by Stephen Lendman

In politics, doing the right thing exacts a price. It’s no game for sissies. Most office holders are scoundrels. Exceptions like Corbyn prove the rule. More below on attempts to vilify him.

The late Gore Vidal once said “(a)ny American who is prepared to run for president (or any high office) should automatically by definition be disqualified from ever doing so.”

Author Richard Reeves once said “(a) lot of history is just dirty politics cleaned up for the consumption of children and other innocents.”

Famed journalist HL Mencken disqualified himself from politics, saying: “I am strongly in favor or common sense, common honesty and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible (for) any public office of trust…”

Corbyn is Britain’s first progressive/anti-war Labour leader in memory, making him vulnerable to vicious attacks, aiming to discredit him for doing the right thing.

Tory Prime Minister David Cameron replicates Obama’s dark agenda with an English accent, disgracing the office he holds, partnering with America’s wars, serving Britain’s monied interests exclusively, mindless of popular sentiment and human needs.

Last month, he shamelessly bashed Corbyn, calling him a danger to the country. Saying “Labour (under his leadership) is now a serious risk to our nation’s security, our economy’s security and your family’s security.”

“Whether it’s weakening our defences, raising taxes on jobs and earnings, racking up more debt and welfare or driving up the cost of living by printing money - Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party will hurt working people.”

Torries will “deliver stability, security and opportunity for working people,” he added. His record is polar opposite his rhetoric, his policies hugely destructive at home and abroad.

UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon and dozens of extremist Tory MPs repeated Cameron’s ad hominem attack. Expect a steady hostile drumbeat ahead.

Corbyn hit back through his spokesman, John McDonnell, saying:

“The fact that David Cameron used his speech to make personal attacks on Jeremy Corbyn is a sure sign that he is rattled by the re-energisation of the Labour Party.”

“With cuts to tax credits and a continued failure on housing, his claim that the Conservatives are the party of working people is being exposed.”

Union leader Len McLuskey added: “David Cameron’s legacy will be all too visible to those on low wages or who are bracing themselves for the next swing of the Conservative cuts axe, like the 3 million low-waged families about to be stripped of more than a £1,000 a year thanks to his government. If this prime minister does leave a lasting legacy, it will be that people are ‘on their own.’ ”

Britain’s major media are like America’s - pro-war, pro-business, anti-populist. Last month, London’s Telegraph headlined “Revealed: Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell’s close IRA links,” columnist Andrew Gilligan accusing them of supporting terrorism.

The organization’s mission throughout its activist days was twofold: defending Northern Ireland’s Catholic population against sectarian Protestant attacks, and wanting Britain’s military occupation ended - using military and political wings to achieve its aims.

Gilligan bashed Corbyn, saying he “spoke at official republican commemorations to honour dead IRA terrorists, IRA ‘prisoners of war’ and active ‘soldiers of the IRA.’ “

Western societies and Israel call anyone opposing their extremist agendas a “terrorist,” especially individuals with a public voice. Dissent is vilified.

David Cameron attacked Corbyn as “terrorist-sympathizing” and “Britain-hating” - the same way any public figure opposing UK imperialism is vilified.

Responding to critics, Corbyn said he “condemn(ed) what was done by the British army as well as the other sides.”

The latest attack accused him of “snubb(ing)” Queen Elizabeth, allegedly to go on a walking tour, a pretext for stripping him of his “Right Honourable” title, reserved for members of the Queen’s Privy Council - comprised of senior House of Commons and House of Lords royal family advisors - a scheme to further blacken his name.

Political scoundrels stop at nothing to vilify and eliminate all opponents of their rogue policies, Corbyn very much in the crosshairs. He’s a political veteran, well aware of what goes on, knowing his progressive agenda will be viciously assailed, ready to take on all comers.

Most MPs take extended summer breaks. Corbyn worked nonstop, leading up to and after becoming Labour leader in mid-September. He said longstanding personal commitments kept him from attending the Privy Council meeting, likely meaning long needed family time.

His ascendency to Labour leadership made him a world figure. He’s on the right side of important issues. He deserves universal support.

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Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks World War III".

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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