Most people seem to think NATO is a good thing and we need it to defend ourselves from the evils of Russia and China. When I listen to MSM these days I hear about how other governments are treating the governed and how terrible that is. They talk about how there is no money to help immigrants, but they always have enough money to send more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine and to Israel to fight wars that really are being fought on behalf of the US which hardly anyone seems to realize. It is difficult for the people to even try to change things or to protest things when our MSM continues to report as if we are the good guys and others.....Russia, China, Africa, the Middle East.......are the bad guys. Everything "we" do is for democracy: everything "they" do is to benefit those in power.
You are not the first to note that we cannot afford fripperies and useless luxuries such as infrastructure, education or healthcare, but nobody cries "But we can't afford it!" when it comes to bailing out the billionaires at the casino or putting another stupid war on the national credit card.
And, in Cleveland, ALWAYS finding public funds to build, renovate sports' facilities owned by billionaires.....which most Clevelanders (we hoi polloi) can't afford to attend.....it never ends. An
As it has always been and always will be...thanks to PROPAGANDA and a press bought and owned by bizillionnaires....
What is to be done, Whatistobedone, start to really point out how the usa is a rogue, Gangster, war criminal, crimes against humanity, genocide, Holocaust doing and supporting, ... "nation". Since the Founding Liars.
There are no, as in NONE, other "nations" that come close to the evils the usa does, save for the sycophant sockcucker "nations" that support usa deep evil.
usa rank, but HIGHLY EFFECTIVE propaganda must be countered.
One GREAT way is to expose 9/11 for the mass murder it was done by elements of the usa government. That they can get away with this mass murder of some 2966 folks on 9/11 and the a further up to 6 million folks around the world who did NOTHING to the usa.
Not a single shred of evidence for the usa 9/11 fairy tale and myriad total scientific impossibilities, many usa and usa supporting "scientists" lies about the myriad total scientific impossibilities.
If this were exposed and the criminals responsible for lying and covering up all the lies, the usa's standing would take a big hit, and things would change.
Each and every one of the many total impossibilities of the USGs'O9/11CT sinks the usa fairy tale all by themselves.
WTC7 free fall acceleration, which can only happen with a controlled demolition. And the explosives that were used for the CDs of WTCs 1, 2 & 7 were found in WTC dust along with the explosive by products.
Case closed! Consider how usa lies about Russia & China and others get traction but the usa gets away with an event like 9/11 and goes on to mass murder more than the German Holocaust and by and large there is silence about the event.
Wow!! So in other words, you are basically a nihilist bent on destroying thousands of years of all of Western civilization!! Or perhaps, you are so intent on venting your spleen, you have failed to consider your own historical and philosophical ignorance!
They're also trying to push through expansion of AUKUS incase Biden is not elected. Two thirds of military spending of course just goes straight into MIC pockets. NATO has been revealed as a front.
Immigration policies hurt the poor and the working poor the most. If you defend mass immigration and criticize Capitalism, or defend Capitalism and criticize immigration you are a hypocrite.
immigration policies affect people who are trying to flee wars, often helped along by the US, the most. I would rather be a hypocrite in this case than inhuman.
Immigration has always been a political football, along with the more recent Wokeness political football. Although I would agree Immigration issues are important, if I had to rank the problems plaguing the US right now, I would say unchecked Militarism, gross Inequality and a lack of a Representative Democracy along with growing fascism, rank far higher than the issues of Immigration or Wokeness.
But in parallel with Caitlin's post today, corporate Media will push the Immigration and Wokeness issues over the elephants in the room: Trillions of dollars wasted on Wars sponsored by the Oligarchs, including genocide, and an unchecked Military Industrial Complex (including Boeing), and the evisceration of the Middle Class as America descends into gross inequality of the haves and have nots, not seen since America's gilded robber baron era of the 1920s.
Liberals have a boner for the word "nuanced", like, when Bill Clinton perjures himself or HRC violates the Espionage Act, that just means that we need to take a *nuanced* reading of the statute to excuse them.
So let me take a nuanced view: when a PMC yuppie hears the words "more immigrants", those words mean "Cheaper au pairs and ethnic restaurants! O Goodies!" When a working class person hears the words "more immigrants" he thinks fewer jobs, more competition for housing, longer lines for services.
I am generally *for* immigration, but let's not pretend that immigration is cost-free, or that these costs are borne equally by everyone.
Yes it falls into the same category as “controversial”. It would deserve pride of place in the badly needed and enlarging niche - the “Weasel’s Dictionary” . Ambrose Bierce has already taken the Devil’s Dictionary?
Rob Henderson cites a study indicating that "educated people are more likely to express prejudice toward immigrants who are described as highly educated, relative to less educated, and are therefore seen as job competitors." I always thought the idea that conservatives didn't like immigrants because they viewed them as job competition was a liberal canard, but apparently not, or at least not entirely: https://www.robkhenderson.com/p/the-grand-canyon-sized-chasm-between
Not only that, permitting the importation of a new underclass, mass immigration provides the regime with fresh opportunities to engineer solutions to social problems and ethnic conflicts. In this way, immigration strengthens and perpetuates liberalism’s moral legitimacy. At the expense of everyone else.
Some truth to that. Somewhat like how prisoners have remarked that the prison guards encourage racial divisions as that makes the inmates easier to control.
El. Who’s everyone else? The feckless Libertarians that want to control everyone who is not a comfortable, complacent, cowardly yuppie? Susan and Mary are right. And I say immigration will dilute the current empire infected zeitgeist we currently slog along in.
What a dumb statement. I wouldn’t put anybody in any gulag and I’ve never given you any reason to think I would. Pull your head out and come into the light.
Americans are described as “naive” about their ME foreign policy. Not amoral, not fraudulent. Not wantonly untrustworthy. Just naive in the way you are when you have CIA spies in every country, spy on all your own citizens and allies and maintain 800 military bases in 70 countries.
You are saying that people who live in an empire that has caused poverty and governmental breakdown in many other nations to enrich the rich and afford some trickle down to the middle class, are entitled to, and should ,slam shut the borders to the refugees from our own county's policies. Lucky for us that our own ancestors didn't face that attitude, tho they usually faced discrimination after being let in., Many of those south of the border have ancestors here much farther back than most of us privileged honkies, who are entitled to live here because of all that hard work we did to earn the privilege, in being born here. I also think your thesis is false. Perhaps immigration causes some job loss, but most immigrants are doing shit jobs Americans don't want. Much job loss comes from outsourcing, and from automation.
Then I’ll happily be a hypocrite. It’s capitalism 1st and last that hurts the poor, especially the working poor. In fact it creates them, then hurts them. And immigration scares the shit out of capitalists. Especially corporate capitalists. So more power to them.
Exactly—because workers won’t allow them into their unions so they are left to the mercy of the bosses. If workers weren’t so stupid, they’d ORGANIZE these new comers.
These newcomers often cant even get a work permit - you are correct about the organizing, but there's more to it than just that. When undocumented people show up at the workplace, there is an immediate decision split that offers a choice of two options: 1) help these people through organizing or 2) exclude these people through organizing (or ICE). Sadly the anxiety we live in over job security leads most often to the latter, and any rare occasion anyone takes the first option leads to people pooping themselves that "communism" has taken hold.
Yep. That’s why they’re called sheep. And even sheep have more courage than most cable watching, cell phone sucking, gas hog driving “workers”, who mostly won’t take the jobs the immigrants do but will fight like fascists to keep the immigrants from taking those jobs. Immigrants are a great addition to the gene pool now dominated by ignorant, lazy, militant, xenophobic white people who will do anything to protect their privileges but nothing to defend human rights.
