Diana, thank you for the very thoughtful and articulate presentation today. Your analysis was accurate, sensible and compassionate. I don’t know if we will change this insane and draconian state of affairs, but adopting your perspective is undoubtedly key. Thank you!
Thanks, Maurice. I hope we all continue to support each other in this struggle. We're up against so much big money...but there are so many of us, and many are getting organized.
Thanks Diana. Sadly, this seems to summarise the basic problem illustrated by the aphorism "when the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail." When violence is the tool of choice, and when it is justified as part of one's identity/destiny, then the bigger hammer the better. Think of the uncountable trillions in wealth syphoned into the coffers of the US, even since WWII. Much of that was invested in its capacity to wage violent war and to metastasise across the globe, infecting countries or eating them out from the inside to leave only a fragile shell which disguises US interests. The aggression also caused non-conforming nations to 'weapon-up' as a deterrent to predation by the empire. Empires are rarely benevolent. They proceed and enlarge by might until they eventually reach some limit which is difficult to foresee. They weaken internally and become more vulnerable to corruption and decay. It's there now for anyone who wants to look. The problem we have today in a close-coupled globalised context, where all manner of WMD have proliferated, is that imperial conflict can no longer be a self-limiting clash or a contained demise. The unipolar US hegemon is fighting for its survival on multiple fronts. This will further impoverish the US populace while forcing its instruments of expressed power to act in more desperate ways (potentially adding to internal tensions - ref Blinken versus Pentagon). Pressurising the populace is a risk which can cut either way, and which will test the multi-generational indoctrination programs. The citizenry might be encouraged to blame others for their conditions and rally in support of the theatrical narrative of a venerable nation fighting external enemies. Or the citizenry might rise in revolt against the enemy within the gates. Or it might revisit the old wounds of civil war and racial conflict. Violent conflict has always been engineered by deception, false flags, covert infiltration, lurking threats. We are vulnerable to being deceived, even by our own investment in narrative and identity. If we can break free of that limited self-understanding, we will reframe conflict in the way you describe. May it happen before it's too late.
That's the question, isn't it: which way will the populations of the western world go?
It's sobering to witness how fascism and the western power brokers support each other. I wonder if these people blaming immigrants and basically anyone who isn't white realize what they're actually supporting. I think they think they're radical in some ways, but are just playing into the forces that oppress them and everyone else.
Thanks for tor the great summary. The only thing I would add the overwhelming success of Israel’s Hasbara PR campaign in keeping US ( & probably all western minds) controlled for decades to 1) promote image of Israeli victimhood, 2) distract from their illegal occupation & decades long Apartheid rule& land theft through their settlements and 3) convince the American public (& buy Congress) to obediently gift a foreign country billions of $ of our hard earned tax dollars yearly without debate or public objection. We’ve been had…. Just check out this informative documentary to learn more about the devious Israeli thought control of American minds for decades:
Hi Sadie. I agree with the points you made. To be honest, lately I haven't had the time to watch videos, and there are so many good ones that have been recommended to me.
This one is worth watching it totally changed my view of Israel and our governments treatment of allowing a foreign entity to control the propaganda we have been hearing for decades. But it sounds like you might already be aware of these facts. Cheers 😊
I really urge folks to check out the book "JFK and the Unspeakable" to better understand the dark psychopathy underlying all we are seeing; the open, arrogant evil. The "Unspeakable" is the term used by monk and peace activist Thomas Merton to describe those behind JFK's murder. Read it and you see what is happening today.
As we send countless billions off to Israel and Ukraine, as I write, fellow Americans are dying in North Carolina because the resources are not available to rescue them from the hurricane devastation. Dead bodies are lodged in trees by the floodwater, hundreds are missing, and volunteer rescuers are being turned away and threatened with arrest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcBRaRcK2So
The biggest enemy we face is not overseas. It is here at home, our corporate-controlled government 'by, for and of the ... wealthy".
When our governments condemn other governments, Mark, I now assume that they're doing something right. The governments they overthrow are usually taking care of their populations and not allowing transnationals to steal their resources.
"And reporters telling the truth about what’s happening on the ground are being muzzled", yes, they are being muzzled by being charged with terrorism. It is insane. Who benefits from this insanity? People who think being rich means you are successful. Why they are playing nuclear roulette is impossible to understand. From my perspective, they are either uninformed, insane, or just plain stupid. Or all three. Or something else.
Hi Susan, I checked with another writer who knows much more about BRICS than I do and here's part of that response: "Many years of entanglements that can't be easily cut, or seem that way."
