Interesting but with my long history with Israel, I find your criticism’s short on a deep understanding of the nation and it’s people. I would point to the now, 30 straight weeks of full spectrum opposition to Bibi’s corruption and trumpist demagoguery. Israel is no black and white situation. Like most complex issues, the shades of grey are endless. In the global era of radical populism, nationalism and far-right, violent extremism, Israel, like the US has had their national identity undermined by religious fanatics and corrupt leaders. We must strive to better understand the identity of both friends and enemies.
So you are saying, and I paraphrase; Your implied condemnation of Israeli state and non-state activities makes them all bad.
Pollard’s activities were part of a very complicated and murky world of high stakes poker, where most nations have a seat at the table. Were folks using this as their criteria for judgment, few nations would have a friend or ally.
I believe, without looking back into comments, that I already stated that Bibi and his global far right thugs are irredeemable. We are beyond fortunate that the US still has any friend or allies post trump. It will take a generation to rebuild our relationships if... we can put an end to the MAGA quicksand engulfing the GOP.
The best way forward is for all players to at least embrace truth and reality. The only way to do this is grounded in undoing what I call “FOX Syndrome.” In short rebuilding the Great American Narrative, centered around our stated and often demonstrated values. Telling the truth is embedded in that narrative because it is one of the countless supporting narratives of that Great American Narrative.
The real narrative in my opinion, is that the US has stood up to fascism and will remain vigilant to continue to erode its threat.
Israel, after decades of close personal experience with the state, via Israeli Jews and other citizens, as well as the different flavors of American and other diaspora Jews, I can tell you that Israeli politics follow US trends by approximately 3-4 years.
Bibi will end up like trump, but with better lawyers.
No one can control reality. For humans, leadership at all levels that display via actions, our true values, are the key to success. This is what builds resilience via a well formed identity.
Lots of rambling but I am just out of the pool, playing with family and am doing what I despise... typing with my thumbs.
I am no fan of Greenwald, although after spending a great deal of time with Laura Poitras I am a fan. We were together while that she largely worked with my team, filming her Oscar-nominated documentary, My Country, My Country. In fact, my fifteen seconds of fame resulted from her using my photo as the cover shot for the film.
Wow, just WOW!! I never knew quoting from the Preamble of the US Constitution constituted trigger words to say nothing of safety and security for the citizenry which is the primary duty of government. My, my, one learns new things every day.
As to the other descriptives -- sea lioning, pregnant questions, tone policing -- I have no idea what these mean so I will pass on commenting.
And just for the record, it is because I care about the lives of American citizens and the appropriate use of constitutional powers -- to include checks and balances as well as the careful delineation between the enumerated powers granted the Federal Government and all other powers granted the States and the People per the 10th Amendment -- that I raise these issues.
Now, now, now my friend, here you go obfuscating again. Your point has no relevancy to the topic. I also see, that despite your prodigious analytical prowess, your political identity still produces a variety of tactics to dilute expert analysis and facts that challenge your political ID. I don’t expect you to produce any here as well and specific to the topic. How do I know this... because that facts you seek don’t exist.
Rogelio,
As an advisory, Doc is a longtime and dear friend. He will defend GOP false narratives due to being wedded to his political identity... unconditionally. When arguing, he uses a variety of techniques and tactics to undermine truth. Additionally, he loves to poke and provoke me for the fun of it, when I tell the truth about anything that he sees as an attack on the GOP. This he enjoys and does it for fun’s sake. When I spent a lot of time on LinkedIn, he did this so regularly that other commenters ended up declaring much the same as you have.
On national security matters, he a remarkable intelligence analyst besides his Theological prowess. The most important point for me is to show others that we can passionately debate with our dear friends and not agree at all on topics, but still remain great friends. he also knows that I will call him out for his unsupportable false narratives devoid of any facts.
I appreciate y’all having this discussion and quite frankly, this is the point of starting TAT. Spectators to such discussions come to their own conclusions and never producing a single credible fact, becomes apparent to most spectators. This is what America was designed for.
