Wal-Mart’s activities in Mexico should therefore not be read as a single episode of “corruption” subverting the pure operational logic of the free market and the proper functioning of representative democracy. Rather, this type of behavior is the logical ougrowth of the operational logic of the free market and the proper functioning of representative democracy.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Revealed: how Wal-Mart bribed its way into Mexico
Click here to access article by Jerome Roos from Reflections on a Revolution.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Nike Blackmails Oregon: Just Do It, Or Else…
Click here to access article by Ben Schreiner from Dissident Voice. (Please excuse my descent into cynicism. I occasionally lapse into such moods.)
This is only the latest example of corporation power trumping the power of governments. It is a crude, blatant, no-bullshit example of how our masters in the One Percent now rule overour their country, and much of the world. This surrender by the state of Oregon to Nike over tax policies is happening all across our country, and the result is that state and local governments are forced to cut back on all public services. Public political institutions are becoming little more that an empty shell behind which rule our masters in the financial and industrial corporations. Meanwhile, their agents in all institutions of indoctrination--media, education, Hollywood, etc--keep trying to maintain the delusions of "democracy".
Why keep up this pretense? Why not just dispense with all the expensive election campaigns and have our government representatives directly appointed by the Chamber of Commerce, Goldman Sachs, and other major corporations. (Anyway, I hate all those inane campaign ads on TV!) That would be refreshingly honest. The American sheeple will bleat for a while, but they will get over it.
This is only the latest example of corporation power trumping the power of governments. It is a crude, blatant, no-bullshit example of how our masters in the One Percent now rule over
Why keep up this pretense? Why not just dispense with all the expensive election campaigns and have our government representatives directly appointed by the Chamber of Commerce, Goldman Sachs, and other major corporations. (Anyway, I hate all those inane campaign ads on TV!) That would be refreshingly honest. The American sheeple will bleat for a while, but they will get over it.
We Call This Progress
Click here to access article by Arundhati Roy from Guernica.
Apparently, things are basically the same in India as the US (see the above article.)
This fighter for social justice explains many things that are happening in India and across the world under the policies of our neoliberal masters.
Apparently, things are basically the same in India as the US (see the above article.)
This fighter for social justice explains many things that are happening in India and across the world under the policies of our neoliberal masters.
As a writer, if you know something and then you keep quiet, it’s like dying.
The Great Social Security Robbery
Click here to access article by James Petras from his blog.
This retired sociology professor and political analyst demonstrates that he thoroughly understands the Social Security and Medicare programs that our masters in the One Percent are attacking. You see, they have been robbing this fund for years; but now when the surplus in our funds is decreasing, they want to reduce the payments that go to us so that they can obtain more support their never-ending wars for world domination. His essay provides an excellent antidote to the powerful, obsessive media campaign of lies and distortion. This attack represents another battleground in the current, raging class war. Unfortunately, its seems to be waged by mostly one side.
This retired sociology professor and political analyst demonstrates that he thoroughly understands the Social Security and Medicare programs that our masters in the One Percent are attacking. You see, they have been robbing this fund for years; but now when the surplus in our funds is decreasing, they want to reduce the payments that go to us so that they can obtain more support their never-ending wars for world domination. His essay provides an excellent antidote to the powerful, obsessive media campaign of lies and distortion. This attack represents another battleground in the current, raging class war. Unfortunately, its seems to be waged by mostly one side.
What Quantitative Easing Really Means
Click here to access article by Ismael Hossein-zadeh from Huffington Post.
The author essentially describes what the current class war looks like by translating obscure financial jargon into ordinary terms to show how these operations complement others of our financial/corporate aristocracy to further oppress and exploit all working people.
The author essentially describes what the current class war looks like by translating obscure financial jargon into ordinary terms to show how these operations complement others of our financial/corporate aristocracy to further oppress and exploit all working people.
Morsi's Sins beyond the Constitution
Click here to access article by Dina Amer from Jadaliyya.
What recommends this piece is that the author provides the views of ordinary Egyptians from various stations in life. This is an inexpensive way of discovering what ordinary Egyptians are currently thinking instead of having to travel to Egypt and interview them yourself. Here is one example:
What recommends this piece is that the author provides the views of ordinary Egyptians from various stations in life. This is an inexpensive way of discovering what ordinary Egyptians are currently thinking instead of having to travel to Egypt and interview them yourself. Here is one example:
Aisha Ibrahim, a sixty-three year-old woman manning a kiosk in Cairo’s poor neighborhood of Sayeda Zeinab, has been struggling to keep her family afloat with finances dwindling since the revolution began. “It is a good day now when we make over fifty pounds.”
