3.29.2009

A neocon by any other name


Anyone who closely followed the Bush administration’s foreign and domestic policies knows what a “neoconservative” is and the names of persons and publications falling under that ideological umbrella.

Over a period of seven years, I have reported on various blogs – “Vocal Yokels,” “I See My Dreams” and “DemWit” – who these ideologues are and their positions of influence.

If you’ve stumbled upon my blog and have no idea what I’m talking about, you probably won’t be interested in this post from my archived “I See My Dreams,” but it’s a pretty good crash course, just in case you’re curious:

“Sphere of influence,” I See My Dreams, 12 March 2007.

In it, I name names.

Speaking of names, a neocon by any other name is stlll a neocon.

That’s why I read with a great deal of interest that William “Bill” Kristol, son of the godfather of neoconservatism, Irving Kristol, and editor of The Weekly Standard, has something up his sleeve.

On January 26, Kristol wrote in his last column for The New York Times that “Jan. 20, 2009, marked the end of a conservative era."

Not so fast.

Because the mothership of neoconservatives, The Project for a New American Century (PNAC), became far too familiar and because this bunch bungled our foreign policy to the point of embarrassment, Kristol has announced a new version with a new name.

According to The Progress Report, Center for American Progress (3/27/09), Kristol’s “new ‘political organization’ for neoconservatives is now a reality.” The Foreign Policy Initiative (FPI) is “the brainchild” of Kristol, Robert Kagan and former Bush administration official Dan Senor. Kristol and Kagan founded PNAC in 1997, and this is just putting a new face on their old tricks.

According to The Progress Report, “The Wonk Room's Matt Duss writes that Kristol and Kagan seem to be re-naming their old organization because it became ‘inextricably bound in the public's imagination to one of the worst foreign policy blunders in American history’ - the invasion of Iraq. Noting that FPI's first public event next week, Afghanistan: Planning For Success, features a heavy representation of Iraq war advocates, Duss suggests that a far better title for the event would be ‘Afghanistan: Dealing With The Huge Problems Created By Many Of The People On This Very Stage.’ ”

Stay tuned.

PHOTO: William “Bill” Kristol

13 comments:

Tiny said...

Tiny has to agree with Matt Druss for the new title for the neo-cons. Apparently that whole bunch doesn't have a conscience.

Perhaps Obama should draft all of them and send them to the front lines so they can get a taste of what our young men and women were sent into. That might give the neo-cons their just deserts.

Unfortunately, they are scrapping the bottom of the barrel when they bring back Newt and his ilk. All ot their crap would gag a maggot.

God gave everyone a good mind. But, everyone doesn't choose to use it in a truthful and constructive manner. Their loss when all is said and done and they don't even recognize it.

Can hardly wait for the next installlment.

Infidel753 said...

As Shakespeare might have said, "A turd by any other name....."

They should have re-named it the "Center for Reformed American Progress". The acronym would be more honest.

Papamoka said...

I like the acronym Infidel! LOL.

BJ, it looks to me like they just found a new rock to hide under. Sad part is, guys like Newt and Rush will gladly stand on top of that rock so the rest of the little buggers will feel safe.

Frodo of Kingsbridge said...

Frodo has just finished reading a couple of books ("Pillars of the Earth" and "World Without End" by Ken Follett) which portray the cowardice and treachery of a character known as Godwyn. Frodo will hereinafter refer to Mr. William Kristol as Godwyn. His regret is that it will not be "la moria grande" which eventually takes this little scumsucker from the face of our planet, as it did his namesake in the 14th Century.

airth10 said...

I was really put off when I saw Billy Kristol's face. He represent the shallow veneer -neocons, that screwed up America with their simplistic mindset. And here, people like him, with their twit, wobbly thinking, think that they will have another chance in influencing America's direction.

America has always been a nation of second chances. But if it gives twit, warped heads like Kristol and other neocons another chance at governing, then America will really be in trouble. But I think America has learnt its lesson about ever listening or trusting neocons and such ideologues again.

Infidel753 said...

Airth10 -- Not after all the screwups of the last eight years, surely. I think the only rock you're going to find these guys under now will have the words "Neocon Power" and a couple of dates carved on it.

I don't know how long after 1920 the anti-suffragette guys hung around just knowing their turn would come again someday, but.....

Papamoka -- I wouldn't want to be underneath anything that Rush Limbaugh was standing on, would you?

B.J. said...

Somehow I knew that any suggestion of “The Return of the Neocons” would hit a nerve. Great comments, guys!

Like Frodo, one of two friends who recommended them, I am just finishing up the second of Follett’s two books. Have three more tape sides on “World Without End” (so no spoilers, hobbit). Frodo, if Kristol is Godwyn, can we safely suggest that Bush is Rafe? And, Cheney is Philemon? Nice fit.

Going back and rereading “Sphere of influence” via the link was a real reminder for me that we cannot let these guys, these amoral pseudointellectuals out of our sight for one minute.

BJ of Kingsbridge

P.S. Airth, “twit” is one of my favorite words! LOL!

Tiny said...

Someone please wipe that hideous pug-ugly sh*t-eating-grin off Kristol's face. That alone is a dead give away of the acronym Infidel753 came up with. However, I would name it Center for Raping Americans Poor.

B.J. said...

LOL, Tiny. Havne’t seen that kind of grin since Tom DeLay! Blinded by by the sparkle off his Perle-ly whites! Brrrr. How ‘bout “Crazy Radicals Armed for Peace,” or “Cheney Robots Aiming for Power”???? BJ

Tiny said...

“Cheney Robots Aiming for Power" is a good one! So is "Center for Reducing America to Poverty," or "Chebey for Reducing America to Poverty." They damn sure reduced this country to poverty with all their shenanigans.

Tiny said...

Forgot to tell you "Chebey" is combined for Cheney and Bush!

Infidel753 said...

Tiny, I suspect that the grin relates not to the consumption of shit but of some substance more, shall we say, controlled. I'm thinking here of the precedent set by Limbaugh, and of the plethora of other conservatives caught indulging in a startling variety of the "sins" they publicly denounce.

Bill Sumrall said...

Reminds me of Newspeak in George Orwell's "1984."