No worries about sparring with Doc. He often provokes for fun, although he is certainly married to his political identity. Much like boxing, if one gets into the ring, it would be foolish to believe that you won't be struck.
Much of what I do within our Think/ Do tank, Narrative Strategies, how humans "make meaning" out of what they experience, from their first breath onward, is delicate to sort out without specific knowledge of NIA/ Narrative Identity Analysis.
Within Narrative Warfare, the battle is for meaning over events not the facts themselves. Today's version of the GOP has been conditioned, much like Pavlov's dog, to accept the false reality of Trump/ MAGA. They have no conscious ability to resist, in most cases. It has taken FOX and the other deplorable media like Gateway Pundit, Breitbart, OAN, The Daily Caller nearly three decades to condition their audiences. With this largely accomplished, most of the GOP is "conditioned" to do and say whatever their favorite narrators tell them to. Even if we made all the right moves now to intervene in this un-American behavior, it would take a generation at best, to mostly deprogram the Party. This is why my professional opinion is that a MAGA dominated GOP is the most acute threat to US national security.
based on your stated dedication to all of the named American principles, where was your voice when the last administration assaulted (and still does) every single true American value and principle?
Thank you for your lengthy response. And I agree with your basic premise that our broken immigration system and resultant border crisis are issues of long standing with culpability resting with both political parties yet it seems only the GOP is blamed while the Democrats consistently get a pass.
However, you still have failed to address the basic question of what should be the proper response of any of the 50 sovereign states in the face of the abject failure and dereliction of duty of the Federal Government in enforcing its enumerated powers, or in this case, to "insure domestic Tranquility" and "provide for a common defense." While you rightfully raise objections to Governor Abbott's response to the ineptitude of the Biden Administration's callous if not criminal incompetence as it pertains to the immigration and border policies I have yet to see any constructive alternatives to the response by the State of Texas. Surely you are not suggesting that the Governor ignore issues of safety and security that affect the lives of Texas citizens?
The one thing your most recent screed against the government of the State of Texas fails to address is the question of what should be the proper response of any of the 50 sovereign states in the face of the abject failure and dereliction of duty of the Federal Government in enforcing its enumerated powers, or in this case, to "insure domestic Tranquility" and "provide for a common defense."
I get it that you have a decidedly jaundiced view of Governor Abbott and his policies. But if we may set aide your partisan biases for the moment surely you must agree that the current untenable situation at our southern border created by the incompetence of the current administration in Washington poses a dire threat to the safety and security of the citizens of Teas and the greater United States. Surely you are not suggesting that Texas authorities simply sit by and do nothing?
Yikes my friend, I wrote a long response but now I don’t see it. I will try to recreate it.
First and foremost, I don’t speak with political bias. My bias is against any that work tirelessly against American values with cruelty and dishonesty. This includes breaking the law repeatedly with illegal and often unConstitutional agendas. To be blunt, “I call ‘em as I see ‘em.”
Your false narratives in your comment are not supportable by credible facts. In regard to the facts and as with my definition of truth, “all credible facts assembled, analyzed and presented in context” the article you are challenging is full of truthful links. Perhaps a read of the links will be of assistance to your better understanding.
The false narrative of the current administration’s border failure cannot be supported by any factual presentation. I welcome an attempt to make your case, not just with a false narrative but with truth. The blame for our immigration issues, not a “border crisis,” lies with congress and both parties... for decades. You will see in the article links to both JFK’s speech on immigration and an essay from “W’s” Commerce Secretary on immigration. Like both Obama’s and W’s very similar comprehensive immigration reform packages, the hand grenade undermining both was then Speaker, Newt Gingrich’s no holds barred/ scorched earth politics that prevented and still prevents partisanship. You may wish to read, “Burning down the House” by Julian E. Zelizer, Princeton Professor and NYT, best selling author. The point being, arguing that the current administration is solely responsible for anything but some moderate successes at the border. As John Adams famously said, “facts are stubborn things.” Illegal border crossings are down by more than 30 percent due primarily to the innovative approach of using an app to schedule asylum appointments.
