The Arab States had learned to become an ally wit Israel, as Iran and its proxies were a pain in the a$$ and more in the ME and on the Arabian peninsula. Although the Arabs had covered the White House with a paper trail of multi-billion arms contracts during the Obama administration, the choice of Democrats was for Qatar, MB, Turkey and Iran with the Nuclear Deal. That sealed the loss for Democrats in 2016 to any contender.
The rightwing coalition of billionaires and their funding won it for the Republicans with help from Bannon, Breitbart, Cambridge Analytica, Facebook, Zuckerberg, Erik Prince, et al.
The US military, the various factions within the Deep State,
political and corporate cabals has the attitude of a spoiled 3-year-old:
If I can't have it, I'll break it so it is of little use to others.
Unfortunately, breaking other countries is just fine for the MIC... arms sales all around and chaos to impede non-military commerce with other major power centers like Russia or China.
Trump is the product of a dysfunctional family, a "greed is good" trust-fund social circle and a sociopathic US bully/gun culture.
The fact "bone spurs" Trump weaseled out of the draft will also not play well with the generals, let alone the grunts who suffer most from endless POTUS idiocy (not limited to Trump, see Prince Bush/Bandar the 2nd)
All the more proof that most Western "democracies" would be better served with a lottery to choose their Congressional and POTUS chair-warmers. Joe Sixpack could do a better job. A 200-lb sack of flour would do better than any POTUS since Kennedy.
Unfortunately, breaking other countries is just fine for the MIC... arms sales all around and chaos to impede non-military commerce with other major power centers like Russia or China.
Trump is the product of a dysfunctional family, a "greed is good" trust-fund social circle and a sociopathic US bully/gun culture.
The fact "bone spurs" Trump weaseled out of the draft will also not play well with the generals, let alone the grunts who suffer most from endless POTUS idiocy (not limited to Trump, see Prince Bush/Bandar the 2nd)
All the more proof that most Western "democracies" would be better served with a lottery to choose their Congressional and POTUS chair-warmers. Joe Sixpack could do a better job. A 200-lb sack of flour would do better than any POTUS since Kennedy.
Posted by: A P | Jan 17 2020 19:33 utc | 9
Charlie Chan @4--
What exactly is "winning" in these wars?
wagelaborer @3 gave a partial list as the wars were aimed at preventing an action from occurring or from continuing. The answer for Afghanistan is multifold: It provides a position that helps encircle Iran; it prevents the construction of the most logical transportation corridors to facilitate Eurasian integration; it allows for attacks by the Evil Outlaw US Empire's Foreign Legions into the soft underbelly of Russia and China via Central Asia; and it allows the CIA to control the international opium and heroin trade. You should also see why these truths cannot be told to the public as those aims contradict genuine American Values as I note @6.
What exactly is "winning" in these wars?
wagelaborer @3 gave a partial list as the wars were aimed at preventing an action from occurring or from continuing. The answer for Afghanistan is multifold: It provides a position that helps encircle Iran; it prevents the construction of the most logical transportation corridors to facilitate Eurasian integration; it allows for attacks by the Evil Outlaw US Empire's Foreign Legions into the soft underbelly of Russia and China via Central Asia; and it allows the CIA to control the international opium and heroin trade. You should also see why these truths cannot be told to the public as those aims contradict genuine American Values as I note @6.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jan 17 2020 19:35 utc | 10
I agree with wagelaborer in comment #3 and worth a repeat of most of it
"
Trump can't start a war without ruling class backing any more than he can end the wars if the rulers veto it.
US foreign policy is not run by White House puppets.
The US trash-talked Saddam Hussein and starved Iraqis for 14 years, but didn't actually invade until he started trading oil in Euros.
The US trash-talked Ghaddafi for decades, and even launched missiles which killed his child in the 80s, but didn't destroy Libya until Ghaddafi decided to sell oil in dinars.
The US has trash-talked and sanctioned Iran for decades, but it was the threat of Iran and Saudi Arabia making peace that pushed them to assassinate General Soleimani, as he arrived at the airport on that diplomatic mission.
If Iran and Saudi Arabia make peace, and the Saudis drop the petro-dollar, the US Empire crumbles.
It doesn't matter at all who is in the White House at the time, the Empire will never allow that.
"
Humanity is in a civilization war about public/private finance being fought by proxies and character actors like Trump. Maybe after this war is over, and if we survive, we can all communicate about the social contract directly instead of through proxy fronts. Do you want to live in a sharing/caring world or a selfish/competitive one?....socialism or barbarism?
"
Trump can't start a war without ruling class backing any more than he can end the wars if the rulers veto it.
US foreign policy is not run by White House puppets.
The US trash-talked Saddam Hussein and starved Iraqis for 14 years, but didn't actually invade until he started trading oil in Euros.
The US trash-talked Ghaddafi for decades, and even launched missiles which killed his child in the 80s, but didn't destroy Libya until Ghaddafi decided to sell oil in dinars.
The US has trash-talked and sanctioned Iran for decades, but it was the threat of Iran and Saudi Arabia making peace that pushed them to assassinate General Soleimani, as he arrived at the airport on that diplomatic mission.
If Iran and Saudi Arabia make peace, and the Saudis drop the petro-dollar, the US Empire crumbles.
It doesn't matter at all who is in the White House at the time, the Empire will never allow that.
"
Humanity is in a civilization war about public/private finance being fought by proxies and character actors like Trump. Maybe after this war is over, and if we survive, we can all communicate about the social contract directly instead of through proxy fronts. Do you want to live in a sharing/caring world or a selfish/competitive one?....socialism or barbarism?
As Lavrov frequently points out, the "rules-based order" is the US
attempt to overthrow established international law, and replace it with
"rules" invented by the US and changed to suit US goals, i.e. total
spectrum dominance.
Note that although Trump has been attacked by the Deep State, the Democrats and the media 24/7 since 2016, the only complaint they have about his blatantly illegal assassination of Soleimani is that "he didn't tell us first". There is NO mention of international or national laws which outlaw such assassinations.
The full spectrum support for the murder shows that the Establishment is firmly on board with it, which proves that it was not simply a whim of Trump's, or an action taken because a few neo-cons talked him into ordering it. Again, he can order military actions all he wants, (like the withdrawal of troops from Syria), but he isn't allowed to do anything that our rulers don't want done.
Note that although Trump has been attacked by the Deep State, the Democrats and the media 24/7 since 2016, the only complaint they have about his blatantly illegal assassination of Soleimani is that "he didn't tell us first". There is NO mention of international or national laws which outlaw such assassinations.
The full spectrum support for the murder shows that the Establishment is firmly on board with it, which proves that it was not simply a whim of Trump's, or an action taken because a few neo-cons talked him into ordering it. Again, he can order military actions all he wants, (like the withdrawal of troops from Syria), but he isn't allowed to do anything that our rulers don't want done.
What purpose do these regular attempts to spin Trump into some sort
of anti-establishment hero, and excusing him from having to take
responsibility for his actions, serve?
Do you really think he is being controlled by his neocon inner circle and if it were up to him he wouldn’t be assassinating foreign leaders, increasing the already massive military budget, starting a “space command”, going back on his promise to pull troops out of Syria and Iraq, threatening Iran with war and genocide, waging siege warfare with his sanctions against Russia, Venezuela and Iran, giving the Zionists everything they want, selling nuclear reactors to Saudi Arabia, torturing Assange and Manning and so forth?
Yeah, Trump would be a wise man of peace and multipolar coexistence if only he wasn’t constantly under the spell of neocon mind controller rays. Or maybe you are just doing it for financial reasons...because praising Trump for the adoring fan boys is good for business? Whatever your reason, this is why you can’t be taken seriously as a political analyst despite being on the ball much of the time.
Trump is president and commander in chief. The buck stops with him. If he is too weak or stupid to prevent himself from getting manipulated by his creepy cadaverous son-in-law and the bunch of fanatics he hired and surrounds himself with he is unfit for the job. But given his many transgressions and war mongering ways, it’s more likely he’s just another fraud like every other POTUS.
At this stage in the game anyone who still thinks Trump is an honest man with noble intentions is a compete fool, a 2020 version of the 2012 Obot.
(Here again, for your convenience as you seem to suffer from memory retention issues, is a partial list of the unfortunate actions your man Trump was “tricked” into doing. Enjoy!
assassinating foreign leaders, increasing the already massive military budget, starting a “space command”, going back on his promise to pull troops out of Syria and Iraq, threatening Iran with war and genocide, waging siege warfare with his sanctions against Russia, Venezuela and Iran, giving the Zionists everything they want, selling nuclear reactors to Saudi Arabia, torturing Assange and Manning)
Do you really think he is being controlled by his neocon inner circle and if it were up to him he wouldn’t be assassinating foreign leaders, increasing the already massive military budget, starting a “space command”, going back on his promise to pull troops out of Syria and Iraq, threatening Iran with war and genocide, waging siege warfare with his sanctions against Russia, Venezuela and Iran, giving the Zionists everything they want, selling nuclear reactors to Saudi Arabia, torturing Assange and Manning and so forth?
Yeah, Trump would be a wise man of peace and multipolar coexistence if only he wasn’t constantly under the spell of neocon mind controller rays. Or maybe you are just doing it for financial reasons...because praising Trump for the adoring fan boys is good for business? Whatever your reason, this is why you can’t be taken seriously as a political analyst despite being on the ball much of the time.
Trump is president and commander in chief. The buck stops with him. If he is too weak or stupid to prevent himself from getting manipulated by his creepy cadaverous son-in-law and the bunch of fanatics he hired and surrounds himself with he is unfit for the job. But given his many transgressions and war mongering ways, it’s more likely he’s just another fraud like every other POTUS.
At this stage in the game anyone who still thinks Trump is an honest man with noble intentions is a compete fool, a 2020 version of the 2012 Obot.
(Here again, for your convenience as you seem to suffer from memory retention issues, is a partial list of the unfortunate actions your man Trump was “tricked” into doing. Enjoy!
assassinating foreign leaders, increasing the already massive military budget, starting a “space command”, going back on his promise to pull troops out of Syria and Iraq, threatening Iran with war and genocide, waging siege warfare with his sanctions against Russia, Venezuela and Iran, giving the Zionists everything they want, selling nuclear reactors to Saudi Arabia, torturing Assange and Manning)
Posted by: Daniel | Jan 17 2020 19:57 utc | 13
" the U.S. bases there no longer had air defenses"
That's the official story, but it does not pass the smell test.
I wasn't there and have no way of knowing, but find it easier to believe the base did in fact have Patriots but 1) the Patriots failed to detect the Iranian missiles 2) Iran jammed the Patriots 3) the Patriot operators were cowering in bunkers or 4) since the U.S. had been warned of the strike and had even suggested a "pretend" strike for show, there was no real need to employ the Patriots or 5) if the Patriots had been engaged but failed to neutralized the Iranian missiles, that would make Raytheon look bad so we musn't go there.
That's the official story, but it does not pass the smell test.
I wasn't there and have no way of knowing, but find it easier to believe the base did in fact have Patriots but 1) the Patriots failed to detect the Iranian missiles 2) Iran jammed the Patriots 3) the Patriot operators were cowering in bunkers or 4) since the U.S. had been warned of the strike and had even suggested a "pretend" strike for show, there was no real need to employ the Patriots or 5) if the Patriots had been engaged but failed to neutralized the Iranian missiles, that would make Raytheon look bad so we musn't go there.
Posted by: Dan Lynch | Jan 17 2020 20:01 utc | 14
The WaPo depiction sure is calculated to reinforce whatever
perception one already had of Trump: His fans will love that thrashing
of the pompous high-ranking snowflakes, while the cognoscenti will cluck
their tongues and deplore such loutish disrespect for Our Military
Leaders.
Interesting that the alleged Adults in the Room evidently weren't capable of assessing the psychology of the target of their persuasion attempt and tailoring their presentation to fit his mentality. Sounds more like the Keystone Kops than a sane, sober, rational, Adult plan.
Interesting that the alleged Adults in the Room evidently weren't capable of assessing the psychology of the target of their persuasion attempt and tailoring their presentation to fit his mentality. Sounds more like the Keystone Kops than a sane, sober, rational, Adult plan.
interesting theory on the triangle of power... i agree with @3/12
wagelaborer's comments and many others comments too.. the issue
regarding afganistan @10 karlof1 articulates very well.. of course this
info can't be made public knowledge and as karlof1 says - the usa empire
at this point stands for everything that is in direct opposition to
it's constitution.. the fact that as@ 12 wagelaborer says - "...the Deep
State, the Democrats and the media 24/7 since 2016 ... only complaint
they have about his blatantly illegal assassination of Soleimani is that
"he didn't tell us first". " that tells everything anyone needs to know
right there..
Posted by: james | Jan 17 2020 20:43 utc | 16
also, the deep navel gazing on the part of the usa and many within
it, don't seem to reap any rewards.. it looks like a bunch of squirrels
chasing their own tails and never amounts to anything.. looking at
emptywheels page just now reminded me of this... of course the msm is a
real cesspoll and i don't see that changing either... msm news reflects
the idea ignorance is bliss...
Posted by: james | Jan 17 2020 20:49 utc | 17
Can we assume that the Afghan Papers were leaked deliberately in
advance of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan being able to
speak freely. The papers both allow him to speak more freely, and
direct his criticism safely on earlier periods.
Posted by: Michael Droy | Jan 17 2020 20:49 utc | 18
psychohistorian | Jan 17 2020 19:52 utc | 11
"If Iran and Saudi
Arabia make peace, and the Saudis drop the petro-dollar, the US Empire
crumbles."
Even if Iran and SA
don't make peace, would the destruction of most of the Saudi oil
infrastructure have the same effect? Iran has proven that capability,
hell Yemen has proven that capability. Hezbollah has it too. Is stopping
the use of the petro-dollar the same as dropping it? How long would it
take to start pumping again after near total destruction? Looks like the
Empire is in a NO win situation. Time to pack up and leave. Will
probably move everything to and shore up Fortress Zionism.
Isn’t there one more thing to consider - how the Americans are faring
at home? The increased poverty. Did Trump deliver on the jobs &
prosperity promise? Doesn’t look like that to me. May cost him the
presidency?
Posted by: Rose-Marie Larsson | Jan 17 2020 20:56 utc | 21
I will politely disagree with the conclusion, b. I don't think he has a chance in hell (excuse me) to win the next election.
Americans are sick of war. War anywhere.
Americans are sick of war. War anywhere.
Posted by: juliania | Jan 17 2020 21:06 utc | 22
Of course I could be wrong - the election could be stolen.
Poor people know you can't have guns and butter; only the rich get both. And maybe even they will be searching for cows and goats before they expect to.
Poor people know you can't have guns and butter; only the rich get both. And maybe even they will be searching for cows and goats before they expect to.
Posted by: juliania | Jan 17 2020 21:15 utc | 23
Trump's increase in the military budget blows every claim about Trump
rebelling against the general out of the water. Also, firing generals
from the second career civilian positions they were never qualified for
in the first place simply isn't "firing" them, especially not in any
sense Trump "Your'e fired!" would consider as firing. Trump can be as
abusive as he wants, just like he is with everyone apparently: Some
officers will do anything but fight an equal enemy for high rank,
including eating Trump's shit, then smiling. In many respects the entire
US military is a mercenary army and mercenaries are not really good at
serious fighting with real opponents. (In other respects, the lower
ranks of the military are turning into a weird version of Mamelukes or
Janissaries, a religiously defined service caste with temptations to
rule. But military rule in a giant country is quite difficult.)
Further, if there is a deep state, the generals who hated Clinton and the FBI who hated Clinton are just as much a part of it as the CIA professionals who thought Trump was a moron who'd wreck everything. All deep state theories are either crackpottery or duplicity. The main supporters of Trump are rich people, not just as contributors to his campaign---after all, some are billionaires who might want to play president themselves!---but the ones who keep buying advertising from the mass media who give Trump billions in free publicity, cover up his criminal career as much as possible and encourage identity politics to keep the loyal opposition from uniting the mass of people against the billionaires.
