That's good news from the next world. Could hardly believe it when I read it. Who knows, maybe General Flynn will have his comeback? :-)

Posted by: Scotch Bingeington | Sep 10 2019 16:39 utc | 1

The ICJ should put out an APB for Bolton right now.

Posted by: bjd | Sep 10 2019 16:47 utc | 2

Judging by the way all the previous hires will go, it will be another unhinged neocon psycho warmonger.
I'm hesitant to call this good news, just because I'm a tad nervous about what swampier creature will be brought up from the depths. Abrams? Cheney? Cotton?

Posted by: Sorghum | Sep 10 2019 16:53 utc | 3

Cui bono?

What sort of a shift, if any, in empire foreign policy does this presage?

I believe there will be a change when Trump fires Mnuchin

Until then it is the same war over public versus private global finance with different acolytes of distraction.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Sep 10 2019 16:55 utc | 4

Maybe Donald Trump will actually go to the darkest corner of hell to fill his vacancy.
Every new appt. he makes is worse than the last one.

Posted by: Christian J Chuba | Sep 10 2019 16:58 utc | 5

Maybe Voldemort or Palpatine are available to fill in the office?

Posted by: Clueless Joe | Sep 10 2019 17:00 utc | 6

Wait for it... This development will usher in the glorious return of Nikki Haley. The office of NSA must be occupied by a neocon. Lord protect us all. My guess is that Slinging Sam Bolton must not have agreed with Trump reaching out to talk with Rouhani.

Posted by: thecelticwithinme | Sep 10 2019 17:03 utc | 7

Nah, Palpatine kicked the bucket a couple of years ago. Getting rid of even one of these morons is a step in the right direction. I am curious about the next denizen to fill that particular company position though.

Posted by: Josh | Sep 10 2019 17:06 utc | 8

I'm a recalcitrant Trumpist always on pins and needles, trusting and verifying. Here's a thought. Has anyone noticed WW3 has broken out in earnest yet? No? Okay, I'm thinking the world would be three years into it with Hillary. Provided the world has that much life to give in the next world war. Breathing is the ultimate positive opportunity cost. I assume if you're typing up here you're still breathing. Ungrateful wretches.

Trump continues to "vex and exhaust" the Neocons' best luminaries, allowing them to fail in full-view (Venezuela anyone?), all the while keeping us out of WW3.

Trump's innermost preoccupation is radical trade realignment which will reverse trade flows, repatriate industrial capacity & reallocate global prosperity, which will deflate the USD as reserve currency (defuse the Triffin Paradox), which will cause the petrodollar-financed Mil-Indust-Complex to contract via attrition without a pitched and frontal battle that he could well lose.

I mean, who in the American political class is on-board with an aversion to war? Tulsi Gabbard? She can't even get on TV. Remember Trump was REBUKED 68-22 by a bipartisan (Quigleyan) Senate in January for trying to bring the troops home from Afghanistan and Syria.

The Generals will simply have to make do with a diminished paycheck. If Russia can develop superior weapons systems on 1/9 the budget, the Pentagon will need to acclimate to new fiscal realities.

It's algebra. A productively re-engaged America shrinks our military footprint.

Trump doesn't shun the Neocons, compelling them to seek another booster. He hires them. Leashes them. Then lets them fail in living color. Keep your friends close. But your Neocons even closer.

Well played, Mr. President.

Posted by: FSD | Sep 10 2019 17:09 utc | 9

This positive event will undoubtedly save innocent lives.

Posted by: NJH | Sep 10 2019 17:10 utc | 10

No doubt he was fired. He probably offered Bolton the chance to resign and Bolton is spinning that as "I resigned!".

Also, no doubt Trump's been talking to Tucker Carlson and to me that means the next NSA is likely Douglas McGregor - who is actually sensible - and regularly on Tucker's show.

McGregor is on the same page as Carlson & Trump.

Ie. Ending foreign wars and stop wasting lives and money.

In other words - hated by the MIC of course.

Of course on Twitter - the call is for Tulsi. But I can't see that happening.

Posted by: Julian | Sep 10 2019 17:20 utc | 11

Trump is after a Nobel Peace Prize. Having Bolton on staff sabotaging all of his efforts couldn't have been very helpful.

Posted by: Michi | Sep 10 2019 17:20 utc | 12

So now MoA is getting Trump is a Messiah trolls

I wonder where they get the random 3-letter moniker generator?

What a hoot!!!

Posted by: psychohistorian | Sep 10 2019 17:21 utc | 13

Trump probably figured out that friends of JB were behind that "Taliban" instigated bombing which killed a US soldier and many others.

Yes, Trump could find worse. Example: Oliver North.

Posted by: Jay | Sep 10 2019 17:24 utc | 14

It's great news Bolton was finally shit-canned, but as b suggests there is a very good chance he'll be replaced by someone as bad or worse.

Posted by: deschutes | Sep 10 2019 17:28 utc | 15

thanks b... more downfall of the exceptional nation - which one, i am not sure - usa, or israel? sheldon adelson must have someone else lined up...

@ 11 fsd... what is it like to dream like that? the guy is a complete buffoon and jackass, but you think he is doing a great job, lol.. okay - thanks for the laugh..

