American Ruling Class

Is the U.S. Producing Democracies?

"There is a political science literature whose research indicates that economic development fosters democratic government, as opposed to dictatorships and autocracies. This is not to say that democracies are an end to be sought, because they in turn stifle economic development. But it is to say that the U.S. and NATO policy of tearing down dictatorships does not achieve the oft-advertised aim of producing democracies. This is especially true when the means is a devastating war that destroys physical, cultural, social and human capital. Recent evidence for this includes countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIs the U.S. Producing Democracies?

Reps. Bachmann, Gohmert and King thank Egyptian military for coup

“Tea party-backed Representatives Michele Bachmann (R-MN), Louie Gohmert (R-TX) and Steve King (R-IA) on Saturday held a press conference in Egypt to thank the country’s military for overthrowing the elected government.  ‘Together, we’ve gone through suffering. Together, the United States … Continue reading →

Continue ReadingReps. Bachmann, Gohmert and King thank Egyptian military for coup

House Staffer Tells Me What AIPAC Is Doing

"Israel has no problem with the Assad regime. Like their dearly departed fellow former strongman Hosni Mubarak, both Hafez and Bashir Assad scrupulously kept the peace with Israel since 1973. As for chemical weapons, Israel not only has used them in Gaza but is one of seven countries in the world (Syria is another one) that has not ratified the treaty banning their use. Additionally, any regime likely to succeed Assad’s is likely to be more militantly anti-Israel and more trigger happy than the current regime. The reason Israel (and its lobby) are going all out to push the United States to attack Syria is as a precedent for a much larger attack on Iran." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHouse Staffer Tells Me What AIPAC Is Doing

Listen to Patraeus?

"Remember General David Patraeus? The guy who claimed that as soon as his brilliant comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy (COIN) was implemented in Afghanistan the US would emerge victorious? The 'maverick savior of Iraq' as he was christened by neocon historian Viktor David Hanson? Anyone notice how Iraq and Afghanistan are doing these days? After two colossal failures, Patraeus has crawled out from under his rock of shame to again take up the cause of war-promotion. Heartily endorsing President Obama’s request for authorization to use force on Syria, Patraeus betrays the real prize in the sights of the Syria war-promoters: Iran." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingListen to Patraeus?

14 Principled Anti-War Celebrities We Fear May Have Been Kidnapped

"Our government is yet again marching us towards a war of choice in the Middle East and our non-partisan, peace-loving celebrities have gone missing since late 2008. We fear the worst. The only explanation for their continued silence must be a large, organized kidnapping. To whoever is responsible for their disappearance, please post pictures of them holding a recent newspaper so we know they’re okay." Continue reading →

Continue Reading14 Principled Anti-War Celebrities We Fear May Have Been Kidnapped

Petition To AIPAC: Stay Out Of Our Foreign Policy!

"We the undersigned demand that you, the pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), STAY OUT of America foreign policy, that you call back the hundreds of lobbyists you have currently sent to D.C. to bribe congress to attack Syria, and that you let the American people make up their own minds regarding what is best for America. Just as no other nation comes before Israel for Israelis, no other nation comes before America for Americans." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPetition To AIPAC: Stay Out Of Our Foreign Policy!

AIPAC to deploy hundreds of lobbyists to push for Syria action

"The influential pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee will deploy hundreds of activists next week to win support in Congress for military action in Syria, amid an intense White House effort to convince wavering U.S. lawmakers to vote for limited strikes. 'We plan a major lobbying effort with about 250 activists in Washington to meet with their senators and representatives,' an AIPAC source said on Saturday. Congressional aides said they expected the meetings and calls on Tuesday, as President Barack Obama and officials from his administration make their case for missile strikes." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingAIPAC to deploy hundreds of lobbyists to push for Syria action

Map: All the Countries John McCain Has Wanted to Attack

"Even before he was caught playing poker on his iPhone at a Senate hearing on Wednesday, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) had already sent a message: Anything less than an extensive aerial assault on the Syrian regime by American forces would be an unacceptable approach to the conflict in the Middle East. This was hardly surprising. Over the last two decades, McCain has rarely missed an opportunity to call for the escalation of an international conflict. Since the mid-1990s, he's pushed for regime change in more than a half-dozen countries—occasionally with disastrous consequences." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMap: All the Countries John McCain Has Wanted to Attack