Mission Accomplished, Part 2

[H2O Man]

"And every dead child is my child.
Every grieving mother is my mother.
Every crying father is my father.
Every home turned to rubble is the home I grew up in.
Every brother carrying the remains of his brother across borders is my brother.
Every sister waiting for a sister who will never come home is my sister.
Every one of these people are ours, Just like we are theirs.
We belong to them, and they belong to us."
~James Baldwin


I have great respect for the Constitution. Within my libraries are a number of books about its creation and the correct application of it in the law of the land. Also, other books about times it has been misunderstood or purposely applied in incorrect ways.

I doubt like hell the current president has ever read the Constitution, or any books on its history. He has shown that he has zero respect for it. His cult is composed of others who show a profound ignorance of the Constitution, and snakes in DC who willingly betray their oath of office, to have loyalty to it.

Thus, I think that Mark Twain was correct: “Loyalty to country ALWAYS. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.” One can be patriotic and 100% opposed to this president, and everything he does. And I question the concept that supporting him while honoring the Constitution is somehow possible.

I think that Israel has as much right to exist as any nation. I want the citizens to be able to live in peace. At the same time, I recognize that Netanyahu is a war criminal. I think that he has harmed Israel, making it at increased risk for the hostilities that put its citizens at risk. I do not think it is a coincidence that antisemitism is on a dangerous rise in the United States. Thus, like many good, thinking people, I am against Netanyahu while being pro-Israel.

The synergy of this president and Netanyahu has already caused great destruction in the Middle East. As I watch news from foreign countries, and podcasts featuring retired military and intelligence officials, it becomes evident they have started a war that they cannot control. Having human parasites such as Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff as “envoys” documents that greed, rather than U.S. interests, was the primary factor in this hideous war.

The administration has not told Congress or the public why they attacked now. They have changed the goal posts several times since starting the war. The mediator between the U.S. And Iran had come to DC on February 27, and told the vice president that Iran was willing to agree to serious limitations, and likely allow for U.N. Inspectors. He told CBS's Maureen Brennan the same thing. This raises the disturbing question of why the president joined Israel 24 hours later in the vicious attack – something no other president since the 1979 Iranian revolution would do.

We know that this was the wet dream of the necroconservatives in the Bush-Cheney administration hope to accomplish. Hence, Condi Rice's recent White House visit was no surprise. We know that the vast majority of republicans in the House and Senate are afraid to disagree with the president. More, they are getting “contributions” from AIPAC, and we should remember the AIPAC espionage scandal from the W Bush administration, when spies leaked information on Iran to Israel. So we can't seriously look to them to be loyal to the United States in this case.

https://www.trackaipac.com/congress

Another important factor, as documented above, is that a heck of a lot of Democrats are also on the AIPAC payroll. We saw, in the 2008 presidential primaries, that those who had voted in favor of attacking Iraq did not do well. We saw, in 2024, the refusal to confront the genocide in Gaza – including bringing the rotting pre-corpse of Dick Cheney on stage for an endorsement – did not play well. Indeed, it was a ticket to defeat in the context of independent voters now deciding the outcome of presidential elections.

I speak only for myself in saying I will never donate to any politician or group that takes money from AIPAC.I speak for the well-being of humanity when I ask others to consider, at very least, contacting those who represent you in DC that you are opposed to this war, and unable to support any politician who is connected – be deed or silence – to this immoral war. More, that your support will go to those opposed to the war, especially if they refuse AIPAC contributions.

[dpibel]

1. Kudos for "necroconservative"

Splendid coinage.

[H2O Man]

4. If my memory

serves me correctly, I first used "necroconservative" on DU:GD around 2006. A dangerous infection to the American body of politics.

Thanks!

[dpibel]

9. Well, I probably read it back then

Memory's not what it used to be...

[H2O Man]

12. I hear you!

Among the things I am able to still recall is the yellow cake/ mushroom cloud bullshit to justify the attack on Iraq. I remember a fellow named Ahmed Chalabi, who the necroconservatives thought was their friend. He turned out to be Iranian intelligence. While serving as Netanyahu's lap dog is in many ways distinct, I suspect that this is (a) not going well, and (b) not going to end well.