She has not participated in any of the constitution dominated demonstrations of the past week, but said: “Since we elected Morsi, we have not seen one positive decision that benefits the poor forgotten people of this country. I thought one of the demands of this revolution was social equality. He has not taken one step to realize that." Ibrahim has not read the constitution but said it is enough that so many people are opposed to it for President Morsi to take pause and address their contestations.
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Exploring the ‘darker mechanisms of reality’: prologue to new 9/11 book hits home
Click here to access article by Craig McKee from Truth and Shadows (Canada).
The author sees many parallels with the experience of 9/11 critical thinkers and the concept behind The Matrix series. Referring to the concept, he writes:
The author sees many parallels with the experience of 9/11 critical thinkers and the concept behind The Matrix series. Referring to the concept, he writes:
It shows us a world that most accept as being real. People have jobs, have friends, have lives, and they don’t ask questions. But Thomas Anderson/Neo has a different future ahead of him. We follow him as he takes the red pill, and we all find out “just how deep the rabbit hole goes.”As a person who has gotten involved with the 9/11 Truth movement, McKee writes:
I am very conscious of the transition process from a state of accepting the surface reality we’re presented with to one of wanting to understand – and expose – the hidden and insidious manipulations of our world for the benefit of a few. Although I’ve always felt unsatisfied with the reality presented to us (I began obsessing about the Kennedy assassination in my early teens), that feeling has been brought to a new level since I got involved in the 9/11 Truth movement. Frankly, some of my long-time friends think I’ve gone off the deep end, seeing conspiracies everywhere. I, on the other hand, am increasingly frustrated at their resistance and denial of what I am now just starting to see.He found that this phenomenon was articulated exceptionally well in a prologue by Peter Levenda to a new book entitled The Most Dangerous Book in the World: 9/11 as Mass Ritual by S.K. Bain from which he quotes extensively.
American Students Are Educated To Be Only Consumers: Prof. Henry A. Giroux
Click here to access article by Kourosh Ziabari from CounterCurrents.
Ziabari, who is "an award-winning Iranian journalist and media correspondent" interviews US educator and culture critic, Henry Giroux, on a variety of topics. This very articulate professor provides several insights on current US cultural and political subjects. Here is one where he describes the global nature of capitalism in which local governance has little chance to serve the public interest:
Ziabari, who is "an award-winning Iranian journalist and media correspondent" interviews US educator and culture critic, Henry Giroux, on a variety of topics. This very articulate professor provides several insights on current US cultural and political subjects. Here is one where he describes the global nature of capitalism in which local governance has little chance to serve the public interest:
...the U.S. has no way to challenge, within the usual rules, the power of multinational corporations that now write the rules for domestic and foreign policy. Moreover, this power is global and has no allegiance to the nation state except to use it to further its own financial interests. Hence, the full-fledged attack on the welfare state, women, minorities of class and color, public servants, and the institutions that do not buy completely into market driven values. As the power of the state crumbles, the state is reconfigured largely as a punishing state used increasingly to criminalize the behavior of those caught in dire social problems such as homelessness, debt servitude, unemployment, poverty, and various disabilities.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
John Kerry, US 'Mistakes,' And The 'Real' Obama
Click here to access article by Mickey Z. from World News Trust.
The author reminds us of the many past "mistakes" made by our masters in the One Percent lest we fail to recognize what is happening during the service of the One Percent's current public relations officer, err, "President" who many compulsive liberals love to forgive.
Recently I have been noticing numerous members (or their agents) of the One Percent who now label the invasion of Iraq as a "mistake". See this, this, and this.
The author reminds us of the many past "mistakes" made by our masters in the One Percent lest we fail to recognize what is happening during the service of the One Percent's current public relations officer, err, "President" who many compulsive liberals love to forgive.
Recently I have been noticing numerous members (or their agents) of the One Percent who now label the invasion of Iraq as a "mistake". See this, this, and this.
Homeland Security: Preparing for Massive Civil War
Click here to access article by Paul Joseph Watson and Alexander Higgins (with Jim Fetzer) from nsnbc.
I am quite reluctant to post alarming articles without having determined that they are based on reasonably solid evidence. I spent a couple hours this morning checking out information contained in this posting. On the whole I have concluded that there is a sound basis to their claim that the US ruling class is preparing for massive civil resistance.
