I am sick of people saying this is a war. It is a genocide, it is apartheid, it is crime after crime against humanity, it is apalling, it is morally bankrupt, but it is not a war. It is Israel murdering innocent men, women, and children with impunity. With the USA backing every move.
Jodi, as I wrote the other day, it's a killing field. Only the wilfully blind can deny that fact. Or perhaps those who can ease their mind by claiming it's a war. It isn't.
I spent some time today looking at images of beautiful Palestinian children through the photos of Hosny Salah a very talented Gazan photographer who posts them on free sites. They're so beautiful that to envision them dead and shredded into bloody masses should be enough to make anyone want to see Trump, his cohorts, the entire US congress, Milekowski et al., and the entire Knesset standing in chains before a triumverate of black-robed gigantic god-like judges in a scenario from the ultimate movie where they're all sent to the bowels of Hades for their crimes against humanity.
It is difficult to find photos of any children that are not beautiful and charming. Trump, his cohorts and the entire Knesset are not human though. They are gross and pathetic distortions of what pretends to be human.
Why are we saying this is only a Trump thing? This is a US Empire thing. Biden and the dems orchestrated the very large majority of what has happened. Trump was just the next in line. To differentiate between Trump, Biden, Harris, Obama, W. Bush, Clinton, daddy Bush, Reagan, Carter, etc. is ridiculous. This is the US Empire, it didn’t start with Trump. Until the democrats and republicans are ousted, and capitalism is dead, the empire will continue. Let’s tell it how it is, the elites need to pay for their crimes!!
Just living in the present moment -- after heaping plenty of similar aspersions on Biden et al. back when it was their turn. The idea that each group of duopoly criminals has "a turn" is solid testament to the underlying homicidal drive that rips the empire through the blood and sinews of its victims on a despicable ongoing basis. History never fails to reveal that empires like the US are irredeemable accretions of something almost indescribably foul.
No "turns." It's the Uniparty. As long as there's a sliver of belief that there are two parties, then along with that sliver, something else slithers in: the belief that one of those two can change. When you see it as one entity, that illusion vanishes.
I said each group of criminals within the duopoly takes its turn; didn't mention anything about parties. Just to be clear, Joy. I'm sure we don't really disagree on this.
At least we need them off our necks and unable to order the death of millions at the saying of an "aye", recorded in the book of compliance - where the truth of their complicity remains. Even the nays are empty gestures if this is all that is done. And now - we are facing full on Fascism which the MSM is both upset about while being happy we are all watching and listening to the latest Trump and crew Fascist Moves. The Alien Enemy Act is still on the books, from the Predidency of John Adam's against the French and FDR used it against all the Japanese primarily living on the West Coast and also those from Germany in masse during WW2. My question is were these individuals considered Citizens before that? The U.S. needed their labor and allowed them to come. Many were escaping War or seeking work or both, but their labor was needed.
Some photographers have a great eye for capturing essential peace and love in a child that you can't draw forth from most adults. I've done lots of photography with excellent equipment, but I might have achieved his results with a child perhaps once or twice in my lifetime. Mr. Salah is one of those special eyes -- as well as being a brave Gazan journalist; my respect for him is immense. I'd post two of his images here if I could -- pictures in this instance definitely worth all my words.
Thanks. Yeah, I'm an idiot; that would've been simpler than what I did. His output goes far beyond just placid shots of kids, as your link shows. He's covered Gaza as a true photojournalist would. The one I posted on my substack is simply a favorite of mine, among many good ones.
They are atheists, but religion has always been the excuse to kill. I believe the invention of the Abrahamic religions was not only to control masses by the elites, but to be able to wage wars by creating indoctrinated groups that will do what the elites want. The people making the decisions obviously have no morals or soul.
Feral, as cats, WE should have the intuition to recognize vampires, which is what they are! Do not forget, I’m a cat in a woman’s body and I’m in good company; Cleopatra and Brigette Bardot claimed to be as well.
Contact me at joliyoka@gmail.com. I have a couple of others as well you might like. Meanwhile,for another smile, "We affirm our right not to BARE arms."
CJ>>"They’re not even claiming the port was a “Houthi stronghold” or some shit; their sole claim is that Washington decreed Ansar Allah are terrorists, so they have a right to massacre civilians while destroying critical civilian infrastructure."
According to Washington's logic, since the U.S. Empire is THE BIGGEST TERRORIST entity on planet Earth, does that mean the whole world now has a right to massacre U.S. civilians and destory critical American civilian infrastructure?