Posted by: james | Sep 10 2019 17:32 utc | 16

@15

You don't have to assemble Torah codes to see Trump is the best this system can countenance, mainly because the system was end-runned. Rest assured it won't happen again. It barely happened this time and the General Election results did little to slow the coup-plotters. By the way, there's your litmus for the authentic system threat Trump posed. Surely you can take some small comfort from that?

Those who roundly detest Trump in all instances have a concomitant responsibility to put forward a realistic alternative. Zero-sum TDS isn't a grown-up position. It's rooted in petulance or pathology. So, Trump compared to whom? And be realistic please. The American political system is rigidly binary. Either you're a financially beholden Quigley wind-up toy or you're a self-financing celebrity-billionaire who can helicopter-hop over the machine. No exceptions. The latter are slim pickings, probably generational figures. Perot was the last one.

Posted by: FSD | Sep 10 2019 17:41 utc | 17

My kid asked me what is a 'strawman'. I think this is a perfect case where Trump set it up intentionally forecasting he would have to sacrifice him someday. What a beautiful play by Trump! People will doublethink before calling Trump insane again.

Posted by: KD | Sep 10 2019 17:43 utc | 18

Posted by: FSD | Sep 10 2019 17:41 utc | 19

Those who roundly detest Trump in all instances have a concomitant responsibility to put forward a realistic alternative. Zero-sum TDS isn't a grown-up position. It's rooted in petulance or pathology. So, Trump compared to whom? And be realistic please.

You're a flat-earth religious cultist of the American political system, yet you're demanding others be "realistic"? What a joke.

Meanwhile sane people understand that system is irredeemable and has no future, no more than the Nazis did by 1943.

Posted by: Russ | Sep 10 2019 17:51 utc | 19

Check it out, Moghtada Sadr seating next to Leader, Sardar Sulimani and commander of IRGC on Ashora night
sorry for the long URL
https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1398/06/19/2093865/%D8%B9%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%BA%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AD%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AD%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%86%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AE%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D9%87/photo/1

Posted by: kooshy | Sep 10 2019 17:52 utc | 20

In his conclusion, b hopes the fishes avoid Bolton. I hope Bolton joins the fishes forthwith. As I wrote on previous thread, my guess at his replacement is current NSA Director General Nakasone. Also, Bolton's "suggestions" differed little from Pompeo's, so perhaps we'll see him asked to resign soon too.

Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 10 2019 18:08 utc | 21

Great news,
I suspect that the last fuss with Iran Bolton wanted to take a much harsher stance than Trump. I.e. bombing. That was the nail in the coffin for Trump.
I doubt the next one will be worse, obviously Trump is ignorant and easily led but one cannot call him a warmonger, next one appointed will be someone at his level and wishes.
Watch pundits, media supporting Bolton now. So digusting.

Posted by: Zanon | Sep 10 2019 18:10 utc | 22

@17 fsd.... both parties belong to the war party... trump is no different in that regard.. a bit of a loose cannon, but they have the goods on him to sink him any time they want.. why does this jackass support israel 24/7? because he knows who is money masters are... but, i will give you this - the choices are always pathetic when it comes to the war party.. h clinton would have been worse.. the usa system at present is completely fucked.. trump will get replaced by someone worse.. i count on it..

Posted by: james | Sep 10 2019 18:18 utc | 23

@21

"Meanwhile sane people understand that system is irredeemable and has no future, no more than the Nazis did by 1943."

The future will take care of itself. Meanwhile it was the prevailing system in 2016 and put on an election in that year with all systemic flaws thereunto appertaining. Are you saying we should retrospectively deny its existence in 2016 because the system's future is imperiled? Btw it's 2019 now. So it's future was safeguarded for that period at least. Speaking of sanity, please bring some to the table -or at least a calendar.

Again I ask, if not Trump then who? No one isn't an answer.

Posted by: FSD | Sep 10 2019 18:21 utc | 24

Before the champagne corks start popping:

" Deputy Press Secretary Hogan Gidley says Deputy National Security Adviser Charles Kupperman will take over from National Security Adviser John Bolton."

So who is Charles Kupperman?

He was the United States Deputy National Security Advisor prior to this promotion.

From Wiki:

Kupperman served on the board of directors for the Center for Security Policy (CSP) between 2001 and 2010.

The Center for Security Policy (CSP) is a far-right,[3][4] Washington, D.C.-based think tank. The organization's founder and current president is Frank Gaffney Jr.. The organization's mission statement is "To identify challenges and opportunities likely to affect American security",[5] where main activities are focused on exposing and researching what it believes to be jihadist threats to the United States; a number of these beliefs have been widely discredited, such as its false claims about American ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. The CSP has been criticized by the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center, among a wide variety of other media and research organizations, for propagating conspiracy theories and Islamophobia, and described as a hate group.

Trump's swamp is deep with all sorts of monsters lurking beneath the surface.

Posted by: pantaraxia | Sep 10 2019 18:26 utc | 25

pantaraxia

Sounds like another iran/islam hating zionist. And he is a jew.

Kupperman seems to be close to Bolton if you google them together.

Posted by: Zanon | Sep 10 2019 18:36 utc | 26

Every time Trump seems to do something positive for peace, its just been a set-up for aggressive moves that detract from peace. Trump is fully on-board with the Deep State's aggressive foreign policy, but in his new reality tv role he has to appear to be independent, peace-minded, and concerned for people from time to time.

US President's are ALWAYS depicted as peace-loving. Yet USA foreign policy is inherently aggressive.

I doubt very much that Bolton's resignation/firing changes anything.