I thought about the article, and think it's a lot different having economic ties than what the west is doing, namely arming, financing and providing diplomatic cover for a country committing genocide.
Also, the thing about BRICS that gives me hope isn't the countries involved, but the peaceful, respectful and co-operative relationships between countries it supports, and the idea of non-interference. The west, as you know, is notorious for arranging coups, assassinations, and outright war.
Hi Susan, I took a look at the article, and saw a couple of statements that I found biased, but I've sent the article to someone who knows a lot more about BRICS than I do. I'll keep you posted.
Well, it's just the nature of capitalism. You cannot have infinite growth on finite resources, and you cannot exploit everyone continuously without creating crises. So to kill two birds with one stone, capitalists resort to war as a way of sweeping crises under the carpet, while simultaneously wiping the slate clean, so they can start rebuilding whatever they demolished. They prefer doing that to other countries they perceive as weak of course, but when those countries are not available for whatever reason, they have no squirms attacking their own. Business is business after all, and being a capitalist is a class, an ethnicity, and a religion.
To those low class people out there who profess themselves capitalists, NO you are not. You don't have the capital to join the class, and you never will, the system will make sure of that. You're just a cash cow and cannon fodder, to be used, abused, and dispensed of, at will.
You may want to grow a class conscience while you still can.
Diana, thank you for the very thoughtful and articulate presentation today. Your analysis was accurate, sensible and compassionate. I don’t know if we will change this insane and draconian state of affairs, but adopting your perspective is undoubtedly key. Thank you!
Can't find anything to disagree with here, Leon, Let's give Diana support
Thanks, Maurice. I hope we all continue to support each other in this struggle. We're up against so much big money...but there are so many of us, and many are getting organized.
It’s the only peaceful way, it’s a tactic they will never understand….
Thanks Diana. Sadly, this seems to summarise the basic problem illustrated by the aphorism "when the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail." When violence is the tool of choice, and when it is justified as part of one's identity/destiny, then the bigger hammer the better. Think of the uncountable trillions in wealth syphoned into the coffers of the US, even since WWII. Much of that was invested in its capacity to wage violent war and to metastasise across the globe, infecting countries or eating them out from the inside to leave only a fragile shell which disguises US interests. The aggression also caused non-conforming nations to 'weapon-up' as a deterrent to predation by the empire. Empires are rarely benevolent. They proceed and enlarge by might until they eventually reach some limit which is difficult to foresee. They weaken internally and become more vulnerable to corruption and decay. It's there now for anyone who wants to look. The problem we have today in a close-coupled globalised context, where all manner of WMD have proliferated, is that imperial conflict can no longer be a self-limiting clash or a contained demise. The unipolar US hegemon is fighting for its survival on multiple fronts. This will further impoverish the US populace while forcing its instruments of expressed power to act in more desperate ways (potentially adding to internal tensions - ref Blinken versus Pentagon). Pressurising the populace is a risk which can cut either way, and which will test the multi-generational indoctrination programs. The citizenry might be encouraged to blame others for their conditions and rally in support of the theatrical narrative of a venerable nation fighting external enemies. Or the citizenry might rise in revolt against the enemy within the gates. Or it might revisit the old wounds of civil war and racial conflict. Violent conflict has always been engineered by deception, false flags, covert infiltration, lurking threats. We are vulnerable to being deceived, even by our own investment in narrative and identity. If we can break free of that limited self-understanding, we will reframe conflict in the way you describe. May it happen before it's too late.
That's the question, isn't it: which way will the populations of the western world go?
It's sobering to witness how fascism and the western power brokers support each other. I wonder if these people blaming immigrants and basically anyone who isn't white realize what they're actually supporting. I think they think they're radical in some ways, but are just playing into the forces that oppress them and everyone else.
Thanks for tor the great summary. The only thing I would add the overwhelming success of Israel’s Hasbara PR campaign in keeping US ( & probably all western minds) controlled for decades to 1) promote image of Israeli victimhood, 2) distract from their illegal occupation & decades long Apartheid rule& land theft through their settlements and 3) convince the American public (& buy Congress) to obediently gift a foreign country billions of $ of our hard earned tax dollars yearly without debate or public objection. We’ve been had…. Just check out this informative documentary to learn more about the devious Israeli thought control of American minds for decades:
https://vimeo.com/277483835
Hi Sadie. I agree with the points you made. To be honest, lately I haven't had the time to watch videos, and there are so many good ones that have been recommended to me.
