Something to Look Forward To

Via Justin Logan, Philip Weiss attends a Middle East Forum event with former Cheney aide David Wurmser:

What are the 3 things he would tell John McCain if he were his adviser?

“Let me just bluntly answer that. One, abandon the two-state solution statement that we have right now vis a vis the Palestinians. Two—Well, let me start with number one. Number one is an open, publicly expressed regime-change strategy in Iran. Two, an open expressed regime-change strategy in Syria. 3, abandoning the two-state solution policy we’ve had frankly since the 9/11 attacks…”

Fortunately, Wurmser's not the only person who thinks Bush has gotten a little soft since 2006 or so. John Bolton, since leaving office, has criticized Bush along Wurmserish lines for not starting enough new wars. He's also confident that John McCain can get the job done, so a McCain administration should be great.

Comments

Fuck! That McCain is so bad that I will be forced to work with with the winner of the Democratic nomination even if it is the one I would resent for beating the one I prefer!

Posted by fan of my candidate | March 8, 2008 5:29 PM

Sinbad would like to use this comment to formally his offer of services as a foreign policy to adviser to John McCain.

If you think that that is silly, Sinbad would like to remind everyone - including the MSM!! - that Sinbad solved the refugee crisis in Kosovo in 1996.

Where is the love for Sinbad in the MSM?

PLEASE REPORT HOW HILLARY CLINTON, SHERYL CROW AND I SOLVED THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO IN 1996!!

Posted by Sinbad | March 8, 2008 5:34 PM

SLC,

You should check out Philip Weiss's site. If you think Matt is anti-Israel, Weiss will make your head explode.

Posted by Juan | March 8, 2008 5:42 PM

Can I give Matt props for headlining with a Spoon song title? One from Kill the Moonlight no less? Plenty of good material for future headlines there as well: "Small Stakes," "The Way We Get By," "Stay Don't Go," "Paper Tiger," "Someone Something ." Bloggy gold.

Posted by br | March 8, 2008 5:46 PM

I don't think HRC would be too different from McCain on any of these issues.

Posted by otto | March 8, 2008 5:49 PM

I don't think HRC would be too different from McCain on any of these issues.

Marc Penn got his political start working for Begin in Israel. I think she's gonna outhawk Wurmser.

Posted by Ed Marshall | March 8, 2008 5:58 PM

What does this have to do with The Wire, which is what's really important?

Posted by El Cid | March 8, 2008 6:00 PM

For those folks like Mr. Don Williams who think that dumping Israel will get the terrorists to like us, attached is a link to an article on a book by one Aaron Klein describing some interviews he had with Islamic Terrorists. Here's a little sample

"Once Islam dominates America, anyone living inside must abide by our rules. There is no choice. You don't like it? Too bad. Go somewhere else and go to hell."

Gems such as this abound in American journalist Aaron Klein's book, which details his many one-on-one interviews with wanted terrorists. They brag. They threaten. They explain that their goal isn't so much to kill Jews (though they aren't shy about declaring that "the Jews are corrupting humanity on earth... they should be removed") as it is to please Allah by sacrificing their lives to further the spread of Islam.

And they do go on about what a world under Islam will be like. Britney Spears and Madonna? Beheaded. Music? Forbidden. Islamic dress? Mandatory for everyone"

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1204546417168&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Posted by SLC | March 8, 2008 6:10 PM

Any connection between Matt's fondness for the NBA, The Wire, and Barack Obama and his history of going to elite schools with few black students? I wonder if Matt would be so fond of all things black if he had gone to a public high school in NYC instead of lily-white Dalton.

Posted by Harry | March 8, 2008 6:10 PM

Harry, if there's one thing I learned in the process of solving the refugee crisis in Kosovo, it's that it's never a good idea to immediately generalize about your opposition. Every person is a unique individual, and although their upbringing and culture may affect their outlook of life, we are not all bound by our own individual and unique personal histories.

