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<p>President Barack ObamaEditor’s Note: Observers in the Muslim world and beyond are still digesting and debating the president’s landmark Cairo speech. Below is a full transcript, by way of the White House.</p>
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<p>Thank you very much. Good afternoon. I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning; and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. And together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I’m grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. And I’m also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: Assalaamu alaykum. (Applause.)</p>
<p>We meet at a time of great tension between the United States and Muslims around the world — tension rooted in historical forces that go beyond any current policy debate. The relationship between Islam and the West includes centuries of coexistence and cooperation, but also conflict and religious wars. More recently, tension has been fed by colonialism that denied rights and opportunities to many Muslims, and a Cold War in which Muslim-majority countries were too often treated as proxies without regard to their own aspirations. Moreover, the sweeping change brought by modernity and globalization led many Muslims to view the West as hostile to the traditions of Islam.</p>
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<p>Violent extremists have exploited these tensions in a small but potent minority of Muslims. The attacks of September 11, 2001 and the continued efforts of these extremists to engage in violence against civilians has led some in my country to view Islam as inevitably hostile not only to America and Western countries, but also to human rights. All this has bred more fear and more mistrust.</p>
<p>So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity. And this cycle of suspicion and discord must end.</p>
<p>I’ve come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles — principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.</p>
<p>I do so recognizing that change cannot happen overnight. I know there’s been a lot of publicity about this speech, but no single speech can eradicate years of mistrust, nor can I answer in the time that I have this afternoon all the complex questions that brought us to this point. But I am convinced that in order to move forward, we must say openly to each other the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground. As the Holy Koran tells us, “Be conscious of God and speak always the truth.” (Applause.) That is what I will try to do today — to speak the truth as best I can, humbled by the task before us, and firm in my belief that the interests we share as human beings are far more powerful than the forces that drive us apart.</p>
<p>Now part of this conviction is rooted in my own experience. I’m a Christian, but my father came from a Kenyan family that includes generations of Muslims. As a boy, I spent several years in Indonesia and heard the call of the azaan at the break of dawn and at the fall of dusk. As a young man, I worked in Chicago communities where many found dignity and peace in their Muslim faith.</p>
<p>As a student of history, I also know civilization’s debt to Islam. It was Islam — at places like Al-Azhar — that carried the light of learning through so many centuries, paving the way for Europe’s Renaissance and Enlightenment. It was innovation in Muslim communities — (applause) — it was innovation in Muslim communities that developed the order of algebra; our magnetic compass and tools of navigation; our mastery of pens and printing; our understanding of how disease spreads and how it can be healed. Islamic culture has given us majestic arches and soaring spires; timeless poetry and cherished music; elegant calligraphy and places of peaceful contemplation. And throughout history, Islam has demonstrated through words and deeds the possibilities of religious tolerance and racial equality. (Applause.)</p>
<p>I also know that Islam has always been a part of America’s story. The first nation to recognize my country was Morocco. In signing the Treaty of Tripoli in 1796, our second President, John Adams, wrote, “The United States has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Muslims.” And since our founding, American Muslims have enriched the United States. They have fought in our wars, they have served in our government, they have stood for civil rights, they have started businesses, they have taught at our universities, they’ve excelled in our sports arenas, they’ve won Nobel Prizes, built our tallest building, and lit the Olympic Torch. And when the first Muslim American was recently elected to Congress, he took the oath to defend our Constitution using the same Holy Koran that one of our Founding Fathers — Thomas Jefferson — kept in his personal library. (Applause.)</p>
<p>So I have known Islam on three continents before coming to the region where it was first revealed. That experience guides my conviction that partnership between America and Islam must be based on what Islam is, not what it isn’t. And I consider it part of my responsibility as President of the United States to fight against negative stereotypes of Islam wherever they appear. (Applause.)</p>
<p>But that same principle must apply to Muslim perceptions of America. (Applause.) Just as Muslims do not fit a crude stereotype, America is not the crude stereotype of a self-interested empire. The United States has been one of the greatest sources of progress that the world has ever known. We were born out of revolution against an empire. We were founded upon the ideal that all are created equal, and we have shed blood and struggled for centuries to give meaning to those words — within our borders, and around the world. We are shaped by every culture, drawn from every end of the Earth, and dedicated to a simple concept: E pluribus unum — “Out of many, one.” Now, much has been made of the fact that an African American with the name Barack Hussein Obama could be elected President. (Applause.) But my personal story is not so unique. The dream of opportunity for all people has not come true for everyone in America, but its promise exists for all who come to our shores — and that includes nearly 7 million American Muslims in our country today who, by the way, enjoy incomes and educational levels that are higher than the American average. (Applause.)</p>
<p>Moreover, freedom in America is indivisible from the freedom to practice one’s religion. That is why there is a mosque in every state in our union, and over 1,200 mosques within our borders. That’s why the United States government has gone to court to protect the right of women and girls to wear the hijab and to punish those who would deny it. (Applause.)</p>
<p>So let there be no doubt: Islam is a part of America. And I believe that America holds within her the truth that regardless of race, religion, or station in life, all of us share common aspirations — to live in peace and security; to get an education and to work with dignity; to love our families, our communities, and our God. These things we share. This is the hope of all humanity.</p>
<p>Of course, recognizing our common humanity is only the beginning of our task. Words alone cannot meet the needs of our people. These needs will be met only if we act boldly in the years ahead; and if we understand that the challenges we face are shared, and our failure to meet them will hurt us all.</p>
<p>For we have learned from recent experience that when a financial system weakens in one country, prosperity is hurt everywhere. When a new flu infects one human being, all are at risk. When one nation pursues a nuclear weapon, the risk of nuclear attack rises for all nations. When violent extremists operate in one stretch of mountains, people are endangered across an ocean. When innocents in Bosnia and Darfur are slaughtered, that is a stain on our collective conscience. (Applause.) That is what it means to share this world in the 21st century. That is the responsibility we have to one another as human beings.</p>
<p>And this is a difficult responsibility to embrace. For human history has often been a record of nations and tribes — and, yes, religions — subjugating one another in pursuit of their own interests. Yet in this new age, such attitudes are self-defeating. Given our interdependence, any world order that elevates one nation or group of people over another will inevitably fail. So whatever we think of the past, we must not be prisoners to it. Our problems must be dealt with through partnership; our progress must be shared. (Applause.)</p>
<p>Now, that does not mean we should ignore sources of tension. Indeed, it suggests the opposite: We must face these tensions squarely. And so in that spirit, let me speak as clearly and as plainly as I can about some specific issues that I believe we must finally confront together.</p>
<p>The first issue that we have to confront is violent extremism in all of its forms.</p>
<p>In Ankara, I made clear that America is not — and never will be — at war with Islam. (Applause.) We will, however, relentlessly confront violent extremists who pose a grave threat to our security — because we reject the same thing that people of all faiths reject: the killing of innocent men, women, and children. And it is my first duty as President to protect the American people.</p>
<p>The situation in Afghanistan demonstrates America’s goals, and our need to work together. Over seven years ago, the United States pursued al-Qaida and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice; we went because of necessity. I’m aware that there’s still some who would question or even justify the events of 9/11. But let us be clear: Al-Qaida killed nearly 3,000 people on that day. The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet al-Qaida chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale. They have affiliates in many countries and are trying to expand their reach. These are not opinions to be debated; these are facts to be dealt with.</p>
<p>Now, make no mistake: We do not want to keep our troops in Afghanistan. We see no military — we seek no military bases there. It is agonizing for America to lose our young men and women. It is costly and politically difficult to continue this conflict. We would gladly bring every single one of our troops home if we could be confident that there were not violent extremists in Afghanistan and now Pakistan determined to kill as many Americans as they possibly can. But that is not yet the case.</p>
<p>And that’s why we’re partnering with a coalition of 46 countries. And despite the costs involved, America’s commitment will not weaken. Indeed, none of us should tolerate these extremists. They have killed in many countries. They have killed people of different faiths — but more than any other, they have killed Muslims. Their actions are irreconcilable with the rights of human beings, the progress of nations, and with Islam. The Holy Koran teaches that whoever kills an innocent is as — it is as if he has killed all mankind. (Applause.) And the Holy Koran also says whoever saves a person, it is as if he has saved all mankind. (Applause.) The enduring faith of over a billion people is so much bigger than the narrow hatred of a few. Islam is not part of the problem in combating violent extremism — it is an important part of promoting peace.</p>
<p>Now, we also know that military power alone is not going to solve the problems in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That’s why we plan to invest $1.5 billion each year over the next five years to partner with Pakistanis to build schools and hospitals, roads and businesses, and hundreds of millions to help those who’ve been displaced. That’s why we are providing more than $2.8 billion to help Afghans develop their economy and deliver services that people depend on.Let me also address the issue of Iraq. Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice that provoked strong differences in my country and around the world. Although I believe that the Iraqi people are ultimately better off without the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, I also believe that events in Iraq have reminded America of the need to use diplomacy and build international consensus to resolve our problems whenever possible. (Applause.) Indeed, we can recall the words of Thomas Jefferson, who said: “I hope that our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us that the less we use our power the greater it will be.”</p>
<p>Today, America has a dual responsibility: to help Iraq forge a better future — and to leave Iraq to Iraqis. And I have made it clear to the Iraqi people — (applause) — I have made it clear to the Iraqi people that we pursue no bases, and no claim on their territory or resources. Iraq’s sovereignty is its own. And that’s why I ordered the removal of our combat brigades by next August. That is why we will honor our agreement with Iraq’s democratically elected government to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by July, and to remove all of our troops from Iraq by 2012. (Applause.) We will help Iraq train its security forces and develop its economy. But we will support a secure and united Iraq as a partner, and never as a patron.</p>
<p>And finally, just as America can never tolerate violence by extremists, we must never alter or forget our principles. Nine-eleven was an enormous trauma to our country. The fear and anger that it provoked was understandable, but in some cases, it led us to act contrary to our traditions and our ideals. We are taking concrete actions to change course. I have unequivocally prohibited the use of torture by the United States, and I have ordered the prison at Guantanamo Bay closed by early next year. (Applause.)</p>
<p>So America will defend itself, respectful of the sovereignty of nations and the rule of law. And we will do so in partnership with Muslim communities which are also threatened. The sooner the extremists are isolated and unwelcome in Muslim communities, the sooner we will all be safer.</p>
<p>The second major source of tension that we need to discuss is the situation between Israelis, Palestinians and the Arab world.</p>
<p>America’s strong bonds with Israel are well known. This bond is unbreakable. It is based upon cultural and historical ties, and the recognition that the aspiration for a Jewish homeland is rooted in a tragic history that cannot be denied.</p>
<p>Around the world, the Jewish people were persecuted for centuries, and anti-Semitism in Europe culminated in an unprecedented Holocaust. Tomorrow, I will visit Buchenwald, which was part of a network of camps where Jews were enslaved, tortured, shot and gassed to death by the Third Reich. Six million Jews were killed — more than the entire Jewish population of Israel today. Denying that fact is baseless, it is ignorant, and it is hateful. Threatening Israel with destruction — or repeating vile stereotypes about Jews — is deeply wrong, and only serves to evoke in the minds of Israelis this most painful of memories while preventing the peace that the people of this region deserve.</p>
<p>On the other hand, it is also undeniable that the Palestinian people — Muslims and Christians — have suffered in pursuit of a homeland. For more than 60 years they’ve endured the pain of dislocation. Many wait in refugee camps in the West Bank, Gaza, and neighboring lands for a life of peace and security that they have never been able to lead. They endure the daily humiliations — large and small — that come with occupation. So let there be no doubt: The situation for the Palestinian people is intolerable. And America will not turn our backs on the legitimate Palestinian aspiration for dignity, opportunity, and a state of their own. (Applause.)</p>
<p>For decades then, there has been a stalemate: two peoples with legitimate aspirations, each with a painful history that makes compromise elusive. It’s easy to point fingers — for Palestinians to point to the displacement brought about by Israel’s founding, and for Israelis to point to the constant hostility and attacks throughout its history from within its borders as well as beyond. But if we see this conflict only from one side or the other, then we will be blind to the truth: The only resolution is for the aspirations of both sides to be met through two states, where Israelis and Palestinians each live in peace and security. (Applause.)</p>
<p>That is in Israel’s interest, Palestine’s interest, America’s interest, and the world’s interest. And that is why I intend to personally pursue this outcome with all the patience and dedication that the task requires. (Applause.) The obligations — the obligations that the parties have agreed to under the road map are clear. For peace to come, it is time for them — and all of us — to live up to our responsibilities.</p>
<p>Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and it does not succeed. For centuries, black people in America suffered the lash of the whip as slaves and the humiliation of segregation. But it was not violence that won full and equal rights. It was a peaceful and determined insistence upon the ideals at the center of America’s founding. This same story can be told by people from South Africa to South Asia; from Eastern Europe to Indonesia. It’s a story with a simple truth: that violence is a dead end. It is a sign neither of courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That’s not how moral authority is claimed; that’s how it is surrendered.</p>
<p>Now is the time for Palestinians to focus on what they can build. The Palestinian Authority must develop its capacity to govern, with institutions that serve the needs of its people. Hamas does have support among some Palestinians, but they also have to recognize they have responsibilities. To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, recognize Israel’s right to exist.</p>
<p>At the same time, Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestine’s. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. (Applause.) This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop. (Applause.)</p>
<p>And Israel must also live up to its obligation to ensure that Palestinians can live and work and develop their society. Just as it devastates Palestinian families, the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza does not serve Israel’s security; neither does the continuing lack of opportunity in the West Bank. Progress in the daily lives of the Palestinian people must be a critical part of a road to peace, and Israel must take concrete steps to enable such progress. And finally, the Arab states must recognize that the Arab Peace Initiative was an important beginning, but not the end of their responsibilities. The Arab-Israeli conflict should no longer be used to distract the people of Arab nations from other problems. Instead, it must be a cause for action to help the Palestinian people develop the institutions that will sustain their state, to recognize Israel’s legitimacy, and to choose progress over a self-defeating focus on the past.</p>
<p>America will align our policies with those who pursue peace, and we will say in public what we say in private to Israelis and Palestinians and Arabs. (Applause.) We cannot impose peace. But privately, many Muslims recognize that Israel will not go away. Likewise, many Israelis recognize the need for a Palestinian state. It is time for us to act on what everyone knows to be true.</p>
<p>Too many tears have been shed. Too much blood has been shed. All of us have a responsibility to work for the day when the mothers of Israelis and Palestinians can see their children grow up without fear; when the Holy Land of the three great faiths is the place of peace that God intended it to be; when Jerusalem is a secure and lasting home for Jews and Christians and Muslims, and a place for all of the children of Abraham to mingle peacefully together as in the story of Isra — (applause) — as in the story of Isra, when Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed, peace be upon them, joined in prayer. (Applause.)</p>
<p>The third source of tension is our shared interest in the rights and responsibilities of nations on nuclear weapons.</p>
<p>This issue has been a source of tension between the United States and the Islamic Republic of Iran. For many years, Iran has defined itself in part by its opposition to my country, and there is in fact a tumultuous history between us. In the middle of the Cold War, the United States played a role in the overthrow of a democratically elected Iranian government. Since the Islamic Revolution, Iran has played a role in acts of hostage-taking and violence against U.S. troops and civilians. This history is well known. Rather than remain trapped in the past, I’ve made it clear to Iran’s leaders and people that my country is prepared to move forward. The question now is not what Iran is against, but rather what future it wants to build.</p>
<p>I recognize it will be hard to overcome decades of mistrust, but we will proceed with courage, rectitude, and resolve. There will be many issues to discuss between our two countries, and we are willing to move forward without preconditions on the basis of mutual respect. But it is clear to all concerned that when it comes to nuclear weapons, we have reached a decisive point. This is not simply about America’s interests. It’s about preventing a nuclear arms race in the Middle East that could lead this region and the world down a hugely dangerous path.</p>
<p>I understand those who protest that some countries have weapons that others do not. No single nation should pick and choose which nation holds nuclear weapons. And that’s why I strongly reaffirmed America’s commitment to seek a world in which no nations hold nuclear weapons. (Applause.) And any nation — including Iran — should have the right to access peaceful nuclear power if it complies with its responsibilities under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. That commitment is at the core of the treaty, and it must be kept for all who fully abide by it. And I’m hopeful that all countries in the region can share in this goal.</p>
<p>The fourth issue that I will address is democracy. (Applause.)</p>
<p>I know — I know there has been controversy about the promotion of democracy in recent years, and much of this controversy is connected to the war in Iraq. So let me be clear: No system of government can or should be imposed by one nation by any other.</p>
<p>That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people. Each nation gives life to this principle in its own way, grounded in the traditions of its own people. America does not presume to know what is best for everyone, just as we would not presume to pick the outcome of a peaceful election. But I do have an unyielding belief that all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose. These are not just American ideas; they are human rights. And that is why we will support them everywhere. (Applause.)</p>
<p>Now, there is no straight line to realize this promise. But this much is clear: Governments that protect these rights are ultimately more stable, successful and secure. Suppressing ideas never succeeds in making them go away. America respects the right of all peaceful and law-abiding voices to be heard around the world, even if we disagree with them. And we will welcome all elected, peaceful governments — provided they govern with respect for all their people.</p>
<p>This last point is important because there are some who advocate for democracy only when they’re out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. (Applause.) So no matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power: You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy.</p>
<p>AUDIENCE MEMBER: Barack Obama, we love you!</p>
<p>PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you. (Applause.) The fifth issue that we must address together is religious freedom.</p>
<p>Islam has a proud tradition of tolerance. We see it in the history of Andalusia and Cordoba during the Inquisition. I saw it firsthand as a child in Indonesia, where devout Christians worshiped freely in an overwhelmingly Muslim country. That is the spirit we need today. People in every country should be free to choose and live their faith based upon the persuasion of the mind and the heart and the soul. This tolerance is essential for religion to thrive, but it’s being challenged in many different ways.Among some Muslims, there’s a disturbing tendency to measure one’s own faith by the rejection of somebody else’s faith. The richness of religious diversity must be upheld — whether it is for Maronites in Lebanon or the Copts in Egypt. (Applause.) And if we are being honest, fault lines must be closed among Muslims, as well, as the divisions between Sunni and Shia have led to tragic violence, particularly in Iraq.</p>
<p>Freedom of religion is central to the ability of peoples to live together. We must always examine the ways in which we protect it. For instance, in the United States, rules on charitable giving have made it harder for Muslims to fulfill their religious obligation. That’s why I’m committed to working with American Muslims to ensure that they can fulfill zakat.</p>
<p>Likewise, it is important for Western countries to avoid impeding Muslim citizens from practicing religion as they see fit — for instance, by dictating what clothes a Muslim woman should wear. We can’t disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretense of liberalism.</p>
<p>In fact, faith should bring us together. And that’s why we’re forging service projects in America to bring together Christians, Muslims, and Jews. That’s why we welcome efforts like Saudi Arabian King Abdullah’s interfaith dialogue and Turkey’s leadership in the Alliance of Civilizations. Around the world, we can turn dialogue into interfaith service, so bridges between peoples lead to action — whether it is combating malaria in Africa, or providing relief after a natural disaster.</p>
<p>The sixth issue — the sixth issue that I want to address is women’s rights. (Applause.) I know –- I know — and you can tell from this audience, that there is a healthy debate about this issue. I reject the view of some in the West that a woman who chooses to cover her hair is somehow less equal, but I do believe that a woman who is denied an education is denied equality. (Applause.) And it is no coincidence that countries where women are well educated are far more likely to be prosperous.</p>
<p>Now, let me be clear: Issues of women’s equality are by no means simply an issue for Islam. In Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, we’ve seen Muslim-majority countries elect a woman to lead. Meanwhile, the struggle for women’s equality continues in many aspects of American life, and in countries around the world.</p>
<p>I am convinced that our daughters can contribute just as much to society as our sons. (Applause.) Our common prosperity will be advanced by allowing all humanity — men and women — to reach their full potential. I do not believe that women must make the same choices as men in order to be equal, and I respect those women who choose to live their lives in traditional roles. But it should be their choice. And that is why the United States will partner with any Muslim-majority country to support expanded literacy for girls, and to help young women pursue employment through micro-financing that helps people live their dreams. (Applause.)</p>
<p>Finally, I want to discuss economic development and opportunity.</p>
<p>I know that for many, the face of globalization is contradictory. The Internet and television can bring knowledge and information, but also offensive sexuality and mindless violence into the home. Trade can bring new wealth and opportunities, but also huge disruptions and change in communities. In all nations — including America — this change can bring fear. Fear that because of modernity we lose control over our economic choices, our politics, and most importantly our identities — those things we most cherish about our communities, our families, our traditions, and our faith.</p>
<p>But I also know that human progress cannot be denied. There need not be contradictions between development and tradition. Countries like Japan and South Korea grew their economies enormously while maintaining distinct cultures. The same is true for the astonishing progress within Muslim-majority countries from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai. In ancient times and in our times, Muslim communities have been at the forefront of innovation and education.</p>
<p>And this is important because no development strategy can be based only upon what comes out of the ground, nor can it be sustained while young people are out of work. Many Gulf states have enjoyed great wealth as a consequence of oil, and some are beginning to focus it on broader development. But all of us must recognize that education and innovation will be the currency of the 21st century — (applause) — and in too many Muslim communities, there remains underinvestment in these areas. I’m emphasizing such investment within my own country. And while America in the past has focused on oil and gas when it comes to this part of the world, we now seek a broader engagement.</p>
<p>On education, we will expand exchange programs, and increase scholarships, like the one that brought my father to America. (Applause.) At the same time, we will encourage more Americans to study in Muslim communities. And we will match promising Muslim students with internships in America; invest in online learning for teachers and children around the world; and create a new online network, so a young person in Kansas can communicate instantly with a young person in Cairo.</p>
<p>On economic development, we will create a new corps of business volunteers to partner with counterparts in Muslim-majority countries. And I will host a Summit on Entrepreneurship this year to identify how we can deepen ties between business leaders, foundations and social entrepreneurs in the United States and Muslim communities around the world.</p>
<p>On science and technology, we will launch a new fund to support technological development in Muslim-majority countries, and to help transfer ideas to the marketplace so they can create more jobs. We’ll open centers of scientific excellence in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and appoint new science envoys to collaborate on programs that develop new sources of energy, create green jobs, digitize records, clean water, grow new crops. Today I’m announcing a new global effort with the Organization of the Islamic Conference to eradicate polio. And we will also expand partnerships with Muslim communities to promote child and maternal health.</p>
<p>All these things must be done in partnership. Americans are ready to join with citizens and governments; community organizations, religious leaders, and businesses in Muslim communities around the world to help our people pursue a better life.</p>
<p>The issues that I have described will not be easy to address. But we have a responsibility to join together on behalf of the world that we seek — a world where extremists no longer threaten our people, and American troops have come home; a world where Israelis and Palestinians are each secure in a state of their own, and nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes; a world where governments serve their citizens, and the rights of all God’s children are respected. Those are mutual interests. That is the world we seek. But we can only achieve it together.</p>
<p>I know there are many — Muslim and non-Muslim — who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division, and to stand in the way of progress. Some suggest that it isn’t worth the effort — that we are fated to disagree, and civilizations are doomed to clash. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. There’s so much fear, so much mistrust that has built up over the years. But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. And I want to particularly say this to young people of every faith, in every country — you, more than anyone, have the ability to reimagine the world, to remake this world.</p>
<p>All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to an effort — a sustained effort — to find common ground, to focus on the future we seek for our children, and to respect the dignity of all human beings.</p>
<p>It’s easier to start wars than to end them. It’s easier to blame others than to look inward. It’s easier to see what is different about someone than to find the things we share. But we should choose the right path, not just the easy path. There’s one rule that lies at the heart of every religion — that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. (Applause.) This truth transcends nations and peoples — a belief that isn’t new; that isn’t black or white or brown; that isn’t Christian or Muslim or Jew. It’s a belief that pulsed in the cradle of civilization, and that still beats in the hearts of billions around the world. It’s a faith in other people, and it’s what brought me here today.</p>
<p>We have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written.</p>
<p>The Holy Koran tells us: “O mankind! We have created you male and a female; and we have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another.”</p>
<p>The Talmud tells us: “The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace.”</p>
<p>The Holy Bible tells us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Applause.)</p>
<p>The people of the world can live together in peace. We know that is God’s vision. Now that must be our work here on Earth.</p>
<p>Thank you. And may God’s peace be upon you. Thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.)</p> | true | 4 | president barack obamaeditors note observers muslim world beyond still digesting debating presidents landmark cairo speech full transcript way white house thank much good afternoon honored timeless city cairo hosted two remarkable institutions thousand years alazhar stood beacon islamic learning century cairo university source egypts advancement together represent harmony tradition progress im grateful hospitality hospitality people egypt im also proud carry goodwill american people greeting peace muslim communities country assalaamu alaykum applause meet time great tension united states muslims around world tension rooted historical forces go beyond current policy debate relationship islam west includes centuries coexistence cooperation also conflict religious wars recently tension fed colonialism denied rights opportunities many muslims cold war muslimmajority countries often treated proxies without regard aspirations moreover sweeping change brought modernity globalization led many muslims view west hostile traditions islam violent extremists exploited tensions small potent minority muslims attacks september 11 2001 continued efforts extremists engage violence civilians led country view islam inevitably hostile america western countries also human rights bred fear mistrust long relationship defined differences empower sow hatred rather peace promote conflict rather cooperation help people achieve justice prosperity cycle suspicion discord must end ive come cairo seek new beginning united states muslims around world one based mutual interest mutual respect one based upon truth america islam exclusive need competition instead overlap share common principles principles justice progress tolerance dignity human beings recognizing change happen overnight know theres lot publicity speech single speech eradicate years mistrust answer time afternoon complex questions brought us point convinced order move forward must say openly things hold hearts often said behind closed doors must sustained effort listen learn respect one another seek common ground holy koran tells us conscious god speak always truth applause try today speak truth best humbled task us firm belief interests share human beings far powerful forces drive us apart part conviction rooted experience im christian father came kenyan family includes generations muslims boy spent several years indonesia heard call azaan break dawn fall dusk young man worked chicago communities many found dignity peace muslim faith student history also know civilizations debt islam islam places like alazhar carried light learning many centuries paving way europes renaissance enlightenment innovation muslim communities applause innovation muslim communities developed order algebra magnetic compass tools navigation mastery pens printing understanding disease spreads healed islamic culture given us majestic arches soaring spires timeless poetry cherished music elegant calligraphy places peaceful contemplation throughout history islam demonstrated words deeds possibilities religious tolerance racial equality applause also know islam always part americas story first nation recognize country morocco signing treaty tripoli 1796 second president john adams wrote united states character enmity laws religion tranquility muslims since founding american muslims enriched united states fought wars served government stood civil rights started businesses taught universities theyve excelled sports arenas theyve nobel prizes built tallest building lit olympic torch first muslim american recently elected congress took oath defend constitution using holy koran one founding fathers thomas jefferson kept personal library applause known islam three continents coming region first revealed experience guides conviction partnership america islam must based islam isnt consider part responsibility president united states fight negative stereotypes islam wherever appear applause principle must apply muslim perceptions america applause muslims fit crude stereotype america crude stereotype selfinterested empire united states one greatest sources progress world ever known born revolution empire founded upon ideal created equal shed blood struggled centuries give meaning words within borders around world shaped every culture drawn every end earth dedicated simple concept e pluribus unum many one much made fact african american name barack hussein obama could elected president applause personal story unique dream opportunity people come true everyone america promise exists come shores includes nearly 7 million american muslims country today way enjoy incomes educational levels higher american average applause moreover freedom america indivisible freedom practice ones religion mosque every state union 1200 mosques within borders thats united states government gone court protect right women girls wear hijab punish would deny applause let doubt islam part america believe america holds within truth regardless race religion station life us share common aspirations live peace security get education work dignity love families communities god things share hope humanity course recognizing common humanity beginning task words alone meet needs people needs met act boldly years ahead understand challenges face shared failure meet hurt us learned recent experience financial system weakens one country prosperity hurt everywhere new flu infects one human risk one nation pursues nuclear weapon risk nuclear attack rises nations violent extremists operate one stretch mountains people endangered across ocean innocents bosnia darfur slaughtered stain collective conscience applause means share world 21st century responsibility one another human beings difficult responsibility embrace human history often record nations tribes yes religions subjugating one another pursuit interests yet new age attitudes selfdefeating given interdependence world order elevates one nation group people another inevitably fail whatever think past must prisoners problems must dealt partnership progress must shared applause mean ignore sources tension indeed suggests opposite must face tensions squarely spirit let speak clearly plainly specific issues believe must finally confront together first issue confront violent extremism forms ankara made clear america never war islam applause however relentlessly confront violent extremists pose grave threat security reject thing people faiths reject killing innocent men women children first duty president protect american people situation afghanistan demonstrates americas goals need work together seven years ago united states pursued alqaida taliban broad international support go choice went necessity im aware theres still would question even justify events 911 let us clear alqaida killed nearly 3000 people day victims innocent men women children america many nations done nothing harm anybody yet alqaida chose ruthlessly murder people claimed credit attack even states determination kill massive scale affiliates many countries trying expand reach opinions debated facts dealt make mistake want keep troops afghanistan see military seek military bases agonizing america lose young men women costly politically difficult continue conflict would gladly bring every single one troops home could confident violent extremists afghanistan pakistan determined kill many americans possibly yet case thats partnering coalition 46 countries despite costs involved americas commitment weaken indeed none us tolerate extremists killed many countries killed people different faiths killed muslims actions irreconcilable rights human beings progress nations islam holy koran teaches whoever kills innocent killed mankind applause holy koran also says whoever saves person saved mankind applause enduring faith billion people much bigger narrow hatred islam part problem combating violent extremism important part promoting peace also know military power alone going solve problems afghanistan pakistan thats plan invest 15 billion year next five years partner pakistanis build schools hospitals roads businesses hundreds millions help whove displaced thats providing 28 billion help afghans develop economy deliver services people depend onlet also address issue iraq unlike afghanistan iraq war choice provoked strong differences country around world although believe iraqi people ultimately better without tyranny saddam hussein also believe events iraq reminded america need use diplomacy build international consensus resolve problems whenever possible applause indeed recall words thomas jefferson said hope wisdom grow power teach us less use power greater today america dual responsibility help iraq forge better future leave iraq iraqis made clear iraqi people applause made clear iraqi people pursue bases claim territory resources iraqs sovereignty thats ordered removal combat brigades next august honor agreement iraqs democratically elected government remove combat troops iraqi cities july remove troops iraq 2012 applause help iraq train security forces develop economy support secure united iraq partner never patron finally america never tolerate violence extremists must never alter forget principles nineeleven enormous trauma country fear anger provoked understandable cases led us act contrary traditions ideals taking concrete actions change course unequivocally prohibited use torture united states ordered prison guantanamo bay closed early next year applause america defend respectful sovereignty nations rule law partnership muslim communities also threatened sooner extremists isolated unwelcome muslim communities sooner safer second major source tension need discuss situation israelis palestinians arab world americas strong bonds israel well known bond unbreakable based upon cultural historical ties recognition aspiration jewish homeland rooted tragic history denied around world jewish people persecuted centuries antisemitism europe culminated unprecedented holocaust tomorrow visit buchenwald part network camps jews enslaved tortured shot gassed death third reich six million jews killed entire jewish population israel today denying fact baseless ignorant hateful threatening israel destruction repeating vile stereotypes jews deeply wrong serves evoke minds israelis painful memories preventing peace people region deserve hand also undeniable palestinian people muslims christians suffered pursuit homeland 60 years theyve endured pain dislocation many wait refugee camps west bank gaza neighboring lands life peace security never able lead endure daily humiliations large small come occupation let doubt situation palestinian people intolerable america turn backs legitimate palestinian aspiration dignity opportunity state applause decades stalemate two peoples legitimate aspirations painful history makes compromise elusive easy point fingers palestinians point displacement brought israels founding israelis point constant hostility attacks throughout history within borders well beyond see conflict one side blind truth resolution aspirations sides met two states israelis palestinians live peace security applause israels interest palestines interest americas interest worlds interest intend personally pursue outcome patience dedication task requires applause obligations obligations parties agreed road map clear peace come time us live responsibilities palestinians must abandon violence resistance violence killing wrong succeed centuries black people america suffered lash whip slaves humiliation segregation violence full equal rights peaceful determined insistence upon ideals center americas founding story told people south africa south asia eastern europe indonesia story simple truth violence dead end sign neither courage power shoot rockets sleeping children blow old women bus thats moral authority claimed thats surrendered time palestinians focus build palestinian authority must develop capacity govern institutions serve needs people hamas support among palestinians also recognize responsibilities play role fulfilling palestinian aspirations unify palestinian people hamas must put end violence recognize past agreements recognize israels right exist time israelis must acknowledge israels right exist denied neither palestines united states accept legitimacy continued israeli settlements applause construction violates previous agreements undermines efforts achieve peace time settlements stop applause israel must also live obligation ensure palestinians live work develop society devastates palestinian families continuing humanitarian crisis gaza serve israels security neither continuing lack opportunity west bank progress daily lives palestinian people must critical part road peace israel must take concrete steps enable progress finally arab states must recognize arab peace initiative important beginning end responsibilities arabisraeli conflict longer used distract people arab nations problems instead must cause action help palestinian people develop institutions sustain state recognize israels legitimacy choose progress selfdefeating focus past america align policies pursue peace say public say private israelis palestinians arabs applause impose peace privately many muslims recognize israel go away likewise many israelis recognize need palestinian state time us act everyone knows true many tears shed much blood shed us responsibility work day mothers israelis palestinians see children grow without fear holy land three great faiths place peace god intended jerusalem secure lasting home jews christians muslims place children abraham mingle peacefully together story isra applause story isra moses jesus mohammed peace upon joined prayer applause third source tension shared interest rights responsibilities nations nuclear weapons issue source tension united states islamic republic iran many years iran defined part opposition country fact tumultuous history us middle cold war united states played role overthrow democratically elected iranian government since islamic revolution iran played role acts hostagetaking violence us troops civilians history well known rather remain trapped past ive made clear irans leaders people country prepared move forward question iran rather future wants build recognize hard overcome decades mistrust proceed courage rectitude resolve many issues discuss two countries willing move forward without preconditions basis mutual respect clear concerned comes nuclear weapons reached decisive point simply americas interests preventing nuclear arms race middle east could lead region world hugely dangerous path understand protest countries weapons others single nation pick choose nation holds nuclear weapons thats strongly reaffirmed americas commitment seek world nations hold nuclear weapons applause nation including iran right access peaceful nuclear power complies responsibilities nuclear nonproliferation treaty commitment core treaty must kept fully abide im hopeful countries region share goal fourth issue address democracy applause know know controversy promotion democracy recent years much controversy connected war iraq let clear system government imposed one nation lessen commitment however governments reflect people nation gives life principle way grounded traditions people america presume know best everyone would presume pick outcome peaceful election unyielding belief people yearn certain things ability speak mind say governed confidence rule law equal administration justice government transparent doesnt steal people freedom live choose american ideas human rights support everywhere applause straight line realize promise much clear governments protect rights ultimately stable successful secure suppressing ideas never succeeds making go away america respects right peaceful lawabiding voices heard around world even disagree welcome elected peaceful governments provided govern respect people last point important advocate democracy theyre power power ruthless suppressing rights others applause matter takes hold government people people sets single standard would hold power must maintain power consent coercion must respect rights minorities participate spirit tolerance compromise must place interests people legitimate workings political process party without ingredients elections alone make true democracy audience member barack obama love president obama thank applause fifth issue must address together religious freedom islam proud tradition tolerance see history andalusia cordoba inquisition saw firsthand child indonesia devout christians worshiped freely overwhelmingly muslim country spirit need today people every country free choose live faith based upon persuasion mind heart soul tolerance essential religion thrive challenged many different waysamong muslims theres disturbing tendency measure ones faith rejection somebody elses faith richness religious diversity must upheld whether maronites lebanon copts egypt applause honest fault lines must closed among muslims well divisions sunni shia led tragic violence particularly iraq freedom religion central ability peoples live together must always examine ways protect instance united states rules charitable giving made harder muslims fulfill religious obligation thats im committed working american muslims ensure fulfill zakat likewise important western countries avoid impeding muslim citizens practicing religion see fit instance dictating clothes muslim woman wear cant disguise hostility towards religion behind pretense liberalism fact faith bring us together thats forging service projects america bring together christians muslims jews thats welcome efforts like saudi arabian king abdullahs interfaith dialogue turkeys leadership alliance civilizations around world turn dialogue interfaith service bridges peoples lead action whether combating malaria africa providing relief natural disaster sixth issue sixth issue want address womens rights applause know know tell audience healthy debate issue reject view west woman chooses cover hair somehow less equal believe woman denied education denied equality applause coincidence countries women well educated far likely prosperous let clear issues womens equality means simply issue islam turkey pakistan bangladesh indonesia weve seen muslimmajority countries elect woman lead meanwhile struggle womens equality continues many aspects american life countries around world convinced daughters contribute much society sons applause common prosperity advanced allowing humanity men women reach full potential believe women must make choices men order equal respect women choose live lives traditional roles choice united states partner muslimmajority country support expanded literacy girls help young women pursue employment microfinancing helps people live dreams applause finally want discuss economic development opportunity know many face globalization contradictory internet television bring knowledge information also offensive sexuality mindless violence home trade bring new wealth opportunities also huge disruptions change communities nations including america change bring fear fear modernity lose control economic choices politics importantly identities things cherish communities families traditions faith also know human progress denied need contradictions development tradition countries like japan south korea grew economies enormously maintaining distinct cultures true astonishing progress within muslimmajority countries kuala lumpur dubai ancient times times muslim communities forefront innovation education important development strategy based upon comes ground sustained young people work many gulf states enjoyed great wealth consequence oil beginning focus broader development us must recognize education innovation currency 21st century applause many muslim communities remains underinvestment areas im emphasizing investment within country america past focused oil gas comes part world seek broader engagement education expand exchange programs increase scholarships like one brought father america applause time encourage americans study muslim communities match promising muslim students internships america invest online learning teachers children around world create new online network young person kansas communicate instantly young person cairo economic development create new corps business volunteers partner counterparts muslimmajority countries host summit entrepreneurship year identify deepen ties business leaders foundations social entrepreneurs united states muslim communities around world science technology launch new fund support technological development muslimmajority countries help transfer ideas marketplace create jobs well open centers scientific excellence africa middle east southeast asia appoint new science envoys collaborate programs develop new sources energy create green jobs digitize records clean water grow new crops today im announcing new global effort organization islamic conference eradicate polio also expand partnerships muslim communities promote child maternal health things must done partnership americans ready join citizens governments community organizations religious leaders businesses muslim communities around world help people pursue better life issues described easy address responsibility join together behalf world seek world extremists longer threaten people american troops come home world israelis palestinians secure state nuclear energy used peaceful purposes world governments serve citizens rights gods children respected mutual interests world seek achieve together know many muslim nonmuslim question whether forge new beginning eager stoke flames division stand way progress suggest isnt worth effort fated disagree civilizations doomed clash many simply skeptical real change occur theres much fear much mistrust built years choose bound past never move forward want particularly say young people every faith every country anyone ability reimagine world remake world us share world brief moment time question whether spend time focused pushes us apart whether commit effort sustained effort find common ground focus future seek children respect dignity human beings easier start wars end easier blame others look inward easier see different someone find things share choose right path easy path theres one rule lies heart every religion unto others would unto us applause truth transcends nations peoples belief isnt new isnt black white brown isnt christian muslim jew belief pulsed cradle civilization still beats hearts billions around world faith people brought today power make world seek courage make new beginning keeping mind written holy koran tells us mankind created male female made nations tribes may know one another talmud tells us whole torah purpose promoting peace holy bible tells us blessed peacemakers shall called sons god applause people world live together peace know gods vision must work earth thank may gods peace upon thank much thank applause | 3,082 |
<p>We are approaching a decade of war in Afghanistan, and the war in Iraq is in its eighth year. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and thousands more Afghans and Pakistani civilians have been killed. Millions have been driven into squalid displacement and refugee camps. Thousands of our own soldiers and Marines have died or been crippled physically and psychologically. We sustain these wars, which have no real popular support, by borrowing trillions of dollars that can never be repaid, even as we close schools, states go into bankruptcy, social services are cut, our infrastructure crumbles, tens of millions of Americans are reduced to poverty, and real unemployment approaches 17 percent. Collective, suicidal inertia rolls us forward toward national insolvency and the collapse of empire. And we do not protest. The peace movement, despite the heroic efforts of a handful of groups such as <a href="http://www.ivaw.org/%20" type="external">Iraq Veterans Against the War</a>, the Green Party and <a href="http://www.codepink4peace.org/%20" type="external">Code Pink</a>, is dead. No one cares.</p>
<p>The roots of mass apathy are found in the profound divide between liberals, who are mostly white and well educated, and our disenfranchised working class, whose sons and daughters, because they cannot get decent jobs with benefits, have few options besides the military. Liberals, whose children are more often to be found in elite colleges than the Marine Corps, did not fight the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994 and the dismantling of our manufacturing base. They did nothing when the Democrats gutted welfare two years later and stood by as our banks were turned over to Wall Street speculators. They signed on, by supporting the Clinton and Obama Democrats, for the corporate rape carried out in the name of globalization and endless war, and they ignored the plight of the poor. And for this reason the poor have little interest in the moral protestations of liberals. We have lost all credibility. We are justly hated for our tacit complicity in the corporate assault on workers and their families.</p>
<p>Our passivity has resulted, however, in much more than imperial adventurism and a permanent underclass. A slow-motion coup by a corporate state has cemented into place a neofeudalism in which there are only masters and serfs. And the process is one that cannot be reversed through the traditional mechanisms of electoral politics.</p>
<p>Last Thursday I traveled to Washington to join Rep. Dennis Kucinich for a public teach-in on the wars. Kucinich used the Capitol Hill event to denounce the new request by Barack Obama for an additional $33 billion for the war in Afghanistan. The Ohio Democrat has introduced H. Con Res. 248, with 16 co-sponsors, which would require the House of Representatives to debate whether to continue the Afghanistan war. Kucinich, to his credit, is the only member of Congress to publicly condemn the Obama administration’s authorization to assassinate Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S. citizen and cleric living in Yemen, over alleged links to a failed Christmas airline bombing in Detroit. Kucinich also invited investigative journalist <a href="http://blackwaterbook.com/author.php%20" type="external">Jeremy Scahill</a>, writer/activist <a href="http://www.davidswanson.org/%20" type="external">David Swanson</a>, retired Army Col. <a href="http://www.americanswhotellthetruth.org/pgs/portraits/ann_wright.php%20" type="external">Ann Wright</a> and Iraq war veteran <a href="http://contagiousloveexperiment.wordpress.com/about/%20" type="external">Josh Stieber</a> to the event.</p>
<p />
<p>The gathering, held in the Rayburn Building, was a sober reminder of our insignificance. There were no other Congress members present, and only a smattering of young staff members attended. Most of the audience of about 70 were peace activists who, as is usual at such events, were joined by a motley collection of conspiracy theorists who believe 9/11 was an inside job or that former Sen. Paul Wellstone, who died in a plane crash, was assassinated. Scahill and Swanson provided a litany of disturbing statistics that illustrated how corporations control all systems of power. Corporations have effectively taken over our internal security and intelligence apparatus. They run our economy and manage our systems of communication. They own the two major political parties. They have built a private military. They loot the U.S. Treasury at will. And they have become unassailable. Those who decry the corporate coup are locked out of the national debate and become as marginalized as Kucinich.</p>
<p>“We don’t have any sort of communications system in the country,” said Swanson, who co-founded an anti-war coalition ( <a href="http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/" type="external">AfterDowningStreet.org</a>) and led an unsuccessful campaign to impeach George W. Bush and Dick Cheney. “We have a corporate media cartel that overlaps with the war industry. It has no interest in democracy. The Congress is bought and paid for. It is absolutely corrupted by money. We kick ourselves for not being active enough and imposing our demands, but the bar is set very high for us. We have to try very, very hard and make very, very big sacrifices if we are going to influence this Congress prior to getting the money out and getting a decent media system. Hypocritical Congress members talk about money all the time, how we have to be careful about money, except when it comes to war. It is hypocritical, but who is going to call them on that? Not their colleagues, not their funders, not the media, only us. We have to do that, but we don’t in large part because they switch parties every number of years and we are on one team or the other.”Scahill — who has done most of the groundbreaking investigative reporting on private contractors including the security firm Blackwater, renamed Xe — laid out how the management of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is being steadily transferred by the Pentagon to unaccountable private contractors. He lamented the lack of support in Congress for a bill put forward by Rep. Jan Schakowsky known as the Stop Outsourcing Security (SOS) Act, H.R. 4102, which would “responsibly phase out the use of private security contractors for functions that should be reserved for U.S. military forces and government personnel.”</p>
<p>“It is one of the sober realities of the time we are living in that you can put forward a bill that says something as simple as ‘we should not outsource national security functions to private contractors’ and you only get 20 members of Congress to support the bill,” Scahill said. “The unfortunate reality is that Rep. Schakowsky knows that the war industry is bipartisan. They give on both sides. For a while there it seemed contractor was the new Israel. You could not find a member of Congress to speak out against them because so many members of Congress are beholden to corporate funding to keep their House or Senate seats. I also think Obama’s election has wiped that out, as it has with many things, because the White House will dispatch emissaries to read the riot act to members of Congress who don’t toe the party line.”</p>
<p>“The entire government is basically privatized,” Scahill went on. “In fact, 100 percent of people in this country that make $100,000 or less might as well remit everything they owe in taxes to contractors rather than paying the government. That is how privatized the society is, that is how much of government has been outsourced in this society. There are 18 U.S. intelligence agencies on the military and civilian side and 70 percent of their combined budget is outsourced to for-profit corporations who simultaneously work the United States government as well as multinational corporations and foreign governments. We have radically outsourced the intelligence operations in this country because we have radically outsourced everything. Sixty-nine percent of the Pentagon’s entire work force, and I am not talking only about the battlefield, is now privatized. In Afghanistan we have the most staggering statistics. The Obama administration is infinitely worse in Afghanistan in terms of its employment of mercenaries and other private contractors than the Bush administration. Right now in Afghanistan there are 104,000 Department of Defense contractors alongside 68,000 U.S. troops. There is almost a 2-to-1 ratio of private-sector for-profit forces that are on the U.S. government payroll versus the active-duty or actual military forces in the country. And that is not taking into account the fact that the State Department has 14,000 contractors in Afghanistan.”</p>
<p>“Within a matter of months, and certainly within a year, the United States will have upwards of 220,000 to 250,000 U.S. government-funded personnel occupying Afghanistan, a far cry from the 70,000 U.S. soldiers that those Americans who pay attention understand the United States has in Afghanistan,” Scahill said. “This is a country where the president’s national security adviser, Gen. James Jones, said there are less than 100 al-Qaida operatives who have no ability to strike at the United States. That was the stated rationale and reasoning for being in Afghanistan. It was to hunt down those responsible for 9/11.”</p>
<p>Josh Stieber spoke at the end of the event. Stieber was deployed with the Army to Iraq from February 2007 to April 2008. He was in Bravo Company 2-16, which was involved in the July 2007 Apache helicopter attack on Iraqi civilians depicted on the video recently released by WikiLeaks. Stieber, who left the Army as a conscientious objector, has issued a public apology to the Iraqi people.</p>
<p>“This was not by any means the exception,” he said of the video, which showed helicopter pilots nonchalantly gunning down civilians, including a Reuters photographer and children, in a Baghdad street. “It is inevitable given the situation we were going through. We were going through a lot of combat at the time. A roadside bomb would go off or a sniper would fire a shot and you had no idea where it was coming from. There was a constant paranoia, a constant being on edge. If you put people in a situation like that where there are plenty of civilians, that kind of thing was going to happen and did happen and will continue to happen as long as our nation does not challenge these things. Now that this video has become public it is our responsibility as a people and a country to recognize that this is what war looks like on a day-to-day basis.”</p>
<p>I was depressed as I walked from the Rayburn Building to Union Station to take the train home. The voices of sanity, the voices of reason, those who have a moral core, those like Kucinich or Scahill or Wright or Swanson or Stieber, have little chance now to be heard. Liberals, who failed to grasp the dark intentions of the corporate state and its nefarious servants in the Democratic Party, bear some responsibility. But even an enlightened liberal class would have been hard-pressed to battle back against the tawdry emotional carnivals and the political theater that have thrust the nation into collective self-delusion. We were all seduced. And we, along with thousands of innocents in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and beyond, will all be consumed.</p> | true | 4 | approaching decade war afghanistan war iraq eighth year hundreds thousands iraqis thousands afghans pakistani civilians killed millions driven squalid displacement refugee camps thousands soldiers marines died crippled physically psychologically sustain wars real popular support borrowing trillions dollars never repaid even close schools states go bankruptcy social services cut infrastructure crumbles tens millions americans reduced poverty real unemployment approaches 17 percent collective suicidal inertia rolls us forward toward national insolvency collapse empire protest peace movement despite heroic efforts handful groups iraq veterans war green party code pink dead one cares roots mass apathy found profound divide liberals mostly white well educated disenfranchised working class whose sons daughters get decent jobs benefits options besides military liberals whose children often found elite colleges marine corps fight north american free trade agreement 1994 dismantling manufacturing base nothing democrats gutted welfare two years later stood banks turned wall street speculators signed supporting clinton obama democrats corporate rape carried name globalization endless war ignored plight poor reason poor little interest moral protestations liberals lost credibility justly hated tacit complicity corporate assault workers families passivity resulted however much imperial adventurism permanent underclass slowmotion coup corporate state cemented place neofeudalism masters serfs process one reversed traditional mechanisms electoral politics last thursday traveled washington join rep dennis kucinich public teachin wars kucinich used capitol hill event denounce new request barack obama additional 33 billion war afghanistan ohio democrat introduced h con res 248 16 cosponsors would require house representatives debate whether continue afghanistan war kucinich credit member congress publicly condemn obama administrations authorization assassinate anwar alawlaki us citizen cleric living yemen alleged links failed christmas airline bombing detroit kucinich also invited investigative journalist jeremy scahill writeractivist david swanson retired army col ann wright iraq war veteran josh stieber event gathering held rayburn building sober reminder insignificance congress members present smattering young staff members attended audience 70 peace activists usual events joined motley collection conspiracy theorists believe 911 inside job former sen paul wellstone died plane crash assassinated scahill swanson provided litany disturbing statistics illustrated corporations control systems power corporations effectively taken internal security intelligence apparatus run economy manage systems communication two major political parties built private military loot us treasury become unassailable decry corporate coup locked national debate become marginalized kucinich dont sort communications system country said swanson cofounded antiwar coalition afterdowningstreetorg led unsuccessful campaign impeach george w bush dick cheney corporate media cartel overlaps war industry interest democracy congress bought paid absolutely corrupted money kick active enough imposing demands bar set high us try hard make big sacrifices going influence congress prior getting money getting decent media system hypocritical congress members talk money time careful money except comes war hypocritical going call colleagues funders media us dont large part switch parties every number years one team otherscahill done groundbreaking investigative reporting private contractors including security firm blackwater renamed xe laid management wars iraq afghanistan steadily transferred pentagon unaccountable private contractors lamented lack support congress bill put forward rep jan schakowsky known stop outsourcing security sos act hr 4102 would responsibly phase use private security contractors functions reserved us military forces government personnel one sober realities time living put forward bill says something simple outsource national security functions private contractors get 20 members congress support bill scahill said unfortunate reality rep schakowsky knows war industry bipartisan give sides seemed contractor new israel could find member congress speak many members congress beholden corporate funding keep house senate seats also think obamas election wiped many things white house dispatch emissaries read riot act members congress dont toe party line entire government basically privatized scahill went fact 100 percent people country make 100000 less might well remit everything owe taxes contractors rather paying government privatized society much government outsourced society 18 us intelligence agencies military civilian side 70 percent combined budget outsourced forprofit corporations simultaneously work united states government well multinational corporations foreign governments radically outsourced intelligence operations country radically outsourced everything sixtynine percent pentagons entire work force talking battlefield privatized afghanistan staggering statistics obama administration infinitely worse afghanistan terms employment mercenaries private contractors bush administration right afghanistan 104000 department defense contractors alongside 68000 us troops almost 2to1 ratio privatesector forprofit forces us government payroll versus activeduty actual military forces country taking account fact state department 14000 contractors afghanistan within matter months certainly within year united states upwards 220000 250000 us governmentfunded personnel occupying afghanistan far cry 70000 us soldiers americans pay attention understand united states afghanistan scahill said country presidents national security adviser gen james jones said less 100 alqaida operatives ability strike united states stated rationale reasoning afghanistan hunt responsible 911 josh stieber spoke end event stieber deployed army iraq february 2007 april 2008 bravo company 216 involved july 2007 apache helicopter attack iraqi civilians depicted video recently released wikileaks stieber left army conscientious objector issued public apology iraqi people means exception said video showed helicopter pilots nonchalantly gunning civilians including reuters photographer children baghdad street inevitable given situation going going lot combat time roadside bomb would go sniper would fire shot idea coming constant paranoia constant edge put people situation like plenty civilians kind thing going happen happen continue happen long nation challenge things video become public responsibility people country recognize war looks like daytoday basis depressed walked rayburn building union station take train home voices sanity voices reason moral core like kucinich scahill wright swanson stieber little chance heard liberals failed grasp dark intentions corporate state nefarious servants democratic party bear responsibility even enlightened liberal class would hardpressed battle back tawdry emotional carnivals political theater thrust nation collective selfdelusion seduced along thousands innocents iraq afghanistan pakistan beyond consumed | 930 |
<p>The first&#160;shock has passed. President-Elect Donald Trump. I am gradually getting used to the sound of these words.</p>
<p>We are entering an era of complete uncertainty. We Israelis and the entire world. From shoe-shine boy to head of state.</p>
<p>Nobody knows.</p>
<p>But first&#160;we must say goodbye to Barack Obama.</p>
<p>Frankly, I like the guy. There is something noble about him. Upright. Honest. Idealistic.</p>
<p>When the cameras showed him this week sitting together with Donald Trump, the contrast could not have been greater. Obama is the anti-Trump. Trump is the anti-Obama.</p>
<p>And yet….</p>
<p>Yet in all the eight long years of his presidency, President Obama has done nothing, nothing at all, for peace in our region.</p>
<p>In these eight years, the Israeli ulra-right has flourished. Settlements in the occupied territories have multiplied and grown larger. After every new settlement expansion, the State Department has dutifully condemned it. And then given Binyamin Netanyahu another few billions. And the latest gift was the biggest ever.</p>
<p>When he came into office, Obama made some very beautiful speeches in Cairo and Jerusalem. Many exquisite words. And they were just that: mere words.</p>
<p>Some people believe that now, when Obama is free of all obligations, he will use his last two months in power to atone for his sins and do something meaningful for Israeli-Palestinian peace. I doubt it.</p>
<p>(Years ago, at some European congress, I accused the Spanish Diplomat Miguel Moratinos of doing nothing for Israeli-Palestinian peace. In his aggressive reply, he accused me of sheer impertinence. Why should anyone do anything for the Israeli peace forces, if these forces themselves do nothing to achieve peace?)</p>
<p>Have we heard the last of the Obama family? I am not sure. Somehow I have the idea that after four or eight years we will see another Obama running for president: Michelle Obama, the wildly and rightly popular first lady, who has all the qualities needed: She is black. She is a woman. She is highly intelligent. She has a sterling character. (Unless in the New America, these are all negative qualities.)</p>
<p>There was&#160;some comfort in the election results. Hillary Clinton got more votes than Donald Trump. She lost in the electoral college.</p>
<p>To a foreigner, this institution looks as obsolete as a dinosaur. It may have had its uses when the United States of America (in the plural) were really a federation of diverse and different local entities.</p>
<p>These days are long past. We now used the term “United States” in the singular. The US does. The US thinks. The US votes.</p>
<p>What is the profound difference between a voter in Arizona and a voter in Montana? Why should the vote of a citizen in Oregon weight more that the vote of a citizen in New York or California?</p>
<p>The electoral college is undemocratic. It should have been done away with a long time ago. But political institutions die slowly, if at all. Somebody always profits from them. This time it is Trump.</p>
<p>A similar&#160;antiquated system is the appointing of Supreme Court judges.</p>
<p>The Supreme Court has immense power, cutting deep into the private life of every US citizen. Enough to mention abortions and same-sex marriages. It also influences international relations and much more.</p>
<p>Yet the power to appoint new judges rests solely in the hands of the president. A new president changes the composition of the court, and lo and behold, the entire legal and political situation changes.</p>
<p>In Israel, the very opposite prevails. Years ago, new judges were practically appointed by the old judges, “a friend brings a friend”, as popular humor had it.</p>
<p>Later this system was changed a bit – Supreme Court judges are now chosen by a committee of nine, three of which are sitting judges, two others are politicians from the Knesset (one each from the government coalition and from the opposition), two are government ministers and two represent the bar association.</p>
<p>Five of the members of the committee must be women. One of the judges on the committee is an Arab, appointed by seniority.</p>
<p>But the decisive point of the law is that any appointment must be made by a majority of seven members – seven of nine. This means in practice that the three sitting judges on the committee have a veto power on any appointment. So have the politicians. A judge can only be appointed by compromise.</p>
<p>Until now, this system has worked very well. No complaints have been registered. But the new Minister of Justice, a rabid ultra-nationalist woman, wants to change the system: no more majority of seven, but a simple majority of five. This would give decisive power to the right-wing politicians and abolish the power of the three judges to block political appointments.</p>
<p>This proposal has aroused very strong opposition, and the debate is still going on.</p>
<p>How to&#160;describe the incoming president, less than two weeks after his election?</p>
<p>The first word that springs to mind is: erratic.</p>
<p>We saw this during the election campaign. He would say two contradictory things in the same breath. Say something and deny it. Flatter one section of the voters and then their enemies.</p>
<p>OK, OK some people would say. So what. A candidate will say anything to get elected.</p>
<p>True, but this particular candidate overdid it. He presented a very nasty personality, devoid of civility, propagating hatred of blacks, Hispanics, and gays, denigrating women, not rejecting outright anti-Semites and neo-Nazis.</p>
<p>But it worked, right? It got him where he wanted to be, didn’t it? It does not compel him to go on in the same vein, now that he has reached his goal. So, forget it.</p>
<p>Some people are now dreaming of a completely new Trump, a person who abandons all his old slogans and declaration and turns out to be a sensible politician, using his proven talent for deal-making in order to achieve the things necessary to make America great again.</p>
<p>As a candidate he did the things necessary to get elected. Once in office he will do the things necessary to govern.</p>
<p>Other people pour cold water on these hopes. Trump is Trump, they say. He will be as nasty a president as he was a nasty candidate. A far-right hate-monger. His every step will be dictated by his ugly world of ideas. Look, his first major appointment was of a rabid anti-Semite as his closest advisor.</p>
<p>Well, I don’t know. Nobody does. I tend to believe that he himself does not either.</p>
<p>I think that we are in for four years of uncertainty. Faced with a problem he knows nothing about, he will act according to his mood of the moment. He will take advice from nobody, and nobody will know in advance what will be his decision. I feel fairly certain about this.</p>
<p>Some of his decisions may be very good. Some may be very bad. Some intelligent. Some idiotic.</p>
<p>As I said: erratic.</p>
<p>The world will have to live with this. It will be highly risky. It may turn out right. It may also lead to catastrophe.</p>
<p>People have&#160;compared Trump to Adolf Hitler. But the comparison is quite erroneous.</p>
<p>Apart from their German-Austrian descent, they have nothing in common. Hitler was no billionaire. He was a real man from the people – an unemployed nobody, who lived for some time in a public shelter.</p>
<p>Hitler did have a Weltanschauung, a fixed world-view. He was a fanatic. When he came to power, people deceived themselves into believing that he would soon give up his demagogic, rabble-rousing ideas. He did not. Until the day of his suicide, Hitler did not change his ideology one iota. Tens of millions of victims, including the millions of Jews, estify to that.</p>
<p>Trump is no Hitler. He is no Mussolini. Nor even a Franco. He is a Trump.</p>
<p>And that may be bad enough. May be.</p>
<p>So do up your safety belt and hold on tight for the roller-coaster ride.</p> | true | 4 | first160shock passed presidentelect donald trump gradually getting used sound words entering era complete uncertainty israelis entire world shoeshine boy head state nobody knows first160we must say goodbye barack obama frankly like guy something noble upright honest idealistic cameras showed week sitting together donald trump contrast could greater obama antitrump trump antiobama yet yet eight long years presidency president obama done nothing nothing peace region eight years israeli ulraright flourished settlements occupied territories multiplied grown larger every new settlement expansion state department dutifully condemned given binyamin netanyahu another billions latest gift biggest ever came office obama made beautiful speeches cairo jerusalem many exquisite words mere words people believe obama free obligations use last two months power atone sins something meaningful israelipalestinian peace doubt years ago european congress accused spanish diplomat miguel moratinos nothing israelipalestinian peace aggressive reply accused sheer impertinence anyone anything israeli peace forces forces nothing achieve peace heard last obama family sure somehow idea four eight years see another obama running president michelle obama wildly rightly popular first lady qualities needed black woman highly intelligent sterling character unless new america negative qualities was160some comfort election results hillary clinton got votes donald trump lost electoral college foreigner institution looks obsolete dinosaur may uses united states america plural really federation diverse different local entities days long past used term united states singular us us thinks us votes profound difference voter arizona voter montana vote citizen oregon weight vote citizen new york california electoral college undemocratic done away long time ago political institutions die slowly somebody always profits time trump similar160antiquated system appointing supreme court judges supreme court immense power cutting deep private life every us citizen enough mention abortions samesex marriages also influences international relations much yet power appoint new judges rests solely hands president new president changes composition court lo behold entire legal political situation changes israel opposite prevails years ago new judges practically appointed old judges friend brings friend popular humor later system changed bit supreme court judges chosen committee nine three sitting judges two others politicians knesset one government coalition opposition two government ministers two represent bar association five members committee must women one judges committee arab appointed seniority decisive point law appointment must made majority seven members seven nine means practice three sitting judges committee veto power appointment politicians judge appointed compromise system worked well complaints registered new minister justice rabid ultranationalist woman wants change system majority seven simple majority five would give decisive power rightwing politicians abolish power three judges block political appointments proposal aroused strong opposition debate still going to160describe incoming president less two weeks election first word springs mind erratic saw election campaign would say two contradictory things breath say something deny flatter one section voters enemies ok ok people would say candidate say anything get elected true particular candidate overdid presented nasty personality devoid civility propagating hatred blacks hispanics gays denigrating women rejecting outright antisemites neonazis worked right got wanted didnt compel go vein reached goal forget people dreaming completely new trump person abandons old slogans declaration turns sensible politician using proven talent dealmaking order achieve things necessary make america great candidate things necessary get elected office things necessary govern people pour cold water hopes trump trump say nasty president nasty candidate farright hatemonger every step dictated ugly world ideas look first major appointment rabid antisemite closest advisor well dont know nobody tend believe either think four years uncertainty faced problem knows nothing act according mood moment take advice nobody nobody know advance decision feel fairly certain decisions may good may bad intelligent idiotic said erratic world live highly risky may turn right may also lead catastrophe people have160compared trump adolf hitler comparison quite erroneous apart germanaustrian descent nothing common hitler billionaire real man people unemployed nobody lived time public shelter hitler weltanschauung fixed worldview fanatic came power people deceived believing would soon give demagogic rabblerousing ideas day suicide hitler change ideology one iota tens millions victims including millions jews estify trump hitler mussolini even franco trump may bad enough may safety belt hold tight rollercoaster ride | 674 |
<p>Brave and courageous. These words have not yet been applied to Nawaz Sharif who returned to a turbulent Pakistan, but Benazir Bhutto was honoured with such terms. She died on what people will now see as those terms. As the first Muslim woman to become head of state, she came with a readymade bonafide of martyr-rebel.</p>
<p>“Despite threats of death, I will not acquiesce to tyranny, but rather lead the fight against it,” she had said recently. If she would have got the opportunity, it would have been the third time. Politics is about erring often enough to be human.</p>
<p>Benazir may have identified with India’s Rajiv Gandhi, but those were superficial similarities. Her real mirror, if it may be called so, was Indira Gandhi.</p>
<p>Aside from the fact that both were ambitious women, they shared complete devotion to and obsession with their fathers. While Ms. Gandhi was India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s only child, it is rather interesting that despite the politics of the subcontinent, as indeed the world, being heavily patriarchal Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto chose his daughter over his sons as his political heir.</p>
<p>The two male parents became Svengali and nemesis, their ghosts continued to not merely haunt but hypnotise their daughters. When Indira first came into politics, she was called “goongi gudiya” (the dumb doll). Her whole political credo was therefore designed to hit back.</p>
<p>She was Papa’s puppet. Naturally, in that small stage she had to move according to a pre-set rhythm. Katherine Frank’s biography talks about her paranoia regarding those she considered Nehru’s enemies. She felt that they were “out to trap her father and bring him down”. What was happening is that she was fearful for herself. Even as puppet she wanted to be on centre-stage. Perhaps, by getting her father to move away from the clique, she was subconsciously trying to claim complete ownership.</p>
<p>Psychology would describe this as the Electra Complex that combines penis envy with castration fear. Symbolically, the desire for impregnation would manifest itself in being able to internalise the father’s ideology.</p>
<p>Neither Benazir nor Indira managed to strike out on their own in terms of policy or altering the role of the family as ‘monarchy’. Benazir, had she lived longer, would have brought her children into the political arena just as Indira Gandhi did.</p>
<p>Dynastic rule in democracies or quasi democracies has been about perpetuating the name of the father. (The widow as successor is essentially legitimised only as ‘carrier’ of the husband’s progeny.) The spouse is a prop, often a convenient one to act as buffer and even bear the brunt of blame. Indira’s marriage to Feroze Gandhi was a façade that went through moments of turmoil to keep it alive. In all likelihood, she took his name to try and be her own person and not merely the offspring of Nehru.</p>
<p>Feroze was known to be a womaniser. Indira was aware of it. Her humiliation would be avenged only if he felt that while he had proved his manhood, he had lost out as the “nation’s son-in-law”.</p>
<p>Asif Ali Zardari came with similar credentials. Benazir settled into arranged matrimony and baby-producing to give Pakistan the sort of woman who did regular things and had descendants to perpetuate the royal pure blood.</p>
<p>With such delusions, these women till the very last posed a threat only to themselves.</p>
<p>Indira Gandhi saw imaginary demons. The result: The Emergency. Like all frightened people, she camouflaged her baseless theories ­ about others trying to plot against her government and stall its functioning ­ beneath self-righteousness, declaring that democracy was not more important than the nation. She could not even tolerate a peaceful resistance movement. She was found guilty of corrupt electoral practices by the High Court.</p>
<p>Benazir Bhutto was exiled to escape corruption charges. The pretence of being the people’s princess had to wear off once it was realised her father had been the emperor with no clothes. The veneer of statesman was wearing thin.</p>
<p>Is it any surprise that Ms. Bhutto blatantly supported the Taliban regime in its initial years to make certain that the Afghans did not breathe down her neck?</p>
<p>This was similar in manner to Indira Gandhi propping up Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale as a leader in Punjab, when he was a non-entity. She and her younger son Sanjay used him till it was convenient.</p>
<p>The mistake we make is to confuse populism for popularity. There is no doubt that both these women had their ears to the ground; as opposed to the sons of the soil, they were the mothers of the earth. This again works well in the Electra Complex where the daughters aspire to replace the mother. In villages and remote towns it can have tremendous appeal. The poor and illiterate in our subcontinent like to be seen as loyal subjects being the benefactors of largesse. Political coquetry is a trait that comes with the territory.</p>
<p>To make the situation even better, both these women had the benefit of a western education and an urbane lifestyle. This seems a bit ironical for they insisted on holding steadfastly to the dying socialist principles of their fathers. These principles were for the most part straw pillars meant for the masses; these families remained committed to feudalism in their own lives. They had the luxury of encouraging coteries without seeming to court anyone.</p>
<p>In India, Ms. Gandhi took away the privy purses, but kept the princes. She spoke about rationality, but had a hedonistic ‘godman’ as a close confidante. She was suave and sophisticated, but she encouraged greasy middlemen. She spoke about “social democracy” but blatantly gave a fillip to underhand financial dealings that came to be known as ‘the license permit raj’. And she thrived on strife. This is how she came to support the Mukti Bahini in what was then East Pakistan and became Bangladesh.</p>
<p>A goddess was born. A few years later, she had internalised the spook and revelled in the praise, “Indira is India, and India is Indira.”</p>
<p>Benazir did not have to deal with such a coinage, perhaps because heading an Islamic country meant no idol worship. Instead, she deftly marketed herself as the broadminded, non-jihadi face of Pakistan. Her version of social democracy too was embedded in the old-fashioned ideals of dignity of other people’s labour while she sat back as her husband made the money and got to keep the change.</p>
<p>It takes some sleight of mind to master the act of playing both distressed damsel and the dominatrix-matriarch fiercely protective of everything around them and, as a consequence, their own position.</p>
<p>While most women in ‘tough’ roles are accused of mimicking men, as the ‘Only Man in the Cabinet’ and ‘Ms. Virgin Ironpants’, Indira and Benazir demasculinised themselves. Talking about woman power, what they really did was to build a cottage industry of being wronged. Politics became not just a playground for suppressed emotions but a serious arena for catharsis.</p>
<p>Both women were elected to office twice. Indira Gandhi was shot dead by her most trusted bodyguard. No one has as yet suggested that it could well have been a Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) sympathiser who did Benazir in. She was the visible face of the party, but the ideology was dictated by the spectre of Zulfiqar Ali. Some say that her niece Fatima Bhutto, who has made serious allegations against her aunt for the murder of her father Murtaza, could possibly play an important role.</p>
<p>If that were to happen, we would have one more “mind-controlled victim” avenging her father’s death and dreaming his dreams. Individual voices in Pakistan are being muffled by echoes of old thoughts.</p>
<p>Farzana Versey is the author of the forthcoming book A Journey Interrupted: An Indian Woman in Pakistan, Harper Collins. She can be reached at <a href="mailto:kaaghaz.kalam@gmail.com" type="external">kaaghaz.kalam@gmail.com</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | brave courageous words yet applied nawaz sharif returned turbulent pakistan benazir bhutto honoured terms died people see terms first muslim woman become head state came readymade bonafide martyrrebel despite threats death acquiesce tyranny rather lead fight said recently would got opportunity would third time politics erring often enough human benazir may identified indias rajiv gandhi superficial similarities real mirror may called indira gandhi aside fact ambitious women shared complete devotion obsession fathers ms gandhi indias first prime minister jawaharlal nehrus child rather interesting despite politics subcontinent indeed world heavily patriarchal zulfiqar ali bhutto chose daughter sons political heir two male parents became svengali nemesis ghosts continued merely haunt hypnotise daughters indira first came politics called goongi gudiya dumb doll whole political credo therefore designed hit back papas puppet naturally small stage move according preset rhythm katherine franks biography talks paranoia regarding considered nehrus enemies felt trap father bring happening fearful even puppet wanted centrestage perhaps getting father move away clique subconsciously trying claim complete ownership psychology would describe electra complex combines penis envy castration fear symbolically desire impregnation would manifest able internalise fathers ideology neither benazir indira managed strike terms policy altering role family monarchy benazir lived longer would brought children political arena indira gandhi dynastic rule democracies quasi democracies perpetuating name father widow successor essentially legitimised carrier husbands progeny spouse prop often convenient one act buffer even bear brunt blame indiras marriage feroze gandhi façade went moments turmoil keep alive likelihood took name try person merely offspring nehru feroze known womaniser indira aware humiliation would avenged felt proved manhood lost nations soninlaw asif ali zardari came similar credentials benazir settled arranged matrimony babyproducing give pakistan sort woman regular things descendants perpetuate royal pure blood delusions women till last posed threat indira gandhi saw imaginary demons result emergency like frightened people camouflaged baseless theories others trying plot government stall functioning beneath selfrighteousness declaring democracy important nation could even tolerate peaceful resistance movement found guilty corrupt electoral practices high court benazir bhutto exiled escape corruption charges pretence peoples princess wear realised father emperor clothes veneer statesman wearing thin surprise ms bhutto blatantly supported taliban regime initial years make certain afghans breathe neck similar manner indira gandhi propping sant jarnail singh bhindranwale leader punjab nonentity younger son sanjay used till convenient mistake make confuse populism popularity doubt women ears ground opposed sons soil mothers earth works well electra complex daughters aspire replace mother villages remote towns tremendous appeal poor illiterate subcontinent like seen loyal subjects benefactors largesse political coquetry trait comes territory make situation even better women benefit western education urbane lifestyle seems bit ironical insisted holding steadfastly dying socialist principles fathers principles part straw pillars meant masses families remained committed feudalism lives luxury encouraging coteries without seeming court anyone india ms gandhi took away privy purses kept princes spoke rationality hedonistic godman close confidante suave sophisticated encouraged greasy middlemen spoke social democracy blatantly gave fillip underhand financial dealings came known license permit raj thrived strife came support mukti bahini east pakistan became bangladesh goddess born years later internalised spook revelled praise indira india india indira benazir deal coinage perhaps heading islamic country meant idol worship instead deftly marketed broadminded nonjihadi face pakistan version social democracy embedded oldfashioned ideals dignity peoples labour sat back husband made money got keep change takes sleight mind master act playing distressed damsel dominatrixmatriarch fiercely protective everything around consequence position women tough roles accused mimicking men man cabinet ms virgin ironpants indira benazir demasculinised talking woman power really build cottage industry wronged politics became playground suppressed emotions serious arena catharsis women elected office twice indira gandhi shot dead trusted bodyguard one yet suggested could well pakistan peoples party ppp sympathiser benazir visible face party ideology dictated spectre zulfiqar ali say niece fatima bhutto made serious allegations aunt murder father murtaza could possibly play important role happen would one mindcontrolled victim avenging fathers death dreaming dreams individual voices pakistan muffled echoes old thoughts farzana versey author forthcoming book journey interrupted indian woman pakistan harper collins reached kaaghazkalamgmailcom 160 160 160 | 672 |
<p>A Submission to the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review&#160;</p>
<p>Introduction&#160;</p>
<p>Cuba holds an admirable place in the international community regarding the protection and promotion of the rights of its citizens. In Cuba everyone is guaranteed an education and access to universal and free healthcare. In Cuba no one is “disappeared” or the victim of extra-judicial execution.&#160; In Cuba there are no homeless roaming the streets, no one left to fend for themself, eking out an existence in a dog-eat-dog society. Cuba is not a haven for the economic violence that reigns in so many countries. This submission will briefly summarize Cuba’s domestic achievements, as well, as the island’s considerable contribution to the well-being of the world’s nations and peoples.</p>
<p>Cuba &amp; Human Rights: The Social Sphere</p>
<p>Cuba admirably fulfills its responsibilities under the&#160;International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The annual&#160;United Nations Human Development Report&#160;(HDR) attests to the success in this regard of the Cuban Revolution. These annual reports are recognized as the most comprehensive and extensive determination of the well being of the world’s peoples.&#160; Since its inception, the HDR has repeatedly confirmed the advances and progress of the Cuban Revolution. Cuba is firmly placed in the&#160;High Human Development&#160;category. Moreover, Cuba ranks 1st in terms of the relationship between economic means and capacity for human development. In other words, Cuba’s ranking in the Human Development Report outstrips its per capita world ranking. Thus, in the effective use of resources for human benefit, Cuba out-performs the much richer countries of the so-called “developed world. In short, Cuba is a country that effectively uses its very modest resources for the benefit of its citizens.</p>
<p>It bears noting that for any country to try to cope with and overcome the current worldwide economic crisis in a manner that favours its people, not the global monopolies, is no small feat. This is all the more true for a country such as Cuba that is subjected to a brutal all-sided economic war from the United States. One cannot forget that Cuba’s impressive achievements in human development have occurred in the face of all-sided aggression by Washington, which has never accepted the January 1, 1959 verdict of the Cuban people.&#160; Washington’s objective is the negation and extinguishing of Cuba’s right to self-determination and independence. The U.S. economic blockade is the principal obstacle to Cuba’s social and economic development, having cost the island nation in excess of $1 trillion U.S, constituting it is a flagrant violation of the human rights of the people of Cuba.</p>
<p>Cuba and Human Rights: The Political System</p>
<p>Cuba is almost invariably portrayed as a serious violator of the&#160;International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; a totalitarian regime, a veritable “gulag” guided and controlled by the Castro brothers: first, Fidel and, now, Raúl.&#160; However, this position cannot be sustained once the reality of Cuba is assessed on its own merits. Extensive democratic popular participation in decision-making is at the centre of the Cuban model of governance. The official organs of government in Cuba are the municipal, provincial and national assemblies of the&#160;Poder Popular&#160;(People’s Power) structures. The&#160;National Assembly&#160;is the sole body with legislative authority, with delegates – as in the provincial and municipal assemblies – directly elected by the Cuban electorate. The&#160;National Assembly&#160;chooses from amongst its members the Council of State, which is accountable to the&#160;National Assembly&#160;and carries out its duties and responsibilities, such as the passage and implementation of decrees, when the National Assembly is not in session.</p>
<p>Cubans are not preoccupied with a mere mechanical implementation of a rigid, unchanging model. Contrary to dominant misconceptions, the Cuban political system is not a static entity. Cubans are involved in an intense learning process whose hallmark has been experimentation and willingness to correct mistakes and missteps by periodic renovation of their democratic project. Thus, the system responds to popular demands for adjustment.</p>
<p>In 1992, the Constitution and electoral laws were modified to require the direct popular election of all members of the national and provincial assemblies. Previously, only the municipal assemblies were directly elected, with the make-up of the provincial assemblies determined by a vote of municipal delegates and, in turn, the&#160;National Assembly&#160;composition established by provincial representatives. Also, the creation of the popular councils was directly aimed at increasing the power of local government and reducing the impact of bureaucracy.</p>
<p>Second, the function of the&#160;Communist Party of Cuba&#160;(PCC) is significantly circumscribed, as it does not operate as an electoral party. Cuban law proscribes the PCC from playing any role in the nomination of candidates. At the municipal level, the nominations occur at street meetings, where it is the constituents who directly participate in and control the selection. Each municipality is divided into several circumscriptions, or districts, comprised of a few hundred people. Each circumscription nominates candidates and elects a delegate who serves in the local municipal assembly. There is a high degree of popular participation in the selection of candidates, marked by active and uncorked citizen interaction and involvement.</p>
<p>The elections at the municipal level are competitive and the casting of ballots is secret. The organization of the elections and counting of the ballots are transparent and free of fraud.&#160; Even Hildebrando Chaviano, a government opponent who ran and lost in 2015, admitted the validity of the elections, stating,&#160; “The vote was clean. The count was clean. The people don’t want change. They still want the revolution.”&#160; By law, there must be at least two candidates and a maximum of eight. In the 2015 elections, 27,379 candidates competed for 12,589 municipal assembly posts, the first rung on Cuba’s political ladder.</p>
<p>At the provincial and national levels, candidacy commissions select and sift through thousands of people. The commissions are comprised of representatives from the various mass and grassroots organizations and are presided over by workers’ representatives chosen by the unions. The PCC is prohibited from participation in the work of the commissions. Therefore, it is the norm for ordinary working people to be both nominated and elected. The commissions’ recommendations are then presented to the municipal assemblies for final approval. By law, up to 50 percent of National Assembly deputies can be municipal assembly delegates. The other members of the&#160;National Assembly&#160;are persons from every sphere of Cuban society: the arts, sports, science, religion etc.</p>
<p>The selection process ensures a broad representation of society.In the 2013 national election of the 612 representatives in Cuba’s&#160;National Assembly of the People’s Power, a record number are 299 women (48.9%), up from 43.2, 37.09 percent are black and 82.68 are university graduates. The average age is 48.</p>
<p>Each member of the&#160;National Assembly, including President Raúl Castro, is directly elected and must receive more than 50 percent of the vote in her or his constituency. In Cuban municipal, provincial and national elections, the turnout is very high, usually in the ninetieth percentile. The vote, as in municipal elections, is by secret ballot. Also, although a single national delegate list is put to the electorate, not all candidates receive the same number of votes as Cubans exercise their discretion in a very serious, deliberate and definite fashion. There is no formal campaigning, which curtails the role of money in Cuban elections. Instead, a month before the election, a biography of each candidate is displayed in various public places, where they can be perused at the convenience of the entire electorate.</p>
<p>The objective of circumscribing formal campaigning is avoid the development of professional politicking in which money and backroom deals become the driving force of the political system. Elections in Cuba are free of the commercial advertising that dominates and has come to denote the political system in capitalist countries. Professional politicking and politicians are viewed as symbolic of the corrupt past and marginalization of the citizenry that characterized pre-revolutionary Cuba. Consequently, the sons and daughters of workers and peasants comprise virtually all the delegates of the national, provincial and municipal assemblies.</p>
<p>Third, an intimate relationship exists between the elected municipal delegates and the people they serve. Each delegate must live in the electoral district (usually comprising a maximum of 2,000 people). Each municipal assembly meets four times a year and elects from its membership a president, vice president and a secretary. These are the only full-time, paid positions in Cuban local government; all other members of the municipal assemblies are unpaid and continue in the jobs they had before they were elected. Delegates have a high degree of familiarity with their constituency and are constantly on call. Every six months, there is a formal accountability session at which complaints, suggestions and other community interests (planteamientos) are raised with the delegates.</p>
<p>The delegate must then attempt to resolve the matter or provide an explanation at the following accountability session.&#160; Consequently, the delegate must account for her or his work carried out since the previous session. Each&#160;planteamiento&#160;is carefully recorded, and approximately 70 percent are resolved. These&#160;planteamiento&#160;sessions have resulted in local issues being taken to the national level where they are examined and discussed, thus, ensuring popular input into government policy. If constituents are dissatisfied with the performance of their representative, then she or he can be recalled or voted out in the next round of elections. From election to election there is high turnover in representatives. For example in 2013, 67% of the delegates were newly elected, entering the municipal assemblies for the first time.</p>
<p>Fourth, the Cuban system eschews the adversarial approach that dominates the western political processes. In the work and meetings of the municipal, provincial assemblies and the&#160;National Assembly,&#160;the goal of achieving unity and consensus is central. The unanimous votes that occur are not indicative of a rubberstamp mentality but a consensus that is arrived at through extensive and intensive discussion, dialog and debate that precedes the final vote in the&#160;National Assembly: the end-point of a long, conscientious and sometimes arduous process. The&#160;National Assembly&#160;has 10-permanent commissions that discuss and debate a wide-range of topics, including, among many others, the economy, foreign investment, industry, the environment, constitutional and legal affairs, education, culture, science and technology.</p>
<p>Fifth, the Cuba political system is augmented by a very active and vibrant civil society. A critical aspect of the Cuban political system is the integration of a variety of mass organizations into political activity. No new policy or legislation can be adopted or contemplated until the appropriate organization or association representing the sector of society that would be directly affected has been consulted. These organizations have very specific functions and responsibilities. In addition to the&#160;Communist Party,&#160;the&#160;Young Communist League&#160;and the&#160;Confederation of Cuban Workers, there are the&#160;Cuban Federation of Women, the&#160;Committees to Defend the Revolution, the&#160;National Association of Small Farmers&#160;and the&#160;Federation of University Students.</p>
<p>The mass organizations are supplemented by numerous professional and other associations that represent the specific interests of other sectors, including for example, lawyers, economists, journalists, writers and artists, the physically challenged and stamp collectors. As Ricardo Alarcon, former president of Cuba’s&#160;National Assembly&#160;underscores, “these associations and organizations embrace practically the entire universe of activities, interests and problems of all Cubans.” Mass organizations, unlike the Communist Party, are granted through Article 88 (c) of the Constitution the right to propose legislation in the areas that fall under their jurisdiction. Hence, these organizations have a dynamic existence, and Cuba is replete with almost daily assemblies, meetings and gatherings of various organizations to discuss and examine particular issues, in conjunction with the participation of government officials.&#160; This daily engagement of the citizenry with government is the essence of the Cuban political process.</p>
<p>Additionally,&#160; when critical decisions have to be made regarding the direction of Cuban society, the country is transformed into a vast island-wide parliament. For example, in 2010-2011 a mass discussion was held on&#160;Los Lineamentos, the proposals to renew and update the Cuban economic model. From December 2010-February 2011: 163, 079 meetings, involving almost 9-million people, were held to discuss the various proposals and guidelines. As a result of this mass national discussion and debate across the island and in Cuba’s National, Provincial &amp; Municipal Assemblies more than two-thirds of&#160; the original 291 proposals were modified: eventually 311 guidelines emerged. These 311 guidelines were further debated and discussed at the&#160; 6th Congress of the PCC Congress in which 86-guidelines (28%) of the 311 were amended, with 2 new ones adopted, resulting&#160; in 313 guidelines.&#160; However, this has not been the end of the national discussion and debate. The three documents that outline Cuba’s future path –&#160;Los Lineamentos;&#160;la Conceptualización del Modelo Económico y Social Cubano de Desarrollo Socialistaand&#160;Plan 2030&#160;– are the product of this profound mass engagement with Cuban citizens. These documents were subjected to another nation-wide scrutiny and analysis by Cuban citizens in 2016.</p>
<p>Cuba in the World: Internationalism&#160;</p>
<p>Cuba’s contributions to advancing and defending human rights extend beyond the geographical boundaries of the island nation. Since its inception, the Cuban Revolution has made – and continues to make – an invaluable contribution to the global struggle for human rights, justice, social development and human dignity. Cuba has established an unparalleled legacy of internationalism and humanitarianism, embodying the immortal words of José Martí: “Homeland is Humanity. Humanity is Homeland.” For example, Cuba played a crucial role in African national and anti-colonial liberation struggles&#160; (from Algeria to South Africa). In the struggle to defeat the racist apartheid regime in South Africa more than 2,000 Cubans gave their lives. This has not been – nor will ever be – forgotten by Africans.&#160; The late Nelson Mandela stated:&#160; “The Cuban people hold a special place in the hearts of the peoples of Africa. The Cuban internationalists have made a contribution to African independence, freedom and justice, unparalleled for its principled and selfless character…Cubans came to our region as doctors, teachers, soldiers, agricultural experts, but never as colonizers.”</p>
<p>Today this Cuban commitment to humanity is mirrored in the tens of thousands of medical personnel and educators who have served and continue to serve across the world, battling in the trenches against disease and illiteracy.&#160; In 2014, for example, Havana responded without hesitation to the Ebola epidemic in the West African nations of Guinea, Liberia &amp; Sierra Leone. The Cuban medical mission was the largest sent by any country, consisting of 461 Cuban doctors and nurses chosen from more than 15,000 volunteers.&#160;Africa called and Cuba answered.</p>
<p>Even at this difficult time, when the island-nation is dealing with the havoc wrought by Hurricane Irma’s, Cuba’s deep internationalist spirit has once again been profoundly demonstrated by the sending of more than 750 Cuban health workers to Antigua &amp; Barbuda, Dominica, Haiti, Saint Kitts &amp; Nevis, Saint Lucia, and the Bahamas.</p>
<p>The Cuban doctors serving across the world are motivated not by financial gain but by the profound internationalist values of solidarity inculcated since the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. Since 1959, more than 300,000 Cuban medical workers have served in 158 countries. Currently, 50,000 Cuban doctors and nurses are serving in 66 countries across Latin America, Africa and Asia, with more than 4,000 Cuban healthcare personnel treating people in 32 African countries. As Dr. Jorge Perez Ávila, the director of Cuba’s Pedro Kouri Institute for Tropical Medicine, noted: “Our principle has been to share what we have.”</p>
<p>Summation</p>
<p>Cuba’s achievements occur within a very specific political context. It is the political base of the Cuban Revolution that has been the guarantor and motive force upon which these achievements rest.</p>
<p>The Cuban revolution is an outgrowth of Cuba’s long struggle to achieve independence and establish an autochthonous nation-building project rooted in its historical legitimacy as the vehicle for the realization of these historical aspirations.&#160; Periodically, the Cuban people reaffirm these historical aspirations, which are expressed in a political consensus to defend the revolutionary project. The Human Development Reports, for example, bear out this reality and demand reflection; they validate the revolutionary path chosen by the Cuban people.</p>
<p>Cuba’s very existence reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of Cuba – and all other peoples – to determine their future and their political, economic and social system without external interference: a right enshrined in the&#160;United Nations Charter, the&#160;International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the&#160;International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights&#160;and the&#160;Declaration on Principles of International Law Concerning Friendly Relations and Co-Operation Among States in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations.</p>
<p>The example of Cuba assumes even greater significance as the 21st century unfolds, fraught with grave dangers that threaten the well being of the peoples of the world. In the midst of these profound challenges, Cuba refutes those who argue that relations within and among the world’s nations and peoples are — and can only be — determined by self-interest, the pursuit of power and wealth. Cuba illustrates that societies can be centred on social justice, human dignity and international solidarity.</p> | true | 4 | submission united nations human rights councils universal periodic review160 introduction160 cuba holds admirable place international community regarding protection promotion rights citizens cuba everyone guaranteed education access universal free healthcare cuba one disappeared victim extrajudicial execution160 cuba homeless roaming streets one left fend themself eking existence dogeatdog society cuba economic violence reigns many countries submission briefly summarize cubas domestic achievements well islands considerable contribution wellbeing worlds nations peoples cuba amp human rights social sphere cuba admirably fulfills responsibilities the160international covenant economic social cultural rights annual160united nations human development report160hdr attests success regard cuban revolution annual reports recognized comprehensive extensive determination well worlds peoples160 since inception hdr repeatedly confirmed advances progress cuban revolution cuba firmly placed the160high human development160category moreover cuba ranks 1st terms relationship economic means capacity human development words cubas ranking human development report outstrips per capita world ranking thus effective use resources human benefit cuba outperforms much richer countries socalled developed world short cuba country effectively uses modest resources benefit citizens bears noting country try cope overcome current worldwide economic crisis manner favours people global monopolies small feat true country cuba subjected brutal allsided economic war united states one forget cubas impressive achievements human development occurred face allsided aggression washington never accepted january 1 1959 verdict cuban people160 washingtons objective negation extinguishing cubas right selfdetermination independence us economic blockade principal obstacle cubas social economic development cost island nation excess 1 trillion us constituting flagrant violation human rights people cuba cuba human rights political system cuba almost invariably portrayed serious violator the160international covenant civil political rights totalitarian regime veritable gulag guided controlled castro brothers first fidel raúl160 however position sustained reality cuba assessed merits extensive democratic popular participation decisionmaking centre cuban model governance official organs government cuba municipal provincial national assemblies the160poder popular160peoples power structures the160national assembly160is sole body legislative authority delegates provincial municipal assemblies directly elected cuban electorate the160national assembly160chooses amongst members council state accountable the160national assembly160and carries duties responsibilities passage implementation decrees national assembly session cubans preoccupied mere mechanical implementation rigid unchanging model contrary dominant misconceptions cuban political system static entity cubans involved intense learning process whose hallmark experimentation willingness correct mistakes missteps periodic renovation democratic project thus system responds popular demands adjustment 1992 constitution electoral laws modified require direct popular election members national provincial assemblies previously municipal assemblies directly elected makeup provincial assemblies determined vote municipal delegates turn the160national assembly160composition established provincial representatives also creation popular councils directly aimed increasing power local government reducing impact bureaucracy second function the160communist party cuba160pcc significantly circumscribed operate electoral party cuban law proscribes pcc playing role nomination candidates municipal level nominations occur street meetings constituents directly participate control selection municipality divided several circumscriptions districts comprised hundred people circumscription nominates candidates elects delegate serves local municipal assembly high degree popular participation selection candidates marked active uncorked citizen interaction involvement elections municipal level competitive casting ballots secret organization elections counting ballots transparent free fraud160 even hildebrando chaviano government opponent ran lost 2015 admitted validity elections stating160 vote clean count clean people dont want change still want revolution160 law must least two candidates maximum eight 2015 elections 27379 candidates competed 12589 municipal assembly posts first rung cubas political ladder provincial national levels candidacy commissions select sift thousands people commissions comprised representatives various mass grassroots organizations presided workers representatives chosen unions pcc prohibited participation work commissions therefore norm ordinary working people nominated elected commissions recommendations presented municipal assemblies final approval law 50 percent national assembly deputies municipal assembly delegates members the160national assembly160are persons every sphere cuban society arts sports science religion etc selection process ensures broad representation societyin 2013 national election 612 representatives cubas160national assembly peoples power record number 299 women 489 432 3709 percent black 8268 university graduates average age 48 member the160national assembly including president raúl castro directly elected must receive 50 percent vote constituency cuban municipal provincial national elections turnout high usually ninetieth percentile vote municipal elections secret ballot also although single national delegate list put electorate candidates receive number votes cubans exercise discretion serious deliberate definite fashion formal campaigning curtails role money cuban elections instead month election biography candidate displayed various public places perused convenience entire electorate objective circumscribing formal campaigning avoid development professional politicking money backroom deals become driving force political system elections cuba free commercial advertising dominates come denote political system capitalist countries professional politicking politicians viewed symbolic corrupt past marginalization citizenry characterized prerevolutionary cuba consequently sons daughters workers peasants comprise virtually delegates national provincial municipal assemblies third intimate relationship exists elected municipal delegates people serve delegate must live electoral district usually comprising maximum 2000 people municipal assembly meets four times year elects membership president vice president secretary fulltime paid positions cuban local government members municipal assemblies unpaid continue jobs elected delegates high degree familiarity constituency constantly call every six months formal accountability session complaints suggestions community interests planteamientos raised delegates delegate must attempt resolve matter provide explanation following accountability session160 consequently delegate must account work carried since previous session each160planteamiento160is carefully recorded approximately 70 percent resolved these160planteamiento160sessions resulted local issues taken national level examined discussed thus ensuring popular input government policy constituents dissatisfied performance representative recalled voted next round elections election election high turnover representatives example 2013 67 delegates newly elected entering municipal assemblies first time fourth cuban system eschews adversarial approach dominates western political processes work meetings municipal provincial assemblies the160national assembly160the goal achieving unity consensus central unanimous votes occur indicative rubberstamp mentality consensus arrived extensive intensive discussion dialog debate precedes final vote the160national assembly endpoint long conscientious sometimes arduous process the160national assembly160has 10permanent commissions discuss debate widerange topics including among many others economy foreign investment industry environment constitutional legal affairs education culture science technology fifth cuba political system augmented active vibrant civil society critical aspect cuban political system integration variety mass organizations political activity new policy legislation adopted contemplated appropriate organization association representing sector society would directly affected consulted organizations specific functions responsibilities addition the160communist party160the160young communist league160and the160confederation cuban workers the160cuban federation women the160committees defend revolution the160national association small farmers160and the160federation university students mass organizations supplemented numerous professional associations represent specific interests sectors including example lawyers economists journalists writers artists physically challenged stamp collectors ricardo alarcon former president cubas160national assembly160underscores associations organizations embrace practically entire universe activities interests problems cubans mass organizations unlike communist party granted article 88 c constitution right propose legislation areas fall jurisdiction hence organizations dynamic existence cuba replete almost daily assemblies meetings gatherings various organizations discuss examine particular issues conjunction participation government officials160 daily engagement citizenry government essence cuban political process additionally160 critical decisions made regarding direction cuban society country transformed vast islandwide parliament example 20102011 mass discussion held on160los lineamentos proposals renew update cuban economic model december 2010february 2011 163 079 meetings involving almost 9million people held discuss various proposals guidelines result mass national discussion debate across island cubas national provincial amp municipal assemblies twothirds of160 original 291 proposals modified eventually 311 guidelines emerged 311 guidelines debated discussed the160 6th congress pcc congress 86guidelines 28 311 amended 2 new ones adopted resulting160 313 guidelines160 however end national discussion debate three documents outline cubas future path 160los lineamentos160la conceptualización del modelo económico social cubano de desarrollo socialistaand160plan 2030160 product profound mass engagement cuban citizens documents subjected another nationwide scrutiny analysis cuban citizens 2016 cuba world internationalism160 cubas contributions advancing defending human rights extend beyond geographical boundaries island nation since inception cuban revolution made continues make invaluable contribution global struggle human rights justice social development human dignity cuba established unparalleled legacy internationalism humanitarianism embodying immortal words josé martí homeland humanity humanity homeland example cuba played crucial role african national anticolonial liberation struggles160 algeria south africa struggle defeat racist apartheid regime south africa 2000 cubans gave lives ever forgotten africans160 late nelson mandela stated160 cuban people hold special place hearts peoples africa cuban internationalists made contribution african independence freedom justice unparalleled principled selfless charactercubans came region doctors teachers soldiers agricultural experts never colonizers today cuban commitment humanity mirrored tens thousands medical personnel educators served continue serve across world battling trenches disease illiteracy160 2014 example havana responded without hesitation ebola epidemic west african nations guinea liberia amp sierra leone cuban medical mission largest sent country consisting 461 cuban doctors nurses chosen 15000 volunteers160africa called cuba answered even difficult time islandnation dealing havoc wrought hurricane irmas cubas deep internationalist spirit profoundly demonstrated sending 750 cuban health workers antigua amp barbuda dominica haiti saint kitts amp nevis saint lucia bahamas cuban doctors serving across world motivated financial gain profound internationalist values solidarity inculcated since triumph cuban revolution since 1959 300000 cuban medical workers served 158 countries currently 50000 cuban doctors nurses serving 66 countries across latin america africa asia 4000 cuban healthcare personnel treating people 32 african countries dr jorge perez Ávila director cubas pedro kouri institute tropical medicine noted principle share summation cubas achievements occur within specific political context political base cuban revolution guarantor motive force upon achievements rest cuban revolution outgrowth cubas long struggle achieve independence establish autochthonous nationbuilding project rooted historical legitimacy vehicle realization historical aspirations160 periodically cuban people reaffirm historical aspirations expressed political consensus defend revolutionary project human development reports example bear reality demand reflection validate revolutionary path chosen cuban people cubas existence reaffirms inalienable right people cuba peoples determine future political economic social system without external interference right enshrined the160united nations charter the160international covenant economic social cultural rights the160international covenant civil political rights160and the160declaration principles international law concerning friendly relations cooperation among states accordance charter united nations example cuba assumes even greater significance 21st century unfolds fraught grave dangers threaten well peoples world midst profound challenges cuba refutes argue relations within among worlds nations peoples determined selfinterest pursuit power wealth cuba illustrates societies centred social justice human dignity international solidarity | 1,609 |
<p>Zhang Jun/Xinhua/ZUMAPRESS</p>
<p />
<p>Zbigniew Brzezinski, the quick-witted national security adviser who served under President Jimmy Carter, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/26/us/zbigniew-brzezinski-dead-national-security-adviser-to-carter.html" type="external">died on Friday</a> at the age of 89. One thing Brzezinski never lacked was strong opinions. In this interview, on the eve of George w. Bush’s exit from the White House, I spoke with him about the Bush legacy, America’s relationship with the world, and why he was voting for Obama.</p>
<p>Mother Jones: What would you consider the Bush administration’s most notable failures?</p>
<p>Zbigniew Brzezinski: There are two that stand out. One is the totally self-destructive war in Iraq, which has greatly undermined American global standing, and, even worse, America’s global influence. It will take a long time to undo that. Second, the economy, which has now not only damaged the livelihood of thousands of Americans, but is also damaging national self-confidence. The combination of the two is a pitiful record.</p>
<p>MJ: What part of that legacy will be the easiest to fix?</p>
<p>ZB: The symbolic perception of America, because if a new president personalizes a rather different concept of America and a different sense of America’s mission in the world than has been the case with president George W. Bush, then that almost automatically will help to improve America’s global image. But the tangibles involving the war and the economy are not going to be easy to fix.</p>
<p>MJ: Is any of it irreparable?</p>
<p>ZB: That’s really hard to say. It certainly would be possible for America to redefine its role in the world, especially if, in the short run, America is able to cope effectively with the ongoing dilemma in the Middle East.</p>
<p>MJ: So what about the war on terror at home? How do we back away?</p>
<p>ZB: By becoming more rational. We are waging a war on terror, but we’ve been very fortunate in not having any act of terrorism committed against the United States since 9/11. It’s partially luck, partially the consequence of America’s semi-isolation, and partially the consequence, perhaps, of some reasonably good intelligence and counterintelligence work.</p>
<p>But very little of that is due to the consequences of the self-generated atmosphere of fear in this country, which has produced some ludicrous reactions, many of which have no bearing at all on either deterring or preventing terrorism. In Washington, DC, you can’t even go into a regular business building without some pretentiously uniformed people with labels on their shoulders indicating they’re security guards checking your ID occasionally, and asking the purpose of the visit in a manner—and sometimes tone—which indicates a rather phlegmatic attitude toward their responsibilities. And if you were to indicate that you were in the building for the purpose of blowing it up, chances are they would say, “The suite 908 is on the ninth floor, elevators are to the right.” We have a situation that some obscure law firm in a building is protected, but the main department stores, music halls, Kennedy Center, department stores, cafeterias, and restaurants are unprotected. What is the logic of this?</p>
<p>MJ: What should the next president do first to start undoing the damage of the Bush administration?</p>
<p>ZB: Obviously you got to strive energetically to terminate the war in Iraq; set negotiations with Iran on a reasonable course, with a sense of confidence and appreciation for the fact that deterrence has worked in the past, and there’s no reason to assume it wouldn’t work with Iran; and last, but not least, engage America more actively in pursuit of a reconciliation between the Israelis and the Palestinians.</p>
<p>MJ: What do you make of the idea that engaging Iran would legitimize&#160;Mahmoud Ahmadinejad?</p>
<p>ZB: It’s an absurdity that people mindlessly repeat. Were we legitimized when we talked to Stalin? To Mao Zedong? The legitimacy of the leadership depends on what that country thinks of its leaders. When we lay off, more and more Iranians tend to be critical of Ahmadinejad. The more abusive we are and the more pressure we put on them, the more nationalism fuses with fundamentalism in Iran.</p>
<p>MJ: How else is Bush’s Iran position flawed?</p>
<p>ZB: We have adopted a policy of sanctions, abuse, and threats while demanding that, in order to negotiate with us, Iran has to concede in advance the principle issue at stake, namely its right to enrich. Is that a serious position or a proscription?</p>
<p>MJ: Do you think Iran will get nuclear weapons?</p>
<p>ZB: Almost certainly, if we continue the current policy. The alternative, then, is a larger war in the Persian Gulf with calamitous consequences for the United States, in the region and in the world.</p>
<p>MJ: Under what circumstances might Iran be willing to forsake nuclear weapons?</p>
<p>ZB: Only if it feels secure and benefits—serious benefits—economically in doing it.</p>
<p>MJ: If we engage Iran and those talks don’t work, where do we go next?</p>
<p>ZB: If they don’t work, but in the process the tensions are somewhat reduced, and yet Iran continues to seek nuclear weapons, then we rely on nuclear deterrence as we did with China and the Soviet Union. And, for that matter, with North Korea, Pakistan, and India.</p>
<p>MJ: We talked to you last October about Iraq. Has your take changed since then?</p>
<p>ZB: The people who perpetrated this calamity argue that we cannot disengage when things are going badly. And if things improve, for example, because of the surge, the argument is we shouldn’t disengage because things are getting better.</p>
<p>MJ: At that time you had serious concerns this administration would try to provoke us into a conflict with Iran prior to the election. Still feel that way?</p>
<p>ZB: I think there’s a risk that the administration will try to heat up the atmosphere so that there is a sense of urgency, crisis, and even fear in the country. Because some people might calculate that would then give McCain an advantage.</p>
<p>MJ: How do you think having a black president, on its face, would affect global perceptions of America?</p>
<p>ZB: I think it would demonstrate that when we talk about truly pluralistic, tolerant, multiethnic global America, it’s not just verbiage and PR.</p>
<p>MJ: What’s your arrangement with Obama?</p>
<p>ZB: I have no arrangement. I am his supporter. I told him last September, before I was to introduce him to an Iowa audience for a major speech on Iraq, that I did not want to be listed as an adviser or as a member of any of his task forces because I am actively engaged in very public discussions regarding American foreign policy and I don’t want to have to start thinking as to what I should and should not say because it would possibly impact his campaign.</p>
<p>MJ: Does that make you too controversial for a role in his administration?</p>
<p>ZB: The fact that I’ve had roles in previous administrations probably eliminates that likelihood. Because every new president wants to have new people.</p>
<p>MJ: Would you consider it?</p>
<p>ZB: There’s no point considering something which is very unrealistic.</p>
<p>MJ: Let’s change gears, then. What can the next president learn from the Bush years about leadership dos and don’ts?</p>
<p>ZB: The basic lesson is that you don’t demagogue the American people because that backfires. Second, you have to inform and educate the American people if you want to have sustained support for foreign policy, and you have to be very careful not to mislead them because you lose their support eventually. And third, you have to be prepared to redefine America’s role, because the notion that America is powerful enough to dictate to the world has been discredited by the last eight years.</p>
<p>MJ: Can Obama do that?</p>
<p>ZB: He has a better chance than any other candidate. Do you think Nader has a better chance?</p>
<p>MJ: You’ve advised McCain in the past. Why do you favor Obama for president?</p>
<p>ZB: Because I sense in him an instinctive and cerebral understanding of what the world is about today, and how America should redefine itself in relationship to that world so that it is truly a genuinely constructive force, and that it inspires the world. That may sound grandiose, but I think the choice is either that or increased isolation, becoming a kind of gated global community, with the world gradually sliding into more and more chaotic conditions.</p>
<p>MJ: It does sound grandiose, and also very difficult, because even if the next president steps up, he’ll have the Pentagon’s momentum to contend with.</p>
<p>ZB: It’s going to be incredibly difficult. It will require a lot of statesmanship and, above all else, the ability to educate and mobilize the American people.</p>
<p>MJ: Speaking of statesmanship, how would you assess diplomacy under Bush?</p>
<p>ZB: It’s essentially nonexistent. I mean, look at the total failure of the efforts to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians.</p>
<p>MJ: What about the state of our military abroad? We have a huge overseas footprint—nearly 800 bases around the world. We’re the only country that does this. Do you think that’s necessary or wise?</p>
<p>ZB: It might be useful for the next president to take a broad look at the scale and thrust of our defense efforts. There’s something troubling about a condition in which one country alone, which has roughly 5 percent of the world’s population, spends more than 50 percent of the world’s defense budgets. There’s something weird about it. Maybe it’s inherent in the role we have to play in the world—that we have to have a very, very large defense budget. But one just has to wonder whether that’s really necessary. I have been struck by the pervasive frequency of pompously patriotic ads for the defense industry, usually accompanied by deferential salutations to our men and women who are heroically sacrificing their lives in our defense. Do we really need all of that for our security?</p>
<p>MJ: Regarding Iraq, we’ve built a number of what can only be called permanent bases.</p>
<p>ZB: Permanent bases can become impermanent.</p>
<p>MJ: Do you think that’s the plan?</p>
<p>ZB: That’s not the plan, but the fact that we build something doesn’t mean that we have to sit in it forever. I think if the Democrats win we’re not going to be sitting in permanent bases in Iraq in a scale and in a fashion that Bush is currently, maybe, designing. If he signs some agreement with Maliki, do you think the Democratic Congress is going to endorse it?</p>
<p>MJ: We’ll see.</p>
<p>ZB: I think we know.</p>
<p>MJ: What do you think might happen if we were to start eliminating our military footprint?</p>
<p>ZB: I wouldn’t eliminate our global footprint. There are a number of places in the world where it’s in our interest to be present, and where we’re welcome. The question is, do we need to be all over the world on the scale that we are now reaching, and do we need to spend as much as we’re spending on defense? Especially if you look at some other aspects of American society—the decaying character of our infrastructure, the increasingly primitive railroad system that we have, the overburdened air services that we have, etcetera. And if we add to it the potential consequences of the misguided policy with Iran, then before too long we’ll be thinking of the $4-a-gallon price as being a bargain. Because we’ll be paying $10 per gallon.</p>
<p /> | true | 4 | zhang junxinhuazumapress zbigniew brzezinski quickwitted national security adviser served president jimmy carter died friday age 89 one thing brzezinski never lacked strong opinions interview eve george w bushs exit white house spoke bush legacy americas relationship world voting obama mother jones would consider bush administrations notable failures zbigniew brzezinski two stand one totally selfdestructive war iraq greatly undermined american global standing even worse americas global influence take long time undo second economy damaged livelihood thousands americans also damaging national selfconfidence combination two pitiful record mj part legacy easiest fix zb symbolic perception america new president personalizes rather different concept america different sense americas mission world case president george w bush almost automatically help improve americas global image tangibles involving war economy going easy fix mj irreparable zb thats really hard say certainly would possible america redefine role world especially short run america able cope effectively ongoing dilemma middle east mj war terror home back away zb becoming rational waging war terror weve fortunate act terrorism committed united states since 911 partially luck partially consequence americas semiisolation partially consequence perhaps reasonably good intelligence counterintelligence work little due consequences selfgenerated atmosphere fear country produced ludicrous reactions many bearing either deterring preventing terrorism washington dc cant even go regular business building without pretentiously uniformed people labels shoulders indicating theyre security guards checking id occasionally asking purpose visit mannerand sometimes tonewhich indicates rather phlegmatic attitude toward responsibilities indicate building purpose blowing chances would say suite 908 ninth floor elevators right situation obscure law firm building protected main department stores music halls kennedy center department stores cafeterias restaurants unprotected logic mj next president first start undoing damage bush administration zb obviously got strive energetically terminate war iraq set negotiations iran reasonable course sense confidence appreciation fact deterrence worked past theres reason assume wouldnt work iran last least engage america actively pursuit reconciliation israelis palestinians mj make idea engaging iran would legitimize160mahmoud ahmadinejad zb absurdity people mindlessly repeat legitimized talked stalin mao zedong legitimacy leadership depends country thinks leaders lay iranians tend critical ahmadinejad abusive pressure put nationalism fuses fundamentalism iran mj else bushs iran position flawed zb adopted policy sanctions abuse threats demanding order negotiate us iran concede advance principle issue stake namely right enrich serious position proscription mj think iran get nuclear weapons zb almost certainly continue current policy alternative larger war persian gulf calamitous consequences united states region world mj circumstances might iran willing forsake nuclear weapons zb feels secure benefitsserious benefitseconomically mj engage iran talks dont work go next zb dont work process tensions somewhat reduced yet iran continues seek nuclear weapons rely nuclear deterrence china soviet union matter north korea pakistan india mj talked last october iraq take changed since zb people perpetrated calamity argue disengage things going badly things improve example surge argument shouldnt disengage things getting better mj time serious concerns administration would try provoke us conflict iran prior election still feel way zb think theres risk administration try heat atmosphere sense urgency crisis even fear country people might calculate would give mccain advantage mj think black president face would affect global perceptions america zb think would demonstrate talk truly pluralistic tolerant multiethnic global america verbiage pr mj whats arrangement obama zb arrangement supporter told last september introduce iowa audience major speech iraq want listed adviser member task forces actively engaged public discussions regarding american foreign policy dont want start thinking say would possibly impact campaign mj make controversial role administration zb fact ive roles previous administrations probably eliminates likelihood every new president wants new people mj would consider zb theres point considering something unrealistic mj lets change gears next president learn bush years leadership dos donts zb basic lesson dont demagogue american people backfires second inform educate american people want sustained support foreign policy careful mislead lose support eventually third prepared redefine americas role notion america powerful enough dictate world discredited last eight years mj obama zb better chance candidate think nader better chance mj youve advised mccain past favor obama president zb sense instinctive cerebral understanding world today america redefine relationship world truly genuinely constructive force inspires world may sound grandiose think choice either increased isolation becoming kind gated global community world gradually sliding chaotic conditions mj sound grandiose also difficult even next president steps hell pentagons momentum contend zb going incredibly difficult require lot statesmanship else ability educate mobilize american people mj speaking statesmanship would assess diplomacy bush zb essentially nonexistent mean look total failure efforts promote peace israel palestinians mj state military abroad huge overseas footprintnearly 800 bases around world country think thats necessary wise zb might useful next president take broad look scale thrust defense efforts theres something troubling condition one country alone roughly 5 percent worlds population spends 50 percent worlds defense budgets theres something weird maybe inherent role play worldthat large defense budget one wonder whether thats really necessary struck pervasive frequency pompously patriotic ads defense industry usually accompanied deferential salutations men women heroically sacrificing lives defense really need security mj regarding iraq weve built number called permanent bases zb permanent bases become impermanent mj think thats plan zb thats plan fact build something doesnt mean sit forever think democrats win going sitting permanent bases iraq scale fashion bush currently maybe designing signs agreement maliki think democratic congress going endorse mj well see zb think know mj think might happen start eliminating military footprint zb wouldnt eliminate global footprint number places world interest present welcome question need world scale reaching need spend much spending defense especially look aspects american societythe decaying character infrastructure increasingly primitive railroad system overburdened air services etcetera add potential consequences misguided policy iran long well thinking 4agallon price bargain well paying 10 per gallon | 946 |
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<p><a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-143386p1.html?cr=00&amp;pl=edit-00" type="external">Christopher Halloran</a> / <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/?cr=00&amp;pl=edit-00" type="external">Shutterstock.com</a></p>
<p>For the sake of America’s poor, a sincere conservative effort to improve the programs that serve them is very desirable — especially so long as Republicans control the House of Representatives, where they habitually yearn to cut or defund those same programs. For months, Washington has eagerly awaited the latest version of “compassionate conservatism,” promised by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and his publicists.</p>
<p>Appearing at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday, Ryan denounced government programs that serve the poor, including food stamps and free school lunch: “What the left is offering people is a full stomach and an empty soul. The American people want more than that.”</p>
<p />
<p>But what the House budget chair and 2012 vice-presidential candidate delivered a few days earlier showed that he is offering not more, but much less. “The War on Poverty: 50 Years Later,” produced by Ryan’s House Budget Committee staff is merely more of the same old right-wing propaganda against the safety net, and worse.</p>
<p>Promoted as a scathingly rigorous analysis of the impact of poverty programs since the ’60s, its 200-plus pages cite dozens of academic researchers. Yet it more resembles an ideological tract than the social science meta-study it purports to be. Having determined in advance that nearly all of the nation’s anti-poverty spending is wasteful, counterproductive and damaging to the work ethic of poor people, Ryan and his staff perform an audacious statistical stunt: They prove those programs have failed by pretending those programs don’t exist.</p>
<p>Poverty in America is officially determined by household income, and any official measurement of the number or percentage of poor Americans — those living “below the poverty line” — is determined by their incomes alone. But in order to measure the effectiveness of government programs designed to reduce the impact of low incomes, it would seem logically necessary to add in those extra sources of cash, goods and services.</p>
<p>But the Ryan report rejects such plain logic, relying instead on the official poverty numbers without assessing the impact of those programs — and then insists that because the number of families with low incomes remains around 15 percent, those programs have failed.</p>
<p>As the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities explains in a pithy review:</p>
<p>“The report features the ‘official’ poverty measure even though analysts across the political spectrum — and all three witnesses at a recent hearing that Ryan held, including the two Republicans he invited — have warned that the official poverty measure is deeply flawed for tracking changes in poverty over recent decades and for evaluating the impact of the safety net today. The official measure ignores a very large share of the safety net — including SNAP (formerly known as food stamps), tax-based benefits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, and low-income housing assistance, among other programs. Using a more comprehensive measure of poverty that analysts broadly favor, known as the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM), Columbia University researchers recently found that poverty had fallen markedly, from 26 percent in 1967 to 16 percent in 2012. Ryan buries this fact, failing to note the deep reductions in poverty under the SPM since the 1960s until page 201 of his report.</p>
<p>Moreover, the SPM shows that in 2012, the safety net cut poverty nearly in half — shrinking the poverty rate from 29 to 16 percent. Yet in its 200-plus pages, the Ryan report fails to mention these findings.”</p>
<p>In other words, Ryan cooks the books (again!), this time to denigrate programs that the Republicans want to cut drastically, notably the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Medicaid.</p>
<p>If such manipulations aren’t troubling enough, it now appears that some of Ryan’s copious academic citations are also misleading and perhaps fraudulent, with the same distorting effect. According to The Fiscal Times, the group of Columbia University researchers whose work is cited in the report complain that Ryan omits critical data from their study, which examines progress against poverty between 1967 and 2012. For reasons best known to the Wisconsin Republican, his team simply left out the data from 1967 to 1969 — and artfully diminished the very substantial improvement gauged during those years.</p>
<p>Not so impressive for a politician claiming wonk status.</p>
<p>Said a surprised Jane Waldfogel, one of the Columbia professors who co-authored the study cited so misleadingly by Ryan: “In my experience, usually you use all of the available data. There’s no justification given. It’s unfortunate because it really understates the progress we’ve made in reducing poverty.”</p>
<p>Like any faithful House Republican, Ryan and his staff also ignore the beneficial impact of health care reform. Based on completely outdated figures, they insist that poor families are discouraged from working (as if there are plenty of jobs) because they fear making too much money to qualify for Medicaid. But as CBPP also points out, that problem has been erased by the Affordable Care Act, which sharply increases the amount that a household can earn before losing Medicaid to 136 percent of the poverty line. Above that line, a working family can qualify for Obamacare subsidies and retain its insurance. But the Ryan report conceals that salient fact, too.</p>
<p>The report does offer a few brighter moments — including its advocacy for an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, which is proposed by President Barack Obama in his budget today as well. Time will tell whether House Republicans join the White House to improve that traditionally bipartisan program, a favorite of both Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. A safer bet is that they will surrender instead to the tea party caucus, which abhors any cooperation with this president.</p>
<p>Either way, there is nothing in Ryan’s latest effusion to dispel the impression of intellectual impoverishment that is the hallmark of compassionate conservatism — always an embarrassing oxymoron, and now a synonym for scholarly deception as well.</p>
<p>© 2014 CREATORS.COM</p> | true | 4 | christopher halloran shutterstockcom sake americas poor sincere conservative effort improve programs serve desirable especially long republicans control house representatives habitually yearn cut defund programs months washington eagerly awaited latest version compassionate conservatism promised rep paul ryan rwis publicists appearing conservative political action conference thursday ryan denounced government programs serve poor including food stamps free school lunch left offering people full stomach empty soul american people want house budget chair 2012 vicepresidential candidate delivered days earlier showed offering much less war poverty 50 years later produced ryans house budget committee staff merely old rightwing propaganda safety net worse promoted scathingly rigorous analysis impact poverty programs since 60s 200plus pages cite dozens academic researchers yet resembles ideological tract social science metastudy purports determined advance nearly nations antipoverty spending wasteful counterproductive damaging work ethic poor people ryan staff perform audacious statistical stunt prove programs failed pretending programs dont exist poverty america officially determined household income official measurement number percentage poor americans living poverty line determined incomes alone order measure effectiveness government programs designed reduce impact low incomes would seem logically necessary add extra sources cash goods services ryan report rejects plain logic relying instead official poverty numbers without assessing impact programs insists number families low incomes remains around 15 percent programs failed center budget policy priorities explains pithy review report features official poverty measure even though analysts across political spectrum three witnesses recent hearing ryan held including two republicans invited warned official poverty measure deeply flawed tracking changes poverty recent decades evaluating impact safety net today official measure ignores large share safety net including snap formerly known food stamps taxbased benefits earned income tax credit child tax credit lowincome housing assistance among programs using comprehensive measure poverty analysts broadly favor known supplemental poverty measure spm columbia university researchers recently found poverty fallen markedly 26 percent 1967 16 percent 2012 ryan buries fact failing note deep reductions poverty spm since 1960s page 201 report moreover spm shows 2012 safety net cut poverty nearly half shrinking poverty rate 29 16 percent yet 200plus pages ryan report fails mention findings words ryan cooks books time denigrate programs republicans want cut drastically notably supplemental nutrition assistance program medicaid manipulations arent troubling enough appears ryans copious academic citations also misleading perhaps fraudulent distorting effect according fiscal times group columbia university researchers whose work cited report complain ryan omits critical data study examines progress poverty 1967 2012 reasons best known wisconsin republican team simply left data 1967 1969 artfully diminished substantial improvement gauged years impressive politician claiming wonk status said surprised jane waldfogel one columbia professors coauthored study cited misleadingly ryan experience usually use available data theres justification given unfortunate really understates progress weve made reducing poverty like faithful house republican ryan staff also ignore beneficial impact health care reform based completely outdated figures insist poor families discouraged working plenty jobs fear making much money qualify medicaid cbpp also points problem erased affordable care act sharply increases amount household earn losing medicaid 136 percent poverty line line working family qualify obamacare subsidies retain insurance ryan report conceals salient fact report offer brighter moments including advocacy expansion earned income tax credit proposed president barack obama budget today well time tell whether house republicans join white house improve traditionally bipartisan program favorite presidents ronald reagan bill clinton safer bet surrender instead tea party caucus abhors cooperation president either way nothing ryans latest effusion dispel impression intellectual impoverishment hallmark compassionate conservatism always embarrassing oxymoron synonym scholarly deception well 2014 creatorscom | 578 |
<p>SHARMINI PERIES: It’s The Real News Network. I’m Sharmini Peries coming to you from Baltimore. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or known as the OECD, predicted on Tuesday that Trump’s tariffs on aluminum and steel imports could initiate a wave of protectionism and slow global economic growth. The tariffs have already spurred various countries to announce retaliatory measures. For example, the European Union plans to impose tariffs on Harley Davidsons and blue jeans. China has also promised to retaliate. Meanwhile, US companies that use steel and aluminum as raw materials for their production processes already report significant cost increases by as much as 40%.</p>
<p>Joining me now to analyze Trump’s tariffs is Michael Hudson. Michael is a distinguished research professor of economics at the University of Missouri Kansas City. He’s the author of several books, the most recent among them is J is for Junk Economics. Michael, welcome back.</p>
<p>MICHAEL HUDSON: Great to be here again, Sharmini.</p>
<p>SHARMINI PERIES: Michael, what do you think of Trump’s tariffs on aluminum and steel, will they protect US manufacturing industries?</p>
<p>MICHAEL HUDSON: On the one hand, it’s supposed to protect and rebuild US manufacturing. But to really rebuild manufacturing, you need much more than a tariff against foreign goods. You need public infrastructure, and that’s not going to happen. You also need a different tax system, and that’s not going to happen. You need a more competitive economy; that’s not going to happen. So I think there’s not really any attempt to repeat how America built up manufacturing by what Henry Clay called the American System in the 19th century: infrastructure, public investment, tariffs and an industrial banking system.</p>
<p>We’re still in a Thatcherite economic policy, so I think what Trump really wants to do is use diplomatic leverage and economic threats against Canada and Mexico. I think what is on his mind is “We’ll let Mexico’s steel in, but it’ll have to build the wall and pay for it. If it doesn’t do that, then we’re going to punish it. For Canada, you’re going to have to surrender to all of our renegotiated NAFTA demands. You have to buy more American cars. You have to do whatever we tell you to, otherwise we’re going to create unemployment in your steel industry.”</p>
<p>That’s called national security somehow. But how can it really be national security if he’s willing to let in most of the aluminum and most of the steel if Canada and Mexico do things that have nothing to do with national security at all?</p>
<p>His policy is what we call an internal contradiction that doesn’t make sense. Canada has already announced that it is not going to renegotiate NAFTA and let the tariff be used as a threat. The Canadians are getting fed up with American pushing special interest favoritism against it. The Mexican president refused to come up a few weeks ago when it was obvious that Trump was going to make demands on Mexico that were so much against its national interest that they just canceled.</p>
<p>SHARMINI PERIES: So then why is US manufacturing, steel manufacturing in particular, predicting a 40% increase in prices?</p>
<p>MICHAEL HUDSON: It’s not just a prediction, Sharmini. The Financial Times just had a chart, and steel prices have already gone up 40%. Aluminum prices have already gone up one-third. If you look at the forward market, the prices are already up. We don’t have to say this is a dire prediction, it’s already happening.</p>
<p>SHARMINI PERIES: Michael, historically tariffs and protectionist policies have been used by countries as a strategy to industrialize. Can this strategy work again in light of the fact that US has been de-industrializing for several decades now?</p>
<p>MICHAEL HUDSON: It can’t work again, for a number of reasons. For one thing, from the very beginning of the 19th century, ever since Henry Clay put forth the American System in the 1840s of internal improvements, protective tariffs, and a national bank and financial policy to fund an industry, those three had to go together. In order to make industry competitive, you need not only tariffs to block imports, you need to support manufacturing by infrastructure investment, roads, canals, an educational system.</p>
<p>By the end of the 19th century, you had the Conservative Party in Britain, Benjamin Disraeli, saying “Health is everything. We have to have a health policy to promote our workforce.” In Germany, Bismarck said “We need a pension system. We need an industrial banking system to fund Germany. We need government spending on infrastructure, on railroads.” You had European, French, German and English investment in public spending. But Trump is a Thatcherite. You cannot have a Thatcherite economy, which is basically an asset-stripping economy, you cannot have a tax policy like Trump has, which is basically a financialization policy, and at the same time, have an industrial policy.</p>
<p>In fact, what Trump is saying is that he wants this to be the first salvo in a trade war against the whole world that has a mixed economy. He’s announced pretty much that within the World Trade Organization he’s going to promote blockages against any country where the government plays a role. For instance, if they tax companies that pollute with a pollution tax, any government that regulates, any government that provides subsidized services like subsidized education, subsidized healthcare, subsidized roads and railroads, this is somehow not a free market economy.</p>
<p>A free market economy is an austere economy sort of like Thatcherism. This aim is to dismantle industry, and Trump is essentially saying “Any economy that has an industrial strategy, we’re going to exclude from the American-centered way of reorganizing society.” Basically, this means that either you’re going to join the neoliberal Thatcherite block, or the rest of the world is going to be a state socialist or other socialist, or just plain mixed economy block.</p>
<p>But no other country outside of the neoliberal countries is going to say “Okay. We’re going to privatize our education just like America’s doing. We’re not going to give free education or subsidized roads. We’re not going to regulate industrial monopolies.” No country is going to go along with this attempt to essentially declare war on countries that are not “free enterprise economies,” meaning financialized economies.</p>
<p>SHARMINI PERIES: Michael, legally, trade policies are supposed to be coordinated through Congress. However, Trump is sidelining Congress and saying that he has the right to negotiate and to do his wheeling and dealing from The White House. We just saw a recent decision where he’s denied the $177 billion Broadcom takeover of Qualcomm that he considers this a national security threat. We don’t know whether it is or not but let’s take it for granted that it is. This kind of wheeling and dealing and sidelining Congress, does that concern you?</p>
<p>MICHAEL HUDSON: Yes, for two reasons. Number one, it’s the imperial presidency. It’s an attack on the American Constitution. You’re right, Congress is supposed to be in charge of trade policy, just as it’s supposed to be in charge of declaring war, but the president can say that there’s a national security emergency. The problem with this is that ever since the World Trade Organization was created anew in the 1990s, no country, not even the United States, has used the national security excuse to impose tariffs. George W. Bush thought about it, but then he was told that there was no persuasive basis for it.</p>
<p>But what’s most interesting in the Qualcomm case is the logic for national security. What Trump and the government said was that the problem of letting Singapore take over Qualcomm is they’re financial people, and finance lives in the short-run. The official Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) letter says (quote): “Broadcom has lined up $106 billion of debt financing to support the Qualcomm acquisition, which would be the largest corporate acquisition loan on record. This debt load could increase pressure for short-term profitability, potentially to the detriment of longer-term investments. The volume of recent acquisitions by Broadcom has increased the company’s profits and market capitalization, but these acquisitions have been followed by reductions in R&amp;D investment.”</p>
<p>In other words, if we let a financially organized company take over a technology, they’re going to cut back research and development to bleed the company and extract dividends. That’s what finance is all about. That’s how private equity funds operate. That’s the Wall Street modus operandi. So what Trump has said is that the way in which Wall Street behaves, the way in which the banking system behaves, is against national security.</p>
<p>This is a wonderful argument that I think is worth following up. The main violator of national security in this case would be financializing the economy, Wall Street. It would be the hedge funds and private equity that are backing Trump. At the same time, you have the Republican congress working with the Blue Dogs in the Democratic Party to dismantle bank regulation, deregulate the banks, and essentially make it easier to oppose national security, whose time frame is supposed to be long term.</p>
<p>National security also has to be long term. If having a manufacturing and an industrial base is national security, then what you need to do is what every other government in the world, led by the United States in the 19th century above all, has done: You need public investment and infrastructure, not privatized infrastructure, because public investment in infrastructure lowers the cost of roads and schooling … as we’ve talked about on this show before. Privatization aims at raising the price and extracting a monopoly rent from infrastructure. So in a way, Trump has just said “The policy that I and the Republicans are promoting violates every condition of national security in the United States, and we’re not going to let Singapore do that either. But we’re only going to block Singapore from doing it, because it’s Singapore and they’re Asians, not Wall Street.” That’s my translation of his policy.</p>
<p>This is an edited transcript of an interview on <a href="http://therealnews.com/t2/story:21353:Trump%27s-Tariff-Travesty-Will-Not-Re-Industrialize-the-US" type="external">The Real News Network</a>.</p> | true | 4 | sharmini peries real news network im sharmini peries coming baltimore organization economic cooperation development known oecd predicted tuesday trumps tariffs aluminum steel imports could initiate wave protectionism slow global economic growth tariffs already spurred various countries announce retaliatory measures example european union plans impose tariffs harley davidsons blue jeans china also promised retaliate meanwhile us companies use steel aluminum raw materials production processes already report significant cost increases much 40 joining analyze trumps tariffs michael hudson michael distinguished research professor economics university missouri kansas city hes author several books recent among j junk economics michael welcome back michael hudson great sharmini sharmini peries michael think trumps tariffs aluminum steel protect us manufacturing industries michael hudson one hand supposed protect rebuild us manufacturing really rebuild manufacturing need much tariff foreign goods need public infrastructure thats going happen also need different tax system thats going happen need competitive economy thats going happen think theres really attempt repeat america built manufacturing henry clay called american system 19th century infrastructure public investment tariffs industrial banking system still thatcherite economic policy think trump really wants use diplomatic leverage economic threats canada mexico think mind well let mexicos steel itll build wall pay doesnt going punish canada youre going surrender renegotiated nafta demands buy american cars whatever tell otherwise going create unemployment steel industry thats called national security somehow really national security hes willing let aluminum steel canada mexico things nothing national security policy call internal contradiction doesnt make sense canada already announced going renegotiate nafta let tariff used threat canadians getting fed american pushing special interest favoritism mexican president refused come weeks ago obvious trump going make demands mexico much national interest canceled sharmini peries us manufacturing steel manufacturing particular predicting 40 increase prices michael hudson prediction sharmini financial times chart steel prices already gone 40 aluminum prices already gone onethird look forward market prices already dont say dire prediction already happening sharmini peries michael historically tariffs protectionist policies used countries strategy industrialize strategy work light fact us deindustrializing several decades michael hudson cant work number reasons one thing beginning 19th century ever since henry clay put forth american system 1840s internal improvements protective tariffs national bank financial policy fund industry three go together order make industry competitive need tariffs block imports need support manufacturing infrastructure investment roads canals educational system end 19th century conservative party britain benjamin disraeli saying health everything health policy promote workforce germany bismarck said need pension system need industrial banking system fund germany need government spending infrastructure railroads european french german english investment public spending trump thatcherite thatcherite economy basically assetstripping economy tax policy like trump basically financialization policy time industrial policy fact trump saying wants first salvo trade war whole world mixed economy hes announced pretty much within world trade organization hes going promote blockages country government plays role instance tax companies pollute pollution tax government regulates government provides subsidized services like subsidized education subsidized healthcare subsidized roads railroads somehow free market economy free market economy austere economy sort like thatcherism aim dismantle industry trump essentially saying economy industrial strategy going exclude americancentered way reorganizing society basically means either youre going join neoliberal thatcherite block rest world going state socialist socialist plain mixed economy block country outside neoliberal countries going say okay going privatize education like americas going give free education subsidized roads going regulate industrial monopolies country going go along attempt essentially declare war countries free enterprise economies meaning financialized economies sharmini peries michael legally trade policies supposed coordinated congress however trump sidelining congress saying right negotiate wheeling dealing white house saw recent decision hes denied 177 billion broadcom takeover qualcomm considers national security threat dont know whether lets take granted kind wheeling dealing sidelining congress concern michael hudson yes two reasons number one imperial presidency attack american constitution youre right congress supposed charge trade policy supposed charge declaring war president say theres national security emergency problem ever since world trade organization created anew 1990s country even united states used national security excuse impose tariffs george w bush thought told persuasive basis whats interesting qualcomm case logic national security trump government said problem letting singapore take qualcomm theyre financial people finance lives shortrun official committee foreign investment united states cfius letter says quote broadcom lined 106 billion debt financing support qualcomm acquisition would largest corporate acquisition loan record debt load could increase pressure shortterm profitability potentially detriment longerterm investments volume recent acquisitions broadcom increased companys profits market capitalization acquisitions followed reductions rampd investment words let financially organized company take technology theyre going cut back research development bleed company extract dividends thats finance thats private equity funds operate thats wall street modus operandi trump said way wall street behaves way banking system behaves national security wonderful argument think worth following main violator national security case would financializing economy wall street would hedge funds private equity backing trump time republican congress working blue dogs democratic party dismantle bank regulation deregulate banks essentially make easier oppose national security whose time frame supposed long term national security also long term manufacturing industrial base national security need every government world led united states 19th century done need public investment infrastructure privatized infrastructure public investment infrastructure lowers cost roads schooling weve talked show privatization aims raising price extracting monopoly rent infrastructure way trump said policy republicans promoting violates every condition national security united states going let singapore either going block singapore singapore theyre asians wall street thats translation policy edited transcript interview real news network | 911 |
<p>“The Commission instead opted for the easiest way out, which is a shame as in my perception it reveals a lack of impartiality on your behalf!” Chief East Timorese negotiator, Xanana Gusmão, Feb 28, 2018</p>
<p>In the scheme of things, Australia has deputised as regional bully for imperial powers since it became an outpost of the British empire. Neighbouring states have been ridiculed, mocked and derided as sub-human and incapable. The term “failed state” is still used in Canberra’s circles of presupposing power over desperate basket cases. Little wonder that China smells a wounded reputation.</p>
<p>It is in that spirit that signing of an agreement between Australia and East Timor to demarcate maritime borders took place. Officially, there were smiles, even a sense of back slapping. The March 7 press release from Foreign Minister Julie Bishop conveys the moment of false elevation:</p>
<p>“The treaty is a historic agreement that opens a new chapter in our bilateral relationship. It establishes permanent maritime boundaries between our countries and provides for the joint development and management of the Great Sunrise gas fields.”</p>
<p>The story behind the rubbing and flesh pressing was more questioning. The countries had, after all, reached this point after allegations of espionage threatened to scupper talks. Those allegations pertained to efforts on the part of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service to spy on East Timorese delegates during negotiations of the 2006 CMATS (Certain Maritime Arrangements in the Timor Sea). Where the division of revenue is concerned – in that case, the Greater Sunrise gas field in the Timor Sea – the spooks will follow.</p>
<p>The central points of historic contention between the states remain traditional: natural resources and how best to harness them. Neither could quite agree on who should have access to oil and gas reserves in the Timor Sea. The political imbroglio had its genesis in the 1989 Timor Gap Treaty signed between Australia and Indonesia when President Suharto’s kleptocracy, not to mention brutal suppression of East Timor, were deemed acceptable matters of realpolitik.</p>
<p>The subsequent liberation of East Timor left the fledgling state in a parlous, near-death state. Indonesia and Australia continued to share the resources of the Timor Gap in gluttonous merriment till the signing of the Timor Sea Treaty. The document had one glaring flow: the lack of a determined permanent maritime border. CMATS, which East Timor duly tore up, permitted an equal division of revenue, but similarly postponed the discussion of a maritime border.</p>
<p>Central to the Timor-Leste strategy was a determination to do it by the international law book. East Timor argued for a maritime border lying half way between it and Australia; Australia, that it follow its continental shelf. The Permanent Court of Arbitration, and Conciliation Commissioners, were duly engaged in applying the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Australia subsequently celebrated the outcome as “the first ever conciliation under [UNCLOS].”</p>
<p>While students of international law cheered the result, the political dimension proved uglier. East Timor’s chief negotiator and all-round resistance figure Xanana Gusmão lashed Australia and the Commissioners in a letter to the Conciliation Commission.</p>
<p>The Commission, he argued, were ignorant on East Timorese matters. The “chosen technical expert does not have appropriate experience or understanding from working in Timor-Leste or similar developing country contexts.” Their assessments on “potential benefits to the Timor-Leste population” were “shockingly superficial”, a point that only advantaged Australia.</p>
<p>Gusmão also had another gripe: Australian negotiators had seemingly been gotten to by the extractive industry heavies, Woodside Petroleum and Conoco Philips. “Civil society could potentially perceive this as a ‘form’ of collusion between the Government of Australia and Darwin LNG Partners and/or the Sunrise J.”</p>
<p>That the officials of Timor-Leste should harbour obstinate suspicions is not only understandable but sagacious. To deal with a repressive, sanguinary Indonesian military was painful enough. But then came international knowledge about the brutal regime operating in East Timor, knowledge that came precariously close to active complicity. Fraternal talk tends to be counterfeit in the market of geopolitics.</p>
<p>The 2,500 page Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor, transmitted by Gusmão, then East Timorese president, to the national parliament in November 2005 referenced hundreds of illuminating formerly classified US and British documents. These showed tacit approval by both the US and UK for the invasion of East Timor in 1975 and the status quo till 1999, during which some 100,000 Timorese died.</p>
<p>There were even open instances of Indonesian officials showing interest, as a National Security Council memorandum to US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger states, “in knowing the American attitude regarding Portuguese Timor (and, by implication, our reaction to a possible Indonesian takeover).” They were not disappointed.</p>
<p>As late as 2014, the Australian government would go to considerable lengths to prevent the release of files pertaining to Canberra’s knowledge of Indonesian troop deployments during the occupation. Of particular sensitivity were operations conducted in late 1981 and early 1982 which ended in predictable massacre. In a decision by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal agreeing with the government, President Justice Duncan Kerr claimed with Kafkaesque absurdity that he had to “express conclusions which I am unable to explain”.</p>
<p>What the justice did reveal was a tantalising titbit on the regional bullying East Timor has been subjected to at the hands of murderous and occasionally complicit powers. Evidence submitted to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade revealed a certain insistence on the part of US authorities in 2013 wanting “the Australian government to continue to restrict access to… four documents” with “ongoing sensitivities”.</p>
<p>East Timor remains a state on a drip. It is impoverished. Despite all this, the Australian preference remains determined and exploitative. The issue on where the oil and gas will be processed continues as a niggling sore point. Canberra prefers that piping take place through Darwin, with an 80 percent revenue sweetener to East Timor.</p>
<p>That will hardy pass muster for Dili, which sees value in having the processing facility in East Timor, where a “petroleum hub” is being developed. To that end, it is even willing to surrender a revenue cut to Australia. Power machinations, and Australia’s petroleum lobby, may well yet undo these arrangements. The regional bully remains renascent.</p> | true | 4 | commission instead opted easiest way shame perception reveals lack impartiality behalf chief east timorese negotiator xanana gusmão feb 28 2018 scheme things australia deputised regional bully imperial powers since became outpost british empire neighbouring states ridiculed mocked derided subhuman incapable term failed state still used canberras circles presupposing power desperate basket cases little wonder china smells wounded reputation spirit signing agreement australia east timor demarcate maritime borders took place officially smiles even sense back slapping march 7 press release foreign minister julie bishop conveys moment false elevation treaty historic agreement opens new chapter bilateral relationship establishes permanent maritime boundaries countries provides joint development management great sunrise gas fields story behind rubbing flesh pressing questioning countries reached point allegations espionage threatened scupper talks allegations pertained efforts part australian secret intelligence service spy east timorese delegates negotiations 2006 cmats certain maritime arrangements timor sea division revenue concerned case greater sunrise gas field timor sea spooks follow central points historic contention states remain traditional natural resources best harness neither could quite agree access oil gas reserves timor sea political imbroglio genesis 1989 timor gap treaty signed australia indonesia president suhartos kleptocracy mention brutal suppression east timor deemed acceptable matters realpolitik subsequent liberation east timor left fledgling state parlous neardeath state indonesia australia continued share resources timor gap gluttonous merriment till signing timor sea treaty document one glaring flow lack determined permanent maritime border cmats east timor duly tore permitted equal division revenue similarly postponed discussion maritime border central timorleste strategy determination international law book east timor argued maritime border lying half way australia australia follow continental shelf permanent court arbitration conciliation commissioners duly engaged applying un convention law sea australia subsequently celebrated outcome first ever conciliation unclos students international law cheered result political dimension proved uglier east timors chief negotiator allround resistance figure xanana gusmão lashed australia commissioners letter conciliation commission commission argued ignorant east timorese matters chosen technical expert appropriate experience understanding working timorleste similar developing country contexts assessments potential benefits timorleste population shockingly superficial point advantaged australia gusmão also another gripe australian negotiators seemingly gotten extractive industry heavies woodside petroleum conoco philips civil society could potentially perceive form collusion government australia darwin lng partners andor sunrise j officials timorleste harbour obstinate suspicions understandable sagacious deal repressive sanguinary indonesian military painful enough came international knowledge brutal regime operating east timor knowledge came precariously close active complicity fraternal talk tends counterfeit market geopolitics 2500 page commission reception truth reconciliation east timor transmitted gusmão east timorese president national parliament november 2005 referenced hundreds illuminating formerly classified us british documents showed tacit approval us uk invasion east timor 1975 status quo till 1999 100000 timorese died even open instances indonesian officials showing interest national security council memorandum us secretary state henry kissinger states knowing american attitude regarding portuguese timor implication reaction possible indonesian takeover disappointed late 2014 australian government would go considerable lengths prevent release files pertaining canberras knowledge indonesian troop deployments occupation particular sensitivity operations conducted late 1981 early 1982 ended predictable massacre decision administrative appeals tribunal agreeing government president justice duncan kerr claimed kafkaesque absurdity express conclusions unable explain justice reveal tantalising titbit regional bullying east timor subjected hands murderous occasionally complicit powers evidence submitted department foreign affairs trade revealed certain insistence part us authorities 2013 wanting australian government continue restrict access four documents ongoing sensitivities east timor remains state drip impoverished despite australian preference remains determined exploitative issue oil gas processed continues niggling sore point canberra prefers piping take place darwin 80 percent revenue sweetener east timor hardy pass muster dili sees value processing facility east timor petroleum hub developed end even willing surrender revenue cut australia power machinations australias petroleum lobby may well yet undo arrangements regional bully remains renascent | 619 |
<p>Almost a month since Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, most of the island still lacks power ― and it may be six months or more before it is restored. Many residents do not have access to safe drinking water, and the EPA has&#160; <a href="https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-hurricane-maria-update-wednesday-october-11th" type="external">expressed concern</a>&#160;about people drinking dangerous water at “hazardous waste ‘Superfund’” sites. About half the population is estimated to still be without cell phone service, making reports of ongoing urgent needs in isolated areas difficult to relay. Professionals worry about disease outbreaks and new health crises emerging.</p>
<p>The federal government response has been&#160; <a href="" type="internal">scandalous</a>. President Trump’s treatment of Puerto Rico, in contrast to hurricane-hit Florida and Texas, has raised suspicions of racist indifference, or of other motivations for deliberate neglect. The response has been lacking in part because Puerto Rico is not a US state. Nor is it an independent country, in which case it would be free to receive aid unhampered by US restrictions.</p>
<p>President Trump infamously touted the low death toll from the hurricanes, in comparison with the Hurricane Katrina disaster, yet the death toll is still being tallied. People continue to&#160; <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/seven-deaths-in-puerto-rico-were-preventable-government-list-indicates" type="external">die from preventable causes</a>&#160;as the relief effort dawdles, hampered by the resumption of&#160; <a href="" type="internal">the Jones Act</a>, which prohibits non-US flagged ships from docking at successive US ports, and other political calculations in Washington.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Puerto Ricans are treated as second-class citizens; its government made subservient to Washington.</p>
<p>The island’s colonial status goes back to the Spanish-American War, when US forces&#160; <a href="" type="internal">invaded</a>Puerto Rico and the US claimed the territory for its own. The US gave Puerto Ricans citizenship a few decades later, so that they could serve in the US military in World War I, but no voting representation in Congress. The second-class nature of their nationality was effectively made permanent.</p>
<p>This second-class citizenship is now hampering Puerto Rico’s ability to recover from a historic double crisis, while the US federal government response is one of relative neglect. Aside from the remarkable lack of initiative to get aid to people in need in Puerto Rico, Trump has blamed Puerto Ricans for their current (prehurricane) economic crisis, and has complained that Puerto Rico’s disaster is hurting his plans for the federal budget.</p>
<p>Puerto Rico’s debt woes are not “largely of their own making,” as Trump&#160; <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/918428456869916672" type="external">tweeted</a>. They are much more of&#160; <a href="http://cepr.net/publications/reports/life-after-debt-in-puerto-rico-how-many-more-lost-decades" type="external">Washington’s making</a>, as it was the US Congress that passed the Jones Act. The US Congress passed NAFTA, WTO, and other trade legislation that hampered the Puerto Rican manufacturing sector. The US Congress repealed Section 936 of the US tax code that had provided tax breaks to US companies producing goods in Puerto Rico. More recently, it was the US Congress that imposed the unelected Financial Oversight and Management Board on Puerto Rico, which now makes the most important economic policy decisions for the island. The Board has pushed for an economic austerity plan that has hampered the island’s recovery; after a lost decade of no economic growth, Puerto Rico was already&#160; <a href="http://cepr.net/publications/reports/life-after-debt-in-puerto-rico-how-many-more-lost-decades" type="external">on track to experience another</a>&#160;before hurricanes Irma and Maria hit.</p>
<p>Since it is not an independent country, Puerto Rico is unable to consider monetary and fiscal policy options that might allow it to recover from its recession. These might include driving a hard bargain with the creditors who have barely paused in demanding full repayment of Puerto Rico’s debt, even though it is clear that Puerto Rico will not be able to repay it ― something that even Trump admitted, before the statement was walked back by Budget Director Mick Mulvaney.</p>
<p>Republicans are heaping more debt on the pile with&#160; <a href="" type="internal">financial aid</a>&#160;in the form of loans over the objections of the&#160; <a href="https://cpc-grijalva.house.gov/press-releases/cpc-current-disaster-relief-to-puerto-rico-is-not-enough/" type="external">Congressional Progressive Caucus</a>, who says “The reconstruction of Puerto Rico is an opportunity to reboot the island’s economy” through “bolstering basic services such as healthcare, education, electricity and renewable energy.”</p>
<p>One of the reasons Puerto Rico racked up such a substantial debt was because it&#160; <a href="http://cepr.net/publications/reports/more-trouble-ahead-puerto-rico-s-impending-medicaid-crisis" type="external">had to borrow to fund its Medicaid program</a>, and here again we see how Puerto Rico is punished by its territorial status. Rather than reimburse the island’s Medicaid program at the 55 percent rate as it does for other territories, or the 83 percent rate that Puerto Rico would receive if it were a state, the US government capped the reimbursement at about $300 million per year ― less than a 15 percent reimbursement rate. The Affordable Care Act offered a one-time grant of $6.4 billion to Puerto Rico in 2013, but the money is now running out, and&#160; <a href="http://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/355856-congress-remember-puerto-rico-needs-fair-medicaid-funding-too" type="external">there is currently no funding</a>&#160;for Puerto Rico’s Medicaid for next year.</p>
<p>Even worse, Puerto Rico’s Medicaid needs are greater because the poverty rate in Puerto Rico is 46 percent, compared to 15 percent for the US as a whole. Yet it will&#160; <a href="http://cepr.net/publications/reports/more-trouble-ahead-puerto-rico-s-impending-medicaid-crisis" type="external">cost the US government more to not fund Puerto Rico’s Medicaid shortfall</a>&#160;than if it does fund it. Why is this? Health care costs in Puerto Rico are less expensive than on the US mainland. If the US Congress approves Medicaid funding in Puerto Rico, it will be far less costly than were those same Medicaid patients to move to the mainland US and get treated here. Yet more and more Puerto Ricans will keep out-migrating as the island continues to suffer neglect in the wake of the hurricanes and its economy continues to limp along. A Medicaid crisis would be another factor pushing people to leave the island for US states.</p>
<p>It is not our place to weigh in on whether Puerto Rico should become a US state, or an independent country. But under the status quo, the island’s residents seem to be experiencing the worst of both worlds.</p>
<p>This article originally appeared on <a href="http://www.insidesources.com/counterpoint-puerto-ricos-dual-crises-show-territorial-status-worst-worlds/" type="external">Inside Sources</a>.</p> | true | 4 | almost month since hurricane maria struck puerto rico island still lacks power may six months restored many residents access safe drinking water epa has160 expressed concern160about people drinking dangerous water hazardous waste superfund sites half population estimated still without cell phone service making reports ongoing urgent needs isolated areas difficult relay professionals worry disease outbreaks new health crises emerging federal government response been160 scandalous president trumps treatment puerto rico contrast hurricanehit florida texas raised suspicions racist indifference motivations deliberate neglect response lacking part puerto rico us state independent country case would free receive aid unhampered us restrictions president trump infamously touted low death toll hurricanes comparison hurricane katrina disaster yet death toll still tallied people continue to160 die preventable causes160as relief effort dawdles hampered resumption of160 jones act prohibits nonus flagged ships docking successive us ports political calculations washington unfortunately puerto ricans treated secondclass citizens government made subservient washington islands colonial status goes back spanishamerican war us forces160 invadedpuerto rico us claimed territory us gave puerto ricans citizenship decades later could serve us military world war voting representation congress secondclass nature nationality effectively made permanent secondclass citizenship hampering puerto ricos ability recover historic double crisis us federal government response one relative neglect aside remarkable lack initiative get aid people need puerto rico trump blamed puerto ricans current prehurricane economic crisis complained puerto ricos disaster hurting plans federal budget puerto ricos debt woes largely making trump160 tweeted much of160 washingtons making us congress passed jones act us congress passed nafta wto trade legislation hampered puerto rican manufacturing sector us congress repealed section 936 us tax code provided tax breaks us companies producing goods puerto rico recently us congress imposed unelected financial oversight management board puerto rico makes important economic policy decisions island board pushed economic austerity plan hampered islands recovery lost decade economic growth puerto rico already160 track experience another160before hurricanes irma maria hit since independent country puerto rico unable consider monetary fiscal policy options might allow recover recession might include driving hard bargain creditors barely paused demanding full repayment puerto ricos debt even though clear puerto rico able repay something even trump admitted statement walked back budget director mick mulvaney republicans heaping debt pile with160 financial aid160in form loans objections the160 congressional progressive caucus says reconstruction puerto rico opportunity reboot islands economy bolstering basic services healthcare education electricity renewable energy one reasons puerto rico racked substantial debt it160 borrow fund medicaid program see puerto rico punished territorial status rather reimburse islands medicaid program 55 percent rate territories 83 percent rate puerto rico would receive state us government capped reimbursement 300 million per year less 15 percent reimbursement rate affordable care act offered onetime grant 64 billion puerto rico 2013 money running and160 currently funding160for puerto ricos medicaid next year even worse puerto ricos medicaid needs greater poverty rate puerto rico 46 percent compared 15 percent us whole yet will160 cost us government fund puerto ricos medicaid shortfall160than fund health care costs puerto rico less expensive us mainland us congress approves medicaid funding puerto rico far less costly medicaid patients move mainland us get treated yet puerto ricans keep outmigrating island continues suffer neglect wake hurricanes economy continues limp along medicaid crisis would another factor pushing people leave island us states place weigh whether puerto rico become us state independent country status quo islands residents seem experiencing worst worlds article originally appeared inside sources | 563 |
<p>Photo by Stefan Krasowski | <a href="" type="internal">CC BY 2.0</a></p>
<p>Last month, North Korea conducted two missile tests that were designed to demonstrate that the isolated country had achieved a major advancement in its missile technology. North Korea’s missile tests on July 3 and July 28 were immediately&#160; <a href="" type="internal">declared</a>&#160;by the mainstream press to be&#160; <a href="" type="internal">successful tests</a>&#160;of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which puts part or all of the US in range of a strike. Hawkish “experts” immediately sprung into action and stated the missile tests undeniably proved the North can now strike the United States.</p>
<p>The corporate media’s hyping of North Korea’s “threat” instantly began pushing the country towards a catastrophic war. The Trump administration, which has already been immersed in chaos, sent&#160; <a href="" type="internal">mixed messages</a>&#160;in response and Americans became alarmed.&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Polling</a>&#160;from the beginning of August found that 62% of Americans now believe North Korea posed a “very serious threat” to the United States, a jump of 14 points since March. Fourteen years after the disaster in Iraq was sold to Americans on the pretense of WMDs, which never existed, the mainstream media continue to push war hungry narratives.</p>
<p>It was against this war-frenzied backdrop that Trump unloaded a series of outrageous and&#160; <a href="" type="internal">off the cuff</a>&#160;threats, signifying the US may consider a nuclear first strike on North Korea. An attack along the lines the president was threatening would likely kill at least a million people and possibly trigger China to come to North Korea’s defense.</p>
<p>Then on August 9, a&#160; <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/b-1-bombers-key-u-s-plan-strike-north-korean-n791221" type="external">report</a>&#160;surfaced that the Pentagon had not only already drawn up plans for the attack, but it has been actively rehearsing a preemptive strike on North Korea since May. The Pentagon has identified “ <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/news/north-korea/b-1-bombers-key-u-s-plan-strike-north-korean-n791221" type="external">two dozen</a>” North Korean targets, including launch sites, testing grounds, and support facilities. On August 10, a top war planner&#160; <a href="" type="internal">said</a>&#160;the only effective first strike against North Korea would involve multiple nuclear strikes by the US.</p>
<p>“From what we have heard from the way he [the President] stated the ‘fire and fury,’ and from what we got from Secretary Mattis, I have to believe that the plan is to use nuclear weapons against North Korea,” Air Force Col. Sam Gardiner.</p>
<p>We now find ourselves on the brink of a nuclear war. Just six months into office, Trump’s inexperienced and inept foreign policy has already led to a major nuclear crisis. Some experts have&#160; <a href="" type="internal">compared</a>&#160;this week to the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962.</p>
<p>Yet despite the recent events surrounding North Korea, a&#160; <a href="" type="internal">new report</a>&#160;by independent experts contradicts the mainstream media’s narrative. The report, published in the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, finds that North Korea’s recently launched missiles weren’t actually ICBMs and aren’t able to reach the continental US.</p>
<p>The lead author of the report is Ted Postol, a professor at MIT and a former scientific advisor for the Pentagon.</p>
<p>In an interview with me, Dr. Postol said the media reports on North Korea’s ability to strike the continental US were “news generated from nothing”.</p>
<p>“Nobody knows anything for certain about North Korea’s nuclear program, we only some basic things. For example, we know they probably got the plans to guide them from A.Q. Khan (Pakistani nuclear scientist), so we can make some guesses from that.”</p>
<p>“We know nothing about the utility of North Korea’s nuclear weapons. These could be weapons that are only usable in lab-like setting or they may be deployable. We don’t know.”</p>
<p>Dr. Postol says North Korea’s missiles likely don’t have the capability to carry a missile the weight of a first-generation nuclear weapon to the West Coast of the US. He also finds it very unlikely that North Korea has mastered the ability to create a warhead that can handle the immense forces created when a missile reenters the atmosphere.</p>
<p>On August 8, the Washington Post&#160; <a href="" type="internal">reported</a>&#160;a leaked Defense Intelligence Agency assessment, which stated North Korea had successfully created “a miniaturized nuclear warhead that can fit inside its missiles”.</p>
<p>The report is “essentially empty”, Postol stated.</p>
<p>“Who knows what is meant by a miniaturized warhead, and we also don’t know the degree of confidence the DIA had in the assessment.”</p>
<p>Skepticism about the widely reported claims on North Korea’s missiles ability is not limited to Postol and his coauthors, Dan Albright, a former UN weapons inspector&#160; <a href="https://www.voanews.com/a/doubts-about-reliability-dog-north-korea-nuclear-warheads/3981381.html" type="external">said</a>&#160;the DIA report ignored “uncertainties and caveats”.</p>
<p>Albright said North Korea’s recently used missile system is unlikely to be reliable after just two launches.</p>
<p>“Countries spend a lot of time working this problem to try to build up what they call the reliability of the warhead in a delivery system, and it just takes time,” Albright said. “I think I would be skeptical that North Korea can do it right now.”</p>
<p>Dr. Postol was adamant that his report didn’t intended to portray North Korea as being unable to ever strike the US, but rather, to indicate that we have time to solve the situation diplomatically.</p>
<p>“I think they’re still 4 to 6 years away from having a nuclear weapon that can reach the lower 48 states.”</p>
<p>If the administration feels rushed due to false reports about North Korea’s capability, they may make a rash decision. If the Trump administration did attack and North Korea responded with a missile launched at South Korea, Japan, or Guam, Dr. Postol said the US missile defense system was unlikely to intercept the attack.</p>
<p>“The systems are so unreliable it would almost be an accident if they worked. They’ve never been tested under real conditions and they can be defeated by very basic countermeasures.”</p>
<p>The lack of a reliable missile defense system would seem to be one more reason the Trump administration should slow down and pursue diplomacy.</p>
<p>“We have no choice but to develop diplomatic agreements, though I’m not saying that would be easy. The negotiations have to be done in a way that North Korea doesn’t feel like it has no option, and they shouldn’t be expected to give up their weapons systems as a precondition of talks, right now that’s their only leverage,” Dr. Postol said.</p>
<p>“We have to solve this issue, but we have time.”</p> | true | 4 | photo stefan krasowski cc 20 last month north korea conducted two missile tests designed demonstrate isolated country achieved major advancement missile technology north koreas missile tests july 3 july 28 immediately160 declared160by mainstream press be160 successful tests160of intercontinental ballistic missile icbm puts part us range strike hawkish experts immediately sprung action stated missile tests undeniably proved north strike united states corporate medias hyping north koreas threat instantly began pushing country towards catastrophic war trump administration already immersed chaos sent160 mixed messages160in response americans became alarmed160 polling160from beginning august found 62 americans believe north korea posed serious threat united states jump 14 points since march fourteen years disaster iraq sold americans pretense wmds never existed mainstream media continue push war hungry narratives warfrenzied backdrop trump unloaded series outrageous and160 cuff160threats signifying us may consider nuclear first strike north korea attack along lines president threatening would likely kill least million people possibly trigger china come north koreas defense august 9 a160 report160surfaced pentagon already drawn plans attack actively rehearsing preemptive strike north korea since may pentagon identified two dozen north korean targets including launch sites testing grounds support facilities august 10 top war planner160 said160the effective first strike north korea would involve multiple nuclear strikes us heard way president stated fire fury got secretary mattis believe plan use nuclear weapons north korea air force col sam gardiner find brink nuclear war six months office trumps inexperienced inept foreign policy already led major nuclear crisis experts have160 compared160this week cuban missile crisis 1962 yet despite recent events surrounding north korea a160 new report160by independent experts contradicts mainstream medias narrative report published bulletin atomic scientists finds north koreas recently launched missiles werent actually icbms arent able reach continental us lead author report ted postol professor mit former scientific advisor pentagon interview dr postol said media reports north koreas ability strike continental us news generated nothing nobody knows anything certain north koreas nuclear program basic things example know probably got plans guide aq khan pakistani nuclear scientist make guesses know nothing utility north koreas nuclear weapons could weapons usable lablike setting may deployable dont know dr postol says north koreas missiles likely dont capability carry missile weight firstgeneration nuclear weapon west coast us also finds unlikely north korea mastered ability create warhead handle immense forces created missile reenters atmosphere august 8 washington post160 reported160a leaked defense intelligence agency assessment stated north korea successfully created miniaturized nuclear warhead fit inside missiles report essentially empty postol stated knows meant miniaturized warhead also dont know degree confidence dia assessment skepticism widely reported claims north koreas missiles ability limited postol coauthors dan albright former un weapons inspector160 said160the dia report ignored uncertainties caveats albright said north koreas recently used missile system unlikely reliable two launches countries spend lot time working problem try build call reliability warhead delivery system takes time albright said think would skeptical north korea right dr postol adamant report didnt intended portray north korea unable ever strike us rather indicate time solve situation diplomatically think theyre still 4 6 years away nuclear weapon reach lower 48 states administration feels rushed due false reports north koreas capability may make rash decision trump administration attack north korea responded missile launched south korea japan guam dr postol said us missile defense system unlikely intercept attack systems unreliable would almost accident worked theyve never tested real conditions defeated basic countermeasures lack reliable missile defense system would seem one reason trump administration slow pursue diplomacy choice develop diplomatic agreements though im saying would easy negotiations done way north korea doesnt feel like option shouldnt expected give weapons systems precondition talks right thats leverage dr postol said solve issue time | 608 |
<p>Last year the online publication&#160;Foreign Policy Journal&#160;published ‘The Best Congress AIPAC Can Buy,’&#160;in which it was&#160; <a href="" type="internal">made clear</a>&#160;that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee led a pro-Israel grouping that “is probably the strongest, best organized and most effective lobby network in Washington DC. For the 2015-2016 election cycle, the pro-Israel network has already dispensed $4,255,136 in contributions.”&#160;&#160;Then in August 2017&#160;Global Research&#160;went further and deeper by&#160; <a href="" type="internal">stating that</a>&#160;“AIPAC (formerly the American Zionist Committee) is a high-powered, multi-financed, multi-faceted, political pressure group working exclusively in the interests of six million Israelis and NOT for the welfare or benefit of 320 million Americans. It not only influences US legislation but raises massive sums of money in order to ensure that the House of Representatives and the Senate are both populated by members who support AIPAC’s political and economic agenda as a priority over that of the United States of America.”</p>
<p>It couldn’t be more obvious that a foreign country is interfering dramatically in the governance of the United States. But it doesn’t stop there, because even crisis-ridden Britain receives the creepy attention of Israel’s activists.</p>
<p>The government of the United Kingdom is in a state of turmoil, mainly because it lacks authority as a result of holding an election in which the Conservative party was unexpectedly dealt a severe blow to its pride and popularity. Since then its indecision and incompetence have been complicated by scandal, of which the latest involved enforced resignations of two cabinet ministers, one because he indulged in&#160; <a href="" type="internal">sexual harassment</a>, and the latest, the overseas aid minister, Ms Priti Patel, because she told lies to the prime minister about a visit to Israel.</p>
<p>Ms Patel&#160; <a href="" type="internal">admitted</a>&#160;her actions “fell below the high standards expected of a secretary of state” which was certainly the case, because she told lies;&#160;&#160;but her low standard expeditions appear to have involved some intriguing antics.&#160;&#160;It was&#160; <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/c7f278ac-c3c8-11e7-a1d2-6786f39ef675" type="external">reported</a>&#160;that in August she went on “a secret trip to Israel with a lobbyist, during which she held 12 meetings, including one with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, without informing either [Prime Minister] May or Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary.”&#160;&#160;It is amazing that she could have imagined that British intelligence services would not report her movements and meetings in the daily brief, but this did not stop her&#160; <a href="" type="internal">telling</a>&#160;the&#160;Guardian&#160;newspaper that “Boris knew about the visit. The point is that the Foreign Office did know about this, Boris knew about [the visit to Israel]. It is not on, it is not on at all.&#160;&#160;I went out there, I paid for it, and there is nothing else to this. It is quite extraordinary. It is for the Foreign Office to go away and explain themselves.”</p>
<p>But it wasn’t the Foreign Office that had to explain things, because this was yet another squalid deception by a grubby little politician — for whatever reason she may have had to try to disguise her motives.&#160;&#160;Her&#160; <a href="" type="internal">assertion</a>&#160;that “I went on holiday and met with people and organisations&#160;&#160;. . . It is not about who else I met, I have friends out there,” didn’t ring true, and the media discovered a whole raft of deceit.</p>
<p>Not only did she have a dozen meetings with “friends” in Israel, but, as&#160; <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4864768/priti-patel-under-pressure-reveal-foreign-meetings/" type="external">revealed</a>&#160;by the&#160;Sun&#160;newspaper, “on September 7, Ms Patel met Israeli Minister for Public Security Gilad Erdan for talks in the House of Commons. Then, on September 18, she met Israel’s Foreign Ministry boss Yuval Rotem while in New York at the UN General Assembly. Ms Patel would not last night [November 6] disclose what the meetings were about.&#160;&#160;She had seen both men in Tel Aviv in August . . .”</p>
<p>She was accompanied on her Middle Eastern holiday by an agent of influence of Israel, Lord Polak, who attended all her meetings with Israel’s best and brightest,&#160;&#160;including Prime Minister Netanyahu. And Polak went with her to New York, with his flight being&#160; <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/c7f278ac-c3c8-11e7-a1d2-6786f39ef675" type="external">paid for</a>&#160;by the Israeli consulting firm&#160; <a href="http://ishra.goldi.me/team/" type="external">ISHRA</a>, which “offers a wide range of client services.”&#160;&#160;Polak was also present when she had undisclosed discussions with the Israeli Minister for Public Security in the House of Commons before she went to New York.</p>
<p>Lord Polak didn’t have far to walk to the House of Commons because he is a member of the adjacent House of Lords, Britain’s unelected upper chamber of Parliament, which is a travesty of democracy. It makes a mockery of social equality and far too many of its members are generous donors to political parties or failed politicians who have been “kicked upstairs” to well-recompensed relaxation as compensation for years of political toadying. There are&#160; <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/11827358/The-House-of-Lords-is-full-of-sycophants-failed-MPs-and-political-donors.-Sack-them-all.html" type="external">800 members</a>&#160;of the House, making it the second-largest legislative assembly in the world, after China’s National People’s Congress (and it has to be borne in mind that China has a population of 1.3 billion as against Britain’s 65 million).</p>
<p>In short, the House of Lords is a farcical disgrace.&#160;&#160;But it still has much influence, because there is a great deal of money sloshing around, and there are people and political parties who control this money — like the Conservative Friends of Israel (CFI), an organisation that the&#160;Financial Times&#160;(FT)&#160; <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/383e5caa-c4a2-11e7-b2bb-322b2cb39656" type="external">reports</a>&#160;has “an estimated 80 per cent of Tory MPs as members.” And it is no coincidence that Lord Polak “spent a quarter of a century as head of the CFI . . . He quit as director in 2015 to join the House of Lords, but has remained the group’s honorary president.”</p>
<p>CFI is a wealthy organisation which the FT notes “has given £377,994 [495,000 US dollars] to the Conservative party since 2004, mostly in the form of fully-funded trips to Israel for MPs.”&#160;&#160;Not only that, but it gives large individual donations to Conservative members of parliament — and does anyone imagine for a moment that any politician so favoured is going to say a single word against Israel in any forum in any context?</p>
<p>They’ve been bought.</p>
<p>The CFI’s deep-pocket generosity includes holding an annual London dinner, at which last December the prime minister not only&#160; <a href="https://cfoi.co.uk/prime-minister-theresa-may-cfi-annual-business-lunch-full-speech/" type="external">referred</a>&#160;to Lord Polak as “the one and only Stuart Polak” but noted there were over 200 legislators present and declared she was “so pleased that the CFI has already taken 34 of the 74 Conservative MPs elected in 2015 to Israel.”</p>
<p>Money is the most important feature of UK-Israel relations, and May was thrilled about “our countries’ biggest-ever business deal, worth over £1 billion, when Israeli airline El Al decided to use Rolls Royce engines in its new aircraft.”&#160;&#160;It all comes down to money, and Israel, in receipt of oceans of cash from the United States, can splurge it where it wants.</p>
<p>Last year it was&#160; <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-israel-statement/u-s-israel-sign-38-billion-military-aid-package-idUSKCN11K2CI" type="external">announced</a>&#160;that the US “will give Israel $38 billion in military assistance over the next decade, the largest such aid package in US history, under a landmark agreement signed on [September 14]” which includes an annual amount of $3.3 billion in “foreign military financing.”</p>
<p>Britain can’t give Israel any money, as it is itself in a poor financial situation, but it tries to make up for lack of cash by unconditional political support. It doesn’t matter to Britain’s government that Israel is&#160; <a href="" type="internal">in violation</a>&#160;of nearly 100 UN Security Council resolutions, most of them requiring its withdrawal from illegally occupied Arab lands.&#160;&#160;Don’t expect the United Kingdom to criticise the Israeli fiefdom.</p>
<p>The love-fest between Britain’s Conservative party and the state of Israel is not only unhealthy but suspiciously personal. There is little wonder that the British government has done its best to sweep the sordid Patel affair under the carpet, and that the intrigues of Lord Polak are being kept very quiet indeed.</p>
<p>Lord Polak is&#160; <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/biographies/lords/lord-polak/4547/register-of-interests" type="external">chair</a>&#160;of the advisory board of&#160; <a href="http://www.twcassociates.uk/" type="external">TWC Associates</a>, a “boutique consultancy specialising in the development of political strategy”, which lists among its clients several Israeli defence companies, including&#160; <a href="http://elbitsystems.com/" type="external">Elbit Systems</a>&#160;which specialises in defence electronics.</p>
<p>In 2012 it was disclosed that TWC and Elbit Systems were involved in the appalling British “Generals for Hire” scandal when Elbit’s UK chairman&#160; <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/double-role-of-a-top-tory-lobbyist-wd23prv7gc3" type="external">told undercover Sunday Times reporters</a>&#160;that TWC could gain access to government “from the prime minister down.”&#160;&#160;In this particularly revolting instance of corruption the British retired Lieutenant General Richard Applegate, then Chairman of TWC,&#160; <a href="" type="internal">boasted</a>&#160;that TWC had enormous influence, through its connections with Conservative Friends of Israel.&#160;&#160;He declared that “We piggy back on something, and please don’t spread this around, to do with basically Conservative Friends of Israel . . .&#160;&#160;do a series of discreet engagements using advisers to gain access to particular decision makers.” Just as Ms Patel was doing in Tel Aviv and London and New York, with the shadowy but authoritative guidance of the creepy Polak.</p>
<p>There is a lot that is wrong in the United Kingdom at the moment, but the Israeli scandal is the most squalid pantomime so far revealed in the tenure of the present administration. The prime minister is desperate to conceal her government’s intimate association with Israel, and is achieving success by deflecting media attention away from the machinations of the Israeli lobby and selecting other targets. Her attack on Russia in a bizarre&#160; <a href="" type="internal">diatribe</a>&#160;at a London banquet on November 13 was indicative of panic, but the headlines were obtained and the grubby Israel drama faded away into the background.</p>
<p>In the&#160; <a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-of-mays-speech-at-balfour-declaration-centenary-dinner/" type="external">words</a>&#160;of Prime Minister Theresa May on November 2, just as news of the Patel scandal was breaking, “We are proud to stand here today together with Prime Minister Netanyahu and declare our support for Israel. And we are proud of the relationship we have built with Israel.”</p>
<p>The British public will never know what Patel, Polak and all the other agents of influence were scheming to achieve, or what sinister fandangos they may get up to in the future, but we can be certain that the Britain-Israel alliance will continue to prosper. The United States has “the best Congress AIPAC can buy,” and Britain’s legislators are right up there with their transatlantic colleagues. They have no scruples and no shame, but seem to have plenty of cash.</p> | true | 4 | last year online publication160foreign policy journal160published best congress aipac buy160in was160 made clear160that american israel public affairs committee led proisrael grouping probably strongest best organized effective lobby network washington dc 20152016 election cycle proisrael network already dispensed 4255136 contributions160160then august 2017160global research160went deeper by160 stating that160aipac formerly american zionist committee highpowered multifinanced multifaceted political pressure group working exclusively interests six million israelis welfare benefit 320 million americans influences us legislation raises massive sums money order ensure house representatives senate populated members support aipacs political economic agenda priority united states america couldnt obvious foreign country interfering dramatically governance united states doesnt stop even crisisridden britain receives creepy attention israels activists government united kingdom state turmoil mainly lacks authority result holding election conservative party unexpectedly dealt severe blow pride popularity since indecision incompetence complicated scandal latest involved enforced resignations two cabinet ministers one indulged in160 sexual harassment latest overseas aid minister ms priti patel told lies prime minister visit israel ms patel160 admitted160her actions fell high standards expected secretary state certainly case told lies160160but low standard expeditions appear involved intriguing antics160160it was160 reported160that august went secret trip israel lobbyist held 12 meetings including one benjamin netanyahu israeli prime minister without informing either prime minister may boris johnson foreign secretary160160it amazing could imagined british intelligence services would report movements meetings daily brief stop her160 telling160the160guardian160newspaper boris knew visit point foreign office know boris knew visit israel all160160i went paid nothing else quite extraordinary foreign office go away explain wasnt foreign office explain things yet another squalid deception grubby little politician whatever reason may try disguise motives160160her160 assertion160that went holiday met people organisations160160 else met friends didnt ring true media discovered whole raft deceit dozen meetings friends israel as160 revealed160by the160sun160newspaper september 7 ms patel met israeli minister public security gilad erdan talks house commons september 18 met israels foreign ministry boss yuval rotem new york un general assembly ms patel would last night november 6 disclose meetings about160160she seen men tel aviv august accompanied middle eastern holiday agent influence israel lord polak attended meetings israels best brightest160160including prime minister netanyahu polak went new york flight being160 paid for160by israeli consulting firm160 ishra offers wide range client services160160polak also present undisclosed discussions israeli minister public security house commons went new york lord polak didnt far walk house commons member adjacent house lords britains unelected upper chamber parliament travesty democracy makes mockery social equality far many members generous donors political parties failed politicians kicked upstairs wellrecompensed relaxation compensation years political toadying are160 800 members160of house making secondlargest legislative assembly world chinas national peoples congress borne mind china population 13 billion britains 65 million short house lords farcical disgrace160160but still much influence great deal money sloshing around people political parties control money like conservative friends israel cfi organisation the160financial times160ft160 reports160has estimated 80 per cent tory mps members coincidence lord polak spent quarter century head cfi quit director 2015 join house lords remained groups honorary president cfi wealthy organisation ft notes given 377994 495000 us dollars conservative party since 2004 mostly form fullyfunded trips israel mps160160not gives large individual donations conservative members parliament anyone imagine moment politician favoured going say single word israel forum context theyve bought cfis deeppocket generosity includes holding annual london dinner last december prime minister only160 referred160to lord polak one stuart polak noted 200 legislators present declared pleased cfi already taken 34 74 conservative mps elected 2015 israel money important feature ukisrael relations may thrilled countries biggestever business deal worth 1 billion israeli airline el al decided use rolls royce engines new aircraft160160it comes money israel receipt oceans cash united states splurge wants last year was160 announced160that us give israel 38 billion military assistance next decade largest aid package us history landmark agreement signed september 14 includes annual amount 33 billion foreign military financing britain cant give israel money poor financial situation tries make lack cash unconditional political support doesnt matter britains government israel is160 violation160of nearly 100 un security council resolutions requiring withdrawal illegally occupied arab lands160160dont expect united kingdom criticise israeli fiefdom lovefest britains conservative party state israel unhealthy suspiciously personal little wonder british government done best sweep sordid patel affair carpet intrigues lord polak kept quiet indeed lord polak is160 chair160of advisory board of160 twc associates boutique consultancy specialising development political strategy lists among clients several israeli defence companies including160 elbit systems160which specialises defence electronics 2012 disclosed twc elbit systems involved appalling british generals hire scandal elbits uk chairman160 told undercover sunday times reporters160that twc could gain access government prime minister down160160in particularly revolting instance corruption british retired lieutenant general richard applegate chairman twc160 boasted160that twc enormous influence connections conservative friends israel160160he declared piggy back something please dont spread around basically conservative friends israel 160160do series discreet engagements using advisers gain access particular decision makers ms patel tel aviv london new york shadowy authoritative guidance creepy polak lot wrong united kingdom moment israeli scandal squalid pantomime far revealed tenure present administration prime minister desperate conceal governments intimate association israel achieving success deflecting media attention away machinations israeli lobby selecting targets attack russia bizarre160 diatribe160at london banquet november 13 indicative panic headlines obtained grubby israel drama faded away background the160 words160of prime minister theresa may november 2 news patel scandal breaking proud stand today together prime minister netanyahu declare support israel proud relationship built israel british public never know patel polak agents influence scheming achieve sinister fandangos may get future certain britainisrael alliance continue prosper united states best congress aipac buy britains legislators right transatlantic colleagues scruples shame seem plenty cash | 921 |
<p>Gregory Wilpert a German-American sociologist who earned a Ph.D. in sociology from Brandeis University in 1994. Between 2000 and 2008 he lived in Venezuela, where he taught at the Central University of Venezuela and then worked as a freelance journalist, writing on Venezuelan politics for a wide range of publications and also founded Venezuelanalysis.com, an English-language website about Venezuela. In 2007 he published the book Changing Venezuela by Taking Power: The History and Policies of the Chavez Government (Verso Books). He moved back to the U.S. in 2008 because his wife was named Consul General of Venezuela in New York and he taught political science at Brooklyn College. Since 2014 he has been living in Quito, Ecuador where he headed up the launch of teleSUR English and his wife took the position of Venezuelan Ambassador to Ecuador. Since early 2016 he has been working as a producer for The Real News.</p>
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<p /> GREGORY WILPERT, VENEZUELANALYSIS.COM: Recently, on October&#160;18, President Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the rebel group known as the FARC, marked the one-year anniversary of their agreement to hold peace negotiations that would put an end to a conflict that has lasted over 50 years and cost an estimated 600,000 lives.