Trump's real chances of winning are due partly to lack of opposition from the Democratic Party, which sharply limits its attacks on Trump to attacks from the right, for the good reason that in policy terms, there is a huge overlap between Trump and the mainstream Democrats. (Hence the media's assistance in trashing the Democratic Party during the primaries.) The intense campaign to keep blacks from turning out is proceeding on all fronts. And most of all, the mass media are still normalizing Trump, who is actually labeling his opponents traitors, and hinting at violence. Further, the Weinstein trial is meant to intimidate Democratic Party Hollywood donors/PR. And the Epstein case may be used to tar the Pedophile Party at a convenient time. They have already conceded that accusation=conviction, so it's doubtful they could put up a fight.
Further, if there is a deep state, the generals who hated Clinton and the FBI who hated Clinton are just as much a part of it as the CIA professionals who thought Trump was a moron who'd wreck everything. All deep state theories are either crackpottery or duplicity. The main supporters of Trump are rich people, not just as contributors to his campaign---after all, some are billionaires who might want to play president themselves!---but the ones who keep buying advertising from the mass media who give Trump billions in free publicity, cover up his criminal career as much as possible and encourage identity politics to keep the loyal opposition from uniting the mass of people against the billionaires.
Trump's real chances of winning are due partly to lack of opposition from the Democratic Party, which sharply limits its attacks on Trump to attacks from the right, for the good reason that in policy terms, there is a huge overlap between Trump and the mainstream Democrats. (Hence the media's assistance in trashing the Democratic Party during the primaries.) The intense campaign to keep blacks from turning out is proceeding on all fronts. And most of all, the mass media are still normalizing Trump, who is actually labeling his opponents traitors, and hinting at violence. Further, the Weinstein trial is meant to intimidate Democratic Party Hollywood donors/PR. And the Epstein case may be used to tar the Pedophile Party at a convenient time. They have already conceded that accusation=conviction, so it's doubtful they could put up a fight.
Posted by: steven t johnson | Jan 17 2020 21:16 utc | 24
@juliania: There is no major FUNCTIONAL difference between the
Rep/Dem when it comes to military/covert activities. So whether Trump
or any of the Dem puppets fill the Oval Office.
The "differences" are purely for domestic consumption, no foreign politician or diplomat with two functioning neurons is fooled by the quadrennial, prearranged "election" BS.
Americans may be sick of the US' forever war policy, but not as sick of it as the rest of the world is. And USicans aren't sick enough of it to turf out both parties and start again...
The "differences" are purely for domestic consumption, no foreign politician or diplomat with two functioning neurons is fooled by the quadrennial, prearranged "election" BS.
Americans may be sick of the US' forever war policy, but not as sick of it as the rest of the world is. And USicans aren't sick enough of it to turf out both parties and start again...
Posted by: A P | Jan 17 2020 21:22 utc | 25
I just finished the lengthy Dr. Hudson interview/discussion "Democratizing Money"
I was sharing excepts from on the open thread which has great bearing
on the foundational issues of this thread's topic and subtopics, and
provides information that help inform an answer to Rose-Marie Larsson
@21, for example. The history of neoliberalism's rise to power and
massive take-off thanks to Clinton, Bush and Obama is important to
understand so it can be undone and the power of both Neoliberals and
Neocons can be diminished. That Daniel thinks anyone here is trying to
argue trump's "some sort of anti-establishment hero" is grossly
incorrect as all the evidence points to him as being an extension of
Clinton, Bush, Obama; although Trump denied any such connection during
his campaign, his actions speak otherwise, the evidence being well
presented in Hudson's talk. Want to learn why the NYSE is going to crack
30,000 by the end of January; read the discussion. Why 911? To insulate
Wall Street from having the set of laws it wanted established so it
could expand its crime spree from being undone or even discussed as it
turned out. (That's my take, not Hudson's.) Finally, what're the main
weapons Trump's used in his foreign policy? Weaponized Financialization
and its kin Lawfare.
As Hudson admits, he's radical for the political solution he proposes:
"If you’re going to do something so radical as to wipe out the financial class’s claims on the rest of society, you have to go and finish the revolution that Adam Smith, Ricardo, John Stuart Mill, Alfred Marshall, Marx, and almost every 19th century classical economist advocated.
"You have to change the tax system so that you avoid having a financial system that makes its money by taking unearned income and monopoly income or land rent that should be basis of the tax base, for itself....
"So Steve [Keen] has an elegant mathematical solution that would work, but I’m more radical when it comes to the political solution.
"[Edgar] You want the creditors to lose in the Jubilee.
"Yes, it’s one great advantage. It’s just as important to wipe out the wealth of creditors as it is to wipe out the debt. If you leave the post-1980 gains with the creditors, you’re going to have a ruling class much like the feudal landlords. You’re going to have financial feudalism. If you leave all of this financial wealth intact, while the rest of the economy has so little wealth…
"[Edgar] Well, we already have that.
"Yes, and I want to reverse it by wiping out the financial wealth. It’s really overhead, because it’s owed by the bottom 99%, siphoning off their income and ultimately depriving them of property."
Essentially, Hudson proposes we demonetize the 1% such that they lose their power to buy government while reregulating banks so they must return to a legitimate business model instead of their current pursuit of fraud as their business model. Once those two legs of the triangle are severed, the MIC having lost its allies will be easy to downsize to that of a "normal country."
As Hudson admits, he's radical for the political solution he proposes:
"If you’re going to do something so radical as to wipe out the financial class’s claims on the rest of society, you have to go and finish the revolution that Adam Smith, Ricardo, John Stuart Mill, Alfred Marshall, Marx, and almost every 19th century classical economist advocated.
"You have to change the tax system so that you avoid having a financial system that makes its money by taking unearned income and monopoly income or land rent that should be basis of the tax base, for itself....
"So Steve [Keen] has an elegant mathematical solution that would work, but I’m more radical when it comes to the political solution.
"[Edgar] You want the creditors to lose in the Jubilee.
"Yes, it’s one great advantage. It’s just as important to wipe out the wealth of creditors as it is to wipe out the debt. If you leave the post-1980 gains with the creditors, you’re going to have a ruling class much like the feudal landlords. You’re going to have financial feudalism. If you leave all of this financial wealth intact, while the rest of the economy has so little wealth…
"[Edgar] Well, we already have that.
"Yes, and I want to reverse it by wiping out the financial wealth. It’s really overhead, because it’s owed by the bottom 99%, siphoning off their income and ultimately depriving them of property."
Essentially, Hudson proposes we demonetize the 1% such that they lose their power to buy government while reregulating banks so they must return to a legitimate business model instead of their current pursuit of fraud as their business model. Once those two legs of the triangle are severed, the MIC having lost its allies will be easy to downsize to that of a "normal country."
Posted by: karlof1 | Jan 17 2020 21:44 utc | 26
Posted by: juliania | Jan 17 2020 21:06 utc | 22
Americans are sick of war. War anywhere.
I do not believe that for a second. US initiated wars have been going on for decades, but I see no indication that US americans have any issues with it. The political parties are totally aligned on foreign wars, there are no people protesting in US cities.
Posted by: Norwegian | Jan 17 2020 21:46 utc | 27
My popcorn making machine is on the fritz! Can any one suggest
another entertainment food for consumption while watching the made for
peons theatrical show?
Posted by: Taffyboy | Jan 17 2020 21:48 utc | 28
@ wagelaborer 3
Good points. I endorse. However the USD have been weaponized, is being sidelined and will be shunned U.S. dollar: Russia, China, EU are motivated to shift from
@ juiliana 22
I posted an article by Shedlock essentially saying all it will take is 3 states to flip and Trump loses: Trump will be easily defeated in 2020 perhaps by a landslide.
Not only sick of wars, his mobster approach to foreign policy and allies is an embarrassment to RINO and Independents.
Good points. I endorse. However the USD have been weaponized, is being sidelined and will be shunned U.S. dollar: Russia, China, EU are motivated to shift from
@ juiliana 22
I posted an article by Shedlock essentially saying all it will take is 3 states to flip and Trump loses: Trump will be easily defeated in 2020 perhaps by a landslide.
Not only sick of wars, his mobster approach to foreign policy and allies is an embarrassment to RINO and Independents.
Posted by: Likklemore | Jan 17 2020 21:50 utc | 29
Reading the WaPo article, I didn't get the impression that Trump
objects to endless wars, he just wants to create another revenue stream
out of them. In other words, how to squeeze more money from allies by
getting them to pay a fee for US troops based in their countries and
from enemies by stealing their oil/other natural resources.
I'm not sure if he understands that Saudi and the oil rich countries of the Persian Gulf are already paying in the form of billions for weapons they can't use and treasury bonds that will never be repaid. Other countries wouldn't mind at all if US troops leave, so they won't pay more.
So no, Trump is not at all an anti-interventionist. He just is looking for a way to make imperialism (even more) profitable and just wants to end the no performing wars and start money making wars.
Iran might be his only exception. That war most certainly will not be profitable but for the sake of Israel, Trump can make sacrifices
I'm not sure if he understands that Saudi and the oil rich countries of the Persian Gulf are already paying in the form of billions for weapons they can't use and treasury bonds that will never be repaid. Other countries wouldn't mind at all if US troops leave, so they won't pay more.
So no, Trump is not at all an anti-interventionist. He just is looking for a way to make imperialism (even more) profitable and just wants to end the no performing wars and start money making wars.
Iran might be his only exception. That war most certainly will not be profitable but for the sake of Israel, Trump can make sacrifices
Posted by: Lysander | Jan 17 2020 21:55 utc | 30
Even if the election is stolen, the Democrats will win. With a huge
Republican crossover. That's my prediction. Even if we are totally
shafted now and the people have no say. Deep state don't want him and
the people don't want him.
I think there's a good chance from what all of you are saying that impeachment will succeed - how could it not?- but what do I know, very little really. All I am saying is it won't be the people's choice as it hasn't been all this century. And I can't see the Deep State wanting him either.
I think there's a good chance from what all of you are saying that impeachment will succeed - how could it not?- but what do I know, very little really. All I am saying is it won't be the people's choice as it hasn't been all this century. And I can't see the Deep State wanting him either.
Posted by: juliania | Jan 17 2020 21:56 utc | 31
Dan Lynch | Jan 17 2020 20:01 utc | 14
Dan there were no Patriot missiles at the Al Assad base. It is hard to hide a patriot missile launcher. I and many others have looked over the photos of the base after bombing. They did have a M 901 (TEL) tracked vehicle that launches up to six TOW missiles. TOW= anti equipment/vehicle/tank etc.
They did have arrogance in spades.
Dan there were no Patriot missiles at the Al Assad base. It is hard to hide a patriot missile launcher. I and many others have looked over the photos of the base after bombing. They did have a M 901 (TEL) tracked vehicle that launches up to six TOW missiles. TOW= anti equipment/vehicle/tank etc.
They did have arrogance in spades.
Posted by: diveshopingoa | Jan 17 2020 21:57 utc | 32
steven t johnson@24
"The intense campaign to keep blacks from turning out is proceeding on all fronts."
That, to me (and hopefully for most people), is very disturbing. I have been loosely following Greg Palast and his team for about 15 years, and it would appear that the rot in the US electoral system has only escalated since the 2000 election farce.
In my mind it is a class-war, and it is being waged against the most marginalised, especially if of a darker skin tone (by the 'Elites', and with the acquiescence of the ever-dwindling middle-classes).
It is a horror-show.
I know it may be old hat to many here, but I would highly recommend to any who are interested in some of the manouvres (c.2000-present) that have led the US electoral system to the sewer it resides in to read:
- The Best Democracy Money Can Buy
- Billionaires and Ballot Bandits
Both by Greg Palast.
"The intense campaign to keep blacks from turning out is proceeding on all fronts."
That, to me (and hopefully for most people), is very disturbing. I have been loosely following Greg Palast and his team for about 15 years, and it would appear that the rot in the US electoral system has only escalated since the 2000 election farce.
In my mind it is a class-war, and it is being waged against the most marginalised, especially if of a darker skin tone (by the 'Elites', and with the acquiescence of the ever-dwindling middle-classes).
It is a horror-show.
I know it may be old hat to many here, but I would highly recommend to any who are interested in some of the manouvres (c.2000-present) that have led the US electoral system to the sewer it resides in to read:
- The Best Democracy Money Can Buy
- Billionaires and Ballot Bandits
Both by Greg Palast.
Posted by: Jon_in_AU | Jan 17 2020 21:59 utc | 33
Thanks A P @ 25. I agree with you about both parties. I'm ready to start again. I won't be voting for either one.
It's a long time till November. And who knows what will happen, especially in the rest of the world. Look at what has already happened in the last couple of weeks. OK though, no predictions from me. I'm a very small fish in a very big, polluted and warming ocean.
It's a long time till November. And who knows what will happen, especially in the rest of the world. Look at what has already happened in the last couple of weeks. OK though, no predictions from me. I'm a very small fish in a very big, polluted and warming ocean.
Not a very good analysis by b because this does not explain why 90 %
of US corporate media is hostile to Trump. This does not happen without
significant elite support.
That Trump is backed by the military faction is something i have been saying often. But there are forces within the government faction that dislike him, for example the CIA.
As for the corporate faction, it is not true that free money made them supportive of Trump. Rather the faction is divided - between the globalist corporate faction, relying on globalisation, including most tech companies, and US nationalist faction, such as local US businesses, big oil, shale gas, etc.
Another point - jews have large influence within the US, and 80 % voted against Trump regardless of his Israeli support. They again voted 80 % Dem in 2018. Having 80 % of US jews against you means encountering significant resistance.
Demographically speaking, most women, jews, muslims, latinos, asians, afroamericans, lgbt people, young people, etc. are strongly against him so i think that he will lose. Unless for some reason they do not vote.
Even if he somehow wins again, this will lead to civil war like situation and extreme polarisation in the US.
That Trump is backed by the military faction is something i have been saying often. But there are forces within the government faction that dislike him, for example the CIA.
As for the corporate faction, it is not true that free money made them supportive of Trump. Rather the faction is divided - between the globalist corporate faction, relying on globalisation, including most tech companies, and US nationalist faction, such as local US businesses, big oil, shale gas, etc.
Another point - jews have large influence within the US, and 80 % voted against Trump regardless of his Israeli support. They again voted 80 % Dem in 2018. Having 80 % of US jews against you means encountering significant resistance.
Demographically speaking, most women, jews, muslims, latinos, asians, afroamericans, lgbt people, young people, etc. are strongly against him so i think that he will lose. Unless for some reason they do not vote.
Even if he somehow wins again, this will lead to civil war like situation and extreme polarisation in the US.
Posted by: Passer by | Jan 17 2020 22:04 utc | 35
I've joked before that Trump is the most peaceful president since
Carter. There is some truth to this insofar as Trump's narrow
cost-benefit analysis (as opposed to incoherently broad, even internally
contradictory, cost-benefit outlook promoted by 'national security'
interests) means he doesn't want to commit to expensive long-term
interventionist projects, which is what unites the right-wing neocons
and the liberal interventionists (Pelosi, Schumer). Trump is happy to
throw money at the military (like the recent 750 billion re-up approved
by Congress) but also wants to keep costs down. Like a real estate
developer, he spends the money to maintain the Trump brand (tough guy,
not like Carter), while extorting and cheating 'contractors' (client
states like S. Korea) to keep costs down, hence his wanting to pull back
from Syria and Afghanistan, meeting with hysteria-level resistance from
the 'deep state.' It's no Carter, but certainly better than the Bushes,
Clinton, Obama/Hilary. Military still ballooning though.
