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World War IV

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Norman Podhoretz, principal foreign policy advisor to Rudy Giuliani, introduces his new book, World War IV: The Long Struggle Against Islamofascism. Podhoretz discusses Iran, terrorism, Giuliani, and what makes a 'neo-conservative'.

World War IV is available for purchase at Amazon.com


Comments

  • [1] jd from nyc December 18, 2007 - 01:13AM

    i'd be interested in knowing if Norman Podhoretz has any ideas for mideast policy other than military bombings, say something along the lines of the Marshall Plan in Europe after WWll. Worked pretty well in Europe..you know, diplomacy, accountability and such. And really, isn't there a way to do this sort of thing withOUT participating directly in the extreme violence first.


  • [2] Richard Walker from San Francisco December 18, 2007 - 06:01AM

    The usage of the terms "world war IV" and "islamofacism" in the title, combined with his stated credentials, suggest this is ill-conceived. Fascism, or corporatism, has no required link to religion, and the constant harping on this made-up term serves to demonize, not clarify.

    Perhaps it would be more useful for these people to discuss the 14 characteristics of fascism by Lawrence Britt, and which of those we may be seeing today in the U.S., and exactly how previous fascist governments compare to these bad guys, the "islamofascists".

    You may as well say "islamodictators" but then the lie is exposed. We are friends with dictators whenever it suits us, it seems.


  • [3] Doug from New Hampshire December 18, 2007 - 07:50AM

    I read with alarm your by-line for this segment!! Is this the type of person advising Giuliani? If so, I intend to get the word out that if you vote for Giuliani then prepare for what I truly believe will result in this country starting a global conflict. Giuliani scared me anyway and this only confirmed my fears.


  • [4] eb from NJ December 18, 2007 - 08:06AM

    Giuliani always had a fascist reputation in New York. It does not surprise me then that he has chosen Norman P. (poor Brian has to interview this man?!) as an advisor.


  • [5] jangly1 December 18, 2007 - 09:24AM

    is it my loss for tuning out idealogues (like NP)? Serious question -- what's the harm -- I'm trying to watch my blood pressure, also why I don't watch Fox.


  • [6] eCAHNomics December 18, 2007 - 09:30AM

    So many enemies, so little time. Brian, could you please ask Mr. Podhoretz how he prioritizes which country to bomb first?

    And does he have plans to advise any other R candidates, now that Rudy is flaming out? Enquiring minds want to know.


  • [7] hjs from 11211 December 18, 2007 - 10:07AM

    war without end, good for business

    fear without end good for terrorists. they win because they thrive on fear as does the right wing.

    you get what you pay for


  • [8] Robert from NYC December 18, 2007 - 10:11AM

    I think someone should bomb Norman Podhoretz--NOW!!! We really *don't* learn from history, eh?! He has the right to spew crap and I have the right to throw crap at his image...and I do.


  • [9] hjs from 11211 December 18, 2007 - 10:12AM

    ps

    feed and educate the world's poor, instead of supporting the despots, then the people won't hate you.

    was the price for an american middle class oppression around the world?

    u get what u pay for.


  • [10] Rick from Brooklyn December 18, 2007 - 10:14AM

    I am already sick to my stomach thinking that this crazy S.O.B. will even be on this show. What's is with all the right wing lunatics on here lately??

    at least try to balance the show with people from the "far left", please.


  • [11] Leo from Queens December 18, 2007 - 10:15AM

    Can you ask Norman Podhoretz who finances his book and if he can tell us how much money he and his neo-con associates - In the US and in Israel - stand to make by the continuous destabilization and destruction of the Middle East. This of course on the pretext of defending Israel. Let's call this policy for what it is - a policy to the benefit of some well connected Jews in Israel and the US and well connected Christians in the US who use the Bible to call out for messianic wars so they can line their pockets at the expense of the Jews and poor Palestinians who have to deal with the daily violence and cannot escape to their compounds in Europe or America and American Taxpayers who continue to fund this violence


  • [12] seth December 18, 2007 - 10:24AM

    Rudy Giuliani is the Anti- Gravitas candidate

    Giuliani has neither the intellect nor the dignity to be running for President.

    I would be ashamed as an American to have Rudy Giuliani as my president. I don't agree with McCain, Romney, Huckabee, or Thompson on the issues but I wouldn't feel ashamed to have any of them as my president.

    Giuliani exploited the deaths of 3,000 innocent Americans to make millions of dollars as a security consultant.

    Rudy is a Bullying, Thugish, Neanderthal


  • [13] Leigh from Somers, NY December 18, 2007 - 10:25AM

    Bomb Iran now....and that will accomplish what?