For a while I was concerned about the number of error links contained in this posting and the linked postings. The errors for all those from Alexander Higgins' blog was explained by damage sustained from Hurricane Sandy. The others were unexplained errors on YouTube website. (Two examples: "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39xn1VkrHVQ"; and a sub-posting link (the activation of FEMA detention facilities) contained in the linked article entitled, "From America to Amerika: The End Game" from this link, "There are 300 or more FEMA camps distributed around the country".) However, there are numerous postings of YouTube videos featuring the FEMA camps.
From my observations the ruling One Percent through its control of the government will always do what they want regardless of its legality, but they always prefer to cover themselves with at least some veneer of legality. (Example: the lockup of US citizens of Japanese ancestry during WWII.) This is what I think they are attempting to do with the two bills discussed in this article: "The Defense Authorization Act" and H.R. 6566 “The Mass Fatality Planning and Religious Considerations Act”. In other words, there is considerable evidence that they are already prepared to lock up mass numbers of Americans when circumstances against the interests of the One Percent require it. Passage of the two bill would only provide the necessary legal cover.
(By the way, neither bill has yet to pass both Houses of Congress and signed into law. A good way to track them is through the website--govtrack.us.)
I am quite reluctant to post alarming articles without having determined that they are based on reasonably solid evidence. I spent a couple hours this morning checking out information contained in this posting. On the whole I have concluded that there is a sound basis to their claim that the US ruling class is preparing for massive civil resistance.
For a while I was concerned about the number of error links contained in this posting and the linked postings. The errors for all those from Alexander Higgins' blog was explained by damage sustained from Hurricane Sandy. The others were unexplained errors on YouTube website. (Two examples: "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39xn1VkrHVQ"; and a sub-posting link (the activation of FEMA detention facilities) contained in the linked article entitled, "From America to Amerika: The End Game" from this link, "There are 300 or more FEMA camps distributed around the country".) However, there are numerous postings of YouTube videos featuring the FEMA camps.
From my observations the ruling One Percent through its control of the government will always do what they want regardless of its legality, but they always prefer to cover themselves with at least some veneer of legality. (Example: the lockup of US citizens of Japanese ancestry during WWII.) This is what I think they are attempting to do with the two bills discussed in this article: "The Defense Authorization Act" and H.R. 6566 “The Mass Fatality Planning and Religious Considerations Act”. In other words, there is considerable evidence that they are already prepared to lock up mass numbers of Americans when circumstances against the interests of the One Percent require it. Passage of the two bill would only provide the necessary legal cover.
(By the way, neither bill has yet to pass both Houses of Congress and signed into law. A good way to track them is through the website--govtrack.us.)
Our strategy should be not only to confront empire
Click here to access brief article containing some great quotes by Arundhati Roy, from Fuck Yeah Arundhati Roy!
Friday, December 14, 2012
The insufferable human drama of evictions in Spain
Click here to access article by Jerome Roos from Reflections on a Revolution.
Roos describes the horrifying reality in graphic detail facing many of Spain's 99 Percent.
Apparently not everyone is unhappy. As the NY Times reports, European capitalist elites are enjoying signs of "healing" of the European economy.
Roos describes the horrifying reality in graphic detail facing many of Spain's 99 Percent.
Apparently not everyone is unhappy. As the NY Times reports, European capitalist elites are enjoying signs of "healing" of the European economy.
In its twice-a-year report on financial stability, the E.C.B. noted a number of indications that the euro zone is starting to heal. For example, borrowing costs for troubled countries have dropped substantially, and banks in Portugal and Ireland have regained access to money markets.
Countries including Spain and Italy have been able to increase their exports because labor costs have fallen, improving their competitiveness, the E.C.B. said.
Banking on Criminality: Drug Money and the Above-the-Law Global Banking Cartel
Click here to access article by Andrew Gavin Marshall from his blog.
The fact that the Justice Department refused to prosecute HSBC because of the effects it could have on the financial system should be a clear sign that the financial system does not function for the benefit of people and society as a whole, and thus, that it needs to be dramatically changed, cartels need to be destroyed, banks broken up, criminal behaviour punished (not rewarded), and that people should dictate the policies of society, not a small network of international criminal cartel banks.This latest banking scandal illustrates once again that class structured societies will always function to serve the class that rules over the society. Hence, given the structure of existing powerful societies ruled over by capitalists, decisions of any significance will be decided in favor of their class, sometimes known as the One Percent. In this sense what judicial authorities decided was rational from the standpoint of their class. Of course, for the rest of us such judgements and decisions are irrational and unjust; however, because they are endemic to any class structured society, the only real, rational, and just solution is revolution and the establishment of inclusive, classless societies.