I'm not suggesting anything, I'm just applying Washington's logic at themselves in the REAL WORLD where the U.S. Empire ARE the REAL terrorists. (And if people don't realize that they are, I recommend reading Noam Chomsky, Chris Hedges, Michael Parenti, Vijay Prashad, John Pilger, Chalmers Johnson, and so many other excellent authors on U.S. Empire and imperialism)
You are correct Mr. Chokaski, we should read all those authors; and now that Chomsky is silenced by a stroke, throw in Richard Wolff, Jeff Sachs, and John Mearsheimer.
You say"According to Washington's logic". Is there any sensible logic left in what Washington does? Or is the dying empire simply thrashing around in its death throes?
May I add a couple, Gerald. Philip Giraldi and Mike Whitney are very analytical writers who provide data from detailed research. Just once weekly, but detailed under the UNZ Report.
The greatest disillusionment for me, still rests with the failure of all Western (white) governments to attribute any crime to Netanyahu’s Israel. My own country included. The reasons for the support for Israel from Germany, France, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the UK, all seemingly suffering from an expanded desire to become even more rightwing than in the past, has continued to perplex me as it has so many others. How can they continue to ignore the crimes of the century? How can they also continue to fail to pass any of the responsibility for blatant ethnic cleansing of Palestine into the major discussion point at the United Nations?
The United Nations and its voting system was set up at the end of World War II by the victorious nations from that conflict. There is, perhaps, an argument to modify the United Nations voting system and make it more representative of the modern world. But there does not appear to be any move along these lines. It makes the UN as it is presently structured and almost useless structure. Its actions against the present ethnic cleansing in Palestine have achieve nothing, nor have their lack of action contributed to the saving of a single life.
Even with its faults, the United Nations is not a few people in an office – it is seen as the world community. It is the rest of the world – the 94% of the world’s population that is not from the USA. By damning and ignoring the United Nations, the USA is snubbing the majority of the world’s population. This will not make the USA more popular around the world.
As one commentator on American baseball in the UK noted: “Only the USA could have a World Series and not invite the rest of the world”. Now that is surely the political equivalent in the United Nations today.
We are all aware of the now feeble nature of the UN and the almost absolute control generated through the use of the US Veto in the Security Council.
Oh, come on now! That was long ago, I clearly remember when Toronto and Montreal were added, and gasp, even won. But then again, if Canada becomes the 51st state, then you would be correct, again.
>>"How can they continue to ignore the crimes of the century?"
Simple - they continue to ignore just as they always have. These aren't moral people making moral decisions. It's psychopathy, sociopathy, and the pursuit of power, control, and money (as it has always been).
He was becoming very popular naming names, etc, when Chomsky knocked him off the map. I spoke to the documentary maker of Manufacturing Consent about my theory of sidelining Parenti.
He never answered. Hung his head and said not a word in response to my conclusion that Chomsky was a limited hangout. I was hoping for a debate.
Thanks. That wouldn't happen to be the guy who was accused of plagiarism by someone else in the past 10 or so years, would it? I have this vague recollection of some lefty documentary getting stolen from the original writer or something but I can't recall specifics.
Excellent author suggestions! Yes, they are some of my favorite authors too. I would add David Harvey, Michael Hudson, and ... (I'd better stop here, there are many good authors and good books but not enough time in the world to read them all unfortunately...)
>>"Or is the dying empire simply thrashing around in its death throes?"
Not to add more, but thanks for the referral to Cathy O'Neill's book, "Weapons of Math Destruction". I'm only 50 pgs in, but she's definitely grabbed my interest in the potential destructiveness of badly formed, highly scalable models.
A good many of these you cite refuse to acknowledge state crimes: the assassinations of the sixties, 9/11, and the covid phenomenon to cite the most obvious ones. They specialize in limited hangout, but won't "go there."
Have you thought about "them having good reasons, logic, and critical thinking" as a reason for why they don't consider your "attempt at insinuations of the state crimes you mention" as "state" crimes?
Maybe you want everyone to acknowledge whatever conspiracy theories you (and others) believe in?
PS: I'm not getting into a discussion on conspiracy theories or conspiratorial thinking. Please do not respond to this comment if that is the direction you intend to go down.
The very phrase "conspiracy theory" is the useful CIA ploy to short-circuit and sabotage any rational discussion of evidence honestly. Politically conscious people understand that. "Please do not respond to this comment if that is the direction you intend to go down."
>>"PS: I'm not getting into a discussion on conspiracy theories or conspiratorial thinking. Please do not respond to this comment if that is the direction you intend to go down."
What didn't you understand about the above sentence?