[dpibel]

13. As long as we're doing Iraq greatest hits...

Don't forget Colin Powell forever besmirching his reputation with his wee tube of anthrax at the UN.

[H2O Man]

14. He knew better.

It was a terrible bit on his part.

[erronis]

2. Condosleeza's appearence at the WH was a clear sign that the earlier neocons are part of this tragedy

I must admit I don't understand how a supposedly pro-Israel lobby AIPAC can constantly fund activities that will eventually be harmful to the Israeli state. It's almost as if they are deliberately fomenting issues that will raise anti-Israili sentiment.

And, of course, the final desired solution by xian extremists is the return of yet another messiah in a land purged of "non-believers".

Gimme some good old time atheism, please!

[H2O Man]

6. Right.

I think that of us who really care about Israel recognize this war with Iran will continue to be very damaging to it. Because of censorship, I don't think the extent of the devastation there already has been reported accurately.

The idiots in the christian nationalists, convinced this will usher in the "end times" where the prophet Jesus will return -- and send Jews to an eternal hell for not believing the same superstitions they cling to -- are pathetic sheep. They might try Jesus's suggestion that they keep it in the closet, between themselves and their beliefs. Or, as Malcolm added, if it isn't doing any better for them as it is, they should try something else.

[multigraincracker]

15. I seem to have a problem with the ultra orthodox of most Western Religions.

Pretty authoritarian and want to say what is true. The Secular side, much less so.

[H2O Man]

34. Yeah.

I've always like when Carl Sagan was asked if he believed in God. He responded, "Define God." Usually that was met with "You know. God." I loved that!

[Saoirse9]

3. Yesterday there were rumors

that Netanyahu was dead. For a brief moment I was happy. But I don’t think he is dead, dammit.

The world would be a much happier place without Netanyahu trump and Putin.

We can never expect trump to be fair or honest or to respect the constitution. He respects nothing and no one aside from Putin and Netanyahu.

He’s like a walking id. Nothing that happens to anyone else matters to him. His interests are the only ones that matter to him.

I think he increasingly lives in his own world and doesn’t believe in anything he doesn’t like. Lying is so normal to him he does it without any consideration of the consequences. Going to war serves his ego and if his cabinet was honest with him about how badly it was going he simply wouldn’t believe it.

I don’t think we’re getting out of this war until he is gone one way or another.

He’s not able to plan, or strategize,

[H2O Man]

7. Right.

There are also some reports that Netanyahu's brother was killed. Until there is confirmation, I also do not believe or disbelieve much of the shit being reported/rumored.

I would rather he be alive and prosecuted for war crimes.

[Saoirse9]

11. I dunno H

I think I want them all gone by any means possible. Slip and fall., pushed out a window, shot to death, heart attack, whatever.

I am not brave enough to assassinate anyone, can't even kill a bug. But if I was I would do it.

They just need to be gone.

[H2O Man]

36. I think that

Netanyahu's being was distorted by his military experience years ago. He suffers from moral rabies, the fear of Water found in that good book. I want him removed from power, and tried for his many crimes. If convicted, incarcerated.

It is hard for me to identify any positive in his adult life, which I find sad, even tragic.

[Bongo Prophet]

5. Thanks for quoting the great HUMANIST, James Baldwin.

The human spirit is more capable of compassion and truth than any religion can contain.

[H2O Man]

8. Long ago,

more than half a century ago, my 8th grade English teacher assigned my class an essay by Baldwin to read, and to write a report on. I remember her reading mine to the class. It was then that I started collecting his books. Decades later -- though still long ago -- I was at a picnic. That teacher approached me, and said though she could not remember my name -- for decades had passed -- she recalled my Baldwin essay.

Despite my being an ancient stick in the mud who complains about modern technology (among hundreds of other things), I do love being able to watch Baldwin's speeches and debates on youtube. He remains one of the primary sources for my understanding of the world around me.

PS: All of my now adult children love Baldwin, too.

[Mblaze]

25. Real integrity is attractive.

[Mblaze]

10. I don't understand the need to be loyal to country

I served in the USAF and had a career helping Americans as a firefighter/emt so I have supported my country well but it's a big wide wonderful world we live in and I've never been as exhausted as I am by the nearly cartoonish hypocrisy in America and the blatant, in your face, corruption by the current administration and America's oligarchs. I am ready to depart.

