David Stockman: American Exceptionalism Is 'Neo-Con Code' For Aggressive Foreign Policy
There are few things the liberal media like more than a Republican renegade. David Stockman has made a career out of strutting his independence from the GOP. So little surprise that he was an honored guest on this morning's Up With Chris Hayes on MSNBC.
That Stockman repaid his hosts by attacking Republicans was utterly predictable. Even so, the absurdity of Stockman's particular assertion was breathtaking. The former Reagan budget director actually claimed that the notion of American exceptionalism, a focus of Newt Gingrich's campaign, is nothing less than . . . "neo-con code" for an aggressive foreign policy. Video after the jump.
Contemplate Stockman's sheer vacuity. Can Stockman possibly not know that, that—as acknowledged even on NPR—the notion of American exceptionalism was first coined by that famed neo-con. . . Alexis de Tocqueville?
CHRIS HAYES: I think right now there are two things, what accounts for Gingrich's victory, and I want to play him summing up what his, how he sees the race, this idea about American exceptionalism being on trial and he being its greatest defender. Here he was talking last night.
NEWT GINGRICH: I believe this campaign comes down to do economics, including jobs, economic growth, balancing the budget, the value of money. It comes down to national security--what threatens us, what we have to do about it. But the centerpiece of this campaign, I believe, is American exceptionalism versus the radicalism of Saul Alinsky.
. . .
DAVID STOCKMAN: But I do want to say a point about exceptionalism.
HAYES: Because that was the key there.
STOCKMAN: The word is neo-con speak, code for an aggressive foreign policy. It's for more Bush, with even more aggressive intent. It's about beating the war drums in Iran. It's about keeping the military establishment--which is vastly greater than we need--fully in place. That's what exceptionalism is about. It's not about our economic problems or jobs or the fact that Main Street is falling behind or that we've done nothing about Wall Street or that we have a Fed out of control or all the other issues that we could mention. That is code for an aggressive foreign policy that I think is the most dangerous thing we could do at the moment.
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Comments
All these damn people
Submitted by ricklail on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 10:15am.
All these damn people claiming we talk in code need to go to work for the military in Afganistan. I'm an American and can't understand that code. They could do what the Navajoes did in the Pacific during WWII.
Shelia Jackson Lee claims Gingrich talks in code. Does tenns doing janitorial work really mean the SeALs are nearing their objective? I got no clue at what it means but it is racist according to the fool from Texas. How about food stamp receiptents? Does that mean there is hot chow at the TOC?
Don't forget what we learned
Submitted by LinTaylor on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 2:00pm.
Don't forget what we learned during the campaign, Rick: just about any word used to refer to Obama that isn't fawning praise is "neo-con code" for the N-word. Skinny, community organizer...I had no idea that so many words were actually racial slurs. You learn something new every day, eh?
David Stockman speaking is
Submitted by Average_JoeMN on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 10:37am.
David Stockman speaking is code for "I'm an old has-been who hates everything having to do with the GOP. I'm irrelevant and need to say something provocative on a communist TV network (watched by 10 people) to feel important. I wish I could cry right now but I don't want to embarrass my wife any more than I already do."
There's no such thing as a "neocon", it's a Ron Paul/Alex Jones term make up to describe those who don't buy the conspiracy nonsense.
I thought he was auditioning to replace Mika
Submitted by Blonde on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 10:48am.
Because his notion of neo-con code rises to a Mika level of vacuousness.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Can we call him David "I
Submitted by kg on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 10:53am.
Can we call him David "I can't stand this great country" Stockman. "Mediocre, now that's what I'm talking about!"
"DumbAssity of Dope"
David Stockman is correct.
Submitted by jadams9845 on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 10:46am.
David Stockman is correct and is is called imperialism. Neocon politics is just as bad as progressive politics. True conservatives support national security but reject imperialism.
To those of you who reject Ron Paul's foreign policy, guess what? You're going to get it anyway when the USD collapses followed by the overall economy. Sorry if we're five steps ahead of you in our assessment. That's your problem, not ours.