Based on your comment, I doubt you even remotely understand what "The 1st amendment" is, in what context it is applied (and valid), and in which spheres of influence. (Hint: it is a US constitutional law, not a law that applies to online international spaces such as substack, and it does not apply to private entities (including individuals) making decisions on how they intend to moderate speech").
You may not be suggesting anything Chang, but it is an inevitability. America’s shit will eventually stick to America. There’ll be lots of tears and hand-wringing then about how evil those others are, but none from me.
There is a concept/reality known as 'BLOWBACK' (that you might be aware of). The unfortunate part about 'blowback' is that ordinary citizens/denizens may land up paying the price for the EVILS of the Empire perpetrated on the world by American/Western rules and TPTB. The book "Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire" by Chalmers Johnson (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40709.Blowback) is an excellent read and goes into detail about the repercussions of U.S. Empire imperialism.
"Israel’s actions in Gaza are shredding norms all over the place."
They are. The US has dropped all pretenses of being a law-abiding country. ICE is arresting citizens on the crime of being "Hispanic while driving" in Florida. We're sending immigrants to a torture prison in El Salvador without due process. We're even dismantling what little safety net most people have all for the sake of the billionaires to have another tax cut. Once you open the door to sociopaths, they'll destroy EVERYTHING they can get their hands on. It's time to #EatTheRich and #FreePalestine
"Israel’s actions in Gaza are shredding norms all over the place."
A more cynical, and IMO more realistic take: The Israelis are shredding all PR norms. The US has never had issues with attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure back to WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and Iraq. The only change is that now they're just more open about admitting to, or even bragging about it.
They aren't even pretending to adhere to any humanitarian principles or the rules of war. It's full mask-off season, thanks to the Israelis and the US's open support for them, dating to Biden. A new age of naked aggression awaits us.
Truth! Israel is using the same tactics the empire has always used. People don’t like admitting their country has always been the most evil entity in existence!
I don’t mean that towards you, The Revolution Continues. I know where you stand.
I would also suggest that it might also be due to Hamas who caught TPTB before they were fully prepared. The masks were forced off before the public had been fully pacified, surveilled, and locked down.
That’s what every nation but Israel & West Israel (AMERICA) call Sick, Inhumane War Crimes. @ICJ do your thang. Get Busy and America if you love America Demand 🇺🇸1st and stop being a cuck for Israel.
"It’s probably worth noting here that Trump officials have said they’d stop bombing Yemen if Ansar Allah said they’d stop attacking US ships, but Ansar Allah made exactly that offer recently and the bombing has continued. The offer was likely ignored because Yemen would still be attacking Israeli ships, and this is really about protecting Israel’s ability to commit genocide in Gaza."
The Houthis aka Ansar Allah DID stop attacking ALL ships including Israeli ones when they started their ceasefire. The US went ahead and started the bombing missions anyway.
They’ve been mask-off for a while. This shouldn’t come as any surprise. Everyone knows they’re fascists. They know they’re fascists. If we’re going to fascists either way, I prefer the mask off variant.
I'd caution you to be careful what you hope for. The very need, or perceived need to mask certain atrocities is an important check on the types of things these fascists will attempt to do. Without any perceived requirement to justify this kind of naked aggression, they will be much more likely to engage in it. Now that they don't even feel the need to mask this murderous barbarity [and it extends to the "Homeland" now], with no opposition or opposition party to stand in their way, it could be getting much uglier than had they felt a need to pretend to adhere to some kinds of humanitarian rules or norms. .
That said, I also don't really like calling them fascists. I saw a couple of Richard Wolff [economist] and Noam Chomsky [political philosopher/linguist] interviews lately and they made an excellent point: In order for there to be fascism, there by definition must be a strong resistance movement, and when it comes to this ME warring, I just don't see that anywhere in the Western world right now.
They never felt the need to adhere to any humanitarian anything. They just use to jump through hopes to deny, obscure, and create pretext. They’re just skipping the bullshit. And there never was any opposition party. There were Machiavellians who hide things, pissed on your head and told you it was raining, and used the barest pretext to justify the very same crimes. In this, at least, we’re not being gaslit.
They felt the need to PRETEND to adhere to principles. This is a nuance I don't expect people to grasp immediately, but it's very important. It's why so many genocidal and naked aggression war crimes have been lied about over time and it gives the opposition time to force their hand in how they cover them or cover them up. That is a timing thing. It takes time to craft a coverup or cover story - and gives opposing/dissenting people time to formulate hard questions - and without even that minor impediment they're just going to do it. And more frequently and more violently.
