Thursday, October 21, 2004
Dr Paranoia explains presidential politics and programs
LOOKING AHEAD by Wally Dobelis
A message from Dr. Paranoia: “Totally befuddled by the back-and-forth in political fortunes in the Presidency race, I checked with one of your area Democratic leaders, who expressed serious concerns about whether Kerry will carry New York and New Jersey, and implored me to vote. Not knowing whether this was the party foofah to bring out the vote, or something serious, I hied to the Midtown restaurant where the Texan who knows holds court.
When I arrived, the Texan was sitting at the bar, sipping his usual Maker’s Mark bourbon. “Let me tell you why you are confused. These are both equally patriotic and militant defenders of the order of the world as we know it, but they work from two totally different premises. When 9/11 occurred, the Neocons, old Cold War warriors, could not see terrorism as a ground swell move, and first looked for a state sponsorship. They found Afghanistan and destroyed it, but did not proceed after the leadership of Al-Qaeda. Their decision was to duplicate the collapse of the Evil Empire, by finding another dictatorial sponsor and turning his kingdom into a democracy, thus giving example for the sad, poor and suppressed people of the 22 Arab League countries, all ruled by dictatorial hereditary sheiks or strongmen. This worked in the USSR and the Warsaw Pact countries, why not in the Middle East? Sharon's Israelis were using the same ploy, attacking the Palestinian state structure in retaliation for terrorist attacks.
“There were only a few small problems – the Iraqis were nationalist and resented the US invasion, the country chosen was torn between the Sunni, Shia and Kurd factions, the Al-Qaeda used the invasion to build their strength among the Islamist US-haters, and the liberated nationalists, when strong enough to overthrow their dictators, would produce democratic governments that would turn against us. And the liberation theory was not honest, aimed only at Lebanon and Syria, because the Arab dictator sheiks are the ones all American governments have been and will have to continue protecting, to assure the US economy of steady oil supply, until an alternative arises. Ha!.
“Thus the Bush scenario. Now the Democratic thinking, which at the Congress level agreed with Bush in April 2003, to the point of authorizing him to proceed with attacking Iraq, under the premise that showing unanimity would strengthen his hand in negotiations. But there was no subsequent unanimity among the Dems, who, on the Left, showed strong antiwar feelings, as evidenced by the massive Deaniac attack, the persistence of Kusinic and the antiwar marchers during the GOP convention in New York. That group should like to fight terrorists the way we fight drug invasion, in bits and pieces, with equal lack of success.
“Although Kerry emerged as the centrist compromise, much of America still distrusts him. His program is fuzzy, although he tries to show strength and determination and speaks of killing terrorists more than Bush does. Obviously, the war will go on. What is emerging is that he will go to the nations of the world, stating that he comes with a clean slate, willing to negotiate joint or coordinated actions in a common fight against terrorism, exchange of information and participate in deals with Russia, China, France and Germany, with concessions. His will not be a John Wayne “go it alone” war, with the allies crumbling. He sees no Samuel P. Huntington’s clash of cultures; the terrorist Islamists constitute a small fraction of the world’s Muslims, and the rest, although many detest our civilization of liberty and freedom for women, would still like to be part of our prosperity. Kerry will push Iraqi involvement in fighting and subverting members of the 20-30 groups of nationalists and Al-Qaedas, with rewards for collaboration. But Kerry cannot broadcast the details, and undermine his objectives. The withdrawal from Iraq in four years may have to be disclaimed for policy reasons, and also the “no tax increases for earners under $200,000.” The nuclear powers will be strongly motivated towards the signing of the non-proliferation treaty, starting in Pakistan, where we have some influence with Musharraf, and India, and doing individual deals with North Korea and Iran, with Israel a question.”
“This was a great analysis, but what about New York and New Jersey? East Midtown will not go with Bush, but what about the rest of the state?” Dr. Paranoia wanted to know. The Texan grumbled, got up from the barstool, curtly apologized and departed, leaving Dr. P perplexed.
“You want to know why he left?’ spoke the up to now silent bartender. “He believes that Kerry will win, but does not want to admit to it. That’s all, no animosity, just denial. I know, just call me Dr Freud.”
Flu tips from Dr.P.: Wash hands with soap, frequently. Do no social kissing. Avoid breathing on people and vice versa. In subway, use your newspaper as a barrier – and travel standing up. Take Vitamin C, Zinc or Echinacea/Goldenseal to boost your immunity. Good luck to all of us.
