Iran in August? Some Think the Winds of War are again Blowing
For the past week, I have locked myself in my home office in order to write (basically from scratch) a 30ish-page, 10,000ish-word essay for a journal and its special, double issue on the Cultures of Militarization. So, I have not found much time to read or catch news via any medium.
Now that is has been sent off, I have taken a little break to get caught up in what may or may not be happening in the world. One surprising development was how much Iran as a potential target of Western agression/self-defence. This had been building over the summer, especially the recently-announced economic sanctions and what not, but it seems that things have really taken off in my week’s absence from the world (or it just seems like it).
But it does make a lot of sense. Forces within the U.S., Israel, and other Western nations have been eyeing Iran for some time now. But the events of the recent past, it seems those forces seem to be empowered once again. The global financial near-collapse (war can be very profitable for those accustomed to making lots of money), a weakened U.S. President (wars can be good for rallying the population), a resurgent right-wing/neocon movement (which always looks to war), wary Arab states, and an Israeli government that has been in conflict diplomatically with the current White House.
At any rate, I was surprised to see, again and again, discussion of this topic in a variety of places. Here are a few of the most intriguing I came across today:
VIPS Sends Memo To Obama Warning Israel May Bomb Iran “As Early As This Month”
Obama is Preparing to Bomb Iran
It makes one wonder… and in Canada, I don’t think there would be any question how our current government would react if the Israel/U.S. attacked Iran, especially given recent statements on Israel, how quickly the government announced Canada too would be joining the economic sanctions, the fact that the Conservatives (led by Stephen Harper) were very outspoken about joining the U.S. in the invasion of Iraq when they were the official opposition, and all the recent funding for new weapons/equipment for the military.
If it were to happen, and if it were–as many seem to fear–to expand and proliferate to include other Gulf nations and expanded terrorism… well….
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The excesses of patriotism
Jack-Boot Patriotism: You Will Be Patriotic Or We Will Crush You!! (Yes, the image is a little excessive but, then again, we're talking about death threats....)
I just posted this text (see below) after seeing a CBC documentary about a high school principle being verbally attacked by fellow citizens because of a misunderstanding about his change to how his school handles the national anthem. Some people went a little crazy because he changed to a new format of singing the national anthem. Instead of singing it in the morning at the beginning of each day, the school began singing it in the auditorium during assemblies and what not. This was done so that some children would not be ostracized because their faith prevents them from taking part in such things (not sure what religion this is or the details). Some people, including some Conservative MPs, interpreted this as him ‘banning’ the national anthem or as excessive political correctness. One of the New Brunswick MPs is the minister in charge of veteran affairs and used this in the old fashioned ‘the-lefties-are-traitors(or-at-least-unpatriotic)gasp!’ sort of way they do. I was getting a little annoyed with Susan Ormiston and her somewhat ‘how could you?’ tone too but she probably sees the ‘outrage’ in the community more than I can. At any rate, this is another example of how the extreme lunatic/political fringe makes a lot of noise all to single out individuals to become objects of frustration and hate. One of the citizens who seems like she is partly behind this complained that they were taking away our national symbols like the pledge of allegiance (which is what U.S. citizens take as a pledge). And some even made physical of death threats. This ‘fringe’ argues that the majority are behind them on this but I fail to see how attacking fellow citizens is anything except a path to mutual ethical and moral destruction.
Anyway, these people really need to think about what they are doing and what they are reacting to. It just pisses me off
Sent to CBC:
Those making the complaints, including the MPs who spoke out against this school principal, certainly do not speak for me… what ‘majority’ do they think they speak for by threatening another person’s life? The one parent complained that we have outlawed the pledge of allegiance. It is only a symbol and not a measure of patriotism. Besides, the pledge is the U.S. symbol as ours is an Oath of Allegiance (sworn to the Queen and her heirs). They might be well-meaning but attacking a fellow citizen is surely not what I think our soldiers are fighting for.
Rush Limbaugh and the appearance of influence
I have not been following U.S. politics very closely these last two or so weeks… but I have been keeping an eye on some of the discussion over the Republican’s attempt to push ‘shock’ radio’s right-wing pundit more into the mainstream. Apparently, this is strategy to rehabilitate the Republican brand. After the last eight years, there is really very little that is positive for the right in the U.S. to latch on to as a way of remembering the Bush era. The Republican punditry frets over the tarnished party brand and there is no real heir-apparent. (Some are clinging to Sarah Palin but despite her best efforts she is almost forgotten.) Hence…. Rush Limbaugh?
For the last few decades, the right in the U.S. has followed teh Lee Atwater formula of cut-throat political intrigue. This basically includes using any means necessary to advance ones political goals, including fabrications and set-ups. It has also nourished and used the media echo chamber where ‘experts,’ pundits, character assassins, ‘columnists,’ radio-show hosts, etc. keep the airwaves filled with fear, rumour, fear-mongering, and baiting. Rush Limbaugh is just one in a long line of such voices but it is rare for one to be featured so prominently in the mainstream. Usually, those of Limbaugh’s ilk exist on the fringes as their function is to stir up the most radical of the base. So it is interesting to see that the limping Republican leadership might be turning to Limbaugh. They did this during the presidential election too. First, they tried a whispering campaign to convince the public that Obama might be a terrorist, a Muslim, a socialist/communist, etc. Next, they sculpted the McCain presidency as far-right friendly. (In my humble opinion, this was a major disservice to John McCain because he was actually a fairly decent and fairly moderate Republican and one who I wish would have won the Republican presidential nomination in 2000… imagine how the world might be different today.)
At any rate, the Republicans are doing it again. Their own right-wing fringe has even convinced the republican leadership that the fringe is relevant and now they want to push Limbaugh into the limelight. Max Blumenthal at Alternet writes:
Despite Limbaugh’s low popularity ratings, congressional Republicans are so intimidated by his perceived influence that even the most resentful members shamelessly grovel at his feet. He might have alienated vast sectors of the Republican base, but Limbaugh still commands an army of self-proclaimed “Dittoheads” who represent the party’s most politically fervent, ideologically extreme, and easily shepherded element. This is a faction that flood the party’s elected representatives’ offices with phone calls, and which they believe they cannot afford to offend.
Now, this was a Democratic poll but it is not really that surprising to me. The Republicans are making the same mistake that Hollywood and Network TV do: trying to go after the so-called “all important” (insert some variation on the teen age range here) demographic while forgetting about everyone else. Politics is about coalition building but the Republicans seem to think that going after the relatively small groups that make up the far-right is the best way to go. And I just can’t see this as a coherent strategy. I think I understand why they think the way they do. Blumenthal is right in saying that they are intimidated by their own creation and also in that all the bluster the far-right generates (especially since Fox News came on the scene) makes it appear like they are influential. So, the Republicans are going after the appearance of influence and hoping that will re-establish the brand. They do not seem to realize that we are entering an era where many illusions will not be able to survive as easily as in the past.