gdp's Comments

Antiwar.com Original Articles : The Bloodlust of Walter Russell Mead

Tue, 7 Aug 2012 06:11:54 +0000

There is also a Jewish community of around 28,000 in Iran according to this article: http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/enda... which is interesting in its own right. They are protected under the Iranian constitution and have one seat in the Iranian parliament. Compare this with the situation in Saudi Arabia where according to Wikipedia: "There is virtually no Jewish activity in Saudi Arabia in the beginning of the 21st century. Jewish (as well as Christian and other non-Muslim) religious services are prohibited from being held on Saudi Arabian soil".

News From Antiwar.com : Officials: Britain Mulled Capturing Russian Ship Over Syria Helicopters

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 15:10:16 +0000

That's our stupid and arrogant leaders including the so called 'loyal opposition' who're "cruisin' for a brusin'". Unfortunately it's the rest of us who'll get it.

Antiwar.com Original Articles : We Interrupt This Column...

Sat, 2 Jun 2012 11:20:41 +0000

Antiwar is a good daily round up of news and I look at it regularly together with other sources such as Democracy Now, RT, Press TV and Alex Jones, for their different perspectives. I don't think we can dispute that Antiwar has value; it's a question of increasing that value. What I get from Justin saying that Antiwar is losing support is that it is losing appeal, for whatever reason, if so then there is a case for reviewing the product.

Antiwar.com Original Articles : We Interrupt This Column...

Fri, 1 Jun 2012 08:32:02 +0000

I agree with most of what Gerry says nevertheless I've made a small contribution because of the value this site still has for me, even if that value is largely one of familiarity. I have noticed little on this site that challenges the narrative that Gaddafi was completely rotten and while I am agnostic about 9/11 acknowledgement that there are reasons to be sceptical about the official story is important. Justin rightly points to the longevity of Antiwar but there are now a large number of sites that are alternatives to the msm. Antiwar is an iconic brand and could perhaps better use that status; I propose that Justin initiates a discussion on how that can be done.

Antiwar.com Original Articles : Heroes and Villains

Wed, 30 May 2012 09:24:37 +0000

I agree with Chris Hayes and with Justin that the use of the term 'heroes' for soldiers engaged in an unjust war is inappropriate. The term 'hero' denotes someone who has made a choice to do something of moral worth despite considerable difficulty or danger. Calling the soldiers 'heroes' clearly implies and is intended to imply that that the NATO occupation has moral worth. As to 'villains' , there are undoubtedly many of these in their ranks but most soldiers are, perhaps, victims of the corruption of their leaders and the ignorance and apathy of their fellow citizens.

Antiwar.com Original Articles : What Now?

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 09:08:37 +0000

I wasn't talking about 'coddling from cradle to grave' what I'm saying is that, in common with most countries, the US has a status quo where politicians at state and national level are effectively owned by an oligarchy who buy favours. I'm not hearing how Paul would change that. There seems to be a more complete and definitely more participative dialogue coming out of OWS. The fact that 'other swine' look worse than Paul might be a clue that it's time to look beyond the pig sty.

Antiwar.com Original Articles : What Now?

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:01:43 +0000

Webster Tarpley gives a devastating critique of Ron Paul's program here: http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/76422. Even if you don't agree with Tarpley it's worth looking in detail at the possible consequences of what RP proposes. Additionally Paul's libertarianism would most likely result in less liberty for individuals since his belief in states rights and unrestricted capitalism would give greater power to illiberal states and exploitative corporations. Paul does not emphasise the obligation of the state to protect the liberty of its citizens as opposed to staying out of their way under the assumption that they will be able to cope with already massively empowered predators. Ron Paul's anti-war stance is no more than common sense

Antiwar.com Original Articles : Iraq in Retrospect

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 11:29:21 +0000

Nobody like being invaded by a foreign power even one that does some good but the answer to the question 'What have the Americans ever done for us" is exactly the opposite of the answer to "what have the Romans ever done for us" .. at least as given here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExWfh6sGyso

News From Antiwar.com : US to Announce New Sanctions on Iran, Vows to 'Keep Pressure On'

Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:14:39 +0000

The subtitle of this article is "IAEA Resolution Calls on Iran to Address 'Increasing Concern'", what does that mean? Is there a list of questions that Iran needs to answer to address this concern? What are the assertions that are being made by the IAEA and how can these be verified/falsified? I would be grateful if someone could point me in the right direction.

News From Antiwar.com : US Moves to Overturn Ban on Cluster Bombs

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:02:24 +0000

The US, Britain and Israel an Axis of Evil? It looks that way. The evidence of moral depravity appears overwhelming but the majority decent people in these countries and their allies seem unaware or unconcerned. The phrase the 'banality of evil' comes to mind: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banality_of_evil And also the quote "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing" see: http://tartarus.org/martin/essays/burkequote.html I'm not sure what sanctions can be imposed against the troika, in any case that is their tool, but there is a need for all of us to conscientise ourselves our families and friends so that we remove the moral sanction from our leadership and eventually remove that leadership.

Antiwar.com Blog : Herman Cain Is An Idiot

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:09:23 +0000

I like Ron Paul. He is more truthful and intelligent than the rest of the field. He comes across as a good man but not necessarily as a force for good, he is a force for neutrality. His policies may end US imperialism, federal interference and state corporatism but doesn't the government of the US have an obligation to act as a responsible (and preferably non-violent) global citizen, to protect citizens against absurd or unjust state legislation and to regulate powerful businesses so that they do not their economic power in irresponsible and exploitative ways. Governments are there to support our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Yes it's great if the government is not a tyranny but better a tyranny you know than a dozen you don't.

News From Antiwar.com : Cables Reveal 2006 Summary Execution of Civilian Family in Iraq

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 08:56:44 +0000

At what point do we in the West, particularly we citizens of the US and the UK, recognise that we are in a position of complicity with murder comparable to that of German citizens during the Holocaust? The MSM emphasises the badness of the Taliban, Saddam and Gaddafi regimes as rationales for invasion/intervention, but if a measure of badness is the death and misery created it is at least arguable that the interventions result in more badness; if badness is measured by motivation then it is at least arguable that greed rather than any noble motive is behind the interventions; if brutality is the measure of badness then atrocities such as these again demonstrate the immoral nature of the interventions. The question is what do we do about it. It is one thing to highlight this on sites like antiwar.com, information is valuable, but what do we do with the information? Where is the coordinated effort to establish a wider dialogue, links between groups working for peace and justice etc.?

Antiwar.com Original Articles : A Note to My Readers

Mon, 1 Jun 2009 08:28:45 +0000

There needs to be a campaign to get more people to contribute and take part in debates .. what about Antiwar.com reading groups? What about a constellation of sites and blogs linked to and endorsing antiwar.com.Get the readership to work on this. Is there an antiwar.com facebook group? I will pass on the word through my networks.