The problem with the corporate/executive/military theory of elite power is that there are factions within factions, so the theory has limited explanatory power. The 'corporate' faction has largely turned against China (hence the push or approval of the trade war) but there are also important elements like Google and Apple who abhor the trade war and want to maintain the status-quo. And within the military/CIA/national security, there are vectors working at cross purposes. In some ways, the complexity can be parsed by neocon versus liberal interventionist, but these two have more commonalities than differences, while 'Full Spectrum Dominance' has different interpretations and emphases that, as a whole, can look incoherent. The rationale behind Afghanistan being one example.
karlof1: "The answer for Afghanistan is multifold: It provides a position that helps encircle Iran; it prevents the construction of the most logical transportation corridors to facilitate Eurasian integration; it allows for attacks by the Evil Outlaw US Empire's Foreign Legions into the soft underbelly of Russia and China via Central Asia; and it allows the CIA to control the international opium and heroin trade. You should also see why these truths cannot be told to the public as those aims contradict genuine American Values."
karlof1, thank you for that summary, which is probably the most concise formulation of it I've seen, and it reminds me of importance of the CIA and the opiate trade. While, taken individually, those points look like they 'make sense', but as a whole -- especially the support of proxy groups via opium funds and happily 'mispent' money like US aid -- the net result is more chaos than actions with discrete goals. If there's anything that can be said about US foreign policy, it's that the chaos is by design, not so much because it benefits 'national security interests' but because it benefits the MIC. Chaos is the biggest subsidy.
The problem with the corporate/executive/military theory of elite power is that there are factions within factions, so the theory has limited explanatory power. The 'corporate' faction has largely turned against China (hence the push or approval of the trade war) but there are also important elements like Google and Apple who abhor the trade war and want to maintain the status-quo. And within the military/CIA/national security, there are vectors working at cross purposes. In some ways, the complexity can be parsed by neocon versus liberal interventionist, but these two have more commonalities than differences, while 'Full Spectrum Dominance' has different interpretations and emphases that, as a whole, can look incoherent. The rationale behind Afghanistan being one example.
karlof1: "The answer for Afghanistan is multifold: It provides a position that helps encircle Iran; it prevents the construction of the most logical transportation corridors to facilitate Eurasian integration; it allows for attacks by the Evil Outlaw US Empire's Foreign Legions into the soft underbelly of Russia and China via Central Asia; and it allows the CIA to control the international opium and heroin trade. You should also see why these truths cannot be told to the public as those aims contradict genuine American Values."
karlof1, thank you for that summary, which is probably the most concise formulation of it I've seen, and it reminds me of importance of the CIA and the opiate trade. While, taken individually, those points look like they 'make sense', but as a whole -- especially the support of proxy groups via opium funds and happily 'mispent' money like US aid -- the net result is more chaos than actions with discrete goals. If there's anything that can be said about US foreign policy, it's that the chaos is by design, not so much because it benefits 'national security interests' but because it benefits the MIC. Chaos is the biggest subsidy.
Posted by: Harrison | Jan 17 2020 22:06 utc | 36
@ 30 lysander.. "So no, Trump is not at all an anti-interventionist.
He's just looking for a way to make imperialism (even more) profitable
and just wants to end the none performing wars and start money making
wars." i tend to think the usa - wall st and the military complex for
sure - make money off these money losing wars as well... why end them
either, when it is working for the top %? what i don't understand is
any american thinking they are going to get anything different with
either repubs or dems... i guess that is where all the msm back and
forth bullshit works to keep people brainwashed and unable to see the
bigger picture here.. that and americans for the most part seem totally
obsessed with their own little exceptional world with little thought
about there foreign policy... to me it is all about fp, but to most
americans it is all about trump or sanders, or football and that is it!
they seem quite happy to stay in that small little loop.. i honestly
think it will not be unable they are bombed on their own soil will the
collectively wake the fuck up and even then, i somehow doubt it as the
brainwashing has been so successful..
Posted by: james | Jan 17 2020 22:11 utc | 37
karlof1's quote from Prof. Hudson interview:
"[Edgar] You want the creditors to lose in the Jubilee.
"Yes, it’s one great advantage. It’s just as important to wipe out the wealth of creditors as it is to wipe out the debt. If you leave the post-1980 gains with the creditors, you’re going to have a ruling class much like the feudal landlords. You’re going to have financial feudalism..."
Putin did it. And he had help. Times were worse for the Russians. Deep State US style thought they had them beat. All it takes is a few good men...and fate. If they wanted to keep the system going they should have had a debt jubilee, yes. They didn't.
Protests don't mean anything except more hardship for the people. That's why so far you don't see them. We had them, lots. I'm not disagreeing with the arguments, but it ain't over till the fat lady sings. Maybe after some of us are gone, maybe before. I didn't think I'd see Russia bounce back, but it did. I have hope that's all. Sorry; I'll always have it.
"[Edgar] You want the creditors to lose in the Jubilee.
"Yes, it’s one great advantage. It’s just as important to wipe out the wealth of creditors as it is to wipe out the debt. If you leave the post-1980 gains with the creditors, you’re going to have a ruling class much like the feudal landlords. You’re going to have financial feudalism..."
Putin did it. And he had help. Times were worse for the Russians. Deep State US style thought they had them beat. All it takes is a few good men...and fate. If they wanted to keep the system going they should have had a debt jubilee, yes. They didn't.
Protests don't mean anything except more hardship for the people. That's why so far you don't see them. We had them, lots. I'm not disagreeing with the arguments, but it ain't over till the fat lady sings. Maybe after some of us are gone, maybe before. I didn't think I'd see Russia bounce back, but it did. I have hope that's all. Sorry; I'll always have it.
Posted by: juliania | Jan 17 2020 22:15 utc | 39
Thank you, likkelmore! There are huge factors in play. We don't
really know, but I am sure Jill Stein's 'loss' kept the spoilers busy
last time around. That won't be in play but non votes will be, for
sure. Where that leads I really don't know.
What if they held an election and nobody came? (My uncle's pet name for me was Dreamer)
What if they held an election and nobody came? (My uncle's pet name for me was Dreamer)
Posted by: juliania | Jan 17 2020 22:24 utc | 40
Totally agree with Daniel: "Trump is president and commander in
chief. The buck stops with him. If he is too weak or stupid to prevent
himself from getting manipulated by his creepy cadaverous son-in-law and
the bunch of fanatics he hired and surrounds himself with he is unfit
for the job. But given his many transgressions and war mongering ways,
it’s more likely he’s just another fraud like every other POTUS."
American hubris and bully-ism in the international arena has steadily grown since the end of the Cold War, since they somehow believe their system won. With Trump, the mask is off. "I'm taking the oil". In fact, he's taking the oil even though he can't do much with it (can't develop it, limited selling options, etc). Pure child-like "it's mine, i'd rather break it than give it back".
I have decreasing confidence that there will not be a nuclear war. It seems to be increasingly likely that an overstretched American army will, at some point somewhere, be so outmaneuvered that they will hit the panic button. The world is currently counting on the Russians, Iranians, Chinese to be the sober ones, the cooler heads, the ones who hurriedly clear the roads for the drunk adolescent American roaming the streets.
American hubris and bully-ism in the international arena has steadily grown since the end of the Cold War, since they somehow believe their system won. With Trump, the mask is off. "I'm taking the oil". In fact, he's taking the oil even though he can't do much with it (can't develop it, limited selling options, etc). Pure child-like "it's mine, i'd rather break it than give it back".
I have decreasing confidence that there will not be a nuclear war. It seems to be increasingly likely that an overstretched American army will, at some point somewhere, be so outmaneuvered that they will hit the panic button. The world is currently counting on the Russians, Iranians, Chinese to be the sober ones, the cooler heads, the ones who hurriedly clear the roads for the drunk adolescent American roaming the streets.
Posted by: Josh | Jan 17 2020 22:32 utc | 41
Most important and IMO main propose for yesterday’s Friday prayers
speech by Ayatollah Khamenei was spoken in Arabic and directed at Arab
Muslims, strangely non of commentators or MSM coverage wants or tries to
explore the Arabic spoken part. One doesn’t need to wonder why.
Posted by: Kooshy | Jan 17 2020 22:32 utc | 42
Lars @20 - destroying Saudi oil prod would not necessarily end $
dominance as the loss of that oil would impact much of the first world
equally.
Many here were commenting how Trump was acting and speaking strangely when he first spoke about the Iran thing. I think it was then that he was taken into the back room and given the full talk about how the world works and he was still trying to digest it and figure how to play it. just a thought.
Many here were commenting how Trump was acting and speaking strangely when he first spoke about the Iran thing. I think it was then that he was taken into the back room and given the full talk about how the world works and he was still trying to digest it and figure how to play it. just a thought.
Posted by: jef | Jan 17 2020 22:32 utc | 43
The 1950’s triangle of power was superseded by the oligarch’s counter
revolution that led to supranational trade institutions. Democracies
were relegated to a secondary status and run by technocrats for the
benefit of oligarchs until Donald Trump. He is a nationalist plutocrat;
admittedly a lower level one, a NY casino owner who went bankrupt.
Mike Bloomberg represents the other side, a globalist billionaire.
Elizabeth Warren is a top level technocrat but no politician.
The endless wars are fought to make a profit for the plutocracy and destabilize nations to make foreign corporate exploitation possible. That was why Hunter Biden was in Ukraine. The conflicts are not meant to be won.
Donald Trump is way for over his head and getting old. His competent staff are in jail or fired. Apparently no one told him about the thousands of ballistic missiles that can destroy the Gulf States’ oil facilities at will and make the buildup for the invasion of Iran impossible. He makes stupid mistakes. Through the barrage of propaganda, reports of shell shocked troops, destroyed buildings and 11 concussion causalities from Iran’s missile attack made it into the news. The military must be pissed. The aura of invincibility is gone.
Donald Trump should be removed by the 25th amendment before he mistakenly triggers the Apocalypse. Except the 1% politician VP, Mike Pence, believes that the End of Time is God’s Will and necessary for his Ascension.
The endless wars are fought to make a profit for the plutocracy and destabilize nations to make foreign corporate exploitation possible. That was why Hunter Biden was in Ukraine. The conflicts are not meant to be won.
Donald Trump is way for over his head and getting old. His competent staff are in jail or fired. Apparently no one told him about the thousands of ballistic missiles that can destroy the Gulf States’ oil facilities at will and make the buildup for the invasion of Iran impossible. He makes stupid mistakes. Through the barrage of propaganda, reports of shell shocked troops, destroyed buildings and 11 concussion causalities from Iran’s missile attack made it into the news. The military must be pissed. The aura of invincibility is gone.
Donald Trump should be removed by the 25th amendment before he mistakenly triggers the Apocalypse. Except the 1% politician VP, Mike Pence, believes that the End of Time is God’s Will and necessary for his Ascension.
Posted by: VietnamVet | Jan 17 2020 22:34 utc | 44
The MIC (been) taking their marching orders from Dick Cheney & Co., definitely not from a(ny) commander in chief.
Posted by: Hannibal | Jan 17 2020 22:42 utc | 45
"...of course this info can't be made public knowledge..."
But, james @ 16, it is public knowledge, right here!
This is our samizdat!!!
We might have to go back to having an actual one, but that's okay, there's precedent and some mighty fine literature came out of the original one as well - thank you, Russia!
But, james @ 16, it is public knowledge, right here!
This is our samizdat!!!
We might have to go back to having an actual one, but that's okay, there's precedent and some mighty fine literature came out of the original one as well - thank you, Russia!
Posted by: juliania | Jan 17 2020 22:45 utc | 46
Comical to me is how people are time and time again trying to find
lines of policy in Trump's actions. Guys, it's like trying to read tea
leaves. In short, he doesn't want to do strategy. Make money, as long
as it's Americans making the money. Whatever way. Trample people, fine.
Bomb a bit here or there. Use the military guys. Sure, take the oil.
Take the heroin (I guess he hasn't said that yet). Bully Iran, then
they bring down a passenger jet, well tough luck, it's all their fault.
America first? It's a grand stroke, a bit of expressionism painted with
a very big brush. Socialism for billionaires, money for the stock
market racket. All these ethics, what for? Allowing our allies to make
money too? Yes, as long as they pay their dues. And they're not paying
enough. There's his thinking in a nutshell. Assad is right: this is
just America without any pretend. It's the fat ugly American running
around naked, and Boris running behind him with a smirk. If you're
appalled and want to pull your kids away from the TV, good luck.
Posted by: Josh | Jan 17 2020 22:50 utc | 47
Karlof1 - The main weapons Trump's used in his foreign policy are the
same ones the outlaw US empire has been using for decades, sanctions,
embargos, tariffs, trade restrictions. The US has successfully
controlled/curtailed hundred of trillion$ of global trade, both supply
and demand. There is very little understanding of just how enormous the
effects of decades of thousands of sanctions being imposed around the
world has had. There are hundreds of sanctions in effect right now. It
is the truly nasty side of having the world reserve currency and the
largest military in the world to back it up.
Posted by: jef | Jan 17 2020 22:51 utc | 48
But nobody explained why GOP rallied around Trump. Furthermore Merkel, Macron, Bojo, EU are in support of Trump.
Why?
Why?
Posted by: arata | Jan 17 2020 22:58 utc | 49
The international community has trusted the USA's morality for
decades after WWII. Trust to the point of naivety as to allow the USA to
control the world financial system and to allow the dollar to be the
only currency for international exchange.
With Trump arrival, the ugly face of uncle Sam has appeared. The USA is no more the superior power it used to be, its military have face defeats after defeats, it is challenged in technology by China and politically by Russia. Countries like China have aimed at surpassing USA in technology after having spend decades as second class. Russia is emerging as a very serious competition in efficient weapons production and diplomacy. To counter that and in the avoidance of a World war, Trump is using the privileges that the world gave the USA to bully, blackmail any country that dare to oppose and work against US supremacy.
That is why Trump has no other resort than using the only effective power the USA has to crush competition and control the world resources: The dollar
It is expected that China and Russia will not stay idle and the same way they have undermined and surpassed the USA in the field of technology and weapons production, they are now working to neutralize the power of the dollar.
Sooner or later they will succeed. This is why Trump's objective to make America great is doomed.
America can never be great again. By entering in many wars with no result, with inept presidents and a polluted democratic system based on money and greed, the USA can only fall behind. A man like Trump can only accelerate the process
He should leave now while the success of the economy lasts.
His next term may see the collapse of his house of Cards and his humiliating fall
With Trump arrival, the ugly face of uncle Sam has appeared. The USA is no more the superior power it used to be, its military have face defeats after defeats, it is challenged in technology by China and politically by Russia. Countries like China have aimed at surpassing USA in technology after having spend decades as second class. Russia is emerging as a very serious competition in efficient weapons production and diplomacy. To counter that and in the avoidance of a World war, Trump is using the privileges that the world gave the USA to bully, blackmail any country that dare to oppose and work against US supremacy.
That is why Trump has no other resort than using the only effective power the USA has to crush competition and control the world resources: The dollar
It is expected that China and Russia will not stay idle and the same way they have undermined and surpassed the USA in the field of technology and weapons production, they are now working to neutralize the power of the dollar.
Sooner or later they will succeed. This is why Trump's objective to make America great is doomed.
America can never be great again. By entering in many wars with no result, with inept presidents and a polluted democratic system based on money and greed, the USA can only fall behind. A man like Trump can only accelerate the process
He should leave now while the success of the economy lasts.
His next term may see the collapse of his house of Cards and his humiliating fall
Posted by: Virgile | Jan 17 2020 23:04 utc | 50
In The Rise and Fall of Great Powers, Kennedy shows that
economic decline is what causes such polities to fail. On top of all
Hudson's material I've linked to today and over the years, there's the
occasional bit of truth shown by media via video, in this case this "Keiser Report" episode:
"Capitalism Without Capital." The pertinent information and argument
are all presented in the first half of the program up to the break,
which is all of about 13-14 min. Those who've read Kennedy's work will
note the connection to which I refer. Those not knowing economics but
having common sense can also understand the meaning of what's being
discussed.
