Why the Left Loves Osama [and Saddam] by Daniel Pipes

Daniel Pipes ^ | March 19, 2003 | Daniel Pipes

[dennisw]

Why the Left Loves Osama [and Saddam] by Daniel Pipes

March 19, 2003

Has anyone noticed an indifference in the precincts of the far Left to the fatalities of 9/11 and the horrors of Saddam Hussein?

Right after the 9/11 attack, German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen called it "the greatest work of art for the whole cosmos." Eric Foner, an ornament of Columbia University's Marxist firmament, trivialized it by announcing himself unsure "which is more frightening: the horror that engulfed New York City or the apocalyptic rhetoric emanating daily from the White House." Norman Mailer called the suicide hijackers "brilliant."

More recently, it appears that none of the millions of antiwar demonstrators have a bad word to say about Saddam Hussein nor an iota of sympathy for those oppressed, tortured and murdered by his regime. Instead, they vent fury against the American president and British prime minister.

Why is the Left nonchalant about the outrages committed by al Qaeda and Baghdad?

Lee Harris, an Atlanta writer, offers an explanation in a recent issue of the Hoover Institution's journal, Policy Review. He does so by stepping way back and recalling Karl Marx's central thesis about the demise of capitalism resulting from an inevitable sequence of events:

* Business profits decline in the industrial countries;

* Bosses squeeze their workers;

* Workers become impoverished;

* Workers rebel against their bosses, and

* Workers establish a socialist order.

Everything here hangs on workers growing poorer over time - which, of course, did not happen. In fact, Western workers became richer (and increasingly un-revolutionary). By the roaring 1950s, most of the Left realized that Marx got it wrong.

But rather than give up on cherished expectations of socialist revolution, Harris notes, Marxists tweaked their theory. Abandoning the workers of advanced industrial countries, they looked instead to the entire populations of poor countries to carry out the revolution. Class analysis went out the window, replaced by geography.

This new approach, known as "dependencia theory," holds that the First World (and the United States above all) profits by forcefully exploiting the Third Word. The Left theorizes that the United States oppresses poor countries; thus Noam Chomsky's formulation that America is a "leading terrorist state."

For vindication of this claim, Marxists impatiently await the Third World's rising up against the West. Sadly for them, the only true revolution since the 1950s was Iran's in 1978-79. It ended with militant Islam in power and the Left in hiding.

Then came 9/11, which Marxists interpreted as the Third World (finally!) striking back at its American oppressor. In the Left's imagination, Harris explains, this attack was nothing less than "world-historical in its significance: the dawn of a new revolutionary era."

Only a pedant would point out that the suicide hijackers hardly represented the wretched of the earth; and that their objectives had nothing at all to do with socialism and everything to do with - no, not again! - militant Islam.

So desperate is the Left for some sign of true socialism, it overlooks such pesky details. Instead, it warily admires al Qaeda, the Taliban and militant Islam in general for doing battle with the United States. The Left tries to overlook militant Islam's slightly un-socialist practices - such as its imposing religious law, excluding women from the workplace, banning the payment of interest, encouraging private property and persecuting atheists.

This admiring spirit explains the Left's nonchalant response to 9/11. Sure, it rued the loss of life, but not too much. Dario Fo, the Italian Marxist who won the 1997 Nobel Prize for literature, explains: "The great [Wall Street] speculators wallow in an economy that every year kills tens of millions of people with poverty, so what is 20,000 dead in New York?"

The same goes for Saddam Hussein, whose gruesome qualities matter less to the Left than the fact of his confronting and defying the United States. In its view, anyone who does that can't be too bad - never mind that he brutalizes his subjects and invades his neighbors. The Left takes to the streets to assure his survival, indifferent both to the fate of Iraqis and even to their own safety, clutching instead at the hope that this monster will somehow bring socialism closer.

In sum: 9/11 and the prospect of war against Saddam Hussein have exposed the Left's political self-delusion, intellectual bankruptcy and moral turpitude.

[Paul Atreides]

Imagine if the left spent as much time, money, and energy having fundraisers to help the children and oppressed of Iraq as they have put into bashing President Bush!

[Chi-townChief]

bump

[jla]

Pipes is right-on-the-money BUMP!

[TheOtherOne]

I like Pipes!

[okie01]

Hmmmmmmm. No wonder the left is balking at Pipes' appointment to a Presidential commission on Middle East peace.

Pipes has their number. And isn't shy about calling them what they are...