Posted by Sinbad | March 8, 2008 6:19 PM

That's all well and good, but what I want to know is who will start some wars in Asia? If we provoke North Korea the devastation in Seoul will make Baghdad look like Sherman Oaks.

And can't we get Taiwan into the mix? We're using all of our Army toys but our gigantic Navy is doing almost nothing. Don't they deserve to see some action?

I'd like to think that McCain would be willing to get things going in Asia again, but I think he's soft on communism.

Posted by skeptic | March 8, 2008 6:20 PM

Re Juan

Apparently, Mr. Wurmser has failed to get his marching orders from the powers that be in Israel as his backing of regime change in Syria is not supported by many, if not most of the folks in Israeli intelligence. Their attitude is better the devil one knows then the devil one knows not. Given how successful regime change in Iraq was, perhaps Mr. Wurmser should consult with those Israeli intelligence folks before pontificating on this subject. As will be recalled, even though Mr. Don Williams denies it, Lawrence Wilkerson, Colin Powells' aide has informed us that these same Israeli intelligence figures didn't think regime change in Iraq was such a hot idea either.

Posted by SLC | March 8, 2008 6:23 PM

Re Juan

Yeah, this schmuck, Philip Weiss, sounds like a Norman Finkelstein/Noam Chomsky wannabee. I'm surprised that the Israel bashing folks like Mr. Williams, Mr. Hack, Mr. RKU, Mr. Saifedean, Mr. otto, Mr. ArgieBargie et al haven't linked to his site before.

Posted by SLC | March 8, 2008 6:35 PM

McCain thinks diplomacy is waiting until after lunch to drop the bombs.

Posted by jimbo | March 8, 2008 6:37 PM

"... Lawrence Wilkerson, Colin Powells' aide has informed us that these same Israeli intelligence figures didn't think regime change in Iraq was such a hot idea either."

In addition to Powell himself, virtually every senior Israeli military and intelligence official has called Wilkerson's comments an "absolute and total lie."

Posted by Jacob M. | March 8, 2008 6:42 PM

Jacob M writes: "In addition to Powell himself, virtually every senior Israeli military and intelligence official has called Wilkerson's comments an "absolute and total lie.""

That statement sure smells like a lie to me. I like how you reduce the supposed statements of dozens of people to one neat quote. I also have to say that if the Israeli intelligence and military officials trusted Dumbya and Rumsfeld with this sort of undertaking then Israel is in serious trouble, because it is run by morons. As I don't think that's the case, I believe Wilkerson.

Posted by MoeLarryAndJesus | March 8, 2008 6:57 PM

SLC,

Aaron Klein's books are essentially about his conversations with the imaginary terrorists in his head. He's not a reliable source.

Posted by William Burns | March 8, 2008 7:01 PM

Here is a picture of Sinbad and Hillary ending the Bosnian Civil War:

http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2008/3/7/225236/4911/389#389

Posted by Sinbad for Secretary of State | March 8, 2008 7:08 PM

Wasn't David Wurmser the kid from the Revenge of the Nerds?

Posted by ligedog | March 8, 2008 7:08 PM

Re Jacob M

Would Mr. Jacob M be so kind as to point us to some of these Israeli military officials who have characterized Mr. Wilkersons' claim that senior Israeli intelligence officials expressed reservations to him about the impending Iraq adventure as inaccurate and unreliable. In addition, would Mr. Jacob M provide us with a link to General Powells' accusing Mr. Wilkerson of lying about these reservations. A google search fails to turn up such a link.

Re MoeLarryAndJesus

Unfortunately, the State of Israel is run by morons. Olmert and his Palestinian counterpart Abbas are nearly as incompetent as Dumbya.

Posted by SLC | March 8, 2008 7:16 PM

Fuck it, let's just launch a nuke into every country. We have enough, right?

/Republican

Good lord, this stuff terrifies me. What's even scarier is that he could win.

