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Straight from the Rothbardian Parallel Dimension, a stunning lack of insight and understanding of The Rest of The World from the Mises Institute's DailyThe key passage in Glenn Greenwald's masterly book appears on page 186:Well, someone needs to look up the History of the second half of the XXth century, stretching to the first decade of the XXIst. And the meaning of "Asymmetric warfare" and "Terrorism". Might help in the current context.
Iran is a rational state actor, which, like most other countries in the world — including American allies — will eagerly cooperate with the United States when their interests coincide with ours…. To know that a country and its leaders act rationally is to take a huge and critical step toward realizing that that country — no matter how internally repressive it might be — cannot and will not be a threat to the U.S.
Greenwald's argument is a simple one: Because of the overwhelming military might of the United States, no other country can attack us without facing utter destruction. Other countries, wishing rationally to advance their own interests, grasp this fact. Accordingly, they will neither attack us nor threaten us. A rational American foreign policy then to a large extent presents no difficulty. Military measures directed against other countries are unnecessary. Given the manifest costs of these measures, we should not undertake them.
A long time ago, I somehow ended up on the mailing list of Those American Freedom Champions at the Mises Institute, and I actually suppose someone signed me up — probably "for my own good" — because I certainly didn't. I must confess I haven't canceled the subscription for the sheer laughing value of these daily emails from a bunch of scholars who deploy tremendous efforts convincing their readers that the US government is the only last obstacle between Man and Freedom. Their idol and prophet, Murray Rothbard pitched the same raw deal with respect to the Soviet Union during the Cold War (Ivan is your friend, etc.)
So far, this review of what looks like a terribly original thesis on Bush the Black-and-White World Fundamentalist by one Greenwald "A Tragic Legacy: How a good vs. evil mentality destroyed the Bush presidency", and the particular quote that makes the opening of the Mises Institute's article truly take the cake.
Iran is a rational state actor. There is no such thing as starting your day with a good laugh.
This, again, coming from folks who fancy themselves as the staunchest and fiercest opponents of Collectivism, tyrants, and Collectivist tyrants. Small wonder Ron Paul, who sail under the same wind, gets so much love from the loony "anti-war"
By the way, how does Mahmoud's(1) repeated and flat out pledge to wipe Israel off the map play with those Libertarians' much worshipped Principle of Non-Aggression, I wonder?
Comments
Comments thread (11)
2937 - 2hotel9
2hotel9 Western Pennsylvania
Can you say "appeasement"? I knew you could! Well, Mise Institute, not in MY neighborhood. And Glenn can bite my ass, too.
And might I add, it is nice to get your posts on the same day they are published. Quite refreshing. For once complaining worked! And yes, Sis, I have newsgator running also.
2939 - Arch
Arch
In the 1970s, the Imperial Iranian Air Force bought F4D & F4E from McDonnell Douglas. Their aircrews went through pilot training at Wichita Falls, Texas and F4 upgrade training at Luke AFB outside Phoenix, where I was stationed. Their students weren't the sharpest knives in the drawer. Worse yet, their culture is critical of those who admit mistakes. It's dangerous to fly with these guys.
In 1974, oil prices were high and the Shah of Iran paid his student pilots 150% of what we made as instructors. They were here unaccompanied, so they ran the women - something not allowed back home. It was the age of the custom van, with shag carpet swivel chairs, refrigerators and big stereos. One student decided to buy a van to impress the ladies, so he drove to a car dealership.
The second he set foot in the showroom, a salesman saw a chance to reverse our balance of payments on this one deal. He showed the kid a van and started loading it up options. "Do you want cruise control?" he asked.
The puzzled student replied, "What is 'cruise control'?"
"You're a fighter pilot. Cruise control is like an autopilot." He ordered cruise control.
Weeks later, the van arrived and the kid got a ride to it up. On the way, they stopped and bought a case of Coors (another thing they couldn't do at home). After a quick test drive, the salesman helped him put the beer in his fridge and they were off.
The guy's friend followed the van out onto the Texas interstate. The van driver got to 75 MPH, engaged the cruise control, released his seat belt, swiveled his driver's seat, stood up and opened a brew. The interstate turned right. He didn't.
The kid woke up in the hospital with a USAF ground safety officer hoping to get a statement before he died. "Mohammed, what happened?"
The answer, "Autopilot failure."
Rational? I don't think so.
2940 - SisterToldjah
SisterToldjah
From the Mises Institute quote:
"Masterly" book? Greenwald? That tells me all I need to know about the Mises Institute.
That Greenwald the sockpuppet now (supposedly) has two NYT bestsellers just goes to prove once again that "bestseller" doesn't always equate to "worth reading."
He's the consummate moral relativist, of course, which is no doubt why the Mises Institute likes him so much.
2945 - TooTall
TooTall Utah
[quote]Iran is a rational state actor . . . [/quote]
That says it all.
2946 - Proof
Proof Stockton, Callifornia, USA
"Greenwald's argument is a simple one." And a mind to match!
Greenwald is to sockpuppets what Jim Henson is to the Muppets! He may not have invented the genre, but he certainly made the medium his own!
2947 - 2hotel9
2hotel9 Western Pennsylvania
Hear, hear Proof! I have never been especially impressed with the Great Civil Rights Litigator that calls itself Glenn Greenwald. As I recall he was council in the Tawna Browley fiasco, was he not? At the behest of Rev Jesse.
2950 - HeckBoy
HeckBoy Auburn, AL USA
One big problem with this numbskull's (Greenwald's) premise is when he states that these nations are "internally repressive". This whole discussion reminded me of something a friend was telling me at church Sunday. It was about how Thomas Jefferson fought Islam - namely pirates raiding ships in the Mediterranean -when he was president. http://www.usvetdsp.com/jan07/jeff_quran.htm
Was it internal repression that we were watching on 9/11? Since when did American - or British, Spanish, etc. - soil become an internal part of one of these repressive nations? Maybe it was when we suffered a government official being sworn in on Jefferson's copy of the Koran instead of the Bible, or when our former imposter-in-chief refused a chance to have Bin Laden handed to him.
I've grown weary of leaders, and their advisors, who worry so much about making the Muslims mad that they weaken our nation.
2951 - 2hotel9
2hotel9 Western Pennsylvania
All kidding and frivolity aside, you are absolutely right, CB. I have been tired of this appeasement mentality crap since the late '80s. Compromise is what the defeated do.
2952 - HeckBoy
HeckBoy Auburn, AL USA
I really didn't mean to get on my high-horse earlier; I'm just sick of worrying about whose toes we're stepping on. No offense intended DF ('cause I love France and wild boar and pheasants - with garlic and a nice vin de region) but we're the USA for crying out loud. I'm not saying we should be bullies around the world but I do believe in peace through strength, even if it means demonstrating it from time to time because it's the right thing to do.
It's good to be free and a conservative. Is that redundant? I do believe it is.
2953 - floridasuzie
floridasuzie Florida
It almost goes without saying that DF is a magician with words but I'd also like to say how much I appreciate reading all who post on DF's blog! I've learned so much from you all and agree with most of the opinions expressed, it feels like a haven here.
floridasuzie