Surviving Capitalism (Not) : Panetta’s Pacific Vision

We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Panetta’s Pacific Vision

Click here to access article by Gabriel Kolko from CounterPunch.

Panetta playing nicey-nice with Vietnamese General
while exchanging letters of dead soldiers.

This specialist in big power politics and the current version of the Great Game--more accurately described as inter ruling class competition--is very critical of Panetta's excursions in the Far East with their obvious aim of securing more military bases to surround and intimidate China. (see this) But Sec. of Defense Panetta is just doing what his predecessors have always done--looking for opportunities to extend the Empire's domination over more of the world. It's like a reflex. It's second nature to war criminals of every ruling class.

All this indicates that the world’s diplomatic order is in great transition, save that the United States retains its traditional ambitions and still suffers from the illusions that it can get them. There is a pathetic air about Panetta’s efforts—which President Obama endorses. Were his goals not so dangerous one would almost feel sorry for him in his feeble attempts to find the means to attain them.