Time to Get Ruthless in Pakistan?
May 11, 2009 at 2:51 am | Posted in American politics | 9 CommentsThat’s the argument of Dov S. Zakheim (sounds like a Jewish neo-conservative—like Charles Krauthammer) and indeed, he’s worked for none but the failed Republican administrations of the past. He’s one of those guys the Defense Department used to use for “message multipliers” to convince the public of their propaganda.
And now he says, hey, the time for lovey doveyness is over!
Now is not the time for squeamishness or political correctness. Do-gooders no doubt will howl at the sight of the collateral damage that would inevitably result if American units enable Pakistani forces to pulverize Taliban strongholds. The Zardari government may howl that America has sidestepped it by going directly to the military.
Let them all howl. A nuclear armed Pakistan, or even worse, a fragmented country whose nuclear weapons are up for grabs, would result in far more cries of anguish by far more people than anything that might result from the elimination of the Taliban threat. Time is running out. The United States must act now.
Yeah, go, fight, kill! … cuz that’s worked out for us so well… Apparently for these neo-conservatives, we haven’t killed enough Muslims yet in the Middle East. It should be noted, Mr. Zakheim, sounds like a very Jewish name. I don’t care what religion he follows, but given how Israel’s views on the Muslim world are, shall we say, compromised, does it make sense for America to listen to someone like Mr. Zakheim on the proper way to defend our nation?
Poor Pakistanis. Lots of them are going to be killed just for being born in the wrong place.
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The Good Democrat 
“sounds like a Jewish neo-conservative”
Pretty sure most neo-cons are Jewish.
“It should be noted, Mr. Zakheim, sounds like a very Jewish name. I don’t care what religion he follows, but given how Israel’s views on the Muslim world are, shall we say, compromised, does it make sense for America to listen to someone like Mr. Zakheim on the proper way to defend our nation?”
That is a downright disturbing post Dan.
Comment by Chris H.— May 12, 2009 #
why is it disturbing?
Comment by Daniel— May 12, 2009 #
Your primary focus is on the fact that he is Jewish and his Jewish sounding name is one of the main reasons that you say the US should not listen to him.
My guess is that since he is a Republican operative, the current adminstration will not be listening to him. I have said this to you a lot lately, but you seem to be getting angry quite a bit these days. These people are not in power. You are not helping your cause.
Comment by Chris H.— May 12, 2009 #
Chris,
Yes, I think certain people’s ties to Israel makes their opinion on what the United States should do for the security of the United States highly suspect, and I’ll say so. I think Israel has abused this “special relationship” and they seem to think they can order America around. So when a Jewish sounding person says we should go around killing more Muslims, I’ll say something about that Jewish sounding person. If he says something sensible, the I wouldn’t say a word about his Jewish sounding name.
Is it the fact that his name is Jewish and not say Flemish? That we’re not involved deeply with Flemish and whatever happens to be their greatest enemy, and the Flemish didn’t have some Holocaust in their past? In other words, is it out of the question to raise doubts about a person’s credibility and veracity solely because of their connection to another country, when in reality that connection probably REALLY does affect how that person thinks about the security of the country he currently resides in.
In short, it’s a combination of the following variables:
Jewish + Kill More Muslims + Get America to do it.
Comment by Daniel— May 13, 2009 #
So you only make an issue of somebodies Jewish heritage if you do not like them. Never heard of anyone doing that before (you have more in coming with John Birchers that you could ever imagine).
“In other words, is it out of the question to raise doubts about a person’s credibility and veracity solely because of their connection to another country, when in reality that connection probably REALLY does affect how that person thinks about the security of the country he currently resides in.”
Yes, because being Jewish does not make him an agent of Israel. And attacking somebody because he is Jewish is particularly creepy. If you had focused on his argument this would be a different thing.
Of course, the Holocaust is not such a big deal….after all the Germans did not torture. You have gone off the deep end. I will leave your blog alone (though I will respond to this post as long as you see fit). But in the bloggernacle, I am sad that I not only have to deal with right wing nuts. I will look forward to taking you one there.
Comment by Chris H.— May 13, 2009 #
Dude,
I’m not nutty. The whole anti-semitism thing has been so badly abused that someone cannot say anything closely against a Jewish person without being called nutty, or anti-semitist. Well that’s just crap. Mr. Zakheim’s opinion on what the United States should do in the Middle East and South Asia is compromised by this “special relationship” America supposedly has with Israel. And I will say something against it because I want that special relationship to end. Israel has abused that relationship. They’ve used us for their own goals, and it has come back to haunt us. It’s time to put that to an end. So yes, when a Jewish person states that we should kill more Muslims, I will say, this man should not be trusted because of his closeness to the state of Israel. Israel’s views on Muslims is highly compromised and untrustworthy. Any person who holds close ties to Israel who says we should kill more Muslims should be shunned from positions of influence. Going off and killing more Muslims is not in the best interest of the United States of America.
I’m sorry to hear you won’t frequent my blog anymore. I’m perfectly fine with that. This is my blog to vent on. I can swear here if I like. I can say incendiary things here. It’s MY blog. 🙂 I don’t post here to get the attention of anyone. If people visit, then hey, that’s great. But my view will not be tempered because I offend people. I will state things as I feel. That’s the whole point, isn’t it?
Comment by Daniel— May 13, 2009 #
Chris,
Let me put it this way.
Say a Taiwanese dude who had worked for the Bush administration said, “forget detente with China, attack!” I would say EXACTLY the same thing. Don’t trust this guy. He’s Taiwanese and his views are compromised. And you know what, no one would give a damn that I said he was Taiwanese.
Chris, after all I’ve seen you say about Israel, I am quite strongly surprised that YOU of all people come to the defense of Jewish Americans calling for more Americans killing Muslims!
Comment by Daniel— May 13, 2009 #
Dan,
“Going off and killing more Muslims is not in the best interest of the United States of America.”
Not much for international realist arguments. The interests of the US are not of much interest to me. The interests of humanity are of interest to me. Now clearly Zakheim’s argument for a brutal response to problematic from my response as well. But I view it more as classic bone-headed American realism. Additionally, not sure what Pakistan has to do with Israel since it is not related to Israeli interests. They seem to be more interested in their Arab neighbor and Iran. To say that Israel just wants to kill all Muslims is a joke.
“Chris, after all I’ve seen you say about Israel, I am quite strongly surprised that YOU of all people come to the defense of Jewish Americans calling for more Americans killing Muslims!”
Ummm…..pretty sure I have never said publicly or written anything about Israel. Not a big issue for me. His argument is ridiculous. But, your attack does not really deal with his argument. Not even sure why his argument justified a response at all.
“The whole anti-semitism thing has been so badly abused that someone cannot say anything closely against a Jewish person without being called nutty, or anti-semitist.”
Disagree with Jews all you want. Since most of them a liberal social democrats, I tend to agree with the ones that I know. But do not make their heritage the issue. The fact the this guy is part of the Bush inner-circle might be more relevant to your argument, but that is only mention is passing.
Best of luck,
Chris H.
Comment by Chris H.— May 13, 2009 #
Chris,
My apologies then. I thought you were someone else.
I don’t disagree with most Jews, just the ones who tell us to kill Muslims.
I’m curious what you think though about my Taiwanese example.
Comment by Daniel— May 14, 2009 #