This is one of the more astute analyses I have read regarding this unfolding global abuse of power by our ruling class transactional fanatics. Especially regarding the present and future tragic global innocents’ suffering.
Mike, I appreciate and agree with much of your daily perspective and urgency. Today I realize you are a talented story teller as well. Writing often about a crazy/making subject like politics must be very challenging. I think Joseph Campbell would be particularly. You took a story about the mythical tragedy of man and fit it like a glove to today. No one says you cannot write about politics and be entertaining at the same time. From audiences listening around a primitive fire to those reading an online app, audiences for eons appreciate the skill.
"I am going to say something that violates every norm of political commentary, and I say it not to wound but because I think it is true and because I think it is relevant.
Graham is, by the overwhelming consensus of Washington — a city that keeps very few secrets — a closeted homosexual."
Interesting analogy. There is some merit to it, but it misses a significant point. The whale was not interested in pursuing Ahab until itself pursued. Iran had relatively cordial relations with Israel prior to the revolution overthrowing the Shah’s regime. Since its inception, the leadership of the Islamic Republic and its various military units have been obsessed with destroying Israel and to some extent Jews around the world (e.g., Argentina bombing). Israel’s reaction and perhaps overreaction must be understood in that context. I’m not going to go through the history, but suffice to say that when some nation says they are going to wipe you out for decades and attempts to do so through proxies or otherwise, the current reaction should not be a surprise.
Mike, I applaud the change in your writing of late. You’ve cut down on the repetition and become a lot more concise. I had drifted off from reading you because it became tedious, but it seems you’ve found your voice again. Bravo!
Eloquent and incisive. I've attempted to describe this dynamic via a vis netanyahu to several jews as an attempt to describe what's happening in Gaza and with the "settlers" displacing Palestinian farmers as an obvious self own for Israel and gotten no Traction at all. Thank you
Stop Israel. We are not Zionists and Israel is. We have done enough for them. Now it is their turn to help themselves. We do not want to be them. We may have to have a put it on the ballot. It is not okay to push this agenda without the citizens getting their vote.
Congress people are working to see this happen. They are pushing to helping ZIONISTS. Israel has to do this on their own.
I'm not here to carry water for the Iranian regime. But, I've actually visited the nation. I spent three weeks there. 21 days. I traveled from Tehran to Qom to Esfahan to Shiraz, Persepolis, then on to Yazd and Tabas and Meshed. Then to Gunbad and over the Alborz along the Silk Road and saw Damghan and other ancient Persian cities.
Your depection of the regime's violence against its own people is very, very far off base.
Your depection of Iran as some kind of totalitarian Islamic anti-democracy is very, very far off base too.
A few examples: in Iran it is constituionally mandated that 25% of the seats of the Parliament are set aside for women. Only 22% of the US Congress are women.
Second, two seats are constitutionally mandated for Chrisitians.
Third, one seat is constituitonally mandated for Persian Jews.
Iranians elect their president.
Yes, they have a supreme leader. But did you know where the foundation of his guiding philosophy--velayat-i-faqih-comes from? Plato. Yeah, the Greek. Plato. Bet you didn't know that either.
The 1979 Revolution was not about going backward. It was about reconciling Shi'a Islam with modernity.
But these facts go largely unspoken and unknown in the West.
Is there repression? Fuck yeah.
Do the Morality police treat women like shit? Indeed.
But it is changing. Many young women go scarfless in the streets even today.
Haven't seen that in the media, have you?
Has teh regime executed a lot of prisoners?
Sure have.
But as a % of the population, they aren't even close to how many people we execute.
Facts are stubborn, persistent things.
I'm not trying to be a dick. The remainder of your essay is cogently argued and consists of some pretty trenchant analysis. But brother, you are way off base on your characterization of the Iranian ruling regime.
not really...Tel Aviv = Genocide 700,000 women and children in Gaza alone...I can't count how many civilian the US has murdered since Hiroshima...Tehran looks better every day. And your comment? Yeah, it's stupid and you of all people should know better.
This is one of the more astute analyses I have read regarding this unfolding global abuse of power by our ruling class transactional fanatics. Especially regarding the present and future tragic global innocents’ suffering.
‘And the whale swam on’
Mike, I appreciate and agree with much of your daily perspective and urgency. Today I realize you are a talented story teller as well. Writing often about a crazy/making subject like politics must be very challenging. I think Joseph Campbell would be particularly. You took a story about the mythical tragedy of man and fit it like a glove to today. No one says you cannot write about politics and be entertaining at the same time. From audiences listening around a primitive fire to those reading an online app, audiences for eons appreciate the skill.
Write on.
I like writing, Henry. Thank you!