[StriperSniper]

And isn't shy about calling them what they are...

Looks like the 'tone' is getting ready to change in D.C., just in time for election season.

[marktwain]

Go Daniel!!

[goldstategop]

Hardly earth-shaking news. After all I would expect no less from the followers of a philosophy that murdered over 100 million people.

[headsonpikes]

Not a lot left to say.

It's all true.

[Russell Scott]

The real reason: They are all motivated, and in many cases possesed, by their spiritual father the Devil. Oh, you don't think Satan can be a human's father?

John 8
43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

BTTT

[Zevonismymuse]

Pipes has their number.

Pipes is a most brilliant scholar and articulates the facts in a clear and concise manner. I love him.

[VOA]

bump

[arasina]

Truth is a wonderful thing. Has Mr. Pipes written any more good articles like this one from the first days of the war in Iraq?

[Donna Lee Nardo]

Love the piece, love Pipes.

[Salman]

The real reason: They are all motivated, and in many cases possesed, by their spiritual father the Devil.

Interesting. Though I am a rationalist and don't believe in a personal Devil or demonic posession, somehow I think this comes closer to the truth than the other comments so far.

These people are bully worshippers and death worshippers.

Orwell wrote of bully worship quite a bit in his journalism as being the main religion of the 20th century.

Orwell also used the term "Death Worship" in his book 1984 as the Eastasian version of "Ingsoc" (English Socialism) that Winston Smith suffered under in his book.

Well, it's not at all like 1984, which is really a burlesque of the Stalinism of his own time, but the terminology holds.

All Pipes says is true, but he doesn't make that final leap.

Leftism is death worship.

[eleni121]

The Left and Islamic terror are one and the same - the alliances were created in the serpentine minds of the KGB.

[Stallone]

Absolutely!

The left-wing are terrorist-sympathizers and their leadership are complicit in the attacks on America.

Destroy Evil Wherever You May Find It.

NEVER NEGOTIATE WITH EVIL. KILL IT.

[Revolting cat!]

Daniel Pipes is a dangerous man!

[expatpat]

The Western Left strangely fails to understand that they are the first to go if the Islamists take over. The Islamists hate homosexuality, feminism, atheism, and pornography, key issues for the left.

[Robert A. Cook, PE]

Interesting observation....Their hatred IS against Bush, and through him, the American (implied Christian/white/traditional) conservatives.

But, if you note the EXTREME hatred now popular aginst Israel, you'll see that ANY CONSERVATIVE (Jewish or Christian) is the international target of their hatred.

Islam is merely the anti-American/British religious "fad" of the liberals - so Islam CAN'T be blamed for any evil it commits - because they (Islam) oppposes the US, just as the Eastern mythical ones were in vogue in the late 60's and early 70's ... except now Islam is armed and very dangerous.

[mplsconservative]

"But, if you note the EXTREME hatred now popular aginst Israel, you'll see that ANY CONSERVATIVE (Jewish or Christian) is the international
target of their hatred."

The leftist, IGNORANT element in this country reminds me of lemmings running off the side of a cliff in their exuberance to be politically correct. Unfortunately their unwashed, smelly Birkenstock wearing claws are dragging the rug on which we reside over the cliff with them. Tolerance of islam by Americans=ignorance beyond belief...or just plain brainwashed evil.

[Sir Gawain]

-

[Tamzee]

It's wonderful hearing this stated so well :-)

[Bullish]

I think it's high time we declare war on the left. We may as well do it now, because eventually we will have to anyway.

Besides, they've truly earned it.

[mplsconservative]

What does declare war on the left mean for you? I'm a little frustrated and don't mean to pick on you. I just would like some new ideas. I've done a lot of anti "anti-war" protesting at their favorite bridge in Minneapolis and had them in my face arguing. It's tough presenting a response to spittle-spewing, DNC, America hating idealogues who shout in your face and make obscene gestures. They are absolutely incoherent in their rants! And I have to let you know I don't back down easily to a reasoned argument. The left has no reason.
I give the max dollars I can afford to the GOP, write letters to the paper and get involved in campaigns (watching the voter's box is one, sneaky Dems, folks in my liberal neighborhood (don't) love me). And I VOTE as conservative as I can get in this liberal state. Any ideas on how to declare war on these a**holes is welcome. Thanks Bullish for making the statement. I need new ideas. FReepers? Sorry, guess I need to post a new thread as this is off topic. I've never posted a thread before...panic!!!!!

