LGF

more options

  

Advertisement

  

Link address:
Link title:
Description: 
Remaining:

Bayefsky: Focus, People

Opinion | Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 9:13:21 am PDT

We seem to have forgotten something: Focus, People.

Since the time of Hitler, civilization has never been so close to the brink of total catastrophe.  This American election will decide whether civilization as we know it will survive.  As much as economic questions are currently front and center, with blame to go all round, this is not an election primarily about corporate greed, or individuals living beyond their means, or government neglect of economic oversight. Nor is it about whether we should have gone into Iraq where, like it or not, American boots on the ground have begun to create an emerging democracy. This election is about whether there will be a nuclear holocaust.

Alarmist? I sure hope so. Isn’t it about time that we got to the point about the stakes in this election? How many more pundits do we have to watch talking about the minutae — a candidate’s look, an accent, a stumble, a slogan? We have four weeks to talk about the thing that matters most: a nuclear-armed Iran, and which candidate will prevent it.

381 comments

  • Comments are open and unmoderated, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Little Green Footballs.
  • Obscene, abusive, silly, or annoying remarks may be deleted, but the fact that particular comments remain on the site in no way constitutes an endorsement of their views by Little Green Footballs.
  • Posts that contain phone numbers, street addresses, email addresses or other personal information will also be deleted, as will posts that consist only of a variation on the word, "First!"
  • Comments that advocate violence will be cause for immediate banning with no appeal.
  • REMEMBER: posting comments at LGF is a privilege, not a right. Abuse that privilege, and your account will be blocked.

Hide comments | Jump to bottom

1 NR Pax  10/07/08 9:14:51 am reply quote

I have some hope that the debate will remind everyone what the stakes really are.

2 Alaska Kim  10/07/08 9:15:12 am reply quote

We are so hosed.

3 tfc3rid  10/07/08 9:15:56 am reply quote

True but it just won't happen... this is going to be all economy, all the time...

And Obama will retort that he is being 'Swiftboated'... Of course, once again, all of the 'swiftboating' is 100% true... So, we can't tell the truth about Obama and spread it without being 'smeared' as swiftboaters...

Obama is like John Gotti, the teflon Don...

4 Killgore Trout  10/07/08 9:16:05 am reply quote

Focus on what?

5 Athos  10/07/08 9:16:07 am reply quote
This election is about whether there will be a nuclear holocaust.

This is an election about whether or not we, in this country, see evil when it is staring at us and confront it.

6 Sharmuta  10/07/08 9:16:17 am reply quote

0bama wants to talk to Iran. That's all I need to know.

7 Jewels (AKA Julian)  10/07/08 9:16:27 am reply quote

Trust me, The concept of Nuke War has not gone away in my mind. as soo as the Wall fell in, it's been borrowed time until a Islamic nutbag gets a nuke.

8 J.S.  10/07/08 9:16:44 am reply quote

CNN's "journalism" has consisted far more of playing re-runs of Saturday Night Live skits than addressing actual political issues. For CNN, as for much of the rest of the MSM, it's all about entertainment -- nothing more.

9 bosforus  10/07/08 9:16:46 am reply quote
which candidate will prevent it.

I'm voting for the candidate who understands the enemy the best, not the one that knows it the best.

10 Athos  10/07/08 9:16:57 am reply quote

re: #3 tfc3rid

Obama is like John Gotti, the teflon Don...

Thanks to the unrelenting cover of the majority of the MSM.......

11 splendid confusion  10/07/08 9:17:00 am reply quote

Yes, and it's not just Iran we need to worry about. Plenty of Axis of Evil machinations to go around.

12 arethusa  10/07/08 9:18:01 am reply quote

/////But Obama wants "tough, direct diplomacy." What more do you need for reassurance?

Yeah, me too.

13 Walter L. Newton  10/07/08 9:18:43 am reply quote

Well, I agree that it's probably the most important issue, but, just like the 30's in Germany, the economy is the major issue among the man on the street.

And, if memory searves me correct, Hitler used the problems with Germany's economy to rally the Volks behind his insidious plans.

John Q's life doesn't change next week if Iran has a bomb. But his life does change if t he economy is failing. And he feels this effect every day, every hour.

The economy is the issue that will decide who becomes our next CIC.

