Some people have so much more wealth than others. (The wealthiest one percent control 90% of the nation's wealth!)
What is required in order to amass such wealth? Is this wealth the result of merit and hard work, or is it possible that some of this extreme wealth actually requires some form or another of oppression? Does some (or maybe even much) of this wealth depend on some form of putting others down?
Is there bullying? If so, why.
Why does bullying go on?
Is wealth a measure of success?
Are wealthy people superior to other (less wealthy) people?
Is it possible that wealth is not so often based in merit, but instead in pure ambition, maybe even a certain amount of ruthlessness?
Is it possible that in the drive to get ahead, some others are forced behind?
Survival of the fittest? Or survival of the meanest?
Why is ambition, even when it verges on ruthlessness toward others, rewarded with wealth?
After all, we teach children that bullying is not okay.
If bullying is not okay for children, then why should it be okay for adults?
Why don't we have policies in order to regulate against economic oppression and bullying? (e.g. Wall Street, war profiteering, exploitative labor practices, companies that have extreme discrepancies in pay between highest and lowest, hoarding and destruction of natural resources [which ought to belong to all of us or to none of us at all.])
People destroy each other with war. People destroy the environment. These activities, which are detrimental to all of us, should not lead to wealth for some few. We need to regulate against harmful economic activities—in the interest of the common well-being of all.
Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts
02 October 2011
08 September 2011
New Stuff
I have a couple new posts on Olyblog, and I posted a note on Facebook about boycotting against states that demonstrate aggression. My blog at OlyBlog can be found at http://olyblog.net/blog/berd and I will post the text of the note from facebook below the fold here.
06 February 2011
Tear Down This Wall!
Part One:
I saw a film today, END:CIV by Franklin Lopez. It talks about some of Derrick Jensen's ideas.
One part of the film mentioned the definition of fascism as the merger of state and corporate power.
What a relevant message in today's U.S.A., where state and corporate power have merged to a remarkably extreme degree.
Here's what I think: I think the wall of fascism, the merger of state and corporate power, ought to be torn down. That would be good for people and planet.
People and planet deserve to be liberated from policies and practices of dominance and conquest. Conquest of human populations and planetary minerals for profit does not serve life.
We need policies that reflect the best nature of humanity, the nature of lovingkindness, tolerance, and respect for life.
No war! No corporatism!
Yes to stability. Yes to sustainable life-serving society.
Part Two:
Practice democracy: abolish the C.I.A..
This is from the weekly Friday evening peace vigil at Percival Landing in Olympia, Washington.
I saw a film today, END:CIV by Franklin Lopez. It talks about some of Derrick Jensen's ideas.
One part of the film mentioned the definition of fascism as the merger of state and corporate power.
What a relevant message in today's U.S.A., where state and corporate power have merged to a remarkably extreme degree.
Here's what I think: I think the wall of fascism, the merger of state and corporate power, ought to be torn down. That would be good for people and planet.
People and planet deserve to be liberated from policies and practices of dominance and conquest. Conquest of human populations and planetary minerals for profit does not serve life.
We need policies that reflect the best nature of humanity, the nature of lovingkindness, tolerance, and respect for life.
No war! No corporatism!
Yes to stability. Yes to sustainable life-serving society.
Part Two:
Practice democracy: abolish the C.I.A..
This is from the weekly Friday evening peace vigil at Percival Landing in Olympia, Washington.
05 July 2010
Pastors for Peace Cuba Caravan Canadian Delegation Enters the United States
On July 4, 2010 a delegation of Canadians entered the USA to travel to Cuba as part of the Pastors for Peace Friendshipment. Over the years, hundreds of vehicles and tons of supplies have been shipped to Cuba in an effort to break the blockade, and to raise awareness about the immoral policies in the USA. I have more about the event here [http://olyblog.net/pastors-peace-cuba-caravan-annual-friendshipment-border-crossing-canada].
More information from Pastors for Peace: IFCO/Pastors for Peace
Here's a bunch of photos from the trip:
Pastors for Peace Cuba Caravan Canada to US Border Crossing Event
More information from Pastors for Peace: IFCO/Pastors for Peace
Here's a bunch of photos from the trip:
Pastors for Peace Cuba Caravan Canada to US Border Crossing Event
29 May 2010
Practice Democracy: Abolish the C.I.A.
Here's a photo of me at the Peace Vigil in Olympia Washington on Friday, May 28, 2010.
At a recent art exhibit at Northern, Olympia's All Ages Project, there is a painting by Brian Roche entitled, "Foreign Policy."
The painting's caption reads:
"The purpose of the CIA is to create optimum opportunities for multi-national corporations." — Philip Agee (1935 - 2008) CIA case officer and author of "Inside the Company, CIA Diary" (1975).
It seems to me that a lot of people in the USA like to think about and talk about democracy. But is the USA really democratic? And does the USA seek to genuinely promote democracy? It seems that the term democracy has been co-opted by capitalism. Capitalism and democracy are not interchangeable terms - especially in a capitalism that is dominated by the interests and influence of the biggest and most powerful companies, and the most wealthy individuals.