That said, I'm probably staying here. I have family and friends that I would rather not leave behind.

[multigraincracker]

17. Strange how we fight for symbols instead of the thing. Flags and boarder are pure fiction.

[H2O Man]

20. Thank you for

saying this! Perfect! I just can't relate to the worship of symbols.

[Mblaze]

26. The idea of America expressed in the Constitution

Is still only a symbol but that is what I swore to protect. The flag? Meh.

[multigraincracker]

27. I salute John Lennon and his song

Imagine.

[H2O Man]

30. Interesting.

I think that the Constitution provides for constitutional law, or the decisions of the Supreme Court -- be they good or bad. As such, it helps determine the rule of law ....including that one can burn a flag, so long as the act does not involve violating the law. Thus, I think the Constitution, unlike the flag, is much more than a symbol.

[Mblaze]

31. I agree with you when the Constitution is followed

But not when it is ignored or plainly offended against. For instance, nowhere in the Constitution does it give the President immunity from prosecution. That decision is completely against the intention of the Constitution.

Congress is in process of neutering the body in supplication to an autocrat so these days, the Constitution seems a little vaporous to me.

[H2O Man]

32. Definitely.

I remember the excuse that the decision was made with future presidents considered. I'm fine with any president being charged for crimes they commit.

In 1999, I worked with lawyers from the EPA and DOJ in a case against a defense contractor for a 120-acre, 60' deep industrial toxic waste dump. His dishonor ruled that the three rural townships that were heavily contaminated were responsible for paying for the clean-up. I remember saying that if my neighbor had a dump that poisoned my land, water, and family, he should fund the clean-up, not me.

There is no denying that justice has been betrayed numerous times in the federal courts, including the USSC. But the one you note rates among the very worst.

[H2O Man]

19. Back in 2001,

months before 9/11, my late friend Rubin Carter met with my sons and nephews. He had been telling me to move my family to Canada. He spent time telling the boys -- who grew up thinking of the Hurricane as an uncle -- to move to Canada, even if I was hesitating. The youngest of the nephews said he considered this country to be worth fighting for, although he was not talking about in the military sense too often associated with "fighting for."

Your response is thoughtful, and much appreciated. I'll say I like the flag as a symbol, and think that we on the left should reclaim it. At the same time, I'm not in the least offended if a football player takes a knee, though I am offended when he loses his career as a result. I'm reminded of reading the Sports Illustrated reporting on Muhammad Ali's title defense again Floyd Patterson -- who before the fight said he was fighting "to bring the title back to America, and paid a severe price in the ring for this and related nonsense. The article reported that when Ali was warming up during the national anthem, someone at ringside demanded he stand at attention. And we all know what happened with Uncle Same to end the Champ's career for 3.5 years of his physical prime, until his comeback and then 8 to 0 win in the Supreme Court. Way bigger than sports.

I also like the history of the Constitution, something much more important than any symbol. This summer, I will be speaking at the 250 year celebration in my hometown. Last spring, while speaking there, I reviewed the history of Franklin's Plan of Union, followed by the Galloway Plan of Union (a relative), the Articles of Confederation, then the Constitution, including the influence of the Iroquois chiefs and clan mothers (Chief Waterman's relatives). I spoke about local influences in that bygone era, and my concerns we were moving away fr5om the Constitution today as a nation.

This year, I will add another local connection, starting with a quote from Rubin's speech on the steps of the capital on July 4, 1976. Then I will tell of how my 10th grade English class learned of Rubin's case (by me), then corresponded with him. The teacher who allowed and participated in this was, of course, fired. Still he and my brother were going to take a group of us to Rahway to visit Rubin in person. However, the state of NJ took steps to prevent that. This would be followed, a few years later, by the FBI visiting campus to advise the deans to shut down a planned fund raiser for Rubin's legal defense.

These kind of things influence my understanding of the shit happening today. I apologize for rambling on! I'm old and have suffered two related back injuries yesterday. Yikes! No let up for old men! So thinking about this stuff is my only task today.