14 Sharmuta  10/07/08 9:18:47 am reply quote

President Bush said you're either with us or with the terrorists.

I know how I'm voting.

15 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)  10/07/08 9:18:52 am reply quote

Its not a nuclear holocaust, its just the coming of the Mahdi.

/

16 Intrepid  10/07/08 9:19:17 am reply quote

I've never heard Obama come right out and say, "We must not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons". If someone has, please correct me.

17 Sorge  10/07/08 9:19:34 am reply quote

OT:

MOST INSANELY PRO-OBAMA NEWS STORY YET:

Kenya Deports Jeromi Corso

Corsi's book claims the Illinois senator is a dangerous, radical candidate for president and includes innuendoes and false rumors — that he was raised a Muslim and attended a radical black church.

Obama is a Christian who attended Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, and his campaign picks apart the book's claims on the Obama campaign's rumor-fighting Web site, FightTheSmears.com.

Obama was raised a Muslim and attended a radical black Church! Do we live in an alternative reality?

18 Killian Bundy  10/07/08 9:20:00 am reply quote

I can't figure why everyone's scared to call Obama what he is, a hard core socialist.

/in Europe, it'd be a badge of honor, is this Europe?

19 MJBrutus  10/07/08 9:20:26 am reply quote

Not to worry. Zbig Brezinski (Carter's Sec State) is advising the ONE. That should make us all feel much better.

/sarc

20 Walter L. Newton  10/07/08 9:20:29 am reply quote

pssst, spppsspppess, ssssss...ssssss psssstsss..

Anti-Edgar spray. I got a full can.

21 buzzsawmonkey  10/07/08 9:20:42 am reply quote

re: #16 Intrepid

I've never heard Obama come right out and say, "We must not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons". If someone has, please correct me.

No, he said he "would do everything in his power to prevent it."

Of course, if his powers are busy causing the oceans to recede, we may have a problem.

22 Sharmuta  10/07/08 9:21:11 am reply quote

re: #20 Walter L. Newton

I brought the Cone of Silence.

23 ibmkeyboard  10/07/08 9:21:25 am reply quote

I agree with Obama,
to stop Iran,

We need to invade Pakistan.

/

24 splendid confusion  10/07/08 9:21:28 am reply quote

#17
I read that this morning, too. Sheeesh. I pictured the reporter sitting with fingers in ears, chanting, "Lalalalalalalalalala," just like a kid who doesn't want to hear something.

25 maddogg  10/07/08 9:21:45 am reply quote

re: #18 Killian Bundy

I can't figure why everyone's scared to call Obama what he is, a hard core socialist.

/in Europe, it'd be a badge of honor, is this Europe?

I prefer the term communist. Its the term I've used from day one.

26 lifeofthemind  10/07/08 9:21:45 am reply quote

Rush using the Saturday Night Live clip being covered up.

27 Killgore Trout  10/07/08 9:22:14 am reply quote

re: #16 Intrepid
Obama: Iran threatens all of us

Obama said global leaders must do whatever it takes to stop Iran from enriching uranium and acquiring nuclear weapons. He called Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad "reckless, irresponsible and inattentive" to the day-to-day needs of the Iranian people.

The Iranian "regime is a threat to all of us," Obama said.

While Obama wouldn't rule out force, he said the United States should engage in "aggressive diplomacy combined with tough sanctions" to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear threat.

28 arethusa  10/07/08 9:22:28 am reply quote

It's not just the survival of Israel that is at issue with Iran. We absolutely fdo not want a nuclear arms race in the Middle East, involving Syria, Jordan, Egypt, et al.

Why doesn't Obama get that?

29 MandyManners  10/07/08 9:22:33 am reply quote

re: #20 Walter L. Newton

pssst, spppsspppess, ssssss...ssssss psssstsss..

Anti-Edgar spray. I got a full can.

Toss it thisaway.

30 NR Pax  10/07/08 9:22:38 am reply quote

re: #18 Killian Bundy

Probably because if it comes from someone opposed to him, then that will be a racist thing to say as well?

31 Athos  10/07/08 9:22:47 am reply quote

re: #21 buzzsawmonkey

No, he said he "would do everything in his power to prevent it."

