Summary: No analysis by Trump’s foes shows the danger he poses so clearly as his own speeches. But we have lost the habit of listening to our leaders, instead relying on trusted tribal voices to filter and mold their words into pleasing poems. See Trump’s statement about Iran – and fear for America’s future.
The essential insight explaining the Trump years
Bill Bonner writes about finance at The Daily Reckoning and is a founder of The Agora (see this article about it). He is a doomster and perma-bear, but has an interesting perspective on our situation. See these terrifying words from his column “Corrections” in March 2001…
“Men do stupid things regularly and mad things occasionally. And sometimes, the impulse to self-destruction is so overwhelming it overtakes an entire nation. …The best a person can hope for when he goes mad is that he runs into a brick wall quickly …before he has a chance to build up speed. That is why success, in war and investing, is often a greater menace than failure. …
“People seem to make such obvious and moronic errors that it seems as if they were driven to it by some instinct of self-destruction — like lemmings periodically exterminating themselves in a march off the cliffs. What’s more, this diabolical instinct seems to report for duty at the very moment when the future seems the brightest — that is, when it is most needed! Just when men are most proud, most confident, most expansive in their ambitions and hopes …that is when they make the most lunkheaded judgments.”
Exhibit one, from President Trump
See the ignorance, hubris, and belligerence in the President Trump’s January Statement by the President on the Iran Nuclear Deal. It gives his justification for the US to attack Iran with every tool short of (so far) force. This might be Peak America.
“It {Iran} props up the murderous regime of Bashar al Assad, and has helped him slaughter his own people. …Within Iran, the Supreme Leader and his Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps use mass arrests and torture to oppress and silence Iran’s people. …”Iran’s ruling elite has let their citizens go hungry while enriching themselves by stealing Iran’s national wealth.”
That’s an incredible statement given the number of murderous regimes the US has installed and supported during its history. Look at Wikipedia’s list of nations using Death Squads. See how many are allies – or regimes installed by America. And so many kleptocratic rulers! Plus those who did all of the above, such as America’s long ally – President Marcos of the Philippines.
“The regime’s destructive missiles threaten neighboring countries and international shipping.”
The number of instances is beyond count in which America has threatened other nations with military force. Also, is Killing Iranian Nuclear Scientists Terrorism? (Spoiler: yes.)
Now for the pièce de résistance of Trump’s statement.
“{W}e are calling on all nations to lend similar support to the Iranian people, who are suffering under a regime that is stifling basic freedoms and denying its citizens the opportunity to build better lives for their families – an opportunity that is every human being’s God-given right.”
We are working to punish Iran, even overthrow its government, for the Iranian people. Without asking if they want help from foreign infidels. Infidels whose CIA in 1953 overthrew their democratically elected government (Operation Ajax) to prevent it nationalizing Iran’s oil reserves. The CIA installed the Shah, who gave favorable treatment to western oil companies and whose secret police (SAVAK) crushed all opposition. Even in exile – leaving much of his wealth behind – he was one of the richest men in the world.
If the people of Iran did consider asking us to overthrow their government, the people of Afghanistan and Libya would scream “don’t!” We (and our allies) helped overthrow the rich, secular, stable Libyan regime — plugging it into chaos (making Islamic fundamentalists powerful) – to boost the profits of western oil companies. The CIA’s Operation Cyclone gave a black eye to the Soviet Union — and helped plunge Afghanistan into civil war from which it has not recovered (see how the lives of Afghanistan’s women have changed with our “help” (much as the women in Iraq and Libya have changed) – a reverse liberation back into oppression.
If Iran’s people decided they did want our help, they might stop when reminded of Trump’s frequently stated belief that we should have stolen Iraq’s oil as payment for our “help” (wrecking so much of their nation).
Only a President ignorant of our history could pose as a liberator of the Iranian people. Only a people ignorant of their history would treat such a statement with anything but ridicule.
Trump’s megalomanic closing!
“Those who, for whatever reason, choose not to work with us will be siding with the Iranian regime’s nuclear ambitions, and against the people of Iran and the peaceful nations of the world.”
Trump declares himself the voice of the world – or perhaps King of the World. Without bothering with consent of the governed.
A picture of American foreign policy
It is our foreign policy. It need not be delusional. It need not take America off a cliff. Our only hope lies in our hands, as it should.
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If you liked this post, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. See all posts about reforming America, about our conflict with Iran, and especially these …
- Advice we need: Advice from one of the British Empire’s greatest Foreign Ministers.
- Continuity and dysfunctionality in US foreign policy (lessons for our conflict with Iran).
- Look at America’s grand strategy. Why do we believe this nonsense?
- We’ve attacked yet another nation. How long until somebody hits back?
- Madness of our elites is like dead canaries in a coal mine.
- The hypocrisy poisoning America.