Oh please
Submitted by Blonde on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 10:50am.
Ron Paul is an isolationist.
Go troll elsewhere.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
The brilliance of Ron Paul,
Submitted by Agnostic on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:00am.
I agree with Ron Paul to some extent about 90% of the time - that being said he would be a useless President. Not because he would severely weaken the US - he would. But because he would weaken the US while being able to nothing about domestic problems because all of his grand schemes would come crashing down when met with the DC bureaucracy.
Ron Paul has no real foreign policy and his interpretations of Sharia is a joke. He believes what a few 'experts' have said about the meanings of words and he has turned that into a platform of American aggression. The ME to South Asia have been screwed with by politicians world-wide since before WWI for one reason or another (frequently raw materials and trade routes) and in the end it always seems to end up a little worse than it was before because those areas have their own internal struggles. I have no problem pulling out of the area to a certain degree because I have mixed feeling on exactly what we owe Israel but to claim that the US is to blame is like looking at the elephants trunk and thinking you have a snake.
Eventually one or several of the nations of Islam will come after the West. Though I agree that the goals and design of the US military needs to be modernized I do not want another leader in the office that thinks everything is the fault of the US.
"Imperialism?" You're kidding, right?
Submitted by CobraMan on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 12:13pm.
"David Stockman is correct and is is called imperialism."
Tell me, how many colonies has America established in, say, the last 100 years?
You really don't understand what "imperialism" means, do you? In case you've forgotten, Imperialism is "the policy of extending the rule or authority of an empire or nation over foreign countries, or of acquiring and holding colonies and dependencies."
Humm, extending rule over foreign countries. That sounds more like the UN than the US.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
"five steps ahead?" Only if you're facing backwards!
Submitted by CobraMan on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 1:23pm.
"You're going to get it anyway when the USD collapses followed by the overall economy."
Hay, not to worry. When the dollar finally collapses, something that's been predicted for well over 200 years, so it's bound to happen sometime, Ron Paul, the Savior, will rise to power and, as promised, will reinstate the Gold Standard and, instead of being based upon a promise of equal value for any given trade between labor and commerce, which is what today's dollar is based upon, the dollar will be based upon an extremely rare element, Gold, one that most people, especially those who don't have influence with Ron Paul and his hegemony, will never, ever have access too, as Ron, through sheer necessity, be forced to confiscate every single gram of it from every single American citizen ( we can't have people hoarding that gold now, can we? Of course not, for it is the bases of currency and therefore, it is far to valuable and so it must be held under government control, least someone use it to manipulate the value of currency and harm the economy, just as Roosevelt realized in 1933, when he issued the Gold Confiscation Order.) and store it in government vaults, to be distributed by the government as "needed" for the production of "legal tender." That's the point when we'll all be saved!
Ron Paul as President! Tonight we're going to party like it's 1933! Woo Hoo!
By the way, do you know what else happened in 1933? The rise of Isolationism and the degrading of our military. Reminded me again what happened in 1941?
Those who do not learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them, as Ron Paul is more than willing to do with his 1930's style policies. Those policies didn't work 80 years ago, the last time they were tried. In less than 10 years those policies lead to a prolonged depression, massive unemployment, the government sanctioned and regulated rationing of food and products to the American people, and TWO, count them, TWO major wars, wars which cost the lives of well over 291,000 dead, wounded, or missing Americans. What makes you think they'll work today?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
GOP codes
Submitted by grapids38 on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 10:47am.
How pathetic that everyone in the liberal elite can speak their minds however, we in the GOP must use codes to get our message out. Then they, in their self -glorification, have to tell their viewers we use codes.
Don't mention McDonalds because its code for the obese.
Don't mention the summer because its code for laziness.
Don't mention food stamps because its code for racism.
Don't mention golf because its code for the rich.
Don't mention Aleve because its code for drug dependency.
On and on it goes.
Don't call liberals marxists/commies/fascists because, ...
Submitted by Newsbubba on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:14am.
... that's code for "Liberals are really marxists/commies/fascists!"
