Retired U.S. Army Colonel Larry Wilkerson – who served as former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell’s chief of staff – is ripping into U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (RINO-S.C.) and John McCain (RINO-Arizona) for their ongoing warmongering in the Middle East.
In an interview with The Real News Network, the adjunct professor of military history at William & Mary University refers to Graham and McCain as “bordering on being traitors” – saying they need to “sit down … and shut their mouths.”
“People like Senator John McCain, Senator Lindsey Graham from my home state, and others who are bordering on being traitors, in my view, because they won’t let this president have room to achieve a diplomatic solution,” Wilkerson said. “They’re all angry now that he didn’t bomb Syria … and so they’re moving on to Iran, with Graham even saying he’s going to move for legislation to authorize the use of military force against Iran in the next four to five months.”
At issue is Iran’s nuclear enrichment program – which Graham and McCain insist is a threat to America’s national security. Accordingly, they want to preemptively attack.
“I’m going to get a bipartisan coalition together,” Graham told fellow RINO Mike Huckabee recently. “We’re going to put together a use-of-force resolution, allowing our country to use military force … to stop the Iranian nuclear program.”
What sort of military force are we talking about?
“Instead of a surgical strike on their nuclear infrastructure, I think we’re to the point now that you have to really neuter the regime’s ability to wage war against us and our allies,” Graham said in 2010. “(We must) destroy the ability of the regime to strike back.”
In a compelling column published last week former GOP presidential candidate Pat Buchanan picked apart this view – noting Iran hasn’t built a nuclear bomb, no longer appears to be in pursuit of a nuclear bomb and is actively negotiating an end to U.S. sanctions under its new leader, Hassan Rouhani.
In fact Rouhani has proposed limiting Iran’s enrichment program to purely civilian (i.e. energy) pursuits and permitting regular inspections.
Given these facts, Buchanan is (wisely) urging anti-interventionists in Congress to “(meet) Graham’s war resolution with one of their own, reaffirming that … Obama has no authority to launch any pre-emptive or presidential war on Iran.”
We agree …
“We’re all for using American military might to defend this nation and protect its most vital interests – but the wars Graham is seeking to start with multiple Middle Eastern nations do not rise to the level,” we wrote recently. “Moreover, pursuing them absent a compelling national interest will only make us less safe by needlessly stoking anti-American extremism.”
54 comments
Never a good sign for your re-election chances when the top/former top generals spank you publicly (Pubicly?)
BBBBwwwwwwahahahahahahahahahaahahaha
Stupid AZZZZZ Grahmnesty
Wilkerson was a Colonel. They function as luggage carriers and door openers for flag officers. If active flag officers are speaking, they are merely parroting the company line of POTUS. They don’t want their careers to abruptly end.
You must have had a bad military experience because you can’t seem to let a chance pass to belittle honorable men. So you don’t think it’s too personal, I do like some of your arguments but it bothers me to see you degrade military men.
It is not meant as degrading nor am I questioning their honor. My point is that after working for Navy for over 25 years, I know in DC that Colonels/Captains don’t draw a lot of water.
Forget the nukes, We need to rid Iran of box cutters; the weapons used by the nineteen 9/11 terrrorists to take down the some jet airlines, the World Trade Center, the entire American aviation fleet on that day, and what was the American way of life as we knew it.
19 of the 20 hijackers were Saudi’s, not Persians, yet Saudi Arabia is our friend and ally, while the foaming at the mouth neoconservatives and centrist Democrats cannot wait for a war with Iran to begin. This is evidence that those in our government are using the War on Terror to get rich and scare Americans into ceding them more authority and power.
The oil trade is what is helping to keep American hegemony in tact.(via propping up the dollar)
That’s why our gov’t is so close with the Saudi leadership…and why everyone in the world but most Americans understand that American projection of power via printed up money is inexorably tied to the Saudi’s, hence elements within their own population are trying in their own way(terrorism, etc.) to destroy it.(a significant % of the Saudi people rightfully hate their leadership and know they are propped up by the American gov’t)
When the BRIC is eventually successful in removing the dollar from their oil transactions that’s when all hell breaks loose.
