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

Friday, September 25, 2020

Posts that I especially recommend today: Friday, Sept. 25, 2020

Introductory note for today's posts: I intended several days in advance to take this day off to relax, refresh, and direct my attention to other rewarding experiences. But I could not do this. Instead, I have lain down to take a nap; and when I woke up several hours later, I found myself, to my surprise, perusing articles that I normally do. Several articles grabbed my attention; but not until I viewed James Corbett's latest, almost daily, video, did I decide to post two articles. I was so impressed by his commentary that I somewhat regretted that I disagreed with his yesterday's post. I say "somewhat" because I often post articles from authors that I disagree with only some of their arguments and perspectives. These include Eric Zuesse, Matthew Ehret, and James Corbett.
  •  A Message to New “Conspiracy Theorists” featuring a lecture of sorts by James Corbett to new “Conspiracy Theorists” among American young people who are only beginning to question the reports that media corporations flood TV and internet reports. This is an addition to the indoctrination they receive throughout their education and much of their entertainment. (This is a best post.) My commentary follows:

Elsewhere I have noted the huge task that younger generations have to overcome many years of brainwashing, and I doubted that they would overcome this systematic brainwashing. I have been encouraged by many of the comments made by Corbett in this video presentation. I also noticed that he admitted only starting to question some of his beliefs in 2006. (I started in 1955.) And I also noticed that he is starting to point to "oligarchs" as the source of evil instead of merely governments as is usually the case with anarchists. This is much closer to what I believe is the truth: a ruling capitalist class that controls not only the government, but every institution. By doing this, he is providing examples of his own growth out out swamp of lies and disinformation that he has experienced all of his life. Beyond this, he is offering specific examples of very sound advice to the younger generation who are starting to question.

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