I never use code when I call the president a RBFSOB (rat bastard Fascist son of a bitch), because that's what he is.
"American exceptionalism" is code for "this used to be a really great country, and it could be once again."
If Bambi is reelected, we are so flocked. Anyone can decode that one.
Hell, bubba, I'm so clueless
Submitted by killa37 on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:27am.
Hell, bubba, I'm so clueless that I don't know what a 'neo-con' is, so how can I understand their code??
I do know what a 'neo-COM' is, however..............we've got one in the White (racist term!!) House.
Neo-Com. I like that, Killa.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:44am.
Except I'm not sure that there is anything "neo" about the RBFSOB. I think that he was born a commie, raised a commie, and will continue to be a commie as long as he shall live, Amen.
Unless, of course, he continues to hide his true leaning by acting like a Fascist until he has total control locked up and then deciding that he likes being God.
You're right about his
Submitted by killa37 on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:48am.
You're right about his 'roots', bubba............the 'neo' part has to do with the fact that HIS brand of communism/marxism/facism/re-distributionism/racism/mooooooooooooooooooooooooolem-ism originated with HIM. As you know, in Boy Barry's mind, he IS the center of the universe.............or as you noted - God.
So, to paraphrase Rev. Wright - God-damn God!!!!
No code here
Submitted by jon_torlin on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:54am.
Agreed, if it happens that somehow he gets re-elected, we are indeed flocked. Hell, we're getting flocked in any case anyway, what with the recent actions of the RBFPOSSOB(similar to yours of course, but the F doesn't stand for Fascist in this case...for those of you in Rio Linda, use your imagination if you can) of this month alone.
Btw, the news seem to have been mum about those illegal recess appointments ever since Holder decreed that they were legit, I thought there was some sort of suit or something against them?
As for all this "code" nonsense, it's more of the projection that those libs like to accuse the conservatives and Republicans of doing when they are really talking about themselves. All that railing and wailing that they are making noise with, LOOK IN THE DAMN MIRROR! Of course, no point in saying that, their actions are deliberate, not incompetence except on the part of those like Jackson Lee and others of their poor IQ ilk. And that's not code, that's another way of saying some people are some serious dumbasses.
But what do I know, I'm a neo-racist conservative.(neo-racist is the term I use now since the word racist has lost its original true meaning, therefore, everything I stand for makes me a neo-racist)
-Jon
I thought Conservatives were supposed to be too stupid
Submitted by Agnostic on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:20am.
and not nuanced enough to understand code words and subtle meanings.
"The military establishment"
Submitted by bkeyser on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:31am.
is probably the most egregious term used to describe both the military and the state of government in this country.
1. It's entirely derogatory toward the armed forces. It implies an influence over government and people that simply doesn't exist. When was the last time you were worried that the "military establishment" would threaten the civilian rule of law in this country?
2. Knowing that there is no "military establishment" -or threat to civilian rule- highlights the disdain those who use the term have for the military in general. Why demean the men and women in uniform? Why show contempt for the workers at Lockheed/Martin or Colt Firearms? They're just doing their part to defend the freedoms we all enjoy.
There are approximately 1.4 million active service members and 1.4 million reserves in this country. As of 2008, there were roughly 19.7 million federal, state, and local government employees. Hell, Walmart has roughly 1.8 million employees alone. There is no "military establishment" or "military complex" and anyone condoning those terms has nothing but disdain for all things military. Simply, they are pacifists.
I wish you hadn't asked that, BK.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:55am.
"When was the last time you were worried that the 'military establishment' would threaten the civilian rule of law in this country?"
That would be the minute that the RBFSOB was sworn into office and became the RFBSOBCINC.
I knew that he had to clean up two loose ends to complete the groundwork for a complete takeover. he had to get rid of the Second Amendment and collect the civilian weapons, and he had to have his own people in the upper echelons of military officers.
Unfortunately, he is making great progress on both fronts. He is already clearing the ranks to make room for his own choices. I don't even have to mention attacks like Fast and Furious. There will be more. Congress is is butt boy.