Posted by Monster | March 8, 2008 7:17 PM

That's not a picture of me! That's just Hillary and Chelsea with Sheryl Crow and some random guy.

But what a news flash that is, huh? While Hillary and Chelsea sang Toby Keith songs to the troops, I was getting down to business SOLVING THE CRISIS IN KOSOVO.

Come on MSM! Help me get back in the SPOTLIGHT!

SINBAD NEEDS YOUR LOVE!

Posted by Sinbad | March 8, 2008 7:18 PM

And they do go on about what a world under Islam will be like. Britney Spears and Madonna? Beheaded.

That must be the two times the stopped clock was right today.

Posted by matt foley | March 8, 2008 7:26 PM

Man, I've hated that dude ever since Animal House.

Posted by ryan | March 8, 2008 7:26 PM

And they do go on about what a world under Islam will be like. Britney Spears and Madonna? Beheaded.

That must be the two times the stopped clock was right today.

I would consider converting to Islam if I thought the Mooslims could actually bring it about.

Posted by blah | March 8, 2008 7:47 PM

I don't think HRC is going to be nearly as bloody as McCain. One of the invariables about the Clintons is that everything feeds into domestic policy. And HRC is not so stupid that she doesn't see that all of Wurmser's insane suggestions will hike the price of gasoline sky high. Not good politics.

The embrace of the most right wing fanatics in Israel that has occured over the last twenty some years in American politics occurred, not coincidentally, over a time when the price of oil was plummeting. That time looks like it is over for now - and it may just be over. The new Middle East policy that will emerge is not going to be the combo of the fundamentalist desire that all Jews die in a greater Isreal and the Likudist desire for a greater Israel. Self interested rationality in the Middle East on the part of Americans is going to be a great step forward.

I don't even think McCain is senile enough to embrace the neo-cons except expediently. Just as Nixon decided, basically, to throw the South Vietnamese dictatorship to the wolves, so, too, will McCain (on the very off chance that he actually becomes President) is as likely as not to reduce the warmongering policy of the States. Can't afford it, and can't afford the inevitable failures it generates.

Posted by roger | March 8, 2008 7:51 PM

Matt,

Guess what? You agree with Marty Peretz about something: you're both Obama supporters. Read Marty's WSJ op/ed, "Obama Abroad".

Marty likes that he and Obama are of like minds on Israel and the Palestinians:

What about the conflict between Israel and Palestine? Many Americans in the policy and opinion elites blindly believe Israel is at fault. This does not appear to be Mr. Obama's belief.

He has made clear again and again that it is not diplomatic ingenuity or American pressure on the Jewish state that is needed to temper the conflict and end it. It is, rather, a transformation in the tempestuous minds of the Palestinian polity, to accept finally the Jewish presence and sovereignty in the land.

Posted by Fred | March 8, 2008 7:53 PM

David is Shalom Achshav compared to Mrs. Wurmser.

Posted by Davis X. Machina | March 8, 2008 7:58 PM

Hey, Sinbad, do you remember meeting me outside the Las Vegas Hilton about nine years ago? We were both waiting for cars, and you were checking your e-mail on your cell phone. We shook hands and chatted for a few minutes, then a big SUV rolled up and you climbed in the back. You did a little shooty-gun thing at me with your index finger after you got in and we both laughed.

So anyway: In our brief conversation, at one point I said I thought you were 'pretty funny.' And, well, uh, that was a lie. I lied. I was just trying to be nice. Sorry.

Posted by Woody Bombay | March 8, 2008 8:35 PM

Hot damn, tricking Marty Peretz into liking the least Israel-fetishistic of the three candidates is totally awesome.

Posted by Consumatopia | March 8, 2008 8:35 PM

Oh, and as for calls from Obama supporters to turn down the anti-Monster rhetoric, I'm gonna turn it up. First of all, as I said many times, I'm a reluctant supporter of Obama in the first place, and part of me is anxious to see the end of the corrupt Democratic party.