Real democracy necessitates economic and social egalitarianism. Real democracy would be cooperative in nature. Capitalism thrives on the forces of domination, which I believe are antithetical to democracy. In a real democracy, people find power in consensus. And in a real democracy, people find wealth and health in the pursuit of mutually beneficial economics.
- May 30, 2010 update, from Democracy Now!: Senior UN Official to Call for End to CIA Drone Strikes
At a recent art exhibit at Northern, Olympia's All Ages Project, there is a painting by Brian Roche entitled, "Foreign Policy."
The painting's caption reads:
"The purpose of the CIA is to create optimum opportunities for multi-national corporations." — Philip Agee (1935 - 2008) CIA case officer and author of "Inside the Company, CIA Diary" (1975).
It seems to me that a lot of people in the USA like to think about and talk about democracy. But is the USA really democratic? And does the USA seek to genuinely promote democracy? It seems that the term democracy has been co-opted by capitalism. Capitalism and democracy are not interchangeable terms - especially in a capitalism that is dominated by the interests and influence of the biggest and most powerful companies, and the most wealthy individuals.
Real democracy necessitates economic and social egalitarianism. Real democracy would be cooperative in nature. Capitalism thrives on the forces of domination, which I believe are antithetical to democracy. In a real democracy, people find power in consensus. And in a real democracy, people find wealth and health in the pursuit of mutually beneficial economics.
- May 30, 2010 update, from Democracy Now!: Senior UN Official to Call for End to CIA Drone Strikes
10 February 2010
American Disillusion
I grew up with the idea that the USA was the greatest nation on Earth. That this is a land of equal opportunity, a land of altruism. It's easy to see why that story could get confusing in light of the historical realities of the enslavement of Africans and the virtual genocide of Native Peoples. It's hard to know what to believe, I suppose. But the reality on the ground is that America is a very violent place. Ranging from domestic violence to state violence against civilians. Ranging from harmful economic activities to colonialism and outright wars of aggression.
When Obama was elected, and inaugurated, it would have been hard not to feel hopeful. The rhetoric, if not completely correct, was in a pretty good place. But in what's now over a year since the Obama Administration assumed power, there has been a degeneration in the rhetoric, and certainly a widespread feeling of disappointment with the real politic. An example of degeneration of rhetoric is the difference between talking about opportunity and prosperity for all, to the more recent focus on propping up the "middle class." The degeneration has been gradual, like the flim-flam approach to Universal Health Care, and the Obama plan to increase military spending; and yet it has also been spiked with notable events, like the use of the Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance speech to advocate America's supposed need for war, and the dreadful showing at the Copenhagen Climate Conference.
The disillusion is driving home some simple and chilling truths. The socio-economic political system of the United States is broken. It is corrupt. I have been saying this for over 10 years. And articles like the following only make it more and more clear. So what to do...
The fact is that human activities - industrial activities - over the past 200+ years have done tremendous damage to the living systems of this planet Earth. Earth is our home. We would be wise to take care of it. After all it either belongs to all of us, or to none of us at all. The policies coming out of Washington D.C. and other locusts of political power in the USA (as well as other places in the world) make little to no sense. A drastic change in focus is needed. A change toward the direction of taking care of the planet, and taking care of each other. The adversarial, profit-oriented model of destructive competition endangers the future of humanity and most of the life on this planet. Change is due.
First, there needs to be a disruption of the two-party duopoly that represents the amoral corporate profit motive.
Then there is the need to remake the system anew - to make a system that is altruistic and grounded in the intention to serve life.
Yep. So, check out this article for more reason to challenge and oppose the unmanageable and amoral status quo:
When Obama was elected, and inaugurated, it would have been hard not to feel hopeful. The rhetoric, if not completely correct, was in a pretty good place. But in what's now over a year since the Obama Administration assumed power, there has been a degeneration in the rhetoric, and certainly a widespread feeling of disappointment with the real politic. An example of degeneration of rhetoric is the difference between talking about opportunity and prosperity for all, to the more recent focus on propping up the "middle class." The degeneration has been gradual, like the flim-flam approach to Universal Health Care, and the Obama plan to increase military spending; and yet it has also been spiked with notable events, like the use of the Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance speech to advocate America's supposed need for war, and the dreadful showing at the Copenhagen Climate Conference.
The disillusion is driving home some simple and chilling truths. The socio-economic political system of the United States is broken. It is corrupt. I have been saying this for over 10 years. And articles like the following only make it more and more clear. So what to do...
The fact is that human activities - industrial activities - over the past 200+ years have done tremendous damage to the living systems of this planet Earth. Earth is our home. We would be wise to take care of it. After all it either belongs to all of us, or to none of us at all. The policies coming out of Washington D.C. and other locusts of political power in the USA (as well as other places in the world) make little to no sense. A drastic change in focus is needed. A change toward the direction of taking care of the planet, and taking care of each other. The adversarial, profit-oriented model of destructive competition endangers the future of humanity and most of the life on this planet. Change is due.
First, there needs to be a disruption of the two-party duopoly that represents the amoral corporate profit motive.