Since it looks like the war train may move beyond Syria, it looks like it will be making a return trip and perhaps stop, in Iran again….mostly IMO because Iran threatens American currency dominance with their skirting of sanctions via of all things, OIL TRADE IN GOLD.
That’s a direct stab at American hegemony…regardless of all the other propaganda bullshit that’s the real reason they want to drop bombs on Iran. I do find it interesting that India has been their biggest ally in said transactions.
I think we are very close to seeing the dollar dominated oil trade coming to an end. I don’t know if it will move to gold, SDR’s, Yuan’s, or whatever…but it will occur…probably in some fractured fashion.
That’s when we’ll see what our gov’ts relationship is worth with the Saudi royalty…because if they don’t continue to sell barrels in dollars the US gov’t is royally screwed.
Really though, if China decided to wage a currency war they have us by the throat already….money printing is a huge national security issue and most pols on either side of the US gov’t paradigm don’t fully realize the implications yet.
I’m betting the end game is a Soviet style collapse for the US, partial or full, with the currency going crazy…and if the bond holders dump I don’t see how the US escapes a currency reset/default.
“When box cutters are outlawed, only outlaws will have box cutters! “
I’ve heard Graham and McCain have a desire to be engaged…..confused as to whether that was to each other or in war.
Article III section 3 defines TREASON, thus: “Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against
them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person
shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the
same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.”
The POTUS , by his own admission states we are in “A WAR ON TERROR.” Al-Qaeda is
the face of this enemy, and they have killed 2996 US Citizens on 9/11 and just this weekend killed 68 innocent people in a Mall in Kenya. We have found out this week that Al-Qaeda has a Chemical Weapons R &D facility in Somalia.
The POTUS violated the Arms Export Control Act by sending weapons to Al-Qaeda who have joined the Sryian resistence. Who do you suppose that the weapons will be pointed at once Assad is gone?
The POTUS is a mere man, but one that has VIOLATED the Constitution and Congress must Impeach and Convict him…Write your Congressmen!
Thank you.
If only people like you had been as concerned when Ronnie illegally sold arms to Iran.
If he had been impeached and tried for treason, as he and his little weasel Ollie North so richly deserved, the second impeachment of a Republican Party in 10 years time just might have made an impression on the American people as to exactly what the GOP stands for…lies and lawlessness.
Reply
Most of us were concerned and among the major players, many were indicted and convicted:
Caspar Weinberger, was indicted on two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice
William Casey, was stricken ill hours before he would testify – eventually died without coming to trial
Robert C. McFarlane, National Security Adviser, convicted of withholding evidence,
Elliott Abrams, convicted of withholding evidence
Alan D. Fiers convicted of withholding evidence
Clair George convicted on two charges of perjury
Oliver North, convicted of accepting an illegal gratuity, obstruction of a
congressional inquiry, and destruction of documents,
John Poindexter was convicted of five counts of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, perjury, defrauding the government, and the alteration and destruction of evidence.
Duane Clarridge Indicted and Pardoned
Richard V. Secord plead guilty
Albert Hakim plead guilty
Bush pardoned some and some were eventually let go because the federal prosecutor were bumbling idiots. Oh, no to overly revise “your” history but Nixon wasn’t impeached.
Very good.
It’s 100% worthless and partisan to say ‘Oh Oh what about…’.
Fix it and move on. You get some repuklitard that does the same thing, I’ll be the first to stand up with you.
Dammit, nitrat, even though you are a bit hyperbolic, TBG will give you a thumbs up. You’ve got a point.
The Dems are just as bad, though.
Why Nitrat? That was a great strategy as far as the USA was concerned at the time. Iran and Iraq, at the time, were the regional Superpowers. We sold weapons to both sides because it was in our (US) best interest to. As long as Iran and Iraq were fighting each other, they left others in the region alone, this is called stability. Stability in the world benefits the US in many ways, economically (trade), politically (relative peace in the area outside Iran and Iraq) etc. President Reagan was dealing with nations (albeit ones that sanction terror), but he had ways to utilize force to inpose our (US) will, sanctions, bombing and freezing assets if the got too far out of line.