I hope you can see this. I'm not trying to win an argument on the Internet; I just think you're missing a crucial part of the context. To apply this maxim to the Nazis in WWII, if they had openly said they were murdering millions of Jews, Roma, Slavs, etc. then yes - that would have evoked or forced a much quicker reaction to resistance: BUT WHO IS THE ACTUAL RESISTANCE NOW? Define it!
They felt a need to deceive, to keep people placated. A lot easier to manage dupes then put down rebellions. It takes no time to make but bullshit and planning has a book of them. They’re not making this shit up as they go along. As you’re obviously a propagandist banking on people being ignorant, I have no further purpose in engaging with you.
yeah. If their masks are off we will know who they are and we can incarcerate them. I was going to say wipe them out, but then we would be the same fascists that they are. I am not trying to be kind when I say incarcerate them. I am trying to keep my humanity.
Thanks Caitlyn for keeping these burning issues on the boil and pointing out the breathtaking hypocrisy of those who try to avert our attention from these monstrous crimes. I would also include here a large number of Arab nations who would have within their means to affect change but remain silent out of fear from the great whore.
"The task therefore is to keep finding new ways to get people to see this thing with fresh eyes." The task is to get people to actually look at what is going on at all. Get them to stop thinking about the tariffs and the money they aren't going to make and get them to start thinking about the world disappearing. Because that is what they are doing: disappearing the world. With bombs. With hate. With exacerbating climate change.
The usa feels like a plane that leaked carbon dioxide and everybody on board died including the pilots, but since it's on autopilot the plane keeps flying for thousands of miles until it runs out of fuel and just crashes. It seems the usa is somewhere in this process.
To learn more about WHY this is so, I recommend looking up MMT (Modern Money Theory) which describes how money REALLY works/circulates (instead of outdated and incorrect neoclassical economic principles).
Hi, Chang. Thanks for those links, I'll take a look at them. I have always thought of the states as dependent on Federal monies to fund their various pet projects. I also have wondered why we are taxed at all if the Feds can create trillions of fiat dollars out of thin air to fund any government project they desire. I'll admit, I have much to learn when it comes to the nefarious ends and outs of government and how it operates.
Personally, no State interference in my life and those I care about would be my ideal preference. I am an anarchist at heart. I appreciate your comment.
I am sick of people saying this is a war. It is a genocide, it is apartheid, it is crime after crime against humanity, it is apalling, it is morally bankrupt, but it is not a war. It is Israel murdering innocent men, women, and children with impunity. With the USA backing every move.
Jodi, as I wrote the other day, it's a killing field. Only the wilfully blind can deny that fact. Or perhaps those who can ease their mind by claiming it's a war. It isn't.
I spent some time today looking at images of beautiful Palestinian children through the photos of Hosny Salah a very talented Gazan photographer who posts them on free sites. They're so beautiful that to envision them dead and shredded into bloody masses should be enough to make anyone want to see Trump, his cohorts, the entire US congress, Milekowski et al., and the entire Knesset standing in chains before a triumverate of black-robed gigantic god-like judges in a scenario from the ultimate movie where they're all sent to the bowels of Hades for their crimes against humanity.
It is difficult to find photos of any children that are not beautiful and charming. Trump, his cohorts and the entire Knesset are not human though. They are gross and pathetic distortions of what pretends to be human.
Why are we saying this is only a Trump thing? This is a US Empire thing. Biden and the dems orchestrated the very large majority of what has happened. Trump was just the next in line. To differentiate between Trump, Biden, Harris, Obama, W. Bush, Clinton, daddy Bush, Reagan, Carter, etc. is ridiculous. This is the US Empire, it didn’t start with Trump. Until the democrats and republicans are ousted, and capitalism is dead, the empire will continue. Let’s tell it how it is, the elites need to pay for their crimes!!
Just living in the present moment -- after heaping plenty of similar aspersions on Biden et al. back when it was their turn. The idea that each group of duopoly criminals has "a turn" is solid testament to the underlying homicidal drive that rips the empire through the blood and sinews of its victims on a despicable ongoing basis. History never fails to reveal that empires like the US are irredeemable accretions of something almost indescribably foul.
No "turns." It's the Uniparty. As long as there's a sliver of belief that there are two parties, then along with that sliver, something else slithers in: the belief that one of those two can change. When you see it as one entity, that illusion vanishes.
I said each group of criminals within the duopoly takes its turn; didn't mention anything about parties. Just to be clear, Joy. I'm sure we don't really disagree on this.
