Dis-Interested

So Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu is upset with US Joint Chiefs Chairman General Martin Dempsey.  What, you might wonder, could the titular head of the US Military have possibly done to enrage the number one user of American Military hardware and technology?  Well, he had the unmitigated gall to go on TeeVee and take the position that it would not be "wise" for Israel to launch a military attack on Iran "at this time".  An outrage, I know.  What else did he say?  "...we are of the opinion that the Iranian regime is a rational actor."  I know - how DARE he?

So what did PM Netanyahu and his DM Barak have to say about this gross provocation?

“We made it clear to Donilon that all those statements and briefings only served the Iranians,” a senior Israeli official said. “The Iranians see there’s controversy between the United States and Israel, and that the Americans object to a military act. That reduces the pressure on them.”

Here's the thing, though.  There are three distinct actors in this little drama.  There is the Israeli government, the Iranian government, and the United States government.  General Dempsey is a decorated officer in the United States Army.  Now, whose interest do you suppose he seeks to serve?  If you guessed the US, you win.  At some point, regardless of how the US aligns itself with Israel and against Iran, Dempsey's number one concern has to be America and serving her best interests.

Now it seems to me that there are only two possible interpretations here.  Either Netanyahu sees the world in such starkly binary terms that every single act, every word spoken and every statement issued, anywhere in the world by anyone must be defined in terms of either being in Israel's interests or in Iran's.  Or, the other possible interpretation, that Netanyahu sees America's interests as being aligned more closely with Iran than with Israel, and therefore, if an American speaks out in support of American interests, he is, however unintentionally, simultaneously speaking in support of Iranian interests.

Ultimately, of course, it doesn't matter either way.  This kind of rhetoric is offensive, and the fact that we Americans send billions of our tax dollars to Israel instead of hiring teachers and firefighters, or building roads and schools should necessitate a more thoughtful and respectful consideration from the Israeli leadership.  I am personally offended that they take all that money as if it was their birthright, and are unwilling to do ANYTHING for the US in return.  They are the spoiled child, always expecting more, and never willing to do anything to deserve it.  Obama should demand an apology from both Bibi and Barak, but it being an election year, I suppose I'd be very surprised if it even got mentioned.  Which is why it will happen again...