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November 20, 2007 at 10:21:22

Time for a Military Coup

by Kevin Gosztola     Page 1 of 2 page(s)

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Before I casually float this idea that our military leaders should lead a coup, let’s think of the alternative to not staging a military coup, which would be a Bush administration “saber-rattling” and ratcheting up the rhetoric and pretense for war with Iran or what we have now and also getting Democratic leaders to complicitly go along with plans to strike Iran.

Now that we’re done thinking, let us seriously ask ourselves: Why is the military taking this bullshit from the Bush administration? And why has it been doing it for almost eight years?

Maj. Gen. Simmons recently reported, “Iran seems to be honoring a commitment to stem the flow of deadly weapons into Iraq, contributing to a more than 50 percent drop in the number of roadside bombs that kill and maim American troops.”

On October 1st, the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen said, “I think we have to be very mindful of risks associated with follow-on steps which would engage us in a third country in that part of the world in any kind of conflict.” Also, Mullen told the Financial Times recently what would seem to be the Democratic talking point on Iran for the 2008 Election: “None of this is helped by the continuing stories that just keep going around and around and around that any day now there will be another war which is just not where we want to go.”

Along with him, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates although he was responsible for extending all twelve month tours of duty to sixteen months has been calling “for international efforts to economically pressure Iran, while making clear that the military option offers little appeal.”

A source within the Times out of the UK reported on an anonymous source from within the Pentagon that, “There are four or five generals and admirals we know of who would resign if Bush ordered an attack on Iran...There is simply no stomach for it in the Pentagon, and a lot of people question whether such an attack would be effective or even possible.” The publication goes on state, “All the generals are perfectly clear that they don’t have the military capacity to take Iran on in any meaningful fashion. Nobody wants to do it and it would be a matter of conscience for them.”

Fmr. Secretary of State Colin Powell, who has long since leaving office proved unredeemable yet may still be walking around with his tail tucked between his legs as a result of what the Bush administration did to him by having him testify with false and imprecise information on Iraq’s WMDs, said days ago, “I think Iran is a long way from having anything that could be anything like a nuclear weapon.”

Remember the Iraq fiasco---the quagmire---the wretched “Mess O’Potamia” that we created that caused many U.S. military generals to retire since ’02-’03.

In April of 2004, “Retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni wondered aloud yesterday how Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld could be caught off guard by the chaos in Iraq that has killed nearly 100 Americans in recent weeks and led to his announcement that 20,000 U.S. troops would be staying there instead of returning home as planned.”

He stated, “I'm surprised that he is surprised because there was a lot of us who were telling him that it was going to be thus," said Zinni, a Marine for 39 years and the former commander of the U.S. Central Command. "Anyone could know the problems they were going to see. How could they not?"

The rest of what Zinni had to say was telling as well:

"I've been called a traitor and a turncoat for mentioning these things," said Zinni, 60. The problems in Iraq are being caused, he said, by poor planning and shortsightedness, such as disbanding the Iraqi army and being unable to provide security.

Zinni said the United States must now rely on the U.N. to pull its "chestnuts out of the fire in Iraq."

"We're betting on the U.N., who we blew off and ridiculed during the run-up to the war," Zinni said. "Now we're back with hat in hand. It would be funny if not for the lives lost."

The military’s huge disapproval of Rumsfeld resulted in three former military generals demanding his resignation in 2006. Before the Democratic Policy Committee, Maj. Gen. John R.S. Batiste testified:

If we had seriously laid out and considered the full range of requirements for the war in Iraq, we would likely have taken a different course of action that would have maintained a clear focus on our main effort in Afghanistan, not fueled Islamic fundamentalism across the globe, and not created more enemies than there were insurgents.

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Kevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral system, its military-industrial complex, its foreign policy of American exceptionalism, its media which has become the Fourth Branch of government,etc.)
His ambitions have him currently organizing and raising money for a Chicago Conference for Media Reform in April or May of 2009. It will be organized by college students to promote youth involvement in media reform and justice. Those interested in attending or helping with the organization of the program should contact him.

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Kevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral sys...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Kevin GosztolaKevin Gosztola goes to Columbia College in Chicago where he is studying film. He hopes to become a documentary filmmaker. He is currently working as a production assistant on a documentary called "Seriously Green" which traces the development of the Green Party throughout the 2008 election. He has a passion for journalism and writes articles or press releases in his spare time. Kevin Gosztola is also a student activist who believes in questioning the way America's systems work(its electoral sys...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Yes But This Time

The coup that speak of---one where military generals say they aren't going to stand for this anymore---involves patriotic dissent that would coincide and prop up the social antiwar movements in America. It would add a new dimension to cries for peace. It would not be achieving an end. Far from it. But it would be a means for getting closer to an end that optimistic Americans like me seek to achieve.

by Kevin Gosztola (212 articles, 114 quicklinks, 70 diaries, 811 comments) on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 3:52:51 PM
 


Father and businessman
AndyoFather and businessman

What Does Peace Mean?

Why don't you call the social anti-war movement what it really is - the America-must-lose-the-war-against-radical-Islam movement?


There can be no peace when they declared war on us - and that happened long before 911.

by Andyo (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 5:47:24 AM
 


i am a former teacher of 30 years with a history and political science major.I started getting politically active when Ronnie Regan ended my social security hopes for teahers
liberalsrocki am a former teacher of 30 years with a history and political science major.I started getting politically active when Ronnie Regan ended my social security hopes for teahers

never happen

the united states hasn"t the backbone of most latin american countries.We have had 2 crooked presidental elections,this is a proven fact and all America has done is yawn.For a coup to take place Americans would have to get away from their television sets and actually care about democracy.plus there is the fact Mr. Gosztola forgot about ,Bush has gotten rid of the generals who oppose him and appointed loyal stooges in their place.The air force has become a fundamentalist breeding ground loyal to the Repubs and not America.Who will lead a coup with the American people not caring how corrupt our government has become and the top militay leaders in Bushes pocket

by liberalsrock (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 117 comments) on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 5:43:13 PM
 


Jay Esbe is a writer with a background in cultural anthropology and comparative religion and lives in Seattle Washington.
EsbeJay Esbe is a writer with a background in cultural anthropology and comparative religion and lives in Seattle Washington.

If anyone wanted to drop a nuke on a country

If anyone wanted to drop a nuke on a country, for attacking the United States on 9-11, Israel should be the first in line.

 

No, I'm not advocating nuking Israel.  I wouldn't nuke anyone in response to 9-11.  It's disproportionate.  Kind of like destroying the entire country of  Lebanon for capturing an Israeli soldier.  Kind of like running over a teenage girl with a bulldozer for trying to protect a families home.

 

No, don't nuke Israel.  Just cut it off and let "the region" and natural law take effect.  Filthy murdering bastards! 

by Esbe (50 articles, 0 quicklinks, 17 diaries, 85 comments) on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 7:36:45 PM
 


Mail carrier who drives the rest of my colleagues nuts with my politics.
ScottMail carrier who drives the rest of my colleagues nuts with my politics.

Nuke Israel, huh?

There's a website by that name. I think it's run by Aryan Nations.

There will be no coup.

by Scott (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 489 comments) on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 11:36:41 PM
 


Father and businessman
AndyoFather and businessman

This Is Sad

Wow - Kevin, what planet are you from?


Your ignorance is only surpassed by your naiveté.

by Andyo (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 3 comments) on Wednesday, November 21, 2007 at 5:41:58 AM
 

 

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