[ritehook]

Yesterday on the main Sports board I committed the gaffe of posting a semi-political thing, re whether war with Iran would mar our enjoyment of football.

I'd noted that Net rumors abounded about a coming action against Iran - while noting that the Net is constantly abuzz with rumors.

In replying to one poster I did note that one Bush supporter (a "philosopher" named Atkinson) recently published an article advocating that Bush & Co overthrow democracy, nuke all Muslims, and declare himself President for Life.

Lest anyone think I made it up, I'm posting the article here. It was published online by the Family Security Foundation, Inc (they probably want to execute all those who gamble online too!).

This foundation is controlled by the very prominent neo-conservative Frank Gaffney, a close friend and confidant of VP Dick Cheney.

It's true that Gaffney pulled the crazy article from the Web as soon as he heard of it, but it's quite likely that Mr Atkinson was expressing views that other powerful people, including Mr Gaffney and Mr Cheney, secretly admire.




Think Tank Suggests Bush should be President For LifeFri, 17 Aug 2007 01:27:22 -0500VigilantGuardian
R298356
2 weeks ago
Exclusive: Conquering the Drawbacks of Democracy
Philip Atkinson
Author: Philip Atkinson
Source: The Family Security Foundation, Inc.
Date: August 3, 2007

While democratic government is better than dictatorships and theocracies, it has its pitfalls. FSM Contributing Editor Philip Atkinson describes some of the difficulties facing President Bush today.
Conquering the Drawbacks of Democracy
By Philip Atkinson
President George W. Bush is the 43rd President of the United States. He was sworn in for a second term on January 20, 2005 after being chosen by the majority of citizens in America to be president.
Yet in 2007 he is generally despised, with many citizens of Western civilization expressing contempt for his person and his policies, sentiments which now abound on the Internet. This rage at President Bush is an inevitable result of the system of government demanded by the people, which is Democracy.
The inadequacy of Democracy, rule by the majority, is undeniable – for it demands adopting ideas because they are popular, rather than because they are wise. This means that any man chosen to act as an agent of the people is placed in an invidious position: if he commits folly because it is popular, then he will be held responsible for the inevitable result. If he refuses to commit folly, then he will be detested by most citizens because he is frustrating their demands.
When faced with the possible threat that the Iraqis might be amassing terrible weapons that could be used to slay millions of citizens of Western Civilization, President Bush took the only action prudence demanded and the electorate allowed: he conquered Iraq with an army.
This dangerous and expensive act did destroy the Iraqi regime, but left an American army without any clear purpose in a hostile country and subject to attack. If the Army merely returns to its home, then the threat it ended would simply return.
The wisest course would have been for President Bush to use his nuclear weapons to slaughter Iraqis until they complied with his demands, or until they were all dead. Then there would be little risk or expense and no American army would be left exposed. But if he did this, his cowardly electorate would have instantly ended his term of office, if not his freedom or his life.
The simple truth that modern weapons now mean a nation must practice genocide or commit suicide. Israel provides the perfect example. If the Israelis do not raze Iran, the Iranians will fulfill their boast and wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Yet Israel is not popular, and so is denied permission to defend itself. In the same vein, President Bush cannot do what is necessary for the survival of Americans. He cannot use the nation’s powerful weapons. All he can do is try and discover a result that will be popular with Americans.
As there appears to be no sensible result of the invasion of Iraq that will be popular with his countrymen other than retreat, President Bush is reviled; he has become another victim of Democracy.
By elevating popular fancy over truth, Democracy is clearly an enemy of not just truth, but duty and justice, which makes it the worst form of government. President Bush must overcome not just the situation in Iraq, but democratic government.
However, President Bush has a valuable historical example that he could choose to follow.
When the ancient Roman general Julius Caesar was struggling to conquer ancient Gaul, he not only had to defeat the Gauls, but he also had to defeat his political enemies in Rome who would destroy him the moment his tenure as consul (president) ended.
Caesar pacified Gaul by mass slaughter; he then used his successful army to crush all political opposition at home and establish himself as permanent ruler of ancient Rome. This brilliant action not only ended the personal threat to Caesar, but ended the civil chaos that was threatening anarchy in ancient Rome – thus marking the start of the ancient Roman Empire that gave peace and prosperity to the known world.
If President Bush copied Julius Caesar by ordering his army to empty Iraq of Arabs and repopulate the country with Americans, he would achieve immediate results: popularity with his military; enrichment of America by converting an Arabian Iraq into an American Iraq (therefore turning it from a liability to an asset); and boost American prestiege while terrifying American enemies.
He could then follow Caesar’s example and use his newfound popularity with the military to wield military power to become the first permanent president of America, and end the civil chaos caused by the continually squabbling Congress and the out-of-control Supreme Court.
President Bush can fail in his duty to himself, his country, and his God, by becoming “ex-president” Bush or he can become “President-for-Life” Bush: the conqueror of Iraq, who brings sense to the Congress and sanity to the Supreme Court. Then who would be able to stop Bush from emulating Augustus Caesar and becoming ruler of the world? For only an America united under one ruler has the power to save humanity from the threat of a new Dark Age wrought by terrorists armed with nuclear weapons.
#
FamilySecurityMatters.org Contributing Editor Philip Atkinson is the British born founder of ourcivilisation.com and author of A Study of Our Decline. He is a philosopher specializing in issues concerning the preservation of Western civilization. Mr. Atkinson receives mail at rpa@ourcivilisation.com.

