This is political parody at its best. In this case, Obama and our political system is the target--and well deserved. The US political system is beginning to look like a huge joke, with the laughter being directed at the fools in the American audience who don't seem to get the joke. I suppose it is too much of a fantasy to imagine people in huge numbers simply boycotting future national elections. Only local elections have any relevance for me anymore.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Oh Brother Where Art Thou?
by David Glenn Cox from OpEd News.
This is political parody at its best. In this case, Obama and our political system is the target--and well deserved. The US political system is beginning to look like a huge joke, with the laughter being directed at the fools in the American audience who don't seem to get the joke. I suppose it is too much of a fantasy to imagine people in huge numbers simply boycotting future national elections. Only local elections have any relevance for me anymore.
This is political parody at its best. In this case, Obama and our political system is the target--and well deserved. The US political system is beginning to look like a huge joke, with the laughter being directed at the fools in the American audience who don't seem to get the joke. I suppose it is too much of a fantasy to imagine people in huge numbers simply boycotting future national elections. Only local elections have any relevance for me anymore.
A Rothschild Plan for World Government
by Dr. K R Bolton from Foreign Policy Journal.
In the past I have often dismissed assertions about a world government as right-wing fantasies from people who want to maintain US dominance and avoid any arrangement that would promote cooperative, equal relations with other countries.
This author makes a strong, and for me, a convincing case that this project is already underway by the world financial elites. Read it and see if you agree.
In the past I have often dismissed assertions about a world government as right-wing fantasies from people who want to maintain US dominance and avoid any arrangement that would promote cooperative, equal relations with other countries.
This author makes a strong, and for me, a convincing case that this project is already underway by the world financial elites. Read it and see if you agree.
Crisis scenarios are the means by which dictators justify control. The most often cited example is Hitler’s “Enabling Act” in the wake of the Reichstag Fire. Another example is the “Patriot Act” in the aftermath of 9/11. Globalist organizations, behind the usual façade of the most idealistic intentions, such as the Club of Rome, have for decades warned of impending planetary doom unless a world control system of inaugurated.
The vulnerability wildcard and Kenneth Rogoff
by Jim O’Reilly from his blog, "Comments on Global Political Economy".
Even after a career in banking and finance, this blogger not only doesn't subscribe to the TINA thesis (there is no alternative...to capitalism), he thinks the existing system is absurd. It is designed to enrich a few, and it has succeeded. The system was not created by some god--it was created by people. We don't have to accept it when it is causing so much human suffering and environmental devastation. We can create a new, sustainable system.
The loser just kept getting deeper in debt simply because he had little opportunity to earn money except by passing "Go", while frequently having to pay rents to the winner. This is very similar to a capitalist economy in which much more money can be made off the ownership of property than can be made off labor, even though it is labor, mental or physical, that provides us with food, fuel, shelter, education, medical care, etc.
If we had been even more creative when playing Monopoly, we could have changed the rules of the game so that we earned far more money passing "Go" and not charged each other rent because all the properties would be owned in common.
The point is not that an economy is very simple to operate, but that its rules are man made, and as such the rules can be changed to promote different outcomes.
Even after a career in banking and finance, this blogger not only doesn't subscribe to the TINA thesis (there is no alternative...to capitalism), he thinks the existing system is absurd. It is designed to enrich a few, and it has succeeded. The system was not created by some god--it was created by people. We don't have to accept it when it is causing so much human suffering and environmental devastation. We can create a new, sustainable system.
It’s the height of absurdity to think society – humanity itself – can be truly vulnerable to a clique of financiers. US and European society are indeed vulnerable to rising debt: but only to the extent they choose to acquiesce to the system. There’s nothing in nature or physics that requires them to rely on a handful of individuals in order to live. Society is vulnerable only to the extent it so chooses and is therefore not really vulnerable at all; concentrated wealth on the other hand, with its undying lust for power, is absolutely vulnerable.Capitalism is just like the game of Monopoly. I played this game frequently with a friend when we were adolescents. I remember that after several years of playing it, we at one point decided to keep the game going after one of us went broke. The winner simply loaned the money to the loser and played on. It didn't work.
The loser just kept getting deeper in debt simply because he had little opportunity to earn money except by passing "Go", while frequently having to pay rents to the winner. This is very similar to a capitalist economy in which much more money can be made off the ownership of property than can be made off labor, even though it is labor, mental or physical, that provides us with food, fuel, shelter, education, medical care, etc.
If we had been even more creative when playing Monopoly, we could have changed the rules of the game so that we earned far more money passing "Go" and not charged each other rent because all the properties would be owned in common.
The point is not that an economy is very simple to operate, but that its rules are man made, and as such the rules can be changed to promote different outcomes.
Ocean dumping: Fukushima far from under control
by Jessica Miller from Greenpeace USA.
In a time when trusted, independent sources about nuclear energy and the ongoing disaster in Japan are hard to find, I think that this site offers reliable information.
In a time when trusted, independent sources about nuclear energy and the ongoing disaster in Japan are hard to find, I think that this site offers reliable information.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The TRUE story of the Tea Party
by Thom Hartmann from RT. (Thom Hartmann is a Project Censored Award-winning New York Times best-selling author, and host of a nationally syndicated daily progressive talk program on the Air America Radio Network.)
The author discovers the real story of the Boston Tea Party in an old book he found in a London book store. This source appears to be completely authentic. He uses this source to tell the real history of this event which the Koch brothers have used to create the phony Tea Party of today to manipulate unknowing working people to serve the class interests of the rich and powerful.
History is always written by the ruling class to reflect their interests. Thus, the interests of working people are always ignored and we don't know much of our own history. Hartmann, like an archeologist at a dig, finds this lost treasure that reveals the real story of the Boston Tea Party: the first recorded rebellion against probably the first multi-national corporation owned by the new British capitalist class allied with their government. You will find the story so very familiar, so contemporary in its details.
Although the US succeeded in winning independence from the British ruling class, the new American capitalist class merely took over from the Brits and went on to establish their own corporations to rule over working people, to control the resources of the new continent, and to extract huge profits from both working people and the land.
To briefly bring this history lesson up to date, we need to be aware that the capitalist classes mostly in the NATO countries have come together to grab the remaining resources, to diminish any remaining social expenses to support the poor, the elderly, the unemployed, the disabled, medical care, education, libraries, parks, etc.
Can we succeed in throwing off this same tyranny when our forefathers and mothers failed? Stay tuned, better yet, stay informed and active.
The author discovers the real story of the Boston Tea Party in an old book he found in a London book store. This source appears to be completely authentic. He uses this source to tell the real history of this event which the Koch brothers have used to create the phony Tea Party of today to manipulate unknowing working people to serve the class interests of the rich and powerful.
History is always written by the ruling class to reflect their interests. Thus, the interests of working people are always ignored and we don't know much of our own history. Hartmann, like an archeologist at a dig, finds this lost treasure that reveals the real story of the Boston Tea Party: the first recorded rebellion against probably the first multi-national corporation owned by the new British capitalist class allied with their government. You will find the story so very familiar, so contemporary in its details.
Although the US succeeded in winning independence from the British ruling class, the new American capitalist class merely took over from the Brits and went on to establish their own corporations to rule over working people, to control the resources of the new continent, and to extract huge profits from both working people and the land.
To briefly bring this history lesson up to date, we need to be aware that the capitalist classes mostly in the NATO countries have come together to grab the remaining resources, to diminish any remaining social expenses to support the poor, the elderly, the unemployed, the disabled, medical care, education, libraries, parks, etc.
Can we succeed in throwing off this same tyranny when our forefathers and mothers failed? Stay tuned, better yet, stay informed and active.
Greenspan Returns to De-Regulation
by Michael Hudson from his blog.
It all seems so long ago! On October 23, 2008, Alan Greenspan choked up a mea culpa for his deregulatory policy as Federal Reserve Chairman. “Those of us who have looked to the self-interest of lending institutions to protect shareholders’ equity, myself included, are in a state of shocked disbelief,” he told the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. “The whole intellectual edifice, however, collapsed in the summer of last year.”This capitalist clown returns to his religion--the invisible hand of the market.
Libya "Vampire War" is About Oil, Lockerbie and CIA Heroin Op
by Susan Lindauer from OpEd News.
In the past week I have come across, more than ever, so many convincing conspiracy reports like this, and many from the past fifty years. It has literally boggled my mind. When this happens, I have to avoid them in order to preserve my mental health. I can't even bring myself to provide links or any references to these other reports. I'm just dumbfounded as to how they continue to get away with these crimes! It's clear that we are ruled by a class of criminals. There is little difference between them and Mafia types, and the two often collude to commit their crimes. Who are they? You ask.
Is it the one-percent of the wealthiest in our capitalist societies? They do have responsibility, but mostly the rich don't really want to know what is done with their money. So, they work through intermediaries like the Business Roundtable, the Council on Foreign Relations, and all the right-wing NGOs like The American Free Enterprise Institute and AIPAC. If necessary, the latter organizations in turn outsource the dirty work to the CIA who often use the services of the Mafia, drug cartels, and even secret operating groups within the US Armed Forces.
So, in view of the fact that more and more reports of criminal conspiracies are being reported, why don't more of the American people rebel? I think that they, like the rich, don't really want to know about these crimes. They resist them intensely, the reports are too disturbing. They would much rather continue watching "Desperate Housewives" and playing the lottery while believing the lies and the fairy tales about democracy, elections, and the American Way of Life.
In the past week I have come across, more than ever, so many convincing conspiracy reports like this, and many from the past fifty years. It has literally boggled my mind. When this happens, I have to avoid them in order to preserve my mental health. I can't even bring myself to provide links or any references to these other reports. I'm just dumbfounded as to how they continue to get away with these crimes! It's clear that we are ruled by a class of criminals. There is little difference between them and Mafia types, and the two often collude to commit their crimes. Who are they? You ask.
Is it the one-percent of the wealthiest in our capitalist societies? They do have responsibility, but mostly the rich don't really want to know what is done with their money. So, they work through intermediaries like the Business Roundtable, the Council on Foreign Relations, and all the right-wing NGOs like The American Free Enterprise Institute and AIPAC. If necessary, the latter organizations in turn outsource the dirty work to the CIA who often use the services of the Mafia, drug cartels, and even secret operating groups within the US Armed Forces.
So, in view of the fact that more and more reports of criminal conspiracies are being reported, why don't more of the American people rebel? I think that they, like the rich, don't really want to know about these crimes. They resist them intensely, the reports are too disturbing. They would much rather continue watching "Desperate Housewives" and playing the lottery while believing the lies and the fairy tales about democracy, elections, and the American Way of Life.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Blackwater and RAW trying to stir sectarian riots in Pakistan
by Abdus Sattar Ghazali from OpEd News.
There was one fairly recent incident that made it into Western media. In 2005 in Iraq some British secret service operatives were caught red-handed dressed as Arabs and loaded with explosives in their vehicle.
Isn't it comforting to know that your tax dollars don't go only for bailing out banksters?