<> <> <> <> <> <>

Welcome to the rabbit hole.

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Sep 10 2019 18:37 utc | 27

Change will come, albeit slow:

The two men are known to have clashed on North Korea and Iran, with Mr Trump this summer calling off an airstrike on Iran at the last minute. Nor was the president impressed by Mr Bolton’s hostility to Russia, or by the failure to deliver what he had anticipated as an easy win: the attempt to dethrone Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela.

Breaking News: President Donald J. Trump fired John R. Bolton, his third national security adviser, over differing approaches on Iran, North Korea and Afghanistan.

Posted by: Zanon | Sep 10 2019 18:41 utc | 28

Great news for a Tuesday morning, b! Taking extra pleasure in the fact that it's the day before the anniversary of 9/11, which has undoubtedly just become a day for nationalists to celebrate and revel in their "great patriotism". Poor guy, he even had to cancel his 9/11 party!
As some are pointing out online, Bolton probably wasn't to enthused about the Taliban coming to Camp David for peace talks around 9/11. Though, I assume this has much more to do with Bolton continuously encouraging action against Iran and then it going very poorly when the White House finally went through with it. Trump is probably going to start shifting the blame on Bolton for the US being outsmarted by Iran, as in his mind, there's no possible way the leadership of Iran is smarter than he is, so someone must of fucked it up.

Too bad, as you say, Trump will probably dig up the neocon dregs and find someone even worse.
All we can hope is that the next one only dreams of bombing Iran instead of trying to make that a reality on the daily.

Posted by: Lietzu | Sep 10 2019 18:47 utc | 29

There is some timing correspondence between recent DPRK statements and Bolton's firing; This tweet senses a similar twist:

"If you want to show the North Koreans that the US isn't going to just rehash Hanoi and is game for a new way forward, canning Bolton is a really good step. They really, really hate him and have said in state media multiple times that he should be removed."

Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 10 2019 19:10 utc | 30

Perhaps those who are jumping up and down clacking their heels together, that Trump is the greatest thing since peanut butter sandwiche's, better wait until the results come in, unless they are trolls of course.

So far Trump hasen't done a thing so far, outside of his huge tax break for the wealthy,the wall is a joke for all he would of have to have done was issue and order, (as Ike did facing the same problem I believe in 1960)fining anyone $20,000 dollars who employed one,so save the bows and the cheers for the results aren't in yet.!!!

Posted by: bluedog | Sep 10 2019 19:30 utc | 31

If Trump is looking for someone worse than John Bolton how about Elliott Abrams?

Elliott Abrams accompanied Condoleeza Rice to Lebanon as primary adviser when they
tried to "solve" the 2006 Israeli invasion of Lebanon.

John Bolton, not incidentally, was US Ambassador to the UN in 2006, and laid the
groundwork for the scheme of pivoting, after a successful invasion of Lebanon, into Iran
and Syria. In May 2006, just weeks before Israel's false-flag at the
Israel/Lebanon border which was the pretext for the Israeli invasion,
Bolton championed UN resolution 1680 which made
Iran responsible for Hezbollah's actions.

https://2001-2009.state.gov/p/io/rls/rm/66417.htm

Thousands of words could be written about Resolution 1680, which tied both Iran and Syria
to the actions of Hezbollah, but Daniel Pipes
summed it up in August of 2006 when he posted: "Resolution 1680 gives
us the right to attack Iran, by the way".

Step 1) John Bolton passes UN resolution 1680
Step 2) Israel conducts a false-flag at the border with Hezbollah
Step 3) The Israeli air force sweeps aside Hezbollah
Step 4) Israel, the US, etal attacks Syria and then Iran

Posted by: librul | Sep 10 2019 19:31 utc | 32

Trump's instincts may tell him that he should turn away from a militaristic foreign policy, but I'm afraid that his mind is so jumbled that he will be unable to find a way to bring it about. Recent statements about nuking hurricanes and buying Greenland along with his outrageous attempt to re-draw weather maps clearly point to an unhinged mental state. Maybe this time, he will appoint a reasonable person to be National Security Advisor, but it he does, it will be the result of dumb luck, like throwing darts at a dartboard while wearing a blindfold and hitting the bullseye.

Posted by: Rob | Sep 10 2019 19:31 utc | 33

The writing was on the wall and this was long overdue. But perhaps Trump is making a bigger overture to Iran. Timing in politics is everything. Lots of chatter about a U.N. meeting. I wonder if the Iranians made that a pre-condition. Although, on the surface Iran says they have nothing to talk about, there might be under the table wrangling going on and Bolton was part of the deal.

Now, if Trump reverts Bolton’s pet project, MEK, back to terror list, then we know something serious is about to happen.

Either way, good riddance. Most toxic figure in American political history.

Posted by: Uncle Jon | Sep 10 2019 19:49 utc | 34

@Posted by: Uncle Jon | Sep 10 2019 19:49 utc | 34

You mentioned MEK.

History has been erased.

Just days before the 2003 invasion of Iraq the White House published on it's website (and elsewhere?)
a list of 10 official justifications for invading Iraq. Saddam's support for MEK was one of the 10.

Now, good luck to finding a very significant official memo. I have tried. A nickle to anyone that can the 10 official justifications.

