Where there's smoke there's fire.

August 10, 2005 5:29 AM

Where there's smoke there's fire. The AIPAC spy scandal, new developments with foreign lobbies compromising our nation's security, major government officials involving themselves in drug money laundering, military weapons procurement for dangerous nations, penetration of our intelligence agencies and the pentagon by foreign spy agencies. When will the smoke turn to fire?
posted by mk1gti (15 comments total)

Why do neocon Likudniks hate America?

Lock 'em up, all the way up the chain.
posted by nofundy at 5:39 AM on August 10, 2005

Where there's smoke there's fire.

Regardless of the other content of this post, I think this expression is the biggest piece of bullshit that ever became a meme.
posted by grouse at 6:09 AM on August 10, 2005

If by "fire" you mean a wave of anti-Israel action sweeping Washington, the answer is "never." Support of Israel in Washington is wider and deeper (and more bipartisan) than any other single thing you mention, except maybe mom and apple pie. The only meaningful group which didn't back Israel 100% was the old-line country club Republicans, and they're long gone.
posted by MattD at 6:31 AM on August 10, 2005

Nevertheless, I think this is one of a set of very big problems compromising effective government in d.c. these days.
Something tells me when the FBI gets around to picking up and prosecuting persons of interest, it will make the McCarthy hearings look like Disneyland. And partisanship aside, I think both sides are going to be stung by this, the neocons and their sympathizers most of all, and good riddance.
The bottom line is what is occuring as spelled out in the stories cited and by FBI documentation is the worst and most deepest form of treason. There are no two sides about it, and no defending it.
Here's hoping the FBI turns out to be D.C's 'spanish inquisition'.
And before anyone else says it;

"Oh no!!! It's the Spanish Inquisition!!!"
posted by mk1gti at 6:52 AM on August 10, 2005

As for the rest of the country...
posted by sonofsamiam at 6:54 AM on August 10, 2005

penetration of our intelligence

Compared to some other cultures, we have an underlying distrust of intelligence and driven academic thought as being complicated and ungodly, after all, there is nothing new under the sun, and an earthy simple common sense is as trustworthy as it gets. However some other cultures thrive on complexity, and having a son who is a physicist might be viewed in the same bright, positive context as we might view one who is a building trade carpenter contractor or something. In that perspective, I have seen American academics feeling quite all alone out there compared to the Indian and Chinese competition.
posted by nervousfritz at 6:55 AM on August 10, 2005

Let's just say that the US would sooner turn against Brittan, than damage relations with Israel. Israel, however, shows no allegiance to the US.
posted by Balisong at 6:58 AM on August 10, 2005

It is not antisemitic to criticize the policies of the state of Israel.
-- Colin Powell, Secretary of State, USA
posted by Balisong at 7:01 AM on August 10, 2005

effective government in d.c.

Now that's rich!
posted by nyterrant at 7:16 AM on August 10, 2005

So where's the indictment? Let's see it.
posted by warbaby at 7:43 AM on August 10, 2005

What I don't understand is why does AIPAC have to spy when Bush will GIVE them anything they want? Here's a good indication of how the US-Israel relationship has changed... (or, more accurately, how the GOP has changed):

"I believe Mr. Sharon to be a man of peace." --President George W. Bush speaking of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in a public news conference in 2003.

"A bellicose man who seemed to be chomping at the bit to start a war." --President Ronald Reagan
posted by three blind mice at 9:03 AM on August 10, 2005

Wait, was Reagan referring to Ariel Sharon or G. W. Bush...?
posted by twsf at 9:11 AM on August 10, 2005

When will the smoke turn to fire?

Umm, I think that happened right around 1981 or so...
posted by stenseng at 9:14 AM on August 10, 2005

No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!
posted by nlindstrom at 2:28 PM on August 10, 2005

MattD: The old time Republicans are not dead, they are, in keeping with other posts, just sleeping (oh, and they are not nailed to perch - they really are just sleeping ).

It should also be noted that the FBI has brought down presidents and should not be under estimated.

The AIPAC case and the investigation into Rove could, with some new revelation or indeed a bout of coverage, seriously upset the Bush administration at any moment.
posted by sien at 11:45 PM on August 10, 2005