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan, a leading religious political party, has accused the Blackwater and Indian intelligence agency RAW for Sunday's bomb blasts at the shrine of Hazrat Sakhi Sarwar in DG Khan which claimed at least 49 lives and left scores wounded. In a press statement, the JI chief Syed Munawar Hasan, said the enemy agencies were out to spark sectarian riots in the country to harm the national unity and drive the country towards a civil war.Although the headline refers only to a claim by a religious leader in Pakistan, his theory fits with a long history of false flag and Salvador Option methods used by US and Israeli secret services to create civil wars and chaos in the countries they wish to control.
There was one fairly recent incident that made it into Western media. In 2005 in Iraq some British secret service operatives were caught red-handed dressed as Arabs and loaded with explosives in their vehicle.
Isn't it comforting to know that your tax dollars don't go only for bailing out banksters?
Sunday, April 3, 2011
I've heard Enough, I've had Enough
by David Glenn Cox from OpEd News.
This piece brings to mind that famous quote from the 1976 film, "Network", in which the protagonist leans out the window and screams, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"
After listing all the many grievances: the wars, the cutbacks, the bank scams, etc, he writes:
This piece brings to mind that famous quote from the 1976 film, "Network", in which the protagonist leans out the window and screams, "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!"
After listing all the many grievances: the wars, the cutbacks, the bank scams, etc, he writes:
Power backs up only in the face of more power, we need revolutionary change, we must build a new political front based on Jobs, Justice and the Environment. We must make demands on which there will be no equivocation.The only problem I see with his thinking is that he seems to envision only the need for political change, not political AND economic. Because it is the latter that is determining the former under the present system.
...This is not about you and I anymore, any improvement in our situation will take years if not decades. This is about what kind of country your children will live in and what kind of life they will have in it. Either an educated citizenry living in decent homes that they own or a generation of Wal-mart greeters and unemployed masses living in rental slums. Either a free people with the right to join a union or herded masses spied upon and watched by an autocratic corporate fascist regime presided over by a rump Duma and a corporate El Duce demanding more and even greater sacrifices for the sake of "our interests" in East Asia.
Crack capitalism or reclaim the state?
from Red Pepper (Britain): John Holloway and Hilary Wainwright debate strategy and tactics for social change
I found the abstract nature of this discussions a bit off-putting. (What can you expect of a couple of academicians?) Maybe I read it too hurriedly. I think what they were arguing about was working within the system to change it or working from without to transform it. You decide. In any case, I found many of their observations interesting.
Hillary writes:
...I’ve come to believe that flows need foundations and conditions of a more enduring kind. The flow of citizens’ movements against privatisation of public goods, for example, needed the ‘backbone’, as one Uruguayan activist in the movement for public water put it, of the trade union confederation born two decades earlier in the struggle against the dictatorship. Similarly, the flow of relationships in the open software movement is conditional on the institutional framework provided by the GNU General Public License.
John counters:
To fit in to a society of death is to die ourselves. Let us misfit and grow in our misfittings and let our misfittings flow together. That is surely the only way in which we can pose the question of breaking this world and creating another one.
I found the abstract nature of this discussions a bit off-putting. (What can you expect of a couple of academicians?) Maybe I read it too hurriedly. I think what they were arguing about was working within the system to change it or working from without to transform it. You decide. In any case, I found many of their observations interesting.
Hillary writes:
...I’ve come to believe that flows need foundations and conditions of a more enduring kind. The flow of citizens’ movements against privatisation of public goods, for example, needed the ‘backbone’, as one Uruguayan activist in the movement for public water put it, of the trade union confederation born two decades earlier in the struggle against the dictatorship. Similarly, the flow of relationships in the open software movement is conditional on the institutional framework provided by the GNU General Public License.
John counters:
To fit in to a society of death is to die ourselves. Let us misfit and grow in our misfittings and let our misfittings flow together. That is surely the only way in which we can pose the question of breaking this world and creating another one.
Fukushima Dai-ichi status and prognosis
by Euan Mearns from The Oil Drum.
This article can be a bit difficult for the technology-challenged, but one can get the drift of what is written. Because the site is followed by a lot of highly trained scientists, engineers, and technicians, the comments following the article are always interesting.
This article can be a bit difficult for the technology-challenged, but one can get the drift of what is written. Because the site is followed by a lot of highly trained scientists, engineers, and technicians, the comments following the article are always interesting.
‘Silencing WikiLeaks is the aim, smear the method’
by John Pilger from Green Left (Australia).
This distinguished, independent Aussie journalist provides us with a stirring defense of Wikileaks, Julian Assange, and independent journalism that exposes the lies of the global capitalists. Julian Assange, Bradley Manning, and journalists like John Pilger are in the front lines of the struggle to expose their lies.
Several years ago Warren Buffet admitted what was an open secret among his friends: “There’s class warfare, all right, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.” Well, working people are finally waking up to this fact because this class war is hardly disguised anymore.
More and more people all over the world are beginning to fight back against the lies and corruption of the world's capitalist classes and their puppets, stooges, satraps, proxies, etc. They are fighting back in Greece, France, Ireland, Portugal, Egypt, Yemen, Wisconsin, and many other places.
As I see it, we are now at a pivotal point in human history. What we, as working people, do now, or don't do, will have lasting effects on the ultimate destiny of the human race. If we sit passively in front of our boob tubes mesmerized by the cultural junk and lies fed to our minds by corporations, we will bestow to our children and grandchildren a nightmarish world of poverty, ignorance, extreme weather, environmental devastation, resource depletion--all under the control of an Orwellian police state.
On the other hand, if we can turn our attention away from the boob tube to talk and listen to each other and supporting those in the front-lines of this battle, we might just be able to figure a way out of this growing nightmare. If we can rid ourselves of this oppressive class structure, we might enter a new renaissance, a new era that uses man's greatest intellectual achievement, the scientific method, in combination with a universal yearning for social justice, to create a rich, sustainable life of peace and social justice.
This distinguished, independent Aussie journalist provides us with a stirring defense of Wikileaks, Julian Assange, and independent journalism that exposes the lies of the global capitalists. Julian Assange, Bradley Manning, and journalists like John Pilger are in the front lines of the struggle to expose their lies.
Several years ago Warren Buffet admitted what was an open secret among his friends: “There’s class warfare, all right, but it’s my class, the rich class, that’s making war, and we’re winning.” Well, working people are finally waking up to this fact because this class war is hardly disguised anymore.
More and more people all over the world are beginning to fight back against the lies and corruption of the world's capitalist classes and their puppets, stooges, satraps, proxies, etc. They are fighting back in Greece, France, Ireland, Portugal, Egypt, Yemen, Wisconsin, and many other places.
As I see it, we are now at a pivotal point in human history. What we, as working people, do now, or don't do, will have lasting effects on the ultimate destiny of the human race. If we sit passively in front of our boob tubes mesmerized by the cultural junk and lies fed to our minds by corporations, we will bestow to our children and grandchildren a nightmarish world of poverty, ignorance, extreme weather, environmental devastation, resource depletion--all under the control of an Orwellian police state.
On the other hand, if we can turn our attention away from the boob tube to talk and listen to each other and supporting those in the front-lines of this battle, we might just be able to figure a way out of this growing nightmare. If we can rid ourselves of this oppressive class structure, we might enter a new renaissance, a new era that uses man's greatest intellectual achievement, the scientific method, in combination with a universal yearning for social justice, to create a rich, sustainable life of peace and social justice.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
The U.N. Would Never Lie to George Monbiot
by Joe Giambrone from OpEd News.
Because there is a lot of information in this article and more provided by links, the article requires careful study to really appreciate the issues. I recommend that you first listen to the Democracy Now debate between George Monbiot and Helen Caldicott, then read the article and links contained therein.
I see Monbiot as a classic liberal as reflected in his writings in the Guardian, Britain's most notable liberal newspaper. As such he has done much to point out the data and arguments that support the fact of climate change (see this, this, and this), and has done much to criticize the influence that industry lobbyists have in denying climate change. But he has also blamed environmentalists, "the cowardice of governments, the natural human tendency to deny what we don't want to see", and consumers.
It appears to me that he has become so brainwashed with the TINA (there is no alternative) view, that he simply cannot question the capitalist system. (Or else, he dare not go there if he wants to keep his income from the Guardian newspaper.) Hence, he too sees the only alternative as being the adoption of nuclear energy which alone can feed the growth demands of capitalism. Thus he is forced to insist on the sanctity of the information from the UN's IAEA and WHO who seem to be in collaboration with each other. He simply cannot even question that these organizations may also be influenced by the great capitalist powers that largely control these world bodies.
Caldicott, on the other hand, as a physician is solely concerned with the health effects of nuclear energy, and has devoted much of her life to the study of this.
Because there is a lot of information in this article and more provided by links, the article requires careful study to really appreciate the issues. I recommend that you first listen to the Democracy Now debate between George Monbiot and Helen Caldicott, then read the article and links contained therein.
I see Monbiot as a classic liberal as reflected in his writings in the Guardian, Britain's most notable liberal newspaper. As such he has done much to point out the data and arguments that support the fact of climate change (see this, this, and this), and has done much to criticize the influence that industry lobbyists have in denying climate change. But he has also blamed environmentalists, "the cowardice of governments, the natural human tendency to deny what we don't want to see", and consumers.
It appears to me that he has become so brainwashed with the TINA (there is no alternative) view, that he simply cannot question the capitalist system. (Or else, he dare not go there if he wants to keep his income from the Guardian newspaper.) Hence, he too sees the only alternative as being the adoption of nuclear energy which alone can feed the growth demands of capitalism. Thus he is forced to insist on the sanctity of the information from the UN's IAEA and WHO who seem to be in collaboration with each other. He simply cannot even question that these organizations may also be influenced by the great capitalist powers that largely control these world bodies.
Caldicott, on the other hand, as a physician is solely concerned with the health effects of nuclear energy, and has devoted much of her life to the study of this.
Is Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’s New Philanthropic Initiative Condescending?
by Jamie Johnson from Vanity Fair.
Johnson is an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical corporation, and filmmaker of "The One Percent". I have posted his articles quite often in this blog because he gives us a rare inside view of life among the class of people who largely rule the world. Also, his film was quite a surprising exposé on the lives of the rich and the hypocritical way they live and justify their wealth and power. I've often wondered if this was just an indication of a youthful rebellious phase he was going through. With this article I think that I am beginning to think so.
After lavishing praise on the American billionaires in this article, he criticizes them for organizing a conference in India (also in China) where it carried...
It's interesting to me that a scathing critique of Bill Gates and his educational reforms is no longer available on Truthout's website. See my posting.
Johnson is an heir to the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical corporation, and filmmaker of "The One Percent". I have posted his articles quite often in this blog because he gives us a rare inside view of life among the class of people who largely rule the world. Also, his film was quite a surprising exposé on the lives of the rich and the hypocritical way they live and justify their wealth and power. I've often wondered if this was just an indication of a youthful rebellious phase he was going through. With this article I think that I am beginning to think so.