Iirc, the libertarian/free market version of this goes something like if there is to be free flow of capital there also needs to be free flow of labor.
I would add that the free market "version" above is supposed to be the most efficient way to run real free market ecomomies, where supply can meet demand (including labor). When labor is restricted but capital isn't, it's not a real free market. Also, I'm making no defense of that approach, just saying that capitalists who don't want free flow of labor are not true free market advocates (thus, as you say, mostly hypocrites).
Except when it can juice productivity without increasing wages. Continually throwing cheap labor into the machine definitely helps this through depressing all the wages and raising worker anxiety, but this isn't necessarily also an increase in population.
Susan - I always think it is difficult for people lucky enough to be born in the USA to understand the depth of chaos and evil that is always aiming to bring down America. Make no mistake that countries like Russia, China, and Iran want nothing more than to take the USA's place as the global superpower. They are not reacting to American misdeeds, their course of action is not in response to NATO. They are simply preying on our high moral standards as a tool to justify their very immoral objectives. This is in no way to say that America is not without flaws, or is beyond reproach. But if you think that any of these countries are operating on a set of values, ethics, or code of conduct that is even remotely on par with Western Ideals - it is a profound error. Individuals like Terry Byrne who commented below are deeply lost and confused.
Not all wars that the USA becomes involved in are worth the cost. But some of these conflicts must be supported or the Wolves will soon be at our door or those of our Western Allies.
no they want nothing more than for the US to stop trying to overthrow their governments. They are not committing genocide. they are not invading or destabilizing Mexico or Canada or Venezuela or Cuba or Grenada to use as tools against the US. I am deeply sorry that you have internalized all this propaganda. I can't see ANY wars that the US has been involved in since it inherited/manipulated its way into being the sole superpower that have been worth it. Not Korea (another US genocide), or Greece, or Iraq, or Guatemala, or Vietnam, or Nicaragua, or Iraq, or Iran. None of them.
I think you need to read a history book - and travel more. And when you are done, turn and thank every US Veteran you can find and thank them for providing a World that allows you to be so naive if you choose.
I'm not sure anyone is 'Praying' on our moral standards but they are most definitely PREYING on them. For all of its flaws, historical errors and failures the USA and Western Countries in general are the most moral and ethical countries to exist. If you are unable to appreciate that, it is because you are fortunate to have been born here and have not seen or experienced the horrors to be found in other places.
It happens to me quite a lot as well. I just wanted to make sure we hadn't altered the topic slightly. :-) If you are sincere in your question - I will try to answer sincerely. The USA is based largely on Judeo-Christian Ethics and Liberal Western Political Values. The USA has always attempted to be a fair and moral actor. We historically have attempted to pursue courses of action that are Just, not just in our best interest (We have not always lived up to this standard but this is the prevalent will of the Public). US Citizens and Western Countries are empathic to other peoples. We are curious about their cultural values. We seek to understand people from different places and value their differing perspectives and opinions. However one of the errors that occurs is that we assume other people are much more like us than they are. Many people in the World have little to no empathy for people outside their borders. If you think the US is a Racist country - travel to Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Russia. And you will find racism so engrained in the social fabric is not even questioned. What would the geographical region around Palestine look like if the Palestinians suddenly were in a position of power? Imagine what the outcome would be. Immediate Jewish genocide. Immediate killing or expulsion of any non-muslims. Immediate killing or expulsion of any Western people. Most likely the immediate implementation of Sharia Law. Many of these countries and groups throughout the world are not seeking a more peaceful or fair balance of power in the globe. They are merely fabricating arguments of perceived Western Injustice as a way to validate their efforts to become the next Superpower. They turn Americans into citizens who hate America and believe that some other country will be a more fair, compassionate and equitable custodian of the global hegemony. It is nonsense. If you think the exercise of power by the strong is scary - granting of power to the weak results in Dystopia.
I do not have the same view of the US, their empathy etc. as you do. I don't think Judeo-Christian ethics foster empathy, kindness and understanding at all and I have very limited respect for Liberal Western Political values. I have lived in other countries and some have been way more accepting of others than either the US or Canada, where I live. Others have been equally racist and classist. I do agree that many other countries have just as many issues with racism etc as the US. I don't see communism as an answer to anything. I don't think that the US government has high moral values at all and I also do not think that the Russian or Chinese governments have high moral values. I think you have blinders on about the environment in which you live.
Sure he could stop the war overnight just like POTUS JFK could and did. If Genocide Joe did that they would immediately rush him to a mental health facility and keep him there while his replacement set about increasing the supply of bombs and shells to Israel .
This is the third or fourth time there is no notification of a post from Substack for Caitlin;s Post no other, just this particular post. Can someone help with this, or is this purposely done. Not in spam either. If it happened once I would think it's an accident, but no more.
All Americans and all non-Americans should see the lickspittle video on you tube of Nutjobahoo speaking to Congress. Premedication with anti-emetics highly recommended.
There must be a permanent ceasefire in Gaza in order to comply with the ICJ ruling. Not with Palestinians suffering under oppressive conditions, but as a place where all live with peace and equality. It is time for Pope Francis to do more than talk. He must go to Gaza and make a stand for peace and freedom.
Let us also support UNRWA. If our governments won’t act in accordance with humanity, then we will. https://www.unrwausa.org/donate Let us do it to honor Aaron Bushnell, or in memory of Hind Rajab.
Let us call for a No Fly-Zone over Gaza!
These are a few small things we can do. If we can do more, let us do more.
The propaganda is worse than you state, as it’s twisted the minds of people into believing that 10’s of thousands of dead Palestinian civilians is morally justified. Many people I encounter on comment threads, I love trolling the daily wire especially, are fully aware of what’s happening, as far as the death and are ok with it. I’ve had heated arguments with coworkers about it. They believe Israel is on the right side, and any collateral damage is just that, and justified. To me this is even more disgusting then just being misinformed. They want every Palestinian dead, but somehow have convinced themselves that’s not calling for a genocide..
This is not surprising, considering that the MSM is doing the equivalent of jamming their fingers into their ears and screaming "I CAN'T HEAR YOU! I CAN'T HEAR YOU! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"
Not to mention that, if the average frustrated American were to admit the obvious, this would logically lead to all sorts of other unpleasant conclusions about Israel and our own government, and our role in supporting hose states and their acts of genocide.
Since the average frustrated American has no real say in government policies, even if he wanted to have one, that would require rather jarring cognitive dissonances to avoid unpleasant (and potentially harmful) conclusions.
By contrast, if you play stupid, you can avoid all that.
This all relates back to the “ Smith-Mundt Modernization Act “ 2012. The bill became law in January 2013, signed by Obama. Simply put it allows the use of propaganda & lies to subvert the public. Blaming the media is but a small portion of this evil. Our elected representatives both parties unleashed this abomination on its own citizens. Remove this act and it will make our representatives accountable.
"the use of propaganda & lies to subvert the public" has been standard use, but voluminously used since the Founding Liars/Slavers/rapists/torturers/Holocausters/... .
Don't blame the victim - 80% of Americans are living hand to mouth and working their asses off for peanuts, and lack the time and resources to be "doing their own research".
The. media is lying to the ones who have the luxury of reading - often by omission, a propaganda tactic which requires even more work to expose.
This is nonsense. Everyone has access to the internet and most spend hours doom scrollling social media aimlessly. Anyone with an open mind can do a little research instead of just flipping on the corporate media or watching tik toks all night.