    Seriously, for the benefit of us morons out here who obviously don't understand the big bad world, what is this supposed to accomplish?

    Use short words.


  • [14] hjs from 11211 December 18, 2007 - 10:31AM

    i'd like to hear a show about Christofascism.

    the right wing's war on science, education and the enlightenment.


  • [15] eCAHNomics December 18, 2007 - 10:38AM

    Anyone worried about terrorism should read this:

    http://kfmonkey.blogspot.com/2006/08/wait-arent-you-scared.html


  • [16] Grant from NYC December 18, 2007 - 11:04AM

    Haven't you messed things up enough?!!! No more bright ideas from the Neo-Cons please!


  • [17] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:06AM

    Iran is going for the bomb, it is just a matter of time.

    You can bomb away (which Isreal probably will) but it will just be a delay.

    Iran want the bomb because MAD works.


  • [18] ab December 18, 2007 - 11:08AM

    Is this really a surprise? Ghouliani is a fascist,plain and simple


  • [19] Rick from Brooklyn December 18, 2007 - 11:08AM

    do you hear that? it's the sound of thousands of WNYC listeners turning their radios off rather than be subjected to this crap.


  • [20] Michael Winslow from Inwood December 18, 2007 - 11:09AM

    This guy is insane and should be put away in a rubber room with a straight jacket.


  • [21] eCAHNomics December 18, 2007 - 11:09AM

    His view 'remains what it was before NIE."

    Yep. Those reality-creators are unimpinged by evidence.


  • [22] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:09AM

    Well at least he's consistent!.

    HA


  • [23] Robert from NYC December 18, 2007 - 11:09AM

    Click!


  • [24] Slowereastside from LES December 18, 2007 - 11:10AM

    As if we needed any further proof that US foreign policy is being run out of Tel Aviv, ladies and gentlemen I present to you: Norman 'I helped concoct the lies that sent American lives and money straight into a black-hole" Podhoretz.


  • [25] ab December 18, 2007 - 11:10AM

    I just don't understand why the media still takes the neo-con fascists seriously considering the fact that all their ideas and policies have been a failure and they have all been completely discredited

    The mass media should just ignore them and they will be irrelevant as they should be by now considering their pathetic record of failure and disaster


  • [26] eCAHNomics December 18, 2007 - 11:10AM

    Rick

    I'm determined to listen, so that you don't have to. That is if I can keep it in the barf bag, so that my keyboard stays clean.


  • [27] Steve from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:10AM

    Ask Mr. Podhoretz why he refuses to appear on the show with someone who disagrees with him.


  • [28] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:11AM

    Great please leave or stop calling names!

    Ask him who he thinks will pull the trigger?

    US or Israel


  • [29] erick from Rochester, NY December 18, 2007 - 11:12AM

    Make sure to put on your tin foil hat Brian! Otherwise the CIA will here your thoughts and start plotting against you! LOL


  • [30] Leonardo Andres December 18, 2007 - 11:13AM

    Yes lets bomb Iran, build another base there, keep spreading the empire through out the world. America first! too bad that it doesn't include us citizen's, I guess I'll have to keep watching the dollar depreciate, and keep watching the middle class vanish, as the neo con's keep spreading their offense first mentality.


  • [31] ab December 18, 2007 - 11:13AM

    Comment #14

    I totally 100% agree...I would love to hear that show as well


  • [32] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:14AM

    What is this a Giuliani smear job?

    Come on he admits the summery was slanted, get over it.

    I'm sure it was slanted.

    Almost everything is slanted


  • [33] Paulo from Paterson, New Jersey December 18, 2007 - 11:14AM

    eCAHNomics is right.. don't turn off the radio. If you turn off the radio, they still won't go away and will continue to do what they do behind the scenes.. you'll just have less information on them.


  • [34] ab December 18, 2007 - 11:16AM

    well..I'm listening but it sounds like a stream of idiotic neo-con paranoid bs to me


  • [35] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:16AM

    Any Iranians out there listening?


  • [36] eCAHNomics December 18, 2007 - 11:16AM

    Iran has hot & cold running inspectors, and there's no evidence they ever HAD a nuke program.

    And going from enriching uranium to building a bomb is MIGHTY difficult. Apparently all those spinning centrifuges spin out of control with great ease.

    This man knows nothing.


  • [37] roehan December 18, 2007 - 11:16AM

    Iran is a member of the NPT. Are they allowed to enrich uranium under the treaty?


