Thank you, Simon, for this interview. So clear, so constructive, setting out the conflict within the admin/ admin supporters. I look forward to more interviews with Rep. Adam Smith when appropriate.
I wasn't familiar with Congressman Smith, but this was a very impressive interview. I've been worried Trump would decide to "wag the dog" when he got into polling trouble. I guess we're going to find out.
I don't think there's any question that Iran is a bad actor, but everything I have read suggests that the Iranian people, despite profound distaste with the current government, will be furious about any kind of regime change that is imposed from the outside.
I'm thinking of the history of Iran since the fall of the Shah, and the deep distrust of interference by the British, the Americans, etc. Christopher de Bellaigue has written perceptively about Iranian’s political positions for the New York review of books for years , but I can't point to you to a specific article. The most recent thing I can think of is a Lawfare podcast from June 18, with Joel Braunold and Suzanne Maloney, which is primarily about Israel's position, what it hopes for from the United States, and current Iranian attitudes
I would just be careful suggesting that there would broad opposition to the regime being overthrown. I am open to that idea but I would be surprised if that were the case; but of course who would then run Iran would be the next issue. The Iranian government is among the most repressive, extreme and malevolent in the world and not only backed genocidal Hamas and Hezbollah but are also backing Putin in his genocidal war in Ukraine.
Yes. Of course all that's true, just as it's true that Iranians are fed up with the repression. There's no disagreement on this point. But regime change spurred by Netanyahu or Trump—not from Iranians themselves—sounds like a recipe for disaster. Is Netanyahu even thinking about the repercussions for the Jewish community in Iran, which is one of the largest in the world outside of the US and France? I doubt it.
I do not get it! Trump is obviously deranged! He is causing unprecedented problems everywhere you look. He is making this country unlivable with his policies. Why do the Republicans think that whatever is harmful to the Democrats will not affect them? Perhaps they are a bit braindead, too, but they do seem to be gaining some awareness, and hopefully, sooner than later, they will remove him from office for the sake of this country.
At the meeting tonight please give some comment on the state of the Democratic party. I understand they are short of money and that two leaders of major national unions have left ( or been pushed out). I need help to understand this. I know you don't comment on internal politics, but this is too complex to not have some more info.
I feel some of these recent articles about arguments within the DNC have been unfair but I must admit I’m also wondering about the question of whether the DNC is underfunded.
Rep. Smith did not mention the possibility of Iranian sponsored terrorist attacks against America and American interests if we get involved in the Iran war.
My assumption is that the primary initial targets will be our bases, where we have the greatest and most consequential vulnerability; and implicitly, that China, Russia, North Korea could start rallying for Iran against us, and may already have.
The Atlantic article by Anne Applebaum is right on and important. However, I take issue with her last sentence: "If not stopped, by Congress or the courts, the Trump revolution will follow that logic too." As Simon, Robert Hubbell and others point out every day: the buck really stops with us, the American people, the vast majority of us who do not want the Maggot "revolution," which is really a devolution. WE must stop it. We need Congress and the Courts to help, if they will. But energizing the spirit of freedom, equality and justice of the overwhelming majority of Americans is what will stop the fascists from succeeding: voting in elections, protesting in the public square, standing up to the troglodytes at every possible turn. That is how goodness and true righteousness will prevail.
The wag the dog issue with Iran. By now, anyone staying in touch with the Mad King every day surely should know it's a pattern with him. His weapons - create anxiety, provoke anger. Then bring us to the edge of whatever crazy crap is going on in his twisted brain and wham, TACO time. The more he does it, the weaker he looks. I pay attention to it but not as much as I use to. Just enough to stay informed.
Summer starts tomorrow and I plan to enjoy this short season in my neck of the woods. Theater, concerts, festivals and time with friends and family are filling up my calendar for the next couple months.
One other note, when Saddam attacked the Kurdish area of Iraq with chemcal weapons in the 1980s -- back when Saddam was our friend -- the Reagan administration tried to place the blame on Iran. Only later, when the truth could be used AGAINST our former friend, did it get transmitted.
Simon - I'm scared shitless! We have a stupid man with a major impulse disorder and a damaged weak character that, like a 7 year old bully in a sand box, has to throw a big toy at someone. Problem is a bunker buster is really big. He knows nothing about anything - and there are no guard rails. God help us
yes, a MOAB is really big -- but the Fordo facility is buried VERY deep in a mountain. As reported in the Guardian and New Republic, experts report doubts as to whether even a MOAB could do the job -- and report that the Trump regime is considering using a tactical nuclear weapon instead.
Before any aid from the US, Israel's right wing government must reverse policy on Gaza saving
lives instead of killing. We could help them with that. Not Trump but NGOs. American bombs would mean terrorist attacks in the US. We are depending on Trump to be a TACO.
It's so dumb. He thinks he's unpopular now?? Sustained military action is going to make him a whole lot *more* unpopular.
Great conversation with Adam Smith. Thank you for that. I've not heard him before,
so am glad to know what a good communicator he is. Our party needs more like
him out front!!!
Thank you, Simon, for this interview. So clear, so constructive, setting out the conflict within the admin/ admin supporters. I look forward to more interviews with Rep. Adam Smith when appropriate.
Having a serial violator of the Law of Unintended Consequences in the position of wartime leadership is a very, very bad idea.
Great interview.
@Simon:"You are driving the message in an incredibly helpful way and I appreciate that.'
Hear, hear!!
Excellent conversation. Thanks.