I don’t think I buy that “they’re working their asses off” so they can’t be informed. There is a moral baseline in people and knowing that civilians—women and children—are being bombed and starved is all you need to know to have revulsion for the perpetrators. Not having that revulsion is a sign that cruelty has become our guiding light not empathy.
Have you worked 80 hours a week in 2 jobs to pay 70% gross in rent and had the lights and gas turned off (in the winter) for failure to pay the bills and faced eviction and don't know whether to put $10 in gas in your car to get to work or buy some shitty food for your hungry kids? Or felt horrible that your kids wear Salvation Army clothes and feel ashamed at school? Then after giving the kids a bath and putting them to bed they're supposed to search out accurate info on Gaza?
I grew up that way. But we were always well informed because my mother made sure we had intelligent discussions at the dinner table before one of us six kids did the dishes and another walked out to the nearby farm to get eggs for 25 cents after carrying a load of rags to the gas station to sell for said 25 cents, as my mother did a load of laundry with a hand wringer and no dryer before going to work the next day scrubbing floors for the neighbors. All my clothes came from church sales or the SA. We couldn’t afford TV until later on so we listened to the radio but I knew about HUAC, I knew about racism in our small town, I knew we dropped an atomic bomb on Japan, etc. I don’t lack empathy for that state but I don’t excuse them either. Get over yourself.
A kindred soul! Thank you for this story. I sometimes get on such a jihad against the Yuppie generation that I forget that there are still a lot of anti-corporate smart people still kicking against the Wall. To me, I think the main difference is that my generation had values—social justice, anti military, civil rights, and a kind of crazy, woo woo spirituality that looked for a new ethos in a savage nation. The yuppies hated all that, and got their Nikes and their email and their designer coffee, expensive wine and cocaine and ran off to climb the corporate ladder and invest in Mall Street. They hated unions, they thought civil rights was Micheal Jordan, thought the military was to be thanked for its “service” and that the only voting they should do was voting people off the island. We arrived at where we are fair and square by our own hand and own choices. And it’s typical of a dying empire.
What "nation" is the largest terrorist organization ever in the world's history, Gene? NONE other than the usa. So the usa got on the stick creating their "terrorist" drivel/nonsense/gross, serial lies pointing fingers at others, AS THEY ALWAYS DO when the usa is the worst of everything evil in the world.,
You need help. You can start with deconstructing what you consider to be a "terrorist organization" and fairly apply that concept to all entities that fit the bill, then do your wee analysis about starting pissing contests and what should be expected and sympathized. I was once as deluded as you.
bill wolfe to Wolfenotes: Don't blame the victim - 80% of Americans are living hand to mouth and working their asses off for peanuts, and lack the time and resources to be "doing their own research".
====
Nobody to blame for that, Bill, than the idiots themselves, the folks who have bought into all the totally rank, perpetual lying usa propaganda, the first load of bool shtt from the Founding Liars and it has been all downhill since then.
It is not the piss poor education system, it is the total lack of an education system, Gene. And it is the height of ignorance to suggest that the REGRESSIVE right wing nutcases know or are even aware of just how totally ignorant they are.
How in 'tarnation do you "think" the usa has free thought when all that is heard, all that is regurgitated is usa rank propaganda/lies/pure bee ess.
Your reply is a perfect example of this same desantis, right wing trumper shtt where all can only mouth the few buzz words their brains can remember.
From the mouths of regressives, never from their brains because those "brains" are ONLY used for low level motor skills.
Progressive actions are exactly how humans, let me use a smaller word so you can understand, PROGRESS!!!
How is there, can there be any free thought amongst brain dead trumpers who follow a brain dead trump? Whose lies number 30,000 plus in his 4 years of being just another usa Class A war criminal.
Spot on. As a corollary to your proposition, people have stopped deep diving into main stream media because 1) they have been told not to believe it, 2) they shouldn't believe it, 3) the journalistic method (which I learned in Jr. High School) has been tipped on its head (the real information is no longer contained in the first paragraph, but hidden somewhere near the end).
Watch those YouTube videos where the interviewer asks random American history questions to people on the beach, boardwalk, or street in California. The vast majority don't know anything except where the nearest Starbucks is. The American population is ignorant, compliant, and therefore complicit.
For those tempted to 'vote' for Trump, here is a quote from Kristi Noem, considered a contender for Trump's running mate, courtesy of Chuck Baldwin.
"When I was growing up, my dad would always gather our family together and we would pray for Israel. It was instilled in me from a very young age that the Jews were Gods [sic] chosen people, that Israel was the Holy Land, and that we should always pray for them.
I brought those fundamental ideals with me when I was in the State Legislature, when I served in Congress, and now as Governor of South Dakota. Supporting the State of Israel and our Jewish community has always been extremely important to me. It’s important to support Israel for spiritual, historical, and national security reasons. I am continuing to stand with the Jewish people by signing historic legislation to protect them from antisemitism.
I was very proud to sign HB 1076, a very important bill to combat antisemitism. This bill defines antisemitism and makes it easier to prove when discriminatory conduct is motivated by antisemitism. It is an impactful piece of legislation that will ensure the safety of Jewish people and strengthen South Dakota’s anti-discrimination laws.
We held a beautiful, moving signing ceremony for this bill in the Rotunda of our State Capitol in Pierre. Many prominent Jewish leaders attended, including Elan Carr, the CEO of the Israeli-American Council for Action, nationally renowned Jewish leader and founder of the Jacobson Society Dan Rosen, Rabbi and Director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center Dr. Mark Goldfeder, Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz of the Chabad Jewish Center of South Dakota, Renie Schreiber on behalf of Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, and Jordan Cope from Stand With Us. A few of our special guests said some words about the impact this legislation will have for the Jewish people.
This bill puts the gold standard International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance [IHRA] definition of antisemitism into state law.
I hope that more states across our great nation will follow this example that we are setting here in South Dakota. It is more important now than ever for our nation’s leaders to stand up and fight against antisemitism. We must always work to ensure the security of God’s chosen people."
Any Trump policy on Israel will have - and has had - no basis in religious belief.
The real Trump objectives were perfectly revealed by his son in law Jared Kushner in his remarks at Harvard's Kennedy School back in February: "waterfront property" in Gaza needs to be "cleared" and Israel needs to "finish the job".
"Any Trump policy on Israel will have - and has had - no basis in religious belief.
The real Trump objectives were perfectly revealed by his son in law Jared Kushner in his remarks at Harvard's Kennedy School back in February: "waterfront property" in Gaza needs to be "cleared" and Israel needs to "finish the job"."
A little background, even if I'm preaching to the faithful. So, here's the bill itself: https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/266416.pdf It only incorporates the IHRA's "working definition of antisemitism" into South Dakota legal code. What is that definition? It's here: https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism. It's a "working definition", thereby manipulable by the IHRA at any time. Why is this controversial? Because the "working definition" incorporates opposing the actions of the State of Israel into the definition of antisemitism, specifically in the latter paragraphs:
"Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to [selection of points mentioning Israel follows]:
"Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
"Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
"Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
"Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
"Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
"Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel."
I decry collectivism as much as the next individualist, and I would never think that because an individual is Jewish, he or she supports Israel's genocidal actions in Gaza or even the existence of the State of Israel. One only finds that out through observation. And, boy howdy, are we finding out!
Indeed, the first sentence of the working definition is a canard. "Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews." May be. May not be. We decide what that perception is, not you.
Thank you for this. It shows how much Nazi’s love Israhell, because Israhell is a Nazi enclave. People who call this out get called anti-semites when in fact they are anti Zionazi.