  • [38] Leo from Queens December 18, 2007 - 11:16AM

    AB: The 'media' takes these neo-cons seriously because they control/own the media (NEwsCorp- Fox, NYPost, WSJ, etc.) and they have lots of economic influence in this country and in Israel - for those independent media outlets like NPR who refuse to pay atttention to them they can brand them as 'anti semitic' or 'pro terrorists'. 20 years ago if you tried to challenge these money-grabbing nuts you were called a communist.


  • [39] Emily from New York December 18, 2007 - 11:16AM

    The hate in this man's heart is un-American.


  • [40] Scott from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:17AM

    If the only thing worse than bombing Iran is letting Iran get the bomb then the only thing worse than letting Iran get the bomb is bombing Iran and still failing to stop Iran from getting the bomb. Could you ask Mr. Podhoretz what plan he has to go from hitting targets that are susceptible to bombing to preventing Iran from getting the bomb.


  • [41] ab December 18, 2007 - 11:17AM

    Ghouliani's advisor does not know what part of his advice he takes........

    uh...yeah......


  • [42] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:18AM

    I think he is a good guy to have around, if only so you can hear all sides.

    Right guys? You know how important it is to not be unilateral!


  • [43] Steve from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:18AM

    Please ask him why he cares so much whether Iran has a bomb? If they use it, they will be wiped off the map. If they give it to terrorists who use it, they'll be wiped off the map. MAD works (thanks barry).


  • [44] ab December 18, 2007 - 11:19AM

    Leo-

    Good point, but I still think there is a bit of a "you build it,they will come' thing going on here...when I say mass media I don't just mean NPR...these guys get entirely too much air time everywhere,including NPR


  • [45] eCAHNomics December 18, 2007 - 11:21AM

    roehan

    Ding ding ding. We have a winner. Of course they're allowed to enrich under NPT. Ties in with my point about inspectors.


  • [46] eCAHNomics December 18, 2007 - 11:21AM

    His son is a beneficiary of nepotism.


  • [47] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:22AM

    Scott is right.

    Iran will get the bomb and bombing first wont make much difference.

    As a Neo Liberal I think we can live with Iran having the bomb, and so can Israel.


  • [48] eCAHNomics December 18, 2007 - 11:23AM

    Hey, we won the Cold War without ever bombing anyone (well, excepting those nasty proxy wars), so why is bombing at the top of the list for this terriss war?


  • [49] Paulo from Paterson, New Jersey December 18, 2007 - 11:23AM

    So they decided it would be good to label the Cold War as WWIII. Well... I'm glad that they thought, "Hey! Let's just rewrite history without regard to anyone else's input!"


  • [50] eCAHNomics December 18, 2007 - 11:24AM

    My rule: the person who mentions Hitler first, loses the argument. Podhoritz just lost.


  • [51] Mary Bon from Westbrook, CT December 18, 2007 - 11:25AM

    Jangly1,

    No, you are missing nothing. Step away from your receiver and just read the comments. (Fortunately my monitor interferes with reception, so I have to leave the room.) For extra protection by all means whip up a shiny foil hat -- there are some great ideas online -- and for goodness sake switch to herbal tea!

    Best wishes,

    Mary


  • [52] nic December 18, 2007 - 11:25AM

    I find it disheartening to learn that Guiliani would have this guy as an advisor.. if this is the direction of his foreign policy, then i won't even think of voting for him.

    The fact that the current admin. is trying to paint Iran as sooo dangerous is disgusting to me. knowledge to make a bomb doesn't necessarily equal the ability to make one.

    the people over there probably dislike their leadership as much as we dislike ours.

    it's all about oil and money... sad


  • [53] isis from Westchester, NY December 18, 2007 - 11:25AM

    I, for one, an sick to death of listening to the Neo-Con demented world vision of unending war and domination. I wish that these blood thirsty zionists and their apocalyptic-yearning evangelical friends would once and for all be decredited for their failed and dangerous policies and their death-cultish thinking.


  • [54] erick from Rochester, NY December 18, 2007 - 11:26AM

    Does this person not realize what the goals of Al Quaida are? It doesn't seem so as they aspire to create a Muslim Caliphate WITH NO GOVERNMENT. The term Islamo-fascist itself fails to recognize the nature of Al Quaida and other groups who follow the teachings of Sayid Qtub. They are no more fascist than anyone else fightinf for ANY cause.


  • [55] Slowereastside from LES December 18, 2007 - 11:26AM

    Norm just called his former CIA analyst/now critic a 'disaster when in the CIA" -umm, his proof for that statement is....?


