Words of wisdom for the new year. NATO's reason for existence expired more than three decades ago. Since then it has been nothing but an arm of US imperialism. Its continued existence precludes any chance of peace in the world.
I've heard rumblings that NATO will crumble, Robert, and I hope they're right. Spending all those tax dollars on killing and destroying innocent people when people in western countries are hungry and homeless is criminal. As is so much money being funnelled to the already rich. Our systems need a reboot.
I love it. I think that same thread of thought a lot these days. The world’s resources are abundant and sufficient for all to live in united global harmony. We elect as beings to instead erect our manmade systems and claims of processes. So only the groups of people the elites choose to spare are accommodated the good life…
"We need to share as much of this as possible to provide others who seem to be sleepwalking through their lives with a mirror. They and we must all see ourselves again or perhaps for the first time as participants in, not spectators of, history and current events." This interesting remark I gleaned from another Substack to share here. In a sense it's true that our screens serve as a mirror unless we learn how to use them educationally. Knowing how to ask pertinent questions is essential to education while our schooling and screens merely prepares us with stock answers.
I agree with you completely as seeing ourselves as participants in and not just spectators of history and current events, Mario. And about asking pertinent questions.
"Why is it that here in the west, we’re supposed to want big houses, big cars and lots of money?" Sadly, it is not only the west that is pushed to consume consume consume. Others want to emulate America. We need to start in kindergarten or before teaching our children and ourselves that money is not happiness and the things it buys are destroying the planet.
I believe you, Susan, that it's not just here in the west. But the west is what I know. I hope western influence is waning, and we learn a new aesthetic that will help us find some semblance of balance.
Capitalism needs to go. Our climate is in crisis and we need to stop consuming. Now. That means we need to stop fomenting wars because that is just another means of consumption, making a few very rich and destroying our planet in the process.
Great way to begin this newer year. A dear friend said this years ago when we were confronting a mental health crisis epidemic on her reservation and us white folks were spending too much time discussing and wringing hands: "If you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem."
That got my attention. We can't wait for someone else or the government to initiate solutions...because they won't. We're the solution. Thanks Diana for a brilliant set of bulletin points we can copy and paste and I mean literally to bathroom walls, city halls, school halls and anywhere folks need to be reminded they have the power to make changes.
Thanks, Yvonne. I'm sure there are more that can be added to the list.
I post the stuff about boycotting and buying a keffiyeh on every post, since I think both of these actions are effective. And the post-its are a fantastic way of raising awareness.
Great heaps of earth’s wealth is hidden in tax shelters and black budgets …it will not be so simple to extract those gold bars from their guardians… there is certainly enough in an unaccountable Trillion dollar US military budget to get the wheels running for an end to hunger, lack of education and poor housing conditions…and polluted water supplies…without running the diesel on your Mercedes for half an hour or more while sitting in Dominos pizza yakking on the phone or whatever else people do in a pizza parlor…
The truths of our times are the flowers that must be brought into full blossom.
Beautifully and poetically put, Robert.
Great ideas and messages, Diana to start this year. Everything starts with a dream before it can become reality 💗
And sometimes those dreams of ours need a bit of adjustment, Susan, for the better. Happy 2025 to you.
Words of wisdom for the new year. NATO's reason for existence expired more than three decades ago. Since then it has been nothing but an arm of US imperialism. Its continued existence precludes any chance of peace in the world.
I've heard rumblings that NATO will crumble, Robert, and I hope they're right. Spending all those tax dollars on killing and destroying innocent people when people in western countries are hungry and homeless is criminal. As is so much money being funnelled to the already rich. Our systems need a reboot.
Happy 2025!
I love it. I think that same thread of thought a lot these days. The world’s resources are abundant and sufficient for all to live in united global harmony. We elect as beings to instead erect our manmade systems and claims of processes. So only the groups of people the elites choose to spare are accommodated the good life…
Happy 2025 habeebti. And viva la 🇵🇸
Happy 2025 to you too, Najwan. And viva la 🇵🇸 always. ❤️
♥️♥️
"We need to share as much of this as possible to provide others who seem to be sleepwalking through their lives with a mirror. They and we must all see ourselves again or perhaps for the first time as participants in, not spectators of, history and current events." This interesting remark I gleaned from another Substack to share here. In a sense it's true that our screens serve as a mirror unless we learn how to use them educationally. Knowing how to ask pertinent questions is essential to education while our schooling and screens merely prepares us with stock answers.
I agree with you completely as seeing ourselves as participants in and not just spectators of history and current events, Mario. And about asking pertinent questions.
Happy New Year!
Your dream home is possible. We’re already doing it, and it’s not as hard as you think it might be.
Hey, that's great news! Thanks for letting me know.
"Why is it that here in the west, we’re supposed to want big houses, big cars and lots of money?" Sadly, it is not only the west that is pushed to consume consume consume. Others want to emulate America. We need to start in kindergarten or before teaching our children and ourselves that money is not happiness and the things it buys are destroying the planet.
I believe you, Susan, that it's not just here in the west. But the west is what I know. I hope western influence is waning, and we learn a new aesthetic that will help us find some semblance of balance.
Capitalism needs to go. Our climate is in crisis and we need to stop consuming. Now. That means we need to stop fomenting wars because that is just another means of consumption, making a few very rich and destroying our planet in the process.
Paradise awaits those with beautiful patience.
Let's hope so, Raymond. I see a lot of patient actors on the world stage, and I hope they have a plan that brings a just peace.
I couldn't agree more, Susan.
excellent post and excellent points.
"No one needs billions of dollars, and those who have that much money need to be taxed fairly, so we can fund this stuff."
100%
I'm glad you think so too, Elizabeth. Hopefully 2025 will be the year we change things for the better.
"Peace is beautiful."
It is. It certainly is. Thanks for the suggestions to make a more beautiful world.
I felt we needed a bit of beauty. Thanks for appreciating it.
Great way to begin this newer year. A dear friend said this years ago when we were confronting a mental health crisis epidemic on her reservation and us white folks were spending too much time discussing and wringing hands: "If you're not part of the solution you're part of the problem."
That got my attention. We can't wait for someone else or the government to initiate solutions...because they won't. We're the solution. Thanks Diana for a brilliant set of bulletin points we can copy and paste and I mean literally to bathroom walls, city halls, school halls and anywhere folks need to be reminded they have the power to make changes.
Thanks, Yvonne. I'm sure there are more that can be added to the list.
I post the stuff about boycotting and buying a keffiyeh on every post, since I think both of these actions are effective. And the post-its are a fantastic way of raising awareness.
Happy 2025 to you!
What we need is a major housecleaning from the top down!
That's for sure, Diane! Humanity's task for 2025.✊🏼
Great heaps of earth’s wealth is hidden in tax shelters and black budgets …it will not be so simple to extract those gold bars from their guardians… there is certainly enough in an unaccountable Trillion dollar US military budget to get the wheels running for an end to hunger, lack of education and poor housing conditions…and polluted water supplies…without running the diesel on your Mercedes for half an hour or more while sitting in Dominos pizza yakking on the phone or whatever else people do in a pizza parlor…