The Ponzi Scheme that masquerades as the Outlaw US Empire's economy is entering its 12th year. Note Hudson's remark from the linked discussion above: "A lot of 70 year-olds need employment." They need jobs but aren't counted as unemployed just as millions of others. Actual unemployment's still over 20%. To even attempt to make its citizenry whole, tens of millions of jobs must be created--lets call it 60 million. For comparison, Clinton got almost 66 million votes in 2016.
Wall Street cannot be bailed out again. "Creative Destruction" must be allowed to take its toll.
The Ponzi Scheme that masquerades as the Outlaw US Empire's economy is entering its 12th year. Note Hudson's remark from the linked discussion above: "A lot of 70 year-olds need employment." They need jobs but aren't counted as unemployed just as millions of others. Actual unemployment's still over 20%. To even attempt to make its citizenry whole, tens of millions of jobs must be created--lets call it 60 million. For comparison, Clinton got almost 66 million votes in 2016.
Wall Street cannot be bailed out again. "Creative Destruction" must be allowed to take its toll.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jan 17 2020 23:16 utc | 51
M | Jan 17 2020 20:50 utc | 19:
I'm half expecting the DNC would not give Sanders the nomination.
I'm half expecting the DNC would not give Sanders the nomination.
Posted by: Ian2 | Jan 17 2020 23:17 utc | 52
@ 46 juliania.. true, but are we going to wait 30 or 40 years for the
change? i can't see this lasting that long..the general viewpoint here
is not in anyways mainstream...
@ 49 arata... those leaders are just maintaining this same status quo.. it can't last, but as i have said here before - there is a huge vacuum in the leadership dept in the west.. most of what substitutes for leadership is slavish adherence to the same worn out neoliberal agenda that continues to kill the planet.. you can see this in all of the western leaders..
@ 49 arata... those leaders are just maintaining this same status quo.. it can't last, but as i have said here before - there is a huge vacuum in the leadership dept in the west.. most of what substitutes for leadership is slavish adherence to the same worn out neoliberal agenda that continues to kill the planet.. you can see this in all of the western leaders..
Posted by: james | Jan 17 2020 23:19 utc | 53
As many others here have pointed out in this and other threads, the
scenario sketched by Michael Hudson nicely lays out the fault-lines of
US foreign policy. The history of reserve currencies maps onto the
history of empires quite nicely from the Athenian coinage decree (date
controversial, between 440-420 BCE), to the pound sterling. The novelty
of the capitalist eras (1450-present) is public debt and the
relationship between currencies of account and parcels of state
securities (like T-bills). Hudson lucidly describes the self-reinforcing
cycle between fossil fuel denomination ('petro-dollars') and military
financing (with those dollars purchasing the treasuries which pay for
the bombs). The longer-term view, however, suggests that empires are
protection rackets designed to direct and skim capital flows. It
is worth looking historically even at pre-capitalist empires. For
example, the relationship between Rome's foreign-military policy and its
interventions in Spain and the Hellenistic East in the second century
BCE was linked closely to a parasitic expropriation of resources that
eventually warranted greater and greater intervention and direct
control. The US military needs to be seen in the same way; but this
means that a gap opens up between the popular (imaginary) view of its
function (a Saving Private Ryan image held by soldiers and
citizens) and its real role as the enforcer of a global financial
racket. In Rome a similar kind of gap led in part to the breakdown of
republican politics and the civil wars of the late first century BCE—and
in the end the de facto monarchy of the Augustan regime, where
Senate and People quickly became relics and ceremonial forms masking the
reality of power. It was not until Tacitus (80 years after Augustus'
death!) that Romans could finally admit it to themselves. Have US
political institutions reached that stage yet? Of course there are huge
differences between Rome and modern states (separation of civil and
military sectors, the existence of a bureaucracy, complex financial
alchemy, etc), but the conflicts usefully described here by b helpfully
remind us of the very ancient function of organised militaries: they
either protect the racket, or, better still, they are the racket.
Posted by: Patroklos | Jan 17 2020 23:19 utc | 54
A new book titled 'A Very Stable Genius: Donald J. Trump's Testing of
America ' offers some background and perspective on trump's 3 years in
the WH and some titillating quotes. An explanation for why Tillerson
called him "a f**king moron" is included.
At one point the authors depict an angry trump lashing out at his advisors for the trillions spent in Iraq and he demands to know "where's the fu**king oil"? As in, the share of oil the US should have received for?..attacking Iraq and causing it to descend into complete chaos I suppose.
As one leading Private Security Company Chief was quoted some years later, it's like the Wild West. And that was before the rise of ISIS.
But he didn't stop there, no sir, he went on to rant he would never go to war with people like them. According to the book his choice of words were much more colourful. Said claim does seem a bit confusing given trump's war record as a Cadet at some school for rich kids.
But hey, the far right Zionists seem to find him useful.
At one point the authors depict an angry trump lashing out at his advisors for the trillions spent in Iraq and he demands to know "where's the fu**king oil"? As in, the share of oil the US should have received for?..attacking Iraq and causing it to descend into complete chaos I suppose.
As one leading Private Security Company Chief was quoted some years later, it's like the Wild West. And that was before the rise of ISIS.
But he didn't stop there, no sir, he went on to rant he would never go to war with people like them. According to the book his choice of words were much more colourful. Said claim does seem a bit confusing given trump's war record as a Cadet at some school for rich kids.
But hey, the far right Zionists seem to find him useful.
Posted by: Bubbles | Jan 17 2020 23:23 utc | 55
@ wagelaborer | Jan 17 2020 19:04 utc | 3
your: "Trump can't start a war without ruling class backing any more than he can end the wars if the rulers veto it."
May be, I think is, true in one sense. But Trump is far from the sole agent capable of starting a war. War, as opposed to simple murder, involve 2 or more parties. Whatever the intentions, the recent murders by drone in Baghdad hav,e it seems, brought Iran to consider war exists now...and they have a nifty MAGA policy. On Press TV today they hosted an expert who called for the execution of several exceptional American leaders...sounds like war to me.
(Make America Go Away)
The system is so screwy and peopled by such uneducated and delusional people that it's quite simple that they would do some stupid that that caused a war. Looks like war to me. I await the horrors.
Decaying empires usually start wars that bring about their rapid ruin. Does it matter how they do this?
............
The thesis of the triangle of elite factions is fascinating.
Walter recalls that JFK got the reports from Vietnam that said we were winning, while at the same time Johnson got the true story. And also what happened then with the "correction" of 1963 (their words) and the immediate change of war policy. Can't help an old guy from remembering old folly. And noting that history repeats as farce.
The Iran affair is liable to coordinate with NATO..Lavrov spoke to the NATO preparations today @ TASS...
Some say Trumpie screwed up the schedule, which goes hot in April as a showdown with the Roooskies. I take that with a grain of salt. But I think the sources I've seen might be right. They say that if Barbarossa had not been delayed, the nazis woulda won in Russia. Screwups can be very important.
I can't see any way the US won't use atomic bangers. But maybe...
your: "Trump can't start a war without ruling class backing any more than he can end the wars if the rulers veto it."
May be, I think is, true in one sense. But Trump is far from the sole agent capable of starting a war. War, as opposed to simple murder, involve 2 or more parties. Whatever the intentions, the recent murders by drone in Baghdad hav,e it seems, brought Iran to consider war exists now...and they have a nifty MAGA policy. On Press TV today they hosted an expert who called for the execution of several exceptional American leaders...sounds like war to me.
(Make America Go Away)
The system is so screwy and peopled by such uneducated and delusional people that it's quite simple that they would do some stupid that that caused a war. Looks like war to me. I await the horrors.
Decaying empires usually start wars that bring about their rapid ruin. Does it matter how they do this?
............
The thesis of the triangle of elite factions is fascinating.
Walter recalls that JFK got the reports from Vietnam that said we were winning, while at the same time Johnson got the true story. And also what happened then with the "correction" of 1963 (their words) and the immediate change of war policy. Can't help an old guy from remembering old folly. And noting that history repeats as farce.
The Iran affair is liable to coordinate with NATO..Lavrov spoke to the NATO preparations today @ TASS...
Some say Trumpie screwed up the schedule, which goes hot in April as a showdown with the Roooskies. I take that with a grain of salt. But I think the sources I've seen might be right. They say that if Barbarossa had not been delayed, the nazis woulda won in Russia. Screwups can be very important.
I can't see any way the US won't use atomic bangers. But maybe...
Posted by: Walter | Jan 17 2020 23:25 utc | 56
“There’s an odor of mendacity throughout the Afghanistan issue . . . mendacity and hubris,” John F. Sopko said in testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
"...What's that smell in this room? Didn't you notice it, Brick? Didn't you notice a powerful and obnoxious odor of mendacity in this room?... There ain't nothin' more powerful than the odor of mendacity... You can smell it. It smells like death...."
- Big Daddy, in the film Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), play by Tennessee Williams
Posted by: michaelj72 | Jan 17 2020 23:27 utc | 57
jef @48--
Yep! Hudson laid it all out in 1972, Super Imperialism: The Economic Strategy of American Empire. The link allows you to freely download the 2nd edition published in 2003. And in case you missed it on the multiple occasions I've linked it, "US Economic Warfare and Likely Foreign Defenses".
The question on everyone's mind: When will the trumpet blare and the walls come tumbling down? And second to that, when will Iran take the next action in its avenging Soleimani's murder?
Yep! Hudson laid it all out in 1972, Super Imperialism: The Economic Strategy of American Empire. The link allows you to freely download the 2nd edition published in 2003. And in case you missed it on the multiple occasions I've linked it, "US Economic Warfare and Likely Foreign Defenses".
The question on everyone's mind: When will the trumpet blare and the walls come tumbling down? And second to that, when will Iran take the next action in its avenging Soleimani's murder?
Posted by: karlof1 | Jan 17 2020 23:30 utc | 58
50
Trump will not make it to the election without some truly horrifying sausage making in the neocon controlled Senate.
Its sad when Putin understands whats really going on better than Americans,but here we are.
Whether his absurd narcissism will get him/and us into WWIII for his aquittal remains to be seen.
He may have had good intentions early on, the jury is out, but the constant appeasement of the neocons has brought
us to a point of total insanity,a full Dr.Strangelove scenario,and now its on him, not the reson I would have chosen.
I understand how WWI started now,it never made sense to me before.
Good luck all,hope I haven't spoiled your weekend.
Trump will not make it to the election without some truly horrifying sausage making in the neocon controlled Senate.
Its sad when Putin understands whats really going on better than Americans,but here we are.
Whether his absurd narcissism will get him/and us into WWIII for his aquittal remains to be seen.
He may have had good intentions early on, the jury is out, but the constant appeasement of the neocons has brought
us to a point of total insanity,a full Dr.Strangelove scenario,and now its on him, not the reson I would have chosen.
I understand how WWI started now,it never made sense to me before.
Good luck all,hope I haven't spoiled your weekend.
Posted by: winston2 | Jan 17 2020 23:30 utc | 59
@ wagelaborer | Jan 17 2020 19:04 utc
Read wagelaborer (3)
Read wagelaborer (3)
Read wagelaborer (3) because what he says is the core to the understanding US Foreign policy, everything else is unimportant, a side dish, a noise. One possible thing missing is that in Europe the prime objective for the US is to prevent Russia and Germany coupling up, keeping the two tribes separate is the goal, at whatever cost.
The pricing of oil (and oil derivatives) in dollars is a replacement for the gold-backed dollar scrapped by Nixon in early 70s. The pricing is a must, losing it would undermine the dollar as a reserve currency. Each year, those who need to buy oil plus oil derivates have to find trillions for the buy the black gold.
Consider: Each day some 100ml barrels are produced, that's 36bn barrels a year, at a cost of $75 per barrel it's some $2.7tr needed to buy the stuff. And that's just the crude. Add the derivatives (per barrel more expensive than crude), and one's talking some $5-7tr to be found. That's what allows the US to print either IOU's i.e. the Treasuries or actual cash without any worry whatever the IOU's will ever be brought back to the mainland US in haunting inflation.
The time the pricing of oil in dollars goes, the US hegemony gets a fatal knock, from which it would be near impossible to recover bar staring a war.
Read wagelaborer (3)
Read wagelaborer (3)
Read wagelaborer (3) because what he says is the core to the understanding US Foreign policy, everything else is unimportant, a side dish, a noise. One possible thing missing is that in Europe the prime objective for the US is to prevent Russia and Germany coupling up, keeping the two tribes separate is the goal, at whatever cost.
The pricing of oil (and oil derivatives) in dollars is a replacement for the gold-backed dollar scrapped by Nixon in early 70s. The pricing is a must, losing it would undermine the dollar as a reserve currency. Each year, those who need to buy oil plus oil derivates have to find trillions for the buy the black gold.
Consider: Each day some 100ml barrels are produced, that's 36bn barrels a year, at a cost of $75 per barrel it's some $2.7tr needed to buy the stuff. And that's just the crude. Add the derivatives (per barrel more expensive than crude), and one's talking some $5-7tr to be found. That's what allows the US to print either IOU's i.e. the Treasuries or actual cash without any worry whatever the IOU's will ever be brought back to the mainland US in haunting inflation.
The time the pricing of oil in dollars goes, the US hegemony gets a fatal knock, from which it would be near impossible to recover bar staring a war.
Posted by: Baron | Jan 17 2020 23:35 utc | 60
It is necessary that this nation have a military that is attuned to
the needs of this nation not the needs of our "allies" or the needs of
globalist interests.
Most of our "allies" can take care of themselves. ..and by allowing them to assume more responsibility for their actions will only increase eefficiency and economy.
The military has only the responsibility of protecting this nation on this continent...and all the rest need to attune themselves to that view.
The time for global entanglements and unlimited involvement must come to an end...its killing us!
Trump has done well..as long as he avoids further entanglements in order to satisfy the destructive neo cons and neo liberals.
Most of our "allies" can take care of themselves. ..and by allowing them to assume more responsibility for their actions will only increase eefficiency and economy.
The military has only the responsibility of protecting this nation on this continent...and all the rest need to attune themselves to that view.
The time for global entanglements and unlimited involvement must come to an end...its killing us!
Trump has done well..as long as he avoids further entanglements in order to satisfy the destructive neo cons and neo liberals.
Posted by: Peter_Panxkl | Jan 17 2020 23:46 utc | 61
jef@43
"Many here were commenting how Trump was acting and speaking strangely when he first spoke about the Iran thing. I think it was then that he was taken into the back room and given the full talk about how the world works and he was still trying to digest it and figure how to play it. just a thought."
I have read that the usual suspects went down to Mar-a-lago and set up a "war-room" to brief Trump post-assassination/murder. I was thinking that this may have been when they schooled him about who really runs things (or the penny finally dropped).
He seemed...odd. Perhaps 'they' finally decided to directly threaten him to shut up and follow the script (and showed him some of the kompromat they have on him).
But maybe he'd just eaten some bad lobster down in Florida...who can tell? He did seem to be in quite a strange state though.
"Many here were commenting how Trump was acting and speaking strangely when he first spoke about the Iran thing. I think it was then that he was taken into the back room and given the full talk about how the world works and he was still trying to digest it and figure how to play it. just a thought."
I have read that the usual suspects went down to Mar-a-lago and set up a "war-room" to brief Trump post-assassination/murder. I was thinking that this may have been when they schooled him about who really runs things (or the penny finally dropped).
He seemed...odd. Perhaps 'they' finally decided to directly threaten him to shut up and follow the script (and showed him some of the kompromat they have on him).
But maybe he'd just eaten some bad lobster down in Florida...who can tell? He did seem to be in quite a strange state though.
Posted by: Jon_in_AU | Jan 17 2020 23:46 utc | 62
It's clear that Trump does not understand - or has not understood
until recently - the true goals of US foreign policy (maintaining the
dollar hegemony first, promoting US business interests second). His
notion of winning a war is apparently being able to send the troops
home. This is at odds with the "deep state", which has no problem
spending money that it sees as coming from others, as long as that money
keeps coming in and it's being spent in the furtherance of geopolitical
goals. Hence the continued US military presence in Afghanistan must be
furthering, if not fulfilling, one or more geopolitical goals. Those
goals most likely do not include "defeating terrorism". Trump may well
not be aware of what the goals are.