Then there is the need to remake the system anew - to make a system that is altruistic and grounded in the intention to serve life.
Yep. So, check out this article for more reason to challenge and oppose the unmanageable and amoral status quo:
February 9, 2010Obama's "Change" Drops Its Mask
The Democrats are Coming After Social Security
By SHAMUS COOKE
It’s official: the Democrats are coming after Social Security and Medicare. All the backroom scheming and political conspiring is finally out in the open.
In an unusually long, 1,800 word editorial, entitled The Truth about the Deficit, published February 7, The New York Times -- cheerleader for neoliberalism -- gives its solution to the country’s debt problems. The main idea is summed up thus:
“To truly tame deficits will require serious health care reform [Obama’s plan slashes Medicare], the sooner the better. Other aspects of the long-term fiscal problem — raising taxes and retooling [reducing] Social Security — must take place in earnest as the economy recovers.”
07 February 2010
Evolution to an Altruistic Society
I am interested in an evolution of human societies to a place where people widely uphold the idea that it is not okay for people to hurt each other. I think it's remarkably phenomenal that we live in a society that is so far from, and in many ways the exact opposite of, the simple idea that it is wrong for people to do harm to one another. The modern economy is based in hurtful, divisive, derisive, destructive, exploitative and violent activities.
So I think the following passage, which comes to us from over 115 years ago, is striking in its relevance to the current situation of our modern day economy. People talk about progress. But we need a wake-up call, because in some very real ways, the economy is actually degenerating - and becoming more exploitative. When all is told, in many ways that are very real, the economy is getting worse and worse for common people, and for everyone—everywhere.
I believe that everyone deserves to be treated well. How about you? Do you agree? If you do, then I ask: where do we start changing this abusive and destructive socio-economic political system?
Mary Elizabeth Lease, "Wall Street Owns the Country" (Circa 1890)
from A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove
"This is a nation of inconsistencies. The Puritans fleeing from oppression became oppressors. We fought England for our liberty and put chains on four million of blacks. We wiped out slavery and our tariff laws and national banks began a system of white wage slavery worse than the first. Wall Street owns the country. It is no longer a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, but a government of Wall Street, by Wall Street, and for Wall Street. The great common people of this country are slaves, and monopoly is the master. The West and South and bound and prostrate before the manufacturing East. Money rules, and our Vice-President [Levi Parsons Morton] is a London banker. Our laws are the output of a system which clothes rascals in robes and honesty in rags. The parties lie to us and the political speakers mislead us. We were told two years ago to go to work and raise a big crop, that was all we needed. We went to work and plowed and planted; the rains fell, the sun shone, nature smiled, and we raised the big crop that they told us to; and what came of it? Eight-cent corn, ten-cent oats, two-cent beef and no price at all for butter and eggs—that's what came of it. The the politicians said we suffered from over-production. Over-production, when 10,000 little children, so statistics tell us, starve to death every year in the United States, and over 100,000 shop-girls in New York are forced to sell their virtue for the bread their niggardly wages deny them.... We want money, land and transportation. We want the abolition of the National Banks, and we want the power to make loans direct from the Government. We want the accursed foreclosure system wiped out.... We will stand by our homes and stay by our fireside by force if necessary, and we will ot pay our debts to the loan-shark companies until the Government pays its debts to us. The people are at bay, [so] let the bloodhounds of money who dogged us thus far beware."
more information: Mary Elizabeth Lease, "Wall Street Owns the Country" (Circa 1890)
In other news, Fort Lewis Army Base and McChord Air Force Base have been merged into a join operations center. "Lewis-McChord: A giant military marriage"
So I think the following passage, which comes to us from over 115 years ago, is striking in its relevance to the current situation of our modern day economy. People talk about progress. But we need a wake-up call, because in some very real ways, the economy is actually degenerating - and becoming more exploitative. When all is told, in many ways that are very real, the economy is getting worse and worse for common people, and for everyone—everywhere.
I believe that everyone deserves to be treated well. How about you? Do you agree? If you do, then I ask: where do we start changing this abusive and destructive socio-economic political system?
Mary Elizabeth Lease, "Wall Street Owns the Country" (Circa 1890)from A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn and Anthony Arnove
"This is a nation of inconsistencies. The Puritans fleeing from oppression became oppressors. We fought England for our liberty and put chains on four million of blacks. We wiped out slavery and our tariff laws and national banks began a system of white wage slavery worse than the first. Wall Street owns the country. It is no longer a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, but a government of Wall Street, by Wall Street, and for Wall Street. The great common people of this country are slaves, and monopoly is the master. The West and South and bound and prostrate before the manufacturing East. Money rules, and our Vice-President [Levi Parsons Morton] is a London banker. Our laws are the output of a system which clothes rascals in robes and honesty in rags. The parties lie to us and the political speakers mislead us. We were told two years ago to go to work and raise a big crop, that was all we needed. We went to work and plowed and planted; the rains fell, the sun shone, nature smiled, and we raised the big crop that they told us to; and what came of it? Eight-cent corn, ten-cent oats, two-cent beef and no price at all for butter and eggs—that's what came of it. The the politicians said we suffered from over-production. Over-production, when 10,000 little children, so statistics tell us, starve to death every year in the United States, and over 100,000 shop-girls in New York are forced to sell their virtue for the bread their niggardly wages deny them.... We want money, land and transportation. We want the abolition of the National Banks, and we want the power to make loans direct from the Government. We want the accursed foreclosure system wiped out.... We will stand by our homes and stay by our fireside by force if necessary, and we will ot pay our debts to the loan-shark companies until the Government pays its debts to us. The people are at bay, [so] let the bloodhounds of money who dogged us thus far beware."