Of course,once he get's in office, the announcment will be that there is nothing he can do since the failure of the Bush Administration to engage Iran directly gave Iran the time to build their bomb. As a result, he is going to have to resort to direct talks to use diplomacy to contain it.....just as Chamberlain used diplomacy to contain Hitler.

32 MandyManners  10/07/08 9:23:18 am reply quote

re: #27 Killgore Trout

33 Walter L. Newton  10/07/08 9:23:28 am reply quote

re: #22 Sharmuta

I brought the Cone of Silence.

Look, if it drives a Lizard crazy NOT answering Edgar, why don't we quote all his posts and then simply respond...

pssssts....ssss.s.s.sssspssstttt....pssssssst.

34 vxbush  10/07/08 9:24:04 am reply quote

re: #33 Walter L. Newton

Look, if it drives a Lizard crazy NOT answering Edgar, why don't we quote all his posts and then simply respond...

pssssts....ssss.s.s.sssspssstttt....psss sssst.

HA! I love it.

35 DeafDog  10/07/08 9:24:11 am reply quote

re: #8 J.S.

CNN's "journalism" has consisted far more of playing re-runs of Saturday Night Live skits than addressing actual political issues. For CNN, as for much of the rest of the MSM, it's all about entertainment -- nothing more.

TV News is entertainment - nothing more.

36 ibmkeyboard  10/07/08 9:24:32 am reply quote

re: #27 Killgore Trout

Obama: Iran threatens all of us

While

Obama wouldn't rule out force, he said the United States should engage in "aggressive diplomacy combined with tough sanctions" to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear threat.

THATS A GREAT IDEA!

Uh, I thought we did that?

37 Walter L. Newton  10/07/08 9:24:37 am reply quote

re: #29 MandyManners

Toss it thisaway.

*whack* I think it hit rawmuse after I threw it.

38 lifeofthemind  10/07/08 9:24:40 am reply quote

Anybody want to start a business with me? We can prebuild and store modular and adaptable strongly worded diplomatic notes, and a separate line of formal demarches. If Obama gets in we can get rich.

39 Killgore Trout  10/07/08 9:24:40 am reply quote

re: #32 MandyManners

I assume he's sticking to unconditional talks with Iran.

40 Sorge  10/07/08 9:24:40 am reply quote

#24

That was an AP "news" story. It is the naked plug for Obama's 'Fight the Smears' website that takes the bias to a whole new level.

41 lawhawk  10/07/08 9:24:55 am reply quote

Who wants to focus on nuclear Iran, or a China that wants to take Taiwan or Pakistan's instability even as the Islamists are surging there as its nuclear arsenal hangs in the balance when you can talk of Ayers and ties to unrepentant terrorists or racists (Wright) or criminals (Rezko)?

Well, for one thing - that all goes who should lead. It goes to character and fitness to be President. It goes to judgment - both casually and for snap decisions.

Presidents have to make both.

McCain's judgment is off at times (and that's being charitable), but Obama's is spectacularly off to have surrounded himself with terrorists, racists, and anti-American leftists.

Who is better capable of dealing with a nuclear Iran? The one who isn't surrounding himself with anti-American leftists. That would be McCain.

42 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey  10/07/08 9:25:47 am reply quote

re: #19 MJBrutus

Not to worry. Zbig Brezinski (Carter's Sec State) is advising the ONE. That should make us all feel much better.


/sarc

He was Sec. Defense, not State. Cyrus Vance was Sec. State - he was the one who resigned after the failure at Desert One. Not out of disgust with the failure, mind you, but because Carter tried a military option to rescue the hostages.

43 Walter L. Newton  10/07/08 9:25:51 am reply quote

re: #39 Killgore Trout

I assume he's sticking to unconditional talks with Iran.

Hmmmm, I don't know, ask Edgar. He's an expert on negoiations.

/sarc - sorry Killgore

44 arethusa  10/07/08 9:25:59 am reply quote

re: #40 Sorge

#24

That was an AP "news" story. It is the naked plug for Obama's 'Fight the Smears' website that takes the bias to a whole new level.

Fight the Smears has become a way to smear Obama's opponents.

45 Killian Bundy  10/07/08 9:26:08 am reply quote

Sorry, forgot the linky? They're not tulips and you can't tiptoe through them.