Respectfully speaking - this "supposed" poll doesn't hold an ounce of credence nor does any other supposed polls! Everyone I speak with - hundreds of people are consumed with horror regarding what Israel is doing. Just this morning my building manager was on her way to church to pray for the Palestinians! All of these polls are nothing but bunkum bullshit and balderdash. I'm shocked you would repeat them.
I had to laugh back in 2016 when they claimed Hillary Clinton was about to win (according to all the polls of course) in a landslide when in fact every single person you (polled) spoke with said they were voting for Trump! It was certainly no shock to me she lost! No different when they claim the economy is so robust because all the malls are packed - but when you LOOK at the "supposed" shoppers - none are actually carrying bags!
I have to say I'm a bit shocked that you would waste your time on such fallacy's. I often ask my friends (throughout the years) if they've ever been polled for ANYTHING and everyone says the exact same thing - NO!! That's how I determined and solidified they're all fictitious - but the Hillary polls were the worst and yet people bought into them!
The Mayor in my town (Fort Lee NJ - think Bridge Gate - Mark Sokolich) claimed, when he polled the residents, they all wanted more outdoor dining on Main Street. Mind you, this is just one of the many streets that head to the GWB and are congested with diesel spewing jitneys (see photo) that basically cause you to choke on the fumes -https://boswellengineering.com/projects-c-transportation-streetscape/. As you can see no one in their right mind wants to sit outside dining, nor ever does.
Yet Mark insisted and swore that's what the residents wanted - according to his polls of course! For months and months I asked nearly everyone in that town if they heard of such a poll to which they all replied - they knew absolutely nothing about! The next time I saw Mark I asked him where exactly he conducted this supposed poll and if it were perhaps around his own kitchen table?
I'm in my middle 60's and have never ever been polled for anything - except the stuff you now buy on line or a doctors visit. In fact, if you look at these reviews the vast majority are all fictious as well - you can tell just by the wording. It's all the same.
One website I went to when looking for a doctor, had a few, maybe a hundred or so reviews (mostly all worded the same) but no actual place (or icon) to leave and or write a review - hysterical!!! The whole system is completely bogus! That's why anytime I read the phrases survey - polls or reviews I pay absolutely no attention.
As I say, there is not one person I've spoken with that is not consumed with sorrow, hatred anger and horror regarding the slaughter of so many innocent victims. Even the younger generations are paying attention!
Other than what I have read in articles - I have not personally encountered anyone supporting Israel - by the way I also live 10 minutes from Teaneck NJ where there are 15,000 Jewish residents who were out protesting a recent real-estate event to sell land in Gaza.
Hundreds of Palestine supporters protest Israeli real estate ...
Mar 11, 2024 — The “Great Israeli Real Estate Event” has inflamed existing tensions in Teaneck, a town of approximately 41,000 residents and home to large ...
I'm surprised half of Americans know the answer. I'd have guessed it's even lower.
I agree the press plays a significant role in that, but general human inattention and disinterest are also a part of it. And the variables that impact where we place our attention are enormous - a big discussion on its own.
20 percent of news consumers reading past a headline seems high, as well. I'd like a better source on that.
That said, I wish the press would publish in a way that would put pressure on those who could end this to end this.
Taking apart the press was the 1st goal of PNAC because they knew they couldn’t take over congress if there was an informed electorate. So Murdock and Alles started Fox and Rush Limbaugh was spewed out to “fly over” country which the Clinton democrats forgot about as they scurried to become republicans. Media consolidation took hold with a vengeance after Wiley Willy repealed the Fairness Doctrine and our slide into corporate controlled fascism was underway. And the yuppies loved every minute of it because it fattened their portfolios.
- Generally, at least with the written media, the editors write the headlines, not the reporters. (I’ve heard reporters complaining about how misleading their choices often are.) It makes even more sense, then, that editorial bias stands out most prominently in the headlines.
- Beyond that, the reporting and writing both are often biased as well, especially when it comes to the Middle East, Russia and other places/conflicts in which our government is active.
- Back to how written articles: there is a formula used in writing them, with an opening paragraph specifically designed as an abbreviated version, both for those who don’t typically read beyond it and as an encouragement, nevertheless, to do so. That’s followed by the main body of the report, and then by a summary/closing. There are often conflicting biases/‘facts’ within the articles themselves - perhaps because of multiple reporters, sloppy/bootlicking writing, or, in that opening paragraph, direct editorial input.
Most people seem to think NATO is a good thing and we need it to defend ourselves from the evils of Russia and China. When I listen to MSM these days I hear about how other governments are treating the governed and how terrible that is. They talk about how there is no money to help immigrants, but they always have enough money to send more weapons and ammunition to Ukraine and to Israel to fight wars that really are being fought on behalf of the US which hardly anyone seems to realize. It is difficult for the people to even try to change things or to protest things when our MSM continues to report as if we are the good guys and others.....Russia, China, Africa, the Middle East.......are the bad guys. Everything "we" do is for democracy: everything "they" do is to benefit those in power.
You are not the first to note that we cannot afford fripperies and useless luxuries such as infrastructure, education or healthcare, but nobody cries "But we can't afford it!" when it comes to bailing out the billionaires at the casino or putting another stupid war on the national credit card.
And, in Cleveland, ALWAYS finding public funds to build, renovate sports' facilities owned by billionaires.....which most Clevelanders (we hoi polloi) can't afford to attend.....it never ends. An
As it has always been and always will be...thanks to PROPAGANDA and a press bought and owned by bizillionnaires....
What is to be done, Whatistobedone, start to really point out how the usa is a rogue, Gangster, war criminal, crimes against humanity, genocide, Holocaust doing and supporting, ... "nation". Since the Founding Liars.
There are no, as in NONE, other "nations" that come close to the evils the usa does, save for the sycophant sockcucker "nations" that support usa deep evil.
usa rank, but HIGHLY EFFECTIVE propaganda must be countered.
One GREAT way is to expose 9/11 for the mass murder it was done by elements of the usa government. That they can get away with this mass murder of some 2966 folks on 9/11 and the a further up to 6 million folks around the world who did NOTHING to the usa.
Not a single shred of evidence for the usa 9/11 fairy tale and myriad total scientific impossibilities, many usa and usa supporting "scientists" lies about the myriad total scientific impossibilities.
If this were exposed and the criminals responsible for lying and covering up all the lies, the usa's standing would take a big hit, and things would change.
Each and every one of the many total impossibilities of the USGs'O9/11CT sinks the usa fairy tale all by themselves.
WTC7 free fall acceleration, which can only happen with a controlled demolition. And the explosives that were used for the CDs of WTCs 1, 2 & 7 were found in WTC dust along with the explosive by products.
Case closed! Consider how usa lies about Russia & China and others get traction but the usa gets away with an event like 9/11 and goes on to mass murder more than the German Holocaust and by and large there is silence about the event.
Wow!! So in other words, you are basically a nihilist bent on destroying thousands of years of all of Western civilization!! Or perhaps, you are so intent on venting your spleen, you have failed to consider your own historical and philosophical ignorance!
Yes! A brilliant, logical, and appropriate counter argument to the hypocrisy you are addressing ! Thank goodness!!
Not sure that I mentioned immigrants or immigration....
You're right! Doh. Wrong thread. Going to delete comment.
No worries.
this article will never be found in the mainstream media. The truth, that is. The absolutely despicable treatment of UNRWA
https://inthesetimes.com/article/defunding-unrwa-never-about-hamas
great song by Jenn Grant https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t11I45OmE88&t=48s
Noam Chomsky says of NATO, that NATO exists to deal with the problems created by its existence. I agree.
