"The less healthy this civilization feels to you, the healthier you are getting".
My goodness, do I feel psychologically fit in my deep realization that an overwhelming quantity of rubbish has been fed to me by Western "civilization". And thank Caitlin and other writers and commentators, I am at least aware of a good fraction of it, all of it ridiculously unhealthy.
It is unhealthy. We've been taught "junk food" through out our lives, and we're just now waking up and realizing we need to be on a healthy diet of compassion and empathy for our fellow human beings.
Cornelia, with all respect, do you think so? I am losing faith that people are simply ignoring Gaza and that humanity's moral compass has been smashed. The indoctrination which Caitlin speaks of, has been slowly and methodically planned out and executed for 100 years, by a sophisticated evil that the world has never seen before. Are people becoming aware of it? In the face of truth, and history it would be clear to anyone who looks, but the brainwashed majority seems to have no interest. The Zionist propaganda and lies continue to obfuscate, despite the reality before our eyes. We must continue to write, comment, forward, cut and paste, shout from the rooftops, hoping it makes some difference.
Pete,I fear you're generally correct, both about the diagnosis, and the prescription. Although it may become tedious and certainly energy-draining -- and lord knows, we all have some PTSD -- We can't stop talking to one another or shouting from those rooftops or we ourselves will atrophy; doing nothing at all isn't an option -- which you clearly know.
Thank you Pete. I believe this predatory mindset was there before. Greed and power through wealth were and are still the most important "goals". The zionists were and are not alone. Netanyahu is not alone. I do not think it's "methodically planned out". It has been created as normal, unconsciously. Nevertheless more people are aware, the younger ones, but they are unfortunately not a majority. There is a gap between our leaders and more and more people.
Many of us older ones who have been fighting against wars, poverty, racism, homophobia, capitalism for years and years are very aware of what is happening. Maybe in a more visceral sense than younger people because we have seen it unfolding. We have demonstrated, signed petitions, blocked traffic and more and still, the money grubbers continue on with their hate and destruction because they are convinced that they deserve it somehow. Or maybe there are other reasons. I do not pretend to understand such cruelty and inhumanity, but it has been there for a long time.
With all respect - "I do not think it's "methodically planned out". Then you have no understanding of the clearly documented, stated history and agenda of the Zionist movement. The ethnic cleansing of Palestine has been the goal since day 1. There is no argument.
It's a sign of the times that such an article even should need to be written. I mean really. We all want a peaceful, safe, happy life, except for the crazies at the top. And why are they at the top? Because they are the crazies. The world needs to change its systems. To stop this craziness.
When we let dangerous minds take over, this is what we get.
Taking a larger/longer view/perspective of history, one wonders how much of our present circumstances is new or unique? Is it possible that the world has ALWAYS been crazy (though varying in the level of intensity from period to period in history)?
What's different this time around (IMHO), is that we now have, for the first time, the technological sophistication and capability to destroy all life on earth (nuclear weapons, climate change, etc.) that we never possessed before in human civilizations. THAT is what is REALLY SCARY (for me at least).
It's extraordinary to me how so many Americans voice a belief that they live in a society replete of freedom, opportunity and choice. Those are the words of propaganda, reiterated through grade schools, churches, advertising, public events and the more shallow journalistic outlets. The nation in fact is a very controlled oligarchy, with the upper crust living like kings and the next 10-15% as their comfortable courtiers, while the general populace lives precariously under threat of violence or infection and serves as their war fodder and exploited workforce.
CJ>>"But that’s the kind of society we find ourselves in today. The obvious is framed as freakish while the freakish is presented as obvious. Health is framed as sickness while sickness is presented as health. The moderate is framed as extremism while extremism is presented as moderate."
SO TRUE Caitlin! And so well expressed and distilled. Thank you!
It reminds me of this passage from George Orwell's 1984 ->
War is Peace.
Freedom is Slavery.
Ignorance is Strength.
To me, it certainly seems like we are living in some hybrid, dystopian world that is a combination of George Orwell's "1984" and Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World".
[PS: Caitlin, sometimes I think you have the ability to read my mind.]
