Comments on: Facing The “Dark Assessment” http://firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/ Firedoglake weblog Thu, 26 Nov 2009 07:10:36 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Joshuasgrandma http://firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-820707 Joshuasgrandma Sat, 14 Jul 2007 06:21:07 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-820707 <p>I’ve just sent Scarecrow’s analysis to my Republican senators and representative, asking them to consider it before taking any further action - and have we come to this? Doubt it will do any good but others might consider doing the same.</p> I’ve just sent Scarecrow’s analysis to my Republican senators and representative, asking them to consider it before taking any further action – and have we come to this? Doubt it will do any good but others might consider doing the same.

]]> By: mls http://firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-820109 mls Sat, 14 Jul 2007 00:44:28 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-820109 <p>Scarecrow,</p> <p>Maybe you may want to comment… <a href="http://gorillasguides.com/2007/07/13/what-dark-assessment-paleface/">http://gorillasguides.com/2007.....-paleface/</a></p> Scarecrow,

Maybe you may want to comment… http://gorillasguides.com/2007…..-paleface/

]]> By: bhatten http://firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819927 bhatten Fri, 13 Jul 2007 22:21:19 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819927 <p>And Sen. Hutchison was on NewsHour last night repeating the W’s goal to be successful in Iraq. Has anyone heard it said what “success” would actually be? Bush says we are getting there, but all I have seen is butchery. When he was talking yesterday about succeeding in Iraq, he did not come close to saying what he had in mind (oxymoron) or in view.</p> And Sen. Hutchison was on NewsHour last night repeating the W’s goal to be successful in Iraq. Has anyone heard it said what “success” would actually be? Bush says we are getting there, but all I have seen is butchery. When he was talking yesterday about succeeding in Iraq, he did not come close to saying what he had in mind (oxymoron) or in view.

]]> By: GabrielOak http://firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819693 GabrielOak Fri, 13 Jul 2007 19:52:02 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819693 <p>This is one of the most powerful posts I have read in a long time.</p> This is one of the most powerful posts I have read in a long time.

]]> By: clinton http://firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819473 clinton Fri, 13 Jul 2007 18:04:42 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819473 <p>aren’t we staying for the oil, the ‘petroleum bill’, and the profiteering? </p> <p>I am sad and angry every day about this, but all the talk here is of morality, conscience, human toll, etc. </p> <p>The people who went to war had none of these things in mind and still don’t. It’s about money, power, the non-fungible nature of oil reserves (thank you Juan Cole), profit, and profit. </p> <p>I have wrung my hands about this whole enterprise for a long time, and then I remind myself that every time I engage my mind on the smokescreen, that I am being a fool. Democracy, al quaeda, domestic safety, bush’s ego, mismanagement, failure to plan, every one is a distraction. </p> <p>Tomdispatch covered the topics that aren’t covered in the news. not in his order, necessarily:<br /> 1- permanent bases<br /> 2- mercenaries<br /> 3- air power/bombing cities we occupy. </p> <p>put this together with the push for the petroleum bill. (why is it called that?) Why not call it the OIL Law? (to shake people from the conclusion that it was about the oil? I find myself repeating the newspeak…)</p> <p>Why doesn’t the war end? Pride? Politics? Ineffectiveness? Sadly, I believe we are not leaving Iraq b/c we cannot control the country or its resources if we leave. (arguably we’re having a tough time anyway, but this is about why-not-leaving). </p> <p>OIL<br /> –>money<br /> –>power</p> <p>oh, and who likes crude oil at $70/barrel? Why change that? It’s great for profits. It all makes sense if you are cynical enough to look at it from the other side. The dark side. Civil war means we can’t leave. So civil war is good.</p> aren’t we staying for the oil, the ‘petroleum bill’, and the profiteering?

I am sad and angry every day about this, but all the talk here is of morality, conscience, human toll, etc.

The people who went to war had none of these things in mind and still don’t. It’s about money, power, the non-fungible nature of oil reserves (thank you Juan Cole), profit, and profit.

I have wrung my hands about this whole enterprise for a long time, and then I remind myself that every time I engage my mind on the smokescreen, that I am being a fool. Democracy, al quaeda, domestic safety, bush’s ego, mismanagement, failure to plan, every one is a distraction.