At least we need them off our necks and unable to order the death of millions at the saying of an "aye", recorded in the book of compliance - where the truth of their complicity remains. Even the nays are empty gestures if this is all that is done. And now - we are facing full on Fascism which the MSM is both upset about while being happy we are all watching and listening to the latest Trump and crew Fascist Moves. The Alien Enemy Act is still on the books, from the Predidency of John Adam's against the French and FDR used it against all the Japanese primarily living on the West Coast and also those from Germany in masse during WW2. My question is were these individuals considered Citizens before that? The U.S. needed their labor and allowed them to come. Many were escaping War or seeking work or both, but their labor was needed.
The same holds today.
Some photographers have a great eye for capturing essential peace and love in a child that you can't draw forth from most adults. I've done lots of photography with excellent equipment, but I might have achieved his results with a child perhaps once or twice in my lifetime. Mr. Salah is one of those special eyes -- as well as being a brave Gazan journalist; my respect for him is immense. I'd post two of his images here if I could -- pictures in this instance definitely worth all my words.
I"m hoping you could give a link to some/one of these photos?
https://pixabay.com/users/hosnysalah-10285169/
Thanks. Yeah, I'm an idiot; that would've been simpler than what I did. His output goes far beyond just placid shots of kids, as your link shows. He's covered Gaza as a true photojournalist would. The one I posted on my substack is simply a favorite of mine, among many good ones.
you are definitely not an idiot. I am just a constant googler escept I don't use google.
Thank you Susan - beautiful images! They bring tears to my eyes about what has been done to such innocent, beautiful children.
OK. Try this. Gotta go find more death photos now.
https://vinlopresti.substack.com/p/temp-photo?r=b8qtt&triedRedirect=true
I've semi-concluded that they arrived with a birth defect--born with no soul!
I cut them no such slack. They have sold their humanity for power. It’s a conscious decision one evil step at a time
Saying they were born with no souls hardly cuts them slack. It is the ultimate put down and insult.
They are sociopaths. That is all.
And it's all done in the name of religion.
They are atheists, but religion has always been the excuse to kill. I believe the invention of the Abrahamic religions was not only to control masses by the elites, but to be able to wage wars by creating indoctrinated groups that will do what the elites want. The people making the decisions obviously have no morals or soul.
Jon, that’s because they are literal vampires.
NO. Just men.
Oh they're human, all right.
Feral, as cats, WE should have the intuition to recognize vampires, which is what they are! Do not forget, I’m a cat in a woman’s body and I’m in good company; Cleopatra and Brigette Bardot claimed to be as well.
Years ago I had some bumper stickers made up " Neuter Feral Bureaucrats."
Jon, I want one! ❤️
Contact me at joliyoka@gmail.com. I have a couple of others as well you might like. Meanwhile,for another smile, "We affirm our right not to BARE arms."
They are men who rule our world and seem to love fighting wars.
Vin my dear, I’d prefer to see them in front of a firing squad. And I wanna be the one with the live ammo!
Understood, gyp dear. Plenty of folks standing with you.
CJ>>"They’re not even claiming the port was a “Houthi stronghold” or some shit; their sole claim is that Washington decreed Ansar Allah are terrorists, so they have a right to massacre civilians while destroying critical civilian infrastructure."
According to Washington's logic, since the U.S. Empire is THE BIGGEST TERRORIST entity on planet Earth, does that mean the whole world now has a right to massacre U.S. civilians and destory critical American civilian infrastructure?
I'm not suggesting anything, I'm just applying Washington's logic at themselves in the REAL WORLD where the U.S. Empire ARE the REAL terrorists. (And if people don't realize that they are, I recommend reading Noam Chomsky, Chris Hedges, Michael Parenti, Vijay Prashad, John Pilger, Chalmers Johnson, and so many other excellent authors on U.S. Empire and imperialism)
You are correct Mr. Chokaski, we should read all those authors; and now that Chomsky is silenced by a stroke, throw in Richard Wolff, Jeff Sachs, and John Mearsheimer.
You say"According to Washington's logic". Is there any sensible logic left in what Washington does? Or is the dying empire simply thrashing around in its death throes?
May I add a couple, Gerald. Philip Giraldi and Mike Whitney are very analytical writers who provide data from detailed research. Just once weekly, but detailed under the UNZ Report.
The greatest disillusionment for me, still rests with the failure of all Western (white) governments to attribute any crime to Netanyahu’s Israel. My own country included. The reasons for the support for Israel from Germany, France, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the UK, all seemingly suffering from an expanded desire to become even more rightwing than in the past, has continued to perplex me as it has so many others. How can they continue to ignore the crimes of the century? How can they also continue to fail to pass any of the responsibility for blatant ethnic cleansing of Palestine into the major discussion point at the United Nations?