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<p />While there have been many prior efforts to find a negotiated peace to what has been an immensely bloody conflict, this appears to be the first time in decades that negotiations might actually bring about peace in the near future. The Colombian government and the FARC have agreed to negotiate six issues: land reform, political participation, demobilization of the rebels, a solution to the drug trafficking problem, restitution to victims of the 50-year armed conflict, and putting the agreement to a national referendum.
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<p />About three months ago, negotiators announced that the first issue, land reform, had been resolved and that the negotiations would move on to the next issue, on political participation.
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<p />The initial agreement on land reform is an important milestone for a country that, according to official statistics, has the most unequal land distribution in the world, with 87&#160;percent of peasants who have no land title at all. President Santos called the agreement on land issues "a fundamental step towards a final accord to put an end to half a century of conflict." His head negotiator, Humberto de la Calle, expressed himself similarly:
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<p />HUMBERTO DE LA CALLE, HEAD OF GOVERNMENT'S NEGOTIATION TEAM (SUBTITLED TRANSL.): The touchstone of the agreement is the reaffirmation of the dignity of the peasant family, a historical change, a rebirth of the Colombian peasantry that can come about with the end of the armed conflict.
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<p />WILPERT: It is the inequality in land distribution that lies at the root of Colombia's civil war, which is also the longest civil war in recent Latin American history.
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<p />The peace negotiations, for which the recently deceased president of Venezuela, Hugo Chávez, was instrumental in getting started, are currently taking place in Cuba and also at times in Norway. The head negotiator of the FARC, Ivan Marquez, emphasized Chávez's role:
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<p />IVAN MARQUEZ, HEAD OF FARC NEGOTIATING TEAM (SUBTITLED TRANSL.): President Chávez and Venezuela are playing for the homeland Colombia and for peace in the region. We have nothing but words of thanks for President Chávez.
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<p />WILPERT: The governments of Venezuela and Chile--a leftist and a right-wing government, respectively--are functioning as guarantors of the peace process.
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<p />So far, 15 cycles of negotiations have taken place and the parties are now discussing the terms for an agreement on the second point, on political participation.
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<p />MARQUEZ: This event of closing one thematic cycle is at the same time the opening of the transcendental debate about Colombian democracy.
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<p />WILPERT: Colombia's president, Juan Manuel Santos, recently highlighted the importance of reaching an agreement on the second topic by November&#160;18, which represents the one-year anniversary since the talks began in Cuba.
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<p />JUAN MANUEL SANTOS, COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT (SUBTITLED TRANSL.): November&#160;18 is the anniversary since the beginning of the negotiations in Havana. I hope that between now and then we will be able to announce new results, that we can show to the Colombian people that we are advancing. It is important for the good of the process. I want to arrive at an agreement as soon as possible, so that never again there will be victims in Colombia.
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<p />WILPERT: The second point of the talks would deal with the rights of the FARC to reenter Colombia's political process, their access to the media, and guarantees for their safety. One of the conditions for the negotiations, however, is that all preliminary agreements are kept confidential, so as to keep objections to the agreement from within the two camps during the negotiation process at a minimum. It is thus not possible to know exactly what has been agreed to so far.
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<p />The point about guaranteeing the safety of demobilized FARC combatants is a key issue, because in a peace agreement that was reached in 1990, demobilized rebels were later assassinated by the hundreds, which is also why it has taken so long to build trust and find a new path towards peace negotiations.
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<p />Given the history of failed peace negotiations in Colombia, it has been surprising to many observers of Colombia that President Santos should be so optimistic about reaching an agreement. Not only Santos has been optimistic, but so has the Colombian population, which, according to a poll conducted by RCN Television last year, 77&#160;percent of the population support the negotiations and 54&#160;percent believe that they will lead to an agreement.
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<p />The reason for why this seems to be the most promising effort for a peaceful resolution to this 50-year conflict is that both sides, the government and the rebels, seem to be clearer than ever that neither side can win the conflict by force of arms. That is, both sides are in a weaker position than they were just a few years ago and need a success in the negotiations in order to maintain their legitimacy. The FARC has been weakened due to the recent loss of many of its most important leaders. The government is in a weakened position because its conservative camp, which has governed Colombia for the past 12 years, is hopelessly divided between a reactionary right wing, represented by former president Alvaro Uribe, and a more neoliberal right wing, represented by the current president, Juan Manuel Santos.
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<p />Uribe's more connected to the country's landed aristocracy, its drug barons, and their brutal paramilitary forces. As such, he is completely opposed to the peace negotiations and to having friendly relations with neighbouring Venezuela.
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<p />ÁLVARO URIBE, FMR. COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT: The topic [of negotiations with the FARC] is a topic of the government that has dropped the topic of security, a government that has put an end to the dialog with the people of Colombia and substituted it for the dialog with terrorism. President Santos was the greatest opponent to the Chavista dictatorship, to win votes. But now in the government he has surprised us. He appears as the great sponsor of the Chavista dictatorship, as the one who legitimized Chávez as a promoter of peace with terrorists who Chávez always protected.
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<p />WILPERT: Santos, on the other hand, is more connected to the country's urban aristocracy and its industrial class, for whom an end to the civil war would improve the country's conditions for conducting business and for which a land reform would not mean the end of their privileges.
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<p />Despite the constant sniping from Uribe, a former boss and mentor of President Santos, it is clear that Santos is hoping to finalize a peace agreement before the presidential election in the middle of next year, so that the agreement could serve as a feather in his cap for his reelection campaign.
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<p />While enormous uncertainties remain and the process could still be derailed at any time, the fact remains Colombia simply has no other option than a negotiated settlement. | true | 4 | gregory wilpert germanamerican sociologist earned phd sociology brandeis university 1994 2000 2008 lived venezuela taught central university venezuela worked freelance journalist writing venezuelan politics wide range publications also founded venezuelanalysiscom englishlanguage website venezuela 2007 published book changing venezuela taking power history policies chavez government verso books moved back us 2008 wife named consul general venezuela new york taught political science brooklyn college since 2014 living quito ecuador headed launch telesur english wife took position venezuelan ambassador ecuador since early 2016 working producer real news gregory wilpert venezuelanalysiscom recently october16018 president juan manuel santos colombia revolutionary armed forces colombia rebel group known farc marked oneyear anniversary agreement hold peace negotiations would put end conflict lasted 50 years cost estimated 600000 lives many prior efforts find negotiated peace immensely bloody conflict appears first time decades negotiations might actually bring peace near future colombian government farc agreed negotiate six issues land reform political participation demobilization rebels solution drug trafficking problem restitution victims 50year armed conflict putting agreement national referendum three months ago negotiators announced first issue land reform resolved negotiations would move next issue political participation initial agreement land reform important milestone country according official statistics unequal land distribution world 87160percent peasants land title president santos called agreement land issues fundamental step towards final accord put end half century conflict head negotiator humberto de la calle expressed similarly humberto de la calle head governments negotiation team subtitled transl touchstone agreement reaffirmation dignity peasant family historical change rebirth colombian peasantry come end armed conflict wilpert inequality land distribution lies root colombias civil war also longest civil war recent latin american history peace negotiations recently deceased president venezuela hugo chávez instrumental getting started currently taking place cuba also times norway head negotiator farc ivan marquez emphasized chávezs role ivan marquez head farc negotiating team subtitled transl president chávez venezuela playing homeland colombia peace region nothing words thanks president chávez wilpert governments venezuela chilea leftist rightwing government respectivelyare functioning guarantors peace process far 15 cycles negotiations taken place parties discussing terms agreement second point political participation marquez event closing one thematic cycle time opening transcendental debate colombian democracy wilpert colombias president juan manuel santos recently highlighted importance reaching agreement second topic november16018 represents oneyear anniversary since talks began cuba juan manuel santos colombian president subtitled transl november16018 anniversary since beginning negotiations havana hope able announce new results show colombian people advancing important good process want arrive agreement soon possible never victims colombia wilpert second point talks would deal rights farc reenter colombias political process access media guarantees safety one conditions negotiations however preliminary agreements kept confidential keep objections agreement within two camps negotiation process minimum thus possible know exactly agreed far point guaranteeing safety demobilized farc combatants key issue peace agreement reached 1990 demobilized rebels later assassinated hundreds also taken long build trust find new path towards peace negotiations given history failed peace negotiations colombia surprising many observers colombia president santos optimistic reaching agreement santos optimistic colombian population according poll conducted rcn television last year 77160percent population support negotiations 54160percent believe lead agreement reason seems promising effort peaceful resolution 50year conflict sides government rebels seem clearer ever neither side win conflict force arms sides weaker position years ago need success negotiations order maintain legitimacy farc weakened due recent loss many important leaders government weakened position conservative camp governed colombia past 12 years hopelessly divided reactionary right wing represented former president alvaro uribe neoliberal right wing represented current president juan manuel santos uribes connected countrys landed aristocracy drug barons brutal paramilitary forces completely opposed peace negotiations friendly relations neighbouring venezuela Álvaro uribe fmr colombian president topic negotiations farc topic government dropped topic security government put end dialog people colombia substituted dialog terrorism president santos greatest opponent chavista dictatorship win votes government surprised us appears great sponsor chavista dictatorship one legitimized chávez promoter peace terrorists chávez always protected wilpert santos hand connected countrys urban aristocracy industrial class end civil war would improve countrys conditions conducting business land reform would mean end privileges despite constant sniping uribe former boss mentor president santos clear santos hoping finalize peace agreement presidential election middle next year agreement could serve feather cap reelection campaign enormous uncertainties remain process could still derailed time fact remains colombia simply option negotiated settlement | 706 |
<p>Dramatis Personae</p>
<p>1. Richard M. Nixon — President of the United States of America</p>
<p>2. John Mitchell — Campaign Director, Committee to Re-elect the President (CREEP), former Attorney General</p>
<p>3. John Dean — White House counsel</p>
<p>4. H. R. (Bob) Haldeman — White House Chief of Staff</p>
<p>5. John Erlichman — Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs</p>
<p>6. Rosemary Woods — Secretary to the President</p>
<p>7. Alexander Haig — General, later White House Chief of Staff</p>
<p>8. Sammy Davis Jr. — entertainer, friend of the President</p>
<p>Scene I</p>
<p>(1972. The Oval Office, following the landslide win. Nixon, Dean, Mitchell, Haldeman, and Erlichman sit around the desk of the President.)</p>
<p>Nixon (spinning a globe): Round about this world I go, Breaking rice with men like Chou. Round the globe with which I’ve toyed, Downing shots with Leonid. ‘Tis fun to be far from home, To be Caesar out of Rome!</p>
<p>All: Paid off, paid off, bribed and paid off; Cash, bought; and favors paid off.</p>
<p>Mitchell: Set up riots to put down — “Law and order” in each town. Add a pinch of CIA To get in the Bureau’s way. Open mail and tap and spy, All go in election pie.</p>
<p>All: Paid off, paid off, bribed and paid off; Cash, bought: and favors paid off.</p>
<p>Dean: Have I our foes on a list! Screw them, do you get my gist? Bug the Demos, make a mess Then turn loose the IRS. There’s the license of a foe — When up it comes, tell it “no.” Set we up old George to lose, Go to China to make news. Henry’s helped to make our pow-wow — Friends we are with Chairman Mao now.</p>
<p>All: Paid off, paid off, bribed and paid off; Cash, bought; and favors paid off.</p>
<p>Nixon (to Mitchell): How did you ever raise all that money, John?</p>
<p>Mitchell: We were inspired when you said: “A dollar! A dollar! My kingdom for a dollar! Friends, fat cats and corporations, give me your bucks!”</p>
<p>Nixon: Very good. It’s as I’ve always maintained: there is more money in corporations, Mr. ex-Attorney General, than dreamt of in your philosophy of robbing banks for it.</p>
<p>Mitchell: Right you are, Mr. President. When conglomerates come, they come in battalions!</p>
<p>Nixon: ‘Tis true. Well, gentlemen, we’ve got four more years and the way I see it is this: All the world’s a chessboard and all the men and women merely pieces. (spinning globe faster) They have their quirks and hang-ups and one man, ME, in his time, gets to have them under his thumb. For I hold the world but as a world, friends, where every man must play ball or else. For the plan’s the thing!</p>
<p>Haldeman (to Erlichman): Some are born crooked, some achieve crookedness —</p>
<p>Erlichman (to Haldeman): and some have crookedness thrust upon them.</p>
<p>Haldeman and Erlichman (they always talk at the same time except to each other): Mr. President, we didn’t make full use of our resources in our first term…</p>
<p>Nixon: Don’t I know it! O, it is excellent to have a giant’s strength and to use it like one. And the President can cite scripture for his purpose!</p>
<p>Haldeman and Erlichman: Right, but screw your enemies to the sticking place.</p>
<p>Dean: What’s gone and what’s past help, should be ready for revenge.</p>
<p>Nixon: We are such stuff as fortunes are made on and (a knock at the door) — come on in. (Rosemary Woods enters. Nixon to Dean): There’s Rosemary, she’s for remembrance.</p>
<p>Woods: Here’s today’s newspaper… more fussing about that hotel. And there’s some Vietnam veterans protesting outside.</p>
<p>Nixon: I’ve had it with them! Listen — make it perfectly clear: the quality of mercy is drained. It is curseth him that giveth and blesseth him that taketh. (Looking at the newspaper headlines.) What the dickens! Is this a bumbling which I see before me? But soft, what light through yonder Watergate breaks?</p>
<p>Mitchell: Oh, it’s nothing, just our spies screwing up again.</p>
<p>Nixon: What will we tell John Q. Public?</p>
<p>Dean: Just what we always tell him, sir.</p>
<p>Nixon: Right, the miserable beggars have no other medicine but lies.</p>
<p>Mitchell: To be honest, as this world goes, is to be none pick’d out of six billion.</p>
<p>Nixon: Mendacity is the soul of wit.</p>
<p>Dean: Yeah, nothing’s good or bad, but the justice system makes it so.</p>
<p>Haldeman and Erlichman: Bugging and burgling go by destiny.</p>
<p>Dean: So do lying and covering up.</p>
<p>Nixon: True, after all is telling the truth a tender thing? It is too rough, too rude, too boisterous; and it pricks like a liberal. Therefore, issue a press release, a modified limited hangout. From now on, the past is inoperative. To wit: “Neither a hush-moneyer nor a slush-funder be. Furthermore, an ill-favored thing, sirs, but mine over-zealous aides own.”</p>
<p>Scene II</p>
<p>(1974. Haldeman and Erlichman walk down a hallway in the White House. Although they’ve already resigned, they’ve dropped by to see the President.)</p>
<p>Haldeman: Uneasy lies the head that keeps the tapes. But now the game is up. John, it wasn’t that I loved America less; but that I loved Dick more. He’s every inch a politician.</p>
<p>Erlichman: He was one that bugged not wisely but too well.</p>
<p>Haldeman: Yet I felt more bugged against, than bugging.</p>
<p>Erlichman: Bug all, trust a few. That was the unkindest bug of all.</p>
<p>Haldeman: Don’t despair; deception is the better part of valor. Besides, there is something that bloweth in the wind. I see it in my mind’s eye: a presidential pardon.</p>
<p>Erlichman: If we don’t get pardoned, thereby hangs our tail. As crooked lads and girls have learned, after jumping ship, bridges must burn. (They enter the Oval Office and greetings are exchanged.)</p>
<p>Nixon: Bob, John, why is everything falling apart?</p>
<p>Haldeman and Erlichman: It was a bad sign that Agnew got caught. There was a special providence in the fall of a Spiro.</p>
<p>Nixon: Alas, poor Spiro, I knew him — a nattering nabob of infinite jest.</p>
<p>Haldeman and Erlichman: But what really hurt was John Dean.</p>
<p>Nixon: God! I hate those words: John Dean! Frailty, thy name is John Dean! O, how sharper than a serpent’s tongue it is to have a thankless aide! The smallest aide will turn state’s evidence being trodden on! Where has all the loyalty gone, long time passing? Damned Dean once told me: Beware the tapes of March! Something about a Capricorn on the Presidency — I never could follow that. I never liked him. You, Bob, John, I’ve always said, let me have about me men that are fat like Erlichman and Mitchell; sleek-headed storm troopers like Haldeman and such as never sleep at night. Yond Dean has a lean and weasely look; he remembers too much. Such men are tattletales and should be deep-sixed — that’s what I’ve always said.</p>
<p>Haldeman and Erlichman: Thanks, sir. But what’s to be done?</p>
<p>Nixon: I don’t know. The fault, dear friends, is not in ourselves but in our tapes. O, that these too too solid tapes would erase. And once I thought how sweet the uses of electricity! The times they are a-changin’!</p>
<p>Haldeman and Erlichman: But what’s in a tape? That which we call tape hiss would sound as sweet.</p>
<p>Nixon: True, the silence often of pure erasure pervades when speaking fails.</p>
<p>Haldeman and Erlichman: Smooth runs the evidence where the tape is erased.</p>
<p>Nixon: I’ll have my pound of tapes! Lord, what fools these Americans be! Remember, John, Bob, this above all — to thine own self be false, and it must follow, as the night the day, that thou can always be false to any man.</p>
<p>Scene III</p>
<p>(Still later, 1974. Alexander Haig walks down the hallway to the Oval Office.)</p>
<p>Haig (to himself): There is a tide in the affairs of my life, which taken at the flood, leads to Commander of NATO forces; omitted, all the trip of my life is bound in the shallows of Washington cocktail parties: On such a full sea am I now afloat, and I must take the current when it serves, or go down drowning on the Bad Trip Nixon. (He enters the Oval Office.)</p>
<p>Nixon: There’s a prosecutor that shapes our ends —</p>
<p>Haig: Not mine!</p>
<p>Nixon: — stonewall him how we will. They’re all ganging up on me, Al! The Supreme Court — age cannot wither them nor custom stale their infinite doggedness. Everybody can master a Judiciary Committee, but he that has it! Some jest at impeachment that never felt a conviction! Humph! Subpoenaed me out of house and home!</p>
<p>Haig: It’s disgraceful that conservatives have joined the liberals on this.</p>
<p>Nixon: One touch of impeachment makes the whole Congress kin. Impeachment acquaints men with strange bedfellows. Transcripts and hearings are as tedious as a twice-told tale, vexing the dull ear of tipsy president. There was never yet a President that could endure an impeachment patiently. If the White House transcripts could trammel up the consequence and catch with their surcease, success; that but this awful palace and shoal of time… we’d jump the ship to San Clemente. To all my enemies, fair is foul and foul is fair! Presidents have died from time to time, and worms have eaten them, but not from resignation. For what is resignation forced but a Hell? If it were done at all, then ‘twere well it were dragged out. For God sakes, Al, let us sit upon the West Wing and tell sad stories of the death of presidents. How some have been disposed; some slain by cirrhosis; some haunted by money they’ve missed out on in the private sector; some hounded by girlfriends; some with their heads blown off by the CIA — but, damn, Al, none have ever resigned! I don’t think I can do that! (pauses) You know what?</p>
<p>Haig: What?</p>
<p>Nixon: I’ve just realized that Republicans up for re-election die many times before their deaths; luckily, the president never tastes of death but once. Let this be my epitaph: “This was the noblest American of all; he only in a foreseeing thought and common good to himself only, made scapegoats of them; his life was gentle; and the elements in him that he might stand up and say to all the world, This was the President!”</p>
<p>Haig (under his breath): His mind is out of joint. So, let him pass for a loon. (to Nixon) But perhaps resignation wouldn’t be so bad. First President to go to China, first President to resign — you’ll go down in history! No one will forget you. I think you can get in the spirit of this — come on Dick, come on Gerald, save the country! Now! Whaddya think?</p>
<p>Nixon: Et tu, Al?</p>
<p>Haig: Thanks, sir, but I had lunch already. (Haig takes his leave.)</p>
<p>Nixon: There may be a method in his madness. Yet ‘tis mad idolatry to make the resignation greater than the presidency.</p>
<p>Scene IV</p>
<p>(Sammy Davis Jr. visits the president and tries to cheer him up. They sit down on the piano bench together.)</p>
<p>Sammy: Shalom, my brother! I’m so sorry to see the break up of the real Rat Pack — you, Haldeman, Erlichman, Dean, Mitchell.</p>
<p>Nixon: Thanks, Sammy. I never thought it would come to this. We were on top of the world. But people just don’t like me. I can’t sing, I can’t dance, I can’t stop bombing Vietnamese children. I can’t even get away with this chicken-stealing Watergate thing! And when “I’ve Gotta Be Me,” well, they don’t like that either. Marilyn Monroe never sang to me! I’d trade one of my eye balls for your savoir faire any day. You could get away with bombing Cambodia! But not me, oh no… I get caught at every little thing. I am a President. Hath not a President executive privilege? Hath not a President power, authority, revenge, overkill, paranoia, secrets? Fed with the same ambition, hurt by the same legal fees, subject to the same indictments, healed by the same pardons, warmed by the same campaign contributions, as other politicians? If you prick us, do we not have the CIA bug you? If you tickle us, do we not retaliate? And if you wrong us (and even if you don’t), shall we not sic the IRS on you? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that.</p>
<p>Sammy: ‘Twas it ever thus, Mr. President. But look on the bright side: Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow tap dances in this crazy race from day to day to the last shaboom of recorded tapes; all our yesterdays have lit jive turkeys the way to dusty death. Get down, get down, Mr. Pres, do the funky chicken, but let others twist slowly in the wind; life is but a walking shadow, a tuneless hack that struts and boogies his hour on the stage and then drops from the charts; a song sung by a fool, full of sound and stylin’, signifying nothing.</p>
<p>Nixon: Not exactly the “Candy Man,” Sammy. I was thinking more along these lines: To quit or not to quit; that is the question. Whether ‘tis financially feasible in the wallet to suffer the subpoenas and indictments of outrageous prosecution or to take pen in hand against a sea of squawking congressmen, and by appeasing them end me? To quit; to resign; all gone; and by a resignation to say we end the indigestion, and the various national problems that the Presidency is heir to, ‘tis a thing devoutly to be wished. To resign; to quit; to stop; perchance to brood; aye, there’s the rub; for in that resignation of rest what dreams may come, when we have shuffled off those presidential responsibilities, must give us pause; there’s the groveling that makes calamity of so long life; for who would stomach the libel and slander of the press, the oppressed’s wrong, the bought man’s blackmail, the pangs of a despised aide, the law’s rush, the isolation of office, never being sung to by Marilyn Monroe, and the spurns that patient merit of the worthy takes, when he himself might his quietus make with a timely resignation? Who would farts bear, to grunt and sweat under a wealthy life, but that the dread of something after quitting, the undiscovered country from whose bourne no President returns, puzzles the will, and makes us rather bear the hassles we have than jet to others we know not of? Thus greed and fear doth make cowards of us all, and thus the native hue of resolution is snickered o’er and enterprises of great worth and amount with this regard their currents turn awry and lose the name of action instead of President. (Rosemary Woods enters.) Soft you now! The fair Rosemary! Nympho in thy orgasms, be all our sins remembered! What is it?</p>
<p>Woods: The Supreme Court just ruled that you have to cough up the tapes. If you don’t, it looks like conviction in the Senate.</p>
<p>Nixon: Aw, the hell with it! Get thee to a nunnery! I quit!</p>
<p>Woods: Goodnight sweet Pres!</p>
<p>(Nixon and Sammy perform a duet of “San Clemente,” sung to the tune of “San Francisco.”)</p>
<p>(Sammy, alone): I never will forget Richard M. Nixon Just to think of him gives my heart a pang I never will forget how that brave Tricky Dick Just stood there in the ruins and sang — and sang:</p>
<p>(Sammy and Nixon): San Clemente, open your barbed wire gates You’ll make the press wait outside your door San Clemente, here is your quitting one Who won’t be kicked around no more</p>
<p>Prison cells only make me love you best Tell me you’re the only one in all this hellish mess San Clemente, I’m crawlin’ home again Never to run or roam again</p>
<p>San Clemente, like when I arrive I really run and hide Though many would like to see me Vertically hangin’ from the nearest tree</p>
<p>San Clemente, let me scuff my feet Up and down Pardon Street Gonna leave behind the Times and the Post The plumbers, the leaks, the Deep Throats</p>
<p>There’s Key Biscayne, Camp David And the mighty White House USA But the only house that’s a real safe house Is the house by the nuclear-powered boobs of San Onofre</p>
<p>San Clemente, I’m crawlin’ home again No smoking guns, no campaigns to fund San Clemente, no more Presidente San Clemente, here I come!</p>
<p>THE END</p> | true | 4 | dramatis personae 1 richard nixon president united states america 2 john mitchell campaign director committee reelect president creep former attorney general 3 john dean white house counsel 4 h r bob haldeman white house chief staff 5 john erlichman assistant president domestic affairs 6 rosemary woods secretary president 7 alexander haig general later white house chief staff 8 sammy davis jr entertainer friend president scene 1972 oval office following landslide win nixon dean mitchell haldeman erlichman sit around desk president nixon spinning globe round world go breaking rice men like chou round globe ive toyed downing shots leonid tis fun far home caesar rome paid paid bribed paid cash bought favors paid mitchell set riots put law order town add pinch cia get bureaus way open mail tap spy go election pie paid paid bribed paid cash bought favors paid dean foes list screw get gist bug demos make mess turn loose irs theres license foe comes tell set old george lose go china make news henrys helped make powwow friends chairman mao paid paid bribed paid cash bought favors paid nixon mitchell ever raise money john mitchell inspired said dollar dollar kingdom dollar friends fat cats corporations give bucks nixon good ive always maintained money corporations mr exattorney general dreamt philosophy robbing banks mitchell right mr president conglomerates come come battalions nixon tis true well gentlemen weve got four years way see worlds chessboard men women merely pieces spinning globe faster quirks hangups one man time gets thumb hold world world friends every man must play ball else plans thing haldeman erlichman born crooked achieve crookedness erlichman haldeman crookedness thrust upon haldeman erlichman always talk time except mr president didnt make full use resources first term nixon dont know excellent giants strength use like one president cite scripture purpose haldeman erlichman right screw enemies sticking place dean whats gone whats past help ready revenge nixon stuff fortunes made knock door come rosemary woods enters nixon dean theres rosemary shes remembrance woods heres todays newspaper fussing hotel theres vietnam veterans protesting outside nixon ive listen make perfectly clear quality mercy drained curseth giveth blesseth taketh looking newspaper headlines dickens bumbling see soft light yonder watergate breaks mitchell oh nothing spies screwing nixon tell john q public dean always tell sir nixon right miserable beggars medicine lies mitchell honest world goes none pickd six billion nixon mendacity soul wit dean yeah nothings good bad justice system makes haldeman erlichman bugging burgling go destiny dean lying covering nixon true telling truth tender thing rough rude boisterous pricks like liberal therefore issue press release modified limited hangout past inoperative wit neither hushmoneyer slushfunder furthermore illfavored thing sirs mine overzealous aides scene ii 1974 haldeman erlichman walk hallway white house although theyve already resigned theyve dropped see president haldeman uneasy lies head keeps tapes game john wasnt loved america less loved dick hes every inch politician erlichman one bugged wisely well haldeman yet felt bugged bugging erlichman bug trust unkindest bug haldeman dont despair deception better part valor besides something bloweth wind see minds eye presidential pardon erlichman dont get pardoned thereby hangs tail crooked lads girls learned jumping ship bridges must burn enter oval office greetings exchanged nixon bob john everything falling apart haldeman erlichman bad sign agnew got caught special providence fall spiro nixon alas poor spiro knew nattering nabob infinite jest haldeman erlichman really hurt john dean nixon god hate words john dean frailty thy name john dean sharper serpents tongue thankless aide smallest aide turn states evidence trodden loyalty gone long time passing damned dean told beware tapes march something capricorn presidency never could follow never liked bob john ive always said let men fat like erlichman mitchell sleekheaded storm troopers like haldeman never sleep night yond dean lean weasely look remembers much men tattletales deepsixed thats ive always said haldeman erlichman thanks sir whats done nixon dont know fault dear friends tapes solid tapes would erase thought sweet uses electricity times achangin haldeman erlichman whats tape call tape hiss would sound sweet nixon true silence often pure erasure pervades speaking fails haldeman erlichman smooth runs evidence tape erased nixon ill pound tapes lord fools americans remember john bob thine self false must follow night day thou always false man scene iii still later 1974 alexander haig walks hallway oval office haig tide affairs life taken flood leads commander nato forces omitted trip life bound shallows washington cocktail parties full sea afloat must take current serves go drowning bad trip nixon enters oval office nixon theres prosecutor shapes ends haig mine nixon stonewall theyre ganging al supreme court age wither custom stale infinite doggedness everybody master judiciary committee jest impeachment never felt conviction humph subpoenaed house home haig disgraceful conservatives joined liberals nixon one touch impeachment makes whole congress kin impeachment acquaints men strange bedfellows transcripts hearings tedious twicetold tale vexing dull ear tipsy president never yet president could endure impeachment patiently white house transcripts could trammel consequence catch surcease success awful palace shoal time wed jump ship san clemente enemies fair foul foul fair presidents died time time worms eaten resignation resignation forced hell done twere well dragged god sakes al let us sit upon west wing tell sad stories death presidents disposed slain cirrhosis haunted money theyve missed private sector hounded girlfriends heads blown cia damn al none ever resigned dont think pauses know haig nixon ive realized republicans reelection die many times deaths luckily president never tastes death let epitaph noblest american foreseeing thought common good made scapegoats life gentle elements might stand say world president haig breath mind joint let pass loon nixon perhaps resignation wouldnt bad first president go china first president resign youll go history one forget think get spirit come dick come gerald save country whaddya think nixon et tu al haig thanks sir lunch already haig takes leave nixon may method madness yet tis mad idolatry make resignation greater presidency scene iv sammy davis jr visits president tries cheer sit piano bench together sammy shalom brother im sorry see break real rat pack haldeman erlichman dean mitchell nixon thanks sammy never thought would come top world people dont like cant sing cant dance cant stop bombing vietnamese children cant even get away chickenstealing watergate thing ive got ta well dont like either marilyn monroe never sang id trade one eye balls savoir faire day could get away bombing cambodia oh get caught every little thing president hath president executive privilege hath president power authority revenge overkill paranoia secrets fed ambition hurt legal fees subject indictments healed pardons warmed campaign contributions politicians prick us cia bug tickle us retaliate wrong us even dont shall sic irs like rest resemble sammy twas ever thus mr president look bright side tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow tap dances crazy race day day last shaboom recorded tapes yesterdays lit jive turkeys way dusty death get get mr pres funky chicken let others twist slowly wind life walking shadow tuneless hack struts boogies hour stage drops charts song sung fool full sound stylin signifying nothing nixon exactly candy man sammy thinking along lines quit quit question whether tis financially feasible wallet suffer subpoenas indictments outrageous prosecution take pen hand sea squawking congressmen appeasing end quit resign gone resignation say end indigestion various national problems presidency heir tis thing devoutly wished resign quit stop perchance brood aye theres rub resignation rest dreams may come shuffled presidential responsibilities must give us pause theres groveling makes calamity long life would stomach libel slander press oppresseds wrong bought mans blackmail pangs despised aide laws rush isolation office never sung marilyn monroe spurns patient merit worthy takes might quietus make timely resignation would farts bear grunt sweat wealthy life dread something quitting undiscovered country whose bourne president returns puzzles makes us rather bear hassles jet others know thus greed fear doth make cowards us thus native hue resolution snickered oer enterprises great worth amount regard currents turn awry lose name action instead president rosemary woods enters soft fair rosemary nympho thy orgasms sins remembered woods supreme court ruled cough tapes dont looks like conviction senate nixon aw hell get thee nunnery quit woods goodnight sweet pres nixon sammy perform duet san clemente sung tune san francisco sammy alone never forget richard nixon think gives heart pang never forget brave tricky dick stood ruins sang sang sammy nixon san clemente open barbed wire gates youll make press wait outside door san clemente quitting one wont kicked around prison cells make love best tell youre one hellish mess san clemente im crawlin home never run roam san clemente like arrive really run hide though many would like see vertically hangin nearest tree san clemente let scuff feet pardon street gon na leave behind times post plumbers leaks deep throats theres key biscayne camp david mighty white house usa house thats real safe house house nuclearpowered boobs san onofre san clemente im crawlin home smoking guns campaigns fund san clemente presidente san clemente come end | 1,497 |
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<p>Three independent city council members backed by unions won city council seats in Lorain, Ohio. What's next? (angelfire.com/mi2/LorainOhio/) &#160;</p>
<p>The relationship between the American labor movement and the Democratic Party has long been fairly predictable. For the better part of a century, labor has depended on the Democrats for favorable policy, and the Democrats have depended on labor for votes. Few from either side of the bargain anticipate an immediate future where that arrangement will be upset.</p>
<p>So when rumblings started coming out of Ohio late last year about breaking with the Democrats, many in the labor movement were startled.&#160;Last November, in the small county of Lorain, Ohio, local labor leaders who were intimately wedded to the Democratic establishment broke rank and supported three independent pro-labor candidates in county elections, all of whom won.</p>
<p>The act of rebellion in a union-dense county gained national attention as a story of labor flexing its muscles—and winning—against a Democratic establishment drifting rightward.</p>
<p>Considering Lorain along with the&#160; <a href="" type="internal">election</a>&#160;of Seattle City Council member&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Kshama Sawant</a>, the first socialist in decades to be elected to public office in a major American city, Jennifer Roesch&#160; <a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/2014/06/electoral-strategy-for-the-left/" type="external">wrote</a>&#160;for&#160;Jacobin&#160;after last year’s elections that “for the first time since 2000, there is a space opening up in mainstream politics to the left of the Democratic Party.”</p>
<p>But just who or what will claim that space is still up for debate—especially in Lorain itself. Sawant’s campaign, run by the Socialist Alternative party, insisted on the need for a national party for the working class and a break with the Democrats. Lorain, on the other hand, saw a small group of well-connected labor leaders organize an insurgency against local Democrats. And they did so without articulating a clear political vision, instead projecting mixed messages about building a political alternative in the city—at times intending to pull the Democrats left and then make amends, at times rejecting party politics altogether. And at still other times, they audaciously assumed the mantle of a new labor party movement.</p>
<p>Lorain’s rebellion began in April 2013, following a major clash with Democrats that March, according to Jim Slone, former UAW Local 2192 president who now serves as president of Lorain’s UAW Community Action Program Council, the social justice arm of the union. For nearly three years, local unions had worked with the Lorain City Council and former mayor Anthony Krasienko to establish a project labor agreement (PLA), which finally passed in 2011, mandating that the city negotiate the terms of labor with the local Building and Construction Trades Council before taking bids from contractors to carry out public construction projects.</p>
<p>But in March 2013, newly elected Democratic Mayor Chase Ritenauer decided to scrap the PLA—a move that received&#160; <a href="http://nrtwc.org/ohio-city-council-looks-to-dump-wasteful-union-only-project-labor-agreements/" type="external">praise</a>&#160;from the National Right to Work Committee. To make matters worse, in April, as Russell Saltamontes&#160; <a href="https://www.jacobinmag.com/2014/10/a-union-county/" type="external">notes</a>, the city helped break a weeklong strike of around 200 garbage collectors represented by the Teamsters, with Mayor Ritenauer himself&#160; <a href="http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2013/04/21/strike-over-trash-pickup-resumes/" type="external">riding around</a>&#160;in a truck with scabbing workers brought in from outside Ohio.</p>
<p>Ritenauer tells&#160;In These Times&#160;that for him, ditching the PLA was a practical decision, not an ideological one, and he sees himself as anything but anti-union. “Some people will back you, some people will back your opponent. ... I’ve got a lot of friends who are in a union, whether they’re rank-and-file or whether they’re part of leadership. I’ve got support in labor.”</p>
<p>Slone sees it differently. “It was very clear that the mayor had his agenda, that he was going to try to tear labor apart, that he was going to try to destroy everything that we had worked to put into place,” the UAW staffer says.</p>
<p>The repeal of the PLA and the failure of the garbage collectors’ strike were the last two straws for labor. In April, union leaders Jim Slone; Harry Williamson, president of the Lorain County AFL-CIO; and Joe Thayer, the local federation’s former president; decided to end their cooperation with the Democratic Party and find favorable independent candidates to back in Lorain County elections. And fast—City Council and County Commission races were only six months away.</p>
<p>Over a series of&#160; <a href="http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2014/04/19/labor-teams-candidates-night/" type="external">meetings</a>&#160;and innumerable phone calls, the “core group,” as Williamson puts it, helped launch the campaign of Joshua Thornsberry, a school teacher, who would run as an independent for Lorain City Council. Greg Argenti, the owner of an auto body shop who had already decided to run as independent would soon get the full backing of labor to claim a seat on the same council. And Mark F. Craig, independent city councilor in Elyria, Ohio, would get a similar endorsement (though he had been serving as an independent since 2008). They drew support from over a dozen union locals in addition to those associated with the Lorain County AFL-CIO, which took the helm of the operation.</p>
<p>Although labor still pledged to endorse three of the Democratic city councilors up for election in Lorain, the independent campaigns angered many in the party. In September, Williamson and Thayer received an unexpected&#160; <a href="http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2013/09/24/lorain-democrats-warn-3-men-to-stick-to-party-line/" type="external">letter</a>, signed by Paul Adams, chairman of the City Democratic Party of Lorain, Ohio, stating that if they did not rescind their support for independents and back only Democratic candidates within 10 days, they would not be allowed to attend party meetings.</p>
<p>Williamson, the Lorain AFL-CIO president, knew he had fallen out of favor with party leadership for launching the independent political initiative. Although he hadn’t anticipated disciplinary action from local Democratic leadership, he says that he refused to be “discouraged from following my beliefs.” In the end, both Williamson and Thayer let the 10-day ultimatum expire and were summarily stripped of their duties in the city party and banned from future meetings.</p>
<p>By October, Thornsberry and his Democratic incumbent opponent Frank DeTillio, who outspent him by about 17 percent, had&#160; <a href="http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2013/11/06/independents-win-seats-on-lorain-city-council/" type="external">shelled out</a>&#160;a combined total of almost $19,000, which local news&#160; <a href="http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2013/10/29/election-lccc-campaign-spends-545000-promoting-levy/%5D%5D." type="external">called</a>&#160;one of the most expensive campaigns in the county’s history. Slone says it was also an “old-school ground-and-pound” affair, with volunteers fanning out to knock on thousands of doors.</p>
<p>At one point, the campaigners ordered a batch of T-shirts that read “Lorain County Independent Labor Party.” Williamson, who has the leftovers stashed in his garage, notes that no official party exists by that name, but that the T-shirts made a good uniform to wear to City Council meetings. “We haven’t filed paperwork or anything. But it does make a statement: ‘We are labor. We support independents.’”</p>
<p>The dream of forming an independent political party to represent working people in the US has resurfaced periodically on the Left for at least a century. Following World War I, a burgeoning labor movement turned its attention to the electoral arena, although organizers never succeeded in uniting all the nation’s self-proclaimed labor parties under one tent. Beginning in 1943 with the establishment of the first political action committee (PAC) by the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), labor became firmly committed to the Democrats. Despite occasional grumbles from the Left, the relationship remained stable.</p>
<p>In 1996, labor activists attempted once again to form a new party for workers. One thousand four hundred delegates representing national and local labor unions from across the U.S. convened in Cleveland, Ohio, to form a new Labor Party which, despite several conventions and nearly a decade of issues-based advocacy, never put a candidate in national office before going dormant in 2007.</p>
<p>Five years after the Labor Party suspended most activities, former national organizer Mark Dudzic says he senses some revival of the spirit of a labor party. “We’re beginning to see signs that people are looking for a way to develop independent working class politics, and I think Lorain is [a] very hopeful [development] in that context,” he says, noting that Sawant’s victory, facilitated by an organized political party with national coherence, was last year’s true headliner.</p>
<p>Many of the key figures in Lorain’s labor coup had not heard of the initiative for a national Labor Party. Jim Slone, the former UAW local president, thinks the idea could gain some traction.</p>
<p>“I wouldn’t be surprised if [a Labor Party] cropped up again,” he says, but adds that he’d have to see “what they stood for” before deciding to get involved.</p>
<p>In her 2012 book&#160;Independents Rising, Jacqueline Salit points out that “independent” and “third-party,” though often used interchangeably, are not always the same thing.</p>
<p>“There is no real third-party movement in America today,” Salit writes. “But there is an anti-party movement, one that is being organized and shaped by diverse influences.” In Lorain, the discussion on which camp to join is still unfolding.</p>
<p>For Slone, the creation of a labor coalition was essential, asserting that unions in Lorain were only able to push back against the Democratic Party because they formed a political bloc.</p>
<p>“[We said] your issues are my issues and my issues are your issues, and the things that we disagree on, we throw them in the corner, we don’t talk about them,” Slone recalls. “And when we get everything taken care of that we agree on, we find out there’s very little left in the corner.”</p>
<p>For the past nine months, Thornsberry and Argenti have served on the Lorain City Council as independents alongside nine Democrats, and they have a little over one year left in their first terms. By all accounts, there has been no revolution in Lorain, and the leaders of the Democratic Party have been talking with labor leaders Williamson and Thayer about ending their exile from the party.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the two independent council members have been integral to several initiatives to benefit Lorain’s working class.</p>
<p>When reports of union-busting at Camaco, an auto parts factory in the county, reached City Council, Thornsberry and Argenti worked with another labor-backed councilor, Democratic councilman Brian Gates, to pass a resolution in June&#160; <a href="http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20140603/lorain-city-council-supports-workers-union-efforts-at-camaco" type="external">defending</a>&#160;the workers’ right to unionize. Thornsberry and Argenti also helped tackle the issue of the lost Project Labor Agreement, allying with several other councilors to strengthen the current legislation governing city-funded construction work.</p>
<p>When Mayor Ritenauer&#160; <a href="http://www.morningjournal.com/general-news/20130308/lorain-council-scraps-plas-turns-down-project-labor-agreements-for-public-construction-jobs-with-video" type="external">snubbed labor</a>&#160;and repealed the PLA in March 2013, he passed a new plan to govern construction work. The plan nixed the requirement that contractors use a unionized workforce, dropped the hiring requirements from 75 percent to 25 percent local labor, and raised the bar on the size of the projects implicated, so that the agreement applies only to projects with budgets of more than $2 million.</p>
<p>Sponsored by Councilman Tony Richardson (one of the three city council Democrats endorsed by labor in the last election), amendments to the standing labor agreement will apply to all projects over $250,000 rather than $2 million; and will raise hiring goals from 25 percent to 50 percent local labor, from 9 percent to 20 percent minority, and from 7 percent to 15 percent female.</p>
<p>Slone says the new agreement is a bit “watered-down”—unlike the former mayor’s project labor agreement, it makes no distinction between union and non-union labor, for instance. But Slone says he is not disappointed in the independents.</p>
<p>“We’re only a year out,” he says, “so they’re just moving along, doing the things that they promised and working on the ones that they know they can readily get some resolution on.”</p>
<p>While Lorain’s independents have succeeded in pushing pro-worker policies, the question of whether the break with the Democrats will have any impact beyond Ohio remains to be seen.</p>
<p>“Local politics has its own dynamic,” says Daniel Schlozman, professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University.</p>
<p>Schlozman thinks the Left often mistakes local independent campaigns as harbingers of a national third party, when in fact upsurges like the one on Lorain do not “scale up to be a story about national politics.” This is because labor and other local players have much more freedom to challenge local political parties.</p>
<p>He points out that in states with nonpartisan municipal elections, in which candidates do not declare party affiliation, “The story of dissident unions overthrowing nominally Democratic officials is a total non-story. It only becomes a story when they are rejecting the party label.”</p>
<p>Of course, this is precisely what labor did in Lorain last year: They turned away from the two major political parties. Such a move, though more common locally than federally, remains rare in American politics, so Lorain’s residents are not the only ones interested in how the story plays out.</p>
<p>One year after the independent election campaign, the relationship between labor and the Democrats in Lorain “pretty much still sucks” in Slone’s words. “There’s a big rift,” he says, “and it looks like it’s going to continue for a while.”</p>
<p>At the annual Lorain Labor Day celebration sponsored by local unions, Latino activist and insurance agent Tim Carrion announced his bid for mayor in 2015—possibly as an independent—and cameras in the crowd were soon snapping photos of Williamson raising the right hand of Mayor Ritenauer’s possible challenger.</p>
<p>Carrion, a colleague of Williamson’s in the Lorain Veteran African-American Latino and Union Council (VALUs), says he caught the attention of labor because his activism and his politics “really lends itself well to the whole labor movement” and his bid for office “is about our working-class people. This is about benefitting and meeting the needs of those people who have really built this community.”</p>
<p>Williamson had heard that members of the city’s Democratic party, who were in the audience, were unhappy that the same labor leaders who supported independents Thornsberry and Argenti are now planning to back a candidate against the current Democratic mayor.</p>
<p>But Lorain City Democratic Party Chairperson Paul Adams is still trying to pull the rogue labor leaders back into the fold, and leaders are entertaining his peacemaking offers. Adams says that he has had “productive conversations” with the independents and their readmission to the party is a matter of “when, not if.”&#160;</p>
<p>Which isn’t completely surprising, because labor never made a clean break from the Democrats. While Williamson and Thayer were suspended from the City Party, they remained on the executive committee of the County Party. As far as Slone is concerned, he mantains that he’s still a Democrat, but he’s “going to stay a labor Democrat,” meaning aloof from the dictates of the party and committed to the labor movement.</p>
<p>The independents in Lorain continue to orient themselves toward the Democratic Party, hoping to teach its leadership a lesson, and eventually make amends rather than splitting off permanently. Thornsberry says he looks forward to a time in Lorain County when “the Democratic Party wakes up and no longer takes labor for granted in our particular county” so that unions and the party “can form a peace based on helping each other and mutual respect.”</p>
<p>This goal of the Lorain independents may come as a disappointment to those on the Left who are committed to permanently breaking from the two-party system and forming a national Labor Party. Mark Dudzic, the former Labor Party organizer, would like to see the Lorain labor leaders turn their “independent labor party” rhetoric into a reality.</p>
<p>“There have always been these hopeful efforts to pull the Democratic Party to the left,” says Dudzic, “They sometimes succeed for a short period of time or around limited goals, ... but they don’t have a strategic vision about how to change real power relations and build power for working people on a long-term basis.”</p>
<p>Nevertheless, he admires the nerve required of Lorain activists to swim against the two-party tide and believes it is one of the first steps toward a national Labor Party: “Those folks are clearly part of a movement that’s searching for a voice for working people.”</p>
<p>It may have a blurry outline, but the movement in Lorain expresses a clear discontent with the rightward shift of the Democratic Party, especially in its attitude toward organized labor. This message, as Dudzic suggests, is being relayed in political races across the country.</p>
<p>“My understanding,” says&#160; <a href="https://www.meegan4ward33.com/en/" type="external">Tim Meegan</a>, independent candidate for alderman in Chicago’s 33rd ward in 2015 and a member of the Chicago Teachers Union, “is that Lorain is an overwhelmingly union town, the Democratic Party wasn’t representing the interests of the workers, so they took it upon themselves to run their own candidates. ... We find that inspiring. We’re trying to do the same thing in Chicago.”</p>
<p>Jess Spear, the&#160; <a href="http://www.seattleweekly.com/home/952636-129/meet-jess-spear-the-socialist-climate" type="external">Socialist Alternative</a>&#160;party candidate who will face off against Democratic Speaker of the Washington House of Representatives in November, took most of her cues from her fellow party member Kshama Sawant, but was also galvanized by what happened in Lorain.</p>
<p>“To see labor take a step outside the Democratic Party and run as independent, it’s showing the way forward.” She argues that even small left-wing independent campaigns can inspire those disillusioned with the Democratic Party with the confidence “that we can build an alternative party for the 99 percent.”</p>
<p>Whether the split between labor and the Democratic Party is temporary or permanent, the ongoing peace talks between the Democrats and labor leaders haven’t quelled labor’s urge to become the dominant political force in the county. Activists are aware that if Carrion runs as an independent candidate for mayor in 2015 with labor’s backing, it could burn yet another bridge back to the Democratic Party. And, always careful to qualify that it’s not official, members of the core group still like to call themselves the “Lorain Independent Labor Party."</p>
<p>Despite his short-term goal of bringing the Democrats around to the interests of labor, council member Thornsberry also holds a more radical vision of the American political landscape in the long term. He was only 15 when the Labor Party held its founding convention in Cleveland, but the independent city councilor lights up when considering the prospect of a political party for workers.</p>
<p>“We need a third party choice, whether you call it the Labor Party or the Progressive Party,” Thornsberry says. “I think that’s what is needed at all levels of government.”</p>
<p>Lorain unionists are searching for the best way to assert the political power they clearly possess, separate from the Democratic Party. Though Lorain’s labor leaders have no official line on the future of the movement, their vow to support a candidate of any party or no party so long as that candidate supports them could be the beginnings of a party line. If labor can repeat its independent upset in 2015 by ousting a Democratic mayor, elected officials and fledgling candidates will know that staying on the right side of unions is necessary to win elections. Whether that translates into a long-term independent labor party will depend on just how far Lorain's unionists are willing to stray from the Democrats.</p> | true | 4 | email name recipients email comma separated message captcha three independent city council members backed unions city council seats lorain ohio whats next angelfirecommi2lorainohio 160 relationship american labor movement democratic party long fairly predictable better part century labor depended democrats favorable policy democrats depended labor votes either side bargain anticipate immediate future arrangement upset rumblings started coming ohio late last year breaking democrats many labor movement startled160last november small county lorain ohio local labor leaders intimately wedded democratic establishment broke rank supported three independent prolabor candidates county elections act rebellion uniondense county gained national attention story labor flexing musclesand winningagainst democratic establishment drifting rightward considering lorain along the160 election160of seattle city council member160 kshama sawant first socialist decades elected public office major american city jennifer roesch160 wrote160for160jacobin160after last years elections first time since 2000 space opening mainstream politics left democratic party claim space still debateespecially lorain sawants campaign run socialist alternative party insisted need national party working class break democrats lorain hand saw small group wellconnected labor leaders organize insurgency local democrats without articulating clear political vision instead projecting mixed messages building political alternative cityat times intending pull democrats left make amends times rejecting party politics altogether still times audaciously assumed mantle new labor party movement lorains rebellion began april 2013 following major clash democrats march according jim slone former uaw local 2192 president serves president lorains uaw community action program council social justice arm union nearly three years local unions worked lorain city council former mayor anthony krasienko establish project labor agreement pla finally passed 2011 mandating city negotiate terms labor local building construction trades council taking bids contractors carry public construction projects march 2013 newly elected democratic mayor chase ritenauer decided scrap plaa move received160 praise160from national right work committee make matters worse april russell saltamontes160 notes city helped break weeklong strike around 200 garbage collectors represented teamsters mayor ritenauer himself160 riding around160in truck scabbing workers brought outside ohio ritenauer tells160in times160that ditching pla practical decision ideological one sees anything antiunion people back people back opponent ive got lot friends union whether theyre rankandfile whether theyre part leadership ive got support labor slone sees differently clear mayor agenda going try tear labor apart going try destroy everything worked put place uaw staffer says repeal pla failure garbage collectors strike last two straws labor april union leaders jim slone harry williamson president lorain county aflcio joe thayer local federations former president decided end cooperation democratic party find favorable independent candidates back lorain county elections fastcity council county commission races six months away series of160 meetings160and innumerable phone calls core group williamson puts helped launch campaign joshua thornsberry school teacher would run independent lorain city council greg argenti owner auto body shop already decided run independent would soon get full backing labor claim seat council mark f craig independent city councilor elyria ohio would get similar endorsement though serving independent since 2008 drew support dozen union locals addition associated lorain county aflcio took helm operation although labor still pledged endorse three democratic city councilors election lorain independent campaigns angered many party september williamson thayer received unexpected160 letter signed paul adams chairman city democratic party lorain ohio stating rescind support independents back democratic candidates within 10 days would allowed attend party meetings williamson lorain aflcio president knew fallen favor party leadership launching independent political initiative although hadnt anticipated disciplinary action local democratic leadership says refused discouraged following beliefs end williamson thayer let 10day ultimatum expire summarily stripped duties city party banned future meetings october thornsberry democratic incumbent opponent frank detillio outspent 17 percent had160 shelled out160a combined total almost 19000 local news160 called160one expensive campaigns countys history slone says also oldschool groundandpound affair volunteers fanning knock thousands doors one point campaigners ordered batch tshirts read lorain county independent labor party williamson leftovers stashed garage notes official party exists name tshirts made good uniform wear city council meetings havent filed paperwork anything make statement labor support independents dream forming independent political party represent working people us resurfaced periodically left least century following world war burgeoning labor movement turned attention electoral arena although organizers never succeeded uniting nations selfproclaimed labor parties one tent beginning 1943 establishment first political action committee pac congress industrial organizations cio labor became firmly committed democrats despite occasional grumbles left relationship remained stable 1996 labor activists attempted form new party workers one thousand four hundred delegates representing national local labor unions across us convened cleveland ohio form new labor party despite several conventions nearly decade issuesbased advocacy never put candidate national office going dormant 2007 five years labor party suspended activities former national organizer mark dudzic says senses revival spirit labor party beginning see signs people looking way develop independent working class politics think lorain hopeful development context says noting sawants victory facilitated organized political party national coherence last years true headliner many key figures lorains labor coup heard initiative national labor party jim slone former uaw local president thinks idea could gain traction wouldnt surprised labor party cropped says adds hed see stood deciding get involved 2012 book160independents rising jacqueline salit points independent thirdparty though often used interchangeably always thing real thirdparty movement america today salit writes antiparty movement one organized shaped diverse influences lorain discussion camp join still unfolding slone creation labor coalition essential asserting unions lorain able push back democratic party formed political bloc said issues issues issues issues things disagree throw corner dont talk slone recalls get everything taken care agree find theres little left corner past nine months thornsberry argenti served lorain city council independents alongside nine democrats little one year left first terms accounts revolution lorain leaders democratic party talking labor leaders williamson thayer ending exile party meanwhile two independent council members integral several initiatives benefit lorains working class reports unionbusting camaco auto parts factory county reached city council thornsberry argenti worked another laborbacked councilor democratic councilman brian gates pass resolution june160 defending160the workers right unionize thornsberry argenti also helped tackle issue lost project labor agreement allying several councilors strengthen current legislation governing cityfunded construction work mayor ritenauer160 snubbed labor160and repealed pla march 2013 passed new plan govern construction work plan nixed requirement contractors use unionized workforce dropped hiring requirements 75 percent 25 percent local labor raised bar size projects implicated agreement applies projects budgets 2 million sponsored councilman tony richardson one three city council democrats endorsed labor last election amendments standing labor agreement apply projects 250000 rather 2 million raise hiring goals 25 percent 50 percent local labor 9 percent 20 percent minority 7 percent 15 percent female slone says new agreement bit watereddownunlike former mayors project labor agreement makes distinction union nonunion labor instance slone says disappointed independents year says theyre moving along things promised working ones know readily get resolution lorains independents succeeded pushing proworker policies question whether break democrats impact beyond ohio remains seen local politics dynamic says daniel schlozman professor political science johns hopkins university schlozman thinks left often mistakes local independent campaigns harbingers national third party fact upsurges like one lorain scale story national politics labor local players much freedom challenge local political parties points states nonpartisan municipal elections candidates declare party affiliation story dissident unions overthrowing nominally democratic officials total nonstory becomes story rejecting party label course precisely labor lorain last year turned away two major political parties move though common locally federally remains rare american politics lorains residents ones interested story plays one year independent election campaign relationship labor democrats lorain pretty much still sucks slones words theres big rift says looks like going continue annual lorain labor day celebration sponsored local unions latino activist insurance agent tim carrion announced bid mayor 2015possibly independentand cameras crowd soon snapping photos williamson raising right hand mayor ritenauers possible challenger carrion colleague williamsons lorain veteran africanamerican latino union council valus says caught attention labor activism politics really lends well whole labor movement bid office workingclass people benefitting meeting needs people really built community williamson heard members citys democratic party audience unhappy labor leaders supported independents thornsberry argenti planning back candidate current democratic mayor lorain city democratic party chairperson paul adams still trying pull rogue labor leaders back fold leaders entertaining peacemaking offers adams says productive conversations independents readmission party matter if160 isnt completely surprising labor never made clean break democrats williamson thayer suspended city party remained executive committee county party far slone concerned mantains hes still democrat hes going stay labor democrat meaning aloof dictates party committed labor movement independents lorain continue orient toward democratic party hoping teach leadership lesson eventually make amends rather splitting permanently thornsberry says looks forward time lorain county democratic party wakes longer takes labor granted particular county unions party form peace based helping mutual respect goal lorain independents may come disappointment left committed permanently breaking twoparty system forming national labor party mark dudzic former labor party organizer would like see lorain labor leaders turn independent labor party rhetoric reality always hopeful efforts pull democratic party left says dudzic sometimes succeed short period time around limited goals dont strategic vision change real power relations build power working people longterm basis nevertheless admires nerve required lorain activists swim twoparty tide believes one first steps toward national labor party folks clearly part movement thats searching voice working people may blurry outline movement lorain expresses clear discontent rightward shift democratic party especially attitude toward organized labor message dudzic suggests relayed political races across country understanding says160 tim meegan independent candidate alderman chicagos 33rd ward 2015 member chicago teachers union lorain overwhelmingly union town democratic party wasnt representing interests workers took upon run candidates find inspiring trying thing chicago jess spear the160 socialist alternative160party candidate face democratic speaker washington house representatives november took cues fellow party member kshama sawant also galvanized happened lorain see labor take step outside democratic party run independent showing way forward argues even small leftwing independent campaigns inspire disillusioned democratic party confidence build alternative party 99 percent whether split labor democratic party temporary permanent ongoing peace talks democrats labor leaders havent quelled labors urge become dominant political force county activists aware carrion runs independent candidate mayor 2015 labors backing could burn yet another bridge back democratic party always careful qualify official members core group still like call lorain independent labor party despite shortterm goal bringing democrats around interests labor council member thornsberry also holds radical vision american political landscape long term 15 labor party held founding convention cleveland independent city councilor lights considering prospect political party workers need third party choice whether call labor party progressive party thornsberry says think thats needed levels government lorain unionists searching best way assert political power clearly possess separate democratic party though lorains labor leaders official line future movement vow support candidate party party long candidate supports could beginnings party line labor repeat independent upset 2015 ousting democratic mayor elected officials fledgling candidates know staying right side unions necessary win elections whether translates longterm independent labor party depend far lorains unionists willing stray democrats | 1,815 |
<p>This morning I awoke from unsettling dreams to recognize that my agenda is now construed as a hideous terrorist threat. As a regular non-violent civil-disobedient direct-action treesitter and an activist with Peace and Human Rights proclivities, I expect that I should be terrified about the unsurprising recent revelations about the extent of the Bush domestic espionage programs. I should flatter myself that my seemingly piddling efforts have now put me square on the National Security Agency (NSA) radar screen. While researching for this article, I have been browsing deep into the forbidden territory of direct-action activism, and with every click of the mouse, apparently, I’m lighting up a red-flag on some spy-screen down at N.S.A./F.B.I./Pentagon CentCom. Just by the bookmarks I’ve collected in my computer, I could well be slated for extraordinary rendition to some nearby dungeon of the Bush torture gulag.</p>
<p>In Bush’s Kafkaesque oil-fuelled fantasy, his dictator’s role in the murderous on-going slaughter in Iraq is a godsent mission to “spread peace, freedom and democracy in the world.” But his twisted totalitarian tyranny requires unfettered access to oil, and he’ll go to ungodly lengths to get it. Bush dictates that his Gestapo-type NSA operatives must have free licence to conduct unwarranted eavesdropping and infiltrations into such domestic terrorist organizations as the Raging Grannies, the Catholic Workers Group, Code Pink, the Vegan Community Project, Greenpeace, PETA, readers of “The Little Red Book” and “The “Monkeywrench Gang,” and myriad other environmental, peace and human rights groups and individual activists. Although John Lewis, an FBI deputy assistant director and top official in charge of domestic terrorism says that “the No. 1 domestic terrorism threat is the eco-terrorism, animal-rights movement,” apparently all citizen action efforts are now under police-state scrutiny. In a statement before the Senate Judiciary Committee in May 2004, Lewis noted the “upswing in violent rhetoric and tactics” among eco-terrorists and said that in recent years the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) and Earth Liberation Front (ELF) “have become the most active criminal extremist elements in the United States.”</p>
<p>On February 6, 2002, Dale L. Watson, Executive Assistant Director, Counterterrorism/Counterintelligence Division of the FBI testified before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He noted that “during the past decade we have witnessed dramatic changes in the nature of the terrorist threat. In the 1990s, right-wing extremism overtook left-wing terrorism as the most dangerous domestic terrorist threat to the country. During the past several years, special interest extremism–as characterized by the ALF and the ELF–has emerged as a serious terrorist threat. The <a href="" type="internal">FBI estimates</a> that ALF/ELF have committed approximately 600 criminal acts in the United States since 1996, resulting in damages in excess of 42 million dollars.”</p>
<p>Last week six young environmental activists were arrested in a series of coordinated raids in New York, Virginia, Arizona and Oregon. Daniel McGowan and Stanislas Meyerhoff are now facing potential life inprisonment. They are accused of setting fires in 2001 at a lumber company and an experimental tree farm in Oregon. No one was injured in the blazes. Chelsea Gerlach, Kevin Tubbs, Bill Rodgers and Sarah Harvey face between 20 and 25 years in prison for allegedly setting other fires. These are the most serious charges ever filed against environmental activists for allegedly taking part in such direct-action.</p>
<p>What’s particularly interesting is that the remarkable efforts of direct-action Peaceniks who have been attacking, and causing significant damage to the American (and British) military apparatus and weapons of mass destruction have not been identified in the FBI’s ranking of current terrorist threats. This heroic and classically non-violent direct-action citizens’ campaign against what are clearly the most obscene terrorist threats ever, has been conspicuously absent from the FBI list, and from mainstream media attention. If Iraqi freedom fighters had downed two US Navy F-16’s, one can be certain that such an accomplishment would be front-page headline news. But when the Italian Christian Peacenik, Turi Salvatore Vaccarro recently destroyed two US Navy F-16’s with a sledgehammer, not a single headline turned up on my Google search of the incident. Vaccaro simply climbed over a fence into a US/NATO air base in the Netherlands where about 20 nuclear bombs and some F-16s were stationed and managed to completely destroy the cockpits of the jets.</p>
<p>It is because the difficulty of framing a terrorist label around the gentle and principled people who attack such obviously horrific weaponry is simply beyond the Kafkaesque and Orwellian machinations of Bush’s Rovian spinmeisters. To add to their hypocritical difficulty, it has most often been devout Christians and nuns who are wielding the hammers. While the logging industry’s PR henchflack may have successfully spun a “good-news story” of the wanton corporate gutting of our Earth’s final ancient forests, the Bushites are desperately, albeit unsuccessfully trying to reframe the deteriorating image of their Iraq-attack. The derogatory ‘hippie treehugger’ frame has been so successfully embedded that the somnolent general public yawns at life sentences for Enviros who burn down a logging company office, but the same spin cannot be applied to direct-action Peaceniks. And while the importance of the Peacenik actions cannot be overstated, there isn’t much difference between what the treehuggers do and what your average Humvee-burner does; what the animal rights activist does, and what those who attack nuclear submarines and missile silos with hammers do. These heroic people are all opposed to the wanton destruction of life on Earth, and the power of their simple actions severely threatens Bush’s global domination scheme.</p>
<p>To realize my unsettling dreams, I should now venture into discussion which will get those red flags down at Spy-CentCom really flashing. It’s tough for civilians in wheelchairs and senior citizens (see below) to scale fences to sledgehammer weapons of mass destruction. But sabotage is easy for those already on the inside. It’s past time there was some conscience and courage from those who volunteer their lives to serve their country, but are now messed up with the global domination scheme of the current megalo-maniac dictator. The only German soldiers who are recognized as genuine military heroes after WW11 are people like Claus Von Stauffenberg, who along with Wilhelm Canaris, Carl Goerdeler, Julius Leber, Ulrich Hassell, Hans Oster, Henning von Tresckow, Fabin Schlabrendorff, Peter von Wartenburg, Ludwig Beck, and Erwin von Witzleben attempted to assasinate Adolph Hitler. There will never be a heroic epitaph written for those soldiers who have volunteered for George Bush’s Iraq massacre, but whoever amongst them who works to frag this scourge and his war-chest will have done humanity and the good Earth the ultimate service. They should do their duty.</p>
<p>People who practice principled non-violent civil-disobedient direct action have exhausted all due-process options to address the injustices that they see. That’s the point when the citizen’s metamorphosis occurs. At some point the need for peace and justice goes beyond what can be advanced through existing channels. A person will go beyond the limitations of human organization to exert the tremendous personal power of the moral upper hand. The metamorphic stages go from the public demonstrator to those brave souls who commit the final non-violent act of non-sentient material sabotage to change the world for the better. But then there are those individuals who’s lives have been so irrevocably damaged by injustice that their act of civil-disobedience passes beyond non-violence and comes to target the living. It is easy to understand the motivation of a person who awakes to find their innocent loved ones murdered by some heinous dictator raining hellfire from afar. We may not advocate it, or practice it ourselves, but we can understand, and perhaps even forgive their actions.</p>
<p>Here below, I’ve collected a few names and the actions of a few of the many great heroes of humanity whose personal non-violent direct-action was made truly in the name of Peace:</p>
<p>On New Years Day in 1991, Ciaron O’Reilly and three others entered Griffiss Air Force Base in New York and began hammering on a KC-135 (a refuelling plane for B52’s). They then proceeded to smash the engine of a nearby cruise-missile-armed B52 bomber that was to be used in the strikes against Iraq. They also destroyed some of the runway, chipping at two sections, one being nearly five feet in diameter.</p>
<p>In January 1996, Andrea Needham, Joanna Wilson, Lotta Kronlid and Angie Zeltner broke into the high security hangar owned by British Aerospace in Lancashire to disarm a newly built Hawk jet. The jet was slated for delivery to the Indonesian Government to use against villagers of East Timor. They broke into the hangar and set about destroying the war machine. They developed a steady rhythm, once they realised that the security was not coming. Over a period of about an hour the women methodically destroyed the plane’s weapons system with their hammers.</p>
<p>On February 1st, 1999, Rosie James and Rachel Wenham swam 300 metres in wetsuits into the Vickers dock yard at Barrow in Furness to reach HMS Vengeance. They swam in freezing conditions in the dark with their disarmament equipment of hammers, chisels, crowbars, screwdrivers and paint. The women then climbed around the submarine and dismantled radio equipment used to launch weapons of mass destruction. They hung a banner on the conning tower which read “Women Want Peace”, painted the words ILLEGAL DEATH MACHINE and peace / women’s symbols on the hull and smashed testing equipment on the conning tower.</p>
<p>On August 29th, 1999, Sylvia Boyes and Anne Scholz entered the water in the dark to the south of the perimeter of the Faslane nuclear submarine base. They swam round the perimeter fence and after two hours in the water were intercepted while swimming under the jetties where the Polaris submarines were formerly berthed. Anne said: “My plan was to get onto a Trident sub and lock myself to it. Sylvia had a hammer to use on the exterior and spray paint to use on computer monitors inside the boat.”</p>
<p>A Trident SSBN (Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear) has 16 missile tubes. Each missile can carry eight warheads, and each 100 kiloton warhead is eight times the size of the Hiroshima bomb. A Trident submarine is on patrol 24 hours a day, every day of the year, on reduced alert but able to fire missiles within days.</p>
<p>On June 24, 2000, Bonnie Urfer and Michael Sprong used hand-held Swede saws to cut down three poles supporting transmission lines for a controversial U.S. submarine communication system located near Clam Lake Wisconsin. After performing their “act of nonviolent direct disarmament and crime prevention,” the two waited over an hour for the arrival of Ashland County Sheriff’s Deputies who took them into custody. This was the fifth time since 1984 that the transmitter – known as Project ELF (Extremely Low Frequency) – was shut down by activists who simply walked up to poles supporting the 28-mile-long transmitter antennae and cut them down with hand saws. On Sept. 4, 2002, Eoin Dubsky and Tim Hourigan of Refueling Peace were arrested at Shannon Airport for “Defacing an Aircraft.” Mr Dubsky took a can of flourescent orange paint to a USAF Hercules plane, and afterwards, wishing to be accountable, he phoned airport police himself to inform them of his actions.</p>
<p>On October 6, 2002, the Sisters Jackie Hudson, Ardeth Platte and Carol Gilbert broke into a Minuteman III nuclear missile silo.They pounded on on the silo with hammers and smeared it with their own blood. The nuns said they were compelled to act as war with Iraq moved closer and because the United States had never promised not to use nuclear weapons.</p>
<p>On March 10th, 2003, anti-war activists breached the security at RAF Leuchars in Fife twice in twenty-four hours. The so-called “Citizens’ Inspections” were made all the more embarrassing for military chiefs by the fact that one of the activists is a wheelchair user. At 4.30am wheelchair user Roz Bullen (32) and Swedish national Petter Joelson (22), both members of anti-nuclear group Trident Ploughshares, entered via holes they had cut in the boundary fence at the base. They were able to paint the slogans “A flower in your gun” and “Peace and Responsibility” in blood red paint on part of a hangar and military vehicles.</p>
<p>On March 12th, 2003, Trident Ploughshare activist Ulla Roder destroyed a Tornado jet at Leuchars airbase. She went into a hangar at the Fife airbase and discovered the plane completely unguarded. She said: “I took my hammer to the nose-cone, the cockpit, the fuselage, the wings, the tailplane and other parts of the plane which were safe to damage. I don’t see it flying again. I then sat down and waited for the security people to arrive. I am pleased that this particular aircraft will not be dropping bombs on innocent people in Iraq.”</p>
<p>On May 25, 2003, Mark Colville, Sister Susan Clarkson, Joan Gregory, and Brian Buckley went aboard for a tour of the USS Philippine Sea during the 16th Annual Fleet Week in New York City. The USS Philippine Sea was the first warship to attack Afghanistan after Sept 11. Once on the ship, they poured their blood and hammered on the missile hatches that hold Tomahawk Cruise Missiles. They held up pictures of Iraqi children who had been injured and maimed by US weapons.</p>
<p>On January 29 2003, Mary Kelly caused extensive damage to a US Navy C 40 Boeing 737 aircraft at Shannon Airport by smashing it with a hatchet-type hammer. She caused more than 500,000 euros worth of damage to the nose cone, the nose wheel, the hydraulics and electrics of the plane.</p>
<p>A week later, at the same airport on Feb 4th, 2003 Ciarron O’Reilly smashed the same plane which was being repaired after Mary Kellys disarmament action the previous week. They spraypainted the hangar with ” PITSTOP FOR DEATH” and ” THE WAR STOPS HERE ! PHIL BERRIGAN R.I.P.” and constructed a shrine with photos of Iraqi children. Human blood was poured on the runway and a mattock was used to begin to take the runway up. Mr. O’Reilly said “that it was an emphasis on taking responsibility to help others”. He said that after 5-6 minutes of beating on the aircraft, the group knew it would definitely have to be grounded.</p>
<p>INGMAR LEE can be reached at <a href="mailto:ingmarz@gmail.com" type="external">ingmarz@gmail.com</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | morning awoke unsettling dreams recognize agenda construed hideous terrorist threat regular nonviolent civildisobedient directaction treesitter activist peace human rights proclivities expect terrified unsurprising recent revelations extent bush domestic espionage programs flatter seemingly piddling efforts put square national security agency nsa radar screen researching article browsing deep forbidden territory directaction activism every click mouse apparently im lighting redflag spyscreen nsafbipentagon centcom bookmarks ive collected computer could well slated extraordinary rendition nearby dungeon bush torture gulag bushs kafkaesque oilfuelled fantasy dictators role murderous ongoing slaughter iraq godsent mission spread peace freedom democracy world twisted totalitarian tyranny requires unfettered access oil hell go ungodly lengths get bush dictates gestapotype nsa operatives must free licence conduct unwarranted eavesdropping infiltrations domestic terrorist organizations raging grannies catholic workers group code pink vegan community project greenpeace peta readers little red book monkeywrench gang myriad environmental peace human rights groups individual activists although john lewis fbi deputy assistant director top official charge domestic terrorism says 1 domestic terrorism threat ecoterrorism animalrights movement apparently citizen action efforts policestate scrutiny statement senate judiciary committee may 2004 lewis noted upswing violent rhetoric tactics among ecoterrorists said recent years animal liberation front alf earth liberation front elf become active criminal extremist elements united states february 6 2002 dale l watson executive assistant director counterterrorismcounterintelligence division fbi testified senate select committee intelligence noted past decade witnessed dramatic changes nature terrorist threat 1990s rightwing extremism overtook leftwing terrorism dangerous domestic terrorist threat country past several years special interest extremismas characterized alf elfhas emerged serious terrorist threat fbi estimates alfelf committed approximately 600 criminal acts united states since 1996 resulting damages excess 42 million dollars last week six young environmental activists arrested series coordinated raids new york virginia arizona oregon daniel mcgowan stanislas meyerhoff facing potential life inprisonment accused setting fires 2001 lumber company experimental tree farm oregon one injured blazes chelsea gerlach kevin tubbs bill rodgers sarah harvey face 20 25 years prison allegedly setting fires serious charges ever filed environmental activists allegedly taking part directaction whats particularly interesting remarkable efforts directaction peaceniks attacking causing significant damage american british military apparatus weapons mass destruction identified fbis ranking current terrorist threats heroic classically nonviolent directaction citizens campaign clearly obscene terrorist threats ever conspicuously absent fbi list mainstream media attention iraqi freedom fighters downed two us navy f16s one certain accomplishment would frontpage headline news italian christian peacenik turi salvatore vaccarro recently destroyed two us navy f16s sledgehammer single headline turned google search incident vaccaro simply climbed fence usnato air base netherlands 20 nuclear bombs f16s stationed managed completely destroy cockpits jets difficulty framing terrorist label around gentle principled people attack obviously horrific weaponry simply beyond kafkaesque orwellian machinations bushs rovian spinmeisters add hypocritical difficulty often devout christians nuns wielding hammers logging industrys pr henchflack may successfully spun goodnews story wanton corporate gutting earths final ancient forests bushites desperately albeit unsuccessfully trying reframe deteriorating image iraqattack derogatory hippie treehugger frame successfully embedded somnolent general public yawns life sentences enviros burn logging company office spin applied directaction peaceniks importance peacenik actions overstated isnt much difference treehuggers average humveeburner animal rights activist attack nuclear submarines missile silos hammers heroic people opposed wanton destruction life earth power simple actions severely threatens bushs global domination scheme realize unsettling dreams venture discussion get red flags spycentcom really flashing tough civilians wheelchairs senior citizens see scale fences sledgehammer weapons mass destruction sabotage easy already inside past time conscience courage volunteer lives serve country messed global domination scheme current megalomaniac dictator german soldiers recognized genuine military heroes ww11 people like claus von stauffenberg along wilhelm canaris carl goerdeler julius leber ulrich hassell hans oster henning von tresckow fabin schlabrendorff peter von wartenburg ludwig beck erwin von witzleben attempted assasinate adolph hitler never heroic epitaph written soldiers volunteered george bushs iraq massacre whoever amongst works frag scourge warchest done humanity good earth ultimate service duty people practice principled nonviolent civildisobedient direct action exhausted dueprocess options address injustices see thats point citizens metamorphosis occurs point need peace justice goes beyond advanced existing channels person go beyond limitations human organization exert tremendous personal power moral upper hand metamorphic stages go public demonstrator brave souls commit final nonviolent act nonsentient material sabotage change world better individuals whos lives irrevocably damaged injustice act civildisobedience passes beyond nonviolence comes target living easy understand motivation person awakes find innocent loved ones murdered heinous dictator raining hellfire afar may advocate practice understand perhaps even forgive actions ive collected names actions many great heroes humanity whose personal nonviolent directaction made truly name peace new years day 1991 ciaron oreilly three others entered griffiss air force base new york began hammering kc135 refuelling plane b52s proceeded smash engine nearby cruisemissilearmed b52 bomber used strikes iraq also destroyed runway chipping two sections one nearly five feet diameter january 1996 andrea needham joanna wilson lotta kronlid angie zeltner broke high security hangar owned british aerospace lancashire disarm newly built hawk jet jet slated delivery indonesian government use villagers east timor broke hangar set destroying war machine developed steady rhythm realised security coming period hour women methodically destroyed planes weapons system hammers february 1st 1999 rosie james rachel wenham swam 300 metres wetsuits vickers dock yard barrow furness reach hms vengeance swam freezing conditions dark disarmament equipment hammers chisels crowbars screwdrivers paint women climbed around submarine dismantled radio equipment used launch weapons mass destruction hung banner conning tower read women want peace painted words illegal death machine peace womens symbols hull smashed testing equipment conning tower august 29th 1999 sylvia boyes anne scholz entered water dark south perimeter faslane nuclear submarine base swam round perimeter fence two hours water intercepted swimming jetties polaris submarines formerly berthed anne said plan get onto trident sub lock sylvia hammer use exterior spray paint use computer monitors inside boat trident ssbn ship submersible ballistic nuclear 16 missile tubes missile carry eight warheads 100 kiloton warhead eight times size hiroshima bomb trident submarine patrol 24 hours day every day year reduced alert able fire missiles within days june 24 2000 bonnie urfer michael sprong used handheld swede saws cut three poles supporting transmission lines controversial us submarine communication system located near clam lake wisconsin performing act nonviolent direct disarmament crime prevention two waited hour arrival ashland county sheriffs deputies took custody fifth time since 1984 transmitter known project elf extremely low frequency shut activists simply walked poles supporting 28milelong transmitter antennae cut hand saws sept 4 2002 eoin dubsky tim hourigan refueling peace arrested shannon airport defacing aircraft mr dubsky took flourescent orange paint usaf hercules plane afterwards wishing accountable phoned airport police inform actions october 6 2002 sisters jackie hudson ardeth platte carol gilbert broke minuteman iii nuclear missile silothey pounded silo hammers smeared blood nuns said compelled act war iraq moved closer united states never promised use nuclear weapons march 10th 2003 antiwar activists breached security raf leuchars fife twice twentyfour hours socalled citizens inspections made embarrassing military chiefs fact one activists wheelchair user 430am wheelchair user roz bullen 32 swedish national petter joelson 22 members antinuclear group trident ploughshares entered via holes cut boundary fence base able paint slogans flower gun peace responsibility blood red paint part hangar military vehicles march 12th 2003 trident ploughshare activist ulla roder destroyed tornado jet leuchars airbase went hangar fife airbase discovered plane completely unguarded said took hammer nosecone cockpit fuselage wings tailplane parts plane safe damage dont see flying sat waited security people arrive pleased particular aircraft dropping bombs innocent people iraq may 25 2003 mark colville sister susan clarkson joan gregory brian buckley went aboard tour uss philippine sea 16th annual fleet week new york city uss philippine sea first warship attack afghanistan sept 11 ship poured blood hammered missile hatches hold tomahawk cruise missiles held pictures iraqi children injured maimed us weapons january 29 2003 mary kelly caused extensive damage us navy c 40 boeing 737 aircraft shannon airport smashing hatchettype hammer caused 500000 euros worth damage nose cone nose wheel hydraulics electrics plane week later airport feb 4th 2003 ciarron oreilly smashed plane repaired mary kellys disarmament action previous week spraypainted hangar pitstop death war stops phil berrigan rip constructed shrine photos iraqi children human blood poured runway mattock used begin take runway mr oreilly said emphasis taking responsibility help others said 56 minutes beating aircraft group knew would definitely grounded ingmar lee reached ingmarzgmailcom 160 | 1,388 |
<p>Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell during his corruption trial in 2014AP/Steve Helber</p>
<p />
<p>The Supreme Court’s 2010 decision in Citizens United, which overturned restrictions on corporate and union campaign contributions, has been blamed for a lot of things: a flood of “ads that pull our politics into the gutter” (per President Barack Obama), the increased power of billionaires in politics, and even <a href="" type="internal">the rise of Donald Trump</a>. This year, critics might be able to add another item to that list: keeping disgraced former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell out of prison.</p>
<p>On Wednesday, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments <a href="http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/mcdonnell-v-united-states/" type="external">in the criminal case</a> against the former rising star of the Republican Party. In January 2015, a federal judge sentenced McDonnell to two years in prison on corruption charges, stemming from his acceptance of loans and gifts from a political supporter. McDonnell is now fighting the sentence before the Supreme Court. The former governor argues that the charges against him should be thrown out, <a href="http://www.scotusblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/15-474-ts.pdf" type="external">pointing to the court’s ruling in Citizens United</a> where the court’s majority rejected the notion that political favors are always equivalent to criminal corruption. If the court agrees with McDonnell, prosecutors might have a more difficult time going after public corruption in the future.</p>
<p>Here are the facts of the case. When McDonnell took office in 2010, he and his wife were in deep financial trouble, in large part because of bad real estate investments. He owed credit card companies nearly $75,000 and was losing money on rental properties he owned with his sister in Virginia Beach that were mortgaged to the hilt. He’d borrowed $160,000 from friends and family to stay afloat.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The McDonnells found a savior in Virginia businessman Jonnie Williams Sr., who owned a dietary-supplement company that made a tobacco-based supplement called Anatabloc that could supposedly cure everything from arthritis to multiple sclerosis. Williams hoped to get McDonnell’s help in persuading state universities to conduct clinical trials on Anatabloc so it could get FDA approval as a more lucrative prescription drug. Williams lent McDonnell his private plane to travel to a California political event and came along for the ride so he could try to convince the governor to assist him.</p>
<p>That fateful meeting kicked off what the government said was a long-running conspiracy in which the McDonnells asked for and received more than $175,000 in luxury goods, gifts, and loans from Williams. Williams also let McDonnell drive his Ferrari during an expenses-paid weekend at Williams’ vacation home and took McDonnell’s wife, Maureen, on a shopping spree. McDonnell then helped arrange a number of meetings with state officials who might be able to help Williams’ firm persuade state universities to undertake research on Anatabloc.</p>
<p>The McDonnells were indicted in January 2014, and Bob McDonnell was convicted of 11 corruption charges that fall. Among the charges was honest services fraud, a statute that has been in the crosshairs of judges and criminal-defense lawyers for a number of years. The statute, which has been used to prosecute the likes of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and media mogul Conrad Black, is vague, simply making it a crime “to deprive another of the intangible right of honest services.” Critics see it as unconstitutionally broad, allowing prosecutors to bring charges against white-collar criminals and politicians for activities that are not well defined.</p>
<p>It was this statute that former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling successfully challenged in <a href="http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/09pdf/08-1394.pdf" type="external">his 2010 Supreme Court case,</a>in which the court significantly narrowed the list of crimes that could be included under the wide-ranging statute. Before his case, lawyers had argued that it turned such innocuous things as calling in sick or going to a baseball game into federal crimes. The high court in Skilling’s case narrowed the parameters and ruled that it could apply only to bribery and kickbacks.</p>
<p>In McDonnell’s case, the corruption charges required proof that he took money and gifts in exchange for performing “official acts” on Williams’ behalf. His lawyers argue that what the government has called “official acts” are indistinguishable from the sorts of things governors do every day in their jobs, including proposing and scheduling meetings, sending emails, and attending luncheons. (They also argue that the money and gifts shouldn’t be considered bribes when Virginia state law allows state politicians to accept unlimited gifts and loans.)</p>
<p>McDonnell argues that nothing he did for Williams met the criteria of the “quid” in the quid pro quo arrangement necessary for a bribery conviction. Indeed, thanks largely to some savvy staffers and state employees who rebuffed Williams’ requests, McDonnell never gave Williams much of anything other than access to a few state officials. The state universities never agreed to clinical trials for Anatabloc, which has since been taken off the market. “This case marks the first time in our history that a public official has been convicted of corruption despite never agreeing to put a thumb on the scales of any government decision,” McDonnell’s brief argues.</p>
<p>McDonnell says that if his conviction is allowed to stand, just about anything an elected official does in the course of his work—like “inviting donors to the White House Christmas Party”—could qualify as an “official act” under the bribery statute. “These laws threaten First Amendment rights by transforming every campaign donor into a potential felon,” McDonnell argues in his brief. “This is a constitutional minefield.”</p>
<p>To support his argument, McDonnell cites Citizens United, in which the court ruled that “ingratiation and access…are not corruption.” The justices were notably skeptical in that case of campaign finance reformers’ arguments that limits on corporate political spending were a necessary defense against corruption, nor did they buy that cozy relationships between donors and politicians were necessarily corrupt. They wrote that campaign contributions “embody a central feature of democracy—that constituents support candidates who share their beliefs and interests and candidates who are elected can be expected to be responsive to those concerns.” McDonnell’s lawyers are clearly hoping to appeal to that sentiment here.</p>
<p>Whether they’ll succeed is an open question. The honest services fraud statute was much hated by the late Justice Antonin Scalia, who was undoubtedly one of the votes in favor of taking up McDonnell’s case in the first place. Without him, much less is certain. Justice Samuel Alito is a former prosecutor whose sympathies may lie with his law enforcement colleagues. As for the rest of the justices, their views are anyone’s guess. While the liberals didn’t sign on to the court majority’s argument in Citizens United that money is not a corrupting force in politics, they did side with Skilling and his contention that the honest services statute was too vague. Liberal icon Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote the majority opinion in that case, in fact.</p>
<p>The government poked a hole in the Citizens United argument by reminding the justices in its brief, “The bribes at issue here were personal payoffs, not campaign contributions.” McDonnell and his wife got more than $175,000 in personal loans and gifts and others freebies from Williams, and the government argues that Ferrari rides and custom golf bags are far different from checks to a campaign fund or a super-PAC. That kind of behavior isn’t just sleazy politics, they say; it’s a criminal offense.</p>
<p /> | true | 4 | former virginia gov bob mcdonnell corruption trial 2014apsteve helber supreme courts 2010 decision citizens united overturned restrictions corporate union campaign contributions blamed lot things flood ads pull politics gutter per president barack obama increased power billionaires politics even rise donald trump year critics might able add another item list keeping disgraced former virginia gov bob mcdonnell prison wednesday supreme court hear oral arguments criminal case former rising star republican party january 2015 federal judge sentenced mcdonnell two years prison corruption charges stemming acceptance loans gifts political supporter mcdonnell fighting sentence supreme court former governor argues charges thrown pointing courts ruling citizens united courts majority rejected notion political favors always equivalent criminal corruption court agrees mcdonnell prosecutors might difficult time going public corruption future facts case mcdonnell took office 2010 wife deep financial trouble large part bad real estate investments owed credit card companies nearly 75000 losing money rental properties owned sister virginia beach mortgaged hilt hed borrowed 160000 friends family stay afloat 160 mcdonnells found savior virginia businessman jonnie williams sr owned dietarysupplement company made tobaccobased supplement called anatabloc could supposedly cure everything arthritis multiple sclerosis williams hoped get mcdonnells help persuading state universities conduct clinical trials anatabloc could get fda approval lucrative prescription drug williams lent mcdonnell private plane travel california political event came along ride could try convince governor assist fateful meeting kicked government said longrunning conspiracy mcdonnells asked received 175000 luxury goods gifts loans williams williams also let mcdonnell drive ferrari expensespaid weekend williams vacation home took mcdonnells wife maureen shopping spree mcdonnell helped arrange number meetings state officials might able help williams firm persuade state universities undertake research anatabloc mcdonnells indicted january 2014 bob mcdonnell convicted 11 corruption charges fall among charges honest services fraud statute crosshairs judges criminaldefense lawyers number years statute used prosecute likes former illinois gov rod blagojevich media mogul conrad black vague simply making crime deprive another intangible right honest services critics see unconstitutionally broad allowing prosecutors bring charges whitecollar criminals politicians activities well defined statute former enron ceo jeffrey skilling successfully challenged 2010 supreme court casein court significantly narrowed list crimes could included wideranging statute case lawyers argued turned innocuous things calling sick going baseball game federal crimes high court skillings case narrowed parameters ruled could apply bribery kickbacks mcdonnells case corruption charges required proof took money gifts exchange performing official acts williams behalf lawyers argue government called official acts indistinguishable sorts things governors every day jobs including proposing scheduling meetings sending emails attending luncheons also argue money gifts shouldnt considered bribes virginia state law allows state politicians accept unlimited gifts loans mcdonnell argues nothing williams met criteria quid quid pro quo arrangement necessary bribery conviction indeed thanks largely savvy staffers state employees rebuffed williams requests mcdonnell never gave williams much anything access state officials state universities never agreed clinical trials anatabloc since taken market case marks first time history public official convicted corruption despite never agreeing put thumb scales government decision mcdonnells brief argues mcdonnell says conviction allowed stand anything elected official course worklike inviting donors white house christmas partycould qualify official act bribery statute laws threaten first amendment rights transforming every campaign donor potential felon mcdonnell argues brief constitutional minefield support argument mcdonnell cites citizens united court ruled ingratiation accessare corruption justices notably skeptical case campaign finance reformers arguments limits corporate political spending necessary defense corruption buy cozy relationships donors politicians necessarily corrupt wrote campaign contributions embody central feature democracythat constituents support candidates share beliefs interests candidates elected expected responsive concerns mcdonnells lawyers clearly hoping appeal sentiment whether theyll succeed open question honest services fraud statute much hated late justice antonin scalia undoubtedly one votes favor taking mcdonnells case first place without much less certain justice samuel alito former prosecutor whose sympathies may lie law enforcement colleagues rest justices views anyones guess liberals didnt sign court majoritys argument citizens united money corrupting force politics side skilling contention honest services statute vague liberal icon justice ruth bader ginsburg wrote majority opinion case fact government poked hole citizens united argument reminding justices brief bribes issue personal payoffs campaign contributions mcdonnell wife got 175000 personal loans gifts others freebies williams government argues ferrari rides custom golf bags far different checks campaign fund superpac kind behavior isnt sleazy politics say criminal offense | 709 |
<p>Editor’s note: On July 16, 1964, NYPD Lieutenant Thomas Gilligan killed 15-year-old James Powell, an African-American kid from the Bronx. What followed were six nights of rioting that roiled Harlem and Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn. More than 4,000 rioters took part in the mêlées, which left stores looted, 118 people injured, 465 arrested and one rioter dead. Legendary New York Herald-Tribune columnist Jimmy Breslin wrote the following column on July 20, and it is reproduced with his permission.</p>
<p>THE shirtless children ran through the gutters and played with the broken glass and the dull brass cartridge shells from the riot of the night before. The flat sky was an open oven door and its heat made people spill out of the tenements and onto the stoops, or onto milk boxes set up on the sidewalk, and they sat and watched the children pick up the brass shells and pocket them as if they were prizes.</p>
<p>They watched the cops too. The cops were everywhere, four and five of them on a street corner, wearing white steel helmets, and the people of Harlem watched them and hated them yesterday afternoon.</p>
<p>“When I see a white cop, I can’t help myself, I just can’t stand looking at one of them,” Livingston Wingate was saying. “I’m supposed to be a responsible person and I try to rub it from my mind. But right now, when I look across the street here and see those white cops, I get disturbed. I just can’t stand looking at them.”</p>
<p>Wingate is an official. He is a lawyer who has worked for the government in Washington. He now is one of the major figures in running HARYOU-ACT, which has been formed to help young people in Harlem. When people of position talk the way he did, the trouble is bad. And yesterday afternoon, while everybody in Harlem waited for the sun to go down and night to cloak the streets and make moving around easier, you wondered just how bad it would become.</p>
<p>Some of them wanted to get at it in the daylight. The fire trucks had 129th Street, between Madison and Fifth, tied up during an alarm at 2:15 in the afternoon, and to make room for a hook and ladder coming through, the guy driving us pulled in to the curb in the middle of the block.</p>
<p>Right away, somebody moved off the stoop: a kid with a shaved head and a gold polo shirt. He was about nineteen and he went to another stoop, where three other kids were sitting. He said something to them and they looked at the car. Then they got up and came onto the sidewalk and the one with the shaved head walked across the street and spoke to a crowd on another stoop.</p>
<p>Then he came walking back, looking at the car; and when you stared back at him, his eyelids came down and made his eyes narrow.</p>
<p>“What are you lookin’ at, you big fat white bastard?” he said.</p>
<p>“Oh, come on, it’s too hot for this nonsense,” we told him.</p>
<p>“We’re goin’ to show you what’s nonsense,” he said. “We’re goin’ to stick some nonsense right into your fat white belly.”</p>
<p>A fireman, rubber boots flopping on the melting tar street, walked over from an engine. He had an ax in his hand. A new ax. Big, with a light yellow wooden handle. The kid with the shaved head didn’t even notice him. He just kept walking past the car and went back to the stoop where three waited for him.</p>
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<p>“What the hell are you doing here?” the fireman said. “Don’t you listen to the newspapers?”</p>
<p>“We’re trying to get through.”</p>
<p>“They were stoning us last night,” the fireman said. “You don’t know what it was like here. They were trying to kill us. Get out of here if you got any brains.”</p>
<p>Then he went back to the truck. The other firemen came out of the tenement and climbed onto the trucks. There had been no fire and now the three trucks were starting to pull away.</p>
<p>“Hey, fat white bastard,” the shaved head called out. “Why don’t you stay around here till these trucks leave?”</p>
<p>“Oh, come on,” he was told.</p>
<p>Two trucks left, and then the hook and ladder moved by, and the minute it did, the guy driving us in the car pulled away from the curb and started up the block. The kids came out from both sides. They were walking at first, but then one of them ran and tried to get in the back door on the right-hand side, but now the car was moving too fast and he couldn’t make it and then, with the car heading up the block, you saw his bare black arm pull back and then come up and something came through the air at the car.</p>
<p>Whatever it was, it exploded when it hit the street behind the car. Who knows what it was? Molotov cocktails were all over the place Saturday night. Maybe it was nothing more than a firecracker. You couldn’t tell. If somebody snapped his fingers on 129th Street in Harlem yesterday afternoon, the noise made you jump.</p>
<p>It all came down to this in Harlem. All the talk and all the speeches and all the ignorance and all the history of this deep vicious thing of black against white which they classify under the nice name of civil rights came crashing down from the rooftops inside garbage cans. The symbol of a couple of hundred years of sinful history became a black arm pulling back and then coming around to throw something at a white cop.</p>
<p>And there seemed to be no way to talk to anybody. For a while the big main avenues of Harlem seemed quiet and police-state orderly yesterday afternoon the people sitting on the side streets with a bitterness which went right through you when you saw it in their faces.</p>
<p>There seemed to be nobody who could stop what everybody thought the night would bring.</p>
<p>At 4:15 p.m. we drove to the mount Morris Presbyterian Church with Judge James Watson to hear Jesse Gray address a rally. Gray is an irrational man who is a force in Harlem only because of the white press, which failed in its obligation to check out people it writes of. Publicity made Jesse Gray, and yesterday afternoon was to be his great chance for rabble-rousing.</p>
<p>Then Jesse Gray got up and this church turned into something you’ve never seen before.</p>
<p>“Before today is over, we’ll be able to separate the men from the boys,” Gray said when he got up.</p>
<p>“Only one thing can solve the problem in Mississippi, and that’s guerrilla warfare,” Gray said. “I’m beginning to wonder what’s going to solve the problem here in New York.”</p>
<p>He threw the line out into the hot airless church and he waited for the answer he knew would come. He got it.</p>
<p>“Guerilla warfare,” they shouted.</p>
<p>“Oh, my God,” Judge Watson said in the back of the church. “Oh, my God.”</p>
<p>It was a little before five o’clock on a Sunday afternoon. A long hot night was in front of everybody.</p> | true | 4 | editors note july 16 1964 nypd lieutenant thomas gilligan killed 15yearold james powell africanamerican kid bronx followed six nights rioting roiled harlem bedfordstuyvesant brooklyn 4000 rioters took part mêlées left stores looted 118 people injured 465 arrested one rioter dead legendary new york heraldtribune columnist jimmy breslin wrote following column july 20 reproduced permission shirtless children ran gutters played broken glass dull brass cartridge shells riot night flat sky open oven door heat made people spill tenements onto stoops onto milk boxes set sidewalk sat watched children pick brass shells pocket prizes watched cops cops everywhere four five street corner wearing white steel helmets people harlem watched hated yesterday afternoon see white cop cant help cant stand looking one livingston wingate saying im supposed responsible person try rub mind right look across street see white cops get disturbed cant stand looking wingate official lawyer worked government washington one major figures running haryouact formed help young people harlem people position talk way trouble bad yesterday afternoon everybody harlem waited sun go night cloak streets make moving around easier wondered bad would become wanted get daylight fire trucks 129th street madison fifth tied alarm 215 afternoon make room hook ladder coming guy driving us pulled curb middle block right away somebody moved stoop kid shaved head gold polo shirt nineteen went another stoop three kids sitting said something looked car got came onto sidewalk one shaved head walked across street spoke crowd another stoop came walking back looking car stared back eyelids came made eyes narrow lookin big fat white bastard said oh come hot nonsense told goin show whats nonsense said goin stick nonsense right fat white belly fireman rubber boots flopping melting tar street walked engine ax hand new ax big light yellow wooden handle kid shaved head didnt even notice kept walking past car went back stoop three waited start finish day top stories daily beast speedy smart summary news need know nothing dont hell fireman said dont listen newspapers trying get stoning us last night fireman said dont know like trying kill us get got brains went back truck firemen came tenement climbed onto trucks fire three trucks starting pull away hey fat white bastard shaved head called dont stay around till trucks leave oh come told two trucks left hook ladder moved minute guy driving us car pulled away curb started block kids came sides walking first one ran tried get back door righthand side car moving fast couldnt make car heading block saw bare black arm pull back come something came air car whatever exploded hit street behind car knows molotov cocktails place saturday night maybe nothing firecracker couldnt tell somebody snapped fingers 129th street harlem yesterday afternoon noise made jump came harlem talk speeches ignorance history deep vicious thing black white classify nice name civil rights came crashing rooftops inside garbage cans symbol couple hundred years sinful history became black arm pulling back coming around throw something white cop seemed way talk anybody big main avenues harlem seemed quiet policestate orderly yesterday afternoon people sitting side streets bitterness went right saw faces seemed nobody could stop everybody thought night would bring 415 pm drove mount morris presbyterian church judge james watson hear jesse gray address rally gray irrational man force harlem white press failed obligation check people writes publicity made jesse gray yesterday afternoon great chance rabblerousing jesse gray got church turned something youve never seen today well able separate men boys gray said got one thing solve problem mississippi thats guerrilla warfare gray said im beginning wonder whats going solve problem new york threw line hot airless church waited answer knew would come got guerilla warfare shouted oh god judge watson said back church oh god little five oclock sunday afternoon long hot night front everybody | 632 |
<p>The 2013 legislative elections are taking place in the context of tendencies towards a crisis as a whole, in the framework of the end of the cycle of rule by the Kirchners, set up to divert the 2001 popular rebellion. On the economic plane, tendencies towards a new debt crisis are being exhibited, after having religiously paid the debt for a decade, growing inflation, a record public debt, the gradual emptying of the Central Bank and of the Anses, and an international devaluation of the peso. Once again, Argentina is on the way to a new turn in economic policy that will have serious consequences, again, for the workers.</p>
<p>The capitalist class is demanding that the exchange "trap" and other regulations of the government be ended, that it be followed by a significant devaluation of the peso, and that they should be able to recover the freedom of capitals to enter and leave, and the possibility of gaining access to international indebtedness; they are demanding generalization of the agreement with Chevron.</p>
<p>Through some of their politicians (like Scioli, Massa, Macri or De la Sota), they are trying to reconcile that program with an "orderly transition," to avoid the repetition of 2001. In reality, they want the Kirchner government to be the one to bear the "pending tasks" of the adjustment.</p>
<p>For their part, the workers are protesting against a growing increase in costs that affects the purchasing power of wages, and retirements of hunger; against the direct and indirect taxes on incomes from work and against job uncertainty, unemployment, the deficit and an increasing cost of housing and the collapse of health care and education. In perspective, the big capitals, on the one hand, and the workers, on the other, will continue to confront each other to determine who pays for the costs of the crisis.</p>
<p>On the political plane, we have witnessed the break up of the governing party, the rule of the Kirchners: on the one hand, there has been an exodus of Kirchner managers; on the other, collisions have appeared within the clique that continues with Cristina F. Kirchner. There are widespread frictions in the different levels of the government (governors and mayors and even in the security apparatuses). The government established a system of special espionage against the popular movements, and it is trying to return political leadership to the armed forces. A repressor from the dictatorship has been appointed a major in the army, which has generated widespread protest, even within the ruling party.</p>
<p>The progress of the Argentinian political process has the world capitalist crisis as a background. World capitalism is increasingly unloading the crisis on the masses; on the one hand, by destroying conquests and rights, and, on the other hand, through increasing repression, it is attempting to silence the popular rebellions.</p>
<p>The Left and Workers? Front greets and supports the struggle of the entire world working class against imperialist capitalism and its governments. And it highlights the struggle of the people of Brazil and the young people of Chile. In Argentina, over and above the policies of the bureaucratic leaderships of the workers' movement, the big strikes and demonstrations against the income tax managed to impose a retreat on the Kirchner government. An awakening of the working class and the young people, that includes the entire continent, is growing, and they are expressing themselves in the increasing opposition of the masses to the governments of Dilma or Evo Morales, as well as in Chile.</p>
<p>As an expression of this historic development, in Argentina, the growth of the militant and anti-capitalist left has taken place, the left that in the recent primary elections got almost a million votes "?" double the results from two years ago. This "rise of the left" has continued in the weeks that followed: it has appeared in the student elections at the University of Buenos Aires, in union elections and those of workplace delegates, in high schools and universities, in the cultural field. The possibility that the workers will find adequate political expression to confront the new stage, is developing. We are calling for voting for the Left and Workers? Front, with the awareness that it is a matter of the development of a workers' political alternative and of a political response of hardworking people to the new capitalist crisis. The parliamentary platform of the Left and Workers? Front will serve the education and development of class consciousness of the workers, the condemnation of the conspiracies of imperialism and the Argentinian employers against the people, through the state apparatus; it will serve the strengthening of the struggle of the workers and young people, and to promote the struggles and mobilizations of a political character.</p>
<p>We will use the electoral platform to strengthen the struggle, at the service of the strikes and the extra-parliamentary mobilization of the workers and the young people in the streets, and as one more means for the strategic aim of defeating the capitalists and their state through the social revolution.</p>
<p>The foreign debt</p>
<p>The President has boasted about having paid, over a decade, 173,000,000,000 dollars in foreign debt "?" of being, she said, "a serial payer." What she omitted was that, meanwhile, the public debt (foreign and domestic) has risen by almost a 100 billion dollars, even reaching a sum that greatly exceeds two hundred billion dollars. Since 1975, Argentina has paid some 600 billion dollars and still has an enormous debt. We are clearly facing a usurious debt, that is increasing as a result of a continuous capitalization of interests that they cannot pay. The looting of the country long ago reached a criminal character. In this shady deal, international big banking has intervened, but, above all, the Argentinian capitalists, that have always had in their possession the biggest slice of that debt. This explains the "serial" conduct of all the governments of the last fifty years.</p>
<p>In order to continue that "serial" payment, the "national and popular" government has been emptying the Central Bank and the Anses. This explains the fact that 75% of those retired will collect 25% of the cost of the family food basket. The Kirchner government has taken money from these institutions, in exchange for public securities that will never be cancelled, only refinanced in an indefinite manner. Those public bonds are recorded at a theoretical valuation, not a real one. Right now, the government is selling the bonds inherited by the Anses from the AFJP at a despicable price, with the base intention of lowering the exchange rate of the dollar. The Anses has in its possession the biggest amount of the debt in pesos, that is being liquified as a result of inflation and of the indexation by the values of the Indec. "Serial payment" is leading to the bankruptcy of the retirement and monetary systems.</p>
<p>The "report" on "getting out of debt" is simply a lie. The decrease in the foreign debt, postulated by the 2005 restructuring, was a fiction, because with the addition of the so-called "GDP coupons," it has not changed at all. It has only served to "stabilize" the relationships with the capitalist creditors, at the expense of the workers. The result is that we are at a potential suspension of payments, in the context of an imminent crisis with the so-called "vulture" funds. The main beam of what claimed to be "the reconstruction of the national bourgeoisie" has turned out to be a farce. The government that rose in 2003 to act as an administrator of the 2001-2002 bankruptcy, now faces another crisis, that requires a new administrator, that will be selected before 2015, by election or outside of an election. The enormous failure of the laundering of capitals ("Cedin") constitutes an open vote of no confidence in the government, by national and international capital. It is another expression of the change of front of the greater part of the national and foreign big businessmen and bankers, that backed rule by the Kirchners, with highs and lows, for a decade.</p>
<p>The fiscal deficit, to pay the foreign debt and grant every kind of subsidies to the employers, is the main reason for the inflation that is impoverishing the workers. The government is also financing that deficit with confiscation of the funds from the Anses, and the employers are taking advantage of so-called "free enterprise" to raise prices and speculate with inflation.</p>
<p>The other misleading "report" is that of the "redistribution" of incomes. The administrators of the 2001-2002 bankruptcy took charge of emphasizing job uncertainty, under the pretext of "creating jobs." Even with this recourse, unemployment continues to be very high "?" 15%, if the workers of the "plans" are added to the calculation, and even more with the underemployed. This explains the high level of poverty "?" 70% if the family basket is taken, 35% below the basic basket. The allowance per child, conceived and financed by the World Bank, aims at supporting a social assistance of hunger for a long time. We are demanding "a job for everyone" (distribution of the hours of work) and a minimum wage equal to the cost of the family basket.</p>
<p>Structural poverty includes the collapse of health care and education and the enormous price increase of private health care. The Left and Workers? Front is proposing the defense of education and public health care; a single, government-sponsored, free, secular national education program, and a national system of universal public health, in the care of the state, both under the leadership of the workers. We demand the opening of the books of the Obras Sociales and of private medicine. We reject the nationalization of the Obras Sociales (in large part, front organizations of private medicine) by the capitalist state, since it would only be a step towards the essential privatization of health care.</p>
<p>The Left and Workers? Front sets out non-payment of the usurious foreign debt; determining those responsible for this shady deal, with the corresponding compensation; and the establishment of an extraordinary tax on the big capitals, to cover the confiscation of assets suffered by the Central Bank and the Anses.</p>
<p>Privatizations and Nationalizations</p>
<p>The most important function of the syndicate that Duhalde-Lavagna-Kirchner formed, was to proceed to the rescue of the privatizations of Menem's rule and to rescue the banks from bankruptcy. To that end, a phenomenal system of subsidies was resorted to. The main result of the operation was (together with payment of the public debt) the economic crisis, that precisely the Anses and the Central Bank are financing. The freezing of the tariffs was a phenomenal gift to the national and foreign bourgeoisie, because it lowered the price of services that they use and the nominal wages, that remained below those that a higher family basket would have required.</p>
<p>The precariousness of this rescue was shown in the crisis of service-sector investments and in isolated nationalizations, the main one of which was that of the AFJP, that was put at the service of paying the foreign debt. The emptying out of the Anses for payment of international usury is an extraordinary example of using the nationalizations to rescue capital, through the confiscation of the workers' incomes. As a result of this, the Anses was changed into a state-owned AFJP, that conditions the level of the pensions on payment of the debt and on the financial subsidies to capital. Other nationalizations (water, airlines) reinforced the fiscal crisis.</p>
<p>The "nationalizations' went up a step with the partial expropriation of Repsol (subject to compensation in international courts) and with an increasing intervention in the railroad system after the murder of our comrade Mariano Ferreyra, the rebellion of thousands of subcontracted railway workers and the massacre of Once. It is a matter of fictitious nationalizations and even of re-privatizations (Chevron). The partial expropriation of YPF, which the Left and Workers" Front condemned from the first moment, began a trail of intensifying the surrender of hydrocarbons to foreign capital, an advance in environmental contamination and a complete turn towards indebtedness in the international markets.</p>
<p>We condemn the relentless increase in the rates that the oil companies are collecting, their right to charge international prices, the growing slice of the gas-oil income that they are accumulating, and the gigantic increase of environmental contamination. We are proposing immediate compensation for the enormous environmental liability left by these monopolies.</p>
<p>The Left and Workers? Front condemns the pseudo-nationalizations that have been carried out and those that are being announced, as a policy of bailing out capitalism, at the cost of a bigger fiscal crisis, and even in the service of the Kirchner shady deals (like those of La C??mpora in Aerol??neas), that will be paid for by the workers. The bourgeois nationalizations have served to tie the union bureaucracy even more profoundly to the state and to the employers, and even to their businesses. It is necessary to distinguish bourgeois nationalization, that procures the rescue of the capitalist system and of the businessmen they become partners with (TBA, Metrov??as, Repsol, among others), from nationalization that effectively converts private exploitation into a real state-owned public service of the working people. In this case, nationalization or re-nationalization should be without compensation to capital (in reality, the compensation should be from capital to the public power) and to operate under the control and management of the workers, with financing through extraordinary taxes on big capital.</p>
<p>The Left and Workers? Front promotes the 100% re-nationalization of YPF and all the oil companies. In the case of gas and oil, it would be about a national emergency measure, to reverse the capitalist draining brought about in the past two decades. We are setting out a national energy plan controlled by the workers. We fight for the re-nationalization of all the privatized firms, under the control, administration and management of the workers and users. We propose a real re-nationalization of the entire railway system and of the subways under the control and management of the workers and the riders. We promote the nationalization of the capitalist monopolies, under the leadership of the workers, especially nationalization of banking and foreign commerce and big agrarian property. The capitalist monopolies are an expression of the relative exhaustion of capitalist development ("free competition"), and a method of economic expropriation, by monopolized capital, essentially against the workers. A policy of nationalizations, thus understood, should be prepared methodically, through opening the books of the big companies, under the control and planning of the urban and rural workers. What matters in the nationalizations is that they should be a transition towards management of the economy by the workers, and, by this means, towards a planning of national development. This perspective sets out the government of the workers and the exploited people.</p>
<p>The capitalists, and not the workers, must pay for the crisis</p>
<p>The tendency towards suspension of payments, the fiscal crisis, inflation and overpricing, are testimony to the crisis of "national and popular" interventionism. The same thing is happening with the failure of the exchange "trap" and of commerce, and of laundering illegal money ("Cedin").</p>
<p>The government is seeking to lessen the importance of an electoral defeat in October, with cosmetic measures. It is the case of the rise of the nontaxable minimum to the income tax, that will be quickly devoured by inflation and leaves more than a million workers encumbered. The repression in Neuqu??n to seal the secret agreement with Chevron, the appointment of the repressor Milani in the army or the nomination of a personage of the "firm hand," like Granados in Buenos Aires, has permanently demolished Kirchner's claimed progressivism. The Kirchner government thinks about how the coming months with less power will be, where it should implement an adjustment that could include increases in the rates and less "social expenditure." The governors, whatever color they are, would do the same thing. They are throwing everything for after the elections, while millions continue in poverty and without discerning any solution to the serious social problems.</p>
<p>Over and above the fact that they will attempt an orderly transition, a capitalist solution to the crisis will involve blows against the working people, as we have seen historically, with the Rodrigazo, hyper-inflation, the "corralito," or the devaluation of Duhalde-Lavagna.</p>
<p>For their part, the bosses' opposition of Sergio Massa, Binner-Alfons??n, or Macri, are essentially going along with the pro-bosses policies of the government. They all voted, except for some, for opening the exchange to pay the foreign debt to the vulture funds. They all governed or are governing for the big businessmen and multinationals. Although with different nuances, all the opposition parties, without exception, and especially the FAP and UNEN, are demanding a bigger devaluation of the official exchange market, probably preceded by a devaluation in the financial exchange. The result would be a colossal increase of the foreign debt measured in pesos, that would worsen the fiscal crisis, and a gigantic devaluation of wages and fixed incomes and of the assets of the Anses. They also postulate a freeing of rates, with lethal consequences for wages. The conventional capitalist method for containing hyper-inflation, that would result from these measures, is the so-called "cooling" of the economy, or greater unemployment. The expectation is to generate a stream of income from foreign capitals.</p>
<p>The government is going in the same direction. The rise of the official dollar and the blue near ten pesos shows that. The devaluation of the official peso marches to a tempo higher than the inflation of prices. The secret agreement with Chevron anticipates the freedom to rotate capital and dividends, and receive international prices in the domestic market. The reopening of the exchange with the vulture funds also involves dismantling the interventionist policy, because it requires the entry of foreign capitals to face a considerable increase of the foreign debt. A very strong tendency, in the government, has been setting out the division (devaluation) of the exchange market, as is now happening with the "Cedin." It is necessary to warn that the law that reforms the capitals market, seek to develop conditions to turn the local stock exchange into a setting that will welcome international financial capital, on a scale similar to Brazil. All this is leading to a mega devaluation of the peso.</p>
<p>The Left and Workers? Front warns against this attempt, common to all the parties of the system, to make the workers pay for the crisis. We propose monthly adjustment of wages and pensions; the occupation of every firm that suspends, lays off or closes; the non-payment of the foreign debt; an extraordinary tax on the big capitalists, to wipe out the fiscal crisis and pay the government's debt with the Anses and the Central Bank.</p>
<p>Repression and insecurity</p>
<p>Cristina scarcely took office with 54% of the votes in 2011; the first thing she passed in Parliament, by order of imperialism, was the anti-terrorist law, to persecute militants and continue the criminalization of the struggles.</p>
<p>Since the bankruptcy of 2001-2002, the measures of exception have been emphasized; they have served to bail out banks, AFJP's and privatized firms, and to expropriate savers and wage earners. Since the world crisis, beginning in 2008, this method has been stressed. After failing in the attempts at a government of the center-left, or with the famous mainstreaming of the Cobos, the ruling party emphasized its Bonapartist traits, in an advanced stage of its decline. It acted on a broad, unstable coalition, that goes from right-wing provincial leaders like Insfr??n, to organizations like the Evita Movement and the Tupac Amaru. Despite having a parliamentary majority, the government has been intensified by decree or resolutions of the AFIP and from abuse of the national network and from favoritism to the "friendly" media. The precariousness of this type of government was made clear in the judicial verdicts that favored the Clar??n Group. The political crisis is now a crisis of state.</p>
<p>To this state of exception and crisis, and to government by means of decrees "?" as the expression of a crisis of government and of a political system "?" the Left and Workers? Front counterposes the government of the workers, deeply rooted in all the levels of social and political management, based on the workers' and people's self-organization. It is a matter of initiating a process of transition towards socialism and the abolition of every form of social discrimination and exploitation. The "defense of the Republic," that the traditional opposition brandishes, is sheer hypocrisy, since all that opposition always governed behind the back of their own Constitution (the Olivos Pact, Duhalde's de facto government, a minority government in 2003, Necessity and Urgency Decrees). The Constitution is a fig leaf of injustice, since 50% of the national legislation is originally from the dictatorship, just like the military, judicial and repressive bureaucracy of the state. The governments that have emerged since 1983 have claimed juridical continuity from the military dictatorship, especially the international political, military and economic commitments, like payment of the debt. The archives of the dictatorship have not been opened. The armed forces, that have absolutely not been affected, act as an occupation force in Haiti, in the service of US imperialism.</p>
<p>The matter of "security" is another larger manifestation of the decomposition of the state, because it conceals the union between the apparatuses of security and the leaders and parties of the system, on the one hand, and the criminal organizations, on the other. This union is seen every day in every neighborhood of the people and was clearly exposed in the murder of our comrade Mariano Ferreyra. It serves to victimize the jobless young people and to justify the "trigger happy" police. The alternative offered by the "progressivism" of the ruling party, "democratic security," consisted in favoring spying against the people's organizations, under the pretext of "preventing, so as not to repress." Now it is proposed to create "municipal police" and lower the age of legal responsibility.This means, neither more nor less than surrendering civil security to the group most intertwined with the different criminal organizations, including human trafficking; we are referring to the Mayors.</p>
<p>The appointment of C??sar Milani, as chief of the army, is much more than a whitewashing of a genocidal killer. It is an obvious attempt to return political leadership to the armed forces, an intention that the different governments have been pursuing since 1983, with the Law of Due Obedience, the Full Stop Law, and the Pardon. Now the army's support for the "national and popular project" is being invoked. The "reintegration" of the armed forces aims at strengthening the tasks of espionage and the state's capacity for repression, facing the crisis. The Argentinian armed forces have been training in these duties for a decade, in Haiti. The army of Argentina and the Latin American armies (with the exception of Venezuela and Cuba), out of Haiti!</p>
<p>The Left and Workers? Front calls for popular organization in the neighborhoods and in the places of work and study, to fight against the "trigger-happy" police and human trafficking. To combat the penetration of drug trafficking, with police support, in the neighborhoods, or police and political complicity with organized crime. No to the municipal police of the Mayors of corruption and crime: to put an end to the leaders' apparatus, it is necessary to end the social misery that capitalism causes and replace the repressive apparatus of this state, that is at the service of the exploiters, by organizations of the workers themselves on the path of struggle for their own government. Down with Project X, and espionage and infiltration of the people's organizations! For the dissolution of all the intelligence organs placed in order to spy on and infiltrate the people's organizations!</p>
<p>The Left to the Congress, to the Legislatures, to the City Councils</p>
<p>The Left and Workers? Front aspires to enter the parliaments of the country, in order to develop a workers' political alternative.</p>
<p>To change the parliaments into a political platform, to condemn the conspiracy among the capitalists, their regime and their parties, and to develop the struggles and the extra-parliamentary mobilization of the workers and the people. To put our Deputies, legislators or city councillors at the service of the workers?, popular and young people's struggles, as we have already been doing with our legislators and city councilors in C??rdoba, Neuqu??n, Salta and Santa Fe. To do propaganda and agitation on the methods of the workers' government. An even larger vote for the Left and Workers? Front, over and above the almost one million votes from the primaries, will be, most of all, a powerful stimulus for massive organization against the adjustments that are being prepared for after the elections.</p>
<p>In contrast to the development of the militant and socialist left, the country is witnessing the disintegration of the so-called "plural left," part of the so-called center-left (Pino Solanas, Libres del Sur) with obvious ties to the representatives of banking and soy capital (Prat Gay, Binner, UCR). The same thing has occurred with the tendencies that, under the cover of chavismo, dedicated the best of their time to supporting rule by the Kirchners. The rise of the left is the result of an entire political experience.</p>
<p>The Left and Workers? Front is promoting the class political independence of the people's organizations and especially of the unions in relation to the government. Union bureaucracy, out of the unions; for the formation of class-conscious leaderships, to transform the unions and impose union democracy. We fight for including the unemployed workers, subcontracted workers, and those suffering job uncertainty, in the unions, and we promote the broadest workers' and popular self-organization. Uniting the revolutionary left with the workers' movement will change the workers into a leading force, the first step to change the history of the country and open up the perspective of revolution and of the transition to socialism in the country and in the world.</p>
<p>Platform of urgent demands</p>
<p>Abolition of the direct tax on wages and pensions; elimination of the VAT; no tax on the worker's only housing.</p>
<p>For a minimum wage equal to the cost of the family basket; for the 82% sliding scale in pensions, beginning with the comprehensive fulfilment of the judicial verdicts in favour of the retired.</p>
<p>The ART's, get out; for committees of safety and hygiene, organized democratically by the workers themselves. Abolition of job uncertainty and hiring under the table; inclusion of all the workers, in every enterprise, in the collective contracts with more favourable clauses.</p>
<p>Government, out of the ANSES: for an elected leadership, subject to recall by the workers and the retired. Non-payment of the foreign debt: for an extraordinary tax on the big capitals, to recover the assets in the possession of the Anses and the Central Bank.</p>
<p>Chevron, get out; no to "fracking"; no to open-air mining; reimbursement for the environmental damages; nationalization of these industries, under workers' control.</p>
<p>No more deplorable public services, or massacres with deaths and corruption. For the re-nationalization of the trains and subways under control and management of the workers and riders.</p>
<p>Nullification of the Kirchner judicial reform. Popular election of judges and prosecutors.</p>
<p>Every legislator, government official or judge should earn the same as a skilled worker or a teacher. For the right to recall all elected officials. All directors of publicly-owned enterprises should be elected.</p>
<p>For the right to legal, safe abortion and free of charge.</p>
<p>No to lowering the age of legal responsibility. For a national campaign of the workers' and popular organizations for the dismantling, trial and punishment of the organizations involved in human trafficking; for support to all the mobilizations against "the sons of power," that are responsible for the disappearance and murder of women.</p>
<p>For the independence of the unions from the state; union democracy; bureaucracy, out of the unions! For the fullest union democracy. For the workers' right to organize themselves without government interference and control.</p>
<p>Armed forces, out of Haiti! For support of the workers' and popular rebellion throughout the world, that is growing and spreading, as the capitalist crisis advances.</p>
<p>We call on the workers, the young people, the groups of the poor, and those that claim to belong to the left, to join and support the campaign for voting for the Left and Workers? Front on October 27.</p>
<p>Left and Workers? Front (PO - PTS - IS)</p> | true | 4 | 2013 legislative elections taking place context tendencies towards crisis whole framework end cycle rule kirchners set divert 2001 popular rebellion economic plane tendencies towards new debt crisis exhibited religiously paid debt decade growing inflation record public debt gradual emptying central bank anses international devaluation peso argentina way new turn economic policy serious consequences workers capitalist class demanding exchange trap regulations government ended followed significant devaluation peso able recover freedom capitals enter leave possibility gaining access international indebtedness demanding generalization agreement chevron politicians like scioli massa macri de la sota trying reconcile program orderly transition avoid repetition 2001 reality want kirchner government one bear pending tasks adjustment part workers protesting growing increase costs affects purchasing power wages retirements hunger direct indirect taxes incomes work job uncertainty unemployment deficit increasing cost housing collapse health care education perspective big capitals one hand workers continue confront determine pays costs crisis political plane witnessed break governing party rule kirchners one hand exodus kirchner managers collisions appeared within clique continues cristina f kirchner widespread frictions different levels government governors mayors even security apparatuses government established system special espionage popular movements trying return political leadership armed forces repressor dictatorship appointed major army generated widespread protest even within ruling party progress argentinian political process world capitalist crisis background world capitalism increasingly unloading crisis masses one hand destroying conquests rights hand increasing repression attempting silence popular rebellions left workers front greets supports struggle entire world working class imperialist capitalism governments highlights struggle people brazil young people chile argentina policies bureaucratic leaderships workers movement big strikes demonstrations income tax managed impose retreat kirchner government awakening working class young people includes entire continent growing expressing increasing opposition masses governments dilma evo morales well chile expression historic development argentina growth militant anticapitalist left taken place left recent primary elections got almost million votes double results two years ago rise left continued weeks followed appeared student elections university buenos aires union elections workplace delegates high schools universities cultural field possibility workers find adequate political expression confront new stage developing calling voting left workers front awareness matter development workers political alternative political response hardworking people new capitalist crisis parliamentary platform left workers front serve education development class consciousness workers condemnation conspiracies imperialism argentinian employers people state apparatus serve strengthening struggle workers young people promote struggles mobilizations political character use electoral platform strengthen struggle service strikes extraparliamentary mobilization workers young people streets one means strategic aim defeating capitalists state social revolution foreign debt president boasted paid decade 173000000000 dollars foreign debt said serial payer omitted meanwhile public debt foreign domestic risen almost 100 billion dollars even reaching sum greatly exceeds two hundred billion dollars since 1975 argentina paid 600 billion dollars still enormous debt clearly facing usurious debt increasing result continuous capitalization interests pay looting country long ago reached criminal character shady deal international big banking intervened argentinian capitalists always possession biggest slice debt explains serial conduct governments last fifty years order continue serial payment national popular government emptying central bank anses explains fact 75 retired collect 25 cost family food basket kirchner government taken money institutions exchange public securities never cancelled refinanced indefinite manner public bonds recorded theoretical valuation real one right government selling bonds inherited anses afjp despicable price base intention lowering exchange rate dollar anses possession biggest amount debt pesos liquified result inflation indexation values indec serial payment leading bankruptcy retirement monetary systems report getting debt simply lie decrease foreign debt postulated 2005 restructuring fiction addition socalled gdp coupons changed served stabilize relationships capitalist creditors expense workers result potential suspension payments context imminent crisis socalled vulture funds main beam claimed reconstruction national bourgeoisie turned farce government rose 2003 act administrator 20012002 bankruptcy faces another crisis requires new administrator selected 2015 election outside election enormous failure laundering capitals cedin constitutes open vote confidence government national international capital another expression change front greater part national foreign big businessmen bankers backed rule kirchners highs lows decade fiscal deficit pay foreign debt grant every kind subsidies employers main reason inflation impoverishing workers government also financing deficit confiscation funds anses employers taking advantage socalled free enterprise raise prices speculate inflation misleading report redistribution incomes administrators 20012002 bankruptcy took charge emphasizing job uncertainty pretext creating jobs even recourse unemployment continues high 15 workers plans added calculation even underemployed explains high level poverty 70 family basket taken 35 basic basket allowance per child conceived financed world bank aims supporting social assistance hunger long time demanding job everyone distribution hours work minimum wage equal cost family basket structural poverty includes collapse health care education enormous price increase private health care left workers front proposing defense education public health care single governmentsponsored free secular national education program national system universal public health care state leadership workers demand opening books obras sociales private medicine reject nationalization obras sociales large part front organizations private medicine capitalist state since would step towards essential privatization health care left workers front sets nonpayment usurious foreign debt determining responsible shady deal corresponding compensation establishment extraordinary tax big capitals cover confiscation assets suffered central bank anses privatizations nationalizations important function syndicate duhaldelavagnakirchner formed proceed rescue privatizations menems rule rescue banks bankruptcy end phenomenal system subsidies resorted main result operation together payment public debt economic crisis precisely anses central bank financing freezing tariffs phenomenal gift national foreign bourgeoisie lowered price services use nominal wages remained higher family basket would required precariousness rescue shown crisis servicesector investments isolated nationalizations main one afjp put service paying foreign debt emptying anses payment international usury extraordinary example using nationalizations rescue capital confiscation workers incomes result anses changed stateowned afjp conditions level pensions payment debt financial subsidies capital nationalizations water airlines reinforced fiscal crisis nationalizations went step partial expropriation repsol subject compensation international courts increasing intervention railroad system murder comrade mariano ferreyra rebellion thousands subcontracted railway workers massacre matter fictitious nationalizations even reprivatizations chevron partial expropriation ypf left workers front condemned first moment began trail intensifying surrender hydrocarbons foreign capital advance environmental contamination complete turn towards indebtedness international markets condemn relentless increase rates oil companies collecting right charge international prices growing slice gasoil income accumulating gigantic increase environmental contamination proposing immediate compensation enormous environmental liability left monopolies left workers front condemns pseudonationalizations carried announced policy bailing capitalism cost bigger fiscal crisis even service kirchner shady deals like la cmpora aerolneas paid workers bourgeois nationalizations served tie union bureaucracy even profoundly state employers even businesses necessary distinguish bourgeois nationalization procures rescue capitalist system businessmen become partners tba metrovas repsol among others nationalization effectively converts private exploitation real stateowned public service working people case nationalization renationalization without compensation capital reality compensation capital public power operate control management workers financing extraordinary taxes big capital left workers front promotes 100 renationalization ypf oil companies case gas oil would national emergency measure reverse capitalist draining brought past two decades setting national energy plan controlled workers fight renationalization privatized firms control administration management workers users propose real renationalization entire railway system subways control management workers riders promote nationalization capitalist monopolies leadership workers especially nationalization banking foreign commerce big agrarian property capitalist monopolies expression relative exhaustion capitalist development free competition method economic expropriation monopolized capital essentially workers policy nationalizations thus understood prepared methodically opening books big companies control planning urban rural workers matters nationalizations transition towards management economy workers means towards planning national development perspective sets government workers exploited people capitalists workers must pay crisis tendency towards suspension payments fiscal crisis inflation overpricing testimony crisis national popular interventionism thing happening failure exchange trap commerce laundering illegal money cedin government seeking lessen importance electoral defeat october cosmetic measures case rise nontaxable minimum income tax quickly devoured inflation leaves million workers encumbered repression neuqun seal secret agreement chevron appointment repressor milani army nomination personage firm hand like granados buenos aires permanently demolished kirchners claimed progressivism kirchner government thinks coming months less power implement adjustment could include increases rates less social expenditure governors whatever color would thing throwing everything elections millions continue poverty without discerning solution serious social problems fact attempt orderly transition capitalist solution crisis involve blows working people seen historically rodrigazo hyperinflation corralito devaluation duhaldelavagna part bosses opposition sergio massa binneralfonsn macri essentially going along probosses policies government voted except opening exchange pay foreign debt vulture funds governed governing big businessmen multinationals although different nuances opposition parties without exception especially fap unen demanding bigger devaluation official exchange market probably preceded devaluation financial exchange result would colossal increase foreign debt measured pesos would worsen fiscal crisis gigantic devaluation wages fixed incomes assets anses also postulate freeing rates lethal consequences wages conventional capitalist method containing hyperinflation would result measures socalled cooling economy greater unemployment expectation generate stream income foreign capitals government going direction rise official dollar blue near ten pesos shows devaluation official peso marches tempo higher inflation prices secret agreement chevron anticipates freedom rotate capital dividends receive international prices domestic market reopening exchange vulture funds also involves dismantling interventionist policy requires entry foreign capitals face considerable increase foreign debt strong tendency government setting division devaluation exchange market happening cedin necessary warn law reforms capitals market seek develop conditions turn local stock exchange setting welcome international financial capital scale similar brazil leading mega devaluation peso left workers front warns attempt common parties system make workers pay crisis propose monthly adjustment wages pensions occupation every firm suspends lays closes nonpayment foreign debt extraordinary tax big capitalists wipe fiscal crisis pay governments debt anses central bank repression insecurity cristina scarcely took office 54 votes 2011 first thing passed parliament order imperialism antiterrorist law persecute militants continue criminalization struggles since bankruptcy 20012002 measures exception emphasized served bail banks afjps privatized firms expropriate savers wage earners since world crisis beginning 2008 method stressed failing attempts government centerleft famous mainstreaming cobos ruling party emphasized bonapartist traits advanced stage decline acted broad unstable coalition goes rightwing provincial leaders like insfrn organizations like evita movement tupac amaru despite parliamentary majority government intensified decree resolutions afip abuse national network favoritism friendly media precariousness type government made clear judicial verdicts favored clarn group political crisis crisis state state exception crisis government means decrees expression crisis government political system left workers front counterposes government workers deeply rooted levels social political management based workers peoples selforganization matter initiating process transition towards socialism abolition every form social discrimination exploitation defense republic traditional opposition brandishes sheer hypocrisy since opposition always governed behind back constitution olivos pact duhaldes de facto government minority government 2003 necessity urgency decrees constitution fig leaf injustice since 50 national legislation originally dictatorship like military judicial repressive bureaucracy state governments emerged since 1983 claimed juridical continuity military dictatorship especially international political military economic commitments like payment debt archives dictatorship opened armed forces absolutely affected act occupation force haiti service us imperialism matter security another larger manifestation decomposition state conceals union apparatuses security leaders parties system one hand criminal organizations union seen every day every neighborhood people clearly exposed murder comrade mariano ferreyra serves victimize jobless young people justify trigger happy police alternative offered progressivism ruling party democratic security consisted favoring spying peoples organizations pretext preventing repress proposed create municipal police lower age legal responsibilitythis means neither less surrendering civil security group intertwined different criminal organizations including human trafficking referring mayors appointment csar milani chief army much whitewashing genocidal killer obvious attempt return political leadership armed forces intention different governments pursuing since 1983 law due obedience full stop law pardon armys support national popular project invoked reintegration armed forces aims strengthening tasks espionage states capacity repression facing crisis argentinian armed forces training duties decade haiti army argentina latin american armies exception venezuela cuba haiti left workers front calls popular organization neighborhoods places work study fight triggerhappy police human trafficking combat penetration drug trafficking police support neighborhoods police political complicity organized crime municipal police mayors corruption crime put end leaders apparatus necessary end social misery capitalism causes replace repressive apparatus state service exploiters organizations workers path struggle government project x espionage infiltration peoples organizations dissolution intelligence organs placed order spy infiltrate peoples organizations left congress legislatures city councils left workers front aspires enter parliaments country order develop workers political alternative change parliaments political platform condemn conspiracy among capitalists regime parties develop struggles extraparliamentary mobilization workers people put deputies legislators city councillors service workers popular young peoples struggles already legislators city councilors crdoba neuqun salta santa fe propaganda agitation methods workers government even larger vote left workers front almost one million votes primaries powerful stimulus massive organization adjustments prepared elections contrast development militant socialist left country witnessing disintegration socalled plural left part socalled centerleft pino solanas libres del sur obvious ties representatives banking soy capital prat gay binner ucr thing occurred tendencies cover chavismo dedicated best time supporting rule kirchners rise left result entire political experience left workers front promoting class political independence peoples organizations especially unions relation government union bureaucracy unions formation classconscious leaderships transform unions impose union democracy fight including unemployed workers subcontracted workers suffering job uncertainty unions promote broadest workers popular selforganization uniting revolutionary left workers movement change workers leading force first step change history country open perspective revolution transition socialism country world platform urgent demands abolition direct tax wages pensions elimination vat tax workers housing minimum wage equal cost family basket 82 sliding scale pensions beginning comprehensive fulfilment judicial verdicts favour retired arts get committees safety hygiene organized democratically workers abolition job uncertainty hiring table inclusion workers every enterprise collective contracts favourable clauses government anses elected leadership subject recall workers retired nonpayment foreign debt extraordinary tax big capitals recover assets possession anses central bank chevron get fracking openair mining reimbursement environmental damages nationalization industries workers control deplorable public services massacres deaths corruption renationalization trains subways control management workers riders nullification kirchner judicial reform popular election judges prosecutors every legislator government official judge earn skilled worker teacher right recall elected officials directors publiclyowned enterprises elected right legal safe abortion free charge lowering age legal responsibility national campaign workers popular organizations dismantling trial punishment organizations involved human trafficking support mobilizations sons power responsible disappearance murder women independence unions state union democracy bureaucracy unions fullest union democracy workers right organize without government interference control armed forces haiti support workers popular rebellion throughout world growing spreading capitalist crisis advances call workers young people groups poor claim belong left join support campaign voting left workers front october 27 left workers front po pts | 2,375 |
<p>As US-sponsored peace talks have stalled over the issue of settlements, Israel’s national police force has revealed that it is turning to the very same illegal communities in its first-ever drive to recruit officers from among the settlers.</p>
<p>The special officer training course, which is chiefly aimed at discharged combat soldiers, includes seven months of religious studies in an extremist West Bank settlement.</p>
<p>The programme has provoked widespread concern among Israel’s 1.3 million Palestinian citizens, a fifth of the population.</p>
<p>“The police have already repeatedly demonstrated their hostility to Palestinian citizens, but this move proves that the authorities want to extend and deepen our oppression,” said Jafar Farah, the director of Mossawa, an advocacy centre for the Palestinian minority.</p>
<p>“Is it really credible that these religious extremists who have been educated to hate Palestinians in the West Bank are going to behave differently when they police our communities inside Israel?”</p>
<p>The first 35 cadets in the officer-training programme — known as “Believe in the police” — are to start their studies next month. More than 300 settlers are reported to have expressed an interest in the course so far.</p>
<p>The police command is said to have taken up the idea, originally proposed by right-wing groups, in the hope of reversing years of declining recruitment levels that have led to a national shortage of officers.</p>
<p>Cadets will study for three and a half years, mostly at Haifa University in Israel, at the end of which they will be awarded a degree and the rank of officer.</p>
<p>But their studies also include seven months in a religious seminary in a small extremist settlement, Elisha, deep in the West Bank. Although all the settlements are illegal under international law, Elisha is one of dozens of wildcat settlements also illegal under Israeli law.</p>
<p>Gershom Gorenberg, an expert on the religious settlers, said Israel’s “future police commanders” would graduate from the course after an early lesson in law-breaking.</p>
<p>Yonatan Chetboun, the head of the Raananim movement, a right-wing group overseeing the programme, described to Olam Katan, a newspaper popular with the religious community, one way the organisers might win over settlers to a career in the police.</p>
<p>He said taking potential recruits on night-time patrols of Ramle and Lod — Israeli towns notorious for containing deprived, crime-ridden Palestinian neighbourhoods — would quickly open their eyes to one of “the most meaningful national issues”.</p>
<p>The police spokesman was not available for comment.</p>
<p>A team of rabbis has been appointed to resolve potential conflicts between the settlers’ religious principles and their police duties, which could involve desecrating the sabbath and dealing with “immodest” women.</p>
<p>A right-wing settler activist, Hor Nizri, who has clashed with the police in the past over the evacuation of settlements, has been put in charge of recruiting young settlers.</p>
<p>He told the Yedioth Aharonoth newspaper that the programme was “a historic reconciliation”, adding: “We want to fill the ranks of the police as we fill the ranks of the army.”</p>
<p>His comments have sparked concern among Palestinian groups inside Israel that the programme is the first phase of an attempted settler “takeover” of the police, replicating their growing dominance of sections of the army.</p>
<p>The first official figures on the number of settlers in the Israeli military, released last month, show their massive over-representation in combat units. About a third of all officers in such units were settlers, up from only 2.5 per cent in 1990.</p>
<p>The police hope that a career in the force will be attractive to many of the settlers after they are discharged.</p>
<p>However, Mr Farah said there was plenty of evidence that religious settlers were becoming ever more extreme in their hostility towards Palestinians. He pointed to the growing influence of extremist rabbis in promoting anti-Palestinian views.</p>
<p>Over the summer, two prominent rabbis from the settlement of Yitzhar, near Nablus, were questioned on suspicion of incitement after publishing a book, The King’s Torah, in which they sanctioned the killing of non-Jews, including children. In one passage, the authors write: “There is justification for killing babies if it is clear that they will grow up to harm us.”</p>
<p>The book has been endorsed by a number of senior rabbis in the settlements.</p>
<p>Similar sentiments have been gaining a foothold among army rabbis.</p>
<p>Early last year, in the immediate wake of Israel’s three-week operation in Gaza, it was revealed that the army rabbinate had handed out a booklet to combat soldiers about to enter Gaza calling their attack ‘a war on murderers’ and warning them against “surrendering a single millimetre” of territory.</p>
<p>Some 1,400 Palestinians were killed in the attack, including hundreds of women and children.</p>
<p>The Palestinian minority’s relations with the police are already marked by deep distrust, following the killing of 13 unarmed demonstrators and the wounding of hundreds more in 2000, at the start of the second intifada.</p>
<p>A subsequent state commission of inquiry accused the police command of viewing the minority as “an enemy”.</p>
<p>Mr Farah also pointed to the unexplained deaths of 36 Palestinian citizens by the police over the past decade. In only two cases have police officers been convicted.</p>
<p>Some Israeli observers have expressed concern that the settlers’ greater influence on the police could also make implementing the dismantlement of West Bank settlements much harder in any future peace deal.</p>
<p>Mr Gorenberg said previous evacuations, including the 2005 withdrawal from Gaza, had been handled chiefly by the police because so many army units were dominated by settlers. The police, he added, “could acquire the same weakness”.</p>
<p>JONATHAN COOK is a writer and journalist based in Nazareth, Israel. His latest books are “ <a href="" type="internal">Israel and the Clash of Civilisations: Iraq, Iran and the Plan to Remake the Middle East”</a> (Pluto Press) and “ <a href="" type="internal">Disappearing Palestine: Israel’s Experiments in Human Despair</a>” (Zed Books). His website is <a href="http://www.jkcook.net" type="external">www.jkcook.net</a>.</p>
<p>A version of this article originally appeared in The National ( <a href="http://www.thenational.ae" type="external">www.thenational.ae</a>), published in Abu Dhabi.</p> | true | 4 | ussponsored peace talks stalled issue settlements israels national police force revealed turning illegal communities firstever drive recruit officers among settlers special officer training course chiefly aimed discharged combat soldiers includes seven months religious studies extremist west bank settlement programme provoked widespread concern among israels 13 million palestinian citizens fifth population police already repeatedly demonstrated hostility palestinian citizens move proves authorities want extend deepen oppression said jafar farah director mossawa advocacy centre palestinian minority really credible religious extremists educated hate palestinians west bank going behave differently police communities inside israel first 35 cadets officertraining programme known believe police start studies next month 300 settlers reported expressed interest course far police command said taken idea originally proposed rightwing groups hope reversing years declining recruitment levels led national shortage officers cadets study three half years mostly haifa university israel end awarded degree rank officer studies also include seven months religious seminary small extremist settlement elisha deep west bank although settlements illegal international law elisha one dozens wildcat settlements also illegal israeli law gershom gorenberg expert religious settlers said israels future police commanders would graduate course early lesson lawbreaking yonatan chetboun head raananim movement rightwing group overseeing programme described olam katan newspaper popular religious community one way organisers might win settlers career police said taking potential recruits nighttime patrols ramle lod israeli towns notorious containing deprived crimeridden palestinian neighbourhoods would quickly open eyes one meaningful national issues police spokesman available comment team rabbis appointed resolve potential conflicts settlers religious principles police duties could involve desecrating sabbath dealing immodest women rightwing settler activist hor nizri clashed police past evacuation settlements put charge recruiting young settlers told yedioth aharonoth newspaper programme historic reconciliation adding want fill ranks police fill ranks army comments sparked concern among palestinian groups inside israel programme first phase attempted settler takeover police replicating growing dominance sections army first official figures number settlers israeli military released last month show massive overrepresentation combat units third officers units settlers 25 per cent 1990 police hope career force attractive many settlers discharged however mr farah said plenty evidence religious settlers becoming ever extreme hostility towards palestinians pointed growing influence extremist rabbis promoting antipalestinian views summer two prominent rabbis settlement yitzhar near nablus questioned suspicion incitement publishing book kings torah sanctioned killing nonjews including children one passage authors write justification killing babies clear grow harm us book endorsed number senior rabbis settlements similar sentiments gaining foothold among army rabbis early last year immediate wake israels threeweek operation gaza revealed army rabbinate handed booklet combat soldiers enter gaza calling attack war murderers warning surrendering single millimetre territory 1400 palestinians killed attack including hundreds women children palestinian minoritys relations police already marked deep distrust following killing 13 unarmed demonstrators wounding hundreds 2000 start second intifada subsequent state commission inquiry accused police command viewing minority enemy mr farah also pointed unexplained deaths 36 palestinian citizens police past decade two cases police officers convicted israeli observers expressed concern settlers greater influence police could also make implementing dismantlement west bank settlements much harder future peace deal mr gorenberg said previous evacuations including 2005 withdrawal gaza handled chiefly police many army units dominated settlers police added could acquire weakness jonathan cook writer journalist based nazareth israel latest books israel clash civilisations iraq iran plan remake middle east pluto press disappearing palestine israels experiments human despair zed books website wwwjkcooknet version article originally appeared national wwwthenationalae published abu dhabi | 565 |
<p>You can help stop the killing of an innocent person. Richard Charles Johnson was convicted on the testimony of a person who later admitted she lied at his trial and is scheduled to be executed by the state of South Carolina on May 3, 2002.</p>
<p>Governor Jim Hodges is empowered by the state to grant executive clemency and commute his death sentence. The killing of innocent people is a national issue, so wherever you live, please send a message to Governor Hodges by e-mail, fax, or letter urging him to save the life of a man unjustly convicted of a murder committed in 1985.</p>
<p>Understanding she could be prosecuted for the murder herself, Connie Sue Hess made a sworn confession that she committed the murder just hours before Richard Johnson’s first scheduled execution in 1999.</p>
<p>Although Ms. Hess’ trial testimony was credible enough to convict Johnson, her subsequent confession was ruled not credible and a 3 to 2 majority of the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld the ruling. Justice Waller, a dissenting member of the Court wrote, “… I believe that to deny Johnson a new trial in the face of a confession by someone who was admittedly present when the murder was committed would constitute a denial of fundamental fairness shocking to the universal sense of justice.” Justice Pleicones said, “Given the lack of physical evidence to indicate [Johnson], and not Harbert or Hess, fired the shots which killed Trooper Smalls, it is my opinion that Hess’ confession would probably change the result if a new trial were granted.” The scheduled execution of Mr. Johnson continues the tragedy that began with a “joy ride” and turned into a sordid story of sex, drugs and murder in September of 1985.</p>
<p>Richard “Ricky” Johnson and Daniel Swanson, a businessman with a lengthy history of mental illness and psychiatric treatment, left Morehead City, North Carolina in Swanson’s RV headed to Florida. Johnson and Swanson had been together for a day and a half before Swanson picked up two hitchhikers at a rest stop just over the South Carolina line and everything went awry. The hitchhikers were Connie Sue Hess, a runaway, and her friend, Curtis Harbert, who was wanted on criminal charges.</p>
<p>Hess said she and Harbert had sex with Swanson in the back of the RV with Johnson at the wheel. The sex was corroborated in forensic reports from the autopsy of Mr. Swanson. Hess joined Johnson in the driving compartment, and, as they drove through Clarendon County, South Carolina, Hess says Harbert shot and killed Swanson. They continued south on I-95 with Johnson driving very erratically. He’d been drinking heavily and using drugs. In Jasper County near the Georgia border, Trooper Bruce Smalls pulled the RV over. As he stood on the steps to the RV, he was shot and killed.</p>
<p>Johnson, Hess, and Harbert left the scene with Hess and Harbert headed in one direction, and Johnson in the other. Hess and Harbert each gave statements to law enforcement officials. They told law enforcement and the jury that Johnson had killed both Swanson and Trooper Smalls. But in a later statement, Hess said that Harbert – not Johnson – killed Trooper Smalls. At trial Hess decided to go with her first story that Johnson had killed Trooper Smalls and Swanson.</p>
<p>In 1999, Hess finally confessed that she killed Trooper Smalls and Curtis Harbert killed Swanson. The physical evidence linking Johnson to the crime was virtually non-existent. No gunpowder residue was found on his hands.</p>
<p>When arrested, Johnson was in such a daze from alcohol and drugs that he couldn’t remember anything and was immediately hospitalized with delirium tremens. Mr. Johnson had a history of alcohol and drug abuse accompanied by blackouts and memory loss but no record of violence, either before or after his incarceration. With no memory he was unable to defend himself.</p>
<p>The case against Johnson turned almost wholly on the unreliable testimony of Harbert, Hess, and a jail house snitch. Johnson was tried, convicted and sentenced to death on two occasions, once in 1986, and again in 1988. The juries did not hear the full story and they convicted and sentenced an innocent man to death. Harbert and Hess were offered complete immunity and freedom in exchange for their testimony against Mr. Johnson.</p>
<p>Between the first and second trial, Ms. Hess recanted her testimony. She asked her lawyer to contact the sheriff and tell him that Harbert had killed both Swanson and Smalls. The lawyer forwarded the letter to the sheriff. This information was never passed on to Johnson or his lawyers, and the state did not call Ms. Hess as a witness at the second trial, claiming she was unavailable.</p>
<p>The jury was never informed that the jail house snitch had made a livelihood from testifying against other inmates.</p>
<p>Trooper Bruce Smalls’ mother, Ms. Thelma Blue, stated in an affidavit that “killing Mr. Johnson . . . will not bring my son back and serves no purpose.”</p>
<p>It is virtually unprecedented that we are about to execute a person when another person has come forward confessing to be the true killer. Governor Hodges is facing a hotly contested race for re-election in November, and politicians want to be tough-on-crime, but nobody wants to kill an innocent person.</p>
<p>A politician perceived as a thumbs-down-Caesar, who kills an innocent person, is a sure loser.</p>
<p>Save an innocent man by immediately writing:</p>
<p>The Honorable Governor Jim Hodges, Governor of South Carolina, Post Office Box 11829, Columbia, South Carolina 29211, or FAX: 803-734-9413, or EMAIL: <a href="mailto:governor@govoepp.state.sc.us" type="external">governor@govoepp.state.sc.us</a></p>
<p>For further information: <a href="http://www.sceja.org/" type="external">http://www.sceja.org</a></p>
<p>Tom Turnipseed is an attorney, writer and civil rights activist in Columbia, South Carolina. <a href="http://www.turnipseed.net/" type="external">http://www.turnipseed.net</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | help stop killing innocent person richard charles johnson convicted testimony person later admitted lied trial scheduled executed state south carolina may 3 2002 governor jim hodges empowered state grant executive clemency commute death sentence killing innocent people national issue wherever live please send message governor hodges email fax letter urging save life man unjustly convicted murder committed 1985 understanding could prosecuted murder connie sue hess made sworn confession committed murder hours richard johnsons first scheduled execution 1999 although ms hess trial testimony credible enough convict johnson subsequent confession ruled credible 3 2 majority south carolina supreme court upheld ruling justice waller dissenting member court wrote believe deny johnson new trial face confession someone admittedly present murder committed would constitute denial fundamental fairness shocking universal sense justice justice pleicones said given lack physical evidence indicate johnson harbert hess fired shots killed trooper smalls opinion hess confession would probably change result new trial granted scheduled execution mr johnson continues tragedy began joy ride turned sordid story sex drugs murder september 1985 richard ricky johnson daniel swanson businessman lengthy history mental illness psychiatric treatment left morehead city north carolina swansons rv headed florida johnson swanson together day half swanson picked two hitchhikers rest stop south carolina line everything went awry hitchhikers connie sue hess runaway friend curtis harbert wanted criminal charges hess said harbert sex swanson back rv johnson wheel sex corroborated forensic reports autopsy mr swanson hess joined johnson driving compartment drove clarendon county south carolina hess says harbert shot killed swanson continued south i95 johnson driving erratically hed drinking heavily using drugs jasper county near georgia border trooper bruce smalls pulled rv stood steps rv shot killed johnson hess harbert left scene hess harbert headed one direction johnson hess harbert gave statements law enforcement officials told law enforcement jury johnson killed swanson trooper smalls later statement hess said harbert johnson killed trooper smalls trial hess decided go first story johnson killed trooper smalls swanson 1999 hess finally confessed killed trooper smalls curtis harbert killed swanson physical evidence linking johnson crime virtually nonexistent gunpowder residue found hands arrested johnson daze alcohol drugs couldnt remember anything immediately hospitalized delirium tremens mr johnson history alcohol drug abuse accompanied blackouts memory loss record violence either incarceration memory unable defend case johnson turned almost wholly unreliable testimony harbert hess jail house snitch johnson tried convicted sentenced death two occasions 1986 1988 juries hear full story convicted sentenced innocent man death harbert hess offered complete immunity freedom exchange testimony mr johnson first second trial ms hess recanted testimony asked lawyer contact sheriff tell harbert killed swanson smalls lawyer forwarded letter sheriff information never passed johnson lawyers state call ms hess witness second trial claiming unavailable jury never informed jail house snitch made livelihood testifying inmates trooper bruce smalls mother ms thelma blue stated affidavit killing mr johnson bring son back serves purpose virtually unprecedented execute person another person come forward confessing true killer governor hodges facing hotly contested race reelection november politicians want toughoncrime nobody wants kill innocent person politician perceived thumbsdowncaesar kills innocent person sure loser save innocent man immediately writing honorable governor jim hodges governor south carolina post office box 11829 columbia south carolina 29211 fax 8037349413 email governorgovoeppstatescus information httpwwwscejaorg tom turnipseed attorney writer civil rights activist columbia south carolina httpwwwturnipseednet 160 | 548 |
<p>Christian conservative leader Pat Robertson recently endorsed Rudy Giuliani’s presidential candidacy. The announcement gained media attention and provoked considerable commentary, but quickly dissipated as Giuliani’s protégé in strong-arm deception, Bernie Kerik, faced a 16-count federal indictment. Today, Robertson’s endorsement has all but evaporated from public discourse, reflecting its inherent meaninglessness.</p>
<p>Robertson’s endorsement of Giuliani drew much attention due to the odd-couple nature of their alignment. It was a political marriage few anticipated and exposes the deeper crisis faced by the Republican Party in the wake of the ongoing debacle of both the Bush administration and the Christian right. Robertson’s endorsement represents a pragmatist’s bet on “who can beat Hillary,” thus dropping any pretense to the higher moral calling that, for more than a quarter-century, fueled his opportunistic career.</p>
<p>Most remarkable, the two old-time artful dodgers skillfully sidestepped any mention of abortion and gay rights, issues that for Robertson and the Christian right, let alone the other Republican presidential candidates, have been cornerstone concerns during the last two presidential cycles. Equally surprising, no mention of Giuliani’s adulterous past found its way into their orgy of backslapping political revelry.</p>
<p>The Seventh Commandment states: “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” [Exodus 20:14] Nathaniel Hawthorne published “The Scarlet Letter” in 1850. In this classic American gothic tale, the central character, Hester Prynee, gives birth to Pearl, her out-of-wedlock daughter, and refuses to name the father. Set against a grim background of the later-17th century New England witchcraft trials, Hester is found guilty of adultery and forced to wear the scarlet letter “A” on her chest.</p>
<p>One can only wonder why, as the electoral season gets underway, Giuliani and other Republican worthies are not being forced by their devout Christian supporters to wear Hester Prynee’s scarlet “A”?</p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p>Adultery, marital infidelity and sexual scandal plague the Republican Party and the Christian right. In 2006, the shameful sexual exploits of former Congressmen Mark Foley (R-FL) and Don Sherwood (R-PA) and the Rev. Ted Haggard as well as the ongoing pedophile scandal rocking the Catholic Church (to say nothing of the Jack Abramoff bribery scandal) contributed significantly to the Democrats’ Congressional victories.</p>
<p>The 2008 election is shaping up to follow inline with 2006. So far, the sexual exploits of Senators David Vitter and Larry Craig as well as Randall L. Tobias (former head of the U.S. Agency for International Development) have been front-page scandals.</p>
<p>Now, “America’s Mayor” faces the unraveling of a well-orchestrated cover-up, an unraveling that can put the final nail in the GOP’s electoral coffin. As reflected in his unquestioning support for Kerik (“America’s Police Chief” who himself had an adulterous affair with publisher Judith Regan), good judgment has never been considered one of Giuliani’s strongest attributes.</p>
<p>As many will recall, in May 2000, Giuliani held an outrageous press conference to publicly announce his intention to divorce his second wife, actress Donna Hanover. Surprised, Hanover held a follow-up press conference in which she declared, “I had hoped that we could keep this marriage together. For several years, it was difficult to participate in Rudy’s public life because of his relationship with one staff member.”</p>
<p>The soon-to-be-former Mrs. Giuliani was referring to Cristyne Lategano-Nicholas, Giuliani’s former communications director. Giuliani and Lategano-Nicholas denied allegations of a sexual liaison. Giuliani is also accused of having an ongoing, if discreet, sexual liaison while married to Hanover with his current wife, Judith Nathan, herself a survivor of two previous marriages. Little of this dubious personal history of a man who could become president finds its way into the mainstream media.</p>
<p>Nor do the questionable sexual and personal relations of other prominent Republicans find coverage in the popular media. Take, for example, John McCain. According to Nicholas Kristof of the “New York Times,” in 1979 and while still married, McCain aggressively courted Cindy Hensley, a 25-year-old woman from a well-to-do family. He then divorced his wife, Carol, who had raised their three children while he was a prison-of-war in Vietnam, married Ms. Hensley and launched his political career bankrolled by his new wife’s family money.</p>
<p>Fred Thompson, the former senator turned actor turned presidential aspirant, was assailed by James Dobson, founder of ultra-conservative Focus on the Family, for being “wrong on issues dear to social conservatives.” Dobson was offended by Thompson’s opposition to a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and his support of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform legislation. Unstated, but not far from Dobson and other Christian fundamentalist resentment of Thompson, is his trophy bride, his second wife, Jeri Kehn, who he married in 2002; he divorced his first wife, Sarah Lindsay, in 1985.</p>
<p>Then we have those upstanding Christian Republicans and former congressmen, Tom DeLay and Newt Gingrich. In “No Retreat, No Surrender,” DeLay recounts his early political career in the Texas Legislature and his exploits involving serial adultery.</p>
<p>Gingrich, who led the charge to impeach Bill Clinton for his oral tryst with Monica Lewinsky in the White House, is reported to have had adulterous liaisons with Anne Manning, Callista Bisek and an unnamed volunteer. Invoking Clinton’s now-infamous “is” defense, Gingrich claimed that oral sex is not sexual intercourse and thus does not rise to the level of adultery.</p>
<p>Gail Sheehy revealed Gingrich’s 1977 affair with Manning in Washington while he was married to his first wife. [“Vanity Fair,” September 1995] However, in 1981 Gingrich divorced his first wife, Jackie Battley, while she was in the hospital undergoing cancer treatment; he divorced his second wife, Marianne Ginther, on Mother’s Day 1999, when Gingrich’s long-running affair with Callista Bisek, a congressional aide, was exposed. Seeking absolution, Gingrich confessed his sins to Dobson, who, along with Jerry Falwell, forgave him. No scarlet letters for these worthies.</p>
<p>Moving these affairs from the scandalous to the absurd, DeLay insisted that he was morally superior to Gingrich: “I was no longer committing adultery by that time, the impeachment trial. There’s a big difference.” And adds, “Also, I had returned to Christ and repented my sins by that time.”</p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p>Adultery is an all-American sin. Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” was written one-hundred-and-fifty years after the colonial witchcraft trials. Among early New England colonialists, adultery was a capital crime punishable by hanging or being branded with an “A” on the forehead. Other sexual practices denounced as sins included premarital sex, bestiality, masturbation, fornication, incest, rape, polygamy, interracial sex and sodomy as well as temptations like carnality, licentiousness, lust and seduction.</p>
<p>While Hester Prynee suffered public ridicule and the shame of wearing a scarlet “A,” early colonial women often met far worse fates. Two women, Elizabeth Seager and Rachel Clinton, were charged with witchcraft and adultery; their lives were spared. However, three women (Alice Lake, Martha Corey and Suzannah Martin) were accused of witchcraft and having illegitimate children; they were executed. And ten other women were accused of having sex with Satan and their individual fates vary.</p>
<p>Since Independence, adultery by leading political figures has been an ongoing scandal. In the 1828 presidential election, Andrew Jackson was assailed as a bigamist over the timing of his marriage to Rachel Donelson Robards which occurred before her divorce was legally finalized. After assuming office in 1874, Grover Cleveland was confronted by newspaper reports claiming he had an affair with Mrs. Maria Crofts Halpin, who accused him of fathering her illegitimate 10-year-old son, Oscar Folsom Cleveland. While he never admitted paternity, Cleveland sent child support to Mrs. Halpin.</p>
<p>The prying eye of public notoriety got sharper as the 20th century unfolded. Warren Harding had an affair for fifteen years with Carrie Fulton Phillips, the wife of a friend, James Phillips, and Nan Britton, thirty years his junior, with sexual liaisons with her in the White House and with whom he fathered an illegitimate daughter, Elizabeth Ann. And then there are the extra-marital relations of FDR, Ike, JFK, Clinton and, least we forget, the rumored indiscretions by Bush-the-lesser with Margie Denise Schoedinger and Tammy Phillips.</p>
<p>Estimates range widely as to the current rate of adultery in America. For example, in a 1991 survey conducted by the University of Chicago’s National Opinion Research Center 10 percent of married women reported that they had engaged in extramarital relations; in a 2002 follow-up study, 15 percent of women reported that had engaged in such relations; in both studies, 22 percent reported engaging in such relations. [Newsweek, July 12, 2004]</p>
<p>In a 1997 Ball State University study found that women 18- to 40-years are just as likely to commit adultery as men of comparable age. Reports in “Men’s Health Best Life” (2003) place husband infidelity at one in 20 (5%) and wife infidelity at one in 22 (4.6%); “Oprah” magazine (2004) found that wife infidelity was at 15 percent. However, Joan Atwood and Limor Schwartz, reporting in the “Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy” (2002), estimate that 45-55 percent of married women and 50-60 percent of married men engage in extramarital sex during their marriage.</p>
<p>While popular sexual practice is changing and martial infidelity appears more widespread and more tolerated, twenty-four states still outlawed adultery as of 2004; ten states had anti-fornication statutes prohibiting sex before marriage.</p>
<p>States define adultery differently, the laws vary considerably and prosecution is arbitrary. For some states, adultery involves sexual intercourse outside marriage; for others, it occurs when a married person lives with someone other than his or her spouse. In West Virginia and North Carolina, for example, it involves “lewdly and lasciviously associate” with anyone other than one’s spouse.</p>
<p>Adding more confusion, individual states prosecute adultery differently and punishment also varies. Adultery is a felony in Massachusetts, Michigan, Oklahoma and Idaho, but a misdemeanor everywhere else. Most states litigate both people involved, but Colorado, Georgia, Nebraska, North Dakota and Utah only punish the married person. [Franklin Foer, Slate, June 15, 1997]</p>
<p>However, states rarely enforce adultery laws. The most recent prosecution appears to have taken place in Virginia in 2003-2004. It involved John R. Bushey, Jr., a 66-year-old attorney for Luray, VA, who had an affair with Nellie Mae Hensley, 53-years-old. While Hensley was divorced, Bushey was married and, when the affair ended, the spurned lover complained to the police who brought a misdemeanor adultery charge against him. He accepted 20 hours of community service as punishment.</p>
<p>While we can little expect the religious right to brand an “A” on the forehead of Giuliani, DeLay, Gingrich and other adulterous Republicans, one can only hope that the righteous Christians who support these politicians will raise the issue of adultery as the presidential campaign gets into high gear.</p>
<p>DAVID ROSEN can be reached at <a href="mailto:drosen@ix.netcom.com" type="external">drosen@ix.netcom.com</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | christian conservative leader pat robertson recently endorsed rudy giulianis presidential candidacy announcement gained media attention provoked considerable commentary quickly dissipated giulianis protégé strongarm deception bernie kerik faced 16count federal indictment today robertsons endorsement evaporated public discourse reflecting inherent meaninglessness robertsons endorsement giuliani drew much attention due oddcouple nature alignment political marriage anticipated exposes deeper crisis faced republican party wake ongoing debacle bush administration christian right robertsons endorsement represents pragmatists bet beat hillary thus dropping pretense higher moral calling quartercentury fueled opportunistic career remarkable two oldtime artful dodgers skillfully sidestepped mention abortion gay rights issues robertson christian right let alone republican presidential candidates cornerstone concerns last two presidential cycles equally surprising mention giulianis adulterous past found way orgy backslapping political revelry seventh commandment states thou shalt commit adultery exodus 2014 nathaniel hawthorne published scarlet letter 1850 classic american gothic tale central character hester prynee gives birth pearl outofwedlock daughter refuses name father set grim background later17th century new england witchcraft trials hester found guilty adultery forced wear scarlet letter chest one wonder electoral season gets underway giuliani republican worthies forced devout christian supporters wear hester prynees scarlet adultery marital infidelity sexual scandal plague republican party christian right 2006 shameful sexual exploits former congressmen mark foley rfl sherwood rpa rev ted haggard well ongoing pedophile scandal rocking catholic church say nothing jack abramoff bribery scandal contributed significantly democrats congressional victories 2008 election shaping follow inline 2006 far sexual exploits senators david vitter larry craig well randall l tobias former head us agency international development frontpage scandals americas mayor faces unraveling wellorchestrated coverup unraveling put final nail gops electoral coffin reflected unquestioning support kerik americas police chief adulterous affair publisher judith regan good judgment never considered one giulianis strongest attributes many recall may 2000 giuliani held outrageous press conference publicly announce intention divorce second wife actress donna hanover surprised hanover held followup press conference declared hoped could keep marriage together several years difficult participate rudys public life relationship one staff member soontobeformer mrs giuliani referring cristyne lateganonicholas giulianis former communications director giuliani lateganonicholas denied allegations sexual liaison giuliani also accused ongoing discreet sexual liaison married hanover current wife judith nathan survivor two previous marriages little dubious personal history man could become president finds way mainstream media questionable sexual personal relations prominent republicans find coverage popular media take example john mccain according nicholas kristof new york times 1979 still married mccain aggressively courted cindy hensley 25yearold woman welltodo family divorced wife carol raised three children prisonofwar vietnam married ms hensley launched political career bankrolled new wifes family money fred thompson former senator turned actor turned presidential aspirant assailed james dobson founder ultraconservative focus family wrong issues dear social conservatives dobson offended thompsons opposition constitutional ban samesex marriage support mccainfeingold campaign finance reform legislation unstated far dobson christian fundamentalist resentment thompson trophy bride second wife jeri kehn married 2002 divorced first wife sarah lindsay 1985 upstanding christian republicans former congressmen tom delay newt gingrich retreat surrender delay recounts early political career texas legislature exploits involving serial adultery gingrich led charge impeach bill clinton oral tryst monica lewinsky white house reported adulterous liaisons anne manning callista bisek unnamed volunteer invoking clintons nowinfamous defense gingrich claimed oral sex sexual intercourse thus rise level adultery gail sheehy revealed gingrichs 1977 affair manning washington married first wife vanity fair september 1995 however 1981 gingrich divorced first wife jackie battley hospital undergoing cancer treatment divorced second wife marianne ginther mothers day 1999 gingrichs longrunning affair callista bisek congressional aide exposed seeking absolution gingrich confessed sins dobson along jerry falwell forgave scarlet letters worthies moving affairs scandalous absurd delay insisted morally superior gingrich longer committing adultery time impeachment trial theres big difference adds also returned christ repented sins time adultery allamerican sin hawthornes scarlet letter written onehundredandfifty years colonial witchcraft trials among early new england colonialists adultery capital crime punishable hanging branded forehead sexual practices denounced sins included premarital sex bestiality masturbation fornication incest rape polygamy interracial sex sodomy well temptations like carnality licentiousness lust seduction hester prynee suffered public ridicule shame wearing scarlet early colonial women often met far worse fates two women elizabeth seager rachel clinton charged witchcraft adultery lives spared however three women alice lake martha corey suzannah martin accused witchcraft illegitimate children executed ten women accused sex satan individual fates vary since independence adultery leading political figures ongoing scandal 1828 presidential election andrew jackson assailed bigamist timing marriage rachel donelson robards occurred divorce legally finalized assuming office 1874 grover cleveland confronted newspaper reports claiming affair mrs maria crofts halpin accused fathering illegitimate 10yearold son oscar folsom cleveland never admitted paternity cleveland sent child support mrs halpin prying eye public notoriety got sharper 20th century unfolded warren harding affair fifteen years carrie fulton phillips wife friend james phillips nan britton thirty years junior sexual liaisons white house fathered illegitimate daughter elizabeth ann extramarital relations fdr ike jfk clinton least forget rumored indiscretions bushthelesser margie denise schoedinger tammy phillips estimates range widely current rate adultery america example 1991 survey conducted university chicagos national opinion research center 10 percent married women reported engaged extramarital relations 2002 followup study 15 percent women reported engaged relations studies 22 percent reported engaging relations newsweek july 12 2004 1997 ball state university study found women 18 40years likely commit adultery men comparable age reports mens health best life 2003 place husband infidelity one 20 5 wife infidelity one 22 46 oprah magazine 2004 found wife infidelity 15 percent however joan atwood limor schwartz reporting journal couple relationship therapy 2002 estimate 4555 percent married women 5060 percent married men engage extramarital sex marriage popular sexual practice changing martial infidelity appears widespread tolerated twentyfour states still outlawed adultery 2004 ten states antifornication statutes prohibiting sex marriage states define adultery differently laws vary considerably prosecution arbitrary states adultery involves sexual intercourse outside marriage others occurs married person lives someone spouse west virginia north carolina example involves lewdly lasciviously associate anyone ones spouse adding confusion individual states prosecute adultery differently punishment also varies adultery felony massachusetts michigan oklahoma idaho misdemeanor everywhere else states litigate people involved colorado georgia nebraska north dakota utah punish married person franklin foer slate june 15 1997 however states rarely enforce adultery laws recent prosecution appears taken place virginia 20032004 involved john r bushey jr 66yearold attorney luray va affair nellie mae hensley 53yearsold hensley divorced bushey married affair ended spurned lover complained police brought misdemeanor adultery charge accepted 20 hours community service punishment little expect religious right brand forehead giuliani delay gingrich adulterous republicans one hope righteous christians support politicians raise issue adultery presidential campaign gets high gear david rosen reached drosenixnetcomcom 160 | 1,100 |
<p>Friday morning’s <a href="http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm" type="external">jobs report</a> was an <a href="/content/dailybeast/articles/2013/04/05/march-jobs-report-not-good.html" type="external">unalloyed disappointment</a>. The economy created a mere 88,000 payroll jobs in the month—far less than expected and far less than is needed to help claw back the jobs lost in 2008 and 2009. That sucks. The unemployment rate fell from 7.7 percent in February to <a href="/content/dailybeast/cheats/2013/04/05/jobs-report-misses-expectations.html" type="external">7.6 percent</a>. But that wasn’t good news, either. The unemployment rate, calculated from the separate household survey, is calculated by dividing the number of people who say they’re out of work into the total work force. When the labor force shrinks—if people drop out, or age out, or don’t bother to enter—the unemployment rate can fall even if the number of people who say they’re working holds steady. That’s what happened in March. The labor force shrank by 496,000, and the labor force participation rate fell from 65.3 percent to 63.3 percent. That also kind of sucks.</p>
<p>My peers, colleagues, and friends in the financial-political-punditocracy rushed to hit the panic button and assign blame. It’s the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/04/05/todays-jobs-report-is-a-disaster-but-why/" type="external">payroll tax increase</a>, which is tamping down the ability of consumers to spend. Hence the 24,000 reduction in retail jobs. It’s the sequester, as continuing federal budget tightening is causing a direct decline in federal jobs and hurting contractors. (Federal government jobs fell 14,000 in the month.) It’s Obama’s overall Obama-ness, said <a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/05/paltry-jobs-report-has-republicans-pointing-fingers/comment-page-1/" type="external">House Speaker John Boehner</a>. The financial markets responded in the typical manner. Stocks fell about 1 percent at the opening, while the interest rate on government bonds fell.</p>
<p>The report was shocking in part because, so far this year the data have generally suggested that the U.S. consumer and the U.S. economy as a whole haven’t been thrown off their game by the twin drags of the payroll tax increase and the sequester. <a href="/content/dailybeast/articles/2013/04/02/economic-data-show-that-at-last-many-of-the-fundamentals-are-sound.html" type="external">Underlying strength in the fundamentals</a> of housing, trade, employment, and the stock markets helped the economy gather strength in the first quarter. Indeed, Macroeconomic Advisers believes the economy grew at a 3.6 percent annual rate in the just-completed first quarter.</p>
<p>But Friday’s jobs report might not be as awful as everybody thinks. And there are a few things we should keep in mind as we freak out about the prospect of another recession.</p>
<p>These figures are frequently revised. This is the first estimate. They are revised in the successive two months. And recently the trend has been for the numbers to be revised upward. The January jobs gain figure, originally reported as 157,000, was revised to 116,000 in February. It was revised up to 148,000 on Friday. The February figure, initially reported as a gain of 236,000, was revised to 268,000. Put another way, BLS, upon further reflection, found an extra 61,000 people at work. So compared with a year ago, 1.9 million more people are working, shopping, and paying taxes. Assume the March numbers get revised upward twice and wind up closer to 100,000 or 125,000. That’s still disappointing, but not catastrophic.</p>
<p>You also have to consider the trend. Recouping all the jobs lost in 2008 and 2009 is a multiyear project. And the economy has made great progress. Since the bottom in February 2010, the private sector has added 6.45 million jobs. In the past year, the economy added 1.9 million jobs in total. And so far this year—January, February, and March—the economy has added about 500,000. That’s an average of 166,000 per month, or an annualized rate of about 2 million, which would be about the same or slightly better than 2012. Good, but not great, and not good enough. The trend, while worrisome, is still our friend. If the next few months show similar numbers to this month, and current data are revised downward, then the case for panic is much more compelling.</p>
<p>Was there anything positive? A few sectors did well. Professional and business services added 51,000 jobs in March and have added 533,000 in the past year. Construction employment rose by 18,000 because housing continues to be back. Health care, which is heavily dependent on government spending, added 23,000 positions. Education, which is similarly dependent on government spending, added 16,000 jobs. Taken together, those data points suggest that the sequester has yet to take a huge bite out of employment.</p>
<p>There was one other small potentially optimistic note. I’ve written before about the “conservative recovery”—essentially, the private sector adds jobs every month and the public sector cuts them. That’s been holding back the recovery in overall employment. Since May 2010, the public sector has axed 1.125 million jobs. Cuts were particularly pronounced at state and local governments, which sought to balance budgets in part by firing police officers and teachers. So what happened in March? The federal government cut about 14,000 positions, with most of those coming from the postal service. Austerity. But as I noted <a href="/content/dailybeast/articles/2013/04/01/the-return-of-state-surpluses-could-point-to-more-growth-to-come.html" type="external">earlier this week</a>, sustained economic growth is improving the states’ collective financial situation, and many are projecting surpluses for the current fiscal year. That means less pressure to fire and some capacity to hire. So in March, state and local government combined added 9,000 jobs, after adding 13,000 positions in February.</p>
<p>The non-Washington austerity hit to payrolls may finally be coming to an end. That’s the good news. The bad news? The Washington austerity looks like it is just beginning.</p> | true | 4 | friday mornings jobs report unalloyed disappointment economy created mere 88000 payroll jobs monthfar less expected far less needed help claw back jobs lost 2008 2009 sucks unemployment rate fell 77 percent february 76 percent wasnt good news either unemployment rate calculated separate household survey calculated dividing number people say theyre work total work force labor force shrinksif people drop age dont bother enterthe unemployment rate fall even number people say theyre working holds steady thats happened march labor force shrank 496000 labor force participation rate fell 653 percent 633 percent also kind sucks peers colleagues friends financialpoliticalpunditocracy rushed hit panic button assign blame payroll tax increase tamping ability consumers spend hence 24000 reduction retail jobs sequester continuing federal budget tightening causing direct decline federal jobs hurting contractors federal government jobs fell 14000 month obamas overall obamaness said house speaker john boehner financial markets responded typical manner stocks fell 1 percent opening interest rate government bonds fell report shocking part far year data generally suggested us consumer us economy whole havent thrown game twin drags payroll tax increase sequester underlying strength fundamentals housing trade employment stock markets helped economy gather strength first quarter indeed macroeconomic advisers believes economy grew 36 percent annual rate justcompleted first quarter fridays jobs report might awful everybody thinks things keep mind freak prospect another recession figures frequently revised first estimate revised successive two months recently trend numbers revised upward january jobs gain figure originally reported 157000 revised 116000 february revised 148000 friday february figure initially reported gain 236000 revised 268000 put another way bls upon reflection found extra 61000 people work compared year ago 19 million people working shopping paying taxes assume march numbers get revised upward twice wind closer 100000 125000 thats still disappointing catastrophic also consider trend recouping jobs lost 2008 2009 multiyear project economy made great progress since bottom february 2010 private sector added 645 million jobs past year economy added 19 million jobs total far yearjanuary february marchthe economy added 500000 thats average 166000 per month annualized rate 2 million would slightly better 2012 good great good enough trend worrisome still friend next months show similar numbers month current data revised downward case panic much compelling anything positive sectors well professional business services added 51000 jobs march added 533000 past year construction employment rose 18000 housing continues back health care heavily dependent government spending added 23000 positions education similarly dependent government spending added 16000 jobs taken together data points suggest sequester yet take huge bite employment one small potentially optimistic note ive written conservative recoveryessentially private sector adds jobs every month public sector cuts thats holding back recovery overall employment since may 2010 public sector axed 1125 million jobs cuts particularly pronounced state local governments sought balance budgets part firing police officers teachers happened march federal government cut 14000 positions coming postal service austerity noted earlier week sustained economic growth improving states collective financial situation many projecting surpluses current fiscal year means less pressure fire capacity hire march state local government combined added 9000 jobs adding 13000 positions february nonwashington austerity hit payrolls may finally coming end thats good news bad news washington austerity looks like beginning | 525 |
<p>Race is in the news again. First it was the Jena Six, then Nobel laureate James D. Watson’s assertion, that black are less intelligent than whites, and finally, a series of articles two weeks ago in Slate arguing that there was scientific evidence to back Watson’s claim.</p>
<p>The reaction to these recent developments was predictable. There have been a number of heated debates on the internet concerning not only race and intelligence, but also the appropriateness of studying race and intelligence. Two crucial points have yet to be made, however. The first concerns the contentious association of intelligence with IQ score and the second is the equally contentious assumption that we have anything like a clear scientific conception or race.</p>
<p>Let’s take the first one first. What is intelligence anyway? We have no better grasp of this than we have of the relation of the mind to the brain. Sure, some people can solve certain sorts of puzzles faster than other people, but everyone knows people who are great at Scrabble, or crosswords, or chess, or who can fix almost any mechanical or electrical gadget, but who seem unable to wrap their minds around even the most rudimentary of social or political theories. Then there are the people with great memories who are able to retain all the elements of even the most arcane theories and who can undertake an explanation of them if pressed, but whose inability to express them in novel terms betrays that they have not really grasped them after all. Other people­I’ve known quite a few of this type­have keenly analytical minds.</p>
<p>They can break individual claims, or even entire theories, down into their conceptual components, yet they appear to lack any sort of synthetic intelligence in that they are unable to see the myriad implications of these analyses. Still other people are great at grasping the big picture, so to speak, but have difficulty hanging onto the details.</p>
<p>Some people plod slowly and methodically toward whatever insights they achieve and others receive them almost effortlessly, through flashes of inspiration. But the insights of the former group are sometimes more profound than those of the latter group. Then there are people who are mostly mistaken in their beliefs, sometimes quite obviously so, but correct in some one belief the implications of which are so staggering that we tend to forget they are otherwise unreliable.</p>
<p>I’m inclined to put Watson in this last group. Perhaps that’s not fair. After all, I know of only one point on which he is obviously mistaken. That mistake is so glaring, however, that it leads me to think he is probably more like an idiot savant than a genuinely intelligent human being. I.Q. scores represent something. It just isn’t all that clear what. To suggest that they represent intelligence in any significant sense is thus to betray that one has less than the ideally desirable quantity of this quality himself.</p>
<p>Sure the mind, and therefore intelligence, is intimately connected with the brain. Read Oliver Sacks if you want to see just how intimate that connection is. Sacks is one of my favorite authors not simply because the substance of his writings is so fascinating, but also because he is himself so clearly intelligent. Not only does he not go leaping to conclusions on issues that lie outside his area of professional expertise (though I have to say I’d be more interested to hear Sacks’ social and political views than Watson’s), he doesn’t go leaping to conclusions about the implications of what he has observed in his own work in neurology. He’d be one of the first people, I think, to defend the claim that we do not yet have a clear enough idea of what intelligence is to be reliably able to quantify it. We don’t even understand it well enough yet to be able to say confidently that it is quantifiable. At this point, all we can say is that it appears so intimately connected with the brain that it can, in some sense, be associated with, or represented by, we-know-not-yet-what neurological activities or tendencies.</p>
<p>OK, so far, so little. But what is a black brain and what is a white brain? Most blacks in the U.S., as opposed to blacks in Africa, have a great deal of white blood, or whatever you want to call it. If whites really were more intelligent than blacks, that would mean African-Americans would be that much more intelligent than Africans. (I’m sure my friend, the Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, would be interested to hear that one.) There may well be people who believe this. I am not aware of any empirical evidence, however, that supports such a conclusion. My own experience does not support it. I grew up in a predominantly black neighborhood and attended predominantly black schools from fourth grade to college.</p>
<p>Since that time I have also met more than a few Africans. I couldn’t detect any difference in intelligence. I’m unaware of even anecdotal evidence that would support the conclusion that there was such a difference. Do you see what I’m saying? We’re not looking at a slippery slope here, but at a meteoric descent down into a pile of deep doo-doo.</p>
<p>From what I’ve read, there is no clear scientific definition of race. “Race” is just a name we give to a collection of physical characteristics such as eye and hair color and degree of pigmentation of the skin. There is no race gene.</p>
<p>There are just genes that encode for these individual characteristics. So how many, and what sort, of characteristics does one have to have to be either black or white. It is some kind of ineffable sum isn’t it? Blacks sometimes have very pale skin, some whites actually have darker skin than some blacks. Blacks even occasionally have blue eyes, or straight hair, just as whites often have brown eyes or kinky hair. In the past, we just arbitrarily determined what made a person black, and, by implication, white. Since, presumably, we have gotten beyond the point where we would say that even one drop of black blood makes a person black, the only reasonable definition of race (even given its circularity) would, therefore, appear to be one based on the statistical representation of the various races in one’s family tree. That would mean people with predominantly white, or perhaps I should say “white-ish” ancestry would be considered white. Have you ever seen a photo of Charles Chestnut or Anatole Broyard?</p>
<p>Not only are these guys clearly white, according to this definition, there are a whole lot of other people walking around this country who call themselves “black” because of the social environment into which they were born, but who ought properly to consider themselves white.</p>
<p>Since when have scientific studies been undertaken on ineffable, or arbitrarily determined, classes of thing? It’s like trying to determine whether people with purportedly good taste are more intelligent than people with supposedly bad taste, or whether people who live in Chicago are more intelligent than people who live in L.A.</p>
<p>You might undertake such a thing as a sociological study with some arbitrarily agreed upon criteria for what would constitute good and bad taste, or for how far out into the suburbs you want to go before you decide you have left Chicago, as well with some equally arbitrarily agreed upon criteria for what constitutes intelligence. You cannot undertake such a thing though as a scientific study (no matter how convinced you may be in the genetic superiority of people who live in Chicago), and to think that you could betrays that you have a very weak grasp of what constitutes natural science. Given that race, at least from the standpoint of natural science, is nothing more than a collection of certain physical characteristics, the view that white people are more intelligent than black people is not uncomfortably close to view of the Nazis that blue-eyed blonds were inherently superior to everyone else­it is essentially the same thing.</p>
<p>As I said earlier, I spent a huge portion of my life in the almost exclusive company of black people. I’ve been around black people and I’ve been around white people and I haven’t found any general differences in terms of intelligence. My experience has led me to believe that most of what often passes for intelligence is actually intellectual self confidence, confidence in one’s own reasoning powers, confidence in the value of one’s insights. Teachers, of which I am one, will tell you that you can just see some people’s brains seize up when they are confronted with tasks that later prove not to have been beyond them. This fear, however, that certain tasks are beyond one, is a substantial obstacle to completing them. One stumbles again and again, fearing that his “guess” is just that, a guess, rather than understanding. One fails to pursue an insight for fear that it is not genuine, or from fear that it is so obvious that others have come to it long ago. I don’t mean to suggest that there are not innate differences in intelligence among human beings. I’m sure there are, but I agree with what I believe Noam Chomsky said somewhere about how these differences, measured relative to the difference in intelligence between human beings and their closes relatives the apes, are simply vanishingly small.</p>
<p>I construe my job as an educator not to impart knowledge, but to nurture intellectual confidence. (Of course this could be partly a defensive mechanism because I am a philosopher, which means I don’t have any knowledge to impart.) I try to teach critical thinking skills, of course, but even more important to me is somehow to get my students to believe in their own intellectual potential because even these skills, I believe, can, at least to a certain extent, be acquired naturally by people who are confident in their ability to acquire them. I say, teach people to believe in themselves and then see what they are able to do with that faith. But be very careful when you start judging the results because if anything of value has emerged from the recent debates on race and intelligence, it is that many of us are much closer to the edge of idiocy than any of us would like to admit.</p>
<p>What we have here are noted intellectuals who have failed to grasp even the most basic facts about what constitutes natural scientific research and failed to understand that to parade this ignorance in the way they have before a public still marked by social and economic inequities that cut along racial lines is offensive in the extreme. The whole thing has been very humbling. It has shown, I believe, that racism is still very firmly entrenched in the American psyche.</p>
<p>M.G. Piety teaches philosophy at Drexel University. She can be reached at: mgpiety@drexel.edu</p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | race news first jena six nobel laureate james watsons assertion black less intelligent whites finally series articles two weeks ago slate arguing scientific evidence back watsons claim reaction recent developments predictable number heated debates internet concerning race intelligence also appropriateness studying race intelligence two crucial points yet made however first concerns contentious association intelligence iq score second equally contentious assumption anything like clear scientific conception race lets take first one first intelligence anyway better grasp relation mind brain sure people solve certain sorts puzzles faster people everyone knows people great scrabble crosswords chess fix almost mechanical electrical gadget seem unable wrap minds around even rudimentary social political theories people great memories able retain elements even arcane theories undertake explanation pressed whose inability express novel terms betrays really grasped peopleive known quite typehave keenly analytical minds break individual claims even entire theories conceptual components yet appear lack sort synthetic intelligence unable see myriad implications analyses still people great grasping big picture speak difficulty hanging onto details people plod slowly methodically toward whatever insights achieve others receive almost effortlessly flashes inspiration insights former group sometimes profound latter group people mostly mistaken beliefs sometimes quite obviously correct one belief implications staggering tend forget otherwise unreliable im inclined put watson last group perhaps thats fair know one point obviously mistaken mistake glaring however leads think probably like idiot savant genuinely intelligent human iq scores represent something isnt clear suggest represent intelligence significant sense thus betray one less ideally desirable quantity quality sure mind therefore intelligence intimately connected brain read oliver sacks want see intimate connection sacks one favorite authors simply substance writings fascinating also clearly intelligent go leaping conclusions issues lie outside area professional expertise though say id interested hear sacks social political views watsons doesnt go leaping conclusions implications observed work neurology hed one first people think defend claim yet clear enough idea intelligence reliably able quantify dont even understand well enough yet able say confidently quantifiable point say appears intimately connected brain sense associated represented weknownotyetwhat neurological activities tendencies ok far little black brain white brain blacks us opposed blacks africa great deal white blood whatever want call whites really intelligent blacks would mean africanamericans would much intelligent africans im sure friend nigerian author chimamanda ngozi adichie would interested hear one may well people believe aware empirical evidence however supports conclusion experience support grew predominantly black neighborhood attended predominantly black schools fourth grade college since time also met africans couldnt detect difference intelligence im unaware even anecdotal evidence would support conclusion difference see im saying looking slippery slope meteoric descent pile deep doodoo ive read clear scientific definition race race name give collection physical characteristics eye hair color degree pigmentation skin race gene genes encode individual characteristics many sort characteristics one either black white kind ineffable sum isnt blacks sometimes pale skin whites actually darker skin blacks blacks even occasionally blue eyes straight hair whites often brown eyes kinky hair past arbitrarily determined made person black implication white since presumably gotten beyond point would say even one drop black blood makes person black reasonable definition race even given circularity would therefore appear one based statistical representation various races ones family tree would mean people predominantly white perhaps say whiteish ancestry would considered white ever seen photo charles chestnut anatole broyard guys clearly white according definition whole lot people walking around country call black social environment born ought properly consider white since scientific studies undertaken ineffable arbitrarily determined classes thing like trying determine whether people purportedly good taste intelligent people supposedly bad taste whether people live chicago intelligent people live la might undertake thing sociological study arbitrarily agreed upon criteria would constitute good bad taste far suburbs want go decide left chicago well equally arbitrarily agreed upon criteria constitutes intelligence undertake thing though scientific study matter convinced may genetic superiority people live chicago think could betrays weak grasp constitutes natural science given race least standpoint natural science nothing collection certain physical characteristics view white people intelligent black people uncomfortably close view nazis blueeyed blonds inherently superior everyone elseit essentially thing said earlier spent huge portion life almost exclusive company black people ive around black people ive around white people havent found general differences terms intelligence experience led believe often passes intelligence actually intellectual self confidence confidence ones reasoning powers confidence value ones insights teachers one tell see peoples brains seize confronted tasks later prove beyond fear however certain tasks beyond one substantial obstacle completing one stumbles fearing guess guess rather understanding one fails pursue insight fear genuine fear obvious others come long ago dont mean suggest innate differences intelligence among human beings im sure agree believe noam chomsky said somewhere differences measured relative difference intelligence human beings closes relatives apes simply vanishingly small construe job educator impart knowledge nurture intellectual confidence course could partly defensive mechanism philosopher means dont knowledge impart try teach critical thinking skills course even important somehow get students believe intellectual potential even skills believe least certain extent acquired naturally people confident ability acquire say teach people believe see able faith careful start judging results anything value emerged recent debates race intelligence many us much closer edge idiocy us would like admit noted intellectuals failed grasp even basic facts constitutes natural scientific research failed understand parade ignorance way public still marked social economic inequities cut along racial lines offensive extreme whole thing humbling shown believe racism still firmly entrenched american psyche mg piety teaches philosophy drexel university reached mgpietydrexeledu 160 160 160 160 | 913 |
<p>There’s an elaborate ruse at the center of Amara Lakhous’s new novel, <a href="" type="internal">Divorce Islamic Style</a>, so clever that the main character, Christian Mazzari, does not realize that he is being tricked into doing one thing, while actually doing another.&#160; The ruse cons the reader, also, into believing that the story is about one thing, while it’s about something else.&#160; Even the title throws us off-guard.&#160; A comedy perhaps about Islamic divorce?&#160; Unlikely, given the novel’s focus mostly on Muslim illegals in Rome, where the daily issues are largely economic survival and avoiding the police and, thus, being deported.</p>
<p>Christian Mazzari, born in Sicily though of Tunisian extraction, is recruited to work for Italy’s SISMI, military intelligence, after they have identified two terrorist groups (spin-offs of Al Qaeda) in Rome’s Little Cairo, presumably plotting to blow up a government building. Most of the events in the story take place in Viale Marconi, which includes a call center where illegal immigrants make inexpensive phone calls back to their homes in North Africa.&#160; Christian is given a new identity and a new name, Issa, and it is his narration of the story that largely focuses on the threat of terrorism in Italy.</p>
<p>The second narrator is Sofia, the frustrated Egyptian wife of a university-trained architect, Said, who can’t get a job commensurate with his education and works, instead, as a pizza cook.&#160; Sofia, who thought her husband was liberal, discovers that Said, known as Felice, expects her to wear the veil and live as a traditional Muslim woman in Rome, in spite of all the Western temptations that confront her every day.&#160; On the sly, Sofia has been cutting women’s hair and hopes eventually to become a beautician.</p>
<p>It takes most of the story to bring Issa and Sofia together, though their paths overlap a number of times before they actually meet.&#160; As dual narrators of the novel, the two of them present a broad swathe of Rome’s Islamic community, with their stories focusing on hardship and frustration—and continual harassment by authorities and the racism they and their peers confront every day.&#160; Issa stays for a while in the squalid premises of a rich Italian woman who rents out sections of her house to illegals at <a href="" type="internal" />exorbitant fees, confining them to six or eight to a room, where she has slapped together bunk beds.&#160; She’s even got them sleeping in her kitchen because she doesn’t want to lose the income from any leftover space under her control.</p>
<p>An on-going theme of the novel is “immigrant failure,” which prevents many illegal immigrants from returning home.&#160; Sofia observes that though she can speak to her family back in Egypt frequently, she can’t be honest about most of her feelings and what is happening to her.&#160; “Immigrants prefer to lie to their relatives when they’re unemployed, or exploited at work, or treated badly by the police, and so on.&#160; Why?&#160; They’re afraid of not being understood, of being considered failures.&#160; That’s the key word: failure.&#160; Every immigrant is condemned to be successful.”&#160; They’re expected to send money home to their families every month.&#160; Many of the men have left wives and children back at home who depend upon their remittances for survival.</p>
<p>This economic enslavement conjures up images of literal slavery (Africans brought to the New World) though the irony here is that the illegal North Africans in Europe have mostly made the decision to cross into Europe because of the lack of opportunities at home.&#160; That’s no surprise to most of us who keep up with international affairs but Lakhous doesn’t leave it there.&#160; He provides a larger context, again, using Sofia as his voice:</p>
<p>“Every immigrant who goes home for vacation wants to demonstrate that he’s been successful.&#160; In fact, he has to act like a rich guy, play the part of the American uncle.&#160; First of all, he has to dress like a movie star, then he has to hand out money right and left.&#160; The script is heavy and repetitious, and has to last the whole length of the visit&#160; Worse than any soap opera.&#160; Mistakes are not tolerated.&#160; The performance has to be perfect.</p>
<p>“My dear immigrant, I advise you strongly not the talk about the unpleasant or negative aspects of immigration.&#160; Like?&#160; Well, there’s an embarrassment of choices.&#160; I’ll be content to cite just a few examples: unemployment, off-the-books employment, high rent, racism, fear of losing your residency permit, absence of family, etc. etc.&#160; But it’s all pointless—no one will believe you.&#160; If someone asks, ‘How do you live in the West, in Europe, in Italy?’ remember the right answer: ‘It’s a paradise on earth!’&#160; This is fundamental.&#160; And there’s no harm if you add a little something from your rich imagination.”</p>
<p>During the many years that I taught literature at American University, in Washington, D.C., I encountered a number of international students who were stuck, who couldn’t go home because of failure.&#160; I remember one man, no longer young, who was literally trapped.&#160; He couldn’t pass his exams for the M.A.; thus, he could not get his degree.&#160; And since he could not get his degree, he could not go home.&#160; To do so would be humiliating for his family.&#160; I don’t even know what finally happened to him.&#160; He disappeared into the cracks—all because of the pressure to succeed.</p>
<p>Amara Lakhous records the numerous pitfalls, the obstacles confronting immigrants (both legal and illegal) living in Italy—the ways that they bond together, even though they may be from different countries; their survival methods; and above all the enormous difficulties trying to hold on to traditional cultures in the midst of in-your-face Western mores and temptations.&#160; The translation from the Italian by Ann Goldstein is vibrant and alive, especially the dialogue spoken by Lakhous’s memorable characters.</p>
<p>Amara Lakhous: <a href="" type="internal">Divorce Islamic Style</a></p>
<p>Trans. by Ann Goldstein</p>
<p>Europa, 184 pp., $15</p>
<p>Charles R. Larson is Emeritus Professor of Literature at American University, in Washington, D.C.&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | theres elaborate ruse center amara lakhouss new novel divorce islamic style clever main character christian mazzari realize tricked one thing actually another160 ruse cons reader also believing story one thing something else160 even title throws us offguard160 comedy perhaps islamic divorce160 unlikely given novels focus mostly muslim illegals rome daily issues largely economic survival avoiding police thus deported christian mazzari born sicily though tunisian extraction recruited work italys sismi military intelligence identified two terrorist groups spinoffs al qaeda romes little cairo presumably plotting blow government building events story take place viale marconi includes call center illegal immigrants make inexpensive phone calls back homes north africa160 christian given new identity new name issa narration story largely focuses threat terrorism italy second narrator sofia frustrated egyptian wife universitytrained architect said cant get job commensurate education works instead pizza cook160 sofia thought husband liberal discovers said known felice expects wear veil live traditional muslim woman rome spite western temptations confront every day160 sly sofia cutting womens hair hopes eventually become beautician takes story bring issa sofia together though paths overlap number times actually meet160 dual narrators novel two present broad swathe romes islamic community stories focusing hardship frustrationand continual harassment authorities racism peers confront every day160 issa stays squalid premises rich italian woman rents sections house illegals exorbitant fees confining six eight room slapped together bunk beds160 shes even got sleeping kitchen doesnt want lose income leftover space control ongoing theme novel immigrant failure prevents many illegal immigrants returning home160 sofia observes though speak family back egypt frequently cant honest feelings happening her160 immigrants prefer lie relatives theyre unemployed exploited work treated badly police on160 why160 theyre afraid understood considered failures160 thats key word failure160 every immigrant condemned successful160 theyre expected send money home families every month160 many men left wives children back home depend upon remittances survival economic enslavement conjures images literal slavery africans brought new world though irony illegal north africans europe mostly made decision cross europe lack opportunities home160 thats surprise us keep international affairs lakhous doesnt leave there160 provides larger context using sofia voice every immigrant goes home vacation wants demonstrate hes successful160 fact act like rich guy play part american uncle160 first dress like movie star hand money right left160 script heavy repetitious last whole length visit160 worse soap opera160 mistakes tolerated160 performance perfect dear immigrant advise strongly talk unpleasant negative aspects immigration160 like160 well theres embarrassment choices160 ill content cite examples unemployment offthebooks employment high rent racism fear losing residency permit absence family etc etc160 pointlessno one believe you160 someone asks live west europe italy remember right answer paradise earth160 fundamental160 theres harm add little something rich imagination many years taught literature american university washington dc encountered number international students stuck couldnt go home failure160 remember one man longer young literally trapped160 couldnt pass exams thus could get degree160 since could get degree could go home160 would humiliating family160 dont even know finally happened him160 disappeared cracksall pressure succeed amara lakhous records numerous pitfalls obstacles confronting immigrants legal illegal living italythe ways bond together even though may different countries survival methods enormous difficulties trying hold traditional cultures midst inyourface western mores temptations160 translation italian ann goldstein vibrant alive especially dialogue spoken lakhouss memorable characters amara lakhous divorce islamic style trans ann goldstein europa 184 pp 15 charles r larson emeritus professor literature american university washington dc160 160 160 | 561 |
<p>Peter Sinclair is a videographer, creator of two video series on climate change, Climate Denial Crock of the Week, and This is Not Cool, which is a regular feature of Yale Climate Connections. He is media director of the Dark Snow Project, an international team of scientists and communicators, which has taken him with scientists to research areas such as the North Cascades Glaciers and the Greenland Ice Sheet. He lives and works in Midland, MI.</p>
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<p /> JESSICA DESVARIEUX, TRNN PRODUCER: Welcome to The Real News Network. I'm Jessica Desvarieux in Baltimore.