(Useful tip: the Bush White House often used MKO rather than MEK when speaking of these terrorists)

Posted by: librul | Sep 10 2019 20:06 utc | 35

"He resigns", "he was fired", who care. To quote a famous crook, "what difference does it make?" The only regret is that it comes about 18 months too late, and the only important thing is to make sure this guy will never hold position of power or influence in future.

Posted by: d dan | Sep 10 2019 20:13 utc | 36

KD FWIW I think you're right. Trump set out to f**k the neo-cons who tried to f**k him in the election and I think Trump has done that. The bonus for Trump, the Democrats are f**king themselves as usual.
PS, I beginning to wonder if Trump endorsing Boris Johnson's No-deal is an attempt to f**k the British Conservatives for trying to f**k him during/after the election. Unfortunately, too many Brits are too stupid or greedy to get his message.

Posted by: Ghost Ship | Sep 10 2019 20:20 utc | 37

Laugh or cry? You decide:

"This from Sen. Schumer re: Bolton is absurd."

Sorry, but can't copy/paste Schumer's inanity as it's reproduced as a pic, so you'll need to read it at the link.

Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 10 2019 20:45 utc | 38

The false binary argument of Trump or Candidate ___ is exactly the position we are constantly manipulated into thinking. There is a reason that every issue, debate, elections, etc is strictly defined as only having 2 choices. Very, very little in real life is as simple as hugely complicated issues are presented in the media and by politicians. Personally, I refuse to be forced to constantly choose what is the lesser evil to me. Trump was the better of the 2 candidates in 2016 and that alone should be a pants-shitting moment for any sane person. Yet it isn't. Still.

Posted by: Sorghum | Sep 10 2019 20:47 utc | 39

Gosztola followed his Schumer tweet with this:

"The Democratic response to Bolton being forced out of the Trump administration magnifies one of the major flaws of establishment opposition. They become irate when Trump is openly averse to policies of the permanent warfare state."

Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 10 2019 20:49 utc | 40

Getting rid of this menace is a good start but a purge is needed in Trump administration, as it is infested with dual citizens who have only one aim in mind, at the expense of Iran et al.

Look at these two article by Philip Giraldi and Max Blumenthal:

http://www.unz.com/pgiraldi/trump-foreign-policy-as-theater-of-the-absurd/

https://consortiumnews.com/2019/09/10/meet-the-militantly-pro-israel-trump-official-directing-economic-war-on-iran/

The tentacles are so deep and able to regenerate themselves like an octopus that is nearly impossible for Trump to carry out his policies. Head of this octopus is none other than Adelson. For every warmonger getting fired, there is 5 to take its place.

Posted by: Uncle Jon | Sep 10 2019 21:04 utc | 41

Rand Paul was scheduled for a tentative meeting with Iran. If he gets the NSA job, it'll be a good indication of where FP could go.
One can hope..

Posted by: Lozion | Sep 10 2019 21:04 utc | 42

Yet another victim of the Assad Must Go! Curse:

"Bolton: Assad must go.........Asad: Who must go?

More fan feedback:

"YESSSSSSSSSSS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Trump fires al-Qaeda supporting Treasonous Scum John Bolton as national security adviser
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/john-bolton-out-as-national-security-advisor …

"Bolton should be facing 20 years in jail for Treason.

"When is Trump firing insane Neocon Rapturist Pompeo & Zionist Kushner?"

Bolton will surely find solace in his retirement by burning down anthills with his magnifying glass.

Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 10 2019 21:05 utc | 43

b writes: "May the fishes avoid him."

may
he
soon
be sleeping with the fishes.

I did a real real real happy dance today when I turned on the computer and saw the news of him getting fired

Posted by: michaelj72 | Sep 10 2019 21:09 utc | 44

@karlof1

Sad thing is that men like Bolton do just as much damage regardless of a cabinet post or being in retirement. They will always have a cozy job at a think tank that will churn up foreign policy like the garbage we produce on a daily basis, and none different.

Posted by: Uncle Jon | Sep 10 2019 21:10 utc | 45

from everything I've read it would seem that it was Bolton who was behind pressuring the lackey Brits to seize the Iranian tanker while near Gibraltar.

We can be thankful that it's likely that that kind of gunboat diplomacy is gone, I hope! and that Trump and iranian president Rouhani will indeed meet at the UN general Assembly meeting.

as we know all to well, Bolton was always getting in the way of any kind of negotiated settlements any where in the world. What kind of a diplomat's nightmare is that??

also noted:

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-fires-national-security-adviser-john-bolton-n1051986

"Reports over the weekend that Bolton and Vice President Mike Pence disagreed with Trump's Camp David plan was the last straw for Bolton, according to two people familiar with the matter. On Monday, Pence tweeted that the stories were fake but Bolton did not — and that, according to the officials, upset Trump...."

Posted by: michaelj72 | Sep 10 2019 21:24 utc | 46

Odds are this firing had more to do with Trump's ego than Bolton's policies, job performance, or opinions.
Unfortunately Bolton was just the familiar face on a legion of people with the same mindsets and loyalties. These people didn't get positions based on skills or merit, but ideology.

Posted by: Sorghum | Sep 10 2019 21:43 utc | 47

A retweet by b:

"The problem was never John Bolton. In fact, he helped Iran make its case against the US government with his crude behavior. The problem isn't Trump either. He too helped expose the ugly nature of US foreign policy. The problem we all face is American Exceptionalism & Eurocentrism."