It may be useful to draw a comparison between the US military presence in Afghanistan and its presence in Vietnam. Like Afghanistan, Vietnam seems to have been a near-pointless expenditure of resources and people - on the surface. From the "deep state's" point of view, however, Vietnam served as a bulwark against encroachment by the non-dollar-aligned part of the world. Vietnam was only abandoned once a much bigger prize became available - China. Given Afghanistan's location, it stands to reason that it too is serving as a bulwark and that its importance in the "deep state's" eyes will diminish (if not disappear) once Iran and/or Russia experiences a "change of heart".
It may be useful to draw a comparison between the US military presence in Afghanistan and its presence in Vietnam. Like Afghanistan, Vietnam seems to have been a near-pointless expenditure of resources and people - on the surface. From the "deep state's" point of view, however, Vietnam served as a bulwark against encroachment by the non-dollar-aligned part of the world. Vietnam was only abandoned once a much bigger prize became available - China. Given Afghanistan's location, it stands to reason that it too is serving as a bulwark and that its importance in the "deep state's" eyes will diminish (if not disappear) once Iran and/or Russia experiences a "change of heart".
Posted by: Cynica | Jan 17 2020 23:49 utc | 63
Previously, most discussions of the Trump presidency reflexively
proceeded to either visceral disgust etc or accolades of some species.
Trumps words and manners dominated. As things developed, and actual
results were recorded, a body of more sober second thought developed.
And a variation on these more experience/reality based assessments is
what b has delivered above.
Some of my points that follow are repeats, some are new. On the whole I see Trump as a helpful and positive-result really bad President.
I begin with the premise that the United States is a longstanding cultural catastrophe, and is far along the way in the process of destroying itself, after having destroyed or damaged the prospects of much of the planet.
As one aspect of this cultural catastrophe, let's refer back to the United States attack on Indochina, which accomplished millions of dead and millions of wounded people, and birth defects still in uncounted numbers as a legacy of dioxin etc laden chemical warfare. The millions of dead included some tens of thousands of American soldiers, and even more wounded physically, and even more wounded 'mentally'.
Within the context of the attack on Indochina, on the ground and taking place within the spaces left alive after the B52 bombers et al, there was the 'Phoenix Program'. euphemism for the CIA's ambitious program of technocratic torture, assassination, bribery, corruption, and so on, with tens of thousands of murdered victims. And the military destroyed uncounted villages, a la My Lai.
When asked what it was all about, Kissinger lied in an inadvertently illuminating way: "basically nothing" was how he put it, if memory serves.
During and after the attack on Indochina, the US trained, aided, financed, etc active death squads in Central and South America, demonstrating that the United States was an equal opportunity death dealer.
Now this was a bit of a meander away from the Trump topic, but note that Trump came to power within the above cultural context and much more pathology besides, talking about ending the warfare state. Again, this is not an attempt to portray Trump as either sincere or insincere in that policy. In terms of ideas, it was roughly speaking a good idea.
Another main part of the Trump message was 'let's rebuild America'. And along with the de-militarization and national program of rejuvenation there was the 'drain the swamp' meme, which again resonated. And once again, I am not arguing that Trump was sincere, or for that matter insincere. That's irrelevant to the point I'm trying to make: which could essentially by reduced to: what will be the actual meaning and potential impact of Trump?
Note then that Trump has almost patented the 'fake news' meme. The idea that the msm is lying about and hiding the truth, non-stop propaganda, is an idea that Trump has pushed repeatedly. Most people on the MofA etc are well aware of that. But for many 'normies', that's not quite as obvious.
And yes, he himself could be described as the liar in chief. But doesn't deflect from the great collapse in the status of the msm propaganda machine. And that propaganda machine has been very much associated with the CIA via operation Mockingbird and its generations long progeny.
So the attack on the media via fake news is a direct attack on the basic indispensable control mechanism of the deep state, and CIA.
Note too that after three Years of Trump, the long standing criminality and corruption of the FBI has never looked as obvious. Again, we don't have to give Trump credit. But it happened on his 'watch'.
Now the deep cultural, including political, pathology in the United States, in its many manifestations remain. We're not talking miracle cures here. But Trump has been a kind of part deranged, part clever political monkey wrench thrown into the works. As to whether his disruptive arrival has provided openings for more sensible political and cultural innovations remains to be seen.
The frantic attempt to deflect attention from and give mainly derisive media coverage to Tulsi Gabbard is a case in point. Is she the harbinger of a growing political movement aiming to dismantle the military empire project?
Many of the internal difficulties that the US faces are distinct from militarism, but related to militarism in the sense that a police state keeping control via surveillance and bs, etc, and spending its money on empire, is not going to prioritize clear honest discourse. In the end, one overarching question for the US like the rest of us is: can we achieve honesty and common sense?
Some of my points that follow are repeats, some are new. On the whole I see Trump as a helpful and positive-result really bad President.
I begin with the premise that the United States is a longstanding cultural catastrophe, and is far along the way in the process of destroying itself, after having destroyed or damaged the prospects of much of the planet.
As one aspect of this cultural catastrophe, let's refer back to the United States attack on Indochina, which accomplished millions of dead and millions of wounded people, and birth defects still in uncounted numbers as a legacy of dioxin etc laden chemical warfare. The millions of dead included some tens of thousands of American soldiers, and even more wounded physically, and even more wounded 'mentally'.
Within the context of the attack on Indochina, on the ground and taking place within the spaces left alive after the B52 bombers et al, there was the 'Phoenix Program'. euphemism for the CIA's ambitious program of technocratic torture, assassination, bribery, corruption, and so on, with tens of thousands of murdered victims. And the military destroyed uncounted villages, a la My Lai.
When asked what it was all about, Kissinger lied in an inadvertently illuminating way: "basically nothing" was how he put it, if memory serves.
During and after the attack on Indochina, the US trained, aided, financed, etc active death squads in Central and South America, demonstrating that the United States was an equal opportunity death dealer.
Now this was a bit of a meander away from the Trump topic, but note that Trump came to power within the above cultural context and much more pathology besides, talking about ending the warfare state. Again, this is not an attempt to portray Trump as either sincere or insincere in that policy. In terms of ideas, it was roughly speaking a good idea.
Another main part of the Trump message was 'let's rebuild America'. And along with the de-militarization and national program of rejuvenation there was the 'drain the swamp' meme, which again resonated. And once again, I am not arguing that Trump was sincere, or for that matter insincere. That's irrelevant to the point I'm trying to make: which could essentially by reduced to: what will be the actual meaning and potential impact of Trump?
Note then that Trump has almost patented the 'fake news' meme. The idea that the msm is lying about and hiding the truth, non-stop propaganda, is an idea that Trump has pushed repeatedly. Most people on the MofA etc are well aware of that. But for many 'normies', that's not quite as obvious.
And yes, he himself could be described as the liar in chief. But doesn't deflect from the great collapse in the status of the msm propaganda machine. And that propaganda machine has been very much associated with the CIA via operation Mockingbird and its generations long progeny.
So the attack on the media via fake news is a direct attack on the basic indispensable control mechanism of the deep state, and CIA.
Note too that after three Years of Trump, the long standing criminality and corruption of the FBI has never looked as obvious. Again, we don't have to give Trump credit. But it happened on his 'watch'.
Now the deep cultural, including political, pathology in the United States, in its many manifestations remain. We're not talking miracle cures here. But Trump has been a kind of part deranged, part clever political monkey wrench thrown into the works. As to whether his disruptive arrival has provided openings for more sensible political and cultural innovations remains to be seen.
The frantic attempt to deflect attention from and give mainly derisive media coverage to Tulsi Gabbard is a case in point. Is she the harbinger of a growing political movement aiming to dismantle the military empire project?
Many of the internal difficulties that the US faces are distinct from militarism, but related to militarism in the sense that a police state keeping control via surveillance and bs, etc, and spending its money on empire, is not going to prioritize clear honest discourse. In the end, one overarching question for the US like the rest of us is: can we achieve honesty and common sense?
Posted by: Robert Snefjella | Jan 17 2020 23:50 utc | 64
michaelj72 @57--
Excellent! I recall Tennessee Williams wrote some other gems related to the mendacious reality of the USA, but he's been almost completely airbrushed as a cultural icon.
Patrokolos @54--
Yes, the National Security State is the racket. In his excellent investigation as an ex-LA cop versus the CIA, the late Mike Ruppert noted the incestual relationship between chief CIA officers and the big Wall Street banks. IMO, there's an unspoken reason why Hudson wants to wipe out the creditors and their wealth and that's to take down the a large portion of the secret ill-gotten wealth accumulated by the CIA.
Excellent! I recall Tennessee Williams wrote some other gems related to the mendacious reality of the USA, but he's been almost completely airbrushed as a cultural icon.
Patrokolos @54--
Yes, the National Security State is the racket. In his excellent investigation as an ex-LA cop versus the CIA, the late Mike Ruppert noted the incestual relationship between chief CIA officers and the big Wall Street banks. IMO, there's an unspoken reason why Hudson wants to wipe out the creditors and their wealth and that's to take down the a large portion of the secret ill-gotten wealth accumulated by the CIA.
Posted by: karlof1 | Jan 17 2020 23:52 utc | 65
Now even Bulgarian neoliberal stooge Georgieva is feeling the heat:
IMF boss says global economy risks return of Great Depression
IMF boss says global economy risks return of Great Depression
Posted by: vk | Jan 17 2020 23:56 utc | 67
Anyone who thinks impeachment will succeed needs to exit the Russiagate/DNC/CNN black hole.
And while I do believe Sanders could beat Trump, I have little faith the Clinton controlled DNC will allow that to happen. Warren has showed her true colors, Biden is a less competent male HRC and the rest of the field ranges from billionaires to Intel agency drones.
Sure, Trump could lose “if”. What matters is the candidate, though and none of the candidates besides Sanders can energize enough people to beat Trump.
And while I do believe Sanders could beat Trump, I have little faith the Clinton controlled DNC will allow that to happen. Warren has showed her true colors, Biden is a less competent male HRC and the rest of the field ranges from billionaires to Intel agency drones.
Sure, Trump could lose “if”. What matters is the candidate, though and none of the candidates besides Sanders can energize enough people to beat Trump.
Posted by: c1ue | Jan 17 2020 23:59 utc | 68
@patroclus
Exactly...the international toll collectors inc. Or the "Globalists"
for short..British India Co. Comes to mind...but...
This is far more serious...the "elitists" have too much power and too little interest in the autonomy of nations they "manage".
Exactly...the international toll collectors inc. Or the "Globalists"
for short..British India Co. Comes to mind...but...
This is far more serious...the "elitists" have too much power and too little interest in the autonomy of nations they "manage".
Posted by: Peter_panxkl | Jan 18 2020 0:03 utc | 69
I completely disagree with this article. But to be honest, none of
us knows anything for sure outside our own direct experiences. We all
rely on 3rd hand (even 10th hand) information and pick among the various
options beliefs which fit our own biases. So if thats what b chooses
to believe so be it.
All we can do is look at the present and compare it to a point in the past. So lets do that.
With Trump we are still in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Trump committed an act of war against Iran and violated a treaty with Iran. Has has supported MBS carnage in Yemen. He has attempted regime change in Venezuela and implemented crippling sanctions against Venezuela and Iran which causes harm to innocent people by denying access to some drugs and makes food more expensive.
He started a trade war with China that resulted in billions of dollars in tariffs , paid for by the American consumer, and the loss of income for farmers which he subsidized on the tax payers dime. His agreement with China offers incentives for US companies to invest in China and does nothing to bring manufacturing jobs back.
Manufacturing and industrial production is not much higher than when Trump took over. He gave hundreds of billions in tax cuts to the rich and corporations promising it would trickle down with more jobs and higher salaries. Its done neither and meanwhile the national debt has skyrocketed.
Retail sales are plummeting as disposable income of the bottom 90% shrink as asset inflation caused by the Fed QE make home ownership more expensive or unaffordable and causing higher rents. Tuitions continue to rise paid by increased debt to students/households and government paid tuitions for veterans. Drug prices continue to rise despite Trumps commitment to reign in Big Pharma, as do overall medical costs and insurance premiums taking more out of the bottom 90% budget.
Fifty percent of those working make less than 33k per year and 50% of households couldn't come up with 400 dollars for an emergency w/o tapping into their credit (if any). Meanwhile, while neocons in his administration plot to cut medicare, medicaid and social security, something Trump promised not to do, while Trump keeps inflating the military budget each year.
Infrastructure development which was big on his fake agenda is nowhere to be seen, aside from a partially completed wall Mexico was supposed to pay for but didn't, but was rewarded with Nafta 2 (Trump promised to scrap Nafta).
Meanwhile there seems to be as many illegal immigrants as before (after all, someone has to work the farms and slaughter houses for Big Agra) .The great health care plan Trump promised to replace Obamacare is nowhere to be seen. Relations with Russia don't seem much better with more sanctions added under Trump.
Israel is pretty happy though, their new Cyrus moved the embassy to Jerusalem as promised and signed an EO cutting of Federal funding to universities who allow criticism of Israel.
The sad thing is nobody the Dems are running offer much of a positive change. Any promises made will be broken and blamed on the other party. The DNC is beholden to the same masters as the RNC. Presidents are just stage actors.
Trumps main mission besides enriching the elite at the middle class expense, feeding the MIC beast, kissing Bibis feet is discrediting in the eyes of the rest of the world American Democracy (an illusion at this point), Capitalism (actually taken over by neoliberalism) and Christianity (his biggest supporters are Evangelical Christians). Imagine a bankrupted Casino owner associated with the mafia with multiple divorces and multiple accusations of inappropriate sexual conduct and convicted of racial discrimination not only becoming President , but representing the party of the Christian Right?
So when they finally establish the consensus for a new multi-polar global NWO they will be able to unite the world based on its anti-American sentiment , a feeling induced by the neocons with Trump as the icing on the cake. Of course, the American elite who are actually multi-national or globalist will remain unscathed, and the military will be internationalized, but for those left behind life will be much like those in countries taken over by the IMF/World Bank with reparations due instead of interest, paid via a Carbon Tax
All we can do is look at the present and compare it to a point in the past. So lets do that.
With Trump we are still in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Trump committed an act of war against Iran and violated a treaty with Iran. Has has supported MBS carnage in Yemen. He has attempted regime change in Venezuela and implemented crippling sanctions against Venezuela and Iran which causes harm to innocent people by denying access to some drugs and makes food more expensive.
He started a trade war with China that resulted in billions of dollars in tariffs , paid for by the American consumer, and the loss of income for farmers which he subsidized on the tax payers dime. His agreement with China offers incentives for US companies to invest in China and does nothing to bring manufacturing jobs back.
Manufacturing and industrial production is not much higher than when Trump took over. He gave hundreds of billions in tax cuts to the rich and corporations promising it would trickle down with more jobs and higher salaries. Its done neither and meanwhile the national debt has skyrocketed.
Retail sales are plummeting as disposable income of the bottom 90% shrink as asset inflation caused by the Fed QE make home ownership more expensive or unaffordable and causing higher rents. Tuitions continue to rise paid by increased debt to students/households and government paid tuitions for veterans. Drug prices continue to rise despite Trumps commitment to reign in Big Pharma, as do overall medical costs and insurance premiums taking more out of the bottom 90% budget.
Fifty percent of those working make less than 33k per year and 50% of households couldn't come up with 400 dollars for an emergency w/o tapping into their credit (if any). Meanwhile, while neocons in his administration plot to cut medicare, medicaid and social security, something Trump promised not to do, while Trump keeps inflating the military budget each year.
Infrastructure development which was big on his fake agenda is nowhere to be seen, aside from a partially completed wall Mexico was supposed to pay for but didn't, but was rewarded with Nafta 2 (Trump promised to scrap Nafta).
