Joe Klein on Neoconservatives and Iran [McCain has surrounded himself with Jewish neoconservatives]

The Atlantic ^ | 7-29-08 | Jeffrey Goldberg

[SJackson]

My friend and former colleague Joe Klein has made himself quite the figure of controversy over the past few weeks. First, he suggested that Jewish neoconservatives have "divided loyalties;" then he called John McCain desperate for arguing that Barack Obama is willing to lose the Iraq war in order to win the election. Then, a few days ago, he argued that McCain has surrounded himself with "Jewish neoconservatives" who want war with Iran. He's gotten a lot of pushback, including criticism from Abraham Foxman, the head of the Anti-Defamation League.

I called Joe with a bunch of questions. He stands by his criticism of Jewish neoconservatives, and explains Iran's nuclear ambitions this way: "Given the level of threats that they've been getting from the United States, and from Israel, it's a logical thing for Iran to want nuclear weapons as a deterrent." No one can say that Joe is afraid of the arena. Here are excerpts from our conversation:

[SJackson]

Joe Klein Senior Writer and Political Columnist Time Magazine

June 25, 2008

Dear Mr. Klein:

We were deeply troubled by your outrageous assertion on Time Magazine's "Swampland" blog that Jewish neoconservatives "plumped" for the war in Iraq and are now doing the same for "an even more foolish assault on Iran" with the goal of making the world "safe for Israel." ("Surge Protection," June 24).

Whether or not one feels that America's war on Iraq was justified, the charge that it is being fought by the United States on behalf of Israel is both offensive and categorically false.

There can be no question that in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, legitimate and serious American security and foreign policy interests played a critical role in President Bush's decision to attack Iraq.  Moreover, many top decision-makers in the administration who advocated for war hardly fit the mold of a "Jewish Neocon" – Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell being the most prominent among them.

The notion that Jews with "divided loyalties" were behind the decision to go to war is reminiscent of age-old anti-Semitic canards about a Jewish conspiracy to control and manipulate government, which has unfortunately gained new currency of late with public figures such as Jimmy Carter and professors John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt suggesting that American Jews are disloyal and that pro-Israel groups have undue influence over American foreign policy.

We are disappointed that a respected and thoughtful writer of your caliber you would resort to such stereotyping.

Sincerely, Abraham H. Foxman National Director

[SJackson]

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Surrounded himself with? Actually they sneak their way in, Joe Klein needs to read the Protocols again.

[Clintonfatigued]

“[McCain has surrounded himself with Jewish neoconservatives]”

Hopefully, he'll pick a particular Jewish neoconservative as his running mate (Eric Cantor).

[A. Morgan]

Joe Klein is a PUNK who needs a kitten stocking, a SOCK in the PUSS!

[MeanWestTexan]

Eric Cantor

What a WONDERFUL idea.

[goldstategop]

As a neo-con, I plead guilty. The Left hates me and I revel in their hatred. I find it empowering!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[SJackson]

Hopefully, he'll pick a particular Jewish neoconservative as his running mate (Eric Cantor).

Probably not, though he'd be a good candidate. I'd love to see the reaction of the far left.

[Always Right]

In other words, no terrorist-apologists surrender monkeys. Sounds good to me.

[iowamark]

Joe Klein is a disgrace. Unfortunately, his anti-semitism and terrorist sympathies are perfectly in line with the Obama gang.

[justiceseeker93]

The Foxman letter is surprising to me, given his penchant for criticizing the Right (e. g., Christian fundamentalists), and leaving the Left relatively unscathed from charges of antisemitism.

But Klein's comments in this Atlantic interview are far from surprising. He is pretty much an archtypical Jewish MSM leftist, as can be gleaned from reading his Time magazine columns regularly (warning: barfbag required).

[MadMax, the Grinning Reaper]

Joe Klein is an intellectual KAPO. Being a disgrace, a fool, and a self-hating Jew are just the extras that go along with being a betrayer.

From one old Jew - Madmax

[ctpaul]

Klein = self loathing jew

[dalight]

For about 4 or 5 years.. Neo-Con was an epithet, and folks were quick to distance themselves from this appellation. But, folks who cringed and let this flow over them have found their backbones once again.

Neoconservativism is about true hope and true change and true human dignity through freedom and individual achievement rather than pursuing the communist dream that only empowers tyrants. This became a heresy amongst folks who believe that socialism is the only path to human freedom. The last century has provided ample proof that socialism as a path only leads to bondage and dependency. Petty Dictators and truly evil men wrap themselves in socialist and communist states because the government controls all by the apparatus of economics as well as the threat of force.

In Capitalist systems, other sources of power grow and die and threaten the dictator. The middle class and the rich demand power and thus threaten the dictator.

Klein is truly an idiot and though I rarely agree with Foxman, he is right to call him out on the divided loyalties canard which can and will be used against American patriots who love freedom and the best that America has to offer its citizens and what it must insist is the right of all human beings. Freedom, Liberty and Justice under the law.

[SQUID]

Today’s Republicans look more and more like Democrats.

[PhilDragoo]

JOE KLEIN FLACKING FOR HOLOCAUST DENIER MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD:

Given the level of threats that they've been getting from the United States, and
from Israel, it's a logical thing for Iran to want nuclear weapons as a deterrent."

[Jeff Head]

Oh no...it's the evil Jooos!

While Obama actually does rubs shoulders with domestic terrorists and Islamic war profiteers.

THE ALSAMMARAE-REZKO-AUCHI TRIANGLE CONNECTION TO BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA SHOULD BRING HIM DOWN



CORRUPT TO THE CORE

THE TRUTH ABOUT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

[devolve]

DEADLY GAMES

[potlatch]

Good post devolve.

[devolve]

.

Thanks potlatch

[potlatch]

The threads all kinda ended!!