Hi Diana, yes propaganda is fascinating, both in its ability to briadcast bald faced lies and on how effective it is. Given how cynical we, (or some of us) are, that's quite the feat.
Two items I saw recently have given me cause for a glimmer of hope. One is that 29% of non voters in recent US election who had voted Biden in 2020, said that the Gaza genocide was their #1 reason to stay home.
And second one is that an increasing number of US military veterans are choosing to campaign against war.
Cheers to you for continuing to fight for what's right. 💕
"The first casualty of war is truth." Diana, that is the absolute TRUTH. Thank you for this thoughtful and informative post (and for the vibrant painting!).
Populations of the West are suffering Stockholm Syndrome. We are complicit with the politicians we who hold us captive to their profuse criminality. Silence is complicity and we are much too passive and much too complicit .
And when we don't realize that we're being manipulated, how free are we really? I think if people actually knew what was going on they'd be outraged, which is, I guess, the reason there's so much censorship and mis- and disinformation, Najwan.
The outgoing administration has always insisted that we're not at war and no US troops are engaged in combat anywhere, but all government press releases refer to our enemies or our adversaries. Early in the war in Ukraine, those channels started talking about the coming war with China. Just who decided that there would be a war with China? I never heard that from the Chinese. The Enemy apparently is any country that doesn't roll over and submit to the neocon dogma of the Empire.
The old adage "Follow the money," will serve you well every single time.
Who profits from this conflict/war/genocide/coup d'etat? The profiteers are the ones who are pulling all the strings in order to keep their hidden agenda away from prying eyes. Follow the money to who is really the cause of all our troubles. Then boycott, divest and sanction them out of existence.
A quote from Martin Heidegger: "It [truth] is come at by a process, a coming into being of something; and that process is also, importantly, part of the truth. It is an act, a journey, not a thing. It has degrees. It is found by removing things, rather than by putting things together."
My favorite quote is from Nils Melzer: "The problem really is not that wee do not know the truth, but that we do not want to know it.
Great quotes, Diane. Thanks. I think people do cling to their illusions. It's hard to face the truth sometimes, especially when it challenges deeply held beliefs.
I'm hoping more and more people are waking up to this Diana. I'm glad I came across your voice of reason and humanity here on Substack. Thank you 🙏🏽 ❤️🕊️,Dx
Putin's illegal and villainous invasion of Ukraine is the result of a long-term NATO strategy that used Putin's limited options against him.
This dynamic, where the 'good guys' leverage dishonesty and strategic maneuvers to trap the 'bad guys,' plays out all over the world. It’s a global paradigm of conflict where power structures prioritize dominance over transparency or equity. Because the bad guys are worse, we justify our own disingenuousness and conveniently dismiss the collateral damage.
But millions suffer.
Whether in Ukraine, Gaza, or countless other places, this cycle feeds itself endlessly: deceit in the name of 'freedom' or 'security' breeds mistrust and perpetuates harm. The world doesn’t need better villains—it needs honest leadership that doesn’t rely on manipulation and exploitation as the price for its moral high ground.
Growing up after WW2, comics, books and films were mostly about the exploits and adventures of war heroes and other cowboys. We kids fell for it. Particularly the boys. Girls were mostly relegated to kitchens and mooning about babies. Brainwashing for all. During my own stint as a Big Oil weapon of war, I saw the terrible realities. In civilian life, mixing with Uni students I discovered the truths of Economic manipulation. We are still being fooled.....
Hi Diana, yes propaganda is fascinating, both in its ability to briadcast bald faced lies and on how effective it is. Given how cynical we, (or some of us) are, that's quite the feat.
Two items I saw recently have given me cause for a glimmer of hope. One is that 29% of non voters in recent US election who had voted Biden in 2020, said that the Gaza genocide was their #1 reason to stay home.
And second one is that an increasing number of US military veterans are choosing to campaign against war.
Cheers to you for continuing to fight for what's right. 💕
"The first casualty of war is truth." Diana, that is the absolute TRUTH. Thank you for this thoughtful and informative post (and for the vibrant painting!).
And thanks for your always encouraging comments, Leon. I really appreciate them.