Meanwhile there seems to be as many illegal immigrants as before (after all, someone has to work the farms and slaughter houses for Big Agra) .The great health care plan Trump promised to replace Obamacare is nowhere to be seen. Relations with Russia don't seem much better with more sanctions added under Trump.
Israel is pretty happy though, their new Cyrus moved the embassy to Jerusalem as promised and signed an EO cutting of Federal funding to universities who allow criticism of Israel.
The sad thing is nobody the Dems are running offer much of a positive change. Any promises made will be broken and blamed on the other party. The DNC is beholden to the same masters as the RNC. Presidents are just stage actors.
Trumps main mission besides enriching the elite at the middle class expense, feeding the MIC beast, kissing Bibis feet is discrediting in the eyes of the rest of the world American Democracy (an illusion at this point), Capitalism (actually taken over by neoliberalism) and Christianity (his biggest supporters are Evangelical Christians). Imagine a bankrupted Casino owner associated with the mafia with multiple divorces and multiple accusations of inappropriate sexual conduct and convicted of racial discrimination not only becoming President , but representing the party of the Christian Right?
So when they finally establish the consensus for a new multi-polar global NWO they will be able to unite the world based on its anti-American sentiment , a feeling induced by the neocons with Trump as the icing on the cake. Of course, the American elite who are actually multi-national or globalist will remain unscathed, and the military will be internationalized, but for those left behind life will be much like those in countries taken over by the IMF/World Bank with reparations due instead of interest, paid via a Carbon Tax
Posted by: Pft | Jan 18 2020 0:12 utc | 70
68
I don't want to question your intelligence, but Trump and by extension all of us are in real trouble.
There's only one party in DC, the war party.
Forget the labels, the swamp is about to swallow Trump, whether it belches or farts after is the only remaining question in my mind.
He is boxed into a no win situation, by design from both faces of the same coin.
War or Conviction are his only options.
DC is insane, or hadn't you noticed you're so enthralled in party politics,they are an illusion.
I don't want to question your intelligence, but Trump and by extension all of us are in real trouble.
There's only one party in DC, the war party.
Forget the labels, the swamp is about to swallow Trump, whether it belches or farts after is the only remaining question in my mind.
He is boxed into a no win situation, by design from both faces of the same coin.
War or Conviction are his only options.
DC is insane, or hadn't you noticed you're so enthralled in party politics,they are an illusion.
Posted by: winston2 | Jan 18 2020 0:16 utc | 71
lol....'How Trump Rebelled Against The Generals'
yaright. 'Booming economy'. '3D chess'.
'How The Generals Told Trump We'd Get Our Ass Kicked If We Started Something Stupid'
There. Fixed it.
yaright. 'Booming economy'. '3D chess'.
'How The Generals Told Trump We'd Get Our Ass Kicked If We Started Something Stupid'
There. Fixed it.
Posted by: Occams | Jan 18 2020 0:21 utc | 72
Here is a completely different perspective on the dynamics that are driving the trump presidency. It is a detailed description
of the Black Nobility, their identities and their activities. Aristocratic criminal
mafias, who have intermarried extensively, seem to comprise the hidden, occult power structure
of the pyramidal organization chart that describes the Occidental Empire. Question, who or what
entity is at the apex of this pyramid? Crown Monarchy? Queen's privy council? COL? Trump is
purportedly owned by the Gaetani crime family. The kingpin and strongman behind the jewish
billionaires is of course the Rothschilds. Israel's Gantz is owned by the russian crime boss
Sieman Moglivech.
of the Black Nobility, their identities and their activities. Aristocratic criminal
mafias, who have intermarried extensively, seem to comprise the hidden, occult power structure
of the pyramidal organization chart that describes the Occidental Empire. Question, who or what
entity is at the apex of this pyramid? Crown Monarchy? Queen's privy council? COL? Trump is
purportedly owned by the Gaetani crime family. The kingpin and strongman behind the jewish
billionaires is of course the Rothschilds. Israel's Gantz is owned by the russian crime boss
Sieman Moglivech.
Posted by: evilempire | Jan 18 2020 0:23 utc | 73
Iran has long been viewed as central for securing US hegemony over
Eurasia and the US/UK have not recovered from the 1979 Islamic
revolution. Iran has: 1) large reserves of oil and natural gas, 2) key
Geo-strategic position- near the convergence of three continents,
straddling the Middle East and Central Asia, and abutting the Strait of
Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, a strategic “choke point” through which circa
25% of the world's energy transits. As summarized by Dan Glazebrook-
“The reason for this obsession with destroying Iran – shared by all
factions of the Western ruling class, despite their differences over
means – is obvious: Iran's very existence as an independent state
threatens imperial control of the region – which in turn underpins both
US military power and the global role of the dollar.”
During the 2016 campaign, then candidate Trump constantly railed against the JCPOA (‘Iran nuclear deal’), as the ‘worst’ treaty the US ever signed. After becoming President, Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and immediately imposed crippling economic sanctions on Iran, vowing to reduce energy exports to zero, effectively declaring economic war on Iran. I suspect Trump represents a faction in the US ruling establishment committed to regime change in Iran. Trump may have believed that Iran would buckle under the weight of US economic sanctions and capitulate to US demands. These include instillation of a US- friendly government that will: 1) stop supporting Hezbollah, Bashar Assad in Syria and the Houthi-Ansarullah movement in Yemen, and 2) allow US energy firms to loot Iran’s energy reserves. As this approach has not worked, Trump is now aggressively pursuing the military arm of this policy.
The New Year started with a proverbial ‘bang’ with Trump giving the go ahead for the targeted assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi General Abu Madhi al-Muhandis, which had been long in planning. As pointed out by Pepe Escobar- ‘It does not matter where the green light for the assassination.... came from....This is an act of war. Unilateral, unprovoked and illegal.’ Not surprisingly, Trump’s actions have been generally well received by Congress and corporate media. We are now seeing US vassals- UK, France and Germany line up behind Trump to enact the dispute resolution mechanism (DRM) and sanctions snapback provision, resulting in the re-imposition of UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Apparently, this action was prodded by Trump’s threats to apply 25% tariffs to EU auto exports to the US.
It appears Pentagon war plans for Iran are being put in place. As per a recent piece by William Arkin in Newsweek- prior to Trump’s inauguration, the US military carried out an exercise “Global Thunder 17”, simulating a nuclear response against Iran in retaliation for the sinking of an American aircraft carrier and use of chemical weapons against US troops. This war scenario was chosen because it “allowed the greatest integration of nuclear weapons, conventional military, missile defense, cyber, and space into what nuclear strategists call ‘21st Century deterrence.’” The Pentagon now has a ‘low yield’ nuclear warhead- W76–2, apparently developed for an Iran-type of scenario. These weapons are deliverable by submarine-launched Trident II missiles.
So where do we stand?
It is doubtful that Trump will be convicted by the Republican- controlled Senate. This will only embolden him more. US vassals- UK, France and Germany are lining up behind Trump to enact the dispute resolution mechanism (DRM) and sanctions snapback provision, resulting in the re-imposition of UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Apparently, this action was prodded by Trump’s threats to apply 25% tariffs to EU auto exports to the US. Canada, Australia and New Zealand have also expressed support for Trump’s position. France is deploying her only aircraft carrier to the ME to ‘fight ISIS’.
Corporate media is largely on board with Trump’s plan.
Over the last two decades, the US has expended (squandered) astronomical sums of taxpayer money (>$6 Trillion) and lives of thousands of troops on ME wars. After committing such large amounts of financial and human capital, the Pentagon has no intention of admitting their mistakes or changing their behavior. Doing so is an acknowledgement of failure and by extension military weakness. Further, the strength and stability of the dollar and more broadly US global power, is contingent on maintaining control of ME energy reserves. The financial elite/directors of US foreign policy are well aware of continuing US economic decline and looming strategic debacles confronting the Pentagon in Afghanistan (longest war in US history), Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen. Logic dictates that the US cannot ‘win’ a war with Iran, but this assumes one is dealing with rational thinking. By exiting the JCPOA, Trump put the US on a collision course with Iran. Alea iacta est (l. ‘The die is cast’). Links of potential interest follow.
Notes
1. With a New Weapon in Donald Trump's Hands, the Iran Crisis Risks Going NuclearBy William Arkin Jan 13, 2020; Link: www.newsweek.com/trump-iran-new-nuclear-weapon-increases-risk-crisis-nuclear-1481752
2. Washington continues war buildup against Iran By Bill Van Auken Jan 17, 2020; Link: www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/01/17/iran-j17.html
During the 2016 campaign, then candidate Trump constantly railed against the JCPOA (‘Iran nuclear deal’), as the ‘worst’ treaty the US ever signed. After becoming President, Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018 and immediately imposed crippling economic sanctions on Iran, vowing to reduce energy exports to zero, effectively declaring economic war on Iran. I suspect Trump represents a faction in the US ruling establishment committed to regime change in Iran. Trump may have believed that Iran would buckle under the weight of US economic sanctions and capitulate to US demands. These include instillation of a US- friendly government that will: 1) stop supporting Hezbollah, Bashar Assad in Syria and the Houthi-Ansarullah movement in Yemen, and 2) allow US energy firms to loot Iran’s energy reserves. As this approach has not worked, Trump is now aggressively pursuing the military arm of this policy.
The New Year started with a proverbial ‘bang’ with Trump giving the go ahead for the targeted assassination of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and Iraqi General Abu Madhi al-Muhandis, which had been long in planning. As pointed out by Pepe Escobar- ‘It does not matter where the green light for the assassination.... came from....This is an act of war. Unilateral, unprovoked and illegal.’ Not surprisingly, Trump’s actions have been generally well received by Congress and corporate media. We are now seeing US vassals- UK, France and Germany line up behind Trump to enact the dispute resolution mechanism (DRM) and sanctions snapback provision, resulting in the re-imposition of UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Apparently, this action was prodded by Trump’s threats to apply 25% tariffs to EU auto exports to the US.
It appears Pentagon war plans for Iran are being put in place. As per a recent piece by William Arkin in Newsweek- prior to Trump’s inauguration, the US military carried out an exercise “Global Thunder 17”, simulating a nuclear response against Iran in retaliation for the sinking of an American aircraft carrier and use of chemical weapons against US troops. This war scenario was chosen because it “allowed the greatest integration of nuclear weapons, conventional military, missile defense, cyber, and space into what nuclear strategists call ‘21st Century deterrence.’” The Pentagon now has a ‘low yield’ nuclear warhead- W76–2, apparently developed for an Iran-type of scenario. These weapons are deliverable by submarine-launched Trident II missiles.
So where do we stand?
It is doubtful that Trump will be convicted by the Republican- controlled Senate. This will only embolden him more. US vassals- UK, France and Germany are lining up behind Trump to enact the dispute resolution mechanism (DRM) and sanctions snapback provision, resulting in the re-imposition of UN sanctions on the Islamic Republic. Apparently, this action was prodded by Trump’s threats to apply 25% tariffs to EU auto exports to the US. Canada, Australia and New Zealand have also expressed support for Trump’s position. France is deploying her only aircraft carrier to the ME to ‘fight ISIS’.
Corporate media is largely on board with Trump’s plan.
Over the last two decades, the US has expended (squandered) astronomical sums of taxpayer money (>$6 Trillion) and lives of thousands of troops on ME wars. After committing such large amounts of financial and human capital, the Pentagon has no intention of admitting their mistakes or changing their behavior. Doing so is an acknowledgement of failure and by extension military weakness. Further, the strength and stability of the dollar and more broadly US global power, is contingent on maintaining control of ME energy reserves. The financial elite/directors of US foreign policy are well aware of continuing US economic decline and looming strategic debacles confronting the Pentagon in Afghanistan (longest war in US history), Iraq, Libya, Syria and Yemen. Logic dictates that the US cannot ‘win’ a war with Iran, but this assumes one is dealing with rational thinking. By exiting the JCPOA, Trump put the US on a collision course with Iran. Alea iacta est (l. ‘The die is cast’). Links of potential interest follow.
Notes
1. With a New Weapon in Donald Trump's Hands, the Iran Crisis Risks Going NuclearBy William Arkin Jan 13, 2020; Link: www.newsweek.com/trump-iran-new-nuclear-weapon-increases-risk-crisis-nuclear-1481752
2. Washington continues war buildup against Iran By Bill Van Auken Jan 17, 2020; Link: www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/01/17/iran-j17.html
@Daniel (13). You hit the nail on the head, brother. Trump bears
responsibility for all of the shit he has pulled, which includes hiring
the worst possible people to advise him and run his administration.
Throwing blame on the jackasses around him only proves that he is the
biggest jackass of all.
And for the record, U.S. elections rarely turn on foreign policy issues. As Bill Clinton (another jackass, though much smarter) famously said: “It’s the economy, stupid.”
And for the record, U.S. elections rarely turn on foreign policy issues. As Bill Clinton (another jackass, though much smarter) famously said: “It’s the economy, stupid.”
Posted by: Rob | Jan 18 2020 0:29 utc | 75
Russ @15: "Interesting that the alleged Adults in the Room
evidently weren't capable of assessing the psychology of the target of
their persuasion attempt and tailoring their presentation to fit his
mentality"
This isn't what people want to hear, but Trump was the adult in the room.
People like to announce their low opinions of Trump, but what makes them think that any of these careerist establishment shitbags he is working with/against are any better?
The fact is that Trump spoke the absolute truth to those Pentagram losers. Why is it that disguising the truth so that people can pretend that they didn't hear it is considered so superior? Adults can face the truth. They don't need to hide from it.
Of course, by that standard there are precious few adults in America.
This isn't what people want to hear, but Trump was the adult in the room.
People like to announce their low opinions of Trump, but what makes them think that any of these careerist establishment shitbags he is working with/against are any better?
The fact is that Trump spoke the absolute truth to those Pentagram losers. Why is it that disguising the truth so that people can pretend that they didn't hear it is considered so superior? Adults can face the truth. They don't need to hide from it.
Of course, by that standard there are precious few adults in America.
Posted by: William Gruff | Jan 18 2020 0:32 utc | 76
Now watch the brain damaged "Trump Derangement Syndrome" victims shriek hysterically at me for "defending" Trump, as if I am arguing that plainly stating the truth is some sort of superhuman feat.
But maybe among the psychotic delusionals that make up practically the entire US population confronting reality head on is something they believe only comic book superheroes can achieve?
But maybe among the psychotic delusionals that make up practically the entire US population confronting reality head on is something they believe only comic book superheroes can achieve?
Posted by: William Gruff | Jan 18 2020 0:42 utc | 77
73
Whatever comforts you.
Our family palazio in Venice is still there, a 5* hotel now.
They must have screwed up the mailing list I'm not privy to our black nobilty plans.I'm also a member in good standing of one of the founder Guilds that OWN the City of London Corporation, going to Guild Hall for our secret meetings was as exciting as watching paint dry.Landlords are not the tenants, and discussing road repairs and building maintanence are not devilish plots in spite of the pomp that goes with it.
Both our true by the way,so please fill me in on what I've been up to,I'm all ears and need a little excitement.
Whatever comforts you.
Our family palazio in Venice is still there, a 5* hotel now.
They must have screwed up the mailing list I'm not privy to our black nobilty plans.I'm also a member in good standing of one of the founder Guilds that OWN the City of London Corporation, going to Guild Hall for our secret meetings was as exciting as watching paint dry.Landlords are not the tenants, and discussing road repairs and building maintanence are not devilish plots in spite of the pomp that goes with it.
Both our true by the way,so please fill me in on what I've been up to,I'm all ears and need a little excitement.
Posted by: winston2 | Jan 18 2020 0:49 utc | 78
So Trump calls the generals a bunch of dopes and babies. He berates
them for losing wars and not grabbing the oil. Then he appoints 'Mad
Dog' Mattis who presumably is Trump's idea of a 'real soldier'. Mattis
resigned. Now it's Mark Milley who hasn't won any wars as yet.