This one is worth watching it totally changed my view of Israel and our governments treatment of allowing a foreign entity to control the propaganda we have been hearing for decades. But it sounds like you might already be aware of these facts. Cheers 😊
S'all coming out now, Sadie, thanks to all the good folks such as Diana...... Peace, Maurice
Beautiful work Diana ♥️ Shukran for the truth and beauty you lend with your voice and talents 🙏
Viva la 🇵🇸
Thanks so much, Najwan. And I appreciate your voice and talents as well.
🙏
Terrific, Diana. Thank you.
Thanks, Val.
Great overview and great art, Diana.
I really urge folks to check out the book "JFK and the Unspeakable" to better understand the dark psychopathy underlying all we are seeing; the open, arrogant evil. The "Unspeakable" is the term used by monk and peace activist Thomas Merton to describe those behind JFK's murder. Read it and you see what is happening today.
As we send countless billions off to Israel and Ukraine, as I write, fellow Americans are dying in North Carolina because the resources are not available to rescue them from the hurricane devastation. Dead bodies are lodged in trees by the floodwater, hundreds are missing, and volunteer rescuers are being turned away and threatened with arrest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcBRaRcK2So
The biggest enemy we face is not overseas. It is here at home, our corporate-controlled government 'by, for and of the ... wealthy".
When our governments condemn other governments, Mark, I now assume that they're doing something right. The governments they overthrow are usually taking care of their populations and not allowing transnationals to steal their resources.
Absolutely, and now -- as we see with the hurricane victims abandoned in North Carolina -- we see the same thing here.
Thanks for the boycott of Israeli products list. I find it hard reading small numbers on packages in the store, so this will come in handy.
My pleasure! I'm glad to know you're using it.
Public opinion in Iran arguably has more influence on foreign polocy than in the US
Succinct and incisive. Gets straight to the heart of the matter.
Thanks, Douglas.
Douglas, you are so right about Diana, she deserves every restack she gets ! Maurice
Thanks, Maurice!
Rage, resist and rebel!
Exactly, Diane, and let's take care of ourselves and each other as we go.
"And reporters telling the truth about what’s happening on the ground are being muzzled", yes, they are being muzzled by being charged with terrorism. It is insane. Who benefits from this insanity? People who think being rich means you are successful. Why they are playing nuclear roulette is impossible to understand. From my perspective, they are either uninformed, insane, or just plain stupid. Or all three. Or something else.
Ya, I don't think I'd want to get into their head space. What a horrible place it must be.
How is it even imaginable to take us to where we are now?
Thanks for your comment, Susan.
This is not really about this particular post of yours, but you have expressed hope in BRICS and I have had a bit of hope there too. This puts some doubt into that hope. https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/10/03/the-blessing-for-genocide-nearly-all-brics-regimes-nurture-israel-economically/
Hi Susan, I checked with another writer who knows much more about BRICS than I do and here's part of that response: "Many years of entanglements that can't be easily cut, or seem that way."
I thought about the article, and think it's a lot different having economic ties than what the west is doing, namely arming, financing and providing diplomatic cover for a country committing genocide.
Also, the thing about BRICS that gives me hope isn't the countries involved, but the peaceful, respectful and co-operative relationships between countries it supports, and the idea of non-interference. The west, as you know, is notorious for arranging coups, assassinations, and outright war.
Hi Susan, I took a look at the article, and saw a couple of statements that I found biased, but I've sent the article to someone who knows a lot more about BRICS than I do. I'll keep you posted.
Yup, at war with all of us.... whaddawe do ? we support every writer who speaks out......
Wonderful picture!
I've used it before, but felt it was appropriate for this post. I'm glad you like it, Leon.
Well, it's just the nature of capitalism. You cannot have infinite growth on finite resources, and you cannot exploit everyone continuously without creating crises. So to kill two birds with one stone, capitalists resort to war as a way of sweeping crises under the carpet, while simultaneously wiping the slate clean, so they can start rebuilding whatever they demolished. They prefer doing that to other countries they perceive as weak of course, but when those countries are not available for whatever reason, they have no squirms attacking their own. Business is business after all, and being a capitalist is a class, an ethnicity, and a religion.
To those low class people out there who profess themselves capitalists, NO you are not. You don't have the capital to join the class, and you never will, the system will make sure of that. You're just a cash cow and cannon fodder, to be used, abused, and dispensed of, at will.
You may want to grow a class conscience while you still can.