As for recommendations, it’s the author’s prerogative to write about the topics they wish. I have written on recommendations in the past. To save you a minute or so, my recommendations are painfully simple and get right at the core of the problem. The two highlights are for 1. Congress to do their job and 2. Voters to shake off their addiction to party and become responsible citizens by voting for truth rather than the fake patriotism of today’s, MAGA dominated GOP. At the same time, may I also suggest that the party do what the left has done; cordon off their small handful of more fringe-like elected reps, so they don’t get in the way of progress. The current GOP embraces and is submissive to the loonies espousing all manner of conspiracy theories.
I am not interested in some philosophical discussion on this topic. I would though appreciate a factual debate over the issues, supported by credible evidence, not the Daily Caller or Heritage Foundation. Truth is available in publicly accessible documents. For example, I regularly read CBP reports, all available online. I read history, all available online. I read responsible members on the alleged, “both sides” also available publicly, with the exception of some of our elected TX politicians who have scrubbed their media presence to distance themselves from their trumpiest contributions. Yes, our congressman, Tony Gonzalez has done this often, including blocking well informed constituents like me.
You my friend are a most talented analyst. The facts are mostly all available. I would suggest employing your substantial talent on facts rather than political identity. As I often say, “if you believe your side is always right, you’re wrong.”
Surely, you don’t suggest cruelty, breaking US and international law and unconstitutional behavior is acceptable behavior. To make matters worse, all that abbott and his cronies are doing in the trump era violates all of the moral standards our founders advocated for in our founding documents. This isn’t conservatism, it’s fascism.
I agree regarding that the source is far less, than part of a reliable nail to hang one’s hat on.
On a related issue and since you have rarely agreed when I support my claims with sources highly rated by, media bias fact check, that you are now concurring with their analysis for my sourcing?
Sounds like the typical conspiracy story trash peddled by Progressive left-wing scandal sheets.
Interesting but with my long history with Israel, I find your criticism’s short on a deep understanding of the nation and it’s people. I would point to the now, 30 straight weeks of full spectrum opposition to Bibi’s corruption and trumpist demagoguery. Israel is no black and white situation. Like most complex issues, the shades of grey are endless. In the global era of radical populism, nationalism and far-right, violent extremism, Israel, like the US has had their national identity undermined by religious fanatics and corrupt leaders. We must strive to better understand the identity of both friends and enemies.
So you are saying, and I paraphrase; Your implied condemnation of Israeli state and non-state activities makes them all bad.
Pollard’s activities were part of a very complicated and murky world of high stakes poker, where most nations have a seat at the table. Were folks using this as their criteria for judgment, few nations would have a friend or ally.
I believe, without looking back into comments, that I already stated that Bibi and his global far right thugs are irredeemable. We are beyond fortunate that the US still has any friend or allies post trump. It will take a generation to rebuild our relationships if... we can put an end to the MAGA quicksand engulfing the GOP.
The best way forward is for all players to at least embrace truth and reality. The only way to do this is grounded in undoing what I call “FOX Syndrome.” In short rebuilding the Great American Narrative, centered around our stated and often demonstrated values. Telling the truth is embedded in that narrative because it is one of the countless supporting narratives of that Great American Narrative.
The real narrative in my opinion, is that the US has stood up to fascism and will remain vigilant to continue to erode its threat.
Israel, after decades of close personal experience with the state, via Israeli Jews and other citizens, as well as the different flavors of American and other diaspora Jews, I can tell you that Israeli politics follow US trends by approximately 3-4 years.
Bibi will end up like trump, but with better lawyers.
No one can control reality. For humans, leadership at all levels that display via actions, our true values, are the key to success. This is what builds resilience via a well formed identity.
Lots of rambling but I am just out of the pool, playing with family and am doing what I despise... typing with my thumbs.
??????????????????????????????????????????????????
Please specify. I can make the same generalized comment about the current Administration.