A message from Dr. Paranoia: “Totally befuddled by the back-and-forth in political fortunes in the Presidency race, I checked with one of your area Democratic leaders, who expressed serious concerns about whether Kerry will carry New York and New Jersey, and implored me to vote. Not knowing whether this was the party foofah to bring out the vote, or something serious, I hied to the Midtown restaurant where the Texan who knows holds court.
When I arrived, the Texan was sitting at the bar, sipping his usual Maker’s Mark bourbon. “Let me tell you why you are confused. These are both equally patriotic and militant defenders of the order of the world as we know it, but they work from two totally different premises. When 9/11 occurred, the Neocons, old Cold War warriors, could not see terrorism as a ground swell move, and first looked for a state sponsorship. They found Afghanistan and destroyed it, but did not proceed after the leadership of Al-Qaeda. Their decision was to duplicate the collapse of the Evil Empire, by finding another dictatorial sponsor and turning his kingdom into a democracy, thus giving example for the sad, poor and suppressed people of the 22 Arab League countries, all ruled by dictatorial hereditary sheiks or strongmen. This worked in the USSR and the Warsaw Pact countries, why not in the Middle East? Sharon's Israelis were using the same ploy, attacking the Palestinian state structure in retaliation for terrorist attacks.
“There were only a few small problems – the Iraqis were nationalist and resented the US invasion, the country chosen was torn between the Sunni, Shia and Kurd factions, the Al-Qaeda used the invasion to build their strength among the Islamist US-haters, and the liberated nationalists, when strong enough to overthrow their dictators, would produce democratic governments that would turn against us. And the liberation theory was not honest, aimed only at Lebanon and Syria, because the Arab dictator sheiks are the ones all American governments have been and will have to continue protecting, to assure the US economy of steady oil supply, until an alternative arises. Ha!.
“Thus the Bush scenario. Now the Democratic thinking, which at the Congress level agreed with Bush in April 2003, to the point of authorizing him to proceed with attacking Iraq, under the premise that showing unanimity would strengthen his hand in negotiations. But there was no subsequent unanimity among the Dems, who, on the Left, showed strong antiwar feelings, as evidenced by the massive Deaniac attack, the persistence of Kusinic and the antiwar marchers during the GOP convention in New York. That group should like to fight terrorists the way we fight drug invasion, in bits and pieces, with equal lack of success.
“Although Kerry emerged as the centrist compromise, much of America still distrusts him. His program is fuzzy, although he tries to show strength and determination and speaks of killing terrorists more than Bush does. Obviously, the war will go on. What is emerging is that he will go to the nations of the world, stating that he comes with a clean slate, willing to negotiate joint or coordinated actions in a common fight against terrorism, exchange of information and participate in deals with Russia, China, France and Germany, with concessions. His will not be a John Wayne “go it alone” war, with the allies crumbling. He sees no Samuel P. Huntington’s clash of cultures; the terrorist Islamists constitute a small fraction of the world’s Muslims, and the rest, although many detest our civilization of liberty and freedom for women, would still like to be part of our prosperity. Kerry will push Iraqi involvement in fighting and subverting members of the 20-30 groups of nationalists and Al-Qaedas, with rewards for collaboration. But Kerry cannot broadcast the details, and undermine his objectives. The withdrawal from Iraq in four years may have to be disclaimed for policy reasons, and also the “no tax increases for earners under $200,000.” The nuclear powers will be strongly motivated towards the signing of the non-proliferation treaty, starting in Pakistan, where we have some influence with Musharraf, and India, and doing individual deals with North Korea and Iran, with Israel a question.”
“This was a great analysis, but what about New York and New Jersey? East Midtown will not go with Bush, but what about the rest of the state?” Dr. Paranoia wanted to know. The Texan grumbled, got up from the barstool, curtly apologized and departed, leaving Dr. P perplexed.
“You want to know why he left?’ spoke the up to now silent bartender. “He believes that Kerry will win, but does not want to admit to it. That’s all, no animosity, just denial. I know, just call me Dr Freud.”
Flu tips from Dr.P.: Wash hands with soap, frequently. Do no social kissing. Avoid breathing on people and vice versa. In subway, use your newspaper as a barrier – and travel standing up. Take Vitamin C, Zinc or Echinacea/Goldenseal to boost your immunity. Good luck to all of us.
# posted by Wally Dobelis @ 5:16 PM 
