From the beginning of the Zhou regime the overall strategy of the Neocons appears to have been a two-step program: 1) Browbeat China into submission, then pivot to 2) forcing Russian regime change via sanctions shock and awe.
Good question. Many of our diplomats were not trained in diplomacy, they were awarded their posts as mega donors. Their purpose on the geopolitical scene is more self-serving and usually tied to money and in the Neocon case there is an element of revenge for historical grievances.
U.S. corporations and banks still need China (badly). And so it happens that they are fighting the Neocons who want to start WWIII or GW1 with Russia and China. "Jamie Dimon Gathers Business Elite in Shanghai Amid China-US Tensions" (h/t Phil Gibson @ QPOL (https://substack.com/@qpol):
The old saying about the “Business of American, is business” rings so true and the elites have made their pact with the devil in order to extract all the business for themselves as they attempt to drive out main street from the life blood of the USA. Elite figures like Dimon know that Wall Street has painted themselves into a corner and know in the near term business in America is fully dependent on China for our industry and to some extent our military too.
Not lifting a 5 year old sanction on the current China Defense Minister smacks of complete incompetence. Or belligerence. Either way, a sharp, short rebuke is warranted by the Chinese.
At this point a great number of people have a common understanding of the term "Neocon," at least in what it practically means if not in what it means ideologically. That is why the term is now used so widely; it is simply in the interest of good efficient communications. I dare say that the same group of people who understand the term "neocon" also understand that its appropriation of "Conservative" as part of its root is - um - inappropriate.
I wrote several days ago that Neocon and Neoliberal seem to be two sides of the same coin. I think you are right in what you say, but I submit the term was used to replace what was once referred to as Reagan Democrats. A group of Jewish intellectuals frustrated with the”New Left” abandoned the Democrat party and moved right on geopolitical issues, but remained staunchly liberal on social issues. Since Trump they moved back to the Democrat Party citing Trump as their reason and the so-called MAGA infused Republicans to be their justification. You are correct that the use of the term conservative is now rather inaccurate, perhaps as Cassandra above notes, Fascist is closer to reality.
Speaking as a Brit - there is no one I would prefer to spend time with than a regular American. You guys have the same issue we have here; our governments have been co-opted to operate for vested interests. It's a rule of nature that scum rises to the top. But Americans are for the most part pretty awesome.
Perhaps we genuinely were, Ms. Athena. Tho' per President Eisenhower at his departure-from-office-speech, the MIC was to be feared for what it has indeed become. Since WWII, that 'good guy' moniker has been a sham I fear.
For those of us who've been grounded in allegiance to our Constitution and served - believing it was for God and Country (or have had family members perish in war, or worse, have served and lost family and friends in 'war' since as I have) - a terrible awareness is dawning.
We didn't get here suddenly: it seems it's been 60 or so years in the making. And that, dear Athena, breaks my heart.
Sounds like blaming the victims. I, for one, will not wear a short skirt for sure. [Never did, BTW...]
Is it ignorance when our 'public education' taught a Constitutional Gov't is our country's guiding principal? Is it ignorance when immigrants and their now free, born-in-the-USA kids return their blessing of freedom by serving in the Armed Forces? No-no more that being called a sucker is appropriate.
But apparently that's Luongo's way. Our culture has evolved poorly - those recognizing this do not serve the loss from 'good and decent' by being indecent themselves. His insight and intellect get sullied when he stoops to that level.
Thanks for the link, GMan. Tho' truth hurts (of course) the measure of a messenger may be made in their delivery. And I get it, this ain't about Luongo. Regards, (WrH)
I agree that there are better ways to make the point than calling people "suckers". Being fooled by lifelong barrages of disinformation isn't just being a sucker. It's more complicated. Most readers--and writers--here have been fooled to one degree or another. It's silly to call ourselves simply suckers. The focus should be on the perpetrators.
I believe there was a (very non-offensive) point to Luongo's post. The good news, IMO, it seems a large percentage of the people who responded, even those that served, responded positively. People are waking up to the lies and manipulation. There was that revealing post of the ex-serviceman (seal, maybe?) that was making the rounds a bit ago where, after having returned from service, woke up to that which he had truly participated. It needs to happen if things are to change. I'm sure Luongo both doesn't blame those "suckered in" and feels empathy for those that paid the price of the so-called "fight for freedom."
Why is diplomacy so challenging for Neocons?
‘Cause they want war.
Good question. Many of our diplomats were not trained in diplomacy, they were awarded their posts as mega donors. Their purpose on the geopolitical scene is more self-serving and usually tied to money and in the Neocon case there is an element of revenge for historical grievances.
Very true, and most unfortunate for the chances of peace.
Re: GWB, Don Surber has this scathing piece today : https://substack.com/redirect/aabc2ff4-5f35-4028-9ecd-6d0f092bcf49?j=eyJ1IjoiYzdyZHoifQ.OO6bm-f9TiX03C-8liW0zwXtPxAhSf5lszrseqzq3Jk
“GWB, MIA” - on substack. Sorry, the above link is just the photo.