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<p />May and June had the hottest global temperatures on record, according to a report from the National Climactic Data Center. With July coming in as the Earth's fourth-hottest month on record, glacier-covered Greenland is seeing a real impact, and it has climate change scientists concerned.
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<p />Our guest, Peter Sinclair, has been documenting this impact. He is the media director of the Dark Snow Project, an international team of researchers and climate communicators. He recently returned from his trip to Greenland, and he's currently in Midland, Michigan.
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<p />Thanks for being with us, Peter.
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<p />PETER SINCLAIR, VIDEOGRAPHER, DARK SNOW PROJECT: I'm very happy to be here. Thank you.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: So, Peter, let's take a look at some of the visuals that you captured there in Greenland. I mean, you look at it, and it looks so pristine and peaceful, but people are really concerned about what's going on there. Why is Greenland of particular interest to climate change scientists?
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<p />SINCLAIR: Greenland is currently the ice sheet that is giving us the greatest contribution to sea level rise. We saw BBC report this morning that the combined ice sheets--Antarctica and Greenland--have doubled their mass loss in the last five years. This is very sobering news. And now Antarctica is ten times the size of Greenland and will overtake Greenland at some time in this century as the main source of sea level rise. But for now, Greenland, with potentially 22 feet of sea level rise locked up in the ice there, is a major area of concern. And there may be things that we can still do to save Greenland, or to at least slow down its loss. So it's a major focus at this time.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: So the ice sheet is a major focus, as you just said. But can you break down some of the data that you gathered while there on your recent trip? How does it compare to data from previous studies?
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<p />SINCLAIR: Well, what Dark Snow Project is looking at is factors that are darkening the ice. Our science director, Jason Box, has documented that the Greenland ice sheet is darkening. Therefore it is absorbing more solar energy during summertime. And more solar energy makes the surface melt faster.
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<p />There are reasons for the ice sheet to get dark. Some of them are natural. Some of them are produced by simply increasing areas of the ice sheet that are melting during the summer. As we get warmer and warmer temperatures that come further into the ice sheet, we see those areas remain above freezing long enough to get significant melt.
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<p />So we were in that melt zone, about 20 kilometers in on the ice sheet, that is gradually expanding, where you see water everywhere moving into streams. You can see in the video the streams get larger and larger. And we had, not far away from our camp, we had what are called moulins, these waterfalls where the surface water plunges into the heart of the ice sheet, and thereby sending a whole lot of warmth down into--deep, deep into the ice.
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<p />And so, as I said, we know this has always happened around the edges, but those edges are getting wider and wider and wider. And so it's critical that we understand why. Part of the reason may be soot from wildfires, which are increasing in northern forests around the hemisphere. Part of it may be from biological activity of algae and microbes that are able to grow and to develop when they have liquid water, when they're not frozen. And these microbes create a darkening effect on the ice sheet. And you can see in some of the video some of the areas that are sort of a dark grayish color. Those are the algae areas that we're looking at.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: But, Peter, I mean, you're over there in Michigan, I'm sitting here in this lovely studio in Baltimore, but we're talking about Greenland. Why should people even be concerned about what's going on there?
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<p />SINCLAIR: Well, I've heard scientists say what happens in the Arctic does not stay in the Arctic. We're looking at signs of sea level rise that are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, particularly in places like Miami, also other places around the world where people are crowded together along low-lying coasts. Hurricane Sandy was certainly a wake-up call, in that it showed us that it doesn't take too many inches of sea level rise to begin to overwhelm infrastructure that we've built long our coasts, infrastructure that was built for the sea level of maybe 50 or 100 years ago but is rapidly becoming overwhelmed when we have an extreme event like a hurricane or extreme storm. So Greenland is going to--the melt of Greenland and the other ice sheets is going to come around and bite us a lot sooner than some people think.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: Which populations would then be bitten harder, I guess, in terms of which populations would be most affected by this sea level rise?
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<p />SINCLAIR: Well, of course, anyone--you said--I believe you're in Baltimore. Is that correct?
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<p />DESVARIEUX: That's correct.
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<p />SINCLAIR: Yeah. So I've been to the harbor in Baltimore, and I don't think it takes a lot of imagination to imagine, picture a foot or two or three of sea level rise, which at the current rates, at the current rate of increase, we could very well see in our lifetime, and what that might do the case of a storm, for instance.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: Okay. So, Peter, I have a challenge for you. How would you respond to those climate-change skeptics that say the Earth has gone through drastic climate change before and that there is no link to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and emissions of greenhouse gases? How can we make that direct correlation?
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<p />SINCLAIR: Well, the scientists, it's because the scientists understand the changes of the past so well that they're concerned about the changes we're making now. Generally, in the past the planet has changed. It's changed due to changes in orbital cycles, changes in the sun, sometimes changes in volcanic activity. None of those changes adequately explain the warming process that we're seeing that is undeniable at the present time. But there's plenty of evidence of, in the past, that when we have greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, when they have, through natural processes, gone up, then we get a warmer planet.
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<p />And so what we've done now and what I've outlined in the interviews with scientists in some of my videos is that we've created an atmosphere now that is like the atmosphere we had two and a half million years ago. And when we look at sea level two and a half million years ago, we see that it was 50, 60, or even 70 feet higher than it is today.
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<p />That won't happen all at once. It won't happen right away. But the past is definitely a record that is warning us that if we keep on the same trajectory, if we keep the same atmosphere that we have already today, that we're heading for much higher sea level rise that most people appreciate.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: Alright. Peter St. Clair, very interesting analysis. Thank you so much for being with us.
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<p />SINCLAIR: You bet. Thank you.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: And thank you for joining us on The Real News Network.
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<p />End
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<p />DISCLAIMER: Please note that transcripts for The Real News Network are typed from a recording of the program. TRNN cannot guarantee their complete accuracy. | true | 4 | peter sinclair videographer creator two video series climate change climate denial crock week cool regular feature yale climate connections media director dark snow project international team scientists communicators taken scientists research areas north cascades glaciers greenland ice sheet lives works midland mi jessica desvarieux trnn producer welcome real news network im jessica desvarieux baltimore may june hottest global temperatures record according report national climactic data center july coming earths fourthhottest month record glaciercovered greenland seeing real impact climate change scientists concerned guest peter sinclair documenting impact media director dark snow project international team researchers climate communicators recently returned trip greenland hes currently midland michigan thanks us peter peter sinclair videographer dark snow project im happy thank desvarieux peter lets take look visuals captured greenland mean look looks pristine peaceful people really concerned whats going greenland particular interest climate change scientists sinclair greenland currently ice sheet giving us greatest contribution sea level rise saw bbc report morning combined ice sheetsantarctica greenlandhave doubled mass loss last five years sobering news antarctica ten times size greenland overtake greenland time century main source sea level rise greenland potentially 22 feet sea level rise locked ice major area concern may things still save greenland least slow loss major focus time desvarieux ice sheet major focus said break data gathered recent trip compare data previous studies sinclair well dark snow project looking factors darkening ice science director jason box documented greenland ice sheet darkening therefore absorbing solar energy summertime solar energy makes surface melt faster reasons ice sheet get dark natural produced simply increasing areas ice sheet melting summer get warmer warmer temperatures come ice sheet see areas remain freezing long enough get significant melt melt zone 20 kilometers ice sheet gradually expanding see water everywhere moving streams see video streams get larger larger far away camp called moulins waterfalls surface water plunges heart ice sheet thereby sending whole lot warmth intodeep deep ice said know always happened around edges edges getting wider wider wider critical understand part reason may soot wildfires increasing northern forests around hemisphere part may biological activity algae microbes able grow develop liquid water theyre frozen microbes create darkening effect ice sheet see video areas sort dark grayish color algae areas looking desvarieux peter mean youre michigan im sitting lovely studio baltimore talking greenland people even concerned whats going sinclair well ive heard scientists say happens arctic stay arctic looking signs sea level rise becoming increasingly difficult ignore particularly places like miami also places around world people crowded together along lowlying coasts hurricane sandy certainly wakeup call showed us doesnt take many inches sea level rise begin overwhelm infrastructure weve built long coasts infrastructure built sea level maybe 50 100 years ago rapidly becoming overwhelmed extreme event like hurricane extreme storm greenland going tothe melt greenland ice sheets going come around bite us lot sooner people think desvarieux populations would bitten harder guess terms populations would affected sea level rise sinclair well course anyoneyou saidi believe youre baltimore correct desvarieux thats correct sinclair yeah ive harbor baltimore dont think takes lot imagination imagine picture foot two three sea level rise current rates current rate increase could well see lifetime might case storm instance desvarieux okay peter challenge would respond climatechange skeptics say earth gone drastic climate change link human activities burning fossil fuels emissions greenhouse gases make direct correlation sinclair well scientists scientists understand changes past well theyre concerned changes making generally past planet changed changed due changes orbital cycles changes sun sometimes changes volcanic activity none changes adequately explain warming process seeing undeniable present time theres plenty evidence past greenhouse gases particularly carbon dioxide natural processes gone get warmer planet weve done ive outlined interviews scientists videos weve created atmosphere like atmosphere two half million years ago look sea level two half million years ago see 50 60 even 70 feet higher today wont happen wont happen right away past definitely record warning us keep trajectory keep atmosphere already today heading much higher sea level rise people appreciate desvarieux alright peter st clair interesting analysis thank much us sinclair bet thank desvarieux thank joining us real news network end disclaimer please note transcripts real news network typed recording program trnn guarantee complete accuracy | 702 |
<p>WASHINGTON (AP) - Americans who passed part, but not all, of the GED test are rushing to finish the high school equivalency exam before a new version rolls out in January and their previous scores are wiped out. About 1 million people could be affected.</p>
<p>With the new version, test takers must use a computer instead of paper and pencil. The test itself will be more rigorous and cost more - at $120, the price in some states will be significantly higher than previous versions. Some places may subsidize all or part of the cost.</p>
<p>"This is the thing that's sort of putting the spur in the saddle," said Lecester Johnson, executive director of Academy of Hope, an adult charter school in Washington. "People just don't want to start over."</p>
<p>Test takers have been warned for more than a year about the approaching Dec. 31 deadline to complete the five-part test. States and localities are phoning people, and thousands of letters have gone out - including to 32,000 Californians who passed parts but not all the test in the last two years.</p>
<p>"We don't want anyone to be caught off-guard and come in and test in January or February thinking they have their old scores, and they have to start over," said Pam Blundell, who oversees adult education for the Oklahoma State Department of Education.</p>
<p>She said Oklahoma test sites have added additional test days and referred students to other sites.</p>
<p>Nicole Chestang, executive vice president at GED Testing Service, said the rush was expected. In 2001, the year before the last upgrade, there was a 30 percent increase in test takers, most toward the end of the year, she said.</p>
<p>She advised people to register for the exam now, even if they don't take it until later in November or December.</p>
<p>This is the first upgrade since for-profit Pearson Vue Testing acquired a joint ownership interest in the GED Testing Service. For 70 years, GED Testing Service has been run by the nonprofit American Council on Education.</p>
<p>GED exam officials have said the changes will modernize the test and align it with new college and career-ready standards adopted in a majority of states. They say basic computer skills are needed in a modern workplace - even to apply for jobs at places like retail stores and fast-food chains.</p>
<p>On a recent test given to adults worldwide of workplace skills including math, reading and problem-solving using technology, American adults scored below the international average.</p>
<p>The test also will allow people to receive their scores the same day, rather than having to wait a month or more.</p>
<p>Some community leaders, who work with low-income individuals and working families, have challenged the price increases and the mandate that test takers use a computer - issues that affect many people living in poverty.</p>
<p>"There are obvious advantages to upgrading processes and technology, but the goal should always be to do so in ways that do not hurt the very people you are trying to help. It would have seemed reasonable at least to make the changes based on a grandfathered provision for people who had already started the process but who had not finished," Anne Foster, executive director of Mississippi-based <a href="http://www.parents4publicschools.org/" type="external">Parents for Public Schools</a>, said in a statement.</p>
<p>"There is a significant digital divide in the United States, and many immigrants definitely are on the side of less technology."</p>
<p>For Gina Womack of&#160; <a href="http://www.fflic.org/" type="external">Families and Friends of Louisiana's Incarcerated Children</a>, there is concern that people who need to pass the GED might become discouraged with the changes or possible higher costs to take the exam.</p>
<p>Learn More About GED</p>
<p>"Progression is about streamlining but does it mean we have to obliterate those who have a true desire to be a part of that progression? Denying access and creating more barriers to individuals and families who are struggling will further the opportunity gap, even further decrease the chances for people to move out of poverty," Womack, the group's executive director, said in a statement.</p>
<p>"Once again the rules are changing and the real question for me is: To what end are we making this shift that in many ways is drastic in nature? Who are we trying to exclude or weed out?" said Joyce Parker, a community advocate in Mississippi and director of <a href="http://southernecho.org/s/?page_id=179#cbg" type="external">Citizens for a Better Greenville</a>.</p>
<p>Armando Diaz, a GED Testing Service spokesman, explained that the computer exam will require the basic skills of using a mouse and keyboard.</p>
<p>GED officials also have set up the website, <a href="http://www.gedtestingservice.com/finishtheged/" type="external">FinishtheGED.com</a>, to help people get their questions answered. All they need to do is type in their zip codes to find a testing center in their area.</p>
<p>"We're telling folks that there's still seven weeks to go," he said Tuesday. "Call your local testing center. It might not be too late for many students. This shouldn't frighten students."</p>
<p>Next year's test, he said, will be offered in English and Spanish in the United States. The GED Testing Service also offers free online keyboard tutorials.</p>
<p>But frustrated with the changes, some states have opted instead to begin using other high school equivalency exams. One is Wyoming, which has adopted the additional use of two other tests.</p>
<p>Jim Rose, executive director of the Wyoming Community College Commission, said officials are exploring whether students who have passed sections of the GED can apply that toward passing one of the other high school equivalency exams.</p>
<p>"Our centers are really committed to trying to make this something that is workable for students instead of a kind of high-stakes, winner-take-all game in which if you don't complete by December, then you've got to begin again, and that's going to create a hardship for students," Rose said.</p>
<p>In Washington, D.C., Antoinette Mitchell, a deputy assistant superintendent of education, says she feels some urgency. "We are trying in numerous ways to get the word out to get them to come back," she said.</p>
<p>In a low-income neighborhood on the new campus of the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School in Washington, Principal Jorge Delgado said that instead of a last-minute rush, enrollment is declining as word spreads that the GED exam will soon be offered only by computer.</p>
<p>The school, which has students from more than 20 countries speaking 40-plus languages, has added new computer literacy classes. Still, he said, many English language learners are intimidated by computers.</p>
<p>Delgado said many of the school's students work in the hotel and restaurant industries and that passing the GED test will allow them to get a promotion to a supervisory position or enter a training program. Some are taking care of families and barely sleeping as they juggle responsibilities. He said he doesn't understand why the GED exam isn't more flexible about allowing English language learners to take the test using a pencil and paper.</p>
<p>"Why put more blocks in front of them? Why more obstacles when they are doing their best?" Delgado said. "What I'm seeing is students giving up already."</p>
<p>One student at the school who isn't giving up is Natnael Gebremariam, 32, from Eritrea in East Africa. He goes to class in the mornings, works about 50 hours a week in the afternoons and evenings at a fast-food restaurant, then spends some nights doing homework past midnight.</p>
<p>The former teacher in his home country wants to work in information technology in the U.S. He said the pressure he feels isn't so much about the test changing, but wanting to pass the GED exam so he can take college classes.</p>
<p>"All I know is I have to be ready by the end of this year," said Gebremariam, in an interview in between classes.</p>
<p>___</p>
<p>Equal Voice News contributed to this report.&#160;</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal">Contact author</a></p>
<p>&#160;&#160; <a href="" type="internal">education test</a>, <a href="" type="internal">GED news</a>, <a href="" type="internal">GED Test</a>, <a href="" type="internal">GED testing news</a>, <a href="" type="internal">general educational development</a></p> | true | 4 | washington ap americans passed part ged test rushing finish high school equivalency exam new version rolls january previous scores wiped 1 million people could affected new version test takers must use computer instead paper pencil test rigorous cost 120 price states significantly higher previous versions places may subsidize part cost thing thats sort putting spur saddle said lecester johnson executive director academy hope adult charter school washington people dont want start test takers warned year approaching dec 31 deadline complete fivepart test states localities phoning people thousands letters gone including 32000 californians passed parts test last two years dont want anyone caught offguard come test january february thinking old scores start said pam blundell oversees adult education oklahoma state department education said oklahoma test sites added additional test days referred students sites nicole chestang executive vice president ged testing service said rush expected 2001 year last upgrade 30 percent increase test takers toward end year said advised people register exam even dont take later november december first upgrade since forprofit pearson vue testing acquired joint ownership interest ged testing service 70 years ged testing service run nonprofit american council education ged exam officials said changes modernize test align new college careerready standards adopted majority states say basic computer skills needed modern workplace even apply jobs places like retail stores fastfood chains recent test given adults worldwide workplace skills including math reading problemsolving using technology american adults scored international average test also allow people receive scores day rather wait month community leaders work lowincome individuals working families challenged price increases mandate test takers use computer issues affect many people living poverty obvious advantages upgrading processes technology goal always ways hurt people trying help would seemed reasonable least make changes based grandfathered provision people already started process finished anne foster executive director mississippibased parents public schools said statement significant digital divide united states many immigrants definitely side less technology gina womack of160 families friends louisianas incarcerated children concern people need pass ged might become discouraged changes possible higher costs take exam learn ged progression streamlining mean obliterate true desire part progression denying access creating barriers individuals families struggling opportunity gap even decrease chances people move poverty womack groups executive director said statement rules changing real question end making shift many ways drastic nature trying exclude weed said joyce parker community advocate mississippi director citizens better greenville armando diaz ged testing service spokesman explained computer exam require basic skills using mouse keyboard ged officials also set website finishthegedcom help people get questions answered need type zip codes find testing center area telling folks theres still seven weeks go said tuesday call local testing center might late many students shouldnt frighten students next years test said offered english spanish united states ged testing service also offers free online keyboard tutorials frustrated changes states opted instead begin using high school equivalency exams one wyoming adopted additional use two tests jim rose executive director wyoming community college commission said officials exploring whether students passed sections ged apply toward passing one high school equivalency exams centers really committed trying make something workable students instead kind highstakes winnertakeall game dont complete december youve got begin thats going create hardship students rose said washington dc antoinette mitchell deputy assistant superintendent education says feels urgency trying numerous ways get word get come back said lowincome neighborhood new campus carlos rosario international public charter school washington principal jorge delgado said instead lastminute rush enrollment declining word spreads ged exam soon offered computer school students 20 countries speaking 40plus languages added new computer literacy classes still said many english language learners intimidated computers delgado said many schools students work hotel restaurant industries passing ged test allow get promotion supervisory position enter training program taking care families barely sleeping juggle responsibilities said doesnt understand ged exam isnt flexible allowing english language learners take test using pencil paper put blocks front obstacles best delgado said im seeing students giving already one student school isnt giving natnael gebremariam 32 eritrea east africa goes class mornings works 50 hours week afternoons evenings fastfood restaurant spends nights homework past midnight former teacher home country wants work information technology us said pressure feels isnt much test changing wanting pass ged exam take college classes know ready end year said gebremariam interview classes ___ equal voice news contributed report160 contact author 160160 education test ged news ged test ged testing news general educational development | 735 |
<p>What experience and history teach us is this- that people and governments never have learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it.</p>
<p>—&#160;Hegel</p>
<p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6188.Hegel" type="external">Hegel</a> remarks somewhere that all great, world-historical facts and personages occur, as it were, twice. He has forgotten to add: the first time as tragedy, the second as farce.”</p>
<p>— Karl Marx</p>
<p>Will Trump’s foreign policy deviate from the immediate, or for that matter, the distant past? Many voters who supported him are mainly concerned with his pledge to bring back jobs yet the economic program Trump proposes will not remotely fulfill that promise. A trade war with China will nix that agenda and inflame the military tensions already in evidence from Obama’s “pivot to Asia.” &#160;Throughout the campaign most pundits believed that Wall Street was backing Clinton yet it is extremely interesting that the stock market has soared into record territory with big banks, and arms businesses leading much of the gains. &#160;He presents contradictory proposals. Throughout the campaign he has said he wants to renegotiate the terms of the NATO alliance, tamp down the demonization of Russia and stop the arms buildup along its borders. Yet, he is also talking tough on China. Based on a program pushed by the Heritage Foundation, Trump has also promised vastly to increase spending to rebuild the American military which he claimed has been allowed to atrophy and which he intends to unleash on ISIL. He seems to believe the defeat of Islamic terrorism will follow rapidly and thoroughly once this occurs. His “national security” team is top heavy with former military, congressional hawks, neo-cons and Islamophobes. What then will be the role of his bulked up military? History more than suggests that there is no reason to suppose that interventionist and aggressive foreign policy will now magically cease. After all war is and always has been the American way of life.</p>
<p>How else do we possess these dis-United States? The American people, colonists or citizens, have been at war since 1607. Of course our national mythology insists it was always the other guy’s fault. Absent from most mainstream accounts is the simple fact that U.S. policies have always had gain at other peoples’ expense at their core. We forget that the early British colonies were established as joint-stock companies, the antecedent of the modern corporation. Thus their primary function was to exploit the resources of the “new world”- fish, fur, lumber- and make profit for the investors. As the colonial markets grew, closely aligned in triangular trade to London and its other colonies, the principal measure of gain rapidly became pecuniary. As an astute French observer of the early American republic observed “As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in (Alexis de Tocqueville)?”</p>
<p>During the early colonial period the preoccupation was the acquisition of land. Today we tend to dismiss the campaigns against the aboriginal peoples as insignificant, especially when compared to the world wars, or the Civil War. But warfare against those tribes was constant until the late 19th Century and resulted in enormous carnage and the extinction of many. The Massachusett come immediately to mind. Nothing but their name remains of them. In King Philip’s War, the first outright war waged in British North America between colonists and natives, a higher percentage of people per capita of total population (native and colonist) died than in any of the U.S.’s other wars. This was tragically ironic since the father of Metacomet, the native who led the campaign against the colonists had enabled the Plymouth Plantation to survive in the first place (that was Massasoit of the Thanksgiving legend). To ensure that natives got the message about resisting colonization Metacomet’s head was displayed in Plymouth Town square for twenty years. In a new study Benjamin Madley exposes how white Californian settlers and their political barons called for and acted to ensure what they had no trouble naming the “extinction” of that states aboriginal population well into the late 19th Century (An American Genocide). Visualize Ishi, found starving in 1911, after the remaining members of his tribe, the Yahi, had been killed the same year by white bounty hunters.</p>
<p>We also downplay the guerrilla campaigns to wrest the territory European powers-British, French, Spanish- claimed to the west of the original thirteen states. And then there was the Mexican War that extended the U.S. border “from sea to shining sea,” brought about by the mendacity of President James Polk who claimed that “American blood had been shed on American soil.” The truth was that U.S. soldiers were killed as they conducted raids on Mexican land in furtherance of a strategy to promote outright war and then expand the territory for slavery, the pillar of the American economy for two and a half centuries. Of course northern banking and commercial textile interests also stood to profit greatly. “Manifest Destiny” expansionists concurred in this land grab too since that would result in the acquisition of vital Pacific ports which then could launch further extension into the Pacific. William Henry Seward, who would later acquire Alaska as the “drawbridge to Asia” avowed that control of the North American continent would “ensure the controlling interest of the world”… “Multiply your ships,” he urged “and send them forth to the East… The nation that draws most materials and provisions from the earth, and fabricates the most and sells the most…must be, and will be the great power of the earth.” In short order (1853) seeking safe harbors from which to penetrate the landmass of Asia, the U.S. overtly threatened Japan with armed force to open her doors to commerce on terms dictated by American warships. The result was that the island nation would soon imitate and compete with her European and American challengers, seeking to beat them at their own game, leading ultimately to the Pacific War of the 20th century and Hiroshima and Nagasaki.</p>
<p>Americans are highly propagandized to believe that U.S. foreign policy has always had as its mainstay and central focus our “national security” not matters so dull as commercial exploitation and financial dominance. Indeed the Truman Administration created the “National Security State” immediately after World War II-the very moment when the U.S. wielded unparalleled and awesome military might while the former empires were at their weakest or lay in ruin. In other words, when there was absolutely no threat. Germany and Japan were prostrate but so were the U.S.’s allies. The Soviet menace was invoked as a grave peril but the reality was that the USSR was utterly devastated, had suffered upwards of 30 million deaths (compared to 400,000 American deaths), and had over 70,000 of its cities and towns reduced to rubble. It did have the largest land army on the planet but that force had been the principle and indispensable agent of Nazi defeat, though we like to imagine that was accomplished by American forces. The USSR had no navy or airforce capable of crossing oceans and displayed no intent to move beyond the territories wrested from Nazi control. Nevertheless much ink and rhetoric accused the Soviets of aggression and the illegitimate takeover of much of Eastern Europe as justification for the claim that now the USSR constituted a peril to world peace and order and had to be confronted at every turn.</p>
<p>Hidden was the simple fact that nations like Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and even many Ukrainians had allied with the Third Reich and aided the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. The USSR defeated those allies of Nazi Germany too and subjugated them, just as the Soviets and the U.S. occupied and co-ruled Germany. The so-called Iron Curtain was a shield against another armed invasion &#160;from the West, the Soviet’s cordon sanitaire, however harsh it was for those under its rule, though to be sure Washington didn’t and doesn’t really care about human rights, all posturing to the contrary (note the brutal murderous dictatorships we have sponsored). Hidden too was the fact that the Soviets showed no evidence of the armed aggression proclaimed by Western propaganda. The Red Army withdrew from Mongolia, from Iran, from Korea and eventually from Austria. The U.S. could not have impelled them to retreat from areas they had taken with large cost. The Soviets withdrew on their own, thus disproving the claim that they were bent on “world conquest.”</p>
<p>During WWII neither Germany nor Japan had the military capacity to invade the United States and all in power knew this. Franklin Roosevelt lied to the public when he said that he possessed copies of a secret plan by Hitler to conquer the Western hemisphere. This document had been forged by British intelligence and the very idea was preposterous. Placing its services at the disposal of government, and in order to frighten the general public, Hollywood issued sophisticated propaganda films and faked footage to depict Japanese soldiers marching down Constitution Avenue.</p>
<p>Why this elaborate gambit to overcome public opposition to entering another global war? What was the real fear on the part of American rulers? FDR condemned the early anti-Jewish persecutions like kristalnacht but did nothing to rescue Jews except symbolically at the end of the war when two-thirds of Jews and many others were dead. We then have to make sense of Washington’s active recruitment of high-level Nazis to bolster the new CIA, and rocket and bio-warfare research. Our oft touted humanitarian concerns were duplicitous and hypocritical at best. Put simply, the Third Reich and Japan were sealing off huge areas of the globe from American commerce and investment and obstructing the main pillar of U.S. foreign policy, i.e. the Open Door to the resources, markets and labor power of the planet to be accessed on American terms. Closure of much of Europe and Asia by the Axis to American commercial and investment activity had exacerbated the continuing collapse of the American economy and social order brought on by the Great Depression As historian Thomas McCormick put matters, “living space for Germany and Japan was dying space for American private enterprise and for capitalism as an integrated world system.” Wall Street saw a “nightmare of a closed world.” The real issue after the defeat of the Axis was that the Soviets occupied about half of what the Nazis had seized in eastern Europe, and locked American commerce and capital investment out, just as the Nazis had.</p>
<p>Early on extremely intemperate voices, some from within the military, challenged Truman to employ the expanding atomic arsenal to get rid of the alleged threat immediately, calls that were often reported in the media, and to which the Soviets paid careful attention. There is no doubt but that such inflammatory declamations intensified&#160; Soviet fears of the United States who stepped-up production of their own A-Bombs, leading to the result that the only true threat to our national security, if by that we mean physical military danger, is nuclear war. We have no one to blame but ourselves for that un-sheathed sword of Damocles hanging perpetually over our heads. The sheer cold-bloodedness of using A-bombs on the civilian population of a nation already defeated was not lost on the Soviets, or later the Chinese. Certainly Stalin recognized that the United States could be as ruthless as himself.</p>
<p>All of the above, according to Trumpites and many others, places me firmly in the camp of the enemy. I hope soon to be on the new McCarthyite blacklist and am proud to be associated with Counterpunch. &#160;For 30 years now I’ve taught a highly critical view of United States foreign policy at the urban campus of a major state university. Most of the native born (as opposed to those with student visas) are working class or lower middle class and some can be quite incredulous and assertive in their reaction to my perspective but a majority want to hear more, certainly because they come from the classes most affected by war and economic downturns and uncertainty. Veterans often seek out my courses. Some are highly supportive of my perspective and conclusions. But some are viscerally opposed. One even wrote on our “free expression wall” some years ago that I should be lined up and shot. But if there is one sure thing I’ve learned in all these years it is that few students, or many among the greater public, know much of anything concrete and accurate about their nation’s past. What they have absorbed inevitably is the national mythology of exceptionalism that has been propagated from every source-school, religion, television, Hollywood, politics etc.- all their (our) lives.</p>
<p>Given the omnipresence and power of corporate controlled mass propaganda all citizens are constantly bombarded with messages about American exceptionalism, coupled with dishonesty, deceit and out right fabrications about current policies and the past. It is fortunate now that the alternative media exists in the electronic sphere and that universities, at least some, still adhere to free speech principles. If you think such rights are always safe examine the chronicle of censorship and vicious repression during World War I.</p>
<p>When leading discussion about “the American way of war” I sometimes get a version of the “killer ape” thesis popular back in the 1970s according to which humans are genetically aggressive and murderous toward the “other” like our close relatives the chimpanzees. To this assertion I always ask “how many people have you killed?” Of course the answer is always “none” (vets always remain silent here too). The fact is that murderousness in the general population, despite lurid and frightening headlines about violence, is confined to a small minority and consists most often of crimes of passion or pathology. It is not intrinsic to human behavior. I say this as someone who has been the victim of an anonymous street shooting that wounded me badly and killed two other people, all of us unknown to the shooter. Such outrages are on the increase but they signify growing social pathology and alienation owing to expanding poverty, economic insecurity, profound resentment and outright fear occasioned by the media. They do not prove the genetic aggression thesis. Given the all but effortless availability of guns, mass slaughter should be running rampantly every hour, if that proposition were true. Of course the media requirement that “if it bleeds it leads” falsely encourages this sense of widespread, omnipresent danger.</p>
<p>How then do we really account for our wars and the massive violence and casualties it visits on entire countries? How did the millions of Vietnamese, Laotians and Cambodians killed during that war really threaten American national security? In all the handwringing about the suffering of desperate Syrians who in the corporate media acknowledges the fact that Washington encouraged the revolt against the Assad regime, and armed its “moderate” rebels who promptly shared them with Al Qaeda and ISIL? Iraq and Libya are in chaos as a direct result of American military actions, their populations living in misery. Yemen is being disassembled by Saudi bombing with U.S. aircraft. In all these cases the claim is made that the U.S. wished to liberate these nations from cruel dictatorships but given the slaughter that has followed from American military actions can anyone really take seriously the claim of “responsibility to protect”? Though all officials know that the U.S. is invulnerable to invasion in order to gain public acceptance some threat to our security must be invoked. When the Soviet Union collapsed in the early 1990s the “permanent war economy” was in trouble but the void was filled quickly by the threat of Islamic terrorism though a citizen has a better chance of being struck by lightning than being killed by al Qaeda or ISIL. But the fear mongering works to frazzle whole segments of the population who thus condone the dispatch of troops.</p>
<p>Does the American military recruit only those who do show signs of homicidal intent? Such dangerous personalities do squeeze into the armed forces but preparing and motivating most soldiers to kill other human beings requires an intensive program of abusive psychological indoctrination and conditioning. Much of it centers on the constant drumbeat that the armed forces are the indispensable shield against all threats to American “freedom and democracy,” the firewall against the “evil doers.” But a good deal more than that is required to send troops thousands of miles away in search of monsters to destroy. Patriotism is rigorously defined and enforced as standing at attention and following orders unquestioningly. For those in the “military occupational specialties” focused on direct combat the training regime is brutal to civilian eyes and focused on a longstanding very specific cult of “manhood” in which physical prowess and nerve is esteemed and weakness and cowardice are the cardinal sins. Shame at failing to measure up is to be dreaded. Facing death for one’s country is the ultimate test of manhood. Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. Is it symptomatic of our metastasizing militarization that women are now trying to break into the deadly mystique of the “warrior” with the avowal that this corresponds to “equality.”</p>
<p>Yet the vast majority of soldiers never do kill. Even those in combat units do not usually kill “up close and personal” but from a distance using their weaponized machines and many never even see those whom their firepower has snuffed. And, despite all the operant conditioning, being exposed to the imminence of violent death and mass killing incurs profound spiritual and psychological consequences that will haunt many for life.</p>
<p>And let us stop ignoring the fact that with few exceptions those who initiate wars and send others off to kill or die have never themselves served in combat, or otherwise endangered their lives or fortunes on behalf of the republic, nor would they dream of putting their progeny at risk. That task belongs to the lower orders, the “expendables” as World War II soldiers often referred to themselves, or as “snuffies,” in the parlance of my generation.</p>
<p>So what are the real motivations of those who send our posterity off to kill and die? Since our present era is often labelled a new “Gilded age” and likened to similar circumstances more than a century ago the words of the barons of yesteryear illuminate that question just as readily for today. &#160;The Gilded age was not golden for most Americans. Beneath the glitter severe depressions, unemployment, immiseration and social upheaval were the order of the day. To meet the dangers emanating from below the American ruling elites turned the public’s attention outward and leapt onto the stage of global competition with the other great and emerging powers.</p>
<p>The rapid evolution of finance and industrial capitalism and the emergence of steam power and electricity and the ascendance of mass production all but erased the previous lifestyles and occupations of millions of Americans. With farmwork formerly done by hand and draft animals now replaced by machines millions were cast into poverty and into burgeoning city slums. At the same time demand for poorly paid labor to service the machines increased exponentially and led to the admission of millions of immigrants and thereby exacerbated social tensions. In the willy-nilly scramble to profit in the new industrial order inevitable overproduction led to massive layoffs and depressions. Demands for a greater share of the wealth produced by the rapidly accelerating system inspired strikes and calls for unionization. Even the dreaded word “Socialism” filled the air. Faced with unparalleled upheaval the new barons and their political allies’ responded to the crisis from every quarter of the nation’s power and cultural institutions. To protect the imperative of profit and simultaneously meet the demands of the agitated population they determined only one solution-expansion.</p>
<p>The historian Frederick Jackson Turner argued in The Significance of the Frontier in American History that the widespread availability of land in the West had conferred substantial independence upon many Americans. The “dominant fact of American life has been expansion” Turner declared. For centuries the ever present frontier in the west had served as the “safety valve” to vent pent up social pressures. Dissatisfied Americans could pack up and go west to acquire land to then enter the marketplace in cattle, crops, timber and minerals and profit. But industrial expansion, railroads, telegraph and mushrooming population had brought the country to a “watershed moment.” By the late 19th Century, the continental limit had been reached. The nation faced a choice: either alter American social and economic conditions radically or expand. Therefore a new frontier beckoned, said Turner, the Pacific Ocean and beyond.</p>
<p>Jealous of British naval supremacy the navy soon added its voice. Captain Alfred Thayer Mahan, in his enormously influential tract, The Influence of Seapower Upon History (still taught at the U.S. Naval Academy), urged political leaders to leap beyond the landed frontier to the oceans and establish “colonies” as markets for the surplus, sources for cheaper labor, and bases from which to protect and administer them. Mahan’s gaze fell upon China whose population he considered “sheep without a shepherd.” Seeing the vast land as “inefficient” he contended that its people were not entitled to control their own country, and even proposed that its capital Peking (Beijing) be moved southward out of Russian influence to become “the core around which to develop a new China.” The Chinese had other ideas though so in 1900 the U.S., along with other imperial powers, landed troops to quash the so-called Boxer Rebellion that arose in opposition to just such foreign intrusion. While most Americans have long since forgotten this episode the Chinese have not.</p>
<p>Such reveries would require the expansion of naval power, a proposition the emerging steel and ship building trusts and their Washington confederates, especially Theodore Roosevelt, leapt to initiate. As the U.S. provoked tensions with doddering Spain Teddy gushed that “I should say that I would welcome a foreign war. It is very difficult for me not to wish war with Spain for that would result at once in getting a proper navy. In strict confidence I should welcome almost any war.” Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, scion of Boston “Brahmins,” boasted that “We have a record of conquest, colonization and expansion unequalled by any people in the 19th century …for the sake of our commercial prosperity we ought to seize the Hawaiian Islands now.” Roosevelt added that it “would be a crime against white civilization not to annex Hawaii.” Teddy then ginned up his war with Spain. Close advisers like historian Brooks Adams, descendant of John and John Quincy, thrilled that “this war is the first gun in the battle for ownership of the world.” In the Senate Albert Beveridge proclaimed that “The power that rules the Pacific rules the world.”</p>
<p>Spain was routed easily with aid from the “yellow press” and the U.S took over the Philippines, Guam, Cuba and Puerto Rico claiming to have liberated the island peoples from Spanish tyranny. Washington had also promised their independence yet when Filipinos actually tried to exercise their sovereignty the U.S. immediately launched a vicious campaign to stifle any hope of autonomy in pursuit of its own dishonestly disguised imperial ambitions. Though proponents of war condemned the atrocities Spain committed against it subjects they were silent when American troops behaved with savagery toward Filipinos whom they openly called “niggers.” What is today called “waterboarding,” was exercised widely by American forces against Filipino insurgents. Numerous massacres of civilians took place. One general ordered troops to kill “anyone over the age of ten.” Mark Twain stoked opposition to the campaign against Philippine independence in his widely read “On the Slaughter of 400 Moros” (there were actually more than 1,000). Responding sardonically to the U.S. Army’s report of a great victory against Filipino insurrectionaries, Twain noted that in fact there was no “battle.” American troops had forced about 1200 Moro men, women and children, into a ravine where most of them were slaughtered in cold blood. In disgust he also reviled the blood-soaked hypocrisy of Theodore Roosevelt who cabled the commander of U.S. forces saying “I congratulate you and the officers and men of your command upon the brilliant feat of arms wherein you and they so well upheld the honor of the American flag.”</p>
<p>Some religious leaders condemned such atrocities and the new imperial thrust but most mainstream clergy rushed to bless the new empire. Josiah Strong, a leading and highly influential &#160;Protestant figure, declared that “we are the chosen people” insisting “Anglo-Saxon” values had shaped America. In response to the urban and economic crisis he avowed that the world would “enter upon a new stage of its history, the final competition of races, for which the Anglo-Saxon is being schooled…the representative of the purest Christianity, the highest civilization…and can anyone doubt that the results of this competition of the races will be the ‘survival of the fittest.” In sardonic mockery of such Puritan fundamentalism the journalist and social critic Ambrose Bierce wrote in contrast &#160;that “Mammon (the ancient god of money) is the god of the world’s leading religion. The chief temples are on Wall Street in the holy city of New York.”</p>
<p>Remarkably, “Christian Imperialism” dovetailed with new secular ideas supposedly based upon religion’s nemesis, science. No sooner had Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution gained traction among the “educated” classes than it was deformed into Social Darwinism to validate imperial conquest by Europeans and Americans alike. As white imperialists annexed or otherwise dominated non-white societies in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, the very fact of their dominance was asserted&#160; to “prove” that natural law imposed the rule of the “fittest.” Historians like Brooks Adams, a descendant of two presidents and advisor to Theodore Roosevelt even argued that the new economy had arisen in the natural order of evolution writing that … “Masses take the form of corporations and the men who rise to the control of these corporations rise because they are fittest. The process is natural selection.” A corollary of this theory, of course, insisted that those who toiled as mere wage slaves or as colonial subjects were the least fit and deserved the place they occupied in society.</p>
<p>While Social Darwinian suppositions were developed at Yale and Cambridge universities, and therefore had the halo of “science” around them, the more gruesome applications like the massacre of Lakota Sioux at Wounded Knee in 1890 employed a long established racism.</p>
<p>In the Senate, at the moment the U.S. took its place among the imperial powers of the planet, Albert Beveridge of Indiana defended the brutal war against Philippine independence and its atrocities when he encapsulated and conflated all of the prevailing ideological strands of his day in a speech remarkable for its sanction of naked imperialism.</p>
<p>God has not been preparing the English-speaking and Teutonic peoples for nothing but vain and idle self-admiration. No he has made us master organizers of the world…that we may administer government among savages and senile peoples…The Philippines are ours forever…and just beyond the Philippines lie China’s illimitable markets. We will not renounce our part in the mission of our race, trustee under God, of the civilization of the world…the Philippines give us a base at the door of the East…it has been charged that our conduct of the war has been cruel. Senators, it has been the reverse. Senators, remember that we are not dealing with Americans or Europeans. We are dealing with Orientals.</p>
<p>Forgotten today, Brooks Adams’s books had enormous influence and clearly the ideas he expounded yesteryear still remain the bedrock of American foreign policy today. In America’s Economic Supremacy he argued that the nation’s elites should centralize the economic and political life of the nation, acquire and safeguard key sources of energy, gain control of Asia and its markets and elevate someone “brimming with martial spirit” to lead the American people on what he saw as a “crusade” to fulfill the nation’s destiny.</p>
<p>What fundamentally has changed?</p>
<p>But wait! There is one major difference. In 1900 the U.S., as its rulers planned, stood ready to contend for global dominance. In 2000 the Project For a New American Century took ever U.S. foreign policy, noting that the collapse of the Soviet Union presented a virtual carte blanche ticket to American global supremacy. Today that fantasy lies in ruins but the masters have yet to realize this fact. Nor, as usual, have they shown any inclination to learn from history. Many now nominated or vying for position in the Trump Administration show every evidence of hostility toward all of Islam, with little distinction between Sunni ISIL or Shia Iran, bitter enemies both. Even before taking office Trump is trumping traditional diplomatic behavior toward China and deliberately ratcheting up friction, and despite Trump’s attitude toward Russia, the military itself sees that nation as the U.S.’s “existential threat.” The truly existential threat to our national security lies in the supremacist policies pursued since 1945 which have led to war after war and the slaughter literally of millions and which have led other nations, in fear of our own, to acquire nuclear weapons. As the Great Game of empire plays out and the consequences of the industrial age ravage the climate and ecology of the planet the trajectory of history more than implies all out nuclear war. Are we really going to let this end game play out?</p>
<p>Paul Lewis Atwood is a member of Veterans for Peace and is semi-retired from the University of Massachusetts Boston. His book War and Empire: The American Way of Life was published in 2010. He can be reached at&#160; paul.atwood@umb.edu.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | experience history teach us people governments never learned anything history acted principles deduced 160hegel hegel remarks somewhere great worldhistorical facts personages occur twice forgotten add first time tragedy second farce karl marx trumps foreign policy deviate immediate matter distant past many voters supported mainly concerned pledge bring back jobs yet economic program trump proposes remotely fulfill promise trade war china nix agenda inflame military tensions already evidence obamas pivot asia 160throughout campaign pundits believed wall street backing clinton yet extremely interesting stock market soared record territory big banks arms businesses leading much gains 160he presents contradictory proposals throughout campaign said wants renegotiate terms nato alliance tamp demonization russia stop arms buildup along borders yet also talking tough china based program pushed heritage foundation trump also promised vastly increase spending rebuild american military claimed allowed atrophy intends unleash isil seems believe defeat islamic terrorism follow rapidly thoroughly occurs national security team top heavy former military congressional hawks neocons islamophobes role bulked military history suggests reason suppose interventionist aggressive foreign policy magically cease war always american way life else possess disunited states american people colonists citizens war since 1607 course national mythology insists always guys fault absent mainstream accounts simple fact us policies always gain peoples expense core forget early british colonies established jointstock companies antecedent modern corporation thus primary function exploit resources new world fish fur lumber make profit investors colonial markets grew closely aligned triangular trade london colonies principal measure gain rapidly became pecuniary astute french observer early american republic observed one digs deeper national character americans one sees sought value everything world answer single question much money bring alexis de tocqueville early colonial period preoccupation acquisition land today tend dismiss campaigns aboriginal peoples insignificant especially compared world wars civil war warfare tribes constant late 19th century resulted enormous carnage extinction many massachusett come immediately mind nothing name remains king philips war first outright war waged british north america colonists natives higher percentage people per capita total population native colonist died uss wars tragically ironic since father metacomet native led campaign colonists enabled plymouth plantation survive first place massasoit thanksgiving legend ensure natives got message resisting colonization metacomets head displayed plymouth town square twenty years new study benjamin madley exposes white californian settlers political barons called acted ensure trouble naming extinction states aboriginal population well late 19th century american genocide visualize ishi found starving 1911 remaining members tribe yahi killed year white bounty hunters also downplay guerrilla campaigns wrest territory european powersbritish french spanish claimed west original thirteen states mexican war extended us border sea shining sea brought mendacity president james polk claimed american blood shed american soil truth us soldiers killed conducted raids mexican land furtherance strategy promote outright war expand territory slavery pillar american economy two half centuries course northern banking commercial textile interests also stood profit greatly manifest destiny expansionists concurred land grab since would result acquisition vital pacific ports could launch extension pacific william henry seward would later acquire alaska drawbridge asia avowed control north american continent would ensure controlling interest world multiply ships urged send forth east nation draws materials provisions earth fabricates sells mostmust great power earth short order 1853 seeking safe harbors penetrate landmass asia us overtly threatened japan armed force open doors commerce terms dictated american warships result island nation would soon imitate compete european american challengers seeking beat game leading ultimately pacific war 20th century hiroshima nagasaki americans highly propagandized believe us foreign policy always mainstay central focus national security matters dull commercial exploitation financial dominance indeed truman administration created national security state immediately world war iithe moment us wielded unparalleled awesome military might former empires weakest lay ruin words absolutely threat germany japan prostrate uss allies soviet menace invoked grave peril reality ussr utterly devastated suffered upwards 30 million deaths compared 400000 american deaths 70000 cities towns reduced rubble largest land army planet force principle indispensable agent nazi defeat though like imagine accomplished american forces ussr navy airforce capable crossing oceans displayed intent move beyond territories wrested nazi control nevertheless much ink rhetoric accused soviets aggression illegitimate takeover much eastern europe justification claim ussr constituted peril world peace order confronted every turn hidden simple fact nations like bulgaria romania hungary even many ukrainians allied third reich aided nazi invasion soviet union ussr defeated allies nazi germany subjugated soviets us occupied coruled germany socalled iron curtain shield another armed invasion 160from west soviets cordon sanitaire however harsh rule though sure washington didnt doesnt really care human rights posturing contrary note brutal murderous dictatorships sponsored hidden fact soviets showed evidence armed aggression proclaimed western propaganda red army withdrew mongolia iran korea eventually austria us could impelled retreat areas taken large cost soviets withdrew thus disproving claim bent world conquest wwii neither germany japan military capacity invade united states power knew franklin roosevelt lied public said possessed copies secret plan hitler conquer western hemisphere document forged british intelligence idea preposterous placing services disposal government order frighten general public hollywood issued sophisticated propaganda films faked footage depict japanese soldiers marching constitution avenue elaborate gambit overcome public opposition entering another global war real fear part american rulers fdr condemned early antijewish persecutions like kristalnacht nothing rescue jews except symbolically end war twothirds jews many others dead make sense washingtons active recruitment highlevel nazis bolster new cia rocket biowarfare research oft touted humanitarian concerns duplicitous hypocritical best put simply third reich japan sealing huge areas globe american commerce investment obstructing main pillar us foreign policy ie open door resources markets labor power planet accessed american terms closure much europe asia axis american commercial investment activity exacerbated continuing collapse american economy social order brought great depression historian thomas mccormick put matters living space germany japan dying space american private enterprise capitalism integrated world system wall street saw nightmare closed world real issue defeat axis soviets occupied half nazis seized eastern europe locked american commerce capital investment nazis early extremely intemperate voices within military challenged truman employ expanding atomic arsenal get rid alleged threat immediately calls often reported media soviets paid careful attention doubt inflammatory declamations intensified160 soviet fears united states steppedup production abombs leading result true threat national security mean physical military danger nuclear war one blame unsheathed sword damocles hanging perpetually heads sheer coldbloodedness using abombs civilian population nation already defeated lost soviets later chinese certainly stalin recognized united states could ruthless according trumpites many others places firmly camp enemy hope soon new mccarthyite blacklist proud associated counterpunch 160for 30 years ive taught highly critical view united states foreign policy urban campus major state university native born opposed student visas working class lower middle class quite incredulous assertive reaction perspective majority want hear certainly come classes affected war economic downturns uncertainty veterans often seek courses highly supportive perspective conclusions viscerally opposed one even wrote free expression wall years ago lined shot one sure thing ive learned years students many among greater public know much anything concrete accurate nations past absorbed inevitably national mythology exceptionalism propagated every sourceschool religion television hollywood politics etc lives given omnipresence power corporate controlled mass propaganda citizens constantly bombarded messages american exceptionalism coupled dishonesty deceit right fabrications current policies past fortunate alternative media exists electronic sphere universities least still adhere free speech principles think rights always safe examine chronicle censorship vicious repression world war leading discussion american way war sometimes get version killer ape thesis popular back 1970s according humans genetically aggressive murderous toward like close relatives chimpanzees assertion always ask many people killed course answer always none vets always remain silent fact murderousness general population despite lurid frightening headlines violence confined small minority consists often crimes passion pathology intrinsic human behavior say someone victim anonymous street shooting wounded badly killed two people us unknown shooter outrages increase signify growing social pathology alienation owing expanding poverty economic insecurity profound resentment outright fear occasioned media prove genetic aggression thesis given effortless availability guns mass slaughter running rampantly every hour proposition true course media requirement bleeds leads falsely encourages sense widespread omnipresent danger really account wars massive violence casualties visits entire countries millions vietnamese laotians cambodians killed war really threaten american national security handwringing suffering desperate syrians corporate media acknowledges fact washington encouraged revolt assad regime armed moderate rebels promptly shared al qaeda isil iraq libya chaos direct result american military actions populations living misery yemen disassembled saudi bombing us aircraft cases claim made us wished liberate nations cruel dictatorships given slaughter followed american military actions anyone really take seriously claim responsibility protect though officials know us invulnerable invasion order gain public acceptance threat security must invoked soviet union collapsed early 1990s permanent war economy trouble void filled quickly threat islamic terrorism though citizen better chance struck lightning killed al qaeda isil fear mongering works frazzle whole segments population thus condone dispatch troops american military recruit show signs homicidal intent dangerous personalities squeeze armed forces preparing motivating soldiers kill human beings requires intensive program abusive psychological indoctrination conditioning much centers constant drumbeat armed forces indispensable shield threats american freedom democracy firewall evil doers good deal required send troops thousands miles away search monsters destroy patriotism rigorously defined enforced standing attention following orders unquestioningly military occupational specialties focused direct combat training regime brutal civilian eyes focused longstanding specific cult manhood physical prowess nerve esteemed weakness cowardice cardinal sins shame failing measure dreaded facing death ones country ultimate test manhood dulce et decorum est pro patria mori symptomatic metastasizing militarization women trying break deadly mystique warrior avowal corresponds equality yet vast majority soldiers never kill even combat units usually kill close personal distance using weaponized machines many never even see firepower snuffed despite operant conditioning exposed imminence violent death mass killing incurs profound spiritual psychological consequences haunt many life let us stop ignoring fact exceptions initiate wars send others kill die never served combat otherwise endangered lives fortunes behalf republic would dream putting progeny risk task belongs lower orders expendables world war ii soldiers often referred snuffies parlance generation real motivations send posterity kill die since present era often labelled new gilded age likened similar circumstances century ago words barons yesteryear illuminate question readily today 160the gilded age golden americans beneath glitter severe depressions unemployment immiseration social upheaval order day meet dangers emanating american ruling elites turned publics attention outward leapt onto stage global competition great emerging powers rapid evolution finance industrial capitalism emergence steam power electricity ascendance mass production erased previous lifestyles occupations millions americans farmwork formerly done hand draft animals replaced machines millions cast poverty burgeoning city slums time demand poorly paid labor service machines increased exponentially led admission millions immigrants thereby exacerbated social tensions willynilly scramble profit new industrial order inevitable overproduction led massive layoffs depressions demands greater share wealth produced rapidly accelerating system inspired strikes calls unionization even dreaded word socialism filled air faced unparalleled upheaval new barons political allies responded crisis every quarter nations power cultural institutions protect imperative profit simultaneously meet demands agitated population determined one solutionexpansion historian frederick jackson turner argued significance frontier american history widespread availability land west conferred substantial independence upon many americans dominant fact american life expansion turner declared centuries ever present frontier west served safety valve vent pent social pressures dissatisfied americans could pack go west acquire land enter marketplace cattle crops timber minerals profit industrial expansion railroads telegraph mushrooming population brought country watershed moment late 19th century continental limit reached nation faced choice either alter american social economic conditions radically expand therefore new frontier beckoned said turner pacific ocean beyond jealous british naval supremacy navy soon added voice captain alfred thayer mahan enormously influential tract influence seapower upon history still taught us naval academy urged political leaders leap beyond landed frontier oceans establish colonies markets surplus sources cheaper labor bases protect administer mahans gaze fell upon china whose population considered sheep without shepherd seeing vast land inefficient contended people entitled control country even proposed capital peking beijing moved southward russian influence become core around develop new china chinese ideas though 1900 us along imperial powers landed troops quash socalled boxer rebellion arose opposition foreign intrusion americans long since forgotten episode chinese reveries would require expansion naval power proposition emerging steel ship building trusts washington confederates especially theodore roosevelt leapt initiate us provoked tensions doddering spain teddy gushed say would welcome foreign war difficult wish war spain would result getting proper navy strict confidence welcome almost war senator henry cabot lodge scion boston brahmins boasted record conquest colonization expansion unequalled people 19th century sake commercial prosperity ought seize hawaiian islands roosevelt added would crime white civilization annex hawaii teddy ginned war spain close advisers like historian brooks adams descendant john john quincy thrilled war first gun battle ownership world senate albert beveridge proclaimed power rules pacific rules world spain routed easily aid yellow press us took philippines guam cuba puerto rico claiming liberated island peoples spanish tyranny washington also promised independence yet filipinos actually tried exercise sovereignty us immediately launched vicious campaign stifle hope autonomy pursuit dishonestly disguised imperial ambitions though proponents war condemned atrocities spain committed subjects silent american troops behaved savagery toward filipinos openly called niggers today called waterboarding exercised widely american forces filipino insurgents numerous massacres civilians took place one general ordered troops kill anyone age ten mark twain stoked opposition campaign philippine independence widely read slaughter 400 moros actually 1000 responding sardonically us armys report great victory filipino insurrectionaries twain noted fact battle american troops forced 1200 moro men women children ravine slaughtered cold blood disgust also reviled bloodsoaked hypocrisy theodore roosevelt cabled commander us forces saying congratulate officers men command upon brilliant feat arms wherein well upheld honor american flag religious leaders condemned atrocities new imperial thrust mainstream clergy rushed bless new empire josiah strong leading highly influential 160protestant figure declared chosen people insisting anglosaxon values shaped america response urban economic crisis avowed world would enter upon new stage history final competition races anglosaxon schooledthe representative purest christianity highest civilizationand anyone doubt results competition races survival fittest sardonic mockery puritan fundamentalism journalist social critic ambrose bierce wrote contrast 160that mammon ancient god money god worlds leading religion chief temples wall street holy city new york remarkably christian imperialism dovetailed new secular ideas supposedly based upon religions nemesis science sooner charles darwins theory evolution gained traction among educated classes deformed social darwinism validate imperial conquest europeans americans alike white imperialists annexed otherwise dominated nonwhite societies asia africa americas fact dominance asserted160 prove natural law imposed rule fittest historians like brooks adams descendant two presidents advisor theodore roosevelt even argued new economy arisen natural order evolution writing masses take form corporations men rise control corporations rise fittest process natural selection corollary theory course insisted toiled mere wage slaves colonial subjects least fit deserved place occupied society social darwinian suppositions developed yale cambridge universities therefore halo science around gruesome applications like massacre lakota sioux wounded knee 1890 employed long established racism senate moment us took place among imperial powers planet albert beveridge indiana defended brutal war philippine independence atrocities encapsulated conflated prevailing ideological strands day speech remarkable sanction naked imperialism god preparing englishspeaking teutonic peoples nothing vain idle selfadmiration made us master organizers worldthat may administer government among savages senile peoplesthe philippines foreverand beyond philippines lie chinas illimitable markets renounce part mission race trustee god civilization worldthe philippines give us base door eastit charged conduct war cruel senators reverse senators remember dealing americans europeans dealing orientals forgotten today brooks adamss books enormous influence clearly ideas expounded yesteryear still remain bedrock american foreign policy today americas economic supremacy argued nations elites centralize economic political life nation acquire safeguard key sources energy gain control asia markets elevate someone brimming martial spirit lead american people saw crusade fulfill nations destiny fundamentally changed wait one major difference 1900 us rulers planned stood ready contend global dominance 2000 project new american century took ever us foreign policy noting collapse soviet union presented virtual carte blanche ticket american global supremacy today fantasy lies ruins masters yet realize fact usual shown inclination learn history many nominated vying position trump administration show every evidence hostility toward islam little distinction sunni isil shia iran bitter enemies even taking office trump trumping traditional diplomatic behavior toward china deliberately ratcheting friction despite trumps attitude toward russia military sees nation uss existential threat truly existential threat national security lies supremacist policies pursued since 1945 led war war slaughter literally millions led nations fear acquire nuclear weapons great game empire plays consequences industrial age ravage climate ecology planet trajectory history implies nuclear war really going let end game play paul lewis atwood member veterans peace semiretired university massachusetts boston book war empire american way life published 2010 reached at160 paulatwoodumbedu 160 | 2,765 |
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<p>Out of all the poor countries that emerged from the ashes of the erstwhile Soviet Union, Tajikistan stands alone as the poorest. While the papers surely talk about the rapid macroeconomic growth of the country, most of the ordinary Tajiks are yet to witness the brighter side of the economic progress.</p>
<p>Amidst such dismal scenario, back in November 2013, Tajikistan re-elected Emomali Rahmon as its leader, giving him a seven-year term at the office. Former chairman of a collective farm, Rahmon has been dominating the national politics ever since the country came into existence back in 1992 — he became the President in 1994, won for the second time in 1999, and then again in 2003 and 2006. It surely would have been a wonderful political resume had it not been for the absence of any serious political competition.</p>
<p>Question is, if there is rampant poverty in Tajikistan, why is everyone repeatedly giving one chance after another to Rahmon?</p>
<p>Everybody Likes To Migrate</p>
<p>The Tajikistani administration can best be summed up in two words: nepotism and cronyism. Most of the key positions are occupied by Rahmon’s closest relatives and friends. All vital economic resources and industries are controlled by the select few, and while the rate of industrialization is positive, the rift between the rich and poor keeps widening.</p>
<p>Owing to such a setup, the poor masses in the country obviously have a hard time in trying to make ends meet. Make no mistake about it: the Tajikistani government is doing its best to adhere to international financial suggestions, and the projected macroeconomic growth for the country is 6-7 percent per year. However, this growth is also accompanied by a rising inflation, and unfortunately, the richer section of the society gets to enjoy the growth whereas the poorer folks are left to deal with the inflation.</p>
<p>As per government records, the volume of imports is roughly two times higher than that of exports. Prices of everyday commodities keep rising, and the ordinary Tajiks are running out of jobs.</p>
<p>Owing to rampant unemployment, many young Tajiks are forced to migrate outside their home country in order to seek newer job opportunities. Tajikistan seems to be leading the race in this aspect: out of the 7.5 million populace, roughly 1.5 seem to be working abroad. Furthermore, Tajikistan is also the global leader in terms of financial remittances (in 2011, the World Bank stated that remittances constituted 47% of the national GDP).</p>
<p>Professions of repute, such as medicine and education, have become notorious in Tajikistan due to the poor pay. The average monthly salary of a university professor or a doctor in Tajikistan varies between $70 and $150. Even though there is provision for free healthcare, medicinal infrastructure is not the best out there.</p>
<p>What Keeps Rahmon in Office?</p>
<p>So, if life is so difficult for the average Tajik masses, why isn’t the international community paying any heed?</p>
<p>The non-state media in Tajikistan is, surprisingly, pretty bold. While there have been cases of certain restrictions on media outlets, the Tajik media, in general, happens to be quite vocal with its criticism of the government.</p>
<p>Plus, while Tajikistan may not be enjoying the fruits of prosperity, it is one of the select few countries in Central Asia that can boast of relative stability. Rahmon’s rule has provided Tajikistan with much-needed support from both Russia and the West, including EU.</p>
<p>For instance, Tajikistan enjoys a heavy list of favors from Russia — economic privileges as well as investments in the hydropower sector. In return, Rahmon ratified the presence of a Russian military base in his country (right on the eve of Presidential elections, by the way).</p>
<p>Similarly, Rahmon is well-loved by the Western countries too. Factors such as the impending withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan and the strategic location of Tajikistan have persuaded the Western world to turn a blind eye to Tajikistan’s internal affairs. High-profile economic crimes as well as misuse of power are serious issues indeed, but since Tajik territory and air-space are required by NATO forces every once in a while, turning a blind eye to such serious issues is a better option.</p>
<p>Conclusion</p>
<p>Tajikistan shares a long common border with Afghanistan which was handed over to Tajik troops after the Russian border guards left in 2005. Assuming if Rahmon is removed, Tajikistan’s relatively stable regime might be replaced by an Islamist regime imported from Afghan lands. Furthermore, having a pro-Western regime in Tajikistan ensures that possibilities of drug trafficking and/or potential aggression are eliminated.</p>
<p>As a result, neither Russia nor USA are bothered if the ordinary Tajiks are forced to purchase vegetables at ridiculously high prices. Bigger things, such as world domination, natural resources and geo-political stratagem are at stake here, after all.</p>
<p>Lastly, the Tajik population too has not forgotten the scars of the Civil War. A peace treaty was signed with Russia in 1997, but the memories of destruction still remain. Fear of instability and nightmares of the Civil War neutralize any chances of a Tajik Spring (as compared to Arab Spring).</p>
<p>A change in regime at this stage or an inexperienced government might just be the catalyst needed to transform things from bad to worse. An authoritarian and inefficient regime is obviously better than civil strife, and dismal economic prospects are preferable over unrest and killings.</p>
<p>Article by&#160;Sufyan bin Uzayr; image via the BBC.&#160;About the author: Sufyan bin Uzayr is the author of “ <a href="http://sufyanism.com/my-first-book-is-out/" type="external">Sufism: A Brief History</a>”. He writes for several print and online publications, and regularly blogs about issues of contemporary relevance at <a href="http://politicalperiscope.com/" type="external">Political Periscope</a>, and is a regular contributor for Political Blind Spot. You can also connect with him using <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sufyanism/" type="external">Facebook</a> or <a href="https://plus.google.com/115498054513455591085?rel=author" type="external">Google+</a>. &#160;</p> | true | 4 | poor countries emerged ashes erstwhile soviet union tajikistan stands alone poorest papers surely talk rapid macroeconomic growth country ordinary tajiks yet witness brighter side economic progress amidst dismal scenario back november 2013 tajikistan reelected emomali rahmon leader giving sevenyear term office former chairman collective farm rahmon dominating national politics ever since country came existence back 1992 became president 1994 second time 1999 2003 2006 surely would wonderful political resume absence serious political competition question rampant poverty tajikistan everyone repeatedly giving one chance another rahmon everybody likes migrate tajikistani administration best summed two words nepotism cronyism key positions occupied rahmons closest relatives friends vital economic resources industries controlled select rate industrialization positive rift rich poor keeps widening owing setup poor masses country obviously hard time trying make ends meet make mistake tajikistani government best adhere international financial suggestions projected macroeconomic growth country 67 percent per year however growth also accompanied rising inflation unfortunately richer section society gets enjoy growth whereas poorer folks left deal inflation per government records volume imports roughly two times higher exports prices everyday commodities keep rising ordinary tajiks running jobs owing rampant unemployment many young tajiks forced migrate outside home country order seek newer job opportunities tajikistan seems leading race aspect 75 million populace roughly 15 seem working abroad furthermore tajikistan also global leader terms financial remittances 2011 world bank stated remittances constituted 47 national gdp professions repute medicine education become notorious tajikistan due poor pay average monthly salary university professor doctor tajikistan varies 70 150 even though provision free healthcare medicinal infrastructure best keeps rahmon office life difficult average tajik masses isnt international community paying heed nonstate media tajikistan surprisingly pretty bold cases certain restrictions media outlets tajik media general happens quite vocal criticism government plus tajikistan may enjoying fruits prosperity one select countries central asia boast relative stability rahmons rule provided tajikistan muchneeded support russia west including eu instance tajikistan enjoys heavy list favors russia economic privileges well investments hydropower sector return rahmon ratified presence russian military base country right eve presidential elections way similarly rahmon wellloved western countries factors impending withdrawal nato forces afghanistan strategic location tajikistan persuaded western world turn blind eye tajikistans internal affairs highprofile economic crimes well misuse power serious issues indeed since tajik territory airspace required nato forces every turning blind eye serious issues better option conclusion tajikistan shares long common border afghanistan handed tajik troops russian border guards left 2005 assuming rahmon removed tajikistans relatively stable regime might replaced islamist regime imported afghan lands furthermore prowestern regime tajikistan ensures possibilities drug trafficking andor potential aggression eliminated result neither russia usa bothered ordinary tajiks forced purchase vegetables ridiculously high prices bigger things world domination natural resources geopolitical stratagem stake lastly tajik population forgotten scars civil war peace treaty signed russia 1997 memories destruction still remain fear instability nightmares civil war neutralize chances tajik spring compared arab spring change regime stage inexperienced government might catalyst needed transform things bad worse authoritarian inefficient regime obviously better civil strife dismal economic prospects preferable unrest killings article by160sufyan bin uzayr image via bbc160about author sufyan bin uzayr author sufism brief history writes several print online publications regularly blogs issues contemporary relevance political periscope regular contributor political blind spot also connect using facebook google 160 | 540 |
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<p>When I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area during the late 1970s until the mid-1980s, the week between Christmas and New Year’s was a week of psychedelic bacchanalia. The Grateful Dead were the house band for this festival and the cops kept their distance while hardcore freaks and more recent converts to the culture danced, smoked and otherwise shuffled, stumbled and tripped their way into the next year. Those who lived in the woods of this land brought their school buses into the parking lot of whatever venue the Dead were based at (usually the Oakland Auditorium, more recently known as Kaiser Auditorium), while the folks with more money booked their hotel rooms around the area well in advance. The latter included dealers of illegal substances, well-heeled scions of America’s better off families, and working people who had been saving up for the week since January 2nd of the previous year. Then there were the rest of us–locals and heads from far away. We took the BART home (or to friends we had in the area) after the shows or maybe just wandered around all night in the campground set up in front of the building and patrolled by concert promoter Bill Graham’s security forces. Whatever happened outside in the lot was fun, but the real fun was inside. I toked up with Ken Kesey one year on one of the Hog Farm buses, while another year I walked around as part of the force of volunteers whose job was to remind people that drugs were illegal and they shouldn’t sell them in front of the police. I got a couple tickets for my efforts. I saw one of my best friends give away his ticket to a lady he fancied one year only to move in with her not more than a couple months later.</p>
<p>Inside was a better story. The Dead played two sets a night for the first four nights. On New Year’s Eve they were preceded by at least one other group, usually two. I could list them here but that’s not the point of this piece. I do want to mention my favorite additional musicians, however. They didn’t open the show, but joined the Dead at midnight. While balloons and confetti showered down on the crowd, Etta James and the Tower of Power horns joined the band in a blistering rendition of the blues standards Turn On Your Love Light, Tell Mama, Baby What You Want Me To Do, Hard To Handle, and In The Midnight Hour. Ms. Etta praised the band after Turn on Your Love Light by saying that she never heard white boys play the blues like the boys with her on that stage that night. I could go on, but I won’t. Suffice it to say that I haven’t celebrated New Year’s Eve like that since I left Oakland.</p>
<p>As far as I’m converned, they don’t make New Year’s Eve like they used to. This year I’ll be sitting at home with a couple friends, putting back a couple cold ones and thinking about 2005. It’s been a year when the antiwar movement has grown and is actually influencing the conversation over the debacle in Iraq, yet the war shows no signs of ending soon. George Bush’s administration has its lowest poll numbers ever, but continues on its self-serving quest to profit from the destruction of the world as we know it. Innumerable crimes have been committed by the aforementioned administration and it looks like they’ll get away with every single one. The misnomered PATRIOT Act was extended despite the efforts of radical militant librarians and their like. Sure, the extension was only one month, but you can bet that lawmakers’ arms are being twisted and perhaps even an event is being planned to convince the lily-livered members of Congress that this law should be made permanent. Integrity has never been a strong point of politicians, and the various indictments of 2005 proved this point once again. More alarming were the seemingly endless “revelations” about journalists who were either on the government’s payroll both in the US and Iraq or just planted its lies in their newspapers because they wanted to be on the side of power. To add insult to injury, these so-called journalists then used the US Constitution’s freedom of the press clause to defend their refusal to disclose the government official feeding them the lies. Ben Franklin, how many times did you roll over in your grave this year?</p>
<p>Oh yeah, did I mention that 837 US military men and women have been killed in Iraq so far this year (with two days left to go)? God knows how many Iraqis have met the same fate. In that forgotten war over in Afghanistan, there have been fifty GIs killed. Good thing that war is over, huh? As for acknowledged wounded in action, the total number of US WIA hovered near 4000 for the year of 2005. Needless to say, this is not a hopeful picture, but you’d never know that if you listened to George Bush’s latest national speech. Then again, you would never know it if you listened to the nonsense coming out of most Democrats’ mouths, either. Despite polls showing that more than one-third of the US population wants an immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, one would be hard put to find one-tenth of the US Congress to support such a move. As for the military, many of its members keep hoping that the much-talked-about-yet-never-enacted phased wuthdrawal from Iraq will begin.</p>
<p>Natural disasters trashed a good portion of the earth this past year, as well. Unfortunately for those who lived where those disasters occurred, it was often the official response to the catastrophes that caused the most damage. this was especially the case in the nether regions of Louisiana and Mississippi, where thousands of people were left to live in the waste of a flooded city while the man who was supposed to be helping them emailed his secretary for advice on what tie to wear at his next press conference. From the few accounts that exist in the western media, many Kashmiris faced a comparable lack of official response after their part of the world was hit by devastating earthquakes. Of course, if one listened to the various holy rollers from all of the monotheistic religions, these disasters were just part of “god’s” wrath on sinners and infidels. Human indifference and negligence didn’t figure in these guys thinking. Why would it? Some of them are the same people who wage wars with (and on) other people’s children to keep their profit margins big enough. It takes more than a bunch of pomposity disguised as righteousness to decipher god’s will, if there even is such a thing.</p>
<p>Back to those days of yesteryear that I began this piece with. It’s not that the times I lived in the San Francisco area were not without their tragedies and disasters. It was still the same country, for chrissake. US-run wars were going on in Central America and Afghanistan and the rich were trashing the US economy for the sake of their bank accounts and greed. The religious right were beginning their power grab on US politics and taking down the nation’s moral compass in the process. Maggie Thatcher was doing a tag team attack with Ronnie Reagan on the world. That says a lot right there. Ronald Reagan was the the president of the US! That says even more. To be truthful it wasn’t that much better for most of us who couldn’t or wouldn’t play their game. Perhaps that’s why those days of bacchanalian denial were so welcome. They helped us all forget the reality we lived in. Hell, perhaps that’s the reason for New Year’s celebrations around the world and since the beginning of time, no matter what calendar we’re talking about. Erase the miseries of the year just past and start with a clean slate full of hopes for the new one. What I wouldn’t give for something like that now. That’s the trouble with getting old. It gets harder to forget.</p>
<p>RON JACOBS is author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1859841678/counterpunchmaga" type="external">The Way the Wind Blew: a history of the Weather Underground</a>, which is just republished by Verso. Jacobs’ essay on Big Bill Broonzy is featured in CounterPunch’s new collection on music, art and sex, <a href="http://www.easycarts.net/ecarts/CounterPunch/CP_Books.html" type="external">Serpents in the Garden</a>. He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:rjacobs3625@charter.net" type="external">rjacobs3625@charter.net</a></p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | 160 lived san francisco bay area late 1970s mid1980s week christmas new years week psychedelic bacchanalia grateful dead house band festival cops kept distance hardcore freaks recent converts culture danced smoked otherwise shuffled stumbled tripped way next year lived woods land brought school buses parking lot whatever venue dead based usually oakland auditorium recently known kaiser auditorium folks money booked hotel rooms around area well advance latter included dealers illegal substances wellheeled scions americas better families working people saving week since january 2nd previous year rest uslocals heads far away took bart home friends area shows maybe wandered around night campground set front building patrolled concert promoter bill grahams security forces whatever happened outside lot fun real fun inside toked ken kesey one year one hog farm buses another year walked around part force volunteers whose job remind people drugs illegal shouldnt sell front police got couple tickets efforts saw one best friends give away ticket lady fancied one year move couple months later inside better story dead played two sets night first four nights new years eve preceded least one group usually two could list thats point piece want mention favorite additional musicians however didnt open show joined dead midnight balloons confetti showered crowd etta james tower power horns joined band blistering rendition blues standards turn love light tell mama baby want hard handle midnight hour ms etta praised band turn love light saying never heard white boys play blues like boys stage night could go wont suffice say havent celebrated new years eve like since left oakland far im converned dont make new years eve like used year ill sitting home couple friends putting back couple cold ones thinking 2005 year antiwar movement grown actually influencing conversation debacle iraq yet war shows signs ending soon george bushs administration lowest poll numbers ever continues selfserving quest profit destruction world know innumerable crimes committed aforementioned administration looks like theyll get away every single one misnomered patriot act extended despite efforts radical militant librarians like sure extension one month bet lawmakers arms twisted perhaps even event planned convince lilylivered members congress law made permanent integrity never strong point politicians various indictments 2005 proved point alarming seemingly endless revelations journalists either governments payroll us iraq planted lies newspapers wanted side power add insult injury socalled journalists used us constitutions freedom press clause defend refusal disclose government official feeding lies ben franklin many times roll grave year oh yeah mention 837 us military men women killed iraq far year two days left go god knows many iraqis met fate forgotten war afghanistan fifty gis killed good thing war huh acknowledged wounded action total number us wia hovered near 4000 year 2005 needless say hopeful picture youd never know listened george bushs latest national speech would never know listened nonsense coming democrats mouths either despite polls showing onethird us population wants immediate withdrawal us troops iraq one would hard put find onetenth us congress support move military many members keep hoping muchtalkedaboutyetneverenacted phased wuthdrawal iraq begin natural disasters trashed good portion earth past year well unfortunately lived disasters occurred often official response catastrophes caused damage especially case nether regions louisiana mississippi thousands people left live waste flooded city man supposed helping emailed secretary advice tie wear next press conference accounts exist western media many kashmiris faced comparable lack official response part world hit devastating earthquakes course one listened various holy rollers monotheistic religions disasters part gods wrath sinners infidels human indifference negligence didnt figure guys thinking would people wage wars peoples children keep profit margins big enough takes bunch pomposity disguised righteousness decipher gods even thing back days yesteryear began piece times lived san francisco area without tragedies disasters still country chrissake usrun wars going central america afghanistan rich trashing us economy sake bank accounts greed religious right beginning power grab us politics taking nations moral compass process maggie thatcher tag team attack ronnie reagan world says lot right ronald reagan president us says even truthful wasnt much better us couldnt wouldnt play game perhaps thats days bacchanalian denial welcome helped us forget reality lived hell perhaps thats reason new years celebrations around world since beginning time matter calendar talking erase miseries year past start clean slate full hopes new one wouldnt give something like thats trouble getting old gets harder forget ron jacobs author way wind blew history weather underground republished verso jacobs essay big bill broonzy featured counterpunchs new collection music art sex serpents garden reached rjacobs3625charternet 160 160 160 | 748 |
<p>Ewan Robertson (M.A. History &amp; International Relations, M.Litt. Latin American Studies) is a staff writer with Venezuelanalysis.com. Based in M�rida, Venezuela, he has also published with a range of other outlets, such as the Latin America Bureau, the Indypendent magazine, and the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. He has written in-depth on labour issues, health policy and foreign policy in Venezuela.</p>
<p>Miguel Tinker Salas is a professor of History and Latin American studies at Pomona College in Claremont, California. He is co-author of Venezuela: Hugo Chavez and the Decline of an Exceptional Democracy and author of Under the Shadow of the Eagles and The Enduring Legacy: Oil, Culture, and Society in Venezuela. His latest book is Venezuela: What Everyone Needs to Know.</p>
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<p /> JESSICA DESVARIEUX, TRNN PRODUCER: Welcome to The Real News Network. I'm Jessica Desvarieux in Baltimore.
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<p />Wednesday, March&#160;5, is the death anniversary of Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. As the founder of the United Socialist Party, Chávez's legacy has now continued on with Venezuela's current president, Nicolás Maduro. But with thousands still protesting in the streets of Caracas, it begs to ask the question, what kind of country did Cházez leave behind? And ultimately what is his legacy?
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<p />Now joining us by phone from Venezuela are our two guests.
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<p />Miguel Tinker Salas is a professor of Latin American history at Pomona College. His forthcoming book is titled Venezuela: What Everyone Needs to Know.
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<p />Also joining us by phone is Ewan Robertson. He is a staff writer with the news website Venezuelanalysis.com. He has written in-depth on labor issues, health policy, and foreign policy in Venezuela.
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<p />Thank you both for joining us.
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<p />EWAN ROBERTSON, STAFF WRITER, VENEZUELANALYSIS.COM: Thank you.
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<p />MIGUEL TINKER SALAS, AUTHOR, VENEZUELA: WHAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW: Thank you.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: So I'm going to start off with you, Miguel. Chávez is certainly known for providing medical clinics, new schools, subsidized housing for poor and working-class barrios. Can you just speak to the key components of Chávez's legacy in your opinion?
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<p />TINKER SALAS: Well, I think there's two fundamental areas to consider in looking at Chávez's legacy. The first is to look at where Venezuela was before Chávez in 1998, and not just Chávez, but the social movements, the state of the country. And the country was on the edge of a precipice. You had a country that exported oil but had 60&#160;percent poverty, a country where inflation had reached 102&#160;percent in the years before 1998, a country where, again, inequality was rising dramatically, where conditions for working-class and people in the informal sector and the various groups that were marginalized were under very stressful conditions, and a country in which the social fabric was tearing at a tremendous pace.
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<p />The government--the election of Chávez brought to the forefront a different leader, but also brought to the forefront the very social movement that had for years been struggling to try to change Venezuela. So it created a new space and a new sense of possibility, a new sense of changing the country, a new sense of actually sharing part of a national discourse that had largely written those sectors out of Venezuelan society and history.
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<p />But, likewise, the Chávez period and the legacy should be judged in terms of the transformation of Latin America as a whole, because Chávez is the first of a series of progressive, social democratic, and left presidents that's elected in the region, and it transforms dramatically the region, its relationship with each other, its relationship with the world, because shortly after Venezuela, you have the election of Lula in Brazil, the election of Morales in Bolivia, the election of Correa in Ecuador, the Kirchners in Argentina, the various groups in Uruguay and other countries. So it transforms Latin America as well and gives voice and agency to a region that was invisiblized and largely seen as the U.S.'s back patio.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: Let's talk specifically about that relationship with the world, 'cause we know Chávez was a big proponent of region integration. There were different institutions, like TeleSUR and ALBA that were created.
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<p />Ewan, I want to get your perspective. What's the current status of institutions like the one I just mentioned? And do you believe they will live on?
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<p />ROBERTSON: Well, yes, I think several of the institutions created during the Chávez years in Latin America, institutions in which Hugo Chávez was a key player in creating, will continue, and particularly the UNASUR, the Union of South American Nations, which has eight member states, including Brazil and Argentina, and, of course, possibly the combination of Chávez's regional integration project CELAC, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, which was founded in Caracas in December&#160;2011 and has 53 member nations and includes all nations within the Americas with the exception of the U.S. and Canada. And I think those institutions will definitely continue, whatever the course of Venezuelan politics.
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<p />The ALBA is possibly more dependent on Venezuela having a left-leaning government, because of its nature as an alternative, leftist project of integration for the Americas, and a more conservative Venezuelan government would possibly not have an interest in trying to continue that alliance, which would not mean the definitive end of that alliance, but it would definitely be problematic, to say the least.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: Let's switch gears and let's talk about the current state of Venezuela, and specifically the pressure that is being applied now from the opposition. We want to get your take, Miguel. First and foremost, what are the chances the Venezuela that Chávez was envisioning will survive now that we have this opposition group coming forward? And I want to also get your present take on the current president, President Maduro, why he hasn't called for these mass demonstrations and protests from his base, the barrios. Why haven't hundreds of thousands of people come into the street as Chávez once did when opposition would challenge his authority?
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<p />TINKER SALAS: I think the Venezuela that Chávez envisioned is still very much there. I think there has been some setbacks. But this opposition is not new. This is the same opposition that attempted the coup in April&#160;2002, the same opposition that attempted the work stoppage by the oil company in the end of 2002 and 2003, the same opposition that engaged in unconditions--or trying to create conditions of an ungovernability in 2004. And the fact that students are protesting is also not new. They were the face of the opposition since 2006, so that I think that fundamentally the government still has a lot of support, that that support exists and is there also for the Maduro administration. Obviously, Maduro is not Chávez, nor can he be Chávez, nor try, nor should he try to be Chávez. He has to find his own leadership and his own style of connecting with the population.
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<p />And, in fact, the government has made appeals. It has drawn out significant numbers of people. But also it's also trying to calm tensions, so that rather than instigate large numbers of masses in the streets and leading to confrontation, as happened previously, in 2002, they have opted for a peace conference and they've issued an olive branch to the opposition. And the political opposition has not accepted it, but the economic sector has, and more rational people have as well, and the country has been engaged since last Wednesday in an open process of attempting to dialog and to give voice to all the different sectors of society, and had been very much engaged in these issues. And I think that's the appropriate mechanism at this point, understanding that Maduro recognizes that they won by 1.49&#160;percent. They didn't win by double digits. They have to negotiate to some extent. But they also are not willing to sacrifice the gains that have been made in the last 15 years.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: Ewan, I want to get back to you. Some critics of these opposition demonstrations see this as an attempt to really sabotage the one-year commemoration of Chávez's death. You're there on the ground. What's your take?
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<p />ROBERTSON: Well, I don't think it's specifically aimed at sabotaging the anniversary celebrations of Chávez's death. I think this has been born more out of a movement within the more radical sector of the opposition that initially sought to replace the leadership of the moderate opposition, which was headed by a former presidential candidate, Henrique Capriles. And also they're trying to torpedo the dialog which was beginning to occur between the moderate sector of the opposition and the government in January after the government won convincingly in local elections in December, when the government and its allies gained around 55&#160;percent of the popular vote and around 65&#160;percent of municipalities, of mayors. And so what has begun as a movement among the radical opposition has continued, and it's tried to gain momentum through, on some occasions, violent confrontations in the streets, through trying to add new issues and new causes to its banner.
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<p />And so we're seeing a month of these protests taking place and these violent street barricades in areas of some of Venezuela's cities. However, I don't see that as directly related to Chávez's anniversary celebration.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: Alright. Final question goes to you, Miguel. What are the most pressing issues that Chávez's administration, in your opinion, left unfinished? Essentially, what work still needs to be done there in Venezuela?
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<p />TINKER SALAS: Address the question of inequality and the question of poverty still. I think definitely they have to continue addressing the issue of food distribution and food access, particularly in Mérida and Tachida and the western states. There are food shortages and there are long lines. They undermine support for the government.
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<p />They also have to expand the social programs and continue to empower the population. I think it's very difficult in a process of 15 years to transform a country, to transform a way of envisioning the country and a way of understanding Venezuela's relationship with the outside world without evoking resistance. And I think sometimes the resistance may even come from sectors that are being benefited. And that's not uncommon.
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<p />But there are still pressing issues with housing, pressing issues with delivery of services, pressing issues with infrastructure. Crime has to be addressed. And the inflation has to be brought down under control, what it was previously.
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<p />But understand that Venezuela has been relatively under attack for a consistent period of time. This issue of the currency has been a bubble driven by some sectors of the economy trying to exacerbate problems that are caused by currency. The issue of crime has been extremely politicized. And rather than engaging in a national dialog, they've opted instead for politicizing of issues.
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<p />So I think that the steps that have been taken recently are very positive on the part of the Maduro government in terms of dialog and peace, and it exposes the opposition, because they don't have an agenda. All they have is a criticism of Maduro and a desire to replace him. But they have either no program, and they have no concrete leadership, and that's become very evident, because their protests simply sought to oust him, oust a democratically elected president, who is--and a process that has faced 19 elections since 1998, winning 18 of those elections. And I think that that really exposes the opposition. And it's obvious that democracy makes them uncomfortable. They're not willing to accept the results of a democratic process.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: Alright. Ewan Robertson, thank you so much for joining us.
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<p />ROBERTSON: Thank you very much.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: And, Miguel Tinker Salas, thank you for joining us as well.
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<p />TINKER SALAS: Muchas gracias. Thank you very much.
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<p />DESVARIEUX: Alright. And thank you for joining us, of course, on The Real News Network. You can follow us on Twitter @therealnews and of course send me questions/comments @Jessica_Reports.
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<p />Thank you for joining us on The Real News Network.
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<p />End
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<p />DISCLAIMER: Please note that transcripts for The Real News Network are typed from a recording of the program. TRNN cannot guarantee their complete accuracy. | true | 4 | ewan robertson history amp international relations mlitt latin american studies staff writer venezuelanalysiscom based mrida venezuela also published range outlets latin america bureau indypendent magazine carnegie council ethics international affairs written indepth labour issues health policy foreign policy venezuela miguel tinker salas professor history latin american studies pomona college claremont california coauthor venezuela hugo chavez decline exceptional democracy author shadow eagles enduring legacy oil culture society venezuela latest book venezuela everyone needs know jessica desvarieux trnn producer welcome real news network im jessica desvarieux baltimore wednesday march1605 death anniversary venezuelan president hugo chávez founder united socialist party chávezs legacy continued venezuelas current president nicolás maduro thousands still protesting streets caracas begs ask question kind country cházez leave behind ultimately legacy joining us phone venezuela two guests miguel tinker salas professor latin american history pomona college forthcoming book titled venezuela everyone needs know also joining us phone ewan robertson staff writer news website venezuelanalysiscom written indepth labor issues health policy foreign policy venezuela thank joining us ewan robertson staff writer venezuelanalysiscom thank miguel tinker salas author venezuela everyone needs know thank desvarieux im going start miguel chávez certainly known providing medical clinics new schools subsidized housing poor workingclass barrios speak key components chávezs legacy opinion tinker salas well think theres two fundamental areas consider looking chávezs legacy first look venezuela chávez 1998 chávez social movements state country country edge precipice country exported oil 60160percent poverty country inflation reached 102160percent years 1998 country inequality rising dramatically conditions workingclass people informal sector various groups marginalized stressful conditions country social fabric tearing tremendous pace governmentthe election chávez brought forefront different leader also brought forefront social movement years struggling try change venezuela created new space new sense possibility new sense changing country new sense actually sharing part national discourse largely written sectors venezuelan society history likewise chávez period legacy judged terms transformation latin america whole chávez first series progressive social democratic left presidents thats elected region transforms dramatically region relationship relationship world shortly venezuela election lula brazil election morales bolivia election correa ecuador kirchners argentina various groups uruguay countries transforms latin america well gives voice agency region invisiblized largely seen uss back patio desvarieux lets talk specifically relationship world cause know chávez big proponent region integration different institutions like telesur alba created ewan want get perspective whats current status institutions like one mentioned believe live robertson well yes think several institutions created chávez years latin america institutions hugo chávez key player creating continue particularly unasur union south american nations eight member states including brazil argentina course possibly combination chávezs regional integration project celac community latin american caribbean states founded caracas december1602011 53 member nations includes nations within americas exception us canada think institutions definitely continue whatever course venezuelan politics alba possibly dependent venezuela leftleaning government nature alternative leftist project integration americas conservative venezuelan government would possibly interest trying continue alliance would mean definitive end alliance would definitely problematic say least desvarieux lets switch gears lets talk current state venezuela specifically pressure applied opposition want get take miguel first foremost chances venezuela chávez envisioning survive opposition group coming forward want also get present take current president president maduro hasnt called mass demonstrations protests base barrios havent hundreds thousands people come street chávez opposition would challenge authority tinker salas think venezuela chávez envisioned still much think setbacks opposition new opposition attempted coup april1602002 opposition attempted work stoppage oil company end 2002 2003 opposition engaged unconditionsor trying create conditions ungovernability 2004 fact students protesting also new face opposition since 2006 think fundamentally government still lot support support exists also maduro administration obviously maduro chávez chávez try try chávez find leadership style connecting population fact government made appeals drawn significant numbers people also also trying calm tensions rather instigate large numbers masses streets leading confrontation happened previously 2002 opted peace conference theyve issued olive branch opposition political opposition accepted economic sector rational people well country engaged since last wednesday open process attempting dialog give voice different sectors society much engaged issues think thats appropriate mechanism point understanding maduro recognizes 149160percent didnt win double digits negotiate extent also willing sacrifice gains made last 15 years desvarieux ewan want get back critics opposition demonstrations see attempt really sabotage oneyear commemoration chávezs death youre ground whats take robertson well dont think specifically aimed sabotaging anniversary celebrations chávezs death think born movement within radical sector opposition initially sought replace leadership moderate opposition headed former presidential candidate henrique capriles also theyre trying torpedo dialog beginning occur moderate sector opposition government january government convincingly local elections december government allies gained around 55160percent popular vote around 65160percent municipalities mayors begun movement among radical opposition continued tried gain momentum occasions violent confrontations streets trying add new issues new causes banner seeing month protests taking place violent street barricades areas venezuelas cities however dont see directly related chávezs anniversary celebration desvarieux alright final question goes miguel pressing issues chávezs administration opinion left unfinished essentially work still needs done venezuela tinker salas address question inequality question poverty still think definitely continue addressing issue food distribution food access particularly mérida tachida western states food shortages long lines undermine support government also expand social programs continue empower population think difficult process 15 years transform country transform way envisioning country way understanding venezuelas relationship outside world without evoking resistance think sometimes resistance may even come sectors benefited thats uncommon still pressing issues housing pressing issues delivery services pressing issues infrastructure crime addressed inflation brought control previously understand venezuela relatively attack consistent period time issue currency bubble driven sectors economy trying exacerbate problems caused currency issue crime extremely politicized rather engaging national dialog theyve opted instead politicizing issues think steps taken recently positive part maduro government terms dialog peace exposes opposition dont agenda criticism maduro desire replace either program concrete leadership thats become evident protests simply sought oust oust democratically elected president isand process faced 19 elections since 1998 winning 18 elections think really exposes opposition obvious democracy makes uncomfortable theyre willing accept results democratic process desvarieux alright ewan robertson thank much joining us robertson thank much desvarieux miguel tinker salas thank joining us well tinker salas muchas gracias thank much desvarieux alright thank joining us course real news network follow us twitter therealnews course send questionscomments jessica_reports thank joining us real news network end disclaimer please note transcripts real news network typed recording program trnn guarantee complete accuracy | 1,056 |
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<p /> JARED BALL, PRODUCER, TRNN: What's up world, and welcome back to the Real News Network. I'm Jared Ball here in Baltimore.
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<p />On the afternoon of Monday, July 20, the Islamic State detonated a suicide bomb at the Amara Cultural Center in Suruc, a Turkish city near the border of Syria. Today officials claim that DNA evidence points to a 20-year-old Turkish Kurd whose ID was found at the site of the bombing. The bombing claimed the lives of at least 32 young Kurdish students, and injured more than 100. The students were involved in Khobani solidarity work as the Socialist Federation of Youth Associations and were traveling there to help with rebuilding efforts.
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<p />Now joining us to discuss these tragic events is Sardar Saadi, who joins us from Diyarbakir in Southeastern Turkey. Welcome, Sardar, to the Real News Network.
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<p />SARDAR SAADI, PH.D. CANDIDATE, UNIV. OF TORONTO: Thank you so much [inaud.].
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<p />BALL: So could you just simply paint the picture of what happened exactly on July 20?
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<p />SAADI: So as you mentioned, 300 activists all around Turkey, they gathered in Suruc, Amara Cultural Center, to go to Khobani to take part in the construction process of the city. Most of them were members of the Socialist Federation of Youth Associations, which are the youth wings of [ESP], which is the Socialist Party of the Oppressed. The Socialist Party of Oppressed formed an alliance with the People's Democratic Party before the historical elections.
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<p />So if you look at the location of these explosions, Amara Cultural Center has been playing the role of an embassy for Khobani after the siege of Khobani, starting from September 2014. And after that many international solidarity activists, journalists and activists all around the world, they gathered there before going to Khobani or to offer their support for. And it was also a place for many refugees from Khobani, when they crossed the border to Turkey. I was actually there a month ago. I was trying to go to Khobani, but I couldn't. I stayed there for two nights and the--many people who have done something or wanted to do something for Khobani have very good memories of this place. It was a very nice building, nice little park, and people having teas and talking about the situation in Khobani [over there].
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<p />So I think that what happened was a direct attack against this solidarity, this international solidarity against Khobani. Unfortunately, 32 Turkish and Kurdish activists from Turkey that were killed, and over 100 injured. And right now as I am speaking to you there are protests all over Turkey because people are angry at the Turkish government, the Justice and Development party as government, that they haven't done enough to prevent this attack.
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<p />BALL: So we hear that many are skeptical of the fact that the knowledge of the bombing escaped Turkey's intelligence. And according to at least one co-chair of the Pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party or HDP, he said that, quote, I'll wager that all of the young people present at the press briefing in Suruc were under surveillance. The police force knows everyone who was there, let's not kid ourselves. The state knows who was going to come, and who is going to come and who is going to go. Can you comment on that, and does that have anything to do with the protests that you're describing out in the streets now?
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<p />SAADI: That's quite right. And as I've said, when I was there, it's--Suruc is a very small city. It's about 15 kilometers away from Khobani. And the border with Khobani is protected militarily. And the Turkish states, the military and intelligence service presence in the city is felt. And it's almost impossible to [move] Iran without the knowledge of the Turkish state. So I joined the co-chair of the HDP to, at least to find some way or some sections of government or intelligence services know about what happened, or to neglect about the Islamic State's militance, movement in the Kurdish areas of Turkey.
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<p />So people are really angry, or are burning with anger because this is not the first time that the Islamic State, the jihadist--and there are many other organizations in the Kurdish region of Turkey that are actively fighting or like, making troubles for the Kurdish movement here, that are easily moving around and threatening people, and on this occasion killing tens of activists from Turkey. Iran, Turkey. And these activists are particularly socialist anarchists, and people who are ideologically against the Turkish state.
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<p />So I think there is a truth in that the Turkish government is knowingly or just by--politically they're neglecting the Islamic State's militants, activities in this region.
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<p />BALL: So--and finally, what would you--what do you think can come of Turkish elections? Or what do you think is the value of Turkish elections in addressing any of the concerns you've laid out here in this segment?
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<p />SAADI: So I think this attack has, in three dimensions we can see this attack, this explosion, against these 300 activists. One of them as I mentioned, it's a direct attack against the international solidarity work with Khobani. People all around the world, not just in Turkey, they see a [inaud.] revolution as an alternative in the Middle East against the Islamic State and against the decades and centuries, even, of oppression of sectarian politics and authoritarianism in this region. [Inaud.] revolution has provided a hope, and Khobani's fighting against the Islamic State during the siege clearly gave this hope a big rise. And the spirit of this revolution is growing every day passing by.
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<p />So this attack was directly against this spirit. And on the other side we have the process of reconstructing the city of Khobani. Because as I said, Khobani has become a symbol of resistance. And these 300 activists, they brought with themselves toys and books, and they wanted to go to Khobani and build little parks for children of Khobani, and join some other works in memory of all the socialist and internationalist activists who had joined the fight in Khobani.
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<p />And also the third dimension of this explosion I see, it's directly related to the direct involvement of Turkey with their regional politics. It is almost clear that the Turkish government does not want to fight ISIS or actively engage in a fight against the Islamic groups active in Syria and Iraq, including ISIS. There are some reports, some claims that the Turkish state has provided logistical and military support for Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Nusra Front, and other Islamic factions and Islamic State as well.
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<p />And the way they're using Islamic State in the internal politics is also very important to mention, because we know that after June 7 elections, the ruling AKB party, they lost the majority of government. And Kurdish and the leftist movement in Turkey led by the People's Democratic Party, HDP, they won a historic election and they have 80 members of parliament right now that can prevent the, a majority of government by the AKP.
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<p />So right now, political situation is in Turkey quite unclear. There are many speculations about a possible coalition with the Republican people's party, CHB, and there is also a nationalist movement party. And the AKP does, clearly does not want a coalition with each of them. They have basically ignored the Kurdish political party. The political movement of the Kurds. They want to blame them for being involved in terrorist activities. The Turkish government has, has said before that there's no difference between PYD, the political party of [inaud.] and ISIS. They see them as, both of them as belong to a terrorist movement, they are both terrorist organizations, and they're declared as terrorist organizations by the Turkish sate.
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<p />So right now I feel that the Turkish AKP government, the Turkish government, wants to go for another election, an early election in which they could attract more nationalist votes from nationalist movement party, NHB. And this way they can form a majority government, and they continue and go ahead with the, their plan for changing the Turkish constitution and changing the political system of Turkey from parliamentary to a presidency, with Recep Tayyip Erdogan as the president of Turkey, and the leader of the next government.
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<p />I feel that the plan is to in short term use this environment of [chaos] and crisis to give arise to nationalist vote and use them in the next election against the Kurds. But I feel the spirit of [rojava] revolution has inspired many people in Turkey, and it seems quite impossible.
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<p />BALL: Sardar Saadi, thank you very much for joining us and helping us distill some of this horrific event here at the Real News. Thank you very much.
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<p />SAADI: My pleasure. Thank you.
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<p />BALL: And thank you for joining us here at the Real News. And for all involved, I'm Jared Ball. Again, here in Baltimore. And as always, as Fred Hampton used to say, to you we say peace if you're willing to fight for it. So peace, everybody. Catch you in the whirlwind.
