Open Thread - 5 March 2012

Whilst we wait for news of the WH meeting, let's have an "Open Thread."  pl

Comments

[Charles I]

I just finished reading Kipling's Kim for the first time, so I'm in need of a few suggestions for the pile.

[505thPIR]

Question; Worst Case Scenario: Israel uses tactical nukes on Iranian facilities. What possible Biological or Chemical weapons could Iran conceivably deploy in response?

Surely, some thought must be given to this possibility.

[turcopolier]

506th PIR

I suppose they could fly a C-130 on a one way trip loaded with powdered gas in bulk. Or, they could do thesame kind of theing with HE. In either case this would be a symbolic reaction.

The more serious reaction MIGHT come from Hizbullah. pl

[DanM]

Joe Scarborough declares Gen. Dempsey unfit for command this morning.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/#46625567

[turcopolier]

DanM

A sad day when a refugee from "Hill Billy Hand Fishing" with zero military experience, and pumped full of crap by the friends of Israel in his new, but apprpriate, home in New York has the gall to say something like that. pl

[Paul Deavereaux]

Charles I... give 'Vicars of Christ' by Peter de Rosa a try. Excellent history of the Popes.

http://www.adishakti.org/_/peter_de_rosa_vicars_of_christ_the_dark_side_of_the_papacy.htm

[Morocco Bama]

I have just two words for no eyes Joe.

Lori Klausutis

[The Twisted Genius]

I had to listen to this before shooting off my mouth. Now I can say with certainty that Scarborough doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground on this subject. He got his panties in a wad because General Dempsey said that Iran is a rational actor. The general has faced the Iranians for several tense years while at CENTCOM and knows of what he speaks. General Zinni felt the same way when he was CENTCOM commander. Scarborough then claims that Iran has been the epicenter of world terrorism since 1979. Since when? Our entire GWOT adventure has been about Salafist Jihadists. Wouldn't Saudi Arabia be a better candidate for the epicenter of world terrorism? I can hear that line from the movie musical version of Li'l Abner, "There's no Jack S. like our Jack S."

[georgeg]

Media is out of control...better yet it is controlled by forces which are very un-American....

[505thPIR]

Bibi's remarks tody "Iran's leaders know that too. You know, for them you're the 'Great Satan,' we're the 'Little Satan.' For them, we are you, and you are us. And you know something, Mister President? At least on this last point, I think they're right—we are you, and you are us. We are together," said the prime minister. "Israel and America stand together."

Well, if that isn't a great example of forced teaming I don't know what is. One and the same are we?!

[Agincajun]

Col. that was the best back hand on Scarborough.....ever. I knew people who knew Joe before his fame. You mirror their thoughts and your analogy to "Hillbilly Hand Fishing" caused me to spew coffee. I spent several months in Santa Rosa County which was the heart of his base. The PCola part of that Congressional district is sane, from Pea Ridge eastward it gets really weird.

I'll now clean my screen, thanks for the laugh. Even if it is concerning such a serious topic.

[Matthew]

Col: For those of us who admire General Dempsey, all Morning Joe's derision proves is that General Dempsey is profoundly fit for command.

[David Habakkuk]

Charles 1,

Read the short stories -- Kipling, as he himself explained, was not really a novelist, but is perhaps the greatest writer of short stories in the English language. There is a good selection in the Everyman 'Collected Stories'. The introduction, by an American, is interesting but erratic.

Among the verse, much is relevant to current dilemmas. A favourite of mine -- actually enlarged from Kim:

Much I owe to the Lands that grew--
More to the Lives that fed--
But most to Allah Who gave me two
Separate sides to my head.

Much I reflect on the Good and the True
In the Faiths beneath the sun,
But most to Allah Who gave me two
Sides to my head, not one.

Wesley's following, Calvin's flock,
White or yellow or bronze,
Shaman, Ju-ju or Angekok,
Minister, Mukamuk, Bonze--

Here is a health, my brothers, to you,
However your prayers are said,
And praised be Allah Who gave me two
Separate sides to my head!

I would go without shirt or shoe,
Friend, tobacco or bread,
Sooner than lose for a minute the two
Separate sides of my head!

[Jose]

DanM & PL, there are a couple of military bases near Pensacola, isn't that enough to be a military expert? lmao

[Fred]

Finished a bio of Judah P. Benjamin. Very interesting man.

[JohnDerby]

Bibi is bitch slapping the boy in White House right now. Obama is learning the hard way that it sucks to hold a fancy job without competence.

[jonst]

The Operators by Michale Hastings.

[jonst]

It's been a sad decade.

[optimax]

So Joe is a noddler. Figures.

Obama has been trying to get the messages out through his people that Iran is a rational actor, premature bombing would firm their resolve to build a bomb and the IC is they haven't decided to build one, to counter the MSM that is more a conduit for Israeli propaganda than informative dispatches of a free press. We will have to see if Obama is strong enough to resist Netanyahu's bullying, MSM lies and congressional lapdogs to follow his own instincts by not letting Israel push us into another war. Obama saying containment is not an option is already a chink in US sovereignty. After all, we have lived with a nuclear USSR, China and North Korea--all considered irrational at one time.

[greg0]

"Iranian regime elements might be trying to goad Israel into launching airstrikes."???
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/03/05/former-cia-officials-say-iran-s-clerics-want-to-goad-israel-into-an-attack.html

[Charles I]

well it would be handy to blame the victim

[Charles I]

thanks, it sounds verrrrry interesting

[Charles I]

Sweet, thanks I shall get them for the cottage.

[Charles I]

Thanks, I'm going to read it but I'm not in the mood just now.

[Charles I]

so does anybody know this gentleman: "Paul Pillar, the former national intelligence officer for the Middle East. . . "

op cit