The Definition of Insanity

I used to find somewhat baffling this bizarre aspect of American public opinion: time and again, Americans support whatever new war of aggression their government proposes, then come to regret that support and decide the war was a “mistake,” only to demonstrate that they learned no lessons from their “mistake” by eagerly supporting whatever the next proposed war is. Thus did the widespread belief that Vietnam was a “mistake” have no impact on their support for the attack on Iraq, and now — with some polls showing Americans, before their government even proposes it, preliminarily willing to cheer on an attack on Iran — it is clear they have learned nothing from their acknowledged “mistake” in supporting the attack on Iraq. Most Americans continue with this strange mindset: we realize we were wrong to support those past wars you gave us, but we stand ready and eager to support this next one!

[...]

The only thing unusual here is that, with Iran, the American media actually seems out in front of the U.S. Government in the propaganda effort rather than in their normal position of submissively marching behind.

  Glenn Greenwald

They got tired of being number 2, or they're vying for the position of teacher's pet.

Read the whole article for all the latest in the Iran hysteria, the upshot of which is that we (US of Israel) constantly rattle our sabers over Iran while imposing harsh sanctions on its people and then crow about the possibility of an Iranian response to our actions, which would then of course require us to (oh so reluctantly and after much “diplomacy”) go to war against them.

And for more of the same, Justin Raimondo has a post up about an Armed Forces Journal article by Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis (Truth, lies and Afghanistan: How military leaders have let us down ) debunking the Pentagon's lies and laying much of the blame on the US media's embeddedness with the US military. I'm assuming Davis is retiring.

If Americans were able to compare the public statements many of our leaders have made with classified data, this credibility gulf would be immediately observable. Naturally, I am not authorized to divulge classified material to the public. But I am legally able to share it with members of Congress. I have accordingly provided a much fuller accounting in a classified report to several members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, senators and House members.

And good luck with THAT.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.