Tomdispatch covered the topics that aren’t covered in the news. not in his order, necessarily:
1- permanent bases
2- mercenaries
3- air power/bombing cities we occupy.

put this together with the push for the petroleum bill. (why is it called that?) Why not call it the OIL Law? (to shake people from the conclusion that it was about the oil? I find myself repeating the newspeak…)

Why doesn’t the war end? Pride? Politics? Ineffectiveness? Sadly, I believe we are not leaving Iraq b/c we cannot control the country or its resources if we leave. (arguably we’re having a tough time anyway, but this is about why-not-leaving).

OIL
–>money
–>power

oh, and who likes crude oil at $70/barrel? Why change that? It’s great for profits. It all makes sense if you are cynical enough to look at it from the other side. The dark side. Civil war means we can’t leave. So civil war is good.

]]> By: Jeff http://firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819432 Jeff Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:54:31 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819432 <p><a href="#comment-818938"><em>brendan @ 38</em></a></p> <blockquote><p>Scarecrow:</p> <p>“Has any nation ever managed in its own time such painful self recognition?”</p> <p>You state the ugly truth with this rhetorical question. </p> </blockquote> <p>And the answer is, well, sometimes, sort of. It’s worth remembering that the Vietnam War came to an end partly because leaders in Congress took action to end it; they essentially defunded it.</p> <p>Let’s see … the Justice Department is corrupt, so’s the White House. Most of the rest of the executive branch is, too, but I digress. Why can’t the Dems in Congress just hit their funding? Probably against traditions of comity, etc., but it seems to me we’re way past the point where that should matter. And cutting funding is clearly the only way Congress will end the Iraq War before 2009. </p> <p>Until the Democratic House gets truly serious about using its power of the purse, we’re just spinning our wheels. The current regime doesn’t respect the rule of law, but they need our money to operate. And Congress, so far, has continued to appropriate it.</p> brendan @ 38

Scarecrow:

“Has any nation ever managed in its own time such painful self recognition?”

You state the ugly truth with this rhetorical question.

And the answer is, well, sometimes, sort of. It’s worth remembering that the Vietnam War came to an end partly because leaders in Congress took action to end it; they essentially defunded it.

Let’s see … the Justice Department is corrupt, so’s the White House. Most of the rest of the executive branch is, too, but I digress. Why can’t the Dems in Congress just hit their funding? Probably against traditions of comity, etc., but it seems to me we’re way past the point where that should matter. And cutting funding is clearly the only way Congress will end the Iraq War before 2009.

Until the Democratic House gets truly serious about using its power of the purse, we’re just spinning our wheels. The current regime doesn’t respect the rule of law, but they need our money to operate. And Congress, so far, has continued to appropriate it.

]]> By: troglaman http://firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819345 troglaman Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:19:14 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819345 <p>Clear, excellent (though gloomy) writing scarecrow. I’m forwarding it to everyone I know. I’m overwhelmed at times by the shear volume of bullshit we’re being force fed by our glorious leaders. Articles like yours remove the tube.</p> Clear, excellent (though gloomy) writing scarecrow. I’m forwarding it to everyone I know. I’m overwhelmed at times by the shear volume of bullshit we’re being force fed by our glorious leaders. Articles like yours remove the tube.

]]> By: QuakerGirl http://firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819116 QuakerGirl Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:47:56 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819116 <p><a href="#comment-818999"><em>eCAHNomics @ 81</em></a></p> <blockquote><p><a href="#comment-818994"><em>karnak12 @ 77</em></a></p> <blockquote><p>I’m basically a fundamentalist. I do not take exception to many of the misconceptions out there as to what fundamentalists are. That is not my point here, and I won’t argue it.</p> <p>To my way of thinking it is just a student of the Christian Bible. There are other fundamentalists as well, of other beliefs and religions, but for my purposes here I will just discuss the Christian version.</p> <p>One of the many things I have learned over the years, aside from the fact that God in Heaven is love, and His house has many mansions, is that there are two gods (I would be happy to provide scriptural proof of this for anyone that doesn’t believe this). There is a God in Heaven and a god of this world.</p> <p>Which one do you think talks to George? Or rather, which one do you think George listens to?</p></blockquote> <p>Huh?</p></blockquote> <p>The problem with Fundamentalism is that it is based on an assumption. My answer is neither. George only hears the madness within himself. He talks to his own distorted, twisted ego. Much like Hitler.</p> eCAHNomics @ 81

karnak12 @ 77

I’m basically a fundamentalist. I do not take exception to many of the misconceptions out there as to what fundamentalists are. That is not my point here, and I won’t argue it.