[Bullish]

I'm just sick and damn tired of the constant drip, drip, drip of anti Americanism and Anti Semitism.

What I'm talking about is choosing up sides and taking it to the streets. When the whole world begins to have a putrid smell, it's time to take out the garbage.

I've just had too much of it lately with the unimformed sheeple buying anything and everything coming out of the evil mouths of the wicked, evil leftists of the world. Every good person in the world should just throw up their hands and say enough is enough and we're not gonna' stand for it amymore, PERIOD! And then we should literally FIGHT them.

I know, I know, I'm venting today but it feels good.

[billbears]

So desperate is the Left for some sign of true socialism, it overlooks such pesky details. Instead, it warily admires al Qaeda, the Taliban and militant Islam in general for doing battle with the United States. The Left tries to overlook militant Islam's slightly un-socialist practices - such as its imposing religious law, excluding women from the workplace, banning the payment of interest, encouraging private property and persecuting atheists.

Careful there Danny, 'New Deal' Irving is a socialist at heart. Don't be kicking on Marx too hard, else you may be kicked out of the 'family'

Podhoretz, like Kristol Sr., helped invent neo-conservatism in the late 1960s. He and Decter created a formidable political team as leaders of the Committee on the Present Danger in 1980, when they worked with Donald Rumsfeld to pound the last nail into the coffin of detente and promote the rise of Ronald Reagan. In addition to being Abrams' father-in-law, Norman Podhoretz is also the father of John Podhoretz, a columnist for the Murdoch-owned New York Post and frequent guest on the Murdoch-owned Fox News channel.

As editor of Commentary, Norman offered writing space to rising stars of the neocon movement for more than 30 years. His proteges include former U.N. ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick and Richard Pipes, who was Ronald Reagan's top advisor on the "Evil Empire," as the president liked to call the Soviet Union. His son, Daniel Pipes, has also made a career out of battling "evil," which in his case is Islam. And to tie it all up neatly, in 2002, Podhoretz received the highest honor bestowed by the AEI: the Irving Kristol award.

All in the Neocon Family

In 1995, neocon godfather Kristol candidly stated, "I regard myself to have been a young Trostkyite and I have not a single bitter memory." You can see in that statement his willingness to identify with Trotsky. As far back as 1983, he claimed that "a conservative welfare state … is perfectly consistent with the neoconservative perspective." A conservative welfare state? That qualifies as the oxymoron of the decade.

Writing in Kristol’s journal, The National Interest, in 1989, fellow neocon Charles Krauthammer called for the integration of Europe, Japan, and the U.S. to create a "super-sovereign" government. He even voiced his desire to see "the conscious depreciation not only of American sovereignty but of the notion of sovereignty in general." So, it’s safe to say that these people are the enemies of a constitutionally limited government in an independent nation. They are enemies; they are neoconservatives. Add in Midge Decter, Norman Podhoretz, Elliott Abrams, Ben Wattenberg, the magazine Commentary led by Podhoretz, The Weekly Standard led by Irving Kristol’s son William, and many others.

The Pied Pipers of Neoconservatism

Super sovereign multi-national government. Hmmmm, now where have I heard that before?

....that American leadership is good both for America and for the world; that such leadership requires military strength, diplomatic energy and commitment to moral principle; and that too few political leaders today are making the case for global leadership....

[mplsconservative]

Gotcha on the vent part. The sheeple that don't get the last couple of days (years) is MADDENING. Okay. We both feel better now - NOT! I have taken it to the streets and they're ugly and a litle intimidating but I did my part. As a 5' 2", petite stay at home mom I took it to 'em! One "caring liberal un-daddy" pointed at me and my 6 year old son and said, ahem!!!! "These are the people that hate and are killing children in Iraq for the oil companies and the Rebublicans." In my mind I wish I could've cold-cocked un-daddy over with an upper right - the look of horror in his children was incredible. The sign I was carrying simply said 'I Support President Bush and Our Troops.' The thought of adopting his children makes me feel good. Unfortunately he's hatched another brood of leftist/islamofascists.
Thanks Bullish. I too fell good from venting once again. This has been one heckuva few days.

[mplsconservative]

fell=feel Damn, I fell off my chair....time for bed (;

[Victoria Delsoul]

So desperate is the Left for some sign of true socialism, it overlooks such pesky details. Instead, it warily admires al Qaeda, the Taliban and militant Islam in general for doing battle with the United States. The Left tries to overlook militant Islam's slightly un-socialist practices - such as its imposing religious law, excluding women from the workplace, banning the payment of interest, encouraging private property and persecuting atheists.

