Targeting Iran (Here we go again... and again)

Trigger warning for "patriots": Marxism is mentioned herein

As soon as I heard the details of Hamas’s attack on Oct. 7, 2023, I started to connect the dots as to how the U.S. would use these developments as a pretext to attack Iran soon. (The Home of the Brave™ loves a good pretext.)

Now that things have moved further in that direction, I’d like to once again remind readers to PLEASE be wary of ALL media narratives — even when they seem to “prove” you right.

I’d also like to share an article I wrote way back in 2007 when the U.S. was (wait for it) threatening Iran because it was allegedly manufacturing nuclear weapons. My 17-year-old article was called “Targeting Iran (Here We Go Again)” and is reprinted directly below:

Since quoting Marx makes a radical writer appear more serious, I’ll start this piece about Iran with a bit of Marxism — from Duck Soup.

Ambassador Trentino: “I am willing to do anything to prevent this war.”

President Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho): “It's too late. I've already paid a month's rent on the battlefield.”

Now I'm not trying to imply the reasons America goes to war are this frivolous but, um… WMDs? Saddam Hussein connected to 9/11? Spreading democracy? 

Even Harpo would be laughing out loud.

The U.S. has a long history of conjuring up dubious rationales to wage war — and this goes for those on both sides of the proverbial aisle. During the 2004 presidential campaign, for example, Senator Kerry declared: “The United States of America never goes to war because we want to; we only go to war because we have to.”

Can someone ask Harpo to quiet down?

“He started it” or “She hit me first.” It's an excuse we all learn in childhood. By portraying oneself as the target — or potential target — of an unprovoked sneak attack; all bases are covered. 

As George W. Bush explained on March 17, 2003, the night he gave Hussein a final ultimatum, “The United States and other nations did nothing to deserve or invite this threat, but we will do everything to defeat it.”

More (Groucho) Marx: “Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?”

Our history books and newspaper headlines portray an ever-benevolent [sic] U.S. as minding its own business yet incessantly aroused by surprise events and unprovoked threats that test its celebrated patience, e.g. the sinking of the Maine, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and too many others to detail here.

Now we have Iran — a nation with the audacity to make decisions without first asking for U.S. permission. We are faced with the spectacle of America — the only nation to have used nuclear weapons on civilians — warning the world about how nuclear weapons might, well, be used on civilians.

We can't allow just anyone (except maybe our allies) to acquire such technology. Right? We can't let the Chinese arm men so evil they might, well, use nuclear weapons on civilians. Right?

Before you know it, Iran will be using depleted uranium and white phosphorous, abusing prisoners, setting up interrogation centers in Eastern Europe, spying on its own people, fixing elections at home and abroad, and all that evil stuff. Right?

As (Groucho) Marx explained:

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Reminder #1: All of the above was written SEVENTEEN YEARS AGO. The parasites keep using the same playbook.

Reminder #2: Every single government on earth is run by diabolical liars who use relentless propaganda to manipulate the masses. They love it when we voluntarily restrict ourselves to hive minds.

Stop convincing yourself that the “side” you’ve been conditioned to prefer is somehow the only trustworthy player on the planet.

In other words, keep yer guard up… 

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