But then, that would be rational, so naturally it’s not even up for discussion.
Islamists v. Liberals & the Discourses That Are Tearing Egypt Apart
Click here to access article by Sara M. Salem from Muftah.
The is the most well balanced, clear description and interpretation of recent events within Egypt that I have seen.
The is the most well balanced, clear description and interpretation of recent events within Egypt that I have seen.
The reality is that politics is not as simple as being either secular or Islamist—many Egyptians do not identify as either, and have very different ideas about what they want Egypt to become. By fixating on labels and the problematic rhetoric they inspire, we continue to deepen class and ideological divisions at a time in Egyptian history when people should be united.However, she ignores outside forces, specifically the US, that may be influencing events in Egypt. To fill in this omission, I suggest you watch this 4:25m interview with F. William Engdahl from RT.
Grappling with Phantoms: The Financial Cliff, The War On Christmas, And Other Dim Tidings Of Political Disconnect
Click here to access article by Phil Rockstroh from Uncommon Thought Journal.
For me, Rockstroh best creates with his creative word-craft the conscious experience of living in today's America.
For me, Rockstroh best creates with his creative word-craft the conscious experience of living in today's America.
Break the grip of corporate power to secure our future
Click here to access article by George Monbiot from The Guardian.
This liberal writer makes the startling (to him and other liberals) assertion that neo-liberalism is not what it purports to be, that it is essentially a dogma to hide the power grab by plutocrats to gain control of more wealth. Of course, what liberals want is a return to the "golden age" of government controls and regulation which restrained the anti-societal actions of the rich and their ruling classes.
It's nice to see that liberals are finally getting worried about the increasing and self-serving grip of plutocrats over societies, but they still fail to see that this development is only the natural course of capitalism, the religion of our ruling class that cannot be questioned (besides, "there is no alternative"). Thus, we still see liberals like Monbiot who refuse to question their religion apparently fearing excommunication which might impede their own pursuit of wealth and influence in capitalist media circles. Still, they like to make radical sounding statements like this which those of us who do question can take more seriously:
This liberal writer makes the startling (to him and other liberals) assertion that neo-liberalism is not what it purports to be, that it is essentially a dogma to hide the power grab by plutocrats to gain control of more wealth. Of course, what liberals want is a return to the "golden age" of government controls and regulation which restrained the anti-societal actions of the rich and their ruling classes.
It's nice to see that liberals are finally getting worried about the increasing and self-serving grip of plutocrats over societies, but they still fail to see that this development is only the natural course of capitalism, the religion of our ruling class that cannot be questioned (besides, "there is no alternative"). Thus, we still see liberals like Monbiot who refuse to question their religion apparently fearing excommunication which might impede their own pursuit of wealth and influence in capitalist media circles. Still, they like to make radical sounding statements like this which those of us who do question can take more seriously:
...the struggle against climate change - and all the crises which now beset both human beings and the natural world - cannot be won without a wider political fight: a democratic mobilisation against plutocracy.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Unmasking the Brotherhood: Syria, Egypt, and Beyond
Click here to access article by Eric Draitser from his blog Stop Imperialism.
Very revealing, and supported by excellent documentation in support of his thesis that the Muslim Brotherhood has a long history of collaboration with reactionary Arab regimes and Empire secret agencies.
Very revealing, and supported by excellent documentation in support of his thesis that the Muslim Brotherhood has a long history of collaboration with reactionary Arab regimes and Empire secret agencies.
The complexities of the Arab Spring and the struggle for political freedom throughout the Arab world should not obscure what has now become an absolutely essential understanding for all anti-imperialists: the Muslim Brotherhood is one of the most powerful weapons of the Western ruling class in the Muslim world.
The future of the University lies in challenging, not adopting, free-market dogma
Click here to access article by Neal Curtis from Ceasefire (UK).
The author presents some excellent arguments against the takeover of universities by the latest stage of capitalism, a capitalism on steroids known as neo-liberalism. The only problem I have with his view is that it assumes that during previous stages of capitalism, universities were ideologically free to pursue truth and that these stages represented "democracy". Hence, the takeover of neo-liberalism represented a "revolution" rather than simply a natural progression of capitalism into an advanced stage.