more information: Mary Elizabeth Lease, "Wall Street Owns the Country" (Circa 1890)
In other news, Fort Lewis Army Base and McChord Air Force Base have been merged into a join operations center. "Lewis-McChord: A giant military marriage"
10 August 2009
29 July 2009
Mayor Rocky Anderson
This conversation recently came up on my flickr account, so I want to share it here. You can probably tell that I sometimes enjoy a little argument, a little bit anyway:
link to photo on flickrRocky Anderson
Mayor of Salt Lake City Utah, Accountability Advocate and Powerful Orator
See Video of this Speech: Mayor Rocky Anderson on the Impeachment of President George W. Bush
More information here.
Archived testimony from the day's anti-escalation and impeachment hearings is available by clicking this link.
And, here is a link to a diary on the Daily Kos by Mayor Rocky about his speeches and testimony. Check it out!Comments
Spoiler_3 says:
Loser!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
^Berd says:
why do you say that?
Spoiler_3 says:
Because he is an embarassment to the state, No sitting Mayor should EVER protest against the President of the United states. Maybe on his time, but not on the States time. Thats my money he was wasteing by doing that. Just what Utah needs is another black eye. Does he think that by doing that he is speaking for me as a Utahan? He better not. The man is just another Dumbacrat. and what he was doing wasn't helping Utah it was hurting us. Maybe he could star in Michael Moore's next movie. The man is a LOSER!!!!!!
^Berd says:
I totally disagree with you Spoiler. And I think your comments are unnecessarily rude and insulting - in fact - your meanness detracts from your argument. But that's another story.
Rocky Anderson is a good reason to move to Salt Lake. As an elected leader, Mayor Anderson used the position in office to advocate for accountability on what is likely the most grave issue pressing humankind.
The President of the United States was rightly and reasonably accused of making false statements for the purpose of wrongfully driving the nation to war. This is a crime that has no parallel. This is the worst crime that can be committed.
Mayors everywhere would do well by all Americans, and all people everywhere, to use their positions to speak against the virtually insurmountable wrongs of the Bush Administration (what have we: vainglorious and unprecedented use of signing statements, wrongfully representing threat to national security by a foreign nation in order to justify war, torture, et al.).
Spoiler - Don't you care that our country was wrongfully driven to war? Hundreds of thousands of people have died? Iraq never attacked us. Iraq never posed a threat of attack. - That's the truth. Don't you care about all those people have died? And people are continuing to die.
One of my most profound measures of disappointment with the new Obama Administration is its utter lack of ambition for holding the previous administration accountable, and also the lack of drive for an expedient and just end to the military occupation.
What we need is to get US military forces out of foreign nations. What we need is to get rid of the foreign policy of dominance and conquest. Imperialism is killing more than people, it's killing the USA.
^Berd says:
I also see that Mayor Rocky Anderson has been in the news recently:www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12941123
Rocky Anderson joins chorus calling for torture investigation
Politics » A letter co-signed by Nader urges Holder to look into Bush administration.
The Salt Lake Tribune
Updated: 07/29/2009 07:20:56 PM MDT
Former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson on Wednesday joined Ralph Nader and 14 other political activists and artists in calling for an investigation into alleged Bush administration crimes.
Anderson's nonprofit High Road for Human Rights Education Project is asking U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate alleged torture, unconstitutional detention and other human-rights and civil-liberties violations by administration officials and cohorts.
"Investigating and, if appropriate, prosecuting perpetrators of these serious crimes," Anderson said in a statement, "is a crucial step to preventing the recurrence of this dark, demoralizing chapter in our nation's history, which has done so much to damage our national security and reputation abroad."
The letter, dated Wednesday, says an independent review is important for the nation's constitutional and judicial integrity.
"No less than the rule of law is at stake," it claims. "Your decisions in this regard will be of historic importance."
Others signatories include rock singer Graham Nash, author and political consultant Naomi Wolf, TV actress Mimi Kennedy and Utah author and naturalist Terry Tempest Williams.
Brandon Loomis
15 March 2009
What is Necessary for Legitimate Self-Defense
I had a conversation earlier today about the military force of the United States of America, and I made the assertion that the USA could provide for its legitimate self-defense needs with about 10% of the current military spending.
What do you think about the legitimate self-defense needs of the USA? I am not talking about defending imperialism. Just regular old basic self-defense. What's reasonable?
My understanding is that military, and military related, spending by the federal government is now up over the $1T mark (that is one trillion dollars: $1,000,000,000,000 (yes, that is 12 zeros.))