NATO is over!
that would be good news. probably the mainstream news would even report it, altho I am not sure they would say it was good news
They're also trying to push through expansion of AUKUS incase Biden is not elected. Two thirds of military spending of course just goes straight into MIC pockets. NATO has been revealed as a front.
Immigration policies hurt the poor and the working poor the most. If you defend mass immigration and criticize Capitalism, or defend Capitalism and criticize immigration you are a hypocrite.
immigration policies affect people who are trying to flee wars, often helped along by the US, the most. I would rather be a hypocrite in this case than inhuman.
Immigration has always been a political football, along with the more recent Wokeness political football. Although I would agree Immigration issues are important, if I had to rank the problems plaguing the US right now, I would say unchecked Militarism, gross Inequality and a lack of a Representative Democracy along with growing fascism, rank far higher than the issues of Immigration or Wokeness.
But in parallel with Caitlin's post today, corporate Media will push the Immigration and Wokeness issues over the elephants in the room: Trillions of dollars wasted on Wars sponsored by the Oligarchs, including genocide, and an unchecked Military Industrial Complex (including Boeing), and the evisceration of the Middle Class as America descends into gross inequality of the haves and have nots, not seen since America's gilded robber baron era of the 1920s.
Liberals have a boner for the word "nuanced", like, when Bill Clinton perjures himself or HRC violates the Espionage Act, that just means that we need to take a *nuanced* reading of the statute to excuse them.
So let me take a nuanced view: when a PMC yuppie hears the words "more immigrants", those words mean "Cheaper au pairs and ethnic restaurants! O Goodies!" When a working class person hears the words "more immigrants" he thinks fewer jobs, more competition for housing, longer lines for services.
I am generally *for* immigration, but let's not pretend that immigration is cost-free, or that these costs are borne equally by everyone.
Yes it falls into the same category as “controversial”. It would deserve pride of place in the badly needed and enlarging niche - the “Weasel’s Dictionary” . Ambrose Bierce has already taken the Devil’s Dictionary?
Rob Henderson cites a study indicating that "educated people are more likely to express prejudice toward immigrants who are described as highly educated, relative to less educated, and are therefore seen as job competitors." I always thought the idea that conservatives didn't like immigrants because they viewed them as job competition was a liberal canard, but apparently not, or at least not entirely: https://www.robkhenderson.com/p/the-grand-canyon-sized-chasm-between
Not only that, permitting the importation of a new underclass, mass immigration provides the regime with fresh opportunities to engineer solutions to social problems and ethnic conflicts. In this way, immigration strengthens and perpetuates liberalism’s moral legitimacy. At the expense of everyone else.
Some truth to that. Somewhat like how prisoners have remarked that the prison guards encourage racial divisions as that makes the inmates easier to control.
El. Who’s everyone else? The feckless Libertarians that want to control everyone who is not a comfortable, complacent, cowardly yuppie? Susan and Mary are right. And I say immigration will dilute the current empire infected zeitgeist we currently slog along in.
Proletariat, deplorables—the ones you'd like to put in gulag.
What a dumb statement. I wouldn’t put anybody in any gulag and I’ve never given you any reason to think I would. Pull your head out and come into the light.
I just saw another one
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/24/israel-hamas-war-news-gaza-palestine/?commentID=82563aa6-58e2-4603-a774-1fe5a486b880
Americans are described as “naive” about their ME foreign policy. Not amoral, not fraudulent. Not wantonly untrustworthy. Just naive in the way you are when you have CIA spies in every country, spy on all your own citizens and allies and maintain 800 military bases in 70 countries.
More nuanced than that, LOL 😂😆
You are saying that people who live in an empire that has caused poverty and governmental breakdown in many other nations to enrich the rich and afford some trickle down to the middle class, are entitled to, and should ,slam shut the borders to the refugees from our own county's policies. Lucky for us that our own ancestors didn't face that attitude, tho they usually faced discrimination after being let in., Many of those south of the border have ancestors here much farther back than most of us privileged honkies, who are entitled to live here because of all that hard work we did to earn the privilege, in being born here. I also think your thesis is false. Perhaps immigration causes some job loss, but most immigrants are doing shit jobs Americans don't want. Much job loss comes from outsourcing, and from automation.
Then I’ll happily be a hypocrite. It’s capitalism 1st and last that hurts the poor, especially the working poor. In fact it creates them, then hurts them. And immigration scares the shit out of capitalists. Especially corporate capitalists. So more power to them.
Real capitalists love immigration because it enables that labor exploitation.
Exactly—because workers won’t allow them into their unions so they are left to the mercy of the bosses. If workers weren’t so stupid, they’d ORGANIZE these new comers.
These newcomers often cant even get a work permit - you are correct about the organizing, but there's more to it than just that. When undocumented people show up at the workplace, there is an immediate decision split that offers a choice of two options: 1) help these people through organizing or 2) exclude these people through organizing (or ICE). Sadly the anxiety we live in over job security leads most often to the latter, and any rare occasion anyone takes the first option leads to people pooping themselves that "communism" has taken hold.
Yep. That’s why they’re called sheep. And even sheep have more courage than most cable watching, cell phone sucking, gas hog driving “workers”, who mostly won’t take the jobs the immigrants do but will fight like fascists to keep the immigrants from taking those jobs. Immigrants are a great addition to the gene pool now dominated by ignorant, lazy, militant, xenophobic white people who will do anything to protect their privileges but nothing to defend human rights.
Iirc, the libertarian/free market version of this goes something like if there is to be free flow of capital there also needs to be free flow of labor.
Capitalism in any form, DEMANDS constant increase in population.
I would add that the free market "version" above is supposed to be the most efficient way to run real free market ecomomies, where supply can meet demand (including labor). When labor is restricted but capital isn't, it's not a real free market. Also, I'm making no defense of that approach, just saying that capitalists who don't want free flow of labor are not true free market advocates (thus, as you say, mostly hypocrites).
Except when it can juice productivity without increasing wages. Continually throwing cheap labor into the machine definitely helps this through depressing all the wages and raising worker anxiety, but this isn't necessarily also an increase in population.
Susan - I always think it is difficult for people lucky enough to be born in the USA to understand the depth of chaos and evil that is always aiming to bring down America. Make no mistake that countries like Russia, China, and Iran want nothing more than to take the USA's place as the global superpower. They are not reacting to American misdeeds, their course of action is not in response to NATO. They are simply preying on our high moral standards as a tool to justify their very immoral objectives. This is in no way to say that America is not without flaws, or is beyond reproach. But if you think that any of these countries are operating on a set of values, ethics, or code of conduct that is even remotely on par with Western Ideals - it is a profound error. Individuals like Terry Byrne who commented below are deeply lost and confused.
Not all wars that the USA becomes involved in are worth the cost. But some of these conflicts must be supported or the Wolves will soon be at our door or those of our Western Allies.
no they want nothing more than for the US to stop trying to overthrow their governments. They are not committing genocide. they are not invading or destabilizing Mexico or Canada or Venezuela or Cuba or Grenada to use as tools against the US. I am deeply sorry that you have internalized all this propaganda. I can't see ANY wars that the US has been involved in since it inherited/manipulated its way into being the sole superpower that have been worth it. Not Korea (another US genocide), or Greece, or Iraq, or Guatemala, or Vietnam, or Nicaragua, or Iraq, or Iran. None of them.
I think you need to read a history book - and travel more. And when you are done, turn and thank every US Veteran you can find and thank them for providing a World that allows you to be so naive if you choose.
i think you need to read some objective history books, and not nonsense that glorifies the role of the US empire in the world.
