True conservative, retired Army colonel, international relations expert and longtime Iraq war critic (whose own son was tragically killed in Iraq last year) COLONEL ANDREW J. BACEVICH holds forth on the National Security State, the Imperial Presidency, and more, with Bill Moyers (who himself becomes more invalubale by the year.) What do you think of this, neocons and Bushie dead-enders?
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Delay, delay, delay. And maybe the Supreme Court will declare her immune from prosecution. Worked for Trump!
I almost didn't print this comment because it's dumb and probably hostile. Hint: Do you see an author's name here?
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Vern
A very compelling interview. Thoughtful and prescient. He speaks truth to power. A conservative who states, in the most unequivocal of statements, that this Administration has irreparably damaged this country.
What I found most interesting were his comments about
-Jimmy Carter prophesizing that we need to get away from our dependency on foreign oil approximately 30 years ago;
-about Ronald Reagan preaching about a smaller government and proceeding to generate a Federal deficit the likes of which we had not seen since WWII;
-that subsequent Presidents have generated such, excepting Bill Clinton, so that we are in a situation that will require a massive economic overall;
-that the tipping point was Vietnam and that this country has never recovered from it and in fact has compounded this by its involvment in the Middle East;
-that we have transitioned from a country known for its goods and services that were prized the world over and which had a trade surplus to a country that can best be described as mired in debt and characterized by a behavior of consumption and huge insurmountable trade deficits without any plan to address the economic future of this country.
The telling point was reading the postings by both liberal and conservative viewers that were just stunned by the thoughtful strategy espoused by Dr. Bacevich.
I went out and purchased his book today.
Its too bad that the Orange County Republican Talibani group cannot see past their narcissitic attitude to focus and develop relevant policies to address the important societal and economic problems we are confronted with.
What strikes me is that here is a TRUE patriot…a gentleman, a reflective person, and a person who is willing to ask questions. How many people ask questions anymore? So many people just blindly follow a political party. That’s not patriotism.
#2 –
Well said. Where were you to say this in March 2003? 😛
SMS
SMS,
I’m not sure this blog was up in March 2003. In any case, my perspective was the same then as it is now.
So Bacevich blames the entire middle east situation on President J Cater. Who would have guessed.
Huh? I can never tell if you’re joking Cook. Did Bagevich talk about Carter on the TV show? I doubt he blamed “the entire middle east situation” on anyone. In any case from what I know the relations between the US and the Muslim world have been screwed since the CIA and the Brits overthrew Mossadegh in 1954 or so.
Vern I watched a diff you-tube clip where he said it started with a Carter policy, ands each president afterwards has added to it.
But with anyone hawking book sales, say anything to sell thoses books and cash the check.
But with anyone hawking book sales, say anything to sell thoses books and cash the check.
Yeah Cook he really does come off as some whore. NOT.
I like this guy, he’s a true conservative and patriot. His opinions are thoughtful and influenced by much more information than we will ever have access to.
He’d never be able to make it in the Republican Party speaking his mind like that. Perhaps this is what the Republicans need to remain relevant a return to individual freedom rather than sublimating individual thought in favor of the party line. Of course its been good for winning elections but if you shave your principles here and there to win – pretty soon you have the situation we are in now. Nothing is what it seems and all the good guys turn out to be liars and cheats.
I used to think the McCain talked like Colonel Bacevich but since McCain lost to Bush, well the guy must have been clipped. You can’t mistake the passionless recitation of talking points for any real feeling about the issues so I’ve lost all respect for McCain as a politician but I remain grateful for his sacrifice and service as a military man.
The entire interview can be seen online at bill moyer joournal on pbs.com. The date is August 15 in the archives section of billmoyersjournal