The United Nations and its voting system was set up at the end of World War II by the victorious nations from that conflict. There is, perhaps, an argument to modify the United Nations voting system and make it more representative of the modern world. But there does not appear to be any move along these lines. It makes the UN as it is presently structured and almost useless structure. Its actions against the present ethnic cleansing in Palestine have achieve nothing, nor have their lack of action contributed to the saving of a single life.
Even with its faults, the United Nations is not a few people in an office – it is seen as the world community. It is the rest of the world – the 94% of the world’s population that is not from the USA. By damning and ignoring the United Nations, the USA is snubbing the majority of the world’s population. This will not make the USA more popular around the world.
As one commentator on American baseball in the UK noted: “Only the USA could have a World Series and not invite the rest of the world”. Now that is surely the political equivalent in the United Nations today.
We are all aware of the now feeble nature of the UN and the almost absolute control generated through the use of the US Veto in the Security Council.
The UN is well past its use-by-date.
Oh, come on now! That was long ago, I clearly remember when Toronto and Montreal were added, and gasp, even won. But then again, if Canada becomes the 51st state, then you would be correct, again.
😂
>>"How can they continue to ignore the crimes of the century?"
Simple - they continue to ignore just as they always have. These aren't moral people making moral decisions. It's psychopathy, sociopathy, and the pursuit of power, control, and money (as it has always been).
Don't forget Michael Parenti.
He was becoming very popular naming names, etc, when Chomsky knocked him off the map. I spoke to the documentary maker of Manufacturing Consent about my theory of sidelining Parenti.
He never answered. Hung his head and said not a word in response to my conclusion that Chomsky was a limited hangout. I was hoping for a debate.
Very interesting. Who was the documentary maker? Maybe I'll look into it.
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0009788/
Mark Achbar
Thanks. That wouldn't happen to be the guy who was accused of plagiarism by someone else in the past 10 or so years, would it? I have this vague recollection of some lefty documentary getting stolen from the original writer or something but I can't recall specifics.
Excellent author suggestions! Yes, they are some of my favorite authors too. I would add David Harvey, Michael Hudson, and ... (I'd better stop here, there are many good authors and good books but not enough time in the world to read them all unfortunately...)
>>"Or is the dying empire simply thrashing around in its death throes?"
That is my impression...
Not to add more, but thanks for the referral to Cathy O'Neill's book, "Weapons of Math Destruction". I'm only 50 pgs in, but she's definitely grabbed my interest in the potential destructiveness of badly formed, highly scalable models.
Hi Gerald
Those you mentioned are frequent guests on Judge Napolitano. As well as Aaron Mate, Max Blumenthal, Phil Geraldi and my favorite, Pepe Escobar.
Washington follows the logic of power.
A good many of these you cite refuse to acknowledge state crimes: the assassinations of the sixties, 9/11, and the covid phenomenon to cite the most obvious ones. They specialize in limited hangout, but won't "go there."
Correct.
Norm Finkelstein tells the story of Chomsky telling him to keep quiet on certain topics in order to keep the lifestyle flowing.
Have you thought about "them having good reasons, logic, and critical thinking" as a reason for why they don't consider your "attempt at insinuations of the state crimes you mention" as "state" crimes?
Maybe you want everyone to acknowledge whatever conspiracy theories you (and others) believe in?
PS: I'm not getting into a discussion on conspiracy theories or conspiratorial thinking. Please do not respond to this comment if that is the direction you intend to go down.
The very phrase "conspiracy theory" is the useful CIA ploy to short-circuit and sabotage any rational discussion of evidence honestly. Politically conscious people understand that. "Please do not respond to this comment if that is the direction you intend to go down."
>>"PS: I'm not getting into a discussion on conspiracy theories or conspiratorial thinking. Please do not respond to this comment if that is the direction you intend to go down."
What didn't you understand about the above sentence?
Ever hear of First amendment? You do not govern MY speech. Got that?
Based on your comment, I doubt you even remotely understand what "The 1st amendment" is, in what context it is applied (and valid), and in which spheres of influence. (Hint: it is a US constitutional law, not a law that applies to online international spaces such as substack, and it does not apply to private entities (including individuals) making decisions on how they intend to moderate speech").
You may not be suggesting anything Chang, but it is an inevitability. America’s shit will eventually stick to America. There’ll be lots of tears and hand-wringing then about how evil those others are, but none from me.
I think that concept was tidily summed up by the expression: "Chickens coming home to roost," most famously said by Malcom X.
