Of all the offensive things Neocons and their Likudnik partners in arms do, among the most blatant is their cynical pilfering of historic icons and memes to justify their covertly amoral (and clumsy) macht politik objectives.
We all mock their pornographic overuse of Churchill and Lincoln. That’s now so heavy-handed even the “checked out” South Park and Metalpocalypse generations snark it. Still, Neocons are not 10 feet tall in the AgitProp department. Neocon/Likudnik ‘inexplicable’ successes in 2007 largely a gift from philosophically bankrupt Democrats and remnants of the so-called foreign policy ‘Establishment’. Only now, vaguely, do they understand the malignant parasitic ideologies in the regime’s host. And that will remain with the host’s passing.
Democrats and Oppositionists fail and flail. Sputtering in frustration, not knowing why. In politics, empty inertia and the tactical almost always lose to the vigorous (or seemingly so), steering towards a philosophical objective. What must happen until this simple lesson is learned?
We are reminded of all this watching this week’s American, Israeli and Sunni AgitProp posturing over Iran. That Iran strikes are so prominent a topic today just another sign of Democrat ineptitude. Should an unreformed (i.e. rebuffing revitalization by the netroots or embracing other coherent, positive, purposeful philosophy) Democrat establishment gain power in 2008, we suspect there remain good chances it will be subjectively deemed a political ‘failure’ — especially if a ‘naive’ Obama.
One can envision now a philosophically inert (no matter how well intentioned) Democratic Administration bee stung, bewildered, set up, tripped and otherwise sabotaged within and without by the Warlord’s parasites. And shudder at the retributive response by the parasitic ‘Restoration’ successor. Perhaps an inept Democrat Administration in 2008 is the final necessary domino to fall, the unwitting key in the lock. So what better time to convene a national convention to re-open the Constitution, hey?
All of which brings to mind that old chestnut, “The 1866 Battle of Koniggratz”. Long story short? As we know, force is best used to support a specific war aim.
Bismarck is not a historical icon that you can expect to see name checked on Hannity radio, Tweety’s abomination, or especially over at AEI (the latter at least know the history). Bismarck’s an AgitProp manipulation too far for the American stooge audience. First, there’s the whole Prussian nobility and crushing of liberal democracy thing. No Jacobin he. Neocons know blunt emotions still are necessary for successful marketing to the American mass consciousness. Americans are not meme-primed. The few Americans familiar with the name likely would respond instinctively “Sink it!”. Finally, Neocons and Likudniks know that Bismarck reeks the stale, dusky odor of hated realism and Kissinger in the 1970s.
Yet, there is no denying that Bismark successfully used force and diplomacy to take Prussia from the sidelines to the throne of a new German Empire in an eye blink. Along the way, Prussia defeated first the Austrians at Koniggratz and then the French under Napoleon III in 1870 (actually capturing the French Emperor at Sedan). Did he plan all this in advance? Or take advantage of daily events as they showed themselves? Still assignments at the better schools’ undergraduate History 301 courses.
Prussian war objectives with Austria in 1866 could not be more clear and precise. Prussia needed Austria out of the way to secure its hegemony over the German principates. Prussia won the 1866 war at Koniggratz.
The kind of AgitProp in the air today is even more the anti-Koniggratz than 2002. With the facades all torn away by now, the essential nihilism of this regime shines through. Force for the empty release of Force.
We still remain non-plussed about the inevitability of the strikes in the Warlord’s last 15 months. Perhaps we over-estimate the American military’s (particularly Army and Marines) willingess to take a stand against their own immolation and seppuku. We naturally gave up hope on the State Department long ago under either General Jello or Cher Condi (although some bloggers were clever and smart enough to ride State Department connections to fame and fortune).
Iranian acquisition of nuclear weapons is not a foregone formality. We do believe engagement is possible although it must now account for Iranian strategic victory post Iraq. (Recall the office of Iranian President is primarily ceremonial). Even so, as mentioned here elsewhere, we share General Abizaid’s recent statements that Persia is an ancient and proud Nation, and is not in the General’s phraseology “a suicide state”. With a return address. We are also confident that Abizaid speaks for many in the E Wing, in region and elsewhere. In fact, regarding the threat of Iranian proliferation diversion, Persian responsibility with nuclear weapons on its face already is far more stable than Pakistan’s record, with Khan, ISI jihadi infiltration/sympathies, etc.
Would Cheney, the Neocons and Likudniks prefer to ignite the region into a Manichean conflagration? Of course. Are they above manufacturing and staging ‘incidents’ to try and jump start a war? Of course not.