Oh, those pesky details. There are just little nothings.

[Bullish]

At first I thought you might be an imposter trying to trap me into saying something violent or inapropriate for this site. I went ahead and stated my true feeling on the matter and I'm glad to see you're one of the good guys (gals).

FReegards to ya' and God bless.

[LiteKeeper]

INTSUM

[nutmeg]

.

[Tailgunner Joe]

bttt

[spodefly]

Bookmark! BTTT

Pipes has their number, completely and totally.

[FlyVet]

Right after the 9/11 attack, German composer Karlheinz Stockhausen called it "the greatest work of art for the whole cosmos."

Name: Karlheinz Stockhausen

Occupation: Foole

Okay, okay. I did steal it from George Carlin.

[fporretto]

Wow! When Pipes swings for the fences, the ball goes a long, long way. This man is an ornament to his trade and his country.

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit the Palace Of Reason:
http://palaceofreason.com

[JohnGalt]

I am rather surprised to see you throw praise Pipes way. Just a few weeks ago he wrote a column in support of a policy that 'we should become more like them.'

He is a charlatan at best (perhaps a stooge to make Ledeen look like a moderate), a fascist at worst.

[fporretto]

Cite the column by URL, please. I'll make up my own mind; I'm in the habit of doing that. Everything I've seen from Pipes so far has been admirable.

"Charlatan" and "fascist" are strong terms of condemnation, loaded both denotationally and connotationally. I look down on persons who fling them around without sufficient reason. We shall see if I consider your reasons to be sufficient.

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit the Palace Of Reason:
http://palaceofreason.com

[JohnGalt]

http://www.danielpipes.org/article/1169

[JohnGalt]

FR's version, same article:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/950513/posts

[fporretto]

I've read the article. Pipes is unimpeachably correct.

When one deals with nations and "movements" and "non-State actors," one is involved with collectivities. Though regrettable, this is inescapable, and will be so for as long as there are nations, "movements," and "non-State actors." Collectivities cannot be dealt with according to the same rules and methods that govern justice among individuals. Would that it were otherwise! We could simply have arrested Hitler and Tojo and clapped them behind bars, rather than mobilizing 12 million men, sacrificing a quarter million dead and spending many billions of dollars.

The Muslims of the Middle East, by all the measures we can apply, are solidly behind Osama bin Laden, militant Islam, and the Palestinian irredentists. They are enablers of these killers: sometimes passive, but sometimes horrifyingly active. Were the United States to destroy their entire "civilization" down to the last babe-in-arms, on the simple ground that they cannot or will not control their own maniacs, we would be amply justified. If there are Muslims who deserve better, it's up to them to sort themselves out from the rest and prove it to us.

The Bush Administration is probing for an effective measure short of that, of course, which is admirable. But if it should come to pass that nothing else will work, then killing them all to prevent even one more act of violence against a non-Muslim would have my blessing. These are people, after all, who believe that non-Muslims -- "infidels," in their charming term -- have no rights a Muslim is required to respect. They believe Allah has licensed them to deceive, defraud, coerce, enslave, and kill non-Muslims whenever it is expedient.

There's quite an irony in that. An "infidel," etymologically, is one who is unfaithful. That is, he cannot be trusted to keep his given word. To which community does that epithet better apply: the Judeo-Christian West, or the world of Islam?

Your condemnations are therefore dismissed, as are you.

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit the Palace Of Reason:
http://palaceofreason.com

[JohnGalt]

If you think 'we should become more like them,' you lose credibility. You once were a worthwhile thinker in these parts but now you are just another 'me too.'

It's too bad.

[steve-b]

Daniel Pipes is a dangerous man!

The key question: Dangerous to whom?

[Avoiding_Sulla]

All Pipes says is true, but he doesn't make that final leap.

Leftism is death worship.

Please demonstrate what you mean. Why is Leftism death worship? How is Leftism death worship?

[Avoiding_Sulla]

DATELINE: March 19, 2003

Why did you post this pre-Iraq war piece on August 20 Dennis?

[spodefly]

Excellent post.

[Salman]

Please demonstrate what you mean. Why is Leftism death worship? How is Leftism death worship?

See post number 21 (not mine). They are all in favor of things their "allies" would kill them for.