I wasn't familiar with Congressman Smith, but this was a very impressive interview. I've been worried Trump would decide to "wag the dog" when he got into polling trouble. I guess we're going to find out.
I don't think there's any question that Iran is a bad actor, but everything I have read suggests that the Iranian people, despite profound distaste with the current government, will be furious about any kind of regime change that is imposed from the outside.
Can you share the things you’ve read backing this up? The regime is among the most repressive in the world.
I'm thinking of the history of Iran since the fall of the Shah, and the deep distrust of interference by the British, the Americans, etc. Christopher de Bellaigue has written perceptively about Iranian’s political positions for the New York review of books for years , but I can't point to you to a specific article. The most recent thing I can think of is a Lawfare podcast from June 18, with Joel Braunold and Suzanne Maloney, which is primarily about Israel's position, what it hopes for from the United States, and current Iranian attitudes
I would just be careful suggesting that there would broad opposition to the regime being overthrown. I am open to that idea but I would be surprised if that were the case; but of course who would then run Iran would be the next issue. The Iranian government is among the most repressive, extreme and malevolent in the world and not only backed genocidal Hamas and Hezbollah but are also backing Putin in his genocidal war in Ukraine.
Yes. Of course all that's true, just as it's true that Iranians are fed up with the repression. There's no disagreement on this point. But regime change spurred by Netanyahu or Trump—not from Iranians themselves—sounds like a recipe for disaster. Is Netanyahu even thinking about the repercussions for the Jewish community in Iran, which is one of the largest in the world outside of the US and France? I doubt it.
I do not get it! Trump is obviously deranged! He is causing unprecedented problems everywhere you look. He is making this country unlivable with his policies. Why do the Republicans think that whatever is harmful to the Democrats will not affect them? Perhaps they are a bit braindead, too, but they do seem to be gaining some awareness, and hopefully, sooner than later, they will remove him from office for the sake of this country.
Doesn’t Congress decide…this not the President?
At the meeting tonight please give some comment on the state of the Democratic party. I understand they are short of money and that two leaders of major national unions have left ( or been pushed out). I need help to understand this. I know you don't comment on internal politics, but this is too complex to not have some more info.
I feel some of these recent articles about arguments within the DNC have been unfair but I must admit I’m also wondering about the question of whether the DNC is underfunded.
Rep. Smith did not mention the possibility of Iranian sponsored terrorist attacks against America and American interests if we get involved in the Iran war.
My assumption is that the primary initial targets will be our bases, where we have the greatest and most consequential vulnerability; and implicitly, that China, Russia, North Korea could start rallying for Iran against us, and may already have.
The threat here is widescale war of which terror attacks would be part of it.
The Atlantic article by Anne Applebaum is right on and important. However, I take issue with her last sentence: "If not stopped, by Congress or the courts, the Trump revolution will follow that logic too." As Simon, Robert Hubbell and others point out every day: the buck really stops with us, the American people, the vast majority of us who do not want the Maggot "revolution," which is really a devolution. WE must stop it. We need Congress and the Courts to help, if they will. But energizing the spirit of freedom, equality and justice of the overwhelming majority of Americans is what will stop the fascists from succeeding: voting in elections, protesting in the public square, standing up to the troglodytes at every possible turn. That is how goodness and true righteousness will prevail.
The wag the dog issue with Iran. By now, anyone staying in touch with the Mad King every day surely should know it's a pattern with him. His weapons - create anxiety, provoke anger. Then bring us to the edge of whatever crazy crap is going on in his twisted brain and wham, TACO time. The more he does it, the weaker he looks. I pay attention to it but not as much as I use to. Just enough to stay informed.
Summer starts tomorrow and I plan to enjoy this short season in my neck of the woods. Theater, concerts, festivals and time with friends and family are filling up my calendar for the next couple months.
"I guarantee you." "I guarantee you." "I guarantee you." "I guarantee you." "I guarantee you."
(Does this sound like Trump?)
I am emphatically quoting Benjamin Netanyahu encouraging the United States to attack Iraq -- comments delivered in 2002. (Links are easy to find.)
He was guaranteeing that toppling Saddam's regime would have tremendous positive impact for the region -- and could topple Iran's regime too.
Does anyone here think that our pre-emptive war based on total lies about Saddam's nuclear weapons program was a good thing? A success?
Nuclear program... agreement broken with Iran by OUR side. Seems familiar.
One other note, when Saddam attacked the Kurdish area of Iraq with chemcal weapons in the 1980s -- back when Saddam was our friend -- the Reagan administration tried to place the blame on Iran. Only later, when the truth could be used AGAINST our former friend, did it get transmitted.
Simon - I'm scared shitless! We have a stupid man with a major impulse disorder and a damaged weak character that, like a 7 year old bully in a sand box, has to throw a big toy at someone. Problem is a bunker buster is really big. He knows nothing about anything - and there are no guard rails. God help us
yes, a MOAB is really big -- but the Fordo facility is buried VERY deep in a mountain. As reported in the Guardian and New Republic, experts report doubts as to whether even a MOAB could do the job -- and report that the Trump regime is considering using a tactical nuclear weapon instead.
https://newrepublic.com/post/197037/trump-white-house-nuclear-weapons-iran-fordo
Oh, God
God help us
Before any aid from the US, Israel's right wing government must reverse policy on Gaza saving
lives instead of killing. We could help them with that. Not Trump but NGOs. American bombs would mean terrorist attacks in the US. We are depending on Trump to be a TACO.
Mark Trump has called for the forced removal of all 2m Gazans so he can develop the land. Not really sure what you are talking about here….