[Mblaze]

24. Thank you for sharing

It would be great to hear you speak. You have connection to some very interesting people. Rubin Carter was a shining example to us all. Bless you brother.

[H2O Man]

33. Rubin was an

amazing human being. Shortly after he died, the actual gunman he had been convicted of being confessed on his death bed. He also named the man that John Artis was wrongly convicted of being. I had hoped tis would have happened while Rubin was still here. I used to talk a lot with him when he was writing his second autobiography. We had thought since 1974 we knew, and definitely after accessing the Caruso files.

I can't say if Rubin would have included that in the book. (While he was writing it, a professor at the area state university asked me to ask Rubin to contribute a chapter to her book on the Power of Forgiveness, which he did. By then, he was beyond his former outrage at his wongful convictions). But I am half-tempted to go through all my files of court transcipts, communications, etc and telling the whole story.

[Mblaze]

35. Were you on the team that got him released?

[H2O Man]

37. He and I

were close friends for 40+ years. I coordinated a bit with his defense, with the Caruso file bit being most important.

I first wrote to Rubin after a boxing magazine did a feature story on me at age 13. His 1963 knockout of Emile Griffith had been the first boxing match I watched with my father & brothers, and thus I have a scrapbook from way back then. His arrest was not widely reported, though from the lone article I had, it didn't make sense.

It is, of course, the teenage male's duty to think they know everything, and as a 13 y.o. Irish kid, I set the bar high. I wrote to Rubin, explaining I had solved his case, was going to get him released, and offered to let him train and manage my path to a world title! Ha! And I remember a tad later, on a hot summer day, getting the mail and seeing the first of his letters to me!

(Rubin eventually told me that boxing was a sport of pain and injury, and to hang up the gloves and get in college. Good advice!)

[Mblaze]

38. When I was a youngster, I watched the Friday Night Fights with my dad,

I remember the Benny "Kid" Paret v Emile Griffith fight when the Kid died in the ring. I was off of boxing for a while but Muhammed Ali brought me back. I listened to the Clay v Liston fight on the radio.

[BattleRow]

16. This is the type of commentary I come to DU for.

Thoughtfully and intelligently written,informative, yet a pleasure to read.

Thank you so much for this .

[H2O Man]

21. Oh, thanks!

I was a bit hesitant to post it. My last OP only got two responses, despite my thinking it was hugely important, and worthy of intense discussion. It was in regards to the conviction of the Alexander brother for sex crimes that sounded mighty similat to that of Jeffrey Epstein et al. So close that I was confident that at least one other person would say, "Hey! These bastards ARE in the Epstein Pedo Files that have been released!"

Not believing that this was a case of that long arm of coincidence wrenching itself out of socket, I though DU would be a perfect place to explore this further. Maybe start with the brothers' parents, just for the heck of it. Yet only I (the third response to the OP) even mentioned that. I thought it would spark a reprise of the "Plame Threads" of yesteryear.

[BattleRow]

23. It is puzzling why some noteworthy topics seem ignored.

Similarly,along the same train of thought,Ghislaine Maxwells father has received little discussion,although imho,he is a treasure trove of worthy attention.

And,yes I recall the Plame affair,so to speak.IIRC,emptywheel did a lot of reporting on that.

[Wild blueberry]

18. Thank you, especially for Baldwin quote

[H2O Man]

22. Thank you!

I love Baldwin's works. What a brilliant human being! And his wisdom is needed more today than it was back in his day. I tend to post various Baldwin quotes on facebook weekly.

[yardwork]

28. We need to look at Saudi Arabia too.

The Saudis benefit greatly from having Trump in power. One of those benefits is Trump's demolishing the green energy programs, helping to ensure a market for Saudi oil.

And the timing? I wonder if it's because the Iranians were willing to deal. Time was running out for all the people who wanted this war.

[H2O Man]

29. Exactly.

The truth is that Iran was dealing in as good of faith as nations do. That required the other side to tip the table over as quickly as possible. It appears that Iran had more plans for this potential than either the president and Netanyahu.

I agree 100% on Saudi Arabia. Unlike Iraq or Iran, on 9/11, they were involved in 9/11.