[Dark Horse]

Neocons are insane and have total disregard for democracy. But it's really the complacency and lack of awareness of the American people that is to blame for them getting away with murder. Very similar dynamic to Nazi Germany in years prior to WWII, with common enemy (terrorists instead of Jews), propaganda (corporate controlled media), and blind patriotism (where critics of the administration are painted as unpatriotic).

[BatemanPatrickl]

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

Neocons are insane and have total disregard for democracy. But it's really the complacency and lack of awareness of the American people that is to blame for them getting away with murder. Very similar dynamic to Nazi Germany in years prior to WWII, with common enemy (terrorists instead of Jews), propaganda (corporate controlled media), and blind patriotism (where critics of the administration are painted as unpatriotic).

I think shallow minded conspiracy theory believers are more insane than neocons; most of the believers lack educations and steady jobs. They remind me of the bum on the corner telling everyone he just had pizza with Jesus.

All talk, no hard evidence

[Willie Bee]

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

But it's really the complacency and lack of awareness of the American people that is to blame for them getting away with murder.

Right on, DH

[Dark Horse]

Bateman, it's really kind of sweet how you must constantly categorize what to you is unknown into a safe 'box'. Some would consider it a sign of insecurity. Have you ever asked yourself why? Or is questioning yourself not part of your mental makeup, or, god forbid, a sign of weakness?

There are those who embrace the unknown, and those who fear it. It has been like that throughout history, and it will continue to be so. I have no problem with you not exploring what you don't understand. Ignorance, the result of an unwillingness to explore, is widespread, and you're certainly free to choose it.

[BatemanPatrickl]

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

Bateman, it's really kind of sweet how you must constantly categorize what to you is unknown into a safe 'box'. Some would consider it a sign of insecurity. Have you ever asked yourself why? Or is questioning yourself not part of your mental makeup, or, god forbid, a sign of weakness?

There are those who embrace the unknown, and those who fear it. It has been like that throughout history, and it will continue to be so. I have no problem with you not exploring what you don't understand. Ignorance, the result of an unwillingness to explore, is widespread, and you're certainly free to choose it.

And there are some who blame their lack of success in life on the US government; your bookstore pyschology does not impress me DH. When you have some hard evidence to back up your claims, please post it.

Maybe your ignorance comes from the fact that you claim to be right on every topic? You can take your little subtle shots at me all you want but we all know who the ignorant one is here. When you post anti-Christian, anti-American propaganda on a sports betting forum I think "ignorant" is exactly the word one should use to describe the author.

[Willie Bee]

Dark Horse, you'll have greater success talking to the closest door knob to you. Far more open-minded, I would think.

[BatemanPatrickl]

Originally Posted by Willie Bee

Dark Horse, you'll have greater success talking to the closest door knob to you. Far more open-minded, I would think.

And less educated as well Willie; stupid people are easy to trick. Ask those who believe in Loch Ness.

Maybe I should complain to John about you (a mod) calling me close minded?

[Dark Horse]

You're most likely right Willie. Still, there is a very small chance that at some subconscious level some of that could have slipped through. Perhaps a tiny seed was planted.


Edit: Oh, how quickly he resorts to, what he believes, are fear tactics. The territorial instinct. Animalistic, and entirely predictable.

[BatemanPatrickl]

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

You're most likely right Willie. Still, there is a very small chance that at some subconscious level some of that could have slipped through. Perhaps a tiny seed was planted.

May I ask what college you graduated from and what was your major? May I ask how many successful people you associate yourself with in life? May I ask if you dabble in any illegal drugs (pot is a drug) and lastly may I ask if you EVER post FACTS?

[BatemanPatrickl]

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

You're most likely right Willie. Still, there is a very small chance that at some subconscious level some of that could have slipped through. Perhaps a tiny seed was planted.


Edit: Oh, how quickly he resorts to, what he believes, are fear tactics. The territorial instinct. Animalistic, and entirely predictable.

Put the Pyschology 101 book down now DH; time to watch the Matrix again.

[Dark Horse]

Let's see. I count... one, two, three, four categories.

That should do it Bate. You're safe again ...


Edit- Oh, you're really excited now. Can't even wait for my response anymore.
I'll count that as one. Two halves? That work with you? Five total.

[BatemanPatrickl]

Originally Posted by Dark Horse

Let's see. I count... one, two, three, four categories.

That should do it Bate. You're safe again ...

Of course you can't answer any "real" questions; your pyschology babble bores me . Oh I get it, really I do.

[Dark Horse]

That's right.

You really do. Good boy.

[Willie Bee]

Originally Posted by BatemanPatrickl

And less educated as well Willie; stupid people are easy to trick. Ask those who believe in Loch Ness.

Aye, Nessie is real, lad. I saw her one night years ago while strolling down the lane with me bonnie lassie. Oh, aye, it was after 14 pints at the Crown & Anchor Pub nearby, but I know for a fact Nessie is real.

Maybe I should complain to John about you (a mod) calling me close minded?

My, aren't we the paranoid and sensitive one. You're always welcome to get in touch with John if you think I'm being mean to you. But before you do, allow me to ask you something. If I stated that you were more conservative than me, would that automatically make me a liberal, or just make you more conservative?