There is a concept/reality known as 'BLOWBACK' (that you might be aware of). The unfortunate part about 'blowback' is that ordinary citizens/denizens may land up paying the price for the EVILS of the Empire perpetrated on the world by American/Western rules and TPTB. The book "Blowback: The Costs and Consequences of American Empire" by Chalmers Johnson (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40709.Blowback) is an excellent read and goes into detail about the repercussions of U.S. Empire imperialism.
Yes, that's an excellent book. I read it many years ago. I heartily second your recommendation.
I’d love to read that book Chang. Thanks!
Hi Chang
In reply to your second paragraph:
YES.
"Israel’s actions in Gaza are shredding norms all over the place."
They are. The US has dropped all pretenses of being a law-abiding country. ICE is arresting citizens on the crime of being "Hispanic while driving" in Florida. We're sending immigrants to a torture prison in El Salvador without due process. We're even dismantling what little safety net most people have all for the sake of the billionaires to have another tax cut. Once you open the door to sociopaths, they'll destroy EVERYTHING they can get their hands on. It's time to #EatTheRich and #FreePalestine
"Israel’s actions in Gaza are shredding norms all over the place."
A more cynical, and IMO more realistic take: The Israelis are shredding all PR norms. The US has never had issues with attacking civilians and civilian infrastructure back to WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and Iraq. The only change is that now they're just more open about admitting to, or even bragging about it.
They aren't even pretending to adhere to any humanitarian principles or the rules of war. It's full mask-off season, thanks to the Israelis and the US's open support for them, dating to Biden. A new age of naked aggression awaits us.
Truth! Israel is using the same tactics the empire has always used. People don’t like admitting their country has always been the most evil entity in existence!
I don’t mean that towards you, The Revolution Continues. I know where you stand.
I would also suggest that it might also be due to Hamas who caught TPTB before they were fully prepared. The masks were forced off before the public had been fully pacified, surveilled, and locked down.
That’s what every nation but Israel & West Israel (AMERICA) call Sick, Inhumane War Crimes. @ICJ do your thang. Get Busy and America if you love America Demand 🇺🇸1st and stop being a cuck for Israel.
Too late. You are owned.
Caitlin, I think you have this part wrong:
"It’s probably worth noting here that Trump officials have said they’d stop bombing Yemen if Ansar Allah said they’d stop attacking US ships, but Ansar Allah made exactly that offer recently and the bombing has continued. The offer was likely ignored because Yemen would still be attacking Israeli ships, and this is really about protecting Israel’s ability to commit genocide in Gaza."
The Houthis aka Ansar Allah DID stop attacking ALL ships including Israeli ones when they started their ceasefire. The US went ahead and started the bombing missions anyway.
They’ve been mask-off for a while. This shouldn’t come as any surprise. Everyone knows they’re fascists. They know they’re fascists. If we’re going to fascists either way, I prefer the mask off variant.
I'd caution you to be careful what you hope for. The very need, or perceived need to mask certain atrocities is an important check on the types of things these fascists will attempt to do. Without any perceived requirement to justify this kind of naked aggression, they will be much more likely to engage in it. Now that they don't even feel the need to mask this murderous barbarity [and it extends to the "Homeland" now], with no opposition or opposition party to stand in their way, it could be getting much uglier than had they felt a need to pretend to adhere to some kinds of humanitarian rules or norms. .
That said, I also don't really like calling them fascists. I saw a couple of Richard Wolff [economist] and Noam Chomsky [political philosopher/linguist] interviews lately and they made an excellent point: In order for there to be fascism, there by definition must be a strong resistance movement, and when it comes to this ME warring, I just don't see that anywhere in the Western world right now.
They never felt the need to adhere to any humanitarian anything. They just use to jump through hopes to deny, obscure, and create pretext. They’re just skipping the bullshit. And there never was any opposition party. There were Machiavellians who hide things, pissed on your head and told you it was raining, and used the barest pretext to justify the very same crimes. In this, at least, we’re not being gaslit.
They felt the need to PRETEND to adhere to principles. This is a nuance I don't expect people to grasp immediately, but it's very important. It's why so many genocidal and naked aggression war crimes have been lied about over time and it gives the opposition time to force their hand in how they cover them or cover them up. That is a timing thing. It takes time to craft a coverup or cover story - and gives opposing/dissenting people time to formulate hard questions - and without even that minor impediment they're just going to do it. And more frequently and more violently.
