Every problem can be resolved by war

For those watching the nasty guy this recent bit of news is alarming. National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster has been booted. His replacement is John Bolton. Before you yawn (as most of the media seems to be doing) here are a few of Bolton’s opinions and achievements as cataloged by by Melissa McEwan of Shakesville.

* Bolton was the one whispering in the ear of Bush II that war with Iraq (to get rid of nonexistent weapons of mass destruction) was a great idea. Iraq hasn’t yet recovered.

* Bolton wrote an op-ed for the New York Times in 2015 titled: “To Stop Iran’s Bomb, Bomb Iran.”

* His opinion about North Korea is to strike first.

That all means, according to Bolton, every international problem can be resolved by war.

McEwan’s summary:

In Bolton, Trump has found an advisor who will tell him what he wants to hear; and, in Trump, Bolton has found a president who will take seriously his most wanton recommendations urging state violence.

It's a dreadful combination. And Trump's choice further indicates that he is going full authoritarian.

Sarah Kendzior adds the day after Bolton’s appointment, Rod Rosenstein, Deputy Attorney General, indicted a bunch of Iranian hackers, accusing them of a cyberattack. Kendzior notes that a big deal was made of Iranian hackers while nothing is said about Russian hackers. She puts it all together in a tweet:

* Multiple Trump admin members want war with Iran
* Trump wants to use nuclear weapons
* Yesterday Trump hired Bolton, who wants both war with Iran and pre-emptive nuke strikes
* Pentagon now says the US can use nukes in response to major cyberattacks

Seth Cotlar teaches a class in The History of American Conservatism. He notes change can happen very slowly, then very quickly (my friend and debate partner would recognize this as a tipping point). Cotlar says he has taught the class several times and he feels this time we’re at the edge of a cliff, about to see a significant historical break. “Studying the slow motion run up to what might be that break has, quite frankly, been the most emotionally exhausting teaching I've ever done.”

McEwan is annoyed that the media is treating Bolton’s appointment as an ordinary day news story without explaining why Bolton is such a dangerous choice. She’s been quite disappointed in the media for quite a while.

McEwan, who is constantly monitoring the news and commenting on it, wonders about those who completely ignore politics and the news, who don’t even vote.

Is it better to be surprised than to see what's coming [or] spend weeks and months and years dreading it? … I don't suppose either one is better. When the shit hits the fan, we're all gonna get sprayed.