After lavishing praise on the American billionaires in this article, he criticizes them for organizing a conference in India (also in China) where it carried...
...a slightly condescending message. It implies somehow that Indian billionaires require the guidance of American billionaires to act responsibly, and in the best interest of their own society. I tend to believe that super-rich Indians—whose fortunes, it’s worth remembering, are already remarkably high and only expected to swell in forthcoming years—have a suitable vision of their own for philanthropy. According to Forbes, the nation currently is home to 55 billionaires—many of whom are internationally renowned entrepreneurs. There isn’t any reason to assume their business savvy and creativity won’t extend to developing effective strategies for donating wealth. Plus, a number of Indian billionaires already rival their American counterparts in the arena of social responsibility. The Tata family, for example, has notably sacrificed personal wealth for generations by placing shares of their industrial conglomerate in charitable trusts to benefit India’s people.I think that one can also make a valid argument that American billionaires are condescending if they think they know what is best for people in the US who are poor. They are so insulated from the poor and have such a vested interested in keeping their class in power, that I don't think we should trust their judgement. After all, isn't philanthropy largely motivated by guilt, and a desire to improve the public image of the rich?
It's interesting to me that a scathing critique of Bill Gates and his educational reforms is no longer available on Truthout's website. See my posting.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Beware: Widespread Mission Creep Underway in Libya
by Joshua Holland from AlterNet.
It's rather startling, even to a cynic like me, at the rapid pace which the ruling class is proceeding in changing this Libyan adventure from a humanitarian mission.
It's rather startling, even to a cynic like me, at the rapid pace which the ruling class is proceeding in changing this Libyan adventure from a humanitarian mission.
Consider the bait-and-switch. The U.S. role in the intervention was sold to the American people as a very limited one: we'd help enforce a no-fly zone. In his speech on Monday, Obama said that "broadening our military mission to include regime change would be a mistake."But now in fact, it is "regime change". And that, of course, means change to a regime that promotes "our national interest". Which, of course, means the interest of the capitalist ruling classes who rule the Empire.
Socialism In America [satire]
by Michael DeLang from Swans Commentary.
I think I would have entitled this piece, "Politics in America". To be sure, the right-wing still uses "socialism" as an epitaph, but just as frequently they focus on runaway government spending. And the latter always refers to spending on health care, education, libraries, single mothers, etc--not on war spending measures to promote industries that produce killing machines ("defense spending"). Likewise, the right-wing fail to mention the bailouts of mega-banks and other corporations, and fail to mention that tax revenues have shrunk due to the many tax breaks given to the rich and their corporations over the last 40 years.
Another point in the article was that the town was "trying to lure a factory or two to Pleasantville by offering them a fifty year exemption on all taxes....". This illustrates an important truth about all public entities across the country: they are all competing over jobs which are controlled by corporations who are free to go anywhere in the world that offers them the best deal in terms of wages, taxes, infrastructure, low or unenforced environmental laws, etc. We are all now at the mercy of international corporations. The system of capitalism has created these monstrosities.
I think I would have entitled this piece, "Politics in America". To be sure, the right-wing still uses "socialism" as an epitaph, but just as frequently they focus on runaway government spending. And the latter always refers to spending on health care, education, libraries, single mothers, etc--not on war spending measures to promote industries that produce killing machines ("defense spending"). Likewise, the right-wing fail to mention the bailouts of mega-banks and other corporations, and fail to mention that tax revenues have shrunk due to the many tax breaks given to the rich and their corporations over the last 40 years.
Another point in the article was that the town was "trying to lure a factory or two to Pleasantville by offering them a fifty year exemption on all taxes....". This illustrates an important truth about all public entities across the country: they are all competing over jobs which are controlled by corporations who are free to go anywhere in the world that offers them the best deal in terms of wages, taxes, infrastructure, low or unenforced environmental laws, etc. We are all now at the mercy of international corporations. The system of capitalism has created these monstrosities.
Whose miracle?
by Richard Swift from New Internationalist.
After Deng Xiaoping announced in 1992 that ‘to get rich is glorious’, this writer shows how Chinese capitalists were so easily able to exploit Chinese peasants.
After Deng Xiaoping announced in 1992 that ‘to get rich is glorious’, this writer shows how Chinese capitalists were so easily able to exploit Chinese peasants.
China, despite its embrace of corporate capitalism and private investors at the top, remains for many at the bottom highly autocratic and arbitrary. Nothing is more indicative of this than the Maoist-era hukouzhidu laws on family registration that (despite various reforms) still dictate who has the right to live where. This has left millions of China’s new proletariat in a situation of chronic insecurity, preyed upon by their bosses and often corrupt municipal authorities and police.But now there are definite signs that workers are organizing and fighting back.
The labor movement after Wisconsin
by Lee Sustar from Socialist Worker.
So far, it looks like union bureaucracies in Wisconsin are winning the battle while leaving the workers behind. But this writer thinks that "...organized labor's showdown with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has set the stage for even sharper conflicts to come." He elaborates:
So far, it looks like union bureaucracies in Wisconsin are winning the battle while leaving the workers behind. But this writer thinks that "...organized labor's showdown with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has set the stage for even sharper conflicts to come." He elaborates:
The gap between union leaders' policy of retreat and workers' willingness to fight has seldom been greater. In Wisconsin, grassroots labor and community activists are attempting to build on the connections made during the protests to forge new coalitions and networks to fight the next round of Walker's budget cuts and maintain their union organizations despite the new restrictions imposed by the new anti-union laws.
Zeitgeist: Moving beyond money [9:36m video]
from RT (Russia Today).
...the world could get rid of major problems by restructuring and removing the class system that exists today, a system where 1 percent of the people have all the money and power and an invested interest in keeping the system in place.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Collapse of Globalization
by Chris Hedges from TruthDig.
I have not posted very many of his articles because I have seen him as more of a reformer of capitalism--you know, one of those people that believe that capitalism can be modified to perform in a socially just way. This delusional thinking is much like believing that a wolf can be trained to become a vegetarian.
He is a very eloquent writer and speaker, but so often in the past he has shed more moral heat than intellectual light on the subject of social justice. However, I believe this article of Hedges provides evidence that he has moved a bit away from the capitalist system.
He mostly uses the more acceptable terms of "globalization" and "corporate state", but he does finally use the term capitalism toward the end. Throughout the article he argues convincingly that capitalism (if you include the other terms he uses) is an irrational, faith-based type of economy. This is a giant step for him because it clearly implies that we can do better with another, more rational system, a system designed to serve all people.
I have not posted very many of his articles because I have seen him as more of a reformer of capitalism--you know, one of those people that believe that capitalism can be modified to perform in a socially just way. This delusional thinking is much like believing that a wolf can be trained to become a vegetarian.
He is a very eloquent writer and speaker, but so often in the past he has shed more moral heat than intellectual light on the subject of social justice. However, I believe this article of Hedges provides evidence that he has moved a bit away from the capitalist system.
He mostly uses the more acceptable terms of "globalization" and "corporate state", but he does finally use the term capitalism toward the end. Throughout the article he argues convincingly that capitalism (if you include the other terms he uses) is an irrational, faith-based type of economy. This is a giant step for him because it clearly implies that we can do better with another, more rational system, a system designed to serve all people.
They [the ideological proponents of globalism] embrace globalism because it, like most philosophical and theological ideologies, justifies their privilege and power. They believe that globalism is not an ideology but an expression of an incontrovertible truth. And because the truth has been uncovered, all competing economic and political visions are dismissed from public debate before they are even heard.
What Would a Sustainable Society Look Like?
an excerpt from Chris Williams’ recent book, Ecology and Socialism: Solutions to Capitalist Ecological Crisis, carried in Climate and Capitalism.
This type of society would replace what we have now: a few people with all the power, control, wealth, and leisure time while the vast majority are overworked wage slaves or else unemployed, under-educated, and impoverished.
What will be required is an ecologically and culturally relevant diversity of agricultural, industrial, transportation, educational, and residential forms based on communal ownership and democratic control by the people themselves.
Instead of passive consumers we will become active, educated, and involved participants in economic, cultural, and political life. Everyone will be involved in decisions about manufacturing methods, energy techniques, use of chemicals, and so on in order for the whole community to democratically decide the best alternative when toxin, resource, and energy minimization are the goals. Furthermore, with everyone productively engaged, the number of hours anyone works will be drastically reduced, leaving ample time for cultural and personal growth.This is precisely what would be required of citizens if such a society can exist in a truly democratic way. People at the grass roots after taking power would have to be educated, active decision makers, and acting through organizational structures that they would construct and control.
This type of society would replace what we have now: a few people with all the power, control, wealth, and leisure time while the vast majority are overworked wage slaves or else unemployed, under-educated, and impoverished.
'West owns Libya opposition'
a Press TV interview with Ralph Schoenman.
This author and left-wing political commentator provides us with the best history that I've seen of the Gaddafi regime, its real relationship with the Empire, and what this history portends.
This author and left-wing political commentator provides us with the best history that I've seen of the Gaddafi regime, its real relationship with the Empire, and what this history portends.
Until a struggle for liberation combines the democratic tasks of national independence and sovereignty and democratic entitlement with social ownership of the means of production, neocolonial regimes will displace a mass movement; will contain it or corrupt it in any manner to suppress it and we see that dynamic unfolding.
A Scandal [4:38m video]
Sen. Bernie Sanders giving the corporations hell in the US Senate.
He is one of the few people in Congress who really care about social justice in the US. The only problem is that he is a social democrat. He believes that capitalism can be regulated with a dash of social welfare thrown in despite all that has been happening during the past 40 years: the dismantling of social supports while corporations have grown like a cancer that has pretty much taken over the body politic.
He is one of the few people in Congress who really care about social justice in the US. The only problem is that he is a social democrat. He believes that capitalism can be regulated with a dash of social welfare thrown in despite all that has been happening during the past 40 years: the dismantling of social supports while corporations have grown like a cancer that has pretty much taken over the body politic.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Government Responds to Nuclear Accident by Trying to Raise Acceptable Radiation Levels and Pretending that Radiation is Good For Us
from Washington's Blog.
There are essentially two basic reasons that motivate the capitalist ruling class to lie to us about the adverse effects of the latest disaster at Fukushima, Japan. First, the nuclear energy industry is in private hands, that is, it feeds the profit interests of the ruling class. Second, nuclear energy is vital to the capitalist system and its growth imperative which requires increasing amounts of energy in a world where fossil fuel resources are diminishing, or soon will be. As always, the media of the ruling class is committed to the interests of that class, not to our interests.
In this piece, the blogger assembles rather convincing evidence that the ruling class is already lying to us.
There are essentially two basic reasons that motivate the capitalist ruling class to lie to us about the adverse effects of the latest disaster at Fukushima, Japan. First, the nuclear energy industry is in private hands, that is, it feeds the profit interests of the ruling class. Second, nuclear energy is vital to the capitalist system and its growth imperative which requires increasing amounts of energy in a world where fossil fuel resources are diminishing, or soon will be. As always, the media of the ruling class is committed to the interests of that class, not to our interests.