/The Audacity of Socialism, dog regurgitated all your homework in your lap

46 taxfreekiller  10/07/08 9:26:55 am reply quote

Push, Push, Push,

McCain, lay a package of Camels near him tonight.

One way or the other , use them as a metaphor,

"Well , Barrac', those Camels there are a lot like you and Ayers,
just pretend you do not see or smell the Camels."

America, think about it, if it were McCain vs Lt. for life John F. Kerry
at least you could sleep at night no matter which one won, this Obama thing will keep us up scared shitless for 4 long years.

47 Killgore Trout  10/07/08 9:27:01 am reply quote

re: #36 ibmkeyboard

We did. Iranians don't care. In fact, they probably love it as long as the centrifuges are spinning. If the Israelis were going to take care of it they would have done it by now. After the election it will be more difficult and would surely anger Chairman Obama.

48 looking closely  10/07/08 9:27:13 am reply quote

Here is the question for Obama that I have been asking for over a year (and would LOVE to see asked at a town-hall):

Senator Obama, given the interference of Russian in the UN security council, and the failure of multilateral negotiations with the EU to date, at what point do you conclude that negotiations with Iran over its covert nuclear weapons program have failed?

Do you have a "red line" to employ military force against Iran, unilaterally, if necessary, PRIOR to its actual detonation of a nuclear weapon?

49 tunnelrat  10/07/08 9:27:36 am reply quote

Too bad the LLL people don't consider a nuclear Iran to be a big deal at all.
They are too consumed with Haliburton, Valerie Plame, Katrina, etc.. to see the biggest challenge the world has ever faced.

50 calcajun  10/07/08 9:27:41 am reply quote

The founding fathers were right; there is a segment of the population that should never be allowed to vote. We are closer to mob rule than you think.

51 Athos  10/07/08 9:27:42 am reply quote

re: #42 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

He was Sec. Defense, not State. Cyrus Vance was Sec. State - he was the one who resigned after the failure at Desert One. Not out of disgust with the failure, mind you, but because Carter tried a military option to rescue the hostages.


No, the Z man was Carter's National Security Advisor. Harold Brown was Carter's Sec Def.

52 lifeofthemind  10/07/08 9:28:04 am reply quote

re: #42 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

He was Sec. Defense, not State. Cyrus Vance was Sec. State - he was the one who resigned after the failure at Desert One. Not out of disgust with the failure, mind you, but because Carter tried a military option to rescue the hostages.

Zbig was National Security Advisor, the devil's parody of Kissinger. He was also the junior anti-Semite after Carter, but he tries hard.

53 Killian Bundy  10/07/08 9:28:06 am reply quote

re: #30 NR Pax

Probably because if it comes from someone opposed to him, then that will be a racist thing to say as well?

/he's going to win with that attitude

54 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey  10/07/08 9:28:29 am reply quote

re: #51 Athos

No, the Z man was Carter's National Security Advisor. Harold Brown was Carter's Sec Def.

Ah. I stand corrected.

55 lawhawk  10/07/08 9:28:36 am reply quote

OT:
For those trying to find out more about Tom Ayers (Bill's dad) and other Ayers family members, found this - apparently a blog by one of Bill's nieces.

56 DeafDog  10/07/08 9:28:56 am reply quote

re: #47 Killgore Trout

We did. Iranians don't care. In fact, they probably love it as long as the centrifuges are spinning. If the Israelis were going to take care of it they would have done it by now. After the election it will be more difficult and would surely anger Chairman Obama.

Chairman Obama....chuckle

57 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey  10/07/08 9:29:07 am reply quote

Rush playing the SNL clip - too funny!

58 rawmuse  10/07/08 9:29:20 am reply quote

re: #37 Walter L. Newton

*whack* I think it hit rawmuse after I threw it.

No, I am wearing my splatter guard.

59 looking closely  10/07/08 9:29:27 am reply quote

re: #47 Killgore Trout

We did. Iranians don't care. In fact, they probably love it as long as the centrifuges are spinning. If the Israelis were going to take care of it they would have done it by now. After the election it will be more difficult and would surely anger Chairman Obama.

Assuming an Obama win, the timing for the Israelis would be after the election, but before the inauguration. That also, by the way, would be the timing of action by the Bush administration.