Praying on what high moral standards?
I'm not sure anyone is 'Praying' on our moral standards but they are most definitely PREYING on them. For all of its flaws, historical errors and failures the USA and Western Countries in general are the most moral and ethical countries to exist. If you are unable to appreciate that, it is because you are fortunate to have been born here and have not seen or experienced the horrors to be found in other places.
I wasn't born here. and this substack has not been allowing edits.
It happens to me quite a lot as well. I just wanted to make sure we hadn't altered the topic slightly. :-) If you are sincere in your question - I will try to answer sincerely. The USA is based largely on Judeo-Christian Ethics and Liberal Western Political Values. The USA has always attempted to be a fair and moral actor. We historically have attempted to pursue courses of action that are Just, not just in our best interest (We have not always lived up to this standard but this is the prevalent will of the Public). US Citizens and Western Countries are empathic to other peoples. We are curious about their cultural values. We seek to understand people from different places and value their differing perspectives and opinions. However one of the errors that occurs is that we assume other people are much more like us than they are. Many people in the World have little to no empathy for people outside their borders. If you think the US is a Racist country - travel to Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Russia. And you will find racism so engrained in the social fabric is not even questioned. What would the geographical region around Palestine look like if the Palestinians suddenly were in a position of power? Imagine what the outcome would be. Immediate Jewish genocide. Immediate killing or expulsion of any non-muslims. Immediate killing or expulsion of any Western people. Most likely the immediate implementation of Sharia Law. Many of these countries and groups throughout the world are not seeking a more peaceful or fair balance of power in the globe. They are merely fabricating arguments of perceived Western Injustice as a way to validate their efforts to become the next Superpower. They turn Americans into citizens who hate America and believe that some other country will be a more fair, compassionate and equitable custodian of the global hegemony. It is nonsense. If you think the exercise of power by the strong is scary - granting of power to the weak results in Dystopia.
I do not have the same view of the US, their empathy etc. as you do. I don't think Judeo-Christian ethics foster empathy, kindness and understanding at all and I have very limited respect for Liberal Western Political values. I have lived in other countries and some have been way more accepting of others than either the US or Canada, where I live. Others have been equally racist and classist. I do agree that many other countries have just as many issues with racism etc as the US. I don't see communism as an answer to anything. I don't think that the US government has high moral values at all and I also do not think that the Russian or Chinese governments have high moral values. I think you have blinders on about the environment in which you live.
goodness you are so naive and blinkered in your view of the US.
Excellent. And in a nut shell! 👍
And US legislators are going to invite Bibi over for yet another insulting bloodthirsty lecture?
Genocide Joe could stop this war overnight if he had the inclination - instead of he and Blinken issuing toothless threats that Bibi ignores.
My guess is that the U.S. has always know about Israel's real desires.
As long as Israel played along, The U.S. had no problem funding them.
Neither Biden nor Trump seem willing to put the breaks on them
Sure he could stop the war overnight just like POTUS JFK could and did. If Genocide Joe did that they would immediately rush him to a mental health facility and keep him there while his replacement set about increasing the supply of bombs and shells to Israel .
This is the third or fourth time there is no notification of a post from Substack for Caitlin;s Post no other, just this particular post. Can someone help with this, or is this purposely done. Not in spam either. If it happened once I would think it's an accident, but no more.
All Americans and all non-Americans should see the lickspittle video on you tube of Nutjobahoo speaking to Congress. Premedication with anti-emetics highly recommended.
Biden: "Here's some bombs. Now don't you be dropping these on your enemies, you hear? Or you'll be getting some strong words from us."
They must have pictures of these guys with children or something. They’re destroying THEMSELVES in order to hang onto prestige and power. 🤔
There must be a permanent ceasefire in Gaza in order to comply with the ICJ ruling. Not with Palestinians suffering under oppressive conditions, but as a place where all live with peace and equality. It is time for Pope Francis to do more than talk. He must go to Gaza and make a stand for peace and freedom.
Please sign the petition and share widely.
https://chng.it/CRQ7qw4Gzn
Code pink
https://www.codepink.org/cnngaza?utm_campaign=12_15_pali_update_alert_3&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink
Let us also support UNRWA. If our governments won’t act in accordance with humanity, then we will. https://www.unrwausa.org/donate Let us do it to honor Aaron Bushnell, or in memory of Hind Rajab.
Let us call for a No Fly-Zone over Gaza!
These are a few small things we can do. If we can do more, let us do more.
The propaganda is worse than you state, as it’s twisted the minds of people into believing that 10’s of thousands of dead Palestinian civilians is morally justified. Many people I encounter on comment threads, I love trolling the daily wire especially, are fully aware of what’s happening, as far as the death and are ok with it. I’ve had heated arguments with coworkers about it. They believe Israel is on the right side, and any collateral damage is just that, and justified. To me this is even more disgusting then just being misinformed. They want every Palestinian dead, but somehow have convinced themselves that’s not calling for a genocide..
The moral depravity is truly disgusting. Western values ain’t worth the paper they’re written on…
"Western values" is an oxymoron.
Western White "christian" Holocausts are the world's largest, by 10s, 20s, 30s of millions.
It used to be Judeo-Christian. Now it seems that Judeo is sufficient.
Dr.Who: The moral depravity is truly disgusting. Western values ain’t worth the paper they’re written on…
***************************
The usa total Con con stee 2 shunis a perfect example of that.
This is not surprising, considering that the MSM is doing the equivalent of jamming their fingers into their ears and screaming "I CAN'T HEAR YOU! I CAN'T HEAR YOU! I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"
Not to mention that, if the average frustrated American were to admit the obvious, this would logically lead to all sorts of other unpleasant conclusions about Israel and our own government, and our role in supporting hose states and their acts of genocide.
Since the average frustrated American has no real say in government policies, even if he wanted to have one, that would require rather jarring cognitive dissonances to avoid unpleasant (and potentially harmful) conclusions.
By contrast, if you play stupid, you can avoid all that.
They get to avoid the discomfort of being "good Germans," unlike those of us who are watching these horrors and don't know what we can do about it.
This all relates back to the “ Smith-Mundt Modernization Act “ 2012. The bill became law in January 2013, signed by Obama. Simply put it allows the use of propaganda & lies to subvert the public. Blaming the media is but a small portion of this evil. Our elected representatives both parties unleashed this abomination on its own citizens. Remove this act and it will make our representatives accountable.
I remember the day that law was passed. Couldn't believe it.
"the use of propaganda & lies to subvert the public" has been standard use, but voluminously used since the Founding Liars/Slavers/rapists/torturers/Holocausters/... .
Pew wrote: "Americans are not paying very close attention to news about the conflict"
That not only blames the people (thereby absolving the media) but it gets the story exactly backwards.
The people are being misinformed by media or not informed at all.
Full disclosure: I once worked for Pew (but not for very long!) and can attest that they are totally corporate culture.
(BTW, the Pew Foundation endowment money comes from Sun Oil Co.)
Well over HALF OF AMERICANS HAVE NO IDEA.(period)
That about covers it.
No breaking new news here.
What a sad collection of dumbed down dolts and dullards is merica.
Maybe if they’d all meet here once in a while, they’d wise up a little bit.
Maybe.
Don't blame the victim - 80% of Americans are living hand to mouth and working their asses off for peanuts, and lack the time and resources to be "doing their own research".
The. media is lying to the ones who have the luxury of reading - often by omission, a propaganda tactic which requires even more work to expose.
Somebody’s to blame.
There’s plenty of blame to go around.
