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Kim Dixon's avatar

Spot on, as usual. But, there's one additional element which differentiates the US Empire from the British Empire, and, in fact, from all empires which came before.

The US empire possesses thousands of nuclear weapons, and with them, the ability to end civilization, and perhaps all life on the planet.

When collapse inevitably comes, will the US Empire quietly disengage around the world to lick its wounds, or will its psychopathic misleaders strike out in one final paroxysm of death and cruelty... indeed *the* final paroxysm of death and cruelty?

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jamenta's avatar
3hEdited

It does appear the arms race has been reignited intentionally. So trillions of dollars more will be wasted on making more weapons. And here's the kicker: they're going to tell us we're all safer because of having more powerful weapons and military toys.

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Susan T's avatar

nah. it is their bank accounts that are safer. Until the banks are nuked.

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John Turcot's avatar

In the eyes of the Empire, the dollars are not wasted, but used to enrich the bank accounts of the industrial military industry… war is profitable, and so it is with its preparations. Producing nuclear weapons is extremely costly , and profitable.

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X K's avatar
2hEdited

You pose an interesting - and chilling - question, but I see that final paroxysm being initiated by Israel, they're closer to collapse than we are, and when that day comes, when it dawns on them they can no longer get/take/steal what they want, their innate reaction is to see that no one else gets it either, so they'll let loose in one final act of orgiastic aggrandizement.

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Chang Chokaski's avatar

Israel scares me. They are an unhinged, psychopathic and sociopathic nation and society (even more than Trump). I fear Israel (and the U.S.) more than ANY other country on the planet (by a large margin).

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Susan T's avatar

Israel was horrible and now with Trump, it is a terrifying combo. Sometimes I read about Trump's idiotic comments and I actually laugh. If only it were not reality.

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X K's avatar

You and me both.

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John Turcot's avatar

Not so sure Israel will collapse first… ?

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Patrick Powers's avatar

They openly threaten to do that. They call it the Samson Option.

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X K's avatar

Oh, great, they even have a name for it, like the Hannibal Directive, that means they're serious (or even further deranged).

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Pippi Smythe's avatar

What puzzles me, is how no one has heard of this before.

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Patrick Powers's avatar

What am I, chopped liver?

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X K's avatar

Israel-controlled media coverup/downplaying...?

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Davina's avatar

Which why so many of these countries when allowed their freedom chose to stay under the umbrella of the Commonwealth.

It saved them from America, or did until...

Now when the UK government tries to emulate the US and stuffs it up big time.

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Rhys Stanley's avatar

Davina, ......until 1945....after which the cost of the expensive WWII made the British a financial and military slave to the USA.

However, some of the Empire decided that it was time to call it a day. Some others like Australia and New Zealand are still in there, grovelling day after day while virtually under the total control of the US dollar, the USA war machine and still fighting every US power play since that date....Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, World war 2 and who knows how many more under cover. Of course, US air bases in northern Australia, Pine Gap spy operation in Central Australia, military uniforms with Stars and Stripes in all the halls of the capital. Sickening! A little bumboy to a person like Trump.

Come on, Australia...jump. How high, Donald?

Poor little Australia. Still grovelling to both the USA and the UK with the AUKUS scheme where they will pay $360+ billion for nuclear submarines, first due in 2042.

Yet another US rip-off and another Australia boot lick and more UK Kings and Queens from England with the likes of once-upon-a-time Prince Andrew and little Donny Trump, Epstein apprentices and Israeli stooges, so they say.

Mind you.....Australia was only colonised by those named as "Poms" in 1788. Early days yet.

I mean, that's only 237 long grovelling years. Still at it and always will be. Suckers.

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Davina's avatar

I think that was a major stuff up, especially for the Palestinians.

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Patrick Powers's avatar

The Commonwealth seems like a good deal. You get to keep your health benefits in many countries worldwide.

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jamenta's avatar

Wait - I'm not free!?

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Davina's avatar

You never were, sweetheart 😉

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John Turcot's avatar

Yes you are free….. to work for the master of your choice…

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jamenta's avatar

Work will set you free!

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The Revolution Continues's avatar

Well, at least Americans don't have to call the people born with "magic blood" (a.k.a. the house of Windsor) "Your highness" and bow down to them as they enter a room. And from time to time we can get rid of our top a-hole via an election or an assassination. But yeah, another one will come take his place. That's "freedom" for you!

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jamenta's avatar

Well - we're going to have a royal ballroom of our own soon. We're catching up!

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The Revolution Continues's avatar

(And secure AI data center. That's really what's happening below the so-called "ballroom" on the East Wing of the White House. They'll be able to surveil us all that way. Fun times!)

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Chang Chokaski's avatar

>>"They'll be able to surveil us all that way."

They ALREADY do! Few people know how, and even fewer people understand how.

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Susan T's avatar

if you know how, it would be great if you could tell us.