Omitted from the comment but akin to both is Zionism. I found this comment from the thread by Patrick Mason interesting because of its naivete:

"Well, I get your point but I’m not willing to let Bolton off the hook as ‘not being the problem.’ He and his ilk ARE the problem, now and in the past. And, if they’re not completely eradicated from government they’ll continue to be a problem."

Bolton and ilk are drunk on both American Exceptionalism and Zionism which as Marandi said are indeed the heart of the problem. That's why we see Imperialism employed by almost every party in Outlaw US Empire and EU. Sure, Bolton's now down, but there're many able to replace him who are just as vile. Recall the Facebook post that was republished here about Wong's Hong Kong Terrorists; that provided numerous illustrations of the Exceptionalism they've created for themselves that allows them to hate all those around them. It's the same ism.

Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 10 2019 21:51 utc | 48

Crazy rumour: Bolton to be succeeded by Erik Prince

Posted by: Arioch | Sep 10 2019 21:51 utc | 49

As Patrick Armstrong terms it- The inconsistent inconsistencies of Trump.

Posted by: Peter AU 1 | Sep 10 2019 21:58 utc | 50

pantaraxia @25 is correct on Bolton's replacement, and he might as well be a clone. More on Kupperman:

"Bolton referred [Link at original] to the two men's longstanding ties in a statement in January when Kupperman was first appointed his deputy.

"'Charlie Kupperman has been an advisor to me for more than thirty years, including during my tenure as National Security Advisor to President Trump,' Bolton said at the time. 'Charlie's extensive expertise in defense, arms control and aerospace will help further President Trump's national security agenda.'

"Critics say that Kupperman is a right-wing extremist, pointing to his connections to infamous Islamophobe Frank Gaffney through the latter's Center for Security Policy (CSP), where Kupperman served on the board from 2001-2010. CSP is a major booster of a conspiracy theory alleging the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated the U.S. government."

The above is an excellent indication of why Trump hired Bolton--both are racist Islamophobes as are Pompeo, Mnuchkin, and numerous other members of his Cabinet, which also likely means they're hardcore Zionists too, and as such further means they'll be no alteration in policy toward Southwest Asia and Occupied Palestine.

Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 10 2019 22:12 utc | 51

Haven't read the comments yet, but did anyone notice that Bolton's canning came not a day or so after the presstitutes "broke" the "news" of the CIA spy who was extracted from right under Putin's nose?

The NYT's article makes clear that the source was a Trump official.

Add two and two together and you get..?

Methinks Bolton leaked once too often.

Posted by: Yeah, Right | Sep 10 2019 22:18 utc | 52

[email protected] 48 and 51
Well said. Zionism is the one thread that has tied all of Trump's administration together.

Arioch @ 49 Prince would fit the pattern.

Posted by: Sorghum | Sep 10 2019 22:49 utc | 53

"... May the fishes avoid him."

Dear B,

I would credit great white sharks with more intelligence and dignity than I would the people who exposed Oleg Smolenkov as a spy.

Posted by: Jen | Sep 10 2019 23:21 utc | 54

Bolton is the worst of the worst as one can find so unless Trump decided to appoint Sheldon Adelson or Dick Cheney I doubt the next appointment will probably find someone slightly less awful. A low bar sure but I'll take it. And there's still much to clean up with Pompeo and Haspel.

Posted by: Jonathan Gillispie | Sep 10 2019 23:28 utc | 55

Schumer's inanity as it's reproduced as a pic, so you'll need to read it at the link.

Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 10 2019 20:45 utc

That Schumer can walk in DC as a free man and a member of US Senate to boot is a stab in the back of the American people, and every day he interviews, tweets, votes etc. is another twist of the knife. [To paraphrase the Senator bemoaning the fate of Snowden and Russians who let him stay free]

Posted by: Piotr Berman | Sep 10 2019 23:33 utc | 56

Frankly, when I was young I was keenly interested in the particular species that I could see in a zoo, but as I grew old and jaded, I do not care if NSC council is led by a walrus (until recently, or a weasel, or alligator, or hippopotamus (as we can see at the head of DoS). An actual human would be an unexpected novelty...

Posted by: Piotr Berman | Sep 10 2019 23:36 utc | 57

Well, it would appear that the current administration recovered from some small bout of amnesia and rembered what was wrong with having Bolton around in the first place. Good. Bad: My government never seems to learn, so I'm waiting to see who the next beknighted hawk will be.

Posted by: T Mike | Sep 10 2019 23:39 utc | 58

Looks like John Kiriakou was right: June 12, 2019 - he said Bolton was on the way out.
Original link dead but the cached one still available.

Posted by: c1ue | Sep 10 2019 23:59 utc | 59

Hmmm. I have to believe Bolton set something in motion and is being allowed to leave to avoid scrutiny. What that something is I have no idea but strange things happen around this time of year. Who replaced him should give us a better idea. Charlie Kupperman is acting NSA. He is a right wing extremist and an Islamaphobe.Kupperman served on the boards of a number of defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin and Boeing. He served in the Ronald Reagan administration and has a decades-long relationship with Bolton.

Posted by: Pft | Sep 11 2019 0:02 utc | 60

Trump said he would announce a new NSA next week, that presupposes Kupperman who now is acting NSA wont be that person..

Posted by: Lozion | Sep 11 2019 0:06 utc | 61

I have always assumed that regardless of how coockoo-crazy Bolton behaves he was untouchable as long as old Sheldon Adelson keeps bankrolling Trump's reelection.