I wonder if the USA could provide for its legitimate needs for self-defense on a far slimmer budget. Yes, I think it could. Sounds like a good idea to me. By spending less on military - 9/10 of which (I postulate) is unnecessary and unrelated to legitimate self-defense - more money would be available to promote lasting and sustainable economic endeavors, broadening opportunity, and prosperity for all.
As far as imperialism goes, imperialism is actually anathema to national security - it's a destabilizing economic influence. With imperialism, although some may (perhaps) benefit — a great many others suffer, their well-beings (collective and individual) jeopardized and harmed.
What do you think about the legitimate self-defense needs of the USA? I am not talking about defending imperialism. Just regular old basic self-defense. What's reasonable?
My understanding is that military, and military related, spending by the federal government is now up over the $1T mark (that is one trillion dollars: $1,000,000,000,000 (yes, that is 12 zeros.))
I wonder if the USA could provide for its legitimate needs for self-defense on a far slimmer budget. Yes, I think it could. Sounds like a good idea to me. By spending less on military - 9/10 of which (I postulate) is unnecessary and unrelated to legitimate self-defense - more money would be available to promote lasting and sustainable economic endeavors, broadening opportunity, and prosperity for all.
As far as imperialism goes, imperialism is actually anathema to national security - it's a destabilizing economic influence. With imperialism, although some may (perhaps) benefit — a great many others suffer, their well-beings (collective and individual) jeopardized and harmed.
28 February 2009
Dear President Obama: Please Stop Bombing Pakistan
Stop Bombing! Stop Imperialism! Put an end to policies of global hegemony!
Obama, you say you are a friend to the American People. Prove it. Kick the corporations out of Washington D.C..
You have the power to say "no." Please. Please, it's your duty.
If government doesn't protect people and planet against the harms and abuses of powerful businesses, industries and corporations, then what or whom will? The planet and humanity must be protected.
Currently, the government of the USA is not protecting people. Currently, the government is more or less corporatist, and enabling and facilitating a system of corporate theft from the commons. The government of the USA is accomplice to social and environmental degradation.
The people and planet are not served by a government that is insufficient to the task of proper regulation against harmful economic activities. The people and planet certainly don't need a government that enables and works with corporations to promote these iniquitous controlling and imperial doctrines of hegemony.
Stop bombing Pakistan. Withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan!
Stop the global resource war! The problem are policies and practices of taking by force, of taking without asking -this is imperialism.
There are answers, which include (among many other concepts, ideas and specifics) curtailment, efficient use and finding alternatives.
But please: Stop Imperialism!
Obama, you say you are a friend to the American People. Prove it. Kick the corporations out of Washington D.C..
You have the power to say "no." Please. Please, it's your duty.
If government doesn't protect people and planet against the harms and abuses of powerful businesses, industries and corporations, then what or whom will? The planet and humanity must be protected.
Currently, the government of the USA is not protecting people. Currently, the government is more or less corporatist, and enabling and facilitating a system of corporate theft from the commons. The government of the USA is accomplice to social and environmental degradation. The people and planet are not served by a government that is insufficient to the task of proper regulation against harmful economic activities. The people and planet certainly don't need a government that enables and works with corporations to promote these iniquitous controlling and imperial doctrines of hegemony.
Stop bombing Pakistan. Withdraw from Iraq and Afghanistan!
Stop the global resource war! The problem are policies and practices of taking by force, of taking without asking -this is imperialism.
There are answers, which include (among many other concepts, ideas and specifics) curtailment, efficient use and finding alternatives.
But please: Stop Imperialism!
06 September 2008
America in Peril
I am concerned about the health of America. The economy is in turmoil. Corporate power is elevated to never before seen heights. There is a major push toward privatization and deregulation. It seems that many of the lessons learned after the market crash of October 1929 and the subsequent recession (dubbed the "Great Depression"), have gone unheeded by those who continue to push for unregulated free market economies. However, we have seen that in the absence of governmental oversight, market economies often times have negative and harmful consequences for the general public. It is essential that government manage the economy with an eye toward the public interest and the welfare of all.
This management must encompass taxation to guard against offshore tax havens, it must include regulation to protect against exploitation and inhumane work environments, as well as ethical business practices to guard against graft, extortion. Government must protect against the influence of special private interests. Government must serve the greater good, in the interests of sustainability, human rights, environmental protection and equitable and respectful relations amongst all.
The recent trend in American government toward increased representation of special, private interests particularly in the elite corporate sphere is troubling. Now that America is no longer tithed to the gold standard, it seems that market disaster may be avoidable - but harm to the public is already occurring.
What is scary is the media-ministration of pro-corporate-power-propaganda. This corporate power social privatization agenda is harmful, and truly dangerous to the future health and prosperity of America.
This management must encompass taxation to guard against offshore tax havens, it must include regulation to protect against exploitation and inhumane work environments, as well as ethical business practices to guard against graft, extortion. Government must protect against the influence of special private interests. Government must serve the greater good, in the interests of sustainability, human rights, environmental protection and equitable and respectful relations amongst all.