Darn right, Chang. And a tame, timorous media-in-general either play a dead bat to what's being done by this regime (not administration), or dress it up as something it certainly is not. The list of characteristics of a fascist state is well known and the number of boxes ticked by tRump's goons in this regard is clear. If the populace does not rise up in an organised, strategic way and is not prepared to put its collective life on the line, it will finish up with the jackboot-of-state on its throat.
Unfortunately a big chunk of the populace (40%?) is enthusiastically supporting what is going on. This includes soldiers and police. There is little to no sign of organized resistance so jackboot here we come. I'm told that Congress is considering the USA version of the Nazi's Enabling Act. Will it pass? Since our "representatives" consider nothing but their personal political survival it seems quite possible.
If you're a resister the most important thing to know is how to hide. This has been made more difficult in this surveillance state. It's now even more difficult with the advent of drone warfare.
To resist the Empire takes perseverance and we'll suffer many casualties because we are outgunned. Our only hope is that Military and LEO Personnel with their equipment join the resistance. Otherwise we have to beat them by bleeding them out like the Vietnamese and Taliban who lost millions.
Most cities have indoor or outdoor ranges where a pro will teach you to shoot.
I’d recommend a .22 because it’s fairly lightweight and you can get an extended clip for it.
Since I live deep in the country, I’ve learned to shoot on my friend’s 200-acre farm. My favorite is the thirty-ought-six, even though I end up on my ass every time I fire, lol..that damn thing KICKS!
Congress's track record suggests it will indeed pass. The Nazis' Enabling Act was the real turning point. Proud Boys will love it. To quote tRump, 'It'll be wild!' If tRump & Co. don't become a pariah regime internationally, we're all rooted (excuse my Aussie vernacular).
Of course it's all of them. But just like in any cult, the primary culpability for fascism lies with the cult leader (which is Trump in this case). It's similarly to the allocation of blame in the case of Hitler with Nazi Germany, Stalin with the Soviet Union, Pol Pot with Cambodia, etc. Even though many share the guilt and burden of culpability, the metaphorical 'head of the snake' is often the 'chief enabler' of such movements and events.
"It takes a lot of education to make us this stupid. "
It really does. Imagine thinking that mass murdering children is a "good" thing or even an "okay" thing to do. We have to be taught and re-taught a million times over to accept such a sick and twisted viewpoint and make it our own.
But sometimes, the events are too shocking, and they shock us out of our learned helplessness. This genocide is one of those moments. Use it to shock others out of their complacency. Use it to teach them lessons of morality. Use it to tell them that whatever is happening today in Gaza could happen to them tomorrow. We've got to keep clearing those eyes--and jump-starting those hearts that have turned to stone. #FreePalestine
>>"But sometimes, the events are too shocking, and they shock us out of our learned helplessness. This genocide is one of those moments. Use it to shock others out of their complacency. Use it to teach them lessons of morality. Use it to tell them that whatever is happening today in Gaza could happen to them tomorrow. We've got to keep clearing those eyes--and jump-starting those hearts that have turned to stone."
What is Drumpf's excuse? He doesn't read, doesn't listen, thinks only about himself and thinks killing every Palestinianin Gaza is wonderful so that he can have a statue there on the killing grounds of the Israelis. If it does get put up, I hope every bird within a ten mile radius flies by and shits on it, the bigger the bird the better ;-D
I must be really healthy, because I’ve been appalled by the U.S. government actions since the Vietnam era. It’s actions against humans and the environment have been a choice that I have objected since then, and I will continue to object to the utter evil insanity!
I get tired of people saying you can't judge history by the mores of today. Then what is the point of studying history? I study history to change things not knowledge for knowledge's sake.
Thanks for expressing these thoughts. I was very bothered by this world for most of my life growing up with the Vietnam War and the awful realization that just before me on this earth, my country was the scene of utter horror. Nazi time.
But I was hopeful that things like Human Rights are on the way to betterment.
Now I am totally shaken by the complicity in Genocide of every country I am connected with. I don't know where to escape from the people who silently or slimy in words allow and even support this insane, vast crime. "Never, not again!" It hurts me so badly to see the endless suffering of the beautiful people in Gaza and the West Bank. What could possibly go on in their heads and hearts? I am devastated to realize their horrendous arrogance and total lack of heart!