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<p />DISCLAIMER: Please note that transcripts for The Real News Network are typed from a recording of the program. TRNN cannot guarantee their complete accuracy. | true | 4 | jared ball producer trnn whats world welcome back real news network im jared ball baltimore afternoon monday july 20 islamic state detonated suicide bomb amara cultural center suruc turkish city near border syria today officials claim dna evidence points 20yearold turkish kurd whose id found site bombing bombing claimed lives least 32 young kurdish students injured 100 students involved khobani solidarity work socialist federation youth associations traveling help rebuilding efforts joining us discuss tragic events sardar saadi joins us diyarbakir southeastern turkey welcome sardar real news network sardar saadi phd candidate univ toronto thank much inaud ball could simply paint picture happened exactly july 20 saadi mentioned 300 activists around turkey gathered suruc amara cultural center go khobani take part construction process city members socialist federation youth associations youth wings esp socialist party oppressed socialist party oppressed formed alliance peoples democratic party historical elections look location explosions amara cultural center playing role embassy khobani siege khobani starting september 2014 many international solidarity activists journalists activists around world gathered going khobani offer support also place many refugees khobani crossed border turkey actually month ago trying go khobani couldnt stayed two nights themany people done something wanted something khobani good memories place nice building nice little park people teas talking situation khobani think happened direct attack solidarity international solidarity khobani unfortunately 32 turkish kurdish activists turkey killed 100 injured right speaking protests turkey people angry turkish government justice development party government havent done enough prevent attack ball hear many skeptical fact knowledge bombing escaped turkeys intelligence according least one cochair prokurdish peoples democratic party hdp said quote ill wager young people present press briefing suruc surveillance police force knows everyone lets kid state knows going come going come going go comment anything protests youre describing streets saadi thats quite right ive said itssuruc small city 15 kilometers away khobani border khobani protected militarily turkish states military intelligence service presence city felt almost impossible move iran without knowledge turkish state joined cochair hdp least find way sections government intelligence services know happened neglect islamic states militance movement kurdish areas turkey people really angry burning anger first time islamic state jihadistand many organizations kurdish region turkey actively fighting like making troubles kurdish movement easily moving around threatening people occasion killing tens activists turkey iran turkey activists particularly socialist anarchists people ideologically turkish state think truth turkish government knowingly bypolitically theyre neglecting islamic states militants activities region ball soand finally would youwhat think come turkish elections think value turkish elections addressing concerns youve laid segment saadi think attack three dimensions see attack explosion 300 activists one mentioned direct attack international solidarity work khobani people around world turkey see inaud revolution alternative middle east islamic state decades centuries even oppression sectarian politics authoritarianism region inaud revolution provided hope khobanis fighting islamic state siege clearly gave hope big rise spirit revolution growing every day passing attack directly spirit side process reconstructing city khobani said khobani become symbol resistance 300 activists brought toys books wanted go khobani build little parks children khobani join works memory socialist internationalist activists joined fight khobani also third dimension explosion see directly related direct involvement turkey regional politics almost clear turkish government want fight isis actively engage fight islamic groups active syria iraq including isis reports claims turkish state provided logistical military support jabhat alnusra alnusra front islamic factions islamic state well way theyre using islamic state internal politics also important mention know june 7 elections ruling akb party lost majority government kurdish leftist movement turkey led peoples democratic party hdp historic election 80 members parliament right prevent majority government akp right political situation turkey quite unclear many speculations possible coalition republican peoples party chb also nationalist movement party akp clearly want coalition basically ignored kurdish political party political movement kurds want blame involved terrorist activities turkish government said theres difference pyd political party inaud isis see belong terrorist movement terrorist organizations theyre declared terrorist organizations turkish sate right feel turkish akp government turkish government wants go another election early election could attract nationalist votes nationalist movement party nhb way form majority government continue go ahead plan changing turkish constitution changing political system turkey parliamentary presidency recep tayyip erdogan president turkey leader next government feel plan short term use environment chaos crisis give arise nationalist vote use next election kurds feel spirit rojava revolution inspired many people turkey seems quite impossible ball sardar saadi thank much joining us helping us distill horrific event real news thank much saadi pleasure thank ball thank joining us real news involved im jared ball baltimore always fred hampton used say say peace youre willing fight peace everybody catch whirlwind end disclaimer please note transcripts real news network typed recording program trnn guarantee complete accuracy | 787 |
<p>Whatever the truth is about where this economy is heading, one thing is clear: employers are taking every opportunity to slash employment and, if they are unionized, to hammer unions for pay cuts, even when there is no justification for these actions.</p>
<p>Take Safeway Inc., a large national supermarket chain. The company, which had $44 billion in sales in 2007, and which, based upon third quarter figures for 2008 was well on the way to show record sales for 2008, appears to be using the economic downturn as a justification for laying off employees and making remaining employees work harder.</p>
<p>I can only give anecdotal information on this, but the Genuardi’s Family Market store (a Safeway subsidiary) where I live, in Upper Dublin, PA, an upper middle-class suburb north of Philadelphia, according to its employees, has been laying off cashiers, and slashing its night work force—the people who restock the shelves and unload the delivery trucks when the store is closed.&#160; The management is doing this not because sales have slumped. They haven’t. People may not be buying new cars, but they are still buying food, and in fact, if they are cutting back on eating out, as restaurant chains are reporting, they are probably actually buying more groceries, not less. Management is making these cuts simply because they can get away with it.</p>
<p>The layoffs, in the face of continued heavy business, means that cashiers are working harder. It means that the night staff, cut by half, is working twice as hard. But with jobs getting scarce, what is their option? If they don’t like the speed-up, where are they going to go in the current environment? Meanwhile, if service gets worse, customers will accept the decline because they’ll blame it on the economy, not noticing that there is really no justification for employee cutbacks at the supermarket.</p>
<p>Temple University, which is a major public higher education institution in Philadelphia, is reportedly telling all departments to make substantial cuts in their budgets . This will inevitably lead to layoffs of faculty and support staff critical to the education mission. And yet, what is the justification for such draconian measures? The governor initially announced plans to cut the state’s contribution to the university’s annual budget for next year by a few million dollars, but the new Economic Recovery Act stimulus package includes huge grants to the states, including Pennsylvania, more than compensating for those cuts. Furthermore, state-funded universities across the country, including Temple, are reporting increased applications and enrollments, as students whose parents cannot afford to send them to private colleges, send them instead to public institutions, and as workers who lose their jobs decide that the economic downturn is a good time to go to college and get an education. That means more tuition revenues coming in. Moreover, student aid, including Pell Grants for lower-income students, have been substantially increased in the stimulus package, meaning more money for public colleges. Money might be marginally tighter at places like Temple (while, as with most public institutions, the university’s endowment is not a significant contributor to the operating budget, small as it is it is certainly significantly reduced because of the market collapse), but it’s certainly not down by enough to put universities in crisis. It may not even be down at all.</p>
<p>It might be understandable that state and local governments would be considering layoffs, or reduced pay and hours for public employees, given the slump in tax revenues from property taxes, sales taxes and income taxes. It is certainly necessary for the auto industry, which has seen sales plummet, to lay off workers. Luxury stores like Circuit City are going bust. But not all employers are hurting alike. Health care industries are still booming. Public colleges are doing fine.&#160; Supermarkets are doing well.&#160; Energy companies are okay.</p>
<p>Criticism of the nationwide wave of layoffs by companies and employers that really don’t need to beggar their workers or push them out onto the street came from an unusual quarter recently, when Steve Korman, chief executive of a privately held Philadelphia-area company called Korman Communities, blasted corporate executives for laying off workers when they don’t really need to. Korman had gotten upset when he saw Pfizer Inc.’s CEO Jeff Kinder say, on a television business program, that he planned to lay off 8000 workers in anticipation of a merger with Wyeth, another drug company. The layoffs were not being made because Pfizer was losing money or in trouble financially, but rather to improve profits.&#160; Korman, who owns stock in Pfizer, got angry and spent $16,000 to run ads in the Philadelphia Inquirer and the New York Times, saying:</p>
<p>“I have listened to the executives of many companies say that they are eliminating thousands of jobs to ‘improve the bottom line,’ I own stock in many of these companies and would prefer that the company make a smaller profit and [that] the stock fall, in the short term, rather than affect the lives of our neighbors and their families as jobs are lost. “Please join me in reminding all CEOs that we are not just dealing with numbers and profit, but with real people and real families who need to keep their jobs.”</p>
<p>Korman sent individual letters saying much the same thing to 16 companies in which he is an investor, including Federal Express, Google, Cisco Systems, Caterpillar, General Electric, ExxonMobil, Kraft, Nokia, Intel, Johnson&amp;Johnson, Apple, EMC, Chevron, DuPont, Coca-Cola, Oracle and Dow.</p>
<p>If this phenomenon is bad enough that it has upset a prominent capitalist like Korman, it is clearly a major problem.</p>
<p>The irony is that as all these companies slash their workforces, and force remaining workers to work harder, and as public institutions like Temple University and other colleges cut their faculties and increase class sizes for remaining teaching staff, they are undermining any stimulus that taxpayers are subsidizing in the massive stimulus bill, and thus making the recession worse, not to mention wasting the huge deficit-spending measure itself.</p>
<p>Nobody would argue with a company’s laying off of workers when sales collapse and there is no money coming in, but in many cases this is not what has been happening.</p>
<p>One reason there is a tidal wave of layoffs even at viable businesses and institutions across the country is simply the lack of or weakness of labor unions. With workers at most employers unorganized (unions represent only some 8 percent of private employees), it is easy for managers to engender an attitude of fear and passivity among employees, which makes it easier to pick them off, and to make those on the job work ever harder. Furthermore, without labor contracts, there is little workers can do to resist speedups that can seriously threaten their health, safety and well-being.</p>
<p>Only a new militancy and sense of solidarity among American workers, and a revitalization of the nearly moribund labor movement, can rescue this situation, which will only get worse as the economy continues to sink.</p>
<p>DAVE LINDORFF is a Philadelphia-based journalist.. His latest book is “The Case for Impeachment” (St. Martin’s Press, 2006 and now available in paperback edition). His work is available at <a href="http://www.thiscantbehappening.net/" type="external">www.thiscantbehappening.net</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | whatever truth economy heading one thing clear employers taking every opportunity slash employment unionized hammer unions pay cuts even justification actions take safeway inc large national supermarket chain company 44 billion sales 2007 based upon third quarter figures 2008 well way show record sales 2008 appears using economic downturn justification laying employees making remaining employees work harder give anecdotal information genuardis family market store safeway subsidiary live upper dublin pa upper middleclass suburb north philadelphia according employees laying cashiers slashing night work forcethe people restock shelves unload delivery trucks store closed160 management sales slumped havent people may buying new cars still buying food fact cutting back eating restaurant chains reporting probably actually buying groceries less management making cuts simply get away layoffs face continued heavy business means cashiers working harder means night staff cut half working twice hard jobs getting scarce option dont like speedup going go current environment meanwhile service gets worse customers accept decline theyll blame economy noticing really justification employee cutbacks supermarket temple university major public higher education institution philadelphia reportedly telling departments make substantial cuts budgets inevitably lead layoffs faculty support staff critical education mission yet justification draconian measures governor initially announced plans cut states contribution universitys annual budget next year million dollars new economic recovery act stimulus package includes huge grants states including pennsylvania compensating cuts furthermore statefunded universities across country including temple reporting increased applications enrollments students whose parents afford send private colleges send instead public institutions workers lose jobs decide economic downturn good time go college get education means tuition revenues coming moreover student aid including pell grants lowerincome students substantially increased stimulus package meaning money public colleges money might marginally tighter places like temple public institutions universitys endowment significant contributor operating budget small certainly significantly reduced market collapse certainly enough put universities crisis may even might understandable state local governments would considering layoffs reduced pay hours public employees given slump tax revenues property taxes sales taxes income taxes certainly necessary auto industry seen sales plummet lay workers luxury stores like circuit city going bust employers hurting alike health care industries still booming public colleges fine160 supermarkets well160 energy companies okay criticism nationwide wave layoffs companies employers really dont need beggar workers push onto street came unusual quarter recently steve korman chief executive privately held philadelphiaarea company called korman communities blasted corporate executives laying workers dont really need korman gotten upset saw pfizer incs ceo jeff kinder say television business program planned lay 8000 workers anticipation merger wyeth another drug company layoffs made pfizer losing money trouble financially rather improve profits160 korman owns stock pfizer got angry spent 16000 run ads philadelphia inquirer new york times saying listened executives many companies say eliminating thousands jobs improve bottom line stock many companies would prefer company make smaller profit stock fall short term rather affect lives neighbors families jobs lost please join reminding ceos dealing numbers profit real people real families need keep jobs korman sent individual letters saying much thing 16 companies investor including federal express google cisco systems caterpillar general electric exxonmobil kraft nokia intel johnsonampjohnson apple emc chevron dupont cocacola oracle dow phenomenon bad enough upset prominent capitalist like korman clearly major problem irony companies slash workforces force remaining workers work harder public institutions like temple university colleges cut faculties increase class sizes remaining teaching staff undermining stimulus taxpayers subsidizing massive stimulus bill thus making recession worse mention wasting huge deficitspending measure nobody would argue companys laying workers sales collapse money coming many cases happening one reason tidal wave layoffs even viable businesses institutions across country simply lack weakness labor unions workers employers unorganized unions represent 8 percent private employees easy managers engender attitude fear passivity among employees makes easier pick make job work ever harder furthermore without labor contracts little workers resist speedups seriously threaten health safety wellbeing new militancy sense solidarity among american workers revitalization nearly moribund labor movement rescue situation get worse economy continues sink dave lindorff philadelphiabased journalist latest book case impeachment st martins press 2006 available paperback edition work available wwwthiscantbehappeningnet 160 160 | 676 |
<p>Do you identify as a man or woman — or something else?&#160; For most Americans, the answer is simple, either female or male.&#160; Behind this conventional definition of self-identity, a profound shift in sexual being is underway.</p>
<p>Trystan Reese gave birth to a boy, Leo Murray Chaplow, on July 14, 2017. &#160;Reese is a transgender man living in Portland, OR, with his partner of seven years, Biff Chaplow.&#160; At the time of the birth, the couple were raising two children, Chaplow’s niece and nephew.&#160; The couple, reflecting on the birth, joyfully said, “We are so lucky to have been able to welcome him into our lives and cannot wait to see who he grows up to be.”</p>
<p>A year earlier, on February 10, 2016, 19-year-old hermaphrodite, Jose Maria Garcia, gave birth to two twins at Manila’s Amisola Maternity Hospital.&#160; Most amazing, the babies are reported also to be hermaphrodites, displaying physical characteristics and genitals of both genders.&#160; Dr. Xi Huan Chow, the hospital’s medical director, called it a “miraculous event.”</p>
<p>In January 2015, Hayley Haynes, from Bedford, UK, gave birth to twin girls.&#160; At 19, while showing signs of puberty, she had not begun to menstruate.&#160; Extensive medical tests determined she did not have ovaries, fallopian tubes or a vagina nor was she had been born with XY chromosomes.&#160; Physiologically speaking, she was genetically male.&#160; Together with her husband Sam, she benefited from an IVF procedure and is a mother of twins.</p>
<p>In 2008, Thomas Beatie, dubbed by some “The Pregnant Man,” was the first reported trans male to became pregnant through artificial insemination in the U.S. He retained his female reproductive organs after gender transitioning and gave birth to a child and, subsequently, two more.&#160; Still other cases of trans people giving birth have been reported.</p>
<p>After a millennium of denial, sexual self-identity is becoming a more complex – more honest – category of personal being and social life.&#160; For millennia, people were identified as either male or female; however, for as long as humans were human, a separate category of “other” persisted.&#160; There have always been those who existed outside the conventional male-female axis.&#160; Today, the other is beginning to go mainstream, with gender differences acknowledged as a defining feature of human experience and identity, no longer a deviance.</p>
<p>For millennia, the Christian West — along with other global system of belief – imposed a biologically-grounded belief that there were only two genders, male and female.&#160; But what if this is not the case?&#160;What if gender is, like sexuality and self-identity, more complex, more varied, and changes over time?</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Sexual identity and gender identity are not the same.&#160; In simplest terms, gender refers to who one “is,” while sexuality refers to who “one has sex with.” &#160;These differences are often collapsed leading to confusion.</p>
<p>In January 2017, National Geographic published a useful background article by Robin Marantz Henig outlining the scientific aspects of gender.&#160; It notes that “gender is an amalgamation&#160;of several elements: chromosomes (those X’s and Y’s), anatomy (internal sex organs and external genitals), hormones (relative levels of testosterone and estrogen), psychology (self-defined gender identity), and culture (socially defined gender behaviors).”</p>
<p>It then adds, “And sometimes people who are born with the chromosomes and genitals of one sex realize that they are transgender, meaning they have an internal gender identity that aligns with the opposite sex — or even, occasionally, with neither gender or with no gender at all.”</p>
<p>The author grounds gender within the spectrum of human physiology:</p>
<p>Sex differentiation is usually set in motion by a gene on the Y chromosome, the&#160;SRY&#160;gene, that makes the proto-gonads turn into testes. The testes then secrete testosterone and other male hormones (collectively called androgens), and the fetus develops a prostate, scrotum, and penis. Without the&#160;SRY&#160;gene, the proto-gonads become ovaries that secrete estrogen, and the fetus develops female anatomy (uterus, vagina, and clitoris).</p>
<p>But the&#160;SRY&#160;gene’s function isn’t always straightforward. The gene might be missing or dysfunctional, leading to an XY embryo that fails to develop male anatomy and is identified at birth as a girl. Or it might show up on the X chromosome, leading to an XX embryo that does develop male anatomy and is identified at birth as a boy.</p>
<p>The complex and ever-evolving physiology of human sexuality predates by millennia socially-constituted sexual identity or gender roles.</p>
<p>A century ago, the leading sex researcher was Magnus Hirschfeld, founder of the Institute of Sexual Research in Berlin and it existed from 1919-1933, until the Nazis closed it down and famously burned its legendary library; he coined the term transvestite and is the author of <a href="" type="internal">The Transvestites: The Erotic Drive to Cross-Dress</a>&#160;(1910).&#160; Anticipating changes that were yet to come, he famously noted: “The number of actual and imaginable sexual varieties is almost unending; in each person there is a different mixture of manly and womanly substances, and as we cannot find two leaves alike on a tree, then it is highly unlikely that we will find two humans whose manly and womanly characteristics exactly match in kind and number.”</p>
<p>A half-century later, America’s sexual culture began to be transformed due to changes fostered by the post-WW-II consumer revolution.&#160; Alfred Kinsey and Harry Benjamin played critical roles in this process.</p>
<p>Kinsey has been the subject of numerous biographies and a successful Hollywood movie starring Liam Neeson. &#160;He was a PhD biologist, professor of entomology and zoology, and is identified with Sigmund Freud, Wilhelm Reich, William Masters &amp; Virginia Johnson, Margaret Sanger and Gregory Pincus (inventor of “the Pill”) as a person who helped define modern sexuality. &#160;Mainstream postwar Americas were shocked, shocked, by the revelations about male and female sexuality revealed in Kinsey and his associates’ now-classic studies – Sexual Behavior of Human Male (1948) and Sexual Behavior of Human Female (1953).&#160; They represent a landmark in not only empirical research, but moral philosophy as well.</p>
<p>Perhaps the most controversial section of the 1948s 800-page study is a detailed analysis of adult male homoeroticism.&#160; It touched one of the deepest societal nerves by reminding readers that “a considerable portion of the population, perhaps the major portion of the male population, has at least some homosexual experience between adolescence and old age.” &#160;So shocking, it was a New York Times bestseller even though the august newspaper refused to review the book or allow the publisher to place an add.</p>
<p>Kinsey and his team revised the popular tri-part model of human sexuality — i.e., heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual — into a seven-point spectrum.&#160; The new model ran from zero to six in terms of sexual proclivity, or heterosexual-to-homosexual scale; the data was based on the reported sexual practices of his subjects. Each point delineated a very imprecise distinction between men engaged in exclusive heterosexual to exclusive homosexual acts and—with any bell-curve—the greatest segments of the population concentrated somewhere in the middle. For Kinsey, there were no “homosexuals” or, for that matter, “heterosexuals” — only men engaged in sexual acts that were labeled the one or the other. &#160;Five years later, in Sexual Behavior of Human Female, Kinsey and his team would find an equally-complex sexual culture among American women.</p>
<p>Benjamin was an MD endocrinologist who was among the first medical professionals to treat and study transsexuals; he is author of the pioneering study, The Transsexual Phenomenon (1966).&#160; He provided hormone therapy to America’s most celebrated transgender personality, Christine Jorgenson, as part of her gender reassignment procedure.</p>
<p>In 1952, George Jorgensen, of the Bronx, was a 26-year-old former private in the U.S. Army who traveled to Denmark to undergo a gender reassignment procedure led by Dr. Christian Hamburger, what was then known as a “sex change” operation.&#160; Returning to New York as Christine Jorgensen, her daring gained a famous Daily News headline: “Ex-GI Becomes Beauty.” &#160;Accompanying photos show a reportedly meek, retiring guy left New York and a glamorous, sexy gal returned. &#160;The new Jorgensen appears with high cheekbones, long eyelashes, full, painted lips, wearing a stylish hat and wrapped in a full-length fur coat.</p>
<p>In 1966, Benjamin introduced a modified Kinsey, but more formal, scale, the Sex Orientation Scale (SOS) categorizing those with gender identity issues.</p>
<p>Type 1 – Transvestite – (Pseudo)</p>
<p>Type 2 – Transvestite – (Fetishistic)</p>
<p>Type 3 – Transvestite – (True)</p>
<p>Type 4 – Transsexual – (Non-Surgical)</p>
<p>Type 5 – Transsexual – (Moderate Intensity)</p>
<p>Type 6 – Transsexual – (High Intensity)</p>
<p>Benjamin’s model, the Standards of Care, remains the cornerstone of the de-facto guidelines for treating sexual reassignment, the WPATH (World Professional Association of Transgender Health) standards.</p>
<p>However, over the last decade or so, the rise of the gender nonconforming community, notably among young people and some gender-theory academics, is fostering a fuller range of sexual identity, one recalling — if unacknowledged – Hirschfeld.&#160; This shift is gender consciousness is exemplified by leading social networking sites that have moved beyond the conventional identities of male or female, gay or straight. &#160;Facebook has more than 50 options, ranging from “Agender” to “Intersex” to “Two Spirit”; Tinder, the dating app, offers 37 options, including allowing a person to create their own identity.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Donald Trump’s presidency relaunched the culture wars.&#160; One of his first executive orders reversed Obama-era protections of transgender students in public schools to use&#160;bathrooms&#160;that correspond with their gender identity.&#160; In 2016, while a candidate, Trump opposed the North Carolina anti-LGBT bathroom bill, saying, “Leave it the way it is right now, there have been very few problems, leave it the way it is.”&#160; Caitlyn Jenner, probably the most well-known public transgender personality and formerly known as Bruce Jenner, supported Trump, but now has second thoughts.</p>
<p>In 2012, Trump, then owner of the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants, changed the organizations’ official rules so that a 23-year-old contestant, Jenna Talackova, could compete in the Miss Universe Canada contest.&#160; Talackova lived as a female since the age of 4 years and had undergone sex reassignment 4 years earlier.&#160; Nevertheless, she was initially disqualified from the contest because she was born a male. &#160;Following legal threats and critical media reports, Trump conceded and Talackova competed.</p>
<p>He recently issued an executive order to bar transgender Americans from serving in the U.S. military.&#160; In the U.S., there is an estimated 1.4 million transgender adults and, as the Rand Corp. reports, between 1,320 and 6,630 transgender soldiers out of 1.3 million active-duty troops.&#160; The Sec. of Defense, James Mattis, a former Marine general, refuses to implement the presidential directive.</p>
<p>The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (CBMW) is a traditionalist evangelical Christian organization that promotes what it calls a “complementarian” — rather than egalitarian – concept of gender issues.&#160; It recently released a “declaration” — the Nashville Statement — calling for Christian followers to adhere to traditional definitions of biological-determined sexual identity and conventional heterosexual marriage.&#160; Christianity Today reports that about 150 “conservative Christian leaders” endorsed the statement, including the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.&#160; They are fighting to resist broader social forces promoting gender nonconformity.</p>
<p>Fighting a losing battle is nothing new for the religious right.&#160; A century ago, they successfully enact the Eighteenth Amendment, establishing the failed program of Prohibition.&#160; Three decades ago, CBMW issued a declaration — the Danvers Statement — attacking the threat of feminism, whether in society or the church.&#160; In reaction to the rise of 2nd generation feminism, the leadership of the religious-right promoted “vocational homemaking,” a wife’s submission in marriage and “God’s design for self-conception as male or female.”&#160; In its most recent pronouncement, CBMW identified transsexual as suffering from a physical condition they had little control over and urged them to accept the “God-ordained link between one’s biological sex and one’s self-conception as male or female.”</p>
<p>Over the last half-century, the nation’s sexual culture has profound changed. The once sexually forbidden became acceptable, the new normal.&#160; Pleasure came to be accepted as – if not more — important than procreation as the reason for engaging in sex.&#160; The widespread use of contraceptives, the right to an abortion, the right to engage in consensual sodomy has legitimized a commercial sex industry with $50 billion in annual revenues.&#160; The current social struggle over the redefinition of gender and sexuality is the latest effort to achieve a fuller conception of self-identity.</p> | true | 4 | identify man woman something else160 americans answer simple either female male160 behind conventional definition selfidentity profound shift sexual underway trystan reese gave birth boy leo murray chaplow july 14 2017 160reese transgender man living portland partner seven years biff chaplow160 time birth couple raising two children chaplows niece nephew160 couple reflecting birth joyfully said lucky able welcome lives wait see grows year earlier february 10 2016 19yearold hermaphrodite jose maria garcia gave birth two twins manilas amisola maternity hospital160 amazing babies reported also hermaphrodites displaying physical characteristics genitals genders160 dr xi huan chow hospitals medical director called miraculous event january 2015 hayley haynes bedford uk gave birth twin girls160 19 showing signs puberty begun menstruate160 extensive medical tests determined ovaries fallopian tubes vagina born xy chromosomes160 physiologically speaking genetically male160 together husband sam benefited ivf procedure mother twins 2008 thomas beatie dubbed pregnant man first reported trans male became pregnant artificial insemination us retained female reproductive organs gender transitioning gave birth child subsequently two more160 still cases trans people giving birth reported millennium denial sexual selfidentity becoming complex honest category personal social life160 millennia people identified either male female however long humans human separate category persisted160 always existed outside conventional malefemale axis160 today beginning go mainstream gender differences acknowledged defining feature human experience identity longer deviance millennia christian west along global system belief imposed biologicallygrounded belief two genders male female160 case160what gender like sexuality selfidentity complex varied changes time sexual identity gender identity same160 simplest terms gender refers one sexuality refers one sex 160these differences often collapsed leading confusion january 2017 national geographic published useful background article robin marantz henig outlining scientific aspects gender160 notes gender amalgamation160of several elements chromosomes xs ys anatomy internal sex organs external genitals hormones relative levels testosterone estrogen psychology selfdefined gender identity culture socially defined gender behaviors adds sometimes people born chromosomes genitals one sex realize transgender meaning internal gender identity aligns opposite sex even occasionally neither gender gender author grounds gender within spectrum human physiology sex differentiation usually set motion gene chromosome the160sry160gene makes protogonads turn testes testes secrete testosterone male hormones collectively called androgens fetus develops prostate scrotum penis without the160sry160gene protogonads become ovaries secrete estrogen fetus develops female anatomy uterus vagina clitoris the160sry160genes function isnt always straightforward gene might missing dysfunctional leading xy embryo fails develop male anatomy identified birth girl might show x chromosome leading xx embryo develop male anatomy identified birth boy complex everevolving physiology human sexuality predates millennia sociallyconstituted sexual identity gender roles century ago leading sex researcher magnus hirschfeld founder institute sexual research berlin existed 19191933 nazis closed famously burned legendary library coined term transvestite author transvestites erotic drive crossdress1601910160 anticipating changes yet come famously noted number actual imaginable sexual varieties almost unending person different mixture manly womanly substances find two leaves alike tree highly unlikely find two humans whose manly womanly characteristics exactly match kind number halfcentury later americas sexual culture began transformed due changes fostered postwwii consumer revolution160 alfred kinsey harry benjamin played critical roles process kinsey subject numerous biographies successful hollywood movie starring liam neeson 160he phd biologist professor entomology zoology identified sigmund freud wilhelm reich william masters amp virginia johnson margaret sanger gregory pincus inventor pill person helped define modern sexuality 160mainstream postwar americas shocked shocked revelations male female sexuality revealed kinsey associates nowclassic studies sexual behavior human male 1948 sexual behavior human female 1953160 represent landmark empirical research moral philosophy well perhaps controversial section 1948s 800page study detailed analysis adult male homoeroticism160 touched one deepest societal nerves reminding readers considerable portion population perhaps major portion male population least homosexual experience adolescence old age 160so shocking new york times bestseller even though august newspaper refused review book allow publisher place add kinsey team revised popular tripart model human sexuality ie heterosexual homosexual bisexual sevenpoint spectrum160 new model ran zero six terms sexual proclivity heterosexualtohomosexual scale data based reported sexual practices subjects point delineated imprecise distinction men engaged exclusive heterosexual exclusive homosexual acts andwith bellcurvethe greatest segments population concentrated somewhere middle kinsey homosexuals matter heterosexuals men engaged sexual acts labeled one 160five years later sexual behavior human female kinsey team would find equallycomplex sexual culture among american women benjamin md endocrinologist among first medical professionals treat study transsexuals author pioneering study transsexual phenomenon 1966160 provided hormone therapy americas celebrated transgender personality christine jorgenson part gender reassignment procedure 1952 george jorgensen bronx 26yearold former private us army traveled denmark undergo gender reassignment procedure led dr christian hamburger known sex change operation160 returning new york christine jorgensen daring gained famous daily news headline exgi becomes beauty 160accompanying photos show reportedly meek retiring guy left new york glamorous sexy gal returned 160the new jorgensen appears high cheekbones long eyelashes full painted lips wearing stylish hat wrapped fulllength fur coat 1966 benjamin introduced modified kinsey formal scale sex orientation scale sos categorizing gender identity issues type 1 transvestite pseudo type 2 transvestite fetishistic type 3 transvestite true type 4 transsexual nonsurgical type 5 transsexual moderate intensity type 6 transsexual high intensity benjamins model standards care remains cornerstone defacto guidelines treating sexual reassignment wpath world professional association transgender health standards however last decade rise gender nonconforming community notably among young people gendertheory academics fostering fuller range sexual identity one recalling unacknowledged hirschfeld160 shift gender consciousness exemplified leading social networking sites moved beyond conventional identities male female gay straight 160facebook 50 options ranging agender intersex two spirit tinder dating app offers 37 options including allowing person create identity donald trumps presidency relaunched culture wars160 one first executive orders reversed obamaera protections transgender students public schools use160bathrooms160that correspond gender identity160 2016 candidate trump opposed north carolina antilgbt bathroom bill saying leave way right problems leave way is160 caitlyn jenner probably wellknown public transgender personality formerly known bruce jenner supported trump second thoughts 2012 trump owner miss universe miss usa pageants changed organizations official rules 23yearold contestant jenna talackova could compete miss universe canada contest160 talackova lived female since age 4 years undergone sex reassignment 4 years earlier160 nevertheless initially disqualified contest born male 160following legal threats critical media reports trump conceded talackova competed recently issued executive order bar transgender americans serving us military160 us estimated 14 million transgender adults rand corp reports 1320 6630 transgender soldiers 13 million activeduty troops160 sec defense james mattis former marine general refuses implement presidential directive council biblical manhood womanhood cbmw traditionalist evangelical christian organization promotes calls complementarian rather egalitarian concept gender issues160 recently released declaration nashville statement calling christian followers adhere traditional definitions biologicaldetermined sexual identity conventional heterosexual marriage160 christianity today reports 150 conservative christian leaders endorsed statement including southern baptist conventions ethics religious liberty commission160 fighting resist broader social forces promoting gender nonconformity fighting losing battle nothing new religious right160 century ago successfully enact eighteenth amendment establishing failed program prohibition160 three decades ago cbmw issued declaration danvers statement attacking threat feminism whether society church160 reaction rise 2nd generation feminism leadership religiousright promoted vocational homemaking wifes submission marriage gods design selfconception male female160 recent pronouncement cbmw identified transsexual suffering physical condition little control urged accept godordained link ones biological sex ones selfconception male female last halfcentury nations sexual culture profound changed sexually forbidden became acceptable new normal160 pleasure came accepted important procreation reason engaging sex160 widespread use contraceptives right abortion right engage consensual sodomy legitimized commercial sex industry 50 billion annual revenues160 current social struggle redefinition gender sexuality latest effort achieve fuller conception selfidentity | 1,228 |
<p>Let February 27, 2005 be remembered as a key moment in the culture wars. It was on that glittery night that “liberal” Hollywood bestowed its most hallowed Oscar to “Million Dollar Baby,” one of the most reactionary films since Ned Beatty squealed like a pig in “Deliverance.”</p>
<p>The film is about a plucky female boxer named Maggie (Hillary Swank) who through hard work and sheer spunkiness leaps from trailer-park rags to Las Vegas boxing ring riches. Her meteoric rise to success is due in large part to the strict fatherly guidance of her tough-as-nails (but softie-on-the-inside) trainer, Frankie (Clint Eastwood). Relationships ensue. The final third of the film takes a tragic turn ­ and here’s the part where I give away the ending, so avert your eyes if you hate that–as Maggie suffers a paralyzing spinal cord injury and asks Frankie to kill her, which he does.</p>
<p>Directed by Eastwood, the film has been a critics’ darling since its release. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won four of them, including Best Picture. Before that the film received scads of other critical awards, including top honors from the National Society of Film Critics. Robert Ebert called it a “masterpiece,” and the New York Times’ A.O. Scott flat out proclaimed it “the best movie released by a major Hollywood studio” last year.</p>
<p>Not bad for a flick that apparently took its title from an old Alice Cooper song.</p>
<p>But like most things in America these days, “Million Dollar Baby” wasn’t immune to conservative criticism, and it quickly became controversial. Family values guru Michael Medved immediately assailed the film for what he called its “sympathetic treatment of assisted suicide,” and Rush Limbaugh dittoed the point on his radio program. Debbie Schlussel accurately predicted an Oscar night win for the film, not because she thought it was good, but “because it’s Hollywood’s best political propaganda of the year.” That is, “it supports killing the handicapped.”</p>
<p>Ironically, conservatives found some rare support in the otherwise liberal disability rights community. In a public statement, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) condemned the film for the way it advanced “the offensive and dangerous message that death is preferable to life with a disability,” a message echoed by the National Spinal Cord Injury Association and other groups.</p>
<p>Conservatives and disability rights people weren’t united for long, however. Both were criticizing Hollywood but toward different ends. For the disabilities rights folks, critiques of the film led to considerations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (which Eastwood actively lobbed against before Congress in 2000). For the conservatives, the movie bled a trail straight to Roe v. Wade. In every other way, the film accords perfectly with conservative political agendas, so conservatives backed off.</p>
<p>I think the disability rights folks are right to talk about stereotypes. “Death before disability” is a strange message for Hollywood to send the same year Christopher Reeve passed away.</p>
<p>Futher, the stereotypes were built on pure fiction. The film is riddled with medical inaccuracies. Why was Maggie in a nursing home instead of a medical rehab center? Why were those ulcers allowed to form on her limbs, leading to amputation–were the physical therapists on strike? How was Frankie able to walk right in to her room at night, do the deed, then walk away unscathed? Don’t institutions have supervisors anymore, not to mention machine malfunction alarms?</p>
<p>The film also distorts legal reality. Under existing law it would have been perfectly legal for Maggie to request a withdrawal of her ventilator, which when combined with proper drug administration would have been a humane way to die. Medically speaking, what Frankie did to Maggie in the movie would be excruciatingly painful. And legally speaking it would have been murder. But at film’s end Frankie just rides off into the sunset to eat his lemon pie. Where’s the police investigation?</p>
<p>Reality is unnecessary because stereotype is the film’s point. For DREDF, “death before disability” is nothing less than “the most central stereotype fueling disability prejudice.” No other social group has to endure stereotypes to quite the same extent as people with disabilities. The public has cultivated certain sensitivities toward negative images of race, gender, and sexual orientation. But give moviegoers a suicidal quadriplegic, and they’ll respond with a tearful standing ovation. And an Oscar. But probably not more wheelchair ramps.</p>
<p>That’s not the only harmful stereotype in the film, however. There’s another group kicked around in “Million Dollar Baby” that I haven’t seen anyone rush to defend: namely, the stereotype of the white trash welfare queen and her Jerry Springer brood.</p>
<p>Maggie’s southern family consists of an overweight and overbearing mama, a “loose” looking younger sister in tight pants with a dirty baby on her hip, and a greasy-haired redneck covered with frightening tattoos. Guess what? They sure do love their welfare.</p>
<p>When Maggie buys a house for her mother, Mama’s initial response is to nag that her welfare might be cut. Later, when the family comes to visit Maggie at the nursing home, they don’t care that she might never walk again, because they’re too busy trying to hoodwink her out of her boxing earnings. Get it? Just like welfare fraud.</p>
<p>These two scenes ­ the only in the movie featuring Maggie’s family–bolster cruel images of poor southern whites, society’s last remaining ethnic group who can be belittled with impunity. The message here is two-fold. First, white southern trailer-trash types are worthless human beings. And second, given the chance they will rob you blind. Probably best to cut their welfare.</p>
<p>To drive that point home, in a moment of cinematic rapture Maggie finally stands up to Mama: “You never signed those papers like you were supposed to because you were worried about losing your welfare. I can still sell that house right out from under you. And if you show your fat, lazy hillbilly ass around here, that’s just what I’ll do.”</p>
<p>Fat, lazy hillbillies: what a convenient argument against welfare during an age of insurgent conservativism.</p>
<p>If “Million Dollar Baby” is “Hollywood’s best political propaganda of the year,” it’s certainly not the liberal sort we always hear so much about. Far from it, with its flagrant stereotypes of the poor and the disabled ­ and its euthanizing “solutions” for both ­ it reflects a worldview that is darker and more dehumanizing than anything we’ve seen for some time. Naturally, in today’s political climate it gets Best Picture.</p>
<p>SCOTT RICHARD LYONS is Assistant Professor of Writing and Rhetoric at Syracuse University, where he also teaches Native American Studies. He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:srlyons@syr.edu" type="external">srlyons@syr.edu</a></p> | true | 4 | let february 27 2005 remembered key moment culture wars glittery night liberal hollywood bestowed hallowed oscar million dollar baby one reactionary films since ned beatty squealed like pig deliverance film plucky female boxer named maggie hillary swank hard work sheer spunkiness leaps trailerpark rags las vegas boxing ring riches meteoric rise success due large part strict fatherly guidance toughasnails softieontheinside trainer frankie clint eastwood relationships ensue final third film takes tragic turn heres part give away ending avert eyes hate thatas maggie suffers paralyzing spinal cord injury asks frankie kill directed eastwood film critics darling since release nominated seven academy awards four including best picture film received scads critical awards including top honors national society film critics robert ebert called masterpiece new york times ao scott flat proclaimed best movie released major hollywood studio last year bad flick apparently took title old alice cooper song like things america days million dollar baby wasnt immune conservative criticism quickly became controversial family values guru michael medved immediately assailed film called sympathetic treatment assisted suicide rush limbaugh dittoed point radio program debbie schlussel accurately predicted oscar night win film thought good hollywoods best political propaganda year supports killing handicapped ironically conservatives found rare support otherwise liberal disability rights community public statement disability rights education defense fund dredf condemned film way advanced offensive dangerous message death preferable life disability message echoed national spinal cord injury association groups conservatives disability rights people werent united long however criticizing hollywood toward different ends disabilities rights folks critiques film led considerations americans disabilities act eastwood actively lobbed congress 2000 conservatives movie bled trail straight roe v wade every way film accords perfectly conservative political agendas conservatives backed think disability rights folks right talk stereotypes death disability strange message hollywood send year christopher reeve passed away futher stereotypes built pure fiction film riddled medical inaccuracies maggie nursing home instead medical rehab center ulcers allowed form limbs leading amputationwere physical therapists strike frankie able walk right room night deed walk away unscathed dont institutions supervisors anymore mention machine malfunction alarms film also distorts legal reality existing law would perfectly legal maggie request withdrawal ventilator combined proper drug administration would humane way die medically speaking frankie maggie movie would excruciatingly painful legally speaking would murder films end frankie rides sunset eat lemon pie wheres police investigation reality unnecessary stereotype films point dredf death disability nothing less central stereotype fueling disability prejudice social group endure stereotypes quite extent people disabilities public cultivated certain sensitivities toward negative images race gender sexual orientation give moviegoers suicidal quadriplegic theyll respond tearful standing ovation oscar probably wheelchair ramps thats harmful stereotype film however theres another group kicked around million dollar baby havent seen anyone rush defend namely stereotype white trash welfare queen jerry springer brood maggies southern family consists overweight overbearing mama loose looking younger sister tight pants dirty baby hip greasyhaired redneck covered frightening tattoos guess sure love welfare maggie buys house mother mamas initial response nag welfare might cut later family comes visit maggie nursing home dont care might never walk theyre busy trying hoodwink boxing earnings get like welfare fraud two scenes movie featuring maggies familybolster cruel images poor southern whites societys last remaining ethnic group belittled impunity message twofold first white southern trailertrash types worthless human beings second given chance rob blind probably best cut welfare drive point home moment cinematic rapture maggie finally stands mama never signed papers like supposed worried losing welfare still sell house right show fat lazy hillbilly ass around thats ill fat lazy hillbillies convenient argument welfare age insurgent conservativism million dollar baby hollywoods best political propaganda year certainly liberal sort always hear much far flagrant stereotypes poor disabled euthanizing solutions reflects worldview darker dehumanizing anything weve seen time naturally todays political climate gets best picture scott richard lyons assistant professor writing rhetoric syracuse university also teaches native american studies reached srlyonssyredu | 645 |
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>I visited some friends over the Memorial Day weekend whose television is all too often tuned to FoxNews. As you might guess, our views on foreign affairs and the economy are not very similar. Fortunately, we spent most of our time working, drinking beer and watching the Red Sox play baseball. However, I did sit through a Memorial Day morning FoxNews narrative that concerned the increasing verbal attacks by the U.S. regime against the country of Iran. What began as a hint that Iran might be harboring Al-Queda terrorists has now become an ever more inclusive accusation that the country is supporting the activities of this organization. In addition, according to the Pentagon, the Iranian government is actively involved in “destabilizing” Iraq. Now, forgive me if I’m reading the news wrong, but it seems to me that the U.S. is doing a pretty good job of that all on its own. As for the supposed Iranian-al-Qaeda connection, it is most likely that if any members of this group are in Iran, it is without the knowledge of the Iranian government (unless they are in Iranian prisons).</p>
<p>What’s really at stake in Iran has nothing to do with al-Qaeda and very little to do with Iraq. However, it has plenty to do with the Iranian government’s independence, its oil, its geopolitical position, and the fact that the Iranian revolution of 1979 was the second biggest defeat for the US after Vietnam. These are pretty high stakes, especially to the armchair bombardiers currently running the show at the Pentagon. Iran continues to insist on its independence by going ahead with its nuclear development. Of course, when any country develops nuclear capability, it makes the world a more dangerous place. However, as my FoxNews-viewing friend noted: Iran sees northern Korea playing the nuclear card and avoiding a US military attack, so why shouldn’t Iran do the same thing? It does seem to change the rules of Washington’s imperial game. Indeed, it even lowers Mr. Rumsfeld’s bombast level-not an easy task for a man who loves to hear himself talk as much as Rummy does.</p>
<p>Nonetheless, Rumsfeld continues to issue threats to various Shi’a factions in Iraq whose leaders spent years of exile in Iran and only returned after Saddam’s government fell. In the mind of Rumsfeld, the very fact that these leaders spent their exile in Iran is reason enough to conclude that they are agents of the theocratic government there. In the same manner that the U.S. government saw all national liberation movements that included communists and socialists after World War Two as being agents of the Soviet Union, Washington now sees all Islamic movements (no matter what their politics) as agents of Iran or al-Qaeda. It doesn’t matter if this is true right now, for as long as the American population believes it to be true, the empire builders will act as if it is, eventually creating a situation where the truth will fit the lie. In other words, all those organizations in resistance to U.S. domination and working towards some kind of Islamic representation in countries around the world with large Islamic populations will be under the wing of the extremists or only the extremists will remain. One might look at the history of the Palestinian resistance movement for an example of how this scenario unfolds.</p>
<p>FoxNews had a member of the National Council of Resistance of Iran on during their program who spoke about the nuclear program in Iran. It was apparent from what he said that he knew no more about the program than what he had read in U.S. newspapers. In other words, he spoke mostly in generalizations and suppositions. What was curious about his presence on the program, however, is that this man represents an organization that is not known for its fondness of the United States. Indeed, some of its members are armed guerrillas who are rumored to have taken money and arms from Saddam Hussein’s regime. One wonders if FoxNews were unaware of this connection or just couldn’t find someone who represented a view more identical to theirs and the Bush regime. Say, perhaps, the son of the deposed and dishonored Shah Reza Pahlavi, Reza Pahlavi the next. According to the May 27, 2003 issue of the United Kingdom’s Guardian newspaper, Washington has been promoting this fellow despite the fact that he has no credibility among the overwhelming majority of Iranian “pro-democracy” groups, much less the rest of the Iranian people.</p>
<p>Like the Bush administration, I would like to see a popular uprising in Tehran. However, unlike the Bushites, I would like to see that the resultant government be one that the Iranian people put in place themselves without any CIA “help.” Although most Americans don’t know or remember, the Iranian revolution that culminated with the Shah’s exit in January 1979 was not just a religious uprising. It was a revolution that was the result of all sorts of organizations determined to overthrow the Shah and his puppet masters in D.C. Some were socialist and communist in nature, some were Islamist progressives, some were bourgeois democrats, and some were followers of the Ayatollah Khomeini. Some were students, some were workers, some were peasants, some were religious and some weren’t. Unfortunately, in the vacuum that followed the Shah’s hasty exit, the followers of the Ayatollah Khomeini were able to consolidate their power and, in the months that followed, tighten their control on the reins of power. Since those years, the movement for a non-theocratic Iran that is not beholden to the United States or any other power has grown, although it remains for the most part underground due to the strength of the ruling clerics’ security forces.</p>
<p>So, a change in Tehran’s government would be great if the Iranian people bring it about. However, the United States government and its subsidiaries should have no role in any such endeavor. Just as in Iraq, Washington has no real interest in any popular government in Iran unless it is a government that does Washington’s bidding (which would mean it probably wouldn’t be that popular). Anyone who believes otherwise is a fool. After all, it was Washington that thwarted the first popular uprising in Iran after World War Two. How? First, by forcing the popularly elected Mohammed Mossadegh to step down in 1952 because of his enforcement of the laws nationalizing Iran’s oil and, then, when the Iranian people revolted against Mossadegh’s forced resignation and placed him back in power, by organizing a coup in 1953 that put the Shah in complete control. The Shah then began his 25-year reign of terror that saw the Iranian oil industry (and the Pahlavi family’s wealth) expand, the Iranian military and police budget grow to obscene proportions, and most of the Iranian people’s poverty increase. As for the second popular post WW II uprising of the Iranian people-it is enough to say that it was against the Shah. Consequently, Washington had nothing to do with encouraging it. Indeed, according to then national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski, the Pentagon considered using military force to prevent it. Since then, Iran has rarely been in Washington’s favor, even when it was trading hostages for weapons in the 1980s.</p>
<p>When the interview with the Iranian exile ended, the FoxNews guy stated once again as if it were a fact that Iran was arming and helping al-Qaeda. The next story had to do with some confused (or worse) mother who had been arrested for placing her young child in a laundromat washing machine. Mercifully, it was time for a beer run. That was the best news of the day so far.</p>
<p>RON JACOBS is author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1859841678/counterpunchmaga" type="external">The Way the Wind Blew: a history of the Weather Underground</a>.</p>
<p>He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:rjacobs@zoo.uvm.edu" type="external">rjacobs@zoo.uvm.edu</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | 160 visited friends memorial day weekend whose television often tuned foxnews might guess views foreign affairs economy similar fortunately spent time working drinking beer watching red sox play baseball however sit memorial day morning foxnews narrative concerned increasing verbal attacks us regime country iran began hint iran might harboring alqueda terrorists become ever inclusive accusation country supporting activities organization addition according pentagon iranian government actively involved destabilizing iraq forgive im reading news wrong seems us pretty good job supposed iranianalqaeda connection likely members group iran without knowledge iranian government unless iranian prisons whats really stake iran nothing alqaeda little iraq however plenty iranian governments independence oil geopolitical position fact iranian revolution 1979 second biggest defeat us vietnam pretty high stakes especially armchair bombardiers currently running show pentagon iran continues insist independence going ahead nuclear development course country develops nuclear capability makes world dangerous place however foxnewsviewing friend noted iran sees northern korea playing nuclear card avoiding us military attack shouldnt iran thing seem change rules washingtons imperial game indeed even lowers mr rumsfelds bombast levelnot easy task man loves hear talk much rummy nonetheless rumsfeld continues issue threats various shia factions iraq whose leaders spent years exile iran returned saddams government fell mind rumsfeld fact leaders spent exile iran reason enough conclude agents theocratic government manner us government saw national liberation movements included communists socialists world war two agents soviet union washington sees islamic movements matter politics agents iran alqaeda doesnt matter true right long american population believes true empire builders act eventually creating situation truth fit lie words organizations resistance us domination working towards kind islamic representation countries around world large islamic populations wing extremists extremists remain one might look history palestinian resistance movement example scenario unfolds foxnews member national council resistance iran program spoke nuclear program iran apparent said knew program read us newspapers words spoke mostly generalizations suppositions curious presence program however man represents organization known fondness united states indeed members armed guerrillas rumored taken money arms saddam husseins regime one wonders foxnews unaware connection couldnt find someone represented view identical bush regime say perhaps son deposed dishonored shah reza pahlavi reza pahlavi next according may 27 2003 issue united kingdoms guardian newspaper washington promoting fellow despite fact credibility among overwhelming majority iranian prodemocracy groups much less rest iranian people like bush administration would like see popular uprising tehran however unlike bushites would like see resultant government one iranian people put place without cia help although americans dont know remember iranian revolution culminated shahs exit january 1979 religious uprising revolution result sorts organizations determined overthrow shah puppet masters dc socialist communist nature islamist progressives bourgeois democrats followers ayatollah khomeini students workers peasants religious werent unfortunately vacuum followed shahs hasty exit followers ayatollah khomeini able consolidate power months followed tighten control reins power since years movement nontheocratic iran beholden united states power grown although remains part underground due strength ruling clerics security forces change tehrans government would great iranian people bring however united states government subsidiaries role endeavor iraq washington real interest popular government iran unless government washingtons bidding would mean probably wouldnt popular anyone believes otherwise fool washington thwarted first popular uprising iran world war two first forcing popularly elected mohammed mossadegh step 1952 enforcement laws nationalizing irans oil iranian people revolted mossadeghs forced resignation placed back power organizing coup 1953 put shah complete control shah began 25year reign terror saw iranian oil industry pahlavi familys wealth expand iranian military police budget grow obscene proportions iranian peoples poverty increase second popular post ww ii uprising iranian peopleit enough say shah consequently washington nothing encouraging indeed according national security adviser zbigniew brzezinski pentagon considered using military force prevent since iran rarely washingtons favor even trading hostages weapons 1980s interview iranian exile ended foxnews guy stated fact iran arming helping alqaeda next story confused worse mother arrested placing young child laundromat washing machine mercifully time beer run best news day far ron jacobs author way wind blew history weather underground reached rjacobszoouvmedu 160 | 664 |
<p />
<p>By picking Tim Kaine, Hillary Clinton has revealed her true preferences and shown that her move to the left on policy issues during the primaries was simply a tactical move to defeat Bernie Sanders. It’s not what you say, it’s what you do.</p>
<p>Clinton can talk about caring about the U.S. public, but this choice cuts through the rhetoric. The two politicians to whom she gave serious consideration to choosing as her running mates were Kaine and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. What both men share in common is, like the Clintons, being leaders of the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). The DLC was, on economic and foreign policy issues, a servile creature of Wall Street – funded by Wall Street.</p>
<p>As Tom Frank’s new book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1627795391/counterpunchmaga" type="external">Listen, Liberal</a>documents, the DLC vilified the New Deal, financial and safety regulation, organized labor, the working class, opponents of militarism, opponents of the disastrous trade deals that were actually backdoor assaults on effective health, safety, and financial regulation, and the progressive base of the Democratic Party. The DLC leadership, which included President Clinton and Vice President Gore, entered into a series of cynical bipartisan deals with the worst elements of the Republican Party, Alan Greenspan, and Wall Street elites that:</p>
<p>* Destroyed Glass-Steagall</p>
<p>* Created a massive regulatory “black hole” in financial derivatives that Enron and later the world’s largest banks exploited to run their fraud schemes that drove the Enron-era fraud scandals and the Great Recession</p>
<p>* Drove Brooksley Born from government because she warned about these derivatives and sought to protect us from the coming disaster</p>
<p>* Cut the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s (FDIC) staff by over three-quarters, destroying effective supervision of banks</p>
<p>* Cut the Office of Thrift Supervision’s (OTS) staff by over half, destroying effective supervision of savings and loans such as Countrywide, Washington Mutual (WaMu) – which became the largest “bank” failure in U.S. history, and IndyMac. OTS was also supposed to regulate aspects of AIG and Lehman, but had no capacity to do so given the massive staff cuts and its deliberately useless regulatory leaders chosen by Clinton and Bush</p>
<p>Kaine — like Hillary Clinton – has embraced for decades the DLC/’New Democrats’ agenda — meaning they are allies of Wall Street. They embrace a neo-liberal, pro corporate outlook that has done incredible damage to the vast majority of Americans.&#160; <a href="" type="internal" />Kaine is actively pushing to weaken already grossly inadequate financial regulation and pushing to adopt the indefensible “Trans-Pacific Partnership” (TPP). By choosing Kaine, Hillary Clinton is signaling that her new-found support for financial regulation and opposition to TPP is a tactical ploy to win the nomination before she “pivots” back to the disastrous policies that she, Kaine, and Vilsack have helped inflict on the world for decades. She is playing into Trump’s claims that she is not honest.</p>
<p>What’s especially noteworthy is that Hillary Clinton and Kaine are carrying Wall Street’s water while the Republican party is repudiating some of these policies. The Republican Party platform (cynically) calls for reinstating Glass Steagall and Donald Trump has called for the defeat of TPP in an equally cynical fashion. The self-described liberals – the Clintons, Kaine, and Paul Krugman are against reinstating Glass-Steagall.</p>
<p>This shows Hillary Clinton hasn’t learned a thing from the failed pro-Wall Street policies that have&#160;wrecked the economy. It’s bad politics and it’s bad policy. Actually, that’s not quite right. These policies have worked brilliantly for the top 1/1000th of one percent. They have been disastrous for nearly everyone else in the U.S. — and around the world.&#160; As Senator Warren says, “the financial system is rigged.” As an attorney, professor of economics, serial whistleblower, former financial regulator, and white-collar criminologist, I can explain exactly how the DLC and their Republican allies, both of which were traditionally funded by and servants of Wall Street, rigged the system. You can be sure that people like me who have demonstrated their ability and willingness to destroy the rigged system in order to regulate and prosecute financial elites and their political cronies will never be appointed by a Clinton/Kaine administration.</p>
<p>And that’s just the finance. One the economics, the choice of Kaine signals that Hillary Clinton is openly returning to her life-long embrace of the economic malpractice of austerity. Recall, that Bill Clinton tried, in league with Newt Gingrich, to largely privatize Social Security. That is Wall Street’s greatest dream. The only reason it didn’t happen is that the Republican rebels asked for too much and that scuttled the deal that Bill Clinton was making with the Republican congress. The same thing happened when the Tea Party sank President Obama’s efforts to reach a “Grand Bargain” with the Republicans to adopt austerity and make cuts to the safety net.</p>
<p>The leadership of the now defunct DLC continue to applaud the cuts they made to Social Security and the oxymoron they called “welfare reform” that has brought so much misery to poor mothers. The preposterous lie that, working with President Reagan they “saved Social Security” is repeated daily on the intro to an MSNBC program.</p>
<p>Even though it would be good politics as well as policy for Hillary Clinton to break with the Wall Street wing of the Democratic Party and choose a VP from the Democratic-wing of the Party, she refuses to even pretend that she gave serious consideration to choosing a progressive as her running point. Democrats should take a lesson from economics and focus on this clear case of “revealed preferences.” She is telling us that she intends to ensure that should she be elected and unable to complete her term of office she can be confident that her successor will continue the DLC’s disastrous agenda.</p>
<p>William K. Black is an associate professor of economics and law at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. A former bank regulator who led investigations of the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s, he is the author of the book <a href="" type="internal">The Best Way to Rob a Bank is to Own One</a>.</p> | true | 4 | picking tim kaine hillary clinton revealed true preferences shown move left policy issues primaries simply tactical move defeat bernie sanders say clinton talk caring us public choice cuts rhetoric two politicians gave serious consideration choosing running mates kaine secretary agriculture tom vilsack men share common like clintons leaders democratic leadership council dlc dlc economic foreign policy issues servile creature wall street funded wall street tom franks new book listen liberaldocuments dlc vilified new deal financial safety regulation organized labor working class opponents militarism opponents disastrous trade deals actually backdoor assaults effective health safety financial regulation progressive base democratic party dlc leadership included president clinton vice president gore entered series cynical bipartisan deals worst elements republican party alan greenspan wall street elites destroyed glasssteagall created massive regulatory black hole financial derivatives enron later worlds largest banks exploited run fraud schemes drove enronera fraud scandals great recession drove brooksley born government warned derivatives sought protect us coming disaster cut federal deposit insurance corporations fdic staff threequarters destroying effective supervision banks cut office thrift supervisions ots staff half destroying effective supervision savings loans countrywide washington mutual wamu became largest bank failure us history indymac ots also supposed regulate aspects aig lehman capacity given massive staff cuts deliberately useless regulatory leaders chosen clinton bush kaine like hillary clinton embraced decades dlcnew democrats agenda meaning allies wall street embrace neoliberal pro corporate outlook done incredible damage vast majority americans160 kaine actively pushing weaken already grossly inadequate financial regulation pushing adopt indefensible transpacific partnership tpp choosing kaine hillary clinton signaling newfound support financial regulation opposition tpp tactical ploy win nomination pivots back disastrous policies kaine vilsack helped inflict world decades playing trumps claims honest whats especially noteworthy hillary clinton kaine carrying wall streets water republican party repudiating policies republican party platform cynically calls reinstating glass steagall donald trump called defeat tpp equally cynical fashion selfdescribed liberals clintons kaine paul krugman reinstating glasssteagall shows hillary clinton hasnt learned thing failed prowall street policies have160wrecked economy bad politics bad policy actually thats quite right policies worked brilliantly top 11000th one percent disastrous nearly everyone else us around world160 senator warren says financial system rigged attorney professor economics serial whistleblower former financial regulator whitecollar criminologist explain exactly dlc republican allies traditionally funded servants wall street rigged system sure people like demonstrated ability willingness destroy rigged system order regulate prosecute financial elites political cronies never appointed clintonkaine administration thats finance one economics choice kaine signals hillary clinton openly returning lifelong embrace economic malpractice austerity recall bill clinton tried league newt gingrich largely privatize social security wall streets greatest dream reason didnt happen republican rebels asked much scuttled deal bill clinton making republican congress thing happened tea party sank president obamas efforts reach grand bargain republicans adopt austerity make cuts safety net leadership defunct dlc continue applaud cuts made social security oxymoron called welfare reform brought much misery poor mothers preposterous lie working president reagan saved social security repeated daily intro msnbc program even though would good politics well policy hillary clinton break wall street wing democratic party choose vp democraticwing party refuses even pretend gave serious consideration choosing progressive running point democrats take lesson economics focus clear case revealed preferences telling us intends ensure elected unable complete term office confident successor continue dlcs disastrous agenda william k black associate professor economics law university missourikansas city former bank regulator led investigations savings loan crisis 1980s author book best way rob bank one | 571 |
<p>In the Heat of an Empire Night</p>
<p>by CHARLES ORLOSKI</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Back in Summer 1963,</p>
<p>I believed we all breathe the same air –</p>
<p>JFK’s kids, Lawrence Welk’s orchestra, the Politburo,</p>
<p>Hayley Mills, Leave it to Beaver, Sonny Liston;</p>
<p>the same oxygen as a Fowler &amp; Williams Trucking Co. clerk</p>
<p>who cut my father’s weekly paycheck,</p>
<p>the air entering into the pretty girl’s lungs</p>
<p>who stood patiently in-line for a hot fudge sundae</p>
<p>at a Dairy Dan ice cream van-window.&#160; &#160;&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Dairy Dan’s carnival music repeated like a scratched LP,</p>
<p>air humid &amp; dead, mother Mary out-back.</p>
<p>Daily she wore that embarrassing soiled babushka,</p>
<p>hung clothes on rope, whites treated with Clorox went first,</p>
<p>neighbors snickered, Mary waited for cool breeze,</p>
<p>she wondered if we’d ever get money like Chompko family,</p>
<p>buy a “blow-up” swimming pool, rest swollen feet –</p>
<p>breathe easier someday?</p>
<p>She looked old now since bearing me,</p>
<p>better try &amp; escape her gaze?</p>
<p>&#160; &#160;&#160;&#160;</p>
<p>“Damn you…, Chuck, you bought a $1.75 banana split?&#160;</p>
<p>When will you ever learn?</p>
<p>There’s something wrong in this here town;</p>
<p>others ain’t breathing same air we breathe,</p>
<p>there’s rarer kinds of air,</p>
<p>&amp; we’re just tryin’ to make-do.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>My heart leapt, said nothing, &amp; in Mary did I trust.</p>
<p>Beautiful sun-rays melted vanilla ice cream,</p>
<p>strawberry topping dripped upon my white T-shirt.</p>
<p>I missed Wyalusing Rock’s cool air an hour away,</p>
<p>an air which would never dare melt a banana split –</p>
<p>Bastard heat! maybe one day I’d get outta here,</p>
<p>move to Wyalusing, like Queen Marie Antoinette</p>
<p>&amp; husband tried back in 18th Century?&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The French Queen was pretty they say,</p>
<p>she had special airs about her,</p>
<p>&amp; wealthy Philadelphia Frenchmen planned</p>
<p>to get Marie Antoinette safely across Atlantic,</p>
<p>move her upstream on Susquehanna River, the Azilum.</p>
<p>Was shameful her head had to be chopped-off</p>
<p>by angry people who breathe different air,</p>
<p>couldn’t afford food, let alone banana splits.&#160;</p>
<p>A poet said he’s frightened about what’s in air,</p>
<p>“Marie, Marie hold on tight, and down she went.”*</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Did executioners feel the Queen’s last gush of air?</p>
<p>French Banks quickly acted, cut Marie’s pension check.</p>
<p>Austerity in Wyalusing Township air, Summer 2012 –</p>
<p>Marcellus Shale natural gas wells ‘a pumping,</p>
<p>“good paying jobs on horizon,”</p>
<p>and one day I shall meet a Queen,</p>
<p>settle into Azilum stillness, get my wind back,</p>
<p>eat Dairy Dan ice cream ’til obesity do I part.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>*I love T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land for reasons strange &amp; revelatory which one rarely figures-out, but affection never wears-out.&#160; Maybe Mr. Eliot’s Marie made it to the bottom of the mountain?&#160; The poet said, “there you feel free.” And here we are taught freedom is reached at mountaintops.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Charles Orloski lives atop old Vic’ Cafe, Taylor, PA. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:ccdjorlov@aol.com" type="external">ccdjorlov@aol.com</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Death:</p>
<p>by JON ANDERSEN</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Let us mourn the dead –</p>
<p>the living dead</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>that is – the ones who passed away</p>
<p>before our eyes, who kept waking,</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>walking, doing whatever they were told:</p>
<p>craft lies for immediate release</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>gut laws, take notes, vote</p>
<p>(and vote and vote and vote)</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>fine tune the ailerons of cluster bombs</p>
<p>put their backs into setting</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>megaliths: these great stones, the mossy</p>
<p>and pocked God, Country, Duty, Identity –</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>built for human sacrifice,</p>
<p>arranged to mark the passage of sun</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>and moon, their shadows cranking across</p>
<p>our land.&#160; Most nights Jon writhes –</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>too full of rage to sleep.&#160; Or if</p>
<p>he succumbs – to sleep like the dead –</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>it’s always to hop-to, to burn through</p>
<p>every second he can stand.&#160; The living</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>dead give him all kinds of free advice</p>
<p>and it all means the same thing: shut up.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Which is to say: join us and be reborn.</p>
<p>He has no choice:</p>
<p>with his life he makes an answer</p>
<p>Jon Andersen is the author of a book of poems, Stomp and Sing (Curbstone Press/Northwestern Univerity Press 2005), and the editor of the anthology Seeds of Fire: Contemporary Poetry from the Other U.S.A. (Smokestack Books 2008).</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>The Razor Overcomes the Demented Pocket Tonight</p>
<p>by ZORBA HASSIUM CHAOS</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Each lion thirsts outside the initiative &amp;</p>
<p>the kindly havoc puzzles the inventor</p>
<p>Nature lies without caffeine</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Molecular risk of opening the eyes &amp;</p>
<p>unexpected deeds fume in our mumbling</p>
<p>The virgin lowers the coal below her ashcan</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>A phoenix strays through the echoing analogy &amp;</p>
<p>every noun behaves inside a charm</p>
<p>The composer will never score</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>How can a regret fear?</p>
<p>Zorba Hassium Chaos sometimes lives in the country. Sometimes he lives in town. Sometimes he takes a great notion to jump in the river and drown.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Editorial Note: (Please Read Closely Before Submitting)</p>
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<p>For more details, tips and suggestions, visit <a href="http://crowvoicejournal.blogspot.com/" type="external">CrowVoiceJournal.blogspot.com</a> and check the links on the top right. Thanks!</p> | true | 4 | heat empire night charles orloski 160 back summer 1963 believed breathe air jfks kids lawrence welks orchestra politburo hayley mills leave beaver sonny liston oxygen fowler amp williams trucking co clerk cut fathers weekly paycheck air entering pretty girls lungs stood patiently inline hot fudge sundae dairy dan ice cream vanwindow160 160160 160 dairy dans carnival music repeated like scratched lp air humid amp dead mother mary outback daily wore embarrassing soiled babushka hung clothes rope whites treated clorox went first neighbors snickered mary waited cool breeze wondered wed ever get money like chompko family buy blowup swimming pool rest swollen feet breathe easier someday looked old since bearing better try amp escape gaze 160 160160160 damn chuck bought 175 banana split160 ever learn theres something wrong town others aint breathing air breathe theres rarer kinds air amp tryin makedo 160 heart leapt said nothing amp mary trust beautiful sunrays melted vanilla ice cream strawberry topping dripped upon white tshirt missed wyalusing rocks cool air hour away air would never dare melt banana split bastard heat maybe one day id get outta move wyalusing like queen marie antoinette amp husband tried back 18th century160 160 french queen pretty say special airs amp wealthy philadelphia frenchmen planned get marie antoinette safely across atlantic move upstream susquehanna river azilum shameful head choppedoff angry people breathe different air couldnt afford food let alone banana splits160 poet said hes frightened whats air marie marie hold tight went 160 executioners feel queens last gush air french banks quickly acted cut maries pension check austerity wyalusing township air summer 2012 marcellus shale natural gas wells pumping good paying jobs horizon one day shall meet queen settle azilum stillness get wind back eat dairy dan ice cream til obesity part 160 love ts eliots waste land reasons strange amp revelatory one rarely figuresout affection never wearsout160 maybe mr eliots marie made bottom mountain160 poet said feel free taught freedom reached mountaintops 160 charles orloski lives atop old vic cafe taylor pa reached ccdjorlovaolcom 160 160 death jon andersen 160 let us mourn dead living dead 160 ones passed away eyes kept waking 160 walking whatever told craft lies immediate release 160 gut laws take notes vote vote vote vote 160 fine tune ailerons cluster bombs put backs setting 160 megaliths great stones mossy pocked god country duty identity 160 built human sacrifice arranged mark passage sun 160 moon shadows cranking across land160 nights jon writhes 160 full rage sleep160 succumbs sleep like dead 160 always hopto burn every second stand160 living 160 dead give kinds free advice means thing shut 160 say join us reborn choice life makes answer jon andersen author book poems stomp sing curbstone pressnorthwestern univerity press 2005 editor anthology seeds fire contemporary poetry usa smokestack books 2008 160 razor overcomes demented pocket tonight zorba hassium chaos 160 lion thirsts outside initiative amp kindly havoc puzzles inventor nature lies without caffeine 160 molecular risk opening eyes amp unexpected deeds fume mumbling virgin lowers coal ashcan 160 phoenix strays echoing analogy amp every noun behaves inside charm composer never score 160 regret fear zorba hassium chaos sometimes lives country sometimes lives town sometimes takes great notion jump river drown 160 editorial note please read closely submitting submit poets basement send email counterpunchs poetry editor marc beaudin counterpunchpoetrygmailcom name titles submitted website url email address youd like appear work160 also indicate whether poems previously published where160 translations include poem original language documentation granted reprinttranslation rights160 attach 5 poems short bio written 3rd person single word document doc rtf attachments docx use save change docx odt files doc160 expect response within one month occasionally longer periods heavy submissions poems accepted online publication considered possible inclusion upcoming print anthology details tips suggestions visit crowvoicejournalblogspotcom check links top right thanks | 631 |
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<p>Well, I got it wrong. I thought that the British people would vote to stay in the EU, if narrowly. Instead they have narrowly voted to leave. The turnout at 72% was much higher than the last general election in May 2015 (67%) that saw the Conservative party narrowly returned to office with a small majority of just 12 seats over other parties. PM David Cameron had managed to squeak through to victory by agreeing to call a referendum on EU membership. This sufficiently weakened the burgeoning vote for the euro-sceptic UK Independence party (UKIP) which had been polling over 20% in the EU and local elections. By agreeing to a referendum, Cameron managed to reduce UKIP's representation to just one seat in parliament.</p>
<p>But this political tactic has now backfired. Cameron has lost the referendum and has announced that he will resign and give way to a pro-Brexit leader as PM to conduct the fraught and tortuous negotiations with the EU leaders in the autumn. Winning the election has turned out to be a poisoned chalice as I suggested.</p>
<p>It seems that sufficient numbers of voters believed the arguments of the pro-Brexit Tories and UKIP that what was wrong with their lives was "too much immigration" and "too much regulation" by the EU (although Britain is already the most deregulated economy in the OECD). It was not to do with the global capitalist slump, the ensuing Long Depression and the austerity policies of Tory government.</p>
<p>Yes, many voters did not swallow the immigration and regulation arguments; but these were mainly the young; those who lived in multi-ethnic areas like London and Manchester and the better-off households in the urban south. They were not enough compared to those who voted to leave. They were older, lived in small towns and cities mainly in the north or in Wales far away from London and from the sight of any "immigrants", but who have suffered the most from low paid jobs, public sector cuts, run-down housing and high streets and general neglect.</p>
<p>Along with these were the die-hard racist elements of the petty-bourgeois small businesses who gain nothing from EU trade or its financial largesse. They reckon that in some way a return to the good old days of British imperialism standing on its own (?taking back our country?) will be better. Only it won't because, it looks very likely that the Scots, having narrowly rejected the call for their own independence in September 2014, and who voted heavily to stay in the EU, will now insist on another vote to leave the UK and stay in the EU as an independent state. Going back to the good old days of British imperialism is more likely going back to the time before union of 1603 when England/Wales and Scotland had separate monarchs!</p>
<p>So what now? Well, the financial markets have naturally reacted with panic, with the value of sterling plummeting against the dollar to its lowest level since 1985 at the time of (another) oil crisis. Stock prices have also dropped sharply. But this is just a shocked reaction to the unexpected. How financial markets react in the coming months will depend on how the negotiations go (and they could take two years or even more!) and what happens to the UK economy.</p>
<p>In previous posts, I have highlighted the near unanimous view among mainstream economists that Brexit would damage the UK economy both in the short and long term. Most now reckon that the UK will drop into recession before the end of the year. Why? After all, with a weaker pound, British exporters will be able to compete on price in world and European markets. Surely that will reduce the dangerously large external deficit (now 7% of GDP) that British capitalism has been running with the rest of the world? And the Bank of England is to provide as much credit as banks and companies want and may even cut interest rates towards zero to help households with their mortgages and companies with their debts.</p>
<p>Well, maybe - except that history has shown that devaluation of a currency is seldom successful in turning round the economic growth, productivity and even trade of a country. I have cited before how the Keynesians were wrong when they reckoned the devaluation of the peso in Argentina would turn that economy around in 2001 - the Great Recession soon disabused that claim.</p>
<p>And in the Great Recession, the UK dramatically let the pound drop. But the recovery in exports remained muted and the recovery in the domestic economy, driven by cheap interest rates and a housing boom, only led to a wider current account deficit.</p>
<p>And this deficit has to be financed by capital inflows - foreigners investing in British industry; buying British company stocks and government bonds; and depositing cash in British banks to earn interest or re-invest. That funding had already started to dry up with the fear of Brexit - now Brexit is a reality. The only way the deficit can be financed will be by raising interest rates on deposits and bonds, not cutting rates.</p>
<p>But the external deficit may actually shrink, not because exports will improve, but because imports of foreign goods and services will drop. That's because if the British economy shudders to a halt, companies and households will buy less from abroad, particularly as import prices will rise with the fall in sterling and inflation may come back. That will squeeze real incomes in the average British household.</p>
<p>And the benefits of a weaker pound also depend on demand elsewhere in the world. If the Eurozone and US economy are struggling, then lower prices may be insufficient to lead to a big increase in UK export demand. Also, in recent years, British exports have proved to be quite inelastic. British goods tend to be higher value goods and services - less sensitive to price change than manufactured clothes.</p>
<p>And here is the real point. Devaluation only really affects demand. The other side of the equation is supply and productive capacity. Devaluation doesn't necessarily do anything to promote investment and higher productivity. Some even argue that devaluation can reduce the incentive to be efficient because you become competitive without the effort of increasing productivity. What really matters is what is going to happen to business investment and profitability.</p>
<p>You may be interested in <a href="" type="internal">The Long Depression and the Future of Capitalism</a>, an interview with Michael Roberts.</p>
<p>Higher production costs from imports, weaker demand at home and abroad are likely to discourage UK companies from investing at home and foreign investors from stepping in. And overall profitability of UK companies at the end of 2015 was still below the peak of 1997, while profitability in the key manufacturing sector for exports was half that of 1997.</p>
<p>If the UK tips into recession, the demand for EU exports (German cars, French wine, Italian clothing etc) is going to weaken. And so a recession in the UK could push the EU back too. And this is in an environment where global economic growth has slowed to its lowest rate since the end of the Great Recession, where global corporate profits growth is at zero and business investment is dropping in many economies.</p>
<p>Brexit in the long run may not make a huge difference to the health of British capitalism, but right now it could help accelerate a new global recession. And that would have a much bigger impact on the lives of those who voted for Brexit than the perceived problems of "overcrowding" from immigration or regulation from Brussels.</p>
<p>This article was originally published in <a href="https://thenextrecession.wordpress.com/" type="external">Michael Robert's Blog</a>.</p>
<p>Related</p>
<p><a href="UKIP" type="external">UKIP</a>&#160;&#160;&#160;/&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="David-Cameron" type="external">David Cameron</a>&#160;&#160;&#160;/&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="Brexit" type="external">Brexit</a>&#160;&#160;&#160;/&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="Guest-Posts-68" type="external">Guest Posts</a>&#160;&#160;&#160;/&#160;&#160;&#160; <a href="Europe" type="external">Europe</a></p> | true | 4 | first printed issue new generation rises order online shipping outside us please contact us contactleftvoiceorg well got wrong thought british people would vote stay eu narrowly instead narrowly voted leave turnout 72 much higher last general election may 2015 67 saw conservative party narrowly returned office small majority 12 seats parties pm david cameron managed squeak victory agreeing call referendum eu membership sufficiently weakened burgeoning vote eurosceptic uk independence party ukip polling 20 eu local elections agreeing referendum cameron managed reduce ukips representation one seat parliament political tactic backfired cameron lost referendum announced resign give way probrexit leader pm conduct fraught tortuous negotiations eu leaders autumn winning election turned poisoned chalice suggested seems sufficient numbers voters believed arguments probrexit tories ukip wrong lives much immigration much regulation eu although britain already deregulated economy oecd global capitalist slump ensuing long depression austerity policies tory government yes many voters swallow immigration regulation arguments mainly young lived multiethnic areas like london manchester betteroff households urban south enough compared voted leave older lived small towns cities mainly north wales far away london sight immigrants suffered low paid jobs public sector cuts rundown housing high streets general neglect along diehard racist elements pettybourgeois small businesses gain nothing eu trade financial largesse reckon way return good old days british imperialism standing taking back country better wont looks likely scots narrowly rejected call independence september 2014 voted heavily stay eu insist another vote leave uk stay eu independent state going back good old days british imperialism likely going back time union 1603 englandwales scotland separate monarchs well financial markets naturally reacted panic value sterling plummeting dollar lowest level since 1985 time another oil crisis stock prices also dropped sharply shocked reaction unexpected financial markets react coming months depend negotiations go could take two years even happens uk economy previous posts highlighted near unanimous view among mainstream economists brexit would damage uk economy short long term reckon uk drop recession end year weaker pound british exporters able compete price world european markets surely reduce dangerously large external deficit 7 gdp british capitalism running rest world bank england provide much credit banks companies want may even cut interest rates towards zero help households mortgages companies debts well maybe except history shown devaluation currency seldom successful turning round economic growth productivity even trade country cited keynesians wrong reckoned devaluation peso argentina would turn economy around 2001 great recession soon disabused claim great recession uk dramatically let pound drop recovery exports remained muted recovery domestic economy driven cheap interest rates housing boom led wider current account deficit deficit financed capital inflows foreigners investing british industry buying british company stocks government bonds depositing cash british banks earn interest reinvest funding already started dry fear brexit brexit reality way deficit financed raising interest rates deposits bonds cutting rates external deficit may actually shrink exports improve imports foreign goods services drop thats british economy shudders halt companies households buy less abroad particularly import prices rise fall sterling inflation may come back squeeze real incomes average british household benefits weaker pound also depend demand elsewhere world eurozone us economy struggling lower prices may insufficient lead big increase uk export demand also recent years british exports proved quite inelastic british goods tend higher value goods services less sensitive price change manufactured clothes real point devaluation really affects demand side equation supply productive capacity devaluation doesnt necessarily anything promote investment higher productivity even argue devaluation reduce incentive efficient become competitive without effort increasing productivity really matters going happen business investment profitability may interested long depression future capitalism interview michael roberts higher production costs imports weaker demand home abroad likely discourage uk companies investing home foreign investors stepping overall profitability uk companies end 2015 still peak 1997 profitability key manufacturing sector exports half 1997 uk tips recession demand eu exports german cars french wine italian clothing etc going weaken recession uk could push eu back environment global economic growth slowed lowest rate since end great recession global corporate profits growth zero business investment dropping many economies brexit long run may make huge difference health british capitalism right could help accelerate new global recession would much bigger impact lives voted brexit perceived problems overcrowding immigration regulation brussels article originally published michael roberts blog related ukip160160160160160160 david cameron160160160160160160 brexit160160160160160160 guest posts160160160160160160 europe | 712 |
<p>FBI Director James Comey testified before the <a href="https://judiciary.house.gov/hearing/oversight-federal-bureau-investigation/" type="external">House Judiciary Committee</a> in September. ( <a href="http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/Congress-FBI/193f44d203f946e4ab9035921977eaac/25/0" type="external">Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP</a>)</p>
<p>Crafting a compelling and intricate story is a challenge. The key, I learned as author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&amp;field-keywords=bill+blum" type="external">three popular legal thrillers</a>, is getting the right mix of character development, suspense, atmosphere and, above all, an ending no one can see coming. You need an active—and sometimes jaded—imagination to pull off the trick.</p>
<p>Still, even in my most febrile writer’s dreams, I couldn’t have devised a plotline approaching what happened the morning of Oct. 28, when FBI Director James Comey sent a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/10/28/us/politics/fbi-letter.html" type="external">terse, 166-word letter</a> to the chairs of eight congressional committees, disclosing that the bureau had discovered additional emails that required it to take further “appropriate investigative steps” regarding Hillary Clinton’s use of a private internet server during her tenure as secretary of state. Only last July, Comey had broken the hearts of Republicans everywhere as he told Congress and the world that the email probe had been completed and Clinton would not be prosecuted.</p>
<p>So forget WikiLeaks, and forget Clinton’s speeches to Goldman Sachs and the behind-the-scenes machinations of John Podesta: Comey’s letter was the ultimate October surprise, at once breathing new life into the seemingly moribund Trump campaign and triggering shockwaves of anxiety and spasms of political bed-wetting among Democrats.</p>
<p />
<p>And then came another, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/29/us/politics/fbi-hillary-clinton-email.html" type="external">even more improbable twist</a>: The new emails had been found on a laptop computer owned by none other than Anthony Weiner, the disgraced former New York congressman who just happens to be the estranged husband of top Clinton aide and confidante Huma Abedin. The emails had been uncovered during the course of a separate investigation into sexual messages Weiner had dispatched to a 15-year-old North Carolina girl.</p>
<p>If I had pitched a screenplay like that—even to the edgy Coen brothers—the concept would have been shot down as too implausible and incapable (in the argot of the trade) of generating the required “suspension of disbelief” needed to sustain viewer interest. I can just see the rejection note now, telling me that no one would buy into a culprit named Weiner with a penchant for circulating dick pics online. No one.</p>
<p>Except this plotline isn’t fiction. It’s fact, and it has the potential to alter the outcome of the presidential election and, with it, our collective future.</p>
<p>So I, along with sundry other legal and political commentators, have to ask: Why did Comey write his letter, and was his decision to do so a clear break with long-standing FBI and Justice Department policies — and possibly itself a violation of law? Even more fundamentally, I have to ask what the whole stomach-turning tale says about the state of American democracy.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, coming up with answers isn’t easy. For starters, only Comey knows the full extent of his motives. In his letter to Congress, the director wrote merely that his Oct. 28 letter was sent to “supplement my previous testimony,” given before the <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/james-comey-testimony-clinton-email-225224" type="external">House Oversight Committee</a> in July and <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/fbi-director-testifies-on-extremist-violence-hillary-clinton-emails/" type="external">House Judiciary Committee</a> in September.</p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/10/28/read-the-letter-comey-sent-to-fbi-employees-explaining-his-controversial-decision-on-the-clinton-email-investigation/" type="external">a memo</a> circulated to FBI staff the afternoon of Oct. 28, Comey elaborated:</p>
<p>Of course, we don’t ordinarily tell Congress about ongoing investigations, but here I feel an obligation to do so given that I testified repeatedly in recent months that our investigation was completed. I also think it would be misleading to the American people were we not to supplement the record. At the same time, however, given that we don’t know the significance of this newly discovered collection of emails, I don’t want to create a misleading impression. In trying to strike that balance, in a brief letter and in the middle of an election season, there is significant risk of being misunderstood, but I wanted you to hear directly from me about it.</p>
<p>Comey is an imposing physical figure. A towering 6 feet 8 inches tall, he has a blunt, no-nonsense speaking style and a stern countenance. He also has a reputation for doing the right thing, no matter the consequences and who gets pissed off.</p>
<p>Comey was the guy who in 2004, as a <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/10/28/read-the-letter-comey-sent-to-fbi-employees-explaining-his-controversial-decision-on-the-clinton-email-investigation/" type="external">deputy attorney general</a>, rushed to the hospital bed of his seriously ill boss, John Ashcroft, and stood up to then-White House counsel Alberto Gonzales and George W. Bush chief of staff Andrew Card as they attempted to persuade the weakened Ashcroft to certify aspects of the Bush administration’s domestic surveillance program that the Justice Department had deemed unconstitutional. If cast in a classic Hollywood movie for the gesture, you’d think of Gary Cooper, standing tall and alone as the quintessential lawman in “ <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044706/" type="external">High Noon</a>.”</p>
<p>But dig a little deeper into his background and a more nuanced and far less flattering picture of Comey emerges as <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/07/politics/who-is-james-comey-fbi-director-things-to-know/" type="external">a GOP hitman</a>. Early in his government career, Comey worked as a special counsel for the Senate Whitewater Committee, investigating Bill and Hillary Clinton’s involvement in a set of shady Arkansas real-estate investments from the 1970s and&#160;’80s. Later, as a federal prosecutor, he supervised a probe of Bill Clinton’s 2001 pardon of financier Marc Rich, who had been indicted for tax evasion and illegally trading with Iran and subsequently fled the country.</p>
<p>In addition, Comey’s resume includes important and highly lucrative private-sector stints of a decidedly right-wing bent. As MarketWatch columnist Brett Arends catalogued in <a href="http://www.marketwatch.com/story/fbis-comey-has-a-sinister-history-as-a-political-and-corporate-fixer-2016-11-02/print" type="external">a post</a> Wednesday, Comey raked in millions a year in salary and stock bonuses as an attorney working on behalf of defense-contractor giant Lockheed Martin, and Bridgewater Associates, known as the country’s largest hedge fund. For a time, he held a seat on the board of HSBC, the global investment bank that was hit in March 2013 with a $1.3 billion fine for international money laundering.</p>
<p>Initially appointed to the Justice Department by the Bush-Cheney administration in 2003, Comey was nominated by President Obama in June 2013 to become FBI director. He was confirmed a month later by the Senate on a 93-1 vote, with Rand Paul, R-Ky., <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jul/29/sen-rand-paul-is-lone-dissenter-as-james-comey-con/" type="external">the lone dissenter</a>.</p>
<p>Among his public declarations since assuming the top post that September, Comey has claimed that the Black Lives Matter movement and the “Ferguson effect” (referring to the impact of street protests against police shootings and viral videos of police misconduct) are responsible for the <a href="http://atlantablackstar.com/2016/05/13/fbi-director-claims-the-ferguson-effect-and-black-lives-matter-are-to-blame-for-the-rise-in-violent-crimes-again/" type="external">recent uptick in violent crime</a> in some cities. His position has drawn sharp criticism from the Obama administration, as well as the <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/may/12/fbi-director-james-b-comey-black-lives-matter-hams/" type="external">broader civil rights community</a>.</p>
<p>So, was Comey’s Oct. 28 letter the result of his pent-up urge to get back finally at the Clintons and the Democratic establishment? The highly respected Guardian columnist Spencer Ackerman <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/03/fbi-leaks-hillary-clinton-james-comey-donald-trump" type="external">asserted in an article</a> published Wednesday that the FBI has become “Trumpland,” populated by field agents and other officials rankled over Comey’s initial decision not to seek criminal charges against Hillary Clinton.</p>
<p>Those looking for bias in Comey’s letter might also point to the bureau’s release Tuesday of a 129-page archive from the <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/11/01/fbi-releases-documents-on-bill-clintons-2001-pardon-financier-rich.html" type="external">Marc Rich investigation and pardon</a>. Why make such documents public, <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/marc-rich-pardon-files-230590" type="external">Clinton backers have asked</a>, just days before voters head to the polls if not to place a thumb on the electoral scale?</p>
<p>Still, it’s not easy to come to any definite conclusions about Comey’s intentions. Ever since Attorney General Loretta Lynch’s <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-everyone-looks-bad-because-bill-clinton-met-with-loretta-lynch/2016/07/02/a7807adc-3ff4-11e6-a66f-aa6c1883b6b1_story.html" type="external">fateful encounter with Bill Clinton</a> at the Phoenix airport in early July, Lynch has encountered demands that she recuse herself from the email controversy. As a result, Comey has been forced to become the public face of justice on the issue and take on the task of announcing the results of the long federal inquiry into the email controversy.</p>
<p>He remains that public face to this day.</p>
<p>To be sure, in revealing that the bureau is once again looking into Hillary Clinton’s emails, Comey has violated long-standing <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/31/politics/eric-holder-op-ed-rips-comey-letter/" type="external">Justice Department protocols</a> that instruct federal prosecutors to remain silent about ongoing investigations within 60 days of an election.</p>
<p>But to be fair, Comey has been caught between the proverbial rock and hard place. By announcing that the email hunt is once again on, he has entered the forbidden arena of partisan politics, condemned by Democrats for boosting Donald Trump’s fading prospects at the last possible minute. On the other hand, remaining silent until after the election would also have had profound political ramifications, especially if Hillary wins, sparking outrage on the Republican right over yet another Clinton cover-up.</p>
<p>In the end, the biggest casualty in the entire tangled and interminable scandal may be democracy itself. We’ve been reduced to a pulp-fiction version of constitutional governance. The head of the nation’s pre-eminent law enforcement agency, his hand forced by an online sex addict named Weiner, may determine the outcome of one of the most consequential presidential elections in our history.</p>
<p>That’s something I, for one, never saw coming.</p> | true | 4 | fbi director james comey testified house judiciary committee september pablo martinez monsivais ap crafting compelling intricate story challenge key learned author three popular legal thrillers getting right mix character development suspense atmosphere ending one see coming need activeand sometimes jadedimagination pull trick still even febrile writers dreams couldnt devised plotline approaching happened morning oct 28 fbi director james comey sent terse 166word letter chairs eight congressional committees disclosing bureau discovered additional emails required take appropriate investigative steps regarding hillary clintons use private internet server tenure secretary state last july comey broken hearts republicans everywhere told congress world email probe completed clinton would prosecuted forget wikileaks forget clintons speeches goldman sachs behindthescenes machinations john podesta comeys letter ultimate october surprise breathing new life seemingly moribund trump campaign triggering shockwaves anxiety spasms political bedwetting among democrats came another even improbable twist new emails found laptop computer owned none anthony weiner disgraced former new york congressman happens estranged husband top clinton aide confidante huma abedin emails uncovered course separate investigation sexual messages weiner dispatched 15yearold north carolina girl pitched screenplay like thateven edgy coen brothersthe concept would shot implausible incapable argot trade generating required suspension disbelief needed sustain viewer interest see rejection note telling one would buy culprit named weiner penchant circulating dick pics online one except plotline isnt fiction fact potential alter outcome presidential election collective future along sundry legal political commentators ask comey write letter decision clear break longstanding fbi justice department policies possibly violation law even fundamentally ask whole stomachturning tale says state american democracy unfortunately coming answers isnt easy starters comey knows full extent motives letter congress director wrote merely oct 28 letter sent supplement previous testimony given house oversight committee july house judiciary committee september memo circulated fbi staff afternoon oct 28 comey elaborated course dont ordinarily tell congress ongoing investigations feel obligation given testified repeatedly recent months investigation completed also think would misleading american people supplement record time however given dont know significance newly discovered collection emails dont want create misleading impression trying strike balance brief letter middle election season significant risk misunderstood wanted hear directly comey imposing physical figure towering 6 feet 8 inches tall blunt nononsense speaking style stern countenance also reputation right thing matter consequences gets pissed comey guy 2004 deputy attorney general rushed hospital bed seriously ill boss john ashcroft stood thenwhite house counsel alberto gonzales george w bush chief staff andrew card attempted persuade weakened ashcroft certify aspects bush administrations domestic surveillance program justice department deemed unconstitutional cast classic hollywood movie gesture youd think gary cooper standing tall alone quintessential lawman high noon dig little deeper background nuanced far less flattering picture comey emerges gop hitman early government career comey worked special counsel senate whitewater committee investigating bill hillary clintons involvement set shady arkansas realestate investments 1970s and16080s later federal prosecutor supervised probe bill clintons 2001 pardon financier marc rich indicted tax evasion illegally trading iran subsequently fled country addition comeys resume includes important highly lucrative privatesector stints decidedly rightwing bent marketwatch columnist brett arends catalogued post wednesday comey raked millions year salary stock bonuses attorney working behalf defensecontractor giant lockheed martin bridgewater associates known countrys largest hedge fund time held seat board hsbc global investment bank hit march 2013 13 billion fine international money laundering initially appointed justice department bushcheney administration 2003 comey nominated president obama june 2013 become fbi director confirmed month later senate 931 vote rand paul rky lone dissenter among public declarations since assuming top post september comey claimed black lives matter movement ferguson effect referring impact street protests police shootings viral videos police misconduct responsible recent uptick violent crime cities position drawn sharp criticism obama administration well broader civil rights community comeys oct 28 letter result pentup urge get back finally clintons democratic establishment highly respected guardian columnist spencer ackerman asserted article published wednesday fbi become trumpland populated field agents officials rankled comeys initial decision seek criminal charges hillary clinton looking bias comeys letter might also point bureaus release tuesday 129page archive marc rich investigation pardon make documents public clinton backers asked days voters head polls place thumb electoral scale still easy come definite conclusions comeys intentions ever since attorney general loretta lynchs fateful encounter bill clinton phoenix airport early july lynch encountered demands recuse email controversy result comey forced become public face justice issue take task announcing results long federal inquiry email controversy remains public face day sure revealing bureau looking hillary clintons emails comey violated longstanding justice department protocols instruct federal prosecutors remain silent ongoing investigations within 60 days election fair comey caught proverbial rock hard place announcing email hunt entered forbidden arena partisan politics condemned democrats boosting donald trumps fading prospects last possible minute hand remaining silent election would also profound political ramifications especially hillary wins sparking outrage republican right yet another clinton coverup end biggest casualty entire tangled interminable scandal may democracy weve reduced pulpfiction version constitutional governance head nations preeminent law enforcement agency hand forced online sex addict named weiner may determine outcome one consequential presidential elections history thats something one never saw coming | 842 |
<p>Photo Credit: UNclimatechange / Flickr Creative Commons</p>
<p>Dear esteemed colleagues, former colleagues and other members of the responsible media I’ve never met:</p>
<p>I am not being sarcastic. Honest. I respect your work and I know that you — we — are the only thing that has ever stood between a robust democracy and the hydra-headed evils of corruption, greed, incompetence and ignorance. Not to mention the hypocrisy of lies and self-aggrandizement from an unrelenting narcissist with no ability to temper his own apparent madness.</p>
<p>I know that many of you are working god-awful hours to chronicle the absurdity and malevolence of this administration. I believe that you care deeply about your responsibility to the American public to convey the truth.</p>
<p>But I beg you to consider a new approach to our critical profession. I urge you, in the face of what may be the scariest threat yet to our civility as a nation and our freedom as individuals, to consider a new tactic in covering the current presidency.</p>
<p>Specifically, stop reporting everything they say or do.</p>
<p>Stop repeating — gratuitously — the lies (or the fantasies). Stop reupping the ante. Stop restoking the flames of idiocy.</p>
<p>Stop seeking an Oval Office reaction to every misstep.</p>
<p>Case in point: the president’s insistence that his predecessor wiretapped his phones.</p>
<p>The claim was absurd from first tweet, but of course we needed evidence, so those initial reports were probably necessary. But when the&#160; <a href="//abcnews.go.com/Politics/senate-intelligence-committee-finds-indications-wiretapping-trump-tower/story?id=46177746" type="external">Senate Intelligence Committee</a>&#160;and the&#160; <a href="//www.cnbc.com/2017/03/16/paul-ryan-backs-house-committee-no-such-wiretap-existed-as-trump-claims.html" type="external">(Republican) Speaker of the House</a>&#160;said Thursday that no such evidence existed, the story was over. Done. Finished. Or should have been.</p>
<p>Then came yesterday afternoon’s performance by the president’s mouthpiece. “ <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2017/03/16/spicer-says-trump-stands-by-unproven-allegation-that-obama-ordered-wiretapping-of-trump-tower/" type="external">He stands by it</a>,” Sean Spicer said about his boss and the flatly discredited claim. And&#160; <a href="https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&amp;rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS725US731&amp;ion=1&amp;espv=2&amp;ie=UTF-8#q=trump+stands+by+wiretap+story+spicer&amp;*" type="external">the headlines resurfaced</a>, once again producing a he-says/they-rebut, we’re-in-charge-of-the-dialogue victory. It’s difficult to speak louder than the guy with the biggest microphone. But guess what? He can’t count on that microphone if you — we — don’t ask the question or honor the response.</p>
<p>Sure, it’s important to remind the American people that the president and his staff have little contact with reality. But don’t give them the free ride of repeating the lie.</p>
<p>I know, I know — the monster of competition is on your backs. Bosses often have more on their minds than principles; editors don’t exist. You have no time to process your interviews before they’re running on the air, live; no one to challenge your assumptions from the vantage point of more experience, more wisdom. You have no time to think.</p>
<p>And yes, I know, he’s the president, and they’re all the president’s men. Don’t they have to be covered?</p>
<p>Well, no.</p>
<p>Not if they’re saying nothing new.</p>
<p>Not if they’re spewing garbage.</p>
<p>Not if the incoherence is so apparent even they can make jokes about it.</p>
<p>Even when major politicians say important and new things, they don’t always get air time. Once, during the historic 1984 vice-presidential campaign of Democrat Geraldine Ferraro — the first woman to run on a major party ticket — I wanted to do a piece on her surprising face-off with Reagan-friendly autoworkers in the Midwest. My ABC News desk turned me down, full up with stories before noon that day.</p>
<p>I reported, they decided; that’s the way it works. I get it.</p>
<p>But the 24/7 pressure of today’s endless news cycle has produced a new dynamic, and the catnip of TV ratings as everyone scrambles for new eyeballs has too often led to the easy way out. The quick story, the one that requires no contemplation. Just throw up the latest sound bite and wait for the next one.</p>
<p>Back in the 1970s, as a correspondent for WCBS-TV News in New York, I had a smart colleague who used to flesh out every news conference he covered with actual facts — where the speaker was right, and where wrong. “We’re not human microphone stands,” he’d say, belligerently and accurately, frustrating an earlier generation of New York politicians.</p>
<p>Another sensible reporter from those early days, fed up with the insistence on granting equal time to often irrelevant opposing arguments, used to call what we were asked to do “the delicatessen style of reporting — a quarter-pound of this, a quarter-pound of that,” even when the two kinds of baloney weren’t of equal value. It made for a good kosher sandwich, but sometimes, not very significant journalism.</p>
<p>Look, I’m not talking about replacing fairness with bias here; nor about trading ice cream for broccoli. And plenty of reporters are, finally, labelling the lies. But pulling back on the repetition — the facile regurgitation of everything from “populist president” to “brilliant businessman” to, well, making America “great” again — and refusing to headline their version of the facts, might, in fact, free up time to report on things that matter.</p>
<p>By all means, keep up the pressure with stories on Russian influence and financial gain until we get some answers. Just Say No to the addictive nonsense.</p>
<p>Warn the mighty that if they continue to spew word salads instead of sentences, fanciful illusions rather than provable facts, you won’t put them on the air or in print. What was good enough for&#160; <a href="//www.quotationspage.com/quote/23101.html" type="external">Humpty Dumpty</a>&#160;— “When I use a word,” he told Alice as she wandered through the looking-glass, “it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less” — won’t fly with the American people anymore. Our version of that inversion was the president’s reliance on an infinity of fun house mirrors: Tweeting out the inanity of the wiretap after he saw it mentioned on a&#160; <a href="//www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/meet-mark-levin-radio-host-behind-trump-wiretap-accusation-article-1.2990195" type="external">wholly unreliable TV show</a>.</p>
<p>If a TV lie is repeated on Twitter and nobody responds, does it fall on any ears at all?</p>
<p>So I’m hoping someone will be bold enough to take up the challenge. To stop treating empty opinions like breaking news; to cut off access to publicity the way you’d stop reading a book full of gibberish.</p>
<p>And while I’m on the subject, one more thing.</p>
<p>Could one of you — one reporter, anywhere — please say to any Trump surrogate, or to the president himself, when he or they utter one of those unintelligible, fact-free collections of syllables — could you just say, please, “What are you talking about?”</p>
<p>Thanks. We need you more than ever.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Lynn Sherr&#160;is an award-winning journalist and has been covering politics and women’s issues for more than 40 years, mostly at ABC News, where she was a correspondent for&#160;World News Tonight&#160;and&#160;20/20. Her best-selling books include&#160;Swim: Why We Love the Water;&#160;Sally Ride: America’s First Woman in Space&#160;and&#160;Failure is Impossible: Susan B. Anthony in Her Own Words. Sherr currently freelances on a variety of platforms, and can be found on Twitter:&#160; <a href="https://twitter.com/lynnsherr" type="external">@LynnSherr</a>.</p> | true | 4 | photo credit unclimatechange flickr creative commons dear esteemed colleagues former colleagues members responsible media ive never met sarcastic honest respect work know thing ever stood robust democracy hydraheaded evils corruption greed incompetence ignorance mention hypocrisy lies selfaggrandizement unrelenting narcissist ability temper apparent madness know many working godawful hours chronicle absurdity malevolence administration believe care deeply responsibility american public convey truth beg consider new approach critical profession urge face may scariest threat yet civility nation freedom individuals consider new tactic covering current presidency specifically stop reporting everything say stop repeating gratuitously lies fantasies stop reupping ante stop restoking flames idiocy stop seeking oval office reaction every misstep case point presidents insistence predecessor wiretapped phones claim absurd first tweet course needed evidence initial reports probably necessary the160 senate intelligence committee160and the160 republican speaker house160said thursday evidence existed story done finished came yesterday afternoons performance presidents mouthpiece stands sean spicer said boss flatly discredited claim and160 headlines resurfaced producing hesaystheyrebut wereinchargeofthedialogue victory difficult speak louder guy biggest microphone guess cant count microphone dont ask question honor response sure important remind american people president staff little contact reality dont give free ride repeating lie know know monster competition backs bosses often minds principles editors dont exist time process interviews theyre running air live one challenge assumptions vantage point experience wisdom time think yes know hes president theyre presidents men dont covered well theyre saying nothing new theyre spewing garbage incoherence apparent even make jokes even major politicians say important new things dont always get air time historic 1984 vicepresidential campaign democrat geraldine ferraro first woman run major party ticket wanted piece surprising faceoff reaganfriendly autoworkers midwest abc news desk turned full stories noon day reported decided thats way works get 247 pressure todays endless news cycle produced new dynamic catnip tv ratings everyone scrambles new eyeballs often led easy way quick story one requires contemplation throw latest sound bite wait next one back 1970s correspondent wcbstv news new york smart colleague used flesh every news conference covered actual facts speaker right wrong human microphone stands hed say belligerently accurately frustrating earlier generation new york politicians another sensible reporter early days fed insistence granting equal time often irrelevant opposing arguments used call asked delicatessen style reporting quarterpound quarterpound even two kinds baloney werent equal value made good kosher sandwich sometimes significant journalism look im talking replacing fairness bias trading ice cream broccoli plenty reporters finally labelling lies pulling back repetition facile regurgitation everything populist president brilliant businessman well making america great refusing headline version facts might fact free time report things matter means keep pressure stories russian influence financial gain get answers say addictive nonsense warn mighty continue spew word salads instead sentences fanciful illusions rather provable facts wont put air print good enough for160 humpty dumpty160 use word told alice wandered lookingglass means choose mean neither less wont fly american people anymore version inversion presidents reliance infinity fun house mirrors tweeting inanity wiretap saw mentioned a160 wholly unreliable tv show tv lie repeated twitter nobody responds fall ears im hoping someone bold enough take challenge stop treating empty opinions like breaking news cut access publicity way youd stop reading book full gibberish im subject one thing could one one reporter anywhere please say trump surrogate president utter one unintelligible factfree collections syllables could say please talking thanks need ever 160 lynn sherr160is awardwinning journalist covering politics womens issues 40 years mostly abc news correspondent for160world news tonight160and1602020 bestselling books include160swim love water160sally ride americas first woman space160and160failure impossible susan b anthony words sherr currently freelances variety platforms found twitter160 lynnsherr | 596 |
<p><a href="" type="internal">Eric Zuesse</a></p>
<p>On December 5th, it was <a href="http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2014/12/u-s-house-votes-98-donate-u-s-weapons-ukraine-u-s-public-67.html" type="external">“U.S. House Votes 98% to Donate U.S. Weapons to Ukraine; U.S. Public Is 67% Against. Is this Democracy?”</a></p>
<p>On December 6th, it was <a href="" type="internal">“Ukraine Receives New Weapons.”</a></p>
<p>On December 7th, it was <a href="http://www.opednews.com/populum/printer_friendly.php?content=a&amp;id=185738" type="external">“NATO Prepositions Weapons In Poland for Attack on Russia.”</a></p>
<p>Are the public supposed to be surprised when the war between NATO and Russia starts? Because it is already a hot war, and it has already begun in Ukraine; it’s being waged between the <a href="" type="internal">invading Ukrainian Government</a>, proxying for Obama after <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-RyOaFwcEw" type="external">his successful coup to take over that Government</a>, and the <a href="" type="internal">defending breakaway region of the former Ukraine</a>, proxying for Putin (because <a href="" type="internal">the Obama-installed leaders of Ukraine are dedicated to destroying Russia</a>).</p>
<p>NATO is preparing to invade Russia, but our ‘news’-media are hiding these preparations. And the <a href="http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2014/06/indications-u-s-planning-nuclear-attack-russia.html" type="external">earlier phases of these preparations</a> have already spurred <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/13/world/europe/russia-bombers-plan/" type="external">counter</a>– <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2014/11/12/backed-china-russia-deploy-bombers-over-gulf-mexico" type="external">preparations</a> by <a href="http://perspectives.carnegie.org/us-russia/?utm_source=googlegrants&amp;utm_medium=AdWords&amp;utm_content=WhatisRussiaThinking1&amp;utm_campaign=USRussia082014&amp;gclid=CIjliYD_tsICFWFp7AodNXMAXQ" type="external">Russia</a> (which, unlike <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-RyOaFwcEw" type="external">the precipitating-events on ‘our’ side</a>, do receive press-coverage in the West, because, taken out of context in that way, these reports present Russia as if it were the aggressor, which it’s not; the U.S. is, but the media controlled by America’s aristocracy – and their <a href="" type="internal">servants</a> – <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-RyOaFwcEw" type="external">censor that fact out of their ‘news’</a>).</p>
<p>Is the ‘news’-media collectively hiding the biggest news-story of our time: the <a href="http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2014/06/ukraines-civil-war-global-historical-importance.html" type="external">perhaps now uncontrollable buildup</a> to World War III, with Ukraine serving as the bait, the pretext, and an <a href="" type="internal">eager</a> staging-area for an attack against next-door Russia?</p>
<p>All of those news-reports (on December 5th, 6th, and 7th) were submitted to virtually all ‘news’-media in the U.S. and Britain, but were published by only a half-dozen very small ones, and hidden by all of the rest (including by the major ‘news’-media and almost all of the alternative-news sites).</p>
<p>When are America’s ‘news’-media going to start reporting, instead of covering-up, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-RyOaFwcEw" type="external">the biggest news-story of our time</a>: the likeliest buildup toward a nuclear war since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis?</p>
<p>Or is the biggest news-story of our time actually that cover-up itself: the control of virtually all of our ‘news’-media by the same aristocracy – the same interconnected group of billionaires and their servants (including their ‘news’ executives)? And, if that’s the case, then how will the public even possibly come to know about the biggest news-story of our time?</p>
<p>After all, when it’s the case that the <a href="http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2014/12/u-s-house-votes-98-donate-u-s-weapons-ukraine-u-s-public-67.html" type="external">“U.S. House Votes 98% to Donate U.S. Weapons to Ukraine; U.S. Public Is 67% Against. Is this Democracy?”</a> the question that’s being asked there is a very serious one, indeed.</p>
<p>Perhaps the only way to spread the news now is via word-of-mouth and social media, as well as via reddit and other news-following sites. But the ‘news’-media themselves are not reporting it. So, the news-following sites likewise report little if any of it.</p>
<p>Of course, the aristocracy themselves already know about it. If nothing else, <a href="" type="internal">the editors they’ve hired, who are censoring it out at their ‘news’-media</a>, can tell them about it, because <a href="" type="internal">they receive those reports (such as from the present independent reporter)</a>, even though the general public don’t receive these reports.</p>
<p>Practically the only way that the general public can find out about it is by clicking onto the links in this and the few other news-reports that get published about it, and checking and verifying the sources, all of which are online, so that you can determine for yourself whether these sources are reliable ones.</p>
<p>Newspapers, magazines, books, TV, and radio, don’t provide any similar means of easily checking out and verifying the reliability of their cited sources (no links are available in those old-style media); so, deceiving the public is much easier done in those media, than it is online.</p>
<p>But, of course, the traditional offline ‘news’ media denigrate the online ones as if only gossipy “blogs” were online; they do this in order to discourage the public from being able to verify (via the links, at sites online like this) for themselves, what is actually happening.</p>
<p>A build-up to World War III is happening. You’ll see it verified in those links.</p>
<p>And that’s big news, even though it’s already months old (specifically since at least 24 July 2014, as I noted on December 7th).</p>
<p>It’s not alarmism; it’s fact. It is an alarming fact, that’s not being published. All that’s generally being published in the West is the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/13/world/europe/russia-bombers-plan/" type="external">counter</a>– <a href="http://insider.foxnews.com/2014/11/12/backed-china-russia-deploy-bombers-over-gulf-mexico" type="external">preparations</a> by <a href="http://perspectives.carnegie.org/us-russia/?utm_source=googlegrants&amp;utm_medium=AdWords&amp;utm_content=WhatisRussiaThinking1&amp;utm_campaign=USRussia082014&amp;gclid=CIjliYD_tsICFWFp7AodNXMAXQ" type="external">Russia</a>. But that’s not even half of the real story. And, taken out of context like that, it’s a dangerously prejudiced less-than-half. America’s aggressive <a href="" type="internal">genocide</a> against the <a href="http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=703_1406188532" type="external">residents in the area of Ukraine</a> that had <a href="http://www.washingtonsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Screen-Shot-2014-12-06-at-11.42.08-PM-1024x697.png" type="external">voted 90% for the Ukrainian President whom Obama overthrew</a> is being entirely ignored. Obama is trying to bait Putin into a pretext to invade ‘Ukraine’ (the separatist area, to defend the people there). But America’s press report as if Obama is instead simply defending Ukraine against Putin’s ‘aggression.’ To ‘report’ that way is to lie. It’s to lie about what might be the biggest news of our time. And there’s lots else they <a href="http://www.dw.de/binney-the-nsas-main-motives-power-and-money/a-17862571" type="external">don’t report</a>, so as to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtGhjzI9rw4" type="external">enable this to happen</a>. Anyone who pays a cent to traditional ‘news’ media, and to any of the many ’alternative news’ sites that also are participating in this cover-up and massive deception of the public, is rewarding it.</p>
<p>On December 8th, Jonathan Cook at Dissident Voice headlined <a href="http://dissidentvoice.org/2014/12/monbiot-a-compromised-critic-of-power/" type="external">“Monbiot: A Compromised Critic of Power,”</a> and he closed: “Most telling is that [George] Monbiot [of Britain’s Guardian] does not even suggest that this area of corporate power [reporters’ subservience to the line of command up to their aristocratic masters] needs fixing, let alone propose ways it might be done. That, ultimately, is because he is an employee of a corporation, one that sets implicit limits on what he can write about in relation to an area that is his stated expertise. For this reason, Monbiot is fatally compromised as a critic of the corporations. Not because most of what he writes is not excellent, but because he has to omit from his concerns a central problem he claims to be addressing.”</p>
<p>A democracy cannot function like that. Only an aristocracy can, otherwise called an “oligarchy,” “plutocracy,” “kleptocracy,” or “fascism.”</p>
<p>Anyone who says that ‘the Western democracies’ could never instigate World War III are assuming something that has now become false: that the phrase “the Western democracies” refers to something that still exists and that includes the United States. None of that assumption is true any longer.</p>
<p>–––––</p>
<p>Investigative historian <a href="" type="internal">Eric Zuesse</a> is the author, most recently, of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Theyre-Not-Even-Close-Democratic/dp/1880026090/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1339027537&amp;sr=8-9" type="external">They’re Not Even Close: The Democratic vs. Republican Economic Records, 1910-2010</a>, and of &#160; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007Q1H4EG" type="external">CHRIST’S VENTRILOQUISTS: The Event that Created Christianity</a>.</p> | true | 4 | eric zuesse december 5th us house votes 98 donate us weapons ukraine us public 67 democracy december 6th ukraine receives new weapons december 7th nato prepositions weapons poland attack russia public supposed surprised war nato russia starts already hot war already begun ukraine waged invading ukrainian government proxying obama successful coup take government defending breakaway region former ukraine proxying putin obamainstalled leaders ukraine dedicated destroying russia nato preparing invade russia newsmedia hiding preparations earlier phases preparations already spurred counter preparations russia unlike precipitatingevents side receive presscoverage west taken context way reports present russia aggressor us media controlled americas aristocracy servants censor fact news newsmedia collectively hiding biggest newsstory time perhaps uncontrollable buildup world war iii ukraine serving bait pretext eager stagingarea attack nextdoor russia newsreports december 5th 6th 7th submitted virtually newsmedia us britain published halfdozen small ones hidden rest including major newsmedia almost alternativenews sites americas newsmedia going start reporting instead coveringup biggest newsstory time likeliest buildup toward nuclear war since 1962 cuban missile crisis biggest newsstory time actually coverup control virtually newsmedia aristocracy interconnected group billionaires servants including news executives thats case public even possibly come know biggest newsstory time case us house votes 98 donate us weapons ukraine us public 67 democracy question thats asked serious one indeed perhaps way spread news via wordofmouth social media well via reddit newsfollowing sites newsmedia reporting newsfollowing sites likewise report little course aristocracy already know nothing else editors theyve hired censoring newsmedia tell receive reports present independent reporter even though general public dont receive reports practically way general public find clicking onto links newsreports get published checking verifying sources online determine whether sources reliable ones newspapers magazines books tv radio dont provide similar means easily checking verifying reliability cited sources links available oldstyle media deceiving public much easier done media online course traditional offline news media denigrate online ones gossipy blogs online order discourage public able verify via links sites online like actually happening buildup world war iii happening youll see verified links thats big news even though already months old specifically since least 24 july 2014 noted december 7th alarmism fact alarming fact thats published thats generally published west counter preparations russia thats even half real story taken context like dangerously prejudiced lessthanhalf americas aggressive genocide residents area ukraine voted 90 ukrainian president obama overthrew entirely ignored obama trying bait putin pretext invade ukraine separatist area defend people americas press report obama instead simply defending ukraine putins aggression report way lie lie might biggest news time theres lots else dont report enable happen anyone pays cent traditional news media many alternative news sites also participating coverup massive deception public rewarding december 8th jonathan cook dissident voice headlined monbiot compromised critic power closed telling george monbiot britains guardian even suggest area corporate power reporters subservience line command aristocratic masters needs fixing let alone propose ways might done ultimately employee corporation one sets implicit limits write relation area stated expertise reason monbiot fatally compromised critic corporations writes excellent omit concerns central problem claims addressing democracy function like aristocracy otherwise called oligarchy plutocracy kleptocracy fascism anyone says western democracies could never instigate world war iii assuming something become false phrase western democracies refers something still exists includes united states none assumption true longer investigative historian eric zuesse author recently theyre even close democratic vs republican economic records 19102010 160 christs ventriloquists event created christianity | 562 |
<p>Former CIA counterterrorism specialist Philip Giraldi, comparing the propaganda campaign against Iran to that which preceded the war on Iraq, has recently declared, “It is absolutely parallel. They’re using the same dance steps-demonize the bad guys, the pretext of diplomacy, keep out of negotiations, use proxies. It is Iraq redux.” He’s only one of many in his field (including Vincent Cannistraro, Ray McGovern, and Larry C. Johnson) doing their best to expose the Bush-Cheney neocon disinformation campaign according to which Iran is planning to produce nukes in order to commit genocide, while abetting terrorists in Iraq who are killing American troops.</p>
<p>Their efforts, and those of many others, are producing results. The mainstream corporate press is far more skeptical about administration claims pertaining to Iran than they ever were towards the equally specious claims made about Iraq on the eve of the 2003 invasion. The American people are now inclined to distrust claims made by nameless officials about Quds Force-provisioned IEDs and EFPs, etc., supposedly smuggled by “meddling” Iranians into Iraq. Unfortunately the Congress dominated by Democrats elected in a popular expression of antiwar sentiment has not taken a firm stance against an attack on Iran based on lies. Maybe given the nature of the power structure it simply can’t.</p>
<p>Giraldi matter-of-factly sums up the unfortunate politics of situation.</p>
<p>“The recent formation of the Congressional Israel Allies Caucus should. . . .be noted as well as AIPAC’s highlighting of the threat from Iran at its 2006 convention in Washington, an event that featured Vice President Dick Cheney as keynote speaker. More recently, Senator Hillary Clinton addressed an AIPAC gathering in New York City. Neither was shy about threatening Iran. AIPAC’s formulation that the option of force ‘must remain on the table’ when dealing with Iran has been repeated like a mantra by numerous politicians and government officials, not too surprisingly as AIPAC writes the briefings and position papers that many Congressmen unfortunately rely on.”</p>
<p>In other words, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee is the main political force urging—indeed, demanding—U.S. action. That’s the AIPAC already under scrutiny for receiving classified information about Iran from Lawrence Franklin, former Defense Department subordinate of Douglas Feith. (That’s the neocon Feith who supervised the Office of Special Plans—headed by Abram Shulsky, the neocon specialist on Leo Strauss who currently heads up the Iran Directorate at the Pentagon—that shamelessly cherry-picked intelligence to support the Iraq attack. That’s the Franklin who worked in the OSP, and was sentenced last month to 13 years in prison. Feith has not been indicted on any charge and continues to insist in defiance of reason and even a Pentagon internal investigation finding it “inappropriate” that his office’s disinformation project was “good government.” Small wonder Gen. Tommy Franks, formerly head of the U.S. Central Command, famously called Feith “the fucking stupidest guy on the face of the earth.” Congressional investigations are just now getting underway into Feith’s role in facilitating the invasion of Iraq.)</p>
<p>That’s the AIPAC embarrassed by the indictment of its policy director Steven Rosen and senior Iran analyst Keith Weissman for illegally conspiring to pass on classified national security information to Israel. Despite the already intimate ties between Israeli and U.S. intelligence (documented by Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski among others) it seems the Israelis felt obliged to spy on the Pentagon to learn just how inclined the Americans were to oblige them by attacking Iran.</p>
<p>Now, as Israeli calls for a U.S. attack on Iran become more shrill by the day, AIPAC recognizes that the American people profoundly distrust Vice President Cheney and the nest of neocon liars he has sheltered. The Bush-Cheney war machine has been pretty well exposed, and that must worry the warmongers within the group. Israeli Defense Force chief artillery officer Gen. Oded Tira has griped that “President Bush lacks the political power to attack Iran,” adding that since “an American strike in Iran is essential for [Israel’s] existence, we must help him pave the way by lobbying the Democratic Party (which is conducting itself foolishly) and US newspaper editors. We need to do this in order to turn the Iran issue to a bipartisan one and unrelated to the Iraq failure.” Tira urges the Lobby to turn to “potential presidential candidates. . . so that they support immediate action by Bush against Iran,” while Uri Lubrani, senior advisor to Defense Minister Amir Peretz, tells the Jewish Agency’s Board of Governors that the US “does not understand the threat and has not done enough,” and therefore “must be shaken awake.”</p>
<p>Many Americans would find such statements deeply offensive in their arrogance and condescension. President Bush has indeed been weakened by the “Iraq failure” Tira acknowledges, arising from a war that the Lobby once endorsed with enormous enthusiasm. (As Gen. Wesley Clark put it way back in August 2002, “Those who favor this attack now will tell you candidly, and privately, that it is probably true that Saddam Hussein is no threat to the United States. But they are afraid at some point he might decide if he had a nuclear weapon to use it against Israel.” Recall that that weapon was imaginary.) So now, the Israeli war advocates aver, the U.S. president needs to be helped to do the right thing and attack Iran by lobbyists who will use their power to force the fools in the Democratic Party, especially presidential candidates. Because Americans don’t understand and have to be shaken out of their current skeptical mode.</p>
<p>By who? By AIPAC, of course! The confidence expressed by these gentlemen (in the second most powerful political action committee in the country) is quite extraordinary. But alas, maybe it’s warranted. Giraldi dispassionately concludes:</p>
<p>“Knowing that to cross the Lobby is perilous, Congressmen from both parties squirm and become uneasy when pressured by AIPAC to ‘protect Israel,’ even if it means yet another unwinnable war for the United States. The neocons know full well that if a war with Iran were to be started either inadvertently or by design, few within America’s political system would be brave enough to stand up in opposition.”</p>
<p>One should ask these spineless politicians how they suppose the people will remember their votes and positions within weeks of the “immediate action” Tira and his allies in the Bush administration (most notably Condi Rice’s deputy Elliott Abrams, the most powerful neocon remaining in the team) are demanding. Will they not be blamed for the total collapse of cooperation between the U.S. occupation and Iraq’s Shiite majority, the fall of the current client regime dominated by Iranian allies, the intensification of Shiite militia attacks on U.S. forces, the broadening of the current two-front war to enflame all of Southwest Asia?</p>
<p>One should ask those squirming manipulators blissfully ignorant of the Islamic world—clueless about the difference between Arabs and Persians or Sunnis and Shiites, coached almost entirely by State Department Zionists who don’t bother to conceal their Islamophobia—to recognize that American Jewry is not generally pro-neocon nor united in support of an Iran attack. Indeed many American Jews are alarmed at Israeli/AIPAC efforts to push the U.S. into another crusader war on a Muslim nation. (A lot of them are in New York. Hillary might consult with them rather than suppose that her ticket to the presidency is the support of the Cheney-friendly Lobby. But I wouldn’t hold my breath on that.)</p>
<p>One should ask the Lobbyists as well as the government of Israel that they think they serve (as well as the people of Israel, honestly divided in their opinions) how the security of the Jewish State will be abetted by a generalized war between Israel’s great patron and the entire Muslim world.</p>
<p>When one plays this Islamophobic game of exploiting ignorance, fear, hatred and bigotry; when one conflates al-Qaeda with Iraq with Hamas with Hizbollah with Iran knowing that most Americans know little about the details and will be inclined to side (for now) with Israel against Muslims in general; when one lies (as the neocons do with such arrogance, supposing they will escape any consequences of the lies down the road)—then one invites a backlash. We live in a racist culture that easily slides into religious bigotry. Why use that culture (not so dissimilar to the German culture of the 1930s) so shamelessly—against Arabs and other Muslim peoples of the Middle East? One’s disinformation with its murderous results in the Muslim world might just produce the ignorant conclusion that could sweep Middle America down the road: “The Jews made us do it.” That’s what the red-necks including a whole lot of today’s brain-dead Christian Zionist fundamentalists will say as soon as everything goes wrong in the Middle East, Jesus doesn’t come back and is nowhere in sight, and the three U.S. troops killed per day becomes six or ten for no good goddamned reason.</p>
<p>“They have the money, they control the media and the politicians. They made us attack Iran and now look what’s happening.” That’s what the ignorant who can one day cry “Nuke ’em all!” referring to Muslims, and the next day swear “Fucking Christ-killers” will say. Is the Lobby’s paranoia about Iran’s uranium enrichment so severe as to risk that kind of assessment, that kind of blowback bigotry?</p>
<p>We are perhaps arriving at a critical point in the history of the powerful Lobby, including its capacity to intimidate honest, critically reasoning people who do not embrace its fears, prejudices and preoccupations. It’s under unprecedented scrutiny following the carefully argued paper by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy” and Jimmy Carter’s book Palestine: Peace, Not Apartheid both published last year, to which it’s reacted with its wonted technique of character assassination. The political power of the Lobby would appear to be reaching its zenith; and while it used its hand subtly in the build-up for war on Iraq, it now uses it in crude, bullying fashion. Israeli officials weren’t publicly calling for the simple-minded Christian-Zionist Bush to “smite” Iraq to defend Israel in 2003, but now they’re nervously demanding that Bush destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities to prevent a “genocide” worse that that accomplished by Hitler! Their boldness betrays a confidence that they can indeed continue to shape American political discourse about the Middle East (to the exclusion of any audible Arab or Muslim voice) and that to challenge them is indeed “perilous.”</p>
<p>“Attack Iran! NOW! Or support GENOCIDE! and side with the new HITLER! Destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities! NOW! Or reveal your thinly-disguised ANTI-SEMITISM!”</p>
<p>That’s the hyper-message calculated to stimulate an assault, to which the calm counterterrorism analyst Giraldi draws our attention. One could respond to the message with a polite, firm, principled refusal:</p>
<p>No thanks this time, AIPAC. You’re just not credible. Can’t do it for you. My constituents aren’t into more war, and they think this whole Iran thing’s a lot of hype. I can’t support nuking Iran, and frankly, I don’t see how you can either. I don’t think you speak for all or even most American Jews, and you can’t scare me this time by accusations of anti-Semitism. I can’t have an attack on Iran my conscience, sorry. I’d rather be defeated in the next election. Keep your money; I just can’t do what you ask.</p>
<p>Will the Congress targeted by the Lobby be able to say that? If it doesn’t, all the belated, posturing moves to limit Bush’s power, withdraw troops and end the imperialist war in Iraq will mean nothing. An attack on Iran will unleash the gates of hell. The attackers will argue that a new situation makes all prewar debate irrelevant (or even if encouraging doubt about the “existential” cause, downright treasonous). The fascistic proclivities of the administration will blossom immediately. The legal basis has been laid for the repression of the dissent an Iran attack will naturally inspire. Prison camps, suspension of habeas corpus. The proponents of the war are comfortable with these things, and the waters have already been tested.</p>
<p>O nation miserable, With an untitled tyrant bloody-scepter’d, When shalt thou see thy wholesome days again?</p>
<p>Can the American people allow this unelected unpopular administration, headed by a manifestly stupid sadistic fool, to continue to provoke international contempt and fear, while planning more carnage?</p>
<p>GARY LEUPP is Professor of History at Tufts University, and Adjunct Professor of Comparative Religion. He is the author of <a href="" type="internal">Servants, Shophands and Laborers in in the Cities of Tokugawa Japan</a>; <a href="" type="internal">Male Colors: The Construction of Homosexuality in Tokugawa Japan</a>; and <a href="" type="internal">Interracial Intimacy in Japan: Western Men and Japanese Women, 1543-1900</a>. He is also a contributor to CounterPunch’s merciless chronicle of the wars on Iraq, Afghanistan and Yugoslavia, <a href="http://www.easycarts.net/ecarts/CounterPunch/CP_Books.html" type="external">Imperial Crusades</a>.</p>
<p>He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:gleupp@granite.tufts.edu" type="external">gleupp@granite.tufts.edu</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | former cia counterterrorism specialist philip giraldi comparing propaganda campaign iran preceded war iraq recently declared absolutely parallel theyre using dance stepsdemonize bad guys pretext diplomacy keep negotiations use proxies iraq redux hes one many field including vincent cannistraro ray mcgovern larry c johnson best expose bushcheney neocon disinformation campaign according iran planning produce nukes order commit genocide abetting terrorists iraq killing american troops efforts many others producing results mainstream corporate press far skeptical administration claims pertaining iran ever towards equally specious claims made iraq eve 2003 invasion american people inclined distrust claims made nameless officials quds forceprovisioned ieds efps etc supposedly smuggled meddling iranians iraq unfortunately congress dominated democrats elected popular expression antiwar sentiment taken firm stance attack iran based lies maybe given nature power structure simply cant giraldi matteroffactly sums unfortunate politics situation recent formation congressional israel allies caucus noted well aipacs highlighting threat iran 2006 convention washington event featured vice president dick cheney keynote speaker recently senator hillary clinton addressed aipac gathering new york city neither shy threatening iran aipacs formulation option force must remain table dealing iran repeated like mantra numerous politicians government officials surprisingly aipac writes briefings position papers many congressmen unfortunately rely words american israel political affairs committee main political force urgingindeed demandingus action thats aipac already scrutiny receiving classified information iran lawrence franklin former defense department subordinate douglas feith thats neocon feith supervised office special plansheaded abram shulsky neocon specialist leo strauss currently heads iran directorate pentagonthat shamelessly cherrypicked intelligence support iraq attack thats franklin worked osp sentenced last month 13 years prison feith indicted charge continues insist defiance reason even pentagon internal investigation finding inappropriate offices disinformation project good government small wonder gen tommy franks formerly head us central command famously called feith fucking stupidest guy face earth congressional investigations getting underway feiths role facilitating invasion iraq thats aipac embarrassed indictment policy director steven rosen senior iran analyst keith weissman illegally conspiring pass classified national security information israel despite already intimate ties israeli us intelligence documented lt col karen kwiatkowski among others seems israelis felt obliged spy pentagon learn inclined americans oblige attacking iran israeli calls us attack iran become shrill day aipac recognizes american people profoundly distrust vice president cheney nest neocon liars sheltered bushcheney war machine pretty well exposed must worry warmongers within group israeli defense force chief artillery officer gen oded tira griped president bush lacks political power attack iran adding since american strike iran essential israels existence must help pave way lobbying democratic party conducting foolishly us newspaper editors need order turn iran issue bipartisan one unrelated iraq failure tira urges lobby turn potential presidential candidates support immediate action bush iran uri lubrani senior advisor defense minister amir peretz tells jewish agencys board governors us understand threat done enough therefore must shaken awake many americans would find statements deeply offensive arrogance condescension president bush indeed weakened iraq failure tira acknowledges arising war lobby endorsed enormous enthusiasm gen wesley clark put way back august 2002 favor attack tell candidly privately probably true saddam hussein threat united states afraid point might decide nuclear weapon use israel recall weapon imaginary israeli war advocates aver us president needs helped right thing attack iran lobbyists use power force fools democratic party especially presidential candidates americans dont understand shaken current skeptical mode aipac course confidence expressed gentlemen second powerful political action committee country quite extraordinary alas maybe warranted giraldi dispassionately concludes knowing cross lobby perilous congressmen parties squirm become uneasy pressured aipac protect israel even means yet another unwinnable war united states neocons know full well war iran started either inadvertently design within americas political system would brave enough stand opposition one ask spineless politicians suppose people remember votes positions within weeks immediate action tira allies bush administration notably condi rices deputy elliott abrams powerful neocon remaining team demanding blamed total collapse cooperation us occupation iraqs shiite majority fall current client regime dominated iranian allies intensification shiite militia attacks us forces broadening current twofront war enflame southwest asia one ask squirming manipulators blissfully ignorant islamic worldclueless difference arabs persians sunnis shiites coached almost entirely state department zionists dont bother conceal islamophobiato recognize american jewry generally proneocon united support iran attack indeed many american jews alarmed israeliaipac efforts push us another crusader war muslim nation lot new york hillary might consult rather suppose ticket presidency support cheneyfriendly lobby wouldnt hold breath one ask lobbyists well government israel think serve well people israel honestly divided opinions security jewish state abetted generalized war israels great patron entire muslim world one plays islamophobic game exploiting ignorance fear hatred bigotry one conflates alqaeda iraq hamas hizbollah iran knowing americans know little details inclined side israel muslims general one lies neocons arrogance supposing escape consequences lies roadthen one invites backlash live racist culture easily slides religious bigotry use culture dissimilar german culture 1930s shamelesslyagainst arabs muslim peoples middle east ones disinformation murderous results muslim world might produce ignorant conclusion could sweep middle america road jews made us thats rednecks including whole lot todays braindead christian zionist fundamentalists say soon everything goes wrong middle east jesus doesnt come back nowhere sight three us troops killed per day becomes six ten good goddamned reason money control media politicians made us attack iran look whats happening thats ignorant one day cry nuke em referring muslims next day swear fucking christkillers say lobbys paranoia irans uranium enrichment severe risk kind assessment kind blowback bigotry perhaps arriving critical point history powerful lobby including capacity intimidate honest critically reasoning people embrace fears prejudices preoccupations unprecedented scrutiny following carefully argued paper john mearsheimer stephen walt israel lobby us foreign policy jimmy carters book palestine peace apartheid published last year reacted wonted technique character assassination political power lobby would appear reaching zenith used hand subtly buildup war iraq uses crude bullying fashion israeli officials werent publicly calling simpleminded christianzionist bush smite iraq defend israel 2003 theyre nervously demanding bush destroy irans nuclear facilities prevent genocide worse accomplished hitler boldness betrays confidence indeed continue shape american political discourse middle east exclusion audible arab muslim voice challenge indeed perilous attack iran support genocide side new hitler destroy irans nuclear facilities reveal thinlydisguised antisemitism thats hypermessage calculated stimulate assault calm counterterrorism analyst giraldi draws attention one could respond message polite firm principled refusal thanks time aipac youre credible cant constituents arent war think whole iran things lot hype cant support nuking iran frankly dont see either dont think speak even american jews cant scare time accusations antisemitism cant attack iran conscience sorry id rather defeated next election keep money cant ask congress targeted lobby able say doesnt belated posturing moves limit bushs power withdraw troops end imperialist war iraq mean nothing attack iran unleash gates hell attackers argue new situation makes prewar debate irrelevant even encouraging doubt existential cause downright treasonous fascistic proclivities administration blossom immediately legal basis laid repression dissent iran attack naturally inspire prison camps suspension habeas corpus proponents war comfortable things waters already tested nation miserable untitled tyrant bloodyscepterd shalt thou see thy wholesome days american people allow unelected unpopular administration headed manifestly stupid sadistic fool continue provoke international contempt fear planning carnage gary leupp professor history tufts university adjunct professor comparative religion author servants shophands laborers cities tokugawa japan male colors construction homosexuality tokugawa japan interracial intimacy japan western men japanese women 15431900 also contributor counterpunchs merciless chronicle wars iraq afghanistan yugoslavia imperial crusades reached gleuppgranitetuftsedu 160 | 1,229 |
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<p>Raja Khalidi has spent most of his professional career with UNCTAD, where he is currently Chief, Office of the Director, Division on Globalization and Development Strategies. He holds a B.A. from Oxford University and M.Sc. from University of London SOAS. From 2000-2006, Mr. Khalidi was Coordinator of UNCTAD's Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian people, which combines the analytical and operational expertise of the UNCTAD secretariat in an integrated manner. His assignments at UNCTAD have also dealt with Debt and Development Finance, the global economic crisis and institutional development and strategic management reform. His own publications include a book on the dynamics of Arab regional economic development in Israel and contributions on Palestinian economic development issues to the Palestinian Encyclopedia, the Journal of Palestine Studies, edited volumes, as well as Jadaliya online and Palestinian, Israeli and international media. The views expressed here are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations.</p>
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<p /> PAUL JAY, SENIOR EDITOR, TRNN: Welcome to The Real News Network. I'm Paul Jay in Baltimore.
<p />
<p />In the Middle East, moves are afoot, to a large extent led by Qatar and its emir. He was in Gaza recently, and he seems to have made a deal,
<p />some people calling it a shotgun marriage, where Hamas and Fatah—Hamas recently moved its head offices to Doha, and now we have a
<p />sort of peace agreement. We're told by our journalist in Gaza, everywhere you see a Palestinian flag, there's a Qatari flag flying next to it. And
<p />Hamas is actually allowing people to protest, carrying the portraiture of Abbas, Abbas the head of Fatah and the PA. It's a very interesting
<p />development, including the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, which seems to have managed the peace agreement with Gaza in a way that has
<p />pleased President Obama.
<p />
<p />Now joining us from Geneva is Raja Khalidi. He's spent most of his professional career with the UN Conference on Trade and Development,
<p />UNCTAD, where he's currently chief of the Office of the Director, Division on Globalization and Development Strategies. And I have to point
<p />out, the opinions he's about to express are primarily his own; they're not necessarily those of UNCTAD. Thanks for joining us, Raja.
<p />
<p />RAJA KHALIDI, SENIOR ECONOMIST, UNCTAD, GENEVA: Nice to be with you.
<p />
<p />JAY: So, first of all, what do you make of what's going on, in terms of the UN recognition of Palestine as a nonmember state? And just what
<p />kind of Palestine does Qatar and others who are kind of moving pieces around on the chessboard, what kind of Palestine do you think is going
<p />to be built?
<p />
<p />KHALIDI: When you ask what sort of state we can expect to come out of this, I don't think any state—I don't think from the—I mean, at least
<p />from the status of the peace process, I don't think we can expect any state to come out of this.
<p />
<p />We haven't seen a change in Israel's position. On the contrary, we've seen a hardening of the Israeli position regarding settlement of the West
<p />Bank. We haven't really seen anything in the way of a durable ceasefire. As a result of the Gaza conflict, we haven't seen a relief of the siege of
<p />Gaza. So people in Gaza haven't really felt anything new as a result of a very hard-fought and widely publicized battle.
<p />
<p />So, I mean, as I said, I think the prospects for a Palestinian state haven't looked good for a long time, and they don't look any better, to me, at
<p />least, today as a result of—notwithstanding the diplomatic, military, if you wish, and regional diplomatic sort of pluses that the Palestinians
<p />have chalked up in the last few weeks.
<p />
<p />JAY: A Palestinian friend of mine, his theory of what's happening here is: Qatar, together with Saudi Arabia and in cooperation with the
<p />United States, the sort of plan is to develop the economy in Gaza and the West Bank and develop Gaza in a way that it becomes more and
<p />more integrated with Egypt, and Egypt under the Muslim Brotherhood sort of manages Gaza. And in the West Bank, again, investment from
<p />Qatar and others develop the economy there in a way that strengthens the links with Jordan. He saw the whole thing as sort of the—his quote
<p />was this is the end of the Palestinian project.
<p />
<p />KHALIDI: The first person to say that was, I think, a Palestinian scholar in 2005, who said that with Arafat's death, the Palestinian national
<p />movements would start to come apart. In many ways, the last five years, six years have seen that sort of a disassembling of what was
<p />otherwise a fairly united national project now scattered into two regional, political projects, as well—I mean, regional in the sense of Gaza
<p />and Ramallah, two different, separate Palestinian political entities, if you wish, political systems. And everything else we've seen in the way
<p />of disunity, if one can use that word in the Palestinian political and geographic and economic and international and regional relations sort of
<p />map.
<p />
<p />And now the fact that capital in the region might—I mean—or the idea that capital in the region might flow into Gaza or to the West Bank
<p />more readily than it has, let's say, in some better periods, i.e. periods where things were looking up, the Oslo period, for example, or even the
<p />last few years in the West Bank, that it's going to somehow transform the economic prospects, I think, is unlikely. You know, there's very little
<p />what we call—in Arabic we use the word [incompr.] brave capital, courageous capital that's willing to really put its feet down in Palestinian—
<p />in investing in Palestine. So, there's a
<p />Palestinian capital out there that could come back. So I don't see a major, resource transfusion.
<p />
<p />We heard about this social—this safety net, financial safety net approved by the Arab League. Basically, it's saying that, if the Israelis cut
<p />off the tax revenue that's due for transfer to the PA, the Palestinian Authority, then the Arabs will step in and foot the bill, which is really,
<p />almost—, which is a good safety net for a short period, but it's not really a sustainable one. In Gaza, you're right, there was this—there were
<p />major pledges for infrastructural development projects, and I think from Qatar prior to the last fighting. And those might actually—, now, in
<p />fact, there's probably even more to reconstruct than there was before.
<p />
<p />But I don't think that, that's—again, we've had these spurts in Palestinian economic history of either donor-funded or remittance- (in some
<p />cases) funded or labor from— wages-from-income-funded growth spurts, which led to, in some cases, some prosperity here and there, what
<p />we've called in UNCTAD, individual prosperity and communal impoverishment. And we could see the same sort of— especially in Gaza,
<p />because I don't think the West Bank has that, is really— has anywhere to grow, whereas Gaza has a lot, still, to recover from. There's a lot of
<p />major infrastructural and social expenditures that could be envisaged there.
<p />
<p />And that will— that could delay certain things, but we've always seen—the thing comes back and bites any economic piece or any, prosperity
<p />booms in the rear very badly. And it's happened— it happened in 1987 with the First Intifada. It happened again after Oslo twice, both in the
<p />mid '90s, and then in 2000. The Second Intifada, we've had it again and again in Gaza.
<p />
<p />So, I mean, I think that the main issue is mainly occupation, lack of sovereignty, extremely limited, if any, economic policy space, even for the
<p />Gaza—government in Gaza, especially for the PA, in terms of its—the nature of its economic agreements and security and Oslo and Paris so-
<p />called agreements with Israel. I don't see anything yet that's— with all of the links that might exist between the Hamas, Palestinian, Muslim
<p />Brotherhood, Egyptian, and others, there are other very important forces at play.
<p />
<p />The Iranian support for—the military support that has reached Gaza can't be discounted. There's a situation in North Sinai of lawlessness,
<p />which the Egyptian government hasn't got a handle on and I think, worries Israel, and even worries Hamas, because it's a Salafi—sort of
<p />armed Salafi—not insurgency, but lawlessness, as I said, in the northwest Sinai. And then you have everything that's happening in Syria and
<p />Jordan in terms of regime change or potential reform, constitutional reform in Jordan.
<p />
<p />So, I think the key player here in all this, even though I've made the tour of the Arab world, the key player is really Israel. I mean, the party
<p />that has it in its hands to change the prospects for a Palestinian state or a Palestinian economy, or even, some achievement of Palestinian
<p />rights, is Israel. And, we haven't seen any moves except, further consolidation. This extraordinarily sensitive settlement plan in this area
<p />east of Jerusalem, E1, is certainly not—not to mention the tax issue, the revenue withholding. I mean, that could go on as a short-term
<p />punishment, but I don't think the PA can live with it for very long.
<p />
<p />And already I think President Abbas, when he addressed the Arab League the other day, unfortunately, I think this has given us an example
<p />of the limitations of the state—status of being a state that the PLO is accorded in the UN is that he announced to them, he says that we're
<p />fast approaching becoming a collapsed state, basically, probably the fastest failed state in history, between November 29 and— only because
<p />we have one month of Israeli channeled tax revenue withheld. And that's problematic. I mean it's problematic when you talk about state
<p />institutions that are supposedly there ready to function, and all that is needed is the magic wand of a political agreement. That's— that's more
<p />easier said than done.
<p />
<p />JAY: Okay. So, in the next segment of our interview, let's talk further about just what kind of economy is going to be built in Palestine and
<p />Egypt, other countries of the Arab Spring. People were demanding democracy, but not just political democracy. People want something in
<p />terms of their economy. So please join us for the next segment of this interview on The Real News Network.
<p />
<p />End
<p />
<p />DISCLAIMER: Please note that transcripts for The Real News Network are typed from a recording of the program. TRNN cannot
<p />guarantee their complete accuracy. | true | 4 | raja khalidi spent professional career unctad currently chief office director division globalization development strategies holds ba oxford university msc university london soas 20002006 mr khalidi coordinator unctads programme assistance palestinian people combines analytical operational expertise unctad secretariat integrated manner assignments unctad also dealt debt development finance global economic crisis institutional development strategic management reform publications include book dynamics arab regional economic development israel contributions palestinian economic development issues palestinian encyclopedia journal palestine studies edited volumes well jadaliya online palestinian israeli international media views expressed necessarily reflect united nations paul jay senior editor trnn welcome real news network im paul jay baltimore middle east moves afoot large extent led qatar emir gaza recently seems made deal people calling shotgun marriage hamas fatahâhamas recently moved head offices doha sort peace agreement told journalist gaza everywhere see palestinian flag theres qatari flag flying next hamas actually allowing people protest carrying portraiture abbas abbas head fatah pa interesting development including muslim brotherhood egypt seems managed peace agreement gaza way pleased president obama joining us geneva raja khalidi hes spent professional career un conference trade development unctad hes currently chief office director division globalization development strategies point opinions hes express primarily theyre necessarily unctad thanks joining us raja raja khalidi senior economist unctad geneva nice jay first make whats going terms un recognition palestine nonmember state kind palestine qatar others kind moving pieces around chessboard kind palestine think going built khalidi ask sort state expect come dont think stateâi dont think theâi mean least status peace process dont think expect state come havent seen change israels position contrary weve seen hardening israeli position regarding settlement west bank havent really seen anything way durable ceasefire result gaza conflict havent seen relief siege gaza people gaza havent really felt anything new result hardfought widely publicized battle mean said think prospects palestinian state havent looked good long time dont look better least today result ofânotwithstanding diplomatic military wish regional diplomatic sort pluses palestinians chalked last weeks jay palestinian friend mine theory whats happening qatar together saudi arabia cooperation united states sort plan develop economy gaza west bank develop gaza way becomes integrated egypt egypt muslim brotherhood sort manages gaza west bank investment qatar others develop economy way strengthens links jordan saw whole thing sort theâhis quote end palestinian project khalidi first person say think palestinian scholar 2005 said arafats death palestinian national movements would start come apart many ways last five years six years seen sort disassembling otherwise fairly united national project scattered two regional political projects wellâi mean regional sense gaza ramallah two different separate palestinian political entities wish political systems everything else weve seen way disunity one use word palestinian political geographic economic international regional relations sort map fact capital region mightâi meanâor idea capital region might flow gaza west bank readily lets say better periods ie periods things looking oslo period example even last years west bank going somehow transform economic prospects think unlikely know theres little callâin arabic use word incompr brave capital courageous capital thats willing really put feet palestinianâ investing palestine theres palestinian capital could come back dont see major resource transfusion heard socialâthis safety net financial safety net approved arab league basically saying israelis cut tax revenue thats due transfer pa palestinian authority arabs step foot bill really almostâ good safety net short period really sustainable one gaza youre right thisâthere major pledges infrastructural development projects think qatar prior last fighting might actuallyâ fact theres probably even reconstruct dont think thatsâagain weve spurts palestinian economic history either donorfunded remittance cases funded labor fromâ wagesfromincomefunded growth spurts led cases prosperity weve called unctad individual prosperity communal impoverishment could see sort ofâ especially gaza dont think west bank reallyâ anywhere grow whereas gaza lot still recover theres lot major infrastructural social expenditures could envisaged willâ could delay certain things weve always seenâthe thing comes back bites economic piece prosperity booms rear badly happenedâ happened 1987 first intifada happened oslo twice mid 90s 2000 second intifada weve gaza mean think main issue mainly occupation lack sovereignty extremely limited economic policy space even gazaâgovernment gaza especially pa terms itsâthe nature economic agreements security oslo paris called agreements israel dont see anything yet thatsâ links might exist hamas palestinian muslim brotherhood egyptian others important forces play iranian support forâthe military support reached gaza cant discounted theres situation north sinai lawlessness egyptian government hasnt got handle think worries israel even worries hamas salafiâsort armed salafiânot insurgency lawlessness said northwest sinai everything thats happening syria jordan terms regime change potential reform constitutional reform jordan think key player even though ive made tour arab world key player really israel mean party hands change prospects palestinian state palestinian economy even achievement palestinian rights israel havent seen moves except consolidation extraordinarily sensitive settlement plan area east jerusalem e1 certainly notânot mention tax issue revenue withholding mean could go shortterm punishment dont think pa live long already think president abbas addressed arab league day unfortunately think given us example limitations stateâstatus state plo accorded un announced says fast approaching becoming collapsed state basically probably fastest failed state history november 29 andâ one month israeli channeled tax revenue withheld thats problematic mean problematic talk state institutions supposedly ready function needed magic wand political agreement thatsâ thats easier said done jay okay next segment interview lets talk kind economy going built palestine egypt countries arab spring people demanding democracy political democracy people want something terms economy please join us next segment interview real news network end disclaimer please note transcripts real news network typed recording program trnn guarantee complete accuracy | 926 |
<p>On October 28th 2007 the National Football League (NFL), the professional league of the most American of sports, granted the city of London the honor of hosting the first NFL game played in Europe. Before the game went on in rainy conditions before a disinterested city, viewers watching back in the states were treated to a hearty rendition of ‘God Save the Queen’; local dives throughout New York full of many Americans with roots in Ireland, India, and other former British colonies exploded in profane jeers from the very first note.</p>
<p>The patriotic tide turned somewhat on December 8th in Las Vegas when the legion of British folks who flew into sin city in support of fighter Ricky Hatton booed loud enough to overwhelm the ‘Star-Spangled Banner’ being sung in the ring before the fight. Hatton was knocked out by American Floyd Mayweather Jr. shortly thereafter.</p>
<p>Does either of these boozy incidents serve to reveal anything significant? For one thing they probably reminded even the most unsentimental Americans of their grammar school history lessons about the Boston Tea Party and Lexington and Concord. For the more historically inclined they may represent tongue in cheek editions of the infamous 1849 riot at the Astor Place Opera House in New York sparked on the heels of the rivalry</p>
<p>between British actor William Macready and American actor Edwin Forrest. Their theatrical sparring brought about a momentary cultural confrontation between the city’s British inspired elites and the working class. A pamphlet circulated in the proceeding days read: “WORKING MEN, Shall Americans or English Rule in this city”. The riot left twenty-two people dead, mostly killed by militiamen firing into a crowded street.</p>
<p>On the other hand, perhaps this line of thought leads to either grudging or guilty reflections about the “special relationship” between the United States and Britain. That such a relationship exists is taken to be a truism in many circles, particularly political ones. Indeed it is striking how often prose and history color American political rhetoric. When Islamic terrorists inflicted 9/11 on New York and Washington it was the image of Churchill, rather than a comparable figure in American history, that was most sought after by the American media (the fact that the mantle was settled on the odious figure of Rudy Giuliani is an unfortunate testament). The shadows of Churchill and Chamberlain often cast in times of American wars and crisis both real and imagined, while Shakespeare’s ‘Band of Brothers’ speech from Henry V is sure to appear on the editorial page of all hawkish outlets in the run-up to military action.</p>
<p>Still despite the wartime alliance against Nazi Germany and Britain’s current support for the American occupation in Iraq, it is fair to question the depth of the special relationship. It does appear that political and intellectual elites married to the idea have pushed a bit too hard at times. For example, one wonders about the reaction of John Hancock and Thomas Jefferson to the opening page of British historian Andrew Roberts’ latest work A History of the English Speaking Peoples since 1900. In a tone he uses for 700 plus pages, Roberts asserts:</p>
<p>Just as we do not differentiate between the Roman Republic and the imperial period of Julio-Claudians when we think of the Roman Empire, so in the future no one will bother to make a distinction between the British Empire-led and American Republic-led periods of English speaking dominance between the late-eighteenth and twenty-first centuriesIt will be recognizedthat they ought to be regarded as a single entity, which only scholars and pedants will describe separately.</p>
<p>Roberts views the English speaking people’s dominance in the context of its wars against Communism, Fascism, Islamic Terrorism, and what he terms Prussian militarism (climaxing in the First World War). An interesting irony to note is that Roberts’ war against the latter puts him at odds even with the other historian booster of empire currently in vogue Niall Ferguson, who maintains that a quick German victory over France in 1914 would have been more beneficial to Europe than a British intervention. Nonetheless Roberts was awarded lunch at the White House for his work, much of which is a silly defense of every British and American military adventure from the Philippines to South Africa (Ireland meanwhile is described by Roberts as having “provided the exception to ever rule, disrupted every generalizationfrom the rest of the English-speaking peoples so often that it must be considered quite apart from the rest.”)</p>
<p>While Roberts may represent the extremist, and desperate for returning glory, Tory camp, more reasonable voices are pushing the same theme. The influential historian Robert Conquest uses the appendix to his latest book Dragons of Expectation to put forward what he calls the “Anglosphere”: an UN/EU style organization to be based in Bermuda and made up of English speaking countries, specifically the U.S., U.K., Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, and the Caribbean. Complete with its own Declaration of Independence “Holding that our countries, subscribing to a common political tradition, economically and otherwise, form the strongest force of humanity; with the aim of providing a present center of hope in the worldNow declare our independence.”</p>
<p>James Bennett voices a similar sentiment and term in his book titled The Anglosphere Challenge: Why the English Speaking Nations will lead the Way in the Twenty-First Century. Bennett argues that far from eliminating borders globalization will create what he terms ‘network commonwealths’, distinct but overlapping linguistic spheres of which the English speaking one will be best equipped due to its civil society traditions and pure capitalist economies.</p>
<p>In this rarefied atmosphere, and despite what its practitioners claim, it is difficult to encounter the spirit of 1776, yet in reality its ghosts have resurrected themselves many times. It shouldn’t be forgotten that America’s first declared war as an independent nation was against Britain in 1812 (this somewhat overlooked war featured a British torching of Washington DC). The next major conflict in American history saw Britain in sympathy with the Confederacy as a means of stemming American expansion. There was nearly a third war in 1896 over the borders of Venezuela (at that stage the U.S. Congress could still safely be described as having an “anti-British” bent).</p>
<p>Of course the pendulum began to tilt somewhat after the U.S. put the finishing touches on Spain’s empire in 1898. Kipling urged Roosevelt to seize the White Man’s Burden in the Philippines, Admiral Mahan envisioned a navel fleet to emulate and overtake the British fleet, Andrew Carnegie was preaching an American-British federation, and Cecil Rhodes created his scholarships in part as an effort to influence American intellectuals in the British mold.</p>
<p>In other words the dawn of the twentieth century saw America’s international imperial moment arrive, a British establishment that conceded that America was here to stay and work to get the emerging power on its side, especially against the rise German sea power. Churchill was soon to follow, first convincing the U.S. to assist in aiding the Whites in Russia and crushing the October Revolution in 1918, and finally establishing Britain as the junior partner to the now dominant American hegemon; over the course of time Reagan had Thatcher and Bush had Blair. The affair that continues to the present with the U.S. ruling over an unofficial, informal empire never quite declared as such- never declared as such because of the events and eternal anti-colonial emotion of 1776.</p>
<p>What does all this say for the “special relationship”? From a historical perspective, clearly it is a late developing partnership of self-interested elites or as Christopher Hitchens wrote more succinctly in his book Blood, Class, and Empire: The Enduring Anglo-American Relationship,</p>
<p>Although it is expressed in idealistic terms and based on a carefully cleansed reading of “history”, this relationship is really at bottom a transmission belt by which British conservative ideas have infected America, the better to be retransmitted to England.</p>
<p>As such we can surely expect a similar relationship to continue for the foreseeable future. Considering that both major political parties of both states have morphed into a single corporate entity, neither would seem overly interested in a serious policy overhaul. The greatest moment the relationship can claim is the defeat of fascism in Europe (accomplished with substantial help from the Red Army); however is also heavily stained with the bloodbaths of World War I, Vietnam, and the entire Middle East among other places.</p>
<p>A far better scenario to the status quo would be a greater resurgence of the ideals of the Glorious and American revolutions, ideals of anti-imperialism, secularism, and freedom. Obviously it’s foolish to expect political and corporate elites with this task; therefore it falls to the citizens of both countries to make an alliance that can provide true hope and support for the world, finally proving George Bernard Shaw wrong by no longer being separating by a common language by those in power.</p>
<p>JOSEPH GROSSO is a librarian and writer living in New York City. He can be reached at: <a href="" type="internal">ax4130@aol.com</a></p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | october 28th 2007 national football league nfl professional league american sports granted city london honor hosting first nfl game played europe game went rainy conditions disinterested city viewers watching back states treated hearty rendition god save queen local dives throughout new york full many americans roots ireland india former british colonies exploded profane jeers first note patriotic tide turned somewhat december 8th las vegas legion british folks flew sin city support fighter ricky hatton booed loud enough overwhelm starspangled banner sung ring fight hatton knocked american floyd mayweather jr shortly thereafter either boozy incidents serve reveal anything significant one thing probably reminded even unsentimental americans grammar school history lessons boston tea party lexington concord historically inclined may represent tongue cheek editions infamous 1849 riot astor place opera house new york sparked heels rivalry british actor william macready american actor edwin forrest theatrical sparring brought momentary cultural confrontation citys british inspired elites working class pamphlet circulated proceeding days read working men shall americans english rule city riot left twentytwo people dead mostly killed militiamen firing crowded street hand perhaps line thought leads either grudging guilty reflections special relationship united states britain relationship exists taken truism many circles particularly political ones indeed striking often prose history color american political rhetoric islamic terrorists inflicted 911 new york washington image churchill rather comparable figure american history sought american media fact mantle settled odious figure rudy giuliani unfortunate testament shadows churchill chamberlain often cast times american wars crisis real imagined shakespeares band brothers speech henry v sure appear editorial page hawkish outlets runup military action still despite wartime alliance nazi germany britains current support american occupation iraq fair question depth special relationship appear political intellectual elites married idea pushed bit hard times example one wonders reaction john hancock thomas jefferson opening page british historian andrew roberts latest work history english speaking peoples since 1900 tone uses 700 plus pages roberts asserts differentiate roman republic imperial period julioclaudians think roman empire future one bother make distinction british empireled american republicled periods english speaking dominance lateeighteenth twentyfirst centuriesit recognizedthat ought regarded single entity scholars pedants describe separately roberts views english speaking peoples dominance context wars communism fascism islamic terrorism terms prussian militarism climaxing first world war interesting irony note roberts war latter puts odds even historian booster empire currently vogue niall ferguson maintains quick german victory france 1914 would beneficial europe british intervention nonetheless roberts awarded lunch white house work much silly defense every british american military adventure philippines south africa ireland meanwhile described roberts provided exception ever rule disrupted every generalizationfrom rest englishspeaking peoples often must considered quite apart rest roberts may represent extremist desperate returning glory tory camp reasonable voices pushing theme influential historian robert conquest uses appendix latest book dragons expectation put forward calls anglosphere uneu style organization based bermuda made english speaking countries specifically us uk canada new zealand australia ireland caribbean complete declaration independence holding countries subscribing common political tradition economically otherwise form strongest force humanity aim providing present center hope worldnow declare independence james bennett voices similar sentiment term book titled anglosphere challenge english speaking nations lead way twentyfirst century bennett argues far eliminating borders globalization create terms network commonwealths distinct overlapping linguistic spheres english speaking one best equipped due civil society traditions pure capitalist economies rarefied atmosphere despite practitioners claim difficult encounter spirit 1776 yet reality ghosts resurrected many times shouldnt forgotten americas first declared war independent nation britain 1812 somewhat overlooked war featured british torching washington dc next major conflict american history saw britain sympathy confederacy means stemming american expansion nearly third war 1896 borders venezuela stage us congress could still safely described antibritish bent course pendulum began tilt somewhat us put finishing touches spains empire 1898 kipling urged roosevelt seize white mans burden philippines admiral mahan envisioned navel fleet emulate overtake british fleet andrew carnegie preaching americanbritish federation cecil rhodes created scholarships part effort influence american intellectuals british mold words dawn twentieth century saw americas international imperial moment arrive british establishment conceded america stay work get emerging power side especially rise german sea power churchill soon follow first convincing us assist aiding whites russia crushing october revolution 1918 finally establishing britain junior partner dominant american hegemon course time reagan thatcher bush blair affair continues present us ruling unofficial informal empire never quite declared never declared events eternal anticolonial emotion 1776 say special relationship historical perspective clearly late developing partnership selfinterested elites christopher hitchens wrote succinctly book blood class empire enduring angloamerican relationship although expressed idealistic terms based carefully cleansed reading history relationship really bottom transmission belt british conservative ideas infected america better retransmitted england surely expect similar relationship continue foreseeable future considering major political parties states morphed single corporate entity neither would seem overly interested serious policy overhaul greatest moment relationship claim defeat fascism europe accomplished substantial help red army however also heavily stained bloodbaths world war vietnam entire middle east among places far better scenario status quo would greater resurgence ideals glorious american revolutions ideals antiimperialism secularism freedom obviously foolish expect political corporate elites task therefore falls citizens countries make alliance provide true hope support world finally proving george bernard shaw wrong longer separating common language power joseph grosso librarian writer living new york city reached ax4130aolcom 160 160 160 | 873 |
<p>As Spandan so ably pointed out in his <a href="" type="internal">piece</a>, the Beltway media is apoplectic that President Barack Obama dared to be interviewed by a greasy, fat, long-haired&#160;comedian in an effort to promote the Affordable Care Act. This Tweet fairly summarizes majority opinion in the White House press room:</p>
<p>I'm sure Maureen Dowd will have a piece up this weekend on how Obama disparages the dignity of the office of President by engaging with a low-brow actor from the "Hangover" series. Jay Carney was bombarded by questions on the day the interview hit the Internet, with reporters Very Concerned&#160;™ that President Obama debased himself by not conducting an interview with one of the main network anchors, which should be the appropriate route for any President who wishes to speak with the public.</p>
<p>Of course, the hypocrisy is so blatant it's laughable. Remember this video, shown at the Nerd Prom in 2004?</p>
<p>Do watch the entire video. While ordinary citizens were enraged at the joke, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/mar/26/usa.iraq" type="external">as this Guardian article explains</a>, one would be forgiven for thinking that the assembled good and great of the press thought it was a bang up jape, one of their own laughing at those he sent to their deaths on, well, a bald-faced, blatant lie. Because, really, the thought of those sent to kill and die for the US, and the people overseas whom they kill, can't be allowed to ruin a wonderful evening of self-congratulations.</p>
<p>It was quite appropriate for the previous Commander-in-Chief to make tasteless and abysmal light of the&#160;casus belli which dragged the US into a war which should never have been fought, killing more American citizens than died in 9/11, slaughtering countless Iraqi civilians, and burdening the country with debts financial, political, and moral. But, of course, you'd want to have a beer with the previous occupant of the White House. However, a sane, conscientious, genuinely&#160;good man, who is also President, using new media to push for his signature legislative achievement?&#160;There is the true tastelessness, if the cries from the fevered corners of network offices are to be believed. Obama again sullies the office, as he did when he called Vladimir Putin on the first Saturday of the Ukraine crisis while dressed in jeans.</p>
<p>It's become more or less a truism that the establishment media is a corrupt institution which imbibes Republican memes and disseminates them to its audience. Thus why they laughed at Bush searching for WMDs in the White House, but look askance at Obama going on "Between Two Ferns".</p>
<p>But there is no "unbiased" media. What the Internet has allowed is a flourishing of what used to be called "the yellow press": very biased, very opinionated journals which made no secret of whose side they were on. The big papers—New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times—still make a pretense of being unbiased. And of course, parroting the government line should be the brief of no news organization. However, assuming that the government—or anyone—is lying, and then crafting your reporting to expose the "lie", is neither fair nor unbiased. You've gone into the story with a preconceived notion. The Obama Administration purposely allowed Benghazi to happen. The administration was in complete charge of the Cincinnati IRS office. Obama "lied" about being able to keep your health policy under ACA. Even I, a mere librarian, know that good journalism should involve taking a premise, and then examining it from all sides, until things can be said about the premise. Instead, we have a media which seems to have taken lessons from Glenn Greenwald: the government by default lies, Obama is the worst practitioner of this, and your job is to assume the lie and expose it fully.</p>
<p>Obama's appearance on "Between Two Ferns" was brilliant. He reached an audience which does not watch the 6.30 pm news summaries. It's an audience which doesn't sit down and watch CNN for any amount of time, unless Anthony Bourdain is on. It's the audience which most needs the benefits of Obamacare: young, starting out in life, and needing the security of access to health care.</p>
<p>And this is what scares the mainstream media. For decades it churned out replacements for the audience which died out. What it faces in this coming generation is a group which has no use for its product. As wonderful as Rev. Al Sharpton is on MSNBC, my 20-something nephew and niece are not watching him. They don't even own televisions. And yet they're as informed as their middle-aged uncle, because we all get our news from sources other than television.</p>
<p>The cultural and information industries which seemed so secure, so dominant, are slowly withering away by the onslaught of technology and a changing view of the world. They're looking at a digital world which is already here, and have not a clue on how to deal with it. So they laud the old certainties of the past (the tough Texan joking about war and death), while seeking to cut down the president who has embraced and embodies the new world.</p>
<p>Of course the media would be aghast at Obama going on Zach Galifianakis' show. He doesn't need them. No one does.</p>
<p>The Stormy Daniels saga is the most Trumpian of scandals.</p>
<p>At a time when communities are under assault by the Trump cabal, pundits like Chris Cillizza can't let go of the narrative that this is all just an entertaining game.</p>
<p>All the news that's fit to print, or something.</p>
<p>Bernie Sanders' recent response to Russian interference has been widely panned. Yet, when we look at the entire Sanders campaign, a troubling pattern emerges that may very well find itself within the walls of the special prosecutor.&#160;</p>
<p>Time to turn to higher things for the weekend.</p>
<p>Gratitude is one of the most subversive political forces. Recognizing what your grateful for steels you for the fight against the forces which want to take those things away from you.</p>
<p>A slightly somber open thread.</p>
<p>Shit's going down!</p>
<p>Putative "progressives" are aiming to burn down the most progressive party in the most progressive state because they're not in charge of it. We saw this played out in this past weekend's California Democratic Party convention.</p>
<p>The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.</p> | true | 4 | spandan ably pointed piece beltway media apoplectic president barack obama dared interviewed greasy fat longhaired160comedian effort promote affordable care act tweet fairly summarizes majority opinion white house press room im sure maureen dowd piece weekend obama disparages dignity office president engaging lowbrow actor hangover series jay carney bombarded questions day interview hit internet reporters concerned160 president obama debased conducting interview one main network anchors appropriate route president wishes speak public course hypocrisy blatant laughable remember video shown nerd prom 2004 watch entire video ordinary citizens enraged joke guardian article explains one would forgiven thinking assembled good great press thought bang jape one laughing sent deaths well baldfaced blatant lie really thought sent kill die us people overseas kill cant allowed ruin wonderful evening selfcongratulations quite appropriate previous commanderinchief make tasteless abysmal light the160casus belli dragged us war never fought killing american citizens died 911 slaughtering countless iraqi civilians burdening country debts financial political moral course youd want beer previous occupant white house however sane conscientious genuinely160good man also president using new media push signature legislative achievement160there true tastelessness cries fevered corners network offices believed obama sullies office called vladimir putin first saturday ukraine crisis dressed jeans become less truism establishment media corrupt institution imbibes republican memes disseminates audience thus laughed bush searching wmds white house look askance obama going two ferns unbiased media internet allowed flourishing used called yellow press biased opinionated journals made secret whose side big papersnew york times washington post los angeles timesstill make pretense unbiased course parroting government line brief news organization however assuming governmentor anyoneis lying crafting reporting expose lie neither fair unbiased youve gone story preconceived notion obama administration purposely allowed benghazi happen administration complete charge cincinnati irs office obama lied able keep health policy aca even mere librarian know good journalism involve taking premise examining sides things said premise instead media seems taken lessons glenn greenwald government default lies obama worst practitioner job assume lie expose fully obamas appearance two ferns brilliant reached audience watch 630 pm news summaries audience doesnt sit watch cnn amount time unless anthony bourdain audience needs benefits obamacare young starting life needing security access health care scares mainstream media decades churned replacements audience died faces coming generation group use product wonderful rev al sharpton msnbc 20something nephew niece watching dont even televisions yet theyre informed middleaged uncle get news sources television cultural information industries seemed secure dominant slowly withering away onslaught technology changing view world theyre looking digital world already clue deal laud old certainties past tough texan joking war death seeking cut president embraced embodies new world course media would aghast obama going zach galifianakis show doesnt need one stormy daniels saga trumpian scandals time communities assault trump cabal pundits like chris cillizza cant let go narrative entertaining game news thats fit print something bernie sanders recent response russian interference widely panned yet look entire sanders campaign troubling pattern emerges may well find within walls special prosecutor160 time turn higher things weekend gratitude one subversive political forces recognizing grateful steels fight forces want take things away slightly somber open thread shits going putative progressives aiming burn progressive party progressive state theyre charge saw played past weekends california democratic party convention wolf also shall dwell lamb leopard shall lie young goat calf young lion fatling together little child shall lead | 552 |
<p>Winners write history.</p>
<p>Losers rewrite history continually as bills come due, consequences surface, newly revealed errors and shortcomings must be excused, and heavier blame must be shifted onto backs sturdy enough to bear it.</p>
<p>Case in point: Michael Abramowitz’s insider-propelled backgrounder in the Washington Post, U.S. Promises on Darfur Don’t Match Actions tries to explain why, despite its brave talk, the Bush administration isn’t getting anything done on Darfur.</p>
<p>A considerable effort is made to make President Bush look good on this issue by painting him as the guy who wants to do the right thing but was thwarted by distracted, risk averse bureaucrats.</p>
<p>At one point, one senior official said, Bush wanted action to crimp Sudan’s booming oil business, a move that would have severely aggravated relations with China — and that no one else in the government favored.</p>
<p>There was stunned silence in the room, the official said, when Hadley disclosed Bush’s idea to other government officials. Hadley made clear he was not interested in having a discussion, but the administration never went as far as the president seemed to be demanding. Instead, Treasury officials came up with a sanctions plan aimed at tracking and squeezing key individuals and companies in the Sudanese economy, including the oil business.</p>
<p>At an appearance in Tennessee this summer, Bush raised a question many have asked about the situation in Darfur: “If there is a problem, why don’t you just go take care of it?” But Bush said he considered — and decided against — sending U.S. troops unilaterally. “It just wasn’t the right decision,” he said.</p>
<p>Unable to compel the attention and obedience of his advisors, unwilling to resort precipitously to military action, and bereft of an outlet for his idealism.</p>
<p>Doesn’t sound like our President Bush, does it?</p>
<p>Actually, I think there’s a good argument that, on Sudan, President Bush was guilty of doing too much, not too little. Not in Darfur, but in another, more strategically important area of the country that receives one-tenth of the attention the Darfur sideshow does: the South.</p>
<p>A full understanding of Mr. Bush’s problem can be seen in the context of the twenty-plus year civil war between the oil-rich South and Khartoum that claimed two million lives.</p>
<p>The president commendably invested considerable prestige, attention and energy to broker a peace deal that, after hopeful beginnings, is now on the point of collapse.</p>
<p>The ironic legacy of the North-South deal may turn out to be that it only provided the template for the political and humanitarian crisis in Darfur–and demonstrated the limits of unilateral foreign policy, even by the world’s only superpower, in one of the world’s more intractable trouble spots.</p>
<p>This gives me a chance to unpack a long piece I wrote last year, The Twisted Triangle: America, China, and Sudan.</p>
<p>I argued that the Bush administration was hostage to the policy of rapprochement with the Sudan regime that had brought about the cessation of the North-South civil war;</p>
<p>that, because of the outcry over Darfur, President Bush had not been able to deliver on the deal promised to Sudan’s President Bashir in return for accepting a risky power-sharing arrangement;</p>
<p>that Bashir was extremely unhappy with the Bush administration as a result;</p>
<p>and that the United States nevertheless, in its best “hope is not a plan” mode, incorrectly assumed it still possessed the leverage to act unilaterally and outside the UN and other mechanisms to impose a Darfur settlement that turned out to be dead on arrival;</p>
<p>and that therefore the Bush administration’s efforts-as further retailed in the Abramowitz article-to blame the U.N. and China for the lack of progress on Darfur is supreme example of sour grapes and hypocrisy.</p>
<p>I wrote:</p>
<p>Rather ironic that Sudan, which was supposed to serve as the keystone of Bush administration engagement with Africa, has turned into an exclusive sandbox for the Yellow Peril.</p>
<p>More to the point, it should be recalled that the United States has consistently pursued Sudan as its exclusive Great Power trophy, most recently when it decided that it would pursue its Darfur diplomacy directly with Khartoum and use the African Union as its vehicle, excluding China and bypassing the UN.</p>
<p>But that didn’t quite work out….</p>
<p>Its credibility and clout diminished by the failure of its DPA initiative, the U.S. government is reduced to impotent table pounding by its media proxies and indignant finger wagging by humanitarian and evangelical groups trying to somehow coerce China into helping out.</p>
<p>Talking about Darfur also gives me an opportunity to present the acme of Bush administration second term hubris to a new audience:</p>