Second of all, as I just listened to the latest drivel from the Monster, I realized just why her experience slander (which, since it seems to be working, she is running into the ground) is so infuriating. It's not even so much it's effect on Obama, either in the primary or the general. Rather, it brings into focus that Clinton ISN'T EVEN TRYING TO WIN THIS YEAR. This is a PURE sabotage effort for 2012. Why? Because she is smart enough to know that her words are going to be turned around in the general, and will just bury her. Her chance of winning (assuming a nomination) was always dicey, but she persists in making the ONE possible attack that, every time she utters it, guarantees fewer votes for her, and more votes for McCain, in the general. What it is, in essence, is one big, continuing FUCK YOU to America.

Finally, while I can understand, though not respect, a person still supporting the Monster, the stupid fucks with their mock outrage against Obama supports "nastiness" is particularly revolting. Look, it's one thing to say "hey, it's true that Clinton is behaving horribly, but hey that's politics, and we need someone who can get into the sewer with the Republicans." I don't agree with that on a number of levels, but I can understand it. But this fucking pretense that somehow all of this anti-Monster anger is just sour grapes, and that saint Monster would never sink to such nastiness, if fucking insulting.

So no more Mr. nice guy. Now I will really take the gloves off to attack The Monster and her brain dead supporters. May you all burn in the fires of hell for all eternity.

Posted by LarryM | March 8, 2008 9:04 PM

SLC: "As will be recalled, even though Mr. Don Williams denies it, Lawrence Wilkerson, Colin Powells' aide has informed us that these same Israeli intelligence figures didn't think regime change in Iraq was such a hot idea either."

Still peddling his same load of bullshit, I see.

It is now well known to anyone who bothers to look it up that the Israelis wanted to attack IRAN BEFORE attacking Iraq. It was only when Cheney and the neocons assured them that Iran was NEXT that they decided to back the Iraq war. Wilkerson was speaking about early 2002. By end of 2002, the Israeli government as a whole was fully behind the Iraq invasion - Israeli generals regularly visited the Pentagon and were even allowed not to sign in at security stations.

The current Iran war is being planned by an Israeli officer working for the Pentagon. Google Dr. Lani Kass, Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force, a former Major in the IDF.

Right now, putting a bullet in her head might be one really smart move for people wanting to avoid a war with Iran.

And, yes, asshole, I know about Phillip Weiss and quite a few other Jews who aren't complete assholes like your ilk.

And, yes, I'm sure there are some morons in the Islamic jihad movement who fantasize about taking over the US and the world. Just as there numerous assholes in the Zionist movement who talk about "Eretz Israel" taking over the entire Middle East "from the Nile to the Euphrates."

Morons come in all shapes and sizes, as you clearly demonstrate.

Posted by Richard Steven Hack | March 8, 2008 9:07 PM

"Britney Spears and Madonna? Beheaded. Music? Forbidden." Cool. Sounds like America under John Hagee.

Hillary's C-in-C threshold is an interesting notion. What does it mean?

A - Completely wrong on invading Iraq.
B - In the tank for AIPAC/ Likud.
C - Completely wrong on attacking Iran.
D - Does not have a middle name of "Hussein"
E - All of the above.

Posted by HeavyJ | March 8, 2008 9:24 PM

"Colin Powells' aide has informed us that these same Israeli intelligence figures didn't think regime change in Iraq was such a hot idea either."

Well, I guess someone forgot to tell Bibi Netanyahu:

"Two decades ago, it was possible to thwart Saddam’s nuclear ambitions by bombing the single installation. But today, nothing less than dismantling his regime will do because Saddam’s nuclear program has fundamentally changed in those two decades. He no longer needs one large reactor to produce the deadly material necessary for atomic bombs. He can produce it in centrifuges the sizes of washing machines that wan be hidden throughout the country."

Nice job Bibi. We must have you over to testify more often.

Posted by HeavyJ | March 8, 2008 9:31 PM

"Hot damn, tricking Marty Peretz into liking the least Israel-fetishistic of the three candidates is totally awesome."