I did say dumbed down.
But, I’ve observed a lot of willful ignorance in my almost seven decades in the U$A.
I became attuned to “the occupation” as a ten year old. Have been adamant about it.
There’s alot of refusing to listen and learn going on.
Frivolous attitudes.
As far as victim status is concerned, mericans are situated at or near the bottom of the totem pole.
And, I find it difficult to find sympathy for such an arrogant, ignorant collective.
But, there is some merit in your argument.
Have a good one, Bill.
This is nonsense. Everyone has access to the internet and most spend hours doom scrollling social media aimlessly. Anyone with an open mind can do a little research instead of just flipping on the corporate media or watching tik toks all night.
I don’t think I buy that “they’re working their asses off” so they can’t be informed. There is a moral baseline in people and knowing that civilians—women and children—are being bombed and starved is all you need to know to have revulsion for the perpetrators. Not having that revulsion is a sign that cruelty has become our guiding light not empathy.
Have you worked 80 hours a week in 2 jobs to pay 70% gross in rent and had the lights and gas turned off (in the winter) for failure to pay the bills and faced eviction and don't know whether to put $10 in gas in your car to get to work or buy some shitty food for your hungry kids? Or felt horrible that your kids wear Salvation Army clothes and feel ashamed at school? Then after giving the kids a bath and putting them to bed they're supposed to search out accurate info on Gaza?
And you are driven by empathy, eh?
I grew up that way. But we were always well informed because my mother made sure we had intelligent discussions at the dinner table before one of us six kids did the dishes and another walked out to the nearby farm to get eggs for 25 cents after carrying a load of rags to the gas station to sell for said 25 cents, as my mother did a load of laundry with a hand wringer and no dryer before going to work the next day scrubbing floors for the neighbors. All my clothes came from church sales or the SA. We couldn’t afford TV until later on so we listened to the radio but I knew about HUAC, I knew about racism in our small town, I knew we dropped an atomic bomb on Japan, etc. I don’t lack empathy for that state but I don’t excuse them either. Get over yourself.
I got to turn the crank on the clothes wringer when I was a kid.
One of many great memories of me and my mom.
We weren’t dirt poor when I was growing up.
But, as I remember it, almost everybody was poor, living paycheck to paycheck.
It seems like neighbors were more neighborly, and less adversarial than nowadays.
Poor people working together, to make life a little better.
I don’t see that as much in this current era.
It’s a mixed bag though.
I remember struggling families, who received government assistance, being shamed and ostracized, in terribly cruel and humiliating ways.
But, then again, look at how horribly some homeless, impoverished individuals and families are treated today.
We had a 1960s screen in our house.
It certainly did a fine job of propagandizing my parents.
No books, except the Bible, around the house.
Until a salesman and I cajoled mom and dad into a set of “World Books”.
But, that Zenith, or was it a Magnavox, did introduce me to Vietnam and Palestine.
Changed the trajectory of my life.
I was supposed to follow in dad’s footsteps, and be a military man.
That would have been a catastrophe, for all parties involved.
Betcha Aaron Bushnell would have received more attention on the tube back then.
But, then again, there wouldn’t have been any smartphone video.
I guess it’s up to some of us to make it more difficult to be woefully uninformed.
Free Palestine
A kindred soul! Thank you for this story. I sometimes get on such a jihad against the Yuppie generation that I forget that there are still a lot of anti-corporate smart people still kicking against the Wall. To me, I think the main difference is that my generation had values—social justice, anti military, civil rights, and a kind of crazy, woo woo spirituality that looked for a new ethos in a savage nation. The yuppies hated all that, and got their Nikes and their email and their designer coffee, expensive wine and cocaine and ran off to climb the corporate ladder and invest in Mall Street. They hated unions, they thought civil rights was Micheal Jordan, thought the military was to be thanked for its “service” and that the only voting they should do was voting people off the island. We arrived at where we are fair and square by our own hand and own choices. And it’s typical of a dying empire.
"knowing that civilians—women and children—are being bombed and starved"
they have to know this first
What "nation" is the largest terrorist organization ever in the world's history, Gene? NONE other than the usa. So the usa got on the stick creating their "terrorist" drivel/nonsense/gross, serial lies pointing fingers at others, AS THEY ALWAYS DO when the usa is the worst of everything evil in the world.,
You need help. You can start with deconstructing what you consider to be a "terrorist organization" and fairly apply that concept to all entities that fit the bill, then do your wee analysis about starting pissing contests and what should be expected and sympathized. I was once as deluded as you.
You must mean Gene is the one who needs help, right, Chloe.
Yes.
The "victims" are the dumb dolts who keep mouthing the drivel that the usa has a "democracy". Been doing so since the Founding Liars/Holocausters.
bill wolfe to Wolfenotes: Don't blame the victim - 80% of Americans are living hand to mouth and working their asses off for peanuts, and lack the time and resources to be "doing their own research".
====
Nobody to blame for that, Bill, than the idiots themselves, the folks who have bought into all the totally rank, perpetual lying usa propaganda, the first load of bool shtt from the Founding Liars and it has been all downhill since then.
I suspect you are replying to me, Gene.
It is not the piss poor education system, it is the total lack of an education system, Gene. And it is the height of ignorance to suggest that the REGRESSIVE right wing nutcases know or are even aware of just how totally ignorant they are.
How in 'tarnation do you "think" the usa has free thought when all that is heard, all that is regurgitated is usa rank propaganda/lies/pure bee ess.
Your reply is a perfect example of this same desantis, right wing trumper shtt where all can only mouth the few buzz words their brains can remember.
From the mouths of regressives, never from their brains because those "brains" are ONLY used for low level motor skills.
Progressive actions are exactly how humans, let me use a smaller word so you can understand, PROGRESS!!!
How is there, can there be any free thought amongst brain dead trumpers who follow a brain dead trump? Whose lies number 30,000 plus in his 4 years of being just another usa Class A war criminal.
The prioritising of politics over humanitarianism will be the death of us all and I do mean death.
As Jonathon Cook wrote today…."The Western media’s hands are stained in Gaza’s blood."
Spot on. As a corollary to your proposition, people have stopped deep diving into main stream media because 1) they have been told not to believe it, 2) they shouldn't believe it, 3) the journalistic method (which I learned in Jr. High School) has been tipped on its head (the real information is no longer contained in the first paragraph, but hidden somewhere near the end).
yes, it's not accurate to reduce the problem to "oh everyone are dipshits who don't know any better", although there's a fair amount of it
Watch those YouTube videos where the interviewer asks random American history questions to people on the beach, boardwalk, or street in California. The vast majority don't know anything except where the nearest Starbucks is. The American population is ignorant, compliant, and therefore complicit.
For those tempted to 'vote' for Trump, here is a quote from Kristi Noem, considered a contender for Trump's running mate, courtesy of Chuck Baldwin.
"When I was growing up, my dad would always gather our family together and we would pray for Israel. It was instilled in me from a very young age that the Jews were Gods [sic] chosen people, that Israel was the Holy Land, and that we should always pray for them.
I brought those fundamental ideals with me when I was in the State Legislature, when I served in Congress, and now as Governor of South Dakota. Supporting the State of Israel and our Jewish community has always been extremely important to me. It’s important to support Israel for spiritual, historical, and national security reasons. I am continuing to stand with the Jewish people by signing historic legislation to protect them from antisemitism.
I was very proud to sign HB 1076, a very important bill to combat antisemitism. This bill defines antisemitism and makes it easier to prove when discriminatory conduct is motivated by antisemitism. It is an impactful piece of legislation that will ensure the safety of Jewish people and strengthen South Dakota’s anti-discrimination laws.