I am no fan of Greenwald, although after spending a great deal of time with Laura Poitras I am a fan. We were together while that she largely worked with my team, filming her Oscar-nominated documentary, My Country, My Country. In fact, my fifteen seconds of fame resulted from her using my photo as the cover shot for the film.
https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/the-intercept/
???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Since it is difficult to respond to incoherence all I will say at this point is have a nice day.
Wow, just WOW!! I never knew quoting from the Preamble of the US Constitution constituted trigger words to say nothing of safety and security for the citizenry which is the primary duty of government. My, my, one learns new things every day.
As to the other descriptives -- sea lioning, pregnant questions, tone policing -- I have no idea what these mean so I will pass on commenting.
And just for the record, it is because I care about the lives of American citizens and the appropriate use of constitutional powers -- to include checks and balances as well as the careful delineation between the enumerated powers granted the Federal Government and all other powers granted the States and the People per the 10th Amendment -- that I raise these issues.
Doc B
Now, now, now my friend, here you go obfuscating again. Your point has no relevancy to the topic. I also see, that despite your prodigious analytical prowess, your political identity still produces a variety of tactics to dilute expert analysis and facts that challenge your political ID. I don’t expect you to produce any here as well and specific to the topic. How do I know this... because that facts you seek don’t exist.
Rogelio,
As an advisory, Doc is a longtime and dear friend. He will defend GOP false narratives due to being wedded to his political identity... unconditionally. When arguing, he uses a variety of techniques and tactics to undermine truth. Additionally, he loves to poke and provoke me for the fun of it, when I tell the truth about anything that he sees as an attack on the GOP. This he enjoys and does it for fun’s sake. When I spent a lot of time on LinkedIn, he did this so regularly that other commenters ended up declaring much the same as you have.
On national security matters, he a remarkable intelligence analyst besides his Theological prowess. The most important point for me is to show others that we can passionately debate with our dear friends and not agree at all on topics, but still remain great friends. he also knows that I will call him out for his unsupportable false narratives devoid of any facts.
I appreciate y’all having this discussion and quite frankly, this is the point of starting TAT. Spectators to such discussions come to their own conclusions and never producing a single credible fact, becomes apparent to most spectators. This is what America was designed for.
Cheers to both of you.
Rogelio,
No worries about sparring with Doc. He often provokes for fun, although he is certainly married to his political identity. Much like boxing, if one gets into the ring, it would be foolish to believe that you won't be struck.
Much of what I do within our Think/ Do tank, Narrative Strategies, how humans "make meaning" out of what they experience, from their first breath onward, is delicate to sort out without specific knowledge of NIA/ Narrative Identity Analysis.
Within Narrative Warfare, the battle is for meaning over events not the facts themselves. Today's version of the GOP has been conditioned, much like Pavlov's dog, to accept the false reality of Trump/ MAGA. They have no conscious ability to resist, in most cases. It has taken FOX and the other deplorable media like Gateway Pundit, Breitbart, OAN, The Daily Caller nearly three decades to condition their audiences. With this largely accomplished, most of the GOP is "conditioned" to do and say whatever their favorite narrators tell them to. Even if we made all the right moves now to intervene in this un-American behavior, it would take a generation at best, to mostly deprogram the Party. This is why my professional opinion is that a MAGA dominated GOP is the most acute threat to US national security.
Thanks for this discussion
My friend,
based on your stated dedication to all of the named American principles, where was your voice when the last administration assaulted (and still does) every single true American value and principle?
Hi Paul,
Thank you for your lengthy response. And I agree with your basic premise that our broken immigration system and resultant border crisis are issues of long standing with culpability resting with both political parties yet it seems only the GOP is blamed while the Democrats consistently get a pass.
However, you still have failed to address the basic question of what should be the proper response of any of the 50 sovereign states in the face of the abject failure and dereliction of duty of the Federal Government in enforcing its enumerated powers, or in this case, to "insure domestic Tranquility" and "provide for a common defense." While you rightfully raise objections to Governor Abbott's response to the ineptitude of the Biden Administration's callous if not criminal incompetence as it pertains to the immigration and border policies I have yet to see any constructive alternatives to the response by the State of Texas. Surely you are not suggesting that the Governor ignore issues of safety and security that affect the lives of Texas citizens?