The recent trend in American government toward increased representation of special, private interests particularly in the elite corporate sphere is troubling. Now that America is no longer tithed to the gold standard, it seems that market disaster may be avoidable - but harm to the public is already occurring.
What is scary is the media-ministration of pro-corporate-power-propaganda. This corporate power social privatization agenda is harmful, and truly dangerous to the future health and prosperity of America.
02 August 2008
Support for the Troops
I support the Troops. I support the Truth. Bush Lied. The war is illegal...
I support the soldiers of the US Military. The truth is that President Bush lied when he drove America to war based on falsely manufactured (so-called) evidence of imminent threat of attack from Iraq. Iraq did not threaten the USA (nor any other country.) The war was a pre-meditated offensive attack. A war of choice, and thusly it is illegal.
I support the action of Port Militarization Resistance. PMR seeks to oppose the militarization of our public ports, and the militarization of society as our ports are used - as the ports enable - an aggressive foreign policy of global dominance, and acts of aggression.
www.olypmr.org
Let's not put the military personnel, soldiers and troops in harm's way without justifiable cause of self-defense.
I support the soldiers of the US Military. The truth is that President Bush lied when he drove America to war based on falsely manufactured (so-called) evidence of imminent threat of attack from Iraq. Iraq did not threaten the USA (nor any other country.) The war was a pre-meditated offensive attack. A war of choice, and thusly it is illegal.
I support the action of Port Militarization Resistance. PMR seeks to oppose the militarization of our public ports, and the militarization of society as our ports are used - as the ports enable - an aggressive foreign policy of global dominance, and acts of aggression.
www.olypmr.org
Let's not put the military personnel, soldiers and troops in harm's way without justifiable cause of self-defense.
06 June 2008
Obama and AIPAC: Moving Right?
[June 7, 2008: The question for me is whether an Obama Presidency would signify a break with the foreign policy of global dominance. The answer may be that it even if an Obama Administration would maintain the basic tenets of a, United States of America, foreign policy of global dominance and hegemony, that the improvements in other sectors (energy and tax policy for example) would make a vote for Obama the obvious pragmatic decision. However, I think that the foreign policy of global dominance runs counter, and is not complementary to the goal of true economic and geo-political security, if that is even the goal (though it is the professed goal, I have my doubts.).
AIPAC is the American Israel Political Action Committee. AIPAC is known for denying the "Palestinian Holocaust," which occurred as a result of the 1948 advent of the state of Israel. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced, forced to flee their homes, neighborhoods and villages as Israel made a mass military and violent expansion into traditionally Palestinian areas.
AIPAC is a brand that seeks to whitewash the horrors intrinsic to the violence of militaristic zionism (aka "gun zionism.")
Additionally AIPAC (link to AIPAC website) calls itself "America's Pro-Israel Lobby". But is AIPAC truly pro-Israel? Does promoting violent annexation of Palestinian areas, does the promotion of violent zionism qualify as "pro-Israel?" - I simply think that it does not. Violence does not, and will not, ultimately, benefit Israel, or the people of Israel. /end July 7, 2008]
Senator Obama meets with AIPAC. Aijaz Ahmad:
permalink [includes more information]
here's a permalink to video 2
AIPAC is the American Israel Political Action Committee. AIPAC is known for denying the "Palestinian Holocaust," which occurred as a result of the 1948 advent of the state of Israel. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced, forced to flee their homes, neighborhoods and villages as Israel made a mass military and violent expansion into traditionally Palestinian areas.
AIPAC is a brand that seeks to whitewash the horrors intrinsic to the violence of militaristic zionism (aka "gun zionism.")
Additionally AIPAC (link to AIPAC website) calls itself "America's Pro-Israel Lobby". But is AIPAC truly pro-Israel? Does promoting violent annexation of Palestinian areas, does the promotion of violent zionism qualify as "pro-Israel?" - I simply think that it does not. Violence does not, and will not, ultimately, benefit Israel, or the people of Israel. /end July 7, 2008]
Senator Obama meets with AIPAC. Aijaz Ahmad:
permalink [includes more information]
here's a permalink to video 2
24 March 2008
U.S. Global Dominance and the National Interest
Is global dominance in the national interest of the USA? I wish there was consensus on what constitutes the national interest, because it seems that for some, wars of aggression can be fought in the national interest. After all, there are people who justify the invasion, conquest and occupation of a foreign country (which posed no threat to the USA) as part of the national interest. For example, let's say that Iraq has mineral resources, the control of which is necessary to the maintenance of US global dominance. Does the control of those resources justify aggression toward Iraq (keep in mind the consequential suffering of the civilian population of Iraq)? Is global dominance necessary to maintain the US lifestyle? - Maybe it is just that wars of aggression are the "American way." I don't think so.There are those who will attempt to obfuscate the facts and say that the reason for the US occupation of Iraq is because of the terrorists. Well, don't let them fool you! The reason that there is terrorism in Iraq is precisely because Iraq is occupied by the US!
