“We should…be talking about using all our political, moral and military genius to support a vast democratic revolution to liberate all the peoples of the Middle East from tyranny.”
“Despite all the talk about growing anti-Americanism in the Middle East, we inspire their people.”
“If we come to Baghdad, Damascus and Tehran as liberators, we can expect overwhelming popular support.”
“Of the four terrorist tyrannies, Iran seems the easiest to liberate.”
– Michael A. Ledeen
Ledeen is a “neocon scholar”, which means he’s as lovably dumb as they come, but still employable by a neocon think-tank, The American Enterprise Institute.
The above quotes are taken from an article written by him and published in the Wall Street Journal, September 4, 2002, during the lead up to the Iraq war. Readers will no doubt note that some of his scholarly and insightful predictions appear not to have come true.
Oh well. His “impressive” track record has fortunately left Michael undaunted and unrepentant — and it certainly hasn’t quashed his wonderful sense of humor, for just last Tuesday Michael enthusiastically opined in the National Review Online that it was time for America to attack both Iran and Syria.
Those funny neocons. How can you not love them?
My StumbleUpon Page
9 responses so far ↓
rambodoc // May 11, 2008 at 9:44 am
Paul, do you believe in isolationism? If you are consistent, you have to. America has no business with other countries, even the poor and dying in Africa and Asia. It has to cut both ways. You can’t ask the Federal Government to spend tax dollars on foreign countries.
Overated Outcast // May 11, 2008 at 10:59 pm
What would the world be without these “poor, harmless” neo-cons? So plain and boring. Sigh.
Also, just encountered your blog today and it’s really enjoyable ….
Dana Hunter // May 12, 2008 at 4:35 am
I’m not sure whether to chalk that up to mental illness, pathological optimism, or brain damage. It takes someone really - ahem - special to spew that kind of crap after being so spectacularly wrong about the previously spewed crap.
Stevo // May 12, 2008 at 7:36 am
You would have thought the Neocons learned a lesson in Iraq. Perhaps they are trying to ruin the economy on purpose. What is their evil master plan? I bet the Masons are involved.
I jest. But I can see recruiting station in Wal-Mart in the near future.
Brendan // May 12, 2008 at 12:01 pm
“If you are consistent, you have to. America has no business with other countries, even the poor and dying in Africa and Asia. It has to cut both ways. You can’t ask the Federal Government to spend tax dollars on foreign countries.”
That doesn’t make any sense to me. I think it’s rather simple to still be in favor of humanitarian aid programs while at the same time having a sober and reasonable assessment of whether it is prudent to remove another peoples’ government by military force.
rambodoc // May 12, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Brendan,
Every country should (and does) act in self interest. America’s long term interests are best kept if she stops trying to outreach her armed presence and influencing local events. If you accept this, then it follows by the same basic premise of the interest angle that America does not need to feel guilty for being a free and successful country and try to help other countries by its charity. Yes, charity may be an appropriate act, but only if its citizens carry it out. Tax money is forced, it should not be spent on such things. This isolationism is ultimately what will make the rest of the world stand up and pay respect to the US (something that is sorely missing: note the hatred people have for the US in spite of its billions of dollars spent for decades on poor countries). Unfortunately, this is probably just a pipe dream.
shirhashirim // May 13, 2008 at 3:29 am
Rambodoc: where will you get your oil?
(talking about self-interest)
Paul // May 13, 2008 at 4:36 pm
@ Doc: The best case I’ve heard for isolationism is this: American imperialism has corrupted this country — not to mention what it’s done to other countries. You cannot for long be free at home and an imperial power abroad.
@ Overrated Outcast: Thanks! Welcome to the blog!
@ Dana: Isn’t the very definition of insanity “doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result?”
@ Stevo: There is no difference in practice between gross incompetence and malice. Whether the neocons are merely among the least competent people this nation has seen, or whether they are actually trying to undermine this country — the result is the same.
@ Brendan and Doc: I honestly don’t know of many instances where American Foreign Aide has genuinely benefited the average person in the countries it’s been given to. Have either of you read, “Tales of an Economic Hit Man”?
Paul // May 13, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Hi Shirhashirim! That’s the rub, isn’t it?
Leave a Comment