  • [56] eCAHNomics December 18, 2007 - 11:26AM

    Fewer than 20,000 people have died of terrorism worldwide since 1968 (excluding terrorism during hot wars). Hardly seems worthy of designating this WWIV.


  • [57] ab December 18, 2007 - 11:26AM

    WWIV huh?

    my,my,my....this guy is a complete sensationalizing idiot


  • [58] Paulo from Paterson, New Jersey December 18, 2007 - 11:26AM

    I love how he laughed at the word "rights"


  • [59] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:26AM

    He was laughing when he said "Miranda Rights"


  • [60] RAI from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:26AM

    An appropriate quote from Emerson:

    A man is known by the books he reads, by the company he keeps, by the praise he gives, by his dress, by his tastes, by his distastes, by the stories he tells, by his gait, by the notion of his eye, by the look of his house, of his chamber; for nothing on earth is solitary but every thing hath affinities infinite.

    Re Norman Podhoretz:

    With friends like the neoconservatives and religious right, Israel does not need enemies.


  • [61] Paulo from Paterson, New Jersey December 18, 2007 - 11:28AM

    "Libelous"?? So any disagreement with his opinion in libel?? Well, pack up the first amendment folks. We won't be needing that anymore...


  • [62] Steve from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:28AM

    Brian - ask him if he'll appear on your show with Shoyer if Shoyer agrees - what a debate!


  • [63] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:28AM

    What are you saying?


  • [64] ab December 18, 2007 - 11:29AM

    The fact that he laughed at the term "rights" is really all you need to know about Neo-Con philosophy because that sums it up perfectly


  • [65] eCAHNomics December 18, 2007 - 11:29AM

    It's the Nazis. It's the Commies. It's two mints in one.


  • [66] erick from Rochester, NY December 18, 2007 - 11:29AM

    ergh... AND THE BATH PARTY WAS INSTALLED IN EFFECT BY THE CIA UNDER DURING JFK'S PREISDENCY. JFK EMPOWERED NEO-NAZI BAATHISTS NOW?


  • [67] Ramona from Brooklyn, NY December 18, 2007 - 11:31AM

    Norman should read "I Don't Want To Blow You Up!"

    www.blowyouup.com


  • [68] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:31AM

    He's driving off the cliff,,


  • [69] eCAHNomics December 18, 2007 - 11:32AM

    Delusional to think that Iraq has made progress since the invasion.


  • [70] ab December 18, 2007 - 11:32AM

    Great question Brian

    too bad Mr.Podhoretz sees the facts through rosey neo-con glasses


  • [71] erick from Rochester, NY December 18, 2007 - 11:32AM

    BAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Yeah we removed the powers that THE US put in power in both of those countries!


  • [72] Paulo from Paterson, New Jersey December 18, 2007 - 11:32AM

    Well, he's also merging a load of different and often times atagonistic political ideologies that have spent years killing each other into one big bad guy. It's a completely manufactured alliance.


  • [73] erick from Rochester, NY December 18, 2007 - 11:32AM

    AKA the domino theory in reverse.


  • [74] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:33AM

    Man, I hope Obama Wins


  • [75] Paulo from Paterson, New Jersey December 18, 2007 - 11:33AM

    barry,

    You're wrong... he's driving America off the cliff.


  • [76] Leo from Queens December 18, 2007 - 11:33AM

    OK. This guy is a NUT. He should be institutionalized NOW - calling the Bath Party a part of Al QUeda and having taking it's ideology from the Nazis? The Bath party in Syria and Iraq - where Al Queda never existed was a SOCIALIST/COMMUNIST inspired party that had nothing to do with ANti-semitism - and just to remind everyone, Socialism is a WESTERN CONSTRUCT - Not an Islamist or non-western construct.

    OK - I'm picking up the phone now to call Bellevue to rush an ambulance equiped with a psychiatric crew to Center Street - Is WNYC still located there?


  • [77] Sean Pisano from Brooklyn December 18, 2007 - 11:33AM

    Man this guy is crazy.


  • [78] eCAHNomics December 18, 2007 - 11:33AM

    He's right about the next prez, because she's just like W in foreign policy.


  • [79] Mary Bon from Westbrook, CT December 18, 2007 - 11:34AM

    Oh I can think of a few excuses not to read it!

    That was RICH!


  • [80] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:36AM

    I dont think Obama will drive Amerikka off the cliff, you Facist!


  • [81] hjs from 11211 December 18, 2007 - 11:36AM

    here's an excuse not to read his tome. it's a fantasy and a fear mongers nightmare.

    JUST SAY NO!!