<p>Anticipation of the juicy [North-South] deal coming down the pipe had evoked this remarkable headline in the Sudan Tribune on the occasion of the 2004 U.S. presidential election:</p>
<p>“Sudan prayed for Bush victory.”</p>
<p>Israel’s Debkafile is not the most accurate reporter of news. But it is a faithful chronicler of grandiose neo-con fantasies and this report from 2004 catches some of the giddy enthusiasm of the Bush White House over the new Sudan policy:</p>
<p>For the first time ever, American diplomacy will have succeeded in converting a country dominated by radical Muslims ­ in Sudan’s case since the 17th century -into a secular democracy ­ in a period, moreover, when fundamentalist Islam is at its most militant and only a few years after Khartoum played host to Osama bin Laden’s headquarters. Bush also has a special occasion in mind with an eye on the African American vote where his support is relatively weak. He will step forward as the first US president to plunge deep and head-on into problems endemic to the African continent. The Sudan peace will show the way to accommodations of other conflicts. He has allocated liberal sums for the fight against AIDS and steps for raising the standard of living of hundreds of millions of Africans.</p>
<p>On the agenda too is a highly evocative ritual at the White House at which Sudan’s president will solemnly forswear his country’s dark past as recruiter of slaves for America and the Arab caravans carrying African slaves around the world.If the US president has his way, the White House lawn will be fully booked this year with ceremonies centering on the Sudanese reconciliation, which he rates more highly than the Israel-Palestinian handshake hosted by Bill Clinton eleven years ago.</p>
<p>“It has to be a ceremony even more impressive than the 1993 White House signing of declarations of principles by Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres and Yasser Arafat,” said a senior US official preparing the event. “It will be an ‘African Camp David’, but one that will not fail.” Bush’s advisers are preparing to stage a truly gala reception for the two Sudanese leaders, the first of a series showcasing the presidency’s breakthroughs in Africa in full sight of the American electorate and culminating in a splashy signing ceremony in March or April.</p>
<p>National security adviser Condoleezza Rice has set up a committee with heads of the African American community. Working out of an undisclosed location in Los Angeles, they are assess the next moves on Sudan and their impact on voting patterns in November.</p>
<p>As Danforth’s mission draws to a successful conclusion, the president’s senior political adviser Karl Rove is taking charge of strategy on Sudan and its exploitation as campaign fodder.</p>
<p>Let’s highlight a truly wonderful passage:</p>
<p>“On the agenda too is a highly evocative ritual at the White House at which Sudan’s president will solemnly forswear his country’s dark past as recruiter of slaves for America and the Arab caravans carrying African slaves around the world.”</p>
<p>Sudan would not only be reclaimed for the Christian God and Big Oil.</p>
<p>It would also help exorcise the guilt of the GOP’s white southern base for its slaveholding past, and place the onus firmly on the backs of those troublesome but ultimately contrite Muslim Arabs.</p>
<p>Now, that’s a peace deal for the ages!</p>
<p>That’s that I wrote, and none of that stuff ever happened, of course.</p>
<p>President Bush’s plans for a colorful African triumph on the White House lawn were derailed by the helicopter-crash death of John Garang in 2005 that must be reflexively described as “suspicious”, even though the aircraft was lent him by his Ugandan allies; and by shameless reneging on the details of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement by the Khartoum regime.</p>
<p>President Bush tried to keep the dream alive. He kept the State Department on the case and intervened personally to advance the peace process; met with Garang’s successor, Salva Kiir Mayardit; Garang’s widow Rebecca was one of three non-U.S. citizens honored by a place in Laura Bush’s box at the 2006 State of the Union address; and aid flowed to the south, in the form of a $40 million Dyncorp contract to house and train the south’s army as part of the buying-off process.</p>
<p>However, there were limits to the energy and commitment America was willing to bring to bear on the situation. When faced with a severe challenge and difficult choices, its largely unilateral diplomacy proved incapable of preventing the Sudan situation from unraveling.</p>
<p>The biggest dark cloud of trouble that doomed the Bush’s carnival of diplomatic, religious, and racial reconciliation was in Sudan’s northwest: Darfur proved his undoing.</p>
<p>There was serious unrest in Darfur before the CPA. Unfortunately, the Bush administration tried to wish away the problem with a combination of optimism and obstinate neglect.</p>
<p>Again, quoting Marcia Katz:</p>
<p>American policymakers [decided] in early 2004 that they would try to finish the North-South deal before turning to Darfur–even if it meant ignoring a genocide. Their rationalization went like this: The North-South agreement was grounded in core principles about sharing power and wealth that Darfuris could then use as the foundation for a peace agreement of their own. The North-South agreement would also dilute the extremist regime in Khartoum by integrating Southerners into the national government and creating a new order more sympathetic to Darfuri concerns. Lastly, the agreement called for democratic elections in 2009, which would give President Omar Al Bashir and his National Congress Party an incentive to promote peace and prosperity in the whole country.</p>
<p>This approach served the administration’s political interests, but it was a fatal miscalculation–“a way to interpret the status quo positively,” as Gayle Smith, an Africa specialist at the Center for American Progress and onetime director of African affairs at the National Security Council (NSC), puts it. For one thing, the agreement was very specific about the division of power and resources between the North and South. To subsequently incorporate other parties and regions would require difficult renegotiation.</p>
<p>Rebel agitation in the northwest intensified-perhaps partially in response to the perception that the CPA was indeed a ready-made template for Darfuri empowerment.</p>
<p>However, Khartoum apparently decided it was not going to give away its territory and oil revenue chunk by chunk, and committed itself to the destruction of the Darfur rebels as a credible political and military force.</p>
<p>The tool Khartoum adopted was the notorious Janjaweed.</p>
<p>Khartoum could not rely on its army, which had a sizable Darfurese component (and after all, John Garang had risen to a privileged position in the Sudanese army, commanding forces charged with suppressing the southern insurrection, before he switched sides and became the rebels’ charismatic and highly effective leader).</p>
<p>So Sudan outsourced the dirty work to irregular Arab militias, which engaged in attacks extensive enough to become universally recognized as ethnic cleansing and behavior brutal enough to be termed genocide by many observers.</p>
<p>The African Union-envisioned as a Third World cadet NATO-took on Darfur as its first project, in the process revealing itself as underfunded and inexperienced (in generous official parlance) and inept, corrupt, and totally out of its depth (the scathing unofficial view) in trying to secure the Darfur region.</p>
<p>In June of this year, Robert Zoellick of the U.S. State Department and Hilary Benn of the U.K. inserted themselves in African Union negotiations for two days and tried to solve Darfur with an agreement that can be described charitably as half-assed.</p>
<p>It was signed with only one of the rebel groups, Minni Minawi’s Sudanese Liberation Army, which took its (presumably generous) payday and disintegrated in a vortex of banditry; it made no provisions for restraining or disarming the Janjaweed; and indeed made virtually no demands on Khartoum while leaving the burden for security on the hapless AU force.</p>
<p>A negotiator for one of the rebel groups provides some insight into the Darfur Peace Agreement:</p>
<p>The US engineered peace for Darfur, commonly known as Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) is both “fake and unsustainable”. Its prime engineer Mr Robert Zoelick and his arch Experts produced a document that turns out to be a mockery of international diplomacy. As Professor Reeves said, the DPA was borne dead right from day one. In addition to the government of Sudan, the only other signatory of the DPA was Minni Minnawi and his SLM fraction, erroneously and persistently promoted to be the biggest Darfur “rebel” group. Subsequent attempts to create a force out of Minnawi by the international community, the AU and the Government of Sudan came to naught. The US too was involved in this fiasco, culminating in Minnawi’s visit to the White House. The visit was by means ill-advised.</p>
<p>That the DPA is dead if not borne so is beyond doubt. Mr. Pronk, the UN Special Representative to Darfur described it as “severely paralysed, does not resonate with Darfur people and requires major rewriting”. Lashing Minnawi to sign the agreement, Mr Zoelick warned him: “I could be a very good friend but could also be a nasty enemy”. Well Mr, Minnawi chose “a very good friend”. Mr President, I trust you concur with us that any agreement that is an outcome of bullying cannot guarantee “lasting and sustainable peace”.</p>
<p>Mr. Minnawi has so far failed to sell the DPA to Darfur people. Both of his public rallies in Alfashir and Khartoum had to be cancelled. But he is not the only one who failed to recommend the DPA in a public venue to Darfur People. Mr. Egeland, the Head of UN Humanitarian Operations had a tragic experience. His attempt to recommend the DPA to Darfur IDPs [internally displaced persons-ed.] ended up with his interpreter lynched in front of him. If the IDPs do not think that the DPA is good for them, who else does?</p>
<p>For “lynched” read “beaten and hacked to death”.</p>
<p>As reported above, President Bush even took the extraordinary step of meeting with Minni Minawi in July 2006, and made what sounds like a futile and humiliating attempt to cajole him into behaving like a genuine American client.</p>
<p>From the Washington Post:</p>
<p>Bush told the rebel leader that his forces must refrain from violence and pressed him to forge an alliance with other factions in Darfur to broaden support for a peace agreement, [NSC spokesperson] Jones said.</p>
<p>Jones had no comment on how Minnawi responded.</p>
<p>When a policy’s success relies on inviting a powerless, semi-retired, and risk-adverse bandit to the White House for a dispirited jawboning session, you can say that policy is in trouble.</p>
<p>From the same article:</p>
<p>Minnawi faces rising opposition to his leadership among commanders in northern Darfur, including those from his Zaghawa tribe, according to the United Nations.</p>
<p>“He signed under incredible U.S. pressure and was probably given a lot of promises by the U.S. and the U.K.,” said Jemera Rone, a Sudan specialist with the advocacy group Human Rights Watch. “I’m sure he feels that the U.S. government now owes him and the people of Darfur quite a lot.”</p>
<p>A report issued earlier this month by the U.N. mission in Sudan cited allegations by displaced Sudanese that Minnawi’s faction “was indiscriminately killing, raping women and abducting” civilians.</p>
<p>“That agreement is not working, and one of the many reasons is Minni Minnawi,” Kenneth H. Bacon, president of the advocacy group Refugees International, wrote last week in a letter to Bush.</p>
<p>Refugees International said yesterday that Minnawi’s forces have conducted a “reign of terror” in North Darfur by beating and raping women, killing young men and displacing thousands of people. Bacon asked Bush to “please stress” to Minnawi that the rebel leader “must honor the terms of the Darfur Peace Agreement and stop fighting.”</p>
<p>At the time I speculated that this deeply flawed agreement was rushed out in order to provide a riposte to Hu Jintao’s high profile trip to Africa.</p>
<p>Hu’s visit certainly furnished the occasion for an ill-advised attempt to regain political traction on Sudan with a stunning diplomatic master-stroke. On that superficial level, I expect the DPA was meant to wrong-foot the Chinese president and win America a PR victory, and it succeeded, if temporarily and at the expense of further antagonizing China.</p>
<p>The greater significance of the DPA was probably that is was part of a failed, last-minute attempt to cobble together a strategic counter to China’s burgeoning influence in Sudan and to try to salvage the relationship that had evolved with such promise since President Bush’s election in 2000.</p>
<p>But the desperate measures appear to have come to nought.</p>
<p>The hastily-concluded Darfur Peace Agreement is in shambles.</p>
<p>Al-Bashir claims that he has a right to pursue the rebel groups that opted out of the June 2006 Darfur peace agreement. That’s not an unreasonable position. Trouble is, his only sound doctrine and effective order of battle relies on the use of the ethnic cleansing cum genocidal Janjaweed.</p>
<p>Now Khartoum is preparing a new offensive in the northwest; the shadow of riot and massacre hangs over two million desperate and despairing people huddled in squalid refugee camps; and the developed countries have declined to underwrite the AU peacekeeping contingent beyond September 2006, apparently deciding that its utility even as a figleaf for First World inaction wasn’t worth the money and trouble needed to refund its mandate.</p>
<p>Cynically, al-Bashir offered to allow the AU force to remain if Sudan funded it, thereby turning it into a toothless auxiliary of his army.</p>
<p>As a result, the crisis has been tossed into the UN, the venue in which, because of Chinese and Russian resistance, meaningful action is the least likely.</p>
<p>George Bush is disappointed, but I suspect al-Bashir is seriously annoyed.</p>
<p>The cornerstone of the 2005 deal-rehabilitation of Sudan’s international standing-seems further off than ever because of uproar over Darfur. It’s a promise that George W. Bush can no longer deliver on.</p>
<p>So Khartoum gave away direct control of a good third of its territory to the southern rebels in the CPA autonomy deal and got nothing in return.</p>
<p>What’s more, under the terms of the CPA, in 2011 the south is supposed to get a vote on independence and if it goes ahead, southern Sudan and its oil fields are undoubtedly gone forever.</p>
<p>The U.S. money and support for Khartoum that was supposed to compensate for the giveaway to the south and assure the survival and prosperity of what will probably become the new Islamic Republic of North Sudan hasn’t materialized; and al-Bashir is no doubt sufficiently realistic to understand that future administrations are going to side with the southern Sudanese political force that is adored by Christian evangelicals, and his a) tyrannical b) Muslim c) Arab regime is going to find itself squarely in the regime change crosshairs when push comes to shove.</p>
<p>Al-Bashir has his back against the wall and President Bush can’t help him.</p>
<p>All President Bush can do is plead with al-Bashir publicly and privately to play along and accept some gesture that will placate the world community-like “rehatting” the AU troops as part of a UN force-and al-Bashir is having none of it, at least for now.</p>
<p>Instead, al-Bashir has readopted the defiant language of Arab nationalism in his dealings both with the United States and the UN. With relations between Sudan and the U.S. are reverting to open hostility, it is very unlikely that Khartoum will welcome a UN force that might become the vanguard of a Western regime change offensive against his regime.</p>
<p>In an August 29, 2006 AP story carried on Yahoo as Sudan president claims west conspiracy, and in contrast to the effusive mutual handkissing between Bush and al-Bashir in 2003 quoted above, the Sudanese strongman declared:</p>
<p>“Everybody knows the Americans and British are scheming against the Sudan,” al-Bashir said at a rally to muster support for his opposition to the proposed deployment.</p>
<p>“We shall not be the first country to be recolonized in Africa. … We are free and shall not be enslaved,” al-Bashir told about 2,000 workers belonging to a federation of unions.</p>
<p>With the clock running out on control of the south-and perhaps his entire regime; with U.S. support revealed as a taunting mirage; and with President Bush, the one U.S. political actor emotionally committed to engagement with Khartoum, fading into distracted lame-duck weakness as the end of his final term in office looms, it’s not surprising that al Bashir has increasingly relied on China-which, since 1996, has taken advantage of Khartoum’s pariah status to become the single largest foreign investor in Sudan’s energy industry–as the one power with the determination and strong stomach to support his regime domestically and on the international stage.</p>
<p>Once again the Bush administration finds itself in the familiar and unenviable position of suddenly finding itself with little leverage and few options in dealing with a troublesome regional crisis. In contrast to North Korea and Iran, there is less excuse here since the United States has been engaged with the Sudan regime for the last five years.</p>
<p>Unable to explain its awkward, unrealistic, and now disintegrating flirtation with this terrorist state, the White House understandably looks for a scapegoat: China.</p>
<p>The title of the Washington Post’s September 6 editorial Responsible China? Darfur exposes Chinese hypocrisy pretty much conveys the political line of frustrated administration policymakers.</p>
<p>The United States and its European partners have called upon Sudan to let the U.N. force in. But China, which has enormous leverage over Sudan because of its investment in Sudanese oil fields, has failed to push the Sudanese into accepting the “realistic option” of a U.N. deployment.</p>
<p>Rather ironic that Sudan, which was supposed to serve as the keystone of Bush administration engagement with Africa, has turned into an exclusive sandbox for the Yellow Peril.</p>
<p>More to the point, it should be recalled that the United States has consistently pursued Sudan as its exclusive Great Power trophy, most recently when it decided that it would pursue its Darfur diplomacy directly with Khartoum and use the African Union as its vehicle, excluding China and bypassing the UN.</p>
<p>But that didn’t quite work out.</p>
<p>So President Bush has been forced to return to the UN to try to get the Security Council to rescue not only Darfur, but Sudan-from itself, and the genocidal activities that will remove it permanently beyond the diplomatic pale–by insertion of an effective peacekeeping force.</p>
<p>Its credibility and clout diminished by the failure of its DPA initiative, the U.S. government is reduced to impotent table pounding by its media proxies and indignant finger wagging by humanitarian and evangelical groups trying to somehow coerce China into helping out.</p>
<p>It must be especially galling to President Bush that not only is his diplomacy in Sudan in disarray, but the Chinese are in there scooping up the oil.</p>
<p>It’s amazing what poorly conceived, badly executed, and intermittent diplomacy can accomplish.</p>
<p>In the past, I’ve argued that liberal criticism of China, though justified in certain aspects, has been misplaced since the true issue was that Khartoum could always counter any pressure from China by intensifying its rapprochement with Washington, a patron that had demonstrated its unwillingness to censure its wayward client.</p>
<p>However, if al-Bashir has truly burned his bridges with Bush, and not just engaging in reckless brinksmanship, then the sub rosa US support that Khartoum has relied in order to flout international censure with impunity may be gone-and the Chinese finally will have the leverage we’ve always been so eager to ascribe to them.</p>
<p>Unfortunately it doesn’t look like they are in the mood to help us out.</p>
<p>It must seem absurd to Beijing that China is expected to sanction its ally to rescue a unilateral US diplomatic initiative that was designed primarily to strengthen US influence at China’s expense–simply because the wheels have come off the President Bush’s Sudan bandwagon and there’s nobody else around to help pick up the pieces.</p>
<p>No doubt a lot of eye-rolling about that in Zhong Nan Hai.</p>
<p>The true significance of the Darfur war-and China’s crucial role in propping up the Khartoum regime-will probably be revealed in the south, not the northwest.</p>
<p>The main oil reserves are in the southern province of Abyei. In order to make the CPA deal work, Khartoum (and the Bush administration) did not sweat the details of power-sharing and boundary definition there.</p>
<p>But Khartoum has been working the problem non-stop ever since, desperately, illegally, and ruthlessly.</p>
<p>As the distinguished Sudan-watcher Eric Reeves writes:</p>
<p>At the same time, the National Islamic Front senses that it will enjoy virtually complete diplomatic protection from China and other international actors, and that the Western nations that helped bring the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to fruition are not sufficiently engaged to ensure that key terms of the CPA are respected. This is extremely dangerous and may well lead to renewed war in the south, possibly in the near term. For example, Khartoum’s refusal to accept the findings of the distinguished international Abyei Boundary Commission creates of the oil-rich Abyei enclave a potential flash-point for renewed violence. Though the Government of South Sudan seems determined to seek international arbitration in its effort to force Khartoum to abide by the terms of the CPA, many in the SPLM have made clear that continued intransigence on Khartoum’s part could lead to war, which will almost certainly be the most violently destructive phase of a civil war that began in 1955, on the eve of Sudan’s independence from Anglo-Egyptian colonial rule.</p>
<p>In a replay of Darfur tactics, Khartoum is supporting militias in Abyei. Not regular army troops strong enough to turn on the central government, but forces strong enough to drive people from their homes and challenge the southern administration’s claim to uncontested sovereignty over the crucial oil regions there.</p>
<p>I believe that China’s crucial role is to come in and beef up the oil production, transportation infrastructure, and security and assist Khartoum in creating the “facts on the ground” that will help it deny the ownership of the oil assets to the southern regime after independence-and make it easier to defend these assets against a southern counterattack.</p>
<p>Maybe the Chinese believe they have a special expertise in the economic penetration and exploitation of mineral resources in unfriendly ethnic enclaves-think Tibet and Xinjiang. And their determination, patience, and focus might also prove to give China more lasting influence and success in Sudan and throughout Africa than the lazy “just add freedom” grandiosity of the Bush administration.</p>
<p>In theory, the Bush administration could resign itself to the current situation, in which China has favored access to Sudan’s oil and the trust of the Khartoum regime, and promise to respect its position and interests in return for Beijing’s active participation in compelling a genuine cessation of the violence in Darfur.</p>
<p>But that would mean abandoning the increasingly unattainable goals and ever more remote dreams that the Bush administration apparently still cherishes–for an American triumph in northeastern Africa, an isolated , cowed, and weak Muslim regime in Khartoum, the prospect of Sudan’s eventual conversion into a pro-US bastion centered in the south, and the positioning of Sudan’s oil reserves within America’s orbit and far outside of Chinese reach-in exchange for simple humanitarian goals.</p>
<p>The current campaign of China-bashing-attacking the one party we now accept has the capacity to influence the Khartoum regime-appears to indicate that the U.S. hasn’t made this choice.</p>
<p>So until a U.S. administration reconciles itself to the loss of its position of advantage in Sudan–or the situation somehow lurches back into Bush’s favor–accommodation with Beijing on Sudan will remain unattainable.</p>
<p>And for the foreseeable future, for the people of Darfur, there may be no respite–and no rescue.</p>
<p>CHINA HAND edits the very interesting website China Matters.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | winners write history losers rewrite history continually bills come due consequences surface newly revealed errors shortcomings must excused heavier blame must shifted onto backs sturdy enough bear case point michael abramowitzs insiderpropelled backgrounder washington post us promises darfur dont match actions tries explain despite brave talk bush administration isnt getting anything done darfur considerable effort made make president bush look good issue painting guy wants right thing thwarted distracted risk averse bureaucrats one point one senior official said bush wanted action crimp sudans booming oil business move would severely aggravated relations china one else government favored stunned silence room official said hadley disclosed bushs idea government officials hadley made clear interested discussion administration never went far president seemed demanding instead treasury officials came sanctions plan aimed tracking squeezing key individuals companies sudanese economy including oil business appearance tennessee summer bush raised question many asked situation darfur problem dont go take care bush said considered decided sending us troops unilaterally wasnt right decision said unable compel attention obedience advisors unwilling resort precipitously military action bereft outlet idealism doesnt sound like president bush actually think theres good argument sudan president bush guilty much little darfur another strategically important area country receives onetenth attention darfur sideshow south full understanding mr bushs problem seen context twentyplus year civil war oilrich south khartoum claimed two million lives president commendably invested considerable prestige attention energy broker peace deal hopeful beginnings point collapse ironic legacy northsouth deal may turn provided template political humanitarian crisis darfurand demonstrated limits unilateral foreign policy even worlds superpower one worlds intractable trouble spots gives chance unpack long piece wrote last year twisted triangle america china sudan argued bush administration hostage policy rapprochement sudan regime brought cessation northsouth civil war outcry darfur president bush able deliver deal promised sudans president bashir return accepting risky powersharing arrangement bashir extremely unhappy bush administration result united states nevertheless best hope plan mode incorrectly assumed still possessed leverage act unilaterally outside un mechanisms impose darfur settlement turned dead arrival therefore bush administrations effortsas retailed abramowitz articleto blame un china lack progress darfur supreme example sour grapes hypocrisy wrote rather ironic sudan supposed serve keystone bush administration engagement africa turned exclusive sandbox yellow peril point recalled united states consistently pursued sudan exclusive great power trophy recently decided would pursue darfur diplomacy directly khartoum use african union vehicle excluding china bypassing un didnt quite work credibility clout diminished failure dpa initiative us government reduced impotent table pounding media proxies indignant finger wagging humanitarian evangelical groups trying somehow coerce china helping talking darfur also gives opportunity present acme bush administration second term hubris new audience anticipation juicy northsouth deal coming pipe evoked remarkable headline sudan tribune occasion 2004 us presidential election sudan prayed bush victory israels debkafile accurate reporter news faithful chronicler grandiose neocon fantasies report 2004 catches giddy enthusiasm bush white house new sudan policy first time ever american diplomacy succeeded converting country dominated radical muslims sudans case since 17th century secular democracy period moreover fundamentalist islam militant years khartoum played host osama bin ladens headquarters bush also special occasion mind eye african american vote support relatively weak step forward first us president plunge deep headon problems endemic african continent sudan peace show way accommodations conflicts allocated liberal sums fight aids steps raising standard living hundreds millions africans agenda highly evocative ritual white house sudans president solemnly forswear countrys dark past recruiter slaves america arab caravans carrying african slaves around worldif us president way white house lawn fully booked year ceremonies centering sudanese reconciliation rates highly israelpalestinian handshake hosted bill clinton eleven years ago ceremony even impressive 1993 white house signing declarations principles yitzhak rabin shimon peres yasser arafat said senior us official preparing event african camp david one fail bushs advisers preparing stage truly gala reception two sudanese leaders first series showcasing presidencys breakthroughs africa full sight american electorate culminating splashy signing ceremony march april national security adviser condoleezza rice set committee heads african american community working undisclosed location los angeles assess next moves sudan impact voting patterns november danforths mission draws successful conclusion presidents senior political adviser karl rove taking charge strategy sudan exploitation campaign fodder lets highlight truly wonderful passage agenda highly evocative ritual white house sudans president solemnly forswear countrys dark past recruiter slaves america arab caravans carrying african slaves around world sudan would reclaimed christian god big oil would also help exorcise guilt gops white southern base slaveholding past place onus firmly backs troublesome ultimately contrite muslim arabs thats peace deal ages thats wrote none stuff ever happened course president bushs plans colorful african triumph white house lawn derailed helicoptercrash death john garang 2005 must reflexively described suspicious even though aircraft lent ugandan allies shameless reneging details comprehensive peace agreement khartoum regime president bush tried keep dream alive kept state department case intervened personally advance peace process met garangs successor salva kiir mayardit garangs widow rebecca one three nonus citizens honored place laura bushs box 2006 state union address aid flowed south form 40 million dyncorp contract house train souths army part buyingoff process however limits energy commitment america willing bring bear situation faced severe challenge difficult choices largely unilateral diplomacy proved incapable preventing sudan situation unraveling biggest dark cloud trouble doomed bushs carnival diplomatic religious racial reconciliation sudans northwest darfur proved undoing serious unrest darfur cpa unfortunately bush administration tried wish away problem combination optimism obstinate neglect quoting marcia katz american policymakers decided early 2004 would try finish northsouth deal turning darfureven meant ignoring genocide rationalization went like northsouth agreement grounded core principles sharing power wealth darfuris could use foundation peace agreement northsouth agreement would also dilute extremist regime khartoum integrating southerners national government creating new order sympathetic darfuri concerns lastly agreement called democratic elections 2009 would give president omar al bashir national congress party incentive promote peace prosperity whole country approach served administrations political interests fatal miscalculationa way interpret status quo positively gayle smith africa specialist center american progress onetime director african affairs national security council nsc puts one thing agreement specific division power resources north south subsequently incorporate parties regions would require difficult renegotiation rebel agitation northwest intensifiedperhaps partially response perception cpa indeed readymade template darfuri empowerment however khartoum apparently decided going give away territory oil revenue chunk chunk committed destruction darfur rebels credible political military force tool khartoum adopted notorious janjaweed khartoum could rely army sizable darfurese component john garang risen privileged position sudanese army commanding forces charged suppressing southern insurrection switched sides became rebels charismatic highly effective leader sudan outsourced dirty work irregular arab militias engaged attacks extensive enough become universally recognized ethnic cleansing behavior brutal enough termed genocide many observers african unionenvisioned third world cadet natotook darfur first project process revealing underfunded inexperienced generous official parlance inept corrupt totally depth scathing unofficial view trying secure darfur region june year robert zoellick us state department hilary benn uk inserted african union negotiations two days tried solve darfur agreement described charitably halfassed signed one rebel groups minni minawis sudanese liberation army took presumably generous payday disintegrated vortex banditry made provisions restraining disarming janjaweed indeed made virtually demands khartoum leaving burden security hapless au force negotiator one rebel groups provides insight darfur peace agreement us engineered peace darfur commonly known darfur peace agreement dpa fake unsustainable prime engineer mr robert zoelick arch experts produced document turns mockery international diplomacy professor reeves said dpa borne dead right day one addition government sudan signatory dpa minni minnawi slm fraction erroneously persistently promoted biggest darfur rebel group subsequent attempts create force minnawi international community au government sudan came naught us involved fiasco culminating minnawis visit white house visit means illadvised dpa dead borne beyond doubt mr pronk un special representative darfur described severely paralysed resonate darfur people requires major rewriting lashing minnawi sign agreement mr zoelick warned could good friend could also nasty enemy well mr minnawi chose good friend mr president trust concur us agreement outcome bullying guarantee lasting sustainable peace mr minnawi far failed sell dpa darfur people public rallies alfashir khartoum cancelled one failed recommend dpa public venue darfur people mr egeland head un humanitarian operations tragic experience attempt recommend dpa darfur idps internally displaced personsed ended interpreter lynched front idps think dpa good else lynched read beaten hacked death reported president bush even took extraordinary step meeting minni minawi july 2006 made sounds like futile humiliating attempt cajole behaving like genuine american client washington post bush told rebel leader forces must refrain violence pressed forge alliance factions darfur broaden support peace agreement nsc spokesperson jones said jones comment minnawi responded policys success relies inviting powerless semiretired riskadverse bandit white house dispirited jawboning session say policy trouble article minnawi faces rising opposition leadership among commanders northern darfur including zaghawa tribe according united nations signed incredible us pressure probably given lot promises us uk said jemera rone sudan specialist advocacy group human rights watch im sure feels us government owes people darfur quite lot report issued earlier month un mission sudan cited allegations displaced sudanese minnawis faction indiscriminately killing raping women abducting civilians agreement working one many reasons minni minnawi kenneth h bacon president advocacy group refugees international wrote last week letter bush refugees international said yesterday minnawis forces conducted reign terror north darfur beating raping women killing young men displacing thousands people bacon asked bush please stress minnawi rebel leader must honor terms darfur peace agreement stop fighting time speculated deeply flawed agreement rushed order provide riposte hu jintaos high profile trip africa hus visit certainly furnished occasion illadvised attempt regain political traction sudan stunning diplomatic masterstroke superficial level expect dpa meant wrongfoot chinese president win america pr victory succeeded temporarily expense antagonizing china greater significance dpa probably part failed lastminute attempt cobble together strategic counter chinas burgeoning influence sudan try salvage relationship evolved promise since president bushs election 2000 desperate measures appear come nought hastilyconcluded darfur peace agreement shambles albashir claims right pursue rebel groups opted june 2006 darfur peace agreement thats unreasonable position trouble sound doctrine effective order battle relies use ethnic cleansing cum genocidal janjaweed khartoum preparing new offensive northwest shadow riot massacre hangs two million desperate despairing people huddled squalid refugee camps developed countries declined underwrite au peacekeeping contingent beyond september 2006 apparently deciding utility even figleaf first world inaction wasnt worth money trouble needed refund mandate cynically albashir offered allow au force remain sudan funded thereby turning toothless auxiliary army result crisis tossed un venue chinese russian resistance meaningful action least likely george bush disappointed suspect albashir seriously annoyed cornerstone 2005 dealrehabilitation sudans international standingseems ever uproar darfur promise george w bush longer deliver khartoum gave away direct control good third territory southern rebels cpa autonomy deal got nothing return whats terms cpa 2011 south supposed get vote independence goes ahead southern sudan oil fields undoubtedly gone forever us money support khartoum supposed compensate giveaway south assure survival prosperity probably become new islamic republic north sudan hasnt materialized albashir doubt sufficiently realistic understand future administrations going side southern sudanese political force adored christian evangelicals tyrannical b muslim c arab regime going find squarely regime change crosshairs push comes shove albashir back wall president bush cant help president bush plead albashir publicly privately play along accept gesture placate world communitylike rehatting au troops part un forceand albashir none least instead albashir readopted defiant language arab nationalism dealings united states un relations sudan us reverting open hostility unlikely khartoum welcome un force might become vanguard western regime change offensive regime august 29 2006 ap story carried yahoo sudan president claims west conspiracy contrast effusive mutual handkissing bush albashir 2003 quoted sudanese strongman declared everybody knows americans british scheming sudan albashir said rally muster support opposition proposed deployment shall first country recolonized africa free shall enslaved albashir told 2000 workers belonging federation unions clock running control southand perhaps entire regime us support revealed taunting mirage president bush one us political actor emotionally committed engagement khartoum fading distracted lameduck weakness end final term office looms surprising al bashir increasingly relied chinawhich since 1996 taken advantage khartoums pariah status become single largest foreign investor sudans energy industryas one power determination strong stomach support regime domestically international stage bush administration finds familiar unenviable position suddenly finding little leverage options dealing troublesome regional crisis contrast north korea iran less excuse since united states engaged sudan regime last five years unable explain awkward unrealistic disintegrating flirtation terrorist state white house understandably looks scapegoat china title washington posts september 6 editorial responsible china darfur exposes chinese hypocrisy pretty much conveys political line frustrated administration policymakers united states european partners called upon sudan let un force china enormous leverage sudan investment sudanese oil fields failed push sudanese accepting realistic option un deployment rather ironic sudan supposed serve keystone bush administration engagement africa turned exclusive sandbox yellow peril point recalled united states consistently pursued sudan exclusive great power trophy recently decided would pursue darfur diplomacy directly khartoum use african union vehicle excluding china bypassing un didnt quite work president bush forced return un try get security council rescue darfur sudanfrom genocidal activities remove permanently beyond diplomatic paleby insertion effective peacekeeping force credibility clout diminished failure dpa initiative us government reduced impotent table pounding media proxies indignant finger wagging humanitarian evangelical groups trying somehow coerce china helping must especially galling president bush diplomacy sudan disarray chinese scooping oil amazing poorly conceived badly executed intermittent diplomacy accomplish past ive argued liberal criticism china though justified certain aspects misplaced since true issue khartoum could always counter pressure china intensifying rapprochement washington patron demonstrated unwillingness censure wayward client however albashir truly burned bridges bush engaging reckless brinksmanship sub rosa us support khartoum relied order flout international censure impunity may goneand chinese finally leverage weve always eager ascribe unfortunately doesnt look like mood help us must seem absurd beijing china expected sanction ally rescue unilateral us diplomatic initiative designed primarily strengthen us influence chinas expensesimply wheels come president bushs sudan bandwagon theres nobody else around help pick pieces doubt lot eyerolling zhong nan hai true significance darfur warand chinas crucial role propping khartoum regimewill probably revealed south northwest main oil reserves southern province abyei order make cpa deal work khartoum bush administration sweat details powersharing boundary definition khartoum working problem nonstop ever since desperately illegally ruthlessly distinguished sudanwatcher eric reeves writes time national islamic front senses enjoy virtually complete diplomatic protection china international actors western nations helped bring comprehensive peace agreement cpa fruition sufficiently engaged ensure key terms cpa respected extremely dangerous may well lead renewed war south possibly near term example khartoums refusal accept findings distinguished international abyei boundary commission creates oilrich abyei enclave potential flashpoint renewed violence though government south sudan seems determined seek international arbitration effort force khartoum abide terms cpa many splm made clear continued intransigence khartoums part could lead war almost certainly violently destructive phase civil war began 1955 eve sudans independence angloegyptian colonial rule replay darfur tactics khartoum supporting militias abyei regular army troops strong enough turn central government forces strong enough drive people homes challenge southern administrations claim uncontested sovereignty crucial oil regions believe chinas crucial role come beef oil production transportation infrastructure security assist khartoum creating facts ground help deny ownership oil assets southern regime independenceand make easier defend assets southern counterattack maybe chinese believe special expertise economic penetration exploitation mineral resources unfriendly ethnic enclavesthink tibet xinjiang determination patience focus might also prove give china lasting influence success sudan throughout africa lazy add freedom grandiosity bush administration theory bush administration could resign current situation china favored access sudans oil trust khartoum regime promise respect position interests return beijings active participation compelling genuine cessation violence darfur would mean abandoning increasingly unattainable goals ever remote dreams bush administration apparently still cherishesfor american triumph northeastern africa isolated cowed weak muslim regime khartoum prospect sudans eventual conversion prous bastion centered south positioning sudans oil reserves within americas orbit far outside chinese reachin exchange simple humanitarian goals current campaign chinabashingattacking one party accept capacity influence khartoum regimeappears indicate us hasnt made choice us administration reconciles loss position advantage sudanor situation somehow lurches back bushs favoraccommodation beijing sudan remain unattainable foreseeable future people darfur may respiteand rescue china hand edits interesting website china matters 160 | 2,685 |
<p>Earlier this month, the Democratic Platform Committee rejected attempts to add a “ban fracking” plank. The plan’s final draft will be presented for approval this week at the Democratic National Convention. Bernie Sanders, in an e-mail to supporters after his convention speech, promised to continue fighting for a “national fracking ban.”</p>
<p>The tussle over the “ban fracking” plank misses the point. It is shale, not “fracking,” which burst onto the U.S. landscape at the turn of the century, first in Texas, then quickly spreading to Arkansas, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania, under the names Barnett, Fayetteville, Haynesville, and Marcellus.&#160;It is oil and natural gas from shale that have prolonged the fossil fuel era at a time when we should have been managing its inevitable end, and it is the production of shale hydrocarbons—using a combination of some new and some old technologies—that now pollutes our drinking water, causes local air pollution, and exacerbates climate change through emissions of carbon dioxide and methane.</p>
<p>Fred Krupp of the Environmental Defense Fund calls natural gas “an exit ramp, not a bridge.”&#160;And during the April Democratic debate, Hillary Clinton quickly declared, “So we did say natural gas is a bridge. We want to cross that bridge as soon possible, because in order to deal with climate change, we have got to move as rapidly as we can.” They’re both right: that bridge is a bridge too far, and we need to move rapidly on climate.</p>
<p>Platforms, planks, exit ramps and bridges.&#160;As a civil engineer, I can easily design them all. But political platforms and planks are not so easily designed, and exit ramps and bridges are shorthand metaphors for complex ideas.&#160;Like “fracking,” these words are buzzwords; the sound-bite political jargon of industry insiders, environmentalists, commentators, journalists, and private citizens alike.</p>
<p>As a fracture mechanician,&#160;I can, and have, taken both gas industry spinmeisters and environmental activists to task for their unscientific use of the word “fracking.”&#160;Words matter. So do specificity, science, math and evidence. It is the height of cynicism to play semantic games with the word “fracking” in order to sidestep the many related problems—local, regional, national and worldwide—that must be seriously addressed by our political leaders. No, it is not the short-lived “fracking” technique itself that concerns me and banning “fracking” itself would have been a half-measure. Rather, we must address the effect of ancillary activities surrounding shale gas and oil exploration, development, and transport on the environment and our communities, particularly within the localities from which these hydrocarbons are extracted, and on our planet.</p>
<p>The harmful effects of what comes before and after fracking are indeed both local and global. In Pennsylvania alone, the Public Herald has uncovered over 1,200 formal complaints filed about water well contamination, and at least 280 positive determinations of such contamination by the state regulatory agency; more than 500 complaints remain unresolved. These ancillary activities also exacerbate climate change through emissions of carbon dioxide and methane.</p>
<p>It’s in the financial and political interest of shale gas boosters to extend the gas bridge out as far as possible and delay transition to renewable energy. Those who deny climate change outright or who want to wait for a cooler political climate in which to meaningfully act are happy to let them have their way. Unfortunately, however, all of us are out of time.</p>
<p>I can analyze data and come to conclusions based on hard numbers, and I can offer insight as to what the data suggest, but I can’t make policy.&#160;A thousand scientists can send a thousand letters to denialist Senators,&#160;but as the saying goes, it is only “when the student is ready that the teacher appears.”</p>
<p>Extreme weather is a hard teacher. And like climate deniers, those who support shale-gas exports through LNG terminals (thereby advocating natural gas as a decades-long bridge) are engaged in an exercise in magical thinking, willful ignorance or cognitive dissonance with regards to the emerging data on natural gas’s effect on climate change. We can exploit natural gas or we can truly address climate change, but we can’t do both, not in the decade or two we have left to act decisively.</p>
<p>In February, climate expert Joe Romm of Climate Progress wrote: “natural gas plants don’t replace only high-carbon coal plants. They often replace very low carbon power sources like solar, wind, nuclear, and even energy efficiency. That means even a very low leakage rate&#160;wipes out the climate benefit of fracking.”</p>
<p>Is natural gas, mostly methane, the cleanest fossil fuel with respect to climate change? No, it is not. For that to be true, the rate at which shale methane leaks into the atmosphere without being burned would have to be less than about 2.7 percent of total shale gas production.&#160;Before 2011, nobody had ever performed an objective, national scale, life-cycle measurement of leakage from well pads, fracking flowback, processing units, compressor stations, storage facilities,&#160;pipelines, and end-uses. In the five years since, many such measurements suggest that the current best estimate is that the leak rate is between 3.6-7.1 percent—close to what my colleagues and I at Cornell predicted in 2011.</p>
<p>Thus we have now learned not only that way too much methane is being leaked from the shale hydrocarbon production life-cycle, but that its climate-change impact has been underestimated. For decades, methane’s impact on climate change was estimated to be about 21 times that of carbon dioxide, if measured over a century.&#160;But recent new atmospheric chemistry research shows that the relative impact is greater than 30 times that of carbon dioxide. And it gets worse.&#160;The latest IPCC report says we no longer have a century to worry about climate tipping points: We have about 20 years, so we should be assessing the relative impact of methane over the next few decades.&#160;When we do that, the relative impact factor is over 80 times that of carbon dioxide. That few percent leak rate has a big impact on climate change over the crucial next two decades.</p>
<p>So far, science has had minimal influence on the climate-energy policy nexus. However, the atmosphere does not obey ham-handed international agreements; it obeys physical law.&#160;It does not postpone its complex chemical reactions to conform to a 100-years outlook or hopeful thinking, nor does it stop those reactions to make methane only 21 times worse than CO2. And instead of carefully managing the increase in the supply of, and demand for, renewable energy over the past 20 years, we have lost more than a decade to overblown hype claiming shale hydrocarbons boost “energy security” and “energy independence.”</p>
<p>If not a “ban fracking” plank, then what should be in the Democratic platform for energy policy and its inter-related environmental, human health, social justice, and climate change issues?&#160;Some of what was accepted in the platform in compromise to the defeated “fracking ban” addresses several of the points I have made in this commentary (italics are mine):</p>
<p>Democrats are committed to closing the Halliburton loophole that stripped the Environmental Protection Agency of its ability to regulate hydraulic fracturing, and ensuring tough safeguards are in place, including Safe Drinking Water provisions, to protect local water supplies. We believe hydraulic fracturing should not take place where states and local communities oppose it. We will reduce methane emissions from all oil and gas production and transportation by at least 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2025 through common-sense standards for both new and existing sources and by repairing and replacing thousands of miles of leaky pipes. This will both protect our climate and create thousands of good-paying jobs…During the clean energy transition, we will insure landowners, communities of color and tribal nations are at the table…We will streamline federal permitting to accelerate the construction of new transmission lines to get low-cost renewable energy to market, and incentivize wind, solar and other renewable energy over the development of new natural gas power plants.</p>
<p>What is missing from the platform is a plank that directly addresses the root cause, and a stronger plank addressing hydrocarbon extraction from public lands:&#160;Almost all new oil and gas wells are fracked, and many legacy wells are being re-stimulated by fracking.&#160;An immediate ban on all fracking would shut down almost all new oil/gas production, but we will need a predictable but decreasing supply of oil/gas over the next eight years. The best practical strategy is to phase out new shale gas/oil production from private lands, and let the legacy shale wells run dry. We should call for an immediate ban on all new leasing of public lands for shale oil and gas production, onshore and offshore, and especially the Arctic region.</p>
<p>Even without a “ban fracking” plank, the Democratic Party platform has been amended in response to shale hydrocarbon development in ways that are necessary from the perspectives of energy policy, public health, social justice, and climate change.</p>
<p>The renewable energy revolution already underway has us on the natural gas “exit ramp,” and we need to speed down that ramp “as rapidly as we can.” Incentivizing renewables and weaning from natural gas is the way to go.&#160;Let’s get to work.</p> | true | 4 | earlier month democratic platform committee rejected attempts add ban fracking plank plans final draft presented approval week democratic national convention bernie sanders email supporters convention speech promised continue fighting national fracking ban tussle ban fracking plank misses point shale fracking burst onto us landscape turn century first texas quickly spreading arkansas louisiana pennsylvania names barnett fayetteville haynesville marcellus160it oil natural gas shale prolonged fossil fuel era time managing inevitable end production shale hydrocarbonsusing combination new old technologiesthat pollutes drinking water causes local air pollution exacerbates climate change emissions carbon dioxide methane fred krupp environmental defense fund calls natural gas exit ramp bridge160and april democratic debate hillary clinton quickly declared say natural gas bridge want cross bridge soon possible order deal climate change got move rapidly theyre right bridge bridge far need move rapidly climate platforms planks exit ramps bridges160as civil engineer easily design political platforms planks easily designed exit ramps bridges shorthand metaphors complex ideas160like fracking words buzzwords soundbite political jargon industry insiders environmentalists commentators journalists private citizens alike fracture mechanician160i taken gas industry spinmeisters environmental activists task unscientific use word fracking160words matter specificity science math evidence height cynicism play semantic games word fracking order sidestep many related problemslocal regional national worldwidethat must seriously addressed political leaders shortlived fracking technique concerns banning fracking would halfmeasure rather must address effect ancillary activities surrounding shale gas oil exploration development transport environment communities particularly within localities hydrocarbons extracted planet harmful effects comes fracking indeed local global pennsylvania alone public herald uncovered 1200 formal complaints filed water well contamination least 280 positive determinations contamination state regulatory agency 500 complaints remain unresolved ancillary activities also exacerbate climate change emissions carbon dioxide methane financial political interest shale gas boosters extend gas bridge far possible delay transition renewable energy deny climate change outright want wait cooler political climate meaningfully act happy let way unfortunately however us time analyze data come conclusions based hard numbers offer insight data suggest cant make policy160a thousand scientists send thousand letters denialist senators160but saying goes student ready teacher appears extreme weather hard teacher like climate deniers support shalegas exports lng terminals thereby advocating natural gas decadeslong bridge engaged exercise magical thinking willful ignorance cognitive dissonance regards emerging data natural gass effect climate change exploit natural gas truly address climate change cant decade two left act decisively february climate expert joe romm climate progress wrote natural gas plants dont replace highcarbon coal plants often replace low carbon power sources like solar wind nuclear even energy efficiency means even low leakage rate160wipes climate benefit fracking natural gas mostly methane cleanest fossil fuel respect climate change true rate shale methane leaks atmosphere without burned would less 27 percent total shale gas production160before 2011 nobody ever performed objective national scale lifecycle measurement leakage well pads fracking flowback processing units compressor stations storage facilities160pipelines enduses five years since many measurements suggest current best estimate leak rate 3671 percentclose colleagues cornell predicted 2011 thus learned way much methane leaked shale hydrocarbon production lifecycle climatechange impact underestimated decades methanes impact climate change estimated 21 times carbon dioxide measured century160but recent new atmospheric chemistry research shows relative impact greater 30 times carbon dioxide gets worse160the latest ipcc report says longer century worry climate tipping points 20 years assessing relative impact methane next decades160when relative impact factor 80 times carbon dioxide percent leak rate big impact climate change crucial next two decades far science minimal influence climateenergy policy nexus however atmosphere obey hamhanded international agreements obeys physical law160it postpone complex chemical reactions conform 100years outlook hopeful thinking stop reactions make methane 21 times worse co2 instead carefully managing increase supply demand renewable energy past 20 years lost decade overblown hype claiming shale hydrocarbons boost energy security energy independence ban fracking plank democratic platform energy policy interrelated environmental human health social justice climate change issues160some accepted platform compromise defeated fracking ban addresses several points made commentary italics mine democrats committed closing halliburton loophole stripped environmental protection agency ability regulate hydraulic fracturing ensuring tough safeguards place including safe drinking water provisions protect local water supplies believe hydraulic fracturing take place states local communities oppose reduce methane emissions oil gas production transportation least 4045 2005 levels 2025 commonsense standards new existing sources repairing replacing thousands miles leaky pipes protect climate create thousands goodpaying jobsduring clean energy transition insure landowners communities color tribal nations tablewe streamline federal permitting accelerate construction new transmission lines get lowcost renewable energy market incentivize wind solar renewable energy development new natural gas power plants missing platform plank directly addresses root cause stronger plank addressing hydrocarbon extraction public lands160almost new oil gas wells fracked many legacy wells restimulated fracking160an immediate ban fracking would shut almost new oilgas production need predictable decreasing supply oilgas next eight years best practical strategy phase new shale gasoil production private lands let legacy shale wells run dry call immediate ban new leasing public lands shale oil gas production onshore offshore especially arctic region even without ban fracking plank democratic party platform amended response shale hydrocarbon development ways necessary perspectives energy policy public health social justice climate change renewable energy revolution already underway us natural gas exit ramp need speed ramp rapidly incentivizing renewables weaning natural gas way go160lets get work | 864 |
<p>“The U.S. may have been founded in a political revolution, but the central myth of America is economic.&#160; The poor are ill-served by the myth, while the rich are made to feel morally comfortable.”</p>
<p>—Earl Shorris (New American Blues)</p>
<p>When president-elect Barack Obama gets around to choosing his cabinet, he’d be well advised to put Thomas Geoghegan on his short list of candidates for Secretary of Labor.&#160; That is, if President Obama is as serious about assisting the working people of this country as Candidate Obama seemed to be.</p>
<p>A respected Chicago labor lawyer, activist and author of “Whose Side Are You On?”—one of the most penetrating and inspiring pro-labor books ever written—Thomas Geoghegan would bring to the job something that’s been woefully missing for decades in bureaucratic Washington . . . a commitment to labor advocacy.</p>
<p>It’s depressing to acknowledge how far back in history one has to go to find a DOL (Department of Labor) boss who was a genuine champion of America’s working class—rather than merely an ambitious careerist, or “all-purpose” administrator who could be plugged into any government agency (Labor, Commerce, Transportation, etc.) that came along.</p>
<p>With no disrespect to Robert Reich—President Clinton’s man at the DOL, who, unfortunately, found himself more or less “cuckolded” by Clinton’s overwhelming desire to curry favor with Big Business (an urge more powerful, arguably, than his formidable sex drive)—he wasn’t a champion of labor</p>
<p>Even though Secretary Reich did some good things—e.g., helped raise the minimum wage, promoted an ambitious job training program, pushed through the FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act)—we have to go back further in history to find a true “champion.”</p>
<p>In fact, we have to go all the way back to the New Deal, to Frances Perkins, the near messianic Secretary of Labor in FDR’s administration, who served for 12 full years (the longest term ever), and was, incidentally, the first woman cabinet member in U.S. history.&#160; Perkins’ unambiguous advocacy of unions was instrumental in organized labor becoming the viable social institution it is (or sort of is) today.</p>
<p>Why do we need a “labor advocate” running the DOL at this juncture?&#160; Because labor’s noble struggle for parity has been utterly debased and vulgarized.&#160; It’s devolved into a mismatch.&#160; All one has to do is survey the economic landscape to see that organized labor is outmanned, outflanked and outgunned, with no shortage of adversaries and obstacles arrayed against it</p>
<p>There’s the Republican Party, the Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Congress (including fair-weather Democrats), the right-to-work laws of 22 states, the staggering loss, through globalization, of what were once the sweetest, most sustaining jobs in the manufacturing sector, and a marked shift in public opinion—just to name the most obvious.</p>
<p>Labor desperately needs a national spokesperson whose loyalties lie with Working America rather than Corporate America.</p>
<p>History has shown that if you want to help working people, you don’t do it by providing supplemental welfare or stimulus packages or lectures on “trickle down” economics.&#160; Rather, you do it by exposing them to the collective bargaining process, by giving them access to labor unions.&#160; As George Meany famously put it, “The greatest anti-poverty program ever invented was the labor union.”</p>
<p>Admittedly, while no cabinet officer, no matter how dedicated or energetic, has the statutory whiskers to single-handedly reinvent America (particularly if the president himself remains ambivalent), an active and imaginative Secretary of Labor can definitely shake things up.&#160; Perception is everything.&#160; With the right person in office, a policy—a project, a vision, a Movement—can gain momentum.</p>
<p>As head of the DOL, Secretary Geoghegan would advise Obama on whom to appoint to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the body that not only oversees union elections in this country, but adjudicates ULP (Unfair Labor Practice) charges made by workers against employers.&#160; George W. Bush’s NLRB minions were so nakedly pro-business, they made a mockery of the process.</p>
<p>Geoghegan could also be expected to spearhead a long-overdue mine safety campaign, reinstating government oversight that had lapsed to near criminal levels during the eight years of Bush’s presidency.</p>
<p>Additionally, with a pro-labor warrior at the helm, the DOL would finally be in the position to put the fear of God into Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.&#160; By declaring publicly that it will begin a massive, full-scale review of Wal-Mart’s labor practices, the DOL could produce immediate changes.&#160; The world’s largest private employer and most influential retailer has been getting away with illegal and unethical tactics for way too long.</p>
<p>So virulently anti-union and paranoid is Wal-Mart, that on the rare occasions when its employees have ignored company propaganda and threats and actually voted to join or form a union, the company either shuts down the operation in question (as it did with meatcutters in Texas), or transfers the union activists to new locations.</p>
<p>An aggressive, tough-minded, and merciless DOL would demonstrate to the world—and to Wal-Mart executives in particular—that there’s a new sheriff in town, and that changes are a-comin’.&#160; Sometimes, that’s all it takes to turn the corner . . . a new leader, with a big, bold, contagious plan.&#160; Perception is everything.</p>
<p>Another Geoghegan virtue would be his willingness to hold accountable organized labor’s own Establishment.&#160; While he’s an unabashed supporter of union workers, he’s no fan of big-time labor leaders who’ve settled so comfortably into the role of “labor executive” that they’ve forgotten what the term “workers’ struggle” means.&#160; Geoghegan recognizes that what labor needs is more grassroots leadership, not more well-dressed bureaucrats.</p>
<p>Even if Barack Obama disappoints as president—even if he turns out to be the ideological snake oil salesman many predict—that doesn’t mean his Secretary of Labor must “fail” as well.&#160; Arguably, one reason things didn’t work out for Secretary Reich may have been that he was too much the academic theoretician and not enough the crusading street-fighter, a distinction that doesn’t apply to the savvy Geoghegan.</p>
<p>With both men having worked in the Chicago area, Obama is familiar with Geoghegan’s labor creds.&#160; Indeed, he has expressed admiration for Geoghegan’s record of community service.&#160; The question facing Obama will be whether to put a non-governmental, non-bureaucratic labor “radical” in so important a position.&#160; We can only hope.</p>
<p>DAVID MACARAY, a Los Angeles playwright and writer, was a former labor union rep.&#160; He can reached at <a href="mailto:dmacaray@earthlink.net" type="external">dmacaray@earthlink.net</a></p>
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<p /> | true | 4 | us may founded political revolution central myth america economic160 poor illserved myth rich made feel morally comfortable earl shorris new american blues presidentelect barack obama gets around choosing cabinet hed well advised put thomas geoghegan short list candidates secretary labor160 president obama serious assisting working people country candidate obama seemed respected chicago labor lawyer activist author whose side onone penetrating inspiring prolabor books ever writtenthomas geoghegan would bring job something thats woefully missing decades bureaucratic washington commitment labor advocacy depressing acknowledge far back history one go find dol department labor boss genuine champion americas working classrather merely ambitious careerist allpurpose administrator could plugged government agency labor commerce transportation etc came along disrespect robert reichpresident clintons man dol unfortunately found less cuckolded clintons overwhelming desire curry favor big business urge powerful arguably formidable sex drivehe wasnt champion labor even though secretary reich good thingseg helped raise minimum wage promoted ambitious job training program pushed fmla family medical leave actwe go back history find true champion fact go way back new deal frances perkins near messianic secretary labor fdrs administration served 12 full years longest term ever incidentally first woman cabinet member us history160 perkins unambiguous advocacy unions instrumental organized labor becoming viable social institution sort today need labor advocate running dol juncture160 labors noble struggle parity utterly debased vulgarized160 devolved mismatch160 one survey economic landscape see organized labor outmanned outflanked outgunned shortage adversaries obstacles arrayed theres republican party chamber commerce us congress including fairweather democrats righttowork laws 22 states staggering loss globalization sweetest sustaining jobs manufacturing sector marked shift public opinionjust name obvious labor desperately needs national spokesperson whose loyalties lie working america rather corporate america history shown want help working people dont providing supplemental welfare stimulus packages lectures trickle economics160 rather exposing collective bargaining process giving access labor unions160 george meany famously put greatest antipoverty program ever invented labor union admittedly cabinet officer matter dedicated energetic statutory whiskers singlehandedly reinvent america particularly president remains ambivalent active imaginative secretary labor definitely shake things up160 perception everything160 right person office policya project vision movementcan gain momentum head dol secretary geoghegan would advise obama appoint national labor relations board nlrb body oversees union elections country adjudicates ulp unfair labor practice charges made workers employers160 george w bushs nlrb minions nakedly probusiness made mockery process geoghegan could also expected spearhead longoverdue mine safety campaign reinstating government oversight lapsed near criminal levels eight years bushs presidency additionally prolabor warrior helm dol would finally position put fear god walmart stores inc160 declaring publicly begin massive fullscale review walmarts labor practices dol could produce immediate changes160 worlds largest private employer influential retailer getting away illegal unethical tactics way long virulently antiunion paranoid walmart rare occasions employees ignored company propaganda threats actually voted join form union company either shuts operation question meatcutters texas transfers union activists new locations aggressive toughminded merciless dol would demonstrate worldand walmart executives particularthat theres new sheriff town changes acomin160 sometimes thats takes turn corner new leader big bold contagious plan160 perception everything another geoghegan virtue would willingness hold accountable organized labors establishment160 hes unabashed supporter union workers hes fan bigtime labor leaders whove settled comfortably role labor executive theyve forgotten term workers struggle means160 geoghegan recognizes labor needs grassroots leadership welldressed bureaucrats even barack obama disappoints presidenteven turns ideological snake oil salesman many predictthat doesnt mean secretary labor must fail well160 arguably one reason things didnt work secretary reich may much academic theoretician enough crusading streetfighter distinction doesnt apply savvy geoghegan men worked chicago area obama familiar geoghegans labor creds160 indeed expressed admiration geoghegans record community service160 question facing obama whether put nongovernmental nonbureaucratic labor radical important position160 hope david macaray los angeles playwright writer former labor union rep160 reached dmacarayearthlinknet 160 160 | 620 |
<p>When Gaza’s electricity is in working order, most Palestinians in the impoverished and overcrowded Strip huddle around their television screens. It’s neither “American Idol” nor “Dancing with the Stars” that brings them together. It’s the news.</p>
<p>Gazans’ relationship to news media is both complex and unique. Like most Palestinians everywhere, they intently watch and listen to news broadcasts the world over, with the hope that salvation will arrive in the form of a news bulletin. Evidently, salvation is yet to be aired.</p>
<p>That infatuation is hardly coincidental, however, as their purpose of reading, listening and watching is unmistakable. Palestinians deeply care about what the rest of the world is saying about their plight and struggle. Most importantly, they wonder if anyone out there cares.</p>
<p>During the first Intifada’s long and harsh Israeli military curfews in Gaza, my family would gather around a small radio, always nervous that the batteries would die, leaving us with a total news blackout; a horrible scenario by Gaza’s standards.</p>
<p>The Israeli army used to habitually cut off electricity and water for whatever refugee camp that was targeted for a crackdown. The practice persists to this day in Gaza, but on a much larger scale, where fuel is denied, food and medical supplies are alarmingly scarce, and water generators are in a pitiable state. So-called collective punishment has always been the pinnacle of Israel’s policy towards the miserable Strip. Some things never change.</p>
<p>Regardless, somehow Gaza miraculously manages. The people of that tiny stretch of land find ways to cope with their ample tragedies, as they did the moment the first caravan of refugees, parched and desperate, made their way into Gaza following the 1948 Nakba. They weep for their loss, bury their dead, ask God for mercy, and, once again, return home to huddle around their radios, seeking a glimpse of hope in news broadcasts.</p>
<p>Today, their trust, or lack thereof in any news station depends largely on whether that particular station is committed to articulating their suffering and tragedy, as it is seen from their viewpoint, not that of an Israeli army’s spokesperson; thus their love-hate relationship with major news networks like the BBC, Voice of America and others. Although most Palestinians in Gaza find Al-Jazeera network most understanding to their plight, they can never forgive it for providing a platform for Israeli government and army officials. Still, most Palestinians tune in to Al-Jazeera as a trustworthy outlet whenever tragedy strikes, and it often does.</p>
<p>News from Gaza and news about Gaza has hardly ever been as grim as it is these days. Every single day, there are statements attributed to UN officials and human rights organisations, decrying the siege on Gaza, the strangulation of a whole population, and the deafening silence of the international community towards what is now perceived as the world’s most pressing humanitarian catastrophe. Palestinians in Gaza listen ever intently. They hope, although apprehensively, that perhaps the United States will pressure Israel to ease its siege, to allow medical access for the terminally ill, to restore fuel supplies. Yet day after day, the situation worsens and little is done to rectify the injustice.</p>
<p>When international officials, such as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- Moon or former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson call on Israel to ease or end the sanctions on Gaza, Gazans move a bit closer to their televisions. They insist on believing that Israel will eventually heed the calls, but always to no avail.</p>
<p>It was “almost unbelievable” that the world did not care about “a shocking violation of so many human rights” in Gaza, said Robinson, who is also former president of Ireland, as reported on the BBC 4 November. “Their whole civilisation has been destroyed, I’m not exaggerating,” she said.</p>
<p>On that same day, Israel moved into Gaza with the intent of provoking a fight and ending the shaky truce with Hamas, which has largely held since June. The army killed six Palestinians and wounded three.</p>
<p>John Ging, director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in Gaza, told The Washington Post 15 November, “This is a disastrous situation, and it’s getting worse and worse… It is unprecedented that the UN is unable to get its supplies in to a population under such obvious distress; many of these families have been subsisting on this ration for years, and they are living hand-to-mouth.”</p>
<p>Since then, on 20 November, the same official reported that Israel reversed a decision to let 70 truckloads of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.</p>
<p>Philip Luther of Amnesty International decried “Israel’s latest tightening of its blockade [which] has made an already dire humanitarian situation markedly worse.”</p>
<p>“Chronic malnutrition is on a steadily rising trend and micronutrient deficiencies are of great concern,” said a leaked report by the Red Cross, as reported in The Independent. The report said that Israeli restrictions are causing “progressive deterioration in food security for up to 70 per cent of Gaza’s population”.</p>
<p>Gazans are still flipping through the channels and cranking the radio dials, left and right, as these calls continue to fall on deaf ears. They wonder why their plight is not treated with the same urgency as that of the Red Sea piracy or even that of eastern Congo, despite the fact that their misery has perpetuated for generations, and is worsening.</p>
<p>They also pass by Arabic channels and wonder about the seemingly never-ending party, while Gaza has been reduced to total desolation. They listen to Fatah and Hamas officials spewing insults and fighting over government positions that don’t exist and territories that hold no sovereignty. They shake their heads in dismay and carry on, for perhaps tomorrow will bring with it some good news — for once.</p>
<p>RAMZY BAROUD is an author and editor of <a href="http://www.PalestineChronicle.com" type="external">PalestineChronicle.com</a>. His work has been published in many newspapers and journals worldwide. His latest book is <a href="" type="internal">The Second Palestinian Intifada: A Chronicle of a People’s Struggle</a> (Pluto Press, London).</p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | gazas electricity working order palestinians impoverished overcrowded strip huddle around television screens neither american idol dancing stars brings together news gazans relationship news media complex unique like palestinians everywhere intently watch listen news broadcasts world hope salvation arrive form news bulletin evidently salvation yet aired infatuation hardly coincidental however purpose reading listening watching unmistakable palestinians deeply care rest world saying plight struggle importantly wonder anyone cares first intifadas long harsh israeli military curfews gaza family would gather around small radio always nervous batteries would die leaving us total news blackout horrible scenario gazas standards israeli army used habitually cut electricity water whatever refugee camp targeted crackdown practice persists day gaza much larger scale fuel denied food medical supplies alarmingly scarce water generators pitiable state socalled collective punishment always pinnacle israels policy towards miserable strip things never change regardless somehow gaza miraculously manages people tiny stretch land find ways cope ample tragedies moment first caravan refugees parched desperate made way gaza following 1948 nakba weep loss bury dead ask god mercy return home huddle around radios seeking glimpse hope news broadcasts today trust lack thereof news station depends largely whether particular station committed articulating suffering tragedy seen viewpoint israeli armys spokesperson thus lovehate relationship major news networks like bbc voice america others although palestinians gaza find aljazeera network understanding plight never forgive providing platform israeli government army officials still palestinians tune aljazeera trustworthy outlet whenever tragedy strikes often news gaza news gaza hardly ever grim days every single day statements attributed un officials human rights organisations decrying siege gaza strangulation whole population deafening silence international community towards perceived worlds pressing humanitarian catastrophe palestinians gaza listen ever intently hope although apprehensively perhaps united states pressure israel ease siege allow medical access terminally ill restore fuel supplies yet day day situation worsens little done rectify injustice international officials un secretarygeneral ban ki moon former un high commissioner human rights mary robinson call israel ease end sanctions gaza gazans move bit closer televisions insist believing israel eventually heed calls always avail almost unbelievable world care shocking violation many human rights gaza said robinson also former president ireland reported bbc 4 november whole civilisation destroyed im exaggerating said day israel moved gaza intent provoking fight ending shaky truce hamas largely held since june army killed six palestinians wounded three john ging director united nations relief works agency unrwa gaza told washington post 15 november disastrous situation getting worse worse unprecedented un unable get supplies population obvious distress many families subsisting ration years living handtomouth since 20 november official reported israel reversed decision let 70 truckloads humanitarian aid gaza strip philip luther amnesty international decried israels latest tightening blockade made already dire humanitarian situation markedly worse chronic malnutrition steadily rising trend micronutrient deficiencies great concern said leaked report red cross reported independent report said israeli restrictions causing progressive deterioration food security 70 per cent gazas population gazans still flipping channels cranking radio dials left right calls continue fall deaf ears wonder plight treated urgency red sea piracy even eastern congo despite fact misery perpetuated generations worsening also pass arabic channels wonder seemingly neverending party gaza reduced total desolation listen fatah hamas officials spewing insults fighting government positions dont exist territories hold sovereignty shake heads dismay carry perhaps tomorrow bring good news ramzy baroud author editor palestinechroniclecom work published many newspapers journals worldwide latest book second palestinian intifada chronicle peoples struggle pluto press london 160 160 160 160 | 571 |
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<p>Photo by Alan Ireland | <a href="" type="internal">CC BY 2.0</a></p>
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<p>The word resonated loud and clear from South Africa. Hendrik Verwoerd, widely described as a key architect of apartheid, was the far-right National Party’s propagandist, political strategist and, ultimately, party leader. In 1961, as South African Prime Minister, he noted that Israel was built on land taken ‘from the Arabs after the Arabs lived there for a thousand years.’ The point was to express his approval and to highlight Zionism’s common cause with the Afrikaner pioneers: ‘In that, I agree with them. Israel, like South Africa, is an apartheid state.’</p>
<p>Verwoerd was able to make this diagnosis without needing to live to see the brutality of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza after 1967. Israel’s apartheid foundations were laid in its dispossession of the Palestinians in 1948. They were reinforced by the immediate erection of colonial constitutional structures that cemented the exclusion of the colonised.</p>
<p>Since then, Israeli law and policy has only deepened the state apparatus of separation and segregation, discrimination and domination. Over the years, countless activists, authors and artists, as well as leading anti-apartheid figures from South Africa, have referred to Israel’s particular brand of structural discrimination as akin to apartheid. In the last decade, international lawyers have also begun to do likewise, but with reference to the definition of apartheid under international law rather than by analogy to southern Africa.</p>
<p>This week, <a href="http://www.jadaliyya.com/pages/index/26223/un-reports-establishes-israeli-apartheid;-fallout-" type="external">a report</a> commissioned and published by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) has concluded that ‘Israel has established an apartheid regime that dominates the Palestinian people as a whole’. According to the report, the Israeli regime governing Palestinians is a racial regime of institutionalised domination – the essence of the international legal definition of apartheid. The maintenance of Israel’s exclusionary constitutional character as the state of the Jewish people has entailed a “strategic fragmentation of the Palestinian people”. It has involved expulsion of Palestinian refugees into exile, discrimination against Palestinians inside Israel as second-class citizens, oppression of Palestinians under occupation; all through a concerted array of law, policy and practice that forges ‘a comprehensive policy of apartheid’.</p>
<p>This finding breaks new ground in the context of UN analysis on Israel/Palestine. Specialised UN bodies – such as the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur on Palestine – have in recent years categorised Israeli law and policy in terms of racial segregation and apartheid. This framing has been geographically limited to the military occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, however – as distinct from inside Israel itself, or Israel’s relationship with the Palestinian people writ large.</p>
<p>This was a somewhat necessary distinction, given the UN practice of analysing the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel as two separate territories under international law. But it was also in certain respects an artificial distinction. Much of what renders the situation in the occupied territory as apartheid is the separate and preferential legal system applied to Israeli settlers – a hierarchical legalism which is central to the constitution of Israel itself. Laws on citizenship, residency and family unification, as well as land, planning and housing rights, apply inside Israel to benefit Jewish-Israeli citizens over Palestinians. Those laws are then channeled into the West Bank to further stratify the population there. Colonisers living in the settlements are endowed with legal status and privilege that is denied to the Palestinian population of the same territory.</p>
<p>There are of course differences in the modalities of Israel’s discrimination against Palestinians – depending on whether they are inside Israel, in occupied territory, or in exile. The crucial point that the UN report highlights, however, is that this is nonetheless best viewed as a single overarching institutional regime which discriminates against the Palestinian people as a whole.</p>
<p>For a UN Commission report to state this so clearly, and to theorise Israel as a “racial state”, is significant. A people’s tribunal, the Russell Tribunal on Palestine, did arrive at similar conclusions back in 2011. The momentum that this analysis has gathered in official UN settings since then shows the possibilities of an international law from below – one which is not afraid to confront the realities of a state in which increasingly discriminatory legislation has spewed thick and fast from an ascendant far-right.</p>
<p>While the report’s findings do hinge on the legal definition of apartheid, the Commission itself does not have the authority of an international tribunal. The International Court of Justice and the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination are among the relevant actors when it comes to determining Israel’s state responsibility for an unlawful apartheid regime. The International Criminal Court enters the fray for determining the criminal responsibility of individual Israeli officials for the perpetration of acts of apartheid, as crimes against humanity. Any adjudications from these and other legal institutions can feed into the UN political organs vested with the capacity to impose sanctions and arms embargoes, as was (eventually) done with apartheid South Africa. In this context, the report offers a potential platform for further developments in the political arena of the UN.</p>
<p>A UN spokesperson has said that ‘the report as it stands does not reflect the view of the Secretary-General’. The report made no claim to represent the views of the UN as a whole. It does, however, reflect the views of a regional UN commission, made up of eighteen member states of North Africa and West Asia. And here it is important to remember that the genesis of the UN sanctions and arms embargo against South Africa flowed up from below and inwards from the periphery, not down from on high or out from the core. The Third World states led the charge against apartheid for many years in the face of Western resistance and support for South Africa. It was 1952 when a group of thirteen Arab and Asian states first succeeded in adding ‘The Question of Race Conflict resulting from the policies of apartheid’ to the UN General Assembly’s agenda. It took another 25 years – after multiple abstentions and vetoes by Britain, France and the US, and a rising global social movement against apartheid – before the Security Council eventually imposed a mandatory arms embargo on South Africa.</p>
<p>In the current conjuncture, the significance of this week’s report extends beyond Israel/Palestine. Verwoerd’s National Party is not the only white supremacist political movement to have seen the attraction of Israel’s constitutional structures. The “alt-right” movement in the US is premised on a white nationalism that incorporates very real antisemitic discourse and intimidation among its multiplicity of racisms. At the same time, it admires Israel’s exclusionary policies. Richard Spencer describes the alt-right project as ‘a sort of white Zionism’ and argues, as Omri Boehm has noted, that Israel’s ethnic-based politics is the basis of a strong, cohesive identity which the alt-right is seeking to emulate in the US.</p>
<p>With the alt-right now maintaining a foothold in the White House, it is imperative to think seriously about the apartheid nature of Israel’s constitutional order and about how to deepen anti-racist alliances and solidarities across borders. The Trump/Bannon travel ban agenda of course finds some parallel in Israel’s own long-standing border policies, and comes at a time when Israel has adopted new legislation purporting to ban boycott adherents. In that context, the ESCWA report’s call for member states and civil society to support and ‘broaden support for boycott, divestment and sanctions initiatives’ is another significant political move.</p> | true | 4 | photo alan ireland cc 20 160 word resonated loud clear south africa hendrik verwoerd widely described key architect apartheid farright national partys propagandist political strategist ultimately party leader 1961 south african prime minister noted israel built land taken arabs arabs lived thousand years point express approval highlight zionisms common cause afrikaner pioneers agree israel like south africa apartheid state verwoerd able make diagnosis without needing live see brutality israeli occupation west bank gaza 1967 israels apartheid foundations laid dispossession palestinians 1948 reinforced immediate erection colonial constitutional structures cemented exclusion colonised since israeli law policy deepened state apparatus separation segregation discrimination domination years countless activists authors artists well leading antiapartheid figures south africa referred israels particular brand structural discrimination akin apartheid last decade international lawyers also begun likewise reference definition apartheid international law rather analogy southern africa week report commissioned published un economic social commission western asia escwa concluded israel established apartheid regime dominates palestinian people whole according report israeli regime governing palestinians racial regime institutionalised domination essence international legal definition apartheid maintenance israels exclusionary constitutional character state jewish people entailed strategic fragmentation palestinian people involved expulsion palestinian refugees exile discrimination palestinians inside israel secondclass citizens oppression palestinians occupation concerted array law policy practice forges comprehensive policy apartheid finding breaks new ground context un analysis israelpalestine specialised un bodies committee elimination racial discrimination human rights councils special rapporteur palestine recent years categorised israeli law policy terms racial segregation apartheid framing geographically limited military occupation west bank gaza however distinct inside israel israels relationship palestinian people writ large somewhat necessary distinction given un practice analysing occupied palestinian territory israel two separate territories international law also certain respects artificial distinction much renders situation occupied territory apartheid separate preferential legal system applied israeli settlers hierarchical legalism central constitution israel laws citizenship residency family unification well land planning housing rights apply inside israel benefit jewishisraeli citizens palestinians laws channeled west bank stratify population colonisers living settlements endowed legal status privilege denied palestinian population territory course differences modalities israels discrimination palestinians depending whether inside israel occupied territory exile crucial point un report highlights however nonetheless best viewed single overarching institutional regime discriminates palestinian people whole un commission report state clearly theorise israel racial state significant peoples tribunal russell tribunal palestine arrive similar conclusions back 2011 momentum analysis gathered official un settings since shows possibilities international law one afraid confront realities state increasingly discriminatory legislation spewed thick fast ascendant farright reports findings hinge legal definition apartheid commission authority international tribunal international court justice committee elimination racial discrimination among relevant actors comes determining israels state responsibility unlawful apartheid regime international criminal court enters fray determining criminal responsibility individual israeli officials perpetration acts apartheid crimes humanity adjudications legal institutions feed un political organs vested capacity impose sanctions arms embargoes eventually done apartheid south africa context report offers potential platform developments political arena un un spokesperson said report stands reflect view secretarygeneral report made claim represent views un whole however reflect views regional un commission made eighteen member states north africa west asia important remember genesis un sanctions arms embargo south africa flowed inwards periphery high core third world states led charge apartheid many years face western resistance support south africa 1952 group thirteen arab asian states first succeeded adding question race conflict resulting policies apartheid un general assemblys agenda took another 25 years multiple abstentions vetoes britain france us rising global social movement apartheid security council eventually imposed mandatory arms embargo south africa current conjuncture significance weeks report extends beyond israelpalestine verwoerds national party white supremacist political movement seen attraction israels constitutional structures altright movement us premised white nationalism incorporates real antisemitic discourse intimidation among multiplicity racisms time admires israels exclusionary policies richard spencer describes altright project sort white zionism argues omri boehm noted israels ethnicbased politics basis strong cohesive identity altright seeking emulate us altright maintaining foothold white house imperative think seriously apartheid nature israels constitutional order deepen antiracist alliances solidarities across borders trumpbannon travel ban agenda course finds parallel israels longstanding border policies comes time israel adopted new legislation purporting ban boycott adherents context escwa reports call member states civil society support broaden support boycott divestment sanctions initiatives another significant political move | 695 |
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<p>Photo by Marc Nozell | <a href="" type="internal">CC BY 2.0</a></p>
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<p>Trump is President. To avoid repeating the causes of Trump winning requires knowing what the causes were.</p>
<p>Liberals point at the FBI, Russian interference, the electoral college, racists and sexists, Trump voters, and also Trump haters who were too busy excoriating Clinton to urge voting against Trump. Radicals point at mainstream media, the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, the electoral system, corporate power, and neo-Nazis. Advocates for lesser evil voting point at arguers against lesser evil voting. Advocates of abstaining or voting Green everywhere point at lesser evil voters. Critics of single issue politics point at people who emphasize one or another single issue. Advocates of a single issue point at those who didn’t highlight their preferred issue enough. Those who predicted Trump could win point at those who guaranteed Trump would lose. Those who guaranteed Trump would lose point at those who excoriated Trump. Those who pleaded Trump would be a disaster point at those who claimed Trump would be just another president. Those who celebrated that Trump-hating would rejuvenate radicalism point at Trump-defilers’ “debilitating negativity.” Nearly all who regret Trump winning urge that we let bygones be bygones and go forward.</p>
<p>Consider all those who would love to write an obituary for the FBI, who know Russia’s reasons of state only pursue elite benefit, who abhor the Democratic Party, who call Clinton a war criminal, who call Trump a barbarian, who warned Trump could win, who urged lesser evil voting, who offered positive aims, who fight for the entwined importance of race, gender, and class and against prioritizing any one above the rest, who seek multi-issue, multi-tactic, cross constituency and cross-border solidarity and activism, and who oppose mainstream media and support alternative media. Considering only familiar reasons, such folks were not even a partial proximate cause of Trump winning. But are there other reasons for Trump’s victory to consider?</p>
<p>Radical leftists are not even a smidgen at fault for the rich exploiters who voted for Trump. Or for the powerful trend makers who did so. Or for the pathologically depraved on account of their being grotesquely deprived who did so. But what about that any black people voted for Trump, or that any Latinos did, or that so incredibly many white women and men voted for Trump? What caused those realities? To answer, we have to look at more than the last year.</p>
<p>Consider only people who for whatever reasons know quite a lot about fascism and even more about current society. Only people who are intent on winning fundamental social change around race, gender, and economy. Only people who favor anti-authoritarian approaches, who favor full classlessness, and who know the difference between Trump and Clinton. Only people who devote themselves to communicating with others about the need to win change. Only people who know a lot about popular mindsets, feelings, and motivations. Does even that group need to reassess?</p>
<p>Am I circling the wagons and pointing at allies and self rather than only at more obvious causes of Trump winning? To correct our failings we must acknowledge them. But do any individuals, organizations, or outlets urge correcting their own prior failings as part of mounting an effective opposition? If everyone avoids identifying their own choices as contributions to Trump’s victory, won’t our own choices remain as they were?</p>
<p>Is finding fault with ourselves more painful than spinning nightmare scenarios of Trumpian apocalypse? More painful than piling on essay after essay documenting coming disasters to audiences who already know how horrible Trump will be? More painful than finger pointing at everyone other than ourselves? More painful than calling for unity while shrouding our own past mistakes?</p>
<p>1/ As an anti-sexist feminist I look at Trump’s female vote and I ask myself, what did we do wrong over months, years, and literally a half century during which we have been trying to develop feminist awareness and commitment? Why have five decades of feminist efforts left society with so many women and men who did not cry out at Trump’s obviously misogynistic intentions? Have we polarized away potential allies too often? Have we attracted potential allies, but conveyed insufficient clarity and commitment for them to stay? Were our feminist values, aims, or methods flawed? Does anyone believe that in five decades we could not have done better? Doesn’t it follow that rather than bemoaning the choice of women and men who voted for Trump, we should ask what we ought to change about how we make demands and organize about gender so we attract rather than repel those who don’t agree? Being morally and socially right for decades about the scope of society’s gender injustices hasn’t created an unstoppable tide against sexism. Perhaps we need to say more about medium and long run goals. Perhaps we need to seek feminist outcomes in ways that put off fewer potential allies and pull more constituencies more sustainably into feminist commitment. Can we find a way to talk about gender that doesn’t polarize away men and neglect other social phenomena like class and race?</p>
<p>2/ As an anti racist internationalist I look at the admittedly small numbers of low or modest income blacks and Latinos confused about Trump and I wonder how any could exist. I look at the relatively modest support from Blacks for Sanders against Clinton &#160;– which was part of the whole election turning out as it did – and I wonder how that too could exist. And while I certainly understand considerable racism still existing in various white constituencies, I see the relative lack of fury at Trump’s racism, Islamophobia, and immigrant bashing, and I have to wonder, again, how can that exist? Has decades of anti racist organizing not tried often enough to reach whites who resisted the appeals due to our preaching overwhelmingly only where we already have a receptive audience? Have our messages too often failed due to their tone or substance alienating those we meant to reach? Have anti-racist communities been pursuing too narrow an understanding, thus concluding Clinton was preferable to Sanders? Have anti racist values, aims, or methods been flawed? Does anyone believe that in over a half century we could not have done better? Rather than bemoaning the choices of whites who voted for Trump, shouldn’t we ask what we ought to change about how we make demands and organize about race so we attract rather than repel those who don’t agree? Being morally and socially right for decades about the scope of racism’s ills hasn’t created an unstoppable tide against racism. Perhaps we need to say more about medium and long run goals. Can we find a way to talk and make demands about race that doesn’t polarize away white people and that better accounts for other social phenomena like class and gender?</p>
<p>3/ As an anti capitalist I look at a narcissistic billionaire bully attracting tens of millions of working class votes and I wonder how that could exist. How could five decades of anti capitalist organizing leave so many workers susceptible to Trump’s rhetoric and posturing? Was it something about our substance, such as not sufficiently addressing what working people feel and experience in ways they relate to? Was it something about our approach, such as giving off hostility toward working people quite like what they daily encounter from authority figures in hospitals, courts, and workplaces? Why when working people are furious at their plight do anti capitalists have little connection to and often even little empathy for workers’ rising fury? When Clinton called working class Trump supporters deplorable was she manifesting sentiments widely held on the left? What must we change about how we talk about, make demands about, and organize about class and economy so we reach those who don’t yet agree? Does anyone believe that in a half century we could not have done better? Rather then bemoaning the choice of working class people who voted for Trump, shouldn’t we ask what we ought to change about how we make demands and organize about class and economy so we attract rather than repel those who don’t agree? Being morally and socially right for five decades about capitalism’s horrors hasn’t created an unstoppable tide against class oppression. Perhaps we need to say more about medium and long run goals. Perhaps we need ways to seek anti capitalist outcomes that put off fewer potential allies and pull more constituencies more sustainably into anti classist commitment. Can we talk and make demands about economy in ways that don’t polarize away workers, and that don’t ignore other social phenomena like gender and race? Could the issue be part style and part substance, with both parts owing to inadequately understanding the situation of workers and being too dismissive of them, and perhaps even aspiring to be above them both in the movement and in a new economy?</p>
<p>4/ Finally, I look at progressive and left writing over the past year and I see a lot of people saying that Trump has a silver lining. Trump will galvanize us. Trump is just another ruling class lackey same as the rest. And, not voting in contested states or voting for Stein in contested states was a wise choice. I wonder how the callousness such views display toward those who will most suffer Trump’s fascistic inclinations and ecological madness could exist. I wonder how such confusion about the prospects of movements trying to seek radical progress against a right wing thug rather than against a liberal woman could exist. How such views can exist for radicals immersed in left literature and activism? I wonder what those of us who knew better have done that has caused us to fail to reach the commentators who have offered such suicidal views? I wonder how months, years, or decades of involvement in radicalism could leave so many thinking such confused thoughts? I wonder what has been wrong with the accumulated sum total literature and practice of all the left’s many parts, some of which I feel responsible for both as a left writer and speaker and as a left publisher, such that a good many left commentators and incredibly many young radicals could be highly versed in all that radical output and yet nonetheless hold the views many have been propounding.</p>
<p>Here is the bottom line. If what we each acknowledge and seek to change includes only things like FBI machinations, Russian hacking, electoral college imposition, and everything other than traits of our own, then we won’t alter much of the decades long movement practices that allowed for 1-4 above to occur. But 1-4 are issues we must solve to attain lasting success in the future.</p>
<p>That we need to look in the mirror seems evident.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | photo marc nozell cc 20 160 trump president avoid repeating causes trump winning requires knowing causes liberals point fbi russian interference electoral college racists sexists trump voters also trump haters busy excoriating clinton urge voting trump radicals point mainstream media democratic party republican party electoral system corporate power neonazis advocates lesser evil voting point arguers lesser evil voting advocates abstaining voting green everywhere point lesser evil voters critics single issue politics point people emphasize one another single issue advocates single issue point didnt highlight preferred issue enough predicted trump could win point guaranteed trump would lose guaranteed trump would lose point excoriated trump pleaded trump would disaster point claimed trump would another president celebrated trumphating would rejuvenate radicalism point trumpdefilers debilitating negativity nearly regret trump winning urge let bygones bygones go forward consider would love write obituary fbi know russias reasons state pursue elite benefit abhor democratic party call clinton war criminal call trump barbarian warned trump could win urged lesser evil voting offered positive aims fight entwined importance race gender class prioritizing one rest seek multiissue multitactic cross constituency crossborder solidarity activism oppose mainstream media support alternative media considering familiar reasons folks even partial proximate cause trump winning reasons trumps victory consider radical leftists even smidgen fault rich exploiters voted trump powerful trend makers pathologically depraved account grotesquely deprived black people voted trump latinos incredibly many white women men voted trump caused realities answer look last year consider people whatever reasons know quite lot fascism even current society people intent winning fundamental social change around race gender economy people favor antiauthoritarian approaches favor full classlessness know difference trump clinton people devote communicating others need win change people know lot popular mindsets feelings motivations even group need reassess circling wagons pointing allies self rather obvious causes trump winning correct failings must acknowledge individuals organizations outlets urge correcting prior failings part mounting effective opposition everyone avoids identifying choices contributions trumps victory wont choices remain finding fault painful spinning nightmare scenarios trumpian apocalypse painful piling essay essay documenting coming disasters audiences already know horrible trump painful finger pointing everyone painful calling unity shrouding past mistakes 1 antisexist feminist look trumps female vote ask wrong months years literally half century trying develop feminist awareness commitment five decades feminist efforts left society many women men cry trumps obviously misogynistic intentions polarized away potential allies often attracted potential allies conveyed insufficient clarity commitment stay feminist values aims methods flawed anyone believe five decades could done better doesnt follow rather bemoaning choice women men voted trump ask ought change make demands organize gender attract rather repel dont agree morally socially right decades scope societys gender injustices hasnt created unstoppable tide sexism perhaps need say medium long run goals perhaps need seek feminist outcomes ways put fewer potential allies pull constituencies sustainably feminist commitment find way talk gender doesnt polarize away men neglect social phenomena like class race 2 anti racist internationalist look admittedly small numbers low modest income blacks latinos confused trump wonder could exist look relatively modest support blacks sanders clinton 160 part whole election turning wonder could exist certainly understand considerable racism still existing various white constituencies see relative lack fury trumps racism islamophobia immigrant bashing wonder exist decades anti racist organizing tried often enough reach whites resisted appeals due preaching overwhelmingly already receptive audience messages often failed due tone substance alienating meant reach antiracist communities pursuing narrow understanding thus concluding clinton preferable sanders anti racist values aims methods flawed anyone believe half century could done better rather bemoaning choices whites voted trump shouldnt ask ought change make demands organize race attract rather repel dont agree morally socially right decades scope racisms ills hasnt created unstoppable tide racism perhaps need say medium long run goals find way talk make demands race doesnt polarize away white people better accounts social phenomena like class gender 3 anti capitalist look narcissistic billionaire bully attracting tens millions working class votes wonder could exist could five decades anti capitalist organizing leave many workers susceptible trumps rhetoric posturing something substance sufficiently addressing working people feel experience ways relate something approach giving hostility toward working people quite like daily encounter authority figures hospitals courts workplaces working people furious plight anti capitalists little connection often even little empathy workers rising fury clinton called working class trump supporters deplorable manifesting sentiments widely held left must change talk make demands organize class economy reach dont yet agree anyone believe half century could done better rather bemoaning choice working class people voted trump shouldnt ask ought change make demands organize class economy attract rather repel dont agree morally socially right five decades capitalisms horrors hasnt created unstoppable tide class oppression perhaps need say medium long run goals perhaps need ways seek anti capitalist outcomes put fewer potential allies pull constituencies sustainably anti classist commitment talk make demands economy ways dont polarize away workers dont ignore social phenomena like gender race could issue part style part substance parts owing inadequately understanding situation workers dismissive perhaps even aspiring movement new economy 4 finally look progressive left writing past year see lot people saying trump silver lining trump galvanize us trump another ruling class lackey rest voting contested states voting stein contested states wise choice wonder callousness views display toward suffer trumps fascistic inclinations ecological madness could exist wonder confusion prospects movements trying seek radical progress right wing thug rather liberal woman could exist views exist radicals immersed left literature activism wonder us knew better done caused us fail reach commentators offered suicidal views wonder months years decades involvement radicalism could leave many thinking confused thoughts wonder wrong accumulated sum total literature practice lefts many parts feel responsible left writer speaker left publisher good many left commentators incredibly many young radicals could highly versed radical output yet nonetheless hold views many propounding bottom line acknowledge seek change includes things like fbi machinations russian hacking electoral college imposition everything traits wont alter much decades long movement practices allowed 14 occur 14 issues must solve attain lasting success future need look mirror seems evident 160 | 1,005 |
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<p>As the latest example of the kind of zany hi jinx accompanying what Antonio Gramsci described as the interregnum between the dying old world and the new that cannot be born, French authorities in the last week <a href="" type="internal">had conniptions</a> over someone wearing a ‘burkini’ or full-bodied swimsuit on a beach in Nice, banning them from 15 beaches. The rationale put forward for this bizarre turn of events was phrased in terms of ‘public’ concern over this variety of swimwear having something to do with the Bastille Day truck attack, in which 86 people died and 307 were injured. The presumption before the facts are in that the problem is with Islam; corporate media hegemony as our Italian buddy here pointed out enables a trial by media where facts are irrelevant, but you know it’s all good because it’s all for the greater good of democracy or something.</p>
<p>Let’s put aside the fact that the so-called War on Terror, which was supposed to stop those kind of tragedies from happening, not only didn’t stop them from happening, but in destabilising the Middle East, vastly increasing the likelihood of random terror attacks taking place in the west and creating ideal conditions for the rise of Islamic State. That fact which despite glaring in the face of all said to the contrary is consistently ignored with a militancy that can only be willful, this particular response to the tragic mass murder of 86 people and the incalculable pain and suffering caused to those left behind follows the typical line of thinking of the neoliberal political class in that they stick their head in a bucket of water because their arse is on fire.</p>
<p>What this means in more precise terms is that they render themselves cause and cure of the same problem in the process of opportunistically using the tragedy for political mileage in a way that provides an iron-clad, 100% money-back guarantee that, as the the endless cycle of fear, blame and retribution continues, so will the outrages. In that respect the one in Nice is no different to the ones that came before —&#160;long before, when old mate Gramsci was talking about the aforementioned crisis and the context for the great variety of morbid symptoms that appear —&#160;and the many to come, which as I have pointed out <a href="" type="internal">previously</a> leaves one with the distinct impression that the War on Terrorism has been won already, and <a href="" type="internal">not by us</a>.</p>
<p>While the sticking the head in the bucket of water might seem like a crude and inappropriate metaphor it is analogous to sticking one’s head in the ground, ostrich-like. And when it comes to the broader context and the inconvenient facts that are known, but that somehow disappear mysteriously down the memory hole when something like this happens with the precision that would make a Jura watchmaker mess their underwear, that is exactly what they do. The cycle of international stupidity is now an <a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CVuhj9iWUAAqSsf.jpg" type="external">internet meme</a>; I keep it stored in my Facebook profile now to put up every time there’s an attack because they are bound to continue permanently as long as arms sakes for the global moral panic over terrorism (the one that should properly be called the Terror Scare) provides a permanent pretext for the permanent war that provides a permanent Military Keynesian stimulus to a failing global economy. That is of course the one where the rate of profit is falling because of a permanent decline of <a href="" type="internal">Cheap Natures</a>.</p>
<p>It makes no sense that the Nice attack is even on the radar of terrorism other than it fits the established narrative that the aforesaid political classes employ because it serves the abovementioned purposes. The dude responsible for the attack, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohamed_Lahouaiej-Bouhlel" type="external">Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel</a>, was a French resident of Tunisian extraction, and to all appearances had no affiliations to any religious fundamentalist organization beyond starting to grow a beard two days before he carried out the attack, which some might associate with the stereotype of an Arab terrorist, which proves nothing. He was clearly a loose cannon. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, as they predictably would have given the clear propaganda value in terrorising westerners (Omar Mateen was another example of the <a href="" type="internal">same thing</a>). Naturally the western media and politicians up to and including French Prime Minister <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Valls" type="external">Manuel Valls</a> were more than willing to accommodate and enable them in that respect, Islamic State publicists the New York Times trumpeting that the Nice attacks represented <a href="" type="internal">terrorism’s new reality</a>.</p>
<p>Like I always say though, never let the facts get in the way of a good story. So now Burkinis are to blame for the fact that the neoliberal political class need a scapegoat for the morbid symptoms of a world system systematically devoted to frustrating social change. It doesn’t say much as ever for the capacity of western democracy to demonstrate the courage of its convictions; what is fascinating in this instance is the photos of the morality police on the beach, enforcing the cultural orthodoxies of the conspicuously authoritarian society that is so afraid of ideas it doesn’t like that it has to micromanage the lives of its citizens to make sure no one gets out of line. If this sounds at all familiar to anyone, maybe it can be taken as cause to pause and reflect on the perils of becoming everything we claim to oppose and the kinds of assumptions that might give rise to that kind of cognitive dissonance. From where I’m standing they sure look exactly like the morality police who enforce hijabs in fundamentalist paradises like Iran.</p>
<p>Postcript: Hilariously enough sales of Burkinis have <a href="" type="internal">gone through the roof</a>. Interestingly the designer is Australian; we have something of a love affair with full-length swimwear, eg. champion runner <a href="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KOVhDUkmIvk/maxresdefault.jpg" type="external">Cathy Freeman</a>, champion swimmer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LZR_Racer" type="external">Michael Phelps</a>. They help keep the masses pacified with the provision of spectacles for the old bread and circuses routine though, so not terrorists.</p> | true | 4 | latest example kind zany hi jinx accompanying antonio gramsci described interregnum dying old world new born french authorities last week conniptions someone wearing burkini fullbodied swimsuit beach nice banning 15 beaches rationale put forward bizarre turn events phrased terms public concern variety swimwear something bastille day truck attack 86 people died 307 injured presumption facts problem islam corporate media hegemony italian buddy pointed enables trial media facts irrelevant know good greater good democracy something lets put aside fact socalled war terror supposed stop kind tragedies happening didnt stop happening destabilising middle east vastly increasing likelihood random terror attacks taking place west creating ideal conditions rise islamic state fact despite glaring face said contrary consistently ignored militancy willful particular response tragic mass murder 86 people incalculable pain suffering caused left behind follows typical line thinking neoliberal political class stick head bucket water arse fire means precise terms render cause cure problem process opportunistically using tragedy political mileage way provides ironclad 100 moneyback guarantee endless cycle fear blame retribution continues outrages respect one nice different ones came 160long old mate gramsci talking aforementioned crisis context great variety morbid symptoms appear 160and many come pointed previously leaves one distinct impression war terrorism already us sticking head bucket water might seem like crude inappropriate metaphor analogous sticking ones head ground ostrichlike comes broader context inconvenient facts known somehow disappear mysteriously memory hole something like happens precision would make jura watchmaker mess underwear exactly cycle international stupidity internet meme keep stored facebook profile put every time theres attack bound continue permanently long arms sakes global moral panic terrorism one properly called terror scare provides permanent pretext permanent war provides permanent military keynesian stimulus failing global economy course one rate profit falling permanent decline cheap natures makes sense nice attack even radar terrorism fits established narrative aforesaid political classes employ serves abovementioned purposes dude responsible attack mohamed lahouaiejbouhlel french resident tunisian extraction appearances affiliations religious fundamentalist organization beyond starting grow beard two days carried attack might associate stereotype arab terrorist proves nothing clearly loose cannon isis claimed responsibility attack predictably would given clear propaganda value terrorising westerners omar mateen another example thing naturally western media politicians including french prime minister manuel valls willing accommodate enable respect islamic state publicists new york times trumpeting nice attacks represented terrorisms new reality like always say though never let facts get way good story burkinis blame fact neoliberal political class need scapegoat morbid symptoms world system systematically devoted frustrating social change doesnt say much ever capacity western democracy demonstrate courage convictions fascinating instance photos morality police beach enforcing cultural orthodoxies conspicuously authoritarian society afraid ideas doesnt like micromanage lives citizens make sure one gets line sounds familiar anyone maybe taken cause pause reflect perils becoming everything claim oppose kinds assumptions might give rise kind cognitive dissonance im standing sure look exactly like morality police enforce hijabs fundamentalist paradises like iran postcript hilariously enough sales burkinis gone roof interestingly designer australian something love affair fulllength swimwear eg champion runner cathy freeman champion swimmer michael phelps help keep masses pacified provision spectacles old bread circuses routine though terrorists | 516 |
<p>&lt;a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/with/14158087463/"&gt;US Army&lt;/a&gt;/Flickr</p>
<p>This <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175844/%0D%0A" type="external">story</a> first appeared on the <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/" type="external">TomDispatch</a> website.</p>
<p>What is Operation New Normal?</p>
<p>It’s a question without an answer, a riddle the US military refuses to solve. It’s a secret operation in Africa that no one knows anything about. Except that someone does. His name is Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee Magee. He lives and breathes Operation New Normal. But he doesn’t want to breath paint fumes or talk to me, so you can’t know anything about it.</p>
<p>Confused? Stay with me.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com" type="external" />Whatever Operation New Normal may be pales in comparison to the real “new normal” for US Africa Command (AFRICOM). The lower-cased variant is bold and muscular. It’s an expeditionary force on a war footing. To the men involved, it’s a story of <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175823/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_america%27s_non-stop_ops_in_africa" type="external">growth</a> and <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175743/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_africom%27s_gigantic_%22small_footprint%22" type="external">expansion</a>, new <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175743/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_africom%27s_gigantic_%22small_footprint%22" type="external">battlefields</a>, “ <a href="http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140419/NEWS08/304190034/In-Shift-Africa-US-Troops-Find-Complicated-Relationships" type="external">combat</a>,” and “ <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175830/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_africom_becomes_a_%22war-fighting_combatant_command%22" type="external">war</a>.” It’s the <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175830/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_africom_becomes_a_%22war-fighting_combatant_command%22" type="external">culmination</a> of years of <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175743/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_africom%27s_gigantic_%22small_footprint%22" type="external">construction</a>, ingratiation, and interventions, the fruits of wide-eyed <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175823/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_america%27s_non-stop_ops_in_africa" type="external">expansion</a> and dismal policy <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175714/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_blowback_central" type="external">failures</a>, the backing of <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175818/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_american_proxy_wars_in_africa" type="external">proxies</a> to fight America’s battles, while increasing US personnel and firepower in and around the continent. It is, to quote an officer with AFRICOM, the blossoming of a “ <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175830/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_africom_becomes_a_%22war-fighting_combatant_command%22" type="external">war-fighting combatant command</a>.” And unlike Operation New Normal, it’s finally heading for a media outlet near you.</p>
<p>Ever Less New, Ever More Normal</p>
<p>Since 9/11, the US military has been ramping up missions on the African continent, funneling money into projects to woo allies, supporting and training <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175818/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_american_proxy_wars_in_africa" type="external">proxy forces</a>, conducting humanitarian outreach, carrying out air strikes and commando raids, creating a sophisticated <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175567/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_america%27s_shadow_wars_in_africa_" type="external">logistics network</a> throughout the region, and building a string of camps, “cooperative security locations,” and bases-by-other-names.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/images/managed/operationnewnormal_large.jpg" type="external">Click here to see a larger version</a>From a 2013 US Army Africa briefing slide referencing Operation New Normal.</p>
<p>All the while, AFRICOM <a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/us-military-pays-close-attention-to-boko-haram-militants/1681488.html" type="external">downplayed</a> the expansion and much of the media, <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-expands-secret-intelligence-operations-in-africa/2012/06/13/gJQAHyvAbV_story.html" type="external">with</a> a few <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/remote-us-base-at-core-of-secret-operations/2012/10/25/a26a9392-197a-11e2-bd10-5ff056538b7c_story.html" type="external">notable</a> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/in-africa-us-troops-moving-slowly-against-joseph-kony-and-his-militia/2012/04/16/gIQAtwMKMT_story.html" type="external">exceptions</a>, played along. With the end of the Iraq War and the drawdown of combat forces in Afghanistan, Washington has, however, visibly “pivoted” to Africa and, in recent weeks, many <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/apr/16/air-force-sees-resource-shift-as-us-exits-afghanis/" type="external">news</a> organizations, <a href="http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140419/NEWS08/304190034/In-Shift-Africa-US-Troops-Find-Complicated-Relationships" type="external">especially</a> those <a href="http://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20140416/NEWS/304160040/DoD-quietly-expanding-AFRICOM-missions" type="external">devoted</a> to the <a href="http://www.navytimes.com/article/20140416/NEWS/304160040/DoD-quietly-expanding-AFRICOM-missions" type="external">military</a>, have begun <a href="http://www.janes.com/article/28480/us-develops-new-medevac-technique-for-africa-ops" type="external">waking</a> up to the <a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140503/DEFREG04/305030020/US-Deployments-Africa-Raise-Host-Issues" type="external">new normal</a> there.</p>
<p>While daily US troop strength continent-wide hovers in the relatively modest range of <a href="http://www.defense.gov/Transcripts/Transcript.aspx?TranscriptID=5412&amp;utm_source=April+9+2014+EN&amp;utm_campaign=4%2F09%2F2014&amp;utm_medium=email" type="external">5,000</a> to <a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140503/DEFREG04/305030020/US-Deployments-Africa-Raise-Host-Issues" type="external">8,000</a> personnel, an under-the-radar expansion has been constant, with the US military now <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175743/tomgram%3A_nick_turse,_africom%27s_gigantic_%22small_footprint%22" type="external">conducting</a> operations alongside almost every African military in almost every African country and <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175823/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_america%27s_non-stop_ops_in_africa" type="external">averaging</a> more than a mission a day.</p>
<p>This increased engagement has come at a continuing cost. When the US and other allies intervened in 2011 to aid in the ouster of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi, for instance, it helped set off a chain reaction that led to a security vacuum <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175714/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_blowback_central" type="external">destabilizing</a> that country as well as neighboring Mali. The latter saw its elected government <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175714/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_blowback_central" type="external">overthrown</a> by a US-trained officer. The former never recovered and has tottered toward failed-state status ever since. Local militias have been <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175831/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_the_pentagon%2C_libya%2C_and_tomorrow%27s_blowback_today" type="external">carving out</a> fiefdoms, while killing untold numbers of Libyans—as well, of course, as US Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans in a September 2012 attack on the US consulate in Benghazi, the “cradle” of the Libyan revolution, whose forces the US had <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175831/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_the_pentagon%2C_libya%2C_and_tomorrow%27s_blowback_today" type="external">aided</a> with training, materiel, and military might.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1250045061/ref=nosim/?tag=tomdispatch-20" type="external" />Quickly <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/05/01/gop-lawmaker-renews-call-for-select-committee-on-benghazi/" type="external">politicized</a> by Congressional Republicans and <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/10/megyn-kelly-benghazi-media-collective-yawn_n_3251813.html" type="external">conservative</a> news outlets, “ <a href="http://media.theweek.com/img/generic/0502MikeLuckovich_Creators.jpg" type="external">Benghazi</a>” has become a shorthand for many things, including Obama administration <a href="http://foxnewsinsider.com/2014/04/30/gutfeld-benghazi-media-%E2%80%98will-cover-cover-cover-up%E2%80%99" type="external">cover-ups</a> and <a href="http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/05/hillarys-nightmare-the-benghazi-industrial-complex-106332.html?ml=po_r#.U2fgTlcmXqE" type="external">misconduct</a>, as well as White House <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/2013/05/07/president-obamas-benghazi-lies-unravel" type="external">lies</a> and <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/05/01/gop-lawmaker-renews-call-for-select-committee-on-benghazi/" type="external">malfeasance</a>. Missing, however, has been thoughtful analysis of the implications of American power-projection in Africa or the possibility that blowback might result from it.</p>
<p>Far from being chastened by the Benghazi deaths or chalking them up to a failure to imagine the consequences of armed interventions in situations whose local politics they barely grasp, the Pentagon and the Obama administration have used Benghazi as a growth opportunity, a means to take military efforts on the continent to the next level. “Benghazi” has provided AFRICOM with a beefed-up mandate and new clout. It birthed the new normal in Africa.</p>
<p>The Spoils of Blowback</p>
<p>Those 2012 killings “changed AFRICOM forever,” Major General Raymond Fox, commander of the II Marine Expeditionary Force, <a href="http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=1475" type="external">told</a> attendees of a recent Sea-Air-Space conference organized by the <a href="http://navyleague.org/aboutus/about_us.html" type="external">Navy League</a>, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, and the Merchant Marine. The proof lies in the new “crisis response” forces that have popped up in and around Africa, greatly enhancing the regional reach, capabilities, and firepower of the US military.</p>
<p>Following the debacle in Benghazi, for instance, the US established an Africa-focused force known as Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response ( <a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usmc/spmagtf-cr.htm" type="external">SP-MAGTF CR</a>) to give AFRICOM quick-reaction capabilities on the continent. “Temporarily positioned” at Morón Air Base in Spain, this rotating unit of Marines and sailors is officially <a href="http://www.marforaf.marines.mil/UnitHome/SpecialPurposeMAGTFCrisisResponse.aspx" type="external">billed</a> as “a balanced, expeditionary force with built-in command, ground, aviation, and logistics elements and organized, trained, and equipped to accomplish a specific mission.”</p>
<p>Similarly, Benghazi provided the justification for the birthing of another rapid reaction unit, the Commander’s In-Extremis Force. Long in the planning stages and <a href="http://www.africom.mil/Newsroom/Transcript/10566/transcript-africom-transcom-commanders-testify-before-senate-armed-services-committee" type="external">supported</a> by the head of the Special Operations Command, Admiral William McRaven, the Fort Carson, Colorado-based unit—part of the 10th Special Forces Group—was sent to Europe <a href="http://www.africom.mil/Newsroom/Transcript/10566/transcript-africom-transcom-commanders-testify-before-senate-armed-services-committee" type="external">weeks after</a> Benghazi. Elements of this specialized <a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/africom-announces-it-will-have-rapid-reaction-force-1.201162" type="external">counterterrorism unit</a> are now “constantly forward deployed,” AFRICOM spokesman Benjamin Benson told TomDispatch, and stand “ready for the commander to use, if there’s a crisis.”</p>
<p>The East Africa Response Force (EARF), operating from the lone avowed American base in Africa—Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti—is another new quick-reaction unit. When asked about EARF, Benson said, “The growing complexity of the security environment demonstrated the need for us to have a [Department of Defense]-positioned response force that could respond to crises in the African region.”</p>
<p>In late December, just days after the 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, out of Fort Riley, Kansas, <a href="http://www.stripes.com/crisis-response-force-adds-firepower-to-us-base-in-africa-1.277535" type="external">arrived</a> in Djibouti to serve as the newly christened EARF, members of the unit were whisked off to South Sudan. Led by EARF’s commander, Lieutenant Colonel Lee Magee, the 45-man platoon was dispatched to that restive nation (midwifed into being by the US only a few years earlier) as it slid toward civil war with armed factions moving close to the US embassy in the capital, Juba. The obvious fear: another Benghazi.</p>
<p>Joined by elements of the Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response and more shadowy <a href="http://www.navytimes.com/article/20131227/NEWS/312270010/3-SEALs-wounded-South-Sudan-back-U-S-" type="external">special ops troops</a>, members of EARF helped secure and reinforce the embassy and <a href="http://www.stripes.com/crisis-response-force-adds-firepower-to-us-base-in-africa-1.277535" type="external">evacuate</a> Americans. Magee and most of his troops <a href="http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140419/NEWS08/304190034/In-Shift-Africa-US-Troops-Find-Complicated-Relationships" type="external">returned</a> to Djibouti in February, although a few were still serving in South Sudan as recently as <a href="http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=34502:us-response-force-stands-down-from-south-sudan-embassy-duty&amp;catid=3:Civil%20Security&amp;Itemid=113" type="external">last month</a>.</p>
<p>South Sudan, a nation the US <a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/140120/how-the-us-lost-south-sudan" type="external">poured</a> much time and effort into <a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2012/01/mil-120111-voa02.htm" type="external">building</a>, is lurching toward the brink of genocide, <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-27245641" type="external">according</a> to Secretary of State John Kerry. With a ceasefire already <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/south-sudanese-army-rebels-blame-each-other-as-latest-cease-fire-is-quickly-violated/2014/05/11/49e8e6dc-d937-11e3-bda1-9b46b2066796_story.html?tid=hpModule_04941f10-8a79-11e2-98d9-3012c1cd8d1e" type="external">in shambles</a> within hours of being signed, the country stands as another stark foreign policy failure on a <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175714/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_blowback_central" type="external">continent</a> now <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/mali-insurgency-followed-10-years-of-us-counterterrorism-programs/2013/01/16/a43f2d32-601e-11e2-a389-ee565c81c565_story.html" type="external">rife</a> with them. But just as Benghazi proved a useful excuse for dispatching more forward-deployed firepower toward Africa, the embassy scare in South Sudan acted as a convenient template for future crises in which the US military would be even more involved. “We’re basically the firemen for AFRICOM. If something arises and they need troops somewhere, we can be there just like that,” Captain John Young, a company commander with the East Africa Response Force, <a href="http://www.stripes.com/crisis-response-force-adds-firepower-to-us-base-in-africa-1.277535" type="external">told</a> Stars and Stripes in the wake of the Juba mission.</p>
<p>The New Normal and the Same Old, Same Old</p>
<p>A batch of official Army Africa documents obtained by&#160;TomDispatch&#160;convinced me that&#160;EARF&#160;was intimately connected with Operation New Normal. A July 2013 briefing slide, for instance, references “East Africa Response Force/New Normal,” while another concerning operations on that continent mentions “New Normal Reaction Force East.” At the same time, the phrase “new normal” has been increasingly on the lips of the men running America’s African ops.</p>
<p>Jason Hyland, a 30-year State Department veteran who serves as Foreign Policy Advisor to Brigadier General Wayne&#160;Grigsby, the commander of Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), for instance,&#160; <a href="http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:n8i9piP9regJ:www.hoa.africom.mil/story/7841/foreign-policy-advisorrsquos-experience-knowledge-vital-to-cjtfhoa-mission+&amp;cd=1&amp;hl=en&amp;ct=clnk&amp;gl=us" type="external">told</a>&#160;an interviewer that the task force “is at the forefront in this region in implementing US policy on the ‘new normal’ to protect our missions when there are uncertain conditions.”</p>
<p>A news release from&#160;CJTF-HOA&#160;concerning the&#160;Juba&#160;operation also used the phrase:&#160;“While the East Africa Response Force was providing security for the embassy, additional forces were required to continue the evacuation mission. Under the auspices of ‘the new normal,’ which refers to the heightened threat US Embassies face throughout the world, the&#160;SP-MAGTF&#160;CR arrived from&#160;Morón, Spain,”&#160; <a href="http://www.hoa.africom.mil/story/7976/sp-magtf-cr-redeploys-to-mor-n-spain" type="external">wrote</a>&#160;Technical Sergeant Jasmine&#160;Reif.</p>
<p>Earlier this year in&#160;Seapower&#160;magazine, the commander of Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response, Colonel Scott Benedict,&#160; <a href="http://www.seapowermagazine.org/stories/20140210-magtf.html" type="external">described</a>&#160;the “new normal” as a world filled with “a lot of rapidly moving crises,” requiring military interventions and likened it to the Marine Corps deployments in the so-called&#160; <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/07/21/books/review/21SCHWART.html" type="external">Banana Wars</a>&#160;in Central America and the Caribbean in the early twentieth century.</p>
<p>On a visit to Camp&#160;Lemonnier, Marine commandant General James Amos echoed the same sentiments,&#160; <a href="http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/Jan/03/marines-sudan-crisis-response/1/" type="external">calling</a>&#160;his troops “America’s insurance policy.” Referencing the Marine task force, he invoked that&#160; <a href="http://voices.mydesert.com/2014/01/31/commandant-of-the-marine-corps-gen-james-f-amos-talks-global-security-national-defense-priorities/" type="external">phrase</a>&#160;in an even more expansive way. Aside from “winning battles” in Afghanistan, he&#160; <a href="http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/Jan/03/marines-sudan-crisis-response/2/?#article-copy" type="external">said</a>, the creation of that force was “probably the most significant thing we’ve done in the last year-and-a-half as far as adjusting the Marine Corps for what people are now calling the new normal, which are these crises that are happening around the world.”</p>
<p>In March, Brigadier General Wayne&#160;Grigsby&#160;explicitly noted that the phrase meant far more than simple embassy security missions. “Sitting in Djibouti is really the new normal,” the&#160;CJTF-HOA&#160;commander&#160; <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXNmRezHvR4" type="external">said</a>. (He was, in fact, sitting in an office in that country.) “It’s not the new normal… as far as providing security for our threatened embassies. It’s really the new normal on how we’re going to operate as a [Department of Defense entity] in supporting the national security strategy of our country.”</p>
<p>Operation New Normal and the Incredible Disappearing Lee Magee</p>
<p>With so many officials talking about the “new normal” and with documents citing a specific operation sporting the same name, I called up&#160;AFRICOM’s&#160;media chief Benjamin Benson looking for more information. “I don’t know the name new normal,” he told me. “It isn’t a term we’re using to define one of the operations.”</p>
<p>That seemed awfully curious. An official military document obtained by&#160;TomDispatch&#160;explicitly noted that US troops would be deployed as part of Operation New Normal in 2014. The term was even used, in still another document, alongside other code-named operations like Juniper Micron and Observant Compass, missions to aid the&#160; <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175818/" type="external">French and African interventions</a>&#160;in Mali and to&#160; <a href="http://www.africom.mil/what-we-do" type="external">degrade or destroy</a>&#160;Joseph&#160;Kony’s&#160;murderous&#160; <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/nation/2013/09/12/operation-observant-compass-kony/2804225/" type="external">Lord’s Resistance Army</a>&#160;in central Africa.</p>
<p>Next, I got in touch with Lieutenant Colonel Glen Roberts at&#160;CJTF-HOA&#160;and explained that I wanted to know about Operation New Normal. His response was effusive and unequivocal: I should speak with Lee Magee—that is&#160; <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/10/world/africa/us-mission-in-south-sudan-shows-limits-of-military.html?_r=0" type="external">Lieutenant Colonel Robert E. Lee Magee</a>, a West Point graduate, third-generation Army officer, and commander of the East African Response Force who had deployed to South Sudan as the nation shattered on the rocks of reality. “He lives this concept and has executed it,” was how Roberts put it.</p>
<p>Was I available to talk to Magee the next day? Yes, indeed.</p>
<p>On March&#160;27th, the day of the proposed interview, however, a lower-ranking public affairs official got in touch to explain that Lieutenant Colonel Magee could not speak to me and Lieutenant Colonel Roberts was out of the office. I asked to reschedule for the next day. The spokesman said he didn’t know what their calendars looked like, but that Roberts was expected back later that day. I left a message, but heard nothing.</p>
<p>The next morning, I called the press office in Djibouti and asked to speak to Magee. He wasn’t there. No one was. Everyone had left work early. The reason? “Paint fumes.”</p>
<p>That was a new one.</p>
<p>Another follow-up and Roberts finally got back in touch. “Apologies, but I am no longer able to arrange an interview with Magee,” he informed me. “Thanks for understanding.”</p>
<p>But I didn’t understand and told him so. After all, Magee was the man who&#160;lived and executed&#160;the new normal. I thought we were set for an interview. What happened?</p>
<p>“He has simply declined an interview, as is his privilege,” was the best Roberts could do. Magee had been dropped into the hot zone in South Sudan to forestall the next Benghazi, and had previously&#160; <a href="http://www.stripes.com/crisis-response-force-adds-firepower-to-us-base-in-africa-1.277535" type="external">spoken</a>&#160;with other&#160; <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/10/world/africa/us-mission-in-south-sudan-shows-limits-of-military.html?_r=1" type="external">media outlets</a>&#160;about his work in Africa, but conversing with me about Operation New Normal was apparently beyond the pale. Or maybe it had something to do with those paint fumes.</p>
<p>On March&#160;31st, Roberts told me that he could answer the questions by email—questions that I had already sent in on March&#160;17th. But no response came. I followed up again. And again. And again. I sent the questions a second time.</p>
<p>As of publication, almost two months after my initial inquiry, no word yet. That, evidently, is the new normal, too.</p>
<p>The Real New Normal</p>
<p>Quite obviously, the US military isn’t eager to talk about Operation New Normal, which—despite Benjamin Benson’s contentions, Lee Magee’s silence, and Glen Roberts’ disappearance—is almost certainly the name for a US military mission in East Africa that, US documents suggest, is tied to the Benghazi-birthed East African Response Force.</p>
<p>More important than uncovering the nature of Operation New Normal, however, is recognizing the real new normal in Africa for the US military: ever-increasing missions across the continent—now&#160; <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175823/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_america%27s_non-stop_ops_in_africa" type="external">averaging</a>&#160;about 1.5 per day—ever more engagement with local&#160; <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175818/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_american_proxy_wars_in_africa" type="external">proxies</a>&#160;in ever more African countries, the construction of ever more new facilities in ever more countries (including plans for a possible new compound in Niger), and a string of bases&#160; <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175830/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_africom_becomes_a_%22war-fighting_combatant_command%22" type="external">devoted</a>&#160;to surveillance activities spreading across the northern tier of Africa. Add to this impressive build-up the three new rapid reaction forces, specialized teams like a&#160; <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/05/07/us-team-military-personnel-federal-agency-experts-to-reach-nigeria-in-coming/" type="external">contingent</a>&#160;of&#160;AFRICOM&#160;personnel and officials from the FBI and the departments of Justice, State, and Defense created to help&#160; <a href="http://www.stripes.com/news/africa/pentagon-outlines-plans-to-help-rescue-kidnapped-girls-in-nigeria-1.281876" type="external">rescue</a>&#160;hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by members of the Islamic militant group&#160;Boko&#160;Haram, and other shadowy quick-response units like the seldom-mentioned&#160; <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175743/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_africom%27s_gigantic_%22small_footprint%22" type="external">Naval Special Warfare Unit 10</a>.</p>
<p>“Having resources [on the continent] that are ready for a response is really valuable,” Benson told me when talking about the Djibouti-based&#160;EARF. The same holds for the US military’s new normal in Africa: more of everything valuable to a military seeking a new mission in the wake of two fading, none-too-successful wars.</p>
<p>The Benghazi killings, unrest in South Sudan, and now the&#160;Boko&#160;Haram&#160;kidnappings have provided the US with ways to bring a long-running “light footprint in Africa” narrative into line with a far heavier reality. Each crisis has provided the US with further justification for publicizing a steady expansion on that continent that’s been underway but under wraps for years. New forces, new battlefields, and a new openness about a new “war,” to&#160; <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175830/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_africom_becomes_a_%22war-fighting_combatant_command%22" type="external">quote</a>&#160;one of the men waging it. That’s the real new normal for the US military in Africa—and you don’t need to talk to Lieutenant Colonel Lee Magee to know it.</p>
<p>Nick&#160;Turse&#160;is the managing editor of&#160; <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/" type="external">TomDispatch.com</a>&#160;and a fellow at the Nation Institute. A 2014&#160; <a href="http://www.ithaca.edu/rhp/independentmedia/docs/2014Izzyprogram/" type="external">Izzy&#160;Award</a>&#160;winner, his&#160;pieces have appeared in the&#160; <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/10/opinion/for-america-life-was-cheap-in-vietnam.html?_r=0" type="external">New York Times</a>, the&#160; <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2012/apr/24/opinion/la-oe-turse-afghanistan-and-vietnam-20120424" type="external">Los Angeles Times</a>, and&#160; <a href="http://www.thenation.com/afghanistan" type="external">the Nation</a>,&#160;at the&#160; <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-23427726" type="external">BBC</a>&#160;and&#160; <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175635/tomgram%3A_nick_turse%2C_a_war_victim%27s_question_only_you_can_answer/" type="external">regularly</a>&#160;at&#160;TomDispatch.&#160;He is the author most recently of the&#160;New York Times&#160;bestseller&#160; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1250045061/ref=nosim/?tag=tomdispatch-20" type="external">Kill Anything That Moves: The Real American War in Vietnam</a>&#160;(now out in paperback).</p>
<p>Follow&#160;TomDispatch&#160;on Twitter and join us on&#160; <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tomdispatch" type="external">Facebook</a>&#160;and&#160; <a href="http://tomdispatch.tumblr.com/" type="external">Tumblr</a>. Check out the newest Dispatch Book, Ann Jones’s&#160; <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1608463710/ref=nosim/?tag=tomdispatch-20" type="external">They Were Soldiers: How the Wounded Return From America’s Wars—The Untold Story</a>. To stay on top of important articles like these, sign up to receive the latest updates from TomDispatch.com&#160; <a href="http://tomdispatch.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6cb39ff0b1f670c349f828c73&amp;id=1e41682ade" type="external">here</a>.</p> | true | 4 | lta hrefhttpswwwflickrcomphotossoldiersmediacenterwith14158087463gtus armyltagtflickr story first appeared tomdispatch website operation new normal question without answer riddle us military refuses solve secret operation africa one knows anything except someone name lieutenant colonel robert e lee magee lives breathes operation new normal doesnt want breath paint fumes talk cant know anything confused stay whatever operation new normal may pales comparison real new normal us africa command africom lowercased variant bold muscular expeditionary force war footing men involved story growth expansion new battlefields combat war culmination years construction ingratiation interventions fruits wideeyed expansion dismal policy failures backing proxies fight americas battles increasing us personnel firepower around continent quote officer africom blossoming warfighting combatant command unlike operation new normal finally heading media outlet near ever less new ever normal since 911 us military ramping missions african continent funneling money projects woo allies supporting training proxy forces conducting humanitarian outreach carrying air strikes commando raids creating sophisticated logistics network throughout region building string camps cooperative security locations basesbyothernames click see larger versionfrom 2013 us army africa briefing slide referencing operation new normal africom downplayed expansion much media notable exceptions played along end iraq war drawdown combat forces afghanistan washington however visibly pivoted africa recent weeks many news organizations especially devoted military begun waking new normal daily us troop strength continentwide hovers relatively modest range 5000 8000 personnel undertheradar expansion constant us military conducting operations alongside almost every african military almost every african country averaging mission day increased engagement come continuing cost us allies intervened 2011 aid ouster libyan dictator muammar gaddafi instance helped set chain reaction led security vacuum destabilizing country well neighboring mali latter saw elected government overthrown ustrained officer former never recovered tottered toward failedstate status ever since local militias carving fiefdoms killing untold numbers libyansas well course us ambassador j christopher stevens three americans september 2012 attack us consulate benghazi cradle libyan revolution whose forces us aided training materiel military might quickly politicized congressional republicans conservative news outlets benghazi become shorthand many things including obama administration coverups misconduct well white house lies malfeasance missing however thoughtful analysis implications american powerprojection africa possibility blowback might result far chastened benghazi deaths chalking failure imagine consequences armed interventions situations whose local politics barely grasp pentagon obama administration used benghazi growth opportunity means take military efforts continent next level benghazi provided africom beefedup mandate new clout birthed new normal africa spoils blowback 2012 killings changed africom forever major general raymond fox commander ii marine expeditionary force told attendees recent seaairspace conference organized navy league marine corps coast guard merchant marine proof lies new crisis response forces popped around africa greatly enhancing regional reach capabilities firepower us military following debacle benghazi instance us established africafocused force known specialpurpose marine airground task forcecrisis response spmagtf cr give africom quickreaction capabilities continent temporarily positioned morón air base spain rotating unit marines sailors officially billed balanced expeditionary force builtin command ground aviation logistics elements organized trained equipped accomplish specific mission similarly benghazi provided justification birthing another rapid reaction unit commanders inextremis force long planning stages supported head special operations command admiral william mcraven fort carson coloradobased unitpart 10th special forces groupwas sent europe weeks benghazi elements specialized counterterrorism unit constantly forward deployed africom spokesman benjamin benson told tomdispatch stand ready commander use theres crisis east africa response force earf operating lone avowed american base africacamp lemonnier djiboutiis another new quickreaction unit asked earf benson said growing complexity security environment demonstrated need us department defensepositioned response force could respond crises african region late december days 1st combined arms battalion 18th infantry regiment fort riley kansas arrived djibouti serve newly christened earf members unit whisked south sudan led earfs commander lieutenant colonel lee magee 45man platoon dispatched restive nation midwifed us years earlier slid toward civil war armed factions moving close us embassy capital juba obvious fear another benghazi joined elements specialpurpose marine airground task forcecrisis response shadowy special ops troops members earf helped secure reinforce embassy evacuate americans magee troops returned djibouti february although still serving south sudan recently last month south sudan nation us poured much time effort building lurching toward brink genocide according secretary state john kerry ceasefire already shambles within hours signed country stands another stark foreign policy failure continent rife benghazi proved useful excuse dispatching forwarddeployed firepower toward africa embassy scare south sudan acted convenient template future crises us military would even involved basically firemen africom something arises need troops somewhere like captain john young company commander east africa response force told stars stripes wake juba mission new normal old old batch official army africa documents obtained by160tomdispatch160convinced that160earf160was intimately connected operation new normal july 2013 briefing slide instance references east africa response forcenew normal another concerning operations continent mentions new normal reaction force east time phrase new normal increasingly lips men running americas african ops jason hyland 30year state department veteran serves foreign policy advisor brigadier general wayne160grigsby commander combined joint task forcehorn africa cjtfhoa instance160 told160an interviewer task force forefront region implementing us policy new normal protect missions uncertain conditions news release from160cjtfhoa160concerning the160juba160operation also used phrase160while east africa response force providing security embassy additional forces required continue evacuation mission auspices new normal refers heightened threat us embassies face throughout world the160spmagtf160cr arrived from160morón spain160 wrote160technical sergeant jasmine160reif earlier year in160seapower160magazine commander specialpurpose marine airground task force crisis response colonel scott benedict160 described160the new normal world filled lot rapidly moving crises requiring military interventions likened marine corps deployments socalled160 banana wars160in central america caribbean early twentieth century visit camp160lemonnier marine commandant general james amos echoed sentiments160 calling160his troops americas insurance policy referencing marine task force invoked that160 phrase160in even expansive way aside winning battles afghanistan he160 said creation force probably significant thing weve done last yearandahalf far adjusting marine corps people calling new normal crises happening around world march brigadier general wayne160grigsby160explicitly noted phrase meant far simple embassy security missions sitting djibouti really new normal the160cjtfhoa160commander160 said fact sitting office country new normal far providing security threatened embassies really new normal going operate department defense entity supporting national security strategy country operation new normal incredible disappearing lee magee many officials talking new normal documents citing specific operation sporting name called up160africoms160media chief benjamin benson looking information dont know name new normal told isnt term using define one operations seemed awfully curious official military document obtained by160tomdispatch160explicitly noted us troops would deployed part operation new normal 2014 term even used still another document alongside codenamed operations like juniper micron observant compass missions aid the160 french african interventions160in mali to160 degrade destroy160joseph160konys160murderous160 lords resistance army160in central africa next got touch lieutenant colonel glen roberts at160cjtfhoa160and explained wanted know operation new normal response effusive unequivocal speak lee mageethat is160 lieutenant colonel robert e lee magee west point graduate thirdgeneration army officer commander east african response force deployed south sudan nation shattered rocks reality lives concept executed roberts put available talk magee next day yes indeed march16027th day proposed interview however lowerranking public affairs official got touch explain lieutenant colonel magee could speak lieutenant colonel roberts office asked reschedule next day spokesman said didnt know calendars looked like roberts expected back later day left message heard nothing next morning called press office djibouti asked speak magee wasnt one everyone left work early reason paint fumes new one another followup roberts finally got back touch apologies longer able arrange interview magee informed thanks understanding didnt understand told magee man who160lived executed160the new normal thought set interview happened simply declined interview privilege best roberts could magee dropped hot zone south sudan forestall next benghazi previously160 spoken160with other160 media outlets160about work africa conversing operation new normal apparently beyond pale maybe something paint fumes march16031st roberts told could answer questions emailquestions already sent march16017th response came followed sent questions second time publication almost two months initial inquiry word yet evidently new normal real new normal quite obviously us military isnt eager talk operation new normal whichdespite benjamin bensons contentions lee magees silence glen roberts disappearanceis almost certainly name us military mission east africa us documents suggest tied benghazibirthed east african response force important uncovering nature operation new normal however recognizing real new normal africa us military everincreasing missions across continentnow160 averaging160about 15 per dayever engagement local160 proxies160in ever african countries construction ever new facilities ever countries including plans possible new compound niger string bases160 devoted160to surveillance activities spreading across northern tier africa add impressive buildup three new rapid reaction forces specialized teams like a160 contingent160of160africom160personnel officials fbi departments justice state defense created help160 rescue160hundreds nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped members islamic militant group160boko160haram shadowy quickresponse units like seldommentioned160 naval special warfare unit 10 resources continent ready response really valuable benson told talking djiboutibased160earf holds us militarys new normal africa everything valuable military seeking new mission wake two fading nonetoosuccessful wars benghazi killings unrest south sudan the160boko160haram160kidnappings provided us ways bring longrunning light footprint africa narrative line far heavier reality crisis provided us justification publicizing steady expansion continent thats underway wraps years new forces new battlefields new openness new war to160 quote160one men waging thats real new normal us military africaand dont need talk lieutenant colonel lee magee know nick160turse160is managing editor of160 tomdispatchcom160and fellow nation institute 2014160 izzy160award160winner his160pieces appeared the160 new york times the160 los angeles times and160 nation160at the160 bbc160and160 regularly160at160tomdispatch160he author recently the160new york times160bestseller160 kill anything moves real american war vietnam160now paperback follow160tomdispatch160on twitter join us on160 facebook160and160 tumblr check newest dispatch book ann joness160 soldiers wounded return americas warsthe untold story stay top important articles like sign receive latest updates tomdispatchcom160 | 1,580 |
<p>SINCE JUDAS ISCARIOT embraced Jesus, Jerusalem has not seen such a kiss.</p>
<p>After being boycotted by Ariel Sharon and Ehud Olmert for years, Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) was invited to the official residence of the Prime Minister of Israel two weeks ago. There, in front of the cameras, Olmert embraced him and kissed him warmly on both cheeks. Abbas looked stunned, and froze.</p>
<p>Somehow the scene was reminiscent of another incident of politically-inspired physical contact: the embarassing occurrence at the Camp David meeting, when Prime Minister Ehud Barak pushed Yasser Arafat forcefully into the room where Bill Clinton stood waiting.</p>
<p>In both instances it was a gesture that was intended to look like paying respect to the Palestinian leader, but both were actually acts of violence that–seemingly–testified to ignorance of the customs of the other people and of their delicate situation. Actually, the aim was quite different.</p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p>ACCORDING TO the New Testament, Judas Iscariot kissed Jesus in order to point him out to those who had come to arrest him.</p>
<p>In appearance–an act of love and friendship. In effect–a death sentence.</p>
<p>On the face of it, Olmert was out to do Abbas a favor. He paid him respect, introduced him to his wife and honored him with the title “Mr. President”.</p>
<p>That should not be underestimated. At Oslo, titanic battles were fought over this title. The Palestinians insisted that the head of the future Palestinian Authority should be called “President”. The Israelis rejected this out of hand, because this title could indicate something like a state. In the end, it was agreed that the (binding) English version would carry the Arabic title “Ra’is”, since that language uses the same word for both President and Chairman. Abbas, who signed the document for the Palestinian side, probably did not envisage that he himself would be the first to be addressed by an Israeli Prime Minister as “President”.</p>
<p>But enough trivia. More important is the outcome of this event. After the imposed kiss, Abbas needed a big Israeli gesture to justify the meeting in the eyes of his people. And indeed, why shouldn’t Olmert do something resounding? For example, to release on the spot a thousand prisoners, remove all the hundreds of checkpoints scattered across the West Bank, open the passage between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip?</p>
<p>Nothing of the sort happened. Olmert did not release a single prisoner–no woman, no child, no old man, no sick person. He did indeed announce (for the umpteenth time) that the roadblocks would be “eased”, but the Palestinians report that they have not felt any change. Perhaps, here and there, the endless queue at some of the roadblocks has become a little shorter. Also, Olmert gave back a fifth of the Palestinian tax money withheld (or embezzled) by the Israeli government.</p>
<p>To the Palestinians, this looked like another shameful failure for their President: he went to Canossa and received meaningless promises that were not kept.</p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p>WHY DID Olmert go through all these motions?</p>
<p>The naïve explanation is political. President Bush wanted some movement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which would look like an American achievement. Condoleezza Rice transmitted the order to Olmert. Olmert agreed to meet Abbas at long last. There was a meeting. A kiss was effected. Promises were made and immediately forgotten. Americans, as is well known, have short memories. Even shorter (if that is possible) than ours.</p>
<p>But there is also a more cynical explanation. If one humiliates Abbas, one strengthens Hamas. Palestinian support for Abbas depends on one single factor: his ability to get from the US and Israel things Hamas cannot. The Americans and the Israelis love him, so–the argument goes–they will give him what is needed: the mass release of prisoners, an end to the targeted killings, the removal of the monstrous roadblocks, the opening of the passage between the West Bank and Gaza, the start of serious negotiations for peace. But if Abbas cannot deliver any of these–what remains but the methods of Hamas?</p>
<p>The business of the prisoners provides a good example. Nothing troubles the Palestinians more than this: almost every Palestinian clan has people in prison. Every family is affected: a father, a brother, a son, sometimes a daughter. Every night, the Israeli army “arrests” another dozen or so. How to get them free?</p>
<p>Hamas has a proven remedy: to capture Israelis (in the Israeli and international media, Israelis are “kidnapped” while Palestinians are “arrested”). For the return of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Olmert will release many prisoners. Israelis, according to Palestinian experience, understand only the language of force.</p>
<p>Some of Olmert’s advisors had a brilliant idea: to give Abbas hundreds of prisoners as a gift, just for nothing. That would reinforce the position of the Palestinian president and prove to the Palestinians that they can get more from us this way than by violence. It would deal a sharp blow to the Hamas government, whose overthrow is a prime aim of the governments both of Israel and the USA.</p>
<p>Out of the question, cried another group of Olmert’s spin doctors. How will the Israeli media react if prisoners are released before Shalit comes home?</p>
<p>The trouble is that Shalit is held by Hamas and its allies, and not by Abbas. If it is forbidden to release prisoners before the return of Shalit, then all the cards are in the hands of Hamas. In that case, perhaps it makes sense to speak with Hamas? Unthinkable!</p>
<p>The result: no strengthening of Abbas, no dialogue with Hamas, no nothing.</p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p>There is an old Israeli tradition: when there are two alternatives, we choose the third: not to do anything.</p>
<p>For me, the classic example is the Jericho affair. In the middle 70s, King Hussein made an offer to Henry Kissinger: Israel should withdraw from Jericho and turn the town over to the king. The Jordanian army would hoist the Jordanian flag there, announcing symbolically that Jordan is the decisive Arab presence in the West Bank.</p>
<p>Kissinger liked the idea and called Yigal Allon, the Israeli foreign minister. Allon informed the Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin. All the top political echelon–Rabin, Allon, the Defense Minister Shimon Peres–were already enthusiastic supporters of the “Jordanian Option”, as were their predecessors, Golda Meir, Moshe Dayan and Abba Eban. My friends and I, who, on the contrary, advocated the “Palestinian Option”, were a marginal minority.</p>
<p>But Rabin rejected the offer categorically. Golda had publicly promised to hold a referendum or elections before giving back even one square inch of occupied territory. “I will not call an election because of Jericho!” Rabin declared.</p>
<p>No Jordanian Option. No Palestinian Option. No nothing.</p>
<p>* * *</p>
<p>Now the same is happening vis-à-vis Syria.</p>
<p>Again there are two alternatives. The first: to start negotiations with Bashar al-Assad, who is making public overtures. That means being ready to give back the Golan Heights and allow the 60 thousand Syrian refugees to return home. In return, Sunni Syria could well cut itself loose from Iran and Hizbullah and join the front of Sunni states. Since Syria is both Sunni and secular-nationalist, that may also have a positive effect on the Palestinians.</p>
<p>Olmert has demanded that Assad cut himself off from Iran and stop helping Hizbullah before any negotiations. That is a ridiculous demand, obviously intended to serve as an alibi for refusing to start talking. After all, Assad uses Hizbullah in order to put pressure on Israel to return the Golan. His alliance with Iran also serves the same purpose. How can he give up in advance the few cards he holds and still hope to achieve anything in the negotiations?</p>
<p>The opposite alternative suggested by some senior army commanders: to invade Syria and do the same there as the Americans have done in Iraq. That would create anarchy throughout the Arab world, a situation that would be good for Israel. That would also renovate the image of the Israeli army that was damaged in Lebanon and restore its “deterrence power”.</p>
<p>So what will Olmert do? Give the Golan back? God forbid! Does he need trouble with the 16 thousand vociferous settlers there? What then, will he start a war with Syria? No! Hasn’t he had enough military setbacks? So he will go for the third alternative: to do nothing.</p>
<p>Bashar Assad has at least one consolation: He does not run the risk of being kissed by Olmert.</p>
<p>URI AVNERY is an Israeli writer and peace activist with Gush Shalom. He is one of the writers featured in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/156584789X/counterpunchmaga" type="external">The Other Israel: Voices of Dissent and Refusal</a>. He is also a contributor to CounterPunch’s hot new book <a href="" type="internal">The Politics of Anti-Semitism</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | since judas iscariot embraced jesus jerusalem seen kiss boycotted ariel sharon ehud olmert years mahmoud abbas abu mazen invited official residence prime minister israel two weeks ago front cameras olmert embraced kissed warmly cheeks abbas looked stunned froze somehow scene reminiscent another incident politicallyinspired physical contact embarassing occurrence camp david meeting prime minister ehud barak pushed yasser arafat forcefully room bill clinton stood waiting instances gesture intended look like paying respect palestinian leader actually acts violence thatseeminglytestified ignorance customs people delicate situation actually aim quite different according new testament judas iscariot kissed jesus order point come arrest appearancean act love friendship effecta death sentence face olmert abbas favor paid respect introduced wife honored title mr president underestimated oslo titanic battles fought title palestinians insisted head future palestinian authority called president israelis rejected hand title could indicate something like state end agreed binding english version would carry arabic title rais since language uses word president chairman abbas signed document palestinian side probably envisage would first addressed israeli prime minister president enough trivia important outcome event imposed kiss abbas needed big israeli gesture justify meeting eyes people indeed shouldnt olmert something resounding example release spot thousand prisoners remove hundreds checkpoints scattered across west bank open passage west bank gaza strip nothing sort happened olmert release single prisonerno woman child old man sick person indeed announce umpteenth time roadblocks would eased palestinians report felt change perhaps endless queue roadblocks become little shorter also olmert gave back fifth palestinian tax money withheld embezzled israeli government palestinians looked like another shameful failure president went canossa received meaningless promises kept olmert go motions naïve explanation political president bush wanted movement israelipalestinian conflict would look like american achievement condoleezza rice transmitted order olmert olmert agreed meet abbas long last meeting kiss effected promises made immediately forgotten americans well known short memories even shorter possible also cynical explanation one humiliates abbas one strengthens hamas palestinian support abbas depends one single factor ability get us israel things hamas americans israelis love sothe argument goesthey give needed mass release prisoners end targeted killings removal monstrous roadblocks opening passage west bank gaza start serious negotiations peace abbas deliver thesewhat remains methods hamas business prisoners provides good example nothing troubles palestinians almost every palestinian clan people prison every family affected father brother son sometimes daughter every night israeli army arrests another dozen get free hamas proven remedy capture israelis israeli international media israelis kidnapped palestinians arrested return israeli soldier gilad shalit olmert release many prisoners israelis according palestinian experience understand language force olmerts advisors brilliant idea give abbas hundreds prisoners gift nothing would reinforce position palestinian president prove palestinians get us way violence would deal sharp blow hamas government whose overthrow prime aim governments israel usa question cried another group olmerts spin doctors israeli media react prisoners released shalit comes home trouble shalit held hamas allies abbas forbidden release prisoners return shalit cards hands hamas case perhaps makes sense speak hamas unthinkable result strengthening abbas dialogue hamas nothing old israeli tradition two alternatives choose third anything classic example jericho affair middle 70s king hussein made offer henry kissinger israel withdraw jericho turn town king jordanian army would hoist jordanian flag announcing symbolically jordan decisive arab presence west bank kissinger liked idea called yigal allon israeli foreign minister allon informed prime minister yitzhak rabin top political echelonrabin allon defense minister shimon pereswere already enthusiastic supporters jordanian option predecessors golda meir moshe dayan abba eban friends contrary advocated palestinian option marginal minority rabin rejected offer categorically golda publicly promised hold referendum elections giving back even one square inch occupied territory call election jericho rabin declared jordanian option palestinian option nothing happening visàvis syria two alternatives first start negotiations bashar alassad making public overtures means ready give back golan heights allow 60 thousand syrian refugees return home return sunni syria could well cut loose iran hizbullah join front sunni states since syria sunni secularnationalist may also positive effect palestinians olmert demanded assad cut iran stop helping hizbullah negotiations ridiculous demand obviously intended serve alibi refusing start talking assad uses hizbullah order put pressure israel return golan alliance iran also serves purpose give advance cards holds still hope achieve anything negotiations opposite alternative suggested senior army commanders invade syria americans done iraq would create anarchy throughout arab world situation would good israel would also renovate image israeli army damaged lebanon restore deterrence power olmert give golan back god forbid need trouble 16 thousand vociferous settlers start war syria hasnt enough military setbacks go third alternative nothing bashar assad least one consolation run risk kissed olmert uri avnery israeli writer peace activist gush shalom one writers featured israel voices dissent refusal also contributor counterpunchs hot new book politics antisemitism 160 | 783 |
<p>The Christmas card from Joe Strummer and family arrived by email on Sunday night, a seasonal greeting accompanied by Joe’s colourful illustration of a fantasy festive scene. I was touched Strummer was always such a generous host, keen to entertain and be entertained, full of the Christmas spirit all year round. Like me he was no doubt relishing the chance to celebrate the festive period with friends and family.</p>
<p>Then, just as I was preparing to send a return salutation, I checked the e mail on Monday and the genuinely shocking news from his record company came through the ether. The Christmas message had been sent on Thursday 19th. When I had received it Joe Strummer was already dead.</p>
<p>Even now it seems hard to believe. The Strummer I came to know over the past 20 odd years was always an infectious and inspiring presence, alive with energy and ideas. Not the sort of bloke who would simply lie down and pass away peacefully in his sleep.</p>
<p>I first interviewed him shortly after The Clash had split up. He was a rock legend, who’d lead The Clash out of punk onto to become one of the biggest bands in the world. Drug problems and ballooning egos had caused the band to split. It was undoubtably a cause for regret and he’d tried to effect a reunion with Jones several times. But Joe’s belief in the power of music to effect change remained strong, a passion that continued as long as he drew breath. During our conversation we discovered that we’d both recently buried. Our fathers and Joe’s mother had just been diagnosed with terminal cancer, tears were shed as we downed our drinks. A proud punk rebel with a big soft heart Strummer was also a loving son and an attentive father. As a musician and as a human being it was his ability to express his deepest feelings – anger or grief, sadness or fear – that made him special.</p>
<p>His father had been a Foreign office employee, and he was born John Graham Mellor in Ankara Turkey 1952. As an infant he lived in Mexico, Germany and Cairo before he and his elder brother David were sent to boarding school in Epsom Surrey. He recalled being beaten at school by the day pupils “they used wooden coat hangers, golf clubs, hockey sticks and leather slippers anything you could beat a person with” he told me. Music provided an escape hatch, something to believe in, the place where he could assert himself.</p>
<p>” The Stones, The Beatles, The Who and Hendrix there was no time for anything else really. After I heard The Rolling Stones Not Fade Away I never paid attention to anything in school. Music was everything,” he told me.</p>
<p>But, while Joe was obsessed with the idea that rock culture could change the world his brother David became withdrawn and solitary. The brothers argued when David got involved with the racist National Front and the occult. But the flirtation was short lived on July 19th 1970 David committed suicide in London’s Regent Park.</p>
<p>The loss affected Joe deeply but made him more determined to pursue his musical goals. He was expelled from London Central School of Art for taking LSD. He played in a succession of bands in Wales, with his friend Tymon Dogg he busked around Europe and London in the style of folk legend Woody Guthrie. Back in London he found a home squatting at 101 Walterton Terrace and found minor league fame with the pub rock band The 101ers.</p>
<p>But, when The 101ers had released their one and only single Keys To Your Heart (written and sung by Joe) their frontman had seen The Sex Pistols in April 1976. It was a sign that pub rock was dead and the rock n roll revolution Strummer had longed for had finally arrived.</p>
<p>“It was like an atom bomb going off in your mind, I was driven by The Pistols and everything they were doing,” he told me.</p>
<p>Bernie Rhodes a friend of Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren introduced him to aspiring punk musicians Mick Jones and Paul Simonon and The Clash was born. With Mick Jones knack for arrangements and melody and Strummer’s ability to deal put weighty subjects – unemployment, social decay and race riots – into incisive headline grabbing lyrics, one of the great songwriting partnerships in Britrock history was born.</p>
<p>Though cheapened by imitations over the years the group’s self titled debut album remains a punk rock landmark. AS a teenager growing up in Ireland the effect was immediate and transformative this was music that I’d never dared imagine stuttering invention, righteous politics, proud and defiant of the old order. When The Clash debut appearance in Belfast was cancelled hours before the group were due onstage a riot broke. Riots were not unusual in Belfast back then but this protest was unique because the participants were united not divided by creed or religion. A homegrown Belfast punk scene that crossed sectarian line was the direct result.</p>
<p>The punk dictates were something Joe soon rebelled against but he refused to be drawn into a slanging match with lead Pistol Johnny Rotten. Rotten always delighted in ridiculing The Clash. I asked him why he’d never responded. “He’s one of the best poets we have, a real poet. Poets deserve respect,” he told me.</p>
<p>The fact was that Strummer’s band would have a more lasting effect than the group that inspired them. Joe’s sense of community, his determination to reach out to all those who’d ever felt victimized or isolated grew out of his childhood experiences. When The Clash went on tour, Strummer’s hotel room became an open house for followers seeking a floor to sleep on. With his brother’s suicide he’d seen what happened when loneliness and isolation were allowed to fester and onstage it was as if he were trying to reach out to every lost or confused soul in the audience.</p>
<p>Over the course of five albums The Clash rewrote the punk rulebook with a musical game plan that embraced reggae, r&amp;b, funk, folk, calypso, jazz and rap. Classic singles – Complete Control, White Man in the Hammersmith Palais and Bankrobber – were accompanied by albums that showed a hotbed of creativity. London Calling with its Cold War inspired title track was their masterpiece but the ambitious Sandinista, named after the revolutionary Nicaraguan group was their most ambitious and diverse. Joe had found out about the Sandinista rebellion from Moe Armstrong a onetime member of Daddy Longlegs.</p>
<p>“They’d made a big noise when they came to London in 1969 and Moe had become very left wing, he gave us info that was quite hard to find out. A bunch of teenage Marxists oust your favourite dictator? The establishment don’t want to know.”</p>
<p>The Clash began to fall apart when drummer Topper Headon was dismissed over a burgeoning heroin problem, soon after Rhodes and Strummer sacked Jones for “straying from the original idea of The Clash”. Typically Joe would later take the blame for the split figuring that he “deserved to eat humble pie”. Despite many lucrative offers the group never reformed but they patched up their differences and he, Jones, Headon and Simonon remained firm friends. Indeed before Christmas he appeared onstage with Jones at a benefit for striking firemen, and the entire band was poised to play together in New York next year when they were inaugurated into the rock n roll Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>There was one last Clash classic after Mick Jones departed, the definitive statement of Thatcher era despair This Is England. But Joe was hardly inactive for the last 15 years of his life. He replaced Shane MacGowan for a while in The Pogues, worked as a producer, played for Amnesty International, had a fitful career as an actor. In the summer he was a regular at Glastonbury Festival his ever-present soundbox pumping out world music classic by the campfire. And he enjoyed going off to his bolthole in Spain for the holidays with his family and his guitar.</p>
<p>Three years ago he decided it was time to “get back to rocking” and formed The Mescaleros. The three nights I spent with him first in Finland near the land of the midnight sun and at a London recording studio where the group recorded their first album. Joe was thrilled at the prospect of recording in the studio in an area of North West London rich in ethnic diversity but also because it was where Free had recorded Alright Now. His passion for music was sometimes as surprising as it was infectious. One night in an Indian restaurant he and the owner enthused over Keith West’s cheesy 1967 hit “Excerpt From A Teenage Opera”. A few days after Christmas a friend received an excited answer phone ordering him to celebrate Bo Diddley’s birthday, he always cherished the memory of playing with Bo, his musical lodestar, on the first Clash tour of America.</p>
<p>The time I spent with him was always some of the most rewarding and inspiring of my professional career. Which was just as it should be, if it weren’t for Strummer I doubt I’d ever have thought it was possible to make a living writing about music. He always thought rock n roll could change lives, the most fitting testimony I can think to give to my old friend is to say Hey Joe; you were right. Adios amigo.</p>
<p>GAVIN MARTIN lives in London, where he writes about music. He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:gavin.martin@virgin.net" type="external">gavin.martin@virgin.net</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | christmas card joe strummer family arrived email sunday night seasonal greeting accompanied joes colourful illustration fantasy festive scene touched strummer always generous host keen entertain entertained full christmas spirit year round like doubt relishing chance celebrate festive period friends family preparing send return salutation checked e mail monday genuinely shocking news record company came ether christmas message sent thursday 19th received joe strummer already dead even seems hard believe strummer came know past 20 odd years always infectious inspiring presence alive energy ideas sort bloke would simply lie pass away peacefully sleep first interviewed shortly clash split rock legend whod lead clash punk onto become one biggest bands world drug problems ballooning egos caused band split undoubtably cause regret hed tried effect reunion jones several times joes belief power music effect change remained strong passion continued long drew breath conversation discovered wed recently buried fathers joes mother diagnosed terminal cancer tears shed downed drinks proud punk rebel big soft heart strummer also loving son attentive father musician human ability express deepest feelings anger grief sadness fear made special father foreign office employee born john graham mellor ankara turkey 1952 infant lived mexico germany cairo elder brother david sent boarding school epsom surrey recalled beaten school day pupils used wooden coat hangers golf clubs hockey sticks leather slippers anything could beat person told music provided escape hatch something believe place could assert stones beatles hendrix time anything else really heard rolling stones fade away never paid attention anything school music everything told joe obsessed idea rock culture could change world brother david became withdrawn solitary brothers argued david got involved racist national front occult flirtation short lived july 19th 1970 david committed suicide londons regent park loss affected joe deeply made determined pursue musical goals expelled london central school art taking lsd played succession bands wales friend tymon dogg busked around europe london style folk legend woody guthrie back london found home squatting 101 walterton terrace found minor league fame pub rock band 101ers 101ers released one single keys heart written sung joe frontman seen sex pistols april 1976 sign pub rock dead rock n roll revolution strummer longed finally arrived like atom bomb going mind driven pistols everything told bernie rhodes friend pistols manager malcolm mclaren introduced aspiring punk musicians mick jones paul simonon clash born mick jones knack arrangements melody strummers ability deal put weighty subjects unemployment social decay race riots incisive headline grabbing lyrics one great songwriting partnerships britrock history born though cheapened imitations years groups self titled debut album remains punk rock landmark teenager growing ireland effect immediate transformative music id never dared imagine stuttering invention righteous politics proud defiant old order clash debut appearance belfast cancelled hours group due onstage riot broke riots unusual belfast back protest unique participants united divided creed religion homegrown belfast punk scene crossed sectarian line direct result punk dictates something joe soon rebelled refused drawn slanging match lead pistol johnny rotten rotten always delighted ridiculing clash asked hed never responded hes one best poets real poet poets deserve respect told fact strummers band would lasting effect group inspired joes sense community determination reach whod ever felt victimized isolated grew childhood experiences clash went tour strummers hotel room became open house followers seeking floor sleep brothers suicide hed seen happened loneliness isolation allowed fester onstage trying reach every lost confused soul audience course five albums clash rewrote punk rulebook musical game plan embraced reggae rampb funk folk calypso jazz rap classic singles complete control white man hammersmith palais bankrobber accompanied albums showed hotbed creativity london calling cold war inspired title track masterpiece ambitious sandinista named revolutionary nicaraguan group ambitious diverse joe found sandinista rebellion moe armstrong onetime member daddy longlegs theyd made big noise came london 1969 moe become left wing gave us info quite hard find bunch teenage marxists oust favourite dictator establishment dont want know clash began fall apart drummer topper headon dismissed burgeoning heroin problem soon rhodes strummer sacked jones straying original idea clash typically joe would later take blame split figuring deserved eat humble pie despite many lucrative offers group never reformed patched differences jones headon simonon remained firm friends indeed christmas appeared onstage jones benefit striking firemen entire band poised play together new york next year inaugurated rock n roll hall fame one last clash classic mick jones departed definitive statement thatcher era despair england joe hardly inactive last 15 years life replaced shane macgowan pogues worked producer played amnesty international fitful career actor summer regular glastonbury festival everpresent soundbox pumping world music classic campfire enjoyed going bolthole spain holidays family guitar three years ago decided time get back rocking formed mescaleros three nights spent first finland near land midnight sun london recording studio group recorded first album joe thrilled prospect recording studio area north west london rich ethnic diversity also free recorded alright passion music sometimes surprising infectious one night indian restaurant owner enthused keith wests cheesy 1967 hit excerpt teenage opera days christmas friend received excited answer phone ordering celebrate bo diddleys birthday always cherished memory playing bo musical lodestar first clash tour america time spent always rewarding inspiring professional career werent strummer doubt id ever thought possible make living writing music always thought rock n roll could change lives fitting testimony think give old friend say hey joe right adios amigo gavin martin lives london writes music reached gavinmartinvirginnet 160 | 896 |
<p>Forty-five years ago this month, Miles Davis released his album, Live/Evil. The first time I listened to it, eight years ago, I was astounded, most especially by the song, “Sivad.” The next day, I biked around feeling that my life had changed unalterably; knowing that&#160;that music was in it the universe made the universe a different place, and joyfully so. My perception of what is possible had expanded. I also thought, a little crossly, about all the music-loving friends I’d known&#160;over my life who&#160;had never brought this song&#160;to my attention. It seemed like an inexcusable oversight. Regardless, I had heard it now, and could never go back.</p>
<p>Live/Evil is a sprawling work, clocking in at over two hours and ten minutes. Four of the songs (or ~3.9, maybe – more on that later) are live performances and four are studio recordings (and presumably the “evil” portion). Despite its length, it fascinates for its entire duration, if only for being so unconventional, if not outright outlandish.</p>
<p>The album came out in the middle of Davis’ “Electric Period,” commonly considered to have kicked off with In a Silent Way in February, 1969, and to have ceased with his six year retirement from music in 1975 and marked in his catalog by&#160;Agartha and Pangaea, double-albums created from live performances in Osaka, Japan, in February 1975. The evolution of this period can be heard on&#160;over a dozen official Davis releases and many live bootlegs.</p>
<p>Music&#160;geeks will want to know who played on Live/Evil, so here’s the full list: Gary Bartz: soprano saxophone, flute; Steve Grossman: soprano sax; John McLaughlin: electric guitar; Keith Jarrett: electric piano, organ; Herbie Hancock: electric piano; Chick Corea: electric piano; Joe Zawinul: electric piano; Michael Henderson: electric bass; Dave Holland: electric bass, acoustic bass; Ron Carter: acoustic bass; Jack DeJohnette: drums; Airto Moreira: percussion; Billy Cobham: drums; Hermeto Pascoal: drums, whistling, voice, electric piano; Khalil Balakrishna: electric sitar.</p>
<p>During the electric period, Davis experimented at a break-neck pace with styles, instruments and personnel, melding elements of rock and roll, funk and avant-garde with jazz and blues. He exchanged pianos and stand-up basses for electric keyboards and rock-style bass guitars. He imported sitars and tablas from India, drums from Brazil and rhythms from Africa. By the time of his concert at Carnegie Hall in March of 1974 (as documented on&#160;the album, Dark Magus), his band featured not one, not two, but threeelectric guitarists, all playing at once, performing a hellacious din that has been described as “heavy metal jazz” (Magnet).</p>
<p>“I have to change,” Davis explained in his autobiography. “It’s like a curse.” Conventional jazz critics mostly didn’t get it, expressing first disappointment, then disapproval and finally horror. To them, the sullying of jazz with these other genres was an unforgivable sacrilege.</p>
<p>But it paid dividends for Davis. He gained his greatest commercial success and shared the stage with the biggest rock and roll stars of the era. And the crazy, crass music he left us remains uncategorizable.</p>
<p>“Fusion” is the label often given to this music, but Davis was not fond of such terms. In a Rolling Stone interview published in December, 1969, he said: “I don’t like the word rock and roll and all that shit. Jazz is an Uncle Tom word. It’s a white folks word. I never heard that shit until I read it in a magazine.”</p>
<p>Upon its release, though Live/Evil was well-received by many popular music critics (who were clearly more open-minded than their jazz counterparts), it didn’t make the same impression as wildly popular (for a jazz record) Bitches Brew. In comparison, it is certainly less accessible, and it’s enjoyable to quote various critics who have described it over time:</p>
<p>* “A difficult and dense record” (Madden)</p>
<p>* (Paired with Bitches Brew): “Two of the most challenging collections of music – ever. In fact, what they offer goes beyond music – the albums are challenges that go beyond the ordinary and are an invitation to enter the sublime.” “[They are] products of a combination of genius, depravity and bravery” (Marie).</p>
<p>* “The music on Live-Evil boils over with sexual aggression. It’s steeped in the blues, McLaughlin’s guitar lines in particular. But it’s not he mournful blues of the Delta. This is the strutting, cocksure blues of Muddy Water’s Chess recordings” (Freeman).</p>
<p>* “This music teetered on the brink of insanity yet had a propulsively pelvic groove” (Buckley).</p>
<p>* (In reference to the song, “What I Say”): “Everything is taken to its ultimate extremity: the sheer physical range of the trumpet, the speed of the phrases, the intensity of the rhythms. Miles seems to be beating almost despairingly at the limits of his abilities in his shrieking notes and his chromatic scurrying around… There is an extraordinary collective violence in this music” (Carr).</p>
<p>And these are from the positive reviews.</p>
<p>Live-Evil was the first recording to feature Davis playing his trumpet through a wah-wah pedal. How did that come to be? Says Davis, in his autobiography: “By now I was using the wah-wah on my trumpet all the time so I could get closer to that voice Jimi had when he used a wah-wah on his guitar. I had always played trumpet like a guitar and the wah-wah just made the sound closer.”</p>
<p>“Jimi,” of course, was Jimi Hendrix, who was an explicit influence on the music of Davis’ electric period. As Davis relates: “The music I was really listening to in 1968 was James Brown, the great guitar player Jimi Hendrix, and a new group… Sly and the Family Stone, led by Sly Stewart from San Francisco. The shit he was doing was badder than a motherfucker, had all kinds of funk shit up in it. But it was Jimi Hendrix that I first got into when Betty Mabry turned me on to him.”</p>
<p>The two met in 1969 and jammed together. Said Davis: “Jimi Hendrix came from the blues, like me. We understood each other right away because of that. He was a great blues guitarist.” Plans to record together were made but never came to fruition, apparently because the money side couldn’t be worked out. When I try to imagine the insane freak-outs those two could’ve put together, my brain simply melts down. Some things are simply beyond conception.</p>
<p>As it was, Davis lifted musical elements from Hendrix’s oeuvre and repurposed them in his own. As detailed by Bob Belden, a producer, composer, bandleader and Miles Davis scholar: “Jimi’s music – particularly the bass lines – directly influenced Miles Davis. If you listen to ‘Inamorata’ from ‘Live/Evil,’ that’s the bass line to ‘Fire.’ ‘Mademoiselle Mabry’ from ‘Filles de Kilamanjaro’ is derived from Jimi’s ‘The Wind Cries Mary’; ‘What I Say’ from ‘Live/Evil’ is basically ‘Message to Love from ‘Band of Gypsies,’ and so on” (Molkowski).</p>
<p>Davis’ borrowing from Hendrix&#160;didn’t stop at music. He imitated Hendrix’s wardrobe, seeking out the stores where he bought his clothes, and went so far as to hire Hendrix’s hairdresser, James Finney, who accompanied him on tour.</p>
<p>Hendrix’s death greatly upset Davis and he attended his funeral in Seattle, but was so disappointed by it – “the white preacher didn’t even know Jimi’s name,” Davis recollected in his autobiography, and “the motherfucker didn’t even know nothing about who Jimi was, nothing about his accomplishments”– that he vowed never to go to another funeral again.</p>
<p>That was in September, 1970. Two months later, Davis played a set of four shows at the Cellar Door, a small club in Washington, DC, that held less than 200 people. The live material on Live/Evil, including&#160;most&#160;of the song, “Sivad,”&#160;is culled from these sets.</p>
<p>From all accounts, these performances were truly phenomenal: “an unreal mixture of explosiveness and intimacy; an atom bomb served with a two-drink minimum” (Madden). In the liner notes for The Cellar Door Sessions, Jarrett&#160;described them thusly:&#160;“You don’t usually see this kind of comet go by more than once or twice in a lifetime.” McLaughlin put the shows in their historical context, saying&#160;that&#160;“there’s a great sense of vitality in the music, and freedom also. Don’t forget that 1970 was a very volatile time in the United States with the Civil Rights Movement, the Black Panthers and the strong anti-war movement. Miles’ music reflected the social upheaval”&#160;(Alkyer).&#160;Adds Belden: “What you hear in the The Cellar Door is anti-establishment at its highest” (Alkyer).</p>
<p>Many audience members were thrilled and the crowds grew larger each night as word spread, but others were confused or even offended. For Davis, however, “there was no more joy than confounding people paying money to hear him.” (Alkyer)</p>
<p>This was the scene, then, where Davis picked up his trumpet and, aided by wah-wah, invoked the spirit of Hendrix with a solo that is captured in “Sivad,” the first track on Live/Evil.</p>
<p />
<p>Forty-five years ago this month, Miles Davis released his album, Live/Evil. The first time I listened to it, eight years ago, I was astounded, most especially by the song, “Sivad.” The next day, I biked around feeling that my life had changed unalterably; knowing that&#160;that music was in it the universe made the universe a different place, and joyfully so. My perception of what is possible had expanded. I also thought, a little crossly, about all the music-loving friends I’d known&#160;over my life who&#160;had never brought this song&#160;to my attention. It seemed like an inexcusable oversight. Regardless, I had heard it now, and could never go back.</p>
<p>Live/Evil is a sprawling work, clocking in at over two hours and ten minutes. Four of the songs (or ~3.9, maybe – more on that later) are live performances and four are studio recordings (and presumably the “evil” portion). Despite its length, it fascinates for its entire duration, if only for being so unconventional, if not outright outlandish.</p>
<p>The album came out in the middle of Davis’ “Electric Period,” commonly considered to have kicked off with In a Silent Way in February, 1969, and to have ceased with his six year retirement from music in 1975 and marked in his catalog by&#160;Agartha and Pangaea, double-albums created from live performances in Osaka, Japan, in February 1975. The evolution of this period can be heard on&#160;over a dozen official Davis releases and many live bootlegs.</p>
<p>Music&#160;geeks will want to know who played on Live/Evil, so here’s the full list: Gary Bartz: soprano saxophone, flute; Steve Grossman: soprano sax; John McLaughlin: electric guitar; Keith Jarrett: electric piano, organ; Herbie Hancock: electric piano; Chick Corea: electric piano; Joe Zawinul: electric piano; Michael Henderson: electric bass; Dave Holland: electric bass, acoustic bass; Ron Carter: acoustic bass; Jack DeJohnette: drums; Airto Moreira: percussion; Billy Cobham: drums; Hermeto Pascoal: drums, whistling, voice, electric piano; Khalil Balakrishna: electric sitar.</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>First-time listeners often mistakenly assume they are hearing a guitar coming in at the 49 second mark, but they’re wrong. That squealing, distorted sound, chattering with rabid ferocity, lunging like a rabid dog&#160;and circling like a dervish – complete with what sounds for all the world like a pick-glissando – is coming out of Davis’ horn, not McLaughlin’s guitar. For slightly over one minute this unbelievable madness goes on, and relents only in the sense that&#160;the Davis solo from here on out is now clearly being emitted by a brass instrument, but the raucous attack doesn’t let up at all. At 3:05, it concludes with six sharp jabs that seriously sound like “fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck you!”</p>
<p>All that is to say nothing of the jam he’s playing on top of, with its growling guitar, uncannily wicked beat and a bass line so funky and down-and-dirty&#160;that I’m surprised it was never banned on grounds of obscenity. Nearly half a century later, this shit’s still so cool you could hang meat in it.</p>
<p>Then, on the record, “Sivad”&#160;abruptly jumps to a studio recording of “Honky Tonk,” featuring Herbie Hancock on clavinet trading licks with McLaughlin on guitar and with Airto Moreira playing counterpoint on the cuíca, a Brazilian drum that, in his own words, “talks and squeaks and laughs and cries” (Chambers). This plays for a little over a minute until another very obvious cut switches to the same song as played live back at the Cellar Door. Now the mood is quintessentially “jazzy,” with Davis alternately slinking through the smoky shadows and then flashing out, like a sensuous snake with mirrored scales. This seduction concludes at 8:05, where, as if to remind everyone that he doesn’t need special effects to sound good, Davis steps up to the mike with a naked trumpet and lets loose with a soaring string of notes that transports us to heights like mountain peaks above clouds, icily beautiful, clean and transcendent. After laid-back solos from McLaughlin and Jarrett and some parting riffs from Davis, the tune wraps up and the song ends with an abrupt fade.</p>
<p>For me, this song stands out not just for its amazing performances, but for its intriguing qualities as a studio product. Here I am speaking specifically of the obviousness of the cuts and fades, which are characteristic not only of “Sivad” but of Live/Evil as a whole. Some critics have made negative remarks about these choices:</p>
<p>* “Live-Evil isn’t a perfect album. Most of its flaws are products of the editing desk, though, and not the Cellar Door’s stage. The insertion of a slice of the studio recording of ‘Honky Tonk’ into the middle of “Sivad” is clumsy and distracting” (Freeman).</p>
<p>* “Many of producer Teo Macero’s edits disturb the flow” (Tingen).</p>
<p>Now, Macero was no amateur and was certainly capable of following convention, so clearly he made a conscious decision not to. In my read, he was purposefully jarring the listener. “Don’t get too caught up in all this,” the cuts warn us. This attitude is analogous to how Davis treated not only his audiences but his players; he was famous for pulling sudden moves to throw people off balance. Constant awareness was key to him. He always wanted his musicians to “play above” themselves and, with this idiosyncratic editing, I believe Macero was pushing listeners to “listen above” themselves.</p>
<p>Live/Evil‘s final track, “Inamorata and Narration by Conrad Roberts,” at a monstrous 26+ minutes, is one of the album’s “epic funk battlefields” (Faust), and features two of the most incongruous edits on the album. The first is at 23:09, where the jam is suddenly interrupted for a recitation of poetry by actor Conrad Roberts. Then, at 23:54, the music kicks back in, but the sound is now muffled, very lo-fi. I read a review where the critic panned this effect, but he obviously didn’t know what you have to do to really enjoy this section, which is to play it loud, very loud; just this side of wherever your speakers will distort. Then it totally makes sense: it is pure, unabashed irreverence in a highly distilled form – a brazen, thudding, squealing stomp. Despite all the musical innovation since, from metal to punk, this clip is still insane for its sheer power and impudence. Davis is channeling Hendrix again, and his final notes are virtually indistinguishable from guitar feedback.</p>
<p>You can check it out for yourself here, with this clip of the last 3:45 of the track:</p>
<p />
<p>But let’s not forget about the “evil” in Live/Evil. Three short tracks were written by a Hermeto Pascoal, a Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist, who also performs on the recordings. A sharper&#160;contrast would be hard to find between the often percussive and bombastic live excerpts and these small, intimate performances, none of which feature a single solo. I would say they give the listener a chance to catch their breath between aural assaults except that they deliver&#160;their own legitimate&#160;challenge: to hush oneself to catch and soak up the delicate subtleties interplaying. “Now listen,” I can imagine Davis croaking with his hoarse whisper. There is a serious lesson in attentiveness here. For example, “Nem Um Talvez” at the end of side two and “Selim,” which starts side three are in fact two versions of the same song that at first sound identical.</p>
<p>The fourth studio track, and the most “evil” of them is “Medley: Gemini/Double Image.” This is a dark, spooky work of what I can only call hard rock due to McLaughlin’s blistering guitar work. I imagine this is exactly the sort of thing that sent Davis’ older fans running, covering their ears in terror. And while I deeply respect this song, and am mesmerized by the musician’s performances, I don’t know if I can actually say I “like” it. And that, really, points to questions that Live/Evil makes me ask: Is there any purpose to&#160;exploring the world, and life, through the lens of “like/dislike”? How important are personal preferences and how fluid are they anyway? Aren’t there far many more ways of experiencing and understanding existence? Of stretching out, of challenging myself, of growing? To “live above” myself?</p>
<p>During the 1960’s and into the early 1970’s, the status quo got a serious shake-up, not just in the US but around the world. Musically, this period is well known for its adventurousness, though arguably&#160;no one pushed their art further than Davis, and I daresay he broke ground that has yet to be explored&#160;by anyone since.&#160;By the mid-70’s, much of the revolutionary promise of the previous years&#160;was fizzling out, culturally and politically, and it is telling that both Davis and John Lennon retired from the public eye in 1975.</p>
