ASK ROSCOE: World War III?

Say, Roscoe. I’ve heard several pundits now talk about the new Middle East conflict as the beginning of World War III. Where do they get that? I haven’t read anything in The New York Times about a new world war. Isn’t that just right-wing rhetoric, probably ginned up by Karl Rove and Dick Cheney to scare people into supporting Bush’s phony war on terror?

--K. Olbermann

Dear K.,

Yeah, just like all these recent thwarted terrorist plots—blowing up the Holland Tunnel, etc.—were made up to boost Bush’s poll numbers. Just like the World Trade Center and the Pentagon weren’t really hit by terrorists, but by government agents trying to start a war. And just like Bush invaded Iraq to steal all the oil and give it to Halliburton.

Get real, K. It is a world war, and you’d better get about making up your mind as to which side you’re on—The New York Times’ and the Islamniacs, or America’s.

The latest “pundit” to espouse this World War III idea is former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. According to David Postman, political columnist for the Seattle Times:

Gingrich said in the coming days he plans to speak out publicly, and to the Administration, about the need to recognize that America is in World War III.

He lists wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, this week's bomb attacks in India, North Korean nuclear threats, terrorist arrests and investigations in Florida, Canada and Britain, and violence in Israel and Lebanon as evidence of World War III. He said Bush needs to deliver a speech to Congress and "connect all the dots" for Americans.

He said the reluctance to put those pieces together and see one global conflict is hurting America's interests. He said people, including some in the Bush Administration who urge a restrained response from Israel, are wrong "because they haven't crossed the bridge of realizing this is a war."

Failing to face up to that reality puts us in the awkward position of fighting terrorism that threatens America, but pressuring Israel to exercise “restraint” in its response to Hamas and Hezbollah. Who are we trying to impress or placate? Hamas and Hezbollah are just as vicious and unprincipled as Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. And they have the same state sponsorship—Iran.

We’d best learn from history, K. What, in fact, did Israel gain by withdrawing from southern Lebanon and Gaza in the first place? Nothing but armed murderers with longer-range rockets that can reach more Israeli cities and kill more Israelis. Quite obviously, Israel needs to retake both territories—with the expressed backing of the United States. Hamas and Hezbollah are our enemy, too. They need to be neutralized permanently.

Let’s see if Iran and Syria have the stomach for this game or if they’re going to continue to shoot from the shadows. And if Iran gets involved in the escalation, then Israel should de-nuke them with our blessing. Then maybe that loathsome despot Kim Jong Il will have some second thoughts about playing such a dangerous game.

Yes, K. Like it or not, it is a world war. Whose side are you on?