The best part is that Peretz writes this about Obama

"If he is elected president, he will disappoint many of his supporters, and surprise many of his detractors."

as if his unconscious mind knows that he's going to be one of Obama's disappointed supporters. Perhaps Peretz's nostalgia for the old days of Hebrews marching arm-in-arm with Negroes for Civil Rights, of Jews running the NAACP, etc., is what motivates him to back Obama. Such is Obama's talent to let his supporters project onto him their own fantasies. To Matt, Obama might be the hip black friend he could have had, if he had gone to the local public high school in New York instead of an elite prep school; to Peretz Obama might be Martin Luther King -- a pro-Israel black American from the heady days of liberalism when such a man existed.

Posted by Fred | March 8, 2008 9:33 PM

Fred writes: "Such is Obama's talent to let his supporters project onto him their own fantasies. To Matt, Obama might be the hip black friend he could have had, if he had gone to the local public high school in New York instead of an elite prep school; to Peretz Obama might be Martin Luther King -- a pro-Israel black American from the heady days of liberalism when such a man existed."

Meanwhile Fred and his fellow Cheney-slurping fascists think Obama is a socialist Muslim who hates whitey and is dead set on ruining America.

The Freds are crazy, malignant morons. And those are their best qualities. At their worst they support torture and genocide.

Posted by MoeLarryAndJesus | March 8, 2008 9:44 PM

Not really on point, but the faux Sinbads crack me up.

Posted by Andruw | March 8, 2008 9:56 PM

I think we can be certain that in the probable event of a lib Hitler presidency she will be prudent and patient enough to wait to bomb Iran until just before the midterms.

(Probable Linus? I don't think so. We have delegate math as well as Oprah on our side.)

Oh yes: Nostralinus predicts lib Hister it is.

(Well that's just fine Linus. But we'll go with the Obiesama one. His type will be good.)

I guess.

Posted by Linus | March 8, 2008 11:00 PM

Fuck off Sinbad, you persian piece of crap. I solved Kosovo.

Posted by Sheryl Crow | March 8, 2008 11:05 PM

Fuck off Sinbad, you persian piece of crap. I solved Kosovo.

Posted by Sheryl Crow | March 8, 2008 11:06 PM

Must I be the first one to say it?

SINBAD FOR PRESIDENT! SINBAD '08!

I would vote for him in a heartbeat.

(Note: Needs catchy slogan)

Posted by S.G.E.W. | March 8, 2008 11:44 PM

SINBAD '08: FUNNY ON DAY ONE

Posted by bob loblaw | March 8, 2008 11:55 PM

I'll take Sinbad over ScreamingLikudniCan any day.

Posted by pseudonymous in nc | March 9, 2008 3:23 AM

I have to say, there seemed to be a greater percentage of black kids at my New England prep school in high school than at my public schools outside of Boston and LA, and definitely a lot more than at the urban university I went to. Just sayin'. There are actually black kids at New England prep schools you know. Some of my black friends there were from Brooklyn, Chicago and Spanish Harlem, after all.

Posted by Reality Man | March 9, 2008 7:43 AM

Re Richard Stevenf Hack & Henry J.

1. Mr. Hack has now admitted that Wilkersons' claim relative to the reservations of Israeli officials about the Iraq adventure is correct. Of course, after it became clear that their advice was going to be ignored, the Israelis got on board the Iraq express to please their patrons in Washington. They then sent Bibi over to pump up his pals in Congress. Just like Mr. Blair and his colleagues in the British cabinet did.

2. I'm sure that Mr. Deiss will be very pleased to have the support of this boards' favorite bank robber and ex-con. Thats about the quality of support he merits.

3. Mr. Hack has now made another threat against one Dr. Kass to go along with his threats against Michael Savage and his support of assassinating police officers. I guess he's really anxious for a free trip to Guantanamo.