<p>Recordings, like all media, are only an approximation of&#160;reality, but they can give us a hint of what was going when they were produced. In the case of Davis’ electric period, the songs chronicle&#160;doors that were opened, doors not just of sonic style but of imagination and perception. Even if these ways-less-traveled have been&#160;mostly ignored&#160;since&#160;– like nearly everything else&#160;innovative&#160;from&#160;that time – the recordings are still there to inspire us. For me, “Sivad” is the sound of&#160;a door being&#160;busted off its hinges.</p>
<p>And that’s our collective challenge&#160;in these dark times of runaway ecocide and brutal ignorance: to&#160;break through&#160;the&#160;doors&#160;of conventionality, escape our confinement,&#160;and embrace ways of living that radically break with business-as-usual. We must all&#160;take on Davis’ “curse” and make it our&#160;rallying cry: “I have to change.” It’s that or extinction.</p>
<p>Sources:</p>
<p>Alkyer, Frank; Enright, Ed &amp; Kornsky, Jason; editors: The Miles Davis Reader (Hal Leonard Books, 2007)</p>
<p>Buckley, Peter: The Rough Guide to Rock (Rough Guide Music Guides, 1999)</p>
<p>Carr, Ian: Miles Davis: The Definitive Biography (Da Capo Press, 2009)</p>
<p>Chambers, Jack: Milestones: The Music and Times of Miles Davis (Da Capo Press, 1998)</p>
<p>Davis, Miles Miles: The Autobiography by Miles Davis and Quincy Troupe (Simon and Schuster, 1990)</p>
<p>DeMichael Don: <a href="http://www.forghieri.net/jazz/MilesDavisRSInterview.html" type="external">Jazz’s Picasso puts it in black and white</a> (Rolling Stone, Dec. 1969)</p>
<p>Faust, Edwin C.: On Second Thought: Miles Davis – Live-Evil (Stylus, 2003-09-01)</p>
<p>Freeman, Philip: Running the Voodoo Down: The Electric Music of Miles Davis (Backbeat Books, 2005)</p>
<p>Parker, James: <a href="" type="internal">The Electric Surge of Miles Davis</a> (The Atlantic, July/August 2016)</p>
<p>Madden, Blake: From The Vaults: Miles Davis – Live-Evil (Trust Me, I’m a Scientist: JULY 1, 2013)</p>
<p>Marie, Zen: Under the influence of … Miles Davis’ electric masterpieces (The Conversation, July 6, 2016)</p>
<p>Milkowski, Bill: Axis, Bold as Jimi (JazzTimes, August 2001)</p>
<p>The Cellar Door Sessions 1970 liner notes (Columbia/Legacy, 2005)</p>
<p>Tingen, Paul: Miles Beyond: The Electric Explorations of Miles Davis, 1967-1991 (Billboard Books: 2001)</p>
<p>Uncredited: <a href="" type="internal">HIDDEN GEMS: MILES DAVIS’ “DARK MAGUS”</a> (Magnet Real Music Alternative, 2012/04/19)</p> | true | 4 | fortyfive years ago month miles davis released album liveevil first time listened eight years ago astounded especially song sivad next day biked around feeling life changed unalterably knowing that160that music universe made universe different place joyfully perception possible expanded also thought little crossly musicloving friends id known160over life who160had never brought song160to attention seemed like inexcusable oversight regardless heard could never go back liveevil sprawling work clocking two hours ten minutes four songs 39 maybe later live performances four studio recordings presumably evil portion despite length fascinates entire duration unconventional outright outlandish album came middle davis electric period commonly considered kicked silent way february 1969 ceased six year retirement music 1975 marked catalog by160agartha pangaea doublealbums created live performances osaka japan february 1975 evolution period heard on160over dozen official davis releases many live bootlegs music160geeks want know played liveevil heres full list gary bartz soprano saxophone flute steve grossman soprano sax john mclaughlin electric guitar keith jarrett electric piano organ herbie hancock electric piano chick corea electric piano joe zawinul electric piano michael henderson electric bass dave holland electric bass acoustic bass ron carter acoustic bass jack dejohnette drums airto moreira percussion billy cobham drums hermeto pascoal drums whistling voice electric piano khalil balakrishna electric sitar electric period davis experimented breakneck pace styles instruments personnel melding elements rock roll funk avantgarde jazz blues exchanged pianos standup basses electric keyboards rockstyle bass guitars imported sitars tablas india drums brazil rhythms africa time concert carnegie hall march 1974 documented on160the album dark magus band featured one two threeelectric guitarists playing performing hellacious din described heavy metal jazz magnet change davis explained autobiography like curse conventional jazz critics mostly didnt get expressing first disappointment disapproval finally horror sullying jazz genres unforgivable sacrilege paid dividends davis gained greatest commercial success shared stage biggest rock roll stars era crazy crass music left us remains uncategorizable fusion label often given music davis fond terms rolling stone interview published december 1969 said dont like word rock roll shit jazz uncle tom word white folks word never heard shit read magazine upon release though liveevil wellreceived many popular music critics clearly openminded jazz counterparts didnt make impression wildly popular jazz record bitches brew comparison certainly less accessible enjoyable quote various critics described time difficult dense record madden paired bitches brew two challenging collections music ever fact offer goes beyond music albums challenges go beyond ordinary invitation enter sublime products combination genius depravity bravery marie music liveevil boils sexual aggression steeped blues mclaughlins guitar lines particular mournful blues delta strutting cocksure blues muddy waters chess recordings freeman music teetered brink insanity yet propulsively pelvic groove buckley reference song say everything taken ultimate extremity sheer physical range trumpet speed phrases intensity rhythms miles seems beating almost despairingly limits abilities shrieking notes chromatic scurrying around extraordinary collective violence music carr positive reviews liveevil first recording feature davis playing trumpet wahwah pedal come says davis autobiography using wahwah trumpet time could get closer voice jimi used wahwah guitar always played trumpet like guitar wahwah made sound closer jimi course jimi hendrix explicit influence music davis electric period davis relates music really listening 1968 james brown great guitar player jimi hendrix new group sly family stone led sly stewart san francisco shit badder motherfucker kinds funk shit jimi hendrix first got betty mabry turned two met 1969 jammed together said davis jimi hendrix came blues like understood right away great blues guitarist plans record together made never came fruition apparently money side couldnt worked try imagine insane freakouts two couldve put together brain simply melts things simply beyond conception davis lifted musical elements hendrixs oeuvre repurposed detailed bob belden producer composer bandleader miles davis scholar jimis music particularly bass lines directly influenced miles davis listen inamorata liveevil thats bass line fire mademoiselle mabry filles de kilamanjaro derived jimis wind cries mary say liveevil basically message love band gypsies molkowski davis borrowing hendrix160didnt stop music imitated hendrixs wardrobe seeking stores bought clothes went far hire hendrixs hairdresser james finney accompanied tour hendrixs death greatly upset davis attended funeral seattle disappointed white preacher didnt even know jimis name davis recollected autobiography motherfucker didnt even know nothing jimi nothing accomplishments vowed never go another funeral september 1970 two months later davis played set four shows cellar door small club washington dc held less 200 people live material liveevil including160most160of song sivad160is culled sets accounts performances truly phenomenal unreal mixture explosiveness intimacy atom bomb served twodrink minimum madden liner notes cellar door sessions jarrett160described thusly160you dont usually see kind comet go twice lifetime mclaughlin put shows historical context saying160that160theres great sense vitality music freedom also dont forget 1970 volatile time united states civil rights movement black panthers strong antiwar movement miles music reflected social upheaval160alkyer160adds belden hear cellar door antiestablishment highest alkyer many audience members thrilled crowds grew larger night word spread others confused even offended davis however joy confounding people paying money hear alkyer scene davis picked trumpet aided wahwah invoked spirit hendrix solo captured sivad first track liveevil fortyfive years ago month miles davis released album liveevil first time listened eight years ago astounded especially song sivad next day biked around feeling life changed unalterably knowing that160that music universe made universe different place joyfully perception possible expanded also thought little crossly musicloving friends id known160over life who160had never brought song160to attention seemed like inexcusable oversight regardless heard could never go back liveevil sprawling work clocking two hours ten minutes four songs 39 maybe later live performances four studio recordings presumably evil portion despite length fascinates entire duration unconventional outright outlandish album came middle davis electric period commonly considered kicked silent way february 1969 ceased six year retirement music 1975 marked catalog by160agartha pangaea doublealbums created live performances osaka japan february 1975 evolution period heard on160over dozen official davis releases many live bootlegs music160geeks want know played liveevil heres full list gary bartz soprano saxophone flute steve grossman soprano sax john mclaughlin electric guitar keith jarrett electric piano organ herbie hancock electric piano chick corea electric piano joe zawinul electric piano michael henderson electric bass dave holland electric bass acoustic bass ron carter acoustic bass jack dejohnette drums airto moreira percussion billy cobham drums hermeto pascoal drums whistling voice electric piano khalil balakrishna electric sitar 160 160 firsttime listeners often mistakenly assume hearing guitar coming 49 second mark theyre wrong squealing distorted sound chattering rabid ferocity lunging like rabid dog160and circling like dervish complete sounds world like pickglissando coming davis horn mclaughlins guitar slightly one minute unbelievable madness goes relents sense that160the davis solo clearly emitted brass instrument raucous attack doesnt let 305 concludes six sharp jabs seriously sound like fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck say nothing jam hes playing top growling guitar uncannily wicked beat bass line funky downanddirty160that im surprised never banned grounds obscenity nearly half century later shits still cool could hang meat record sivad160abruptly jumps studio recording honky tonk featuring herbie hancock clavinet trading licks mclaughlin guitar airto moreira playing counterpoint cuíca brazilian drum words talks squeaks laughs cries chambers plays little minute another obvious cut switches song played live back cellar door mood quintessentially jazzy davis alternately slinking smoky shadows flashing like sensuous snake mirrored scales seduction concludes 805 remind everyone doesnt need special effects sound good davis steps mike naked trumpet lets loose soaring string notes transports us heights like mountain peaks clouds icily beautiful clean transcendent laidback solos mclaughlin jarrett parting riffs davis tune wraps song ends abrupt fade song stands amazing performances intriguing qualities studio product speaking specifically obviousness cuts fades characteristic sivad liveevil whole critics made negative remarks choices liveevil isnt perfect album flaws products editing desk though cellar doors stage insertion slice studio recording honky tonk middle sivad clumsy distracting freeman many producer teo maceros edits disturb flow tingen macero amateur certainly capable following convention clearly made conscious decision read purposefully jarring listener dont get caught cuts warn us attitude analogous davis treated audiences players famous pulling sudden moves throw people balance constant awareness key always wanted musicians play idiosyncratic editing believe macero pushing listeners listen liveevils final track inamorata narration conrad roberts monstrous 26 minutes one albums epic funk battlefields faust features two incongruous edits album first 2309 jam suddenly interrupted recitation poetry actor conrad roberts 2354 music kicks back sound muffled lofi read review critic panned effect obviously didnt know really enjoy section play loud loud side wherever speakers distort totally makes sense pure unabashed irreverence highly distilled form brazen thudding squealing stomp despite musical innovation since metal punk clip still insane sheer power impudence davis channeling hendrix final notes virtually indistinguishable guitar feedback check clip last 345 track lets forget evil liveevil three short tracks written hermeto pascoal brazilian composer multiinstrumentalist also performs recordings sharper160contrast would hard find often percussive bombastic live excerpts small intimate performances none feature single solo would say give listener chance catch breath aural assaults except deliver160their legitimate160challenge hush oneself catch soak delicate subtleties interplaying listen imagine davis croaking hoarse whisper serious lesson attentiveness example nem um talvez end side two selim starts side three fact two versions song first sound identical fourth studio track evil medley geminidouble image dark spooky work call hard rock due mclaughlins blistering guitar work imagine exactly sort thing sent davis older fans running covering ears terror deeply respect song mesmerized musicians performances dont know actually say like really points questions liveevil makes ask purpose to160exploring world life lens likedislike important personal preferences fluid anyway arent far many ways experiencing understanding existence stretching challenging growing live 1960s early 1970s status quo got serious shakeup us around world musically period well known adventurousness though arguably160no one pushed art davis daresay broke ground yet explored160by anyone since160by mid70s much revolutionary promise previous years160was fizzling culturally politically telling davis john lennon retired public eye 1975 recordings like media approximation of160reality give us hint going produced case davis electric period songs chronicle160doors opened doors sonic style imagination perception even wayslesstraveled been160mostly ignored160since160 like nearly everything else160innovative160from160that time recordings still inspire us sivad sound of160a door being160busted hinges thats collective challenge160in dark times runaway ecocide brutal ignorance to160break through160the160doors160of conventionality escape confinement160and embrace ways living radically break businessasusual must all160take davis curse make our160rallying cry change extinction sources alkyer frank enright ed amp kornsky jason editors miles davis reader hal leonard books 2007 buckley peter rough guide rock rough guide music guides 1999 carr ian miles davis definitive biography da capo press 2009 chambers jack milestones music times miles davis da capo press 1998 davis miles miles autobiography miles davis quincy troupe simon schuster 1990 demichael jazzs picasso puts black white rolling stone dec 1969 faust edwin c second thought miles davis liveevil stylus 20030901 freeman philip running voodoo electric music miles davis backbeat books 2005 parker james electric surge miles davis atlantic julyaugust 2016 madden blake vaults miles davis liveevil trust im scientist july 1 2013 marie zen influence miles davis electric masterpieces conversation july 6 2016 milkowski bill axis bold jimi jazztimes august 2001 cellar door sessions 1970 liner notes columbialegacy 2005 tingen paul miles beyond electric explorations miles davis 19671991 billboard books 2001 uncredited hidden gems miles davis dark magus magnet real music alternative 20120419 | 1,859 |
<p>Lauren Victoria Burke/WDCPIX.COM</p>
<p />
<p>When the Supreme Court <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/22/us/politics/22scotus.html" type="external">handed down</a> its controversial Citizens United decision, President Barack Obama <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0110/Obama_on_Citizens_United_Stampede_of_special_interest_money.html" type="external">ripped</a> the high court’s ruling for giving “a green light to a new stampede of special interest money in our politics.” But while denouncing the destruction of the nation’s campaign finance laws, Obama has done nothing to bolster the <a href="http://www.fixthefec.org/" type="external">dysfunctional agency</a> responsible for enforcing what remains of them.</p>
<p>Since mid-2008, the Federal Election Commission has epitomized political gridlock. Crackdowns by the bipartisan FEC <a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/04/fec-inaction-enforcing-campaign-laws-skyrocketed-600-percent-2009/" type="external">have plummeted</a>. Now, the advocacy group Public Citizen is plotting a “full court press,” demanding that President Obama begin to fix the FEC by ditching its Republican ringleader, Donald McGahn.</p>
<p>Public Citizen’s pressure comes at a pivotal moment for the agency. In April, five of the commission’s six members will be working as holdovers up for replacement, their official six-year terms expired. Craig Holman, a lobbyist for Public Citizen, says his organization will push for Obama to replace those holdovers with picks of his own. “President Obama is not putting any effort into fixing the FEC,” Holman says.</p>
<p>Obama should start, Holman says, by dumping McGahn, the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122523208143177711.html" type="external">shaggy-haired, guitar-playing</a> commissioner whose official term expired nearly two years ago. (McGahn did not respond to a request for comment.) McGahn’s tenure at the FEC is Exhibit A for what happens when ideology supplants the letter of the law, critics say. A George W. Bush nominee, McGahn <a href="http://www.fec.gov/members/mcgahn/mcgahn_bio.shtml" type="external">was named</a> a commissioner in July 2008 (he was asked to fill a partially completed term). Since then, the FEC has been gripped with paralysis. According to Holman, deadlocked enforcement votes—meaning no action was taken—averaged 1 percent between 2003 and 2008; they spiked to 16 percent in 2009 and 11 percent in 2010. McGahn and the other GOP commissioners “see no obstacle to placing their own ideology ahead of what the federal law reads,” Holman says.</p>
<p>McGahn’s opposition to campaign finance regulations isn’t surprising, given his background. The New Jersey native previously fought the FEC as <a href="http://www.citizensforethics.org/taxonomy/term/1300" type="external">counsel</a> for former House majority leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), who <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/03/AR2006040301787.html" type="external">resigned</a> his seat months after a Texas grand jury indicted him for conspiring to funnel illegal campaign contributions into state political races. (In January, DeLay <a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7374658.html" type="external">was sentenced</a> to three years in prison.) McGahn also fought landmark political reforms such as the <a href="http://www.fec.gov/press/bkgnd/bcra_overview.shtml" type="external">McCain-Feingold Act</a>, which banned <a href="http://www.fec.gov/press/bkgnd/bcra_overview.shtml#Soft%20Money" type="external">unregulated “soft money” contributions</a> (funds given to a political party as a whole) by national party committees, as well as issue advertisements during campaigns, and was upended by the Citizens United decision.</p>
<p>The FEC’s <a href="http://www.fec.gov/members/members.shtml" type="external">three Republican commissioners</a>, led by McGahn, have repeatedly blocked efforts to crack down on outside spending groups and political campaigns that have violated the law. In 2008, for instance, staff investigators at the FEC found that congressional campaign of California Democrat A.J. Sekhon had failed to disclose a whopping 90 percent of campaign donors who’d given more than $200. The violation was obvious; the candidate willingly signed a plea bargain and cut a check to cover the fine for the mistake. That’s when McGahn and the other two Republican commissioners intervened. Not only did they reject the plea bargain, they threw out the case altogether, despite unanimous agreement by their three Democratic counterparts. The check was returned, the case forgotten.</p>
<p>Citing that story, Fred Wertheimer, president of the campaign finance reform group <a href="http://www.democracy21.org/" type="external">Democracy 21</a>, describes the FEC under McGahn’s leadership as “completely dysfunctional in ways that no other agency I know of is.” Wertheimer adds, “You can go back and you will see, in case after case after case, the professional staff recommends something, the Democrats support it, but then the commission doesn’t act.”</p>
<p>Not everyone sees McGahn and his Republican colleagues as ideological interlopers with no regard for the laws on the books. Sean Parnell, president of the <a href="http://www.campaignfreedom.org/" type="external">Center for Competitive Politics</a>, a group that backs fewer regulations in American elections, says the belief that the FEC’s three GOPers merely act unison to block the commission “dramatically oversimplifies” the situation. Instead, Parnell says, McGahn and his counterparts are reacting to recent legal decision limiting the federal government’s authority on campaign spending. “The commissioners recognize the Supreme Court’s curbs on the authority to regulate campaign finance laws and say, ‘we can’t go down this path'” with enforcement, Parnell says.</p>
<p>If Obama does decide to replace McGahn or any other commissioner, he will face a heated nomination battle in the Senate, which must approve the president’s pick. Standing in the president’s way is Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), a long-time opponent of campaign finance law. It was McConnell, critics say, who deserves the credit for placing three stalwart conservatives on the FEC who have forced so many gridlocked votes in recent years. If Obama seeks to replace one of the FEC’s Democrats with a nominee who supports tougher restrictions, the president will run into a buzz saw in the Senate. “Mitch McConnell is really the whole key to the FEC,” Holman says. “He realized several years ago that a very effective way to minimize the effect of federal laws is to undermine the regulator.”</p>
<p>But campaign finance reformers are ready for that fight. The alternative, they say, is a mostly useless federal agency that allowed to political money spigot to be opened wide. “The Federal Election Commission is a national scandal today,” says Fred Wertheimer. “We have no enforcement of the campaign finance laws.”</p>
<p /> | true | 4 | lauren victoria burkewdcpixcom supreme court handed controversial citizens united decision president barack obama ripped high courts ruling giving green light new stampede special interest money politics denouncing destruction nations campaign finance laws obama done nothing bolster dysfunctional agency responsible enforcing remains since mid2008 federal election commission epitomized political gridlock crackdowns bipartisan fec plummeted advocacy group public citizen plotting full court press demanding president obama begin fix fec ditching republican ringleader donald mcgahn public citizens pressure comes pivotal moment agency april five commissions six members working holdovers replacement official sixyear terms expired craig holman lobbyist public citizen says organization push obama replace holdovers picks president obama putting effort fixing fec holman says obama start holman says dumping mcgahn shaggyhaired guitarplaying commissioner whose official term expired nearly two years ago mcgahn respond request comment mcgahns tenure fec exhibit happens ideology supplants letter law critics say george w bush nominee mcgahn named commissioner july 2008 asked fill partially completed term since fec gripped paralysis according holman deadlocked enforcement votesmeaning action takenaveraged 1 percent 2003 2008 spiked 16 percent 2009 11 percent 2010 mcgahn gop commissioners see obstacle placing ideology ahead federal law reads holman says mcgahns opposition campaign finance regulations isnt surprising given background new jersey native previously fought fec counsel former house majority leader tom delay rtexas resigned seat months texas grand jury indicted conspiring funnel illegal campaign contributions state political races january delay sentenced three years prison mcgahn also fought landmark political reforms mccainfeingold act banned unregulated soft money contributions funds given political party whole national party committees well issue advertisements campaigns upended citizens united decision fecs three republican commissioners led mcgahn repeatedly blocked efforts crack outside spending groups political campaigns violated law 2008 instance staff investigators fec found congressional campaign california democrat aj sekhon failed disclose whopping 90 percent campaign donors whod given 200 violation obvious candidate willingly signed plea bargain cut check cover fine mistake thats mcgahn two republican commissioners intervened reject plea bargain threw case altogether despite unanimous agreement three democratic counterparts check returned case forgotten citing story fred wertheimer president campaign finance reform group democracy 21 describes fec mcgahns leadership completely dysfunctional ways agency know wertheimer adds go back see case case case professional staff recommends something democrats support commission doesnt act everyone sees mcgahn republican colleagues ideological interlopers regard laws books sean parnell president center competitive politics group backs fewer regulations american elections says belief fecs three gopers merely act unison block commission dramatically oversimplifies situation instead parnell says mcgahn counterparts reacting recent legal decision limiting federal governments authority campaign spending commissioners recognize supreme courts curbs authority regulate campaign finance laws say cant go path enforcement parnell says obama decide replace mcgahn commissioner face heated nomination battle senate must approve presidents pick standing presidents way senate minority leader mitch mcconnell rky longtime opponent campaign finance law mcconnell critics say deserves credit placing three stalwart conservatives fec forced many gridlocked votes recent years obama seeks replace one fecs democrats nominee supports tougher restrictions president run buzz saw senate mitch mcconnell really whole key fec holman says realized several years ago effective way minimize effect federal laws undermine regulator campaign finance reformers ready fight alternative say mostly useless federal agency allowed political money spigot opened wide federal election commission national scandal today says fred wertheimer enforcement campaign finance laws | 551 |
<p>Muammar Qaddafi: Zuma/&lt;a href="http://zumapress.com/zpdtl.html?IMG=20090612_sha_z19_493.jpg&amp;CNT=51"&gt;Roberto Monaldo&lt;/a&gt;; Saif Qaddafi: Libyan state television.</p>
<p />
<p>On Sunday, Saif al-Islam al-Qaddafi, the second eldest son of Muammar al-Qaddafi, went on Libyan state television and delivered a rambling, paranoia-soaked <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piEslrLNSoQ" type="external">fifteen minute speech</a>. Responding to the pro-democracy uprisings in his country—which had been met with violence by the Qaddafi regime—Saif, long regarded as a possible successor to his father, blamed the rebellion on foreign forces, mass media, drug addicts, thugs who’ve escaped from prison, and confused young people. Widely derided, his speech reflected the same lack of awareness characteristic of his father’s addresses—and was something of a warm-up for <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/22/gadhafi-speech-fight-die-martyr_n_826532.html" type="external">Muammar Qaddafi’s over-the-top speech</a> on Tuesday.</p>
<p>Saif Qaddafi’s performance was right out of the autocrats’ playbook. It was also totally out of sync with a PhD dissertation he finished in 2007 (with the help of a Harvard-connected consulting firm retained by Tripoli) for the London School of Economics, when he was a doctoral candidate in its philosophy department. The 429-page thesis was entitled, <a href="" type="internal">“The Role of Civil Society in the Democratisation of Global Governance Institutions: From Soft Power to Collective Decision Making?”</a> Drawing heavily on the work of American philosopher John Rawls, who formulated a theory of justice and fairness, the work is chockfull of pro-democracy sentiment. Saif Qaddafi’s main point: international organizations and NGOs are central to spreading democracy and their member states must reflect the same dedication to core democratic principles.</p>
<p>Before he again appears on Libyan state TV, Saif might want to review his own work. He can start with this passage:</p>
<p>I adopt the definition of liberal individualism as a political ideal within which liberty is an inalienable right of individuals and a just government must protect individual liberties in its constitution and laws. It is based on the philosophical doctrine that individuals are prior to the collectives they constitute and are entitled to live and act by their own judgment, and so their equal liberty should be restricted only when necessary to secure the equal liberty of all.</p>
<p>Saif was quite serious about the democracy stuff. In his introduction, he wrote, “I shall argue, that today we must strive to adhere to the opening line of the UN Charter, ‘We the peoples.’” Elsewhere, he declared, “Each individual has the right to a fair share of political power.”</p>
<p>His dissertation celebrated “liberal individualism.” There was no mention of a how a government bombing and beating its own people fits into that paradigm. But he contended that when the people of one country are repressed, other nations have a responsibility to act: “The just treatment of individual citizens is not an internal matter only for states; the interests of individuals in despotic, illiberal states is an issue to be addressed by the larger global community.”</p>
<p>Here’s Saif’s recommendation for what other nations should do regarding such rogue states:</p>
<p>This thesis proposes that such regimes could become legitimate targets for intervention because of the violation of basic human rights implied in the denial of such freedoms as voting or free speech.</p>
<p>Translation: foreign countries have the right to use force to protect those living under “non-liberal” governments. Saif noted that outside governments must step in and act if a governments is repressing the inalienable liberty of its citizens. In fact, those foreign governments have a “liberal” responsibility to intervene on behalf of the oppressed.</p>
<p>Over the course of 429 pages, Saif mentioned Libya four times—only once in the context of its deplorable human rights record: “The improved human rights record in Libya is in part due to the campaign by the Qaddafi Foundation and other international human rights NGOs.” (Saif donated UK $1.5 million to the London School of Economics’ Center for the Study of Global Governance through the Qaddafi International Charity and Development Foundation. On Thursday, the LSE <a href="http://www2.lse.ac.uk/newsAndMedia/news/archives/2011/02/libya_funding.aspx" type="external">announced</a> that it will cut all financial ties with Libya and accept no more money from the foundation.)</p>
<p>On his acknowledgements page, Saif noted that his thesis was made possible, in part, due to the assistance of a “number of experts…especially Professor Joseph Nye” of Harvard. One of the godfathers of the international relations theories of neoliberalism and soft power, Nye read portions of the paper and provided “advice and direction.” Probably not coincidentally, Nye twice visited Libya in 2007 and 2008 as a paid consultant for the Monitor Group, a Boston-based consulting firm then working for the Qaddafi government. He tells Mother Jones that he read one chapter of the dissertation and “found it intelligent.” After the 2007 trip, Nye <a href="http://www.tnr.com/article/tripoli-diarist?keepThis=true&amp;TB_iframe=true" type="external">wrote an essay</a> for The New Republic, extolling Qaddafi’s efforts to clean up his image. Acknowledging the Libyan leader’s abominable human rights record, Nye still saw hope for him:</p>
<p>Where once he had tried to bully and even overthrow governments to his south, now he is hosting peace talks on Darfur. Where once he sought weapons of mass destruction, now he has abandoned his nuclear program…Qaddafi, in other words, seems to have become interested in soft power—the art of projecting influence through attraction rather than coercion… And the fact that he took so much time to discuss ideas–including soft power—with a visiting professor suggests that he is actively seeking a new strategy.</p>
<p>In The New Republic piece, Nye noted that he had visited Libya “at the invitation of the Monitor Group.” He did not disclose that he had been there as a paid consultant for this firm—a relationship he acknowledged in an email to Mother Jones. That means The New Republic published an article sympathetic to Qaddafi written by a notable academic on the payroll of a company hired by Qaddafi to boost his standing in the United States.</p>
<p>The Monitor Group, which is connected to leading professors at the Harvard School of Business, sent several <a href="http://www.politico.com/blogs/laurarozen/0211/Among_Libyas_lobbyists.html" type="external">prominent foreign policy thinkers</a> (in addition to Nye) to Libya to meet with the Libyan leader, including neocon Richard Perle, another paid adviser for Monitor. This was part of its paid-for-by-Tripoli effort to rehabilitate Qaddafi. And as Saif Qaddafi wrote in his acknowledgements, the group also helped him conduct research for his dissertation—raising the possibility that this thesis was another component of the Monitor Group’s makeover campaign for the Qaddafi regime. The consulting firm pocketed $3 million a year for its pro-Qaddafi endeavors&#160;</p>
<p>In the conclusion of his thesis, Saif hammered home an “idealist” approach to global governance based on “a global theory of justice and cosmopolitan principles.” If foreign governments were to act in accordance with this Qaddafi Principle, they’d now be considering what actions to take to support the protesters in Libya, to end the mayhem and repression there, and to put Saif Qaddafi out of a job.</p>
<p /> | true | 4 | muammar qaddafi zumalta hrefhttpzumapresscomzpdtlhtmlimg20090612_sha_z19_493jpgampcnt51gtroberto monaldoltagt saif qaddafi libyan state television sunday saif alislam alqaddafi second eldest son muammar alqaddafi went libyan state television delivered rambling paranoiasoaked fifteen minute speech responding prodemocracy uprisings countrywhich met violence qaddafi regimesaif long regarded possible successor father blamed rebellion foreign forces mass media drug addicts thugs whove escaped prison confused young people widely derided speech reflected lack awareness characteristic fathers addressesand something warmup muammar qaddafis overthetop speech tuesday saif qaddafis performance right autocrats playbook also totally sync phd dissertation finished 2007 help harvardconnected consulting firm retained tripoli london school economics doctoral candidate philosophy department 429page thesis entitled role civil society democratisation global governance institutions soft power collective decision making drawing heavily work american philosopher john rawls formulated theory justice fairness work chockfull prodemocracy sentiment saif qaddafis main point international organizations ngos central spreading democracy member states must reflect dedication core democratic principles appears libyan state tv saif might want review work start passage adopt definition liberal individualism political ideal within liberty inalienable right individuals government must protect individual liberties constitution laws based philosophical doctrine individuals prior collectives constitute entitled live act judgment equal liberty restricted necessary secure equal liberty saif quite serious democracy stuff introduction wrote shall argue today must strive adhere opening line un charter peoples elsewhere declared individual right fair share political power dissertation celebrated liberal individualism mention government bombing beating people fits paradigm contended people one country repressed nations responsibility act treatment individual citizens internal matter states interests individuals despotic illiberal states issue addressed larger global community heres saifs recommendation nations regarding rogue states thesis proposes regimes could become legitimate targets intervention violation basic human rights implied denial freedoms voting free speech translation foreign countries right use force protect living nonliberal governments saif noted outside governments must step act governments repressing inalienable liberty citizens fact foreign governments liberal responsibility intervene behalf oppressed course 429 pages saif mentioned libya four timesonly context deplorable human rights record improved human rights record libya part due campaign qaddafi foundation international human rights ngos saif donated uk 15 million london school economics center study global governance qaddafi international charity development foundation thursday lse announced cut financial ties libya accept money foundation acknowledgements page saif noted thesis made possible part due assistance number expertsespecially professor joseph nye harvard one godfathers international relations theories neoliberalism soft power nye read portions paper provided advice direction probably coincidentally nye twice visited libya 2007 2008 paid consultant monitor group bostonbased consulting firm working qaddafi government tells mother jones read one chapter dissertation found intelligent 2007 trip nye wrote essay new republic extolling qaddafis efforts clean image acknowledging libyan leaders abominable human rights record nye still saw hope tried bully even overthrow governments south hosting peace talks darfur sought weapons mass destruction abandoned nuclear programqaddafi words seems become interested soft powerthe art projecting influence attraction rather coercion fact took much time discuss ideasincluding soft powerwith visiting professor suggests actively seeking new strategy new republic piece nye noted visited libya invitation monitor group disclose paid consultant firma relationship acknowledged email mother jones means new republic published article sympathetic qaddafi written notable academic payroll company hired qaddafi boost standing united states monitor group connected leading professors harvard school business sent several prominent foreign policy thinkers addition nye libya meet libyan leader including neocon richard perle another paid adviser monitor part paidforbytripoli effort rehabilitate qaddafi saif qaddafi wrote acknowledgements group also helped conduct research dissertationraising possibility thesis another component monitor groups makeover campaign qaddafi regime consulting firm pocketed 3 million year proqaddafi endeavors160 conclusion thesis saif hammered home idealist approach global governance based global theory justice cosmopolitan principles foreign governments act accordance qaddafi principle theyd considering actions take support protesters libya end mayhem repression put saif qaddafi job | 622 |
<p>“Islam has long vanished from the stage of history, and has re-treated into oriental ease and repose.”</p>
<p>G.W.F. Hegel</p>
<p>In a world that is dominated by violence emanating from organs of the state, including incidental and deliberate acts of violence against civilians, the attacks of 9-11 came as a shock. Momentarily, these attacks had reversed the customary roles. A handful of non-state actors, wielding terrorist tactics, had challenged the world’s most powerful state. The death toll from these attacks–for a single day–was grizzly at around 3000.</p>
<p>Terrorist attacks by non-state actors on this scale would have pro-voked alarm under any circumstances, but the identity of the attackers and their target made them pregnant with world-historical consequences. These attacks were cataclysmic because their target was the United States, the only surviving superpower, and they were perpetrated by men from a part of the world–the Middle East–that contains oil, ‘the single greatest strategic prize of history.’</p>
<p>These circumstances about the attacks of 9-11 instantly produced certain predictable theories about why the hijackers had chosen to attack the United States. These theories played upon the identity of the attackers and their target, that is, who we are and who they are. We are a free, prosperous, democratic and overwhelmingly Christian society; and they are evil Muslims from the backward swamps of the Arab world.</p>
<p>The standard explanations of 9-11 constructed on these premises were simple. They had attacked us because they hate our freedoms, our prosperity, our democracy, and our Christian society. This explanation raised another question: what is it about them that motivates their hatred for us? The answer to this question was dredged from a collective memory of historical contests between Islamdom and Christendom–resuscitated in recent years by a new clique of influential Oreintalists led by Bernard Lewis.[1] The American establishment argued that the attackers’ hatred was fuelled by Islam, a religion that oppresses women, denigrates reasoning, stifles freedom of speech, discriminates against other faiths, and preaches eternal warfare against all Infidels.</p>
<p>These stark contrasts between us and them–as it turns out, contrasts essentially between good and evil–were readily accepted by many Americans. It is scarcely surprising that they were. Historically, Islam-dom has nearly always been the principal Other in the Western dialectic of imagination, fear and domination. Over the past few decades, with the growing salience of the Israeli-Arab conflict, the re-entry of Islam into the politics of the Islamicate world, and finally with the collapse of the communist challenge, a growing body of thought in the United States has sought to reclaim, to resurrect, this old Western adversary.</p>
<p>More recently, Samuel Huntington has nested the Western dread of Islam within his broader thesis of the clash of civilizations. He claims that most major conflicts occur across the fault line of civilizations; supposedly, these conflicts are deeply rooted in human nature, in the instinctive urge of one society to fear and, therefore, subjugate the Other. Although, Huntington identifies eight civilizations, which would allow for 56 paired conflicts between civilizations, he is primarily concerned with two: the conflict between the West, on the one hand, and Islamdom and China.</p>
<p>The terrorist attacks of 9-11 were gleefully seized by many in the United States as a fresh irruption of the clash of civilizations–between Islamdom and the West. Their enthusiasm was not dampened by the fact that the attackers were a handful of non-state actors, who most likely represented an extreme fringe of Islamicate society. The only thing that mattered was that the attackers were Muslims and the country targeted, the United States, was the Core Western country. This was irrefutable evidence of an ongoing clash of civilizations between Islamdom and the West.</p>
<p>Once the US establishment had cast the attacks of 9-11 in the frame-work of a clash of civilizations, the United States was ready for a radical engagement with the Islamicate world. On the one hand, the attacks per se offered the casus beli. This was leveraged into a new kind of threat–terrorist attacks with WMDs and this, apparently, demanded a war against terrorism, a cover for the United States to wage pre-emptive and preventive wars, to acquire military control over Middle Eastern oil fields, and to put the world on notice that no challenges to America’s military dominance would be tolerated. The war on terrorism was a war to establish a global American Empire.</p>
<p>At the same time, by setting the attacks of 9-11 within the framework of the clash of civilizations, the United States was also positioning itself for a deeper intervention in the Islamicate world, one that would go beyond regime change. This Neoconservative plan was revealed soon after the invasion of Iraq: it was promoted under the broad rubric of ‘democratizing’ the Middle East, if not the Islamicate world. This is a plan to settle the problem of a recalcitrant Islamdom once and for all. Militarily, this calls for regime changes. Politically, it maps a re-division of the Arab states into smaller, micro-states defined by religion, sectarian identity and ethnicity. Culturally, the Islamicate world would be Americanized. The Evangelists are hoping to achieve more: convert the Muslims to Christianity. It is an ambitious plan, a dream plan, exceeding in breath and scope the French ambitions for the transformation of the Maghreb.</p>
<p>The American response to 9-11–including the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, the planting of military bases all over the Islamicate world, and plans for attacking Iran–provides fuel to the campaign by al-Qaida and its affiliates to energize the Islamicate world to recapture its historical autonomy. The American and Israeli designs on the Islamicate world–so it appears to a growing number of Muslims–are even greater than they were before 9-11, when they preferred to dominate the Islamicate world through surrogates. Their new designs go further: they are now demanding that the Islamicate world–and Islam itself–reform itself on American terms.</p>
<p>It is unsettling when one examines how the world has come to this. If the official accounts of 9-11 are accurate, it would appear that a handful of men, with miniscule resources but using the tools of terrorism, have leveraged themselves into world players. It is difficult to say what 9-11 and America’s response to it will ultimately produce. For now, it has deepened the power of America and Israel over the Islamicate world. The United States now maintains a massive military force inside the Islamicate world, ready to extend its ‘civilizing mission’ to Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia. However, this mission is also in trouble. In Iraq, this is obvious. In Afghanistan, the American victories remain superficial. In both Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States failed to draw upon the military forces of its allies in the Islamicate world to police the ‘liberated’ territories. Perhaps, this is the most visible shift in the temper of the Islamicate world since the first Gulf War, when nearly every major Muslim country sent military contingents to support Americans in their war against Iraq.</p>
<p>Is Osama bin Laden “a master strategist”–as Justin Raimondo claims–who uses terrorist tools to achieve his objectives.[2] Or is he clueless like Saddam Hussein, who blundered into Kuwait, apparently unaware that such a challenge to America’s vital interests would not go unanswered, especially at a time when Soviet power was near collapse? At least for now, bin Laden’s gambit appears to have failed. Although he succeeded in provoking an American invasion of a major Islamicate country, this did not produce the insurrection that he might have hoped would overthrow the tyrannies in the Islamicate world. Instead, the United States is planning to overthrow these tyrannies and replace them with others that will better serve American interests. President Bush has already effected two regime changes–in Afghanistan and Iraq. How many more regimes will go down this way? President Bush has another four years to make his plan work. Shall we wish the President luck?</p>
<p>Or, instead, shall we wish our fellow-Americans better luck?</p>
<p>M. SHAHID ALAM is professor of economics at Northeastern University. He writes this column in his personal capacity and not as a representative of Northeastern University. His political essays are now available in a book, Is There An Islamic Problem (Kuala Lumpur: The Other Press, 2004). © M. SHAHID ALAM</p>
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<p>References</p>
<p>[1] Michael Hirsh, “ <a href="" type="internal">Bernard Lewis revisited,</a>” Washington Monthly, November 2004.</p>
<p>[2] Justin Raimondo, “ <a href="http://antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=3891" type="external">The truth hurts: Osama speaks, but are we listening?</a>” Antiwar.com, November 1, 2004.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | islam long vanished stage history retreated oriental ease repose gwf hegel world dominated violence emanating organs state including incidental deliberate acts violence civilians attacks 911 came shock momentarily attacks reversed customary roles handful nonstate actors wielding terrorist tactics challenged worlds powerful state death toll attacksfor single daywas grizzly around 3000 terrorist attacks nonstate actors scale would provoked alarm circumstances identity attackers target made pregnant worldhistorical consequences attacks cataclysmic target united states surviving superpower perpetrated men part worldthe middle eastthat contains oil single greatest strategic prize history circumstances attacks 911 instantly produced certain predictable theories hijackers chosen attack united states theories played upon identity attackers target free prosperous democratic overwhelmingly christian society evil muslims backward swamps arab world standard explanations 911 constructed premises simple attacked us hate freedoms prosperity democracy christian society explanation raised another question motivates hatred us answer question dredged collective memory historical contests islamdom christendomresuscitated recent years new clique influential oreintalists led bernard lewis1 american establishment argued attackers hatred fuelled islam religion oppresses women denigrates reasoning stifles freedom speech discriminates faiths preaches eternal warfare infidels stark contrasts us themas turns contrasts essentially good evilwere readily accepted many americans scarcely surprising historically islamdom nearly always principal western dialectic imagination fear domination past decades growing salience israeliarab conflict reentry islam politics islamicate world finally collapse communist challenge growing body thought united states sought reclaim resurrect old western adversary recently samuel huntington nested western dread islam within broader thesis clash civilizations claims major conflicts occur across fault line civilizations supposedly conflicts deeply rooted human nature instinctive urge one society fear therefore subjugate although huntington identifies eight civilizations would allow 56 paired conflicts civilizations primarily concerned two conflict west one hand islamdom china terrorist attacks 911 gleefully seized many united states fresh irruption clash civilizationsbetween islamdom west enthusiasm dampened fact attackers handful nonstate actors likely represented extreme fringe islamicate society thing mattered attackers muslims country targeted united states core western country irrefutable evidence ongoing clash civilizations islamdom west us establishment cast attacks 911 framework clash civilizations united states ready radical engagement islamicate world one hand attacks per se offered casus beli leveraged new kind threatterrorist attacks wmds apparently demanded war terrorism cover united states wage preemptive preventive wars acquire military control middle eastern oil fields put world notice challenges americas military dominance would tolerated war terrorism war establish global american empire time setting attacks 911 within framework clash civilizations united states also positioning deeper intervention islamicate world one would go beyond regime change neoconservative plan revealed soon invasion iraq promoted broad rubric democratizing middle east islamicate world plan settle problem recalcitrant islamdom militarily calls regime changes politically maps redivision arab states smaller microstates defined religion sectarian identity ethnicity culturally islamicate world would americanized evangelists hoping achieve convert muslims christianity ambitious plan dream plan exceeding breath scope french ambitions transformation maghreb american response 911including invasion afghanistan iraq planting military bases islamicate world plans attacking iranprovides fuel campaign alqaida affiliates energize islamicate world recapture historical autonomy american israeli designs islamicate worldso appears growing number muslimsare even greater 911 preferred dominate islamicate world surrogates new designs go demanding islamicate worldand islam itselfreform american terms unsettling one examines world come official accounts 911 accurate would appear handful men miniscule resources using tools terrorism leveraged world players difficult say 911 americas response ultimately produce deepened power america israel islamicate world united states maintains massive military force inside islamicate world ready extend civilizing mission iran syria saudi arabia however mission also trouble iraq obvious afghanistan american victories remain superficial iraq afghanistan united states failed draw upon military forces allies islamicate world police liberated territories perhaps visible shift temper islamicate world since first gulf war nearly every major muslim country sent military contingents support americans war iraq osama bin laden master strategistas justin raimondo claimswho uses terrorist tools achieve objectives2 clueless like saddam hussein blundered kuwait apparently unaware challenge americas vital interests would go unanswered especially time soviet power near collapse least bin ladens gambit appears failed although succeeded provoking american invasion major islamicate country produce insurrection might hoped would overthrow tyrannies islamicate world instead united states planning overthrow tyrannies replace others better serve american interests president bush already effected two regime changesin afghanistan iraq many regimes go way president bush another four years make plan work shall wish president luck instead shall wish fellowamericans better luck shahid alam professor economics northeastern university writes column personal capacity representative northeastern university political essays available book islamic problem kuala lumpur press 2004 shahid alam 160 references 1 michael hirsh bernard lewis revisited washington monthly november 2004 2 justin raimondo truth hurts osama speaks listening antiwarcom november 1 2004 160 | 768 |
<p>More and more revelations about contract abuse by Halliburton come out regularly. Just last week Rep. Henry Waxman issued a report that found Halliburton overcharging in Iraq now totaled more than $200 million, see: <a href="http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/" type="external">http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/</a>. Activists in Houston are working with national groups, including Democracy Rising, to highlight corporate contract abuse by Halliburton when they hold their shareholders meeting this May 18. In the interview below with DemocracyRising’s KEVIN ZEESE, Scott Parkin, a Community Organizer for Houston Global Awareness describes their plans and how it fits into the overall goals of the organization.</p>
<p>Zeese: What organization are you with? What organizations are you working with on this project?</p>
<p>Parkin: I am a community organizer with Houston Global Awareness, a local anti-empire global justice group in Houston, Texas. Over the past year, we have worked extensively with Global Exchange and Code Pink on the Halliburton campaign. We have also worked with a number of local peace groups such as the Houston Peace and Justice Center, Mama’s Brigade and different anti-authoritarian groups in town. We also recently connected with the Austin spokes council who does similar work in Austin.</p>
<p>Zeese: Is Houston Global Awareness only organized for the Halliburton meeting or is it ongoing?</p>
<p>Parkin: No, we originally came together in the summer of 2001 to organize for the September 2001 IMF/World Bank meetings (which were cancelled after 9/11). Since then, we have organized film screenings, teach-ins, rallies, activist skill shares and various protests and non-violent direct actions around the issues of global justice and empire. In February 2003, we began picketing and raising awareness about hometown war profiteer Halliburton and their subsidiary KBR which intensified at their 2004 annual shareholder’s meeting and beyond.</p>
<p>Zeese: What is the goal of the project?</p>
<p>Parkin: The goal of this project is to put economic, social and political pressure on Halliburton so that they withdraw from Iraq. Currently, they are contracted to build 14 permanent bases in Iraq, support the occupation with essential services such as food preparation, laundry and fuel delivery and help reconstruct the oil economy for multi-national oil companies. We see their presence in Iraq as essential to the war and occupation and ending it will seriously hinder the Bush Administration’s efforts at exploitation and conquest in Iraq.</p>
<p>Zeese: What is happening for the Halliburton shareholders meeting?</p>
<p>Parkin: At the Halliburton shareholder’s meeting, we are screening films on recent developments in Iraq, informing folks about Halliburton’s involvement in Iraq with a teach-in and using a large spirited demonstration and non-violent direct action to put pressure on Halliburton. (See schedule at end of interview.) Inside the Halliburton shareholder’s meeting, CEO David Lesar will be informing the shareholder’s about their efforts in 2004 to profit from war and corporate cronyism.</p>
<p>Zeese: What can people do to help?</p>
<p>Parkin: Folks can come to Houston and join the mobilization. If they are unable to make it Houston, they can organize anti-war profiteer actions and events in their towns to demonstrate to the power-brokers that people power still exists in this country and it will end the war and occupation of Iraq.</p>
<p>Zeese: What would be the key points you want readers to take away with them concerning Halliburton and its role in the Iraq War and occupation?</p>
<p>Parkin: Halliburton is making a killing off the devastation in Iraq, they are actually the “poster child” for war profiteering. They are essential to the war efforts as no other American company could replace the services they provide.</p>
<p>Halliburton has been accused of more fraud, waste, and corruption than any other Iraq contractor — from allegations of overcharging $61 million for fuel and $24.7 million for meals, to confirmed kickbacks worth $6.3 million. Halliburton is also the only Iraq contractor currently under investigation by the Department of Justice.</p>
<p>Recently, media stories have come out about family members of Halliburton truck drivers killed in Iraq filing wrongful death lawsuits about as they said their loved ones were misled about safety conditions, specific jobs and pay. Another Halliburton/KBR employee was gang beat and left for dead on the streets of Baghdad by eight co-workers after complaining about safety and corruption at the Baghdad airport.</p>
<p>Halliburton has a pattern of corruption and deceit in dealing with their employees, the American taxpayers and the Iraqi people. Furthermore, unemployment in parts of Iraq run as high as 60-90 per cent while Halliburton imports Third World workers displacing Iraqi’s from work and contributing to their economic disenfranchisement.</p>
<p>Zeese: What will come next for the Houston Global Awareness after the Halliburton meeting?</p>
<p>Parkin: We are beginning a long term direct action popular education campaign against Halliburton that will go beyond the shareholder’s meeting. Anti-war and global justice activists here recognize that corporate war profiteering is an important pillar of Bush’s power in occupying Iraq. We will continue to make a political, social and economic climate that makes it difficult for Halliburton to continue operations in Iraq.</p>
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<p>Current Schedule of Events for Halliburton Shareholders Meeting</p>
<p>Sunday, May 15 Halliburton Shareholder’s activist skill shares. Times, locations TBA. A day of skillshares on Nonviolent Direct Action, Knowing your rights, People Power Strategy, Media/Storytelling, Anti-oppression and Arts Organizing.</p>
<p>Monday, May 16 Rice Media and Houston Indymedia to present films on Iraq and Fallujah.</p>
<p>Tuesday, May 17 Teach-in on Halliburton featuring Pratap Chatterjee of Corpwatch, Medea Benjamin of Global Exchange and Code Pink, others TBA, time and location TBA.</p>
<p>Wednesday, May 18 Rally, March and Protest to Stop the War Profiteers. Rally up at 1000 Crawford (Crawford &amp; Lamar), in front of the statue of George R. Brown @ 8am and march to annual Halliburton shareholder’s meeting at the Four Seasons at 1300 Lamar @ 830am.</p>
<p>For more information Houston Global Awareness Collective at www.houstonglobalawareness.org Halliburton Watch at <a href="http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/" type="external">http://www.halliburtonwatch.org</a></p>
<p>Committee on Government Reform Minority Office <a href="http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov/" type="external">http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov</a></p>
<p>Links from DemocracyRising.US under “U.S. Corporations in Iraq and the Cost of the War”</p>
<p>See interview with Jim Donahue of Halliburton Watch <a href="" type="internal">http://democracyrising.us/content/view/90/164/</a></p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | revelations contract abuse halliburton come regularly last week rep henry waxman issued report found halliburton overcharging iraq totaled 200 million see httpwwwdemocratsreformhousegov activists houston working national groups including democracy rising highlight corporate contract abuse halliburton hold shareholders meeting may 18 interview democracyrisings kevin zeese scott parkin community organizer houston global awareness describes plans fits overall goals organization zeese organization organizations working project parkin community organizer houston global awareness local antiempire global justice group houston texas past year worked extensively global exchange code pink halliburton campaign also worked number local peace groups houston peace justice center mamas brigade different antiauthoritarian groups town also recently connected austin spokes council similar work austin zeese houston global awareness organized halliburton meeting ongoing parkin originally came together summer 2001 organize september 2001 imfworld bank meetings cancelled 911 since organized film screenings teachins rallies activist skill shares various protests nonviolent direct actions around issues global justice empire february 2003 began picketing raising awareness hometown war profiteer halliburton subsidiary kbr intensified 2004 annual shareholders meeting beyond zeese goal project parkin goal project put economic social political pressure halliburton withdraw iraq currently contracted build 14 permanent bases iraq support occupation essential services food preparation laundry fuel delivery help reconstruct oil economy multinational oil companies see presence iraq essential war occupation ending seriously hinder bush administrations efforts exploitation conquest iraq zeese happening halliburton shareholders meeting parkin halliburton shareholders meeting screening films recent developments iraq informing folks halliburtons involvement iraq teachin using large spirited demonstration nonviolent direct action put pressure halliburton see schedule end interview inside halliburton shareholders meeting ceo david lesar informing shareholders efforts 2004 profit war corporate cronyism zeese people help parkin folks come houston join mobilization unable make houston organize antiwar profiteer actions events towns demonstrate powerbrokers people power still exists country end war occupation iraq zeese would key points want readers take away concerning halliburton role iraq war occupation parkin halliburton making killing devastation iraq actually poster child war profiteering essential war efforts american company could replace services provide halliburton accused fraud waste corruption iraq contractor allegations overcharging 61 million fuel 247 million meals confirmed kickbacks worth 63 million halliburton also iraq contractor currently investigation department justice recently media stories come family members halliburton truck drivers killed iraq filing wrongful death lawsuits said loved ones misled safety conditions specific jobs pay another halliburtonkbr employee gang beat left dead streets baghdad eight coworkers complaining safety corruption baghdad airport halliburton pattern corruption deceit dealing employees american taxpayers iraqi people furthermore unemployment parts iraq run high 6090 per cent halliburton imports third world workers displacing iraqis work contributing economic disenfranchisement zeese come next houston global awareness halliburton meeting parkin beginning long term direct action popular education campaign halliburton go beyond shareholders meeting antiwar global justice activists recognize corporate war profiteering important pillar bushs power occupying iraq continue make political social economic climate makes difficult halliburton continue operations iraq 160 current schedule events halliburton shareholders meeting sunday may 15 halliburton shareholders activist skill shares times locations tba day skillshares nonviolent direct action knowing rights people power strategy mediastorytelling antioppression arts organizing monday may 16 rice media houston indymedia present films iraq fallujah tuesday may 17 teachin halliburton featuring pratap chatterjee corpwatch medea benjamin global exchange code pink others tba time location tba wednesday may 18 rally march protest stop war profiteers rally 1000 crawford crawford amp lamar front statue george r brown 8am march annual halliburton shareholders meeting four seasons 1300 lamar 830am information houston global awareness collective wwwhoustonglobalawarenessorg halliburton watch httpwwwhalliburtonwatchorg committee government reform minority office httpwwwdemocratsreformhousegov links democracyrisingus us corporations iraq cost war see interview jim donahue halliburton watch httpdemocracyrisinguscontentview90164 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 | 612 |
<p />
<p>This post originally ran on <a href="http://www.juancole.com/2014/10/takeover-yemens-endanger.html" type="external">Juan Cole's Web page</a>.</p>
<p>The fall of the Yemeni government to radical Zaidi tribesmen from Saadah in the north has gone relatively unremarked in the US mass media.</p>
<p>Yemen is admittedly a relatively small country of 24 million, a little less populous than Texas. It is the second poorest in the Arab League after Somalia. It is nevertheless a country with enormous global strategic importance:</p>
<p />
<p>It commands the Bab al-Mandab, the opening to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal from the Arabian Sea (and beyond it the Indian Ocean). <a href="http://www.mei.edu/content/at/egypts-suez-canal-corridor-project" type="external">Some 8-10 percent of world trade goes through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.</a> Some 2.5 percent of world petroleum flows are among that total. (Petroleum markets are tight, so the loss of 2.5 percent would put prices way up, and even having to ship it around Africa would increase costs substantially. <a href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/egypt/suez-canal.htm%20" type="external">Liquefied Natural Gas is also shipped in large quantities through the Bab al-Mandab straits, with Qatari exports providing half of Britain's natural gas</a> and 90 percent of Belgium's.</p>
<p>Yemen is also important to the Arabian Sea, with its substantial ship traffic.</p>
<p>It neighbors Oman and Saudi Arabia, crucial hydrocarbon players. A mass exodus of panicked Yemenis could affect the security of these countries. So too could a radicalization of Yemenis.</p>
<p>So because of where it is, Yemen has for centuries been a strategic country. The Portuguese eyed it in the 1500s, but the Ottomans forestalled them. In the 19th century, the British took Aden and made it a Crown port, using it as a refueling station for ships going back and forth from India to Egypt (after the Suez Canal opened in 1869 Aden became even more important.)</p>
<p>North Yemen was dominated by the Zaidi branch of Shiite Islam, which unlike the Twelver Shiism of Iraq and Iran, has no ayatollahs or religious hierarchy, and generally gets along with Sunnis, not cursing their orthodox Caliphs or feeling antipathy to them. In the 1960s, a nationalist revolt broke out against the Zaidi leader or Imam who acted as its king and spiritual guide (at least for Zaidis). The nationalist officers overthrew him, with the support of Egypt's Gamal Abdel Nasser, a theorist of Arab nationalism. South Yemen went Communist in 1967 but the north was Arab nationalist and mildly socialist.</p>
<p>With the fall of the East Bloc in 1989, South Yemen and North Yemen unified in 1990. It has been an uneasy union, and substantial southern sentiment for secession still exists (efforts in that direction in 1994 were crushed by the Yemeni army).</p>
<p>Although many of the nationalist officers in the capital of Sanaa were of Zaidi Shiite extraction, including dictator Ali Abdullah Saleh, they were leftist nationalists and distrusted the rural Zaidis. In the 1990s, Saudi Arabia began trying to spread Wahhabism and Salafism in the Zaidi Shiite north, paying for pricey mosques and community centers. Saleh's secular nationalists allowed this move, since they thought quietist Salafi Sunnis would be more loyal to the central government than Zaidis, with their traditions of rule via the theocratic Imamate. You had a sort of secular-nationalist alliance with Saudi fundamentalism against rural Zaidism. In the 1990s when Saleh allowed parliamentary elections, the Sunni fundamentalist Islah Party emerged as the most important civil party, again demoting the rural Zaidis.</p>
<p>Husain al-Houthi reacted against this conservative Sunni proselytizing in Zaidi Saadah and other northern population centers. He wrote refutations of Wahhabism (the Saudi religious establishment) and Salafism (Sunnism tinged with Wahhabi emphases). He organized Zaidis. He also began adopting into his Zaidi beliefs and rituals a few ideas and practices more commonly associated with Iran than with Yemen. This adoption of stronger Shiite principles underlined the difference of Zaidis from Sunnis (otherwise the two had often been very close in Yemen and there were even Salafi Zaidis, kind of the way there are some evangelical Catholics in the US). But there is no strong evidence of Iranian involvement with the Houthis or that their successes can be laid at the feet of Iran. And, even Houthi Zaidis are not very much like the Iranian, Twelver Shiites, with their ayatollahs and folk cursing of the Sunni Caliphs.</p>
<p>Ultimately the Houthis went into rebellion against Sanaa, accusing the government of betraying them by allying with Wahhabi Saudi Arabia and of neglecting the development of their regions because of antipathy to Zaidi traditionalists. They denounced the United States as a grasping imperial power. They not only fought central government troops (many of them Zaidis), but also fought Salafis that had declared allegiance to al-Qaeda. Ultimately the Houthis and tribal partisans of the Sunni fundamentalist Islah Party were to fight violently. In mid-September, the Zaidis defeated Islah in Sanaa and environs.</p>
<p>After the 2011-2012 revolution, when Ali Abdullah Saleh was forced to step down, his vice president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, became president in a referendum. He, however, faced opposition from the officer corps, where Saleh's relatives had high positions, and the bureaucracy. Saleh remained the head of the ruling party, to which Mansour Hadi belonged, which was, well, awkward, and gave Saleh the opportunity to intervene in politics. But Mansour Hadi gradually moved against loyalist officers. In June, he accused Saleh of plotting a coup and much weakened him and his military clients.</p>
<p>When the Houthis unexpectedly flooded into Sanaa and took it over in September, the military appears to have stood down and thrown Mansour Hadi to them. It is murky, but perhaps Saleh loyalists or officers hurt by Mansour Hadi's policies were so resentful they decided to punish him by making themselves scarce at a crucial moment.</p>
<p>The Houthis just rejected Mansour Hadi's pick for a new prime minister and seem to be taking over policing in the capital. They are also apparently dictating fiscal policy to the Ministry of Finance.</p>
<p>It is hard to imagine that the largely Sunni south will accept a government dominated by hard line Houthi Zaidis. These developments could cause another north-south split in Yemen. The central government troops had pushed back against al-Qaeda affiliates taking over Zinjibar and other town in the southern Abyan province, but now the central government seems in disarray. Will al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula take advantage of the chaos, a la ISIL, to make a play for territory again?</p>
<p>And, if Yemen falls into political chaos and balkanization, what will happen to security in the Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea?</p>
<p>Will the turmoil hurt the world economy? Will it scuttle Egypt's plans to expand the Suez Canal and cut transit times from 11 hours to 3 hours? (Egypt hopes to charge much more per container if there are new ports, facilities and faster transit; it now makes $5 bn a year from Suez tolls, but could much expand that figure; and it desperately needs new income streams). Could Egypt be drawn back into Yemen to protect its Suez investment, a la the 1960s?</p>
<p>When I was living in Asmara, now in Eritrea, in 1967-68 I remember people coming over fleeing chaos in Yemen. Are we back to 1967?</p>
<p>Stay tuned. But, apparently, not to American network and cable television news. Only Aljazeera America even seems to be covering the story in a systematic way in the US. The rest don't appear to know about the Bab al-Mandab or the Suez Canal</p>
<p>""</p>
<p>Related video:</p>
<p><a href="http://youtu.be/uEOpuxU_OQw%20" type="external">From last week: Wochit: "Houthis Dictate State Spending In Absence Of Yemen Government"</a></p>
<p /> | true | 4 | post originally ran juan coles web page fall yemeni government radical zaidi tribesmen saadah north gone relatively unremarked us mass media yemen admittedly relatively small country 24 million little less populous texas second poorest arab league somalia nevertheless country enormous global strategic importance commands bab almandab opening red sea suez canal arabian sea beyond indian ocean 810 percent world trade goes red sea suez canal 25 percent world petroleum flows among total petroleum markets tight loss 25 percent would put prices way even ship around africa would increase costs substantially liquefied natural gas also shipped large quantities bab almandab straits qatari exports providing half britains natural gas 90 percent belgiums yemen also important arabian sea substantial ship traffic neighbors oman saudi arabia crucial hydrocarbon players mass exodus panicked yemenis could affect security countries could radicalization yemenis yemen centuries strategic country portuguese eyed 1500s ottomans forestalled 19th century british took aden made crown port using refueling station ships going back forth india egypt suez canal opened 1869 aden became even important north yemen dominated zaidi branch shiite islam unlike twelver shiism iraq iran ayatollahs religious hierarchy generally gets along sunnis cursing orthodox caliphs feeling antipathy 1960s nationalist revolt broke zaidi leader imam acted king spiritual guide least zaidis nationalist officers overthrew support egypts gamal abdel nasser theorist arab nationalism south yemen went communist 1967 north arab nationalist mildly socialist fall east bloc 1989 south yemen north yemen unified 1990 uneasy union substantial southern sentiment secession still exists efforts direction 1994 crushed yemeni army although many nationalist officers capital sanaa zaidi shiite extraction including dictator ali abdullah saleh leftist nationalists distrusted rural zaidis 1990s saudi arabia began trying spread wahhabism salafism zaidi shiite north paying pricey mosques community centers salehs secular nationalists allowed move since thought quietist salafi sunnis would loyal central government zaidis traditions rule via theocratic imamate sort secularnationalist alliance saudi fundamentalism rural zaidism 1990s saleh allowed parliamentary elections sunni fundamentalist islah party emerged important civil party demoting rural zaidis husain alhouthi reacted conservative sunni proselytizing zaidi saadah northern population centers wrote refutations wahhabism saudi religious establishment salafism sunnism tinged wahhabi emphases organized zaidis also began adopting zaidi beliefs rituals ideas practices commonly associated iran yemen adoption stronger shiite principles underlined difference zaidis sunnis otherwise two often close yemen even salafi zaidis kind way evangelical catholics us strong evidence iranian involvement houthis successes laid feet iran even houthi zaidis much like iranian twelver shiites ayatollahs folk cursing sunni caliphs ultimately houthis went rebellion sanaa accusing government betraying allying wahhabi saudi arabia neglecting development regions antipathy zaidi traditionalists denounced united states grasping imperial power fought central government troops many zaidis also fought salafis declared allegiance alqaeda ultimately houthis tribal partisans sunni fundamentalist islah party fight violently midseptember zaidis defeated islah sanaa environs 20112012 revolution ali abdullah saleh forced step vice president abed rabbo mansour hadi became president referendum however faced opposition officer corps salehs relatives high positions bureaucracy saleh remained head ruling party mansour hadi belonged well awkward gave saleh opportunity intervene politics mansour hadi gradually moved loyalist officers june accused saleh plotting coup much weakened military clients houthis unexpectedly flooded sanaa took september military appears stood thrown mansour hadi murky perhaps saleh loyalists officers hurt mansour hadis policies resentful decided punish making scarce crucial moment houthis rejected mansour hadis pick new prime minister seem taking policing capital also apparently dictating fiscal policy ministry finance hard imagine largely sunni south accept government dominated hard line houthi zaidis developments could cause another northsouth split yemen central government troops pushed back alqaeda affiliates taking zinjibar town southern abyan province central government seems disarray alqaeda arabian peninsula take advantage chaos la isil make play territory yemen falls political chaos balkanization happen security bab almandab red sea turmoil hurt world economy scuttle egypts plans expand suez canal cut transit times 11 hours 3 hours egypt hopes charge much per container new ports facilities faster transit makes 5 bn year suez tolls could much expand figure desperately needs new income streams could egypt drawn back yemen protect suez investment la 1960s living asmara eritrea 196768 remember people coming fleeing chaos yemen back 1967 stay tuned apparently american network cable television news aljazeera america even seems covering story systematic way us rest dont appear know bab almandab suez canal related video last week wochit houthis dictate state spending absence yemen government | 724 |
<p>“I am extremely pleased with the announcement that BP has given the green light for the Sunrise project in Alberta.”</p>
<p>— Ohio Democratic Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur</p>
<p>Democratic leaders in Congress are as likely to cavalierly embrace the destruction of the environment, including global warming, as readily as any of the basest congressional members of the other party. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, who represents Northern Ohio’s Ninth Congressional District, is celebrating a deal that will allow BP – yes, BP, the epitome of environmental tragedies – to retrofit their Toledo refinery so the 91-year-old facility can process heavy oil extracted from the tar sands of Alberta, Canada, never bothering to tell the public of the details of her deal.</p>
<p>In her press release, Kaptur only said she had been in close contact with both the company (BP) and the Canadian government in recent months, as the project had been stalled, but is now “moving ahead full throttle, and that’s good news for us.” Clearly, Ms. Kaptur’s referral to “us” doesn’t include those devastated by BP’s greed-compelled negligence in the deaths of people, wildlife, sea life and gulf coastal regions or the devastating effects that BP’s continued greed will have on the environment and people in Alberta.</p>
<p>Ms. Kaptur is milk-toast and non-controversial to most. Her press releases must be read by only her constituents, if at all. That is the only explanation as to how she can get away with celebrating a pact with the devil, a pact that will bring jobs to recession-torn Toledo, one area in the country that has had no recovery since the recession.</p>
<p>According to a report released by the Brookings Institute, Toledo’s economy “fell off a cliff and never really managed to climb back. This has been by far the worst recession, and 11 quarters from the start, there’s essentially been no recovery. Our basic indicators for Toledo are much, much worse than most other areas.”</p>
<p>Such a cataclysm for the folks of Toledo, a result of Wall Street’s greed, makes Kaptur’s unrealistic public comments lucrative, yet even more destructive. Kaptur told her public, “Continentally, the Alberta sands deposits hold vast potential to yield new reserves as large as two Gulfs of Mexico. This is likely to mean substantial jobs and economic development in our community for many years to come.” But BP has said, “The local project is expected to generate hundreds of construction jobs but not add many jobs at the plant.”</p>
<p>Construction is time-limited, no matter the amount of “oil” in the Alberta sands. Promising jobs while allowing BP to retrofit their refinery is only a stop-gap measure, like the junk-shot BP used to try to stop the oil flowing into the Gulf.</p>
<p>NIMBY</p>
<p>At the time BP’s first attack on our planet, Kaptur was politically-correct in criticizing BP’s oil spill in the Gulf, though she had voted in support of off-shore drilling. Yet she felt compelled to add a spin to highlight her protest of drilling in the Great Lakes: “To prevent a similar ecological disaster in our region, I remain a staunch supporter of the permanent ban on oil and gas exploration on the Great Lakes as crucial for protecting the sensitive environmental nature of our ecosystem.” No explanation as to why “our” ecosystem is more valuable than that of the Gulf of Mexico or the Alberta boreal forests where the tar sands are located.</p>
<p>Would Kaptur be promoting BP’s continued rape of the environment if the tar sands were in Toledo (the project would still bring jobs) and the refinery in Alberta? Naomi Klein best describes some of what is involved in harvesting oil from the tar sands of Alberta in a presentation at the TEDWomen conference:</p>
<p>The tar sands live under one of the last magnificent old-growth boreal forests. But the oil underneath those trees is not liquid, you can’t just drill a hole and pump it out. Tar sands oil is solid, mixed into the soil.</p>
<p>So to get at it, you first have to get rid of the trees. Then you rip off the top soil and dig up the stuff—a process so disruptive it requires enlisting the biggest dump trucks ever built. It also requires a huge amount of water, which is then pumped into massive toxic tailings ponds. That’s very bad news for local indigenous people who are facing unusually high cancer rates.</p>
<p>Tar sands extraction is growing so fast that the project can already be seen from space and could grow to an area roughly the size of England. This is not oil drilling. It is not even mining. It is terrestrial skinning. Vast vivid landscapes are being gutted, left monochromatic grey.</p>
<p>I should confess that as far as I’m concerned, this would be an abomination if it emitted not one particle of carbon. But the truth is that on average, turning that gunk into crude oil produces about 3 times more greenhouse gas pollution per barrel than it does to produce conventional crude oil in Canada.</p>
<p>How else to describe this but as a form of mass insanity?</p>
<p>Mass insanity it is. In the same news article, BP spoke of the tar sands as if they were a wholly-owned sector of BP: “. . . this sanction is a significant step in progressing BP Canada’s upstream oil sands portfolio,” said Stephen Willis, BP’s vice president of oil sands.</p>
<p>From the shock of the recession, my congressional representative cheers on the destruction of the environment by an evil corporate entity, disaster capitalism at its most destructive. Mass insanity it is, even for the congresswoman.</p>
<p>Ms. Kaptur’s office was contacted repeatedly for a comment on her position on environmental issues, and refused to respond.</p>
<p>Dr. TRUDY BOND is a constituent in Kaptur’s district, and can be reached at <a href="mailto:drtrudybond@gmail.com" type="external">drtrudybond@gmail.com</a>.</p>
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<p /> | true | 4 | extremely pleased announcement bp given green light sunrise project alberta ohio democratic congresswoman marcy kaptur democratic leaders congress likely cavalierly embrace destruction environment including global warming readily basest congressional members party congresswoman marcy kaptur represents northern ohios ninth congressional district celebrating deal allow bp yes bp epitome environmental tragedies retrofit toledo refinery 91yearold facility process heavy oil extracted tar sands alberta canada never bothering tell public details deal press release kaptur said close contact company bp canadian government recent months project stalled moving ahead full throttle thats good news us clearly ms kapturs referral us doesnt include devastated bps greedcompelled negligence deaths people wildlife sea life gulf coastal regions devastating effects bps continued greed environment people alberta ms kaptur milktoast noncontroversial press releases must read constituents explanation get away celebrating pact devil pact bring jobs recessiontorn toledo one area country recovery since recession according report released brookings institute toledos economy fell cliff never really managed climb back far worst recession 11 quarters start theres essentially recovery basic indicators toledo much much worse areas cataclysm folks toledo result wall streets greed makes kapturs unrealistic public comments lucrative yet even destructive kaptur told public continentally alberta sands deposits hold vast potential yield new reserves large two gulfs mexico likely mean substantial jobs economic development community many years come bp said local project expected generate hundreds construction jobs add many jobs plant construction timelimited matter amount oil alberta sands promising jobs allowing bp retrofit refinery stopgap measure like junkshot bp used try stop oil flowing gulf nimby time bps first attack planet kaptur politicallycorrect criticizing bps oil spill gulf though voted support offshore drilling yet felt compelled add spin highlight protest drilling great lakes prevent similar ecological disaster region remain staunch supporter permanent ban oil gas exploration great lakes crucial protecting sensitive environmental nature ecosystem explanation ecosystem valuable gulf mexico alberta boreal forests tar sands located would kaptur promoting bps continued rape environment tar sands toledo project would still bring jobs refinery alberta naomi klein best describes involved harvesting oil tar sands alberta presentation tedwomen conference tar sands live one last magnificent oldgrowth boreal forests oil underneath trees liquid cant drill hole pump tar sands oil solid mixed soil get first get rid trees rip top soil dig stuffa process disruptive requires enlisting biggest dump trucks ever built also requires huge amount water pumped massive toxic tailings ponds thats bad news local indigenous people facing unusually high cancer rates tar sands extraction growing fast project already seen space could grow area roughly size england oil drilling even mining terrestrial skinning vast vivid landscapes gutted left monochromatic grey confess far im concerned would abomination emitted one particle carbon truth average turning gunk crude oil produces 3 times greenhouse gas pollution per barrel produce conventional crude oil canada else describe form mass insanity mass insanity news article bp spoke tar sands whollyowned sector bp sanction significant step progressing bp canadas upstream oil sands portfolio said stephen willis bps vice president oil sands shock recession congressional representative cheers destruction environment evil corporate entity disaster capitalism destructive mass insanity even congresswoman ms kapturs office contacted repeatedly comment position environmental issues refused respond dr trudy bond constituent kapturs district reached drtrudybondgmailcom | 533 |
<p>Pete Marovich/Zuma</p>
<p />
<p>Three white lawyers argued before a mostly white Supreme Court on Wednesday about whether the University of Texas-Austin’s admissions process—designed to diversify its student body—discriminated against a white applicant. &#160;</p>
<p>Abigail Fisher, the 22-year-old who says she was denied the education she wanted because she is white, wouldn’t have gotten in anyway—her grades and scores weren’t good enough, at least according to UT. Fisher graduated from Louisiana State University earlier this year, but she still wants her UT application fee back because, her attorney argued, her rights were violated by a process that saw her as a racial category rather than a human being. Fisher’s tale doesn’t exactly have the gravity of Linda Brown walking a mile out of her way to attend school because the state of Kansas saw black people as racially inferior to white people, but for some critics of affirmative action it’s almost the same thing. After all, half of white people in the United States see racism against whites as <a href="http://publicreligion.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/PRRI-Brookings-What-it-Means-to-be-American-Report.pdf" type="external">just as much of a problem as racism against minorities</a>.</p>
<p>“[T]hat’s what we’re seeking in this case, Mr. Chief Justice—a level playing field for Abby Fisher,” said Fisher’s attorney Bruce W. Rein, who called affirmative action “an abominable kind of sorting out.”</p>
<p>Although affirmative action in higher education may not seem like the world’s most pressing issue, it still provokes strong feelings in a country where the president is black, the population is becoming less white, and economic hardship makes competition for an elite education fierce. The folks in the black robes have a lot of feelings about the policy, perhaps none more so than Chief Justice John Roberts, who ruled in one of his first Supreme Court decisions that race-conscious public school desegregation programs are unconstitutional. (Everyone remembers Roberts&#160; <a href="" type="internal">pithily writing</a>&#160;that “the way to stop discriminating on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race.”)</p>
<p>For Roberts, it’s not even that the cure for racism is almost as bad as the disease. The cure is the disease. Take Roberts’ logic to its natural conclusion—that government should almost never pay attention to race at all—and even something like the Voting Rights Act, which to this day prevents states from denying Americans the right to vote, could be overturned by the court. Conservatives are <a href="http://www.npr.org/2012/08/02/157768851/new-target-in-voter-id-battle-1965-voting-rights-act" type="external">eager for the chance</a>.</p>
<p>Roberts isn’t the only justice with an interest in this case. Every Justice on the Supreme Court went to an Ivy League School, so debates about preferential admissions to elite schools hit close to home. Clarence Thomas thinks affirmative action means his <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20071021/yale-justice-thomas/" type="external">Yale law degree is only worth “15 cents.”</a>&#160;His conservative colleague Samuel Alito might agree. After graduating from Princeton,&#160; <a href="http://www.salon.com/2006/01/13/alito_controversy/" type="external">Alito was part of an alumni group</a>, disavowed during his confirmation hearings, that aimed to keep students like Sonya Sotomayor, who <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/11/sotomayor-affirmative-action-sent-princeton/" type="external">once called herself</a> “the perfect affirmative action baby,” off campus. Sotomayor is not the only affirmative action baby among the nine: Ronald Reagan nominated Antonin Scalia because he thought there <a href="http://prospect.org/article/antonin-scalia-affirmative-action-pick" type="external">ought to be an Italian-American justice</a>. When it comes to counting votes, though, there are more Thomases than Sotomayors on this court.</p>
<p>“There are easily four votes on the court for the idea that race-consciousness is unconstitutional,” says Guy-Uriel Charles, a law professor at Duke University. That doesn’t include Anthony Kennedy, who, as UCLA law professor Adam Winkler points out, has “voted to invalidate every race-based affirmative action policy that’s come before the justices during his tenure,” despite conceding that race can sometimes be used “as a last resort” to achieve diversity. With Justice Elena Kagan having recused herself, it’s Kennedy’s call whether a lower court’s ruling upholding UT’s policy stands or affirmative action is curtailed even further. He didn’t sound like he was in the mood to cut UT any slack. “What you’re saying is that what counts is race above all,” Kennedy told Gregory G. Garre, the attorney defending UT’s policy.</p>
<p>Absent a truly sweeping Citizens United-style ruling wiping away decades of prior precedent, affirmative action is likely to survive in some form—allowing some very small use of race in admissions, and only under very specific circumstances. But colleges and universities, including UT, have already tried “race-neutral” methods for seeking diversity.&#160;Between 1996 and 2003, UT relied on Texas’&#160;“Top Ten Percent” law, in which students from the top ten percent of their class in high schools in the state were guaranteed admission to state schools in Texas. That policy, which accounts for three quarters of the students admitted to the UT, actually produced more diversity than the policy it replaced, at least partly because of demographic changes in the state. But&#160;after the justices ruled in 2003’s&#160; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grutter_v._Bollinger" type="external">Grutter v. Bollinger</a>&#160;that schools could deploy a “narrowly tailored’ use of race in admissions,&#160;UT Austin started adding race-consciousness back into the mix as part of a “holistic” evaluation of the small number of applicants not already guaranteed admission.</p>
<p>Richard Kahlenberg, a senior fellow at the Century Foundation, doesn’t like UT Austin’s reasoning for returning to race-conscious admissions. Kahlenberg, who mocks the policy as “we want to bring together rich kids of all colors,” tells Mother Jones&#160;“it’s not going after real socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic diversity.” Top Ten Percent works, he says, and other colleges should try similar methods that are race-conscious in conception but race-neutral in application.</p>
<p>The problem is that the Top Ten Percent method relies in part on lingering racial and economic segregation to be effective. A less qualified black candidate who attends a lower-performing school could qualify for admission under the policy where a more qualified&#160;black student who goes to a high-performing school would not. Critics of Top Ten Percent don’t like its reliance on economic and social segregation to create diversity. “The only way it works is if you have heavily separated schools,” Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said to Rein. “So maybe the University is concerned that that is an inadequate way to deal with it.”</p>
<p>Whatever the justices decide, the moral reasoning for affirmative action has long been divorced from its legal basis, which has been twisted over time to ensure the policy’s survival. President Lyndon Johnson declared in his 1965 commencement speech at Howard University that “we seek not just legal equity but human ability, not just equality as a right and a theory but equality as a fact and equality as a result.” Johnson saw affirmative action as a way to even the playing field after years of state-backed racism. (UT Austin banned blacks for more than half of its history.) These days, colleges are only allowed to seek diversity because it supposedly helps students learn better. Supporters of affirmative action don’t want to admit that acknowledging race means students like Fisher might get passed over, while many opponents simply don’t care if higher education isn’t racially diverse or acknowledge the role that <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-university-texas-bleach-bombs-20121005,0,693067.story" type="external">racism against minorities continues to play in American life</a>. Only one side speaks of “level playing fields” now, and it’s the one that wants to see affirmative action torn down like the Berlin Wall.</p>
<p>Fortunately, as far as affirmative action is concerned, policies like the Top Ten Percent plan, even with its flaws, augur the possibility of “race-neutral” policies that might be able to achieve results similar to affirmative action while avoiding conservative legal challenges. But even the Top Ten Percent plan is “race conscious” in the sense that it acknowledges a need to rectify racial inequality. Over the past few decades, diversity has become an American cultural value, one that even the right tries to showcase when it can. Now it’s Roberts’ faith in the need for “colorblindness”—the idea that we’ve come so far that acknowledging race is itself racism—that threatens the gains we’ve already made.</p>
<p /> | true | 4 | pete marovichzuma three white lawyers argued mostly white supreme court wednesday whether university texasaustins admissions processdesigned diversify student bodydiscriminated white applicant 160 abigail fisher 22yearold says denied education wanted white wouldnt gotten anywayher grades scores werent good enough least according ut fisher graduated louisiana state university earlier year still wants ut application fee back attorney argued rights violated process saw racial category rather human fishers tale doesnt exactly gravity linda brown walking mile way attend school state kansas saw black people racially inferior white people critics affirmative action almost thing half white people united states see racism whites much problem racism minorities thats seeking case mr chief justicea level playing field abby fisher said fishers attorney bruce w rein called affirmative action abominable kind sorting although affirmative action higher education may seem like worlds pressing issue still provokes strong feelings country president black population becoming less white economic hardship makes competition elite education fierce folks black robes lot feelings policy perhaps none chief justice john roberts ruled one first supreme court decisions raceconscious public school desegregation programs unconstitutional everyone remembers roberts160 pithily writing160that way stop discriminating basis race stop discriminating basis race roberts even cure racism almost bad disease cure disease take roberts logic natural conclusionthat government almost never pay attention race alland even something like voting rights act day prevents states denying americans right vote could overturned court conservatives eager chance roberts isnt justice interest case every justice supreme court went ivy league school debates preferential admissions elite schools hit close home clarence thomas thinks affirmative action means yale law degree worth 15 cents160his conservative colleague samuel alito might agree graduating princeton160 alito part alumni group disavowed confirmation hearings aimed keep students like sonya sotomayor called perfect affirmative action baby campus sotomayor affirmative action baby among nine ronald reagan nominated antonin scalia thought ought italianamerican justice comes counting votes though thomases sotomayors court easily four votes court idea raceconsciousness unconstitutional says guyuriel charles law professor duke university doesnt include anthony kennedy ucla law professor adam winkler points voted invalidate every racebased affirmative action policy thats come justices tenure despite conceding race sometimes used last resort achieve diversity justice elena kagan recused kennedys call whether lower courts ruling upholding uts policy stands affirmative action curtailed even didnt sound like mood cut ut slack youre saying counts race kennedy told gregory g garre attorney defending uts policy absent truly sweeping citizens unitedstyle ruling wiping away decades prior precedent affirmative action likely survive formallowing small use race admissions specific circumstances colleges universities including ut already tried raceneutral methods seeking diversity160between 1996 2003 ut relied texas160top ten percent law students top ten percent class high schools state guaranteed admission state schools texas policy accounts three quarters students admitted ut actually produced diversity policy replaced least partly demographic changes state but160after justices ruled 2003s160 grutter v bollinger160that schools could deploy narrowly tailored use race admissions160ut austin started adding raceconsciousness back mix part holistic evaluation small number applicants already guaranteed admission richard kahlenberg senior fellow century foundation doesnt like ut austins reasoning returning raceconscious admissions kahlenberg mocks policy want bring together rich kids colors tells mother jones160its going real socioeconomic racial ethnic diversity top ten percent works says colleges try similar methods raceconscious conception raceneutral application problem top ten percent method relies part lingering racial economic segregation effective less qualified black candidate attends lowerperforming school could qualify admission policy qualified160black student goes highperforming school would critics top ten percent dont like reliance economic social segregation create diversity way works heavily separated schools justice ruth bader ginsburg said rein maybe university concerned inadequate way deal whatever justices decide moral reasoning affirmative action long divorced legal basis twisted time ensure policys survival president lyndon johnson declared 1965 commencement speech howard university seek legal equity human ability equality right theory equality fact equality result johnson saw affirmative action way even playing field years statebacked racism ut austin banned blacks half history days colleges allowed seek diversity supposedly helps students learn better supporters affirmative action dont want admit acknowledging race means students like fisher might get passed many opponents simply dont care higher education isnt racially diverse acknowledge role racism minorities continues play american life one side speaks level playing fields one wants see affirmative action torn like berlin wall fortunately far affirmative action concerned policies like top ten percent plan even flaws augur possibility raceneutral policies might able achieve results similar affirmative action avoiding conservative legal challenges even top ten percent plan race conscious sense acknowledges need rectify racial inequality past decades diversity become american cultural value one even right tries showcase roberts faith need colorblindnessthe idea weve come far acknowledging race racismthat threatens gains weve already made | 780 |
<p>When the Pentagon rolled out its new Iraq product line-the re-minted counterinsurgency doctrine of winning “hearts and minds” that had been shelved after Vietnam-branded it “the surge” and anointed Gen. David Petraeus as chief product spokesperson in early 2007, the main question was: who would buy?</p>
<p>Clearly not the Iraqis. The past year has included two of the bloodiest months of the Iraq war, a government in complete chaos and a persistent Darwinian nightmare for average Iraqi’s attest to the lack of Iraqi consumers for the new product. It may as well have been a cyanide-soaked toy from China.</p>
<p>But there is one market that has proven receptive-the U.S. Congress and especially centrist Republicans and Democrats like Brian Baird (D-Wa) who came back from a recent Pentagon-hosted trip to Iraq declaring a conversion worthy of St. Paul on the road to Damascus.</p>
<p>Formerly a war critic–Baird had voted against authorizing the Iraq War and still believes that the invasion of Iraq “may be one of the worst foreign-policy mistakes in the history of our nation”-he now claims he has seen the light and firmly opposes withdrawal from Iraq. In a feverish media blitz, with appearances on CNN, NPR and MSNBC among others, Baird declared that evidence from his recent trips to Iraq convinced him that “the situation has at long last begun to change substantially for the better” and “our troops and the Iraqi people themselves, deserve our continued support and more time to succeed.”</p>
<p>Baird’s conversion to Brand Petraeus and the Pentagon’s new counterinsurgency strategy must be seen as symptomatic of the broader consumption of the new product-line by many Congressional Republicans and Democrats. The media spectacle surrounding Gen. Patraeus’ and Ambassador Crocker’s highly anticipated visit to Washington DC last month was all whimper and no bang. Even though the overwhelming empirical evidence demonstrated the abject failure of the “surge” in Iraq, once Petraeus boarded the return jet to Iraq, the Democrats dropped their once fiery rhetoric about ending the war, fired off a few ineffectual resolutions and conceded the battle-space to Bush’s plans for a decades-long occupation of Iraq along the lines of what Bush fondly refers to as the “Korea model.”</p>
<p>Mission accomplished.</p>
<p>The Petraeus visit and the subsequent Democratic cave-in reveals that the real target of the newly minted counterinsurgency strategy was never the Iraqi people but rather the American public. The widely publicized adoption of a new counterinsurgency strategy in Iraq and the marketing of Patreaus as its guru is pure information war. It was concocted to simulate the appearance of a new strategy in Iraq and thereby create a new narrative of hope and progress in order to sell an endless Iraq occupation to the American public.</p>
<p>One doesn’t need to read the late French philosopher Jean Baudrillard on simulated realities to catch the drift of how politics is played in the age of Bush. In an October 17, 2004, New York Times Magazine article, the journalist Ron Suskind quoted an unnamed aide to President Bush:</p>
<p>“The aide said that guys like me were “in what we call the reality-based community,” which he defined as people who “believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.” … “That’s not the way the world really works anymore,” he continued. “We’re an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you’re studying that reality-judiciously, as you will-we’ll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that’s how things will sort out. We’re history’s actorsand you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.”</p>
<p>But one should take a quick look at The U.S. Army/Marine Corps Counterinsurgency Field Manual rushed into print this summer by University of Chicago Press with a forward by Gen. Patreaus to understand how our Empire is simulating “new realities” as part of a counterinsurgency strategy aimed against the American public.</p>
<p>According to the Field Manual, classic counterinsurgency doctrine maintains that conventional military force will never defeat an insurgency because the primary goal of an insurgency, as classically stated by Mao, is political-to win over a population against a government or a foreign occupation. Hence, the heavy application of military force against an insurgency will be counter-productive by creating new grievances that help it gain popular support. Therefore, the first rule of counterinsurgency is to drive a wedge between insurgents and the broader population by winning their “hearts and minds” through addressing popular grievances and winning the war of ideas through better propaganda.</p>
<p>The Bush administration was never truly serious about employing this strategy in Iraq-to do so would require assuaging Iraqi demands for a US troop withdrawal and foreswearing permanent military bases and control over Iraq’s oil. Instead, the Bush administration has employed classic counterinsurgency doctrine to quell the only insurgency it has a chance to defeat: the overwhelming American popular support for withdrawal from Iraq that was given a Congressional mandate in the November 2006 elections. Having learned its own lessons from Vietnam, the Bush administration knows that a primary threat to its permanent war in Iraq is a Congressional cut-off of the funds that are its lifeblood.</p>
<p>So in response to this threat, and in line with classic counterinsurgency doctrine, the Bush administration devised a marketing campaign to simulate a new strategy and promote the Brand Petraeus “surge” in Iraq in order to drive a wedge between the insurgency that mattered (growing Congressional support for withdrawal) and the will of the American people. The means were simple. Create a cult figure out of Patraeus, flood the media with stories of progress on the ground, and carefully nurture Congressional fence-sitters to prevent a majority for withdrawal emerging as a viable force within Congress.</p>
<p>And one of the most effective tools in the arsenal has been the brief and tightly controlled codels (short for congressional delegations) who are shown only what the Pentagon and the Bush administration wants them to see, which includes Potemkin village-like displays of security progress and soldiers who plead with them not to let the war have been in vain.</p>
<p>“Spin city” is how Rep. James Moran (D-Va) described his most recent trip to Baghdad as part of a congressional delegation. “The Iraqis and the Americans were all singing from the same song sheet, and it was deliberately manipulated,” he told the Washington Post on August 31. One U.S. soldier, Staff Sgt. Josh Campbell, who was ordered to pay Iraqi shopkeepers to open their stores for these congressional visits, told the Washington Post (Sept. 4) “personally, I think it’s a false representation. But what can I say? I’m just doing my job and don’t ask questions.”</p>
<p>It is precisely on the basis of two such codel’s in the past year that Congressman Brian Baird converted from moderate critic to an evangelical proponent of Patreaus and “the surge.” Baird has insisted that he was completely free to meet with whomever he wanted in Iraq-a bizarre claim if one considers the options for travel in Iraq alone-but his nearly word for word repetition of Bush administration talking points upon his return indicates that he swallowed the entire sales-pitch.</p>
<p>To take just one example, just as the Bush administration was concocting increasingly apocalyptic scenarios about the dangers of withdrawing from Iraq-chaos, mass murder, regional war, terrorist attacks on the US and the like-Baird was offering his own shrill hypotheticals to the editorial board of The Olympian newspaper:</p>
<p>“What happens to you and you and me morally if we withdraw and there’s wholesale slaughter? What happens if a Shi’a theocracy takes over and progressive independent women who are currently in the region are suddenly all forced into burqas and they can’t go to school and ­ and they’re stoned to death for learning to read? What happens if we allow that?”</p>
<p>In another meeting with constituents, Baird speculated that if the US withdrew, Al-Qaida would become empowered and “then begin operations on the United States. Is that worth an American life to try and prevent that? I believe it is.”</p>
<p>Never mind the fact that the odious “burqas” are only worn in Afghanistan and that no Iraqi women have ever been stoned to death for learning to read. That might be true of Saudi Arabia, but Baird is not calling for its invasion.</p>
<p>The fact of the matter is that all these claims are the stuff of fantasy. There will be no genocide or terrorist safe haven in Iraq after the US leaves. Iraq after an American withdrawal will look very much like Iraq today-a land divided along ethnic lines into Arab and Kurdish states with a civil war fought along the seams of its Sunni and Shiite Arab zones, each ruled by rival militias and gangs. Iraq’s Shiite-led government is in no danger of losing the civil war to al-Qaida, and in fact, in this Darwinian context al-Qaida would likely be destroyed as local Sunni militias assert their control.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, Brian Baird’s conversion to war supporter and his repetition of the Bush administration’s more outlandish talking points is notable as the purest expression of the counterinsurgency strategy being waged today against the American public and its representatives in Congress. And given the increasing unlikelihood of any Democratic-led effort to truly end the war in the near future, one must consider it a success thus far.</p>
<p>This leads to a few preliminary conclusions.</p>
<p>Certainly war opponents would do well to drop simplistic and moralizing slogans against the war and focus more on dismantling the phony narratives of sophisticated marketing campaigns that tout the successes of counterinsurgency and the dire consequences of an American withdrawal. We are operating in the age of information war and simulated realities, and the Empire knows very well that people support wars on the basis of symbols, emotions, stories and fantasies, all of which have proven to be more powerful than the most rational discourse. Take a look at Baird.</p>
<p>But ultimately, as in any insurgency, war opponents have to re-mobilize the widespread popular support for withdrawal into a broad-based and assertive movement that makes its own realities, and doesn’t rely upon Congressional Democrats but rather gives them no place to hide if they continue to support the Iraq occupation, in any form. Only then, in Mao’s felicitous phrase, will the insurgents–proponents of withdrawal in Congress–be able to “move among the people like a fish in the sea” and turn off the spigot of permanent war.</p>
<p>STEVE NIVA is a professor of Middle East Studies and International Politics at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA and lives in Brian Baird’s home district.</p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | pentagon rolled new iraq product linethe reminted counterinsurgency doctrine winning hearts minds shelved vietnambranded surge anointed gen david petraeus chief product spokesperson early 2007 main question would buy clearly iraqis past year included two bloodiest months iraq war government complete chaos persistent darwinian nightmare average iraqis attest lack iraqi consumers new product may well cyanidesoaked toy china one market proven receptivethe us congress especially centrist republicans democrats like brian baird dwa came back recent pentagonhosted trip iraq declaring conversion worthy st paul road damascus formerly war criticbaird voted authorizing iraq war still believes invasion iraq may one worst foreignpolicy mistakes history nationhe claims seen light firmly opposes withdrawal iraq feverish media blitz appearances cnn npr msnbc among others baird declared evidence recent trips iraq convinced situation long last begun change substantially better troops iraqi people deserve continued support time succeed bairds conversion brand petraeus pentagons new counterinsurgency strategy must seen symptomatic broader consumption new productline many congressional republicans democrats media spectacle surrounding gen patraeus ambassador crockers highly anticipated visit washington dc last month whimper bang even though overwhelming empirical evidence demonstrated abject failure surge iraq petraeus boarded return jet iraq democrats dropped fiery rhetoric ending war fired ineffectual resolutions conceded battlespace bushs plans decadeslong occupation iraq along lines bush fondly refers korea model mission accomplished petraeus visit subsequent democratic cavein reveals real target newly minted counterinsurgency strategy never iraqi people rather american public widely publicized adoption new counterinsurgency strategy iraq marketing patreaus guru pure information war concocted simulate appearance new strategy iraq thereby create new narrative hope progress order sell endless iraq occupation american public one doesnt need read late french philosopher jean baudrillard simulated realities catch drift politics played age bush october 17 2004 new york times magazine article journalist ron suskind quoted unnamed aide president bush aide said guys like call realitybased community defined people believe solutions emerge judicious study discernible reality thats way world really works anymore continued empire act create reality youre studying realityjudiciously willwell act creating new realities study thats things sort historys actorsand left study one take quick look us armymarine corps counterinsurgency field manual rushed print summer university chicago press forward gen patreaus understand empire simulating new realities part counterinsurgency strategy aimed american public according field manual classic counterinsurgency doctrine maintains conventional military force never defeat insurgency primary goal insurgency classically stated mao politicalto win population government foreign occupation hence heavy application military force insurgency counterproductive creating new grievances help gain popular support therefore first rule counterinsurgency drive wedge insurgents broader population winning hearts minds addressing popular grievances winning war ideas better propaganda bush administration never truly serious employing strategy iraqto would require assuaging iraqi demands us troop withdrawal foreswearing permanent military bases control iraqs oil instead bush administration employed classic counterinsurgency doctrine quell insurgency chance defeat overwhelming american popular support withdrawal iraq given congressional mandate november 2006 elections learned lessons vietnam bush administration knows primary threat permanent war iraq congressional cutoff funds lifeblood response threat line classic counterinsurgency doctrine bush administration devised marketing campaign simulate new strategy promote brand petraeus surge iraq order drive wedge insurgency mattered growing congressional support withdrawal american people means simple create cult figure patraeus flood media stories progress ground carefully nurture congressional fencesitters prevent majority withdrawal emerging viable force within congress one effective tools arsenal brief tightly controlled codels short congressional delegations shown pentagon bush administration wants see includes potemkin villagelike displays security progress soldiers plead let war vain spin city rep james moran dva described recent trip baghdad part congressional delegation iraqis americans singing song sheet deliberately manipulated told washington post august 31 one us soldier staff sgt josh campbell ordered pay iraqi shopkeepers open stores congressional visits told washington post sept 4 personally think false representation say im job dont ask questions precisely basis two codels past year congressman brian baird converted moderate critic evangelical proponent patreaus surge baird insisted completely free meet whomever wanted iraqa bizarre claim one considers options travel iraq alonebut nearly word word repetition bush administration talking points upon return indicates swallowed entire salespitch take one example bush administration concocting increasingly apocalyptic scenarios dangers withdrawing iraqchaos mass murder regional war terrorist attacks us likebaird offering shrill hypotheticals editorial board olympian newspaper happens morally withdraw theres wholesale slaughter happens shia theocracy takes progressive independent women currently region suddenly forced burqas cant go school theyre stoned death learning read happens allow another meeting constituents baird speculated us withdrew alqaida would become empowered begin operations united states worth american life try prevent believe never mind fact odious burqas worn afghanistan iraqi women ever stoned death learning read might true saudi arabia baird calling invasion fact matter claims stuff fantasy genocide terrorist safe iraq us leaves iraq american withdrawal look much like iraq todaya land divided along ethnic lines arab kurdish states civil war fought along seams sunni shiite arab zones ruled rival militias gangs iraqs shiiteled government danger losing civil war alqaida fact darwinian context alqaida would likely destroyed local sunni militias assert control nevertheless brian bairds conversion war supporter repetition bush administrations outlandish talking points notable purest expression counterinsurgency strategy waged today american public representatives congress given increasing unlikelihood democraticled effort truly end war near future one must consider success thus far leads preliminary conclusions certainly war opponents would well drop simplistic moralizing slogans war focus dismantling phony narratives sophisticated marketing campaigns tout successes counterinsurgency dire consequences american withdrawal operating age information war simulated realities empire knows well people support wars basis symbols emotions stories fantasies proven powerful rational discourse take look baird ultimately insurgency war opponents remobilize widespread popular support withdrawal broadbased assertive movement makes realities doesnt rely upon congressional democrats rather gives place hide continue support iraq occupation form maos felicitous phrase insurgentsproponents withdrawal congressbe able move among people like fish sea turn spigot permanent war steve niva professor middle east studies international politics evergreen state college olympia wa lives brian bairds home district 160 160 160 | 986 |
<p>Nine days ago, the village of Candahug was a tranquil haven on the eastern side of the Philippines, its meandering Pacific coastline flanked by thick palm groves. A half-hour's drive from the nearby city of Tacloban, its sheltered waters and whitewashed hotels made it a pleasant weekend getaway spot.</p>
<p>Today, all that is left of Candahug is the church and community centre, saved by their concrete foundations. But ask a local resident for directions to the village and there comes the first hint of what makes it so unusual, even amid the widespread carnage of Typhoon Haiyan. "You are going to meet the widows aren't you?" they say.</p>
<p>When the storm approached last weekend, most of Candahug's menfolk sent their wives and children to a shelter in Tacloban's convention centre. With the women safe, they stayed behind to defend their homes from storm damage and looters.</p>
<p>Maybe they would have survived a straightforward typhoon.</p>
<p>But no-one expected such an extreme atmospheric low pressure, which generated 200mph winds and whipped the ocean into a deadly, surging wave. As it funnelled through the bay outside Candahug, some witnesses put its height at a towering 16ft.</p>
<p>As a result, the casualties in the village were disproportionately men; the husbands, fathers - and in some cases, their young sons - who had stayed behind.</p>
<p>Among them was Rowena Estoya's husband Bernado, a bicycle rickshaw driver with curly hair and a patient manner. As the typhoon began bearing down, he packed his wife off to Tacloban for what he thought would be just a heavier than normal storm, with no lingering hugs or kisses, and no "I love yous" or "be braves". That was the last time Mrs Estoya saw him alive.</p>
<p>"We really didn't expect the storm to be this big," she told The Sunday Telegraph this week, standing in the shattered remains of the family's two- room home. Today it is little more than a concrete floor, marking the shape of the tiny house. Two thick palm trunks lie across its width and its concrete block walls have tumbled to the ground.</p>
<p>"No-one thought the ocean was rise up so big. If we had known we would not have let our husbands stay."</p>
<p>On the night that the typhoon unleashed its fury, Mrs Estoya, ensconced in Tacloban's convention centre, said no-one really understood what was happening outside. Comfortable, warm and with hot tea being served, the night had the excitable air of a party.</p>
<p>It was not until a survivor from Candahug arrived at the centre soon after dawn the following morning that anyone even began to appreciate the scale of what had unfolded during the night.</p>
<p>"We had no idea," she said. "We were just so shocked. When we heard, we realised that so many of the people who stayed had died and that it was mostly our men. What will we do now?"</p>
<p>Start and finish your day with the top stories from The Daily Beast.</p>
<p>A speedy, smart summary of all the news you need to know (and nothing you don't).</p>
<p>The tragedy was compounded for Mrs Estoya when she learned that her 21-year-old daughter, Victoria, had died as well. She had stayed to look after a shop she ran, against her mother's advice.</p>
<p>She tracked down her husband's body on Tuesday to an elementary school, serving as a makeshift morgue.</p>
<p>"Until then I had hoped he would turn up," she said.</p>
<p>Throughout her story she retained the stoicism that has marked much of the reaction in the province of Leyte, the worst affected area. It was only when asked if she had a photograph of her husband, and she realised that the storm had taken all their photos from more than 20 years of marriage, that her eyes filled with tears and her voice stalled.</p>
<p>Home for the time being is a local high school campus, a couple of miles distant, where many of the survivors are staying, living off tined food, sacks of rice and packets of dried noodles. It stood up to the storm better than the basic houses of Candahug.</p>
<p>Hers is just one of many stories of loss from the village. Her sister - and neighbour - Lolita Miraflorez, also lost her husband, as did dozens of other women.</p>
<p>Mrs Miraflorez spoke to The Sunday Telegraph as she picked among the rubble of her own house, where all that was left standing was the lavatory - its base inscribed with "April 2007", the date their home was built - and her husband's welding machine.</p>
<p>"For a week I have been searching for him. I still hoped to find him alive," she said. "Today I just know he is dead."</p>
<p>In happier times the village was an attractive place to live for families with a little money.</p>
<p>The coast road follows a grassy promenade by the water and the land used to be thick with dense, shady palms. As well as drawing local tourists, a handful of foreigners make pilgrimages to see the site where General MacArthur brought his forces ashore in 1944 to liberate the Philippines from its Japanese occupiers.</p>
<p>That was then - before last week's typhoon wreaked unprecedented devastation.</p>
<p>Now the coastal road is impassable by car. The sea has ripped through sections, leaving gaping holes that plunge to the water below. Only motorbikes and pedestrians can skirt the edges.</p>
<p>The palm trees have gone, leaving a desolate wasteland of stumps reaching into the sky. Even the monument to MacArthur's forces has been damaged, with one of its seven statues toppled.</p>
<p>And the once tidy village,has been laid waste, with not a single house still standing. Notices posted by local officials list 130 people as dead or still missing, most of them men. Among the victims was a 12-year-old boy, Bilfrid Militante, who stayed behind against his mother's express wishes to help his father protect their home.</p>
<p>While the village may have suffered one of the highest death tolls anywhere, a similar pattern has been repeated up and down the coastline.</p>
<p>In Tacloban itself, Jerry Sambo Yaokasin, the deputy mayor, said he expected the death tolls to show that far more men than women had been killed.</p>
<p>"They were afraid that if they all left someone might go to their home and loot it," he said. "The night before super typhoon hit I myself was driving pregnant women and mothers with children to the shelters."</p>
<p>He said it would take a year for the area to recover from the devastation and appealed for more help from the international community.</p>
<p>Local authorities and international donors have come under intense criticism for what many see as a sluggish response. Aid officials say the intense destruction of infrastructure and the devastation spread across a network of islands generated unprecedented logistical problems.</p>
<p>On Thursday, the relief effort intensified with the arrival of an American aircraft carrier group just offshore.</p>
<p>Whatever the reason, in Candahug the survivors are getting by without help from the rest of the world. The American helicopters that surged into operation this week - ferrying in supplies from the USS George Washington, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and its support vessels - have not landed here. The United Nations is absent. International charities have not reached this part of the Philippines yet.</p>
<p>Instead, an informal network, based on extended families, kicked into gear. Communal kitchens boil up water for noodles and everyone pitches in.</p>
<p>Sacks of storm-damaged rice have been emptied on to the concrete paths to dry in the sun as families try to find anything salvageable from their ruined homes.</p>
<p>Alina Vergana, 41, was sitting beneath a tarpaulin stretched to keep off the burning sun.</p>
<p>She survived by spending the night in the two-storey Barangay hall - the local community centre. Even then she had to climb on to its roof with dozens of children, nieces and nephews to escape the surging flood. She helped her aged mother on to an airbed to save her life.</p>
<p>Having spent the night protecting the family home, her husband Jerry would have been almost within sight when he died. He must have thought the worst was over as dawn broke, she said, and had gone to her sister's house for a cup of coffee with her brother-in-law.</p>
<p>"That's when the water came in," she said.</p>
<p>Neither has been seen since, leaving Mrs Vergana, a civil servant, wondering how she can start again, and look after her young daughter.</p>
<p>"Look at this," she said, gesturing towards the rubble that had once been her house. "We don't have a home. What are we going to do?"</p>
<p>More From The Telegraph:</p>
<p>This article by <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/journalists/rob-crilly/" type="external">Rob Crilly</a> was first published by <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/" type="external">The Telegraph</a>.</p> | true | 4 | nine days ago village candahug tranquil eastern side philippines meandering pacific coastline flanked thick palm groves halfhours drive nearby city tacloban sheltered waters whitewashed hotels made pleasant weekend getaway spot today left candahug church community centre saved concrete foundations ask local resident directions village comes first hint makes unusual even amid widespread carnage typhoon haiyan going meet widows arent say storm approached last weekend candahugs menfolk sent wives children shelter taclobans convention centre women safe stayed behind defend homes storm damage looters maybe would survived straightforward typhoon noone expected extreme atmospheric low pressure generated 200mph winds whipped ocean deadly surging wave funnelled bay outside candahug witnesses put height towering 16ft result casualties village disproportionately men husbands fathers cases young sons stayed behind among rowena estoyas husband bernado bicycle rickshaw driver curly hair patient manner typhoon began bearing packed wife tacloban thought would heavier normal storm lingering hugs kisses love yous braves last time mrs estoya saw alive really didnt expect storm big told sunday telegraph week standing shattered remains familys two room home today little concrete floor marking shape tiny house two thick palm trunks lie across width concrete block walls tumbled ground noone thought ocean rise big known would let husbands stay night typhoon unleashed fury mrs estoya ensconced taclobans convention centre said noone really understood happening outside comfortable warm hot tea served night excitable air party survivor candahug arrived centre soon dawn following morning anyone even began appreciate scale unfolded night idea said shocked heard realised many people stayed died mostly men start finish day top stories daily beast speedy smart summary news need know nothing dont tragedy compounded mrs estoya learned 21yearold daughter victoria died well stayed look shop ran mothers advice tracked husbands body tuesday elementary school serving makeshift morgue hoped would turn said throughout story retained stoicism marked much reaction province leyte worst affected area asked photograph husband realised storm taken photos 20 years marriage eyes filled tears voice stalled home time local high school campus couple miles distant many survivors staying living tined food sacks rice packets dried noodles stood storm better basic houses candahug one many stories loss village sister neighbour lolita miraflorez also lost husband dozens women mrs miraflorez spoke sunday telegraph picked among rubble house left standing lavatory base inscribed april 2007 date home built husbands welding machine week searching still hoped find alive said today know dead happier times village attractive place live families little money coast road follows grassy promenade water land used thick dense shady palms well drawing local tourists handful foreigners make pilgrimages see site general macarthur brought forces ashore 1944 liberate philippines japanese occupiers last weeks typhoon wreaked unprecedented devastation coastal road impassable car sea ripped sections leaving gaping holes plunge water motorbikes pedestrians skirt edges palm trees gone leaving desolate wasteland stumps reaching sky even monument macarthurs forces damaged one seven statues toppled tidy villagehas laid waste single house still standing notices posted local officials list 130 people dead still missing men among victims 12yearold boy bilfrid militante stayed behind mothers express wishes help father protect home village may suffered one highest death tolls anywhere similar pattern repeated coastline tacloban jerry sambo yaokasin deputy mayor said expected death tolls show far men women killed afraid left someone might go home loot said night super typhoon hit driving pregnant women mothers children shelters said would take year area recover devastation appealed help international community local authorities international donors come intense criticism many see sluggish response aid officials say intense destruction infrastructure devastation spread across network islands generated unprecedented logistical problems thursday relief effort intensified arrival american aircraft carrier group offshore whatever reason candahug survivors getting without help rest world american helicopters surged operation week ferrying supplies uss george washington nuclearpowered aircraft carrier support vessels landed united nations absent international charities reached part philippines yet instead informal network based extended families kicked gear communal kitchens boil water noodles everyone pitches sacks stormdamaged rice emptied concrete paths dry sun families try find anything salvageable ruined homes alina vergana 41 sitting beneath tarpaulin stretched keep burning sun survived spending night twostorey barangay hall local community centre even climb roof dozens children nieces nephews escape surging flood helped aged mother airbed save life spent night protecting family home husband jerry would almost within sight died must thought worst dawn broke said gone sisters house cup coffee brotherinlaw thats water came said neither seen since leaving mrs vergana civil servant wondering start look young daughter look said gesturing towards rubble house dont home going telegraph article rob crilly first published telegraph | 760 |
<p>Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, the pesky little ankle-nipper charged in the first years of the Obama administration with dissing the left (“f…ing retards”), empowering Blue Dog Democrats and killing the public option in the Affordable Care Act, is Barack Obama writ obnoxious. &#160; It is of the utmost importance that teachers in Chicago win their strike against his administration.</p>
<p>Theirs is the first battle in what will be a protracted war, during the second Obama administration, to save public institutions, public education especially, from the anti-worker, pro-corporate, privatizing predations of Democratic presidents.</p>
<p>To be sure, it is Republicans who prattle on about Ronald Reagan and advocate the retrograde policies associated with his name.&#160; &#160; But while they are relentless in praising that villainous old actor, they are terrible at implementing the Reaganite agenda. This is understandable: when they are in the White House, their efforts inspire Democrats to fight back — not so much from conviction but because it plays well with the base and therefore pays off at election time.</p>
<p>Democratic presidents, on the other hand, are good at implementing the Reaganite agenda, whether their hearts are in it or not.&#160; No one, so far, has been better at it than Bill Clinton.&#160; This is because, as we saw again in Charlotte, he is adept at winning Democratic hearts and minds, and therefore at neutralizing potential opposition and even bringing it along.</p>
<p>This is how that old horn dog was able to win more for the Gipper than either Bush.&#160; He did more even than Reagan himself to end the New Deal and Great Society “as we know it,” and to give Wall Street free rein.</p>
<p>Obama might have bested him had he not been stymied by Republican obduracy.&#160; Now that obduracy is coming back to haunt the GOP.&#160; By pandering to God-fearing, ignorant and stupid white men – and the women who stand by them — they have made themselves scary enough to assure a second Obama term.</p>
<p>Barring unforeseeable developments, therefore, it will be Obama, not Romney, who will be wielding the Reaganite cudgel in the next four years; and therefore Obama, the lesser but more effective evil, whom we will have to fight.</p>
<p>Obama is poised to leave the Clintons standing in the dust.&#160; Hizzoner Da Mare is showing the way.&#160; Workers be damned, and let the Grand Bargains begin!</p>
<p>* &#160;* &#160;*</p>
<p>Even before the Occupy movements of last fall, public workers in Wisconsin and elsewhere were beginning to fight back.&#160; In Wisconsin, their efforts were unsuccessful, thanks in part to the indifference or connivance of the national Democratic Party and the Obama administration.</p>
<p>It isn’t just that Obama was AWOL throughout the winter and spring of 2011, when workers and their allies occupied the state Capitol in Madison, mobilizing tens of thousands of supporters. &#160; When it came down just to a recall election a year later, the hope and change President couldn’t even be bothered to campaign for Tom Barrett, the anodyne Democratic rival to the execrable, Koch-funded, Republican governor Scott Walker.&#160; All he could muster was a tweet at the final hour.</p>
<p>With the election less than two months away, Team Obama must realize that it will cost the President to betray the Chicago Teachers’ Union similarly.&#160; But count on him to give it his best shot – the Obama-Emanuel tie is tight, and Emanuel’s anti-union, pro-corporate “reforms” are in line with Arne Duncan’s, Obama’s Secretary of Education.</p>
<p>Expect him therefore to remain aloof for as long as he can.&#160; After all, who will stop him?&#160; Not organized labor.&#160; They’ve pledged their troth unconditionally to Democratic presidents so many times that they’ve <a href="" type="internal" />forgotten how to do anything else, even when the object of their servility poses an “existential threat.”</p>
<p>For a long time, it seemed that the problem with Obama, and the Democratic Party, was their almost pathological “reasonableness,” their preference for compromising over winning.&#160; But the real situation was becoming clear even before Emanuel became the face of militant Obamaism.</p>
<p>The problem is not just that Obama is inept at governance or that caution sometimes gets the better of him.&#160; It is that he is on the wrong side.</p>
<p>Romney is scarier by orders of magnitude and more onerous by far.&#160; But, like Clinton, Obama can deliver, especially nowadays when liberals are hell bent on cutting the man slack.&#160; This is why he is, arguably, more dangerous even than his Republican rival.&#160; Romney is unabashed class warrior for the one-percent; Obama is a more complicated figure.&#160; But by their deeds, ye shall know them.</p>
<p>What Emanuel and Duncan and Obama want is what George Bush wanted: to despoil public education.&#160; Of course, this is not what they say.&#160; But it is hardly concern for kids, much less poor kids or for their families, that drives Bush-Obama efforts at reforming public education to ruin or that makes “market solutions” and privatization the order of the day.&#160; Only hapless Republicans and market theologians (to the extent there is a difference) could believe that.</p>
<p>The Obamaites want to privatize public education, to the extent they can, for the same reason they want to privatize so much else:&#160; because there is a lot of money – local, state and federal – involved, and the corporate interests Obama and his basketball buddies work for want to get their hands on it.</p>
<p>Obama and Duncan, and maybe even Emanuel, the “f-ing retard,” are too smart to be taken in by the meretricious charms of corporate bean counting.&#160; They surely understand how detrimental teaching to tests can be, and how it serves no one other than corporate managers, or those who have internalized their values, to undermine educators’ morale by imposing impossible working conditions and assaulting workers’ dignity.</p>
<p>It is telling that Obama sent his own kids to the Chicago Lab School and then to Sidwell Friends.&#160; Expensive private schools have always been about reproducing social elites – and, in recent years, coopting a few others for diversity’s sake — but Obama’s children, reared in the White House, have nothing to gain on that account.</p>
<p>The Obamas, like the Duncans and Emanuels of the world, just want their own children to get decent educations.&#160; No doubt, they’d like that for working peoples’ children too, other things being equal.&#160; But other things are not equal; the oligarchy has a different plan in mind.</p>
<p>They want a work force that is trained, not educated; workers ready to do what capitalist firms nowadays require — on the off-chance that capitalists find it more profitable, in certain circumstances, to exploit domestic labor instead of workers abroad.</p>
<p>Not long ago, the children of rich and poor alike were formed in the same schools, taught by dedicated teachers who, though underpaid, were treated with dignity and respect.&#160; Not long ago, public higher education was cheap enough to be broadly accessible and good enough to rival or out perform even the richest private universities.</p>
<p>This is all inimical to the Reaganite agenda but, even now, public education, at all levels, is holding up tolerably well, notwithstanding chronic underfunding and increasingly vitriolic opposition from the minions of the one percent.&#160; If Emanuel prevails, it will be harder, much harder, to hold the line.</p>
<p>This is a real danger.&#160; Emanuel has the austerity mongers in the Obama administration, and Obama himself, at his back.&#160; In an election year, he has the support of most Democrats.&#160; And, of course, he has the implicit support of Mitt Romney, who at least has the decency to be more forthrightly anti-union and anti-(small-d) democratic than his rival.</p>
<p>Emanuel also has the “liberal” media doing its best to keep the Reaganite tide from receding.</p>
<p>Now that the New York Times has priced itself so much higher than it is worth and made itself, or at least its print edition, scarce, NPR has become perhaps the main source for conventional wisdom and pro-regime propaganda.</p>
<p>As the Chicago strike began, it was almost comical to listen to them struggle to find voices willing to berate the teachers for the inconvenience they are causing parents and students.&#160; Evidently, Chicagoans, so far anyway, are behind the teachers because they realize that, in combatting Obama-style Reaganism – in taking on Rahm Emanuel — they are fighting for them.</p>
<p>They are absolutely right.&#160; The Chicago teachers’ strike is the successor of last year’s demonstrations in Wisconsin and other states in the grip of reactionary Republican governors; it is the successor of the Occupy movements.&#160; Its outcome matters more than the November election.&#160; Chicago teachers must prevail!</p>
<p>ANDREW LEVINE&#160;is a Senior Scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies, the author most recently of THE AMERICAN IDEOLOGY (Routledge) and&#160; <a href="" type="internal">POLITICAL KEY WORDS</a>&#160;(Blackwell) as well as of many other books and articles in political philosophy. His most recent book is <a href="" type="internal">&#160;In Bad Faith: What’s Wrong With the Opium of the People</a>. He was a Professor (philosophy) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Research Professor (philosophy) at the University of Maryland-College Park. &#160;He is a contributor to&#160; <a href="" type="internal">Hopeless: Barack Obama and the Politics of Illusion</a>&#160;(AK Press).</p> | true | 4 | chicago mayor rahm emanuel pesky little anklenipper charged first years obama administration dissing left fing retards empowering blue dog democrats killing public option affordable care act barack obama writ obnoxious 160 utmost importance teachers chicago win strike administration first battle protracted war second obama administration save public institutions public education especially antiworker procorporate privatizing predations democratic presidents sure republicans prattle ronald reagan advocate retrograde policies associated name160 160 relentless praising villainous old actor terrible implementing reaganite agenda understandable white house efforts inspire democrats fight back much conviction plays well base therefore pays election time democratic presidents hand good implementing reaganite agenda whether hearts not160 one far better bill clinton160 saw charlotte adept winning democratic hearts minds therefore neutralizing potential opposition even bringing along old horn dog able win gipper either bush160 even reagan end new deal great society know give wall street free rein obama might bested stymied republican obduracy160 obduracy coming back haunt gop160 pandering godfearing ignorant stupid white men women stand made scary enough assure second obama term barring unforeseeable developments therefore obama romney wielding reaganite cudgel next four years therefore obama lesser effective evil fight obama poised leave clintons standing dust160 hizzoner da mare showing way160 workers damned let grand bargains begin 160 160 even occupy movements last fall public workers wisconsin elsewhere beginning fight back160 wisconsin efforts unsuccessful thanks part indifference connivance national democratic party obama administration isnt obama awol throughout winter spring 2011 workers allies occupied state capitol madison mobilizing tens thousands supporters 160 came recall election year later hope change president couldnt even bothered campaign tom barrett anodyne democratic rival execrable kochfunded republican governor scott walker160 could muster tweet final hour election less two months away team obama must realize cost president betray chicago teachers union similarly160 count give best shot obamaemanuel tie tight emanuels antiunion procorporate reforms line arne duncans obamas secretary education expect therefore remain aloof long can160 stop him160 organized labor160 theyve pledged troth unconditionally democratic presidents many times theyve forgotten anything else even object servility poses existential threat long time seemed problem obama democratic party almost pathological reasonableness preference compromising winning160 real situation becoming clear even emanuel became face militant obamaism problem obama inept governance caution sometimes gets better him160 wrong side romney scarier orders magnitude onerous far160 like clinton obama deliver especially nowadays liberals hell bent cutting man slack160 arguably dangerous even republican rival160 romney unabashed class warrior onepercent obama complicated figure160 deeds ye shall know emanuel duncan obama want george bush wanted despoil public education160 course say160 hardly concern kids much less poor kids families drives bushobama efforts reforming public education ruin makes market solutions privatization order day160 hapless republicans market theologians extent difference could believe obamaites want privatize public education extent reason want privatize much else160 lot money local state federal involved corporate interests obama basketball buddies work want get hands obama duncan maybe even emanuel fing retard smart taken meretricious charms corporate bean counting160 surely understand detrimental teaching tests serves one corporate managers internalized values undermine educators morale imposing impossible working conditions assaulting workers dignity telling obama sent kids chicago lab school sidwell friends160 expensive private schools always reproducing social elites recent years coopting others diversitys sake obamas children reared white house nothing gain account obamas like duncans emanuels world want children get decent educations160 doubt theyd like working peoples children things equal160 things equal oligarchy different plan mind want work force trained educated workers ready capitalist firms nowadays require offchance capitalists find profitable certain circumstances exploit domestic labor instead workers abroad long ago children rich poor alike formed schools taught dedicated teachers though underpaid treated dignity respect160 long ago public higher education cheap enough broadly accessible good enough rival perform even richest private universities inimical reaganite agenda even public education levels holding tolerably well notwithstanding chronic underfunding increasingly vitriolic opposition minions one percent160 emanuel prevails harder much harder hold line real danger160 emanuel austerity mongers obama administration obama back160 election year support democrats160 course implicit support mitt romney least decency forthrightly antiunion antismalld democratic rival emanuel also liberal media best keep reaganite tide receding new york times priced much higher worth made least print edition scarce npr become perhaps main source conventional wisdom proregime propaganda chicago strike began almost comical listen struggle find voices willing berate teachers inconvenience causing parents students160 evidently chicagoans far anyway behind teachers realize combatting obamastyle reaganism taking rahm emanuel fighting absolutely right160 chicago teachers strike successor last years demonstrations wisconsin states grip reactionary republican governors successor occupy movements160 outcome matters november election160 chicago teachers must prevail andrew levine160is senior scholar institute policy studies author recently american ideology routledge and160 political key words160blackwell well many books articles political philosophy recent book 160in bad faith whats wrong opium people professor philosophy university wisconsinmadison research professor philosophy university marylandcollege park 160he contributor to160 hopeless barack obama politics illusion160ak press | 806 |
<p>Reverend David Alexander Bullock is a religious leader in Detroit. Rev. Bullock's ministry is unique because he is dedicated both to the pulpit and to the classroom. As a preacher he has preached throughout the Midwest, Northeast and Southern United States. As a teacher he has lectured throughout the Midwest and continues to impact the lives of undergraduate college students in both Detroit and Chicago. A native of Boston, Massachusetts; Rev. Bullock was reared in Detroit, Mi, in the home of Reverend Dr. Samuel H. Bullock. After graduating from high school (at the age of 16), Rev. Bullock entered Morehouse College in the fall of 1994. In 1998 Rev. Bullock graduated from Morehouse College with a degree in Philosophy and a minor in History. Rev. Bullock then entered the Doctoral program in Philosophy at Wayne State University, where he is currently in the final stages of dissertation preparation. In addition to being a PhD candidate at Wayne State University, Rev. Bullock is also currently a graduate student at the University of Chicago, where he is receiving advanced training in Theology.</p>
<p>Curt Guyette is an award-winning journalist who has been covering Detroit for nearly 20 years. In a position funded by a grant from the Ford Foundation, he's now working for the ACLU of Michigan, reporting on issues related to emergency management and open government throughout Michigan.</p>
<p />
<p />
<p />
<p /> JAISAL NOOR, PRODUCER, TRNN: Don't drink the water in Flint, Michigan, where a public health emergency has been declared after dangerous contaminants, including elevated lead levels and corrosive elements have been found in the city's water system. Advocates have been warning of the dangers of the water for more than a year after the city switched their water source from the Detroit water system to the Flint River. The city's leadership had vowed the water was safe until last week, when they acknowledged the dangers of high levels of lead and corrosive elements.
<p />
<p />Here's a portion of a documentary the ACLU of Michigan produced exploring this issue. Let's watch.
<p />
<p /> ~~~
<p />
<p />CURT GUYETTE: In April of 2014, the city of Flint switched its water source from the Detroit system to the Flint River. It's been a nightmare ever since.
<p />
<p />SPEAKER: My water's been brown since the switch.
<p />
<p />SPEAKER: The rashes, the hair loss, the muscle stiffness, the soreness.
<p />
<p />SPEAKER: My family broke out in a rash that we were told looks like scabies, but it wasn't scabies.
<p />
<p />GUYETTE: The water going into many homes throughout the city is foul-smelling and badly discolored. Initially there were problems with E. coli, and then high levels of total trihalomethanes, a carcinogenic byproduct of chlorine. Within the past several weeks researchers at Virginia Tech, working with a grassroots group of Flint residents and the ACLU of Michigan, have found dangerously high levels of lead in the water. To absolve themselves of the responsibility for this disastrous decision, made while the city was under the control of a state-appointed emergency manager, officials continue to claim that they were forced to leave the Detroit system and had no choice but to use the Flint River as its water source. That's simply not true. Flint could have kept using Detroit water if it wanted to.
<p />
<p />Following a recent press conference where Virginia Tech scientists released the results of their study, two city officials faced tough questions from city residents and the ACLU of Michigan.
<p />
<p />HOWARD CROFT: And we're talking about Detroit, that had over $1 billion of infrastructure cost coming that we could see, and we were kicked off their system [faced with threats]--.
<p />
<p />SPEAKER: Let me just address that. I have a letter from Darnell Earley saying the city of Flint has decided not to return to, not to continue using Detroit water. Correct? Is that correct?
<p />
<p />CROFT: There were, I think evaluations have gone on all the way up to the state level on what the best course of action would be for the city of Flint, and that was the determination.
<p />
<p />SPEAKER: All the way to the governor's office?
<p />
<p />CROFT: All the way to the governor's office.
<p />
<p /> ~~~
<p />
<p />NOOR: Well, now joining us to discuss this are two guests. David Alexander Bullock is pastor of Greater St. Matthew Baptist Church. Also the founder and national spokesperson for the Change Agent Consortium, a coalition of faith, labor, civil rights organizations and active citizens. Curt Guyette, who you saw in that video piece by the ACLU, is the ACLU of Michigan's investigative reporter. Thanks so much both for joining us.
<p />
<p />REV. DAVID BULLOCK: Thank you.
<p />
<p />GUYETTE: Nice to be here.
<p />
<p />NOOR: Rev. Bullock, let's start with you. Talk about what the human impact of this crisis has been. And as we witnessed in that video, it's been everyday citizens that have stepped up to challenge this, to raise these issues for more than a year now. And it seems like officials are finally listening.
<p />
<p />BULLOCK: Well, definitely. I want to thank the ACLU folks like Curt, also local heroes like Bishop Bernadel Jefferson, the concerned clergy of Flint, [Naira Sharif] and so many others who have been fighting this issue for over a year. What's the human impact? Well frankly, first of all there is a deep mistrust of government in the state of Michigan. Two, there is the destruction and decimation of democracy while at the same time there's th sense that the governor's administration and emergency management really puts budgets over bodies and profit over people.
<p />
<p />But then there's the physical toll. I mean, children have been poisoned with lead. People are sick. Rashes. Hair falling out. You know, they're mixing baby formula with this water. They're taking medicine with this water. Now schools are having to use bottled water. Hospitals have to use bottled water. And in the wake of all of this, lead poisoning is irreparable. Irrevocable. You know, every small amount, even a small amount of lead, is poisonous. So you have children, seniors, and residents in Flint who are poisoned with the water.
<p />
<p />And let me say lastly, what's the long-term solution here? Obviously the governor has announced that now Flint will go back onto the Detroit water system. Of course, the city of Flint has to pay $2 million of the $12 million. Don't know why that is, they didn't decide to come off in the first place. But then who's going to pay for the long-term infrastructure repair in the Flint water system? How long will the heavy metals and the bacteria now in that system stay in that system before they're completely flushed out of that system? And ultimately who's going to be held accountable for this decision? Will it be the emergency manager? Will it be Gov. Rick Snyder? Will it be folks at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality? And where has the federal government been in a major way to come in and save citizens in Michigan, when in fact the governor's office would not?
<p />
<p />So I think ultimately there is so much fallout from this, and we await to see what happens next.
<p />
<p />NOOR: And Curt, I wanted to bring you in. So this whole plan to get off Detroit's water system was supposed to save $5 million. We know Flint is a cash-strapped city. But now changing it back to Detroit's water system is going to cost $12 million. So talk about your response to that. And we saw you question a local official about this problem. And just back in July, Flint Mayor Dayne Walling actually drank tap water on TV, saying it's safe.
<p />
<p />GUYETTE: Yeah. Well, in terms of the costs I think Rev. Bullock was on point. You know, you talk--on the one hand you have the cost of the water itself. But then you have the cost of all the problems that are associated with having been on the Flint River water. So when you're calculating it you have to figure into that calculation what it's going to cost to provide special education to all these kids who will, you know, suffer lower IQ, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, as a result of the high lead that they've been exposed to as a result of this supposedly cost-cutting measure. So if you just look at it in those terms, aside from the moral outrage of having scarred kids for life because of this, there is an actual financial impact, so big I think it would be hard to calculate.
<p />
<p />But even on that basis, right, the balancing the books basis, it is a terrible, terrible, terrible financial deal having gone to the Flint River. There's also the cost to the infrastructure. The water from the Flint River is so much more corrosive that Prof. Marc Edwards, a renowned expert on this issue from Virginia Tech who has done incredible work testing Flint's water, helping expose this problem, estimates that in just the 18 months so far that the city's been getting its water from the Flint River it's done, maybe taken 12 years off of the life of the infrastructure. So there's another cost that's tens of millions of dollars, maybe $100 million or more.
<p />
<p />So the phrase penny-wise and pound-foolish has never been more appropriate than with this issue. In order to save $5 million, now they say it's $12 million. The costs of their mistake are really almost incalculable in some ways. So it's been not only from a health perspective, from a moral perspective, it's also been a financial disaster for the people of Flint.
<p />
<p />As far as the mayor saying the water's safe, you know, he's not the only one that's been saying the water's safe. The state Department of Environment Quality, which is supposed to be there overseeing this whole issue, has also been saying the water is safe. And at every step of the way, as more and more evidence was mounting to show that it's not safe, they continue to insist that it was safe until they couldn't, they evidence was so overwhelming that they couldn't ignore it anymore. And even then they wanted to take half measures and provide filters and still keep using the Flint River, until finally they had to buckle on that.
<p />
<p />But what the reverend is saying is absolutely true. There was a small group of citizens who were just relentless, absolutely relentless, in accepting what the government was saying, that the water was safe, and kept pushing and pushing and pushing until the truth was finally arrived at.
<p />
<p />NOOR: All right. I want to thank you both for joining us.
<p />
<p />BULLOCK: Thank you.
<p />
<p />GUYETTE: Thanks for exposing this issue and talking about it.
<p />
<p />NOOR: Thank you for joining us at the Real News Network.
<p />
<p />End
<p />
<p />DISCLAIMER: Please note that transcripts for The Real News Network are typed from a recording of the program. TRNN cannot guarantee their complete accuracy. | true | 4 | reverend david alexander bullock religious leader detroit rev bullocks ministry unique dedicated pulpit classroom preacher preached throughout midwest northeast southern united states teacher lectured throughout midwest continues impact lives undergraduate college students detroit chicago native boston massachusetts rev bullock reared detroit mi home reverend dr samuel h bullock graduating high school age 16 rev bullock entered morehouse college fall 1994 1998 rev bullock graduated morehouse college degree philosophy minor history rev bullock entered doctoral program philosophy wayne state university currently final stages dissertation preparation addition phd candidate wayne state university rev bullock also currently graduate student university chicago receiving advanced training theology curt guyette awardwinning journalist covering detroit nearly 20 years position funded grant ford foundation hes working aclu michigan reporting issues related emergency management open government throughout michigan jaisal noor producer trnn dont drink water flint michigan public health emergency declared dangerous contaminants including elevated lead levels corrosive elements found citys water system advocates warning dangers water year city switched water source detroit water system flint river citys leadership vowed water safe last week acknowledged dangers high levels lead corrosive elements heres portion documentary aclu michigan produced exploring issue lets watch curt guyette april 2014 city flint switched water source detroit system flint river nightmare ever since speaker waters brown since switch speaker rashes hair loss muscle stiffness soreness speaker family broke rash told looks like scabies wasnt scabies guyette water going many homes throughout city foulsmelling badly discolored initially problems e coli high levels total trihalomethanes carcinogenic byproduct chlorine within past several weeks researchers virginia tech working grassroots group flint residents aclu michigan found dangerously high levels lead water absolve responsibility disastrous decision made city control stateappointed emergency manager officials continue claim forced leave detroit system choice use flint river water source thats simply true flint could kept using detroit water wanted following recent press conference virginia tech scientists released results study two city officials faced tough questions city residents aclu michigan howard croft talking detroit 1 billion infrastructure cost coming could see kicked system faced threats speaker let address letter darnell earley saying city flint decided return continue using detroit water correct correct croft think evaluations gone way state level best course action would city flint determination speaker way governors office croft way governors office noor well joining us discuss two guests david alexander bullock pastor greater st matthew baptist church also founder national spokesperson change agent consortium coalition faith labor civil rights organizations active citizens curt guyette saw video piece aclu aclu michigans investigative reporter thanks much joining us rev david bullock thank guyette nice noor rev bullock lets start talk human impact crisis witnessed video everyday citizens stepped challenge raise issues year seems like officials finally listening bullock well definitely want thank aclu folks like curt also local heroes like bishop bernadel jefferson concerned clergy flint naira sharif many others fighting issue year whats human impact well frankly first deep mistrust government state michigan two destruction decimation democracy time theres th sense governors administration emergency management really puts budgets bodies profit people theres physical toll mean children poisoned lead people sick rashes hair falling know theyre mixing baby formula water theyre taking medicine water schools use bottled water hospitals use bottled water wake lead poisoning irreparable irrevocable know every small amount even small amount lead poisonous children seniors residents flint poisoned water let say lastly whats longterm solution obviously governor announced flint go back onto detroit water system course city flint pay 2 million 12 million dont know didnt decide come first place whos going pay longterm infrastructure repair flint water system long heavy metals bacteria system stay system theyre completely flushed system ultimately whos going held accountable decision emergency manager gov rick snyder folks michigan department environmental quality federal government major way come save citizens michigan fact governors office would think ultimately much fallout await see happens next noor curt wanted bring whole plan get detroits water system supposed save 5 million know flint cashstrapped city changing back detroits water system going cost 12 million talk response saw question local official problem back july flint mayor dayne walling actually drank tap water tv saying safe guyette yeah well terms costs think rev bullock point know talkon one hand cost water cost problems associated flint river water youre calculating figure calculation going cost provide special education kids know suffer lower iq behavioral problems learning disabilities result high lead theyve exposed result supposedly costcutting measure look terms aside moral outrage scarred kids life actual financial impact big think would hard calculate even basis right balancing books basis terrible terrible terrible financial deal gone flint river theres also cost infrastructure water flint river much corrosive prof marc edwards renowned expert issue virginia tech done incredible work testing flints water helping expose problem estimates 18 months far citys getting water flint river done maybe taken 12 years life infrastructure theres another cost thats tens millions dollars maybe 100 million phrase pennywise poundfoolish never appropriate issue order save 5 million say 12 million costs mistake really almost incalculable ways health perspective moral perspective also financial disaster people flint far mayor saying waters safe know hes one thats saying waters safe state department environment quality supposed overseeing whole issue also saying water safe every step way evidence mounting show safe continue insist safe couldnt evidence overwhelming couldnt ignore anymore even wanted take half measures provide filters still keep using flint river finally buckle reverend saying absolutely true small group citizens relentless absolutely relentless accepting government saying water safe kept pushing pushing pushing truth finally arrived noor right want thank joining us bullock thank guyette thanks exposing issue talking noor thank joining us real news network end disclaimer please note transcripts real news network typed recording program trnn guarantee complete accuracy | 960 |
<p>Pedro Portal/ZUMA</p>
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<p>Trash-talking about wives, naked photos, a campaign manager arrested for assault, charges of marital infidelity—the Republican presidential campaign face-off between Donald Trump and Ted Cruz has become a circus. No, wait—that’s not fair to circuses, where the action is orderly and designed with precision to entertain children and prompt joyful smiles and gasps of delight and astonishment at the G-rated feats. After all, trapeze artists do not take the low road. The GOP contest is more of a mud-wrestling match in which all observers are dirtied up by the flying dreck. So in the middle of this splatter-fest, let’s take a moment to discuss a matter just as exciting as <a href="http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/donald-trump-melania-trump-knauss-first-lady-erections" type="external">Melania Trump’s handcuffs</a>: tax policy.</p>
<p>Okay, perhaps it’s not as exciting as that, but it’s a wee bit more important.</p>
<p>As Trump and Cruz slug it out for the Republican prize, each aims to distinguish himself from the other. Trump says he’s a truth-teller and—BAM!—Cruz is “Lyin’ Ted.” Cruz claims he’s a principled and courageous conservative and—KA-POW!—Trump is a “sniveling coward” and rank opportunist. But there’s not been much notice paid to a topic on which they have much in common. Both have released tax plans that would cut taxes for the well-to-do (be they billionaire real estate developers or <a href="http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-heidi-cruz-20160131-story.html" type="external">investment bank partners</a>) and force the government to slash programs benefiting poor and middle-class Americans.</p>
<p>While many of us have been fixated on the catty drama of Real Candidates of the Republican Party, the number-crunchers and policy wonks at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities have taken it upon themselves to do the tough work of focusing on actual substance. And what they have found isn’t any prettier than the superficial back-and-forth of the race. Here’s their summary:&#160;</p>
<p>The tax-cut proposals from Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, in conjunction with their calls for balancing the budget, would dictate low levels of government spending not seen since about 1950. Programs that receive support across the political spectrum and are important to the well-being of most Americans would dramatically shrink or disappear altogether. Even if policymakers did not achieve budget balance under their tax-cut plans but simply offset the costs of the plans themselves, the consequences to essential programs—and to low- and middle-income American—would be severe.&#160;</p>
<p>Apparently, if either of these guys snags the Republican nomination and proceeds to claim the White House, America won’t be so great again for millions of its citizens.</p>
<p>Here’s the breakdown: The CBPP first took the Tax Policy Center’s estimates of how far tax revenue would fall if Trump’s or Cruz’s plan were implemented. For Trump’s proposal, the figure is $9.5 trillion over 10 years; for Cruz’s, $8.7 trillion. This would place revenues as a percentage of the national GDP in the range of what they were in 1950—before Medicare existed and when Social Security claimed only 0.3 percent of gross domestic product. (Today, Social Security and Medicare account for 8.1 percent of GDP, and this amount is on the rise, thanks to those aging baby boomers.)</p>
<p>Numbers! I know—by now you’re wondering, Hey, has Donald Trump tweeted anything in the past 20 minutes? But let’s bravely trek on. The CBPP examined what would happen with this loss in tax revenues. After all, if you reduce revenues—and if you’re not willing to turn the federal deficit into an exploding supernova—you have to cut spending. So how much will have to be cut? According to the CBPP, if Trump or Cruz is going to reduce taxes and balance the budget by 2026—and they both vow to bring the US government into the black—all government programs would have to be cut by 40 percent. That includes Social Security, Medicare, and the military. If Trump and Cruz don’t want to eviscerate Social Security, Medicare, and the military, there is another option: eliminating the rest of the US government. That’s right, simply get rid of it all: the Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, infrastructure, law enforcement, cancer research, food stamps, Medicaid, immigration enforcement, NASA, you name it.</p>
<p>It’s even worse than that. As the CBPP notes:</p>
<p>As dramatic as these figures are, they understate the pressure that the two candidates’ proposals would place on many government programs. Both have proposed large spending increases in certain areas, including Senator Cruz’s proposal to increase defense spending by $2.7 trillion over the next decade and Mr. Trump’s proposal to increase spending on veterans by $500 billion to $1 trillion over this period. Offsetting the cost of such increases, as well as the tax cuts, would require even deeper cuts to other programs.</p>
<p>If, for some reason, a President Trump or President Cruz elected not to offset the lower revenues with draconian (and unreasonable) program cuts, the national debt would jump to more than 120 percent of the GDP in 10 years. (It is now about 75 percent of GDP.) How’s that for conservative governance?</p>
<p>Of course, tax-cutters always claim tax cuts can boost economic growth and pay for themselves because greater economic activity will yield more tax revenue. But the CBPP and others have demonstrated that this is <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/17/upshot/tax-cuts-still-dont-pay-for-themselves.html?_r=3&amp;abt=0002&amp;abg=0" type="external">generally not the case</a> and certainly not a notion to bank on.</p>
<p>Yet won’t these tax breaks help hard-pressed Americans? Yes, if by that you mean Americans hard-pressed to buy a fourth or fifth vacation home. The Tax Policy Center has estimated that the wealthiest 1 percent of taxpayers would pocket about two-fifths of the benefits from Trump’s plan and collect about half the benefits from Cruz’s proposal. The middle 20 percent would claim about 11 percent of the gains from Trump’s plan and 6 percent from Cruz’s. Here’s the bottom line, as the CBPP puts it: “Dramatic reductions to much of government—which would have sweeping, adverse implications for most low- and middle-income Americans—would occur to offset tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthiest among us.”</p>
<p>Trump <a href="http://taxpolicycenter.org/UploadedPDF/2000560-an-analysis-of-donald-trumps-tax-plan.pdf" type="external">calls for</a> cutting taxes at every income level, replacing the current seven brackets ranging from 10 to 39.6 percent with three brackets of 10 percent, 20 percent, and 25 percent, with the well-heeled receiving the largest break. Cruz has proposed a flat rate of 10 percent and a new broad-based consumption tax of 16 percent. These are very different approaches, but as the CBPP and the Tax Policy Center have found, they result in a similar outcome: The wealthy will pay a lot less, the deficit will expand, and there will be pressure to decimate government programs. For sure, the prospect of drastically slashed cancer research, Pell grants, and counterterrorism funding is not as sexy a campaign issue as hot pics of a potential first lady. But it’s worth a nanosecond or two of campaign coverage. It may often seem as if Trump and Cruz are running for ringmaster. Yet what they want to do to the nation is nothing to laugh about.</p>
<p /> | true | 4 | pedro portalzuma trashtalking wives naked photos campaign manager arrested assault charges marital infidelitythe republican presidential campaign faceoff donald trump ted cruz become circus waitthats fair circuses action orderly designed precision entertain children prompt joyful smiles gasps delight astonishment grated feats trapeze artists take low road gop contest mudwrestling match observers dirtied flying dreck middle splatterfest lets take moment discuss matter exciting melania trumps handcuffs tax policy okay perhaps exciting wee bit important trump cruz slug republican prize aims distinguish trump says hes truthteller andbamcruz lyin ted cruz claims hes principled courageous conservative andkapowtrump sniveling coward rank opportunist theres much notice paid topic much common released tax plans would cut taxes welltodo billionaire real estate developers investment bank partners force government slash programs benefiting poor middleclass americans many us fixated catty drama real candidates republican party numbercrunchers policy wonks center budget policy priorities taken upon tough work focusing actual substance found isnt prettier superficial backandforth race heres summary160 taxcut proposals republican presidential candidates donald trump ted cruz conjunction calls balancing budget would dictate low levels government spending seen since 1950 programs receive support across political spectrum important wellbeing americans would dramatically shrink disappear altogether even policymakers achieve budget balance taxcut plans simply offset costs plans consequences essential programsand low middleincome americanwould severe160 apparently either guys snags republican nomination proceeds claim white house america wont great millions citizens heres breakdown cbpp first took tax policy centers estimates far tax revenue would fall trumps cruzs plan implemented trumps proposal figure 95 trillion 10 years cruzs 87 trillion would place revenues percentage national gdp range 1950before medicare existed social security claimed 03 percent gross domestic product today social security medicare account 81 percent gdp amount rise thanks aging baby boomers numbers knowby youre wondering hey donald trump tweeted anything past 20 minutes lets bravely trek cbpp examined would happen loss tax revenues reduce revenuesand youre willing turn federal deficit exploding supernovayou cut spending much cut according cbpp trump cruz going reduce taxes balance budget 2026and vow bring us government blackall government programs would cut 40 percent includes social security medicare military trump cruz dont want eviscerate social security medicare military another option eliminating rest us government thats right simply get rid environmental protection agency centers disease control prevention infrastructure law enforcement cancer research food stamps medicaid immigration enforcement nasa name even worse cbpp notes dramatic figures understate pressure two candidates proposals would place many government programs proposed large spending increases certain areas including senator cruzs proposal increase defense spending 27 trillion next decade mr trumps proposal increase spending veterans 500 billion 1 trillion period offsetting cost increases well tax cuts would require even deeper cuts programs reason president trump president cruz elected offset lower revenues draconian unreasonable program cuts national debt would jump 120 percent gdp 10 years 75 percent gdp hows conservative governance course taxcutters always claim tax cuts boost economic growth pay greater economic activity yield tax revenue cbpp others demonstrated generally case certainly notion bank yet wont tax breaks help hardpressed americans yes mean americans hardpressed buy fourth fifth vacation home tax policy center estimated wealthiest 1 percent taxpayers would pocket twofifths benefits trumps plan collect half benefits cruzs proposal middle 20 percent would claim 11 percent gains trumps plan 6 percent cruzs heres bottom line cbpp puts dramatic reductions much governmentwhich would sweeping adverse implications low middleincome americanswould occur offset tax cuts primarily benefit wealthiest among us trump calls cutting taxes every income level replacing current seven brackets ranging 10 396 percent three brackets 10 percent 20 percent 25 percent wellheeled receiving largest break cruz proposed flat rate 10 percent new broadbased consumption tax 16 percent different approaches cbpp tax policy center found result similar outcome wealthy pay lot less deficit expand pressure decimate government programs sure prospect drastically slashed cancer research pell grants counterterrorism funding sexy campaign issue hot pics potential first lady worth nanosecond two campaign coverage may often seem trump cruz running ringmaster yet want nation nothing laugh | 661 |
<p>Charlie Neibergall/AP</p>
<p />
<p>Before becoming the controversial campaign manager of Donald Trump’s presidential bid, Corey Lewandowski oversaw the New Hampshire chapter of Americans for Prosperity, the advocacy group founded by the Koch brothers. The conservative activist, who was <a href="" type="internal">charged with battery</a> on Tuesday, led an aggressive operation dedicated to slashing government spending—including earmarks and subsidies—and eviscerating government regulations, particularly the green-energy agenda of the Obama administration. Yet Lewandowski led something of a double life, because while he was battling the government for AFP, he was also working as a lobbyist and seeking federal funds for clients that included a solar power company.</p>
<p>In June 2008, when Americans for Prosperity set up a new chapter in New Hampshire and tapped Lewandowski as its head, the group declared that it intended to bolster conservative politics in New Hampshire and noted that it was “a leader in the fight against pork-barrel earmarks and economy-destroying policies being advanced in the name of global warming.” Known as a hard-charging political brawler, Lewandowski had been drifting through the political world before joining AFP. He had been an administrative assistant to Ohio Republican Rep. Bob Ney (who was later jailed on corruption charges), served a brief stint as legislative director for a regional branch of the Republican National Committee, and worked on Sen. Bob Smith’s failed Senate reelection bid in New Hampshire.</p>
<p>While running AFP’s New Hampshire operation, Lewandowski had at least two other jobs. From 2006 to 2010, he served as a marine patrol officer trainee, working on a seasonal basis with the state law enforcement agency that patrols New Hampshire’s lakes and seacoast. He also was a registered federal lobbyist employed by Schwartz Communications, a Massachusetts-based public relations firm.</p>
<p>As he played a prominent role at AFP stoking tea party anger over government spending and President Barack Obama’s agenda, Lewandowski <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/lobbyist.php?id=Y0000020957L&amp;year=2009" type="external">represented</a> three clients for Schwartz Communications: Passport Systems, a company that manufactures radiation detectors for ports; Logical Images, a firm that makes health care software; and Borrego Solar, a California-based corporation with offices in Massachusetts that designs and installs solar power systems.</p>
<p>According to <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/lobbyist.php?id=Y0000020957L&amp;year=2009" type="external">federal filings</a>, Lewandowski lobbied on <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientissues_spec.php?id=D000047905&amp;year=2009&amp;spec=BUD" type="external">various appropriations bills</a>, suggesting that he was striving to obtain government contracts and subsidies for his clients. In one case, he helped to land a lucrative earmark for the type of solar power project he publicly has criticized as government waste.</p>
<p>In 2009, AFP was sponsoring anti-Obamacare protests and opposing a cap-and-trade program designed to counter climate change. Meanwhile, Lewandowski, according to disclosure forms, was lobbying members of the House and Senate on behalf of Borrego Solar in connection with the 2010 Energy and Water Appropriations Act, a $33.5 billion spending bill that financed major energy and water infrastructure projects. In early 2009, as the bill was under consideration, Lewandowski escorted a group of Borrego executives to Capitol Hill for meetings with lawmakers, including Rep. Nikki Tsongas (D-Mass.). Tsongas—whose office confirmed the meeting with Lewandowski—later <a href="https://tsongas.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=49&amp;parentid=48&amp;sectiontree=48,49&amp;itemid=308" type="external">inserted a $500,000 earmark</a> into the appropriations bill for a major solar electricity project in Lancaster, Massachusetts, that involved Borrego.</p>
<p>Orlando Pacheco, who at the time was town administrator for Lancaster, recalled that Lewandowski was an important part of the team that brought the project to fruition. “All I can say is all those involved have made an incredibly long-lasting impact on Lancaster,” Pacheco said. “All those people involved, Mr. Lewandowski, Congresswoman Tsongas…that project is really the only one of its kind in Massachusetts, and we would not have been able to pull it off without their help, and I’m deeply appreciative.”</p>
<p>Lewandowski’s firm, Schwartz, later <a href="http://www.schwartzmsl.com/work/borrego-solar/" type="external">declared on its website</a> that it had helped Borrego secure “federal government financing for a solar project during the depths of the financial crisis.” But the company ultimately ended up backing out of the project, which continued without Borrego’s participation. A Borrego Solar representative declined to comment.</p>
<p>Though he had succeeded as a pro-solar lobbyist looking for government assistance, at AFP he waged a campaign against government programs that supported green energy. In early 2011, Lewandowski penned <a href="http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/235423/great-opportunity-to-boost-the-economy" type="external">an op-ed for the Concord Monitor</a> in which he railed against a regional program that sought to address climate change by spawning investment in green-energy projects. And, with AFP’s president, Tim Phillips, Lewandowski <a href="http://www.fosters.com/article/20120617/GJOPINION_0102/706179993" type="external">co-wrote another op-ed condemning green energy and the government policies</a>, including subsidies and grants, that support the industry:</p>
<p>In reality, the subsidies keep taxes high on productive companies while politicians get to pursue their favorite pet projects, all while energy prices continue to rise…Obviously it’s time for lawmakers to realize that if a new technology truly has worthwhile benefits for American consumers (lower cost, higher efficiency, environmental benefits, or otherwise) then that technology will demonstrate its value by competing for consumers’ dollars in the open market—not by gobbling up special handouts from their pals in Washington.</p>
<p>And AFP targeted government grants to the green energy industry as part of its anti-Obama crusade, launching a fusillade of television ads accusing Obama of handing out irresponsible grants to California-based solar technology company Solyndra.</p>
<p>In addition to Borrego Solar, Lewandowski’s other clients landed lucrative government funding while he represented them. Passport Systems secured more than $23.9 million in federal dollars between 2008 and 2011, according to a federal contracting database. In the six years Lewandowski represented Passport Systems, <a href="http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000055247&amp;year=2009" type="external">it paid his firm more than $350,000</a>.</p>
<p>Lewandowski was paid $40,000 in 2009 for his lobbying work for Logical Images. In recent years, the company has sold more than $6.5 million worth of software to the federal government. (Art Papier, the company’s CEO, says Logical Images hired Lewandowski’s firm to do PR work and that he wasn’t aware any lobbying was done on the company’s behalf.)</p>
<p>Lewandowski did not respond to a request for comment.</p>
<p /> | true | 4 | charlie neibergallap becoming controversial campaign manager donald trumps presidential bid corey lewandowski oversaw new hampshire chapter americans prosperity advocacy group founded koch brothers conservative activist charged battery tuesday led aggressive operation dedicated slashing government spendingincluding earmarks subsidiesand eviscerating government regulations particularly greenenergy agenda obama administration yet lewandowski led something double life battling government afp also working lobbyist seeking federal funds clients included solar power company june 2008 americans prosperity set new chapter new hampshire tapped lewandowski head group declared intended bolster conservative politics new hampshire noted leader fight porkbarrel earmarks economydestroying policies advanced name global warming known hardcharging political brawler lewandowski drifting political world joining afp administrative assistant ohio republican rep bob ney later jailed corruption charges served brief stint legislative director regional branch republican national committee worked sen bob smiths failed senate reelection bid new hampshire running afps new hampshire operation lewandowski least two jobs 2006 2010 served marine patrol officer trainee working seasonal basis state law enforcement agency patrols new hampshires lakes seacoast also registered federal lobbyist employed schwartz communications massachusettsbased public relations firm played prominent role afp stoking tea party anger government spending president barack obamas agenda lewandowski represented three clients schwartz communications passport systems company manufactures radiation detectors ports logical images firm makes health care software borrego solar californiabased corporation offices massachusetts designs installs solar power systems according federal filings lewandowski lobbied various appropriations bills suggesting striving obtain government contracts subsidies clients one case helped land lucrative earmark type solar power project publicly criticized government waste 2009 afp sponsoring antiobamacare protests opposing capandtrade program designed counter climate change meanwhile lewandowski according disclosure forms lobbying members house senate behalf borrego solar connection 2010 energy water appropriations act 335 billion spending bill financed major energy water infrastructure projects early 2009 bill consideration lewandowski escorted group borrego executives capitol hill meetings lawmakers including rep nikki tsongas dmass tsongaswhose office confirmed meeting lewandowskilater inserted 500000 earmark appropriations bill major solar electricity project lancaster massachusetts involved borrego orlando pacheco time town administrator lancaster recalled lewandowski important part team brought project fruition say involved made incredibly longlasting impact lancaster pacheco said people involved mr lewandowski congresswoman tsongasthat project really one kind massachusetts would able pull without help im deeply appreciative lewandowskis firm schwartz later declared website helped borrego secure federal government financing solar project depths financial crisis company ultimately ended backing project continued without borregos participation borrego solar representative declined comment though succeeded prosolar lobbyist looking government assistance afp waged campaign government programs supported green energy early 2011 lewandowski penned oped concord monitor railed regional program sought address climate change spawning investment greenenergy projects afps president tim phillips lewandowski cowrote another oped condemning green energy government policies including subsidies grants support industry reality subsidies keep taxes high productive companies politicians get pursue favorite pet projects energy prices continue riseobviously time lawmakers realize new technology truly worthwhile benefits american consumers lower cost higher efficiency environmental benefits otherwise technology demonstrate value competing consumers dollars open marketnot gobbling special handouts pals washington afp targeted government grants green energy industry part antiobama crusade launching fusillade television ads accusing obama handing irresponsible grants californiabased solar technology company solyndra addition borrego solar lewandowskis clients landed lucrative government funding represented passport systems secured 239 million federal dollars 2008 2011 according federal contracting database six years lewandowski represented passport systems paid firm 350000 lewandowski paid 40000 2009 lobbying work logical images recent years company sold 65 million worth software federal government art papier companys ceo says logical images hired lewandowskis firm pr work wasnt aware lobbying done companys behalf lewandowski respond request comment | 593 |
<p>It’s Election Day, and I can’t stop thinking of John Kennedy O’Hara, whose sad and bizarre tale in the polling places and the courtrooms of New York ought to be a warning to all Americans. His story is simple: O’Hara, who grew up and lives still in Brooklyn, New York, was a good citizen. He voted in every election he was eligible to vote in since the age of 18 – it was a point of pride for a once geeky civics student who when he was just 11 years old handed out fliers for George McGovern – and as a young man he tried to run for office, tried to better the system. Five times he ran unsuccessfully, for the New York city council and the New York state Assembly. As thanks for his effort, the earnest kid became, on the cusp of middle age, a disbarred attorney and convicted felon, an official second-class citizen whose future had been seemingly forever darkened. And the decade-long prosecution in the case of the People vs. John O’Hara now has some chilling ramifications for each of the 11 million or so people eligible to vote today across New York. It means they, like O’Hara, could face felony prosecution for stepping into a voting booth. In fact, anyone who might vote anywhere in the United States today could find themselves with a prosecutor on their tail.</p>
<p>It’s been four and a half years since I came to know O’Hara, a one-time rising Wall Street lawyer who at 44 is now bankrupted and jobless. When in April 2001 he telephoned my office in the editorial page department of the Albany Times Union, the paper of record in the state capitol, he was alternately articulate and earnest, desperate and incredible, at once deadly serious about his plight and unable to keep from laughing at its absurdities. It turned out this stranger on the phone, who reassured me this wasn’t some crazy hoax, had clashed with the Democratic bosses in Brooklyn just often enough that the bosses had to make an example of him. His most unforgivable act of rebellion in the backbiting world of Brooklyn machine politics was to demand in court that the U.S. Department of Justice step in and order the suspension and rescheduling of the Democratic primary election in 1996. The ’96 voting, such as it was, had been a fiasco, with tens of thousands of voters disenfranchised. Voting machines throughout Brooklyn arrived as late as ten hours after polls were supposed to open. The Village Voice called it “the worst electoral debacle in modern city history” and a federal judge reviewing the case – finally ordering a new election – wondered whether the election had been purposely stolen (much as some people still suspect, with no small supply of evidence, that those 20 electoral votes at stake in Ohio last year were similarly commandeered). It was a lawsuit by O’Hara that brought about a new election. His heroism left him more of an enemy than ever to the Brooklyn establishment. An aide to Brooklyn State Assemblyman James Brennan, a particular nemesis of O’Hara’s, told a reporter seven years later, “John O’Hara deserved some sort of street justice; that’s what a lot of people wanted to mete out.” A month after the electoral debacle of September of 1996, O’Hara was indicted. The same aide to Brennan tried to defend the indefensible this way: “If there was anybody who should have been selectively prosecuted, it was John Kennedy O’Hara.”</p>
<p>His arrest had come at the hands of Brooklyn District Attorney Charles “Joe” Hynes, a powerhouse prosecutor who served Brooklyn’s political bosses. The charge was a strange one: O’Hara had voted from what prosecutors contended was an illegal residence. It was the address of his then-girlfriend, fourteen blocks away from an apartment he’d kept for almost 25 years. O’Hara says, to this day, that he was effectively, and legally, living in both apartments. But he was voting from just one of them. The evidence backed that up, with financial records and testimony from neighbors attesting that he frequently stayed at the address in question. The district attorney’s office, however, insisted that the girlfriend’s address was a sham that failed to meet the legal standard of a “principal and permanent residence to which [he] had always intended to return,” as the court record put it.</p>
<p>A five-years ordeal of conviction, reversal, reinstatement and appeal – three trials in all – left O’Hara guilty of a felony, stripped of his license to practice law (his means of survival), fined $20,000, sentenced to five years probation and 1,500 hours of community service. He had been reduced by political attrition to a life that only faintly resembled all that he had aspired to through college and law school and his rebellious, abortive career as a politician.</p>
<p>On that April day of 2001, O’Hara was making his pitch to me at the editorial board — a common enough act of last resort – because his case was pending before the highest court in New York, the oddly and perhaps misleadingly named Court of Appeals. O’Hara took a special delight in pointing out that he was the first person to be successfully prosecuted for illegal voting in New York since 1873. His compatriot in crime, he gleefully told me, was Susan B. Anthony.</p>
<p>O’Hara’s story checked out. So the Times Union ran with an editorial urging the court to stop an abuse of justice that had rendered what was unbelievable into something unforgivable. The editorial boards of the New York Daily News and the New York Sun – not exactly papers itching to side with the likes of O’Hara against an often-vengeful prosecutor like Hynes – followed with denunciations of the case. Even Harper’s Magazine published an 8,000-word cover story on O’Hara’s saga.</p>
<p>But O’Hara’s plea to the high court fell on deaf ears among the justices at the Court of Appeals, who, incredibly, upheld his conviction. Since then, the injustice has been magnified by the indifference to it. The New York Times editorial page has never said a word about him. Neither Howell Raines nor his successor as editorial page editor, Gail Collins, appear the least bit troubled that the precincts of Brooklyn are home to a political prisoner.</p>
<p>Today, O’Hara fights on, in a struggle ever more daunting. The setbacks accumulate – the Supreme Court declined to hear the case in January of 2004, and a New York State judge last month rejected his claim of selective prosecution – while his legal options erode. O’Hara is left paying his public penance cleaning out garbage cans in a city park, across the street from where he went to high school and unrecognized by the people whose votes he used to seek.</p>
<p>Election day, of course, is depressing enough, given the miserable voter turn-out and the near 100 percent incumbency of so many legislatures (the worst example probably being the U.S. Congress). O’Hara’s case makes it even more so. Today marks one more election in which O’Hara can’t vote. It’s an indignity that rivals any other miserable lesson about American politics.</p>
<p>When I last interviewed O’Hara, in September, two things stood out in the kitchen of his apartment. There was the usual pile of weeks-old and months-old beer cans, and there was a voting notice from the New York City Board of Elections. The city government still had him on the list of citizens entrusted with enfranchisement.</p>
<p>O’Hara could legitimately be among those voters, if only he’d given in just a bit. Indeed, People vs. O’Hara could have been plea-bargained down to a misdemeanor and would today be long-settled and forgotten. But O’Hara felt that he had no choice but to stand his ground. He couldn’t stomach the example he’d otherwise be setting. What might DA Hynes and the corrupt elected officials he served do next?</p>
<p>O’Hara’s legacy, of one legal defeat after another, carries its own legal precedent, of course – one that goes well beyond Brooklyn. Clearly, voters can now be prosecuted anywhere in New York State, if they can’t prove something as chimerical as a “principal and permanent residence.” By refusing to hear O’Hara’s case, the Supreme Court brought national implications to his plight. What happened in New York conceivably could happen elsewhere.</p>
<p>Bennett Gershman, a Pace University law professor, recognized as much two years ago as O’Hara awaited word of his last-ditch appeal. The lesson for anyone involved in the political system in New York, he said, is, “There but for the grace of God go I.”</p>
<p>The polling place where I vote in Albany is not more than a few blocks from the state capitol where he had hoped to serve. Such aspirations have left him, at just 44, a battered man.</p>
<p>If that doesn’t frighten you, what does?</p>
<p>JIM McGRATH is the chief editorial writer for the Albany Times Union. He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:jmickgee@aol.com" type="external">jmickgee@aol.com</a></p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | election day cant stop thinking john kennedy ohara whose sad bizarre tale polling places courtrooms new york ought warning americans story simple ohara grew lives still brooklyn new york good citizen voted every election eligible vote since age 18 point pride geeky civics student 11 years old handed fliers george mcgovern young man tried run office tried better system five times ran unsuccessfully new york city council new york state assembly thanks effort earnest kid became cusp middle age disbarred attorney convicted felon official secondclass citizen whose future seemingly forever darkened decadelong prosecution case people vs john ohara chilling ramifications 11 million people eligible vote today across new york means like ohara could face felony prosecution stepping voting booth fact anyone might vote anywhere united states today could find prosecutor tail four half years since came know ohara onetime rising wall street lawyer 44 bankrupted jobless april 2001 telephoned office editorial page department albany times union paper record state capitol alternately articulate earnest desperate incredible deadly serious plight unable keep laughing absurdities turned stranger phone reassured wasnt crazy hoax clashed democratic bosses brooklyn often enough bosses make example unforgivable act rebellion backbiting world brooklyn machine politics demand court us department justice step order suspension rescheduling democratic primary election 1996 96 voting fiasco tens thousands voters disenfranchised voting machines throughout brooklyn arrived late ten hours polls supposed open village voice called worst electoral debacle modern city history federal judge reviewing case finally ordering new election wondered whether election purposely stolen much people still suspect small supply evidence 20 electoral votes stake ohio last year similarly commandeered lawsuit ohara brought new election heroism left enemy ever brooklyn establishment aide brooklyn state assemblyman james brennan particular nemesis oharas told reporter seven years later john ohara deserved sort street justice thats lot people wanted mete month electoral debacle september 1996 ohara indicted aide brennan tried defend indefensible way anybody selectively prosecuted john kennedy ohara arrest come hands brooklyn district attorney charles joe hynes powerhouse prosecutor served brooklyns political bosses charge strange one ohara voted prosecutors contended illegal residence address thengirlfriend fourteen blocks away apartment hed kept almost 25 years ohara says day effectively legally living apartments voting one evidence backed financial records testimony neighbors attesting frequently stayed address question district attorneys office however insisted girlfriends address sham failed meet legal standard principal permanent residence always intended return court record put fiveyears ordeal conviction reversal reinstatement appeal three trials left ohara guilty felony stripped license practice law means survival fined 20000 sentenced five years probation 1500 hours community service reduced political attrition life faintly resembled aspired college law school rebellious abortive career politician april day 2001 ohara making pitch editorial board common enough act last resort case pending highest court new york oddly perhaps misleadingly named court appeals ohara took special delight pointing first person successfully prosecuted illegal voting new york since 1873 compatriot crime gleefully told susan b anthony oharas story checked times union ran editorial urging court stop abuse justice rendered unbelievable something unforgivable editorial boards new york daily news new york sun exactly papers itching side likes ohara oftenvengeful prosecutor like hynes followed denunciations case even harpers magazine published 8000word cover story oharas saga oharas plea high court fell deaf ears among justices court appeals incredibly upheld conviction since injustice magnified indifference new york times editorial page never said word neither howell raines successor editorial page editor gail collins appear least bit troubled precincts brooklyn home political prisoner today ohara fights struggle ever daunting setbacks accumulate supreme court declined hear case january 2004 new york state judge last month rejected claim selective prosecution legal options erode ohara left paying public penance cleaning garbage cans city park across street went high school unrecognized people whose votes used seek election day course depressing enough given miserable voter turnout near 100 percent incumbency many legislatures worst example probably us congress oharas case makes even today marks one election ohara cant vote indignity rivals miserable lesson american politics last interviewed ohara september two things stood kitchen apartment usual pile weeksold monthsold beer cans voting notice new york city board elections city government still list citizens entrusted enfranchisement ohara could legitimately among voters hed given bit indeed people vs ohara could pleabargained misdemeanor would today longsettled forgotten ohara felt choice stand ground couldnt stomach example hed otherwise setting might da hynes corrupt elected officials served next oharas legacy one legal defeat another carries legal precedent course one goes well beyond brooklyn clearly voters prosecuted anywhere new york state cant prove something chimerical principal permanent residence refusing hear oharas case supreme court brought national implications plight happened new york conceivably could happen elsewhere bennett gershman pace university law professor recognized much two years ago ohara awaited word lastditch appeal lesson anyone involved political system new york said grace god go polling place vote albany blocks state capitol hoped serve aspirations left 44 battered man doesnt frighten jim mcgrath chief editorial writer albany times union reached jmickgeeaolcom 160 160 160 | 831 |
<p>How are we to assess the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign?</p>
<p>There are three reasons that one runs a candidate for president. One is the hope of winning, second is to influence other candidates to modify their views, and third is to use the campaign to build for the future, either educationally or organizationally.</p>
<p>Though there are some who do not rule out the possibility that <a href="http://www.salon.com/2015/06/22/hillary_clinton_is_going_to_lose_she_doesnt_even_see_the_frustrated_progressive_wave_that_will_nominate_bernie_sanders/" type="external">Sanders could win</a>, I consider that chance to be remote and so for me the question is what the Sanders campaign might accomplish assuming he doesn't win. I will first consider possible educational benefits.</p>
<p>The educational value of a campaign depends on several factors. One relates to the positions that the candidate takes. The better the candidate's positions, the more the American people come to understand what's wrong with current policy and what better policies could be. Sanders has many admirable positions, on inequality, campaign financing, the environment, and much more. However, quite a few of his <a href="http://www.vox.com/2015/6/18/8800683/bernie-sanders-foreign-policy" type="external">foreign policy</a> stances, especially on <a href="http://mondoweiss.net/2015/05/sanders-leftwing-economic" type="external">Israel-Palestine</a>, have been poor (on the liberal end of Senate opinion, but still poor). He doesn't even list foreign policy on the issues page of his <a href="https://berniesanders.com/issues/" type="external">presidential website</a>. His position on <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/05/13/why-the-most-liberal-candidate-for-president-opposes-strict-gun-control/" type="external">gun control</a> (no doubt a result of his representing rural Vermont) is weak. And while he takes the right nominal positions on racial and gender issues, he downplays these and has often been content to rely on <a href="http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/i-m-right-and-everybody-else-is-wrong-clear-about-that-20140618" type="external">economic justice</a> as the cure-all (race and gender are also absent from the issues page of his <a href="https://berniesanders.com/issues/" type="external">website</a>). And his connection to African-American movements <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/25/us/politics/bernie-sanders-lags-hillary-clinton-in-introducing-himself-to-black-voters.html" type="external">has been rather limited</a>. So any leftist support for Sanders, if it's to have a positive educational impact, will need to push him and criticize him on these issues.</p>
<p>Another aspect of what people might learn from a Sanders campaign is the exposure that left ideas will get in the mainstream. Of course, socialists of one kind or another have run in every U.S. election for more than a hundred years. But as minor party candidates, these socialists have rarely been able to reach many Americans with their messages. Because Sanders is running as a Democrat, he is assured a degree of coverage that far exceeds what third party candidates have generally been able to receive. The media attention <a href="http://www.juancole.com/2015/06/sanders-gaining-hillary.html" type="external">draws crowds</a> which attracts more media attention and drives up polls (he's now in a <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/06/25/new-hampshire-poll-shows-bernie-sanders-in-dead-heat-with-hillary-clinton/" type="external">dead heat</a> with Clinton in New Hampshire), which attracts still more media attention. When Sanders can go on Late Night with Seth Meyers and explain why <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFAq-4Vv5c0" type="external">socialism is not a dirty word</a> and get his host to more or less accept his argument, this is a real boon for the left.</p>
<p>One indication of how the Sanders campaign has broadened the conversation for the general public was a <a href="http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/06/like_it_or_not_sanders_socialism_is_mainstream_edi.html" type="external">remarkable editorial</a> in the largest circulation newspaper in New Jersey. The Star Ledger of Newark is a liberal paper: it takes progressive positions on most issues (with the usual exception of Palestine) and with the glaring exception of its hatred of public employee unions, which led it to its horrendous endorsement (to its eternal embarrassment) of <a type="external" href="">Chris Christie</a> for governor in 2013. But here is what they said in a June 15 editorial -- not an op-ed, but an editorial -- titled <a href="http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/06/like_it_or_not_sanders_socialism_is_mainstream_edi.html" type="external">Like it or not, Sanders' socialism is mainstream</a>:</p>
<p>On Thursday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), said that "in virtually every instance, what I'm saying is supported by a significant majority of the American people," which is a bold claim for someone who has been broadly labeled a "socialist" candidate in Democratic camouflage.</p>
<p>But it makes this a good time to consider whether that term is being applied accurately in the early innings of this 2016 campaign, rather than as a pejorative to dismiss Sanders' ideas.</p>
<p>Because so far, the Senator is showing the electorate that a rejection of this "socialism" – the concept, not the brainless epithet – is something that most voters would probably find unthinkable.</p>
<p>And if you consult the polls, Sanders' claim is not only right, he is positively mainstream.</p>
<p>And then the editors listed Sanders' positions that were supported by the majority of the American people: raise taxes on the rich, take money out of politics, reducing student debt, fighting global warming, a $15 federal minimum wage, and shrinking Wall Street banks.</p>
<p>A lot of Americans realize, said the Star Ledger, that "socialist precepts, in large part, represent the civic and cultural foundation of our nation." In fact, "[m]any things we take for granted today were conceived by leftist coalitions that included Socialists and other Progressives, such as the eight-hour workday, women's suffrage, Medicare, and Social Security."</p>
<p>Now of course many of us socialists consider socialism to mean something far more radical than these valuable reforms. But where neoliberalism and unregulated capitalism have seemed for so long as the only political options in mainstream discourse in the United States, Sanders has been able to deliver an alternative message to more people than has been the case in many years. And he is likely to have greater access to televised debates than any socialist in U.S. history.</p>
<p>Allowing the public to hear a debate on the real questions before us cannot fail to push politics in a favorable direction.</p>
<p>There is said to be one other educational outcome of the Sanders campaign -- a negative one. Because Sanders is running as a Democrat, some argue, people will learn the false lesson that the Democratic Party offers us hope, that real social change is possible through this party that in fact represents the liberal wing of capital. As <a href="" type="internal">Jason Schulman has argued</a>, there are good reasons to think that the Democratic Party is not the same sort of ideologically-determined organization as political parties are in most other countries of the world. Voting for one of the two dominant parties in the United States doesn't commit you to anything; indeed, running as the candidate of one of these parties doesn't commit you to anything. ( <a href="http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/21/13395825-priebus-gop-platform-not-the-platform-of-mitt-romney" type="external">Recall</a> those Republican presidential candidates who explicitly disagree with their own party's platform.) But in any event, the concern expressed here -- that the experience of supporting Bernie in the primaries and losing will convince people that Hillary should be supported -- doesn't seem very realistic.</p>