U.S. corporations and banks still need China (badly). And so it happens that they are fighting the Neocons who want to start WWIII or GW1 with Russia and China. "Jamie Dimon Gathers Business Elite in Shanghai Amid China-US Tensions" (h/t Phil Gibson @ QPOL (https://substack.com/@qpol):
https://archive.ph/2023.05.26-161958/https://www.ft.com/content/5a64ddc1-6e1a-4875-90c8-765b70738daa
The old saying about the “Business of American, is business” rings so true and the elites have made their pact with the devil in order to extract all the business for themselves as they attempt to drive out main street from the life blood of the USA. Elite figures like Dimon know that Wall Street has painted themselves into a corner and know in the near term business in America is fully dependent on China for our industry and to some extent our military too.
Thanks! Interesting substack.
Not lifting a 5 year old sanction on the current China Defense Minister smacks of complete incompetence. Or belligerence. Either way, a sharp, short rebuke is warranted by the Chinese.
He may have gotten the position due to being sanctioned...
I had no idea the US was sanctioning individuals in the Chinese Military for buying Russian Military Equipment.
I was not aware either. Seems calculated.
At this point a great number of people have a common understanding of the term "Neocon," at least in what it practically means if not in what it means ideologically. That is why the term is now used so widely; it is simply in the interest of good efficient communications. I dare say that the same group of people who understand the term "neocon" also understand that its appropriation of "Conservative" as part of its root is - um - inappropriate.
I wrote several days ago that Neocon and Neoliberal seem to be two sides of the same coin. I think you are right in what you say, but I submit the term was used to replace what was once referred to as Reagan Democrats. A group of Jewish intellectuals frustrated with the”New Left” abandoned the Democrat party and moved right on geopolitical issues, but remained staunchly liberal on social issues. Since Trump they moved back to the Democrat Party citing Trump as their reason and the so-called MAGA infused Republicans to be their justification. You are correct that the use of the term conservative is now rather inaccurate, perhaps as Cassandra above notes, Fascist is closer to reality.
I’m beginning to wonder if we were ever the good guys.
Speaking as a Brit - there is no one I would prefer to spend time with than a regular American. You guys have the same issue we have here; our governments have been co-opted to operate for vested interests. It's a rule of nature that scum rises to the top. But Americans are for the most part pretty awesome.
Perhaps we genuinely were, Ms. Athena. Tho' per President Eisenhower at his departure-from-office-speech, the MIC was to be feared for what it has indeed become. Since WWII, that 'good guy' moniker has been a sham I fear.
For those of us who've been grounded in allegiance to our Constitution and served - believing it was for God and Country (or have had family members perish in war, or worse, have served and lost family and friends in 'war' since as I have) - a terrible awareness is dawning.
We didn't get here suddenly: it seems it's been 60 or so years in the making. And that, dear Athena, breaks my heart.
Blessings my Texas friend-(WrH)
If you didn't see Luongo's tweet yesterday, you might want to check it out:
"Happy Suckers Who Died for the State Day, everyone."
https://twitter.com/TFL1728/status/1663147056108564480
Sounds like blaming the victims. I, for one, will not wear a short skirt for sure. [Never did, BTW...]
Is it ignorance when our 'public education' taught a Constitutional Gov't is our country's guiding principal? Is it ignorance when immigrants and their now free, born-in-the-USA kids return their blessing of freedom by serving in the Armed Forces? No-no more that being called a sucker is appropriate.
But apparently that's Luongo's way. Our culture has evolved poorly - those recognizing this do not serve the loss from 'good and decent' by being indecent themselves. His insight and intellect get sullied when he stoops to that level.
Thanks for the link, GMan. Tho' truth hurts (of course) the measure of a messenger may be made in their delivery. And I get it, this ain't about Luongo. Regards, (WrH)
I agree that there are better ways to make the point than calling people "suckers". Being fooled by lifelong barrages of disinformation isn't just being a sucker. It's more complicated. Most readers--and writers--here have been fooled to one degree or another. It's silly to call ourselves simply suckers. The focus should be on the perpetrators.
I believe there was a (very non-offensive) point to Luongo's post. The good news, IMO, it seems a large percentage of the people who responded, even those that served, responded positively. People are waking up to the lies and manipulation. There was that revealing post of the ex-serviceman (seal, maybe?) that was making the rounds a bit ago where, after having returned from service, woke up to that which he had truly participated. It needs to happen if things are to change. I'm sure Luongo both doesn't blame those "suckered in" and feels empathy for those that paid the price of the so-called "fight for freedom."
https://youtu.be/1Y9bdqZgUko
Perhaps it’s akin to a hard slap in the face that often times wakes up the sleeping giants.