In this piece, the blogger assembles rather convincing evidence that the ruling class is already lying to us.
...Japan is suffering the worst nuclear accident since Chernobyl - if not of all time - is the [US] government riding to the rescue to help fix the problem, or at least to provide accurate information to its citizens so they can make informed decisions?
Of course not!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The surprising new class politics in the Midwest
by E.J. Dionne Jr. from The Washington Post via The Cap Times.
I am featuring this mainstream media article as an illustration of reality management by the US ruling class. Here we have The Cap Times newspaper in Madison, Wisconsin, where the class war has been raging between Governor Walker and public sector unions, offering its version of what has been happening during this confrontation.
This editorial which is clearly in support of the Democrats and unions, is very typical of what passes for "progressive" politics in the US. For my foreign readers, I must make clear a couple of facts about US politics that is implied in the article.
First, all mainstream discussion assumes that the Republican Party defends the interests of wealthier people while the Democratic Party defends the "middle class". Americans have been led to believe that everyone between the rich and those in prison are "middle class". Second, under this conceptualization it follows that everyone in this great "democracy" is represented by political parties except for those in prison--hence, this lends legitimacy to their claim that a democracy, or if pushed a bit, that a representative form of democracy exists in the US. Hence, the writer's use of the concept of "class politics" instead of class war. The governing class has relied on this formulation to inform all of its mainstream media coverage of political and economic events, and the vast majority of Americans believe this mythical construction of reality.
The reality is that both parties represent the ruling class. They only represent different strategies to promote their interests. While the Republican party directly pursues policies favoring those who essentially own the US economy and profit from it, the Democratic Party poses as a champion of the "middle class". It is very much like the "good cop/bad cop" scenario you find frequently in Hollywood crimes stories. Thus, when Republicans win most of the seats in Congress they wage all out class war, when Democrats win they always "reach across the Aisle" in the spirit of bi-partisanship and end up supporting basically the same policies, although a little more disguised.
Notice that The Cap Times bills itself as "Your Progressive Voice". In fact, this primary Madison newspaper is about as far left as you will find in a significant US city. But the sad fact is that the political spectrum in the US has since WWII gradually shifted far to the right.
The main periods of shift happened first during the McCarthy period in the late 1940s and early 1950s, when the ruling class went on the attack to purge all vestiges of militancy and leftist thinking in labor unions, academia, and the media including the Hollywood film industry. Then, beginning in the 1970s, neo-liberalism raised its ugly head to remove all significant restraints on business to pursue profits within and without the US.
Now, because the ruling capitalist class has gone global, it no longer needs American workers except for the armaments industry and to serve in its armed forces. Public service workers and public spending are the last remaining targets.
Finally, this article sourced from The Washington Post and carried in the Madison newspaper illustrates another reality about how centralized information processing is in the US. There are two major newspapers in the US that set the tone and the limits of "legitimate" coverage of events: The NY Times and The Washington Post. They are intimately tied to the ruling class and shape how nearly all media coverage is reported in lesser newspapers and news outlets.
I am featuring this mainstream media article as an illustration of reality management by the US ruling class. Here we have The Cap Times newspaper in Madison, Wisconsin, where the class war has been raging between Governor Walker and public sector unions, offering its version of what has been happening during this confrontation.
This editorial which is clearly in support of the Democrats and unions, is very typical of what passes for "progressive" politics in the US. For my foreign readers, I must make clear a couple of facts about US politics that is implied in the article.
First, all mainstream discussion assumes that the Republican Party defends the interests of wealthier people while the Democratic Party defends the "middle class". Americans have been led to believe that everyone between the rich and those in prison are "middle class". Second, under this conceptualization it follows that everyone in this great "democracy" is represented by political parties except for those in prison--hence, this lends legitimacy to their claim that a democracy, or if pushed a bit, that a representative form of democracy exists in the US. Hence, the writer's use of the concept of "class politics" instead of class war. The governing class has relied on this formulation to inform all of its mainstream media coverage of political and economic events, and the vast majority of Americans believe this mythical construction of reality.
The reality is that both parties represent the ruling class. They only represent different strategies to promote their interests. While the Republican party directly pursues policies favoring those who essentially own the US economy and profit from it, the Democratic Party poses as a champion of the "middle class". It is very much like the "good cop/bad cop" scenario you find frequently in Hollywood crimes stories. Thus, when Republicans win most of the seats in Congress they wage all out class war, when Democrats win they always "reach across the Aisle" in the spirit of bi-partisanship and end up supporting basically the same policies, although a little more disguised.
Notice that The Cap Times bills itself as "Your Progressive Voice". In fact, this primary Madison newspaper is about as far left as you will find in a significant US city. But the sad fact is that the political spectrum in the US has since WWII gradually shifted far to the right.
The main periods of shift happened first during the McCarthy period in the late 1940s and early 1950s, when the ruling class went on the attack to purge all vestiges of militancy and leftist thinking in labor unions, academia, and the media including the Hollywood film industry. Then, beginning in the 1970s, neo-liberalism raised its ugly head to remove all significant restraints on business to pursue profits within and without the US.
Now, because the ruling capitalist class has gone global, it no longer needs American workers except for the armaments industry and to serve in its armed forces. Public service workers and public spending are the last remaining targets.
Finally, this article sourced from The Washington Post and carried in the Madison newspaper illustrates another reality about how centralized information processing is in the US. There are two major newspapers in the US that set the tone and the limits of "legitimate" coverage of events: The NY Times and The Washington Post. They are intimately tied to the ruling class and shape how nearly all media coverage is reported in lesser newspapers and news outlets.
U.S. Military Spending Marches On
by Mark Engler from Foreign Policy in Focus.
While the ruling class is on a rampage to cutback public spending on things like education, medical care, elderly benefits, etc, the highly profitable military-industrial complex continues on its merry spending way to promote the interests of the Empire.
While the ruling class is on a rampage to cutback public spending on things like education, medical care, elderly benefits, etc, the highly profitable military-industrial complex continues on its merry spending way to promote the interests of the Empire.
With a new Congress with a House controlled by Republicans who have trumpeted deficit reduction as one of their central priorities, it would be logical to expect that there might be trimming in one of the largest and most bloated areas of US government spending: the nation’s $700bn military budget. However, the realities of Washington, DC are different than the rhetoric. While spending for the Iraq war should be decreasing, as planned, in coming years, recently released budget proposals by both Democrats and Republicans show that base levels for Pentagon funding continue to rise.Notice that whenever public officials are called upon to justify war expenditures, they always, as Obama did yesterday, refer to "our national interests". Public officials are never asked about what these "national interests" consist of. So most Americans tend to believe that they, too, will benefit somehow from these policies. Of course, what they consist of are ruling capitalist class interests to promote for this tiny minority their power and profits. The end result is what we have today: endless wars, public spending cutbacks, unemployment, unstable weather patterns, environmental devastation, nuclear accidents, etc.
How John Adams and Thomas Paine Clashed Over Economic Equality
by William Hogeland from New Deal 2.0.
This historian does offer some corrective to the indoctrination given to all US students of the early founding of their country. However, this is, in my opinion, a liberal (in the political sense) interpretation of these events. As such it is about as far left an interpretation that can be allowed in acceptable discourse among US historians.
You must understand that left-wing teachers in academia were thoroughly purged during the McCarthy period. Academic institutions initially required all professors to sign loyalty oaths, and since then a filtering process was put in place to screen out people who might teach views contrary to "US interests". (If you wish to know more about this process, you simply must read Disciplined Minds by Jeff Schmidt.)
I am not a trained historian, but I have read quite a bit of history about this period from reliable sources. These sources include writings by the eminent historian and political scientist, Charles Beard, historical accounts of the Whiskey Rebellion and the Shays' Rebellion, writings about John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine. I have concluded that the class war we are now seeing was very present at the founding of our country. And guess who won then? Yes, the same people that are winning now.
Thomas Paine was used by the new class of capitalists before the revolution to gather support for the War of Independence. This class saw before them a huge continent ripe for plunder. Only "savages" and the British Crown stood in their way. They knew they could deal with the former, but the latter were a problem. Besides, a war is always good for huge profits, and this class had no compunctions about selling goods to both sides, just as happened during WWII with major US corporations trading with Nazi corporations.
Paine devoted much of his life to the promotion of real democracy for everyone to enjoy. After the successful conclusion of the American war, he went to France to promote his ideas there. When the bourgeoisie (capitalists) in France eventually gained the upper hand in their revolution, he was imprisoned and languished there for some length of time and was nearly guillotined. After gaining his freedom, he was essentially bankrupt which likely resulted in his taking employment with the financial and trading wizard, Robert Morris. My knowledge of the details of this period is a bit sketchy, but I do know that the governing elite now strongly criticized Paine's democratic views, and that he died in obscurity and virtually penniless.
This historian does offer some corrective to the indoctrination given to all US students of the early founding of their country. However, this is, in my opinion, a liberal (in the political sense) interpretation of these events. As such it is about as far left an interpretation that can be allowed in acceptable discourse among US historians.
You must understand that left-wing teachers in academia were thoroughly purged during the McCarthy period. Academic institutions initially required all professors to sign loyalty oaths, and since then a filtering process was put in place to screen out people who might teach views contrary to "US interests". (If you wish to know more about this process, you simply must read Disciplined Minds by Jeff Schmidt.)
I am not a trained historian, but I have read quite a bit of history about this period from reliable sources. These sources include writings by the eminent historian and political scientist, Charles Beard, historical accounts of the Whiskey Rebellion and the Shays' Rebellion, writings about John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine. I have concluded that the class war we are now seeing was very present at the founding of our country. And guess who won then? Yes, the same people that are winning now.
Thomas Paine was used by the new class of capitalists before the revolution to gather support for the War of Independence. This class saw before them a huge continent ripe for plunder. Only "savages" and the British Crown stood in their way. They knew they could deal with the former, but the latter were a problem. Besides, a war is always good for huge profits, and this class had no compunctions about selling goods to both sides, just as happened during WWII with major US corporations trading with Nazi corporations.
Paine devoted much of his life to the promotion of real democracy for everyone to enjoy. After the successful conclusion of the American war, he went to France to promote his ideas there. When the bourgeoisie (capitalists) in France eventually gained the upper hand in their revolution, he was imprisoned and languished there for some length of time and was nearly guillotined. After gaining his freedom, he was essentially bankrupt which likely resulted in his taking employment with the financial and trading wizard, Robert Morris. My knowledge of the details of this period is a bit sketchy, but I do know that the governing elite now strongly criticized Paine's democratic views, and that he died in obscurity and virtually penniless.
Mondragon as a Bridge to a New Socialism: A Review of Five Books with Radical Critiques and New Ideas
by Carl Davidson from Solidarity Economy.
There is much to be learned from the Basque experiment in worker cooperatives: both positive and negative. This review of five books on the subject may be helpful as a start.