The current POTUS is violating the Arms Export Control Act by providing weapons to a TERRORIST Group, the same group that murdered thousands of our countymen. Once he has provided these weapons, there is no way to prevent them from being used against us. Al-Qaeda has no county to bomb, no government to sanction nor assets to freeze. Al-Qaeda is actually an international group of terrorist groups that have to be treated more like criminals than nations.
As far as your comment “as to exactly what the GOP stands for…lies and lawlessness” have you been asleep during the Obama administration? Benghazi, IRS, Solyndra and twenty or so other scandals. Obama has repeatedly make end runs around Congress by deciding which laws to enforce, including the decision not to deport illegal immigrants who may have been allowed to stay in the United States had Congress passed the “Dream Act.”
Hope this helps your understanding of world history.
Cheers
Who do you suppose that the weapons will be pointed at once Assad is gone?
Assad ain’t going anywhere.
If you read the story you will see the guy is saying Graham/McCain are near guilty of treason for NOT SUPPORTING AND TRUSTING OBAMA. That seems like an asset to Graham in a GOP primary, not a liability.
Graham’s belligerence will hurt him not at all in his quest for re-election. The gullible South Carolina public has never found a war that they didn’t support. Look at history. Maybe things will change, but don’t count on it.
No SC pol will ever lose an election for war-mongering. One just can’t go wrong with that posture in this state.
Graham has spent his energies for the past eleven years working for the interests of beltway military contractors and the country of Israel. He should be working for the best interests of the people of South Carolina.
Why don’t his announced primary opponents point this out? Is it because they’ll do the same thing if they’re elected?
High potentiality
Senator Graham doesn’t fit the definition of a traitor and has committed no traitorous acts. COL Wilkerson has dramatically overstated his case.
Is Lindsey wrong? Absoeffinglutely, but he isn’t a traitor, just a delusional, misguided, warhawk.
Congressman Mulvaney visited my base yesterday – I had the chance to speak with him for a minute. He’s dead right on Syria, maybe he’d be a good replacement for Senator Graham – he damn sure couldn’t be any worse. https://www.fitsnews.com/2013/09/10/mick-mulvaney-issues-statement-on-syria/
You, sir, are full of it. Graham fits the mold of being a traitor and a clear violator of his oath of office. No go away before a dragon swoops down, plucks you up, and carries you to never never land.
Had senator Graham launched a weapon or sold one to Syria or sold the secrets on how to make one, or told them how to defeat one then you’d have your traitor – as it is, he has followed the Constitution in his attempts to legally force us to do something so stupid that it is causing otherwise intelligent people like COL Wilkerson to say stupid stuff.
I’m not sure what she’s doing is legal, or that it would legally accomplish her goal, but I appreciate your sentiment.
“Mulvaney visited my base” NEWS FLASH for The Colonel. Repeating what Arthur Ravenel once told the two star Charleston Navy Base commander, It is not your base. It belongs to the people of the United States.
You are correct sir, Congressman Mulvaney visited the Camp I am assigned to. There ain’t a damn thing here I’d call “mine”…
That is splitting a very fine hair. Nearly all military people I speak with and have spoken with refer to the ships/aircraft/machines/bases they serve on/with as theirs. To try and dog someone on such use of language is poor form.
Form? It is a fact. Civilians have to constantly remind some in the military of it. Perhaps you are not aware that the US military is under civilian control. In this particular case I was just jerking The Colonel’s chain as he does mine on occasion. BTW, what I said about Arthur Ravenel was a true story and occurred in a very public forum.
No longer APPEARS to be in pursuit of a nuclear bomb. Such a forceful statement. You want to put all your eggs in that basket?
BTW, read Netanyahu’s comments about trusting Rouhani.
Obama’s NSA is spying on all who speak out about these two sacks of shit. Obama’s administration feeds information gathered by the NSA concerning these two rogues directly to them both in secret closed door meetings. What better way to learn what threats to your political power might be lurking in the shadows that can cause you to get tossed out of office?
Do NOT put anything past this administration. The law means NOTHING to them.
GET THE WORD OUT! Put up Billboards around Charleston, Columbia, and Greenville that expose that psychopath Graham! It has to be done now!