If McCain wins, both parties will punt to a McCain administration, as his position "The only thing worse than war with Iran is Iran with nuclear weapons" is crystal clear.

60 Sorge  10/07/08 9:30:18 am reply quote

#51;

Z-man doesn't have the grounding on reality to advise a termite colony on territorial defense.

Wow. Carter was THAT bad.

That's the equivalent of William Ayers becoming Secretary of Education...

61 splendid confusion  10/07/08 9:31:23 am reply quote

#57
Yeah, I didn't realize the Sandlers were real people Saturday night. There's an article in the SF Chronicle about them. They maintain their loans weren't the ones that drug Wachovia down.
I LOVE Kristen Wiig's Nancy Pelosi! She's got that squirelly squintiness down pat. Armisen really nailed Barney Frank, too.

62 bulwrk  10/07/08 9:31:40 am reply quote

I believe the average citizen grossly misunderstands what it means for a nation to become a member of the nuclear club and thinks somehow we negotiate our way out of this.There is not a carrot big enough to deter the likes of Iran the PRK or Hugo Chavez but there is a big enough stick.

63 doppelganglander  10/07/08 9:31:41 am reply quote

re: #46 taxfreekiller

That's hilarious. I would love to see Barack, who allegedly quit smoking, trying to ignore the sweet, sweet smell of tobacco. Maybe McCain could light up in front of him -- I'll bet he knows how to blow smoke rings.

64 Walter L. Newton  10/07/08 9:31:55 am reply quote

re: #58 rawmuse

No, I am wearing my splatter guard.

OT for Mr. Muse

I may be a little later with that treatment for you, probably beginning of next week. Some piece meal computer work came up so I have a few things to do this week. Can't pass up a few bucks here and there.

But I may send on the preforated script now.

65 calcajun  10/07/08 9:32:02 am reply quote

re: #49 tunnelrat

Too bad the LLL people don't consider a nuclear Iran to be a big deal at all.
They are too consumed with Haliburton, Valerie Plame, Katrina, etc.. to see the biggest challenge the world has ever faced.

Having nukes is one thing. Getting them to where you want them to go "foom" is something else. Iran does not have the missile tech to get a nuke to Israel, let alone here. The North Koreans don't have one either. Other than a nuclear IED, neither has a delivery system--and a small suitcase nuke takes a certain degree of sophistication to make--which Iran does not have. Just keep that in mind. Is Iran a threat--ya you betcha. It's not as big as one might think.

66 El Lizardo mejicano  10/07/08 9:32:10 am reply quote

Here is an article by Naomi Jaffe (Weather Underground)just a few days ago, notice the title:

The Wicked Witch Is Dead. Why Aren't We Dancing in the Streets?by Naomi Jaffe

[Link: [Link: www.commondreams.org...]...]

Quote"So what's good about this crisis? For starters, it has already brought strong cries of outrage from expected and unexpected quarters; more voices than ever before are demanding that social wealth be used for the benefit of all. It has provided vindication and legitimacy to voices of dissent and change.

It has opened up possibilities. It may restore a bit of multilateral balance to the one-superpower world. It may put a check on the pre-emptive, regime-changing, shock-and-awe militarism that has brought so much suffering and death. It may open up a bit of breathing space for the Latin American experiment in not being the U.S.A.'s back yard. It may encourage the growth of an alternative vision beyond the Republicrats and the Democans. It may put the brakes on some of the greed that is plunging the earth into climate destruction. It may allow, for the first time in 500 years, a global culture to emerge that is not dominated by white people.

Above all, if we allow ourselves to imagine it, if we organize ourselves to fight for it, it opens a window into the possibility of an entirely different sort of world, one based on the wellbeing of humans and the earth instead of on short-term greed and violent aggression - a world free from capitalism.

I may be out there all by myself, but I'm going to go do a hopeful little dance in the street."

She has been really active working for the messiah's cause.
[Link: my.barackobama.com...]

67 ggt  10/07/08 9:32:33 am reply quote

re: #18 Killian Bundy

Because the youth today doesn't know that is a bad thing. Public Education and all.

68 Athos  10/07/08 9:33:28 am reply quote

re: #60 Sorge

Obama has a list of advisors that, even when we exclude the ex-Carter advisors, that makes one wonder if they have any real grasp on reality or can even recognize evil.

