Comments on: Scott Ritter

By: james lansford

james lansford — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:18:17 +0000

impeach dick and bush

By: Steve Athearn

Steve Athearn — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 02:08:47 +0000

As usual for both Horton and Ritter, we have here another example of some of the most insightful interviewing and analysis around. Regarding Hardtruth’s comments, I think he is raising important questions. I’m also struggling to comprehend the underlying logic and/or gross irrationality of the drive toward war with Iran. I suspect that a large part of it concerns the “all-out rush” for “dwindling supplies of hydrocarbons” (Condi Rice, UK Ambassador Sir David Manning), though I’m not sure on exactly what basis internal calculations are now being made. Unfortunately, the one really weak area of the commentary on antiwar.com is in analysis of this issue. Ritter for one is heads and shoulders above most in this regard, but still seems to lack detailed familiarity with all the evidence publicly available.

I agree that a war with Iran would most likely be a disaster for everyone (and think that the only sane course is to voluntarily downscale and redesign the lifestyles that are the object of the global quest for “development”). But the common argument about oil going to $500 or whatever, if there should be an attack on Iran, suggests the need for the sort of creative analysis that Ritter rightly urges. This means $500 _on the market_. But perhaps launching a war with Iran would in effect be a move to call that game off. Details can’t be presented here, but the underlying objective situation is one which supports the judgment of an Australian Senate report (Sept 2006) “it should not be assumed that surplus energy will be available for purchase, even if countries like Australia and the US have the finance.” The amount of oil exported to international markets should decline much more rapidly than the overall rate of production decline, under business-as-usual conditions. The question then is, who is the enemy who’s actions “necessitate” preemptive action? Europe/Japan? China/India? (”We’re in a race with China and so far we’re losing” (Cheney aide, May 2006) Or the populations of the major oil producers? (Could that be the underlying driver for keeping the nuclear option on the table? Genocidal rhetoric with regard to the Middle East peoples has been a feature of the landscape for a long time.) I don’t know the answers to these questions, but it’s time they were given serious attention.

By: the legendary Bill

the legendary Bill — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 22:36:44 +0000

Well said, indeed it looks bleak…Our best days seem to be in the past..

By: Max L. Cadenhead

Max L. Cadenhead — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:29:20 +0000

The greatest equation facing the Republic of the US at present is bankruptcy, with little heavy industry, (even little light industry), a desicated middle class, a poor working class that is becoming increasingly inept as memory skills in industry, farming, and commerce fade, and new generations of working class folks have fewer and fewer mentors. The Iran debacle, like the Iraq debacle, is all Israel and its far too powerful lobbies in the US, augmented by a greedy wealthy class that has forgotten moderation, (and will pay the price), under the heavy-handed guidance of Cheney and his sock puppet, Bush. The Republic is in dire straits. No work, no industry, no meaningful international relationships, no money, a tattered infrastructure, a broken health care system and an educational system in such disarray that industry considers it far more cost effective to import brains rather than educating them…Only the military, with its bloated budger, (all on credit) and its aging equipment lists, still is competitive. but not for much longer. Militaries cost money, and more money, and we have none. The torch is passing, my friends, to China, certainly to wealthy, endowed strong Russia…to India, Brazil, a united Europe who alone is thirty years ahead of the US in rational governing, and on and on. Our Republic still has talent, Scott Ritter and others like him prove that. Even the traitorous Pollards who make up the Neo-Cons show skill, albeit of a black sort.
Alas, talent may not be enough, considering our depleted treasury, the opporbrium with which the world views us, and most of all, the militaristic, nationalistic self-imagery foisted upon the American public by Pseudo-patriotic politicians supported by greedy, bloodthirsty Born Agains who have so forgotten the New Testament while so ardently embracing the Old.
We need another 100,000 Scott Ritters, in the government and in the military. Men of Honor who tell it like it is. Even that may not be enouth.

By: Iran again « Peace & Wisdom

Iran again « Peace & Wisdom — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:21:19 +0000

[...] Scott Ritter points out the Iranians have switched from talking down the US/Israeli sabre rattling as bluster to responding [...]

By: darryl

darryl — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:52:13 +0000

i do not want my comments edited by anyone

By: hardtruth

hardtruth — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:21:36 +0000

The problem with Russian oil is that Europe has to *pay* for it. And Russia can choose to withhold oil from Europe the way Canada can’t from the US.

By: ry

ry — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:57:22 +0000

well as Europe and the US go under its going to leave China and Japan (each with huge gold reserves) sitting pretty at the top. Not that long ago Japan once had half of all the money in the world. Its a pretty good i dea to not be a military empire and to just dominate the market with good products. Its called improving the every day lives and living standards of peope around the world.

Ritter is the man. I agree with Scott though because reality arguments dont seem to matter. It is not like the MIC gives a poot about the US economy or the morality of sensless killing. Whiping out the Middle Class in the US has been a long term goal for some of these psychopaths.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:58:38 +0000

Hardtruth, you’re wrong on several counts; Europe’s economy would weather a war far better than the teetering U.S. economy (public transportation, more solidarity within their societies, better overall governance etc.), and a ready supply of some oil, namely RUSSIA. Believe me, Russia would be more than happy to subsidize oil for the European economy and bring them into Moscow’s ’sphere of influence.’

By: Thomas

Thomas — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:49:12 +0000

How’s this for a theory;

Bush is using Iran War talk to bully Congress, specifically to bully Congress into quashing impeachment proceedings.

There is no “reality based” argument for attacking Iran, unless you think in terms of domestic politics at least.