There is much to be learned from the Basque experiment in worker cooperatives: both positive and negative. This review of five books on the subject may be helpful as a start.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Noam Chomsky speaks to Saswat Pattanayak
A transcript of an interview from Kindle Magazine. (To make it more readable, I had to enter Cntrl ++. Also, you can access the article here.)
In the interview Chomsky takes a global perspective on the various uprisings across the world, many about which we hear very little. The evidence that he assembles confirms my own, oft-stated beliefs that present trends under capitalism suggest we are headed for a world dominated by the very rich who live on well guarded islands of gated communities surrounded by oceans of wage slaves scrambling to eke out an existence. And added to this dismal picture, one must include the environmental devastation and climate instability that is likely to increase.
Here are a couple of excerpts from the interview:
In the interview Chomsky takes a global perspective on the various uprisings across the world, many about which we hear very little. The evidence that he assembles confirms my own, oft-stated beliefs that present trends under capitalism suggest we are headed for a world dominated by the very rich who live on well guarded islands of gated communities surrounded by oceans of wage slaves scrambling to eke out an existence. And added to this dismal picture, one must include the environmental devastation and climate instability that is likely to increase.
Here are a couple of excerpts from the interview:
[This is] what’s actually been happening in much of the world, this incidentally includes China and India too - is a global shift of power - away from working people and into the hands of owners, managers, investors, the elite elements, highly paid professionals, and so on. There is a very sharp class split. You see it everywhere.
*****************
...this Summer...I was in Southern Columbia visiting endangered villages subjected to severe repression. Actually, Columbia has the largest internally displaced population in the world after Sudan, mostly from attacks on the indigenous areas. ...one village I visited is trying to preserve nearby mountain and virgin forests from mining which will destroy their communities, destroy their lives, take away the water supplies. They are poor, but they have a functioning life. They want that life and they have every reason to have it. And that’s happening all over the world. Its happening in the United States. In Appalachia, mountain top removal happens to be a very cheap way of coal mining, but it destroys the valleys, destroys the rivers, destroys the ecology, destroys the communities and people resist. I presume that, what’s happening in the tribal areas (in India) is in substantial part an instance of this global phenomenon of the feverish surge for resources, whatever be the effect on environment and the people.
Everyone Has a Stake in US Uncut's Fight
by Allison Kilkenny from The Nation.
This is a little old. I completely missed the report and all the demonstrations planned for this past weekend. But, I refer you to future actions organized by US Uncut which a link in the article points to.
This is a little old. I completely missed the report and all the demonstrations planned for this past weekend. But, I refer you to future actions organized by US Uncut which a link in the article points to.
The Anti-Empire Report--March 28th, 2011
William Blum's blog featuring today's commentaries.
Living in the heart of the Empire and being subject to the ubiquitous coverage provide by corporate media can be hazardous to one's understanding of the world and even to one's mental health. As an antidote I heartily recommend that you take a dose of The Anti-Empire Report periodically. To do this, I suggest that you subscribe to his Report:
Living in the heart of the Empire and being subject to the ubiquitous coverage provide by corporate media can be hazardous to one's understanding of the world and even to one's mental health. As an antidote I heartily recommend that you take a dose of The Anti-Empire Report periodically. To do this, I suggest that you subscribe to his Report:
To add yourself to this mailing list simply send an email to bblum6 [at] aol.com with "add" in the subject line. I'd like your name and city in the message, but that's optional. I ask for your city only in case I'll be speaking in your area.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Deadly heatwaves will be more frequent in coming decades, say scientists
by Damian Carrington from the Guardian.
Based on a recently published study in Science journal, more dreadful predictions by scientists:
Based on a recently published study in Science journal, more dreadful predictions by scientists:
Climate scientists expect increasing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere to raise both average temperatures and summer variability in Europe, leading to more heatwaves. ..."Under global warming this kind of event will become more common. Mega-heatwaves are going to be more frequent and more intense in the future."More extreme weather is on the way unless we change the existing wasteful and polluting system of capitalism to something that allows us to live in harmony with nature. Time is rapidly running out before we pass irreversible tipping points. So which is it--a new sustainable system or more resource wars, famine, floods, poverty, etc? We and our neighbors, and their neighbors, and so on, must decide to take action or to sit back and wait for the inevitable.
How Might We Avert the Economic & Environmental Catastrophe That Approaches
by Richard Clark from OpEd News.
The ruling class of capitalists cannot pursue the policies he outlines without interfering with their access to profits. This is like warning a hard-core heroin addict to give up the drug or it will kill him/her. Without extensive treatment they often end up killing themselves. In this case, they will take us with them.
The only solution is for developed countries to greatly decrease their levels of consumption.The author is wrong. He apparently has bought into the TINA delusion. The only real cure that has a chance is to change the system.
The ruling class of capitalists cannot pursue the policies he outlines without interfering with their access to profits. This is like warning a hard-core heroin addict to give up the drug or it will kill him/her. Without extensive treatment they often end up killing themselves. In this case, they will take us with them.
Libyan Developments: interview with Gilbert Achcar
Gilbert Archar interviewed by Stephen R. Shalom, Red Pepper (Britain).
This article offers a much more in depth look at Gaddafi and the insurrection in Libya than I have found elsewhere.
This article offers a much more in depth look at Gaddafi and the insurrection in Libya than I have found elsewhere.
...I believe that from an anti-imperialist perspective one cannot and should not oppose the no-fly zone, given that there is no plausible alternative for protecting the endangered population. ...But again, one must maintain a very critical attitude toward what the Western powers might do.
March for the Alternative sends a noisy message to the government
from the Guardian.
This is for the people in the US who received scant media coverage of the huge protest (several hundred thousand people) against public spending cuts in London on Saturday. US media was far more interested in diverting our attention to preparations for the Royal Wedding.
A couple dressed as caricatures of David Cameron and Margaret Thatcher make scissor shapes with their hands
For more pictures of the London protest, click on this.
More importantly, here is a much more detailed description of the organizing efforts that are just beginning all across Britain.
This is for the people in the US who received scant media coverage of the huge protest (several hundred thousand people) against public spending cuts in London on Saturday. US media was far more interested in diverting our attention to preparations for the Royal Wedding.
A couple dressed as caricatures of David Cameron and Margaret Thatcher make scissor shapes with their hands
For more pictures of the London protest, click on this.
More importantly, here is a much more detailed description of the organizing efforts that are just beginning all across Britain.
Across Britain, local groups are organising. False Economy lists an impressive 100-plus anti-cuts campaigns – everything from three people painting a banner to groups with hundreds of members. The anti-cuts movement has not only reinvigorated local campaigning, but also raised important questions – crucially, asking how campaigns can involve people who are angry and want to take action but are not used to political or trade union organising.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Out in Force: 300,000 to march in London anti-cuts protest [5:49m video]
from Russia Today (RT) via U-Tube.
So far I have seen only very shallow coverage of this major event in US mainstream media. They are focusing much more time on the Royal Wedding.
One often can get good coverage by accessing another country's media where that country is not directly involved with the related issues. RT has also been providing excellent coverage of events in North Africa and the Middle East.
In this video we are seeing the beginning of a massive demonstration in London today protesting the drastic cutbacks and the current war adventure in Libya.
So far I have seen only very shallow coverage of this major event in US mainstream media. They are focusing much more time on the Royal Wedding.
One often can get good coverage by accessing another country's media where that country is not directly involved with the related issues. RT has also been providing excellent coverage of events in North Africa and the Middle East.
In this video we are seeing the beginning of a massive demonstration in London today protesting the drastic cutbacks and the current war adventure in Libya.
Bahrain's New Symbol of Resistance
by Rannie Amiri from CounterPunch.
While our mainstream media focuses almost entirely on the war in Libya, and, to a lesser extent, on the uprising in Syria, the conflict in Bahrain and the government's (with the help of Saudi troops) brutal crushing of dissent seems to have disappeared from the news coverage. This article helps us to stay informed.
While our mainstream media focuses almost entirely on the war in Libya, and, to a lesser extent, on the uprising in Syria, the conflict in Bahrain and the government's (with the help of Saudi troops) brutal crushing of dissent seems to have disappeared from the news coverage. This article helps us to stay informed.
Although anecdotal, overwhelming corroborating testimony from eyewitnesses and treating physicians removes all doubt that egregious violations of international law, specifically articles of the 4th Geneva Convention pertaining to the protection of civilian hospitals, occurred. Human Rights Watch decried the detention of civil rights workers and physicians who spoke out against the abuse of civilians.
How Catastrophe Heralds a New Japan
by Kojin Karatani from CounterPunch.
It's not Japan's demise that the earthquake produced, but rather the possibility of its rebirth.The author foresees the necessity of a new awakening in Japan that looks for alternatives to life-destroying capitalism. Very hopeful outlook and inspiring. Will this change happen in time to save humanity? Stay tuned. Even better, get informed and be active.
Five Billionaires Who Party Harder Than Russell Brand’s Arthur
by Jamie Johnson from Vanity Fair.
Once again Jamie leads us on an excursion in the lives of the one-percent, among people whom you and I would never meet in our hum-drum lives. Here he introduces us to some of the biggest spenders among this segment of our population that rules the empire. Well, not directly--they are too busy having fun to do that. They hire that out to political operatives like John Boehner, Newt Gingrich, Governor Walker of Wisconsin, and super-salesmen like Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan.
I'm sure there are some people (spoil sports) out there who are envious and feel that the ostentatious display of wealth is in poor taste. Well, as they say, if you've got it, why not flaunt it? What is the point of getting rich if you don't enjoy all the good things in life? And, isn't it good for the (capitalist) economy to consume? It boosts our economic scorecard (GDP), gets the money circulating so that some of it trickles down to us folks--it's downright patriotic!
Once again Jamie leads us on an excursion in the lives of the one-percent, among people whom you and I would never meet in our hum-drum lives. Here he introduces us to some of the biggest spenders among this segment of our population that rules the empire. Well, not directly--they are too busy having fun to do that. They hire that out to political operatives like John Boehner, Newt Gingrich, Governor Walker of Wisconsin, and super-salesmen like Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan.
I'm sure there are some people (spoil sports) out there who are envious and feel that the ostentatious display of wealth is in poor taste. Well, as they say, if you've got it, why not flaunt it? What is the point of getting rich if you don't enjoy all the good things in life? And, isn't it good for the (capitalist) economy to consume? It boosts our economic scorecard (GDP), gets the money circulating so that some of it trickles down to us folks--it's downright patriotic!
Friday, March 25, 2011
GE, Leader in Tax Evasion, Pays Virtually No Tax Yet Got Bailed Out in Crisis
by Yves Smith from her blog.
Globalized capitalism has provided many opportunities for corporations and their ruling class owners to expand their power and profits. Using GE as an illustration, this article focuses largely on one method used by corporations to avoid paying taxes: shifting their revenue to low tax jurisdictions.
This added to all their other ploys--outsourcing jobs to low wage countries, corporate tax cuts, subsidies, bailouts, sponsorship of government representatives, etc--has resulted in what we have today: local, regional, and national governments near bankruptcy because of lack of revenues. Hence they are pushing hard for more cutbacks in public sector spending except, of course, for weapons and armies to be used against foreign elements ("terrorists") who fight back against global capitalism and their resource grabs.
