In my earlier (today) transcription of Doug Macgregor’s comments to Danny Davis, Macgregor sketched out the fundamental dynamics driving the war in the Middle East.
There are probably plenty of you who have much more knowledge of this than I do, but it seems that the Zionist utopian experiment of Israel has some (maybe many) similarities to the establishment of Liberia in the early 1800's. The oppressed slaves that moved to Liberia soon became the oppressors of the local indigenous people. They set themselves up as the elite class and excluded the locals from having any say in government. eventually leading to civil war. It seems that the only reason that what is occurring in Israel today is not called a civil war is that the Palestinians are not even recognized as citizens there.
I realize that this is a very simplistic analysis but there is a pattern here where an oppressed people seek a utopia for themselves, only to become the oppressors (monsters) that they were running away from. Also, in both instances (Liberia and Israel) there were plenty of "supporters" who helped in the establishment of the new promised land for their own selfish reasons.
History repeats itself with just enough twists and turns to make it appear unique. There's nothing new under the Sun.
That's the way how I feel towards some American blacks. The United States has made great effort to eradicate systemic racism and inequality. I have run into quite a few very racist blacks.
Some college students want buildings where white students can't enter. It's no different than segregated drinking fountains.
Fortunately, most blacks that I encounter are very decent. The media do their level best to foster divisiveness.
We seem to be saying that if Israel comes to its senses and backs down, it will stand a better chance of securing its future as things settle down again in the ME. Even if this happened tomorrow and Israel stopped all military ops and agreed to rebuild Gaza, the hatred and anger in the ME is too strong. My wife's surname is Sion and she is still a great supporter of Israel. However, even she is saying that she feels safer as a Jew here in Europe. The world today is completely upside down at all levels. Who would have thought that a Jew would feel more secure in nations where they were once heavily persecuted than in the historical homeland of the Jews?
American Thinker is like that ageing conservative uncle who was a young adult during the Morning in America times of the 80s. He still has some sound ideas on the key issues, but simply can't take in that the world, and the old certainties, have changed.
Yes, that's a good way to put it. Also, there is a lot of reflexively pro-Israel sentiment. I don't equate disagreeing with the way that Israel is proceeding in this conflict with anti-Semitism. Sadly, many people are of the thinking that if one is not 100% onboard with everything that Israel does, then one is an anti-Semite.
I used to read AT quite a bit. In fact it was a reference in one of Clarice Feldman's Sunday articles that led to my discovery of Mark's original Meaning In History blog. For that I am forever grateful.
I still check in with AT occasionally but not as much as I used to. Kind of like FOX News, I've drifted away.
Fact: Clarice, Lifson, and several other Neocon/Zionists brought a lot of new readers to MiH. Sadly, AT doesn't allow even mild dissent from the Zionist line. The attempted and pathetic smear on honorable people like Macgregor is, well, sad.
I've noticed the same thing at Breitbart and Gateway Pundit. They are all about "Israel's right to defend itself" and if you disagree you are an antisemite. I've lost respect for both outlets as a result and look at all of their coverage with more skepticism than I did in the past.
I wonder if they are also captured by the Israel Lobby or just brainwashed?
Mark, your last paragraph is a great description that captures it all. Thank you.
Our politicians by and large seem "hell bent" on backing Netanyahu whatever his priorities and whatever decisions he makes despite any associated horrific consequences for the region and for the world. Yet, how can we hold McConnell and Graham and Cornyn and Thune and all of their ilk responsible when they listen only to large donors and our election process admits only them as viable candidates? Is that a deficiency in our political system or are our own deficiencies as a society now being exposed via world events? Either way, our not being able to exert our majority wishes on our government any longer is a situation that will not abide. There will be a reckoning and our consolation is that our God-given inherent sense of justice will guide the nature of that, in the end.
We in this country are stuck with small time schemers and grifters. Small minded men and women out for personal enrichment and perceived power who have become accustomed to bullying and bluster to get their way. Minds of children almost in adult bodies. They are incapable at their late stage of life to listen to any wise counsel. They will continue lumbering down the destructive path of their own alternative reality and dragging the rest of us along with them.