Of course, the problem they have in recognizing evil is probably related to the fact that they seem to believe that the US and capitalism are inherently evil.

69 BrazilianInfidel  10/07/08 9:33:30 am reply quote

I read LGF almost every day, but haven't commented because it's not easy for me to express my thoughts in English.

On 9/11, I remembered again how thankful the world should be to the American people for all it has done to preserve freedom.

Please, be certain that - even as there is much anti-Americanism around - there also are much people in many countries that recognize and value the very positive American influence worldwide.

I remember how I was shocked on September 11, 2001 - thinking first it couldn't be real what I heard on the radio... Seven years later, I'm grateful that the monsters that executed that attack have been defeated in many areas - otherwise, how much other barbaric terrorist acts would have been committed (not only in the US but also in other countries)?

Be certain that they don't hate America because of what you've done to them, but moved by their own diabolic ideology/world-view/"religion".

What's disturbing for me is that among the American people there are now so many that don't understand this simple reality - and turn against their own country.

I hope that McCain/Palin will win the election and that this trend will be reversed!

God bless America!

70 doppelganglander  10/07/08 9:33:51 am reply quote

re: #59 looking closely

Assuming an Obama win, the timing for the Israelis would be after the election, but before the inauguration. That also, by the way, would be the timing of action by the Bush administration.

If McCain wins, both parties will punt to a McCain administration, as his position "The only thing worse than war with Iran is Iran with nuclear weapons" is crystal clear.

I have been saying this for at least two years. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see action taken even if McCain wins, as a way for the Bush administration to provide cover for him. And it's about time the Bush administration did something to help, instead of being a millstone around his neck.

71 ggt  10/07/08 9:34:32 am reply quote

Gotta go Lizards.

Have a great day!

72 nikis-knight  10/07/08 9:34:42 am reply quote

re: #1 NR Pax

I have some hope that the debate will remind everyone what the stakes really are.

When ever Obama is questioned on his experience, he says that experience isn't the issue, his Judgement is. This is a valid arguument (if true), so John McCain must have a comeback. Here it is in four words:
"Judgement? Wright. Ayers. Rezco."
Just repeat it over and over.

73 Who Watches the Watchmen?  10/07/08 9:34:46 am reply quote

re: #40 Sorge

That's the Associated With Obama Press.

74 maddogg  10/07/08 9:35:03 am reply quote

re: #69 BrazilianInfidel

Pretty good English, if you ask me:)

75 buzzsawmonkey  10/07/08 9:35:07 am reply quote

re: #39 Killgore Trout

I assume he's sticking to unconditional talks with Iran.

Remember, everyone, that Obama was willing to meet with Ahmedinejad with fewer preconditions than he would set up to debate his opponent John McCain.

76 doppelganglander  10/07/08 9:36:09 am reply quote

re: #69 BrazilianInfidel

Your English is just fine. That's a great comment and I hope you have more to say in the future.

77 looking closely  10/07/08 9:36:19 am reply quote

re: #62 bulwrk

I believe the average citizen grossly misunderstands what it means for a nation to become a member of the nuclear club and thinks somehow we negotiate our way out of this.There is not a carrot big enough to deter the likes of Iran the PRK or Hugo Chavez but there is a big enough stick.


Ahmedinejad explicitly said (and I'm paraphrasing here. . .I can't find the exact quote) "Iran is not a stupid little child than can be bribed out of our nuclear ambition with baubles".

Now maybe that isn't really true (and any true "diplomat" would say its just an opening gambit to sweeten the deal), but at least at a superficial read Ahmedinejad is saying explicitly that negotiations will not work.

Again, the question isn't whether or not to TRY negotiations, the question is at what point do you GIVE UP on negotiations, especially given that they only play out to Iran's advantage giving it more time to work?

78 El Lizardo mejicano  10/07/08 9:37:38 am reply quote

CORRECTION Double post with links

Here is an article by Naomi Jaffe (Weather Underground)just a few days ago, notice the title:

The Wicked Witch Is Dead. Why Aren't We Dancing in the Streets?by Naomi Jaffe
[Link: www.commondreams.org...]

