A word from Gabriel Kolko, America's greatest historian of war.

[hangloose]

in this reflection on "intelligence" ( Iraq and Vietnam)


"The state's intelligence mechanisms are constrained by a larger structural and ideological environment and by the inherent irrationality of a foreign policy which foredooms any effort to base action on informed insight to a chimera. Even when the insight is exact, and knowledge is far greater than ignorance, political and social boundaries usually place decisive limits on the application of 'rationality' to actions. The political and ideological imperatives and interests define the nature of 'relevant' truths. Intelligence's pretension to being objective is a hoax because those parts of it that do not reconfirm the power structure's interests and predetermined policies are ignored and discarded. There are innumerable reasons we must conclude this Even more important is the entire experience with Iraq and the U.S.' failed confrontation with the Islamic world for over half a century. To expect the U.S. to behave other than as it has is to cultivate serious illusions and delude oneself.

"The system, in a word, is irrational. We saw it in Vietnam and we are seeing it today in Iraq."

[el_gato]

1. I agree

[Zorro]

2. Gabriel Kolko, America's greatest Marxist revisionist historian

His message has been consistent for decades, which can be summarized by "truth is relative" and can be "revised" as time progresses and history is reinterpreted to suit the agenda of those controlling the media and the message.

I take great exception to his fundamental beliefs from a philosophical perspective, ever since he expounded on them at a lecture I attended over 30 years ago.

Gabriel Kolko is a person whose opinions are not to be trusted, and to do so makes one ripe for exploitation.