Notwithstanding the above, we still don’t see Iranian strikes happening, ceteris paribus today.
Accommodation Croatia says
that’s good…..
RedPhillip says
Good Doctor, I find myself grateful to the spambot that attacked overnight, in that it caused me to read this older post from a time before I knew of and followed the Stiftung.
Now, almost exactly three years later it seems you are once again correct in seeing outcomes, at the very least in broad outline. I don’t think anyone imagined that the Boy King would so thoroughly embrace the core principles of the Warlord, or do so in such an open way.
Dr Leo Strauss says
David Ignatius stumbles into the Stiftung’s p.o.v. (perhaps after martinis with Fareed). http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=1&categ_id=5&article_id=85809
Nala says
Nice Site!
Aldershot says
Link?
Comment says
Rumsfeld says the Iraq war had nothing to do with oil.
Aldershot says
Better to reign in hell than serve in heav’n.
-Milton
Aldershot says
Pat made the big time:
“Bush has a new cockiness about him, and Moscow wouldn’t be the only capital to notice. He has certainly lost his fear of the Democrat-dominated Congress on Capitol Hill. To be sure, he is step-by-step making a case for war. Commentator Patrick Buchanan wrote recently, “Confident of victory this fall on the Hill, Bush is now moving into Phase III in his ‘war on terror’: first Afghanistan, then Iraq, then Iran.” ”
A fascinating article, but what occurred to me, as yet another possible result of bombing Iran, is the disruption of gas to Europe, and the long, cold winters:
“During Putin’s visit, there is bound to be renewed focus on cooperation between Iran and Russia in the field of energy. Russia would always seek a broad understanding with Iran so that they didn’t end up competing with each other in gaining market access. Iran is a keen enthusiast of the idea of a gas cartel modeled on the lines of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries that was first mooted by Moscow. Russia is hosting the next meeting of gas-producing countries in early 2008. On its part, Russia has been advocating an “SCO energy club”, which would gain traction if Iran becomes an active participant.
Of course, Russia and Iran have a shared interest in calibrating the “great game” over Turkmenistan. British Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, who arrived in Ashgabat on Tuesday, was the first British minister to visit Turkmenistan in nine years. He promptly told the Turkmen leadership that Europe would pay market price for Turkmen gas, hinting that it was time Ashgabat looked beyond Russia and Iran in its energy-export policy.”
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/II22Ag01.html
Dr Leo Strauss says
No posting tonight. See everyone tomorrow.
Comment says
Wo! Tweety is not happy with Rudy and his little phone stunt with Judith – Not happy – he warned Rudy not to do it again – said it was barely cute once – not twice.
Anon says
re “Pudding Media” –
“Mr. Maislos said that Pudding Media had considered the privacy question carefully. The company is not keeping recordings or logs of the content of any phone calls, he said, so advertisements only relate to current calls, not past ones, and will only arrive during the call itself.”
This seems questionable, Doc – like a half-truth, in the sense that they won’t have to keep recordings or logs – because such record will exist by virtue of the technology in use. Plus – when competitors offer ads based on total calls (past and current), the guys at Pudding will feel compelled to change their current policy.
Anon says
Binary Bush, The Prophet:
http://www.ips.org/blog/jimlobe/?p=64
Anon says
re Quds and Department
2800:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070923/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrestiranusshiite
Once again we find it odd that nobody uses that name “2800” since Petraeus did – What was odd was that no congressman or Senator stopped to ask, “Wait – what is that? That was never in any briefing book before – But General, you say that with such a casual flair, as if we all know that group!”
re Danielson – hope he goes by more than what captives tell him – They just want to avoid torture.
Aldershot says
Moynihan died? If I knew that, I’d forgotten. I think it was treacherous when he didn’t endorse Gore. What a slap in the face.
Comment says
re Just another note on Rudy’s lazt demagoguery at the NRA – was his dishonest invoking the deceased Moynihan – knowing that the Senator cannot respond. That’s such a neocon stunt – you’re old chum is long gone. Long gone, now that he think’s he is ‘America’s Mayor.’ (and London’s too)
Comment says
“…it’s time to save England,” Black said to Steyn. Supposedly – But it’s instructive a bit that Black said “England” and not the UK or Britain – Just a note – Steyn should have attributed tha post Brighton bombing IRA comment to Conrad, rather than DOJ. It’s Steyn’s failure to see the proper metaphores in perspective that symbolizes the problem he and the good Lord have making their case.