So, what is the national interest? For me, the national interest is having a healthy population; it is living in a sustainable and conscious manner. It is in the national interest to demonstrate respect for all life, for diversity and for future generations. For example, how better can we demonstrate respect for future generations than by living sustainably?For President Bush, the national interest appears to be promoting and maintaining global dominance, including the ability for [
I am frustrated. Invading Iraq was not in the national interest; at least it was not in my national interest. Maintaining global dominance is also not in my lexicon of national interests. What would be in my national interest? How about fostering a cooperative and friendly, or neighborly, relationship with international partners? That would be interesting. But to play the part of an international bully is not for me, nor for the USA that I love. Woe that my country does such grievous harm in my name. Woe that people suffer for the sake of a supposed US "national interest."Please see Bill Moyers Journal | Body of War
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/03212008/profile.html
[full video available online]
12 February 2008
Hate in American Politics
Hate Springs Eternal
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: February 11, 2008
In 1956 Adlai Stevenson, running against Dwight Eisenhower, tried to make the political style of his opponent’s vice president, a man by the name of Richard Nixon, an issue. The nation, he warned, was in danger of becoming “a land of slander and scare; the land of sly innuendo, the poison pen, the anonymous phone call and hustling, pushing, shoving; the land of smash and grab and anything to win. This is Nixonland.”
The quote comes from “Nixonland,” a soon-to-be-published political history of the years from 1964 to 1972 written by Rick Perlstein, the author of “Before the Storm.” As Mr. Perlstein shows, Stevenson warned in vain: during those years America did indeed become the land of slander and scare, of the politics of hatred.
And it still is. In fact, these days even the Democratic Party seems to be turning into Nixonland.
...
28 December 2007
The Year in Political Pictures
This project was inspired by Sarah. I became more active politically and photographically this year. Here are some of the highlights. (all photos hyperlinked to higher resolution versions)
Bangor Main-Gate Overpass MLK Jr. Banner - January
Speaking Truth to Power - February
(Please see more from the Lt. Ehren Watada support rally.)
Waiting - March
(See here and here for more photos from PMR actions in Tacoma.)
Bring Them Home - March bonus photo
(Please see more photos from the Washington State Impeachment Investigations.)
Pedestrian Interference Ordinance - April
Vaude deVille - May
(Please click here to see more from the Rachel Corrie Foundation Peace Works 2007 Collaborative Story Telling Event. Stories were read from Anthony Arnove and Howard Zinn's book, Voices of a People's History of the United States.)
Leaving Groundwater Protection Area - May bonus photo
The People of Iraq are Suffering - June
(Click here and see more photos from the Special Operations Weapons Exposition in Tacoma.)
Venezuelan Diesel - July
Nuclear Imprint - August
(Please see more from the Ground Zero for Nonviolent Action's Civil Resistance Action and Hiroshima/Nagasaki nuclear bombing remembrance.)
Town Hall Meeting with Brian Baird - September
"Another World is Possible", Roy - October
(Please see more from the Seattle Occupation of Iraq protest.)
Tackle... - November
(Please see Oly PMR November 2007 for more.)
"Don't Shed Blood for Oil" - December
and finally
No Iran War Petition-Delivery - December bonus photo
(See more from the Petition Delivery.)
Political and social change can be difficult and sometimes painful work. But if we honestly assess the present-day realities and take appropriate actions in earnest, I believe that we can save not only ourselves, but future generations as well, from a greater suffering.
Wishing you all the best in the new year,
RW
Bangor Main-Gate Overpass MLK Jr. Banner - January
Speaking Truth to Power - February
(Please see more from the Lt. Ehren Watada support rally.)
Waiting - March
(See here and here for more photos from PMR actions in Tacoma.)
Bring Them Home - March bonus photo
(Please see more photos from the Washington State Impeachment Investigations.)
Pedestrian Interference Ordinance - April
Vaude deVille - May
(Please click here to see more from the Rachel Corrie Foundation Peace Works 2007 Collaborative Story Telling Event. Stories were read from Anthony Arnove and Howard Zinn's book, Voices of a People's History of the United States.)
Leaving Groundwater Protection Area - May bonus photo
The People of Iraq are Suffering - June
(Click here and see more photos from the Special Operations Weapons Exposition in Tacoma.)
Venezuelan Diesel - July
Nuclear Imprint - August
(Please see more from the Ground Zero for Nonviolent Action's Civil Resistance Action and Hiroshima/Nagasaki nuclear bombing remembrance.)
Town Hall Meeting with Brian Baird - September
"Another World is Possible", Roy - October
(Please see more from the Seattle Occupation of Iraq protest.)
Tackle... - November
(Please see Oly PMR November 2007 for more.)
"Don't Shed Blood for Oil" - December
and finally
No Iran War Petition-Delivery - December bonus photo
(See more from the Petition Delivery.)
Political and social change can be difficult and sometimes painful work. But if we honestly assess the present-day realities and take appropriate actions in earnest, I believe that we can save not only ourselves, but future generations as well, from a greater suffering.
Wishing you all the best in the new year,
RW
29 September 2007
What It Is and What To Do About It
It's scary - what is happening in the USA. The last 7 some years of the Bush Administration have seen America change significantly. The nation has become polarized. Fear is coming to dominate society and not without good reason. The USA is weakened economically. Select members of the Bush Administration, in the face of a genuine environmental crisis, have opted to feast on their political aspirations for global military and economic "dominance." Money is being spent on conquest and furthering corporate hegemony.