Great work. Thank you?
Thank you!!
Populations of the West are suffering Stockholm Syndrome. We are complicit with the politicians we who hold us captive to their profuse criminality. Silence is complicity and we are much too passive and much too complicit .
Well put, Robert. We can't afford our silence, passivity or complicity.
A human free to think can accomplish much. Unfortunately we continue to choose our digital chains and indoctrinated ways.
🇵🇸♥️🙏
And when we don't realize that we're being manipulated, how free are we really? I think if people actually knew what was going on they'd be outraged, which is, I guess, the reason there's so much censorship and mis- and disinformation, Najwan.
Thanks for commenting.
Yes you're right that's why I suppose am a pendulum wave of mad and sad to a world so quiet and unsuspecting...
Every day is proving one to scream out, "STOP THE GENOCIDE!!!"
🇵🇸💔🙏
And it continues despite the so-called ceasefire. How do people trust Israel?!
Najwan, did you see Ann Remnant's comment below? It looks like fewer citizens of the USA are falling for the usual BS.
I did not, but I will now. And god I sure hope so... it's about time world don't ya think...?
Viva la 🇵🇸
The outgoing administration has always insisted that we're not at war and no US troops are engaged in combat anywhere, but all government press releases refer to our enemies or our adversaries. Early in the war in Ukraine, those channels started talking about the coming war with China. Just who decided that there would be a war with China? I never heard that from the Chinese. The Enemy apparently is any country that doesn't roll over and submit to the neocon dogma of the Empire.
Ya, the double speak and war mongering coming out of the USA are staggering, aren't they, Robert? I wish more people would see through it.
The old adage "Follow the money," will serve you well every single time.
Who profits from this conflict/war/genocide/coup d'etat? The profiteers are the ones who are pulling all the strings in order to keep their hidden agenda away from prying eyes. Follow the money to who is really the cause of all our troubles. Then boycott, divest and sanction them out of existence.
I agree with both of your points.
A quote from Martin Heidegger: "It [truth] is come at by a process, a coming into being of something; and that process is also, importantly, part of the truth. It is an act, a journey, not a thing. It has degrees. It is found by removing things, rather than by putting things together."
My favorite quote is from Nils Melzer: "The problem really is not that wee do not know the truth, but that we do not want to know it.
Great quotes, Diane. Thanks. I think people do cling to their illusions. It's hard to face the truth sometimes, especially when it challenges deeply held beliefs.
And deeply held illusions!
I'm hoping more and more people are waking up to this Diana. I'm glad I came across your voice of reason and humanity here on Substack. Thank you 🙏🏽 ❤️🕊️,Dx
Thank you! I hope more people are waking up to this, but am noticing that a lot of people are still being sucked into some pretty weird stuff.
Putin's illegal and villainous invasion of Ukraine is the result of a long-term NATO strategy that used Putin's limited options against him.
This dynamic, where the 'good guys' leverage dishonesty and strategic maneuvers to trap the 'bad guys,' plays out all over the world. It’s a global paradigm of conflict where power structures prioritize dominance over transparency or equity. Because the bad guys are worse, we justify our own disingenuousness and conveniently dismiss the collateral damage.
But millions suffer.
Whether in Ukraine, Gaza, or countless other places, this cycle feeds itself endlessly: deceit in the name of 'freedom' or 'security' breeds mistrust and perpetuates harm. The world doesn’t need better villains—it needs honest leadership that doesn’t rely on manipulation and exploitation as the price for its moral high ground.
Hi Eric,
Are the bad guys worse? I'm not sure. I'm sure of very little these days. Thanks for commenting.
Growing up after WW2, comics, books and films were mostly about the exploits and adventures of war heroes and other cowboys. We kids fell for it. Particularly the boys. Girls were mostly relegated to kitchens and mooning about babies. Brainwashing for all. During my own stint as a Big Oil weapon of war, I saw the terrible realities. In civilian life, mixing with Uni students I discovered the truths of Economic manipulation. We are still being fooled.....
Great work, thank you Diana. This article of yours should be included in schools curriculum so that young minds benefit from it.