Keep in mind, Graham’s foot soldiers check this website and others for information to help them to prepare a defense for the demon.
Keep up the good work, SIC … Drive it in hard. It is, in part, helping to expose the evil. We are fighting out of control corruption.
So, in 1991, got back from Desert Shield/Storm……within 4 months briefed to prepare to attack Iran because of their nuclear intentions to strike and destroy USA……….seems like this is a worn out excuse by now! Warmongers!
You are correct, they are trying to get their war one way or another for a variety of reasons.
The Big 3 IMO being:
The Black Jesus wants to distract from a faltering economy, MIC benefactors want to line their pockets, and oil/dollar carry strategic interests from a US gov’t preservation perspective.
Wow, you mean, in my opinion, ordinary citizens are catching on to these two?
Wilkerson was a respected military officer and chief of staff to the Secretary of State. Then he was snookered by the neocon cabal around G.W. Bush and Dick Cheney into selling to the world the phony WMD and Saddam Hussein = Al Qaeda fairy-tale which resulted in a pointless war — pointless, that is, unless you are one of the many thousands killed or maimed (both ours and theirs). Now he’s a little testy. I think it’s understandable. Unlike Graham, Wilkerson has, in fact, been shot at by our nation’s enemies.
Was McCain “shot at”?
Was McCain “shot at”?
Absolutely.
Does it count as “at” when Lindsey sent the load down his throat or up his butt?
You are absolutely correct, I wonder if Manray knows that.
Notice I didn’t mention McCain. I don’t consider him a chicken hawk.
How the hell do you think he spent 5 years in the Hanoi Hilton!? You may not like his politics, but he sure as hell paid his dues. Did you?
Do you mean the same Hanoi Hilton where McCain earned his nickname, “Songbird”, for singing whatever tune the North Vietnamese wanted in exchange for special treatment and care for those forearms, injured when he failed to keep them close to his body as he was supposed to do when ejecting or bailing out of his plane?
It’s clear the experience damaged his psyche. He’s not fit for office.
No, I mean the McCain who was repeatedly beaten & tortured, like all of them; but refused an early release & stayed there with the other brave men — you ungrateful bastard.
Stinkbait, I see sarcasm is lost on you, My point was to point it out to Manray. You might want to read a little closer before you jump.
Incompetent self serving conduct of Graham, McCain, Obama, Bush, [fill in any politician from any party – EVERY politician is a party whore – public servants are the only righteous operators of the gov organizations we own and are inherently part of] are merely symptoms of corruption’s systemic deep tap root.
Systemic malfunctions require systemic fix. Self governing citizen creator (by proxy) of gov organization bears command responsibility and has all tools/authority necessary to initiate individual course of action for implementing fix. Battleship changes direction – one degree at time. Eat elephant, bite by bite. Thousand miles, start one step.
Like picking fruit on a tree, exposing/talking about symptoms – corrupt/incompetence of any politician – does nothing to corruption’s deep systemic roots that keep feeding, breeding, and seeding. Root – organizational ethos under which politician whores freely admit election into office gives them ‘authority’ by popular support, to bend public process (rule of law) we pay operators (public servants) with the injection of their own self interest. They market prostitution for political party masters in emotionalized idealogically stated ‘public’ purpose. We let emotion attach us to words we like, ignoring performance to law.
Course of action – use principles of disruptive innovation. Local market. Entire industries changed.
Everything else? Waste of time. Distraction.
Shifty is getting bugged by the “flash card” headers…..
hiya shifty! I can surmise but I don’t guess what somebody else means (cuz my ideas are usually way different)…what do you mean by ‘flash card’ header?
This new thing with the several articles on the home page that rotate — it slows me down because when I’m checking in for new articles I have to wait for the rotation………..
Check. Appreciate response…
Hiya shifty! I can surmise but I don’t like accuracy rate of guessing what someone else means…what’s ‘flash card’ header?
Any person who dropped napalm doesn’t have the moral authority to wage a war on terrorism. Graham on the other hand is trying to earn his wings with the defense industry so he can land a cushy million dollar plus lobbyist gig after he retires or is ousted from the senate…which I hope will be sooner than later.