Money is not being spent on answering the pressing crisis of ecological collapse and the massive lack of sustainability of the current economic system.
The Bush Administration is leading the USA down the path of destruction. It's quite possibly criminal and the USA deserves to prosecute the actions of the Bush Administration as such - as criminal actions.
Some examples:
- voting irregularities which resulted in two Bush Admin electoral victories
- the lack of credible evidence that Iraq possessed WMD (threatening US security) in the face of much more credible evidence that Iraq, in fact, did not possess weapons to threaten the security of the USA.
- exhibiting a specific disregard and a lack of concern for the welfare of humanity in terms of future generations.
I could go on and on. But I want to plug a couple of stories worthy of mention.
First, the text of a speech by Daniel Ellsberg in which he likens the Bush Administration's presence in the White House to a coup. It's a really good article, here's the intro:
link to original
link to original
Money is not being spent on answering the pressing crisis of ecological collapse and the massive lack of sustainability of the current economic system.
The Bush Administration is leading the USA down the path of destruction. It's quite possibly criminal and the USA deserves to prosecute the actions of the Bush Administration as such - as criminal actions.
Some examples:
- voting irregularities which resulted in two Bush Admin electoral victories
- the lack of credible evidence that Iraq possessed WMD (threatening US security) in the face of much more credible evidence that Iraq, in fact, did not possess weapons to threaten the security of the USA.
- exhibiting a specific disregard and a lack of concern for the welfare of humanity in terms of future generations.
I could go on and on. But I want to plug a couple of stories worthy of mention.
First, the text of a speech by Daniel Ellsberg in which he likens the Bush Administration's presence in the White House to a coup. It's a really good article, here's the intro:
link to original
I think nothing has higher priority than averting an attack on Iran, which I think will be accompanied by a further change in our way of governing here that in effect will convert us into what I would call a police state.And secondly, a call by Garret Keizer for a General Strike on this coming First Tuesday of November, election day, the 6th. In response to the (potentially) felonious assault on the American People and the economy of the USA, Keizer advocates for a full scale General Strike:
If there’s another 9/11 under this regime … it means that they switch on full extent all the apparatus of a police state that has been patiently constructed, largely secretly at first but eventually leaked out and known and accepted by the Democratic people in Congress, by the Republicans and so forth.
Will there be anything left for NSA to increase its surveillance of us? … They may be to the limit of their technical capability now, or they may not. But if they’re not now they will be after another 9/11.
And I would say after the Iranian retaliation to an American attack on Iran, you will then see an increased attack on Iran – an escalation – which will be also accompanied by a total suppression of dissent in this country, including detention camps.
It’s a little hard for me to distinguish the two contingencies; they could come together. Another 9/11 or an Iranian attack in which Iran’s reaction against Israel, against our shipping, against our troops in Iraq above all, possibly in this country, will justify the full panoply of measures that have been prepared now, legitimized, and to some extent written into law. …
link to original
Of all the various depredations of the Bush regime, none has been so thorough as its plundering of hope. Iraq will recover sooner. What was supposed to have been the crux of our foreign policy—a shock-and-awe tutorial on the utter futility of any opposition to the whims of American power—has achieved its greatest and perhaps its only lasting success in the American soul...It's scary to hear this kind of talk. Talk about police states and about losing hope. Let's resist apathy as we muster the courage to keep talking - to keep resisting. Please, dear reader, ask yourself what specific actions that you can take to roll back the Bush Administration assaults on personal liberties, the environment and humanity itself. Then take action!
...If someone were to suggest, for example, that we begin a general strike on Election Day, November 6, 2007, for the sole purpose of removing this regime from power, how readily and with what well-practiced assurance would you find yourself producing the words “It won’t do any good”?
...
...[It would be] better if we could say to our next administration: Don’t talk about Bush. We dealt with Bush. We dealt with Bush and in so doing we demonstrated our ability to deal with you. You have a mandate more rigorous than looking good beside Bush. You need a program more ambitious than “uniting the country.” We are united—at least we were, if only for a while, if only in our disgust. If only I believed all this would happen.
I wrote this appeal during the days leading up to the Fourth of July. I wrote it because for the past six and a half years I have heard the people I love best—family members, friends, former students and parishioners—saying, “I’m sick over what’s happening to our country, but I just don’t know what to do.” Might I be pardoned if, fearing civil disorder less than I fear civil despair, I said, “Well, we could do this.” It has been done before and we could do this. And I do believe we could. If anyone has a better idea, I’m keen to hear it. Only don’t tell me what some presidential hopeful ought to do someday. Tell me what the people who have nearly lost their hope can do right now.
16 April 2007
Something is Majorly Wrong with The USA
During class today I had a thought:
What is wrong with America?
What is the government of The USA doing (or not doing) in Iraq that makes the Iraqi people hate America so much?Then I called my Grandma after class and she told me about what happened in Virginia.
What is wrong with America?
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