Let's say you are a 21st century political leader and as many of them, you are somewhat a grifter and psychopath. Your real goal is to stay in power, what is good for your country is second place. You get yourself into a jam. You realize that you cannot get out by yourself, but you have a patron who might just be able to help you. But the problem is how do you get your patron to solve your problem"" in the way "THAT YOU SPECIFICALLY WANT IT SOLVED".
Figure the rest out. The Israelis seem to want two things. Wipe the Palestinians out and expand their borders. If the Israelis are really the ones calling the shots and telling the US what to do, we are in danger. They just might attack Hezbollah, knowing they cannot win, just so they can call in their American patrons who have "vowed" not to let Israel fail. The Americans have the potential to solve the Israeli problems and then Benny gets what he wants: expel the Palestinians? More Land? No, these are secondary, he gets to stay in power.
The other issue is this. With a new war in the North, all attention will be diverted there. This will provide the opportunity for the Israelis to finish off Gaza. A risky move, but it just might work and if it does, it will pay big dividends.
Israel’s weakness is palpable, it has no strategic depth and no any perceived collapse of an Israeli front may see their fair weather friends (Jordan, Saudis, Egypt, Turkey) turn on them at the drop of a hat.
Rather than the Sampson option they’ll be nuking their own lands in retreat.
There are probably plenty of you who have much more knowledge of this than I do, but it seems that the Zionist utopian experiment of Israel has some (maybe many) similarities to the establishment of Liberia in the early 1800's. The oppressed slaves that moved to Liberia soon became the oppressors of the local indigenous people. They set themselves up as the elite class and excluded the locals from having any say in government. eventually leading to civil war. It seems that the only reason that what is occurring in Israel today is not called a civil war is that the Palestinians are not even recognized as citizens there.
I realize that this is a very simplistic analysis but there is a pattern here where an oppressed people seek a utopia for themselves, only to become the oppressors (monsters) that they were running away from. Also, in both instances (Liberia and Israel) there were plenty of "supporters" who helped in the establishment of the new promised land for their own selfish reasons.
History repeats itself with just enough twists and turns to make it appear unique. There's nothing new under the Sun.
Bob,
That's the way how I feel towards some American blacks. The United States has made great effort to eradicate systemic racism and inequality. I have run into quite a few very racist blacks.
Some college students want buildings where white students can't enter. It's no different than segregated drinking fountains.
Fortunately, most blacks that I encounter are very decent. The media do their level best to foster divisiveness.
We seem to be saying that if Israel comes to its senses and backs down, it will stand a better chance of securing its future as things settle down again in the ME. Even if this happened tomorrow and Israel stopped all military ops and agreed to rebuild Gaza, the hatred and anger in the ME is too strong. My wife's surname is Sion and she is still a great supporter of Israel. However, even she is saying that she feels safer as a Jew here in Europe. The world today is completely upside down at all levels. Who would have thought that a Jew would feel more secure in nations where they were once heavily persecuted than in the historical homeland of the Jews?
I skimmed this article yesterday on American Thinker. "The Dark Side Of Col. Douglas Macgregor, Tucker’s ‘Go-To’ Military Expert"
The author failed to make any cogent argument for condemning Macgregor.
American Thinker is like that ageing conservative uncle who was a young adult during the Morning in America times of the 80s. He still has some sound ideas on the key issues, but simply can't take in that the world, and the old certainties, have changed.
Yes, that's a good way to put it. Also, there is a lot of reflexively pro-Israel sentiment. I don't equate disagreeing with the way that Israel is proceeding in this conflict with anti-Semitism. Sadly, many people are of the thinking that if one is not 100% onboard with everything that Israel does, then one is an anti-Semite.
I used to read AT quite a bit. In fact it was a reference in one of Clarice Feldman's Sunday articles that led to my discovery of Mark's original Meaning In History blog. For that I am forever grateful.