<p>Some who support and vote for Sanders in the primaries will vote for the Democratic nominee -- presumably Clinton -- in November. But they won't be doing so because Sanders told them to. They will be following their own inclinations to support the lesser evil. (To be sure, some exaggerate the difference between the Democrats and Republicans. But it's also true that many leftists minimize these differences -- claiming, for example, that Obama turned out to be " <a href="http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/31570-we-re-in-an-age-of-the-statistically-unlikely-green-party-candidate-jill-stein-announces-presidential-run" type="external">Bush on steroids</a>" -- which leads many of those who benefit from those differences to become alienated from the left.) Others will vote for Clinton because their original reason for voting for Sanders in the primary was to push Clinton to the left. But the question is whether there are very many people who were originally inclined to support a third party candidate in the general election but who will vote for Hillary because Sanders challenged her in the primaries. I can't imagine why this would be so. Why would anyone who voted for a Ralph Nader in 2000 or a Jill Stein in 2012 vote for Clinton in 2016 just because Sanders ran and lost in the Democratic primaries? On the contrary, the opposite seems rather more likely. Someone who considers themselves a good Democrat might be convinced by the Sanders campaign that the times call for significant change, and when the Democratic Party, by nominating Clinton, precludes that change, they might feel bitter and betrayed and seek some other outlet for their desire for change.</p>
<p>The exception would be if the dynamics of the primary campaign forced Clinton sufficiently to the left that dissident Democrats were won over to her new positions. This might strengthen the Democrats among progressive voters. But if Clinton did adopt some significant aspect of Sanders' program, that would represent a victory for the left -- influencing other candidates in a positive direction is one of the reasons one runs a campaign. Obviously she would be doing this as a way to defeat the threat from her left, but the left can't very well object to this. Hoping that the major parties offer the most reactionary candidates so that voters will have no choice but to cast votes for a socialist is not something that strengthens the left in the long run.</p>
<p>Note that if one's sole goal is to push Clinton to the left, a Sanders challenge in the Democratic primary is likely to be more effective than a Sanders third party challenge. Why? Because in an electoral system (like that of the United States) that uses a first-past-the-post plurality voting system a third party challenge in the general election will always be plagued by the "spoiler" problem; voting for the third party could really end up helping the Republican candidate. So Clinton can safely ignore the threat from the third party. On the other hand, in the Democratic primary there is far less risk that voting for your preferred candidate will benefit the worst candidate. If the preferred candidate wins, great. But if not, you haven't ended up helping the Republican. So the primary challenger is likely to be a greater threat to Clinton, and hence one that puts greater pressure on her to move left. I think this is what explains a good deal of the labor support for Sanders (such as the endorsement by the <a href="http://www.laborpress.org/sectors/municipal-labor/5505-south-carolina-afl-cio-supports-bernie-sanders-candidacy" type="external">South Carolina AFL-CIO</a>): not that Sanders has brought them into the Democratic Party, but that Sanders' presence in the Democratic primary allows them to try to pressure the frontrunner to take more pro-labor positions.</p>
<p>A close election campaign will raise tough problems for progressive voters in swing states. But I would expect a failed Sanders campaign to lead to more third party votes than we've seen in comparably competitive elections -- regardless of whether Sanders ultimately endorses Clinton.</p>
<p>Consider what happened in New York State in 2014. There was a left challenge to Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for governor by Zephyr Teachout. After she lost, many of her supporters voted for Howie Hawkins of the Greens, more than tripling Hawkins' vote total over 2010. (Teachout did not endorse Cuomo, but nor did she endorse Hawkins.) Hawkins on the Green line got 50 percent more votes than Cuomo did on the Working Families line.</p>
<p>Obviously if the Greens or other leftists denounce those who support Sanders as dupes of the Democratic National Committee, this may disincline the Sanders voters from moving left after Sanders' defeat. But absent such sectarianism, I think the Sanders campaign will help propel more radical electoral movements in the future.</p>
<p>Had Sanders opted to run as an independent from the beginning, he would have given up certain advantages. In addition to losing support from those who are interested exclusively in pushing Clinton to the left, he would also have given up his much greater access to debates. (Obviously, justice demands that third party candidates be given access to debates. But as a practical matter, it's far easier to secure access to the Democratic primary debates when you are polling 20 percent plus among Democrats, than it is to secure access to the general election debates when you are polling around 5 percent nationally as a third party candidate.) But in return for these advantages, the advantage in Sanders' running as an independent is that he could have had a more positive impact organizationally, helping to build a party that could continue on after 2016, something that won't happen given his current course. This would by no means have been assured; many third party efforts have been one-off affairs that have left nothing in their wake. And of course many current Sanders supporters would not have offered their time and money to support a third party effort, since a considerable fraction of his volunteers and money come from folks who have not yet given up on the Democrats; it will take the defeat of Sanders in the primaries to convince some of them to jump ship. Nevertheless, some of the money and time invested in Sanders today could have directly contributed to building third party efforts for the future, more than will be the case with a Sanders primary run.</p>
<p>So should Sanders have run as an independent? I'm not sure. I think his current campaign will greatly advance the prospects for the left. It's also possible that had he run as an independent, his positive impact would have been greater. But it's also possible that an independent run would have resulted in less benefit. Like <a href="https://zcomm.org/znetarticle/support-bernie-sanders-but-how/" type="external">Michael Albert</a>, I think modesty is required here. ("Before the fact, all outcomes are conceivable, and no outcome after the fact should be treated as having been inevitable, nor should those on the wrong side of the prediction be deemed less worthy than those on the right side.") The impact is hard to measure and we should not be denouncing those whose assessments (i.e., guesses) are different from our own.</p>
<p>Given that Sanders is running, I think it makes sense to critically support him. That means we continue to speak out on issues where his positions are problematic and that we push for the building of lasting organizational structures and activism during and after the primaries. It's those things that in the long run will be crucial for achieving real change.</p>
<p><a href="/filter/tips" type="external">More information about formatting options</a></p> | true | 4 | assess bernie sanders presidential campaign three reasons one runs candidate president one hope winning second influence candidates modify views third use campaign build future either educationally organizationally though rule possibility sanders could win consider chance remote question sanders campaign might accomplish assuming doesnt win first consider possible educational benefits educational value campaign depends several factors one relates positions candidate takes better candidates positions american people come understand whats wrong current policy better policies could sanders many admirable positions inequality campaign financing environment much however quite foreign policy stances especially israelpalestine poor liberal end senate opinion still poor doesnt even list foreign policy issues page presidential website position gun control doubt result representing rural 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jersey star ledger newark liberal paper takes progressive positions issues usual exception palestine glaring exception hatred public employee unions led horrendous endorsement eternal embarrassment chris christie governor 2013 said june 15 editorial oped editorial titled like sanders socialism mainstream thursday sen bernie sanders ivt said virtually every instance im saying supported significant majority american people bold claim someone broadly labeled socialist candidate democratic camouflage makes good time consider whether term applied accurately early innings 2016 campaign rather pejorative dismiss sanders ideas far senator showing electorate rejection socialism concept brainless epithet something voters would probably find unthinkable consult polls sanders claim right positively mainstream editors listed sanders positions supported majority american people raise taxes rich take money politics reducing student debt fighting global warming 15 federal minimum wage shrinking wall street banks lot americans realize said star ledger socialist precepts large part represent civic cultural foundation nation fact many things take granted today conceived leftist coalitions included socialists progressives eighthour workday womens suffrage medicare social security course many us socialists consider socialism mean something far radical valuable reforms neoliberalism unregulated capitalism seemed long political options mainstream discourse united states sanders able deliver alternative message people case many years likely greater access televised debates socialist us history allowing public hear debate real questions us fail push politics favorable direction said one educational outcome sanders campaign negative one sanders running democrat argue people learn false lesson democratic party offers us hope real social change possible party fact represents liberal wing capital jason schulman argued good reasons think democratic party sort ideologicallydetermined organization political parties countries world voting one two dominant parties united states doesnt commit anything indeed running candidate one parties doesnt commit anything recall republican presidential candidates explicitly disagree partys platform event concern expressed experience supporting bernie primaries losing convince people hillary supported doesnt seem realistic support vote sanders primaries vote democratic nominee presumably clinton november wont sanders told following inclinations support lesser evil sure exaggerate difference democrats republicans also true many leftists minimize differences claiming example obama turned bush steroids leads many benefit differences become alienated left others vote clinton original reason voting sanders primary push clinton left question whether many people originally inclined support third party candidate general election vote hillary sanders challenged primaries cant imagine would would anyone voted ralph nader 2000 jill stein 2012 vote clinton 2016 sanders ran lost democratic primaries contrary opposite seems rather likely someone considers good democrat might convinced sanders campaign times call significant change democratic party nominating clinton precludes change might feel bitter betrayed seek outlet desire change exception would dynamics primary campaign forced clinton sufficiently left dissident democrats new positions might strengthen democrats among progressive voters clinton adopt significant aspect sanders program would represent victory left influencing candidates positive direction one reasons one runs campaign obviously would way defeat threat left left cant well object hoping major parties offer reactionary candidates voters choice cast votes socialist something strengthens left long run note ones sole goal push clinton left sanders challenge democratic primary likely effective sanders third party challenge electoral system like united states uses firstpastthepost plurality voting system third 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hawkins greens tripling hawkins vote total 2010 teachout endorse cuomo endorse hawkins hawkins green line got 50 percent votes cuomo working families line obviously greens leftists denounce support sanders dupes democratic national committee may disincline sanders voters moving left sanders defeat absent sectarianism think sanders campaign help propel radical electoral movements future sanders opted run independent beginning would given certain advantages addition losing support interested exclusively pushing clinton left would also given much greater access debates obviously justice demands third party candidates given access debates practical matter far easier secure access democratic primary debates polling 20 percent plus among democrats secure access general election debates polling around 5 percent nationally third party candidate return advantages advantage sanders running independent could positive impact organizationally helping build party could continue 2016 something wont 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building lasting organizational structures activism primaries things long run crucial achieving real change information formatting options | 1,182 |
<p>Former CIA analyst</p>
<p>Last Wednesday it was Attorney General John Ashcroft-joined Friday by me-too Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge-claiming that “credible intelligence from multiple sources indicates that al-Qaeda plans to attempt an attack on the United States” between now and the November election.</p>
<p>If “credible intelligence” sounds to you like protesting too much, there is ample reason to be skeptical. Overshadowing Ashcroft’s dramatic warning that al-Qaeda planned to “hit the United States hard” was the headline-grabbing, specific claim that “an al-Qaeda spokesman announced that 90 per cent of the arrangements for an attack on the United States were complete.”</p>
<p>Had Ashcroft thought to check this out with the CIA-or even NBC-he would have learned that the “al-Qaeda spokesman” was actually “Abu Hafs al-Masri Brigades”-a fact later conceded with some embarrassment by the FBI. According to a senior US intelligence official, this “group” may consist of no more than one person with a fax machine. The “Brigades” have nonetheless claimed responsibility for the power blackout in the Northeast last year, a power outage in London, and the March 11 train bombings in Madrid. NBC news analyst Roger Cressey, a former deputy to counterterrorism chief Richard Clarke, notes, “The only thing they haven’t claimed credit for recently is the cicada invasion of Washington.”</p>
<p>What’s going on?</p>
<p>“Intelligence” is being conjured up once again to serve the political purposes of the Bush administration. Merely recall the litany of spurious claims against Iraq, all said to have been based on “solid sources,” that Secretary of State Colin Powell dwelled on in his UN speech of February 5, 2003.</p>
<p>But what purposes are served in the current political context? Fanning further fear of terror is the only remaining ploy to boost the president’s sinking poll numbers. The struggle against terrorism is the issue on which George W. Bush still gets relatively good marks. Small wonder that he used “terror/terrorist/terrorism” no less than nineteen times in his speech at the Army War College on May 24. But is that all that is afoot here?</p>
<p>I believe there may be considerably more. With only five months before the election, the president’s men are getting desperate. Iraq is going from bad to worse and the prospect of substantial improvement before November is virtually nil. Worse still, revelations of the past few weeks strongly suggest that the president, Ashcroft, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, et al. have deeply personal incentive to make four more years for Bush a sure thing.</p>
<p>The Nettle of the Geneva Conventions</p>
<p>Put yourself in their position. Addressing whether or not Washington should honor the Geneva Conventions on Prisoners of War, the president’s chief legal counsel, Alberto Gonzales, warned him in a memorandum of January 25, 2002 that US law-the War Crimes Act of 1996 (18 U.S.C. 2441)-prohibits “war crimes” defined to include any grave breach of the Geneva Conventions on Prisoners of War. Gonzales made it clear that this prohibition applies to US officials and noted that punishments for violations of Section 2441 include the death penalty.</p>
<p>Gonzales advised the president that, in the opinion of Ashcroft’s Justice Department, the Geneva Conventions do not apply to al-Qaeda and that the president had the authority to determine that they also do not apply to the Taliban. (This would not be the first time that forces branded “terrorists” were declared exempt from the Geneva Conventions. In World War II when armed, uniformed Allied troops landed behind German lines, Hitler ordered them to be executed for “terrorist activities,” as Professor Frederick Sweet noted in a recent article in Intervention magazine.)</p>
<p>Gonzales described Ashcroft’s opinion as “definitive,” but added that the State Department had expressed “a different view.” Buried in the legalese is thinly disguised nervousness that others, too, might have a different view. Under the “positives,” Gonzales notes:</p>
<p>“It is difficult to predict the motives of prosecutors and independent counsels who may in the future decide to pursue unwarranted charges based on Section 2441. Your determination would create a reasonable basis in law that Section 2441 does not apply, which would provide a solid defense to any future prosecution.”</p>
<p>The president’s lawyer concluded that a determination by President Bush that the Geneva Conventions do not apply to the Taliban “substantially reduces the threat of domestic criminal prosecution under the War Crimes Act (18 U.S.C. 2441).”</p>
<p>“A reasonable basis in law?” “Substantially reduces” the threat of prosecution? If I were President Bush I would not find these phrases altogether reassuring. And neither, one would assume, does Attorney General Ashcroft.</p>
<p>And if this were not worrisome enough, Gonzales adds an eerily prophetic statement in listing the “negatives:”</p>
<p>“A determination that the Geneva Convention does not apply to al-Qaeda and the Taliban could undermine US military culture which emphasizes maintaining the highest standards of conduct in combat, and could introduce an element of uncertainty in the status of adversaries.”</p>
<p>Then there was Abu Ghraib.</p>
<p>There is nothing in the Geneva Conventions that gives anyone the right to make a unilateral decision to exempt opposing forces. And the Conventions hold the “Detaining Power”-not individual soldiers-responsible for maltreatment of detainees.</p>
<p>From the catbird seat of the “sole remaining superpower,” however, the Bush administration has shown considerable disdain for international law. On occasion it has stretched it well beyond the breaking point-as in claiming that the invasion of Iraq was authorized by UN Security Council Resolution 1441. Section 2441 of the War Crimes Act of 1996 is different. This is US law, in which the strictures of the Geneva Conventions are embedded.</p>
<p>Nightmares</p>
<p>For the Bush administration, the nightmare is losing the November election-a prospect believed to be unlikely until just recently. For many of us citizens, the nightmare is the president and his associates resorting to extra-legal measures to ensure that there is no “regime change” in Washington for four more years. Logic and human nature would suggest that possible liability to prosecution under the War Crimes Act are among the more weighty factors they take into account.</p>
<p>Bush administration leaders may even look on the prospect of a terrorist event in the US in the coming months as a possible opportunity as well as a risk. I do not suggest they would perverse enough to allow one to happen, or-still less-to orchestrate one. But there is ample reason to believe that they would take full political advantage of a terrorist attack-or even just the threat of one. Ashcroft’s remarks last week might be regarded as the opening salvo in a campaign to condition the country for this.</p>
<p>No less a figure than Gen. Tommy Franks, who led the war on Iraq, went so far as to predict publicly last November that if terrorists attacked the US with “weapons of mass destruction,” the Constitution would probably be discarded in favor of a military form of government.</p>
<p>But, you say, that would mean a constitutional crisis without parallel in the history of our country. Perhaps. But was there not a good warm-up in the fall of 2002? Did we not then experience a constitutional crisis when Congress was duped into ceding to the president its constitutional power to declare war? And it was all accomplished by spreading the myth that Saddam Hussein was close to exploding a “mushroom cloud” over us-a myth based on a known forgery alleging that Iraq was acquiring uranium from Africa.</p>
<p>In a recent op-ed in a newspaper in Maine, Charles Cutter poses the key question for the next five months. Cutter asks:</p>
<p>“How far would they go? With blood on their hands and God on their side, what actions would Bush &amp; Co. consider too extreme-when the goal is to extend their control over the financial and military power of the American presidency?”</p>
<p>An elevated threat level justifying martial law and postponement of the election? No doubt such suggestions will seem too alarmist to those trusting that there is a moral line, somewhere, that the president and his senior advisers would not cross. I regret very much to say that their behavior over the past three years leaves me doubtful that there is such a line. If my doubts are justified, the sooner we all come to grips with this parlous situation the better.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, don’t be taken in by “credible intelligence.”</p>
<p>RAY McGOVERN was a CIA analyst for 27 years from the administration of John F. Kennedy to that of George H. W. Bush. He is a member of the Steering Group of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity and a contributor to <a href="http://www.easycarts.net/ecarts/CounterPunch/CP_Books.html" type="external">Imperial Crusades</a>, CounterPunch’s hot new book on the Afghan/Iraq wars. He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:rmcgovern@slschool.org" type="external">rmcgovern@slschool.org</a></p>
<p>This article was initially posted on <a href="http://www.TomPaine.com/" type="external">TomPaine.com</a>.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | former cia analyst last wednesday attorney general john ashcroftjoined friday metoo homeland security secretary tom ridgeclaiming credible intelligence multiple sources indicates alqaeda plans attempt attack united states november election credible intelligence sounds like protesting much ample reason skeptical overshadowing ashcrofts dramatic warning alqaeda planned hit united states hard headlinegrabbing specific claim alqaeda spokesman announced 90 per cent arrangements attack united states complete ashcroft thought check ciaor even nbche would learned alqaeda spokesman actually abu hafs almasri brigadesa fact later conceded embarrassment fbi according senior us intelligence official group may consist one person fax machine brigades nonetheless claimed responsibility power blackout northeast last year power outage london march 11 train bombings madrid nbc news analyst roger cressey former deputy counterterrorism chief richard clarke notes thing havent claimed credit recently cicada invasion washington whats going intelligence conjured serve political purposes bush administration merely recall litany spurious claims iraq said based solid sources secretary state colin powell dwelled un speech february 5 2003 purposes served current political context fanning fear terror remaining ploy boost presidents sinking poll numbers struggle terrorism issue george w bush still gets relatively good marks small wonder used terrorterroristterrorism less nineteen times speech army war college may 24 afoot believe may considerably five months election presidents men getting desperate iraq going bad worse prospect substantial improvement november virtually nil worse still revelations past weeks strongly suggest president ashcroft defense secretary donald rumsfeld et al deeply personal incentive make four years bush sure thing nettle geneva conventions put position addressing whether washington honor geneva conventions prisoners war presidents chief legal counsel alberto gonzales warned memorandum january 25 2002 us lawthe war crimes act 1996 18 usc 2441prohibits war crimes defined include grave breach geneva conventions prisoners war gonzales made clear prohibition applies us officials noted punishments violations section 2441 include death penalty gonzales advised president opinion ashcrofts justice department geneva conventions apply alqaeda president authority determine also apply taliban would first time forces branded terrorists declared exempt geneva conventions world war ii armed uniformed allied troops landed behind german lines hitler ordered executed terrorist activities professor frederick sweet noted recent article intervention magazine gonzales described ashcrofts opinion definitive added state department expressed different view buried legalese thinly disguised nervousness others might different view positives gonzales notes difficult predict motives prosecutors independent counsels may future decide pursue unwarranted charges based section 2441 determination would create reasonable basis law section 2441 apply would provide solid defense future prosecution presidents lawyer concluded determination president bush geneva conventions apply taliban substantially reduces threat domestic criminal prosecution war crimes act 18 usc 2441 reasonable basis law substantially reduces threat prosecution president bush would find phrases altogether reassuring neither one would assume attorney general ashcroft worrisome enough gonzales adds eerily prophetic statement listing negatives determination geneva convention apply alqaeda taliban could undermine us military culture emphasizes maintaining highest standards conduct combat could introduce element uncertainty status adversaries abu ghraib nothing geneva conventions gives anyone right make unilateral decision exempt opposing forces conventions hold detaining powernot individual soldiersresponsible maltreatment detainees catbird seat sole remaining superpower however bush administration shown considerable disdain international law occasion stretched well beyond breaking pointas claiming invasion iraq authorized un security council resolution 1441 section 2441 war crimes act 1996 different us law strictures geneva conventions embedded nightmares bush administration nightmare losing november electiona prospect believed unlikely recently many us citizens nightmare president associates resorting extralegal measures ensure regime change washington four years logic human nature would suggest possible liability prosecution war crimes act among weighty factors take account bush administration leaders may even look prospect terrorist event us coming months possible opportunity well risk suggest would perverse enough allow one happen orstill lessto orchestrate one ample reason believe would take full political advantage terrorist attackor even threat one ashcrofts remarks last week might regarded opening salvo campaign condition country less figure gen tommy franks led war iraq went far predict publicly last november terrorists attacked us weapons mass destruction constitution would probably discarded favor military form government say would mean constitutional crisis without parallel history country perhaps good warmup fall 2002 experience constitutional crisis congress duped ceding president constitutional power declare war accomplished spreading myth saddam hussein close exploding mushroom cloud usa myth based known forgery alleging iraq acquiring uranium africa recent oped newspaper maine charles cutter poses key question next five months cutter asks far would go blood hands god side actions would bush amp co consider extremewhen goal extend control financial military power american presidency elevated threat level justifying martial law postponement election doubt suggestions seem alarmist trusting moral line somewhere president senior advisers would cross regret much say behavior past three years leaves doubtful line doubts justified sooner come grips parlous situation better meanwhile dont taken credible intelligence ray mcgovern cia analyst 27 years administration john f kennedy george h w bush member steering group veteran intelligence professionals sanity contributor imperial crusades counterpunchs hot new book afghaniraq wars reached rmcgovernslschoolorg article initially posted tompainecom 160 | 826 |
<p>By Tom Engelhardt, TomDispatchThis piece first appeared at <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175921/tomgram%3A_engelhardt%2C_the_empire_as_basket_case/#more" type="external">TomDispatch</a>.</p>
<p>[What follows is a transcript&#160;of&#160;a therapy session between the American Empire and a psychiatrist whose name we at&#160; <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/" type="external">TomDispatch</a>&#160;have agreed not to disclose. Normally,&#160;even in an age in which privacy means ever less to anyone,&#160;we wouldn’t consider publishing such a private encounter, but the probative news value of the exchange is so obvious that we decided to make an exception. The transcript has been edited only for obvious repetitions and the usual set of “ums” and “uhs.” Tom]</p>
<p>Doctor:&#160;Would you like to tell me why you’re here?</p>
<p>American Empire:&#160;Well, Doc, I’m feeling a little off.&#160; To tell you the truth, I’m kind of confused, even a little dizzy some of the time.&#160;</p>
<p />
<p>Doctor:&#160;When did you first experience symptoms of dizziness?</p>
<p>AE:&#160;I think it was all the pivoting that did it. First I was pivoting out of&#160; <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/21/world/meast/iraq-us-troops/" type="external">Iraq</a>. Then I was pivoting out of&#160; <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/25/obama-pentagon-us-troops-withdrawal-afghanistan" type="external">Afghanistan</a>. Then I was pivoting to&#160; <a href="http://thehill.com/policy/defense/215177-asia-pivot-remains-on-track-pentagon-says" type="external">Asia</a>. Then I was secretly pivoting to&#160; <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175743/tomgram%3A_nick_turse,_africom%27s_gigantic_%22small_footprint%22" type="external">Africa</a>. Then all of a sudden I was pivoting into&#160; <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/obama-more-than-doubles-number-of-troops-authorized-for-iraq/2014/11/07/846e0442-66bb-11e4-9fdc-d43b053ecb4d_story.html?hpid=z1" type="external">Iraq</a>&#160;again, and&#160; <a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/11/06/4300262/us-airstrikes-hit-islamist-extremist.html" type="external">Syria</a>, and&#160; <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/30/us-troops-afghanistan-2024-obama-bilateral-security-agreement" type="external">Afghanistan</a>, and… well, you get the picture.&#160;</p>
<p>Doctor:&#160;And this left you…?</p>
<p>AE:&#160;Depressed.&#160; But Doc, there’s a little background you need to know about the dizzying nature of my life.&#160; For almost 50 years — this was in the last century — I was in the marriage from hell.&#160; My partner, the Soviet Union, was a nightmare.&#160; I mean, we had a brief sunny courtship when we were more or less in love, but that only lasted the length of World War II.&#160; The minute I got home from the front, it was hell, and I’m hardly exaggerating if I tell you that, when we got to fighting, it was&#160; <a href="http://www2.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB130/index.htm" type="external">scorched Earth</a>&#160;all the way.&#160; We regularly threatened to&#160; <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/1680/jon_else_on_the_museum_of_attempted_suicide" type="external">annihilate</a>&#160;each other.&#160; It was one of those stormy relationships you could never predict in advance where this planet just isn’t big enough for the two of you.</p>
<p>In our worst moments, I used to fantasize about the Soviet Union being obliterated, simply disappearing from the face of the Earth, but it was a fantasy, nothing more.&#160; Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be free.&#160; Not in my lifetime.&#160; Then one day as 1990 ended, like some unexpected miracle, it happened. &#160;Poof!&#160; The Soviet Union was gone.&#160; I was alone and the Earth was my playground — or <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175895/tomgram%3A_engelhardt,_the_great_concentration_or_the_great_fragmentation/" type="external">so it seemed</a>.</p>
<p>Doctor: Do you feel that it went to your head?</p>
<p>AE: It would have gone to anybody’s head.&#160; I mean, people were saying the most complimentary things about me all the time.&#160; They were calling me the “sole superpower,” or the planet’s only “hyperpower,” or its “global policeman,” or… well, I don’t want to go on about it, but sure, it went to my head.&#160; How would you feel if you overheard people <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/938/" type="external">saying</a> that there had never been an empire like yours in all of history, that the Romans and the Brits were pikers by comparison?</p>
<p>And when I looked around the planet, it seemed true.&#160; There weren’t any enemies worthy of me.&#160; I mean, North Korea, Iraq, and later scattered groups of jihadis?&#160; Can you blame me if it went to my head?&#160; I suppose I should have left well enough alone.&#160; After all, I was already a “superpower.”&#160; You’d think I might have been satisfied, but that isn’t imperial nature, is it?</p>
<p>And to make matters worse, along came George W. (“ <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-s-mcelvaine/bring-em-on---the-fifth-a_b_110233.html" type="external">bring ‘em on</a>”) Bush, Dick (“ <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2005/11/07/BL2005110700793.html" type="external">the dark side</a>”) Cheney, Donald (“ <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/plans-for-iraq-attack-began-on-9-11/" type="external">sweep it all up</a>”) Rumsfeld, Condi (“ <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/01/10/wbr.smoking.gun/" type="external">mushroom cloud</a>”) Rice, and the rest of that crew.&#160; It was like being in Rome and hearing the announcer call out, “Batting cleanup, number four, Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus.”&#160; I should have felt a shiver of fear.&#160; But when they explained their plans to me, they seemed so damn convincing.&#160; <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/101850/engelhardt_bush%27s_faith" type="external">Loosing</a> the U.S. military to create a Pax Americana in the Greater Middle East, and then globally — how could any of it have gone wrong?</p>
<p>If you don’t think I feel bitter lying here on this couch, you’re no shrink.&#160; You wouldn’t wish what’s happened to me on some two-bit rogue state.</p>
<p>Doctor: It might be worth exploring that feeling of bitterness.</p>
<p>AE: Explore it?&#160; That’s a no-brainer.&#160; One day you’re on top of the world.&#160; You’ve just created the sort of <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/blog/175713/tomgram%3A_engelhardt,_you_are_our_secret/" type="external">surveillance state</a> that would have left Joe Stalin drooling in his grave.&#160; You can <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jun/08/nsa-boundless-informant-global-datamining" type="external">listen in</a> on a bunch of jihadis in the backlands of Yemen or the <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/oct/24/nsa-surveillance-world-leaders-calls" type="external">German Chancellor</a> (which, by the way, isn’t as thrilling you might imagine) or any <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/01/nsa-surveillance-loophole-americans-data" type="external">American</a> you want.&#160; You can <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175551/tomgram%3A_engelhardt,_assassin-in-chief/" type="external">send your drones</a> anywhere and there’s no one to stop you. You can rewrite the laws to suit yourself.&#160; You’re this town’s only sheriff, numero uno, the Big Dog.</p>
<p>And ten minutes later, <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175854/tomgram%3A_engelhardt,_a_record_of_unparalleled_failure/" type="external">nothing you do</a> — I mean nothing, nada, zilch — works, not an invasion, not an intervention, not an occupation, not even the simplest of helping hands, and suddenly you realize that you’re down in the dumps and feeling kinda nostalgic for the old days when it was just you and the Soviet Union growling at each other.</p>
<p>Doctor: I’d like you to try to be more specific.&#160; Sometimes generalized complaints about one’s state of mind aren’t as useful as they should be.&#160; Give me an example and describe your feelings around it.</p>
<p>AE: You want an example?&#160; Gee, that’s a tough one.&#160; I mean, let me think about that for minus one second.&#160; How about Iraq, for specifics?&#160; If I had told you, back in the two-superpower days, that I was going to fight three wars in less than a quarter of a century in one country or that four presidents in a row would bomb one land, not a single American would have picked Iraq.&#160; If it were 1980 and I made that prediction, you would have had me institutionalized.&#160; But here we are.&#160; And I just did it again.&#160; I sent in the <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/05/us-mideast-crisis-usa-airstrikes-idUSKBN0IP1SV20141105" type="external">bombers and drones</a> and <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/08/world/middleeast/us-to-send-1500-more-troops-to-iraq.html" type="external">advisers</a> and I’m about to <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175920/tomgram%3A_peter_van_buren%2C_iraq_and_the_battle_of_the_potomac/" type="external">train up</a>another Iraqi army.&#160; At least the other two times, I thought victory was a given. This time…</p>
<p>In 1991, I crushed them.&#160; The greatest military power on the planet was up against a third-rate army and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highway_of_Death" type="external">obliterated</a> it in no time flat.&#160; You’re of an age.&#160; You must remember the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhARosaTfSw" type="external">victory parades</a>.&#160; They were spectacular.&#160; And there was George H.W. Bush exclaiming that we’d <a href="http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=19351" type="external">kicked the Vietnam Syndrome</a> once and for all.&#160; Who could forget it?&#160; But when the dust cleared, Saddam Hussein was still there.&#160; In 2003, no more messing around, we took Baghdad in about three seconds and sent Saddam into that <a href="http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2069355_2069356_2069377,00.html" type="external">spider hole</a> in <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/12/29/hussein/index.html?eref=yahoo" type="external">hell</a>.&#160; And then, it only got worse.</p>
<p>I mean, bitter? That’s not the half of it. I know it’s dangerous to self-diagnose, but I’ve been wondering whether I might be an addict.&#160; I just can’t seem to stop. &#160;I know better now, but it never seems to matter.</p>
<p>I have to admit something, Doc.&#160; Before I came to you, I called Empires Anonymous.&#160; But their phone’s been disconnected and emails bounce back.</p>
<p>Doctor:&#160;Yes, it’s been a while since EA could muster the bodies for an imperial support group.&#160; But tell me more about what your addiction, as you call it, feels like. &#160;&#160;</p>
<p>AE: Here’s the bottom line: it wasn’t supposed to be this way.&#160; I’ve read the history books and Great Powers don’t pussyfoot when it comes to pacifying the natives and winning wars.&#160; Not unless they’re really on the skids.&#160; Look around this planet.&#160; I’m still the only unipolar power.&#160; So why is it that whenever I <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175854/tomgram%3A_engelhardt,_a_record_of_unparalleled_failure/" type="external">send in</a> the special ops guys or the drones, it’s like whacking a beehive with a stick?&#160; I mean, I’ve bombed <a href="https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2014/11/06/many-countries-islamic-world-u-s-bombed-occupied-since-1980/" type="external">seven Muslim countries</a> — just under Obama, mind you — and what’s it got me?&#160; More jihadis by the tens of thousands and now a jihadi mini-state in the middle of the Middle East!</p>
<p>Doctor: I find it slightly strange that you should come see me after last week’s election. Shouldn’t you feel more upbeat?</p>
<p>AE: I take your point, Doc. And you can’t imagine the phone messages and emails I’ve been getting since last Tuesday night.&#160; John McCain, Bob Corker, Lindsey Graham, John Boehner, William Kristol, Jodi Ernst, Buck McKeon, the well known and the barely known of the incoming Republican Congress.&#160; I feel like the most popular guy on Earth again.&#160; And they’re promising me the works.</p>
<p>So, sure, given what I’ve been through, I feel like I’m being offered the best years of my life back.&#160; A brand-new Cold War against Russia?&#160; After the last 13 years, the thought of Cold War 2.0 gives me an instant endorphin high.&#160; We’re talking <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/05/republican-hawks-already-have-a-war-plan-for-isis-ukraine-and-obama.html" type="external">war hawks to the horizon</a> in Washington for years <a href="http://theweek.com/article/index/271203/the-rise-of-joni-ernst-mdash-and-the-return-of-the-bush-era-gop" type="external">to come</a>, hot to arm the Ukrainians, take down ISIS, nuke Iran, and crank it up against China in the South China Sea!</p>
<p>I should be high as a kite.&#160; Instead, I’m an empire on the couch getting shrunk.&#160; I’ve got the shakes.&#160; I’m consumed with fear that I’m going to do it all over again.&#160; You’ve got to give me a hand, Doc.</p>
<p>Doctor: I want to point out that our time today is winding down. So let me just offer you a few initial suggestions for…</p>
<p>[The recording of the session suddenly ends here.]</p>
<p>Tom Engelhardt is a co-founder of the <a href="http://www.americanempireproject.com/" type="external">American Empire Project</a> and the author of The United States of Fear as well as a history of the Cold War, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/155849586X/ref=nosim/?tag=tomdispatch-20" type="external">The End of Victory Culture</a>. He runs the Nation Institute’s <a href="http://www.tomdispatch.com/" type="external">TomDispatch.com</a>. His new book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1608463656/ref=nosim/?tag=tomdispatch-20" type="external">Shadow Government: Surveillance, Secret Wars, and a Global Security State in a Single-Superpower World</a> (Haymarket Books), has just been published.</p>
<p>Follow TomDispatch on Twitter and join us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/tomdispatch" type="external">Facebook</a>. Check out the newest Dispatch Book, Rebecca Solnit’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1608464962/ref=nosim/?tag=tomdispatch-20" type="external">Men Explain Things to Me</a>, and Tom Engelhardt’s latest book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1608463656/ref=nosim/?tag=tomdispatch-20" type="external">Shadow Government: Surveillance, Secret Wars, and a Global Security State in a Single-Superpower World</a>.</p>
<p>Copyright 2014 Tom Engelhardt</p>
<p /> | true | 4 | tom engelhardt tomdispatchthis piece first appeared tomdispatch follows transcript160of160a therapy session american empire psychiatrist whose name at160 tomdispatch160have agreed disclose normally160even age privacy means ever less anyone160we wouldnt consider publishing private encounter probative news value exchange obvious decided make exception transcript edited obvious repetitions usual set ums uhs tom doctor160would like tell youre american empire160well doc im feeling little off160 tell truth im kind confused even little dizzy time160 doctor160when first experience symptoms dizziness ae160i think pivoting first pivoting of160 iraq pivoting of160 afghanistan pivoting to160 asia secretly pivoting to160 africa sudden pivoting into160 iraq160again and160 syria and160 afghanistan well get picture160 doctor160and left ae160depressed160 doc theres little background need know dizzying nature life160 almost 50 years last century marriage hell160 partner soviet union nightmare160 mean brief sunny courtship less love lasted length world war ii160 minute got home front hell im hardly exaggerating tell got fighting was160 scorched earth160all way160 regularly threatened to160 annihilate160each other160 one stormy relationships could never predict advance planet isnt big enough two worst moments used fantasize soviet union obliterated simply disappearing face earth fantasy nothing more160 never wildest dreams expect free160 lifetime160 one day 1990 ended like unexpected miracle happened 160poof160 soviet union gone160 alone earth playground seemed doctor feel went head ae would gone anybodys head160 mean people saying complimentary things time160 calling sole superpower planets hyperpower global policeman well dont want go sure went head160 would feel overheard people saying never empire like history romans brits pikers comparison looked around planet seemed true160 werent enemies worthy me160 mean north korea iraq later scattered groups jihadis160 blame went head160 suppose left well enough alone160 already superpower160 youd think might satisfied isnt imperial nature make matters worse along came george w bring em bush dick dark side cheney donald sweep rumsfeld condi mushroom cloud rice rest crew160 like rome hearing announcer call batting cleanup number four nero claudius caesar augustus germanicus160 felt shiver fear160 explained plans seemed damn convincing160 loosing us military create pax americana greater middle east globally could gone wrong dont think feel bitter lying couch youre shrink160 wouldnt wish whats happened twobit rogue state doctor might worth exploring feeling bitterness ae explore it160 thats nobrainer160 one day youre top world160 youve created sort surveillance state would left joe stalin drooling grave160 listen bunch jihadis backlands yemen german chancellor way isnt thrilling might imagine american want160 send drones anywhere theres one stop rewrite laws suit yourself160 youre towns sheriff numero uno big dog ten minutes later nothing mean nothing nada zilch works invasion intervention occupation even simplest helping hands suddenly realize youre dumps feeling kinda nostalgic old days soviet union growling doctor id like try specific160 sometimes generalized complaints ones state mind arent useful be160 give example describe feelings around ae want example160 gee thats tough one160 mean let think minus one second160 iraq specifics160 told back twosuperpower days going fight three wars less quarter century one country four presidents row would bomb one land single american would picked iraq160 1980 made prediction would institutionalized160 are160 again160 sent bombers drones advisers im train upanother iraqi army160 least two times thought victory given time 1991 crushed them160 greatest military power planet thirdrate army obliterated time flat160 youre age160 must remember victory parades160 spectacular160 george hw bush exclaiming wed kicked vietnam syndrome all160 could forget it160 dust cleared saddam hussein still there160 2003 messing around took baghdad three seconds sent saddam spider hole hell160 got worse mean bitter thats half know dangerous selfdiagnose ive wondering whether might addict160 cant seem stop 160i know better never seems matter admit something doc160 came called empires anonymous160 phones disconnected emails bounce back doctor160yes since ea could muster bodies imperial support group160 tell addiction call feels like 160160 ae heres bottom line wasnt supposed way160 ive read history books great powers dont pussyfoot comes pacifying natives winning wars160 unless theyre really skids160 look around planet160 im still unipolar power160 whenever send special ops guys drones like whacking beehive stick160 mean ive bombed seven muslim countries obama mind whats got me160 jihadis tens thousands jihadi ministate middle middle east doctor find slightly strange come see last weeks election shouldnt feel upbeat ae take point doc cant imagine phone messages emails ive getting since last tuesday night160 john mccain bob corker lindsey graham john boehner william kristol jodi ernst buck mckeon well known barely known incoming republican congress160 feel like popular guy earth again160 theyre promising works sure given ive feel like im offered best years life back160 brandnew cold war russia160 last 13 years thought cold war 20 gives instant endorphin high160 talking war hawks horizon washington years come hot arm ukrainians take isis nuke iran crank china south china sea high kite160 instead im empire couch getting shrunk160 ive got shakes160 im consumed fear im going again160 youve got give hand doc doctor want point time today winding let offer initial suggestions recording session suddenly ends tom engelhardt cofounder american empire project author united states fear well history cold war end victory culture runs nation institutes tomdispatchcom new book shadow government surveillance secret wars global security state singlesuperpower world haymarket books published follow tomdispatch twitter join us facebook check newest dispatch book rebecca solnits men explain things tom engelhardts latest book shadow government surveillance secret wars global security state singlesuperpower world copyright 2014 tom engelhardt | 887 |
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<p>Since the dawn of the nation, citizens of the District of Columbia have lacked congressional representation, a fact D.C. motorists silently protest each day with license plates that bear the slogan “Taxation Without Representation.” But that could soon change, depending on the outcome of tomorrow’s key Senate vote on the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007. If Democrats can muster the 60 votes needed to shut down debate and move to an up-or-down vote, the bill’s most significant hurdle will be passed and D.C. residents will likely be a presidential signature away from their first real representation.</p>
<p>The legislation, which passed the House in the spring, is effectively a compromise. It gives D.C. a voting representative (as opposed to the current non-voting delegate) and, as a concession to Republicans, it gives Utah another congressional seat, using the logic that Utah deserves an additional representative due to its 2000 census figures. Adding a seat in very blue D.C. and another in very red Utah guarantees the balance of power in Congress does not shift.</p>
<p>Granting representation to a population of U.S. taxpayers larger than Wyoming’s—and one heavily composed of government workers—would seem a fairly innocuous issue, yet it has been staunchly opposed by members of the GOP caucus. Lately, Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell has been aggressively working to organize opposition to the bill. “McConnell has been withering in the pressure he has brought on his own people,” says Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District’s non-voting delegate in the House and a likely pick to be the District’s congresswoman should the bill become law.</p>
<p>The explanation McConnell and other GOP members give publicly for their opposition is that Article I of the Constitution reserves representation in Congress for the “people of the several states.” The District, they argue, simply does not qualify. However, supporters of giving D.C. congressional representation point to numerous constitutional examples of the District being treated like a state. In particular, they cite the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, which grants Congress the authority to regulate commerce “among the several states,” and the fact that Congress has always regulated commerce in and out of D.C. Further, the 16th Amendment gives Congress the power to levy an income tax on the citizens of the “several states.” Citizens of the District have always paid, and in fact pay some of the highest per capita taxes of any citizens in the country.</p>
<p>Supporters of the bill also point out that a certain kind of soft paternalism allows Congress to feel they know what is best for a community that is largely poor and black. “I think the fact that this is a majority-Black city plays a role,” says Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of D.C. Vote, a non-profit working for D.C. representation. “For some people, race and culture and political party get all bunched together.” (Senator McConnell’s office did not return several phone calls.) In a recent Washington Times op-ed two prominent black Republicans, former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts and former Maryland Lt. Governor Michael Steele, called on their fellow Republicans to support the bill, explicitly tying the issue to the civil rights struggle.</p>
<p>Whatever the reason for the opposition, it has kept D.C. residents battling for representation for years. They only received the right to vote in presidential elections in the 1960s, when the enthusiasm for civil rights led to the passing of the 23rd Amendment. In 1971, the District received its non-voting delegate. Later that decade, a Democratically controlled Congress passed a constitutional amendment giving D.C. a house seat and two senators. In the end, though, only a handful of states ratified, scuttling the effort.</p>
<p>And since that time, there has been virtually no movement on the issue. Thirty years have come and gone and the closest the District of Columbia has come to voting representation in Congress was a statehood movement in the ’80s and ’90s that did little more than prove that the American public wasn’t ready for a 51st state. But things are different now. Democrats control both houses of Congress, the movement on behalf of the District is pushing for representation instead of statehood, and the additional congressional seat for Utah acts as an enticement to reluctant GOP members.</p>
<p>Even so, Republicans’ resistance could pose a serious challenge to the bill’s passage. As it stands, their gripe with the legislation goes well beyond the stated constitutional objections. Among other things, Congress has always enjoyed exercising full authority over the District and using it as a proving ground for new federal programs. A few years back, for example, Congress made the District the first place in the nation to give federal money to private schools through a voucher program. More recently, Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas floated the idea of a flat tax in the District, even though the heavily Democratic city would likely oppose such an idea.</p>
<p>But more than losing D.C. as a proving ground for free market experiments, the GOP fears that giving the District representation could eventually disrupt the balance of power in the Senate. “McConnell and others are trying to fight the endgame here,” says Zherka. “In their view, if this bill passes, we will be in a stronger position to fight for Senate representation.”</p>
<p>For all the opposition, the bill still has a shot of passing, according to supporters of the legislation, who believe they have the votes necessary to get the bill to the president’s desk. “We expect to prevail in the Senate because we have a healthy majority,” says Norton, adding that there is enough Senate support to get past a filibuster attempt orchestrated by McConnell.</p>
<p>But, should the bill pass, it’s unlikely that there will be enough votes to override a presidential veto—and, as the White House has previously hinted, a veto is a distinct possibility. Supporters are holding out hope that their Republican allies in Congress—among them Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, a cosponsor of the legislation—can convince the White House to sign the bill into law. “This president would have a lot of nerve vetoing this bill, which would deny a vote to residents of the District of Columbia now fighting in Iraq as I speak,” says Norton.</p>
<p /> | true | 4 | since dawn nation citizens district columbia lacked congressional representation fact dc motorists silently protest day license plates bear slogan taxation without representation could soon change depending outcome tomorrows key senate vote district columbia house voting rights act 2007 democrats muster 60 votes needed shut debate move upordown vote bills significant hurdle passed dc residents likely presidential signature away first real representation legislation passed house spring effectively compromise gives dc voting representative opposed current nonvoting delegate concession republicans gives utah another congressional seat using logic utah deserves additional representative due 2000 census figures adding seat blue dc another red utah guarantees balance power congress shift granting representation population us taxpayers larger wyomingsand one heavily composed government workerswould seem fairly innocuous issue yet staunchly opposed members gop caucus lately senate minority leader mitch mcconnell aggressively working organize opposition bill mcconnell withering pressure brought people says eleanor holmes norton districts nonvoting delegate house likely pick districts congresswoman bill become law explanation mcconnell gop members give publicly opposition article constitution reserves representation congress people several states district argue simply qualify however supporters giving dc congressional representation point numerous constitutional examples district treated like state particular cite commerce clause constitution grants congress authority regulate commerce among several states fact congress always regulated commerce dc 16th amendment gives congress power levy income tax citizens several states citizens district always paid fact pay highest per capita taxes citizens country supporters bill also point certain kind soft paternalism allows congress feel know best community largely poor black think fact majorityblack city plays role says ilir zherka executive director dc vote nonprofit working dc representation people race culture political party get bunched together senator mcconnells office return several phone calls recent washington times oped two prominent black republicans former oklahoma congressman jc watts former maryland lt governor michael steele called fellow republicans support bill explicitly tying issue civil rights struggle whatever reason opposition kept dc residents battling representation years received right vote presidential elections 1960s enthusiasm civil rights led passing 23rd amendment 1971 district received nonvoting delegate later decade democratically controlled congress passed constitutional amendment giving dc house seat two senators end though handful states ratified scuttling effort since time virtually movement issue thirty years come gone closest district columbia come voting representation congress statehood movement 80s 90s little prove american public wasnt ready 51st state things different democrats control houses congress movement behalf district pushing representation instead statehood additional congressional seat utah acts enticement reluctant gop members even republicans resistance could pose serious challenge bills passage stands gripe legislation goes well beyond stated constitutional objections among things congress always enjoyed exercising full authority district using proving ground new federal programs years back example congress made district first place nation give federal money private schools voucher program recently senator sam brownback kansas floated idea flat tax district even though heavily democratic city would likely oppose idea losing dc proving ground free market experiments gop fears giving district representation could eventually disrupt balance power senate mcconnell others trying fight endgame says zherka view bill passes stronger position fight senate representation opposition bill still shot passing according supporters legislation believe votes necessary get bill presidents desk expect prevail senate healthy majority says norton adding enough senate support get past filibuster attempt orchestrated mcconnell bill pass unlikely enough votes override presidential vetoand white house previously hinted veto distinct possibility supporters holding hope republican allies congressamong utah senator orrin hatch cosponsor legislationcan convince white house sign bill law president would lot nerve vetoing bill would deny vote residents district columbia fighting iraq speak says norton | 592 |
<p>What a fascinating thing! Total control of a living organism! &#160;—&#160;psychologist B.F. Skinner</p>
<p>The&#160;corporatization of society requires a population that accepts control by authorities, and so when psychologists and psychiatrists began providing techniques that could control people, the corporatocracy embraced mental health professionals.</p>
<p>In&#160;psychologist B.F. Skinner’s best-selling book&#160; <a href="//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beyond_Freedom_and_Dignity" type="external">Beyond Freedom and Dignity</a>&#160;(1971), he argued that&#160;freedom&#160;and&#160;dignity&#160;are illusions that hinder the science of&#160;behavior modification, which he claimed could create a better-organized and happier society.</p>
<p>During the height of Skinner’s fame in the 1970s, it was obvious to anti-authoritarians such as Noam Chomsky (“ <a href="//www.chomsky.info/articles/19711230.htm" type="external">The Case Against B.F. Skinner”</a>) and Lewis Mumord that Skinner’s worldview—a society ruled by benevolent control freaks—was antithetical to democracy. In Skinner’s novel&#160;Walden Two&#160;(1948),&#160;his behaviorist hero states, “We do not take history seriously,” to which Lewis Mumford retorted, “And no wonder: if man knew no history, the Skinners would govern the world, as Skinner himself has modestly proposed in his behaviorist utopia.”</p>
<p>As a psychology student during that era, I remember being embarrassed by the silence of most psychologists about the political ramifications of Skinner and behavior modification.</p>
<p>In the mid-1970s, as an intern on a locked ward in a state psychiatric hospital, I first experienced one of behavior modification’s staple techniques, the “token economy.” And that’s where I also discovered that anti-authoritarians try their best to resist behavior modification. George was a severely depressed anti-authoritarian who refused to talk to staff, but for some reason, chose me to shoot pool with. My boss, a clinical psychologist, spotted my interaction with George, and told me that I should give him a token—a cigarette—to reward his “prosocial behavior.” I fought it, trying to explain that I was 20 and George was 50, and this would be humiliating. But my boss subtly threatened to kick me off the ward. So, I asked George what I should do.</p>
<p>George, fighting the zombifying effects of his heavy medication, grinned and said, “We'll win. Let me have the cigarette.” In full view of staff, George took the cigarette and then placed it into the shirt pocket of another patient, and then looked at the staff shaking his head in contempt.</p>
<p>Unlike Skinner, George was not “beyond freedom and dignity.” Anti-authoritarians such as George—who don’t take seriously the rewards and punishments of control-freak authorities—deprive authoritarian ideologies such as behavior modification from total domination.</p>
<p>Behavior Modification Techniques Excite Authoritarians</p>
<p>If you have taken introductory psychology, you probably have heard of Ivan Pavlov’s “classical conditioning” and B.F. Skinner's “operant conditioning.”</p>
<p>An example of Pavlov's&#160;classical conditioning? A dog hears a bell at the same time he receives food; then the bell is sounded without the food and still elicits a salivating dog. Pair a scantily clad attractive woman with some crappy beer, and condition men to sexually salivate to the sight of the crappy beer and buy it. The advertising industry has been using classical conditioning for quite some time.</p>
<p>Skinner's&#160;operant conditioning? Rewards, like money, are “positive reinforcements”; the removal of rewards are “negative reinforcements”; and punishments, such as electric shocks, are labeled in fact as "punishments." Operant conditioning pervades the classroom, the workplace and mental health treatment.</p>
<p>Skinner was heavily influenced by the book&#160;Behaviorism&#160;(1924) by John B. Watson. Watson achieved some fame in the early 1900s by advocating a mechanical, rigid, affectionless manner in child rearing. He confidently asserted that he could take any healthy infant, and given complete control of the infant’s world, train him for any profession. When Watson was in his early 40s, he quit university life and began a new career in advertising at J. Walter Thompson.</p>
<p>Behaviorism and consumerism, two ideologies that achieved tremendous power in the 20th century, are cut from the same cloth. The shopper, the student, the worker, and the voter are all seen by consumerism and behaviorism the same way: passive, conditionable objects.</p>
<p>Who are Easiest to Manipulate?</p>
<p>Those who rise to power in the corporatocracy are control freaks, addicted to the buzz of power over other human beings, and so it is natural for such authorities to have become excited by behavior modification.</p>
<p>Alfie Kohn, in&#160;Punished by Rewards&#160;(1993), documents with copious research how behavior modification works best on dependent, powerless, infantilized, bored, and institutionalized people. And so for authorities who get a buzz from controlling others, this creates a terrifying incentive to construct a society that creates dependent, powerless, infantilized, bored, and institutionalized people.</p>
<p>Many of the&#160;most successful applications of behavior modification have involved laboratory animals, children, or institutionalized adults. According to management theorists Richard Hackman and Greg Oldham in&#160;Work Redesign&#160;(1980), “Individuals in each of these groups are&#160;necessarily&#160;dependent on powerful others for many of the things they most want and need, and their behavior usually can be shaped with relative ease.”</p>
<p>Similarly,&#160;researcher Paul Thorne reports in the journal&#160;International Management&#160;(“Fitting Rewards,” 1990)&#160;that in order to get people to behave in a particular way, they must be “needy enough so that rewards reinforce the desired behavior.”</p>
<p>It is also easiest to condition people who dislike what they are doing. Rewards work best for those who are alienated from their work, according to researcher Morton Deutsch (Distributive Justice, 1985). This helps explain why attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-labeled kids perform as well as so-called “normals” on boring schoolwork when paid for it (see Thomas Armstrong’s&#160;The&#160;Myth of the A.D.D. Child, 1995). Correlatively, Kohn offers research showing that rewards are least effective when people are doing something that isn’t boring.</p>
<p>In a review of the literature on&#160;the harmful effects of rewards, researcher Kenneth McGraw concluded that rewards will have a detrimental effect on performance under two conditions: “first, when the task is interesting enough for the subjects that the offer of incentives is a superfluous source of motivation; second, when the solution to the task is open-ended enough that the steps leading to a solution are not immediately obvious.”</p>
<p>Kohn&#160;also reports that at least 10 studies show rewards work best on simplistic and predictable tasks. How about more demanding ones? In research on preschoolers (working for toys), older children (working for grades) and adults (working for money), all avoided challenging tasks. The bigger the reward, the easier the task that is chosen; while without rewards, human beings are more likely to accept a challenge.</p>
<p>So, there is an insidious incentive for control-freaks in society—be they psychologists, teachers, advertisers, managers, or other authorities who use behavior modification. Specifically, for controllers to experience the most control and gain a “power buzz,” their subjects need to be infantilized, dependent, alienated, and bored.</p>
<p>The Anti-Democratic Nature of Behavior Modification</p>
<p>Behavior modification is fundamentally a means of controlling people and thus for Kohn, “by its nature inimical to democracy, critical questioning, and the free exchange of ideas among equal participants.”</p>
<p>For Skinner, all behavior is externally controlled, and we don’t truly have freedom and choice.&#160;Behaviorists see freedom, choice, and intrinsic motivations as illusory, or what Skinner called “phantoms.” Back in the 1970s, Noam Chomsky exposed Skinner’s unscientific view of science, specifically Skinner’s view that science should be prohibited from examining internal states and intrinsic forces.</p>
<p>In democracy, citizens are free to think for themselves&#160;and explore, and are motivated by very real—not&#160;phantom—intrinsic forces, including curiosity and a desire for justice, community, and solidarity.</p>
<p>What is also scary about behaviorists is that their external controls can destroy intrinsic forces of our humanity that are necessary for a democratic society. Researcher Mark Lepper was able to diminish young children’s intrinsic joy of drawing with Magic Markers by awarding them personalized certificates for coloring with a Magic Marker. Even a single, one-time reward for doing something enjoyable can kill interest in it for weeks.</p>
<p>Behavior modification can also destroy our intrinsic desire for compassion, which is necessary for a democratic society. Kohn offers several studies showing “children whose parents believe in using rewards to motivate them are less cooperative and generous [children] than their peers.” Children of mothers who relied on tangible rewards were less likely than other children to care and share at home.</p>
<p>How, in a democratic society, do children become ethical and caring adults? They need a history of being cared about, taken seriously, and respected, which they can model and reciprocate.</p>
<p>Today, the mental health profession has gone beyond behavioral technologies of control. It now diagnoses noncompliant toddlers&#160;with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, and pediatric bipolar disorder and&#160; <a href="" type="internal">attempts to control them</a>&#160;with heavily sedating drugs. While Big Pharma directly profits from drug prescribing, the entire corporatocracy benefits from the mental health profession’s legitimization of conditioning and controlling.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.brucelevine.net/" type="external">Bruce E. Levine</a> is a practicing clinical psychologist. His latest book is&#160; <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Get-Stand-Populists-Energizing-Corporate/dp/1603582983/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1292688109&amp;sr=1-8" type="external">Get Up, Stand Up: Uniting Populists, Energizing the Defeated, and Battling the Corporate Elite</a>.&#160;His website is&#160; <a href="http://www.brucelevine.net/" type="external">www.brucelevine.net/.</a></p> | true | 4 | fascinating thing total control living organism 160160psychologist bf skinner the160corporatization society requires population accepts control authorities psychologists psychiatrists began providing techniques could control people corporatocracy embraced mental health professionals in160psychologist bf skinners bestselling book160 beyond freedom dignity1601971 argued that160freedom160and160dignity160are illusions hinder science of160behavior modification claimed could create betterorganized happier society height skinners fame 1970s obvious antiauthoritarians noam chomsky case bf skinner lewis mumord skinners worldviewa society ruled benevolent control freakswas antithetical democracy skinners novel160walden two1601948160his behaviorist hero states take history seriously lewis mumford retorted wonder man knew history skinners would govern world skinner modestly proposed behaviorist utopia psychology student era remember embarrassed silence psychologists political ramifications skinner behavior modification mid1970s intern locked ward state psychiatric hospital first experienced one behavior modifications staple techniques token economy thats also discovered antiauthoritarians try best resist behavior modification george severely depressed antiauthoritarian refused talk staff reason chose shoot pool boss clinical psychologist spotted interaction george told give tokena cigaretteto reward prosocial behavior fought trying explain 20 george 50 would humiliating boss subtly threatened kick ward asked george george fighting zombifying effects heavy medication grinned said well win let cigarette full view staff george took cigarette placed shirt pocket another patient looked staff shaking head contempt unlike skinner george beyond freedom dignity antiauthoritarians georgewho dont take seriously rewards punishments controlfreak authoritiesdeprive authoritarian ideologies behavior modification total domination behavior modification techniques excite authoritarians taken introductory psychology probably heard ivan pavlovs classical conditioning bf skinners operant conditioning example pavlovs160classical conditioning dog hears bell time receives food bell sounded without food still elicits salivating dog pair scantily clad attractive woman crappy beer condition men sexually salivate sight crappy beer buy advertising industry using classical conditioning quite time skinners160operant conditioning rewards like money positive reinforcements removal rewards negative reinforcements punishments electric shocks labeled fact punishments operant conditioning pervades classroom workplace mental health treatment skinner heavily influenced book160behaviorism1601924 john b watson watson achieved fame early 1900s advocating mechanical rigid affectionless manner child rearing confidently asserted could take healthy infant given complete control infants world train profession watson early 40s quit university life began new career advertising j walter thompson behaviorism consumerism two ideologies achieved tremendous power 20th century cut cloth shopper student worker voter seen consumerism behaviorism way passive conditionable objects easiest manipulate rise power corporatocracy control freaks addicted buzz power human beings natural authorities become excited behavior modification alfie kohn in160punished rewards1601993 documents copious research behavior modification works best dependent powerless infantilized bored institutionalized people authorities get buzz controlling others creates terrifying incentive construct society creates dependent powerless infantilized bored institutionalized people many the160most successful applications behavior modification involved laboratory animals children institutionalized adults according management theorists richard hackman greg oldham in160work redesign1601980 individuals groups are160necessarily160dependent powerful others many things want need behavior usually shaped relative ease similarly160researcher paul thorne reports journal160international management160fitting rewards 1990160that order get people behave particular way must needy enough rewards reinforce desired behavior also easiest condition people dislike rewards work best alienated work according researcher morton deutsch distributive justice 1985 helps explain attentiondeficithyperactivity disorder adhdlabeled kids perform well socalled normals boring schoolwork paid see thomas armstrongs160the160myth add child 1995 correlatively kohn offers research showing rewards least effective people something isnt boring review literature on160the harmful effects rewards researcher kenneth mcgraw concluded rewards detrimental effect performance two conditions first task interesting enough subjects offer incentives superfluous source motivation second solution task openended enough steps leading solution immediately obvious kohn160also reports least 10 studies show rewards work best simplistic predictable tasks demanding ones research preschoolers working toys older children working grades adults working money avoided challenging tasks bigger reward easier task chosen without rewards human beings likely accept challenge insidious incentive controlfreaks societybe psychologists teachers advertisers managers authorities use behavior modification specifically controllers experience control gain power buzz subjects need infantilized dependent alienated bored antidemocratic nature behavior modification behavior modification fundamentally means controlling people thus kohn nature inimical democracy critical questioning free exchange ideas among equal participants skinner behavior externally controlled dont truly freedom choice160behaviorists see freedom choice intrinsic motivations illusory skinner called phantoms back 1970s noam chomsky exposed skinners unscientific view science specifically skinners view science prohibited examining internal states intrinsic forces democracy citizens free think themselves160and explore motivated realnot160phantomintrinsic forces including curiosity desire justice community solidarity also scary behaviorists external controls destroy intrinsic forces humanity necessary democratic society researcher mark lepper able diminish young childrens intrinsic joy drawing magic markers awarding personalized certificates coloring magic marker even single onetime reward something enjoyable kill interest weeks behavior modification also destroy intrinsic desire compassion necessary democratic society kohn offers several studies showing children whose parents believe using rewards motivate less cooperative generous children peers children mothers relied tangible rewards less likely children care share home democratic society children become ethical caring adults need history cared taken seriously respected model reciprocate today mental health profession gone beyond behavioral technologies control diagnoses noncompliant toddlers160with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder oppositional defiant disorder pediatric bipolar disorder and160 attempts control them160with heavily sedating drugs big pharma directly profits drug prescribing entire corporatocracy benefits mental health professions legitimization conditioning controlling bruce e levine practicing clinical psychologist latest book is160 get stand uniting populists energizing defeated battling corporate elite160his website is160 wwwbrucelevinenet | 859 |
<p>“I want to make sure that people understand: actually, drones have not caused a huge number of civilian casualties [in Pakistan]. For the most part they have been very precise precision strikes against Al Qaeda and their affiliates.”</p>
<p>President Obama,&#160;&#160;January 31, 2012</p>
<p>The bureau counted 260 strikes [in Pakistan] by Predator and Reaper drones since President Obama took office, and it said that 282 to 535 civilians had been “credibly reported” killed in those attacks, including more than 60 children. American officials said that the number was much too high, though they acknowledged that at least several dozen civilians had been killed inadvertently in strikes aimed at militant suspects.</p>
<p>New York Times, February 5, 2012</p>
<p>I can say that the types of operations . . .&#160;&#160;that the US has been involved in, in the counter-terrorism realm, that nearly for the past year there hasn’t been a single collateral death because of the exceptional proficiency, precision of the capabilities that we’ve been able to develop.</p>
<p>President Obama’s counter-terrorism adviser, John Brennan, June 29, 2011</p>
<p>Although US officials declare that the number of civilians reported by independent sources as having been killed in Pakistan by Obama’s drone missiles is “much too high”, they don’t say what their own assessed figure might be.&#160;&#160;They claim that only “several dozen” have died.&#160;&#160;And the President of the United States says that several dozen is not a ‘huge number’ of dead innocents. Either these people don’t know the figures or they don’t care about them.&#160;What’s five dozen dead kids, after all?&#160;&#160;Are they important?&#160;&#160;&#160;Of course not.&#160;&#160;&#160;So tap the mouse, flick the switch, hit the keys, because it’s all in the best interests of&#160;&#160;“compressing the kill chain” that the soaring drones roam and reap their harvest in blood.&#160;&#160;And get this, and get it good — all these missile strikes that kill people are against “militant&#160;suspects.”</p>
<p>Got it?&#160;&#160;—&#160;&#160;&#160;“I&#160;suspect&#160;you are a militant, therefore I am going to kill you.”</p>
<p>There is no requirement to legally identify a suspected enemy of the United States before firing a missile at him.&#160;&#160;Whether people in the sights of drone cameras live or die is determined by a nimble-fingered mafia of robo-cowboys playing assassination video games. To use a cliché, they embody police, judge, jury and executioner in a court of no appeal. They can grant life or decide to deny its continuance.&#160;&#160;They are the ultimate Terminators, accountable to the laws of neither gods nor man when they deal out death.&#160;&#160;&#160;In modern civilization, the United States of America, a proudly democratic country,&#160;employs professional exterminators who need not heed rules that have been developed over centuries to try to make our planet a better place.</p>
<p>Most drone killings are inflicted by ‘Hellfire’ missiles whose new versions have warheads “designed to inflict greater damage in multi-room structures, compared to the Hellfire’s standard or blast-fragmentation warheads . . .&#160;&#160;When the explosive detonates, the aluminum mixture is dispersed and rapidly burns. The resultant sustained high pressure is extremely effective against enemy personnel and structures.”&#160;&#160;It also kills kids, of course, and lots of other people who don’t deserve to be exterminated by Hellfire missiles.</p>
<p>There is no doubt that the death of some, even many, people at the finger-prod of the techno-dweebs has rid the world of some evil characters. The very first person killed by a drone in Pakistan was a man called Nek Mohammad Wazir in June 2004.&#160;&#160;He was an evil person, no doubt about that, because he had killed without remorse, and deserved to die.&#160;&#160;But in the following eight years of the missile blitz, lots of other people have died, hundreds of whom had not committed any crime.</p>
<p>It has been difficult for independent observers to identify beyond doubt the number of women, children and other innocents who have been killed by the cold-eyed controllers in the US Air Force Base in Creech, Nevada. These divine dealers of death can see exactly who they are about to exterminate because the imagery of the drones’ systems is superb.&#160;&#160;They can see the crinkle of a cheek, the thrust of a lip, the furrow of a brow,&#160;&#160;such is their amazing technology.&#160;&#160;And after they’ve killed their victims, the cameras linger on the scene to do what we used to call a BDA — a bomb damage assessment — an armchair reckoning of exactly how much carnage was wreaked by their high pressure blast fragmentation.</p>
<p>And their slaughter for freedom results in this sort of thing:</p>
<p>Twenty one people were killed, including three women and six children including&#160;Syed Wali Shah&#160;[aged seven]&#160;in an attack on a madrassa linked to&#160;Siraj Haqqani. Five houses were destroyed, and no rescue was attempted because of the continuing presence of drones. The father of dead child Syed Wali Shah later told photographer&#160;Noor Bekhram: “We had no idea of what was happening or why. We heard a blast at around 2.30 in the morning, and then part of a missile hit our house in the courtyard where the whole family was sleeping.”</p>
<p>“No rescue was attempted because of the continuing presence of drones” because the control cowboys keep looking at the scene of their butchery through the cameras that stay circling above the scene of their attack, and if anyone attempts to enter the area to try to help kids who are bleeding to death, then they get zapped to shreds, too.</p>
<p>Seven year-old Syed was one of sixty kids killed, so far, by the CIA’s Air Force executioners from Nevada, and his murder can be shrugged off by Obama’s comfortable claim that “drones have not caused a huge number of civilian casualties.”&#160;&#160;Sure:&#160;&#160;there hasn’t been a “huge number”.&#160;&#160;How nice for you, Mr President, to be able to sleep well at night, knowing your orders have resulted in the death of only a few dozen innocent kids.</p>
<p>When an innocent American boy, Trayvon Martin was killed by a gun-happy vigilante in Florida in March, Obama said</p>
<p>When I think about this boy, I think about my own kids. I think every parent in America should be able to understand why it is absolutely imperative that we investigate every aspect of this . . . Obviously, this is a tragedy. I can only imagine what these parents are going through. All of us have to do some soul searching to figure out how something like this has happened.</p>
<p>What about some soul searching and figuring concerning the USAF/CIA killing of seven year-old Syed Shah in Pakistan? That was a tragedy, too. Trayvon Martin was suspected of being up to no good, carrying candies in a menacing manner, and he was shot dead. But Syed Shah wasn’t suspected of doing anything at all when he was killed by one of Obama’s drones:&#160;&#160;he was only seven years old and was asleep when the drone-meisters made sure he would never wake up.</p>
<p>Mr Obama declared “My main message is to the parents of Trayvon Martin. You know, if I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon. All of us as Americans are going to take this with the seriousness it deserves.”&#160;&#160;Certainly it’s important to take killing kids seriously.&#160;&#160;So why doesn’t Obama send a message to the parents of Syed Shah?&#160;&#160;Of course he couldn’t send a message to Syed’s mom because his drone killed her, too.&#160;&#160;But Syed’s dad survived,&#160;and maybe he’d like to hear from the President who has such compassion for kids.</p>
<p>But he won’t hear a word, because his son&#160;&#160;died in one of Obama’s&#160;&#160;“precise precision strikes&#160;against al-Qaeda and their affiliates.” The drones will continue to deal out hellfire, and kids will continue to die.</p>
<p>Brian Cloughley’s&#160;website is&#160; <a href="http://www.beecluff.com" type="external">www.beecluff.com</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | want make sure people understand actually drones caused huge number civilian casualties pakistan part precise precision strikes al qaeda affiliates president obama160160january 31 2012 bureau counted 260 strikes pakistan predator reaper drones since president obama took office said 282 535 civilians credibly reported killed attacks including 60 children american officials said number much high though acknowledged least several dozen civilians killed inadvertently strikes aimed militant suspects new york times february 5 2012 say types operations 160160that us involved counterterrorism realm nearly past year hasnt single collateral death exceptional proficiency precision capabilities weve able develop president obamas counterterrorism adviser john brennan june 29 2011 although us officials declare number civilians reported independent sources killed pakistan obamas drone missiles much high dont say assessed figure might be160160they claim several dozen died160160and president united states says several dozen huge number dead innocents either people dont know figures dont care them160whats five dozen dead kids all160160are important160160160of course not160160160so tap mouse flick switch hit keys best interests of160160compressing kill chain soaring drones roam reap harvest blood160160and get get good missile strikes kill people militant160suspects got it160160160160160i160suspect160you militant therefore going kill requirement legally identify suspected enemy united states firing missile him160160whether people sights drone cameras live die determined nimblefingered mafia robocowboys playing assassination video games use cliché embody police judge jury executioner court appeal grant life decide deny continuance160160they ultimate terminators accountable laws neither gods man deal death160160160in modern civilization united states america proudly democratic country160employs professional exterminators need heed rules developed centuries try make planet better place drone killings inflicted hellfire missiles whose new versions warheads designed inflict greater damage multiroom structures compared hellfires standard blastfragmentation warheads 160160when explosive detonates aluminum mixture dispersed rapidly burns resultant sustained high pressure extremely effective enemy personnel structures160160it also kills kids course lots people dont deserve exterminated hellfire missiles doubt death even many people fingerprod technodweebs rid world evil characters first person killed drone pakistan man called nek mohammad wazir june 2004160160he evil person doubt killed without remorse deserved die160160but following eight years missile blitz lots people died hundreds committed crime difficult independent observers identify beyond doubt number women children innocents killed coldeyed controllers us air force base creech nevada divine dealers death see exactly exterminate imagery drones systems superb160160they see crinkle cheek thrust lip furrow brow160160such amazing technology160160and theyve killed victims cameras linger scene used call bda bomb damage assessment armchair reckoning exactly much carnage wreaked high pressure blast fragmentation slaughter freedom results sort thing twenty one people killed including three women six children including160syed wali shah160aged seven160in attack madrassa linked to160siraj haqqani five houses destroyed rescue attempted continuing presence drones father dead child syed wali shah later told photographer160noor bekhram idea happening heard blast around 230 morning part missile hit house courtyard whole family sleeping rescue attempted continuing presence drones control cowboys keep looking scene butchery cameras stay circling scene attack anyone attempts enter area try help kids bleeding death get zapped shreds seven yearold syed one sixty kids killed far cias air force executioners nevada murder shrugged obamas comfortable claim drones caused huge number civilian casualties160160sure160160there hasnt huge number160160how nice mr president able sleep well night knowing orders resulted death dozen innocent kids innocent american boy trayvon martin killed gunhappy vigilante florida march obama said think boy think kids think every parent america able understand absolutely imperative investigate every aspect obviously tragedy imagine parents going us soul searching figure something like happened soul searching figuring concerning usafcia killing seven yearold syed shah pakistan tragedy trayvon martin suspected good carrying candies menacing manner shot dead syed shah wasnt suspected anything killed one obamas drones160160he seven years old asleep dronemeisters made sure would never wake mr obama declared main message parents trayvon martin know son hed look like trayvon us americans going take seriousness deserves160160certainly important take killing kids seriously160160so doesnt obama send message parents syed shah160160of course couldnt send message syeds mom drone killed too160160but syeds dad survived160and maybe hed like hear president compassion kids wont hear word son160160died one obamas160160precise precision strikes160against alqaeda affiliates drones continue deal hellfire kids continue die brian cloughleys160website is160 wwwbeecluffcom 160 | 681 |
<p />
<p>Two-thirds of American households have pets: “ <a href="http://www.appma.org/press_releasedetail.asp?id=109" type="external">New National Pet Owners Survey</a>,” American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc.</p>
<p>One-third of American households has children: “ <a href="http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Area%20Sheets/Area%20Sheet%20CT.doc" type="external">2005 American Community Survey</a>,” US Census Bureau.</p>
<p>The American pet economy in 2006: MarketResearch.com “Packaged Facts reports on Pet Travel &amp; Convenience, May 2007.”</p>
<p>The pet economy is resistant to recession: “Crazy for their Pets, Americans are on a Spending Spree” The News Journal Wilmington, Delaware, August 20, 2007.</p>
<p>One-third of women agree: “ <a href="http://www.akc.org/pdfs/press_center/press_releases/2006/ValentineSurvey.pdf" type="external">Valentine’s Day Survey, January 2006</a>,” American Kennel Club.</p>
<p>Sharing beds with pets and buying gifts: “ <a href="http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=840" type="external">Pets Are “Members of the Family”</a>,” Harris Interactive, The Harris Poll, December 2007.</p>
<p>Snoring pets: “ <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/02/020215070932.htm" type="external">Dog Tired? It Could be Your Pooch</a>,” ScienceDaily, Mayo Clinic research, 2002.</p>
<p>PetSmart CEO: “ <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_32/b4045001.htm?chan=search#top" type="external">The Pet Economy</a>,” BusinessWeek, August 2007.</p>
<p>Purebread dogs can be matched to their masters: “Do Dogs Resemble Their Owners?” Michael Roy and Nicholas Christenfeld, Department of Psychology, University of California at San Diego.</p>
<p>$24.5 billion on pet health care: “ <a href="http://www.avma.org/press/releases/071211_sourcebook.asp" type="external">U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographic Sourcebook</a>,” American Veterinary Medical Association, December 2007.</p>
<p>Doggie anti-depressant: “ <a href="http://reconcile.com/reconcile-product/default.aspx" type="external">Reconcile</a>,” Eli Lilly &amp; Co.</p>
<p>Doggie diet drug: “ <a href="http://www.pfizerah.com/product_overview.asp?drug=SL&amp;country=US&amp;lang=EN&amp;species=CN" type="external">Slentrol</a>,” Pfizer.</p>
<p>The obesity epidemic: “ <a href="http://www.stopcanineobesity.com" type="external">Stop Canine Obesity</a>“</p>
<p>Urns for pet ashes: “ <a href="http://www.appma.org/press_releasedetail.asp?id=109" type="external">New National Pet Owners Survey</a>,” American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, Inc.</p>
<p />
<p>Oprah’s dogs: “ <a href="http://womansday.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=294670" type="external">Oprah’s Dogs Will Inherit Millions</a>,” (denied by Angela DePaul, publicist, Harpo Industries).</p>
<p>Tori Spelling’s pug’s blog: “ <a href="http://www.dogster.com/dogs/601765/diary/Confessions_from_a_canine_drama_queen/377128" type="external">Confessions from a Canine Drama Queen</a>,” Dogster.com.</p>
<p>Leona Helmsley’s will: “ <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/nyregion/city_room/20070829_helmsleywill.pdf" type="external">Last Will and Testament of Leona M. Helmsley</a>.”</p>
<p />
<p>Mr. Winkle: “ <a href="http://www.mrwinkle.com/news" type="external">Mrwinkle.com</a>“.</p>
<p>Social networking for pets: “ <a href="http://www.dogster.com" type="external">Dogster.com</a>,” “ <a href="http://www.catster.com" type="external">Catster.com</a>.”</p>
<p>Pam Anderson’s chihuahua: “ <a href="http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/newsfeed/2005/08/19/the-bride-wore-fur-86908-15872885/" type="external">The Bride Wore Fur</a>,” Daily Record, August 2005.</p>
<p>Michael Jackson’s pet chimp Bubbles: “ <a href="http://www.prime-apes.org/html/bubbles.html" type="external">Biography of Bubbles</a>,” Center for Great Apes.</p>
<p>Juicy Crittoure: “ <a href="http://www.juicycouture.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod3300001" type="external">Dog Pawfum</a>,” Juicy Couture.</p>
<p>Pet hotels: “ <a href="http://www.waghotels.com" type="external">Waghotels.com</a>.”</p>
<p>Walt Disney World’s planned pet resort: “ <a href="http://www.wdwnews.com/viewpressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=109151&amp;siteid=1" type="external">Best Friends to Build Luxury Pet Resort at Walt Disney World Resort</a>,” Walt Disney World news.</p>
<p>Number of animal trainers rises sharply: “ <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/27/fashion/27DOGS.html" type="external">A Chorus of Dog Whisperers</a>,” New York Times December 2007.</p>
<p>The parrot that helps with anxiety attacks: “ <a href="http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&amp;p_theme=sl&amp;p_action=search&amp;p_maxdocs=200&amp;s_dispstring=sadie%20parrot%20bipolar&amp;p_field_date-0=YMD_date&amp;p_params_date-0=date:B,E&amp;p_text_date-0=2006&amp;p_field_advanced-0=&amp;p_text_advanced-0=(sadie%20parrot%20bipolar)&amp;xcal_numdocs=20&amp;p_perpage=10&amp;p_sort=_rank_:D&amp;xcal_ranksort=4&amp;xcal_useweights=yes" type="external">Sadie the Parrot, at Your Service</a>,” Sarah Casey, Saint Louis Post-Dispatch, October 7, 2006.</p>
<p />
<p>The iPond: “ <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/ipond-gone-gilly-heads-for-brighter-days/2007/12/22/1198175413380.html" type="external">iPond Gone, Gilly Heads for Brighter Days</a>,” The Age, December 2007.</p>
<p />
<p>British prime minister’s office rejects backyard elephants: “ <a href="http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page14196.asp" type="external">EPetition Reply: Elephants for Pets</a>,” Office of the Prime Minister.</p>
<p>Exotic pets imported: “ <a href="http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2006/11/27/exoticpet_ani.html?category=animals&amp;guid=20061127150030" type="external">Exotic Pet Trade Booming in U.S.</a>,” Margaret Ebrahim, Associated Press, November 2006.</p>
<p>Getting high of the dried venom of toads: “ <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles/2007/12/03/cops_more_smoke_toad_venom_to_get_high/" type="external">Cops: More Smoke Toad Venom to Get High</a>,” Associated Press, December 2007.</p>
<p>Tiger in NY apartment: “ <a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C05E6DB1E3CF93BA35753C1A9659C8B63" type="external">A Tiger’s Keeper Says He Misses His ‘Friend’</a>,” New York Times October 2003.</p>
<p>Presidents and their executive pets: “ <a href="http://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com" type="external">Presidential Pet Museum</a>.</p>
<p>Fashionable choices in dog collars: “About Dog Collars,” New York Times, April 27, 1884.</p>
<p>Pet pigeon fad: “Pet Pigeons, Latest Fad,” New York Times, 1907.</p>
<p>The birth of an urban alligator legend: “Alligator Found in Uptown Sewer,” New York Times February 10, 1935.</p>
<p>Cocker spaniels, Poodles as top dogs: “ <a href="http://www.akc.org/press_center/facts_stats.cfm?page=popular_pooches" type="external">AKC Registration Statistics, Fact Sheet</a>,” American Kennel Club.</p>
<p>Sea-monkeys: “ <a href="http://www.sea-monkeys.com" type="external">What are Sea-Monkeys Anyway?</a>.</p>
<p>Potbellied pigs: “ <a href="http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/potpigs.htm" type="external">Survey of Humane Organizations and Slaughter Plans Regarding Experiences with Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs</a>,” Linda K. Lord, Thomas E. Wittum, Ohio State University.</p>
<p>Cocker spaniels once again Top Dog in 1983: “ <a href="http://www.akc.org/press_center/facts_stats.cfm?page=popular_pooches" type="external">AKC Registration Statistics, Fact Sheet</a>,” American Kennel Club.</p>
<p>Rottweilers in Russia: “ <a href="http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9401E2DB143EF93BA3575BC0A960958260&amp;sec=&amp;spon=&amp;pagewanted=1" type="external">Moscow’s Rich Flaunt Rottweilers</a>,” Sara Koenig, New York Times, August 8, 1996.</p>
<p>Pet hedgehogs: “Hedgehogs Latest ‘Designer Pet,'” Shawne K. Wickham, Union Leader, April 1995.</p>
<p>Tamagotchi: “ <a href="http://www.bandai.com/news/news.cfm?wn_id=71" type="external">Bandai.com</a>.</p>
<p>Rudy Giuliani vs. ferret-lovers: “ <a href="http://www.oliverwillis.com/wp-content/uploads/rudy_ferret.mp3" type="external">Giuliani responds to a caller on his radio show asking about the ferret ban</a>.</p>
<p>Sugar gliders: “ <a href="http://www.sugarglider.com" type="external">SugarGlider.com</a>.</p>
<p>Freeing Nemo: “ <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2003/TECH/science/06/30/coolsc.nemo.fish/index.html" type="external">‘Nemo’ fans net fish warning</a>,” CNN.com, June 2003.</p>
<p>Monkeypox outbreak: “ <a href="http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/03-27557.htm" type="external">Control of communicable diseases; restriction on African rodents, prairie dogs, and certain other animals</a>.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 42 CFR Part 71.</p>
<p />
<p>Stag beetles: “ <a href="http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200418/000020041804A0625069.php" type="external">Biological Invasion Caused by Commercialization of Stag Beetles in Japan</a>,” Science Links Japan.</p>
<p>Toyger: “ <a href="http://www.toygers.org/shows.html" type="external">Toygers.com</a>.”</p>
<p />
<p>Ratatoile: “ <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7027671.stm" type="external">Film Triggers Rat Craze in France</a>,” BBC News 2007.</p>
<p /> | true | 4 | twothirds american households pets new national pet owners survey american pet products manufacturers association inc onethird american households children 2005 american community survey us census bureau american pet economy 2006 marketresearchcom packaged facts reports pet travel amp convenience may 2007 pet economy resistant recession crazy pets americans spending spree news journal wilmington delaware august 20 2007 onethird women agree valentines day survey january 2006 american kennel club sharing beds pets buying gifts pets members family harris interactive harris poll december 2007 snoring pets dog tired could pooch sciencedaily mayo clinic research 2002 petsmart ceo pet economy businessweek august 2007 purebread dogs matched masters dogs resemble owners michael roy nicholas christenfeld department psychology university california san diego 245 billion pet health care us pet ownership demographic sourcebook american veterinary medical association december 2007 doggie antidepressant reconcile eli lilly amp co doggie diet drug slentrol pfizer obesity epidemic stop canine obesity urns pet ashes new national pet owners survey american pet products manufacturers association inc oprahs dogs oprahs dogs inherit millions denied angela depaul publicist harpo industries tori spellings pugs blog confessions canine drama queen dogstercom leona helmsleys last testament leona helmsley mr winkle mrwinklecom social networking pets dogstercom catstercom pam andersons chihuahua bride wore fur daily record august 2005 michael jacksons pet chimp bubbles biography bubbles center great apes juicy crittoure dog pawfum juicy couture pet hotels waghotelscom walt disney worlds planned pet resort best friends build luxury pet resort walt disney world resort walt disney world news number animal trainers rises sharply chorus dog whisperers new york times december 2007 parrot helps anxiety attacks sadie parrot service sarah casey saint louis postdispatch october 7 2006 ipond ipond gone gilly heads brighter days age december 2007 british prime ministers office rejects backyard elephants epetition reply elephants pets office prime minister exotic pets imported exotic pet trade booming us margaret ebrahim associated press november 2006 getting high dried venom toads cops smoke toad venom get high associated press december 2007 tiger ny apartment tigers keeper says misses friend new york times october 2003 presidents executive pets presidential pet museum fashionable choices dog collars dog collars new york times april 27 1884 pet pigeon fad pet pigeons latest fad new york times 1907 birth urban alligator legend alligator found uptown sewer new york times february 10 1935 cocker spaniels poodles top dogs akc registration statistics fact sheet american kennel club seamonkeys seamonkeys anyway potbellied pigs survey humane organizations slaughter plans regarding experiences vietnamese potbellied pigs linda k lord thomas e wittum ohio state university cocker spaniels top dog 1983 akc registration statistics fact sheet american kennel club rottweilers russia moscows rich flaunt rottweilers sara koenig new york times august 8 1996 pet hedgehogs hedgehogs latest designer pet shawne k wickham union leader april 1995 tamagotchi bandaicom rudy giuliani vs ferretlovers giuliani responds caller radio show asking ferret ban sugar gliders sugarglidercom freeing nemo nemo fans net fish warning cnncom june 2003 monkeypox outbreak control communicable diseases restriction african rodents prairie dogs certain animals centers disease control prevention 42 cfr part 71 stag beetles biological invasion caused commercialization stag beetles japan science links japan toyger toygerscom ratatoile film triggers rat craze france bbc news 2007 | 531 |
<p>Fifty years ago Aldo Leopold hailed theColorado River delta as North America’s greatest oasis: Two millionacres of wetlands, cienegas, lagoons, tidal pools, jaguars andmesquite scrublands. Today it’s a wasteland.</p>
<p>The mighty Colorado River nolonger reaches the Sea of Cortez. Its entire annual flow has divertedand spit out into hay fields, water fountains in front of Vegashotels and thousands of golf courses. The Colorado has been suckedup to the last drop.</p>
<p>It’s once lush delta is nowa salt flat, as barren as Carthage after Scipio Africanus tookhis revenge on Hannibal’s homeland. This estuary used to be oneof the wonders of the world: a vast wetland, teeming with morethan 400 species of plants and animals. In fact, like the Nile,another desert river, nearly 80 percent of the riparian habitatfor the entire Colorado River was once clustered near the mouthof the river. The shallow lagoons in the delta region are hometo the Vacquita dolphin, at four feet in length the world’s smallest,which is now on the brink of extinction, with only 100 animalsknown to exist. Dozens of other endemic species are in the sameshape.</p>
<p>And not just animals are introuble. The delta was once the cultural mecca of the CopachaIndians, who made a good living fishing the estuary. But thesedays the fishing boats are beached and the Indians and Mexicanresidents are in grinding poverty, forced to work multiple jobsin distant tortilla factories, maquiladoras and wheat fields.</p>
<p>Perhaps, the only legal frameworkas mind-numbing as the Law of Sea is the Law of the Colorado River.This thicket of deals, trade-offs, set-asides, subsidies and politicallysanctioned thievery is nearly impenetrable to even the most seasonedand cyncial observer. But from the Mexican side of the border,the law is devastatingly simple: The US retains 95 percent ofthe Colorado River’s water and Mexico gets what’s left over. Mostyears this is about 1.5 million acre feet, roughly the same amountthat Sonoran desert farmers were using to irrigate their beanand onion fields in 1922.</p>
<p>Just before the Colorado crosses theUS/Mexico border 75 percent of its flow is diverted into the All-Americancanal. From there the water is flushed into wasteful irrigationsystems and it eventually trickles down into the Salton Sea, oncean important stop on the Pacific flyway for migratory birds nowa toxic soup of fertilizer and pesticide runoff. Instead of abird paradise, the Salton Sea has become a killing ground, theavian equivalent of cancer alley.</p>
<p>The water that eventually makesit to Mexico-much of it run-off from Arizona and California alfalfaand cotton fields– is nearly as salt-laden and toxic as thatin the Salton Sea. The situation is so extreme that the Bureauof Reclamation was compelled to build a $211 “reverse-osmosis”desalination plant at Yuma, Arizona. But that plant, built in1992, has only operated for a year.</p>
<p>It comes down to consumption.People in the American southwest have yet to come to turns withthe fact that they live in a desert. Per capita water use by theresidents of California, Nevada and Arizona ranges up to as muchas 200 gallons a day, more than 120 percent above the daily averagefor the rest of the nation. In Israel, for example, daily waterconsumption is less than 75 gallons.</p>
<p>But as stark as these numbersare the thirst of California agribusiness is downright vampirishby comparison. Nearly, 80 percent of the Colorado’s flow goesto corporate farming. Much of it to low-valued crops, such asalfalfa, cotton and even potatoes, that require lots of water.And because of their political clout they get the water cheap.Residents of Los Angeles, for example, pay as much as $600 peracre-foot for water from the Colorado. Big agribusiness is gettingthe same water for only $13 per acre foot.</p>
<p>For nearly 150 years, the attitudeof the water users of the American West has been guided by onedictate: “use it or lose it.” The notion of allowingany water to remain in the river, for fish, for birds, for rafters, or for Mexico, has long been anathema to the water lords.</p>
<p>“Scientists say we need at least one-percent to keep theColorado River delta on life-support,” says David Orr, ofthe Moab, Utah-based Glen Canyon Action Network. “That’swhy we started the One-percent for the Delta Campaign. We’re askingall of the water users in the Colorado basin to donate one-percentof their allocation to help restore the delta. One percent’s nota lot to ask, is it?”</p>
<p>The question is rhetorical,because Orr knows better than anyone that the history of westernwater politics is based on this paradigm: use it or lose it. That’swhy the Colorado and its tributaries are dammed and diverted fromWyoming to the Mexican border. For the water lords’ perspective,it’s better to waste the water than to leave it in the river.</p>
<p>That’s how we got Glen CanyonDam, one of the world’s greatest desecrations of nature. Thisconcrete plug flooded nearly 300 miles of the Colorado, destroyingone of the most glorious canyons on earth. But the impounded water-theequivilent of two years of the river’s entire flow–just sitsthere. Lake Powell is what’s known as a storage reservoir. It’sthere to merely keep the water from reaching the Sea of Cortezwhere it would be “lost.”</p>
<p>But here’s where we arrive atjust how perverse the system has become. Because Lake Powell sitsin the middle of a redrock desert, it loses a lot of water everyyear to evaporation. How much? More than a million acre feet.Moreover, another 350,000 acre feet are absorbed into the sandstonewalls of the canyon. All told that represents ten percent of theColorado’s yearly flow. To put it in perspective: the evaporationloss in a single day is equal to the amount of water used by 17,000homes in Phoenix over an entire year.</p>
<p>This grim fact has led to aradical but sensible idea: tear down Glen Canyon dam, restorethe canyon and let the water return to the delta, where it canreplenish that once teeming oasis. To promote this outlandishlyappropriate plan, Orr and his colleagues have taken to the roadin a water-tanker truck, stopping at dams along the course ofthe Colorado, taking a bucket of water from each stop and intopouring the holds of the tanker, ultimately delivering it to theColorado Delta. They’ve named their truck “Vaquita Rescue”,after the rare porpoise.</p>
<p>This is the face of the new environmentalmovement: ethnically diverse, smart, theatrical, militant, andarmed with a passion for social and ecological justice as wellas a sense of humor–true descendents of their mentors David Browerand Edward Abbey.</p>
<p>Riding along with the truckon several of its stops in the Four Corners region was ThomasMorris, the head of the Navajo Medicine Men’s Association. Morrissees the damming of the Colorado as an assault on the culturaland spiritual roots of native people throughout the Southwest.Many of the sites most sacred to Morris and the Navajo tribe arenow buried under hundreds of feet of water, destined for Phoenixsubdivisions and golf courses.</p>
<p>“Preserving our culturaltraditions is more important but harder to do as time goes by,”says Morris. “Indian people have worked hard to gain protectionfor our spiritual beliefs and practices, for the places wherewe make prayers, sing songs, and hold ceremonies. We have seensome progress, but there is still a long way to go. Imagine howit might feel if the great cathedrals were bulldozed for stripmalls. The Bible tells how Jesus threw the moneychangers out ofthe temple. We can relate to that when we see our sacred placesflooded and turned into tourist attractions.”</p>
<p>Taking down Glen Canyon dam and restoringflows to the mouth of the Colorado would be a big first step towardrighting old wrongs on both sides of the border. CP</p> | true | 4 | fifty years ago aldo leopold hailed thecolorado river delta north americas greatest oasis two millionacres wetlands cienegas lagoons tidal pools jaguars andmesquite scrublands today wasteland mighty colorado river nolonger reaches sea cortez entire annual flow divertedand spit hay fields water fountains front vegashotels thousands golf courses colorado suckedup last drop lush delta nowa salt flat barren carthage scipio africanus tookhis revenge hannibals homeland estuary used oneof wonders world vast wetland teeming morethan 400 species plants animals fact like nileanother desert river nearly 80 percent riparian habitatfor entire colorado river clustered near mouthof river shallow lagoons delta region hometo vacquita dolphin four feet length worlds smallestwhich brink extinction 100 animalsknown exist dozens endemic species sameshape animals introuble delta cultural mecca copachaindians made good living fishing estuary thesedays fishing boats beached indians mexicanresidents grinding poverty forced work multiple jobsin distant tortilla factories maquiladoras wheat fields perhaps legal frameworkas mindnumbing law sea law colorado riverthis thicket deals tradeoffs setasides subsidies politicallysanctioned thievery nearly impenetrable even seasonedand cyncial observer mexican side borderthe law devastatingly simple us retains 95 percent ofthe colorado rivers water mexico gets whats left mostyears 15 million acre feet roughly amountthat sonoran desert farmers using irrigate beanand onion fields 1922 colorado crosses theusmexico border 75 percent flow diverted allamericancanal water flushed wasteful irrigationsystems eventually trickles salton sea oncean important stop pacific flyway migratory birds nowa toxic soup fertilizer pesticide runoff instead abird paradise salton sea become killing ground theavian equivalent cancer alley water eventually makesit mexicomuch runoff arizona california alfalfaand cotton fields nearly saltladen toxic thatin salton sea situation extreme bureauof reclamation compelled build 211 reverseosmosisdesalination plant yuma arizona plant built in1992 operated year comes consumptionpeople american southwest yet come turns withthe fact live desert per capita water use theresidents california nevada arizona ranges muchas 200 gallons day 120 percent daily averagefor rest nation israel example daily waterconsumption less 75 gallons stark numbersare thirst california agribusiness downright vampirishby comparison nearly 80 percent colorados flow goesto corporate farming much lowvalued crops asalfalfa cotton even potatoes require lots waterand political clout get water cheapresidents los angeles example pay much 600 peracrefoot water colorado big agribusiness gettingthe water 13 per acre foot nearly 150 years attitudeof water users american west guided onedictate use lose notion allowingany water remain river fish birds rafters mexico long anathema water lords scientists say need least onepercent keep thecolorado river delta lifesupport says david orr ofthe moab utahbased glen canyon action network thatswhy started onepercent delta campaign askingall water users colorado basin donate onepercentof allocation help restore delta one percents nota lot ask question rhetoricalbecause orr knows better anyone history westernwater politics based paradigm use lose thatswhy colorado tributaries dammed diverted fromwyoming mexican border water lords perspectiveits better waste water leave river thats got glen canyondam one worlds greatest desecrations nature thisconcrete plug flooded nearly 300 miles colorado destroyingone glorious canyons earth impounded watertheequivilent two years rivers entire flowjust sitsthere lake powell whats known storage reservoir itsthere merely keep water reaching sea cortezwhere would lost heres arrive atjust perverse system become lake powell sitsin middle redrock desert loses lot water everyyear evaporation much million acre feetmoreover another 350000 acre feet absorbed sandstonewalls canyon told represents ten percent thecolorados yearly flow put perspective evaporationloss single day equal amount water used 17000homes phoenix entire year grim fact led aradical sensible idea tear glen canyon dam restorethe canyon let water return delta canreplenish teeming oasis promote outlandishlyappropriate plan orr colleagues taken roadin watertanker truck stopping dams along course ofthe colorado taking bucket water stop intopouring holds tanker ultimately delivering thecolorado delta theyve named truck vaquita rescueafter rare porpoise face new environmentalmovement ethnically diverse smart theatrical militant andarmed passion social ecological justice wellas sense humortrue descendents mentors david browerand edward abbey riding along truckon several stops four corners region thomasmorris head navajo medicine mens association morrissees damming colorado assault culturaland spiritual roots native people throughout southwestmany sites sacred morris navajo tribe arenow buried hundreds feet water destined phoenixsubdivisions golf courses preserving culturaltraditions important harder time goes bysays morris indian people worked hard gain protectionfor spiritual beliefs practices places wherewe make prayers sing songs hold ceremonies seensome progress still long way go imagine howit might feel great cathedrals bulldozed stripmalls bible tells jesus threw moneychangers ofthe temple relate see sacred placesflooded turned tourist attractions taking glen canyon dam restoringflows mouth colorado would big first step towardrighting old wrongs sides border cp | 727 |
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Mired in the disastrous Iraq quagmire, opposed by a majority of Americans, George W. Bush has reached new depths of reckless, belligerent bellowing. At a recent news conference, he volunteered that he told our allies that if they’re “interested in avoiding World War III,” Iran must be prevented from both developing a nuclear weapon or having “the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon.”</p>
<p>To what level of political insanity has this Washington Caesar descended? Only two countries can start World War III-Russia and the United States. Is Bush saying that if Russia, presently opposed to military action against Iran, persists with its position, Bush may risk World War III? If not, why is this law-breaking warmonger, looking for another war for American GIs to fight, while his military-age daughters bask in the celebrity lime light?</p>
<p>Why is he using such catastrophic language?</p>
<p>Surely he does not think Iran could start World War III. His own intelligence agencies say that, even assuming that the international inspectors are wrong and Iran is moving toward developing the “knowledge” of such weapons, it can’t build its first such weapon before 3 to 5 years at the earliest.</p>
<p>Why would a regime ruling an impoverished country risk suicide, surrounded as it is by countries armed to the nuclear teeth, such as Israel and the United States? This nation of nearly 80 million people hardly needs to be reminded that the U.S. overthrew its popular premier in 1953, installing for the next 27 years the brutal regime of the Shah.</p>
<p>They recall that President Reagan and his Vice President, George Herbert Walker Bush urged, funded and equipped Saddam Hussein in his invasion of Iran-a nation that has not invaded any country in over 250 years-which took around 700,000 Iranian lives.</p>
<p>Moreover, the undeniable historical record shows that U.S. companies received licenses from the Department of Commerce, under Reagan, to ship Saddam the raw materials necessary to make chemical and biological weapons. Saddam used such lethal chemical weapons, with the tolerance of Reagan and Rumsfeld, on Iranians to devastating effect in terms of lives lost.</p>
<p>Then George W. Bush labels Iran a member of the “axis of evil” along with Iraq, ignoring a serious proposal by Iran in 2003 for negotiations, and shows what his language means by invading Iraq.</p>
<p>The authoritarian Iranian government is frightened enough to hurl some defiant rhetoric back at Washington and widen its perimeter defense. Seymour Hersh, the topflight investigative reporter for the New Yorker magazine has written numerous articles on how the crowding of Iran, including infiltrating its interior, has become an obsession of the messianic militarist in the White House.</p>
<p>The Pentagon is more cautious, worrying about our already drained Army and the absence of any military strategy and readiness for many consequences that would follow Bush’s “bombs away” mentality.</p>
<p>Then there is the matter of the Democrats in Congress. After their costly fumble on Iraq, the opposition Party should make it very constitutionally clear, as recommended by former New York Governor, Mario Cuomo in a recent op-ed, that there can be no funded attacks on any country without a Congressional declaration of war, as explicitly required by the framers of our Constitution.</p>
<p>But the Democrats are too busy surrendering to other Bush demands, whether unconstitutional, above the law or just plain marinated in corporate greed. Some of this obeisance was all too clear in the Democrats questioning of Bush’s nominee for Attorney General, Michael B. Mukasey.</p>
<p>After the two days of hearings, no Democrat has yet announced a vote against Mukasey, even after he evaded questions on torture and argued for the inherent power of the President to act contrary to the laws of the land if he unilaterally believes he has the inherent constitutional authority to do so.</p>
<p>This position aligns Mukasey with the imperial views of Bush, Cheney, Ashcroft and Gonzales on the “unitary Executive.” In short, reminiscent of the divine right of Kings, the forthcoming Attorney General believes Bush can say that ‘he is the law’ regardless of Congress and the judiciary.</p>
<p>After two recent lead editorials demonstrating its specific exasperation over the Democrats’ kowtowing to the White House, the New York Times added a third on October 20, 2007 titled “With Democrats Like These” The editorial recounted the ways Democrats, especially in the Senate, have caved on critical constitutional and statutory safeguards regarding the Bush-Cheney policies and practices of spying on Americans without judicial approval and accountability.</p>
<p>Accusing the Democrats of “the politics of fear,” the Times concluded: “It was bad enough having a one-party government when the Republicans controlled the White House and both houses of Congress. But the Democrats took over, and still the one-party system continues.”</p>
<p>There is more grist coming for the Times’ editorial mill. Last week, the first African-American chair of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, Charles Rangel (D-NY), declared that Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson, Jr., fresh from Wall Street, had persuaded him, during a decade of increasing record profits, to lower the porous corporate income tax rate from 35% to 25%.</p>
<p>“We can live with that,” Chairman Rangel declared.</p>
<p>Would the working families in his District, who would be paying a higher tax rate on their modest income, agree?</p>
<p>RALPH NADER is the author of <a href="" type="internal">The Seventeen Traditions</a></p>
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<p>The Christian right, generally speaking, embraces religious Zionism—not simply support for the modern Jewish state, but a certain view of the past, present and future based on a Bible-centered understanding of history and a prophetic vision of the future. That entails, in bare outline, the following narrative.</p>
<p>Prophecy and the Basic Bible Story</p>
<p>God, who created everything, chose a man named Abraham about 4000 years ago to bless the world through his descendents. Those descendents include the progeny of his eldest son Ishmael (regarded by many Jews, Christians and Muslims as the Arabs), and those of his second son Isaac, the Jews. The latter hold a special status in the universe. God has spoken with many of them, through angels, in dreams or directly, and provided them with the Ten Commandments, directly in writing. He has sent them prophets to inform humankind about the future. The Jewish scriptures comprising the Old Testament of the Bible are God’s Holy Writ, originally in Hebrew.</p>
<p>God’s covenant with Abraham involved a promise of a homeland. His descendents were to possess all the land between the Nile and the Euphrates. (One can interpret this to mean it all goes to the Jews, or that it is shared by the descendents of both Ishmael and Isaac.) Isaac’s grandson Joseph, sold by his brothers into slavery in Egypt, became a great man in Egypt and ultimately forgiving his brothers arranged for them and his father Jacob to settle in that country. There, over generations, they became numerous. But becoming enslaved they yearned for deliverance, and were miraculously led out of Egypt by Moses.</p>
<p>After 40 years wandering in the Sinai Desert, in the course of which they received the Ten Commandments, they were (minus Moses) able to enter the Promised Land (Canaan), slaughter its inhabitants in fulfillment of God’s command, and settle it. After many years of leadership by “judges” they set up a kingdom (Judea) under King Saul, who was followed by King David. After the death of David’s son Solomon, the nation split into Judah and Israel. In the seventh and sixth centuries BCE, as punishment for the sins of the Jewish kings and their subjects, foretold by their prophets such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, God had the Babylonians defeat both kingdoms, destroy the Temple in Jerusalem, and carry many of their inhabitants off to Babylon. (This is called the “Babylonian Captivity.”) But in fulfillment of prophecies, the Jews were able to return to the Promised Land in the fifth century, rebuild the Temple, and flourish although subject to Persian, then Hellenistic and Roman domination. Under foreign rule, they longed for the messiah or “anointed one” foretold by the prophets and for the rebirth of an independent Jewish kingdom.</p>
<p>Here’s where the narrative of religious Jewish Zionists and the Christian Zionists diverges. The latter of course believe that God became incarnate among the Jews, born of a Jewish virgin descended from King David. God’s son Jesus was the messiah, or (in Greek) the christ. Suffering for the sins of the entire world (not only those of the Jews but those of Gentiles too), the messiah was crucified but rose from the dead, offering all those who believe that he is the messiah, and God, eternal life. This is what the Apostle Paul, who specialized in proselytizing among the Gentiles, called the “new covenant” involving God and Christians (2 Corinthians 3:6 and elsewhere).</p>
<p>Some Christians believe that since the majority of Jews didn’t accept Jesus as the messiah and son of God (or in extreme cases, because “They killed Jesus!”) God punished them by allowing the Romans to destroy the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE, and to disperse them once again. Thousands were sold into slavery. After the rebellion in the 130s Jews were banned from Jerusalem, and Emperor Hadrian took measures to eliminate Judaism by banning the Jewish calendar, circumcision, and the teaching of Judaism. Many Jews believe all this was divine punishment as well, God’s chastisement of his people through history being a recurring Biblical theme.</p>
<p>Both Christians and Jews can explain the subsequent trials of the Jewish people by reference to Biblical prophecy, such as the prophecy in Deuteronomy which states that as punishment for their disobedience God will “scatter [them] among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other.” “Among those nations there will be no repose for you, no rest for the sole of your foot; Yahweh will give you a quaking heart, weary eyes, halting breath. Your life from the outset will be a burden to you: night and day you will go in fear, uncertain of your life” (28:64-67). However, Jeremiah 16:14-16 tells us that God “will restore [the Jews] to the land [he] gave their forefathers.” One might say from the context that the prophet is only referring to the return from Babylonian exile, but religious Zionists, Jewish or Christian, apply this to the “miraculous” reestablishment of Israel after the terrors of exile in the twentieth century.</p>
<p>New Testament prophecy, supplemented by Old Testament prophecy, allows for a various future scenarios, by the Christian right is inclined to believe that the reestablishment of Israel was foretold in the Book of Revelation and as a prelude to apocalyptic events, including a horrific war centering around Jerusalem, global rule by the Antichrist, Jesus’ return as a merciless judge, a “rapture” rewarding the upright (i.e., themselves) and the end of the world.</p>
<p>Critique of the “History”</p>
<p>Now, I don’t know that belief in this exciting narrative is confined to the politically active, dangerous religious right bent on obtaining “dominion” over the United States. There might be some—especially young people— inclined to accept it, or much of it, but still open-minded enough to consider some questions about it. In fact I’m sure there are, since I myself once believed but gradually became unable to, being a restlessly inquiring youth. I won’t burden the reader with how I came to reject the fundamental theistic premise, but only question the Biblical history and role of prophecy in it.</p>
<p>Abraham, whose story is so crucial to the three Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) is supposed to have lived about 2000 BCE. (I use BCE, or “before the Common Era” as opposed to BC, so as not to privilege the Christian faith. Sorry it if this, and my lower-case h’s—him not Him—annoy some readers.) The Biblical chronology is difficult, but however one reads it he’s located between 2100 and 1900. However, the earliest Hebrew writing dates back only to the 11th or 10th century BCE. The Hebrew alphabet was derived from Phoenician, which evolved out of the proto-Canaan alphabet (18th or 17th century BCE).</p>
<p>The Pentateuch (first five books of the Bible, including much of the above storyline) was written and edited from the 9th century at the earliest and probably not completed until the fifth. Deuteronomy is probably a seventh-century work. In other words, at least a millennium goes by before the stories of Abraham and his sons gets set down on papyrus. These tales are replete with references to lengthy age spans (Abraham’s supposed to have lived 175 years), miraculous pregnancies (Abraham’s wife Sarah bears Isaac at age 90), encounters with God and with angels, etc.</p>
<p>Of course none of this proves that it didn’t all happen, just as the Good Book says. The creator of the universe—provided there is one—could have planted in some Jews’ minds an oral tradition (including interminable lists of who begat whom and how long they lived, along with a massive compendium of law and sometimes contradictory accounts of events), up until the time that, having acquired writing from other people, they could set it all down as scripture.</p>
<p>Or, alternatively, we might say that the material is so inherently implausible, requiring us to imagine an earth so different from ours today, and the events so far-removed from the time the texts were composed that we should consider it a mix of legend, myth and history. As we do, for example, the Epic of Gilgamesh. The standard version of this text was written in Akkadian between 1300 and 1000 BCE, but the original Sumerian was set down around 2000, or about 400 years after the reign of King Gilgamesh. Included in the Sumerian King List (what I consider to be the oldest historical document in any language), Gilgamesh was probably a real person. The epic includes reference to real places and describes real habits and customs. But it is, after all, mostly fiction.</p>
<p>In this work predating Genesis by centuries, there is a tale about a great flood. Floods being common in Mesopotamia, they figure prominently in mythology. This particular flood, at least in one version, results from the gods’ irritation at all the noise humans were making. They decide to wipe out humankind, but a god warns the upright man Utnapishtim, who collects all life forms in a huge boat thereby saving them. The waters recede after either seven (in some versions, forty) days and nights. Sound familiar? Some want to believe the Sumerians got the story from the Jews but became confused about the “real” details. More likely, the Jews borrowed a Mesopotamian tale and rewrote it to reflect their own moralistic and monotheistic outlook. It’s an issue to think about, anyway, although there are people who fear that very thought process.</p>
<p>Abraham is a more plausible figure than say, Noah (who died at age 955, while Abraham was still alive, having lived through the near-total destruction of all life on earth) or Utnapishtim. Perhaps Abraham was a great patriarch with large herds who had migrated from the city of Ur in Mesopotamia (Genesis 11:31) to the Levant some time in the second millennium BCE. Perhaps his descendents, influenced by neighboring peoples (the practice of circumcision from Egypt, the seven-day week from Mesopotamia), developed a belief system that featured monotheism, and belief in a special nexus between God (Yahweh) and Abraham and themselves as a special people. The Biblical narrative suggests that the Jews from “the beginning” always possessed knowledge of the One God, even though they sometimes opted for paganism and idolatry bringing down his wrath. An alternative possibility would be that they originally worshipped a tribal deity, but acknowledged the existence of other gods, and gradually (by the time of the Babylonian Exile, exposure to Zoroastrian monotheism, and the practice of worshipping Yahweh in a foreign land) came to see their deity as a more universal one. The only one.</p>
<p>Between Abraham and the Babylonian Captivity the most dramatic Biblical Event is the Exodus. But there is precious little historical evidence to support the presence of Jewish slaves (or Jews at all) in Egypt before 1000 BCE. Nor is their evidence of a dramatic departure, or sudden invasion of Canaan. As Rabbi David Wolpe of the Sinai Temple in Los Angeles declared a few years ago: “virtually every modern archaeologist” agrees “that the way the Bible describes the Exodus is not the way that it happened, if it happened at all.” Archaeologists digging in the Sinai have “found no trace of the tribes of Israel – not one shard of pottery.” And why would those who had crossed the Red Sea after God paved the way by parting the waters wander around in such a tiny peninsula for 40 whole years?</p>
<p>The Exodus is supposed to have occurred, if it occurred, sometime between the sixteenth and thirteenth centuries. So between it and the first written record of it pass at least three and more likely five centuries. The Egyptian sources are silent on an event that supposedly the pharaoh (which one is completely unclear) fought tooth and nail to prevent and which involved all kinds of horrible divine punishments on Egypt. There may be one or two references to Jews in Egyptian texts before the thirteenth century, but there’s no scholarly consensus even on that. It’s quite likely that some event such as the expulsion of the Hyksos, a Semitic people from Arabia driven out of Egypt in the sixteenth century, or an influx of Bedouin into Canaan became integrated into an evolving account of Jewish origins as the Pentateuch was compiled centuries later.</p>
<p>In a society just acquiring literacy, a welter of legends can quickly take the form of a more or less coherent narrative. The oldest surviving Japanese text (712 CE), for example, probably integrates sacred oral histories from rival groups cobbled together not long before the acquisition of written language. It includes highly implausible information about the relationship between Japan and Korea, and may, for example, confuse a proto-historic Japanese invasion of Korea for the opposite. In representing the Japanese as descended from the gods, hence different from all other humans, it may obscure much about the ethnic origins of the Japanese, whom modern science suggests have strong affinities with Koreans and other northeast Asian and Siberian peoples, and connection to Malays and the Ainu as well. The Shinto religious tradition stressing only divine origins ignores all that.</p>
<p>We read in the Old Testament of intermarriages between Jews and Moabites, Amorites, Hittites, Egyptians, Canaanites and others (Nehemiah 9:1). Is it not possible that the gene pool of those composing their collective history coalesced long after the supposed flight from Egypt? That God never gave Canaan to invading Jews, or miraculously brought down the walls of Jericho, but that different tribes in Canaan merely unified over time and produced a fanciful tale about their primeval roots? There are Israeli scholars who believe that.</p>
<p>When we come to the Babylonian Captivity, we are on more solid ground. Ancient empires did uproot whole peoples; the Persians for example had uprooted Ionian Greeks from the Aegean coast and sent them way off to Afghanistan. Jews, or least many of them, were relocated to Babylon. They did return, according to the Bible because God had worked through Persia’s (Zoroastrian) king Cyrus to free them from their exile. They rebuilt the Temple, believing that God had given them and them alone the land of Israel. But during Hellenistic and Roman times, the land acquired a more mixed population and culture. In the large city of Sepphoris, literally within sight of Nazareth in Jesus’ day (but mentioned nowhere in the Bible), there were <a href="http://www.bibleinterp.com/articles/sepphoris.htm" type="external">a Roman theater and bath</a>.</p>
<p>Greek was widely spoken throughout the Roman east. Meanwhile by the first century Jews lived in cities throughout the Roman world, and were indeed even “scattered” as far away as India. About one quarter of the population of Alexandria, Egypt was Jewish. That is, even before the Diaspora Jews were dispersed and the population of Roman Palestine highly mixed. Surely the Roman Diaspora was horrible, but its impact on the already dispersed Jews, who often prospered outside their ancestral homeland is questionable. The tide for global Jewry turned in the fourth century, when the triumph of Christianity in Rome and its alliance with a state demanding a uniform orthodoxy placed all non-believers and heretics in jeopardy.</p>
<p>Surely there were many Jews who remained in the vicinity of Roman Palestine after the 130s. At the time of Muhammed, the tribes of Arabia were exposed to Christianity and Judaism due to their commercial activities up and down the Hejaz. Presumably many Jews and Christians converted to Islam after the seventh-century conquests, voluntarily responding to incentives or as a result of duress. In any case by the modern period, Palestine was Muslim and Arab Christian, for explicable historical reasons, while Jews comprised large communities in Europe and resided in tens of thousands in such Arab cities as Baghdad, Casablanca and Cairo.</p>
<p>Such Jews in exile, think our religious Zionists, were fated to reestablish a Jewish state in Israel, in order to fulfill the prophecy and to end the horrors that had dogged them through centuries of exile, culminating in the Shoah. Having done so, their state deserves absolute support, as a religious duty and expression of faith in prophecy.</p>
<p>Critique of the Prophecies</p>
<p>So here we must proceed from a critique of the record of the past to a critique of such prophecy in general. I won’t just say that it’s utterly irrational to imagine that we can know the future for certain, as some think one can do through astrology or parapsychology or joss sticks. I know that if one believes there is a God in charge of all time and space, that premise alone leads to the assumption that there is a Plan and that some people chosen by God can be made privy to it. There are many serious people who read the Bible and believe that, and come away convinced that its books have been amazingly accurate in their prophecies. I’m not persuaded.</p>
<p>Let’s look at prophecies supposed by believers to relate to the life of Jesus. Below is a listing of 10 Old Testament prophecies about Jesus listed on the fundamentalist website “ <a href="http://www.jesusplusnothing.com/prophecy.htm" type="external">Jesus Plus Nothing: Christ Centered Bible Study</a>” along with their “New Testament fulfillments.” The list ends with the impressive statement:</p>
<p>“Statisticians have calculated that for all of the above prophecies to be fulfilled in one person it is a combined probability of One chance in 10,000,000,000,000,000,000! And this is limiting ourselves to just these 10 prophecies! Jesus claimed to be the fulfillment of the Old Testament Messianic prophecies, and now we have seen that His life and death did accurately fulfill these prophecies made hundreds of years before.”</p>
<p>How calculated to impress the impressionable mind! I’d really like the names and credentials of those statisticians, and their academic and religious affiliations. Anyway, here are the Big 10 with my humbly questioning comments following each. I just want to suggest an approach to this sort of material. As an historian I ask (leaving aside for the moment the validity of prophecy generally): When were texts written? What influenced them? What does the Old Testament text actually say? Does the writer cited really intend to “prophesize”? What does the New Testament writer want to do with the “prophecy”?</p>
<p>1. [Jesus to] Be Born in Bethlehem</p>
<p>OT Prophecy: Micah 5:2 ‘But you, Bethlehem, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old.’</p>
<p>NT Fulfillment: Matt 2:1 ‘After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea…’ The Old Testament passage was probably written about 730, predicting that a future ruler from the line of King David will be born in Bethlehem, which according to I Samuel was David’s home town. The Book of Ruth reports that Ruth, a Moabite who settled with her Jewish mother-in-law in Bethlehem and married the Jew Boaz, was an ancestor of King David. This explains Matthew’s inclusion of Ruth among Jesus’ ancestors (1:5), a detail found nowhere else in the New Testament.</p>
<p>But:</p>
<p>(a) Only Matthew and Luke suggest that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, with Luke explaining it was necessary to go there from Nazareth in order to register for the empire-wide census.</p>
<p>(b) The two accounts differ, the one mentioning the Magi and the flight into Egypt, the other mentioning the shepherds’ visit.</p>
<p>(c) Matthew’s account of the flight of the Holy Family to Egypt is highly improbable; in it, the Magi (Persian Zoroastrian astrologers following the Star of Bethlehem) tell evil King Herod that “the king of the Jews” will be born in Bethlehem. So Herod has all boys under two years old systematically slaughtered in that district, an atrocity unnoted in any record outside of scripture, in a Roman Empire inclined to note such things. Joseph is warned in a dream to escape with mother and child to Egypt, in fulfillment of the scripture. Which scripture? Hosea 11:1, which is obviously not intended as a messianic prophecy at all but is a reference to the Exodus and is here misquoted at that. Matthew 2:18 cites more prophecy (Jeremiah 31:15) about women weeping for their children to allude to the mothers grieved by Herod’s action.</p>
<p>(d) Some commentators explain plausibly that the Bethlehem story is included specifically to incorporate a “fulfilled prophecy,”</p>
<p>(e) the Book of Ruth set generations before King David (10th century) is almost surely imaginative fiction written after the return from the Babylonian Captivity, and thought by many to have been intended to validate Jewish-Gentile intermarriage at a time when it was under attack.</p>
<p>2. Preceded by a messenger</p>
<p>OT Prophecy: Isaiah 40:3 ‘The voice of him that cries in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.’</p>
<p>NT Fulfillment Matt 3:1-2 ‘In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’</p>
<p>This passage supposedly composed during Hezekiah’s reign speaks poetically and vaguely of future consolation when Yahweh will forgive the sins of Jerusalem. The voice is not attributed to a future prophet preparing the way for a messiah. Again Matthew is attempting to weave in Old Testament allusions as though they were specifically foretelling events in the life of Jesus.</p>
<p>3. Enter Jerusalem on a colt</p>
<p>OT Prophecy: Zech 9:9 ‘Rejoice greatly O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, thy King comes to you… humble riding on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey’</p>
<p>NT Fulfillment Luke 19:35 ‘They bought it to Jesus, and they threw their coats on the colt and they put Jesus on it.’</p>
<p>This does refer to a prophecy about the messiah. But it goes on immediately to say that the messiah will banish chariots from Ephraim and horses from Jerusalem; the war bow will be banned; he will proclaim peace for the nations, extend his empire from sea to sea. The author of Luke left this material, which would seem wholly inapplicable to Jesus’ career, out.</p>
<p>4. Be Betrayed by a friend</p>
<p>OT Prophecy: Psalm 41:9 ‘Yes, my own friend in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.’</p>
<p>NT Fulfillment Matt 26:47-50 ‘And while he spoke, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords… Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whosoever I shall kiss, that same is he; hold him fast… and Jesus said unto him, Friend, why have you come?’</p>
<p>This “prophecy” is from a psalm, attributed (questionably) to David, expressing the point of view of a sick, lonely man. Read in context, it would seem to have nothing to do with a future messiah. Nor do the psalms in general seem designed to predict specific future events.</p>
<p>5. Have his hands and feet pierced</p>
<p>OT Prophecy: Psalm 22:16 ‘The assembly of the wicked have enclosed me. They have pierced my hands and my feet.’</p>
<p>NT Fulfillment Luke 23:33 ‘And when they came to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.’</p>
<p>Same as above. This really requires a stretch. Many of the psalms convey existential anguish and extreme situations, then conclude with statements of faith in God’s mercy. This one includes the passage quoted above, rendered by the Jerusalem Bible as “a gang of villains closes me in; they tie me hand and foot, and leave me lying in the dust of death.” There is no “piercing,” and it doesn’t sound like a crucifixion scene. The psalm does begin with the familiar, “My God, my God, why have you deserted me!” which Matthew imputes to Jesus on the cross, and perhaps that inspired Luke to invoke the psalm as prophecy.</p>
<p>6. Be wounded and whipped by his enemies</p>
<p>OT Prophecy: Isaiah 53:5 ‘But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon him and by his stripes we are healed.’</p>
<p>NT Fulfillment Matt 27:26 ‘Then they released Barabbas unto them and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.’</p>
<p>This is from one of the ‘suffering servant” songs in Isaiah, interspersed with passages rejoicing at the return of the exiles from Babylon and praising Cyrus. He is endowed with God’s spirit, but does not cry out or should aloud. He makes no resistance (to some unspecified attack). He speaks in the past tense, saying he had “offered my back to those who struck me, my cheeks to those who tore at my beard; I did not cover my face against insult and spittle.” (50:5-6). He was called by God from the womb, “to bring Jacob back to him, to gather Israel to him.”</p>
<p>Here he is described as healing “our wounds” through “his stripes” which dovetails nicely enough with the doctrine of Jesus as redeemer. Taken by force of law, torn away from the land of the living, given a grave with the wicked, he nevertheless “shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life” (53:8-10) This is the most seemingly relevant “prophesies” to the gospel account of Jesus’ life and meaning. But it also sounds a lot like the Tammuz literature that praises that Babylonian god, who supposedly died a terrible death, is associated with the cross, and rose from the dead on the third day, resurrecting dead souls with him The Jews knew of this story (see Ezekiel 8:14).</p>
<p>7. Be sold for thirty pieces of silver</p>
<p>OT Prophecy: Zech 11:12 ‘And I said to him, If you think it is good in your sight, give me my wages… So they weighed out thirty pieces of silver for my price.’</p>
<p>NT Fulfillment Matt 26:15 ‘What will you give me if I deliver him unto you? And they agreed with him for thirty pieces of silver.’</p>
<p>Mark and Luke say Judas was given money; only Matthew mentions 30 pieces of silver. The passage in Zechariah is a complicated parable in which the prophet is likened to a shepherd offered an insultingly small wage (the price of a slave, 30 shekels, specified in the Laws of Moses) by his employer. The point is that the Jewish rulers are insulting Zechariah and therefore Yahweh. How this points towards Judas receiving that sum for betraying Jesus is not, to put it mildly, crystal clear.</p>
<p>8. Be spit upon and beaten</p>
<p>OT Prophecy: Isaiah 50:6 ‘I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked out my hair: I did not hide my face from the shame and spitting.’</p>
<p>NT Fulfillment Matt 26:67 ‘Then did they spit in his face, and hit him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands.’</p>
<p>Another citation of the “suffering servant” passages in Isaiah, alluding to forms of abuse that may occur in many contexts.</p>
<p>9. The betrayal money thrown in the temple and used for a potters field</p>
<p>OT Prophecy: Zech 11:13 ‘And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter that magnificent price at which I was valued by them. So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter in the house of the Lord.’</p>
<p>NT Fulfillment Matt 27:5-7 ‘And he threw the pieces of silver into the temple… And they conferred together and with the money bought the Potter’s field as a burial place for strangers.’ This is a remarkable prophecy [comments the website editor] for it is God who says ‘Cast it to the potter that magnificent (sarcasm!) price at which they valued me…’ How could man put a price on God? It doesn’t make sense until God Himself, Jesus Christ, came to earth and was valued and betrayed for exactly 30 pieces of silver!”</p>
<p>The elided passage here actually misquotes Zechariah, adding a passage about the purchase of a field from the book of Jeremiah (32:6-15). It’s another of those appearing only in Matthew, who seems to want to show how the Old Testament has anticipated all his details.</p>
<p>10. Cast lots for Jesus’ clothing</p>
<p>OT Prophecy: Psalm 22:18 ‘They divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.’</p>
<p>NT Fulfillment Matt 27:35 ‘And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots.’</p>
<p>This division of the clothes appears in all the gospels. So the psalm (not some passage from a prophet) miraculously describes Roman legionnaires’ dice game while God dies. Remarkable indeed.</p>
<p>Interestingly this website doesn’t mention a significant detail mentioned in Matthew and Luke (although not the other two): the virgin birth (Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:33-36). Only Matthew shows how this fulfills prophecy, citing Isaiah 7:14. But he misquotes it, saying that “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son” whereas Isaiah really says, “the maiden is with child and will soon give birth to a son” in a context more related to the future of King Ahaz’s house than to messianic prophecy. This “fulfilled prophecy” so central to Christian doctrine turns out to be due to a misunderstanding of the Hebrew word almah.</p>
<p>The End Times</p>
<p>What’s true of prophecies pertaining to Jesus is true of prophecies pertaining to the present and future. Just as the gospel writers fit squares into round holes to “prove” that Jesus was the long expected messiah, so the religious fundamentalists today insist that it’s clear as day that Israel’s modern resurrection fulfills Old Testament prophecy. But those prophecies pertain mainly to the return after the Babylonian Captivity. Daniel predicts a revival of Israel after Hellenistic rule. But this is an historical novelette, written after the events it purports to predict. I find no Old Testament prophecy about Roman occupation, the Roman Diaspora, 2000 years of trials and tribulations, particularly in Europe, followed by a Zionist state displacing hundreds of thousands of Arabs. I suspect those who do find it because they want to so badly.</p>
<p>But there are Orthodox rabbis, who have a right to their opinions, who opine that the Jewish covenant with God involving <a href="http://www.nkusa.org/" type="external">a Jewish homeland in the original venue no longer pertains</a>. As someone who doesn’t believe in prophecy, period, I’d just like to call them to the Christian Zionists’ attention. I’d also suggest one wonder why all this prophecy so excludes important events throughout the world. If one grants that normal fallible Jewish people wrote all of this stuff, it would make sense that the focus, past present and future, is on this relatively minor piece of real estate. (Not that the Jews weren’t among the more cosmopolitan of ancient peoples, as their trade relationships from Spain to India attest, and as the presence of plausibly Jewish-descended peoples from Ethiopia to Burma also affirms.) But the focus is always on the land flowing with milk and honey, far from China or the Americas or places of otherwise greater interest. Why did the God who chose the Jews as his people not supply greater advance intelligence about events outside the world known to the chosen, and those who as Christians came to revere the Jewish scriptures? Is it not possible that “End Times” cheerleaders, fixated on Bush moves in the “Greater Middle East” will find themselves thrown for a loop when events in East Asia or elsewhere wholly unanticipated by Isaiah or Jeremiah produce a scenario inexplicable by Biblical references?</p>
<p>Puzzled, such people may consult the main text of specifically Christian Zionist millenarianism, <a href="" type="internal">the Book of Revelation</a>. This is filled with enough vague symbology that those who seek will find at least some answers there. You can find all kinds of answers by learned idiots with websites claiming the Beast of that book (identified with the Antichrist) is some specific contemporary character, or that a place name therein refers to a particular contemporary nation. It is a strange book, unlike anything else in the New Testament, depicting Jesus as an avenger, ignoring the doctrine of the Trinity, so puzzling that Martin Luther seriously considered leaving it out of the German Bible. But basically what that book says, relevant to our topic, is that the tribes of Israel will be amassed in Jerusalem and that the select number who embrace Jesus Christ as their savior will be saved. This is key. For the Christian fundamentalist’s hope of hopes to be realized—to live through the Rapture—requires a Jewish state, which (thank you, Jesus!) we’ve had since 1948. And it requires a whole lot of horrific bloodshed before the peace that transcends all understanding descends on the earth.</p>
<p>Those seduced by this “End Times” scenario might at least, if inclined towards some critical reflection on the issue, ask the following:</p>
<p>1. Is it true that there was a lot of “apocalypse” literature written between 300 BCE and 200 CE by Jews and Christians, most of which nobody reads anymore?</p>
<p>2. Is it true that the author of the Book of Revelation is almost certainly not John the disciple of Jesus in the gospels?</p>
<p>3. Is it true that it’s really mostly an expression of great hatred for the Roman Empire, persecuting Christians under Nero?</p>
<p>4. Is it true it was written at a time when Christians thought the Second Coming was right around the corner?</p>
<p>5. Is it true that it was written at a time when Christianity was in flux, without a center, a cluster of cults rather than a well-organized church with a clear unified theology?</p>
<p>6. Is it true that it almost didn’t make it into the Bible, the composition of which wasn’t settled until the fourth century by the Catholic Church and remained questionable in parts of the “Christian world” for centuries thereafter?</p>
<p>7. Is it true that the New Testament’s “Antichrist” has been identified with dozens of people over the centuries, and that New and Old Testament prophecy has often been used politically, to rally people behind causes, and get them to hate and fear specific targets?</p>
<p>8. If the answer to most of the above is “yes” does it weaken your inclination to take the text literally, or support the political uses that the “End Times” religious publishing industry and propaganda machine want to promote? Specifically, an expanded war involving Syria and Iran with End Times believers in unquestioning support?</p>
<p>True enthusiasts find in scriptural prophecy what they want to see happen, and redouble their efforts to make it happen, to be on God’s side. Or they justify contemporary realities as God’s stated will. They often do so in defiance of common sense, to say nothing of historical perspective or critical reasoning. Inhabiting a closed mental world resistant to and frightened of science, they boast of their special arcane insight into unfolding events. Why bother with real issues (terror links, weapons of mass destruction, and lies about such things) when regime change in the Middle East under any pretext, pursued by a godly Christian man, will facilitate the great war in Israel that will usher in the Rapture?</p>
<p>Belief in Biblical prophecy surely provides hope and comfort for the believer, and I take no pleasure in attempting to subvert humble faith. But the belief in prophecy that justifies imperialist aggression, especially when joined to bull-headed support for an ignorant president who pompously fancies himself a “religious scholar” is frightening. More frightening than the beliefs that led Japanese religious fanatics to try to usher in the End Times by releasing sarin gas in the Tokyo subway ten years ago. One can’t just shrug these off as the eccentric beliefs of a few gullible fools. They are powerful delusions wielded—as weapons of mass, apocalyptic destruction—by growing movements of highly motivated people. They have to be challenged, among other ways, by patient logic.</p>
<p>GARY LEUPP is Professor of History at Tufts University, and Adjunct Professor of Comparative Religion. He is the author of <a href="" type="internal">Servants, Shophands and Laborers in in the Cities of Tokugawa Japan</a>; <a href="" type="internal">Male Colors: The Construction of Homosexuality in Tokugawa Japan</a>; and <a href="" type="internal">Interracial Intimacy in Japan: Western Men and Japanese Women, 1543-1900</a>. He is also a contributor to CounterPunch’s merciless chronicle of the wars on Iraq, Afghanistan and Yugoslavia, <a href="http://www.easycarts.net/ecarts/CounterPunch/CP_Books.html" type="external">Imperial Crusades</a>.</p>
<p>He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:gleupp@granite.tufts.edu" type="external">gleupp@granite.tufts.edu</a></p>
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<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | christian right generally speaking embraces religious zionismnot simply support modern jewish state certain view past present future based biblecentered understanding history prophetic vision future entails bare outline following narrative prophecy basic bible story god created everything chose man named abraham 4000 years ago bless world descendents descendents include progeny eldest son ishmael regarded many jews christians muslims arabs second son isaac jews latter hold special status universe god spoken many angels dreams directly provided ten commandments directly writing sent prophets inform humankind future jewish scriptures comprising old testament bible gods holy writ originally hebrew gods covenant abraham involved promise homeland descendents possess land nile euphrates one interpret mean goes jews shared descendents ishmael isaac isaacs grandson joseph sold brothers slavery egypt became great man egypt ultimately forgiving brothers arranged father jacob settle country generations became numerous becoming enslaved yearned deliverance miraculously led egypt moses 40 years wandering sinai desert course received ten commandments minus moses able enter promised land canaan slaughter inhabitants fulfillment gods command settle many years leadership judges set kingdom judea king saul followed king david death davids son solomon nation split judah israel seventh sixth centuries bce punishment sins jewish kings subjects foretold prophets isaiah jeremiah god babylonians defeat kingdoms destroy temple jerusalem carry many inhabitants babylon called babylonian captivity fulfillment prophecies jews able return promised land fifth century rebuild temple flourish although subject persian hellenistic roman domination foreign rule longed messiah anointed one foretold prophets rebirth independent jewish kingdom heres narrative religious jewish zionists christian zionists diverges latter course believe god became incarnate among jews born jewish virgin descended king david gods son jesus messiah greek christ suffering sins entire world jews gentiles messiah crucified rose dead offering believe messiah god eternal life apostle paul specialized proselytizing among gentiles called new covenant involving god christians 2 corinthians 36 elsewhere christians believe since majority jews didnt accept jesus messiah son god extreme cases killed jesus god punished allowing romans destroy temple jerusalem 70 ce disperse thousands sold slavery rebellion 130s jews banned jerusalem emperor hadrian took measures eliminate judaism banning jewish calendar circumcision teaching judaism many jews believe divine punishment well gods chastisement people history recurring biblical theme christians jews explain subsequent trials jewish people reference biblical prophecy prophecy deuteronomy states punishment disobedience god scatter among peoples one end earth among nations repose rest sole foot yahweh give quaking heart weary eyes halting breath life outset burden night day go fear uncertain life 286467 however jeremiah 161416 tells us god restore jews land gave forefathers one might say context prophet referring return babylonian exile religious zionists jewish christian apply miraculous reestablishment israel terrors exile twentieth century new testament prophecy supplemented old testament prophecy allows various future scenarios christian right inclined believe reestablishment israel foretold book revelation prelude apocalyptic events including horrific war centering around jerusalem global rule antichrist jesus return merciless judge rapture rewarding upright ie end world critique history dont know belief exciting narrative confined politically active dangerous religious right bent obtaining dominion united states might someespecially young people inclined accept much still openminded enough consider questions fact im sure since believed gradually became unable restlessly inquiring youth wont burden reader came reject fundamental theistic premise question biblical history role prophecy abraham whose story crucial three abrahamic faiths judaism christianity islam supposed lived 2000 bce use bce common era opposed bc privilege christian faith sorry lowercase hshim himannoy readers biblical chronology difficult however one reads hes located 2100 1900 however earliest hebrew writing dates back 11th 10th century bce hebrew alphabet derived phoenician evolved protocanaan alphabet 18th 17th century bce pentateuch first five books bible including much storyline written edited 9th century earliest probably completed fifth deuteronomy probably seventhcentury work words least millennium goes stories abraham sons gets set papyrus tales replete references lengthy age spans abrahams supposed lived 175 years miraculous pregnancies abrahams wife sarah bears isaac age 90 encounters god angels etc course none proves didnt happen good book says creator universeprovided onecould planted jews minds oral tradition including interminable lists begat long lived along massive compendium law sometimes contradictory accounts events time acquired writing people could set scripture alternatively might say material inherently implausible requiring us imagine earth different today events farremoved time texts composed consider mix legend myth history example epic gilgamesh standard version text written akkadian 1300 1000 bce original sumerian set around 2000 400 years reign king gilgamesh included sumerian king list consider oldest historical document language gilgamesh probably real person epic includes reference real places describes real habits customs mostly fiction work predating genesis centuries tale great flood floods common mesopotamia figure prominently mythology particular flood least one version results gods irritation noise humans making decide wipe humankind god warns upright man utnapishtim collects life forms huge boat thereby saving waters recede either seven versions forty days nights sound familiar want believe sumerians got story jews became confused real details likely jews borrowed mesopotamian tale rewrote reflect moralistic monotheistic outlook issue think anyway although people fear thought process abraham plausible figure say noah died age 955 abraham still alive lived neartotal destruction life earth utnapishtim perhaps abraham great patriarch large herds migrated city ur mesopotamia genesis 1131 levant time second millennium bce perhaps descendents influenced neighboring peoples practice circumcision egypt sevenday week mesopotamia developed belief system featured monotheism belief special nexus god yahweh abraham special people biblical narrative suggests jews beginning always possessed knowledge one god even though sometimes opted paganism idolatry bringing wrath alternative possibility would originally worshipped tribal deity acknowledged existence gods gradually time babylonian exile exposure zoroastrian monotheism practice worshipping yahweh foreign land came see deity universal one one abraham babylonian captivity dramatic biblical event exodus precious little historical evidence support presence jewish slaves jews egypt 1000 bce evidence dramatic departure sudden invasion canaan rabbi david wolpe sinai temple los angeles declared years ago virtually every modern archaeologist agrees way bible describes exodus way happened happened archaeologists digging sinai found trace tribes israel one shard pottery would crossed red sea god paved way parting waters wander around tiny peninsula 40 whole years exodus supposed occurred occurred sometime sixteenth thirteenth centuries first written record pass least three likely five centuries egyptian sources silent event supposedly pharaoh one completely unclear fought tooth nail prevent involved kinds horrible divine punishments egypt may one two references jews egyptian texts thirteenth century theres scholarly consensus even quite likely event expulsion hyksos semitic people arabia driven egypt sixteenth century influx bedouin canaan became integrated evolving account jewish origins pentateuch compiled centuries later society acquiring literacy welter legends quickly take form less coherent narrative oldest surviving japanese text 712 ce example probably integrates sacred oral histories rival groups cobbled together long acquisition written language includes highly implausible information relationship japan korea may example confuse protohistoric japanese invasion korea opposite representing japanese descended gods hence different humans may obscure much ethnic origins japanese modern science suggests strong affinities koreans northeast asian siberian peoples connection malays ainu well shinto religious tradition stressing divine origins ignores read old testament intermarriages jews moabites amorites hittites egyptians canaanites others nehemiah 91 possible gene pool composing collective history coalesced long supposed flight egypt god never gave canaan invading jews miraculously brought walls jericho different tribes canaan merely unified time produced fanciful tale primeval roots israeli scholars believe come babylonian captivity solid ground ancient empires uproot whole peoples persians example uprooted ionian greeks aegean coast sent way afghanistan jews least many relocated babylon return according bible god worked persias zoroastrian king cyrus free exile rebuilt temple believing god given alone land israel hellenistic roman times land acquired mixed population culture large city sepphoris literally within sight nazareth jesus day mentioned nowhere bible roman theater bath greek widely spoken throughout roman east meanwhile first century jews lived cities throughout roman world indeed even scattered far away india one quarter population alexandria egypt jewish even diaspora jews dispersed population roman palestine highly mixed surely roman diaspora horrible impact already dispersed jews often prospered outside ancestral homeland questionable tide global jewry turned fourth century triumph christianity rome alliance state demanding uniform orthodoxy placed nonbelievers heretics jeopardy surely many jews remained vicinity roman palestine 130s time muhammed tribes arabia exposed christianity judaism due commercial activities hejaz presumably many jews christians converted islam seventhcentury conquests voluntarily responding incentives result duress case modern period palestine muslim arab christian explicable historical reasons jews comprised large communities europe resided tens thousands arab cities baghdad casablanca cairo jews exile think religious zionists fated reestablish jewish state israel order fulfill prophecy end horrors dogged centuries exile culminating shoah done state deserves absolute support religious duty expression faith prophecy critique prophecies must proceed critique record past critique prophecy general wont say utterly irrational imagine know future certain think one astrology parapsychology joss sticks know one believes god charge time space premise alone leads assumption plan people chosen god made privy many serious people read bible believe come away convinced books amazingly accurate prophecies im persuaded lets look prophecies supposed believers relate life jesus listing 10 old testament prophecies jesus listed fundamentalist website jesus plus nothing christ centered bible study along new testament fulfillments list ends impressive statement statisticians calculated prophecies fulfilled one person combined probability one chance 10000000000000000000 limiting 10 prophecies jesus claimed fulfillment old testament messianic prophecies seen life death accurately fulfill prophecies made hundreds years calculated impress impressionable mind id really like names credentials statisticians academic religious affiliations anyway big 10 humbly questioning comments following want suggest approach sort material historian ask leaving aside moment validity prophecy generally texts written influenced old testament text actually say writer cited really intend prophesize new testament writer want prophecy 1 jesus born bethlehem ot prophecy micah 52 bethlehem though small among clans judah come one ruler israel whose origins old nt fulfillment matt 21 jesus born bethlehem judea old testament passage probably written 730 predicting future ruler line king david born bethlehem according samuel davids home town book ruth reports ruth moabite settled jewish motherinlaw bethlehem married jew boaz ancestor king david explains matthews inclusion ruth among jesus ancestors 15 detail found nowhere else new testament matthew luke suggest jesus born bethlehem luke explaining necessary go nazareth order register empirewide census b two accounts differ one mentioning magi flight egypt mentioning shepherds visit c matthews account flight holy family egypt highly improbable magi persian zoroastrian astrologers following star bethlehem tell evil king herod king jews born bethlehem herod boys two years old systematically slaughtered district atrocity unnoted record outside scripture roman empire inclined note things joseph warned dream escape mother child egypt fulfillment scripture scripture hosea 111 obviously intended messianic prophecy reference exodus misquoted matthew 218 cites prophecy jeremiah 3115 women weeping children allude mothers grieved herods action commentators explain plausibly bethlehem story included specifically incorporate fulfilled prophecy e book ruth set generations king david 10th century almost surely imaginative fiction written return babylonian captivity thought many intended validate jewishgentile intermarriage time attack 2 preceded messenger ot prophecy isaiah 403 voice cries wilderness prepare way lord make straight wilderness highway god nt fulfillment matt 312 days came john baptist preaching wilderness judea saying repent kingdom heaven hand passage supposedly composed hezekiahs reign speaks poetically vaguely future consolation yahweh forgive sins jerusalem voice attributed future prophet preparing way messiah matthew attempting weave old testament allusions though specifically foretelling events life jesus 3 enter jerusalem colt ot prophecy zech 99 rejoice greatly daughter zion shout daughter jerusalem behold thy king comes humble riding donkey even colt foal donkey nt fulfillment luke 1935 bought jesus threw coats colt put jesus refer prophecy messiah goes immediately say messiah banish chariots ephraim horses jerusalem war bow banned proclaim peace nations extend empire sea sea author luke left material would seem wholly inapplicable jesus career 4 betrayed friend ot prophecy psalm 419 yes friend trusted eat bread hath lifted heel nt fulfillment matt 264750 spoke judas one twelve came great multitude swords betrayed gave sign saying whosoever shall kiss hold fast jesus said unto friend come prophecy psalm attributed questionably david expressing point view sick lonely man read context would seem nothing future messiah psalms general seem designed predict specific future events 5 hands feet pierced ot prophecy psalm 2216 assembly wicked enclosed pierced hands feet nt fulfillment luke 2333 came place called calvary crucified criminals one right left really requires stretch many psalms convey existential anguish extreme situations conclude statements faith gods mercy one includes passage quoted rendered jerusalem bible gang villains closes tie hand foot leave lying dust death piercing doesnt sound like crucifixion scene psalm begin familiar god god deserted matthew imputes jesus cross perhaps inspired luke invoke psalm prophecy 6 wounded whipped enemies ot prophecy isaiah 535 wounded transgressions bruised iniquities chastisement peace upon stripes healed nt fulfillment matt 2726 released barabbas unto scourged jesus delivered crucified one suffering servant songs isaiah interspersed passages rejoicing return exiles babylon praising cyrus endowed gods spirit cry aloud makes resistance unspecified attack speaks past tense saying offered back struck cheeks tore beard cover face insult spittle 5056 called god womb bring jacob back gather israel described healing wounds stripes dovetails nicely enough doctrine jesus redeemer taken force law torn away land living given grave wicked nevertheless shall see heirs shall long life 53810 seemingly relevant prophesies gospel account jesus life meaning also sounds lot like tammuz literature praises babylonian god supposedly died terrible death associated cross rose dead third day resurrecting dead souls jews knew story see ezekiel 814 7 sold thirty pieces silver ot prophecy zech 1112 said think good sight give wages weighed thirty pieces silver price nt fulfillment matt 2615 give deliver unto agreed thirty pieces silver mark luke say judas given money matthew mentions 30 pieces silver passage zechariah complicated parable prophet likened shepherd offered insultingly small wage price slave 30 shekels specified laws moses employer point jewish rulers insulting zechariah therefore yahweh points towards judas receiving sum betraying jesus put mildly crystal clear 8 spit upon beaten ot prophecy isaiah 506 gave back smiters cheeks plucked hair hide face shame spitting nt fulfillment matt 2667 spit face hit others smote palms hands another citation suffering servant passages isaiah alluding forms abuse may occur many contexts 9 betrayal money thrown temple used potters field ot prophecy zech 1113 lord said unto cast unto potter magnificent price valued took thirty pieces silver threw potter house lord nt fulfillment matt 2757 threw pieces silver temple conferred together money bought potters field burial place strangers remarkable prophecy comments website editor god says cast potter magnificent sarcasm price valued could man put price god doesnt make sense god jesus christ came earth valued betrayed exactly 30 pieces silver elided passage actually misquotes zechariah adding passage purchase field book jeremiah 32615 another appearing matthew seems want show old testament anticipated details 10 cast lots jesus clothing ot prophecy psalm 2218 divide garments among clothing cast lots nt fulfillment matt 2735 crucified divided garments among casting lots division clothes appears gospels psalm passage prophet miraculously describes roman legionnaires dice game god dies remarkable indeed interestingly website doesnt mention significant detail mentioned matthew luke although two virgin birth matthew 11825 luke 13336 matthew shows fulfills prophecy citing isaiah 714 misquotes saying virgin conceive give birth son whereas isaiah really says maiden child soon give birth son context related future king ahazs house messianic prophecy fulfilled prophecy central christian doctrine turns due misunderstanding hebrew word almah end times whats true prophecies pertaining jesus true prophecies pertaining present future gospel writers fit squares round holes prove jesus long expected messiah religious fundamentalists today insist clear day israels modern resurrection fulfills old testament prophecy prophecies pertain mainly return babylonian captivity daniel predicts revival israel hellenistic rule historical novelette written events purports predict find old testament prophecy roman occupation roman diaspora 2000 years trials tribulations particularly europe followed zionist state displacing hundreds thousands arabs suspect find want badly orthodox rabbis right opinions opine jewish covenant god involving jewish homeland original venue longer pertains someone doesnt believe prophecy period id like call christian zionists attention id also suggest one wonder prophecy excludes important events throughout world one grants normal fallible jewish people wrote stuff would make sense focus past present future relatively minor piece real estate jews werent among cosmopolitan ancient peoples trade relationships spain india attest presence plausibly jewishdescended peoples ethiopia burma also affirms focus always land flowing milk honey far china americas places otherwise greater interest god chose jews people supply greater advance intelligence events outside world known chosen christians came revere jewish scriptures possible end times cheerleaders fixated bush moves greater middle east find thrown loop events east asia elsewhere wholly unanticipated isaiah jeremiah produce scenario inexplicable biblical references puzzled people may consult main text specifically christian zionist millenarianism book revelation filled enough vague symbology seek find least answers find kinds answers learned idiots websites claiming beast book identified antichrist specific contemporary character place name therein refers particular contemporary nation strange book unlike anything else new testament depicting jesus avenger ignoring doctrine trinity puzzling martin luther seriously considered leaving german bible basically book says relevant topic tribes israel amassed jerusalem select number embrace jesus christ savior saved key christian fundamentalists hope hopes realizedto live rapturerequires jewish state thank jesus weve since 1948 requires whole lot horrific bloodshed peace transcends understanding descends earth seduced end times scenario might least inclined towards critical reflection issue ask following 1 true lot apocalypse literature written 300 bce 200 ce jews christians nobody reads anymore 2 true author book revelation almost certainly john disciple jesus gospels 3 true really mostly expression great hatred roman empire persecuting christians nero 4 true written time christians thought second coming right around corner 5 true written time christianity flux without center cluster cults rather wellorganized church clear unified theology 6 true almost didnt make bible composition wasnt settled fourth century catholic church remained questionable parts christian world centuries thereafter 7 true new testaments antichrist identified dozens people centuries new old testament prophecy often used politically rally people behind causes get hate fear specific targets 8 answer yes weaken inclination take text literally support political uses end times religious publishing industry propaganda machine want promote specifically expanded war involving syria iran end times believers unquestioning support true enthusiasts find scriptural prophecy want see happen redouble efforts make happen gods side justify contemporary realities gods stated often defiance common sense say nothing historical perspective critical reasoning inhabiting closed mental world resistant frightened science boast special arcane insight unfolding events bother real issues terror links weapons mass destruction lies things regime change middle east pretext pursued godly christian man facilitate great war israel usher rapture belief biblical prophecy surely provides hope comfort believer take pleasure attempting subvert humble faith belief prophecy justifies imperialist aggression especially joined bullheaded support ignorant president pompously fancies religious scholar frightening frightening beliefs led japanese religious fanatics try usher end times releasing sarin gas tokyo subway ten years ago one cant shrug eccentric beliefs gullible fools powerful delusions wieldedas weapons mass apocalyptic destructionby growing movements highly motivated people challenged among ways patient logic gary leupp professor history tufts university adjunct professor comparative religion author servants shophands laborers cities tokugawa japan male colors construction homosexuality tokugawa japan interracial intimacy japan western men japanese women 15431900 also contributor counterpunchs merciless chronicle wars iraq afghanistan yugoslavia imperial crusades reached gleuppgranitetuftsedu 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 160 | 3,220 |
<p>The Tea Party movement is having growing pains as it tries to pivot from <a href="/content/dailybeast/articles/2010/07/20/inside-the-tea-partys-civil-war.html" type="external">protest to political leadership</a>. Low-turnout, high-intensity midterm elections are well suited to their strengths, and a return to fiscal responsibility is the right message. But will the extremists in their midst alienate more voters than they attract?</p>
<p>With successful victories over GOP Establishment Senate candidates in Utah, Nevada, and Kentucky—and polls showing another likely win in Colorado coming in early August—the Tea Party movement has been riding high in primaries this summer. Michele Bachmann’s newly announced Tea Party Caucus—along with a string of recent extremist eruptions and repudiations—points to the risks of embracing the movement uncritically as it impacts the fall elections and the upcoming Congress.</p>
<p>The Tea Party is at a crossroads—with increased political influence down one path and the radioactive radicalism on the other. It is a choice between Milton Friedman and Michele Bachmann.</p>
<p>For example, the Tea Party movement self-identifies as the champions of fiscal conservatism and uses libertarianism as a key part of its sales pitch—but leading young fiscal conservatives on Capitol Hill like Paul Ryan and Jeff Flake were not among the congressional caucus’ members. Instead, with few exceptions, the current Tea Party Caucus reads like an all-star list of congressional <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0984295119/thedaibea-20/" type="external">Wingnuts</a>, following in its founder's footsteps. Here's a sample:</p>
<p>• Paul Broun (R-GA)—the first congressman to compare Obama to Hitler—one week after the election. • Trent Franks (R-AZ)—called President Obama an “enemy of humanity” • Steve King (R-IA)—said that “al Qaeda, and the radical Islamists and their supporters, will be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on September 11” if Obama were elected. • Louie Gohmert (R-TX)—compared homosexuality to bestiality and necrophilia in a debate over hate crimes on the House floor. • Randy Neugebauer (R-TX)—screamed “baby killer” at Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI) after the health-care bill vote on the House floor. • Lamar Smith (R-TX)—told students that “the greatest threat to America is not necessarily a recession or even another terrorist attack…The greatest threat to America is a liberal media bias.” • Joe Wilson (R-SC)—“You Lie!”</p>
<p>This is just a partial list of their greatest hits, recited more or less from memory. But if you’re looking for more substantive evidence of the schism, here’s something to consider: Seven of the 12 co-sponsors of the Birther Bill are charter members of the Tea Party Caucus. Only one member of the House GOP leadership, Mike Pence, decided to join, while John Boehner and Eric Cantor notably declined the honor. Utah freshman Jason Chaffetz explained his opposition via Twitter: “The more you try to put structure around the tea-party, the more compromised it will become.” And interestingly, while Tea Party affiliation was an asset in the closed GOP Florida primary for Marco Rubio, now that he’s losing ground against Charlie Crist in the general election, he’s not saying whether he’ll affiliate with the proposed Tea Party Caucus if he gets elected to the Senate.</p>
<p>This caucus controversy comes on the heels of a week in which the Tea Party movement has been forced to confront its demons in public for the first time.</p>
<p>After the NAACP <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20010467-503544.html" type="external">condemned</a> the Tea Party’s lack of condemnation of racist signs in their midst, Tea Party Express spokesman Mark Williams responded with a <a href="http://politicalcorrection.org/blog/201007150012" type="external">blog post</a> in which "colored people" asked President Lincoln to renounce emancipation because freedom was too hard. New York City-based African-American Tea Party leader David Webb subsequently announced Williams’ expulsion from the Federation on Face the Nation. The Iowa Tea Party Patriots put up a highway billboard comparing President Obama to Hitler and Lenin (replicating posters I’ve seen at Tea Party rallies in the past). After the inevitable outcry, the billboard was taken down. Most recently, Andrew Breitbart <a href="/content/dailybeast/articles/2010/07/21/andrew-breitbarts-racial-storm.html" type="external">claimed his latest scalp of liberal hypocrisy</a> only to have it be revealed that USDA employee Shirley Sherrod’s speech was taken unforgivably out of context, causing backtracking—and just maybe some needed soul searching—all around.</p>
<p>Some Tea Party supporters see these renunciations as evidence of healthy self-correction inside the movement. “Despite its portrayal in either faction of the partisan press, the Tea Party movement is refreshingly representative of American demographics and sensibilities. That means you aren't going to find a lot of racists in their ranks,” says Owen Rounds, a friend and executive producer of Tea Party-favorite PJTV.com. “And as we saw with the billboard in northern Iowa and Mark Williams' recent blogging, when activists cross the line, individuals within the movement respond accordingly. These episodes reinforce how this is a movement united by outrage toward government spending and the profound disapproval of the size and scope of the state. That is why ruling-class elites in both parties are scared about the impact the Tea Party movement will have in November."</p>
<p>For my part, I’ve always believed the wholesale partisan defense or criticism of the Tea Party movement misses the mark. It began as a principled fiscal conservative protest—grassroots, not astroturf—in a time of economic anxiety and bailout backlash against both big government and big business. They were center-right citizens who worked hard to balance their budgets and were offended by the deficits and debt they saw as generational theft.</p>
<p>But that’s only half the story. The actions they were protesting began under Bush. But the take-to-the-streets outrage only materialized with Obama in office. The Tea Party came to be promoted, and in some cases funded, by partisan interests, compounded by congressional battles over the stimulus bill and then health care. Demagogues always do well in economic downturns, preaching variations on the "us vs. them" script, and over the summer of 2009, a serious dose of Obama Derangement Syndrome got baked in the cake. Fear and hate became recruiting tools and aids for ratings, as supporters were made to feel that losing the 2008 election was like living under tyranny.</p>
<p>Supporters of the Tea Party movement saw only the principled fiscal conservative protests and the prospects of partisan gain. They dismissed the extremists in their midst as insignificant and therefore not worth dignifying with condemnation, or—my favorite tack—as the work of liberal provocateurs. Opponents of the Tea Party saw only the unhinged attacks on the president and described all Tea Partiers as racist or crazy, exacerbating the already angry divides.</p>
<p>Start and finish your day with the top stories from The Daily Beast.</p>
<p>A speedy, smart summary of all the news you need to know (and nothing you don't).</p>
<p>Back in the early 1960s, when William F. Buckley was building the modern conservative movement, he famously condemned John Birch Society founder Robert Welch for his statement that President Eisenhower was a “dedicated, conscious agent of the communist conspiracy.” The message was clear: There was such a thing as too extreme, and unhinged elements were not welcome because they would discredit the entire conservative movement.</p>
<p>What’s been different this past 18 months is the reluctance to condemn extremism by conservative leaders. Either because they privately agree with the unhinged statements—as the quotes from some of the congressmen above suggest—or because they are concerned that the fringe is blurring with the base and they are afraid that if they condemn the fringes they will alienate their base.</p>
<p>But the pragmatism that comes with the prospect of actual governance is changing the calculus. The play-to-the-base fiscal and social conservatism propelling Tea Party candidates to victories in primaries is starting to cause problems for them in the general election.</p>
<p>The Tea Party is at a crossroads—with increased political influence down one path and the radioactive radicalism on the other. It is a choice between Milton Friedman and Michele Bachmann. The Tea Party’s self-described core message of fiscal conservatism is one that can appeal to voters in the center of the electorate, but there should be growing awareness that the “enemy of my enemy is my friend” approach to politics has practical limits. The Tea Party needs to clearly condemn the extremists who sometimes cluster under their flag if they hope to complete the transition from angry protest to policy impact.</p>
<p>John Avlon's new book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0984295119/thedaibea-20/" type="external">Wingnuts: How the Lunatic Fringe is Hijacking America</a> is available now by Beast Books both on the Web and in paperback. He is also the author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1400050243/thedaibea-20/" type="external">Independent Nation: How Centrists Can Change American Politics</a>. Previously, he served as chief speechwriter for New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and was a columnist and associate editor for The New York Sun.</p> | true | 4 | tea party movement growing pains tries pivot protest political leadership lowturnout highintensity midterm elections well suited strengths return fiscal responsibility right message extremists midst alienate voters attract successful victories gop establishment senate candidates utah nevada kentuckyand polls showing another likely win colorado coming early augustthe tea party movement riding high primaries summer michele bachmanns newly announced tea party caucusalong string recent extremist eruptions repudiationspoints risks embracing movement uncritically impacts fall elections upcoming congress tea party crossroadswith increased political influence one path radioactive radicalism choice milton friedman michele bachmann example tea party movement selfidentifies champions fiscal conservatism uses libertarianism key part sales pitchbut leading young fiscal conservatives capitol hill like paul ryan jeff flake among congressional caucus members instead exceptions current tea party caucus reads like allstar list congressional wingnuts following founders footsteps heres sample paul broun rgathe first congressman compare obama hitlerone week election trent franks razcalled president obama enemy humanity steve king riasaid al qaeda radical islamists supporters dancing streets greater numbers september 11 obama elected louie gohmert rtxcompared homosexuality bestiality necrophilia debate hate crimes house floor randy neugebauer rtxscreamed baby killer congressman bart stupak dmi healthcare bill vote house floor lamar smith rtxtold students greatest threat america necessarily recession even another terrorist attackthe greatest threat america liberal media bias joe wilson rscyou lie partial list greatest hits recited less memory youre looking substantive evidence schism heres something consider seven 12 cosponsors birther bill charter members tea party caucus one member house gop leadership mike pence decided join john boehner eric cantor notably declined honor utah freshman jason chaffetz explained opposition via twitter try put structure around teaparty compromised become interestingly tea party affiliation asset closed gop florida primary marco rubio hes losing ground charlie crist general election hes saying whether hell affiliate proposed tea party caucus gets elected senate caucus controversy comes heels week tea party movement forced confront demons public first time naacp condemned tea partys lack condemnation racist signs midst tea party express spokesman mark williams responded blog post colored people asked president lincoln renounce emancipation freedom hard new york citybased africanamerican tea party leader david webb subsequently announced williams expulsion federation face nation iowa tea party patriots put highway billboard comparing president obama hitler lenin replicating posters ive seen tea party rallies past inevitable outcry billboard taken recently andrew breitbart claimed latest scalp liberal hypocrisy revealed usda employee shirley sherrods speech taken unforgivably context causing backtrackingand maybe needed soul searchingall around tea party supporters see renunciations evidence healthy selfcorrection inside movement despite portrayal either faction partisan press tea party movement refreshingly representative american demographics sensibilities means arent going find lot racists ranks says owen rounds friend executive producer tea partyfavorite pjtvcom saw billboard northern iowa mark williams recent blogging activists cross line individuals within movement respond accordingly episodes reinforce movement united outrage toward government spending profound disapproval size scope state rulingclass elites parties scared impact tea party movement november part ive always believed wholesale partisan defense criticism tea party movement misses mark began principled fiscal conservative protestgrassroots astroturfin time economic anxiety bailout backlash big government big business centerright citizens worked hard balance budgets offended deficits debt saw generational theft thats half story actions protesting began bush taketothestreets outrage materialized obama office tea party came promoted cases funded partisan interests compounded congressional battles stimulus bill health care demagogues always well economic downturns preaching variations us vs script summer 2009 serious dose obama derangement syndrome got baked cake fear hate became recruiting tools aids ratings supporters made feel losing 2008 election like living tyranny supporters tea party movement saw principled fiscal conservative protests prospects partisan gain dismissed extremists midst insignificant therefore worth dignifying condemnation ormy favorite tackas work liberal provocateurs opponents tea party saw unhinged attacks president described tea partiers racist crazy exacerbating already angry divides start finish day top stories daily beast speedy smart summary news need know nothing dont back early 1960s william f buckley building modern conservative movement famously condemned john birch society founder robert welch statement president eisenhower dedicated conscious agent communist conspiracy message clear thing extreme unhinged elements welcome would discredit entire conservative movement whats different past 18 months reluctance condemn extremism conservative leaders either privately agree unhinged statementsas quotes congressmen suggestor concerned fringe blurring base afraid condemn fringes alienate base pragmatism comes prospect actual governance changing calculus playtothebase fiscal social conservatism propelling tea party candidates victories primaries starting cause problems general election tea party crossroadswith increased political influence one path radioactive radicalism choice milton friedman michele bachmann tea partys selfdescribed core message fiscal conservatism one appeal voters center electorate growing awareness enemy enemy friend approach politics practical limits tea party needs clearly condemn extremists sometimes cluster flag hope complete transition angry protest policy impact john avlons new book wingnuts lunatic fringe hijacking america available beast books web paperback also author independent nation centrists change american politics previously served chief speechwriter new york city mayor rudy giuliani columnist associate editor new york sun | 821 |
<p>Brian Knappenberger is an award-winning filmmaker whose last film, The Internet�s Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz, premiered at Sundance and won the Writers Guild Award for Outstanding Documentary Screenplay. His previous work includes We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists, about the online hacktivist non-group Anonymous, the award winning documentary series Truth And Power and numerous other investigative documentaries for PBS, Pivot, Bloomberg Television, National Geographic, and The Discovery Channel.</p>
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<p /> Aaron Maté: It's the real news. I'm Aaron Mate. In a country with a free press, but also unrestrained finance, can big money scare media outlets into silence? That's the question explored in the new Netflix documentary, Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press.
<p />Film Narrator: Journalism, real journalism, the kind of journalism that exposes things that powerful people don't want known, is a very fragile thing.
<p />Speaker: Sir, I want to talk-
<p />Film Narrator: It's a very rare thing. It doesn't happen most of the time. It can disappear very easily.
<p />Speaker: I have never heard or seen such outrageous, vicious, distorted reporting.
<p />Speaker: The world's most dishonest people are back there. Look at all the cameras go. I would never kill them. I would never do that. Let's see.
<p />Film Narrator: There was political traction to be won by essentially conducting culture war against big media. That's become a standard way of doing politics.
<p />Speaker: Can you turn the microphone off, please?
<p />Aaron Maté: That's a clip from Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press, which is airing now on Netflix. Brian Knappenberger is the film's writer and director, and he joins me now. Brian, welcome.
<p />Brian Knappenberger: Thank you. Thanks for having me.
<p />Aaron Maté: Tell us about this film.
<p />Brian Knappenberger: Well, this film started because I just found the Hulk Hogan Gawker case really, really compelling. I just thought this case was really, really interesting for all sorts of reasons, the first time a sex tape case like this had ever gone to trial, but beyond the tabloid veneer, you can tell that there was some big picture, First Amendment versus privacy issues at stake, and my work has involved both in the past, so I just thought it was really interesting. But it became very different to me when it was revealed that, well first of all, the verdict, which was $140 million. When that came down, that verdict was so staggering, and when it was paired with a requirement for Gawker to put up $50 million right away, that was the death sentence to Gawker, so whatever you thought was going on in the trial, the ending was dramatic and ended with Gawker essentially going bankrupt. Then the revelation that Peter Thiel, the Silicon Valley billionaire, first outside investor of Facebook, co-founder of PayPal, was actually funding, bankrolling, Hulk Hogan's case in secret. Then it became a very different story for me. This became a story about a grudge that Peter Thiel had against Gawker, and so I started really thinking, and that's essentially when the documentary started.
<p /> When we started really looking at how big money can be leveraged behind the scenes to silence news organizations, so the question you started with, can big money silence a free press? I think the answer is yes, we're starting to see that in new ways right now, and that's essentially what we look at.
<p />Aaron Maté: Yeah, Brian, and just to explain for anyone who's not familiar with the Gawker case, that's when the wrestler known as Hulk Hogan sued Gawker after they published a sex tape of his, and it emerged later on that the billionaire, as you mentioned, Peter Thiel, was funding Hogan's suit in a bid to put Gawker out of business, which it successfully did.
<p />Brian Knappenberger: Mm-hmm. Yeah, that's right. It was already a strange trial in the courtroom with twists and turns, but that staggering verdict followed by this bizarre revelation that Peter Thiel was actually the one who was sort of pulling strings behind the scenes. That made this a very, very, it was not only a strange story turn, it brought up some really, I think, critical and troubling sorts of dynamics.
<p />Aaron Maté: Well, let's talk about those dynamics. What troubled you most about it?
<p />Brian Knappenberger: The secrecy. I mean, the short answer to that is the secrecy. Also, by the way, I'm sure we'll get to this Sheldon Adelson aspect. We cover the Sheldon Adelson secretive purchase of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, but in both cases, and in the case of Peter Thiel, it's the secrecy that bothered me. People have pointed out that other organizations have engaged in this project, this tactic of litigation financing, the ACLU does this, Greenpeace does this, Sierra Club does this. They pick a case, and they come down on one side of the case, and they do that to make a political point. Presumably that's what Mr. Thiel is doing, but what he did was he did this in secret. This is something that actually used to be illegal in this country, up until the '50s, all the way back to common law. That is, the secretive funding of a lawsuit for your own ends. And so that secretive part was disturbing. Apparently these laws were called champerty laws and they were overturned in the late '50s because the NAACP was filing lawsuits in order to end segregation, so the opponents to the NAACP wanted to get the NAACP to reveal their donors list, but that's very different than want Peter Thiel did. You understood it was the NAACP, just as you understand the ACLU and the Sierra Club now, you get it. There's transparency there. Not so, here.
<p />Aaron Maté: Okay. You mentioned Sheldon Adelson and the Las Vegas Review-Journal, and I want to get to that in a second, but just staying on the Hulk Hogan, Peter Thiel Gawker case. My problem with this case is that i do think Gawker had something to be held accountable for. They published a sex tape of Hogan, which is his private life, and also, they had outed Peter Thiel as being gay against his wishes, as they did later on with other people, who had even way less of a public profile. So in looking at this case, did you see any grounds for either Hogan or Thiel or anybody else having a valid complaint against Gawker?
<p />Brian Knappenberger: Yes. 100%, and that's actually one of the things that got me interested in the case in the beginning. This isn't an easy case. I didn't pick this, or wasn't initially compelled by this case, because it was easy, I did it because it was complex. And by the way, I had done previous work that was very much advocating for privacy, especially around laws in terms of mass surveillance and mass suspicionless surveillance, that sort of thing. So this wasn't an easy case, but I think the most important cases aren't necessarily easy when it comes to free speech or civil liberties. They don't always exist in that kind of center area where there's crystal clear difference between heroes and villains. They're on the fringes, and I do think this was on the fringes. But the idea that they may have done something wrong, or even that Hogan deserved the payout, does not compute for me with the idea that they should be silenced completely, totally taken offline, given the death penalty, especially in a country that privileges free expression.
<p /> One of the things that Peter Thiel said about Gawker is that they were a singularly sociopathic bully. That's his phrase, and I think that's absurd, if you look at our media environment. If you look at the kinds of things just that we've seen in the past year. We have Alex Jones or somebody like that actually calling the Sandy Hook murders a false flag operation. You have things happening on Facebook where there's a live murder and stuff. The notion that Gawker should be taken offline completely for this, Alex Jones, by the way, is getting, I guess, press credentials to the White House. The initial thing we've taken offline completely for this is what's troubling. And the idea and the way that it was done. There's nothing about this case that makes it unique to Gawker. It could be used by anybody with a lot of money to silence any news organization.
<p />Aaron Maté: Yeah, and just to explain to people, Gawker was taken offline because the jury in this case awarded Hogan more than $140 million, which is a staggering sum, and Gawker essentially was forced to shut down and disband, and then sell itself off to a bigger company which runs it now, but without the website Gawker. And as someone who follows media, especially Gawker, Gawker's absence is very glaring, even though I thought some of its material was pretty vile. So yeah, in terms of what kind of precedent this case and the damages awarded sets, I'm wondering if you can talk a bit more about the implications of that.
<p />Brian Knappenberger: Well, to me, I think this has emboldened people to sue news organizations. I think if you look at, it's kind of wild what we're seeing now, even in the last couple of months, you have a coal magnate suing John Oliver for satire, trying to take them offline, trying to get John Oliver to stop, apparently, to stop airing his show while it's being worked out. Very, very aggressive. You have someone like Sarah Palin who's also using some of the same Hogan lawyers that he used to sue the New York Times. You have this environment where it's becoming obvious that you can kind of use the criminal justice system and wield it in this way, and even if your case has no merit, like the coal magnate's case does not have merit against John Oliver. Satire's protected in this country, as it should be. It doesn't really matter. It can wear down a news organization to the point where it can be taken offline. One of the cases that was settled against Gawker at the same time as the Hogan case was a case brought by this guy, Shiva Ayyadurai, who claims to have invented email, and Gawker and others have cast suspicion on that, have said that there's evidence to suggest that he hadn't, and so he sued Gawker. Apparently couldn't find a lawyer, had trouble finding a lawyer, until he found the same lawyer that was used in Hulk Hogan's case.
<p /> That guy, Shiva, is still suing Tech Dirt, which is a great Silicon Valley site that questions Silicon Valley power, and Tech Dirt, as great as they are, they're small, and they're being sued for $15 million, and they're in a fight for their existence. I think that we're looking at a period of time in which people are emboldened by that kind of decision.
<p />Aaron Maté: Okay, so speaking of emboldened, let's get to Sheldon Adelson, who you mentioned earlier, the billionaire casino magnate Republican donor, and how he came to purchase the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
<p />Brian Knappenberger: Yeah, so we tell that story in the film. We recognize that there were some similarities there. Essentially what happened is the reporters of the Las Vegas Review-Journal were all called into a big meeting, and they were told that their paper had been purchased by somebody, that they had a new boss, which of course is intriguing to anybody in any company. And the first thing they asked was, "What's our new boss? And what are their expectations?" And they were told, "You know what, don't worry about it. They want you to keep doing your job, they don't necessarily need you to know who bought the paper." And of course the reporters, they didn't consider abiding by that. I think on the walk back to their offices they decided they were gonna figure it out. It's important to know who owns, especially a newspaper. So we tell the story of how they went about finding that out, which had some real stakes for them, because this was their boss that they were trying to uncover.
<p />Aaron Maté: One of the consequences of that is you have people resigning, including a columnist, John Smith, who was told after Adelson bought the paper, that he could no longer write about Adelson.
<p />Brian Knappenberger: That's right. And he, I think rightly and courageously, said, "I think it's time to part ways." We've heard all sorts of stories of their influence on that paper. That's sad, because the Las Vegas Review-Journal's a critical and really, really important paper in the West, not just in Nevada. I think that's what's at stake. There's stories of their influencing news stories, especially that involve Adelson, again, what really I found the most troubling was the secretive element of it. What was going on in secret in the beginning. It's not that wealthy individuals haven't owned newspapers before. Obviously, they have. But usually that's a point of civic pride. You know who it is. Even someone like Bezos, who bought the Washington Post, and by the way, he's had what is by all accounts a kind of traditional stewardship of that paper. You have to watch that. You have to see how the Washington Post covers, for instance, the Amazon purchase of Whole Foods.
<p />Aaron Maté: Right, to explain, just to explain that, Bezos owns Amazon.
<p />Brian Knappenberger: Yeah, Bezos owns Amazon, they just acquired Whole Foods, so yeah. I think that's a deal that requires a critical look, or at least a skeptical look, by savvy reporters, so I think you have to watch how they cover that, but you can't do that if you don't know who bought the paper at all, who owns the paper, and who's pulling the strings. That's where this starts to get more dangerous for the public opinion.
<p />Aaron Maté: Brian, can we talk a bit more about this Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist, John Smith, because his personal story with Adelson is fascinating. It involves essentially being bribed, including over his daughter's medical bills for cancer, right?
<p />Brian Knappenberger: Yeah. This isn't something that he wrote in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, he wrote a book called Sharks in the Desert, that covered the origins of Nevada- it's actually a really good book. It's looking at the early days of Las Vegas, all the way up to the corporate era, and he had, as you would have to, included a section on Adelson, and Adelson took exception to one of the things that he said, and then basically sued him, and John L. Smith happened to be in the hospital with his daughter, who had brain cancer, when he got the call that he was being sued over a line in the book, for $10 million. That was a very, very difficult time for him. He recounts it in the movie. It's very moving, actually, and there are all sorts of, as he says in the film, there are all sorts of behind the scenes deals, one in particular, in which Adelson, through an intermediary, allegedly tries to give him money for his daughter's medical expenses if she says that he libeled him. Just gives you a sense of how vicious this can be.
<p />Aaron Maté: Speaking of vicious, Brian, let's end with Donald Trump. You tie the movie, tie the dynamic you explore in the movie, to this age that we're in of the Trump era. He's been openly confrontational, to say the least, towards the media. Can you talk about what you think Trump signifies for the dynamic that you explore inside your film about the influence of big money over media?
<p />Brian Knappenberger: Yeah, well, a lot. He was woven into our film even before he won. It was pretty clear, when you were watching this trial in Florida, that in some ways the media was on trial, that there was a real hatred of the media that emerged from that trial, and of course, that was at the beginning of Donald Trump's rise through the Republican Party and then eventually to the White House. That was fueled by a hatred or attacks on the media, at least in part. So you saw this kind of dynamic showing itself, but look, we always knew that there was an echo happening here on a national scale. Trump, obviously a very thin-skinned billionaire himself, who is not afraid to enact lawsuits. USA Today did some great reporting actually during the campaign where they looked at the 3500 lawsuits that Donald Trump was involved with in one way or another, so he fit the bill.
<p />
<p /> And of course, the day after the election, even though we cut a bunch of sections with Trump, we realized we had a very different film. Now that this guy, who had talked about opening up libel laws, who had spent so much of the campaign pointing at the press, the row of cameras, calling them scum, calling them terrible people, blacklisting them from various rallies and speeches, for getting press credentials to his rallies and speeches. Now he was in charge of the executive branch, and trying to get our head around what that could mean. And of course, we've seen a very, very hostile relationship between him and the press, and that's been based mostly on lies, a kind of wall of deception coming out of the White House.
<p />Aaron Maté: The film is Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press. Brian Knappenberger is the film's writer and director. Brian, thanks a lot.
<p />Brian Knappenberger: Thanks for having me.