This is very typical of politically liberal critiques that we see presented in various media. Such a limited critique is acceptable to, and tolerated by, the ruling One Percent because it doesn't truly attack the capitalist system itself, a system that requires private ownership and control of a society's economy.
The author presents some excellent arguments against the takeover of universities by the latest stage of capitalism, a capitalism on steroids known as neo-liberalism. The only problem I have with his view is that it assumes that during previous stages of capitalism, universities were ideologically free to pursue truth and that these stages represented "democracy". Hence, the takeover of neo-liberalism represented a "revolution" rather than simply a natural progression of capitalism into an advanced stage.
This is very typical of politically liberal critiques that we see presented in various media. Such a limited critique is acceptable to, and tolerated by, the ruling One Percent because it doesn't truly attack the capitalist system itself, a system that requires private ownership and control of a society's economy.
...it was the election of Margaret Thatcher in 1979 that signaled the beginning of the neo-liberal revolution that would dramatically re-shape the society we know today and establish a new “common sense”. This was a revolution that saw the financialisation of the economy, the emergence of a credit-fuelled consumer culture, and large-scale privatisations of utilities and services.Apparently the author has forgotten that in the 1950s left-wing intellectuals, artists, etc. were purged from US unions, Hollywood, government, business, and the universities. Are we to believe that the history of the British ruling class has been radically different since WWII? He needs to read this and this to refresh his memory about conditions in the US.
In this climate it was assumed that higher education should also be subjected to the purifying discipline of market competition.
Why the Muslim Brotherhood Regime is Illegitimate
Click here to access article by Sara M. Salem from Muftah.
The author provides some well-reasoned arguments to support the headline thesis.
Also, check out this link, entitled "Ex-diplomat: I was beaten by Brotherhood" by a former Egyptian diplomat who opposed the Mubarak regime, tells of his beating by Muslim Brotherhood thugs.
The author provides some well-reasoned arguments to support the headline thesis.
Also, check out this link, entitled "Ex-diplomat: I was beaten by Brotherhood" by a former Egyptian diplomat who opposed the Mubarak regime, tells of his beating by Muslim Brotherhood thugs.
“They captured me, they dragged me and beat me all the way,” Yehia Negm, 42, said on Tuesday as Egyptians protested for a 19th day against President Mohamed Morsy, the Islamic-based Brotherhood and a rushed referendum on a proposed constitution.
Eight people died, and more than 700 were injured outside the palace a week ago before army troops and tanks restored order.
Too Big to Jail: Our Banking System's Latest Disgrace
Click here to access article by Neil Barofsky from The New Republic.
Let me see...I wonder if I understand this issue. According to Al Jazeera, HSBC is a bank "...which operates in 80 countries and which made pre-tax profits of $21.9bn last year...." They get fined $1.9 or about 10% of only one year's income.
Fareed Zakaria of Time Magazine made some observations about people under some form of correctional supervision during this period of the "War on Drugs":
It also appears from Zakaria's data that the War on Drugs has been good for banking business.
I agree with the author that crime pays if you are a bank. Hmmm, maybe that is why the "War on Drugs" has lasted so long.
Let me see...I wonder if I understand this issue. According to Al Jazeera, HSBC is a bank "...which operates in 80 countries and which made pre-tax profits of $21.9bn last year...." They get fined $1.9 or about 10% of only one year's income.
Fareed Zakaria of Time Magazine made some observations about people under some form of correctional supervision during this period of the "War on Drugs":
Drug convictions went from 15 inmates per 100,000 adults in 1980 to 148 in 1996, an almost tenfold increase. More than half of America's federal inmates today are in prison on drug convictions. In 2009 alone, 1.66 million Americans were arrested on drug charges, more than were arrested on assault or larceny charges. And 4 of 5 of those arrests were simply for possession.I wonder if the drug offenders were ever given the option of paying a fine of 10% of their income. From my reading, I know that HSBC isn't the only bank that engaged in this lucrative business.
It also appears from Zakaria's data that the War on Drugs has been good for banking business.
I agree with the author that crime pays if you are a bank. Hmmm, maybe that is why the "War on Drugs" has lasted so long.
Given the potential profits of criminal behavior and the unlikelihood of personal consequences for the executives directing it, the message is clear: Crime pays. This will inevitably lead to more reckless risk-taking that will further undermine systemic stability and lead to an even greater financial meltdown down the road.
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