To my way of thinking it is just a student of the Christian Bible. There are other fundamentalists as well, of other beliefs and religions, but for my purposes here I will just discuss the Christian version.

One of the many things I have learned over the years, aside from the fact that God in Heaven is love, and His house has many mansions, is that there are two gods (I would be happy to provide scriptural proof of this for anyone that doesn’t believe this). There is a God in Heaven and a god of this world.

Which one do you think talks to George? Or rather, which one do you think George listens to?

Huh?

The problem with Fundamentalism is that it is based on an assumption. My answer is neither. George only hears the madness within himself. He talks to his own distorted, twisted ego. Much like Hitler.

]]> By: Craig Johnson http://firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819113 Craig Johnson Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:46:54 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819113 <p>Iraq was ruled by brutality and an iron hand before we arrived.<br /> Iraq will be ruled by brutality and an iron hand after we leave.<br /> There is no logical formulation or acceptable political arrangement that would allow for the U.S. and the future ruling force, emphasize ‘force’, to combine in the required brutality to bring Iraq under control.<br /> If the Shiites can’t dominate Iraq on their own, then let the Sunnis crack heads and reestablish their police state.<br /> Technically, geopolitically, we would be better off.</p> Iraq was ruled by brutality and an iron hand before we arrived.
Iraq will be ruled by brutality and an iron hand after we leave.
There is no logical formulation or acceptable political arrangement that would allow for the U.S. and the future ruling force, emphasize ‘force’, to combine in the required brutality to bring Iraq under control.
If the Shiites can’t dominate Iraq on their own, then let the Sunnis crack heads and reestablish their police state.
Technically, geopolitically, we would be better off.

]]> By: Subway Serenade http://firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819040 Subway Serenade Fri, 13 Jul 2007 15:22:29 +0000 http://www.firedoglake.com/2007/07/13/we-are-aware-of-the-dark-assessments/#comment-819040 <p>harriet meirs’ conscience@ 68</p> <blockquote><p>All talk of atheism aside, I do believe there is a special hell for neocons.</p> <p>At the point of death, they will experience all the pain and suffering they have caused as if they actually had the hearts they were missing while walking this earth.</p> <p>And that would be hell.</p></blockquote> <p>If only we could impeach the Cheney within us all. Sometimes we forget that the world is a stage and we all play our parts. It doesn’t matter if you believe in God or not. Love is God regardless of what any creature thinks or believes.</p> <p>I was watching this film called “The Secret” the other day. It’s essentially a self help piece dressed up to look all mysterious like “The Da Vinci Code” or “The Celestine Prophecy.” But it did make one very good point. </p> <blockquote><p>Any movement that defines itself by what it’s against is doomed to failure.</p></blockquote> <p>Wanna really phuque up Dick Cheney’s sh!t? Let everyone go out every day for a week and do two acts of kindness in his name. It’ll give him brain freeze.</p> <p>Compassion as a weapon?</p> harriet meirs’ conscience@ 68

All talk of atheism aside, I do believe there is a special hell for neocons.

At the point of death, they will experience all the pain and suffering they have caused as if they actually had the hearts they were missing while walking this earth.

And that would be hell.

If only we could impeach the Cheney within us all. Sometimes we forget that the world is a stage and we all play our parts. It doesn’t matter if you believe in God or not. Love is God regardless of what any creature thinks or believes.

I was watching this film called “The Secret” the other day. It’s essentially a self help piece dressed up to look all mysterious like “The Da Vinci Code” or “The Celestine Prophecy.” But it did make one very good point.

Any movement that defines itself by what it’s against is doomed to failure.

Wanna really phuque up Dick Cheney’s sh!t? Let everyone go out every day for a week and do two acts of kindness in his name. It’ll give him brain freeze.

Compassion as a weapon?

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