<p />Aaron Maté: And thank you for joining us on the Real News. | true | 4 | brian knappenberger awardwinning filmmaker whose last film internets boy story aaron swartz premiered sundance writers guild award outstanding documentary screenplay previous work includes legion story hacktivists online hacktivist nongroup anonymous award winning documentary series truth power numerous investigative documentaries pbs pivot bloomberg television national geographic discovery channel aaron maté real news im aaron mate country free press also unrestrained finance big money scare media outlets silence thats question explored new netflix documentary nobody speak trials free press film narrator journalism real journalism kind journalism exposes things powerful people dont want known fragile thing speaker sir want talk film narrator rare thing doesnt happen time disappear easily speaker never heard seen outrageous vicious distorted reporting speaker worlds dishonest people back look cameras go would never kill would never lets see film narrator political traction essentially conducting culture war big media thats become standard way politics speaker turn microphone please aaron maté thats clip nobody speak trials free press airing netflix brian knappenberger films writer director joins brian welcome brian knappenberger thank thanks aaron maté tell us film brian knappenberger well film started found hulk hogan gawker case really really compelling thought case really really interesting sorts reasons first time sex tape case like ever gone trial beyond tabloid veneer tell big picture first amendment versus privacy issues stake work involved past thought really interesting became different revealed well first verdict 140 million came verdict staggering paired requirement gawker put 50 million right away death sentence gawker whatever thought going trial ending dramatic ended gawker essentially going bankrupt revelation peter thiel silicon valley billionaire first outside investor facebook cofounder paypal actually funding bankrolling hulk hogans case secret became different story became story grudge peter thiel gawker started really thinking thats essentially documentary started started really looking big money leveraged behind scenes silence news organizations question started big money silence free press think answer yes starting see new ways right thats essentially look aaron maté yeah brian explain anyone whos familiar gawker case thats wrestler known hulk hogan sued gawker published sex tape emerged later billionaire mentioned peter thiel funding hogans suit bid put gawker business successfully brian knappenberger mmhmm yeah thats right already strange trial courtroom twists turns staggering verdict followed bizarre revelation peter thiel actually one sort pulling strings behind scenes made strange story turn brought really think critical troubling sorts dynamics aaron maté well lets talk dynamics troubled brian knappenberger secrecy mean short answer secrecy also way im sure well get sheldon adelson aspect cover sheldon adelson secretive purchase las vegas reviewjournal cases case peter thiel secrecy bothered people pointed organizations engaged project tactic litigation financing aclu greenpeace sierra club pick case come one side case make political point presumably thats mr thiel secret something actually used illegal country 50s way back common law secretive funding lawsuit ends secretive part disturbing apparently laws called champerty laws overturned late 50s naacp filing lawsuits order end segregation opponents naacp wanted get naacp reveal donors list thats different want peter thiel understood naacp understand aclu sierra club get theres transparency aaron maté okay mentioned sheldon adelson las vegas reviewjournal want get second staying hulk hogan peter thiel gawker case problem case think gawker something held accountable published sex tape hogan private life also outed peter thiel gay wishes later people even way less public profile looking case see grounds either hogan thiel anybody else valid complaint gawker brian knappenberger yes 100 thats actually one things got interested case beginning isnt easy case didnt pick wasnt initially compelled case easy complex way done previous work much advocating privacy especially around laws terms mass surveillance mass suspicionless surveillance sort thing wasnt easy case think important cases arent necessarily easy comes free speech civil liberties dont always exist kind center area theres crystal clear difference heroes villains theyre fringes think fringes idea may done something wrong even hogan deserved payout compute idea silenced completely totally taken offline given death penalty especially country privileges free expression one things peter thiel said gawker singularly sociopathic bully thats phrase think thats absurd look media environment look kinds things weve seen past year alex jones somebody like actually calling sandy hook murders false flag operation things happening facebook theres live murder stuff notion gawker taken offline completely alex jones way getting guess press credentials white house initial thing weve taken offline completely whats troubling idea way done theres nothing case makes unique gawker could used anybody lot money silence news organization aaron maté yeah explain people gawker taken offline jury case awarded hogan 140 million staggering sum gawker essentially forced shut disband sell bigger company runs without website gawker someone follows media especially gawker gawkers absence glaring even though thought material pretty vile yeah terms kind precedent case damages awarded sets im wondering talk bit implications brian knappenberger well think emboldened people sue news organizations think look kind wild seeing even last couple months coal magnate suing john oliver satire trying take offline trying get john oliver stop apparently stop airing show worked aggressive someone like sarah palin whos also using hogan lawyers used sue new york times environment becoming obvious kind use criminal justice system wield way even case merit like coal magnates case merit john oliver satires protected country doesnt really matter wear news organization point taken offline one cases settled gawker time hogan case case brought guy shiva ayyadurai claims invented email gawker others cast suspicion said theres evidence suggest hadnt sued gawker apparently couldnt find lawyer trouble finding lawyer found lawyer used hulk hogans case guy shiva still suing tech dirt great silicon valley site questions silicon valley power tech dirt great theyre small theyre sued 15 million theyre fight existence think looking period time people emboldened kind decision aaron maté okay speaking emboldened lets get sheldon adelson mentioned earlier billionaire casino magnate republican donor came purchase las vegas reviewjournal brian knappenberger yeah tell story film recognize similarities essentially happened reporters las vegas reviewjournal called big meeting told paper purchased somebody new boss course intriguing anybody company first thing asked whats new boss expectations told know dont worry want keep job dont necessarily need know bought paper course reporters didnt consider abiding think walk back offices decided gon na figure important know owns especially newspaper tell story went finding real stakes boss trying uncover aaron maté one consequences people resigning including columnist john smith told adelson bought paper could longer write adelson brian knappenberger thats right think rightly courageously said think time part ways weve heard sorts stories influence paper thats sad las vegas reviewjournals critical really really important paper west nevada think thats whats stake theres stories influencing news stories especially involve adelson really found troubling secretive element going secret beginning wealthy individuals havent owned newspapers obviously usually thats point civic pride know even someone like bezos bought washington post way hes accounts kind traditional stewardship paper watch see washington post covers instance amazon purchase whole foods aaron maté right explain explain bezos owns amazon brian knappenberger yeah bezos owns amazon acquired whole foods yeah think thats deal requires critical look least skeptical look savvy reporters think watch cover cant dont know bought paper owns paper whos pulling strings thats starts get dangerous public opinion aaron maté brian talk bit las vegas reviewjournal columnist john smith personal story adelson fascinating involves essentially bribed including daughters medical bills cancer right brian knappenberger yeah isnt something wrote las vegas reviewjournal wrote book called sharks desert covered origins nevada actually really good book looking early days las vegas way corporate era would included section adelson adelson took exception one things said basically sued john l smith happened hospital daughter brain cancer got call sued line book 10 million difficult time recounts movie moving actually sorts says film sorts behind scenes deals one particular adelson intermediary allegedly tries give money daughters medical expenses says libeled gives sense vicious aaron maté speaking vicious brian lets end donald trump tie movie tie dynamic explore movie age trump era hes openly confrontational say least towards media talk think trump signifies dynamic explore inside film influence big money media brian knappenberger yeah well lot woven film even pretty clear watching trial florida ways media trial real hatred media emerged trial course beginning donald trumps rise republican party eventually white house fueled hatred attacks media least part saw kind dynamic showing look always knew echo happening national scale trump obviously thinskinned billionaire afraid enact lawsuits usa today great reporting actually campaign looked 3500 lawsuits donald trump involved one way another fit bill course day election even though cut bunch sections trump realized different film guy talked opening libel laws spent much campaign pointing press row cameras calling scum calling terrible people blacklisting various rallies speeches getting press credentials rallies speeches charge executive branch trying get head around could mean course weve seen hostile relationship press thats based mostly lies kind wall deception coming white house aaron maté film nobody speak trials free press brian knappenberger films writer director brian thanks lot brian knappenberger thanks aaron maté thank joining us real news | 1,507 |
<p>A wise old sage once revealed to me a profound truth.&#160; He had fought and won many battles throughout his illustrious career, lancing the dragon of nuclear energy in his early years before moving on to further victories over the corporate titans of ecocide.&#160; Now closer to the end than to the beginning, he devoted what remained of his time on our dimming Eden to the transfer of knowledge to the young, that they might salvage something of a future.&#160; When the aging champion spoke, I listened.</p>
<p>“Do you know the fundamental difference between left- and right-wing?” he asked one evening, with a certain slyness to his tone.</p>
<p>I thought for a second or two, knowing his riddle would demand an unconventional answer.&#160; We had broken bread a few days earlier in a now-defunct café east of downtown, just past the shuttered den of a motorcycle gang the feds had recently raided, near the sidewalk on which the sickly woman with track marks flaunted her high heals.&#160; The sage and I had thoroughly gone over the basics that afternoon, drinking coffee while discussing science, culture, history, and the imperfect world outside.&#160; Having gone that far already, such a simple political question now seemed behind us.</p>
<p>“The left believes established power should be challenged while the right thinks established power should be reinforced,” I said.&#160; The two painfully amorphous terms were coined during the French Revolution, when the radicals and reformers sat physically to the left of the General Assembly president, while the monarchists sat to the right.&#160; So, I thought, the original ideological divide should be as sufficient an explanation as any.</p>
<p>“Deeper than that,” he said.</p>
<p>“Patriarchical symbolism,” I responded, trying yet again.&#160; “Faith in the supposedly ‘feminine’ value of nurturing as opposed to the supposedly ‘masculine’ value of force.”</p>
<p>“Getting closer,” he said.&#160; “But not exactly.”&#160; He leaned in to whisper his mystic insight.</p>
<p>“‘Left’ and ‘right’ really boil down to one basic question: whether you suspect people are inherently good or evil.&#160; The rightist froths at the idea of a political system helping the less fortunate because natural-born sinners can only be tamed by punishment.&#160; Meanwhile the powerful are virtuous for pushing around the majority who deserve to be controlled.&#160; But to the leftist, the opposite is true: evil is artificial, good natural.&#160; Coercive institutions suppress the purity of the human spirit and should therefore be dismantled.&#160; Remember this axiom: all political debate flows from these two conflicting perceptions of reality.”</p>
<p>I’m constantly reminded of the sage’s heavy words while watching the 2012 Republican presidential primaries.&#160; For over a year would-be nominees have been climbing over each other to make their case for Order and Discipline, albeit usually phrased in the more palatable language of Freedom and Opportunity.&#160; On the surface it often seems staggeringly bizarre and illogical, as when candidates bemoan the moral decline of the general population while accusing others of “hating America.”&#160; But the emotional emphasis of the growling rhetoric is perfectly consistent.&#160; As warned the great sage, at its core is a fierce defense of the authoritarian impulse.&#160; Hence the frequent macho posturing and the growing resemblance of the primary season to a demented pro-wrestling competition.</p>
<p>It all began in earnest when latter-day carnival barker Donald Trump climbed atop a soapbox and pointed to his own muscles.&#160; He worked the Grand Old Party faithful into a frenzy challenging the President to release his long-form birth certificate, if only he had the guts.&#160; When the President did just that, the muscles fell off of poor Mr. Trump, who was promptly booed, pelted with scorn, and abandoned.</p>
<p>The frustrated crowd, still hungering for a strong leader to guide them, next gravitated toward a reputable governor with a decent approval rating named Tim Pawlenty.&#160; But nice guys tend not to fare well with the Party of Blood and Fire, which in a fit of boredom then lurched to one Michele Bachmann.&#160; She thrilled many with dark visions of writing bigotry into the Constitution and her magical health clinic that cured homosexuality.</p>
<p>Tempting, mused observers, until Rick Perry of Texas unveiled his awe-inspiring record of human sacrifice.&#160; “Over two hundred, and it even includes the mentally disabled,” he boasted, much to the delight of the Christian rank-and-file.&#160; When he soon proved to be a bit slow himself, pizza mogul Herman Cain seized the spotlight, promising to brutalize the poor with a new federal sales tax and deep cuts to social programs, but he was, alas, quickly undone by a sex scandal.</p>
<p>Today four contenders remain on the stormy field, none quite able to finish off the rest.&#160; Mitt Romney just can’t find his inner demon but wins the occasional grunt of respect for his status as unrepentant tycoon.&#160; The Flat Earth contingent salutes Rick Santorum’s outspoken defense of dogma over country, but his prissy man-boy schtick has failed to catch fire.&#160; And of course, Newt Gingrich won wild, guttural applause calling Obama the “food stamp president,” but now he’s strapped for cash, and worse still, has no friends, since his former colleagues have total contempt for his character.</p>
<p>Ron Paul, however, is of a different breed than the others, which is why he’ll never be president.&#160; The grandfatherly country doctor of&#160;Brünofame is the rare kind of man who actually lives by his principles.&#160; Yet in a quirk proving definitively that fate operates according to its own sense of humor, this one-in-a-million honest politico keeps his principles firmly planted in the Eighteenth Century.</p>
<p>Congressman Ronald Ernest Paul I, Air Force Captain, Doctor of Medicine, and undisputed leader of the modern “libertarian” movement, insists that the public sector is the primary evil plaguing society.&#160; That the “L” word meant “anarcho-communist” until recently doesn’t seem to phase him.&#160; Nor should it, for the traditional definition was junked in North America with the advent of Ayn Rand and a slew of crackpot economists who preached the good news that selfishness is the highest ideal.&#160; Thenceforth, “libertarianism” would mean anything-goes-capitalism under a government so weak that all power to abuse the individual would exclusively lie in the private sector.</p>
<p>This argument for a business-run dystopia rationalizes itself further with a fundamentalist interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.&#160; As if a vast frontier were still open to settlement and water-powered cotton mills were the height of modern technology, the “strict constructionist” legal theory insists that the role of government today should be the same as it was in 1788.</p>
<p>And herein lies the Ron Paul Paradox.&#160; It is easy to chant the mantra of “small government” as a stock campaign slogan, but quite another to actually believe it.&#160; Into the septic tank of history, should the Paulites ever storm the halls of power, would go everything from warrantless government surveillance, to the Drug War, “enhanced interrogation techniques,” hundreds of overseas American military bases checkering the globe, economic blockades, threats of violence against other countries, undeclared war, bailouts of financial institutions, and billions spent annually on corporate welfare.&#160; The leftist heartily drools at the prospect.</p>
<p>But Dr. Paul’s anti-government bone saw cuts in two directions.&#160; In keeping with his philosophy of imposing a late-Eighteenth Century government on a Twentieth-first Century people, handguns would be allowed on commercial flights, the EPA gutted, federal lands sold off, Interior and Education Departments abolished, healthcare programs and Social Security phased out, the tax system made regressive, and restrictions lifted on offshore oil drilling.&#160; He is, of course, the only member of Congress to vote against banning lead in children’s toys.&#160; After all, it isn’t mentioned in the Constitution.</p>
<p>So is the Congressman right-wing or left-wing?&#160; As he can’t or won’t see that corporate power is as great a threat to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as the authority of the state–he is both, and he is neither.&#160; The sage maintained that people tend to take their collection of political beliefs as a package, leaning towards either criticism or support of hierarchy in general.&#160; The traditional instincts of both left and right are violated by Ron Paul in one way or another, which is why he will never gain wide enough popular support to win the presidency on the basis of policy alone.</p>
<p>But while Santorum, Gingrich, and Romney continue to claw at each other on national television, in that surreal traveling circus that is the campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, I can’t help but root for the old country doctor hurling cognitive monkey wrenches into dumbfounded crowds.&#160; Not just anyone gets away with denouncing militarism in South Carolina, the Cuban embargo in Florida, or ethanol subsidies in Iowa.&#160; As millions are spent by candidates over the coming months subliminally promoting the idea that power justifies itself, victims are persecutors, and war is peace, I’ll take as much psychic rebellion as I can get.&#160; At the very least, the absurdity will be priceless.</p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | wise old sage revealed profound truth160 fought many battles throughout illustrious career lancing dragon nuclear energy early years moving victories corporate titans ecocide160 closer end beginning devoted remained time dimming eden transfer knowledge young might salvage something future160 aging champion spoke listened know fundamental difference left rightwing asked one evening certain slyness tone thought second two knowing riddle would demand unconventional answer160 broken bread days earlier nowdefunct café east downtown past shuttered den motorcycle gang feds recently raided near sidewalk sickly woman track marks flaunted high heals160 sage thoroughly gone basics afternoon drinking coffee discussing science culture history imperfect world outside160 gone far already simple political question seemed behind us left believes established power challenged right thinks established power reinforced said160 two painfully amorphous terms coined french revolution radicals reformers sat physically left general assembly president monarchists sat right160 thought original ideological divide sufficient explanation deeper said patriarchical symbolism responded trying yet again160 faith supposedly feminine value nurturing opposed supposedly masculine value force getting closer said160 exactly160 leaned whisper mystic insight left right really boil one basic question whether suspect people inherently good evil160 rightist froths idea political system helping less fortunate naturalborn sinners tamed punishment160 meanwhile powerful virtuous pushing around majority deserve controlled160 leftist opposite true evil artificial good natural160 coercive institutions suppress purity human spirit therefore dismantled160 remember axiom political debate flows two conflicting perceptions reality im constantly reminded sages heavy words watching 2012 republican presidential primaries160 year wouldbe nominees climbing make case order discipline albeit usually phrased palatable language freedom opportunity160 surface often seems staggeringly bizarre illogical candidates bemoan moral decline general population accusing others hating america160 emotional emphasis growling rhetoric perfectly consistent160 warned great sage core fierce defense authoritarian impulse160 hence frequent macho posturing growing resemblance primary season demented prowrestling competition began earnest latterday carnival barker donald trump climbed atop soapbox pointed muscles160 worked grand old party faithful frenzy challenging president release longform birth certificate guts160 president muscles fell poor mr trump promptly booed pelted scorn abandoned frustrated crowd still hungering strong leader guide next gravitated toward reputable governor decent approval rating named tim pawlenty160 nice guys tend fare well party blood fire fit boredom lurched one michele bachmann160 thrilled many dark visions writing bigotry constitution magical health clinic cured homosexuality tempting mused observers rick perry texas unveiled aweinspiring record human sacrifice160 two hundred even includes mentally disabled boasted much delight christian rankandfile160 soon proved bit slow pizza mogul herman cain seized spotlight promising brutalize poor new federal sales tax deep cuts social programs alas quickly undone sex scandal today four contenders remain stormy field none quite able finish rest160 mitt romney cant find inner demon wins occasional grunt respect status unrepentant tycoon160 flat earth contingent salutes rick santorums outspoken defense dogma country prissy manboy schtick failed catch fire160 course newt gingrich wild guttural applause calling obama food stamp president hes strapped cash worse still friends since former colleagues total contempt character ron paul however different breed others hell never president160 grandfatherly country doctor of160brünofame rare kind man actually lives principles160 yet quirk proving definitively fate operates according sense humor oneinamillion honest politico keeps principles firmly planted eighteenth century congressman ronald ernest paul air force captain doctor medicine undisputed leader modern libertarian movement insists public sector primary evil plaguing society160 l word meant anarchocommunist recently doesnt seem phase him160 traditional definition junked north america advent ayn rand slew crackpot economists preached good news selfishness highest ideal160 thenceforth libertarianism would mean anythinggoescapitalism government weak power abuse individual would exclusively lie private sector argument businessrun dystopia rationalizes fundamentalist interpretation us constitution160 vast frontier still open settlement waterpowered cotton mills height modern technology strict constructionist legal theory insists role government today 1788 herein lies ron paul paradox160 easy chant mantra small government stock campaign slogan quite another actually believe it160 septic tank history paulites ever storm halls power would go everything warrantless government surveillance drug war enhanced interrogation techniques hundreds overseas american military bases checkering globe economic blockades threats violence countries undeclared war bailouts financial institutions billions spent annually corporate welfare160 leftist heartily drools prospect dr pauls antigovernment bone saw cuts two directions160 keeping philosophy imposing lateeighteenth century government twentiethfirst century people handguns would allowed commercial flights epa gutted federal lands sold interior education departments abolished healthcare programs social security phased tax system made regressive restrictions lifted offshore oil drilling160 course member congress vote banning lead childrens toys160 isnt mentioned constitution congressman rightwing leftwing160 cant wont see corporate power great threat life liberty pursuit happiness authority statehe neither160 sage maintained people tend take collection political beliefs package leaning towards either criticism support hierarchy general160 traditional instincts left right violated ron paul one way another never gain wide enough popular support win presidency basis policy alone santorum gingrich romney continue claw national television surreal traveling circus campaign republican presidential nomination cant help root old country doctor hurling cognitive monkey wrenches dumbfounded crowds160 anyone gets away denouncing militarism south carolina cuban embargo florida ethanol subsidies iowa160 millions spent candidates coming months subliminally promoting idea power justifies victims persecutors war peace ill take much psychic rebellion get160 least absurdity priceless 160 | 849 |
<p>The deep state is not some enigmatic entity that operates outside the US government.&#160; It is the US state itself.&#160; Like all elements of that state, the so-called deep state exists to enforce the economic supremacy of US capitalism.&#160; It does so primarily via the secret domestic and international police forces like the FBI, CIA and other intelligence agencies.&#160; The operations of these agencies run the gamut from surveillance to propaganda to covert and overt military actions.&#160; Naturally, this so-called deep state operates according to their own rules; rules which ultimately insure its continued existence and relevance.&#160;&#160; Although it can be argued that it was the 1950 National Security Directive known as <a href="https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/NSC68" type="external">NSC-68</a> along with the Congressional Bill creating the Central Intelligence Agency that launched the “deep state” as we understand it, a broader understanding of the “deep state” places its genesis perhaps a century prior to that date.&#160; In other words, a structure designed to maintain the economic and political domination of certain powerful US capitalists existed well back into the nineteenth century.&#160; However, the centralization of that power began in earnest in the years following World War Two.</p>
<p>For those who don’t know what the NSC-68 actually was, it is essentially a directive that militarized the conflict between US capitalism and Soviet communism.&#160; It was based on the correct understanding that US capitalism required open access to the resources and markets of the entire planet and that the Soviet Union represented the greatest threat to that access.&#160; Not only did this mean the US military would grow in size, it also ensured that the power of the intelligence sector would expand both in terms of its reach and its budget.&#160; When one recalls that this period in US history was also a period when the FBI and the US Congress were going after leftists and progressives in the name of a certain right-wing ideological purity, the power of the US secret police becomes quite apparent.</p>
<p>As the 1950s turned into the 1960s, the so-called deep state’s power continued to grow.&#160;&#160; Some of its better known manifestations include the failed attempt to invade revolutionary Cuba that became known as the Bay of Pigs, the use of psychoactive drugs on unsuspecting individuals as part of a mind control study, and numerous attempts to subvert governments considered anti-American.&#160; Among the latter actions one can include covert operations against the Vietnamese independence forces and the murder of the Congolese president Patrice Lumumba.&#160; In terms of the “deep state’s” domestic operations, this period saw the intensification of spying on and disrupting various groups involved in the civil rights and antiwar organizing.&#160; Many elements of the domestic operation would become known as COINTELPRO and were directed by the FBI.</p>
<p>Although the agencies of the so-called deep state operate as part of the US state, this does not mean that those agencies are of one mind.&#160; Indeed, like any power structure, there are various factions represented.&#160; This means that there are disagreements over policies, priorities, direction, and personnel.&#160; The only certainty is that all of its members agree on the need to maintain the supremacy of US capital in the world.&#160; At times, the seemingly absolute power of the CIA and FBI have caused the US Executive Branch to try and set up other means and methods in order to circumvent that power.&#160; Two examples of this that come quickly to mind are the establishment of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) by the Kennedy administration in 1961-1962 and the failed attempt (known as the Huston plan after its creator Tom Huston) by the Nixon White House to centralize the direction of all US government intelligence operations in the White House.</p>
<p>There is no soft coup taking place in DC.&#160; The entire government has been owned by big business and the banking industry for more than a century, if not since its inception.&#160; That ownership has been dominated by the military-industrial complex since about the same time as when the aforementioned agencies were created.&#160; That is no coincidence.&#160; However, their role in the current uproar over Russia and Michael Flynn is not because they are taking over the government.&#160; It is because their current leadership represents the factions of the US establishment that were removed from power in November 2016.</p>
<p>Donald Trump is not against the so-called deep state. He is against it being used against himself and his cohorts. In the world of capitalist power, the factions Trump represents are not the same factions represented by the presidents former FBI director Comey served—the factions represented by Bush and Obama.&#160;&#160; He understands that if he can install individuals in key positions at the FBI, CIA, DHS and other security and military agencies, he and his allies will be more than happy to use the power of these agencies against their opponents.&#160; Indeed, he would most likely greatly enhance those agencies’ power, making a further mockery of the US Constitution.&#160; If Trump is able to get the agencies of the deep state to work for the factions he represents—either by replacing those loyal to others not named Trump or by cajoling and coercing them to change their loyalty—he will think the deep state is a great thing.&#160; In this way he is no different than every other US president.&#160; He understands that whoever controls the deep state controls the US.&#160; The struggle we are witnessing between the FBI and the Trump White House is part of a power struggle between US power elites.</p>
<p>When the ruling class is in crisis, as it is now, the job of the left is not to choose one side or the other.&#160; Nor is it to accept the narrative provided by one or other faction of the rulers, especially when that narrative supports the police state.&#160; Instead, it is the Left’s job to go to the root of the crisis and organize resistance to the ruling class itself.</p> | true | 4 | deep state enigmatic entity operates outside us government160 us state itself160 like elements state socalled deep state exists enforce economic supremacy us capitalism160 primarily via secret domestic international police forces like fbi cia intelligence agencies160 operations agencies run gamut surveillance propaganda covert overt military actions160 naturally socalled deep state operates according rules rules ultimately insure continued existence relevance160160 although argued 1950 national security directive known nsc68 along congressional bill creating central intelligence agency launched deep state understand broader understanding deep state places genesis perhaps century prior date160 words structure designed maintain economic political domination certain powerful us capitalists existed well back nineteenth century160 however centralization power began earnest years following world war two dont know nsc68 actually essentially directive militarized conflict us capitalism soviet communism160 based correct understanding us capitalism required open access resources markets entire planet soviet union represented greatest threat access160 mean us military would grow size also ensured power intelligence sector would expand terms reach budget160 one recalls period us history also period fbi us congress going leftists progressives name certain rightwing ideological purity power us secret police becomes quite apparent 1950s turned 1960s socalled deep states power continued grow160160 better known manifestations include failed attempt invade revolutionary cuba became known bay pigs use psychoactive drugs unsuspecting individuals part mind control study numerous attempts subvert governments considered antiamerican160 among latter actions one include covert operations vietnamese independence forces murder congolese president patrice lumumba160 terms deep states domestic operations period saw intensification spying disrupting various groups involved civil rights antiwar organizing160 many elements domestic operation would become known cointelpro directed fbi although agencies socalled deep state operate part us state mean agencies one mind160 indeed like power structure various factions represented160 means disagreements policies priorities direction personnel160 certainty members agree need maintain supremacy us capital world160 times seemingly absolute power cia fbi caused us executive branch try set means methods order circumvent power160 two examples come quickly mind establishment defense intelligence agency dia kennedy administration 19611962 failed attempt known huston plan creator tom huston nixon white house centralize direction us government intelligence operations white house soft coup taking place dc160 entire government owned big business banking industry century since inception160 ownership dominated militaryindustrial complex since time aforementioned agencies created160 coincidence160 however role current uproar russia michael flynn taking government160 current leadership represents factions us establishment removed power november 2016 donald trump socalled deep state used cohorts world capitalist power factions trump represents factions represented presidents former fbi director comey servedthe factions represented bush obama160160 understands install individuals key positions fbi cia dhs security military agencies allies happy use power agencies opponents160 indeed would likely greatly enhance agencies power making mockery us constitution160 trump able get agencies deep state work factions representseither replacing loyal others named trump cajoling coercing change loyaltyhe think deep state great thing160 way different every us president160 understands whoever controls deep state controls us160 struggle witnessing fbi trump white house part power struggle us power elites ruling class crisis job left choose one side other160 accept narrative provided one faction rulers especially narrative supports police state160 instead lefts job go root crisis organize resistance ruling class | 521 |
<p>Hand it to Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH).&#160; The conservative senator from the Granite State turned down an appointment to the position of President Barrack Obama’s Secretary of Commerce citing “irreconcilable differences.”</p>
<p>Citing the latest Senate vote on Obama’s economic stimulus package, for which Gregg voted “no,” Gregg said, “ We are functioning from a different set of views on many critical items of policy.”</p>
<p>Truth to tell, that can be said about the entire Republican Party, in both House and Senate, which voted almost unanimously against Obama’s signature domestic effort to date to try and kick-start the economy. The House vote on the measure was completely along party lines with no defections, while in the Senate, only three liberal Republican senators voted for that chamber’s version of the $800-billion bill—but only after those three Republicans had managed to sabotage it, probably fatally, by forcing Obama and Senate Democrats to agree to making a third of the bill be in the form of meaningless and useless tax cuts, instead of programs to ease the plight of laid-off workers and people losing their homes.</p>
<p>The fact is, Obama and his supposedly brilliant political strategists have adopted a bone-headed approach of trying to seem “post-partisan” which has led them directly into a Republican trap on many key policy fronts. The economy is just one such area, where Republicans let Obama water down his stimulus program in an effort to woo them, and then simply voted against the package in the end.&#160; The war in Afghanistan is another example, where Obama has been so busy buying into the right’s agenda of continued war that he is about to commit the nation to years more of expanded war in that war-torn region.&#160; Even Obama’s cabinet picks have been terrible, made with an eye to appearing “centrist” and even Republican-friendly, with many key holdovers, like Defense Secretary Robert Gates, or appointments like Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, Bush’s pick for head of the New York Federal Reserve Bank, not to mention his attempt to put a Republican in as Commerce Secretary.</p>
<p>That last botched appointment was particularly pathetic. It had offered Obama the chance to pick up a key Democratic vote in the Senate, since if Gregg had taken the job and left his Senate seat, the Democratic governor of New Hampshire could, and surely would have appointed a Democratic replacement. But Obama, again wanting to show his post-partisanship, cut a deal with Gregg in which the governor agreed to appoint a Republican replacement.</p>
<p>Having seen how needing to get two Republican votes in order to avoid filibusters in the Senate on key legislation can destroy the legislation, Obama now needs to rectify this mistake.</p>
<p>It’s clear that, even if Obama doesn’t sink himself as he has been doing, that the Republicans are out to sabotage his presidency.&#160; That being the case, Obama should change course immediately and develop a new strategy based upon confronting and attacking the Republicans in Congress forcibly.&#160; One way to do that would be to name a few liberal (not Gregg-style) Republican Senators from states with Republican governors to posts in the cabinet.&#160; Example: Maine Senator Olympia Snowe, who has served on the Senate finance committee and on a subcommittee on small business, would make an excellent commerce secretary (much better than Gregg, who at one point had called for the abolition of the department), and if appointed, could be replaced by Maine’s Democratic Governor John Baldacci with a Democratic senator. Obama could also put Gates out to pasture and name the other Maine Senator, Susan Collins, as Defense Secretary. Collins has served on both the Senate Homeland Security and Armed Services committees, and it would be a great idea to have a woman running the Defense Department. Again, Maine’s Democratic governor could replace Collins with a Democratic Senator, giving Obama 60 votes, eliminating his need to cater to that treacherous turncoat, Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman, who backed McCain last fall, and who renounced his Democratic Party membership after being denied the party’s nomination back in 2006. (This calculus assumes an eventual win by Democrat Al Franken in the still-unresolved Minnesota Senate race.)</p>
<p>Even short of enhancing the Democratic margin in the Senate, Obama could change the political climate in the Upper House by making it clear that Republicans who obstruct his agenda will be barred from having any legislation passed for the next four years.&#160; Their bills will not get hearing, and if somehow passed, will be vetoed. He and his Democratic Party allies in the Senate, should, in other words, start treating Republicans in the Senate the way they were treated by Republicans during Bush’s presidency: as irrelevant.</p>
<p>Even with 57 or 58 seats, Democrats have a much stronger position in Congress today than they had when they took over the House and Senate in 2006. They also have a much stronger position than Republicans had between 2002 and 2006, too. But they, and Obama, are still acting as though they are the opposition party, not the ruling party.</p>
<p>If Obama wants to be a successful president, and if he hopes to be re-elected in 2012, he will need to simply run over Republican opposition in Congress and start pushing through the agenda that he was elected to promote.</p>
<p>Bi-partisanship, post-partisanship, or whatever caving in to forces of the thoroughly discredited right is called, is a doomed strategy. It only encourages the Republicans, like wolves pursuing a wounded elk, to move in for the kill.</p>
<p>Right now, the public is still blaming Bush, Cheney and the Republicans for the messes in Iraq, Afghanistan and the US economy.&#160; But it won’t be long before all those crises will have Obama’s and the Democrats’ name on them, which is precisely the goal of the Republican policy of obstruction and sabotage.</p>
<p>Obama doesn’t have much time to start taking charge of this situation. A good place to start would be by calling on his Justice Department to appoint a special prosecutor or two or three to start aggressively investigating the crimes of the Bush/Cheney administration, including any collusion with Republican members of Congress. Democrats in Congress, too, could get much more aggressive about their investigations in to the abuses of the last two presidential terms. That would sure signal to Republicans in Congress that he is serious, and not to be pushed around.</p>
<p>DAVE LINDORFF is a Philadelphia-based journalist and columnist. His latest book is “The Case for Impeachment” (St. Martin’s Press, 2006, available now in paperback edition). His work is available at <a href="http://www.thiscantbehappening.net/" type="external">www.thiscantbehappening.net</a></p> | true | 4 | hand sen judd gregg rnh160 conservative senator granite state turned appointment position president barrack obamas secretary commerce citing irreconcilable differences citing latest senate vote obamas economic stimulus package gregg voted gregg said functioning different set views many critical items policy truth tell said entire republican party house senate voted almost unanimously obamas signature domestic effort date try kickstart economy house vote measure completely along party lines defections senate three liberal republican senators voted chambers version 800billion billbut three republicans managed sabotage probably fatally forcing obama senate democrats agree making third bill form meaningless useless tax cuts instead programs ease plight laidoff workers people losing homes fact obama supposedly brilliant political strategists adopted boneheaded approach trying seem postpartisan led directly republican trap many key policy fronts economy one area republicans let obama water stimulus program effort woo simply voted package end160 war afghanistan another example obama busy buying rights agenda continued war commit nation years expanded war wartorn region160 even obamas cabinet picks terrible made eye appearing centrist even republicanfriendly many key holdovers like defense secretary robert gates appointments like treasury secretary tim geithner bushs pick head new york federal reserve bank mention attempt put republican commerce secretary last botched appointment particularly pathetic offered obama chance pick key democratic vote senate since gregg taken job left senate seat democratic governor new hampshire could surely would appointed democratic replacement obama wanting show postpartisanship cut deal gregg governor agreed appoint republican replacement seen needing get two republican votes order avoid filibusters senate key legislation destroy legislation obama needs rectify mistake clear even obama doesnt sink republicans sabotage presidency160 case obama change course immediately develop new strategy based upon confronting attacking republicans congress forcibly160 one way would name liberal greggstyle republican senators states republican governors posts cabinet160 example maine senator olympia snowe served senate finance committee subcommittee small business would make excellent commerce secretary much better gregg one point called abolition department appointed could replaced maines democratic governor john baldacci democratic senator obama could also put gates pasture name maine senator susan collins defense secretary collins served senate homeland security armed services committees would great idea woman running defense department maines democratic governor could replace collins democratic senator giving obama 60 votes eliminating need cater treacherous turncoat connecticut senator joseph lieberman backed mccain last fall renounced democratic party membership denied partys nomination back 2006 calculus assumes eventual win democrat al franken stillunresolved minnesota senate race even short enhancing democratic margin senate obama could change political climate upper house making clear republicans obstruct agenda barred legislation passed next four years160 bills get hearing somehow passed vetoed democratic party allies senate words start treating republicans senate way treated republicans bushs presidency irrelevant even 57 58 seats democrats much stronger position congress today took house senate 2006 also much stronger position republicans 2002 2006 obama still acting though opposition party ruling party obama wants successful president hopes reelected 2012 need simply run republican opposition congress start pushing agenda elected promote bipartisanship postpartisanship whatever caving forces thoroughly discredited right called doomed strategy encourages republicans like wolves pursuing wounded elk move kill right public still blaming bush cheney republicans messes iraq afghanistan us economy160 wont long crises obamas democrats name precisely goal republican policy obstruction sabotage obama doesnt much time start taking charge situation good place start would calling justice department appoint special prosecutor two three start aggressively investigating crimes bushcheney administration including collusion republican members congress democrats congress could get much aggressive investigations abuses last two presidential terms would sure signal republicans congress serious pushed around dave lindorff philadelphiabased journalist columnist latest book case impeachment st martins press 2006 available paperback edition work available wwwthiscantbehappeningnet | 607 |
<p />
<p>Media baron Rupert Murdoch appears close to striking a deal with a coalition of minority leaders in which he will donate at least $100 million to help increase the number of minority-owned U.S. broadcast stations. But a source familiar with the negotiations describes the investment fund as part of “a package deal” orchestrated by Murdoch to expand his media empire.</p>
<p>According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Murdoch will provide the funding under the condition that, in return, members of the coalition agree to endorse a waiver Murdoch plans to request from the <a href="http://www.fcc.gov" type="external">Federal Communications Commission</a> that would allow him to buy more TV stations in the United States. Under current FCC regulations, further acquisition by Murdoch’s <a href="http://www.newscorp.com/" type="external">News Corp.</a>, which includes the Fox network, would constitute an illegal monopoly.</p>
<p>“It’s a pity, but you have to bribe white people to support affirmative action,” one civil rights leader, who asked not to be identified, said of the negotiations. Murdoch has long been considered a foe by minority groups.</p>
<p>But Murdoch has timed his offer at a particularly desperate time for groups that are advocating greater minority ownership of broadcast stations. In April, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia overturned an FCC rule that required TV and radio stations to make a concerted effort to hire minorities.</p>
<p>A week before the ruling, newly appointed FCC Chairman William Kennard, the first African American to hold that position, addressed the annual meeting of the National Association of Broadcasters and practically begged his audience to increase minority representation in the industry. “I am increasingly concerned that at a time when our country is becoming ever more pluralistic the media is becoming less so,” he said. According to an April 1998 editorial in the trade publication Electronic Media, only 2.8 percent of all broadcast licenses are minority owned.</p>
<p>Following Kennard’s plea, Murdoch lobbyist Peggy Binzel began talks with at least eight minority advocates, including, sources say, Antoinette Cook Bush, a telecommunications lobbyist at the firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom (and stepdaughter of superlobbyist Vernon Jordan); David Honig, who works with Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow/PUSH coalition but who is said to be representing the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council in the talks; Jim Winston of the <a href="http://www.bin.org/assocorg/nabob/nabob.htm" type="external">National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters</a>; John Oxendine, president of Broadcast Capital Fund; and Tom Hart, a telecommunications lawyer at Shook, Hardy &amp; Bacon who works with the <a href="http://www.lff.org/advocacy/technology/" type="external">Telecommunications Advocacy Project</a>.</p>
<p>When contacted by Mother Jones on Friday, June 26, Hart confirmed that he had participated in discussions and he verified the basic details of the deal — including the minority representatives’ support for Murdoch’s FCC waiver — but refused to comment further. Bush, Honig, and Oxendine all did not return phone calls as of press time. Murdoch, sources say, has offered $100 million to the coalition, but its members are holding out for more. Another sticking point is over who will control and distribute the funds.</p>
<p>While the deal could lead to some increase in minority ownership, it would also accelerate the consolidation of media ownership. Mark Crispin Miller, who teaches media studies at New York University and is director of the Project on Media Ownership, says, “It’s a Faustian bargain. It offers Murdoch a ‘PC’ camouflage to extend his influence still further. It will ultimately make little difference if he makes a few loans to minority owners.”</p>
<p>Murdoch’s TV broadcast properties already approach the 35 percent national coverage limit set by the FCC for a single company. (The limit was 25 percent until 1996, when Congress, under pressure from Murdoch and other network owners, raised it to its current level.) To buy more stations, Murdoch needs a special dispensation from the FCC. Sources tell Mother Jones that the FCC is aware of the ongoing negotiations, though officials at the FCC refused to comment.</p>
<p>Andrew Schwartzman of the Media Access Project, a public interest telecommunications law firm in Washington, D.C., has been briefed on the talks by some of the negotiators. He says he believes that the FCC might approve a waiver if Murdoch and the minority advocates are able to come to terms. “Kennard is very anxious to make something happen,” he says. “You have to assume that it’s a serious venture that will get a careful and receptive look.”</p>
<p>Murdoch has received exemptions from the FCC before. In 1993, the commission waived its “cross-ownership” rule — which bars companies from owning a newspaper and a radio or TV station in the same market — allowing Murdoch to buy back the New York Post. The FCC did so because, it said, Murdoch — who had been forced to sell the Post five years earlier because he owned a Fox TV affiliate in New York — was the only person who could prevent the Post from falling into bankruptcy.</p>
<p>Two years later, the FCC chose to go against the recommendations of its own staff, which found that Murdoch’s Australia-based News Corp. should be defined as a foreign company and have its U.S. TV holdings limited to 25 percent. Instead, the FCC decided that since Murdoch had served the “public interest” by founding a fourth national network, he should be allowed to maintain full control of his TV stations.</p>
<p>Then-FCC Commissioner James Quello championed Murdoch’s cause in both cases. After the most recent waiver, Murdoch hired two Quello associates — his former special counsel and a close family friend — as lobbyists for News Corp.</p>
<p>This latest deal is particularly ironic because Murdoch has frequently been at odds with minority groups. In 1996, he gave $1 million to the California state GOP during the last few weeks of the Proposition 209 campaign, when the party was devoting significant resources to winning voter support for the anti-affirmative action ballot initiative. In 1997, Murdoch reportedly urged <a href="/news/feature/1997/11/watters.html" type="external">Ward Connerly</a>, a University of California regent who launched the Prop. 209 effort, to challenge Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) in her upcoming re-election campaign.</p>
<p />
<p>Ken Silverstein is a Mother Jones contributing writer.</p>
<p /> | true | 4 | media baron rupert murdoch appears close striking deal coalition minority leaders donate least 100 million help increase number minorityowned us broadcast stations source familiar negotiations describes investment fund part package deal orchestrated murdoch expand media empire according sources familiar negotiations murdoch provide funding condition return members coalition agree endorse waiver murdoch plans request federal communications commission would allow buy tv stations united states current fcc regulations acquisition murdochs news corp includes fox network would constitute illegal monopoly pity bribe white people support affirmative action one civil rights leader asked identified said negotiations murdoch long considered foe minority groups murdoch timed offer particularly desperate time groups advocating greater minority ownership broadcast stations april threejudge panel us court appeals district columbia overturned fcc rule required tv radio stations make concerted effort hire minorities week ruling newly appointed fcc chairman william kennard first african american hold position addressed annual meeting national association broadcasters practically begged audience increase minority representation industry increasingly concerned time country becoming ever pluralistic media becoming less said according april 1998 editorial trade publication electronic media 28 percent broadcast licenses minority owned following kennards plea murdoch lobbyist peggy binzel began talks least eight minority advocates including sources say antoinette cook bush telecommunications lobbyist firm skadden arps slate meagher flom stepdaughter superlobbyist vernon jordan david honig works jesse jacksons rainbowpush coalition said representing minority media telecommunications council talks jim winston national association black owned broadcasters john oxendine president broadcast capital fund tom hart telecommunications lawyer shook hardy amp bacon works telecommunications advocacy project contacted mother jones friday june 26 hart confirmed participated discussions verified basic details deal including minority representatives support murdochs fcc waiver refused comment bush honig oxendine return phone calls press time murdoch sources say offered 100 million coalition members holding another sticking point control distribute funds deal could lead increase minority ownership would also accelerate consolidation media ownership mark crispin miller teaches media studies new york university director project media ownership says faustian bargain offers murdoch pc camouflage extend influence still ultimately make little difference makes loans minority owners murdochs tv broadcast properties already approach 35 percent national coverage limit set fcc single company limit 25 percent 1996 congress pressure murdoch network owners raised current level buy stations murdoch needs special dispensation fcc sources tell mother jones fcc aware ongoing negotiations though officials fcc refused comment andrew schwartzman media access project public interest telecommunications law firm washington dc briefed talks negotiators says believes fcc might approve waiver murdoch minority advocates able come terms kennard anxious make something happen says assume serious venture get careful receptive look murdoch received exemptions fcc 1993 commission waived crossownership rule bars companies owning newspaper radio tv station market allowing murdoch buy back new york post fcc said murdoch forced sell post five years earlier owned fox tv affiliate new york person could prevent post falling bankruptcy two years later fcc chose go recommendations staff found murdochs australiabased news corp defined foreign company us tv holdings limited 25 percent instead fcc decided since murdoch served public interest founding fourth national network allowed maintain full control tv stations thenfcc commissioner james quello championed murdochs cause cases recent waiver murdoch hired two quello associates former special counsel close family friend lobbyists news corp latest deal particularly ironic murdoch frequently odds minority groups 1996 gave 1 million california state gop last weeks proposition 209 campaign party devoting significant resources winning voter support antiaffirmative action ballot initiative 1997 murdoch reportedly urged ward connerly university california regent launched prop 209 effort challenge sen barbara boxer dcalif upcoming reelection campaign ken silverstein mother jones contributing writer | 596 |
<p>Deep inside the archetypal psyche&#160;of Pepe the Frog…</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" /></p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Branko Malić <a href="http://wp.me/p3bwni-hHt" type="external">21st Century Wire</a></p>
<p>While Richard Spencer’s half-joke of hailing Donald Trump with Roman salute rose a lot of dust, some remarks in his NPI speech point into rather sinister direction. A posthuman one. &#160;</p>
<p>transcript with references and additional a/v material:</p>
<p>Undoubtedly, there was a sigh of relief throughout the world when Hillary Clinton lost Presidential elections to Donald Trump. If for nothing else, then for the sake of quiet joy of watching adolescent commissars melt in tears, crying foul over “racism, homophobia, xenophobia” and whateverphobia; it was a joy, and a relief, because it showed monolithic control system of <a href="http://en.kalitribune.com/political-correctness-a-nominalist-cookbook/" type="external">moral nominalism</a>, dubbed “political correctness”… to be a paper tiger.</p>
<p>However, the party is over and the dialectics are&#160;back with the vengeance….</p>
<p>As <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=SJW" type="external">SJW</a>s are, hopefully, moving out from the spotlight of post-historical stage, the new contender asserts his right to fashion the reality of our day and age into his own image.</p>
<p>If we are to judge the day by the first gleam of dawn, this image will be just as ugly – and just as unreal – as hermaphrodite ideal of politically correct “ <a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=shitlib" type="external">shitlib</a>”.</p>
<p>In the words of more or less universally acclaimed leader of the alternative right, or “Alt Right” movement, Richard Spencer, in the future we are to deal with the leadership of “children of the sun”.</p>
<p>This is an interesting, and to my mind quite worrisome, statement of intent – a manifestation of will, as Spencer would doubtless rectify me – pointing out in many directions while seemingly focusing on the eternal – and quite unidirectional – circular movement of the pagan deity, revered by all self-respecting übermenschen – from Nietzsche to postmodern occultists.</p>
<p>However, there’s a deeper astro-theological metaphor at work here. The “pure eye that can gaze upon overabundance of joy without envy” (Nietzsche) in it’s virtual, postmodern, installment is not to be strictly represented by a Swastika – as Spencer apparently assumes, but by other, only seemingly ancient, symbol taken in fact from the world of <a href="http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Chaos" type="external">tabletop and PC gaming</a> and turned into ideological brand by Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin (or his minions): an individual widely promoted by core members of alt right movement.</p>
<p>The symbol in question is an eight pointed star signifying the movement, not of sun, but of presumably primordial origin of everything: Chaos.</p>
<p><a href="http://en.kalitribune.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/11/640px-Flag_of_the_Eurasian_Youth_Union.svg_.png" type="external" /></p>
<p>In the lines to follow, we’ll provide some preliminary analysis of the emerging situation: the channeling of chaos principle – and adjacent chaos logic – through loosely knit alt right movement, taking as a starting point some statements from <a href="http://www.radixjournal.com/journal/2016/11/21/long-live-the-emperor#disqus_thread" type="external">Spencer’s speech</a> held at NPI Conference in Washington D.C. on November 21st.</p>
<p>Triumph of the will, or hipster Babylon working?</p>
<p>In introduction to his triumphal encomium to the ideological victory of alt right, embodied in the election of Donald Trump, Spencer makes one interesting remark:</p>
<p>“But even though we always took Trump seriously, there was still a moment of unreality – or perhaps too painfully intense reality – when the state of Pennsylvania was called for Donald Trump –&#160;the moment when we knew Kek had smiled upon us, that meme magic was real. And though these terms are used half-jokingly, they represent something truly important–the victory of&#160;will. We willed Donald Trump into office, made this dream into reality.”</p>
<p />
<p />
<p>We’ll start our explanation with lesser weirdness.</p>
<p>“Meme” is an expression denoting “inexistent existent”, coined apparently by Richard Dawkins to explain how human thoughts fit in his evolutionary theology: memes are thoughts expressed in image and/or phrase which, by circulation in public, acquire the life and subsistence of their own and are able to “infect” the consciousness with their messages, like viruses. A Meme is inexistent because there’s no such thing as thoughts having a biologically based self-subsistence and ability to procreate like viruses. Images and/or phrases are not living beings save by bad analogy that omits to tell us on what exactly it is based: what is that one principle making memes and viruses congenial.&#160; Yet they, quite paradoxically, exist because the analogy apparently works. However no one seems to pose the question, why it works.</p>
<p>Well, it works because it is magical, in a manner of speaking.</p>
<p>Chaos Magick</p>
<p>Here we have an example of magical thinking in the postmodern – in fact, post-humanist vein, resting on the assumption that what has not evolved in nature can – and should – be created in analogy to imagined process of evolution. If a artificial construct is in line with a “principle of evolution” it is real or, to be more precise, it is in accordance with imaginary nature of this principle – it is imagined into existence.</p>
<p>Therefore “meme magick” works only insofar it relies upon artificial, preferably technological medium for sustenance and on assumption that its recipients identify themselves with their artificial, preferably online identities that can indeed be imbibed with “memes” as they are in themselves artificial and arbitrary constructs.</p>
<p>The goal of practitioner of such magic – a far cry from what was traditionally considered to be magic – is to change the world according to his will. This is, more or less, what is known from the Seventies of the last century as <a href="http://www.specularium.org/wizardry" type="external">chaos magick</a>, a postmodern imitation of&#160; ancient practice of acting in sub-human and sub-natural “domain” of the world, in the past mostly confined to people born with the dubious talent to practice it. The peculiarity of chaos magick is, on the one hand, that it is entirely syncretic, i.e. that it uses everything that its practitioner can imbibe with intended, subjective, meaning, and that it relies on virtual, i.e. artificial world of mass culture, now embodied above all in Internet.</p>
<p>The idea behind it all is that nothing is true and everything is possible.</p>
<p>There are many interesting implications to this.</p>
<p>The first is that everything is interrelated, i.e. that everything is connected with everything else. So any which way you take, you’ll get where you want to get if you will it hard enough. The second is that there’s no hierarchy of higher and lower – there’s only an infinite surface dissolving into ever more complex elements, dissolving in turn into nothingness, if concentrated upon. As there’s nothing higher, there’s nothing to be revered and everything can – and indeed: should – be an object of ironical laughter. And, most importantly, this is the world of dreams, ruled by what is usually called “dream logic” but in actual fact: chaos logic or un-logic.</p>
<p>In this sense, Richard Spencer quite accurately proclaimed Trump’s victory an accomplishment of meme – or chaos magick.</p>
<p>In theory, Trump is willed into office by Internet memes binding the will of alt right adherents and turning their dream into reality – virtual reality, one may add, yet reality nonetheless. The fact that Trump was elected for a plethora of motives – from the appeal of his politics, to public takedown of Hillary Clinton by Wikileaks – is immaterial, because in the world of chaos every subjective “reality tunnel”, or interpretation of the world, is as real as any other.</p>
<p>In this sense we can observe the new “God Emperor of USA” as a magical creation of Internet, by the Internet and for the Internet – today still the Internet of interconnected computer nodes, but soon probably the Internet of Things.</p>
<p>If one is to push Spencer’s remark to it’s logical extreme, we can assert that illustrious Donald is the world’s first president of posthuman race; an embodiment of a ultra progressive dream invoked to reality by professed ultra anti-progressive group.</p>
<p>So that was lesser weirdness. Let us proceed now to high weirdness.</p>
<p>Hail Kek!</p>
<p><a href="http://en.kalitribune.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/11/kek.jpg" type="external" /></p>
<p>We owe the reader an answer to a question: who the hell is Kek?</p>
<p>Well, the reason why Spencer mentions him is again a magickal “half-joke”: Kek is interpreted to be an ancient Egyptian deity by a number of Internet observers and identified with alt right memetic avatar – Pepe the Frog. While I habitually suspend judgment on all things Egyptian, because ancient Egyptian culture is a slippery ground even for experts, I consider this interpretation, upon closer inspection, to be quite valid in the virtual light of chaos logic.</p>
<p>Namely, Pepe, the cartoon character, conceived in 2005. by cartoonist <a href="http://www.themarysue.com/matt-furie-pepe-comic/" type="external">Matt Furie</a>, emerged as a meme from the depths of Internet forums, more precisely: 4chan sub-forum/pol/, devoted to political discussions with no holds barred, which was, in view of some observers, a breeding ground for many alt right aficionados; a place of absolute freedom, therefore: absolute chaos.</p>
<p>The expression “Kek” was also appropriated from the forums and stems from the <a href="http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/kek" type="external">in-joke among the players of World of Warcraft</a>, replacing the standard Internet abbreviation “LOL” (“laughing out loud”). Someone eventually noticed that Kek is in fact the name of frog-headed Egyptian deity, signifying Chaos and darkness, and Pepe was then rebranded as Kek the deity – an ironic one, no doubt, half joking one, as surprisingly many alt-righters like to put it, but deity nonetheless.</p>
<p>It is important to point out that in view of the most “esoteric Kekists”, that is: (half grinning) faithful of Kek/Pepe, the association was originally entirely haphazard and accidental, yet it developed into an ever growing system of synchronicities – causally unrelated meaningful relations among events. So it came to pass that Kek sounds very similar to ‘cuck’(originally: cuckservative), a term denoting old fashioned conservative who was still not “red pilled” (another meme taken from pop culture, shared by both alt right and conspiracy theorists) by alt right or, should we assume: Kek himself; furthermore, Hillary Clinton addressed Pepe as nothing less than public enemy, identifying presumably the whole alt right movement with cartoon character. Then it happened that after this act <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/09/11/hillary-clinton-has-medical-episode-at-911-ceremony-source-says.html" type="external">Hillary fainted</a> in front of the cameras, and that was immediately interpreted as an action of Kek.</p>
<p>A good run-down of Kek/Pepe/Trump identification.</p>
<p>However, it all began with people noticing the numerical synchronicities in the random series of numbers in posts on /pol/ sub-forum:</p>
<p>“One last thing you need to understand about imageboard culture: dubs.</p>
<p>Every post on 4chan and similar venues comes with an 8-digit numerical stamp. &#160;This number represents that post’s entry position in the entire posting lineage of the imageboard.</p>
<p>With the amount of traffic these sites get, the last couple digits of this number are essentially a random roll. &#160;When a poster gets repeated digits, its called “dubs”, “trips”, “quads”, and so on.</p>
<p>Since a poster can’t know their post number until after they’ve submitted the post, its common for people to “bet” the contents of their message on the occurrence of repeating digits (…) When that endeavor proves a successful, a “GET” has been made and the stroke of luck is celebrated.</p>
<p>Out of&#160;this practice, a strange phenomenon began to take place on /pol/:&#160;discussion threads associated&#160;with&#160;Trump displayed noticeably frequent GETs. &#160;It wasn’t long before all of these seemingly random elements discussed so far became irreparably tied together within imageboard culture:</p>
<p>…and a god was born.“ ( <a href="https://pepethefrogfaith.wordpress.com/" type="external">source</a>)</p>
<p><a href="http://en.kalitribune.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/11/get.jpg" type="external" /></p>
<p>Synchronicities &#160;related to emergence of Kek the God and his merging with Trump in the bowels of Internet forums early on in the &#160;presidential campaign, are so numerous and, frankly, mind boggling that we cannot list them here, for the sake of brevity. For our purpose it is sufficient to point out that for many alt right aficionados, including core leadership, Kek is the God and Trump is his prophet, all declared with smug grin and ironical stance, yet with all the necessary power of conviction.</p>
<p>Namely, chaos magick relies on laughter, or irreverence of its own principles because it is essentially un-principled. Fairly in accordance with its postmodern nature it seeks to deconstruct any kind of order to enable its “practitioner” to impose his own will and change the world – as Spencer would put it: make his dreams a reality.</p>
<p>I would go further and add: make all reality a dream; because, chaos magick and alt right are nothing more but novel forms in the development of virtual, i.e. posthuman, world. The idea of adherence and reattachment to tradition that the alt right movement professes is nothing more but simulacrum appealing to people tired of liberal nihilism – in its essence, however, it is a complete opposite: a disintegration of all substantial traditional principles – above all an idea of preexistent hierarchy of Being – into nothingness of primordial Chaos.</p>
<p>Posthuman traditionalism</p>
<p><a href="http://en.kalitribune.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2016/11/kek-kalki.png" type="external" />I already <a href="http://en.kalitribune.com/against-the-gnostics/" type="external">developed this insight</a> regarding the subversive work of Alexander Dugin, who is probably the most consequent subverter of Tradition with recognizable public persona acting in our age, but now we can see how his affiliates in the USA and Europe are doing the same thing – with less philosophical subtlety, but fueled by much greater raw power. Namely, alt right, if we are to judge by what its leadership advocates, is ideologically nothing more but project of building the simulated tradition – something Richard Spencer likes to call “political theology” – founded on New <a href="http://therightstuff.biz/2016/08/14/esoteric-kekism-or-kek-as-a-bodhisattva-of-racial-enlightenment/" type="external">Age filtered Aryan myths</a>, racial interpretation of Nietzsche and generally crossbred with “do your own thing” mentality, all done in the virtual ether of information technology. After all, if we are to agree with Spencer – half jokingly of course – that God Emperor was inaugurated by the act of Kek the God, then the victory of alt right “traditionalists” is in fact the victory of technological magic; the act of <a href="" type="internal">pseudo magus waving the same wand Ray Kurzweill and his ilk offer to progressive lunatics</a>.</p>
<p>In the end, therefore, we are talking about another victory of posthumanism, branded, spontaneously or otherwise, as ‘traditionalism.’ The obsession of alt right adherents with “identity” in general and “white identity” in particular points to a fact that they are unable to realize the simple truth of Tradition they supposedly defend: they understand identity as something that can be created and not something that must be accepted. Observing the plethora of various, rather eccentric individuals in its vanguard, from <a href="http://www.jack-donovan.com/axis/" type="external">macho gay postmodern Spartans</a> to <a href="https://redice.tv/red-ice-radio" type="external">adherents to all kinds of exotic – and to a large extent made up – pagan religions</a> one is at the lack to find a common denominator, save maybe for quite unchallenged neo-Darwinist stance, especially to be found among “game” bloggers as <a href="https://heartiste.wordpress.com/" type="external">Chateau Heartiste</a>. If someone thinks that he can reattach himself to pre-modern spiritual history of humankind – actually the only one there is – while at the same time musing about “alpha and beta males”, “sexual market”, “signaling and counter-signaling”, professing therefore his proud monkey ancestry and reducing human relations to mental GMO of memes, genes and biological analogies – he is doing nothing else than unconsciously subverting the very thing he seemingly defends.</p>
<p>The allure of alt right lies in its dialectical opposition to political correctness and rampart destruction of moral substance of the West, induced by process of globalization. Yet this is an eristic or, to use an excellent neologism invented by one correspondent of mine: <a href="http://principiadiscordia.com/" type="external">discordian</a> dialectic; the process of infinite division into ever multiplying opposites founded on the principle of Chaos. It is all done with the crooked half grin, a pinch of salt to every smug remark – with irony of the man who knows he’s a liar and a cheat. But smug humor goes just a short way. In the end it morphs into sarcasm and irreverence of what should in fact be revered and subverts the very principles it professes to defend, far more effectively than dead serious PC brigade or techno loonies of posthumanist movement could ever hope for.</p>
<p>We’ll end with the word of warning to Christian adherents of alt right. The words have a definite meanings and power. There’s only one Chaos and there’s only one bringer of light from Chaos – <a href="http://therightstuff.biz/2016/09/16/esoteric-kekism-is-a-religion-of-peace/" type="external">as some Kek worshipers already defined the poor Frog’s main job</a>. And it’s not the One to be defined as “God from God, Light from Light”, but “God from Gutter, Light from Darkness”. A real Darkness shining in virtual brightness. Hope you guess His name.</p>
<p>So, without a pinch of irony, I declare: be careful who your “hail”.</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>Author&#160;Branko Malić&#160;is a Croatian author and owner of <a href="http://en.kalitribune.com/" type="external">Kali Tribune</a>, with the background in classical&#160;philosophy. He’s focused on philosophy, media, culture and deep politics analysis.</p>
<p>READ MORE PHILOSOPHY NEWS AT:&#160; <a href="" type="internal">21st Century Wire Philosophy Files</a></p>
<p>SUPPORT 21WIRE&#160;– SUBSCRIBE NOW &amp; BECOME A MEMBER&#160; <a href="https://21wire.tv/membership/plans/" type="external">@21WIRE.TV</a></p> | true | 4 | deep inside archetypal psyche160of pepe frog branko malić 21st century wire richard spencers halfjoke hailing donald trump roman salute rose lot dust remarks npi speech point rather sinister direction posthuman one 160 transcript references additional av material undoubtedly sigh relief throughout world hillary clinton lost presidential elections donald trump nothing else sake quiet joy watching adolescent commissars melt tears crying foul racism homophobia xenophobia whateverphobia joy relief showed monolithic control system moral nominalism dubbed political correctness paper tiger however party dialectics are160back vengeance sjws hopefully moving spotlight posthistorical stage new contender asserts right fashion reality day age image judge day first gleam dawn image ugly unreal hermaphrodite ideal politically correct shitlib words less universally acclaimed leader alternative right alt right movement richard spencer future deal leadership children sun interesting mind quite worrisome statement intent manifestation spencer would doubtless rectify pointing many directions seemingly focusing eternal quite unidirectional circular movement pagan deity revered selfrespecting übermenschen nietzsche postmodern occultists however theres deeper astrotheological metaphor work pure eye gaze upon overabundance joy without envy nietzsche virtual postmodern installment strictly represented swastika spencer apparently assumes seemingly ancient symbol taken fact world tabletop pc gaming turned ideological brand russian philosopher alexander dugin minions individual widely promoted core members alt right movement symbol question eight pointed star signifying movement sun presumably primordial origin everything chaos lines follow well provide preliminary analysis emerging situation channeling chaos principle adjacent chaos logic loosely knit alt right movement taking starting point statements spencers speech held npi conference washington dc november 21st triumph hipster babylon working introduction triumphal encomium ideological victory alt right embodied election donald trump spencer makes one interesting remark even though always took trump seriously still moment unreality perhaps painfully intense reality state pennsylvania called donald trump 160the moment knew kek smiled upon us meme magic real though terms used halfjokingly represent something truly importantthe victory of160will willed donald trump office made dream reality well start explanation lesser weirdness meme expression denoting inexistent existent coined apparently richard dawkins explain human thoughts fit evolutionary theology memes thoughts expressed image andor phrase circulation public acquire life subsistence able infect consciousness messages like viruses meme inexistent theres thing thoughts biologically based selfsubsistence ability procreate like viruses images andor phrases living beings save bad analogy omits tell us exactly based one principle making memes viruses congenial160 yet quite paradoxically exist analogy apparently works however one seems pose question works well works magical manner speaking chaos magick example magical thinking postmodern fact posthumanist vein resting assumption evolved nature created analogy imagined process evolution artificial construct line principle evolution real precise accordance imaginary nature principle imagined existence therefore meme magick works insofar relies upon artificial preferably technological medium sustenance assumption recipients identify artificial preferably online identities indeed imbibed memes artificial arbitrary constructs goal practitioner magic far cry traditionally considered magic change world according less known seventies last century chaos magick postmodern imitation of160 ancient practice acting subhuman subnatural domain world past mostly confined people born dubious talent practice peculiarity chaos magick one hand entirely syncretic ie uses everything practitioner imbibe intended subjective meaning relies virtual ie artificial world mass culture embodied internet idea behind nothing true everything possible many interesting implications first everything interrelated ie everything connected everything else way take youll get want get hard enough second theres hierarchy higher lower theres infinite surface dissolving ever complex elements dissolving turn nothingness concentrated upon theres nothing higher theres nothing revered everything indeed object ironical laughter importantly world dreams ruled usually called dream logic actual fact chaos logic unlogic sense richard spencer quite accurately proclaimed trumps victory accomplishment meme chaos magick theory trump willed office internet memes binding alt right adherents turning dream reality virtual reality one may add yet reality nonetheless fact trump elected plethora motives appeal politics public takedown hillary clinton wikileaks immaterial world chaos every subjective reality tunnel interpretation world real sense observe new god emperor usa magical creation internet internet internet today still internet interconnected computer nodes soon probably internet things one push spencers remark logical extreme assert illustrious donald worlds first president posthuman race embodiment ultra progressive dream invoked reality professed ultra antiprogressive group lesser weirdness let us proceed high weirdness hail kek owe reader answer question hell kek well reason spencer mentions magickal halfjoke kek interpreted ancient egyptian deity number internet observers identified alt right memetic avatar pepe frog habitually suspend judgment things egyptian ancient egyptian culture slippery ground even experts consider interpretation upon closer inspection quite valid virtual light chaos logic namely pepe cartoon character conceived 2005 cartoonist matt furie emerged meme depths internet forums precisely 4chan subforumpol devoted political discussions holds barred view observers breeding ground many alt right aficionados place absolute freedom therefore absolute chaos expression kek also appropriated forums stems injoke among players world warcraft replacing standard internet abbreviation lol laughing loud someone eventually noticed kek fact name frogheaded egyptian deity signifying chaos darkness pepe rebranded kek deity ironic one doubt half joking one surprisingly many altrighters like put deity nonetheless important point view esoteric kekists half grinning faithful kekpepe association originally entirely haphazard accidental yet developed ever growing system synchronicities causally unrelated meaningful relations among events came pass kek sounds similar cuckoriginally cuckservative term denoting old fashioned conservative still red pilled another meme taken pop culture shared alt right conspiracy theorists alt right assume kek furthermore hillary clinton addressed pepe nothing less public enemy identifying presumably whole alt right movement cartoon character happened act hillary fainted front cameras immediately interpreted action kek good rundown kekpepetrump identification however began people noticing numerical synchronicities random series numbers posts pol subforum one last thing need understand imageboard culture dubs every post 4chan similar venues comes 8digit numerical stamp 160this number represents posts entry position entire posting lineage imageboard amount traffic sites get last couple digits number essentially random roll 160when poster gets repeated digits called dubs trips quads since poster cant know post number theyve submitted post common people bet contents message occurrence repeating digits endeavor proves successful get made stroke luck celebrated of160this practice strange phenomenon began take place pol160discussion threads associated160with160trump displayed noticeably frequent gets 160it wasnt long seemingly random elements discussed far became irreparably tied together within imageboard culture god born source synchronicities 160related emergence kek god merging trump bowels internet forums early 160presidential campaign numerous frankly mind boggling list sake brevity purpose sufficient point many alt right aficionados including core leadership kek god trump prophet declared smug grin ironical stance yet necessary power conviction namely chaos magick relies laughter irreverence principles essentially unprincipled fairly accordance postmodern nature seeks deconstruct kind order enable practitioner impose change world spencer would put make dreams reality would go add make reality dream chaos magick alt right nothing novel forms development virtual ie posthuman world idea adherence reattachment tradition alt right movement professes nothing simulacrum appealing people tired liberal nihilism essence however complete opposite disintegration substantial traditional principles idea preexistent hierarchy nothingness primordial chaos posthuman traditionalism already developed insight regarding subversive work alexander dugin probably consequent subverter tradition recognizable public persona acting age see affiliates usa europe thing less philosophical subtlety fueled much greater raw power namely alt right judge leadership advocates ideologically nothing project building simulated tradition something richard spencer likes call political theology founded new age filtered aryan myths racial interpretation nietzsche generally crossbred thing mentality done virtual ether information technology agree spencer half jokingly course god emperor inaugurated act kek god victory alt right traditionalists fact victory technological magic act pseudo magus waving wand ray kurzweill ilk offer progressive lunatics end therefore talking another victory posthumanism branded spontaneously otherwise traditionalism obsession alt right adherents identity general white identity particular points fact unable realize simple truth tradition supposedly defend understand identity something created something must accepted observing plethora various rather eccentric individuals vanguard macho gay postmodern spartans adherents kinds exotic large extent made pagan religions one lack find common denominator save maybe quite unchallenged neodarwinist stance especially found among game bloggers chateau heartiste someone thinks reattach premodern spiritual history humankind actually one time musing alpha beta males sexual market signaling countersignaling professing therefore proud monkey ancestry reducing human relations mental gmo memes genes biological analogies nothing else unconsciously subverting thing seemingly defends allure alt right lies dialectical opposition political correctness rampart destruction moral substance west induced process globalization yet eristic use excellent neologism invented one correspondent mine discordian dialectic process infinite division ever multiplying opposites founded principle chaos done crooked half grin pinch salt every smug remark irony man knows hes liar cheat smug humor goes short way end morphs sarcasm irreverence fact revered subverts principles professes defend far effectively dead serious pc brigade techno loonies posthumanist movement could ever hope well end word warning christian adherents alt right words definite meanings power theres one chaos theres one bringer light chaos kek worshipers already defined poor frogs main job one defined god god light light god gutter light darkness real darkness shining virtual brightness hope guess name without pinch irony declare careful hail author160branko malić160is croatian author owner kali tribune background classical160philosophy hes focused philosophy media culture deep politics analysis read philosophy news at160 21st century wire philosophy files support 21wire160 subscribe amp become member160 21wiretv | 1,520 |
<p>The other night I went to a killing.&#160; It was all very matter of fact.&#160; Five judges sat at the front of the room listening to people testify for or against the killing of public recreation and wildlife at Chatfield Reservoir.&#160; An urban recreation and wildlife center, Chatfield receives over 1.5 million visitor days a year.&#160; It is Colorado’s premiere state park, helping to underwrite more remote and less visited parks.&#160; Too, it is a bird sanctuary, home to at least one endangered species, and a place without equal in the state because of its proximity to Denver.&#160; You can get there by simply pedaling your bike, many do.</p>
<p>But all this hasn’t stopped backroom, Water Buffalo plans for converting it from a stable flood protection reservoir into a greatly fluctuating reservoir to satisfy future water demand from suburban sprawl, or at least try to.&#160; They’ve been at it for over a decade, with the public unsuspectingly paying for the prospective kill.&#160; Several so-called environmental organizations such as the Sierra Club and the Greenway Foundation have joined the Water Buffaloes in the slaughter.&#160; Still, there are problems.</p>
<p>Most of them are even admitted to if you read carefully a five hundred-page behemoth called the Chatfield Reservoir Storage Reallocation Integrated Draft Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement.</p>
<p>Chief among the many problems is that there is no dependable water available, a niggling matter, apparently, to the climate-change deniers and other optimists.&#160; You see, the Platte River on which the reservoir sits is over-appropriated, like all rivers on the east side of the continental divide in Colorado.&#160; We’ve used them up, over 80 percent of it to agriculture, a lot of it to raise corn, which can then be converted into ethanol and sugar to be shipped off to mix with gasoline and Coca Cola.&#160; Over 40 percent of the corn raised in the U.S. is converted to ethanol.&#160; It might be even higher in Colorado.</p>
<p>But wait, these back room planners, called stakeholders to distinguish them from ordinary people, have looked into our past, and provided that past can be repeated, flood flows might be captured and delivered to sprawl.&#160; The planners do admit that the slice of the past they studied was one of the wettest in tree-ring history, but wishful thinking is a strong opiate.&#160; The conjunction of a predicted dryer and hotter southern Rockies future from climate change with a narrow slice of planning data from a wet past would make rational folk demand some sensitivity analysis.&#160; How much increase in surface temperature, how much decrease in snow pack and runoff cause this whole scheme to collapse in a heap?&#160; This should be the first item of business, but it hasn’t been.</p>
<p>The real question is whether our political delegation, all of which have supported the Chatfield destruction to varying degrees, will demand that the Corp of Engineers do a sensitivity analysis.&#160; One would hope for such an outcome since a Bureau of Reclamation climate change study on the Colorado River commissioned several years ago, indicated that with only a 2 degree increase in temperature in the river basin, runoff might be reduced by as much as 12 percent.&#160; Reduced snow pack was not part of that study.&#160; Its contribution has yet to be measured.&#160; Snow pack in Platte River drainage was about 26 percent of normal this past year.&#160; Whose to say this drop couldn’t be the harbinger of a new, dryer norm?</p>
<p>But let us remain boldly optimistic and blind to climate change.&#160; So, if the historic floods come, then massive relocations at the reservoir will be undertaken, even wetlands will be moved and hundreds of acres of mature cottonwood forest will be cut down or simply die from standing water.&#160; Wildlife will be forced to find new places, but to the stakeholders new places are always available.&#160; The displaced fox will always be welcomed into cousin coyote’s den for a tidy meal of displaced rabbit.</p>
<p>In fact, this very dicey water supply might lap busy Wadsworth Blvd when the reservoir was in maximum storage mode.&#160; When the water had been spent, sand and mud flats would dominate the horizon, rivaling the view of the Bay of Fundy at tide out, except the Chatfield mud flats could remain for months if not years.&#160; Picnickers and bathers would be hundreds of feet from water across smelly, fly-infested mud flats.&#160; But as the stakeholders reason, use would stay high, for there’s no place else to go this close to town.&#160; Only the aesthetics of the experience would change.</p>
<p>Alternatives to Chatfield destruction are treated in the EIS, and they abound, but killing Chatfield is the preferred stakeholder alternative.&#160; The reasons are many.&#160; Not least among them is the fact that as the costs of a project to capture a water supply that might not even exist in a hotter and drier future increased, concessions were made.&#160; That’s right, even though the stakeholders have agreed to pay all of the costs they really aren’t going to.&#160; Already the Secretary of the Army has used his authority to forgive the lion’s share of the costs of reservoir storage, about $22 million.&#160; This is public revenue that won’t be going to the Treasury so that water users in Castle Pines, one of the wealthiest places in America, don’t have to pay the full freight.</p>
<p>The Secretary reasoned that the costs were too high given the diceyness of the endeavor, and especially when taken in conjunction with the mitigation costs for recreating the recreation and wildlife destruction someplace else.&#160; Those costs come to over $150 million.&#160; But anyone even remotely familiar with the history of mitigation on large federal water projects knows the awful truth—mitigation measures almost never happen. In the Chatfield case, even Nathan Detroit would shy away from betting on mitigation being performed.&#160; For rest assured if the water doesn’t come, the mitigation sure as hell wont.&#160; Turmoil will be the only product of this interminable study that has already cost the public millions, the stakeholders nothing.</p>
<p>Among the rejected alternatives to the killing of Chatfield was the option of using existing and planned sand pits downstream, from Denver to Brighton, for storage.&#160; They number about 41 and have an estimated storage capacity of at least 100,000 acre feet, about 5 times the proposed storage at Chatfield.&#160; This alternative was only slightly more costly than the Chatfield reallocation, but less costly to the general public because the $ 22 million in storage costs at Chatfield would not have to be forgiven.&#160; Besides preserving Chatfield as a wildlife and recreation area, it has the advantage of being incremental—fast conversion if growth is fast, slow conversion if it is not.&#160; And of course these ponds too may not fill with a warmer and drier climate, and while that risk appears acceptable to these stakeholders, it should not include interfering with our premier state park. &#160; Let these water speculators practice their alchemy on private lands and leave the park’s visitors and wildlife alone.</p>
<p>Oh, did I mention that we use about 5 million acre feet of water in the Platte and Republican River basins each year?&#160; That we use another 2.5 million acre feet in the Arkansas River basin? That we have built around 1200 storage reservoirs in these basins?&#160; What they want at Chatfield, as disgustingly destructive as it is, is only one thousandth of one percent of what is used in these drainages every year.&#160; Surely, a solution involving conservation from existing users would make Chatfield unnecessary, and when the potential for conservation is added to the off stream storage potential in the numerous gravel pits downstream from Chatfield, they make the whole scheme another terrible joke on the public and its belief in government.</p>
<p>Really, the question is will stupidity and greed trump good social and environmental planning?&#160; The smart money’s on stupidity and greed, because so is history.</p>
<p>PHILLIP DOE lives in Colorado. He can be reached at:&#160; <a href="mailto:ptdoe@comcast.net" type="external">ptdoe@comcast.net</a></p> | true | 4 | night went killing160 matter fact160 five judges sat front room listening people testify killing public recreation wildlife chatfield reservoir160 urban recreation wildlife center chatfield receives 15 million visitor days year160 colorados premiere state park helping underwrite remote less visited parks160 bird sanctuary home least one endangered species place without equal state proximity denver160 get simply pedaling bike many hasnt stopped backroom water buffalo plans converting stable flood protection reservoir greatly fluctuating reservoir satisfy future water demand suburban sprawl least try to160 theyve decade public unsuspectingly paying prospective kill160 several socalled environmental organizations sierra club greenway foundation joined water buffaloes slaughter160 still problems even admitted read carefully five hundredpage behemoth called chatfield reservoir storage reallocation integrated draft feasibility report environmental impact statement chief among many problems dependable water available niggling matter apparently climatechange deniers optimists160 see platte river reservoir sits overappropriated like rivers east side continental divide colorado160 weve used 80 percent agriculture lot raise corn converted ethanol sugar shipped mix gasoline coca cola160 40 percent corn raised us converted ethanol160 might even higher colorado wait back room planners called stakeholders distinguish ordinary people looked past provided past repeated flood flows might captured delivered sprawl160 planners admit slice past studied one wettest treering history wishful thinking strong opiate160 conjunction predicted dryer hotter southern rockies future climate change narrow slice planning data wet past would make rational folk demand sensitivity analysis160 much increase surface temperature much decrease snow pack runoff cause whole scheme collapse heap160 first item business hasnt real question whether political delegation supported chatfield destruction varying degrees demand corp engineers sensitivity analysis160 one would hope outcome since bureau reclamation climate change study colorado river commissioned several years ago indicated 2 degree increase temperature river basin runoff might reduced much 12 percent160 reduced snow pack part study160 contribution yet measured160 snow pack platte river drainage 26 percent normal past year160 whose say drop couldnt harbinger new dryer norm let us remain boldly optimistic blind climate change160 historic floods come massive relocations reservoir undertaken even wetlands moved hundreds acres mature cottonwood forest cut simply die standing water160 wildlife forced find new places stakeholders new places always available160 displaced fox always welcomed cousin coyotes den tidy meal displaced rabbit fact dicey water supply might lap busy wadsworth blvd reservoir maximum storage mode160 water spent sand mud flats would dominate horizon rivaling view bay fundy tide except chatfield mud flats could remain months years160 picnickers bathers would hundreds feet water across smelly flyinfested mud flats160 stakeholders reason use would stay high theres place else go close town160 aesthetics experience would change alternatives chatfield destruction treated eis abound killing chatfield preferred stakeholder alternative160 reasons many160 least among fact costs project capture water supply might even exist hotter drier future increased concessions made160 thats right even though stakeholders agreed pay costs really arent going to160 already secretary army used authority forgive lions share costs reservoir storage 22 million160 public revenue wont going treasury water users castle pines one wealthiest places america dont pay full freight secretary reasoned costs high given diceyness endeavor especially taken conjunction mitigation costs recreating recreation wildlife destruction someplace else160 costs come 150 million160 anyone even remotely familiar history mitigation large federal water projects knows awful truthmitigation measures almost never happen chatfield case even nathan detroit would shy away betting mitigation performed160 rest assured water doesnt come mitigation sure hell wont160 turmoil product interminable study already cost public millions stakeholders nothing among rejected alternatives killing chatfield option using existing planned sand pits downstream denver brighton storage160 number 41 estimated storage capacity least 100000 acre feet 5 times proposed storage chatfield160 alternative slightly costly chatfield reallocation less costly general public 22 million storage costs chatfield would forgiven160 besides preserving chatfield wildlife recreation area advantage incrementalfast conversion growth fast slow conversion not160 course ponds may fill warmer drier climate risk appears acceptable stakeholders include interfering premier state park 160 let water speculators practice alchemy private lands leave parks visitors wildlife alone oh mention use 5 million acre feet water platte republican river basins year160 use another 25 million acre feet arkansas river basin built around 1200 storage reservoirs basins160 want chatfield disgustingly destructive one thousandth one percent used drainages every year160 surely solution involving conservation existing users would make chatfield unnecessary potential conservation added stream storage potential numerous gravel pits downstream chatfield make whole scheme another terrible joke public belief government really question stupidity greed trump good social environmental planning160 smart moneys stupidity greed history phillip doe lives colorado reached at160 ptdoecomcastnet | 747 |
<p><a href="" type="internal">Read more</a>&#160;on how the Democratic Party has changed.</p>
<p>The destructive relationship between institutional racism and the criminal justice system is the great moral and political crisis facing American society. With the upcoming election in sight, it is useful to examine this relationship within the lens of the Democratic Party and the way it has come to address these issues, especially over the past half century.</p>
<p>National tensions surrounding issues that have been politely labeled “police-community relations” take shape in a larger context of resurgent anti-black racism, the rise of white nationalism, and the 2016 presidential election, whose fault lines have been irrevocably shaped by race.</p>
<p>These fault lines can be traced back to the civil rights movement’s heroic period when Lyndon B. Johnson’s dreams of a Great Society ran aground amid a shifting national landscape that placed anti-black racism as the key to party realignment between Democrats and Republicans and helped usher in modern-day racial politics. The conventional narrative largely focuses on Richard Nixon’s rhetoric of “law and order,” identifying this singular phrase as the start of “dog whistle” politics, where racially inflammatory policy sentiments were tucked in coded appeals that would be used by both Ronald Reagan (“welfare queens”) and George H.W. Bush (Willie Horton ads).</p>
<p>However, the origins of the modern black community’s star-crossed relationship with the criminal justice system, one that has triggered dozens of Justice Department investigations uncovering institutional racism in major cities, can be traced back to LBJ’s Law Enforcement Assistance Act of 1965. As historian Elizabeth Hinton brilliantly details in her landmark new study <a href="http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog.php?isbn=9780674737235" type="external">From the War on Poverty to the War on Crime: The Making of Mass Incarceration in America</a>, the criminalization of black bodies in the postwar era has been, until recently, a decidedly bipartisan affair.</p>
<p>Democrats, beginning with President Johnson, attempted to deflect charges of being soft on crime by leading efforts to increase the punishment, incarceration, and jail time of an inmate population largely understood to be black and brown. Johnson’s “War on Crime” provided, for the first time in American history, federal support to states for “stopping” crime.</p>
<p>Richard Nixon’s declaration of a “War on Drugs” provided fresh funding for a largely invented problem. New York’s liberal Republican governor and Nixon rival, Nelson Rockefeller, further upped the ante by innovating mandatory minimums for even minor drug crimes that would greatly accelerate the number of non-violent inmates serving lengthy, at times life, sentences.</p>
<p>Democrats during the Reagan Administration vigorously supported anti-crime bills whose ultimate consequences unfairly punished black drug defendants (who used and trafficked crack cocaine) more harshly than their white counterpart (who used and trafficked powdered cocaine).</p>
<p>Bill Clinton’s “Third Way” in the 1990s doubled down on these policies, in the process sending more black men to federal prisons than Ronald Reagan. Clinton’s crime bill, which imposed harsh federal sentences on drug crimes and provided unprecedented resources to hire 100,000 new police officers nationwide, worked in cruel tandem with welfare reform. Ending “welfare as we know it” not only placed strict time limits and work requirements on public assistance recipients who were disproportionately black and Latino women. It institutionalized harsh new punishments for ex-offenders, cutting them off from food stamps, public housing, and many areas of employment. In short, the Democratic Party, for decades, helped to institutionalize national policies that, in effect, criminalized large parts of the African-American community and cut ex-offenders off from any opportunity to rehabilitate themselves, find employment, and reunite with their families.</p>
<p>The Department of Justice’s report on racist police practices in Baltimore serves as a capstone to the Democratic Party’s new approach, one that has been largely buoyed by the Black Lives Matter movement that erupted in the aftermath of a spate of highly publicized shooting deaths of black people at the hands of law enforcement. The <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/10/us/justice-department-to-release-blistering-report-of-racial-bias-by-baltimore-police.html" type="external">Baltimore report</a> documents a system of racial profiling, harassment, illegal personal and vehicle searches, drug arrests, and brutality in eye-opening detail. The report also documents the ways in which police officers violated black people’s constitutional right of free speech by arresting folks, including innocent bystanders, who dared to raise public criticism against law enforcement.</p>
<p>The DOJ’s recommendations include ending illegal practices, more officer training, and better resources to foster close relationships between the police and residents. While President Obama has been criticized for not speaking out forcefully enough against police violence toward blacks, both of his handpicked attorneys general have been on the cutting edge of the Democratic Party’s new approach to race and criminal justice, one that acknowledges systemic bias while praising law enforcement as heroic public servants.</p>
<p>Black Lives Matter activists have argued that this perspective ignores the way in which inequality is sewn into the structure of the criminal justice system. “ <a href="https://policy.m4bl.org/" type="external">A Vision for Black Lives</a>,” a panoramic policy agenda authored by a coalition of Black Lives Matter activists, does just that by offering almost 40 separate recommendations aimed, not simply at changing the criminal justice system, but at transforming America’s democratic institutions that continue to actively discriminate against blacks. On this score, the agenda calls for eliminating racial bias in prisons at the federal, state, and local level, and redirecting federal resources from prison-building and police task forces into community building, drug rehabilitation, mental health facilities, as well as education, employment, and environmental resources.</p>
<p>President Obama, whose Justice Department under Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch has taken important, pro-active steps to eliminate institutional racism, has tried to offer both words and deeds in favor of reform. In the aftermath of the Dallas Police shootings, during a peaceful protest against the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, Obama praised officers for doing honorable work while acknowledging that they are often asked to tackle problems of segregation, poverty, and mental health that transcends their job descriptions. During a subsequent presidential town hall, he failed to broker an honest discussion between police and community activists, instead reframing the problem of state violence against blacks into one of law enforcement safety. Obama has been on surer ground in his efforts to grant mercy to those serving long sentences for drug crimes, including his recent commutation of 214 people, 67 of which were serving life sentences. With this act, <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/08/03/president-obama-grants-commutations" type="external">Obama has commuted</a> more people than the last nine presidents combined.</p>
<p>Yet many still consider this progress too slow, especially since thousands of deserving inmates await similar measures of mercy. <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/08/07/obama-pardons-commutations-clemency/88334224/" type="external">Obama has been rightfully criticized for refusing to grant pardons</a>—the most merciful action a President can do, since it restores ex-offenders’ full citizenship rights—despite pleas from inmate advocates and the President’s own stated hopes for reforms.</p>
<p>The recent Democratic Convention in Philadelphia made history by nominating Hillary Clinton to be President of the United States. Clinton’s speech, where she publicly acknowledged the need to eliminate institutional racism in America, reflects a Democratic Party in transition. The Reverend Doctor William Barber, leader of North Carolina’s local civil rights struggle, which has been dubbed the “Moral Mondays” movement, spoke on the convention’s last day, describing efforts to eliminate racism, injustice, and acknowledge that Black Lives Matter formed the beating heart of American democracy. Barber’s and Clinton’s speeches, one from a grassroots civil rights activist and the other from a major politician, illustrates the potential for dramatic change in a party that is only now being pushed to acknowledge and accept its own culpability in our current racial crisis. The political consequences of this shifting perspective on race and the criminal justice system will play out beyond the current presidential election. If the Democratic Party aligns with racial justice progressives to end draconian policies that led to mass incarceration, they may be able to sustain and build on the Obama coalition. If not, they will lose millions of millennial voters of color and white allies who recognize that the criminal justice system’s status quo is both unsupportable and immoral.</p> | true | 4 | read more160on democratic party changed destructive relationship institutional racism criminal justice system great moral political crisis facing american society upcoming election sight useful examine relationship within lens democratic party way come address issues especially past half century national tensions surrounding issues politely labeled policecommunity relations take shape larger context resurgent antiblack racism rise white nationalism 2016 presidential election whose fault lines irrevocably shaped race fault lines traced back civil rights movements heroic period lyndon b johnsons dreams great society ran aground amid shifting national landscape placed antiblack racism key party realignment democrats republicans helped usher modernday racial politics conventional narrative largely focuses richard nixons rhetoric law order identifying singular phrase start dog whistle politics racially inflammatory policy sentiments tucked coded appeals would used ronald reagan welfare queens george hw bush willie horton ads however origins modern black communitys starcrossed relationship criminal justice system one triggered dozens justice department investigations uncovering institutional racism major cities traced back lbjs law enforcement assistance act 1965 historian elizabeth hinton brilliantly details landmark new study war poverty war crime making mass incarceration america criminalization black bodies postwar era recently decidedly bipartisan affair democrats beginning president johnson attempted deflect charges soft crime leading efforts increase punishment incarceration jail time inmate population largely understood black brown johnsons war crime provided first time american history federal support states stopping crime richard nixons declaration war drugs provided fresh funding largely invented problem new yorks liberal republican governor nixon rival nelson rockefeller upped ante innovating mandatory minimums even minor drug crimes would greatly accelerate number nonviolent inmates serving lengthy times life sentences democrats reagan administration vigorously supported anticrime bills whose ultimate consequences unfairly punished black drug defendants used trafficked crack cocaine harshly white counterpart used trafficked powdered cocaine bill clintons third way 1990s doubled policies process sending black men federal prisons ronald reagan clintons crime bill imposed harsh federal sentences drug crimes provided unprecedented resources hire 100000 new police officers nationwide worked cruel tandem welfare reform ending welfare know placed strict time limits work requirements public assistance recipients disproportionately black latino women institutionalized harsh new punishments exoffenders cutting food stamps public housing many areas employment short democratic party decades helped institutionalize national policies effect criminalized large parts africanamerican community cut exoffenders opportunity rehabilitate find employment reunite families department justices report racist police practices baltimore serves capstone democratic partys new approach one largely buoyed black lives matter movement erupted aftermath spate highly publicized shooting deaths black people hands law enforcement baltimore report documents system racial profiling harassment illegal personal vehicle searches drug arrests brutality eyeopening detail report also documents ways police officers violated black peoples constitutional right free speech arresting folks including innocent bystanders dared raise public criticism law enforcement dojs recommendations include ending illegal practices officer training better resources foster close relationships police residents president obama criticized speaking forcefully enough police violence toward blacks handpicked attorneys general cutting edge democratic partys new approach race criminal justice one acknowledges systemic bias praising law enforcement heroic public servants black lives matter activists argued perspective ignores way inequality sewn structure criminal justice system vision black lives panoramic policy agenda authored coalition black lives matter activists offering almost 40 separate recommendations aimed simply changing criminal justice system transforming americas democratic institutions continue actively discriminate blacks score agenda calls eliminating racial bias prisons federal state local level redirecting federal resources prisonbuilding police task forces community building drug rehabilitation mental health facilities well education employment environmental resources president obama whose justice department eric holder loretta lynch taken important proactive steps eliminate institutional racism tried offer words deeds favor reform aftermath dallas police shootings peaceful protest deaths alton sterling philando castile obama praised officers honorable work acknowledging often asked tackle problems segregation poverty mental health transcends job descriptions subsequent presidential town hall failed broker honest discussion police community activists instead reframing problem state violence blacks one law enforcement safety obama surer ground efforts grant mercy serving long sentences drug crimes including recent commutation 214 people 67 serving life sentences act obama commuted people last nine presidents combined yet many still consider progress slow especially since thousands deserving inmates await similar measures mercy obama rightfully criticized refusing grant pardonsthe merciful action president since restores exoffenders full citizenship rightsdespite pleas inmate advocates presidents stated hopes reforms recent democratic convention philadelphia made history nominating hillary clinton president united states clintons speech publicly acknowledged need eliminate institutional racism america reflects democratic party transition reverend doctor william barber leader north carolinas local civil rights struggle dubbed moral mondays movement spoke conventions last day describing efforts eliminate racism injustice acknowledge black lives matter formed beating heart american democracy barbers clintons speeches one grassroots civil rights activist major politician illustrates potential dramatic change party pushed acknowledge accept culpability current racial crisis political consequences shifting perspective race criminal justice system play beyond current presidential election democratic party aligns racial justice progressives end draconian policies led mass incarceration may able sustain build obama coalition lose millions millennial voters color white allies recognize criminal justice systems status quo unsupportable immoral | 833 |
<p>Sherwin Williams' logo.</p>
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<p>This story was produced by <a href="http://www.fairwarning.org" type="external">FairWarning</a>, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit news organization focused on public health and safety issues.</p>
<p>In April, based on new toxicity estimates, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention raised to 535,000 <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6213a3.htm?s_cid=mm6213a3_w" type="external">its estimate of the number of children</a> with potentially dangerous levels of lead in their blood. But the communities trying to tackle the problem may not see another cent from what some public officials say is the prime culprit: the manufacturers of lead pigments whose products infuse the flaking paint still found in millions of American dwellings. The lead paint industry may, in fact, be on the verge of defeating the last major legal assault by municipalities and states seeking damages to pay for lead removal.</p>
<p>Some experts had expected such lawsuits to follow the path of tobacco litigation during the 1990s, when states wrested a $248 billion settlement from cigarette makers to cover smoking-related health costs. “My prediction was that lead would be the next big toxic tort litigation,” says Jed Ferdinand III, a Connecticut lawyer who is familiar with the issue. “That really hasn’t happened.”</p>
<p>Indeed, apart from one settlement, the industry has successfully fended off roughly 50 lawsuits by states, cities, counties, and school districts over the past quarter century. Now, in a trial under way in San Jose, California, industry lawyers are seeking a final victory <a href="http://www.fairwarning.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Santa-Clara-4th-Amended-Complaint-as-filed-3-16-11.pdf" type="external">in a case</a> brought by 10 agencies, including the cities of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Diego, and the counties of Los Angeles and Santa Clara. The agencies want the industry to cover the cost of eliminating lead paint from all the homes in their jurisdictions; the price tag could exceed $1 billion.</p>
<p>The industry has prevailed in past cases despite evidence that executives knew more than a century ago that lead paint is hazardous, yet audaciously promoted it as healthful: In 1923, <a href="http://www.fairwarning.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Lead-helps-to-guard-your-health.pdf" type="external">an ad in National Geographic</a> from lead pigment maker National Lead (now NL Industries) proclaimed: “Lead helps to guard your health.” The next year, an <a href="http://www.fairwarning.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Cousin-Susie.pdf" type="external">ad from a unit of paint</a> maker Sherwin-Williams boasted: “Cousin Susie says her health improved instantly” after her home was covered with lead paint.</p>
<p>Lead, which has plenty of industrial uses, is sometimes found in drinking water due to old lead pipes. For decades, it was used as a gasoline additive for cars, and private planes, shockingly, <a href="" type="internal">still use</a> leaded gas. It’s present in most solder and bullets, and children’s products are regularly recalled for lead—prominent examples in recent years have included play jewelry and the wildly popular Thomas &amp; Friends trains. But <a href="http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips/sources.htm" type="external">federal authorities say</a> the biggest lingering public health threat comes from lead-laden house paint. Lead pigments were mixed into paint for decades, not merely for color, but also because they made the paint more durable and washable.</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/1977/CPSC-Announces-Final-Ban-On-Lead-Containing-Paint/" type="external">federal government outlawed lead paint</a> for household use in 1978 due to its health hazards, but it is still found on the walls and trim of old houses and apartments, where young children can ingest it as it chips off walls and gets ground into dust. Roughly 35 percent of all American homes have some lead paint, and 22 percent have significant lead-paint hazards, according to a <a href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/documents/huddoc?id=AHHS_REPORT.pdf" type="external">2011 survey by the Department of Housing and Urban Development</a>.</p>
<p>Public health authorities have made great strides in combating lead poisoning. But recent research has found that even small amounts of the metal can be harmful, which prompted federal authorities this year to more than triple their estimate of the number of children at risk. Young children with elevated lead levels are at risk of lower IQ, attention disorders, and other problems related to brain damage. (In “ <a href="" type="internal">America’s Real Criminal Element: Lead</a>,” Kevin Drum draws intriguing connections between leaded gas and criminal behavior.)</p>
<p>Although some tenants have won settlements against their landlords for lead poisoning, lawsuits brought by public agencies against lead-pigment makers have yielded only one success: In July 2005, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/01/national/01paint.html?_r=0" type="external">DuPont agreed to pay $12.5 million</a> to resolve a case brought by Rhode Island, which accused the industry of creating a public nuisance and presented internal documents showing that executives had long been aware of the hazards. The next year the state won $2.4 billion for lead abatement after a four-month trial against the remaining defendants, but the <a href="http://www.fairwarning.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/RI-Supreme-Court-Decision-951-A2d-428-5.pdf" type="external">Rhode Island Supreme Court</a> overturned the decision in 2008.</p>
<p>The lawsuits have failed for various reasons. For individual plaintiffs with lead-related health claims, it has been tough to prove that lead paint from their dwelling was the source. Similarly, public agencies have been unable to show definitively which companies manufactured the lead pigment used in a specific building or neighborhood—the courts have rejected efforts to assign liability according to the market shares of the various players. “Without product identification,” the <a href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=15981354972014383650&amp;hl=en&amp;as_sdt=2&amp;as_vis=1&amp;oi=scholarr" type="external">Missouri Supreme Court ruled in 2007</a> in a case brought against the industry by St. Louis, “the city can do no more than show that the defendants’ lead paint may have been present in the properties where the city claims to have incurred abatement costs. That risks exposing these defendants to liability greater than their responsibility and may allow the actual wrongdoer to escape liability entirely.”</p>
<p>Other government suits have been thrown out when judges ruled that the public nuisance laws under which they were filed did not apply—the lead paint was deemed a threat to individuals in their private homes, but not to the community as a whole. “However grave the problem of lead poisoning is in Rhode Island, public nuisance law simply does not provide a remedy for this harm,” noted the Rhode Island Supreme Court when it overturned the state’s victory. &#160;</p>
<p>But after some marathon pretrial battles, the California case was allowed to proceed under the state’s somewhat broader public nuisance law. It is only the third public lead-pigment case to go to trial since 1989, when New York City officials pioneered the litigation, only to have their claims dismissed before getting to the trial phase. Indeed, presiding Judge James P. Kleinberg of Santa Clara County Superior Court has urged the California parties to settle.</p>
<p>The defendants in the case include Sherwin-Williams, one of the nation’s biggest paint producers, and DuPont, one of the world’s largest chemical companies—whose 2012 revenues were $9.5 billion and $35 billion, respectively. (Also ARCO, now a BP subsidiary; ConAgra Grocery Products; and NL Industries, formerly National Lead Co.)</p>
<p>Defense lawyers have argued in a brief that the companies weren’t aware when they promoted lead paint that it would someday cause harm. “Scientific knowledge concerning lead exposure evolved over the decades,” it reads. What’s more, they claim there is no longer any widespread danger from lead. Today’s blood lead levels, according to their court filings, do not present “a current public health crisis” but rather “a public health success story.”</p>
<p>What’s more, they argue, California already has a well-funded lead poisoning prevention program that collects annual fees primarily from the gasoline industry, but also from makers of paint and other lead-containing products.&#160;</p>
<p>The lawsuit, initiated 13 years ago, has dragged on for so long that Kleinberg is the third judge to handle it. It was dismissed in 2003, but revived three years later by California’s 6th District Court of Appeals, which reinstated the public nuisance claim. “Where such a ‘ticking time bomb’ exists,” the court <a href="http://www.fairwarning.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2006-Court-of-Appeal-decision-in-Lead-Paint-case.pdf" type="external">wrote</a>, “the public should not have to wait for the destructive results before taking action.”</p>
<p>The government’s difficulties in securing lead cleanup money from the industry was presaged by private lawsuits, including a landmark case known as <a href="http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=5529805134270293860&amp;hl=en&amp;as_sdt=2&amp;as_vis=1&amp;oi=scholarr" type="external">Santiago v. Sherwin-Williams Company</a>. The plaintiff, Monica Santiago, was born in November 1972 and lived until 1978 in a Boston apartment full of lead paint. She was diagnosed with lead poisoning as a one-year-old, after allegedly ingesting paint from the unit’s walls. When she was three, Santiago’s medical condition dramatically worsened, and she underwent chelation therapy, in which a lead-binding chemical is injected into the bloodstream to help the patient’s body excrete the metal.</p>
<p>In 1987, Santiago sued Sherwin-Williams, NL Industries, and others, claiming they caused her lead poisoning, which later led to hyperactivity-attention disorder and motor skills difficulties. She sought $2.5 million in compensatory and punitive damages. In 1992 a federal court in Boston rejected the case. Her appeal also failed.</p>
<p>Santiago’s attorney, Neil Leifer, had taken her case after discovering documents in the National Archives pointing to the industry’s early knowledge of the poisonous nature of lead. Those documents, and others discovered later, have been used against the industry ever since. A <a href="http://www.fairwarning.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/a-deadly-cumulative-poison.pdf" type="external">Sherwin-Williams newsletter from 1900</a>, for example, described lead as a “deadly cumulative poison.”</p>
<p>In 1904, Sherwin-Williams published an <a href="http://www.fairwarning.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1904-Sherwin-Williams.pdf" type="external">article in a company magazine</a> saying that lead was “poisonous in a large degree, both for workmen and for the inhabitants of a house.”</p>
<p>And as early as 1912, <a href="http://www.fairwarning.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/National-Lead-1912.pdf" type="external">documents show</a>, National Lead excluded women and children from working with lead because of its known dangers, yet continued to manufacture it for use in homes.</p>
<p>Donald E. Scott, one of the defense lawyers in the California case, points out that these early documents “describe lead-poisoning in workplace settings, like factories, from people consuming very large amounts of lead,” rather than household settings. Doctors, he says, spent many decades afterward trying to establish the toxic threshold for lead.</p>
<p>But 1950s letters from the now-defunct Lead Industries Association signaled that industry officials were well aware of dangers of their product at that time. “With us, childhood lead poisoning is common enough to constitute perhaps my major ‘headache,'” Manfred Bowditch, health and safety director for the association, <a href="http://www.fairwarning.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/LIA-1955-letter.pdf" type="external">wrote in 1955</a>.</p>
<p>Bowditch elaborated on that point <a href="http://www.fairwarning.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1956-LIA-letter.pdf" type="external">in a letter the next year</a> to Felix E. Wormser, assistant secretary for the Department of the Interior, which was responsible for regulating mining and metal industries: “Aside from the kids that are poisoned (and we still don’t know how many there are), it’s a serious problem from the viewpoint of adverse publicity. The basic solution is to get rid of our slums, but even Uncle Sam can’t seem to swing that one. Next in importance is to educate the parents, but most of the cases are in Negro and Puerto Rican families, and how does one tackle that job?”</p>
<p>In 1960, at the Lead Industries Association <a href="http://www.fairwarning.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/LIA-1960-annual-meeting.pdf" type="external">annual meeting</a>, a <a href="http://www.fairwarning.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/1960ReportofSecTreasurer5.pdf" type="external">report</a> by secretary-treasurer Robert L. Ziegfeld outlined concerns about lead poisoning. “The toxicity of lead poses a problem that other nonferrous industries generally do not have to face. Lead poisoning, or the threat of it, hurts our business in several different ways.”</p>
<p>“In the first place,” Ziegfeld went on, “it means thousands of items of unfavorable publicity every year. This is particularly true since most cases of lead poisoning today are in children, and anything sad that happens to a child is meat for newspaper editors and is gobbled up by the public. It makes no difference that it is essentially a problem of slums, a public welfare problem. Just the same the publicity hits us where it hurts.”</p>
<p>Scott, the industry lawyer, calls the references to slums and minorities, “callous and regrettable.” But he adds that some of the same documents show the industry was working hard to help children in the affected communities.</p>
<p>The California plaintiffs will continue to present their case this week. The trial is expected to continue through late August, at least. &#160;</p>
<p /> | true | 4 | sherwin williams logo story produced fairwarning los angelesbased nonprofit news organization focused public health safety issues april based new toxicity estimates us centers disease control prevention raised 535000 estimate number children potentially dangerous levels lead blood communities trying tackle problem may see another cent public officials say prime culprit manufacturers lead pigments whose products infuse flaking paint still found millions american dwellings lead paint industry may fact verge defeating last major legal assault municipalities states seeking damages pay lead removal experts expected lawsuits follow path tobacco litigation 1990s states wrested 248 billion settlement cigarette makers cover smokingrelated health costs prediction lead would next big toxic tort litigation says jed ferdinand iii connecticut lawyer familiar issue really hasnt happened indeed apart one settlement industry successfully fended roughly 50 lawsuits states cities counties school districts past quarter century trial way san jose california industry lawyers seeking final victory case brought 10 agencies including cities san francisco oakland san diego counties los angeles santa clara agencies want industry cover cost eliminating lead paint homes jurisdictions price tag could exceed 1 billion industry prevailed past cases despite evidence executives knew century ago lead paint hazardous yet audaciously promoted healthful 1923 ad national geographic lead pigment maker national lead nl industries proclaimed lead helps guard health next year ad unit paint maker sherwinwilliams boasted cousin susie says health improved instantly home covered lead paint lead plenty industrial uses sometimes found drinking water due old lead pipes decades used gasoline additive cars private planes shockingly still use leaded gas present solder bullets childrens products regularly recalled leadprominent examples recent years included play jewelry wildly popular thomas amp friends trains federal authorities say biggest lingering public health threat comes leadladen house paint lead pigments mixed paint decades merely color also made paint durable washable federal government outlawed lead paint household use 1978 due health hazards still found walls trim old houses apartments young children ingest chips walls gets ground dust roughly 35 percent american homes lead paint 22 percent significant leadpaint hazards according 2011 survey department housing urban development public health authorities made great strides combating lead poisoning recent research found even small amounts metal harmful prompted federal authorities year triple estimate number children risk young children elevated lead levels risk lower iq attention disorders problems related brain damage americas real criminal element lead kevin drum draws intriguing connections leaded gas criminal behavior although tenants settlements landlords lead poisoning lawsuits brought public agencies leadpigment makers yielded one success july 2005 dupont agreed pay 125 million resolve case brought rhode island accused industry creating public nuisance presented internal documents showing executives long aware hazards next year state 24 billion lead abatement fourmonth trial remaining defendants rhode island supreme court overturned decision 2008 lawsuits failed various reasons individual plaintiffs leadrelated health claims tough prove lead paint dwelling source similarly public agencies unable show definitively companies manufactured lead pigment used specific building neighborhoodthe courts rejected efforts assign liability according market shares various players without product identification missouri supreme court ruled 2007 case brought industry st louis city show defendants lead paint may present properties city claims incurred abatement costs risks exposing defendants liability greater responsibility may allow actual wrongdoer escape liability entirely government suits thrown judges ruled public nuisance laws filed applythe lead paint deemed threat individuals private homes community whole however grave problem lead poisoning rhode island public nuisance law simply provide remedy harm noted rhode island supreme court overturned states victory 160 marathon pretrial battles california case allowed proceed states somewhat broader public nuisance law third public leadpigment case go trial since 1989 new york city officials pioneered litigation claims dismissed getting trial phase indeed presiding judge james p kleinberg santa clara county superior court urged california parties settle defendants case include sherwinwilliams one nations biggest paint producers dupont one worlds largest chemical companieswhose 2012 revenues 95 billion 35 billion respectively also arco bp subsidiary conagra grocery products nl industries formerly national lead co defense lawyers argued brief companies werent aware promoted lead paint would someday cause harm scientific knowledge concerning lead exposure evolved decades reads whats claim longer widespread danger lead todays blood lead levels according court filings present current public health crisis rather public health success story whats argue california already wellfunded lead poisoning prevention program collects annual fees primarily gasoline industry also makers paint leadcontaining products160 lawsuit initiated 13 years ago dragged long kleinberg third judge handle dismissed 2003 revived three years later californias 6th district court appeals reinstated public nuisance claim ticking time bomb exists court wrote public wait destructive results taking action governments difficulties securing lead cleanup money industry presaged private lawsuits including landmark case known santiago v sherwinwilliams company plaintiff monica santiago born november 1972 lived 1978 boston apartment full lead paint diagnosed lead poisoning oneyearold allegedly ingesting paint units walls three santiagos medical condition dramatically worsened underwent chelation therapy leadbinding chemical injected bloodstream help patients body excrete metal 1987 santiago sued sherwinwilliams nl industries others claiming caused lead poisoning later led hyperactivityattention disorder motor skills difficulties sought 25 million compensatory punitive damages 1992 federal court boston rejected case appeal also failed santiagos attorney neil leifer taken case discovering documents national archives pointing industrys early knowledge poisonous nature lead documents others discovered later used industry ever since sherwinwilliams newsletter 1900 example described lead deadly cumulative poison 1904 sherwinwilliams published article company magazine saying lead poisonous large degree workmen inhabitants house early 1912 documents show national lead excluded women children working lead known dangers yet continued manufacture use homes donald e scott one defense lawyers california case points early documents describe leadpoisoning workplace settings like factories people consuming large amounts lead rather household settings doctors says spent many decades afterward trying establish toxic threshold lead 1950s letters nowdefunct lead industries association signaled industry officials well aware dangers product time us childhood lead poisoning common enough constitute perhaps major headache manfred bowditch health safety director association wrote 1955 bowditch elaborated point letter next year felix e wormser assistant secretary department interior responsible regulating mining metal industries aside kids poisoned still dont know many serious problem viewpoint adverse publicity basic solution get rid slums even uncle sam cant seem swing one next importance educate parents cases negro puerto rican families one tackle job 1960 lead industries association annual meeting report secretarytreasurer robert l ziegfeld outlined concerns lead poisoning toxicity lead poses problem nonferrous industries generally face lead poisoning threat hurts business several different ways first place ziegfeld went means thousands items unfavorable publicity every year particularly true since cases lead poisoning today children anything sad happens child meat newspaper editors gobbled public makes difference essentially problem slums public welfare problem publicity hits us hurts scott industry lawyer calls references slums minorities callous regrettable adds documents show industry working hard help children affected communities california plaintiffs continue present case week trial expected continue late august least 160 | 1,141 |
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<p>Welcome to <a href="http://www.cityofamericus.net/" type="external">Americus, Georgia</a>. Located 10 miles east of the peanut farm where <a href="http://ap.grolier.com/article?assetid=atb011b02&amp;templatename=/article/article.html" type="external">Jimmy Carter</a> was raised, the town has a charming city center with broad streets, a diner that still sells hot dogs for 95 cents, a Confederate flag that flies conspicuously on the outskirts of town, railroad tracks that divide white and black neighborhoods, chain gangs that labor along the roadways, and, on South Lee Street, right across from the courthouse, its very own private probation office. <a href="http://web.userinstinct.com/13689920-middle-georgia-community-probation-services-inc.htm" type="external">Middle Georgia Community Probation Services</a> is one of 37 companies to whom local governments have outsourced the supervision of misdemeanor and traffic offenders. It’s been billed as a way to save millions of dollars for Georgia and at least nine other states where private probation is used. But to its critics, the system looks more like a way to milk scarce dollars from the poorest of the poor.</p>
<p>Here’s how it works: If you have enough money to pay your fine the day you go to court for, say, a speeding ticket, you can usually avoid probation. But those who can’t scrape up a few hundred dollars—and nearly 28 percent of Americus residents live below the poverty line—must pay their fine, as well as at least $35 in monthly supervision fees to a private company, in weekly or biweekly installments over a period of three months to a year. By the time their term is over, they may have paid more than twice what the judge ordered.</p>
<p>In his courtroom, which doubles as the Americus City Council’s chambers, <a href="http://www.georgiacourts.org/councils/probate/judges_county.asp" type="external">Judge J. Michael Greene</a> issues a rehearsed warning about these additional charges, though he doesn’t point out that they go to a private company; instead, he compares them to “taxes we all pay at the grocery store.” When I was there in April, he admonished the African American defendants before him, “Don’t fuss at the court clerks. If you do, you are going to jail. They have no more power over it than the nice lady at the checkout counter.”</p>
<p>Carla, a 25-year-old single mother who lives in public housing, has been on probation for more than three years. “I never see myself getting off of it,” she told me. “I could get off of it this year if they let the fines stay what they is and don’t increase them. But every week and every month, they go up.”</p>
<p>Carla’s current case is a traffic violation, issued after she rolled through two stop signs. Judge Greene placed her on probation and ordered her to pay a $200 fine plus Middle Georgia’s supervision fees. In January, she prematurely gave birth to her second child. The staples from her cesarean ripped, and she was placed on bed rest. “I couldn’t even take my baby to the doctor,” she says. Carla called her probation officer every Tuesday trying to report. “After a while I received a letter saying I ain’t reporting or calling or doing nothing I was supposed to do. And she issued a warrant.” One letter she got from Middle Georgia read, “Probation is a priviledge [sic] not a right. Probation did not levy a fine—the courts did.” She was, the letter said, $245 behind. Two months later, thanks to various penalties, that amount had shot up to $525, and her total remaining balance was $690, more than three times the original fine.</p>
<p>By the time I met Carla, her sister had helped her get a minimum-wage job at the local dollar store. But she’d stopped contacting Middle Georgia because she feared going to jail (and losing her kids) if she showed her face. Her friend Erica, who also has a warrant out because of probation fees, told me she worries every time she goes outside. “You be scared to walk to your mailbox, because that’s what the law do—they ride around and try to find you. You’re scared to look for a job. But unless you get a job you can’t pay your fine. So either way, you’re just stuck.”</p>
<p>No one at Middle Georgia returned my calls, so I stopped by the company’s Americus office; there, I watched a female probation officer instruct a toothless man about the additional fees he needed to pay for improperly storing scrap tires at his auto shop. “Y’all know this ain’t right,” he shouted. “You railroading me!” Eventually, another Middle Georgia employee noticed me. I told her I was a reporter. “We don’t talk to reporters,” she said coolly.</p>
<p>Middle Georgia, along with the rest of the state’s private probation industry, owes much of its business to Bobby Whitworth, who was Georgia’s commissioner of corrections until 1993, when a sex-abuse scandal involving female inmates forced him out. <a href="http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/jeo300/miller.htm" type="external">Gov. Zell Miller</a> promptly reassigned him to the Board of Pardons and Paroles, which positioned him nicely for a side job consulting with a private probation company called Detention Management Services. Three years later, in December 2003, a jury found Whitworth guilty of public corruption for accepting $75,000 from the company to draft and lobby for legislation that dramatically expanded the role of private probation companies. Whitworth was sent to prison for six months, but the law remains on the books, and the private probation industry—led by Georgia’s two most powerful Republican lobbyists—has lobbied to be given felony cases as well. That plan has run into opposition from law enforcement: One sheriff told lawmakers last year that among his peers, private probation was seen mostly “as a moneymaking fee-collection service.” Another said there is generally “not a lot of emphasis on supervision as much as there is on collection.”</p>
<p>Lawrence Holt, a thin, 24-year-old African American man, is a supervisor at a mattress factory in Americus. He’s held the job for three years, but lives in the projects and, like every member of his family before him, hits the bottle hard. He’s been on probation since November, because of an arrest for driving under the influence a few days after his brother died of diabetes. By April, he had paid his original $600 fine, but had $645 to go to cover Middle Georgia’s fees. He told me he wouldn’t mind paying if his probation officer would only help him get treatment. “I throw up blood,” he said. “I just can’t stop drinking because I got so many problems in my head. I have asked, ‘Can y’all find somebody to help me with my alcohol problem?’ ‘Sir, we can’t do that. We don’t do that.'”</p>
<p />
<p>1 in 2 federal prisoners is doing time for drug charges.</p>
<p>“These are not cold, hardened criminals,” local naacp chapter president Matt Wright, a 57-year-old caterer, told me. “These are just people struggling, trying to make it. The probation officers know it’s hard for a poor person to come up with that money. They trick ’em into getting back in the system. They go back before the judge and the judge fines them again, puts them on probation again. And the cycle repeats itself.”</p>
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<p /> | true | 4 | welcome americus georgia located 10 miles east peanut farm jimmy carter raised town charming city center broad streets diner still sells hot dogs 95 cents confederate flag flies conspicuously outskirts town railroad tracks divide white black neighborhoods chain gangs labor along roadways south lee street right across courthouse private probation office middle georgia community probation services one 37 companies local governments outsourced supervision misdemeanor traffic offenders billed way save millions dollars georgia least nine states private probation used critics system looks like way milk scarce dollars poorest poor heres works enough money pay fine day go court say speeding ticket usually avoid probation cant scrape hundred dollarsand nearly 28 percent americus residents live poverty linemust pay fine well least 35 monthly supervision fees private company weekly biweekly installments period three months year time term may paid twice judge ordered courtroom doubles americus city councils chambers judge j michael greene issues rehearsed warning additional charges though doesnt point go private company instead compares taxes pay grocery store april admonished african american defendants dont fuss court clerks going jail power nice lady checkout counter carla 25yearold single mother lives public housing probation three years never see getting told could get year let fines stay dont increase every week every month go carlas current case traffic violation issued rolled two stop signs judge greene placed probation ordered pay 200 fine plus middle georgias supervision fees january prematurely gave birth second child staples cesarean ripped placed bed rest couldnt even take baby doctor says carla called probation officer every tuesday trying report received letter saying aint reporting calling nothing supposed issued warrant one letter got middle georgia read probation priviledge sic right probation levy finethe courts letter said 245 behind two months later thanks various penalties amount shot 525 total remaining balance 690 three times original fine time met carla sister helped get minimumwage job local dollar store shed stopped contacting middle georgia feared going jail losing kids showed face friend erica also warrant probation fees told worries every time goes outside scared walk mailbox thats law dothey ride around try find youre scared look job unless get job cant pay fine either way youre stuck one middle georgia returned calls stopped companys americus office watched female probation officer instruct toothless man additional fees needed pay improperly storing scrap tires auto shop yall know aint right shouted railroading eventually another middle georgia employee noticed told reporter dont talk reporters said coolly middle georgia along rest states private probation industry owes much business bobby whitworth georgias commissioner corrections 1993 sexabuse scandal involving female inmates forced gov zell miller promptly reassigned board pardons paroles positioned nicely side job consulting private probation company called detention management services three years later december 2003 jury found whitworth guilty public corruption accepting 75000 company draft lobby legislation dramatically expanded role private probation companies whitworth sent prison six months law remains books private probation industryled georgias two powerful republican lobbyistshas lobbied given felony cases well plan run opposition law enforcement one sheriff told lawmakers last year among peers private probation seen mostly moneymaking feecollection service another said generally lot emphasis supervision much collection lawrence holt thin 24yearold african american man supervisor mattress factory americus hes held job three years lives projects like every member family hits bottle hard hes probation since november arrest driving influence days brother died diabetes april paid original 600 fine 645 go cover middle georgias fees told wouldnt mind paying probation officer would help get treatment throw blood said cant stop drinking got many problems head asked yall find somebody help alcohol problem sir cant dont 1 2 federal prisoners time drug charges cold hardened criminals local naacp chapter president matt wright 57yearold caterer told people struggling trying make probation officers know hard poor person come money trick em getting back system go back judge judge fines puts probation cycle repeats previous kansas redemption next immigration detention boomtowns | 651 |
<p>It is a bit of historical data rarely quoted by Fox News or CNN as they clank out soundbite-sized backgrounders on terrorism: Many of America’s Islamic enemies were custom-made to order by the CIA and Pakistan’s ISI (Inter-Service Intelligence Directorate) in Afghanistan.</p>
<p>Abu Hamza al-Masri is no exception.</p>
<p>“In an 11-count indictment unsealed in New York on Thursday, Attorney General John Ashcroft said Mr. Masri faced charges of hostage-taking and conspiracy in connection with an attack in Yemen in 1998 on 16 tourists, including two Americans. Four hostages — three Britons and one Australian — were killed and several others were wounded when the Yemeni Army tried to rescue them,” reports the New York Times.</p>
<p>No doubt about it. Abu Hamza al-Masri is not a nice person. But he was precisely the kind of not nice person the United States recruited to terrorize and kill Soviet conscripts. Masri lost both hands and an eye fighting for the CIA against the Soviets in Afghanistan.</p>
<p>The Carter State Department knew exactly what sort of reactionary fanatics they were unleashing back in 1979 — not only on the Soviets, but the people of Afghanistan.</p>
<p>But they didn’t care about the people of Afghanistan and admitted as much.</p>
<p>“[T]he United States’ larger interest … would be served by the demise of the [pro-Soviet] Taraki-Amin regime, despite whatever setbacks this might mean for future social and economic reforms in Afghanistan,” a classified State Department report stated in 1979, months before the Soviets rolled across the border to support the Taraki-Amin regime.</p>
<p>“The question here was whether it was morally acceptable that, in order to keep the Soviets off balance, which was the reason for the operation, it was permissible to use other lives for our geopolitical interests,” Zbigniew Brezinski, Carter’s national security adviser, later offered as an explanation.</p>
<p>In other words, screw the people of Afghanistan. Let them suffer under opium-growing warlords and fanatical Taliban extremists. It was all in the best interest of the United States and especially oil and natural gas multinationals eager to build pipelines and get product to market.</p>
<p>Crazed Islamic fundies like Gulbuddin Hekmatyar — “a particularly fanatical fundamentalist and woman-hater,” as journalist Tim Weiner describes him — were recruited to fight the Soviets. Pakistan’s brutal Zia-ul-Haq teamed with the CIA and Pakistan’s ISI to organize, train, and unleash the mujahideen. “Estimates of how much money the U.S. government channeled to the Afghan rebels over the next decade vary, but most sources put the figure between $3 billion and $6 billion, or more,” writes Phil Gasper (Afghanistan, the CIA, bin Laden, and the Taliban). It was, the CIA proudly boasted, the most successful intelligence mission in history. Under the affable guidance of Reagan, Gasper writes that</p>
<p>At any one time during the Afghan fighting season, as many as 11 ISI teams trained and supplied by the CIA accompanied mujahideen across the border to supervise attacks … The teams attacked airports, railroads, fuel depots, electricity pylons, bridges and roads … CIA operations officers helped Pakistani trainers establish schools for the mujahideen in secure communications, guerrilla warfare, urban sabotage and heavy weapons … Although the CIA claimed that the purpose was to attack military targets, mujahideen trained in these techniques, and using chemical and electronic-delay bomb timers supplied by the U.S., carried out numerous car bombings and assassination attacks in Kabul itself.</p>
<p>As Ahmed Rashid of the Daily Telegraph of London explains, between “1982 and 1992, some 35,000 Muslim radicals from 43 Islamic countries in the Middle East, North and East Africa, Central Asia and the Far East would pass their baptism under fire with the Afghan Mujaheddin. Tens of thousands more foreign Muslim radicals came to study in the hundreds of new madrassas that Zia’s military government began to fund in Pakistan and along the Afghan border. Eventually more than 100,000 Muslim radicals were to have direct contact with Pakistan and Afghanistan and be influenced by the jihad.” (Osama Bin Laden: How the U.S. Helped Midwife a Terrorist.)</p>
<p>After the Soviets packed up and left the country in defeat, the United States essentially turned its back on the mujahideen and war ravaged Afghanistan. But this dismal fact does not particularly concern intellectuals such as Samuel Huntington. Instead, as Huntington views the situation through his “Clash of Civilizations” blinders, the problem is the CIA’s war left a whole lot of disenfranchised Muslims strewn about. It’s not this disenfranchisement per se that bothers Huntington and his fellow Islamophobe scholars, but rather the fact these formerly useful castaway Muslims are now on the prowl, ready and able to raise hell due to their hatred and jealousy of our American Idol way of life.</p>
<p>“The war left behind an uneasy coalition of Islamist organizations intent on promoting Islam against all non-Muslim forces,” writes Huntington. “It also left a legacy of expert and experienced fighters, training camps and logistical facilities, elaborate trans-Islam networks of personal and organization relationships, a substantial amount of military equipment including 300 to 500 unaccounted-for Stinger missiles, and, most important, a heady sense of power and self-confidence over what had been achieved and a driving desire to move on to other victories.”</p>
<p>As AG Ashcroft and the Bushites see it, Abu Hamza al-Masri embodies this “driving desire to move on to other victories” in the name of al-Qaeda and worldwide jihad versus McDonald’s, as Thomas Friedman of the New York Times characterizes it. The partially blind and handicapped cleric stands accused of providing material support for al-Qaeda to further a holy war in Afghanistan and conspiracy to aid the Taliban in its guerrilla war against the Good and Righteous as they kick down doors and slaughter wedding party guests.</p>
<p>In other words, Masri faces life in prison — or possibly the death penalty — for doing what the CIA and Pakistan’s ISI trained and encouraged him to do all those years ago. The United States changed the rules of the game. Hamza refused to get with the program. Now he will serve as a poster child for all that is wicked and violent with hidebound Muslims.</p>
<p>“Hamza is the real deal,” Raymond W. Kelly, New York City’s police commissioner, told the New York Times. “He is suspected of providing material support to trainees in Osama bin Laden’s terrorist camps, as well as dispatching associates from England to help establish a jihad training site on US soil. Think of him as a freelance consultant to terrorist groups worldwide.”</p>
<p>And while we are thinking about that “jihad training site on US soil,” maybe we should also think about the fact that many Afghan mujaheddin were sent to Camp Peary, the CIA’s spy training camp in Virginia, as John Cooley, a former journalist with the ABC television network and author of Unholy Wars: Afghanistan, America and International Terrorism, has documented.</p>
<p>Kelly neglected to mention those very Afghan terrorist camps were financed by the United States and provided all the training and equipment necessary to kill infidels. But then police commissioners and neocons can’t be expected to connect the dots. Or tell the American people about the real deal — in large part militant Islam was engineered and encouraged by the United States, “despite whatever setbacks this might mean.”</p>
<p>Nor did Kelly mention — or is he likely to know — that shoppers in Rawalpindi and Peshawar can still buy textbooks published as part of a series underwritten by a USAID $50 million grant to the University of Nebraska in the 1980s. These books encourage radical Islam as a way to counter Marxism and urge Afghan children to “pluck out the eyes of the Soviet enemy and cut off his legs.” The maniacal Taliban — friends of the United States until they were considered obstructionist on Unocal’s gas pipeline deal — used these USAID-produced books in their madrassas.</p>
<p>For Bush, Ashcroft, the Zionist neocons, and the rapture-dizzy Christian Zionists, Abu Hamza al-Masri is the perfect Islamic fanatic. In the weeks ahead, as he is extradited from Britain to face the death penalty in America, the cleric will be held up as a primary example of the inherent viciousness and homicidal character of al-Qaeda and radical Muslims in general who want nothing more than to force us at the point of an AK47 to face Mecca five times a day.</p>
<p>Few will mention — least of all Fox and the slavish Bush Ministry of Disinformation where the intellectually incurious lap up easily digestible propaganda flavored as news — that Abu Hamza al-Masri was doing precisely what the CIA trained him to do.</p>
<p>KURT NIMMO is a photographer and multimedia developer in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Visit his excellent no holds barred blog at <a href="http://www.kurtnimmo.com/" type="external">www.kurtnimmo.com/blogger.html</a>. Nimmo is a contributor to Cockburn and St. Clair’s, <a href="" type="internal">The Politics of Anti-Semitism</a>. A collection of his essays for CounterPunch, <a href="" type="internal">Another Day in the Empire</a>, is now available from Dandelion Books.</p>
<p>He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:nimmo@zianet.com" type="external">nimmo@zianet.com</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | bit historical data rarely quoted fox news cnn clank soundbitesized backgrounders terrorism many americas islamic enemies custommade order cia pakistans isi interservice intelligence directorate afghanistan abu hamza almasri exception 11count indictment unsealed new york thursday attorney general john ashcroft said mr masri faced charges hostagetaking conspiracy connection attack yemen 1998 16 tourists including two americans four hostages three britons one australian killed several others wounded yemeni army tried rescue reports new york times doubt abu hamza almasri nice person precisely kind nice person united states recruited terrorize kill soviet conscripts masri lost hands eye fighting cia soviets afghanistan carter state department knew exactly sort reactionary fanatics unleashing back 1979 soviets people afghanistan didnt care people afghanistan admitted much united states larger interest would served demise prosoviet tarakiamin regime despite whatever setbacks might mean future social economic reforms afghanistan classified state department report stated 1979 months soviets rolled across border support tarakiamin regime question whether morally acceptable order keep soviets balance reason operation permissible use lives geopolitical interests zbigniew brezinski carters national security adviser later offered explanation words screw people afghanistan let suffer opiumgrowing warlords fanatical taliban extremists best interest united states especially oil natural gas multinationals eager build pipelines get product market crazed islamic fundies like gulbuddin hekmatyar particularly fanatical fundamentalist womanhater journalist tim weiner describes recruited fight soviets pakistans brutal ziaulhaq teamed cia pakistans isi organize train unleash mujahideen estimates much money us government channeled afghan rebels next decade vary sources put figure 3 billion 6 billion writes phil gasper afghanistan cia bin laden taliban cia proudly boasted successful intelligence mission history affable guidance reagan gasper writes one time afghan fighting season many 11 isi teams trained supplied cia accompanied mujahideen across border supervise attacks teams attacked airports railroads fuel depots electricity pylons bridges roads cia operations officers helped pakistani trainers establish schools mujahideen secure communications guerrilla warfare urban sabotage heavy weapons although cia claimed purpose attack military targets mujahideen trained techniques using chemical electronicdelay bomb timers supplied us carried numerous car bombings assassination attacks kabul ahmed rashid daily telegraph london explains 1982 1992 35000 muslim radicals 43 islamic countries middle east north east africa central asia far east would pass baptism fire afghan mujaheddin tens thousands foreign muslim radicals came study hundreds new madrassas zias military government began fund pakistan along afghan border eventually 100000 muslim radicals direct contact pakistan afghanistan influenced jihad osama bin laden us helped midwife terrorist soviets packed left country defeat united states essentially turned back mujahideen war ravaged afghanistan dismal fact particularly concern intellectuals samuel huntington instead huntington views situation clash civilizations blinders problem cias war left whole lot disenfranchised muslims strewn disenfranchisement per se bothers huntington fellow islamophobe scholars rather fact formerly useful castaway muslims prowl ready able raise hell due hatred jealousy american idol way life war left behind uneasy coalition islamist organizations intent promoting islam nonmuslim forces writes huntington also left legacy expert experienced fighters training camps logistical facilities elaborate transislam networks personal organization relationships substantial amount military equipment including 300 500 unaccountedfor stinger missiles important heady sense power selfconfidence achieved driving desire move victories ag ashcroft bushites see abu hamza almasri embodies driving desire move victories name alqaeda worldwide jihad versus mcdonalds thomas friedman new york times characterizes partially blind handicapped cleric stands accused providing material support alqaeda holy war afghanistan conspiracy aid taliban guerrilla war good righteous kick doors slaughter wedding party guests words masri faces life prison possibly death penalty cia pakistans isi trained encouraged years ago united states changed rules game hamza refused get program serve poster child wicked violent hidebound muslims hamza real deal raymond w kelly new york citys police commissioner told new york times suspected providing material support trainees osama bin ladens terrorist camps well dispatching associates england help establish jihad training site us soil think freelance consultant terrorist groups worldwide thinking jihad training site us soil maybe also think fact many afghan mujaheddin sent camp peary cias spy training camp virginia john cooley former journalist abc television network author unholy wars afghanistan america international terrorism documented kelly neglected mention afghan terrorist camps financed united states provided training equipment necessary kill infidels police commissioners neocons cant expected connect dots tell american people real deal large part militant islam engineered encouraged united states despite whatever setbacks might mean kelly mention likely know shoppers rawalpindi peshawar still buy textbooks published part series underwritten usaid 50 million grant university nebraska 1980s books encourage radical islam way counter marxism urge afghan children pluck eyes soviet enemy cut legs maniacal taliban friends united states considered obstructionist unocals gas pipeline deal used usaidproduced books madrassas bush ashcroft zionist neocons rapturedizzy christian zionists abu hamza almasri perfect islamic fanatic weeks ahead extradited britain face death penalty america cleric held primary example inherent viciousness homicidal character alqaeda radical muslims general want nothing force us point ak47 face mecca five times day mention least fox slavish bush ministry disinformation intellectually incurious lap easily digestible propaganda flavored news abu hamza almasri precisely cia trained kurt nimmo photographer multimedia developer las cruces new mexico visit excellent holds barred blog wwwkurtnimmocombloggerhtml nimmo contributor cockburn st clairs politics antisemitism collection essays counterpunch another day empire available dandelion books reached nimmozianetcom 160 | 865 |
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<p /> PAUL JAY, SENIOR EDITOR, TRNN: Welcome to The Real News Network. I'm Paul Jay. And welcome to this week's Africa report, and this week with Maurice Carney, who now joins us from our office in D.C. Maurice is executive director and cofounder of Friends of the Congo.
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<p />Thanks for joining us again, Maurice.
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<p />MAURICE CARNEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND COFOUNDER, FRIENDS OF THE CONGO: Pleasure being with you, Paul.
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<p />JAY: So what are you reporting on this week?
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<p />CARNEY: Well, you know, there's a great deal taking place on the continent and, of course, here in the U.S. as it portends for U.S. policy towards Congo in particular and the African continent as a whole.
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<p />Just dealing with the Congo itself and recent developments, there was some hope that was put behind a peace deal that was announced by the UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, that would be signed earlier this week at the African Union Summit. However, this vaunted peace deal that would include the signing of eight African countries to try and bring some stability to the east of the Congo faltered. On the morning that the deal was to be signed, the UN announced that the signatures were not ready.
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<p />And part of the problem is that we have discord between regional forces on the African continent and how they envision bringing stability to east of the Congo.
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<p />JAY: Okay. Just for people that haven't followed the story, just give us a really quick context about what's been going on.
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<p />CARNEY: Well, since AprilÂ&#160;2012, there has been a Rwanda-backed revolution that's destabilized the east of the country, of the Congo, that has displaced nearly 1Â&#160;million people. The United Nations had done several reports through its group of experts that document that this rebel militia they call the M23 is being backed, you know, financed, armed, sponsored primarily by Rwanda, and to some degree Uganda. And as it—this November, they'd captured a major city in the east of the Congo, Goma, with an estimated population of about 1Â&#160;million.
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<p />And as a condition for them relinquishing the city back to the Congolese government—that is, the Rwanda-backed militia M23, the Congolese government would enter into peace talks with them, ostensibly to bring about stability and address the grievances that this group has put in front of the Congolese government.
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<p />However, the main players in the instability in the east of the Congo is Rwanda and Uganda. And the United Nations has tried to step in to try and work with the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, to establish a comprehensive peace agreement that will bring about stability in the region.
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<p />So, earlier this week, there was a presentation by the United Nations and Ban Ki-moon that there is going to be an agreement that will be signed that would advance the peace accord and advance stability in the region. But that accord was not signed. And the reason for the disconnect between the United Nations and the gathering African nations is that African nations have proposed what they call a neutral force of about 4,000 soldiers or so that will go into east of Congo to try and stabilize the region; however, there is an existing 17,000 or so UN troops that are in the Congo. So the question was: with this introduction of a African force, who would actually have command of the 3,000 or 4,000 forces that the African nations would actually, you know, set up in the east of the Congo? And apparently there wasn't an agreement on that. The UN wanted the command to be under UN, and Africans wanted to control the force that they would be sending in.
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<p />JAY: So where's the United States in all this, given that Rwanda and Uganda are close allies of the U.S.?
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<p />CARNEY: Well, that's a key question. You know, the United States has a crucial role to play, considering, as you said, that Rwanda and Uganda are the allies and the United States provide training, financing, military equipment to these nations, who are in turn arming war criminals in the Congo. What has happened is that the United States has tried to protect their allies.
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<p />So the UN, the group of experts at the UN have called, have presented a list of individuals to be sanctioned, of Rwandan individuals. However, the United States, through its UN ambassador, Susan Rice, has prevented the sanctioning of these individuals. Rwanda itself has violated, broken the UN arms embargo in the Congo that prevents the supply of weapons to rebel militia. And Rwanda has done that. But Rwanda hasn't been sanctioned, again protected by the United States.
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<p />So what we see at the UN and in the international community is an attempt really to hold Rwanda accountable and bring about some kind of stability without sanctioning Rwanda, without putting top Rwandan officials on the sanctions list, and without withholding more aid.
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<p />But what really needs to happen is that Rwanda, and to a lesser degree Uganda, needs to be challenged directly, to be held accountable. I know the United Nations, you know, they've come up with a series of proposals. They've talked about sending drones to eastern Congo to document what's been going on there.
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<p />But really, at this stage, after 16Â&#160;years of Rwandan and Ugandan involvement in the Congo, further documentation's not what's needed. What is needed is the political will on the part of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the international community to hold these nations accountable for the destabilizing of eastern Congo. And that's been the challenge, trying to get to that point where Rwanda could be fully held accountable, and to a lesser degree, but an important degree nonetheless, Uganda can be held accountable as well. And, unfortunately, the peace accords that are put on the table thus far have obviated this necessary step, because if Rwanda's not held accountable, Uganda's not held accountable, they'll continue to support militia in the east of Congo and support those illicit networks that are causing so much suffering to the Congolese people.
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<p />JAY: Right. Just let me switch topics. I know your expertise is on Congo, but Congo's not that far from Mali. What is your take on the situation there? You have—one point of view says this is a French play/intervention to defend its resources, the untapped resources of Northern Mali, and the others say this is an independence/national struggle of the Tuareg people that's been hijacked by al-Qaeda type elements. What's your sense of what the truth is here?
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<p />CARNEY: Well, I mean, it's really a combination of both. If you look at French engagement in Africa, recent engagement, we see they were at the forefront of calling [for] the overthrow of Gaddafi regime in Libya. We saw that they intervened in Côte d'Ivoire with the electoral battle between Ouattara and Gbagbo. So now we see that there in Mali. So the French have been quite active militarily on the continent of late, which is consistent with their colonial history.
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<p />And whether you're talking about the French or the United States, what we see, unfortunately, is an increase in the militarization of the African continent. And what we see taking place in Mali in part is a result of this increased militarization, whether you're talking about the bombing of Libya that resulted in arms being dispersed throughout the region, whether we talk about the United States and its programs of training military officials in Mali—the coup that took place in Mali was led by a U.S.-trained soldier that upended a democratically elected government that only had about two months left to go before elections.
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<p />So we see, whether it's France or whether it's the United States, this heavy investment in the militarization of the African continent. We're now told that the United States looked to have a presence in 35 African countries to do special operations, are right next-door in Niger. The New York Times reported this week that there's a possibility of U.S. setting up a drone base there.
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<p />So at its core, the destabilizing of, you know, North Africa and other parts of the African continent, we see the West, whether it's France, the United States, pushing hard on this military offensive, as opposed to—if truly they wanted to help the African continent, even if it was a question of fighting terrorism, as they state, the best antidote is to make sure you have stable regimes, make sure you have viable economic opportunities for Africans so that they're invested in the institutions in their countries. And we do not see this kind of investment in democratic institutions, kind of investment in education and health and other sectors of the society that can buttress and strengthen these very weak African nations, who can then in turn serve as a bulwark against terrorism to the degree that it exists.
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<p />So there's a twofold challenge that I see. One, for those of us who are here in the U.S. and in Europe, we have to push harder, we have to be better organized, we have to confront this whole militarization effort on the part of the West led by France, led by the United States and the U.K. coming in now. We really have to educate the American public, the European public, as to the destructive nature of the increased militarization on the African continent.
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<p />And then, in looking at the continent itself, we see the incredible weak states, where there is little defense against whatever will that the West wishes to impose on Africa. That's—Africans really have to be better organized to defend their interests. It's not by accident that we don't see as much of that, the instability and the Western intervention in Southern Africa, as we do elsewhere.
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<p />[unintel.] the Southern African Development Community is relatively well organized. If they were not well organized and unified, Robert Mugabe would not be in power today. One would venture to say that the West would have already found a way to depose the Mugabe government.
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<p />So the answer lies, both inside and outside of the continent, in organization, organizing in a way to defend the interests of African people, whereby Africa does not continue to be a playground for external powers, whether it's [crosstalk]
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<p />JAY: Thanks, Maurice. Thanks very much for joining us.
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<p />CARNEY: Alright. Thank you. Thank you, Paul.
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<p />JAY: And thank you for joining us on The Real News Network.
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<p />End
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<p />DISCLAIMER: Please note that transcripts for The Real News Network are typed from a recording of the program. TRNN cannot guarantee their complete accuracy. | true | 4 | paul jay senior editor trnn welcome real news network im paul jay welcome weeks africa report week maurice carney joins us office dc maurice executive director cofounder friends congo thanks joining us maurice maurice carney executive director cofounder friends congo pleasure paul jay reporting week carney well know theres great deal taking place continent course us portends us policy towards congo particular african continent whole dealing congo recent developments hope put behind peace deal announced un secretarygeneral ban kimoon would signed earlier week african union summit however vaunted peace deal would include signing eight african countries try bring stability east congo faltered morning deal signed un announced signatures ready part problem discord regional forces african continent envision bringing stability east congo jay okay people havent followed story give us really quick context whats going carney well since aprilÂ1602012 rwandabacked revolution thats destabilized east country congo displaced nearly 1Â160million people united nations done several reports group experts document rebel militia call m23 backed know financed armed sponsored primarily rwanda degree uganda itâthis november theyd captured major city east congo goma estimated population 1Â160million condition relinquishing city back congolese governmentâthat rwandabacked militia m23 congolese government would enter peace talks ostensibly bring stability address grievances group put front congolese government however main players instability east congo rwanda uganda united nations tried step try work african union southern african development community international conference great lakes region establish comprehensive peace agreement bring stability region earlier week presentation united nations ban kimoon going agreement signed would advance peace accord advance stability region accord signed reason disconnect united nations gathering african nations african nations proposed call neutral force 4000 soldiers go east congo try stabilize region however existing 17000 un troops congo question introduction african force would actually command 3000 4000 forces african nations would actually know set east congo apparently wasnt agreement un wanted command un africans wanted control force would sending jay wheres united states given rwanda uganda close allies us carney well thats key question know united states crucial role play considering said rwanda uganda allies united states provide training financing military equipment nations turn arming war criminals congo happened united states tried protect allies un group experts un called presented list individuals sanctioned rwandan individuals however united states un ambassador susan rice prevented sanctioning individuals rwanda violated broken un arms embargo congo prevents supply weapons rebel militia rwanda done rwanda hasnt sanctioned protected united states see un international community attempt really hold rwanda accountable bring kind stability without sanctioning rwanda without putting top rwandan officials sanctions list without withholding aid really needs happen rwanda lesser degree uganda needs challenged directly held accountable know united nations know theyve come series proposals theyve talked sending drones eastern congo document whats going really stage 16Â160years rwandan ugandan involvement congo documentations whats needed needed political part united states united kingdom international community hold nations accountable destabilizing eastern congo thats challenge trying get point rwanda could fully held accountable lesser degree important degree nonetheless uganda held accountable well unfortunately peace accords put table thus far obviated necessary step rwandas held accountable ugandas held accountable theyll continue support militia east congo support illicit networks causing much suffering congolese people jay right let switch topics know expertise congo congos far mali take situation haveâone point view says french playintervention defend resources untapped resources northern mali others say independencenational struggle tuareg people thats hijacked alqaeda type elements whats sense truth carney well mean really combination look french engagement africa recent engagement see forefront calling overthrow gaddafi regime libya saw intervened cÃte divoire electoral battle ouattara gbagbo see mali french quite active militarily continent late consistent colonial history whether youre talking french united states see unfortunately increase militarization african continent see taking place mali part result increased militarization whether youre talking bombing libya resulted arms dispersed throughout region whether talk united states programs training military officials maliâthe coup took place mali led ustrained soldier upended democratically elected government two months left go elections see whether france whether united states heavy investment militarization african continent told united states looked presence 35 african countries special operations right nextdoor niger new york times reported week theres possibility us setting drone base core destabilizing know north africa parts african continent see west whether france united states pushing hard military offensive opposed toâif truly wanted help african continent even question fighting terrorism state best antidote make sure stable regimes make sure viable economic opportunities africans theyre invested institutions countries see kind investment democratic institutions kind investment education health sectors society buttress strengthen weak african nations turn serve bulwark terrorism degree exists theres twofold challenge see one us us europe push harder better organized confront whole militarization effort part west led france led united states uk coming really educate american public european public destructive nature increased militarization african continent looking continent see incredible weak states little defense whatever west wishes impose africa thatsâafricans really better organized defend interests accident dont see much instability western intervention southern africa elsewhere unintel southern african development community relatively well organized well organized unified robert mugabe would power today one would venture say west would already found way depose mugabe government answer lies inside outside continent organization organizing way defend interests african people whereby africa continue playground external powers whether crosstalk jay thanks maurice thanks much joining us carney alright thank thank paul jay thank joining us real news network end disclaimer please note transcripts real news network typed recording program trnn guarantee complete accuracy | 912 |
<p>After Abu Ghraib, the Bush administration’s insistence that its misadventure in Iraq has anything to do with promoting democracy should by now come across as grossly fraudulent to any half-thoughtful, non-self-deluding adult. At the outset, a charitable anti-imperialist could, if not share, at least conjure some sympathy for the optimistic outlook of Thomas Friedman and other opponents of tyranny who thought that the end of Hussein’s regime (for ‘Hussein’ is his surname, and he and I are not on first-name terms) would trigger, by way of the domino effect, the conversion of all those middle eastern, pre-Enlightenment hold-outs into so many Jeffersonian republics. Beyond the obvious difference, though, that American democracy, such as it is (or once was), was born of revolution against a colonial power, and not imposed by a colonial power, our anti-imperialist might also have pointed out the hypocrisy of pretending to promote democracy in the Islamic world while simultaneously denouncing the Turkish parliament’s rejection, shortly before the invasion of Iraq a year ago, of $15 billion dollars in US aid and loans, offered in exchange for permission to send over 60,000 more troops into their country as part of a two-front invasion of Iraq.</p>
<p>Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz immediately criticized the Turkish military for not playing “the strong leadership role we would have expected,” while the body-snatched Christopher Hitchens took Turkey’s refusal as confirming something he’d long held, that Turkey is an “ally we can do without.” West Virginia Senator Robert Byrd, in contrast, courageously proclaimed on the senate floor: “It is astonishing that our government is berating the new Turkish government for conducting its affairs in accordance with its own Constitution and its democratic institutions.” Wolfowitz evidently wanted Turkey to do what it indeed has traditionally done throughout its 20th-century history: to override democratic decisions that, in the long term, could easily spell the end of its alliance with the US. As the great sociologist and theorist of modernity Ernest Gellner has argued, modern Turkey’s idiosyncrasy lies in the fact that its periodic military coups really have functioned to keep the democratic will of the Turkish electorate and the governing bodies from straying too far from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s initial, revolutionary vision of what a secular, democratic, Turkey should look like, which included, among other things, alliance with Western, secular democracies. Amazingly, after the civilian leaders have been roped back in and the voters humbled, the military really does restore power to democratically elected officials. This, then, has been a feature that has distinguished Turkey from every other country in which military coups regularly happen, for in all other cases we can be sure that the general in charge, promising to restore power to civilian leaders just as soon as order is restored, will be exceedingly careful not to let things get sufficiently orderly to enable him to come good on his promise. Military coups, on Gellner’s analysis, are, or have been, just a part of Turkey’s unique system of checks and balances.</p>
<p>Wolfowitz, presumably, and likely without all that much knowledge of Kemalism’s history, would have liked to see the military step in at just the moment that its new governing party began leading Turkey away from its traditional role as a stalwart, strategic ally of the United States. But a coup didn’t happen this time; Turkey turned its back on an ally and the military has not bothered to set the matter right.</p>
<p>The religiously secular republic created by Ataturk in the 1920s _when I taught at a state university in Istanbul last year I used to watch female students remove their head scarves in a booth just at the campus’ entrance, so as to comply with the law prohibiting religious dress in state institutions_ has been compromised to some extent by the rise of the AK Party (the acronym stands for “justice and development”) and its leader, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to presidential power. There was some fear shortly after the election that, even in licentious Istanbul, alcohol would be banned or severely regulated (some of us were more afraid than others), and that instruction at state universities would have to be conducted in Turkish only. Bush, for his part (this before the Turks turned against him and his bellicose scheme), praised a confused Erdogan on the White House steps for being, like Bush himself, a man with deep and abiding faith in the Almighty (and of course, as Bush’s penetrating work in comparative religion has revealed, this is the same Almighty).</p>
<p>It is of course an interesting question for political theorists to ask to what extent a democracy can or should allow antidemocratic movements to flourish inside it. If too much is permitted to such movements, then they may get what they are after, in which case the democracy that tolerated them ceases to exist. If they are banned, the democracy is also compromised, not by those who would bring it down, but by its own zealous effort to not be brought down. Presumably, the more robust a democratic culture, the more antidemocratic opposition from within it can sustain, and this is why the protection of the First-Amendment right to wax antidemocratic might be seen as a reliable indicator of the health of American democracy. And this, in turn, is why the ACLU really is patriotic, while the Patriot Act is treasonous.</p>
<p>In Turkey, throughout most of the 20th century, democracy was a rather more fragile thing, and, for better or worse, was protected by the force of an armed few against what could rightly be called the popular will. It is a testament to the strength of Turkish democracy today, in my opinion, that an Islamist party can be elected without intervention by the military, and without any evident erosion, subsequently, of the (limited) freedoms and opportunities that are part of the Kemalist legacy and that distinguish Turkey in the Muslim world from undemocratic secular states, such as Egypt, as well as from undemocratic fundamentalist states such as Saudi Arabia.</p>
<p>What does this have to do with Iraq? It is unlikely that this country, held together so effectively by tyranny, could avoid splitting into at least three separate enclaves if the US were to pull out abruptly. Of these three parts, it is unlikely that any (except, perhaps, the majority-Kurdish area) would put forth a leader with much sympathy for Western-style democracy. The Shiites would rally behind an ayatollah, and the Sunnis would fall back into Baathism. If Iraq is ever to arrive where Turkey is now, it is safe to say that democratic culture will have to be cultivated, which means in part that ayatollahs and neo-Baathists will have to be blocked from gaining too much power. This is a task that, under the best of circumstances, may easily come to reek of illegitimacy, since it boldly denies any performative contradiction in defending a political system supposedly based on what the people want against what the people want. If the task is to be carried out with any legitimacy at all, it will be handed off to the United Nations without further dallying, and preferably to Arab and Muslim states under the auspices of the UN.</p>
<p>But of course nothing of the kind is going to happen, at least not as long as the current US administration is in power. For, as Wolfowitz’s comment a year ago about the outcome of democratic procedure in the Turkish parliament reveals, the Bush administration can only perceive as democratic what suits US interests. In Wolfowitz’s eyes, if an elected government makes a decision that reflects the popular will of those who elected it, but not the will of the Bush administration, then ipso facto this is not democracy. ‘The will of the people’ means ‘the will of the American people,’ and ‘the American people’ apparently means the cabal in power in Washington, since by their own lights they are the ones with the real interests of these people at heart. As Tom DeLay put it (and we might express some thanks here to the house of representatives for giving us characters who will say for their parties what officials elected to higher offices can only intimate), the party in power is not out to win any popularity contests, domestic or international, but to secure the best future possible for the American people. ‘Democracy’ has undergone a strange sort of semantic drift indeed, rivaled perhaps only by the dazzling insistence made by hawks, and not exactly discouraged by the mainstream media, that being concerned about the well-being of US soldiers in Iraq can only mean ‘supporting’ the troops, while supporting the troops must mean ‘getting behind’ the president, which in turn means ‘supporting’ US foreign policy.</p>
<p>Ban alcohol, conflate church (or mosque) and state, outlaw minority languages and cultural practices. Just as long as you give us what we need when we ask for it, we will recognize you as a democracy. As in the Cold War, so today. The difference, though, is that fundamentalism, the real threat today, unlike the perceived threat once posed by the Communist bloc, is one that doesn’t even pretend to like democracy. How much more urgent a task this makes it, then, to ensure that the term ‘democracy’ not be worn down into a blunt tool of double-speaking war profiteers, but that it be made to mean, by those of us who are horrified by its exploitation, what it in fact means: government by the people through elected representatives, so long as this ensures respect for social equality and individual freedom, and even if this government by the people is at odds with the interests of American democracy, or of the usurpers who claim to represent it.</p>
<p>Justin E. H. Smith teaches philosophy at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada. He can be reached at: <a href="mailto:justismi@alcor.concordia.ca" type="external">justismi@alcor.concordia.ca</a></p>
<p>&#160;</p> | true | 4 | abu ghraib bush administrations insistence misadventure iraq anything promoting democracy come across grossly fraudulent halfthoughtful nonselfdeluding adult outset charitable antiimperialist could share least conjure sympathy optimistic outlook thomas friedman opponents tyranny thought end husseins regime hussein surname firstname terms would trigger way domino effect conversion middle eastern preenlightenment holdouts many jeffersonian republics beyond obvious difference though american democracy born revolution colonial power imposed colonial power antiimperialist might also pointed hypocrisy pretending promote democracy islamic world simultaneously denouncing turkish parliaments rejection shortly invasion iraq year ago 15 billion dollars us aid loans offered exchange permission send 60000 troops country part twofront invasion iraq deputy defense secretary paul wolfowitz immediately criticized turkish military playing strong leadership role would expected bodysnatched christopher hitchens took turkeys refusal confirming something hed long held turkey ally without west virginia senator robert byrd contrast courageously proclaimed senate floor astonishing government berating new turkish government conducting affairs accordance constitution democratic institutions wolfowitz evidently wanted turkey indeed traditionally done throughout 20thcentury history override democratic decisions long term could easily spell end alliance us great sociologist theorist modernity ernest gellner argued modern turkeys idiosyncrasy lies fact periodic military coups really functioned keep democratic turkish electorate governing bodies straying far mustafa kemal ataturks initial revolutionary vision secular democratic turkey look like included among things alliance western secular democracies amazingly civilian leaders roped back voters humbled military really restore power democratically elected officials feature distinguished turkey every country military coups regularly happen cases sure general charge promising restore power civilian leaders soon order restored exceedingly careful let things get sufficiently orderly enable come good promise military coups gellners analysis part turkeys unique system checks balances wolfowitz presumably likely without much knowledge kemalisms history would liked see military step moment new governing party began leading turkey away traditional role stalwart strategic ally united states coup didnt happen time turkey turned back ally military bothered set matter right religiously secular republic created ataturk 1920s _when taught state university istanbul last year used watch female students remove head scarves booth campus entrance comply law prohibiting religious dress state institutions_ compromised extent rise ak party acronym stands justice development leader recep tayyip erdogan presidential power fear shortly election even licentious istanbul alcohol would banned severely regulated us afraid others instruction state universities would conducted turkish bush part turks turned bellicose scheme praised confused erdogan white house steps like bush man deep abiding faith almighty course bushs penetrating work comparative religion revealed almighty course interesting question political theorists ask extent democracy allow antidemocratic movements flourish inside much permitted movements may get case democracy tolerated ceases exist banned democracy also compromised would bring zealous effort brought presumably robust democratic culture antidemocratic opposition within sustain protection firstamendment right wax antidemocratic might seen reliable indicator health american democracy turn aclu really patriotic patriot act treasonous turkey throughout 20th century democracy rather fragile thing better worse protected force armed could rightly called popular testament strength turkish democracy today opinion islamist party elected without intervention military without evident erosion subsequently limited freedoms opportunities part kemalist legacy distinguish turkey muslim world undemocratic secular states egypt well undemocratic fundamentalist states saudi arabia iraq unlikely country held together effectively tyranny could avoid splitting least three separate enclaves us pull abruptly three parts unlikely except perhaps majoritykurdish area would put forth leader much sympathy westernstyle democracy shiites would rally behind ayatollah sunnis would fall back baathism iraq ever arrive turkey safe say democratic culture cultivated means part ayatollahs neobaathists blocked gaining much power task best circumstances may easily come reek illegitimacy since boldly denies performative contradiction defending political system supposedly based people want people want task carried legitimacy handed united nations without dallying preferably arab muslim states auspices un course nothing kind going happen least long current us administration power wolfowitzs comment year ago outcome democratic procedure turkish parliament reveals bush administration perceive democratic suits us interests wolfowitzs eyes elected government makes decision reflects popular elected bush administration ipso facto democracy people means american people american people apparently means cabal power washington since lights ones real interests people heart tom delay put might express thanks house representatives giving us characters say parties officials elected higher offices intimate party power win popularity contests domestic international secure best future possible american people democracy undergone strange sort semantic drift indeed rivaled perhaps dazzling insistence made hawks exactly discouraged mainstream media concerned wellbeing us soldiers iraq mean supporting troops supporting troops must mean getting behind president turn means supporting us foreign policy ban alcohol conflate church mosque state outlaw minority languages cultural practices long give us need ask recognize democracy cold war today difference though fundamentalism real threat today unlike perceived threat posed communist bloc one doesnt even pretend like democracy much urgent task makes ensure term democracy worn blunt tool doublespeaking war profiteers made mean us horrified exploitation fact means government people elected representatives long ensures respect social equality individual freedom even government people odds interests american democracy usurpers claim represent justin e h smith teaches philosophy concordia university montreal canada reached justismialcorconcordiaca 160 | 835 |
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Ed. note: This is a joint post by Sesali and Maya in response to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/15/beyonce-photographed-underwear-feminism" type="external">this article</a>&#160;criticizing Beyoncé&#160;for posing “nearly naked” in a new&#160; <a href="http://www.gq.com/women/photos/201301/beyonce-cover-story-photos-gq-february-2013#slide=4" type="external">GQ profile</a>.</p>
<p>Sesali: First off, one of the most interesting things about&#160; <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/15/beyonce-photographed-underwear-feminism" type="external">people like this</a>&#160;who come after Beyoncé&#160;for “fucking up feminism” is that I have never&#160;once&#160;heard Beyoncé&#160;self identify as a feminist. So whose feminist standards are we holding her up to and why? This reminds me of a&#160; <a href="" type="internal">feminist stance</a>&#160;we’ve seen here recently–one that is basically waiting for the opportunity to tell someone else that their feminism, that they may or may not own, isn’t good enough. How ironic. And do I catch the tiniest whiff of white privilege here?</p>
<p>Maya: Yes, I’d venture&#160; <a href="http://witchsistah.tumblr.com/post/40708539364/searchingforknowledge-girljanitor" type="external">more than a whiff</a>. And you and I have actually&#160; <a href="" type="internal">touched on</a>&#160;this topic before. I don’t think celebs who have never claimed to speak for the feminist movement have any obligation to be feminist role models, period. But no matter how anyone self-identifies, it’s far more interesting to look about what they’re doing and the ideas they’re supporting–whether they have a gender awareness and commitment to equality. And in that regard, Beyoncé&#160;is killing it in this profile. “Equality is a myth, and for some reason everyone accepts that women don’t make as much money as men.” she says. “I truly believe that women should be financially independent from their men. And let’s face it, money gives men the power to run the show. It gives men the power to define value. They define what’s sexy. And men define what’s feminine. It’s ridiculous.” On fucking point.</p>
<p>That’s my main problem: of all the things you could possibly discuss about&#160; <a href="http://www.gq.com/women/photos/201301/beyonce-cover-story-interview-gq-february-2013?currentPage=2" type="external">that profile</a>, Freeman chose to focus on the most boring one.&#160;I mean,&#160;of course&#160;Beyoncé is half-naked on the cover of GQ. Kinda like how she is in many of her music videos. Kinda like basically every other pop star today. It’s one thing to bemoan the fact the fact that the sexist objectification machine is so extreme that even women who are famous for&#160;other things, like, say, playing&#160; <a href="http://www.mensfitness.com/leisure/sports/2012s-hottest-female-athletes" type="external">sports</a>&#160;or being&#160; <a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/06/04/rightwingnews-ranks-important-pundit-hotness/" type="external">pundits</a>, are often sexualized by others or sexualize themselves. Even in the latter case, though, I’d generally recommend not being a judgmental, slut-shaming asshole towards other women, since, ya know, the whole point is that there is strong cultural pressure to conform to this expectation. But pop stars? Please. Beyoncé’s&#160;image–which, yes, is damn sexy–is part of her multimillion-dollar career. Call me if Hillary Clinton starts doing strip dances for the Austrian ambassador or something, and maybe we’ll stage a feminist intervention.</p>
<p><a href="" type="internal" />Sesali: Yeah, the slut shaming in the article is so real. Freeman acts as though somehow because Beyoncé&#160;already has money and fame, she should not fall prey to the same sexist ideas that women’s worth is defined by their sex appeal. “I never fail to be amazed at the high profile, often A-list women who celebrate their professional success by posing near naked on the covers of allegedly classy men’s magazines, such as Esquire and GQ, and these covers are, to my eyes, becoming increasingly close to porn.” Does she really think that Beyoncé’s appearance in GQ was an opportunity to “celebrate her career”? She doesn’t think that magazine spreads and other endorsements are just part of the job? Please, Freeman, I’d love to be clearer on the boundaries between owning my own sexuality, doing my job, and participating in what you later call “attention-seeking nonsense.” And at what point do we acknowledge sex appeal as something that we can embrace?</p>
<p>Maya: Seriously, has it really never occurred to Freeman that sometimes women like being seen as sexy? And that is not an inherently awful thing? Or that sometimes posing in your underwear is empowering? Or that just because there’s pressure for female pop stars to take off their clothes doesn’t mean that there aren’t also opportunities for claiming control of your own image? Can we please have some recognition of nuance and context here?</p>
<p>Sesali: Nope. It feels like we can’t fucking win for losing with these people. In the same way the patriarchy sucks for telling me I need to be more sexy, you suck for telling me I’m too sexy.&#160;</p>
<p>Maya: Yah, weird how you sound so much like the patriarchy, Hadley Freeman. We may never be able to win, but we should at least be able to expect that other feminists not play the role of sexy-police.</p>
<p />
<p>Speaking of claiming control of your own image…what does that remind me of? Oh right, that whole fascinating part of the profile that discussed Beyoncé’s&#160;extensive archive as a way of “owning your own brand, your own face, your own body,” which Freeman dismissed out-of-hand as about nothing more than her&#160;“raging narcissism.” Nope, couldn’t possibly be any interesting feminist analysis to be found there, let’s talk about her underwear instead!</p>
<p>Sesali: Exactly, Maya! In conversations I’ve had with folks on the web, I’ve also found it interesting that Bey’s insistence on controlling her own image and her willingness to put in the work to do so via all that archiving makes people worry about her sanity–her ability to function in the world and capacity to actually experience life and process emotion–and, as we see here, gets her called a narcissist. But this is the same person who has resisted the demand to bare all of the intimate details of her life in a way that tells me she is very much concerned with her personal well being and that we should trust her to make healthy decisions for herself. Plus, what would we call a man who was such a perfectionist like that? The hardest working man in show business? A genius? A boss? A role model?</p>
<p>Maya: Totally. And that’s the other thing–we can’t ever really know about the pressures Beyoncé&#160;must face on a daily basis, but if there is one person in the world that I’d trust is making an informed, empowered decision whenever she displays her body, it’s Beyoncé. I mean, as the woman herself said–in the cogent analysis Freeman all but ignores–the thing about money is that it gives you the power to “define what’s sexy.” And I think it’s safe to assume that, at this point in her career, Beyoncé&#160;is defining sexy–not the other way around. Like, I’m pretty sure that she could don a trash bag and the world would worship at her feet.</p>
<p>Sesali: Yes, and she would look amazing in it! And speaking of her power, I’m actually really offended by the way Freeman dismisses Beyoncé’s extremely moving statement “I’m more powerful than my mind can even digest” as another example of her narcissism. I understood this as a sign of her resilience and a commitment to respecting her own individual and unique greatness: something we all have. I personally would encourage every black girl I know to say that to themselves at least three times a day.</p>
<p>Maya: Ugh, yeah. Here’s Beyoncé&#160;offering a structural analysis of gender inequality, as well as just being the greatness that is Beyoncé. And here’s Freeman complaining about what another woman is wearing. Remind me again who is supposedly hurting the feminist cause?</p>
<p>Sesali: Yeah, seriously, I think there are bigger feminist fish to fry than Beyoncé&#160;in a pair of panties.</p>
<p>Maya: To conclude:</p>
<p />
<p><a href="http://iam.beyonce.com/" type="external">Photos via GQ, “Telephone,” and Beyoncé’s Tumblr</a>.</p> | true | 4 | ed note joint post sesali maya response article160criticizing beyoncé160for posing nearly naked new160 gq profile sesali first one interesting things about160 people like this160who come beyoncé160for fucking feminism never160once160heard beyoncé160self identify feminist whose feminist standards holding reminds a160 feminist stance160weve seen recentlyone basically waiting opportunity tell someone else feminism may may isnt good enough ironic catch tiniest whiff white privilege maya yes id venture160 whiff actually160 touched on160this topic dont think celebs never claimed speak feminist movement obligation feminist role models period matter anyone selfidentifies far interesting look theyre ideas theyre supportingwhether gender awareness commitment equality regard beyoncé160is killing profile equality myth reason everyone accepts women dont make much money men says truly believe women financially independent men lets face money gives men power run show gives men power define value define whats sexy men define whats feminine ridiculous fucking point thats main problem things could possibly discuss about160 profile freeman chose focus boring one160i mean160of course160beyoncé halfnaked cover gq kinda like many music videos kinda like basically every pop star today one thing bemoan fact fact sexist objectification machine extreme even women famous for160other things like say playing160 sports160or being160 pundits often sexualized others sexualize even latter case though id generally recommend judgmental slutshaming asshole towards women since ya know whole point strong cultural pressure conform expectation pop stars please beyoncés160imagewhich yes damn sexyis part multimilliondollar career call hillary clinton starts strip dances austrian ambassador something maybe well stage feminist intervention sesali yeah slut shaming article real freeman acts though somehow beyoncé160already money fame fall prey sexist ideas womens worth defined sex appeal never fail amazed high profile often alist women celebrate professional success posing near naked covers allegedly classy mens magazines esquire gq covers eyes becoming increasingly close porn really think beyoncés appearance gq opportunity celebrate career doesnt think magazine spreads endorsements part job please freeman id love clearer boundaries owning sexuality job participating later call attentionseeking nonsense point acknowledge sex appeal something embrace maya seriously really never occurred freeman sometimes women like seen sexy inherently awful thing sometimes posing underwear empowering theres pressure female pop stars take clothes doesnt mean arent also opportunities claiming control image please recognition nuance context sesali nope feels like cant fucking win losing people way patriarchy sucks telling need sexy suck telling im sexy160 maya yah weird sound much like patriarchy hadley freeman may never able win least able expect feminists play role sexypolice speaking claiming control imagewhat remind oh right whole fascinating part profile discussed beyoncés160extensive archive way owning brand face body freeman dismissed outofhand nothing her160raging narcissism nope couldnt possibly interesting feminist analysis found lets talk underwear instead sesali exactly maya conversations ive folks web ive also found interesting beys insistence controlling image willingness put work via archiving makes people worry sanityher ability function world capacity actually experience life process emotionand see gets called narcissist person resisted demand bare intimate details life way tells much concerned personal well trust make healthy decisions plus would call man perfectionist like hardest working man show business genius boss role model maya totally thats thingwe cant ever really know pressures beyoncé160must face daily basis one person world id trust making informed empowered decision whenever displays body beyoncé mean woman saidin cogent analysis freeman ignoresthe thing money gives power define whats sexy think safe assume point career beyoncé160is defining sexynot way around like im pretty sure could trash bag world would worship feet sesali yes would look amazing speaking power im actually really offended way freeman dismisses beyoncés extremely moving statement im powerful mind even digest another example narcissism understood sign resilience commitment respecting individual unique greatness something personally would encourage every black girl know say least three times day maya ugh yeah heres beyoncé160offering structural analysis gender inequality well greatness beyoncé heres freeman complaining another woman wearing remind supposedly hurting feminist cause sesali yeah seriously think bigger feminist fish fry beyoncé160in pair panties maya conclude photos via gq telephone beyoncés tumblr | 657 |
<p>Americans who feel betrayed by timid, capitulatory leadership from Democrats like President Barack Obama now have a candidate to consider at the presidential level. On Dec. 12, 2011, former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson announced his candidacy on the Justice Party ticket and the next day laid out a cogent progressive agenda on Democracy Now!</p>
<p>“Although hailing from a solidly red state, Anderson has been known as one of the most progressive mayors of any major U.S. city in recent years,” host Amy Goodman said in her introduction to the report. “During his two mayoral terms from 2000 to 2008, Anderson was an outspoken champion of LGBT rights, environmental sustainability and the antiwar movement in opposition to the Iraq War.”</p>
<p>On both <a href="" type="internal">Democracy Now!</a> and in a Dec. 12 article in <a href="" type="internal">The Guardian</a>, the former Democrat embraced the Occupy Movement.</p>
<p>“There is clearly a convergence of interests regarding the concerns we have and the concerns of Occupy Wall Street,” he told The Guardian. “There’s little I’ve heard from the Occupy movement that I would disagree with, and I think there’s little we support that they would disagree with.”</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.justicepartyusa.net/" type="external">Justice Party</a> is needed because the American political system is “corrupt” and “diseased,” Anderson told Goodman.</p>
<p>“We know that the public interest is not being served by anyone in the system right now, particularly the two dominant parties who have sustained this corrupt system and who are sustained by it,” he said.</p>
<p>Obama’s Kansas speech on income inequality last week was “total hypocrisy,” Anderson said. The president has accepted more Wall Street money than any other candidate in history, and he is surrounded by alumni from Goldman Sachs.</p>
<p>“All any of us have to do is look at our pension plans, our 401(k) accounts, and we can see the direct impacts of this economic disaster, brought to us through, by and large, these criminal acts committed by these Wall Street firms and their employees,” he said. “And not one of them has been brought to justice under the Obama administration.”</p>
<p>Anderson compared Obama’s Wall Street contributions and subsequent timidity to his relationship with polluters, from whom he took money and then vetoed EPA efforts to strengthen air quality standards.</p>
<p>“We know that’s not in the public interest,” he said. “President Obama has to know that’s not in the public interest. He’s serving the interest of those polluting industries.”</p>
<p>The corrupting influence of money from the medical insurance industry is the reason America is the only country in the industrialized world without a single-payer health care system, Anderson added.</p>
<p>“The failure – in terms of every major public policy issue – to serve the public interest can be attributed to that corrupting influence of money,” he said. “Just follow the money, and you’ll see why Congress and the White House are pursuing these policies that are so inimical to the interest of the American people.”</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>The same day Anderson announced his candidacy in Washington D.C., Donnelly, the Second District Indiana congressman seeking incumbent Republican Richard Lugar’s U.S. Senate seat next year, lent credence to the characterization of Democrats and Republicans as two faces on the same tarnished coin. In comments made at a diner in Indianapolis, he expressed support for the Keystone XL Pipeline through the Western United States, according to an <a href="http://indianapublicmedia.org/news/indiana-congressman-calls-extension-payroll-tax-cut-24641/" type="external">Indiana Public Media</a> report.</p>
<p>The pipeline would transport synthetic oil from the Alberta Tar Sands in Northeastern Alberta, Canada, to U.S. refineries from Illinois to Texas. James Hansen, director of NASA’s Goddard Institute, has said it will be “game over” for the climate if the Alberta oil sands become a major source of world oil.</p>
<p>“President George W. Bush said that the U.S. was addicted to oil,” Hansen said in an Aug. 29, 2011, story posted on the <a href="" type="internal">Reuters website</a>. “So what will the U.S. response to this situation be? Will it entail phasing out fossil fuels and moving to clean energy or borrowing the dirtiest needle from a fellow addict?”</p>
<p>Choosing the dirty needle would show Obama “was just greenwashing, like the other well-oiled, coal-fired politicians with no real intention of solving the addiction,” he said.</p>
<p>Donnelly linked his Dec. 12 comments to Republican efforts to legislatively tie the pipeline to an extension of the payroll tax cut. “If that being in this bill makes it impossible to get this bill done, there are other points at where we can get the Keystone Pipeline squared away,” he said.</p>
<p>The next day, Lugar issued a news release one-upping Donnelly on Keystone. The ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee tied the pipeline to national security and jobs as he argued the State Department’s decision to delay action until at least 2013 was motivated by presidential politics. “America’s workers and security takes a backseat to the president’s effort to save his own job,” Lugar said in the release.</p>
<p>Anderson told The Guardian it is clear that Democrats do not represent the change Americans need.</p>
<p>“There are lots of good individuals in the Democratic Party,” he said. “[But] without Democrats voting the way they did in Congress, we wouldn’t have invaded Iraq. We wouldn’t have suffered as a nation because of these Bush tax cuts.”</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>***</p>
<p>&#160;</p>
<p>Two-party collusion on retroactive immunity to telecom companies is another example of bipartisan decay and Obama’s failed leadership, Anderson said on Democracy Now!.</p>
<p>“Then-Senator Obama promised this nation, before the primary, before he won the Democratic primary for the presidency, that he would join a filibuster against telecom company immunity,” he said. Not only did he not filibuster, he voted for the legislation. “Who in this country gets Congress to grant them retroactive immunity for committing clearly felonious acts?”</p>
<p>The same goes for Obama’s about face on domestic “war criminals” who engaged in torture in violation of international and domestic law, Anderson told Goodman. “We have this special class of people who aren’t even held accountable under the law.”</p>
<p>To politically counter the corruption, the nation needs elected officials “who are pledged not to just represent the people’s interest in the same system, but to change the system and get the corrupting influence of corporate and other concentrated wealth out of our electoral system and out of our system of governance,” he said.</p>
<p>Anderson told Democracy Now! that the Justice Party’s agenda reflects input gathered from all over the country that demands a new direction for American society.</p>
<p>“It seemed that the notion of justice – economic justice, social justice, environmental justice – that’s what the people in this country want,” he said. “They want an equal playing field. They want the laws to apply to everyone equally. And they don’t want our Congress and our president simply serving the interests of the economic aristocracy in this country any longer.”</p>
<p>Today’s politicians are not leaders, he said. They defer to polls and political considerations, not the public interest.</p>
<p>“You see these people bouncing back and forth,” he said. “They’re unrecognizable from one moment to another. And it’s because of the basest political considerations. How are they to be trusted?”</p>
<p>Steven Higgs&#160;is the editor of the <a href="http://www.BloomingtonAlternative.com" type="external">Bloomington Alternative</a>. He can be reached at <a href="mailto:editor@BloomingtonAlternative.com" type="external">editor@BloomingtonAlternative.com</a>.</p> | true | 4 | americans feel betrayed timid capitulatory leadership democrats like president barack obama candidate consider presidential level dec 12 2011 former salt lake city mayor rocky anderson announced candidacy justice party ticket next day laid cogent progressive agenda democracy although hailing solidly red state anderson known one progressive mayors major us city recent years host amy goodman said introduction report two mayoral terms 2000 2008 anderson outspoken champion lgbt rights environmental sustainability antiwar movement opposition iraq war democracy dec 12 article guardian former democrat embraced occupy movement clearly convergence interests regarding concerns concerns occupy wall street told guardian theres little ive heard occupy movement would disagree think theres little support would disagree justice party needed american political system corrupt diseased anderson told goodman know public interest served anyone system right particularly two dominant parties sustained corrupt system sustained said obamas kansas speech income inequality last week total hypocrisy anderson said president accepted wall street money candidate history surrounded alumni goldman sachs us look pension plans 401k accounts see direct impacts economic disaster brought us large criminal acts committed wall street firms employees said one brought justice obama administration anderson compared obamas wall street contributions subsequent timidity relationship polluters took money vetoed epa efforts strengthen air quality standards know thats public interest said president obama know thats public interest hes serving interest polluting industries corrupting influence money medical insurance industry reason america country industrialized world without singlepayer health care system anderson added failure terms every major public policy issue serve public interest attributed corrupting influence money said follow money youll see congress white house pursuing policies inimical interest american people day anderson announced candidacy washington dc donnelly second district indiana congressman seeking incumbent republican richard lugars us senate seat next year lent credence characterization democrats republicans two faces tarnished coin comments made diner indianapolis expressed support keystone xl pipeline western united states according indiana public media report pipeline would transport synthetic oil alberta tar sands northeastern alberta canada us refineries illinois texas james hansen director nasas goddard institute said game climate alberta oil sands become major source world oil president george w bush said us addicted oil hansen said aug 29 2011 story posted reuters website us response situation entail phasing fossil fuels moving clean energy borrowing dirtiest needle fellow addict choosing dirty needle would show obama greenwashing like welloiled coalfired politicians real intention solving addiction said donnelly linked dec 12 comments republican efforts legislatively tie pipeline extension payroll tax cut bill makes impossible get bill done points get keystone pipeline squared away said next day lugar issued news release oneupping donnelly keystone ranking member senate foreign relations committee tied pipeline national security jobs argued state departments decision delay action least 2013 motivated presidential politics americas workers security takes backseat presidents effort save job lugar said release anderson told guardian clear democrats represent change americans need lots good individuals democratic party said without democrats voting way congress wouldnt invaded iraq wouldnt suffered nation bush tax cuts 160 160 twoparty collusion retroactive immunity telecom companies another example bipartisan decay obamas failed leadership anderson said democracy thensenator obama promised nation primary democratic primary presidency would join filibuster telecom company immunity said filibuster voted legislation country gets congress grant retroactive immunity committing clearly felonious acts goes obamas face domestic war criminals engaged torture violation international domestic law anderson told goodman special class people arent even held accountable law politically counter corruption nation needs elected officials pledged represent peoples interest system change system get corrupting influence corporate concentrated wealth electoral system system governance said anderson told democracy justice partys agenda reflects input gathered country demands new direction american society seemed notion justice economic justice social justice environmental justice thats people country want said want equal playing field want laws apply everyone equally dont want congress president simply serving interests economic aristocracy country longer todays politicians leaders said defer polls political considerations public interest see people bouncing back forth said theyre unrecognizable one moment another basest political considerations trusted steven higgs160is editor bloomington alternative reached editorbloomingtonalternativecom | 668 |
<p>Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP</p>
<p>A few weeks ago, I wrote a <a href="" type="internal">piece</a> noting that whether or not Donald Trump colluded with Vladimir Putin’s covert operation to subvert the 2016 campaign, the public record was already clear that Trump, knowingly or not, had aided and abetted Russia’s war on US democracy. He did so by repeatedly ignoring evidence and denying Moscow’s role in the criminal hacking of Democratic targets and the subsequent release of stolen emails. Those denials muddied the storyline and prevented a vigorous bipartisan response to Putin’s attack.</p>
<p>The disclosure this week of Donald Trump Jr.’s emails revealing that he, Jared Kushner, and Paul Manafort joined what they believed was a secret Russian government project to disseminate dirt on Hillary Clinton shows that the Trump campaign went far beyond creating a political climate favorable to Putin’s clandestine assault. The Trump camp actually protected Russian intelligence while it was waging information warfare against the United States—and Trump’s most intimate advisers knew they were doing so.</p>
<p>The new emails prove that in the first week of June 2016, Trump Jr.; Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and key adviser; and Manafort, who the previous month had been <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/20/us/politics/paul-manafort-trump.html" type="external">named</a> Trump’s campaign chairman and chief strategist, all became aware there was a Russian government plot to help Trump become president. Each received an email from <a href="" type="internal">Rob Goldstone</a>, a talent manager who had helped broker the deal for Trump’s Miss Universe contest to be held in Moscow in 2013, and this message was not subtle: It stated that Trump’s business partner in Russia, billionaire developer Aras Agalarov, had been told by Russia’s national prosecutor, a Putin crony, that the Putin regime wanted to convey to the Trump campaign negative material on Clinton. Goldstone noted, “This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump.”&#160;</p>
<p>This led to a June 9, 2016, meeting between the three Trump advisers and a Russian attorney that Trump Jr. now claims yielded no useful information. (The lawyer has denied representing the Russian government and has said she did not attempt to pass along derogatory information about Clinton.) Perhaps the meeting was a bust. But these Trump men did learn something rather important during this episode, if they were not already aware of it: The Putin regime was on Trump’s side and was looking to help Trump by spreading disparaging material about Clinton. This cannot be denied—the Trump campaign knew Moscow was aiming to intervene in the election to benefit Trump.&#160;</p>
<p>Flash forward…well, you don’t really have to flash forward. Five days later, the news broke that the Democratic National Committee had been hacked. Cyber experts hired by the DNC produced a report pointing to Russian intelligence as the culprit. How did the Trump campaign respond? The next day it released this <a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/donald-trump-opposition-224397" type="external">statement</a>: “We believe it was the DNC that did the ‘hacking’ as a way to distract from the many issues facing their deeply flawed candidate and failed party leader.”</p>
<p>Ponder that spin. Trump’s campaign chief had learned days earlier that the Russians were targeting Clinton. Yet now the campaign was suggesting the Russian hack was a hoax cooked up by the victims.</p>
<p>This pattern continued. On July 22, 2016, WikiLeaks released 22,000 of the hacked DNC emails, causing havoc at the start of the Democratic convention. Since the initial news story of the hack, more cyber experts had concluded Russian intelligence was behind the operation, and now Democrats and Clinton campaign officials immediately raised the issue that Putin was meddling in the election. The Trump campaign responded by dissembling.</p>
<p>Manafort went on ABC’s <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/week-transcript-live-philadelphia-democratic-national-convention/story?id=40825144" type="external">This Week</a>&#160;on July 24 and was asked whether there were connections between the Trump campaign and the Putin regime. “No, there are not, and, you know, there’s no basis to it,” said the man who the previous month had met with an emissary from a Putin crony to receive anti-Clinton material from the Kremlin.</p>
<p>Trump Jr. was even more vociferous. Appearing on CNN, Trump’s oldest son was&#160;asked about the Clinton campaign’s assertion that Russia had hacked the DNC as part of a plot to benefit his father. Shaking his head, he answered, “It’s disgusting. It’s so phony…I can’t think of bigger lies.” Trump Jr. continued, “That exactly goes to show you what the DNC and what the Clinton camp will do. They will lie and do anything to win.”</p>
<p>Both of these men knew that Putin’s government had signaled to the Trump campaign that it wanted to furtively help Trump. Yet here they were each saying there had been no contacts—that was a lie—and dismissing the notion of any Russian involvement.&#160;</p>
<p>Manafort and Trump Jr. were providing cover for Putin’s operation.</p>
<p>The next day, Trump followed suit with a <a href="" type="internal">tweet</a>: “The new joke in town is that Russia leaked the disastrous DNC e-mails, which should never have been written (stupid), because Putin likes me.” A day later, he <a href="" type="internal">reiterated</a> this sentiment: “In order to try and deflect the horror and stupidity of the Wikileakes disaster, the Dems said maybe it is Russia dealing with Trump. Crazy!”</p>
<p>There is no evidence yet that Trump was told about the June 9 meeting and the emails that preceded it—though it seems more likely than not that the meeting would have been mentioned to Trump, especially given that this gathering had been put in motion by Trump’s business partner in Russia. So at the time of these tweets, Trump could well have known that the Putin regime had informed his campaign that it was on his side and wanted to assist him secretly. But if Trump didn’t know, the issuance of these tweets demonstrate that Manafort, Trump Jr., and Kushner were allowing Trump to make claims about the Russia connection they knew to be false.&#160;</p>
<p>Manafort kept up the disinformation campaign. On July 27, he went on&#160; <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/campaign-chair-denies-financial-relationship-between-trump-and-russia/" type="external">CBS This Morning</a>&#160;and said of&#160;Russia,&#160;“We have no relationship.” He then turned to the issue of Clinton’s emails: “The real issue isn’t even the Democratic National Committee’s server being hacked; the real issue is her server.”</p>
<p>In the following months, Trump and his campaign stuck to this line. In each presidential debate, Trump dismissed the notion that Russia was behind the hack. After the election, he would not accept the US intelligence community’s assessment that Russia had mounted this operation to help him win the White House. He routinely referred to the Trump-Russia scandal as a “hoax” and “fake news.”</p>
<p>The Trump Jr. emails demonstrate that through this entire affair, Trump’s top advisers possessed direct inside information indicating Putin’s crew was willing to act clandestinely to boost Trump’s chances. Whenever they discounted the idea that Russia was plotting against Clinton to help Trump—or stood by when Trump did so—they were lying. More important, they were knowingly creating a smokescreen behind which the Putin operation could proceed.</p>
<p>Within criminal law—and it’s unclear if there are criminal implications to the Trump camp’s interactions with Russia—a person who helps a criminal conceal a crime, or who aids an escape or who even fails to report a crime, is known as an accessory after the fact. Trump Jr., Kushner, and Manafort helped keep Russia’s operation a secret. They did not report what they knew about its efforts to intervene in the 2016 campaign.&#160;They did not tell the public that they had evidence that the Russian government was trying to undermine the election. They blew no whistle. They were silent partners in Putin’s enterprise. They were co-conspirators.</p>
<p>With these emails, there is no longer any dispute: The Trump campaign shielded a foreign adversary that sought to destabilize American democracy. By doing so, Trump’s most senior advisers increased the odds Putin’s mission would be accomplished.&#160;</p>
<p>Ashley Dejean&#160;contributed reporting for this article.</p>
<p /> | true | 4 | bill clarkcq roll call via ap weeks ago wrote piece noting whether donald trump colluded vladimir putins covert operation subvert 2016 campaign public record already clear trump knowingly aided abetted russias war us democracy repeatedly ignoring evidence denying moscows role criminal hacking democratic targets subsequent release stolen emails denials muddied storyline prevented vigorous bipartisan response putins attack disclosure week donald trump jrs emails revealing jared kushner paul manafort joined believed secret russian government project disseminate dirt hillary clinton shows trump campaign went far beyond creating political climate favorable putins clandestine assault trump camp actually protected russian intelligence waging information warfare united statesand trumps intimate advisers knew new emails prove first week june 2016 trump jr kushner trumps soninlaw key adviser manafort previous month named trumps campaign chairman chief strategist became aware russian government plot help trump become president received email rob goldstone talent manager helped broker deal trumps miss universe contest held moscow 2013 message subtle stated trumps business partner russia billionaire developer aras agalarov told russias national prosecutor putin crony putin regime wanted convey trump campaign negative material clinton goldstone noted obviously high level sensitive information part russia governments support mr trump160 led june 9 2016 meeting three trump advisers russian attorney trump jr claims yielded useful information lawyer denied representing russian government said attempt pass along derogatory information clinton perhaps meeting bust trump men learn something rather important episode already aware putin regime trumps side looking help trump spreading disparaging material clinton deniedthe trump campaign knew moscow aiming intervene election benefit trump160 flash forwardwell dont really flash forward five days later news broke democratic national committee hacked cyber experts hired dnc produced report pointing russian intelligence culprit trump campaign respond next day released statement believe dnc hacking way distract many issues facing deeply flawed candidate failed party leader ponder spin trumps campaign chief learned days earlier russians targeting clinton yet campaign suggesting russian hack hoax cooked victims pattern continued july 22 2016 wikileaks released 22000 hacked dnc emails causing havoc start democratic convention since initial news story hack cyber experts concluded russian intelligence behind operation democrats clinton campaign officials immediately raised issue putin meddling election trump campaign responded dissembling manafort went abcs week160on july 24 asked whether connections trump campaign putin regime know theres basis said man previous month met emissary putin crony receive anticlinton material kremlin trump jr even vociferous appearing cnn trumps oldest son was160asked clinton campaigns assertion russia hacked dnc part plot benefit father shaking head answered disgusting phonyi cant think bigger lies trump jr continued exactly goes show dnc clinton camp lie anything win men knew putins government signaled trump campaign wanted furtively help trump yet saying contactsthat lieand dismissing notion russian involvement160 manafort trump jr providing cover putins operation next day trump followed suit tweet new joke town russia leaked disastrous dnc emails never written stupid putin likes day later reiterated sentiment order try deflect horror stupidity wikileakes disaster dems said maybe russia dealing trump crazy evidence yet trump told june 9 meeting emails preceded itthough seems likely meeting would mentioned trump especially given gathering put motion trumps business partner russia time tweets trump could well known putin regime informed campaign side wanted assist secretly trump didnt know issuance tweets demonstrate manafort trump jr kushner allowing trump make claims russia connection knew false160 manafort kept disinformation campaign july 27 went on160 cbs morning160and said of160russia160we relationship turned issue clintons emails real issue isnt even democratic national committees server hacked real issue server following months trump campaign stuck line presidential debate trump dismissed notion russia behind hack election would accept us intelligence communitys assessment russia mounted operation help win white house routinely referred trumprussia scandal hoax fake news trump jr emails demonstrate entire affair trumps top advisers possessed direct inside information indicating putins crew willing act clandestinely boost trumps chances whenever discounted idea russia plotting clinton help trumpor stood trump sothey lying important knowingly creating smokescreen behind putin operation could proceed within criminal lawand unclear criminal implications trump camps interactions russiaa person helps criminal conceal crime aids escape even fails report crime known accessory fact trump jr kushner manafort helped keep russias operation secret report knew efforts intervene 2016 campaign160they tell public evidence russian government trying undermine election blew whistle silent partners putins enterprise coconspirators emails longer dispute trump campaign shielded foreign adversary sought destabilize american democracy trumps senior advisers increased odds putins mission would accomplished160 ashley dejean160contributed reporting article | 736 |
<p>Dakotah Lilly is a founding member of the Students &amp; Youth for a New America (SYNA). This organization focusses on democratic solutions to challenges that young Americans face in the age of a deindustrialized and deregulated abusive United States economy. The SYNA addresses the costs of higher education and their exponential increases, while noticing that opportunities opened up by a college degree have significantly decreased. The SYNA intersects social, political, economic and foreign policy agenda items to secure a more peaceful and patriotic nation that young Americans can embrace.</p>
<p>In this interview, Lilly discusses his participation and role in bolstering Venezuelan solidarity and the efforts to beat back unregulated capitalism, acquire more rights for trade unionists and working class people as well as the need for US citizens to utilize media skepticism when it comes to US relations with Venezuela.</p>
<p>Daniel Falcone: Can you discuss your role with <a href="https://www.synamerica.com/about-us/" type="external">SYNA</a> and how the work for this organization relates to specific challenges that Venezuela faces on the ground?</p>
<p>Dakotah Lilly: Well I think SYNA strives to use a lot of the same strategies and methods that the <a href="" type="internal">Bolivarian Revolution</a> utilized not only in Venezuela but also Ecuador, Bolivia, Uruguay, Argentina etc. The “left” in this country long ago stopped trying to court the working class and raise their consciousness much like the political establishment in Venezuela did before Hugo Chavez arrived on the scene. Working class people in the USA should have no problems with Venezuela or their people if anything we should embrace their model of socialist populism to emancipate our own working classes. Venezuela is being sabotages by <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-idUSKCN12S1QD" type="external">conglomerates</a>, financial institutions, and foreign governments such as Colombia and the main perpetrator, the USA. Working class people here need to realize that the working class there has made huge strides over the last decade or so and the government that we live under is trying to attack them for the threat of a good example they pose to the rest of the world, including the US. These are our compatriots, and we should follow in their footsteps, not undermine their progress.</p>
<p>Daniel Falcone: From the US perspective Venezuela is a helpless country that suffers economic downturn as a result of following a socialist set of governmental and economic principles. How does this present a distortion and what is the purpose of such a distortion?&#160;</p>
<p>Dakotah Lilly: Again this ignores the campaign of economic terrorism and sabotage Venezuela faces from internal oligarchic forces, and international capitalists. The <a href="" type="internal">US-backed opposition</a> has set food destined for shelves for the poor on fire, 50 tons of food these terrorists destroyed to undermine the revolution! Large companies have their warehouses searched and are found to be hoarding tons of food, diapers, cooking oil, and other necessities. Currency speculation is rampant, <a href="" type="internal">oil price manipulation</a> has revved up, and violence on the side of the opposition has soared to devastating levels. It’s much easier for the capitalist media to say all of this is because of socialism, when in reality it is because of capitalism and its marionettes! They try to distort it because the Bolivarian Revolution and Socialism show that a better world for the people is possible, not just a world for the rich squalid class.</p>
<p>Daniel Falcone: The liberal <a href="" type="internal">New York Times</a> is considered a leftist publication by conservative standards in the US but still winds up having a corporate perspective of the developing world. Venezuela is not an actor but a place simply to be acted upon. Aside from this problematic nature of coverage can you comment on an actual leftist publication like Jacobin and its mixed coverage on Venezuela?</p>
<p>Dakotah Lilly: When times get tough, some people retreat. These so called “leftist” publications have a hard time contextualizing the problems Venezuela is facing. When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and some people find it easier to double down and parrot the same corporate state department lies they previously fought against. Many publications had nothing but good things to say about Venezuela and other left populist movements, but as soon as the ruling class uses its usual tactics, they fall in line. It’s unfortunate more than anything.</p>
<p>Daniel Falcone: <a href="" type="internal">Mercy Benzaquen</a> of The New York Times came out with a piece that highlighted Venezuelan “economic failures.” It comments on the price of groceries skyrocketing, overspending in an era of high oil prices, the seizing of private property to halt food production and controlling the currency. This, and more, were all done on one half of a page featuring very oversimplified graphs and charts. What is exactly taking place here?</p>
<p>Dakotah Lilly: Again, more oversimplification and distortion of the situation in Venezuela. Nobody says that certain problems do not exist, inflation for example, but the difference lies in our ability to dig deeper and think critically about the issues facing Venezuela. When I took Macroeconomics I always made a fuss about the prevalence of graphs being used to explain economic activities and problems. Graphs never show the full picture, and again, lack context. Did this NYT piece say anything about the opposition burning tons of food? Of companies being restarted by the workers and producing again when the corporations refused to produce? Of the <a href="https://venezuelanalysis.com/tag/claps" type="external">CLAP program</a> which provides basic groceries to working class Venezuelans? It’s more propaganda. Articles that think and question critically tend to be longer, but are much more worth the read than repetition of capitalist and imperialist lies.</p>
<p>Daniel Falcone: Professor <a href="" type="internal">Noam Chomsky</a> supported Hugo Chavez and his significant achievements and policy objectives in defying western orthodoxy but remarked later on after Chavez served the latter part of his term that he acquired a concentration of executive powers and started delving out political decisions counterintuitive to the agenda that allowed him to acquire office initially. Chomsky is an extremely sensible scholar and activist so I wanted to ask, how can we separate US hypocrisy from government challenges that <a href="" type="internal">Maduro</a> may now face as he attempts to further integrate the Venezuelan economy?&#160;</p>
<p>Dakotah Lilly: I think this relates to the Jacobin question. Many western leftists loved Chavez (as they should) but stopped supporting him when he actually posed a threat to the empire and the oligarchy; they also have this problem with Maduro. They don’t like it when movements don’t follow their prewritten rule books to a T. Fidel Castro said <a href="" type="internal">“Revolution is not a bed of roses”</a> and he was right! Many western leftists don’t understand this and think challenging capitalism and imperialism can only be done with hugs and flowers, when obviously this is not the case.</p>
<p>The opposition in Venezuela is setting black <a href="" type="internal">Chavistas</a> on fire, and people in the west have a problem when the revolution must respond? Outrageous! Imagine if police officers were being attacked and murdered like here like they are right now in Venezuela. We would have martial law! Certainly not an election for an assembly of peace! Many people end up doing the empires work for them without (or perhaps while) knowing it. I say to them, defend the revolution, defend the people of Venezuela, defend their sovereignty, their independence, and critically examine who you end up on the same side as when you carelessly criticize Maduro, Chavez, and Venezuela.</p>
<p>Daniel Falcone is an independent journalist, interviewer, researcher, activist and teacher. He has a graduate degree in modern American history and first started interviewing public intellectuals Howard Zinn and Noam Chomsky after September 11, 2001. He writes for several publications that cover current affairs, political science, history and education. He teaches and resides in New York City. Follow him on Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/DanielFalcone7" type="external">@DanielFalcone7</a>.</p> | true | 4 | dakotah lilly founding member students amp youth new america syna organization focusses democratic solutions challenges young americans face age deindustrialized deregulated abusive united states economy syna addresses costs higher education exponential increases noticing opportunities opened college degree significantly decreased syna intersects social political economic foreign policy agenda items secure peaceful patriotic nation young americans embrace interview lilly discusses participation role bolstering venezuelan solidarity efforts beat back unregulated capitalism acquire rights trade unionists working class people well need us citizens utilize media skepticism comes us relations venezuela daniel falcone discuss role syna work organization relates specific challenges venezuela faces ground dakotah lilly well think syna strives use lot strategies methods bolivarian revolution utilized venezuela also ecuador bolivia uruguay argentina etc left country long ago stopped trying court working class raise consciousness much like political establishment venezuela hugo chavez arrived scene working class people usa problems venezuela people anything embrace model socialist populism emancipate working classes venezuela sabotages conglomerates financial institutions foreign governments colombia main perpetrator usa working class people need realize working class made huge strides last decade government live trying attack threat good example pose rest world including us compatriots follow footsteps undermine progress daniel falcone us perspective venezuela helpless country suffers economic downturn result following socialist set governmental economic principles present distortion purpose distortion160 dakotah lilly ignores campaign economic terrorism sabotage venezuela faces internal oligarchic forces international capitalists usbacked opposition set food destined shelves poor fire 50 tons food terrorists destroyed undermine revolution large companies warehouses searched found hoarding tons food diapers cooking oil necessities currency speculation rampant oil price manipulation revved violence side opposition soared devastating levels much easier capitalist media say socialism reality capitalism marionettes try distort bolivarian revolution socialism show better world people possible world rich squalid class daniel falcone liberal new york times considered leftist publication conservative standards us still winds corporate perspective developing world venezuela actor place simply acted upon aside problematic nature coverage comment actual leftist publication like jacobin mixed coverage venezuela dakotah lilly times get tough people retreat called leftist publications hard time contextualizing problems venezuela facing going gets tough tough get going people find easier double parrot corporate state department lies previously fought many publications nothing good things say venezuela left populist movements soon ruling class uses usual tactics fall line unfortunate anything daniel falcone mercy benzaquen new york times came piece highlighted venezuelan economic failures comments price groceries skyrocketing overspending era high oil prices seizing private property halt food production controlling currency done one half page featuring oversimplified graphs charts exactly taking place dakotah lilly oversimplification distortion situation venezuela nobody says certain problems exist inflation example difference lies ability dig deeper think critically issues facing venezuela took macroeconomics always made fuss prevalence graphs used explain economic activities problems graphs never show full picture lack context nyt piece say anything opposition burning tons food companies restarted workers producing corporations refused produce clap program provides basic groceries working class venezuelans propaganda articles think question critically tend longer much worth read repetition capitalist imperialist lies daniel falcone professor noam chomsky supported hugo chavez significant achievements policy objectives defying western orthodoxy remarked later chavez served latter part term acquired concentration executive powers started delving political decisions counterintuitive agenda allowed acquire office initially chomsky extremely sensible scholar activist wanted ask separate us hypocrisy government challenges maduro may face attempts integrate venezuelan economy160 dakotah lilly think relates jacobin question many western leftists loved chavez stopped supporting actually posed threat empire oligarchy also problem maduro dont like movements dont follow prewritten rule books fidel castro said revolution bed roses right many western leftists dont understand think challenging capitalism imperialism done hugs flowers obviously case opposition venezuela setting black chavistas fire people west problem revolution must respond outrageous imagine police officers attacked murdered like like right venezuela would martial law certainly election assembly peace many people end empires work without perhaps knowing say defend revolution defend people venezuela defend sovereignty independence critically examine end side carelessly criticize maduro chavez venezuela daniel falcone independent journalist interviewer researcher activist teacher graduate degree modern american history first started interviewing public intellectuals howard zinn noam chomsky september 11 2001 writes several publications cover current affairs political science history education teaches resides new york city follow twitter danielfalcone7 | 705 |
<p>2013 will see Iranian influence in the Middle East continue a decline that began with the Arab upheavals of 2011. Iran’s two major allies in the Arab world are Syria and Lebanon. In Lebanon, Iran arms the Shiite party-militia Hizbullah, and does so overland through Iraq and Syria. Since Israel controls the Mediterranean off Lebanon and can, when it wants to, control Lebanese air space, the land corridor for Iranian supplies to Hizbullah is key to the latter’s ability to confront Israeli expansionism into Lebanese territory.</p>
<p>Hizbullah could well have its Iranian lifeline cut. Its secretary-general, Hassan Nasrullah, has come out strongly in favor of the government of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, because both of them are Iranian clients. If Syria falls to the Sunni Arab revolutionaries, the latter will have a grudge toward both Iran and Hizbullah for supporting the Baath government, and will likely cut the latter off from resupply through Syrian territory. Instead, Syrian support will go to the Sunnis of Beirut, Sidon, Tripoli, Akkar and the Biqa Valley.</p>
<p>Between 2003 and 2012 the United States, in a fit of absent-mindedness, made Iran a regional hegemon. Washington overthrew the Taliban in Afghanistan and delivered it into the hands of the Northern Alliance, a set of strong Iran allies. A brake on Iranian influence in Afghanistan was removed. Then the Bush administration overthrew Saddam Hussein, the Sunni ruler who subjected the Shiite majority and stood as a barrier to Iranian penetration of the Middle East. Without meaning to, the US brought to power a religious Shiite government that naturally allied with Iran. Then the US Congress targeted Syria for deep sanctions and the Bush hawks drove it firmly into the arms of Iran. The Bush administration backed Israel’s attack on Lebanon in 2006, which strengthened the Shiite party-militia Hizbullah, which now is a key backer of the government of Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati. The pro-Iran capitals stretched from Kabul to Beirut (light blue in the map below), and Iran suddenly became a much bigger player in Levantine affairs than it had been in the 1990s. The Israeli security establishment, indeed, fingered Tehran as their most pressing threat. Iran was lionized in the Arab world for supporting Hizbullah against Israel in the 2006 Israel-Lebanon War.</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/01/iran_me1.jpg" type="external" /></p>
<p>If al-Assad falls in Syria and is replaced by a Sunni government of revolutionaries, they will be beholden to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey (and Libya), all of them Wahhabi or Sunni powers. They will likely punish Hizbullah for its support of the Baath government, and will support Sunni forces, including the Muslim Brotherhood, in Lebanese politics. If Hizbullah can’t replenish its stock of rockets, its geopolitical significance could decline, even as that of the Sunni Muslim Brotherhood rises. The partitions in the following map, of Iraq and Afghanistan, are meant only to depict the regional divide over foreign policy, not to suggest an actual break-up of these countries (but who knows?)</p>
<p>What the Middle East might look like if Damascus falls to the revolutionaries:</p>
<p><a href="/images/2013/01/iran_me22.jpg" type="external" /></p>
<p>A Sunni-dominated Syria might well exert influence in northern and western Iraq far beyond what Shiite-dominated Baghdad does. The <a href="" type="internal">Sunni Arabs of central, western and northern Iraq are chafing</a> under the rule of Shiite religious parties, and resent Iranian influence. Mosul (now Nineva) Province famously was undecided after World War I which country to join– Turkey, Syria or Iraq. At Versailles, Clemenceau cavalierly gave Lloyd George Mosul for Iraq. The story is that Lloyd George felt he had gotten Mosul so easily that he regretted not having asked for more from his French colleague. Anyway, you wonder if Mosul’s choices might not open up again in the coming years, a century after Clemenceau’s friendly gesture to the UK.</p>
<p>Likewise, as the US withdraws from Afghanistan through 2013, with a final withdrawal of active combat troops in 2014, Iran’s allies in that country could be weakened in the face of a resurgent, Pakistan- backed Taliban.</p>
<p>The Muslim Brotherhood will likely benefit from Iran’s decline. If the new Sunni government in Damascus is tinged with Brotherhood influence, it may well reach out to Cairo and forge the strongest Egypt-Syria alliance we have seen since the failure of the United Arab Republic (comprised of Egypt and Syria, 1958-1961).</p>
<p>The Israel lobbies in the United States have pushed for a US war on Iran, which the Obama administration seems unwilling to pursue. In the absence of military action, AIPAC and groups to their right (the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, the American Enterprise Institute, the Washington Institute for Near East Policy) have succeeded in persuading the US Congress to impose a financial blockade on Iran, extending even to throwing up financial obstacles to the sale of Iranian petroleum.</p>
<p>But what if all this time the Israel lobbies were barking up the wrong tree? What if, even without US sanctions, Iran is geo=politically in decline?</p>
<p>A new, Sunni coalition in the Levant would group Lebanese Sunnis with Palestinians (whether PLO or Hamas); would rule Damascus and Cairo; and might well give extraordinary support to the Palestinians, especially to Hamas (an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood itself). It may be that not Tyre but Khan Yunis is the greater security threat to Israel in the new Middle East that is forming before our eyes. Sunni activists may well be much more committed to giving practical help to the PLO and Hamas than was al-Assad, who merely paid lip service to the plight of the Palestinians.</p>
<p>A Sunni, and possibly Muslim Brotherhood Syria could thus emerge as a major player, in Arab-Israeli affairs but also in northern Iraq. And, the salience of the Jordanian monarchy is reduced in case things develop in this direction.</p>
<p>A Sunni-dominated Levant would not necessarily be hostile to the US, though it is likely to bear some grudges for US inaction in Syria. But it would likely be severely hostile to Israel. A galvanized Syrian population and a revolutionary government, plus their support for the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, could introduce dangerous new frictions, at a time when the Likud Party in Israel is moving even further to the right. Increased Syrian-Israel tension is likely to be one outcome. A strengthened Hamas might well be another (Hamas is realigning away from Syria-Iran and toward Egypt-FSA).</p>
<p>Iran is far from Israel/Palestine and has limited clients in that region. If it is forced out of the Levant, it will lose a talking point in domestic elections at most. Israel on the other hand is rather outnumbered by Egypt and Syria, both of them immediate neighbors.</p> | true | 4 | 2013 see iranian influence middle east continue decline began arab upheavals 2011 irans two major allies arab world syria lebanon lebanon iran arms shiite partymilitia hizbullah overland iraq syria since israel controls mediterranean lebanon wants control lebanese air space land corridor iranian supplies hizbullah key latters ability confront israeli expansionism lebanese territory hizbullah could well iranian lifeline cut secretarygeneral hassan nasrullah come strongly favor government bashar alassad syria iranian clients syria falls sunni arab revolutionaries latter grudge toward iran hizbullah supporting baath government likely cut latter resupply syrian territory instead syrian support go sunnis beirut sidon tripoli akkar biqa valley 2003 2012 united states fit absentmindedness made iran regional hegemon washington overthrew taliban afghanistan delivered hands northern alliance set strong iran allies brake iranian influence afghanistan removed bush administration overthrew saddam hussein sunni ruler subjected shiite majority stood barrier iranian penetration middle east without meaning us brought power religious shiite government naturally allied iran us congress targeted syria deep sanctions bush hawks drove firmly arms iran bush administration backed israels attack lebanon 2006 strengthened shiite partymilitia hizbullah key backer government lebanese prime minister najib miqati proiran capitals stretched kabul beirut light blue map iran suddenly became much bigger player levantine affairs 1990s israeli security establishment indeed fingered tehran pressing threat iran lionized arab world supporting hizbullah israel 2006 israellebanon war alassad falls syria replaced sunni government revolutionaries beholden saudi arabia qatar turkey libya wahhabi sunni powers likely punish hizbullah support baath government support sunni forces including muslim brotherhood lebanese politics hizbullah cant replenish stock rockets geopolitical significance could decline even sunni muslim brotherhood rises partitions following map iraq afghanistan meant depict regional divide foreign policy suggest actual breakup countries knows middle east might look like damascus falls revolutionaries sunnidominated syria might well exert influence northern western iraq far beyond shiitedominated baghdad sunni arabs central western northern iraq chafing rule shiite religious parties resent iranian influence mosul nineva province famously undecided world war country join turkey syria iraq versailles clemenceau cavalierly gave lloyd george mosul iraq story lloyd george felt gotten mosul easily regretted asked french colleague anyway wonder mosuls choices might open coming years century clemenceaus friendly gesture uk likewise us withdraws afghanistan 2013 final withdrawal active combat troops 2014 irans allies country could weakened face resurgent pakistan backed taliban muslim brotherhood likely benefit irans decline new sunni government damascus tinged brotherhood influence may well reach cairo forge strongest egyptsyria alliance seen since failure united arab republic comprised egypt syria 19581961 israel lobbies united states pushed us war iran obama administration seems unwilling pursue absence military action aipac groups right jewish institute national security affairs american enterprise institute washington institute near east policy succeeded persuading us congress impose financial blockade iran extending even throwing financial obstacles sale iranian petroleum time israel lobbies barking wrong tree even without us sanctions iran geopolitically decline new sunni coalition levant would group lebanese sunnis palestinians whether plo hamas would rule damascus cairo might well give extraordinary support palestinians especially hamas offshoot muslim brotherhood may tyre khan yunis greater security threat israel new middle east forming eyes sunni activists may well much committed giving practical help plo hamas alassad merely paid lip service plight palestinians sunni possibly muslim brotherhood syria could thus emerge major player arabisraeli affairs also northern iraq salience jordanian monarchy reduced case things develop direction sunnidominated levant would necessarily hostile us though likely bear grudges us inaction syria would likely severely hostile israel galvanized syrian population revolutionary government plus support palestinians west bank gaza could introduce dangerous new frictions time likud party israel moving even right increased syrianisrael tension likely one outcome strengthened hamas might well another hamas realigning away syriairan toward egyptfsa iran far israelpalestine limited clients region forced levant lose talking point domestic elections israel hand rather outnumbered egypt syria immediate neighbors | 632 |
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