Globalized capitalism has provided many opportunities for corporations and their ruling class owners to expand their power and profits. Using GE as an illustration, this article focuses largely on one method used by corporations to avoid paying taxes: shifting their revenue to low tax jurisdictions.
This added to all their other ploys--outsourcing jobs to low wage countries, corporate tax cuts, subsidies, bailouts, sponsorship of government representatives, etc--has resulted in what we have today: local, regional, and national governments near bankruptcy because of lack of revenues. Hence they are pushing hard for more cutbacks in public sector spending except, of course, for weapons and armies to be used against foreign elements ("terrorists") who fight back against global capitalism and their resource grabs.
The New York Times reports tonight on what a great job General Electric does in taxAnd, regarding another global corporation, what do you think the chances are for AT&T getting the regulatory agency's (FCC) approval to buy T-Mobil and further consolidate their control over mobile communications. I'd say like 100%, even though the end result will be higher prices that we will pay for these services. AT&T will only need to hint that they might move some more jobs overseas to break down any resistance from the regulators.evasionavoidance, reaping a tax credit of $3.2 billion on $5.1 billion of reported US profits. And while GE is a particularly egregious example by virtue of having the most sophisticated tax operation in the US, it illustrates a more general point.
Endgame: Divide, rule and get the oil
by Pepe Escobar from Asia Times Online.
Once again this political realist gives us the real story about events in Libya and the Near East.
However, early on he makes reference to a "promise to protect the Gulf Cooperation Council" without any explanation:
The Vietnam War in addition to the Cold War proved very costly for the US and they had to go off the gold standard as backing for US currency. In a crucial move to insure its own currency as the prime world currency, they made a mostly secret agreement with the rulers of that oil rich, medieval-like Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this 1974 agreement negotiated by Kissinger, the US guaranteed the security of the Kingdom and, in return, the Saudis agreed to sell oil only in US dollars and to recycle those dollars into US Treasury bonds and US stocks. This effectively backed the US dollars with oil. As Michael Hudson stated:
Once again this political realist gives us the real story about events in Libya and the Near East.
However, early on he makes reference to a "promise to protect the Gulf Cooperation Council" without any explanation:
The Arab League--routinely dismissed in Western capitals as irrelevant before this decision--is little else than an instrument of the House of Saud's foreign policy.This was a major agreement that has had profound effects on the course of world events.
Its "decision" was propelled by Washington's promise to protect the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) kings/sheikhs/oligarchs from the democratic aspirations of their own subjects - who are yearning for the same democratic rights as their "cousins" in eastern Libya.
The Vietnam War in addition to the Cold War proved very costly for the US and they had to go off the gold standard as backing for US currency. In a crucial move to insure its own currency as the prime world currency, they made a mostly secret agreement with the rulers of that oil rich, medieval-like Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this 1974 agreement negotiated by Kissinger, the US guaranteed the security of the Kingdom and, in return, the Saudis agreed to sell oil only in US dollars and to recycle those dollars into US Treasury bonds and US stocks. This effectively backed the US dollars with oil. As Michael Hudson stated:
Saudi Arabia realizes that it exists only with U.S. support. Doing what U.S. diplomats tell them to do lets them keep their oil resources rather than being treated like Iraq and Iran.For a much more detailed explanation of the background and the effects of this agreement, check out this report by William Engdahl where he writes:
The crucial shift took place when Nixon took the dollar off a fixed gold reserve to float against other currencies. This removed the restraints on printing new dollars. The limit was only how many dollars the rest of the world would take. By their firm agreement with Saudi Arabia, as the largest OPEC oil producer with a swing role. Washington guaranteed that the world's largest commodity, namely oil, could be purchased on world markets only in dollars. Oil was essential for every nation's economy, being the basis of all transport and much of the industry.
The deal had been fixed in June 1974 by Secretary of State Henry Kissinger when he established the US-Saudi Arabian Joint Commission on Economic Co-operation. In effect, the US Treasury and New York Federal Reserve “allowed” the Saudi central bank, SAMA, to buy US Treasury bonds with Saudi petrodollars. In 1975, OPEC officially agreed to sell its oil only for dollars. A secret US military agreement to arm Saudi Arabia was the quid pro quo.
US Army deserter readies for legal battle, faces tough odds
from RT (Russia Today). [3:31m video and transcript]
I am posting this today largely because you will not see this reported in US media. Many US veterans have taken their own lives after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. This brave soldier, and others like Bradley Manning, are fighting back against the Empire. We must do what we can to support them.
I am posting this today largely because you will not see this reported in US media. Many US veterans have taken their own lives after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. This brave soldier, and others like Bradley Manning, are fighting back against the Empire. We must do what we can to support them.
Shepherd admits that he may be on a slippery slope, but he also says that he is ready for the battle of his life, maintaining that there was no justification for the war in Iraq.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Lifting the Veil [1:52:00 video]
I lifted this fine documentary from an article by Lenore Daniels entitled, "U.S. Dictatorship? Propaganda and Hope". It is my feeling that you can skip this rather overlong article and go directly to the video. I have provided direct access below, but if it doesn't work satisfactorily on your computer, access it from the Vimeo website. I watched it in full screen mode and found the resolution of most of the interview clips to be very satisfactory.
The creators of this video have done an excellent job of selecting, editing, and splicing together video clips of the best critical thinkers in order to pierce the veil of capitalist ideology that has been so effective at brainwashing so many North Americans. Many of you who follow this blog and similar ones probably really don't need to watch it, but it is important for you to get friends and relatives to watch it to help them "lift the veil" of corporate propaganda and begin to see the reality that lies behind.
The timing is right to do this. So many people's lives have been threatened by the recent bankster engineered crisis and the ongoing Empire wars, and people are starting to wonder and question. This video will accelerate that process.
Lifting the Veil from S DN on Vimeo.
The creators of this video have done an excellent job of selecting, editing, and splicing together video clips of the best critical thinkers in order to pierce the veil of capitalist ideology that has been so effective at brainwashing so many North Americans. Many of you who follow this blog and similar ones probably really don't need to watch it, but it is important for you to get friends and relatives to watch it to help them "lift the veil" of corporate propaganda and begin to see the reality that lies behind.
The timing is right to do this. So many people's lives have been threatened by the recent bankster engineered crisis and the ongoing Empire wars, and people are starting to wonder and question. This video will accelerate that process.
Lifting the Veil from S DN on Vimeo.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
BLOGGER'S NOTE: I have two posts today which are lengthier than what I normally post. At least for me and, I gather, for many others, a computer screen does not lend itself well to extended reading.
When I come upon an article which I believe is very important, I will print it out and read the hard copy. This is what I did with these two articles. (My delay in posting them is because of the lengthy backlog of reading that competes for my attention.) I recommend that you also print them out and read at your leisure.
I believe the two following articles are important because they attempt to get behind mainstream media coverage of events to the real forces that shape events. So much of reality is reconstructed by corporate mainstream media to obscure the underlying realities, and at other times, completely omits coverage of important actors and actions. The real facts which, if understood correctly by working people, would undermine the elite's ability to exploit and rule over us.
When I come upon an article which I believe is very important, I will print it out and read the hard copy. This is what I did with these two articles. (My delay in posting them is because of the lengthy backlog of reading that competes for my attention.) I recommend that you also print them out and read at your leisure.
I believe the two following articles are important because they attempt to get behind mainstream media coverage of events to the real forces that shape events. So much of reality is reconstructed by corporate mainstream media to obscure the underlying realities, and at other times, completely omits coverage of important actors and actions. The real facts which, if understood correctly by working people, would undermine the elite's ability to exploit and rule over us.
People Power in Egypt: Defusing a Revolution?
by Michael Barker from Counter Currents. (17.5 single-spaced pages)
The coverage of world events by ruling class media to shape the views of their citizens probably began in earnest with the influence of Edward Bernays, particularly after the publication of his book in 1928 entitled, Propaganda. His views also had a powerful influence on Joseph Goebbels, the famous Nazi propagandist.
Added to this propaganda toolbox was an insidious method of managing group behavior through a carefully planned mix of infiltration of trained agents into groups along with money and perks in order to shape group behavior in support of elites. This was used most effectively by Soviet indoctrination agencies under Stalin, and after WWII adopted by the CIA to counter Soviet activity. (Read The Mighty Wurlitzer by Hugh Wilford for the details.)
Next the development of psychological warfare techniques was refined by the CIA into what became known as "psyops", or psychological operations. These techniques were used against insurgent groups that posed a threat to regimes favored by US elites. They consisted of carefully crafted and planted information and misinformation into the dissident groups to cause confusion, dissension, and low morale. This method was first successfully used by a CIA agent in 1953 in the Philippines against a communist inspired insurgency; and it is still widely used, even within the US, to control dissent.
These methods have been modified to what exists today in the form of "democracy promotion": the use of benign sounding foundations and NGO's to insert themselves into countries where a government is highly unstable in order to contain and control activist organizations and revolutionary groups. Their objective is to effect liberal democratic regimes that support free market policies, also known as capitalist style "democracies". This operation is currently underway in Egypt, and Barker does an excellent job of describing exactly how it works. This is a must-read article.
As you can see, all societies that are dominated by ruling classes, whether capitalist "democracies" or fascist or bureaucratically (Stalinist) controlled regimes, all use such devious methods to control their citizens and to preserve their class rule.
The coverage of world events by ruling class media to shape the views of their citizens probably began in earnest with the influence of Edward Bernays, particularly after the publication of his book in 1928 entitled, Propaganda. His views also had a powerful influence on Joseph Goebbels, the famous Nazi propagandist.
Added to this propaganda toolbox was an insidious method of managing group behavior through a carefully planned mix of infiltration of trained agents into groups along with money and perks in order to shape group behavior in support of elites. This was used most effectively by Soviet indoctrination agencies under Stalin, and after WWII adopted by the CIA to counter Soviet activity. (Read The Mighty Wurlitzer by Hugh Wilford for the details.)
Next the development of psychological warfare techniques was refined by the CIA into what became known as "psyops", or psychological operations. These techniques were used against insurgent groups that posed a threat to regimes favored by US elites. They consisted of carefully crafted and planted information and misinformation into the dissident groups to cause confusion, dissension, and low morale. This method was first successfully used by a CIA agent in 1953 in the Philippines against a communist inspired insurgency; and it is still widely used, even within the US, to control dissent.
These methods have been modified to what exists today in the form of "democracy promotion": the use of benign sounding foundations and NGO's to insert themselves into countries where a government is highly unstable in order to contain and control activist organizations and revolutionary groups. Their objective is to effect liberal democratic regimes that support free market policies, also known as capitalist style "democracies". This operation is currently underway in Egypt, and Barker does an excellent job of describing exactly how it works. This is a must-read article.