We held a beautiful, moving signing ceremony for this bill in the Rotunda of our State Capitol in Pierre. Many prominent Jewish leaders attended, including Elan Carr, the CEO of the Israeli-American Council for Action, nationally renowned Jewish leader and founder of the Jacobson Society Dan Rosen, Rabbi and Director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center Dr. Mark Goldfeder, Rabbi Mendel Alperowitz of the Chabad Jewish Center of South Dakota, Renie Schreiber on behalf of Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, and Jordan Cope from Stand With Us. A few of our special guests said some words about the impact this legislation will have for the Jewish people.
This bill puts the gold standard International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance [IHRA] definition of antisemitism into state law.
I hope that more states across our great nation will follow this example that we are setting here in South Dakota. It is more important now than ever for our nation’s leaders to stand up and fight against antisemitism. We must always work to ensure the security of God’s chosen people."
'God's chosen people', what a crock of shit!
Any Trump policy on Israel will have - and has had - no basis in religious belief.
The real Trump objectives were perfectly revealed by his son in law Jared Kushner in his remarks at Harvard's Kennedy School back in February: "waterfront property" in Gaza needs to be "cleared" and Israel needs to "finish the job".
"Any Trump policy on Israel will have - and has had - no basis in religious belief.
The real Trump objectives were perfectly revealed by his son in law Jared Kushner in his remarks at Harvard's Kennedy School back in February: "waterfront property" in Gaza needs to be "cleared" and Israel needs to "finish the job"."
I agree, but that makes it no less heinous.
A little background, even if I'm preaching to the faithful. So, here's the bill itself: https://mylrc.sdlegislature.gov/api/Documents/266416.pdf It only incorporates the IHRA's "working definition of antisemitism" into South Dakota legal code. What is that definition? It's here: https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism. It's a "working definition", thereby manipulable by the IHRA at any time. Why is this controversial? Because the "working definition" incorporates opposing the actions of the State of Israel into the definition of antisemitism, specifically in the latter paragraphs:
"Contemporary examples of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to [selection of points mentioning Israel follows]:
"Accusing the Jews as a people, or Israel as a state, of inventing or exaggerating the Holocaust.
"Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, e.g., by claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor.
"Applying double standards by requiring of it a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation.
"Using the symbols and images associated with classic antisemitism (e.g., claims of Jews killing Jesus or blood libel) to characterize Israel or Israelis.
"Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.
"Holding Jews collectively responsible for actions of the state of Israel."
I decry collectivism as much as the next individualist, and I would never think that because an individual is Jewish, he or she supports Israel's genocidal actions in Gaza or even the existence of the State of Israel. One only finds that out through observation. And, boy howdy, are we finding out!
Indeed, the first sentence of the working definition is a canard. "Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews." May be. May not be. We decide what that perception is, not you.
Thank you for this. It shows how much Nazi’s love Israhell, because Israhell is a Nazi enclave. People who call this out get called anti-semites when in fact they are anti Zionazi.
Respectfully speaking - this "supposed" poll doesn't hold an ounce of credence nor does any other supposed polls! Everyone I speak with - hundreds of people are consumed with horror regarding what Israel is doing. Just this morning my building manager was on her way to church to pray for the Palestinians! All of these polls are nothing but bunkum bullshit and balderdash. I'm shocked you would repeat them.
I had to laugh back in 2016 when they claimed Hillary Clinton was about to win (according to all the polls of course) in a landslide when in fact every single person you (polled) spoke with said they were voting for Trump! It was certainly no shock to me she lost! No different when they claim the economy is so robust because all the malls are packed - but when you LOOK at the "supposed" shoppers - none are actually carrying bags!
I have to say I'm a bit shocked that you would waste your time on such fallacy's. I often ask my friends (throughout the years) if they've ever been polled for ANYTHING and everyone says the exact same thing - NO!! That's how I determined and solidified they're all fictitious - but the Hillary polls were the worst and yet people bought into them!
Thank you for this.
Jeano:
The Mayor in my town (Fort Lee NJ - think Bridge Gate - Mark Sokolich) claimed, when he polled the residents, they all wanted more outdoor dining on Main Street. Mind you, this is just one of the many streets that head to the GWB and are congested with diesel spewing jitneys (see photo) that basically cause you to choke on the fumes -https://boswellengineering.com/projects-c-transportation-streetscape/. As you can see no one in their right mind wants to sit outside dining, nor ever does.
Yet Mark insisted and swore that's what the residents wanted - according to his polls of course! For months and months I asked nearly everyone in that town if they heard of such a poll to which they all replied - they knew absolutely nothing about! The next time I saw Mark I asked him where exactly he conducted this supposed poll and if it were perhaps around his own kitchen table?
I'm in my middle 60's and have never ever been polled for anything - except the stuff you now buy on line or a doctors visit. In fact, if you look at these reviews the vast majority are all fictious as well - you can tell just by the wording. It's all the same.
One website I went to when looking for a doctor, had a few, maybe a hundred or so reviews (mostly all worded the same) but no actual place (or icon) to leave and or write a review - hysterical!!! The whole system is completely bogus! That's why anytime I read the phrases survey - polls or reviews I pay absolutely no attention.
As I say, there is not one person I've spoken with that is not consumed with sorrow, hatred anger and horror regarding the slaughter of so many innocent victims. Even the younger generations are paying attention!
Other than what I have read in articles - I have not personally encountered anyone supporting Israel - by the way I also live 10 minutes from Teaneck NJ where there are 15,000 Jewish residents who were out protesting a recent real-estate event to sell land in Gaza.
Hundreds of Palestine supporters protest Israeli real estate ...
The Guardian
https://www.theguardian.com › us-news › mar › new-je...
Mar 11, 2024 — The “Great Israeli Real Estate Event” has inflamed existing tensions in Teaneck, a town of approximately 41,000 residents and home to large ...
I'm surprised half of Americans know the answer. I'd have guessed it's even lower.
I agree the press plays a significant role in that, but general human inattention and disinterest are also a part of it. And the variables that impact where we place our attention are enormous - a big discussion on its own.
20 percent of news consumers reading past a headline seems high, as well. I'd like a better source on that.
That said, I wish the press would publish in a way that would put pressure on those who could end this to end this.
Taking apart the press was the 1st goal of PNAC because they knew they couldn’t take over congress if there was an informed electorate. So Murdock and Alles started Fox and Rush Limbaugh was spewed out to “fly over” country which the Clinton democrats forgot about as they scurried to become republicans. Media consolidation took hold with a vengeance after Wiley Willy repealed the Fairness Doctrine and our slide into corporate controlled fascism was underway. And the yuppies loved every minute of it because it fattened their portfolios.
Two quick notes:
- Generally, at least with the written media, the editors write the headlines, not the reporters. (I’ve heard reporters complaining about how misleading their choices often are.) It makes even more sense, then, that editorial bias stands out most prominently in the headlines.
- Beyond that, the reporting and writing both are often biased as well, especially when it comes to the Middle East, Russia and other places/conflicts in which our government is active.
- Back to how written articles: there is a formula used in writing them, with an opening paragraph specifically designed as an abbreviated version, both for those who don’t typically read beyond it and as an encouragement, nevertheless, to do so. That’s followed by the main body of the report, and then by a summary/closing. There are often conflicting biases/‘facts’ within the articles themselves - perhaps because of multiple reporters, sloppy/bootlicking writing, or, in that opening paragraph, direct editorial input.
That’s three!
Yeah I was going to say