dagblog - Comments for "War Fever at NPR's Diane Rehm show"

We sure are living in

Resistance — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:55:33 +0000

In reply to I've always thought if the

We sure are living in critical times.

I found this picture looking for the location of the Valley of Megiddo, which appears close to Jordan. While we are focused on ISIL in the North what about the southern flank?

Accurately stated, without a

NCD — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:37:57 +0000

In reply to The "we must do something"

Accurately stated, without a doubt.

Looking at all the byzantine collection of groups in the region attacked by ISIS (now we know where the complicated and devious connotations of 'byzantine' and its connection to the region of the 'Levant' was derived) it seems only the Kurds are not engaging in massacres, and are also providing refuge for people who are not the same ethnic group.

The Shiite procrastinators and ethnic militia backers in Baghdad have refused to give arms, or even ammunition, to the Kurds. For those reasons I support helping the Kurds.

If we get into Syria, we could wind up with planes shot down, 'collateral damage' deaths of civ's, and also paving the road for Assad to go in and slaughter people. While having even less ability to influence the final outcome than we had in Iraq, which is an ongoing disaster.

I've always thought if the

NCD — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 22:37:00 +0000

In reply to As JR would piy it

I've always thought if the Pak Taliban got hold of a Pak nuke, not impossible- they have attacked Pak bases, they would detonate it, and fast in Pakistan.

Perhaps to take out an Army base (and everything within miles). Or a police academy (and the city it is in).

Think of it as suicide bombing on a nuclear scale. Plus it would be a stark show for the locals (their main audience and primary targets for domination) showing Allah blesses the Taliban with big weapons.

As JR would piy it

Resistance — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 21:55:37 +0000

In reply to War Fever at NPR's Diane Rehm show

There, this is what they'll do to themselves, when Iran and others acquire the Nukes.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq61/terran71/Better.jpg

I don't think NCD has

Aaron Carine — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 19:13:13 +0000

In reply to War Fever at NPR's Diane Rehm show

I don't think NCD has answered the case for war, which isn't bloodthirsty or warmongering. It may not be right, though.

The "we must do something"

Michael Maiello — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 18:41:00 +0000

In reply to War Fever at NPR's Diane Rehm show

The "we must do something" side is definitely dominating the debate. There is still recognition, though, that the U.S. public isn't going to stand for another ground war. Right now, that puts a hard limit on what can be done. Americans will, I think, tolerate drones and air strikes. If casualties from our side are the result, it's unclear to me whether or not people would move to support a wider war or demand a more complete withdrawal.

I do think, with enough repetition, that the hawks can move public opinion. It is very easy to characterize doves as well-meaning but unrealistic, if not as total wimps. It is very hard, even for a dove-leaner like me, to shrug off the accusation that ISIS has already attempted genocide and that it intends to accomplish it.

Also, ISIS has four American hostages in Syria right now. Publicize that and attitudes could definitely change.

That's where mandatory voting

NCD — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 17:12:43 +0000

In reply to Although I'm not the biggest

That's where mandatory voting (Australia) helps, somewhat. Exploiting ignorance, hate and fear are the standby voter motivation tools here and elsewhere in democracies.

Mother Jones reports on a survey that 1/4 of American think they will get Ebola. Maybe some guy can get elected using it. Ebola fears also seems high on Donald Trump's worry list too, showing money doesn't ensure intelligence.

Although I'm not the biggest

Verified Atheist — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 16:52:05 +0000

In reply to Can any politician win a

Although I'm not the biggest fan of Rand (or Ron) Paul, if I were I'd be afraid of sticking my hopes on the backs of college students. I did that in 2004 (when I was a back-to-school grad student), seeing the enthusiasm for getting rid of Bush (if not a matching enthusiasm for Kerry), only to be solely disappointed by their actual turnout at the polls.

Can any politician win a

NCD — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 15:16:04 +0000

In reply to Rand has a good shot I

Can any politician win a nomination, get elected and firmly carry out a policy of not 'spreading freedom' or 'protecting America' with weapons transfers, bombing and drone attacks? Even NPR is beating the war drums. The Middle East is a never ending meal ticket for the US arms industry.

I support helping the Kurds defend themselves. And that's it.

If ISIS is forced out of Sunni Iraq the Iranian backed militias will just go in and slaughter Sunni's like they did in the ethnic cleansing of Baghdad. We are now seeing a division of Iraq, that might have been accomplished more peaceably when Biden suggested it years ago.

Rand has a good shot I

esse — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 13:17:33 +0000

In reply to War Fever at NPR's Diane Rehm show

Rand has a good shot I believe... here is why.... http://www.yaliberty.org/convention/2014/report