  • [82] Mark from Rockland December 18, 2007 - 11:36AM

    I note with some interest how NP seems to completely bypass the fact that we MADE these folks.

    Sigh.

    M.


  • [83] Laura from ROCKLAND COUNTY December 18, 2007 - 11:36AM

    My reactions? IT reminds me clearly why I'm scared of the right, and why I often feel I need to leave the country.


  • [84] Hugh from Brooklyn December 18, 2007 - 11:36AM

    Short racist garbage is still racist garbage. Podhoretz could not better summarize his racist, imperialist idiocy than with a comment like "making the Middle East safe for America". (Given Podhoretz extraordinary bigotry, we should add "making the Middle East safe for Israeli occupation").


  • [85] ab December 18, 2007 - 11:37AM

    Doesn't change my opinion of Ghouliani...it reinforces it


  • [86] Paulo from Paterson, New Jersey December 18, 2007 - 11:38AM

    lol, barry, I was talking about Podhoretz... you said "he's driving off the cliff", and I said "No, he's driving America off the cliff."


  • [87] jordan mclean from tarrytown December 18, 2007 - 11:38AM

    The term "homeland" this shell of a man repeatedly used is derived from a term Hitler himself used to name his Germany, the "hietmat".

    How many times did he mention 9/11???

    Keep your eye on your , chuckle, Miranda Rights...


  • [88] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:39AM

    The Nazi / Bathist connection actually has a kernel of truth.


  • [89] Freddy Jenkins December 18, 2007 - 11:39AM

    I'm with poster, JD---doesn't anyone have another plan outside of bombing other countries? And how's that going to solve the problem when it'll just galavanize world opinion against the US?

    I do think that pressure has to be put on Iran to dissuade them from a nuclear program, but after nearly 8 years of constant war isn't it time that we pursue diplomacy to its furthest ends?


  • [90] Chris O from New York December 18, 2007 - 11:39AM

    Podhoretz said Islamofascism is a 2-headed monster - Osama on one hand, Saddam's Baathists on the other. They are enemies of course with each other. But he forgot today's Islamic enemy: Iran. So it is a 3-headed monster, but Iran hates Saddam, and Iran hates al Qaeda, and vice versa. So they all hate and fight each other, but they represent our enemies in World War 4. It is a disastrous, incoherent, and really racist (Arabs, Muslims) idea - that is all that is left.

    Rudy is disqualified for having this guy advise him.


  • [91] LeoinNYC from Staten Island December 18, 2007 - 11:40AM

    I just want to point out that the term "Islamofascist" is at least religiously bigoted, if not racist, even if you agree with the fascist characterization. The mocking tone of "islamo" is to blame. If I called someone a "Christ-y Conservative" I don't think that Christians would appreciate the term as respectful.


  • [92] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:40AM

    Yea I know


  • [93] ab December 18, 2007 - 11:42AM

    barry,

    yes the Nazi/bathist connection is documented

    But Podhoretz conflates the connection and comparison


  • [94] Athar Murtuza from Budd Lake, NJ December 18, 2007 - 11:42AM

    HAMAS in Isreal was nourished by Isrealis.

    why is it ok to deny the very existence of Palestinian but a crime to question the number of Jewish people killed by Hitler?


  • [95] erick from Rochester, NY December 18, 2007 - 11:42AM

    I recommend that everyone actually do some research on the goals of Al Quaida before they start talking as if they know what they're talking about. Al Quaida DOES NOT WANT TO HAVE A CALIPHATE IN THE US.


  • [96] Jason from Ny,NY December 18, 2007 - 11:42AM

    To a hammer everything looks like a nail. If Podhoretz and his ideas continue to be adopted by the next administration we will always have a global enemy and be in a world war. Buy your tickets to V, VI, VII . . .


  • [97] ab December 18, 2007 - 11:43AM

    Rudy is disqualified for many reasons...having this nutjob advise him is just consistent, quite frankly


  • [98] barry from Manhattan December 18, 2007 - 11:43AM

    I think Islamofacist is pretty close to the truth and is not bigoted in that is has nothing to do with race.

    It is about religious extremist. No matter what their race.


  • [99] Brian from New York, NY December 18, 2007 - 11:43AM

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_withdrawal_from_Saudi_Arabia

    most of our forces have been withdrawn from saudi arabia


  • [100] Henry Quintero from New York December 18, 2007 - 11:43AM

    Has this person ever set foot in Iraq, has he spent a week in palestine? He seems to live in a parallel universe. Why is Brian giving a person like this a forum? The scary, but not surprising, thing is that he is an advisor to Julianni... Imagine this guy in the white house.


This thread is closed.


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