As you can see, all societies that are dominated by ruling classes, whether capitalist "democracies" or fascist or bureaucratically (Stalinist) controlled regimes, all use such devious methods to control their citizens and to preserve their class rule.
Seymour Hersh and the Men Who Want Him Committed
by Matthew Phelan from Who What Why. (About 6.5 pages)
The article is really, and more importantly, about Hersh's revelations with regard to the secretive Catholic order called the "Knights of Malta". From time to time I've run across references to this organization, usually with connotations about conspiracies, and I've never known what to make of such comments.
The author starts with Hersh's revelations and adds information from a variety of other sources. Hence, I found this article very useful in shedding some light on this secret organization, and its associated charity called "AmeriCares". Phelan writes:
The article is really, and more importantly, about Hersh's revelations with regard to the secretive Catholic order called the "Knights of Malta". From time to time I've run across references to this organization, usually with connotations about conspiracies, and I've never known what to make of such comments.
The author starts with Hersh's revelations and adds information from a variety of other sources. Hence, I found this article very useful in shedding some light on this secret organization, and its associated charity called "AmeriCares". Phelan writes:
Nowhere was the alliance between the Knights of Malta, AmeriCares and U.S. Intelligence more pervasive and troubling than in Central America.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Banker on How to Solve Debt Crisis: The Public Needs to Work Harder for Less Money and 50% Fewer Benefits
by Courtney Comstock from Business Insider.
Of course, this European banker is right. And, of course, he is assuming the continuation of capitalism. Like his fellow one-percenters he cannot imagine any other system.
Energy and other resource materials are becoming more expensive which limits the growth imperative and profits of capitalism. His solution is the only solution for capitalists in order to continue their appropriation of worker-produced value at past rates of profit.
In contrast to many European capitalists, US capitalists have managed to subdue private sector workers and their unions by simply sending most of their jobs to countries with cheap labor and low environmental standards. With a few exceptions US private sector employed workers have already negotiated away all the gains made in the post WWII years in order to keep their remaining jobs from going to cheap labor countries. The only exceptions for US workers has been in military related industries (for obvious reasons) and public sector workers (most cannot be outsourced). Hence workers in the public sector are the current targets for cutbacks as we are now seeing most dramatically in the Mid-Western States.
If we all sit back and do nothing, this assault will continue, until we have a thoroughly polluted world with limited resources and extreme weather, a world that consists of small islands of well-guarded, gated communities surrounded by oceans of poor wage-slaves. Never in the history of the human race has more been at stake for working people than is the case today.
Of course, this European banker is right. And, of course, he is assuming the continuation of capitalism. Like his fellow one-percenters he cannot imagine any other system.
Energy and other resource materials are becoming more expensive which limits the growth imperative and profits of capitalism. His solution is the only solution for capitalists in order to continue their appropriation of worker-produced value at past rates of profit.
In contrast to many European capitalists, US capitalists have managed to subdue private sector workers and their unions by simply sending most of their jobs to countries with cheap labor and low environmental standards. With a few exceptions US private sector employed workers have already negotiated away all the gains made in the post WWII years in order to keep their remaining jobs from going to cheap labor countries. The only exceptions for US workers has been in military related industries (for obvious reasons) and public sector workers (most cannot be outsourced). Hence workers in the public sector are the current targets for cutbacks as we are now seeing most dramatically in the Mid-Western States.
If we all sit back and do nothing, this assault will continue, until we have a thoroughly polluted world with limited resources and extreme weather, a world that consists of small islands of well-guarded, gated communities surrounded by oceans of poor wage-slaves. Never in the history of the human race has more been at stake for working people than is the case today.
The West bombs, the Arab League ducks
by Pepe Escobar from Asia Times Online.
Escobar does an excellent job of deconstructing the many myths (our motives are humanitarian, the Arab as well as the international community supports this attack, etc) supplied by US mainstream media to indoctrinate Americans in supporting yet another war while imposing cutbacks on them.
Escobar does an excellent job of deconstructing the many myths (our motives are humanitarian, the Arab as well as the international community supports this attack, etc) supplied by US mainstream media to indoctrinate Americans in supporting yet another war while imposing cutbacks on them.
Monday, March 21, 2011
War stalks revolution in Middle East
by Sreeram Chaulia from Asia Times Online.
This astute author looks at the current situation in Bahrain from a historical perspective regarding counter-revolutions, and sees some ominous signs as suggested by the title.
This astute author looks at the current situation in Bahrain from a historical perspective regarding counter-revolutions, and sees some ominous signs as suggested by the title.
Historically, there is a strong sequential correlation between revolution and inter-state war. Radical overhaul of a country's socio-economic or political system rarely remains confined to that state and often triggers a wider regional or international conflagration. This is because revolution is a volcanic phenomenon that knows no artificial borders. If ideas cannot be imprisoned the way bodies can, then revolution is the most exhilarating or pernicious idea, depending on where one stands.Read also this article from Ahram Online entitled, "Middle East boils with Libya strikes, Yemen on brink".
Governments Have Been Covering Up Nuclear Meltdowns for Fifty Years to Protect the Nuclear Power Industry
from Washington's Blog.
If you check his sources, once again you will find that this intrepid investigative blogger does his research very well.
The nuclear power industry, spearheaded by such influential corporations as General Electric and Westinghouse, have worked their magic to insure their massive profits and to satisfy the voracious appetite of capitalist enterprises for cheap energy. Both the nuclear and fossil fuel industries have made their energy sources even cheaper with government subsidies and highly favorable tax policies. Nuclear power is particularly expensive as well as dangerous. See the conclusions reached in this report starting on page 24.
This brings to mind an incident in 1979 while I was interviewing for social worker positions at some medical facilities in northern Nevada. During one informal conversation with some staff members at one facility, they confided in me in rather hushed tones that the area had abnormally high cancer rates, but such data went unreported in the media. Under capitalism, public health like everything else, takes a back seat to corporate profits.
If you check his sources, once again you will find that this intrepid investigative blogger does his research very well.
The nuclear power industry, spearheaded by such influential corporations as General Electric and Westinghouse, have worked their magic to insure their massive profits and to satisfy the voracious appetite of capitalist enterprises for cheap energy. Both the nuclear and fossil fuel industries have made their energy sources even cheaper with government subsidies and highly favorable tax policies. Nuclear power is particularly expensive as well as dangerous. See the conclusions reached in this report starting on page 24.
This brings to mind an incident in 1979 while I was interviewing for social worker positions at some medical facilities in northern Nevada. During one informal conversation with some staff members at one facility, they confided in me in rather hushed tones that the area had abnormally high cancer rates, but such data went unreported in the media. Under capitalism, public health like everything else, takes a back seat to corporate profits.
Powering Down
by Linh Dinh from Dissident Voice.
The author offers a thoughtful commentary mostly about the "stoical" Japanese facing their nuclear disaster, and ends with this provocative image about us:
The author offers a thoughtful commentary mostly about the "stoical" Japanese facing their nuclear disaster, and ends with this provocative image about us:
Until the televisions go black, I suppose, most of us will pretend that nothing outside our doors has really changed. Belief in the trumpeted recovery means a yearning for life circa 2007, before the crash. As this ebbs and ebbs, we’ll find out what we’re really made of.
A New McCarthy?
by Helen Thomas from Falls Church News-Press.
In this commentary she sees the same process at work with the current hearings on Muslims chaired by Rep. King with Sen. McCarthy's hearings during the anti-communist witch hunts of the early 1950s when the US ruling class was busy purging unions of militant leaders, and other left-thinking persons throughout US society.
Is Rep. King merely another right-wing bigot, a "useful idiot" who is being used by American Zionists to promote more pro-Israel policies, or is he being used by the ruling class to divide Americans as they have already done with their anti-immigrant campaigns? You know--the old divide and conquer strategy to divert attention away from the class war now being aggressively waged against American working people in the Mid-Western States? You decide.
See also this piece entitled, "Representative King and the Muslim Hearings: McCarthy, Part Deux?"
Read here about the latest target of anti-Muslim bigotry and fear.
King's search would do best to ask why any Muslim would be against our great country which provides so many freedoms of speech, opinion and belief.This 90 year old fearless journalist who has won numerous journalism awards is now writing for this highly respected Virginia newspaper after having been a victim of a stealth attack from a Zionist reporter.
But he is not seeking in-depth answers. Is there any reason some Muslims might be unhappy that their home country was under attack by the U.S.?
In this commentary she sees the same process at work with the current hearings on Muslims chaired by Rep. King with Sen. McCarthy's hearings during the anti-communist witch hunts of the early 1950s when the US ruling class was busy purging unions of militant leaders, and other left-thinking persons throughout US society.
Is Rep. King merely another right-wing bigot, a "useful idiot" who is being used by American Zionists to promote more pro-Israel policies, or is he being used by the ruling class to divide Americans as they have already done with their anti-immigrant campaigns? You know--the old divide and conquer strategy to divert attention away from the class war now being aggressively waged against American working people in the Mid-Western States? You decide.
See also this piece entitled, "Representative King and the Muslim Hearings: McCarthy, Part Deux?"
Read here about the latest target of anti-Muslim bigotry and fear.
Some Fight Back
by Michael Donnelly--A Review of Joe Bageant's Rainbow Pie: A Redneck Memoir
What happened to the natural sense of community that engendered -- that "we're all in it together," culture we now long for? And, what about America's supposedly classless society? How's that working out for ya?
Here’s a new book that answers these questions and more.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
How a New Jobless Era Will Transform America
by Don Peck from The Atlantic.
I have not had time to fully read this article, but it looks very interesting. The Atlantic is a mainstream, elite publication that provides information and analysis to the ruling class and its managers in order to secure their system of capitalism.
So far, I have seen little in mainstream media about the severe effects on young men and women caused by prolonged unemployment. I think that it is a bombshell waiting to explode--it is only a matter of time. Hence, the importance for the ruling class to look at the problem. This article addresses that, and quite candidly.
I have not had time to fully read this article, but it looks very interesting. The Atlantic is a mainstream, elite publication that provides information and analysis to the ruling class and its managers in order to secure their system of capitalism.
So far, I have seen little in mainstream media about the severe effects on young men and women caused by prolonged unemployment. I think that it is a bombshell waiting to explode--it is only a matter of time. Hence, the importance for the ruling class to look at the problem. This article addresses that, and quite candidly.
If it persists much longer, this era of high joblessness will likely change the life course and character of a generation of young adults—and quite possibly those of the children behind them as well. It will leave an indelible imprint on many blue-collar white men—and on white culture. It could change the nature of modern marriage, and also cripple marriage as an institution in many communities. It may already be plunging many inner cities into a kind of despair and dysfunction not seen for decades. Ultimately, it is likely to warp our politics, our culture, and the character of our society for years.
The Capitalist Follies
by David Glenn Cox from OpEd News.
The author looks at the current crises and the way capitalist authorities frame their coverage of these events as a kind of road show which attempts to distract us from any real understanding. But there are problems with "The Capitalist Follies"--it is lacking in credibility. It is becoming a kind of "Theatre of the Absurd".