I will never stop fighting the disgustingly Evil ZioNazis and their western supporters- until I stop breathing.
I completely empathize with you. I, for one, can NEVER EVER go back to being the person that I was before this Genocide started. I assume that there are many millions more all over the world feeling the same way as we do...
I’ve had the misfortune of explaining the genocide in Gaza to my little siblings. It made my little siblings feel shocked and scared. I hate that we live in a world where little children like them are slaughtered every hour of every day. Having little siblings makes me uniquely cognizant of this deplorable reality.
The thing of wanting to be part of the "in" crowd, of having to see the "other" as evil and ourselves as good combined with the relentless propaganda from the media, especially the mainstream media, has deformed us as a society and sometimes as individuals. This article is long and it is specifically about Norway, but it applies to all of us, I think.
Real interesting link Susan. “The considerations of the rational individual have been defeated in Norway by the tribal mindset and groupthink.” It does apply to all of us, doesn’t it.
The author’s renditions of “groupthink” are well-articulated. Striking how irrationally nutty groupthink sounds when you put it to words!
Your sharp description of this world resonates with me, I can’t believe that, when I look at the news, it resembles to dystopian fiction like 1984 and Handmaid’s Tale.
Controlled media puppets spin ridiculous lies.
Governments ignore humanity, and are bought by sociopathic CEO’s.
Many people are just mindless drones who are kept distracted by reality shows.
I sometimes would prefer to be able to ignore passively the madness, but I just can’t.
I just find myself crying often, whenever the world around stops.
I remember my small niece asking me why the ‘chicken’ she ate was called the same as the animal ‘chicken’. She was distressed when she realised they were the same and went vegetarian for a while. She was later ‘encouraged’ to go back to eating meat by an adult in her family. Children understand most things simply until we indoctrinate them.
"The less healthy this civilization feels to you, the healthier you are getting".
My goodness, do I feel psychologically fit in my deep realization that an overwhelming quantity of rubbish has been fed to me by Western "civilization". And thank Caitlin and other writers and commentators, I am at least aware of a good fraction of it, all of it ridiculously unhealthy.
It is unhealthy. We've been taught "junk food" through out our lives, and we're just now waking up and realizing we need to be on a healthy diet of compassion and empathy for our fellow human beings.
All Westerners have been brainwashed about our so-called supremacy.
Yes, we are the rulers -- over our own carefully crafted delusions!
Well said ! Since "Gaza", more and more people are aware of these delusions.
Cornelia, with all respect, do you think so? I am losing faith that people are simply ignoring Gaza and that humanity's moral compass has been smashed. The indoctrination which Caitlin speaks of, has been slowly and methodically planned out and executed for 100 years, by a sophisticated evil that the world has never seen before. Are people becoming aware of it? In the face of truth, and history it would be clear to anyone who looks, but the brainwashed majority seems to have no interest. The Zionist propaganda and lies continue to obfuscate, despite the reality before our eyes. We must continue to write, comment, forward, cut and paste, shout from the rooftops, hoping it makes some difference.
Pete,I fear you're generally correct, both about the diagnosis, and the prescription. Although it may become tedious and certainly energy-draining -- and lord knows, we all have some PTSD -- We can't stop talking to one another or shouting from those rooftops or we ourselves will atrophy; doing nothing at all isn't an option -- which you clearly know.
Thank you Pete. I believe this predatory mindset was there before. Greed and power through wealth were and are still the most important "goals". The zionists were and are not alone. Netanyahu is not alone. I do not think it's "methodically planned out". It has been created as normal, unconsciously. Nevertheless more people are aware, the younger ones, but they are unfortunately not a majority. There is a gap between our leaders and more and more people.
Many of us older ones who have been fighting against wars, poverty, racism, homophobia, capitalism for years and years are very aware of what is happening. Maybe in a more visceral sense than younger people because we have seen it unfolding. We have demonstrated, signed petitions, blocked traffic and more and still, the money grubbers continue on with their hate and destruction because they are convinced that they deserve it somehow. Or maybe there are other reasons. I do not pretend to understand such cruelty and inhumanity, but it has been there for a long time.