So Trump either has some 'plainin' do do, or there has been a split between The Donald and that dangerous ol' coot with the bizarre comb-over.

Posted by: Yeah, Right | Sep 11 2019 0:42 utc | 62

Jackrabbit @27, Pft @59

The outing of Smolenkov reinforces the anti-Russian narrative.

This may indicate that the next phase of aggressiveness will increase tensions with Russia (vs. North Korea, China, Iran, or Venezuela).

Hotspots related to Russia are:

Syria's Idlib;

Ukraine;

Europe (USA want Europe to reject Russian oil & gas).

Disputes that indirectly involve Russia:

Iran: Russia has strengthened its relationship with Iran

Venezeula: Russia has a small but important presence there.

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Sep 11 2019 0:55 utc | 63

this after the supposed "camp david taliban" incident. that stunk of a link. i would worry about bolton but also adelson and bibi...who knows if trump got their permission or not? i'd bet cheney is getting bored with his retirement. seems like the only way to go up on the insanity index.

Posted by: the pair | Sep 11 2019 0:57 utc | 64

Lozion @60: presupposes Kupperman ... wont be that person..

No. It only means that they want to convey that Bolton's resignation/firing was not planned for.

If Trump had a pick right away it would make Trump look weak (for not acting sooner) and make Bolton look foolish (for not sensing that he had lost the confidence of the President).

<> <> <> <> <>

We know that Trump agreed with much of what Bolton was doing (Trump's been a long-time fan of Bolton and Trump's neocon-loving donors are fans too). So there's little doubt (in my mind) that they part 'friends' and the transition will probably have been planned.

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Sep 11 2019 1:09 utc | 65

I read at a couple of web sites today that Mnuchin (Secretary of Treasury) and Pompeo (Secretary of State) had a presser today where they said that Trump was willing to meet the leader of Iran without preconditions. Seems defensive/NC election related to me and a non-starter since Iran has said clearly that there will be no meeting with US until sanctions are lifted.

With Bolton gone, who is going to blink first? My money says empire has lost control of the Iran narrative to China/Russia/Iran alliances

What effect will the dumping of Bolton ahead of the NC special election today have?

everything is everything....and the worm turns

Posted by: psychohistorian | Sep 11 2019 1:18 utc | 66

Caitlin Johnston's biting commentary is spot-on

Democrats Somehow Frame Bolton’s Exit As A Bad Thing:

The political/media class which freaks out every time this president pays lip service to the possibility of scaling down foreign interventionism and embraces any time he advances it would of course oppose the abrupt termination of the most virulent warmonger in Washington, DC; the forever war has been so normalized that any move to rein it in is always portrayed by the narrative makers as abnormal and freakish. Their response to Bolton’s removal tells you everything you need to know about what these so-called “centrists” really are: violent extremists whose ideology threatens our entire world.

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Sep 11 2019 1:29 utc | 67

psychohistorian @65--

Bolton's exit won't change a thing with Iran as Pompeo and Trump are held in just as much if not even more contempt. See the Crooke essay I linked to on last open thread and my long citation as to why Iran's changed its tune regarding the Outlaw US Empire. The faces change, but the song remains the same.

Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 11 2019 1:39 utc | 68

Look, I'm thrilled to see that horse's ass get the boot, but Trump is as crazy as Bolton. Here's a reality check.:

https://mondoweiss.net/2019/08/greenlight-annexation-netanyahu/

And let's not forget who's responsible for shredding the Iran deal and imposing the worst sanctions ever on Iran.

Trump had to make this move. His poll numbers are dismal. In 2016 Democrats who felt betrayed by the DNC voted for Trump. Trump knows this and he's trying to reel them back in.

Here's what they should be thinking: Fool me once; shame on you. Fool me twice; shame on me.

Don't fall for this crap. Bernie has a shot.

Posted by: Circe | Sep 11 2019 1:50 utc | 69

Posted by: karlof1 | Sep 11 2019 1:39 utc | 67 who commented in response to my # 65

I agree with you and Crooke and was just writing about how the optics of the Bolton firing were going to play out in the NC election today. Lots of money and effort behind the results which are too close to call at this time.....somehow I think the Bolton firing was timed to effect the NC election results today

Posted by: psychohistorian | Sep 11 2019 2:26 utc | 70

librul @ 35 "Now, good luck to finding a very significant official memo. I have tried. A nickle to anyone that can the 10 official justifications."

Is it the Rumsfeld memo you are looking for?

Plugged Wikipedia's "Rational for the Iraq War" into Duck Duck Go search engine and it came up with Crooks and Liars 9/24/2010 article New Documents Show Bush Administration Planned War In Iraq Well Before 9/11/2001

Posted by: Plug Nickle | Sep 11 2019 2:47 utc | 71

The reason Trump hired Bolton was because of the connection with Adelson and the reason Adelson wanted him as National Security Advisor was to ensure that Netanyahu had someone who would push for conflict with Iran. Netanyahu needed that to ensure his re-election and an ability to form a government as, otherwise, he would be indicted on corruption charges. However, now, Sara Netanyahu, Bibi's wife, and Miriam Adelson, Adelson's wife, have had a falling out so Adelson is no longer bankrolling Netanyahu and so Trump has no need to put up with Bolton. The story is appearing in Veteran's Today from Haaretz.