The author looks at the current crises and the way capitalist authorities frame their coverage of these events as a kind of road show which attempts to distract us from any real understanding. But there are problems with "The Capitalist Follies"--it is lacking in credibility. It is becoming a kind of "Theatre of the Absurd".
These world shaking events make it difficult for these Capitalists to disguise their true agenda. During the California budget crisis, should they cut funding for the sick and the poor? Yes, should they raise taxes on oil companies? No, should they cut funding for education? Yes, should they raise taxes on yacht owners? No, of course not and these events are all perfectly understandable when you pull back the curtain of the Capitalist follies. To the Capitalist every event is an opportunity to make money and take more away from you. If you live near water they'll sell you flood insurance. If there is no flood they will profit by it and if there is a flood they will claim that it was the storm and not the flood which caused your damage. Then they will raise the insurance rates because of the recent flood.
High food prices said foretaste of climate shocks
by Alister Doyle from Reuters.
"...in the next few decades the build-up of greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere could greatly increase the risk of droughts, flooding, pest infestation and water scarcity for agriculture systems already under tremendous stress,"....See also, "Chinese Drought Could Cause Global Food Crisis" from Huffington Post.
World food prices hit a record high last month, according to the United Nations. High food prices are adding to poverty and are a factor in triggering uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt which have spread across the Arab world.
Earth's Acid Test: As the oceans rapidly grow more acidic, scientists are scrambling to discover how marine life is likely to react.
by Quirin Schiermeier from Nature News.
A sense of urgency is propelling these studies. Governments have shown no signs of stemming CO2 emissions any time soon, and there is talk of tackling the problem of methane and other greenhouse gases first, leaving the tougher issue of CO2 for a later generation. That might slow the global temperature rise, but it won't keep the seas from growing ever more corrosive.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Coming soon to each nation, its own internet
by Philip J Cunningham from Bangkok Post.
The writer is addressing a recent article in an influential, US military oriented publication, "Strategic Studies Quarterly" in which the writer is advocating the establishment of border-like controls over the internet, much like what China has today. (See this piece for the latest move by the government of China.)
The writer is addressing a recent article in an influential, US military oriented publication, "Strategic Studies Quarterly" in which the writer is advocating the establishment of border-like controls over the internet, much like what China has today. (See this piece for the latest move by the government of China.)
Just as a handful of hijackers can burden millions of jet flyers, in the communication commons the bad behaviour of a few can change the rules of the game; trolls lurk in comment sections, spammers clog up your inbox, data-miners violate your privacy, hackers close your system down.Whose interests with regard to the internet do you think the military-financial-industrial complex would be protecting and serving?
These problems are being addressed on an ad hoc basis, mostly by the private sector, to make the cooperative, interdependent venture known as the internet safe for commerce and communication.
And then there is the US military, which has bigger fish to fry.
In Egypt, a New Guard
by Stephen Gowans from VoltaireNet.
Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, known to Egyptians as “Mubarak’s poodle,” may be calling the shots in Cairo as head of the country’s military-led government, but the man who sits at his right hand side is the Pentagon’s poodle, and he’s likely to continue to play a key role in Egypt even after a civilian government succeeds the current military one.
The author spotlights the Pentagon's hold over Egyptian politics using the same imperialist model it developed in Latin America--wed a country's military elite to the US military-industrial establishment. Clearly the removal of Mubarak was only the first step in Egypt's revolution, but to assume it stops there ignores the fact that Egyptians have experienced real power and are not likely to merely submit to new dictators.
Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, known to Egyptians as “Mubarak’s poodle,” may be calling the shots in Cairo as head of the country’s military-led government, but the man who sits at his right hand side is the Pentagon’s poodle, and he’s likely to continue to play a key role in Egypt even after a civilian government succeeds the current military one.
The author spotlights the Pentagon's hold over Egyptian politics using the same imperialist model it developed in Latin America--wed a country's military elite to the US military-industrial establishment. Clearly the removal of Mubarak was only the first step in Egypt's revolution, but to assume it stops there ignores the fact that Egyptians have experienced real power and are not likely to merely submit to new dictators.
Friday, March 18, 2011
The Club Med war
by Pepe Escobar from Asia Times Online.
It is clear that NATO countries are once again imposing their control over countries that have oil resources, especially where Western oil companies are active. Given the recent outburst of democratic aspirations in the Middle East and North Africa, this use of military force by mostly NATO countries and their oil-rich, extremely unpopular, Medieval satraps upon Libya is likely to backfire in the long run. And, I suspect that is precisely why Russia and China, although opposed to intervention, abstained from the UN Security Council resolution.
History may register that the real tipping point was this past Tuesday when, in an interview to German TV, the African king of kings [Gaddafi] made sure that Western corporations - unless they are German (because the country was against a no-fly zone) - can kiss goodbye to Libya's energy bonanza. Gaddafi explicitly said, "We do not trust their firms, they have conspired against us ... Our oil contracts are going to Russian, Chinese and Indian firms." In other words: BRICS member countries.Escobar cynically asks, "What about Bahrain?" And I would add, what about the Palestinians in Gaza, the Yemens, the insurgents in the Ivory Coast?
It is clear that NATO countries are once again imposing their control over countries that have oil resources, especially where Western oil companies are active. Given the recent outburst of democratic aspirations in the Middle East and North Africa, this use of military force by mostly NATO countries and their oil-rich, extremely unpopular, Medieval satraps upon Libya is likely to backfire in the long run. And, I suspect that is precisely why Russia and China, although opposed to intervention, abstained from the UN Security Council resolution.
US Tries to Block Aristide Return, Derail Democracy
by Murphy Woodhouse from Americas Program.
South Africa, Aristide’s home for most of his exile, has been under intense pressure to prevent the immensely popular former president from leaving the country. President Obama called South African President Jacob Zuma personally on Tuesday and expressed his “deep concerns” about Aristide’s return. According to the Miami Herald, Obama’s call, as well as a call from UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, did not change the South African government’s decision to not interfere with Aristide’s return.The US, as usual, is trying to protect corporate interests in Haiti. See this, this, and this.
Seed Treaty Legalises Theft
by Penny Cole from A World to Win.
The farmers state:
We cannot conserve biodiversity and feed the world while our rights to save, use, exchange and sell our seeds are criminalised by laws that legalise the privatisation and commodification of seeds.
The Lesson of Fukushima: Nuclear Means Catastrophe
by Daniel Tanuro from La Gauche via Climate and Capitalism.
...energy transition is only possible if energy demand decreases dramatically, at least in developed capitalist countries. In Europe, this decrease should be about 50% by 2050. A reduction of this magnitude is not feasible without a significant reduction in material production and transportation. We must produce and carry less, otherwise the equation will not balance. This means that such a transition is impossible in the capitalist system, because the pursuit of profit under the whip of competition inevitably means growth, ie capital accumulation, which inevitably leads to an increasing quantity of goods, putting increased pressure on resources.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Three-minute Cliffs Notes of U.S. foreign policy [3:00m video]
by Glenn Greenwald from Salon. (a must-view video)
Greenwald provides an excellent 3 minute clip in which a former CIA operative and terrorist contractor is interviewed by John Pilger. The interviewee gives a no-bullshit, concise summary of US foreign policy as it actually is.
Greenwald provides an excellent 3 minute clip in which a former CIA operative and terrorist contractor is interviewed by John Pilger. The interviewee gives a no-bullshit, concise summary of US foreign policy as it actually is.
Revealed: US spy operation that manipulates social media
by Nick Fielding and Ian Cobain from the Guardian.
On the other hand, there are some skeptics, like myself, who believe that the ruling class clearly saw what happened in Egypt, and are preparing to use social media to manipulate the minds of Americans as they have done so effectively, although more subtly, through their control of education and mainstream media.
Still, many politically astute people believe that we can use social media to organize. Maybe so. In any case, we must be aware of the dangers.
The US military is developing software that will let it secretly manipulate social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter by using fake online personas to influence internet conversations and spread pro-American propaganda.The authorities assure us that this technology (Operation Earnest Voice) would be illegal to use in the US--so why should we worry? See this, this, and this.
On the other hand, there are some skeptics, like myself, who believe that the ruling class clearly saw what happened in Egypt, and are preparing to use social media to manipulate the minds of Americans as they have done so effectively, although more subtly, through their control of education and mainstream media.
Still, many politically astute people believe that we can use social media to organize. Maybe so. In any case, we must be aware of the dangers.
Pvt Manning proves 'slippery slope'
by Lisa Hajjar from Al Jazeera.
This class is now feeling so threatened by those who oppose, or fight back against the Empire that they are willing to treat their own citizens as they do so-called "terrorists". Hence, they have no reticence about using the same methods as they use against any foreigner who fights back against the Empire. This means that the ruling capitalist class is perfectly willing to cast aside all pretenses about the rule of law and Constitution which they have used to obscure their control of our society.
In a very real sense, it follows that all of us who oppose the rule of capitalists, or in any way inhibit their pursuit of power and profits, are now "terrorists", and can be dealt with accordingly. This is the message they are sending, and not too subtly, to the American people by their treatment of Bradley Manning.
Clearly, this is a desperate move on their part. Desperate people do desperate things. That is precisely why in the 1930s Germany's capitalist class turned to the Nazis to save them. However, this can set into motion a disastrous train of events for the ruling class. Once the smoke and mirrors of the rule of law is cast aside, all legitimacy of their rule comes into question by the people which, in turn, can result in wide-scale opposition. What they are counting on is that we will be intimidated.
Torture advocates opined that the use of non-maiming techniques (i.e., "torture lite") is a lesser evil, and might be legitimately employed by American interrogators to break a recalcitrant terrorist suspected of possessing valuable intelligence (e.g. the whereabouts of that ticking bomb) in order to keep Americans safe. In those years, torture advocates never envisioned the use of such tactics on a US soldier....What has made the slope so slippery is that anyone who threatens the Empire's ruling class is, in the minds of the latter, essentially "terrorists". The leaders of the ruling capitalist class in the US are becoming more and more insecure as their domination of most of the world is increasingly being threatened.
This class is now feeling so threatened by those who oppose, or fight back against the Empire that they are willing to treat their own citizens as they do so-called "terrorists". Hence, they have no reticence about using the same methods as they use against any foreigner who fights back against the Empire. This means that the ruling capitalist class is perfectly willing to cast aside all pretenses about the rule of law and Constitution which they have used to obscure their control of our society.
In a very real sense, it follows that all of us who oppose the rule of capitalists, or in any way inhibit their pursuit of power and profits, are now "terrorists", and can be dealt with accordingly. This is the message they are sending, and not too subtly, to the American people by their treatment of Bradley Manning.
Clearly, this is a desperate move on their part. Desperate people do desperate things. That is precisely why in the 1930s Germany's capitalist class turned to the Nazis to save them. However, this can set into motion a disastrous train of events for the ruling class. Once the smoke and mirrors of the rule of law is cast aside, all legitimacy of their rule comes into question by the people which, in turn, can result in wide-scale opposition. What they are counting on is that we will be intimidated.
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