Posted by: dh | Jan 18 2020 1:01 utc | 79
Posted by: winston2 | Jan 18 2020 0:49 utc | 78
I don't know what you've been up to. I am looking
for knowledgeable critiques of the information provided.
I don't know what you've been up to. I am looking
for knowledgeable critiques of the information provided.
Posted by: evilempire | Jan 18 2020 1:07 utc | 80
The power triangle theory is less in line with the facts than a
simple duality: Wall Street & the MIC, you have to advance interests
of both or you're out.
Second, the 'meeting in the Tank' sounds like complete b.s. designed to sell books, with an obvious sales strategy, as b said, of pleasuring both the pro/anti Trump sides of the book-buying bourgeoisie. And the 'rules-based international order' rings very false as something that would be said with a straight face by real MIC insiders, which those generals are.
Finally, whether Trump ridiculed the generals or not, that's a sideshow to entertain the rubes. Trump's always been on side with the big picture Neocon approach essential to the MIC. Their global dominance or chaos approach is essential to keeping military budgets gigantic until 'forever'. True that Trump whined about endless wars as a 2016 campaign strategy, but he was either b.s.-ing or at the time didn't get that they are part of the overall Neocon approach he backs.
Second, the 'meeting in the Tank' sounds like complete b.s. designed to sell books, with an obvious sales strategy, as b said, of pleasuring both the pro/anti Trump sides of the book-buying bourgeoisie. And the 'rules-based international order' rings very false as something that would be said with a straight face by real MIC insiders, which those generals are.
Finally, whether Trump ridiculed the generals or not, that's a sideshow to entertain the rubes. Trump's always been on side with the big picture Neocon approach essential to the MIC. Their global dominance or chaos approach is essential to keeping military budgets gigantic until 'forever'. True that Trump whined about endless wars as a 2016 campaign strategy, but he was either b.s.-ing or at the time didn't get that they are part of the overall Neocon approach he backs.
I agree with everyone that doesn't believe the political farce/headfake/psyop.
The fact is, it's impossible to elect a real "populist outsider" as US President. The system is set up to ensure that NEVER happens.
I used to get very frustrated by b's failure to understand US politics but it's now clear to me that anti-USA/anti-Empire folks LOVE to talk up Trump because they think they can exploit a rift in USA power elite - a rift that doesn't really exist.
The standard push-back response to someone like me saying that Trump was selected as President is: bu..but Trump is not a puppet! LOL. That's right! He's a faux populist team player. Just like Obama.
I explain more at my blog. Start with this: https://jackrabbit.blog/2018/08/more-evidence-that-trump-was-the-deep-state-choice/.
<> <> <> <> <> <>
Triangle of power ... corporate, executive government, and military factions
This is naive. It's an outdated theory. Anyone that knows American society knows that power has become concentrated since this theory was first proposed. And that concentration has put EMPIRE FIRST warmongers/neocons at the top of heap.
Furthermore, Russia's willingness to confront USA in 2013 and 2014 had a profound effect on the pampered Empire-builders that thought that they and their progeny would rule the world. The Trump psy-op is their answer to the challenge from Russia and China.
= Afghanistan and Trump's "lecture" to the Generals
Well, Trump is STILL THERE (in Afghanistan), isn't he?
And I'd be very skeptical of anything WaPo had to say about Trump.
IMO Trump isn't looking to withdraw from Afghanistan, or NATO, or North Korea, or Syria, or anywhere else. He's looking for Generals that have a will to fight. And that's a very scary prospect.
= the military faction did not concur with his 'America first' isolationist tendencies.
Sorry, virtually everybody that matters in USA ("the 1%") is EMPIRE FIRST. Trump's 'America First' is just a bullshit slogan to fool the masses. Just as much as Obama's "Change You Can Believe In" was.
Trump is NOT an isolationist. Why does this false narrative still persist? Trump's many acts of war attest to his belligerent interventionist nature:
These countries haven't declared war only because it's impractical to do so. Why can't people see what charlatans Obama and Trump are? What has Trump done to demonstrate that he will be true to his campaign rhetoric? Nothing! Trump:
b's oversight highlights how the focus on TRUMP!! obscures what the Deep State has really been up to. And how even smart people like b are drawn into false narratives.
= ... Trump seems to have a good chance to win the next election.
Many moa commenters have been saying much the same. But the reasoning that three power centers are lined up for Trump is a red-herring.
Plus, whether Trump wins the next election or not, USA is on a path to war.
!!
The fact is, it's impossible to elect a real "populist outsider" as US President. The system is set up to ensure that NEVER happens.
I used to get very frustrated by b's failure to understand US politics but it's now clear to me that anti-USA/anti-Empire folks LOVE to talk up Trump because they think they can exploit a rift in USA power elite - a rift that doesn't really exist.
The standard push-back response to someone like me saying that Trump was selected as President is: bu..but Trump is not a puppet! LOL. That's right! He's a faux populist team player. Just like Obama.
I explain more at my blog. Start with this: https://jackrabbit.blog/2018/08/more-evidence-that-trump-was-the-deep-state-choice/.
<> <> <> <> <> <>
Triangle of power ... corporate, executive government, and military factions
This is naive. It's an outdated theory. Anyone that knows American society knows that power has become concentrated since this theory was first proposed. And that concentration has put EMPIRE FIRST warmongers/neocons at the top of heap.
Furthermore, Russia's willingness to confront USA in 2013 and 2014 had a profound effect on the pampered Empire-builders that thought that they and their progeny would rule the world. The Trump psy-op is their answer to the challenge from Russia and China.
= Afghanistan and Trump's "lecture" to the Generals
Well, Trump is STILL THERE (in Afghanistan), isn't he?
And I'd be very skeptical of anything WaPo had to say about Trump.
IMO Trump isn't looking to withdraw from Afghanistan, or NATO, or North Korea, or Syria, or anywhere else. He's looking for Generals that have a will to fight. And that's a very scary prospect.
= the military faction did not concur with his 'America first' isolationist tendencies.
Sorry, virtually everybody that matters in USA ("the 1%") is EMPIRE FIRST. Trump's 'America First' is just a bullshit slogan to fool the masses. Just as much as Obama's "Change You Can Believe In" was.
Trump is NOT an isolationist. Why does this false narrative still persist? Trump's many acts of war attest to his belligerent interventionist nature:
> seizing Venezuelan government assets; > seizing Syrian oil fields;
> the assassination of an Iranian General;
> reneging on peace terms with North Korean (IMO reneging on a peace deal with a country that you're still technically at war with is an act of war);
> Pulling out of Cold War I arms treaties with Russia and militarizing space;
> taking sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict - going against UN resolutions to do so;
> recognizing Golan Heights as Israeli - going against UN resolutions to do so;
> support for the Saudi war against Yemen - which includes arms sales, training, and even targeting.
These countries haven't declared war only because it's impractical to do so. Why can't people see what charlatans Obama and Trump are? What has Trump done to demonstrate that he will be true to his campaign rhetoric? Nothing! Trump:
- didn't prosecute Hillary; - didn't "end Obamacare on day one";= Most of the 'dopes and babies' who were in that room have since been fired or retired. Really? What about this: Obama's Military Coup Purges 197 Officers In Five Years.
- didn't exit from NATO;
- didn't exit from the Middle-east;
- hasn't ended the threat from North Korea;
- hasn't brought jobs back (we just have more low-end jobs);
- hasn't "drained the swamp".
b's oversight highlights how the focus on TRUMP!! obscures what the Deep State has really been up to. And how even smart people like b are drawn into false narratives.
= ... Trump seems to have a good chance to win the next election.
Many moa commenters have been saying much the same. But the reasoning that three power centers are lined up for Trump is a red-herring.
Plus, whether Trump wins the next election or not, USA is on a path to war.
!!
Posted by: Jackrabbit | Jan 18 2020 1:32 utc | 83
Jackrabbit @83
"Plus, whether Trump wins the next election or not, USA is on a path to war."
This. If we make it past election day, I expect the festivities to begin before Thanksgiving.
"Plus, whether Trump wins the next election or not, USA is on a path to war."
This. If we make it past election day, I expect the festivities to begin before Thanksgiving.
Posted by: Donnie | Jan 18 2020 1:36 utc | 84
@winston2 #71
Indeed, Trump seems to be caught in a Xanatos gambit:
1. Trump keeps refusing "deep state" foreign policy -> Trump is convicted and removed from office -> replacement follows "deep state" foreign policy -> "deep state" wins.
2. Trump starts following "deep state" foreign policy -> Trump is acquitted and stays in office -> "deep state" wins.
Indeed, Trump seems to be caught in a Xanatos gambit:
1. Trump keeps refusing "deep state" foreign policy -> Trump is convicted and removed from office -> replacement follows "deep state" foreign policy -> "deep state" wins.
2. Trump starts following "deep state" foreign policy -> Trump is acquitted and stays in office -> "deep state" wins.
Posted by: Cynica | Jan 18 2020 1:37 utc | 85
"That’s what Donald Trump fears: That his acquittal will not be read
as an exoneration, but as yet another famous miscarriage of justice that
leads to outrage across the nation. Let’s hope his worst fears come
true."
The Repugs in the Senate are going to acquit Trump (like juries in raciest cases in the South).
But the aftereffect might be nasty--
The Repugs in the Senate are going to acquit Trump (like juries in raciest cases in the South).
But the aftereffect might be nasty--
Posted by: Duncan Idaho | Jan 18 2020 2:08 utc | 86
He rented out scarce air defense units to Saudi Arabia and went on
to murder Qassem Soleimani in Iraq while the U.S. bases there no longer
had air defenses to protect them against the inevitable retaliation.
These air defenses were in Iraq and would have been good against a ballistic missile? I don't suppose so.
And if the Iranians didn't use ballistic missiles in the retaliatory strike on the US bases in Iraq, then the Iranians used guided missiles and would definitely had someone on the ground to "paint" the target 3 minutes before impact, so the missiles would have been next to impossible to divert electronically.
In either case, and I'm not up on what type of missile the Iranians used: Air defenses would have failed to stop all of, or even most of, the warheads.
Trump is just as immature as the "wise" generals who "lost" Afghanistan. Trump is W in many regards but louder. Trump supposes he's not fracking up as much as W, but he's doing just as badly, just in somewhat different manners.
These air defenses were in Iraq and would have been good against a ballistic missile? I don't suppose so.
And if the Iranians didn't use ballistic missiles in the retaliatory strike on the US bases in Iraq, then the Iranians used guided missiles and would definitely had someone on the ground to "paint" the target 3 minutes before impact, so the missiles would have been next to impossible to divert electronically.
In either case, and I'm not up on what type of missile the Iranians used: Air defenses would have failed to stop all of, or even most of, the warheads.
Trump is just as immature as the "wise" generals who "lost" Afghanistan. Trump is W in many regards but louder. Trump supposes he's not fracking up as much as W, but he's doing just as badly, just in somewhat different manners.
Posted by: Jay | Jan 18 2020 2:12 utc | 87
I'm sure Hit*ler in the bunker also ranted and raved, chewed out his
generals and spit them out for not winning everywhere or not taking
other countries' treasure. There are plenty of records proving he
trashed his generals too.
According to your logic the dictator was the smartest man in the room and should have won just as today's fascist in the White House should win the next election; never mind his crazy obsession with winning wars, Iran and his violations of international law and pathology for deception and controlling everything and everyone.
So he laid down the law with the generals, but then sent 15,000 more soldiers to the Middle East only in the past 8 months!
You have learned nothing with Trump's drone hit on Soleimani and droning countless freedom fighters resisting America's occupation. I can't fcking believe this con, this asshole, this raving megalomaniac is still your damn HERO!!!
I feel like the only person pushing the real ANTI-WAR candidate, Sanders, that everyone left, right and center is trying to railroad again, while you're all giving this muthrfkr clown another chance!
Why are you still putting any of your energies into glorifying this bastard instead of writing about the hit job the establishment and media are doing on Sanders??? Why aren't you as curious as to why they hate and fear Sanders so much?
Oh, don't worry, Sanders would never start nuclear war with Putin, but he won't kiss his ass either! Therein lies your integrity problem.
According to your logic the dictator was the smartest man in the room and should have won just as today's fascist in the White House should win the next election; never mind his crazy obsession with winning wars, Iran and his violations of international law and pathology for deception and controlling everything and everyone.
So he laid down the law with the generals, but then sent 15,000 more soldiers to the Middle East only in the past 8 months!
You have learned nothing with Trump's drone hit on Soleimani and droning countless freedom fighters resisting America's occupation. I can't fcking believe this con, this asshole, this raving megalomaniac is still your damn HERO!!!
I feel like the only person pushing the real ANTI-WAR candidate, Sanders, that everyone left, right and center is trying to railroad again, while you're all giving this muthrfkr clown another chance!
Why are you still putting any of your energies into glorifying this bastard instead of writing about the hit job the establishment and media are doing on Sanders??? Why aren't you as curious as to why they hate and fear Sanders so much?
Oh, don't worry, Sanders would never start nuclear war with Putin, but he won't kiss his ass either! Therein lies your integrity problem.
Posted by: Circe | Jan 18 2020 2:26 utc | 88
A fairly good piece of understanding but you leave out a few elements
in the equation. Trump was on the bench for the Mossad in the Epstein
triangle. That is why 95% of the controlled media is against him; he is
not in the CIA's pocket. You also fail to mention the FED's very
accommodating policies that have kept the economy and the stock market
going. In other words, the Banksters also back Trump.
The DIA backed Trump, the CIA back Clinton. Go back to Trumps talking points when he announced his run for the presidency. They were carefully scripted hand grenades that no other politician would dare to throw. His campaign strategy was carefully polled and his backers knew those talking point bombshells would work.
The other side thought he would hang himself so he obtained a massive amount of free cable coverage. They had drunk their own Koolaid thinking that Trump's angle of attack would fail. The liberal Jews hate Trump. The conservative Jews love him. The conservative Jews fear the demographic changes in the US which could end their cash cow for Israel. Throw in the Evangelical Zionists and you have a receipt for victory then and in 2020.
People are so bent on their Trump hate they cannot see the genius of whomever organized this campaign.
The DIA backed Trump, the CIA back Clinton. Go back to Trumps talking points when he announced his run for the presidency. They were carefully scripted hand grenades that no other politician would dare to throw. His campaign strategy was carefully polled and his backers knew those talking point bombshells would work.
The other side thought he would hang himself so he obtained a massive amount of free cable coverage. They had drunk their own Koolaid thinking that Trump's angle of attack would fail. The liberal Jews hate Trump. The conservative Jews love him. The conservative Jews fear the demographic changes in the US which could end their cash cow for Israel. Throw in the Evangelical Zionists and you have a receipt for victory then and in 2020.
People are so bent on their Trump hate they cannot see the genius of whomever organized this campaign.
Posted by: dltravers | Jan 18 2020 2:35 utc | 89
I think the "triangle of power" theory walks towards the truth, but is not the truth.
For starters, the USA is a very large and complex society. There are a lot of classes and a lot of groups which clash and prop up each other all the time. The only consensus is that it is and must remain a capitalist society, i.e. that capitalism must be preserved at any cost.
That said, I see many interests involved, but a hierarchy, in layered form. Here's my opinion on the state of the art of the USA right now:
1) at the highest level, there's the division between the most powerful members of the capitalist class between what should be the American foreign policy strategy for the rest of this century. It is divided between two different ideologies: russophobes (i.e. the "establishment") and the believers of the "clash of civilizations" (i.e. the far-right, sinophobes). The only thing that unites both groups is the conviction Eurasia should remain divided, i.e. that Russia and China should not consolidate their newborn alliance. If that alliance consolidates a century from now, then this contradiction will disappear, but America's new enemy will be stronger than ever - possibly more powerful than the USA.
2) at the lower level, there's the division of the American people about how the spoils that come from the imperial conquests should be better shared. This division manifests itself in the battle between social-democracy and fascism. Neoliberalism is basically a rotten corpse after 2008, but it is important to state it is not an ideology per se, but a political doctrine, from which both American social-democracy and American fascism lend some aspects.