Quote"So what's good about this crisis? For starters, it has already brought strong cries of outrage from expected and unexpected quarters; more voices than ever before are demanding that social wealth be used for the benefit of all. It has provided vindication and legitimacy to voices of dissent and change.

It has opened up possibilities. It may restore a bit of multilateral balance to the one-superpower world. It may put a check on the pre-emptive, regime-changing, shock-and-awe militarism that has brought so much suffering and death. It may open up a bit of breathing space for the Latin American experiment in not being the U.S.A.'s back yard. It may encourage the growth of an alternative vision beyond the Republicrats and the Democans. It may put the brakes on some of the greed that is plunging the earth into climate destruction. It may allow, for the first time in 500 years, a global culture to emerge that is not dominated by white people.

Above all, if we allow ourselves to imagine it, if we organize ourselves to fight for it, it opens a window into the possibility of an entirely different sort of world, one based on the wellbeing of humans and the earth instead of on short-term greed and violent aggression - a world free from capitalism.

I may be out there all by myself, but I'm going to go do a hopeful little dance in the street."
-------------------------------------------------- -----------------
She has been really active working for the messiah's cause.

[Link: my.barackobama.com...]

79 DeafDog  10/07/08 9:38:19 am reply quote

re: #69 BrazilianInfidel

Feel free to post any time. (Your English is better than most of our Chicago educated citizens).

80 ErnieG  10/07/08 9:38:33 am reply quote

Comrades!

From Glenn Beck: The Obama National Anthem!

81 Walter L. Newton  10/07/08 9:38:46 am reply quote

re: #69 BrazilianInfidel

Nice comment. And it's good for us Americans to hear someone's point of view from another country.

We are not perfect, and we should understand that we can learn a lot from listening to reasonable input from the citizens of the world.

Welcome.

Walter in Golden, Co.

82 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey  10/07/08 9:39:14 am reply quote

re: #65 calcajun

Having
nukes is one thing. Getting them to where you want them to go "foom" is
something else. Iran does not have the missile tech to get a nuke to
Israel, let alone here. The North Koreans don't have one either. Other
than a nuclear IED, neither has a delivery system--and a small suitcase
nuke takes a certain degree of sophistication to make--which Iran does
not have. Just keep that in mind. Is Iran a threat--ya you betcha. It's
not as big as one might think.

Container ship with the nuke aboard.

83 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)  10/07/08 9:39:37 am reply quote

. re: #77 looking closely

The one fact of all negotiations, which I dont think Barry will ever grasp, is that you need to be able to recognize the point of failure and be willing to crush the other side utterly at that point.

Barry would be getting calls that another city was just nuked and still be trying to get Dinnerjacket on the phone to talk it over.

84 rawmuse  10/07/08 9:40:07 am reply quote

re: #69 BrazilianInfidel

Oy Amigos! Thank you for your wonderful comment.
I love Brazil. Always have, always will.

85 Who Watches the Watchmen?  10/07/08 9:40:42 am reply quote

re: #78 El Lizardo mejicano

Above all, if we allow ourselves to imagine it, if we organize ourselves to fight for it, it opens a window into the possibility of an entirely different sort of world, one based on the wellbeing of humans and the earth instead of on short-term greed and violent aggression - a world free from capitalism.

It soulds like there will be a lot of violent aggression to implement this new world.

86 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey  10/07/08 9:41:06 am reply quote

re: #69 BrazilianInfidel

Welcome aboard! Your English is much better than my Portuguese, that's for certain!

Can you introduce Occasional Reader to Adrina Lima?

87 DeafDog  10/07/08 9:41:14 am reply quote

re: #70 doppelganglander

I have been saying this for at least two years. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see action taken even if McCain wins, as a way for the Bush administration to provide cover for him. And it's about time the Bush administration did something to help, instead of being a millstone around his neck.

Tend to agree. I beleive that Bush would strongly suggest that any action should wait till after the election. Otherwise, he would be taking to big of risk for an Obama victory. Once the election is over, Bush will not hold back the Israelis regardless of who is elected.

88 looking closely  10/07/08 9:41:16 am reply quote

re: #65 calcajun

Having nukes is one thing. Getting them to where you want them to go "foom" is something else. Iran does not have the missile tech to get a nuke to Israel, let alone here. The North Koreans don't have one either. Other than a nuclear IED, neither has a delivery system--and a small suitcase nuke takes a certain degree of sophistication to make--which Iran does not have. Just keep that in mind. Is Iran a threat--ya you betcha. It's not as big as one might think.