Posted by: Albertde | Sep 11 2019 3:16 utc | 72

Correct link @70

New Documents Show Bush Administration Planned War In Iraq Well Before 9/11/2001

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Sep 11 2019 3:47 utc | 73

Jrabbit is right, this changes nothing..

Posted by: ben | Sep 11 2019 4:09 utc | 74

@Posted by: Plug Nickle | Sep 11 2019 2:47 utc | 70

Thanks but that is not it. The article you point out is a worthwhile read but not what I was looking for.

By the way, your link is broken. I think you intended this:

https://crooksandliars.com/karoli/new-documents-show-bush-administration-plan

Posted by: librul | Sep 11 2019 4:28 utc | 75

I can't disagree either, it is change without change where "politics" resembles playing a one-armed bandit. Each time all the items spin in circles and more often than not some new combination comes up with new people displaying fake fruits etc. Everyone can win or lose, cheer or boo, and spend more time and money on having another go but the mechanisms of the one-armed bandits remains the same and the house always wins on average and wins big.

Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Sep 11 2019 4:33 utc | 76

The event in three pictures:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EEHbb2IU0AMC26S?format=jpg

https://ic.pics.livejournal.com/shrek1/6366867/764297/764297_600.jpg

https://pics.me.me/assad-must-go-curse-iadtawil-starecat-com-bashar-al-assad-memes-51366971.png

Posted by: Martin | Sep 11 2019 4:39 utc | 77

he can go to venezuela and be maduro's counselor

Posted by: mikk | Sep 11 2019 7:19 utc | 78

@9

Trump vetoed the Yemen bill, which is absolutely unforgivable. Around 110,000-130,000 Yemeni kids have starved to death since Trump came into office in January 2017. It's a man made mass famine, and without the US managing and maintaining the offensive, the Saudi coalition would fall apart in a couple months. For me, that's strike one and you're out in terms of warmongering.

We could also get into the sanctions on Venezuela, which since August 2017, have reported to have killed up to 40,000 Venezuelans.

Those are just a couple examples. Trump is not exactly sticking it to the neocons. He's just not doing full scale ground invasions. Trump has also let JSOC and the CIA run run roughshod with their covert killing programs. JSOC operations are through the roof in Africa, and signature drone strikes are up as well.

Posted by: letsinvestigate311 | Sep 11 2019 7:47 utc | 79

I couldn't be happier about all this

michael tracey on twitter writes something I thought of earlier today:

"Feel like everyone across the political spectrum on Twitter today should join hands and sing "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead" to celebrate Bolton's firing"

Posted by: michaelj72 | Sep 11 2019 8:11 utc | 80

@77
thanks Martin, got a laugh out of me!

This fkr deserves star billing at the Hague, but as others pointed far more likely be retiring to some neocon thinktank.
Best one can hope is him fading into ignominy as he watches his dreams fall apart.

Posted by: ziogolem | Sep 11 2019 8:41 utc | 81

The demise of John Bolton suggests President Trump might not so black and white on issues of war and peace. But the fundamentals still point us in the direction of another world war: that will require skill and insightfulness if it is to be avoided.
https://www.ghostsofhistory.wordpress.com/

Posted by: peter mcloughlin | Sep 11 2019 9:48 utc | 82

Martin Sieff at Strategic Culture has this warning:
" Nor should we celebrate prematurely that we have seen the last of him yet:
A future President Mike Pence or Nikki Haley is perfectly capable of making
John Bolton secretary of defense, secretary of state or national security adviser for a second time.

"And do not rule out him appearing magically reinvented as a figure of supposed wisdom and restraint at the side of a future President Elizabeth Warren or Kamala Harris. Compared to the fantastic, terrible and bizarre realities of Washington, Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” is a sober documentary..."

Posted by: bevin | Sep 11 2019 13:05 utc | 83

Yeah, bevin, the disgraced keep popping up despite the shame. As you've just demonstrated.

/sarc

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Sep 11 2019 14:01 utc | 84

One angle that's consistently missing in the analysis of Bolton is the issue of 'who are Bolton's patrons?'

Bolton obviously has some issues in the 'plays well with others' department. Otherwise he wouldn't be fired from his jobs so regularly and the MSM wouldn't be so open about how much everyone hates him.

Still, with that kind of record he continues to be hired, which goes against most people's experience insofar as being able to keep a job in a certain field is concerned. But he still gets hired.

This leads me to conclude that Bolton's continuing ability to pursue his career isn't so much the result of Bolton's efforts as it is the result of the efforts of Bolton's sponsors. But who these sponsors might be goes largely un-researched and un-analyzed.

Has any work appeared anywhere which looks into this issue in more than a perfunctory way?

Posted by: blob dog | Sep 11 2019 14:22 utc | 85

Given the vast opportunities for influence and action in various political and deep state circles, with such rife anti-Trump sentiment riddling all of it, I don't see Bolton retiring to a think tank or back to cable news. Not as his main activity, at any rate. He'll remain an active subversive and war-monger, one way or another.

Posted by: Russ | Sep 11 2019 15:30 utc | 86

It sure seems that Trump is rational, he doesnt want stupid wars on the one hand, at the same time he keep hiring idiots and he doesnt fear doing air strikes (i.e. Syria), he needs to focus more on foreign policy and get things straight.

Posted by: Zanon | Sep 11 2019 15:57 utc | 87

Now pompous Pompeo has to go.

