Leo-Cons

Friday, October 24, 2003    Ron Smith's Something to Say

 

 

         Have you noticed that one is not supposed to say “neocon” any more? It’s suddenly a dirty word because to use it as identification for a particular school of political thought is said to be “anti-Semitic,” apparently because so many prominent new conservatives are Jewish. 

 

They’re proud of that privately, but since the Iraq adventure has not gone as smoothly as they told us it would, they’d rather not accept public responsibility for ginning up support for the invasion and occupation.

 

Besides, as followers of political philosopher Leo Strauss, many neocon intellectuals believe ordinary folks shouldn’t be told the truth about matters of importance such as the reasons for expending American blood and treasure on the Iraq War. 

 

Irving Kristol (Bill’s Pappy), sometimes called the Godfather of neo-conservatism, once wrote:

 

“There are different kinds of truths for different kinds of people.  There are truths appropriate for children; truths that are appropriate for students; truths that are appropriate for educated adults; and truths that are appropriate for highly educated adults, and the notion that there should be one set of truths available to everyone is a modern democratic fallacy. It doesn’t work.”

 

Understanding what Strauss taught his students is key to understanding how “the use of deception and manipulation in current US policy flows directly from the doctrines [of Strauss]. His disciples include Paul Wolfowitz and other neo-conservatives who have driven much of the political agenda of the Bush administration.”

 

If you are at all interested in learning more about Strauss and his profound influence on the events of this time, read this interview with a Strauss scholar who has been denounced for shedding light on the late teacher’s cultists.

 

Ruling elites have always gulled the masses. It’s necessary to keep those who are subordinated from realizing the extent of their servitude.  Once they learn what’s really going on, you see, the masses are transformed from merely being revolting to being in revolt. 

 

What’s most interesting these days is how the fragmentation of the media, above all the access to information on the Internet, makes perpetrating Noble Lies more difficult than it has ever been.  Secrets are hard to keep and public deception is easily exposed.

 

What truths are appropriate for you?