Iran doesn't have to actually USE its nukes in order for it to benefit from having them. Having nukes ALL BY ITSELF is potentially a game-changer.

As an analogy, if you are holding a gun, you don't actually have to shoot me to have power over me. Even if some of your rounds are duds, or you're a poor shot, or the rounds aren't that effective, the fact that your are holding the gun changes everything.

Nukes are the same. Iran can be far more expansionist, in Lebanon, in Syria, and elsewhere, if it has nukes.

89 Walter L. Newton  10/07/08 9:41:21 am reply quote

re: #84 rawmuse

Oy Amigos! Thank you for your wonderful comment.
I love Brazil.

90 bulwrk  10/07/08 9:41:23 am reply quote

re: #77 looking closely

Unfortunately when it comes to the UN there is never a point in time to give up on negotiations.

91 Integritymatters  10/07/08 9:41:55 am reply quote

I continue to encounter people who are otherwise very intelligent who think it isn't "fair" for us not to let Iran get a nuclear weapon, as if we were handing out lollipops. I think I know the primary problem, and it came as a surprise to me. The majority of Americans simply do not remember the darkest days of the Cold War. They do not remember hiding under their school desks because a bomb might fall on us at any time. They do not believe that anyone would ACTUALLY attack Israel, or any other American ally, because after all, people are NICE, and it isn't NICE to attack anyone. The only nuclear incident they know anything about is the US bombing of Japan, and of that they were taught that we were wanton murderers by their "educators". It came as a shock to me during a heated discussion with two twenty-somethings a couple of days ago, that they actually don't really remember September 11, because they were just teenagers when it happened, and if one did not live in New York, Washington, DC or Pennsylvania, well, it seemed too far away to be "real". We are faced with a chasm of life experience between the generations, and I have no idea what to do about it.

92 Rednek  10/07/08 9:42:03 am reply quote

Well, If Obama wins and a nuclear Iran shuts off the straights of Hormuz and wipes Israel off the map, at least we will feel good and rightous for electing Obama.

93 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey  10/07/08 9:42:07 am reply quote

re: #86 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

Adriana! PIMF, especially when it comes to South American Super-Hotties!

94 ctrlL  10/07/08 9:42:10 am reply quote

re: #69 BrazilianInfidel

Your English is fine. It is better than many Americans. Please continue to contribute to LGF. Think of it as being doubly beneficial -
you helping us with your Brazilian perspective

us helping you with your written English.

Best regards

95 MandyManners  10/07/08 9:42:56 am reply quote

re: #82 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

Container ship with the nuke aboard.

Straight up the Mississippi to the heartland of America.

96 splendid confusion  10/07/08 9:42:56 am reply quote

#85
Isn't that the truth. Unfortunately, a dumb populace not able to reason for themselves is much easier to subdue.

97 JacksonTn  10/07/08 9:43:52 am reply quote

The Obama camp is all geared up at the headquarters across the street here in Nashville. They are planning a march to Belmont. I cannot stand it....they are bringing people in from other states to march and protest. Please lizards go to the Nashville paper The Tennessean and comment ....... the only blue area of the state are Memphis and Nashville and they are acting like they can turn this state blue which will not happen.

[Link: www.tennessean.com...]

98 rawmuse  10/07/08 9:43:54 am reply quote

re: #89 Walter L. Newton

Hey, that WAS a babe. Get your peepers checked. :)

99 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey  10/07/08 9:44:09 am reply quote

BBIAB. It's freezing in here - I think I'll step outside to warm up!

100 Land Shark  10/07/08 9:44:10 am reply quote

An outstanding article, and the truth is undeniable. But many of my liberal and independent friends think I'm a fear mongering alarmist when I mention Iran and it's intention to use nukes or allow them to be used against Israel and even the US. There is a tremendous amount of denial outside conservative circles about Iran and nuclear weapons. If Obama wins, I would suggest it's time for Israel to act unilaterally and deal with Iran themselves.

101 Celtic Templar  10/07/08 9:44:11 am reply quote