Posted by: rcentros | Sep 11 2019 16:01 utc | 88

Recall that Trump unexpectedly became President against the wishes and machinations of both Republican and Democrat establishment.

Also, that he became President without personal political experience - an untried, inexperienced rookie in the big leagues - and without a developed organization.

This is NOT a Trump is great, Trump is awful, Trump is an idiot, Trump is a genius, sort of message. But the man was a political rookie, who against long odds won the Presidency, and has been subjected to really unprecedented constant attack, hostility and derision since winning the Presidency.

One basic question is: has he, on the job, been able to learn key lessons, gain better understanding, and is he capable of making appropriate adjustments. Remains to be seen as far as I'm concerned.

The link is to a pertinent brief interview that I found of interest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzHPVbediOE

Posted by: Robert Snefjella | Sep 11 2019 16:02 utc | 89

It seems to me that those who claimed his atrocious poll numbers as of late are really banking on very very unsound polling.

Consider this: Trump during his presidency has not torpedoed himself with any major blunders or gaffes. No wars, at least garnering major media coverage, no sound bites that have contradicted who he has established himself as: namely, a man who knows his base, throws them bones, and is able to walk the line amidst rocks being slung at him left and right.

Wrt to his attackers, they have failed at every turn, not only revealing their desperation, but also solidifying Djt as a man worthy to defend.

In many ways it is hard to imagine his attackers not being secretly in cahoots and on the trump train themselves, because of the gift of this martyrdom they have given him.

For this reason, we can maintain that his base is still there as well as those hiding in the wings and came out in force during election 2016. Trump is not hurting. Not at all and his re-election is almost guaranteed at this point.

As for the dem candidates:

Gabbard: won't be allowed in.

Warren: a cold fish and status quo technocrat. Anyone who thinks she has the fortitude and the ethical makeup to take on the globalists and finance sector is asleep.

Sanders: student loan forgiveness? Not going to endear yourself to the working class Bernie. But I might make an exception if you provide us laborers with a cash equivalent to your golden parachutes for college educated who mortgaged their future. Can't afford that? Ok then...good luck with that.

Posted by: Nemesiscalling | Sep 11 2019 16:21 utc | 90

69;bernie is a zionist,and russiaphobe.70;the elections happened on 9/10/19,and the reps won.

Posted by: dahoit | Sep 11 2019 16:26 utc | 91

Russ @86 said "I don't see Bolton retiring to a think tank or back to cable news. Not as his main activity, at any rate. He'll remain an active subversive and war-monger, one way or another."

I don't understand why anyone would imagine corporate mass media talking heads are any less important than National Security Advisers where starting wars are concerned. The corporate mass media ARE "active subversives and warmongers", even the talk show and late night comedy show hosts. Bolton would not be out of place on FOX, MSNBC or CNN, and media jingoism is easily the most important part of starting a war.

Posted by: William Gruff | Sep 11 2019 16:31 utc | 92

@ 91

Gee whiz, I didn't know that. Thanks for setting me straight.

I said Bolton wants to be one of what Rove called the imperial reality-creators, not a servant of power as propagandists are.

Posted by: Russ | Sep 11 2019 17:12 utc | 93

Yes sir, Russ @92, don't underestimate the importance of the corporate mass media. They are where the rubber meets the road in the reality-creation business. The United States would have had to sit out almost all of the wars, "conflicts", and international "policing actions" in its entire history if it were not for the hard work of the mass media.

I get your point that the evil mutant death walrus would rather play a roll where the blood on his flippers is fresher than it would be were he doing his barking in a TV studio, and frankly he does seem better suited to choking babies and knifing "enemies" in the back for real rather than talking to the camera about it, but don't assume that the empire reassigning him to the imperial private sector is intended as a demotion.

Posted by: William Gruff | Sep 11 2019 18:05 utc | 94

Darth, of the Dark Side Bolton has been conquered by a twit tweeting and no longer works for Empire (in the open). Does resigning or being fired stop retirement obligations? Who will rid us of this malign man? Don't answer that, time will work such wonders.

Posted by: Formerly T.Bear | Sep 11 2019 19:19 utc | 95

@ 85 blob dog

It seems there's been a spat between the Adelsons (Bolton's backers) and Trump's buddy Bibi's wife.

Ironic yet all so more likely that's the root of it, rather than some Trumpian epiphany.

But, as Caitlin Johnstone so eloquently puts it, nailing the whys are irrelevant, the main thing is that he's gone.

Posted by: ziogolem | Sep 11 2019 22:19 utc | 96

Now Trump is saying Bolton's 'very big mistake' was threatening North Korea with the Libya model. Didn't Donald himself threaten North Korea with obliteration?

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-mr-tough-guy-bolton-made-very-big-mistakes-before-being-fired-193319877.html

Posted by: dh | Sep 11 2019 22:19 utc | 97

Given Trump's tendency to select those who have no respect for the Constitution, he'll probably replace Bolton with one of his mentees.

Posted by: Vonu | Sep 11 2019 22:34 utc | 98

As I predicted earlier:

https://www.rt.com/usa/468605-trump-lift-iran-sanctions/

Posted by: Uncle Jon | Sep 11 2019 22:48 utc | 99

@99 Could this be a new gentler Donald? More likely he's worried about Wall Street, soybeans and those pesky poll numbers?

Posted by: dh | Sep 11 2019 23:01 utc | 100