V/R
Doc B
V/R
Doc B
Hi Paul,
The one thing your most recent screed against the government of the State of Texas fails to address is the question of what should be the proper response of any of the 50 sovereign states in the face of the abject failure and dereliction of duty of the Federal Government in enforcing its enumerated powers, or in this case, to "insure domestic Tranquility" and "provide for a common defense."
I get it that you have a decidedly jaundiced view of Governor Abbott and his policies. But if we may set aide your partisan biases for the moment surely you must agree that the current untenable situation at our southern border created by the incompetence of the current administration in Washington poses a dire threat to the safety and security of the citizens of Teas and the greater United States. Surely you are not suggesting that Texas authorities simply sit by and do nothing?
V/R
Doc B
Yikes my friend, I wrote a long response but now I don’t see it. I will try to recreate it.
First and foremost, I don’t speak with political bias. My bias is against any that work tirelessly against American values with cruelty and dishonesty. This includes breaking the law repeatedly with illegal and often unConstitutional agendas. To be blunt, “I call ‘em as I see ‘em.”
Your false narratives in your comment are not supportable by credible facts. In regard to the facts and as with my definition of truth, “all credible facts assembled, analyzed and presented in context” the article you are challenging is full of truthful links. Perhaps a read of the links will be of assistance to your better understanding.
The false narrative of the current administration’s border failure cannot be supported by any factual presentation. I welcome an attempt to make your case, not just with a false narrative but with truth. The blame for our immigration issues, not a “border crisis,” lies with congress and both parties... for decades. You will see in the article links to both JFK’s speech on immigration and an essay from “W’s” Commerce Secretary on immigration. Like both Obama’s and W’s very similar comprehensive immigration reform packages, the hand grenade undermining both was then Speaker, Newt Gingrich’s no holds barred/ scorched earth politics that prevented and still prevents partisanship. You may wish to read, “Burning down the House” by Julian E. Zelizer, Princeton Professor and NYT, best selling author. The point being, arguing that the current administration is solely responsible for anything but some moderate successes at the border. As John Adams famously said, “facts are stubborn things.” Illegal border crossings are down by more than 30 percent due primarily to the innovative approach of using an app to schedule asylum appointments.
As for recommendations, it’s the author’s prerogative to write about the topics they wish. I have written on recommendations in the past. To save you a minute or so, my recommendations are painfully simple and get right at the core of the problem. The two highlights are for 1. Congress to do their job and 2. Voters to shake off their addiction to party and become responsible citizens by voting for truth rather than the fake patriotism of today’s, MAGA dominated GOP. At the same time, may I also suggest that the party do what the left has done; cordon off their small handful of more fringe-like elected reps, so they don’t get in the way of progress. The current GOP embraces and is submissive to the loonies espousing all manner of conspiracy theories.
I am not interested in some philosophical discussion on this topic. I would though appreciate a factual debate over the issues, supported by credible evidence, not the Daily Caller or Heritage Foundation. Truth is available in publicly accessible documents. For example, I regularly read CBP reports, all available online. I read history, all available online. I read responsible members on the alleged, “both sides” also available publicly, with the exception of some of our elected TX politicians who have scrubbed their media presence to distance themselves from their trumpiest contributions. Yes, our congressman, Tony Gonzalez has done this often, including blocking well informed constituents like me.
You my friend are a most talented analyst. The facts are mostly all available. I would suggest employing your substantial talent on facts rather than political identity. As I often say, “if you believe your side is always right, you’re wrong.”
Surely, you don’t suggest cruelty, breaking US and international law and unconstitutional behavior is acceptable behavior. To make matters worse, all that abbott and his cronies are doing in the trump era violates all of the moral standards our founders advocated for in our founding documents. This isn’t conservatism, it’s fascism.
I agree regarding that the source is far less, than part of a reliable nail to hang one’s hat on.
On a related issue and since you have rarely agreed when I support my claims with sources highly rated by, media bias fact check, that you are now concurring with their analysis for my sourcing?