My only hope is that there are enough recently retired military who would be able to influence the remaining active forces and keep them from becoming Obama's SS.
I disagree bubba
Submitted by bkeyser on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 1:08pm.
The reason the military is inherently conservative -politically- is because of the lack of conscription. The left is by nature anti-military on the most basic levels, and it's an all-volunteer force. That's why it's the left that always calls for a draft; they know there will always be enough patriotic conservatives to fill the ranks, what they need to change the culture is an infusion of progressivism. A draft would crowd out willing volunteers and replace them with unwilling participants, ultimately driving down morale and effectiveness; weakening the service from within.
And therein lies the left's incessant desire to cut military spending. Weakening the armed forces is peace of mind for the left which knows their goal is the removal of civil liberty and induction of tyranny; a goal wholly unsupported by the conservative-leaning, freedom-loving patriots that make up the vast majority of the military. In fact, the only real liberal influence in the military is in the officer corps, which is fed by way of the nations colleges. It's generally faint, for the most part, but the indoctrination is still there among some, especially those who see the military as a stepping stone for a career in politics - people like John Kerry. Without conscription, the left will never own the military, ideologically; their only chance is to defeat it fiscally.
(Repeal of DADT is another avenue for leftward ideology to make it's way into the military, but, as noted above, you're not going to see a mass injection of homosexuals in the military because for the most part, they simple can't align with the military lifestyle. In fact, they're in many ways, entirely anathema to all the things that make armed service, armed.)
The same holds true for gun rights, by the way. Remove the guns, remove the threat. Even the "more cops on the street" mantra is nothing more than an attempt at increasing union membership.
At least, this is how I see it.
The RBFSOB is working on changing it, BK.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 2:35pm.
I "know a guy," Naval Aviator, who said that there were two guys in his outfit that NOBODY really wanted to fly with because they were so damned bad, and dangerous.
The commanding officer was told from on high to rate the two officers number one and two in the Squadron eval. Want to guess what their race was? When they come back on another tour, one or both of them could end up commanding officer of a unit. Then THEY get to rate the officers under them. In a few short years, they will have all their players in place.
Also hear that a host of senior officers are being told to retire now, or face charges for minor administrative BS. As you know, ANY officer can be popped for some silly admin violation, like one too many drinks at the club with the junior officers, etc. Most are getting the hell out, rather than take a hit on their record.
Never under estimate the Fascist.
Oops. See above.
Submitted by Newsbubba on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 11:57am.
.
What Stockman and, for that
Submitted by celator on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 12:01pm.
What Stockman and, for that matter, Obama (by his own words) cannot get through their thick heads is that it is the US Constitution and the Bill of rights which make the United States of America an exceptional country. It is not some perceived chip on our shoulder. It is not because we are braggarts.
No other governmental constitution before ours had ever officially described liberty and rights as a gift from God. No other constitution had embedded in a Bill of Rights the protection of the liberty of its citizens from the potential onslaught of its own government gone mad. The Founders and Framers officially created the greatest degree of liberty for its free citizens than any other citizens who lived on the face of the planet. This is what launched the astounding creative and innovative forces of the American people, this is what brings people to this country. Did it need tweaking? Of course--the 16th Amendment, as an example.
Our constitution is what makes the United States exceptional. It is not about government bureaucrats parsing out liberty to its citizens, or who is President at any given moment. Why can't these lunkheads see that?
(I know you all know this, but I just had to say it).
Well said
Submitted by bkeyser on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 1:14pm.
+
If "American Exceptionalism is Neo-Con speak for
Submitted by djwolf12 on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 2:08pm.
Aggressive Foreign Policy", then Hillary Clinton is Donald Rumsfeld. I swear, if Rod Serling was alive today, he would be amazed at the Real life Twilight Zone that is M.S.S.R. (MSLSD).
Well, it really depends on............
Submitted by David Kramer on Sun, 01/22/2012 - 7:54pm.
what the definition of is, is.
The leftists, aka statists, aka liberals, aka socialists, aka communists are just projecting again. Since they have to continually change their own names, they think everyone else does.