[Peace-discuss] Fwd: [Ufpj-disc] FW: [NYTr] Don't Be Fooled: Lieberman Rival Lamont No Peacenik

[Morton K. Brussel]

Here is a perspective on Ned Lamont, victor in the Connecticut  
Democratic primary. Although it was good to see Lieberman defeated,  
indicating that most voters rejected him as a Bush acolyte (among  
other things), the race was close, and one should have no illusions  
about Lamont as a committed antiimperialist progressive. He was less  
than impressive in his statements on DemocracyNow! today, not  
inclined to criticize Israel and I think somewhat embarrassed by the  
more progressive statements of Ralph Nader on that same program. One  
can't be optimistic that the Democratic Party is turning a page on  
the basis of this primary election.

The article below is ANSWER's view. --mkb

Begin forwarded message:

> Connecticut Democratic primary winner Ned Lamont is not anti-war
>
> By Nick Flynn
>
> Capitalist candidate firmly supports U.S. imperialism
>
> Three term Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman, one of the strongest
> supporters of the racist Iraq war and the colonial occupation of
> Palestine, just lost the Democratic primary on August 8 to Ned Lamont,
> a multi-millionaire cable television executive. After he was declared
> the loser, Lieberman announced that he'll continue his bid for
> reelection by running as an "independent Democrat" since Lamont won
> the primary.
>
> Lamont's victory was largely fueled by his attacks on Lieberman's  
> support of
> the Iraq war, which isn't surprising. A majority of people in  
> Connecticut as
> in the United States in general oppose the war. The corporate media  
> has
> given this race a great deal of attention, often portraying Lamont as
> Lieberman's "anti-war challenger." But is Lamont really against the  
> Iraq
> war?
>
> In short, no. An examination of Lamont's positions and statements
> reveal a clear support for U.S. imperialism in the Middle East and
> around the world. His positions are similar to those of Rep. John
> Murtha--supporting U.S. interventions but disagreeing on tactics to
> carry out those policies. Click here to read more from the PSL about
> Murtha and the war.
>
> Lamont's web site states "that the war in Iraq has diverted far too
> many of our dollars, and too much of our attention, from our needs
> back home." But Lamont stops far short of calling for complete and
> immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops. Instead, he supports Murtha's
> plan for redeployment of "frontline troops out of harm's way" and
> states that U.S troops should "continue to provide logistical and
> training support as long as we are asked."
>
> In his victory speech on August 8, Lamont called the U.S. troops in
> Iraq "brave" and said that, if he gets elected in November, he'll
> ensure that the United States has "the strongest military in the
> world."
>
> Lamont has never spoken a word about the will of the Iraqi people, who
> are against any foreign occupiers and are courageously fighting back.
> In fact, he fully ignores their existence. To Lamont, it's as if the
> occupation of Iraq is all about keeping U.S. soldiers safe--a
> racist, chauvinist position to be sure.
>
> At no time has Lamont questioned U.S. imperialism and the many war
> crimes perpetrated against the Iraqi people, instead presenting minor
> changes so that a "winning strategy" can be reached. Unlike Lamont's
> demagoguery, a true anti-war position calls for immediate withdrawal
> of all foreign troops from Iraq, followed by reparations paid to the
> people of Iraq.
>
> Lamont's support for U.S. imperialism does not stop with Iraq. He
> stands fully behind U.S. threats against Iran, North Korea, and the
> Palestinian people. He has stated that since the start of the war in
> Iraq, "Israel is no safer, Iran is more dangerous," and called North
> Korea the "most serious threat facing the United States today" in a
> debate with Lieberman. Lamont also recently reiterated his unequivocal
> support for Israel, saying on national television that "Israel has the
> right to defend" itself. He failed to mention the ongoing occupation
> and war on Palestine and the murderous Israeli bombing campaign on
> Lebanon. This was no mistake.
>
> Lamont, just like the Democratic party he belongs to, clearly supports
> the goals of U.S. imperialism around the world. He's a capitalist
> politician cut from the same cloth as Leiberman and his politics are
> hardly different.
>
> A candidate of and for the capitalist class
>
> Ned Lamont is himself a member of the capitalist ruling class.  
> Lamont's
> great-grandfather was chairman of J.P. Morgan and Co. and Lamont's  
> personal
> fortune is estimated at up to $300 million. He has used these many  
> millions
> to self-fund his Senate campaign. Lamont and other ruling-class  
> politicians,
> Republican and Democrat, wholeheartedly support and in fact rely on  
> U.S.
> imperial domination of the Middle East and elsewhere to maintain their
> wealth and power.
>
> In the coming months, liberal anti-war groups and media outlets will
> call for support of ruling-class politicians like Ned Lamont who
> supposedly promote "peace" and "a speedy end to the war in Iraq." No
> progressive person should be fooled. These self-interested appeals
> keep the progressive movement tied to the capitalist class and its
> interests. They divert crucial efforts away from building an
> independent, anti-imperialist anti-war movement and deepening class
> consciousness. Instead of having to choose between pro-war
> politicians, who have minor tactical differences on Iraq, it is
> important to know which side we're on and to confront the ruling class
> with the power of the working class and progressive movement.
>
> The ANSWER Coalition (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism), of which
> the Party for Socialism and Liberation is a member, is cosponsoring a
> National Emergency March on Washington, D.C. on Aug. 12 to defend stop
> the U.S.-Israeli war on Lebanon and Palestine. ANSWER has also
> initiated a call for nationally coordinated anti-war actions on
> October 28, days before the November 2006 elections. Tens of thousands
> of people across the country will demonstrate against brutal U.S.
> military occupations and their proxy forces on these days. Only by
> mass struggle can U.S. imperialism be stopped.

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