Excellent analogy. I have a less erudite suggestion: Trump has his dick in a hornets nest. Rooting for the hornets.
Ditto
"I am going to say something that violates every norm of political commentary, and I say it not to wound but because I think it is true and because I think it is relevant.
Graham is, by the overwhelming consensus of Washington — a city that keeps very few secrets — a closeted homosexual."
I will alert the media.
Shocked, are we?
I had no idea.
Interesting analogy. There is some merit to it, but it misses a significant point. The whale was not interested in pursuing Ahab until itself pursued. Iran had relatively cordial relations with Israel prior to the revolution overthrowing the Shah’s regime. Since its inception, the leadership of the Islamic Republic and its various military units have been obsessed with destroying Israel and to some extent Jews around the world (e.g., Argentina bombing). Israel’s reaction and perhaps overreaction must be understood in that context. I’m not going to go through the history, but suffice to say that when some nation says they are going to wipe you out for decades and attempts to do so through proxies or otherwise, the current reaction should not be a surprise.
imagine anyone not thinking highly of israel….
They are gods people get out 😂
To understand nations adequately or at all, it's always a good start to read their Constitution (as always skimming Preamble/Recitals rhetoric). Iran's may be found at https://ecnl.org/sites/default/files/files/2021/IranConstitution.pdf
I now have a sure fire cure for insomnia, thanks 😊 🤔😂
You lucky devil, it's only 45-ish pages. I need a lot more than that! ;)
👍
Mike, I applaud the change in your writing of late. You’ve cut down on the repetition and become a lot more concise. I had drifted off from reading you because it became tedious, but it seems you’ve found your voice again. Bravo!
Lyndsey has become a non-functioning alcoholic and as much as I despise him it's painful to watch. Just get some therapy, bro.
One serious question: who's going to be the Ishmael of our Pequod, clinging to Queequeg's coffin?
And the writing here, let alone the politics. Loving reading @Mike Brock
Excellent analogy!
Eloquent and incisive. I've attempted to describe this dynamic via a vis netanyahu to several jews as an attempt to describe what's happening in Gaza and with the "settlers" displacing Palestinian farmers as an obvious self own for Israel and gotten no Traction at all. Thank you
Stop Israel. We are not Zionists and Israel is. We have done enough for them. Now it is their turn to help themselves. We do not want to be them. We may have to have a put it on the ballot. It is not okay to push this agenda without the citizens getting their vote.
Congress people are working to see this happen. They are pushing to helping ZIONISTS. Israel has to do this on their own.
I'm not here to carry water for the Iranian regime. But, I've actually visited the nation. I spent three weeks there. 21 days. I traveled from Tehran to Qom to Esfahan to Shiraz, Persepolis, then on to Yazd and Tabas and Meshed. Then to Gunbad and over the Alborz along the Silk Road and saw Damghan and other ancient Persian cities.
Your depection of the regime's violence against its own people is very, very far off base.
Your depection of Iran as some kind of totalitarian Islamic anti-democracy is very, very far off base too.
A few examples: in Iran it is constituionally mandated that 25% of the seats of the Parliament are set aside for women. Only 22% of the US Congress are women.
Second, two seats are constitutionally mandated for Chrisitians.
Third, one seat is constituitonally mandated for Persian Jews.
Iranians elect their president.
Yes, they have a supreme leader. But did you know where the foundation of his guiding philosophy--velayat-i-faqih-comes from? Plato. Yeah, the Greek. Plato. Bet you didn't know that either.
The 1979 Revolution was not about going backward. It was about reconciling Shi'a Islam with modernity.
But these facts go largely unspoken and unknown in the West.
Is there repression? Fuck yeah.
Do the Morality police treat women like shit? Indeed.
But it is changing. Many young women go scarfless in the streets even today.
Haven't seen that in the media, have you?
Has teh regime executed a lot of prisoners?
Sure have.
But as a % of the population, they aren't even close to how many people we execute.
Facts are stubborn, persistent things.
I'm not trying to be a dick. The remainder of your essay is cogently argued and consists of some pretty trenchant analysis. But brother, you are way off base on your characterization of the Iranian ruling regime.
I wouldn't bet he didn't know the Plato thread. He doesn't use "philosopher king" in an approving way, either.
Sad but true enough
Oh c'mon. The only truly evil regimes are in Tel Aviv and Washingtoon DC. Tehran is moderate by comparison.
What a stupid comment. I mean, really.
not really...Tel Aviv = Genocide 700,000 women and children in Gaza alone...I can't count how many civilian the US has murdered since Hiroshima...Tehran looks better every day. And your comment? Yeah, it's stupid and you of all people should know better.
I think you slipped an extra zero in there - typo maybe?