Paul's notion is not Marxist, but more of a vague populist-like border-line conspiracy theory congenial with extreme right-wing notions - sort of like saying WWI was a plot by the munitions manufacturers. As a commenter on MSNBC said, he's getting his ideas from Charles Lindbergh. It's like saying the Johnson escalated in Vietnam to make money for Brown & Root (a Texas-based construction company). Sure, in both cases the through a lot of lucrative contracts their way, but that was hardly the motivation..
You are right, however, Juan, to point out that it's odd of him to criticize corporations.
It's similar with Jared Loughner (of the Tucson shooting). While he certainly was psychotic, he had been reading extreme right-wing material. Shooting congresswomen Giffords may also have been antisemitic (I don't really know), as she was Jewish and the stuff Loughner was reading - about debasing the currency, etc. - has a strong antisemitic tinge.
About David Miranda, the logic is scary. He revealed information whose release may have aided terrorists, he acted in pursuit of a political cause, therefore he is a terrorist. Watch out, Juan Cole!
I am reminded of the Reagan administration, which in the 1980s labelled people who protested his support of the death-squad government in El Salvador as terrorist, even FBI informants found no links to violence, and who, in fact, were explicitly non-violent. But death squads and the Contras in Nicaragua, who targeted (under Oliver North's direction) teacher, nurses, doctors and medical clinics, were labelled "freedom fighters." Yes, there are indeed people who target civilians in heinous acts, but the the label "terrorist" seems to be reserved for those who oppose US (or British) foreign policy, regardless of whether they engage in violence or not.
Juan - thanks for the history, I never heard this before. The North Africa campaign is famous among WWII buffs - Rommel vs. Monty & all that - but you never hear, even in major histories, about the local populations, as if the entire territory was empty of people.
Paul's notion is not Marxist, but more of a vague populist-like border-line conspiracy theory congenial with extreme right-wing notions - sort of like saying WWI was a plot by the munitions manufacturers. As a commenter on MSNBC said, he's getting his ideas from Charles Lindbergh. It's like saying the Johnson escalated in Vietnam to make money for Brown & Root (a Texas-based construction company). Sure, in both cases the through a lot of lucrative contracts their way, but that was hardly the motivation..
You are right, however, Juan, to point out that it's odd of him to criticize corporations.
It's similar with Jared Loughner (of the Tucson shooting). While he certainly was psychotic, he had been reading extreme right-wing material. Shooting congresswomen Giffords may also have been antisemitic (I don't really know), as she was Jewish and the stuff Loughner was reading - about debasing the currency, etc. - has a strong antisemitic tinge.
About David Miranda, the logic is scary. He revealed information whose release may have aided terrorists, he acted in pursuit of a political cause, therefore he is a terrorist. Watch out, Juan Cole!
I am reminded of the Reagan administration, which in the 1980s labelled people who protested his support of the death-squad government in El Salvador as terrorist, even FBI informants found no links to violence, and who, in fact, were explicitly non-violent. But death squads and the Contras in Nicaragua, who targeted (under Oliver North's direction) teacher, nurses, doctors and medical clinics, were labelled "freedom fighters." Yes, there are indeed people who target civilians in heinous acts, but the the label "terrorist" seems to be reserved for those who oppose US (or British) foreign policy, regardless of whether they engage in violence or not.
Juan - thanks for the history, I never heard this before. The North Africa campaign is famous among WWII buffs - Rommel vs. Monty & all that - but you never hear, even in major histories, about the local populations, as if the entire territory was empty of people.