Bolsheviks in Belgrade

Empire’s cheerleaders gleefully reported last week that the Bosnian Serb Republic has been eviscerated by the Imperial Viceroy, a move aimed at "bringing the disobedient entity to heel." In yet another move towards the misguided centralization of Bosnia, the Republic lost control of its military and intelligence services, as punishment for allegedly repairing Iraqi aircraft … Continue reading “Bolsheviks in Belgrade”

King George Returns

Due to a death in his family, Justin Raimondo will be away this week. He will return Monday. Imperialist chic is in bloom on the left as well as the right, with weepy liberals like Michael Ignatieff joining neoconservatives Max Boot and Dinesh D’Souza in hailing the American Caesar. "People are now coming out of … Continue reading “King George Returns”

The Anglo-American Way of War

Winners & Losers It\’s a good thing that this war is coming to an end soon as otherwise I don\’t think the TV companies could have afforded to continue covering it. Already several of the US networks have shipped home some of their more expensive human resources, and just think where we would be if … Continue reading “The Anglo-American Way of War”

War Profiteers

The president asked Congress last week to authorize new funding for the war in Iraq, which was not paid for in the wasteful budget recently passed in the House of Representatives. You might assume that Congress would simply approve legislation that pays for military supplies and hardware, troop wages, ammunition, fuel, food, and the like. … Continue reading “War Profiteers”

Picking Up the Pieces

Despite the 24/7 triumphalism on the cable news channels, the war isn’t over yet, although it’s difficult to see an outcome other than eventual U.S. and British supremacy, at least for now. The U.S. decision to send convoys of tanks and Bradley vehicles into the heart of Baghdad was a bold stroke, but it didn’t … Continue reading “Picking Up the Pieces”

The Real War

The real war is quite different from the one we are seeing on television, as reported by journalists “embedded” so deeply in the militarist mystique that they no longer bother to disguise their role as cheerleaders. Their role is to shout “Hail Caesar!” at the appropriate moment, and otherwise shut their mouths. But sometimes a … Continue reading “The Real War”

Laughter or Despair?

This sad burlesque With miserable failures making entertainment of our fate Laughter cannot dignify or elevate This sad burlesque. —Elvis Costello Whom shall I ridicule this week? Why even bother? Better tyrants than ours might listen to their jesters; better morons might know their limitations. But there is no King Lear or Warren G. Harding … Continue reading “Laughter or Despair?”

Don’t Antagonize Our Trading Partners

This week Congress will be working on the $75 billion supplemental appropriations to pay for the war. Financing the war is not as simple as it appears. It involves more than just passing a piece of legislation labeled as support for the troops. It has now been fashionable to bash France and Germany and other … Continue reading “Don’t Antagonize Our Trading Partners”

World War IV

As the propagandistic fervor on American television reaches a crescendo of triumphant self-righteousness, and our noble centurions gather at the gates of Baghdad, ready for the final assault, the battle-cry of the neocons is heard above the din: "On to Damascus! Go for Teheran!" Speaking at a UCLA forum sponsored by "Americans for Victory Over … Continue reading “World War IV”

Shedding No Tears for Iraqi Civilians

On March 31st, ten women and children were killed near Najaf when a van they were in was riddled with fire from U.S. Marines who had tried to get it to stop at a military checkpoint. After Saturday’s suicide bombing that caused the death of four U.S. Marines at another checkpoint, coalition forces are now … Continue reading “Shedding No Tears for Iraqi Civilians”