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Chang Chokaski's avatar

Telling is not sufficient. I tell people all the time about how to debunk, pseudo-science, conspiracy theories, anti-science thinking, etc. - but with limited success. Beliefs override science (and often facts).

People use too much 'emotions' instead of 'logic/reasoning' in their thinking, hence their emotions often override their ability to think critically.

If it was really as simple as telling, the world would be a different place.

Besides, no one knows all aspects of the surveillance industry (not even the experts). Secrecy is intrinsic to this industry. Hence the challenge in exposing the workings of the industry (though Jullian Assange and Edward Snowden made an excellent effort in this realm and paid the price).

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Susan T's avatar

I understand what you are saying. Still, I think the only way we can bring about change is to keep talking. It is like that for so many issues. I have worked with people living in poverty and constantly talked about how poor people are not lazy, stupid, or some other negative attribute. It is difficult to get people to see and accept that the system under which they, we all, live is destroying us and the rest of the natural world. I realize that there is a lot unknown about AI and what we are told may or may not be true.

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gypsy33's avatar

Amerikkkans bend over and take it in the ass instead.

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Diana van Eyk's avatar

Good comparison. Empires stink either way.

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Duane McPherson's avatar

An accurate, concise, and engaging summary of the US Empire.

Thank you, Ms. Johnstone and Mr. Foley!

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Res Nullius's avatar

Democratic government, in general, was always a schtick.

The only time 90% of the population are ever able to shift the behaviour of the power structure is when the mob is in the street and the ruling class fear their heads might end up in baskets. Our rulers require that we escalate to unsociable means before they pay us any mind.

They abuse the natural social inclinations of most humans, constantly attempting to pit us against one another in gladiatorial combat, calling it free market competition.

Everything's a cost-benefit analysis with these motherfuckers.

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Patrick Powers's avatar

The FDR Presidency says otherwise. While it is true that the possibility of mass violence menaced the system, it did not actually occur.

Nowadays I think we will see European countries defecting as their standard of living continues to plunge. I expect that parties will win on a platform of exit from the warmongering EU/peace with Russia. This is why the USA blew up the inactive pipeline. They wanted the LNG income stream to persist through this change. Perhaps this is also why the EU is so determined to continue the war. They want to rule the populace through fear.

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TechnoPaganOctopusMessiah's avatar

The US is different from Britain as the US follows the way of the soulless person, the completely self absorbed person, who constantly does bad things and simultaneously pretends they’re a completely selfless person. That’s the root of the problem in the US. It has more self absorbed people among its populace than any other country on earth.

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John Turcot's avatar

I think we’re pretty screwed up everywhere…

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Chang Chokaski's avatar

And how did the U.S. get to the point of having high numbers of 'self-absorbed' people? By the Empire Managers using 'narratives' (like individuality, invisible hand, free markets, neoliberalism, globalism, etc.) to brainwash and indoctrinate people.

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Kathlean J Keesler's avatar

Thank you.

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David's avatar
2hEdited

Americans still think that Empire means you have colonies overseas therefore they deny the US is an empire. However they forget that the US has used its military power (800 bases around the world) to overthrow reformist governments overseas, used its money to subvert governments and imposed right wing dictatorships on all four corners of the world. Under the guise of Freedom and Democracy the US Empire has subverted and coopted the world to acknowledge US supremacy and rendered the rest of the world as a slave to US oligarchs.

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Antonio Brownlowe's avatar

There is not much difference between either both US or Britain's Empire both operate on the same Principles ,A White Christian Supremacist Ideology ,including Israel, a Jewish Supremacist entity

Winston CHURCHILL::

I do not apologize for take over of the region by the Jews from the Palestinians, in the same way I don't apologize for the Whites taking over America from the Red Indians,

or the takeover of Australia from the Blacks. Its natural for a superior race to Dominate and Inferior one.

1812

Meyer Armschel Rothschild on his Death Bed Remember My Children that all the earth must belong to us Jews,

and that Gentiles being mere excrement of Animals must Possess Nothing.

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Mary Johnson's avatar

Exactly right! It’s only in the last few years that I’ve become aware that I live in an empire, though I’ve deplored U.S. foreign policy for decades.

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Joy in HK fiFP's avatar

More important than ever! The work that the Hind Rajab Foundation is doing will continue to be vital in tracking down, and bringing the culprits to justice. This is ongoing and something we should support, irrespective of any ‘ceasefire.’

Support the Hind Rajab Foundation

https://donate.stripe.com/cN228hbY5g7jaM84gg

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Tone's avatar

very good!

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CelticJedi's avatar

Excellent analysis!!!! Thanks!

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Andy's avatar

I read Caroline Elkins’s Legacy of Violence: A History of the British Empire a couple of years ago. It’s the stuff of nightmares - really, truly horrific. Nothing’s changed except that yes - the Empire now cloaks its actions in feel good propaganda and does its best to scrub atrocities from the news and public consciousness.

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John Turcot's avatar

Good points! All.

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