Posted by SLC | March 9, 2008 9:14 AM

I see it as a devilishly clever plot to get rid of Israel.

So far, the support of Israel is very popular, to the dismay of her critiques. So, how to change it? Tie it to a very unpopular war, that's how!

By making "regime change" in Syria and Iran our official goal, we basically force them to muck the situation in Iraq as badly as they can, and I guess they can. Other elements needed here, make sure that Russia is sufficiently pissed off that it will very gladly sell weapons to Iran (which has plenty of cash for them) and Syria (which is helped by Iran) to make a direct attack very unappealing, and treat Palestinians so shabbily to assure that pro-American Arab government will be increasingly unpopular. With luck, some will be overthrown.

Posted by piotr | March 9, 2008 10:01 AM

Fred:

Perhaps Peretz's nostalgia for the old days of Hebrews marching arm-in-arm with Negroes for Civil Rights, of Jews running the NAACP, etc., is what motivates him to back Obama.

This is actually anti-semitic. Just so you know.

Posted by brooksfoe | March 9, 2008 10:16 AM

Why is the GOP like a gaudy Swiss clock?

Because every hour, on the hour, they go "Cuckoo, cuckoo!".

Posted by morzer | March 9, 2008 10:37 AM

SLC: "1. Mr. Hack has now admitted that Wilkersons' claim relative to the reservations of Israeli officials about the Iraq adventure is correct."

I never said it wasn't. What I said was that it wasn't the whole story. Israel wanted to attack Iraq, but they wanted to attack Iran FIRST - because they had the smarts to know that attacking Iraq first would pump up Iran's influence in the region.

That doesn't mean they didn't want to attack Iraq at all.

And now SLC has admitted it wasn't the whole story.

Ta-da!

SLC - fucked again.

You gotta wonder how this moron can lay himself open for this sort of thing - even by an ex-bank robber.

Posted by Richard Steven Hack | March 9, 2008 6:28 PM

Re Philip Weiss

The folks over at Mr. Weiss' blog apparently moderate comments so the one I just posted advocating the application of Hama Rules to the Gaza Strip will probably be deleted. We'll see.

Re Richard Steven Hack

Hack the crack lies as usual (probably because he has been smoking too much crack). According to Wilkerson, the Israeli intelligence services were wary of dislodging Saddam Hussein, just as they are wary of dislodging the Assad kleptocracy in Syria. The reason being better the known devil then the unknown devil. The fact is that the demographic situations in Syria and Iraq are similar with with various ethnic factions that would be at each others throats without the iron had of a dictatorial government. Saddam Hussein ruthlessly suppressed ethnic quarrels, just as the Assads, pere and fis have done (remember Hama rules).

Posted by SLC | March 9, 2008 7:42 PM

"This is actually anti-semitic. Just so you know."

How so, when it happens to be true?

Posted by Fred | March 9, 2008 8:35 PM

@Fred: There's factual truth, and there's Israeli "truth" as promoted by AIPAC, Hagee et al. Never do the two agree, and since the second is self-evidently in Israel's alleged best interests, the first is, to that way of thinking, literally anti-Israel. "Anti-Semitic" is an atrociously inappropriate term for pro-sanity; if you look at, e.g., the Wikipedia article on 'Semitic', you'll see that the language group includes "the ancient and modern forms of Amharic, Arabic, Aramaic, Akkadian, Ge'ez, Hebrew, Phoenician, Maltese, Tigre and Tigrinya among others."

Posted by Jeff | March 10, 2008 3:50 AM

SLC of course assumes that the Israelis give a shit about either Iraq or Syria. Since the Israelis are planning an attack on Syria (and Lebanon), it's clear they don't.

If the Israelis had any concern about Iraq collapsing in chaos, it's obviously because they thought Iran would benefit.

Keep spinning, SLC. Eventually, your spin will cause you to lose consciousness.

Oh, wait...

Posted by Richard Steven Hack | March 10, 2008 4:29 PM