I hope you can see this. I'm not trying to win an argument on the Internet; I just think you're missing a crucial part of the context. To apply this maxim to the Nazis in WWII, if they had openly said they were murdering millions of Jews, Roma, Slavs, etc. then yes - that would have evoked or forced a much quicker reaction to resistance: BUT WHO IS THE ACTUAL RESISTANCE NOW? Define it!
They felt a need to deceive, to keep people placated. A lot easier to manage dupes then put down rebellions. It takes no time to make but bullshit and planning has a book of them. They’re not making this shit up as they go along. As you’re obviously a propagandist banking on people being ignorant, I have no further purpose in engaging with you.
yeah. If their masks are off we will know who they are and we can incarcerate them. I was going to say wipe them out, but then we would be the same fascists that they are. I am not trying to be kind when I say incarcerate them. I am trying to keep my humanity.
No, self-defense isn’t the same as subjugation. It’s not the same. Incarceration might actually be a crueler fate, though, you’re right.
Thanks Caitlyn for keeping these burning issues on the boil and pointing out the breathtaking hypocrisy of those who try to avert our attention from these monstrous crimes. I would also include here a large number of Arab nations who would have within their means to affect change but remain silent out of fear from the great whore.
"The task therefore is to keep finding new ways to get people to see this thing with fresh eyes." The task is to get people to actually look at what is going on at all. Get them to stop thinking about the tariffs and the money they aren't going to make and get them to start thinking about the world disappearing. Because that is what they are doing: disappearing the world. With bombs. With hate. With exacerbating climate change.
World Press Photo of the Year 2025 is of 9 year old Palestinian Mahmoud Ajjour. See it and share it. Israel is a Terrorist State.
https://apnews.com/article/world-press-photo-award-palestinians-gaza-acbf4fa0051bdb4196e99cb7a6366cc3
Amurdica and wilfully blind Amurdican citizens spreading freedom and democracy. Blowback. Karma. Decades. 25% of the Korean adult population killed.
Waking up to it now does not erase the past you have not studied yet. Genie Oil.
This has never been about religion. Anywhere.
Amurdicans already having trouble travelling.
Consequences.
For real truth and history of the U.S.A. read Howard Zinn if it is still allowed.
The usa feels like a plane that leaked carbon dioxide and everybody on board died including the pilots, but since it's on autopilot the plane keeps flying for thousands of miles until it runs out of fuel and just crashes. It seems the usa is somewhere in this process.
The things America has learned from Israel! Two peas in a pod. Tweedledum and Tweedledee.
Hi Caitlin
I watched a good interview with Chris Hedges and Aaron Mate last night.
The Ziovampire state feels free to continue obliterating Palestinian human beings because the press is completely ignoring the fact.
As Chris said, one picks up a copy of the *ew York Times, and it’s all Trump, Trump, Trump, Trump.
And more Trump.
I have more in common with a Yemeni tradesman or mother or cleaner or nephew than any Western elite*.
Once we view this collectively we begin to win.
Look up, not across, for your foe.
*elite carries too much positivity, dregs or scumbaggery is more apt
Here's how the US Central Command message should really go:
"The United States government has continued to benefit economically and militarily
from the taxation of its US citizens to provide material support to its own domestic
terrorist organization. The US-backed weapons manufacturers use fuel to sustain the US
military operations as a weapon of control, and to benefit economically from embezzling
the hard-earned earnings of their own people. This money should legitimately be returned
back to the American people. Profits from this forced illegal taxation by the US government
into its aggressive military operations, are directly funding and sustaining US terrorist
efforts abroad." There, fixed it.
A slight (but important) correction is needed ->
The FEDERAL Govt. DOES NOT NEED your taxes to pay for spending (ANY spending) But STATE and LOCAL Govt. DOES need your taxes to pay for spending.
Some references:
(1) https://www.law.georgetown.edu/environmental-law-review/blog/federal-taxes-do-not-finance-spending-and-cost-benefit-analysis-must-change/
(2) https://www.thecrimson.com/column/a-time-for-new-ideas/article/2020/3/18/gilbert-myth-of-taxpayer-money/
To learn more about WHY this is so, I recommend looking up MMT (Modern Money Theory) which describes how money REALLY works/circulates (instead of outdated and incorrect neoclassical economic principles).
Hi, Chang. Thanks for those links, I'll take a look at them. I have always thought of the states as dependent on Federal monies to fund their various pet projects. I also have wondered why we are taxed at all if the Feds can create trillions of fiat dollars out of thin air to fund any government project they desire. I'll admit, I have much to learn when it comes to the nefarious ends and outs of government and how it operates.
Personally, no State interference in my life and those I care about would be my ideal preference. I am an anarchist at heart. I appreciate your comment.