Comment says
Though Steyn’s sentimentalism prevents him from seeing reality in the Black trial – We do think Black, in theory, could have been acquited if he has an even better defense.
That’s not to say he is “actually innocent” – to use a Barry Scheck phrase. But Steyn edges near the truth that we expressed to a while back that Conrad should have embraced his own writing and personality – This would have undermined the government in the best way – by illustrating an instance of them operating in bad faith in their use of his arrogant emails – Jurors understand this.
Also Steyn is often eloquent and funny, but he is almost always wrong in his predictions and analysis. So when you read thru his essay – take the converse of some of his assertions and you begin to have a good defense, based on raising reasonable doubt that would encourage jury nullifcation.
Comment says
re Steyn’s “Human Drama.” – Steyn is incapable of seeing reality now. In fact, Conrad had awesome lawyers and did better than was expected – He was able to get acquited on some charges that he was actually more guilty of than some he was convicted on. On a human level – Steyn’s loyalty is touching and as you know we too share some Black sympathies. But do you think its funny when all these Bushbots suddenly see injustice in America when the wealthy are convicted, but stay silent even though death row is chock-a-block with innocent people being released on DNA?
Comment says
re Rudy’s demagogic NRA speech – His unfunny phone call from his newest wife, while standing at the podium, looked like stunt designed from a class of reject humor writers from the Kerry campaign –
Comment says
Another layer of irony, we meant to say – if Kerensky was denied a funeral by Churchman covertly influenced by Sov intelligence.
Comment says
We read somewhere that there was massive spying done on behalf of the Sovs coming from the infiltrated Orthodox church in NYC (Upper East Side – we think) – So that means another of possible irony.
Aldershot says
Kerenski; he got no respect:
“Kerensky died at his home in New York City in 1970, one of the last surviving major participants in the turbulent events of 1917. The local Russian Orthodox Churches in New York refused to grant Kerensky burial, seeing him as being largely responsible for Russia falling to the Bolsheviks. A Serbian Orthodox Church also refused. Kerensky’s body was then flown to London where he was buried at Putney Vale non-denominational cemetery.”
-Wiki
Re HRC, I’ve seen the question asked, is she destined to relive the Carter presidency? Is it really best for the Reps to win next time?
Anon says
Here is an interesting Steyn post on Lord Black -intentionally Steyn, if you read between the lines, seems to acknowledge that Black did what he was accused of – But it;s clear that Steyn’s Show Biz mentality prevents him from understanding corporate crime – so long as a tophat characteraccused:
http://www.steynonline.com/content/view/426/
Dr Leo Strauss says
re Rudy at NRA, it wasn’t even at this level:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Sutherland_screams.jpg
Comment says
The problem if HRC wins – Sid Blumenthal will cease to be an interesting columnist within a year of her swearing un ceremony. But we look forward to that Gary Aldrich Christmas tree draped with every lurid expression of Aldrich’s fears. lol/
Comment says
re Rudy ended his bogus NRA speech on a classic demagogic note – Making a bogus appeal on behalf of General Betrayus – vowing to follow up on that “important vote” against Moveon.org and punish the 23 Democrat traitors who failed to vote to condemn. Tepid applause followed.
Comment says
Kerensky ended up teaching at Columbia, if memory serves. Perhaps Edwards will use his run to make the leap from NC State to Chapel Hill or Duke. re Obama – his shakey campaign does not fully reflect his potential. He still has possibilities when he figures out how to unlock his self in a politically astute and psychologically comfortable way.
DrLeoStrauss says
Edwards, Obama, et al — just think Kerensky.
HRC is problematic. She would know full well the whole situational problem. But she simply might take the Ring for herself. Or believe it possible to out connive the Ring Maker.
Comment says
The reason we say above is also because the Opposition is still not ready and they need some more time baking in the Oppositional oven, if you will. Only then, will the soufle rise…
Comment says
If someone were a progressive Machiavel or just playing politics as a video game and wished to discredit the current regime, one could argue that the ideal election ourcome in ’08 would be a President McCain or Thompson (less so) with a Speaker Boehner (or an equivalent problematic Repub) – a sliver gop majority in the House and a Dem majoity in the Senate (to block bad stuff but still keep blame on the GOP.
McCain would continue to purse bad Bush policies and further discredit them – yet, he would seek to undermine Dubya too, on a personal level – via recored release, leaks, and other stuff – Tiny GOP majority in the House would be like flypaper for blame – while giving McCain all he needs to discredit himself and Bush – The Dem House can’t stop the war now, so what good are they