3) at the vestigial level, you have many micro battles which shock with each other. For example, the good part of the American middle class imploded Elizabeth Warren's support for universal healthcare because they wanted to keep their class distinction as the class which has access to healthcare through expensive health insurances (which are often directly linked to distinct jobs they probably have) - but they still will vote Democrat, and probably will support Warren as long as she's viable. In the far-right camp, there are those who want to emphasize the fight against China must happen because China represents modern socialism, while another part wants to fight China for the simple fact they want some jobs back. In the deep state, there's the usual Pentagon vs CIA clash of philosophies about how to better operate overseas. In the lobby industry, each one is fending for themselves.
In conclusion, my take is all of these conflicts have one ultimate cause: the exhaustion of the American imperial system installed in 1945. Capitalism doesn't know national barriers; in 1945, the USA was both the industrial and financial superpower, but capital must spread and expand or it dies. The Marshall Plan soon begun and, in two decades, Germany and Japan - both spawns of the American post-war doctrine - directly threatened the USA as the industrial superpower. It still managed to fend off these two nations with the Plaza Accord (1985), but at a huge cost: outsourcing its own industrial capacity to China. In 2011, China definitely overcame the USA and now holds the belt of the industrial superpower. It is now trying to be also the financial superpower, with the "opening up" reforms.
This generated a structural contradiction: the loss of the industrial superpower title left the USA only with the financial superpower title. But the financial superpower title can only be maintained, in a nation-State architecture, with increased submission of the rest of the world - naturally, through violent means and financial sanctions. However, that was not the way the USA was able to build its overwhelming post-war alliance: it did so with nation building, i.e. the proverbial "carrot", the massive investments in infrastructure and better living standards for Western Europe, Japan, Asian Tigers and Australia. But without the industrial superpower title, the USA cannot maintain its "alliance" (i.e. the empire), which reinforces its condition as the financial superpower - which, in turn, increases its necessity to maintain the alliance (empire) which, in turn, weakens more and more said alliance, which, in turn, increases even more its necessity to maintain said alliance, and so on, in a downward spiral movement. The result of this dialetical contradiction is that the USA will, over time, resort to ever more violent methods to keep the corners of its empire whole, which will drive it ever closer to an epic war against its ultimate enemy: socialism (China/Eurasia).
For starters, the USA is a very large and complex society. There are a lot of classes and a lot of groups which clash and prop up each other all the time. The only consensus is that it is and must remain a capitalist society, i.e. that capitalism must be preserved at any cost.
That said, I see many interests involved, but a hierarchy, in layered form. Here's my opinion on the state of the art of the USA right now:
1) at the highest level, there's the division between the most powerful members of the capitalist class between what should be the American foreign policy strategy for the rest of this century. It is divided between two different ideologies: russophobes (i.e. the "establishment") and the believers of the "clash of civilizations" (i.e. the far-right, sinophobes). The only thing that unites both groups is the conviction Eurasia should remain divided, i.e. that Russia and China should not consolidate their newborn alliance. If that alliance consolidates a century from now, then this contradiction will disappear, but America's new enemy will be stronger than ever - possibly more powerful than the USA.
2) at the lower level, there's the division of the American people about how the spoils that come from the imperial conquests should be better shared. This division manifests itself in the battle between social-democracy and fascism. Neoliberalism is basically a rotten corpse after 2008, but it is important to state it is not an ideology per se, but a political doctrine, from which both American social-democracy and American fascism lend some aspects.
3) at the vestigial level, you have many micro battles which shock with each other. For example, the good part of the American middle class imploded Elizabeth Warren's support for universal healthcare because they wanted to keep their class distinction as the class which has access to healthcare through expensive health insurances (which are often directly linked to distinct jobs they probably have) - but they still will vote Democrat, and probably will support Warren as long as she's viable. In the far-right camp, there are those who want to emphasize the fight against China must happen because China represents modern socialism, while another part wants to fight China for the simple fact they want some jobs back. In the deep state, there's the usual Pentagon vs CIA clash of philosophies about how to better operate overseas. In the lobby industry, each one is fending for themselves.
In conclusion, my take is all of these conflicts have one ultimate cause: the exhaustion of the American imperial system installed in 1945. Capitalism doesn't know national barriers; in 1945, the USA was both the industrial and financial superpower, but capital must spread and expand or it dies. The Marshall Plan soon begun and, in two decades, Germany and Japan - both spawns of the American post-war doctrine - directly threatened the USA as the industrial superpower. It still managed to fend off these two nations with the Plaza Accord (1985), but at a huge cost: outsourcing its own industrial capacity to China. In 2011, China definitely overcame the USA and now holds the belt of the industrial superpower. It is now trying to be also the financial superpower, with the "opening up" reforms.
This generated a structural contradiction: the loss of the industrial superpower title left the USA only with the financial superpower title. But the financial superpower title can only be maintained, in a nation-State architecture, with increased submission of the rest of the world - naturally, through violent means and financial sanctions. However, that was not the way the USA was able to build its overwhelming post-war alliance: it did so with nation building, i.e. the proverbial "carrot", the massive investments in infrastructure and better living standards for Western Europe, Japan, Asian Tigers and Australia. But without the industrial superpower title, the USA cannot maintain its "alliance" (i.e. the empire), which reinforces its condition as the financial superpower - which, in turn, increases its necessity to maintain the alliance (empire) which, in turn, weakens more and more said alliance, which, in turn, increases even more its necessity to maintain said alliance, and so on, in a downward spiral movement. The result of this dialetical contradiction is that the USA will, over time, resort to ever more violent methods to keep the corners of its empire whole, which will drive it ever closer to an epic war against its ultimate enemy: socialism (China/Eurasia).
Posted by: vk | Jan 18 2020 2:37 utc | 90
Well-----
"And many of them may actually be as mind-blowingly stupid as he is as well and they don’t see what a problem it is to have such an arrogant moron running the world’s only superpower. If there’s one thing right-wingers take as an article of faith it’s that expertise is nothing but a scam and the guy at the end of the bar can run the world better than the pointy-headed elites. They got what they wanted."
Trump might be appropriate. The survivors, if any, will have more resources, as the ditch he is heading into.
A slow death by Dims would be worse.
"And many of them may actually be as mind-blowingly stupid as he is as well and they don’t see what a problem it is to have such an arrogant moron running the world’s only superpower. If there’s one thing right-wingers take as an article of faith it’s that expertise is nothing but a scam and the guy at the end of the bar can run the world better than the pointy-headed elites. They got what they wanted."
Trump might be appropriate. The survivors, if any, will have more resources, as the ditch he is heading into.
A slow death by Dims would be worse.
Posted by: Duncan Idaho | Jan 18 2020 2:41 utc | 91
"Trump can't start a war without ruling class backing any more than he can end the wars if the rulers veto it.
US foreign policy is not run by White House puppets.
The US trash-talked Saddam Hussein and starved Iraqis for 14 years, but didn't actually invade until he started trading oil in Euros.
The US trash-talked Ghaddafi for decades, and even launched missiles which killed his child in the 80s, but didn't destroy Libya until Ghaddafi decided to sell oil in dinars.
The US has trash-talked and sanctioned Iran for decades, but it was the threat of Iran and Saudi Arabia making peace that pushed them to assassinate General Soleimani, as he arrived at the airport on that diplomatic mission.
If Iran and Saudi Arabia make peace, and the Saudis drop the petro-dollar, the US Empire crumbles.
It doesn't matter at all who is in the White House at the time, the Empire will never allow that.
The elections are a farce, by the way. We have no way to know how people vote, because they put in electronic voting machines after the 2000 election was stolen by the Supreme Court. We no longer have any idea how people voted, the talking heads on the TV just give us the name of the selected on, on Election Night."
Posted by: wagelaborer | Jan 17 2020 19:04 utc | 3
Kudos to wagelaborer @ 3; Worth reposting, cause' it's the bottom line truth..
US foreign policy is not run by White House puppets.
The US trash-talked Saddam Hussein and starved Iraqis for 14 years, but didn't actually invade until he started trading oil in Euros.
The US trash-talked Ghaddafi for decades, and even launched missiles which killed his child in the 80s, but didn't destroy Libya until Ghaddafi decided to sell oil in dinars.
The US has trash-talked and sanctioned Iran for decades, but it was the threat of Iran and Saudi Arabia making peace that pushed them to assassinate General Soleimani, as he arrived at the airport on that diplomatic mission.
If Iran and Saudi Arabia make peace, and the Saudis drop the petro-dollar, the US Empire crumbles.
It doesn't matter at all who is in the White House at the time, the Empire will never allow that.
The elections are a farce, by the way. We have no way to know how people vote, because they put in electronic voting machines after the 2000 election was stolen by the Supreme Court. We no longer have any idea how people voted, the talking heads on the TV just give us the name of the selected on, on Election Night."
Posted by: wagelaborer | Jan 17 2020 19:04 utc | 3
Kudos to wagelaborer @ 3; Worth reposting, cause' it's the bottom line truth..
Posted by: ben | Jan 18 2020 2:45 utc | 92
The MIC were running about without leashes.
Once they delved into "Conquest and Exploitation", the Military were OverScoped and Few People thought of rebuilding/modernizing Civil Infrastructure and Economy of the Conquered.
Also, IMHO, every Govt-Job that affect the Military and Veterans' Lives should be held by Veterans. Need them to be where the Rubber Meets the Road before sending others into harm's way. I'd go as far to require WH, Congress, Supremes to be Previously Assigned to Combat Units/Hot Zones (FatBoy Pompeo Fails here) - and have Combat Eligible Family be in Active Duty or Drilling Reserves - ready to be sent to the Front Lines should they call for War while running the Republic-turned-Hegemon.
That would include BoneShards' Adult Children and Spouses.
WH have been on a PetroUSD/MIC/PNAC7/AIPAC Bandwagon - which drive down Non-Yielding Nation-States with Sanctions.
Now BoneShards Opened the Pandora's Box of Open State Level Assassinations using Diplomatic Peace Missions as Venues. Worse? Against a Nation-State which can Respond in Kind - AND Develop+Deploy Nuclear WMDs.
Not Ethical - Inhumane and Imbecilic, really.
That's why I am voting for Gabbard this Time.
A 2nd Gen Navy Vet. Been to War Zones in the Gulf.
Once they delved into "Conquest and Exploitation", the Military were OverScoped and Few People thought of rebuilding/modernizing Civil Infrastructure and Economy of the Conquered.
Also, IMHO, every Govt-Job that affect the Military and Veterans' Lives should be held by Veterans. Need them to be where the Rubber Meets the Road before sending others into harm's way. I'd go as far to require WH, Congress, Supremes to be Previously Assigned to Combat Units/Hot Zones (FatBoy Pompeo Fails here) - and have Combat Eligible Family be in Active Duty or Drilling Reserves - ready to be sent to the Front Lines should they call for War while running the Republic-turned-Hegemon.
That would include BoneShards' Adult Children and Spouses.
WH have been on a PetroUSD/MIC/PNAC7/AIPAC Bandwagon - which drive down Non-Yielding Nation-States with Sanctions.
Now BoneShards Opened the Pandora's Box of Open State Level Assassinations using Diplomatic Peace Missions as Venues. Worse? Against a Nation-State which can Respond in Kind - AND Develop+Deploy Nuclear WMDs.
Not Ethical - Inhumane and Imbecilic, really.
That's why I am voting for Gabbard this Time.
A 2nd Gen Navy Vet. Been to War Zones in the Gulf.
Posted by: IronForge | Jan 18 2020 3:03 utc | 93
People are so bent on their Trump hate they cannot see the genius of whomever organized this campaign. Posted by: dltravers | Jan 18 2020 2:35 utc | 89You forgot a word in there: EVIL genius of whomever....
So Trump has Zionists on his side and Trump has scumbag Dershowitz on his legal team ready and willing to pull his impeached ass out of the fire because Trump loves Israel better than all his predecessors even willing to go to war for Zionism and you claim Trump hate is misplaced?
No-no; either you're confused, or you want us to believe down is up and black is white.
Posted by: Circe | Jan 18 2020 3:04 utc | 94
Jrabbit @ 893 said in part;"He's a faux populist team player. Just like Obama."
I'm not a mind reader, so, maybe DJT thought he could buck the system, but, he's sure as hell on board for any thing his owners want of him now.
His actions prove that.....
I'm not a mind reader, so, maybe DJT thought he could buck the system, but, he's sure as hell on board for any thing his owners want of him now.
His actions prove that.....
Posted by: ben | Jan 18 2020 3:05 utc | 95
An earlier poster said Bernie could defeat DJT. Not to worry, I'll be
the most shocked person in the U$A if Sanders gets to nod to run for
POTUS.
If that happens, he better buy a flak jacket..
If that happens, he better buy a flak jacket..
Posted by: ben | Jan 18 2020 3:11 utc | 96
This retired Lieutenant Commander of the U.S. Navy has also been donating to Gabbard.
Posted by: lysias | Jan 18 2020 3:24 utc | 97
This is Trump's idiotic tweet earlier today:
"The noble people of Iran—who love America—deserve a government that's more interested in helping them achieve their dreams than killing them for demanding respect. Instead of leading Iran toward ruin, its leaders should abandon terror and Make Iran Great Again!"
And here's Sharmine Narwani's response:
"I'm in Iran right now. These "noble" people find you disgusting, just like most Americans. Iranians laugh at you and mock you and really, really want their government to bring you to your knees."
;)
"The noble people of Iran—who love America—deserve a government that's more interested in helping them achieve their dreams than killing them for demanding respect. Instead of leading Iran toward ruin, its leaders should abandon terror and Make Iran Great Again!"
And here's Sharmine Narwani's response:
"I'm in Iran right now. These "noble" people find you disgusting, just like most Americans. Iranians laugh at you and mock you and really, really want their government to bring you to your knees."
;)
Posted by: SharonM | Jan 18 2020 3:24 utc | 98
Daniel 13
"anyone who still thinks Trump is an honest man with noble intentions is a compete fool"
Are you sure "a compete fool"? But, but, but... there are many millions, ten the millions still believe he's great MAGA!
Therefore can I conclude "Most" Americas are complete-fool too? Like you had concluded much earlier, he's not only a fool but a bully and womanizer!
"anyone who still thinks Trump is an honest man with noble intentions is a compete fool"
Are you sure "a compete fool"? But, but, but... there are many millions, ten the millions still believe he's great MAGA!
Therefore can I conclude "Most" Americas are complete-fool too? Like you had concluded much earlier, he's not only a fool but a bully and womanizer!
Posted by: JC | Jan 18 2020 3:48 utc | 99
@ vk 90
Your analysis nicely maps onto the Braudelian model of the phases of
capitalism, especially as articulated in the chapter by Arrighi and
Moore in Phases of Capitalist Development.
They argue that the historical signal that the US had begun to lose its
hegemony in commodity production (M-C-M') was the Nixon shock/Oil Shock
(1970-73). They further argue that the inevitable shift to financial
hegemony (M-M'), which has occurred in every other phase (Genovese,
Dutch, British), has taken place more quickly than the one before it. As
a result, they predicted (in 2001) very broadly that the terminal point
of this financial (self-)vampirism—when the system reaches a point of
complete contradiction—would take place around 2020. One key difference
they note between the US global regime with all prior hegemonic orders
is the reach and power of the military. The British Empire was able to
deploy its navy to support its hegemony only up to a point—and then
became a paper tiger overnight. But the US military has not been
deployed to any extent comparable to 1941-45. If it saw a real
existential threat to dollar hegemony their military capacity would
postpone any collapse indefinitely—and throw the world into utter chaos.
My question to you and all is this: where are we in the timeline
between their loss of industrial hegemony and the real crisis of their
financial hegemony? Is this the decade of hegemonic challenge and
change—and therefore war? And to what extent will Iran be the trigger?
Or will it be another GFC and de-dollarization?
Posted by: Patroklos | Jan 18 2020 4:52 utc | 100