I still check in with AT occasionally but not as much as I used to. Kind of like FOX News, I've drifted away.
I'm another one who came to MiH by reading one of Mr. Wauck's articles about the Trump Russia Hoax.
I used to really like Widburg, Feldman, Showalter and Lifson. I guess I still do, except when it comes to articles about Israel.
Fact: Clarice, Lifson, and several other Neocon/Zionists brought a lot of new readers to MiH. Sadly, AT doesn't allow even mild dissent from the Zionist line. The attempted and pathetic smear on honorable people like Macgregor is, well, sad.
I've noticed the same thing at Breitbart and Gateway Pundit. They are all about "Israel's right to defend itself" and if you disagree you are an antisemite. I've lost respect for both outlets as a result and look at all of their coverage with more skepticism than I did in the past.
I wonder if they are also captured by the Israel Lobby or just brainwashed?
Good comments, Bob.
Another ding for Gateway Pundit is how childish they were in covering Ron DeSantis, just because Donald opposed his (Ron's) campaign.
Still, GP does a lot of good work, as does Breitbart.
I have a special dislike for National Review and they are a prime example of what led me to disaffiliate from conservatism.
So, US will attack another nation with no approval from Congress? And Iran won't respond?
U.S. Officials to Politico:
"After Joe Biden gives the go-ahead, the attacks will be carried out with strikes against Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria.
The attacks will be in several waves. Also, Iranian Naval Assets in the Persian Gulf will be hit."
Stupid is as stupid does.
I expect a strongly worded memo from Johnson and maybe a congressional committee investigation will make him think twice.
Ha! Nobody expects the sternly-worded letter...
Mark, your last paragraph is a great description that captures it all. Thank you.
Our politicians by and large seem "hell bent" on backing Netanyahu whatever his priorities and whatever decisions he makes despite any associated horrific consequences for the region and for the world. Yet, how can we hold McConnell and Graham and Cornyn and Thune and all of their ilk responsible when they listen only to large donors and our election process admits only them as viable candidates? Is that a deficiency in our political system or are our own deficiencies as a society now being exposed via world events? Either way, our not being able to exert our majority wishes on our government any longer is a situation that will not abide. There will be a reckoning and our consolation is that our God-given inherent sense of justice will guide the nature of that, in the end.
We in this country are stuck with small time schemers and grifters. Small minded men and women out for personal enrichment and perceived power who have become accustomed to bullying and bluster to get their way. Minds of children almost in adult bodies. They are incapable at their late stage of life to listen to any wise counsel. They will continue lumbering down the destructive path of their own alternative reality and dragging the rest of us along with them.
Let's say you are a 21st century political leader and as many of them, you are somewhat a grifter and psychopath. Your real goal is to stay in power, what is good for your country is second place. You get yourself into a jam. You realize that you cannot get out by yourself, but you have a patron who might just be able to help you. But the problem is how do you get your patron to solve your problem"" in the way "THAT YOU SPECIFICALLY WANT IT SOLVED".
Figure the rest out. The Israelis seem to want two things. Wipe the Palestinians out and expand their borders. If the Israelis are really the ones calling the shots and telling the US what to do, we are in danger. They just might attack Hezbollah, knowing they cannot win, just so they can call in their American patrons who have "vowed" not to let Israel fail. The Americans have the potential to solve the Israeli problems and then Benny gets what he wants: expel the Palestinians? More Land? No, these are secondary, he gets to stay in power.
The other issue is this. With a new war in the North, all attention will be diverted there. This will provide the opportunity for the Israelis to finish off Gaza. A risky move, but it just might work and if it does, it will pay big dividends.
Israel’s weakness is palpable, it has no strategic depth and no any perceived collapse of an Israeli front may see their fair weather friends (Jordan, Saudis, Egypt, Turkey) turn on them at the drop of a hat.
Rather than the Sampson option they’ll be nuking their own lands in retreat.