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--- Begin Message ----Caveat Lector- Kerry and the war by Leon Wofsyhttp://homepage.mac.com/leonwofsy July 5, 2004: Why is Kerry failing to distinguish himself clearly from Bush on the Iraq war and occupation? After all, there are others in establishment circles who differ sharply on the war policies of the Bush Administration. Gore, Kennedy, Byrd, and even Brezhinsky, the inveterate cold warrior of yesteryear, stand out in opposition. Several articles by George Soros, the multibillionaire, are strikingly lucid challenges to delusions of American supremacy and empire. Part of the answer undoubtedly involves judgment on election strategy (poor judgment, in the opinion of many). It's the notion that the campaign must accommodate to an electorate that has been moved center and right since the days of Ronald Reagan. That's the strategy that - with the help of dirty tricks and the Supreme Court - gave the White House to George W. Bush in 2000. It is amplified this time around by intimidation, the fear of appearing weak and out of step with Bush's holy "war on terror". There's another part to the answer that's even more deeply rooted than political pragmatism. That is the commitment to US global dominance that is effectively required of anyone who has a real hope of becoming President in the current climate. Kerry's most influential backers surely share the widespread alarm over the extremism of the Bush Administration. They worry about the antagonism and isolation generated by the recklessly aggressive war and foreign policy, and likely also have misgivings about the GOP push toward a monopoly of power and autocratic one party rule. But for all their justified laments about Bush's "unilateralism", their worldview is based on exploiting superpower advantage to gain universal acquiescence to US "leadership" and imperial supremacy. Furthermore, you only had to listen to Bob (the other) Kerry at the 9/11 hearings to recognize that not all hawks are Republicans. A realistic view of aspirations to US dominance in the sweep of capitalist globalization doesn't minimize the importance of the election outcome in November. There is an enormous divide between the consequences of a second term for Bush and a victory for Kerry. The plain fact is that this administration is the most warlike and anti-democratic in our history. It may, however, have engineered its own political downfall by overreaching with its pre-emptive war doctrine, its extravagant deceits, its fundamentalist "Christian" social agenda, its "Patriot Act" and blatant favors to its "have more" base. On the other hand, the conglomerate social forces that oppose movement toward a pseudo-fascist America are also capable of compelling a progressive shift on major social and economic issues and a saner approach to international problems. So every vote against Bush is an act of hope, and a clear- cut defeat for Bush would be a mandate for democratic renewal. True, defeating Bush would not by itself overcome the damage done to American society and to the world in the last couple of decades. It would, however, be more than a sharp turn off the road to disaster. It could be a new beginning in a long struggle for peace, justice, equality and survival. Beyond blocking the crusaders of the ultra-right, that struggle has to bring about a great change in priorities, worldwide and in the United States. The 9/11 terrorist attack on the United States and its exploitation to justify the blunderbuss extremism of the Bush Administration have changed the international and domestic agenda drastically. Banished from attention are problems that most affect the future of humanity and the needs of the majority of Americans. The travesty is that only when combating poverty and disease are at the top of the agenda can collective efforts succeed against adherents of terrorism and war. Priority on human needs and world community can only come about by popular demand, not through spontaneous action by politicians who navigate through conflicting pressures and interests. The most important truth brought forth involuntarily by the Bush Administration's conduct is that the vast majority of humanity rejects war and resists empire. Now most Americans say the country has been put on the wrong track. If we vote accordingly in November, the odds that we can move on to a better track are greatly improved. Only the people and their persistent struggle can provide a guarantee. The alternative of another Bush term remains a possibility. That would put democracy and the struggle for it at unprecedented disadvantage. That's why many who work for a stronger and more principled campaign will not hesitate to vote for Kerry. _______________________________________________________ portside (the left side in nautical parlance) is a news, discussion and debate service of the Committees of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism. It aims to provide varied material of interest to people on the left. For answers to frequently asked questions: <http://www.portside.org/faq> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change settings: <http://lists.portside.org/mailman/listinfo/portside> To submit material, paste into an email and send to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> (postings are moderated) For assistance with your account: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To search the portside archive: <http://people-link5.inch.com/pipermail/portside/> www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
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