With all respect - "I do not think it's "methodically planned out". Then you have no understanding of the clearly documented, stated history and agenda of the Zionist movement. The ethnic cleansing of Palestine has been the goal since day 1. There is no argument.
Amen. And thank you...as always....for your clarity...and humanity... a sane oasis in a world of madness. You help me
...us...stay grounded.
It's a sign of the times that such an article even should need to be written. I mean really. We all want a peaceful, safe, happy life, except for the crazies at the top. And why are they at the top? Because they are the crazies. The world needs to change its systems. To stop this craziness.
When we let dangerous minds take over, this is what we get.
Taking a larger/longer view/perspective of history, one wonders how much of our present circumstances is new or unique? Is it possible that the world has ALWAYS been crazy (though varying in the level of intensity from period to period in history)?
What's different this time around (IMHO), is that we now have, for the first time, the technological sophistication and capability to destroy all life on earth (nuclear weapons, climate change, etc.) that we never possessed before in human civilizations. THAT is what is REALLY SCARY (for me at least).
The “15 minute cities” have begun… this article is from June 2024
https://www.gatesnotes.com/wyoming-terrapower-groundbreaking
It's extraordinary to me how so many Americans voice a belief that they live in a society replete of freedom, opportunity and choice. Those are the words of propaganda, reiterated through grade schools, churches, advertising, public events and the more shallow journalistic outlets. The nation in fact is a very controlled oligarchy, with the upper crust living like kings and the next 10-15% as their comfortable courtiers, while the general populace lives precariously under threat of violence or infection and serves as their war fodder and exploited workforce.
🎯💯
CJ>>"But that’s the kind of society we find ourselves in today. The obvious is framed as freakish while the freakish is presented as obvious. Health is framed as sickness while sickness is presented as health. The moderate is framed as extremism while extremism is presented as moderate."
SO TRUE Caitlin! And so well expressed and distilled. Thank you!
It reminds me of this passage from George Orwell's 1984 ->
War is Peace.
Freedom is Slavery.
Ignorance is Strength.
To me, it certainly seems like we are living in some hybrid, dystopian world that is a combination of George Orwell's "1984" and Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World".
[PS: Caitlin, sometimes I think you have the ability to read my mind.]
Darn right, Chang. And a tame, timorous media-in-general either play a dead bat to what's being done by this regime (not administration), or dress it up as something it certainly is not. The list of characteristics of a fascist state is well known and the number of boxes ticked by tRump's goons in this regard is clear. If the populace does not rise up in an organised, strategic way and is not prepared to put its collective life on the line, it will finish up with the jackboot-of-state on its throat.
Unfortunately a big chunk of the populace (40%?) is enthusiastically supporting what is going on. This includes soldiers and police. There is little to no sign of organized resistance so jackboot here we come. I'm told that Congress is considering the USA version of the Nazi's Enabling Act. Will it pass? Since our "representatives" consider nothing but their personal political survival it seems quite possible.
That would be Opening Day of Nazi and Zionist Hunting Season!
I will seriously start learning how to shoot if this becomes the case.
If you're a resister the most important thing to know is how to hide. This has been made more difficult in this surveillance state. It's now even more difficult with the advent of drone warfare.
To resist the Empire takes perseverance and we'll suffer many casualties because we are outgunned. Our only hope is that Military and LEO Personnel with their equipment join the resistance. Otherwise we have to beat them by bleeding them out like the Vietnamese and Taliban who lost millions.
Me too!
Hi TRC
Most cities have indoor or outdoor ranges where a pro will teach you to shoot.
I’d recommend a .22 because it’s fairly lightweight and you can get an extended clip for it.
Since I live deep in the country, I’ve learned to shoot on my friend’s 200-acre farm. My favorite is the thirty-ought-six, even though I end up on my ass every time I fire, lol..that damn thing KICKS!
Longtrail, THAT’S what I’m talkin’ about!
Congress's track record suggests it will indeed pass. The Nazis' Enabling Act was the real turning point. Proud Boys will love it. To quote tRump, 'It'll be wild!' If tRump & Co. don't become a pariah regime internationally, we're all rooted (excuse my Aussie vernacular).
Trump is certainly bad, but isn't alone in the culpability. It's all of them.
Of course it's all of them. But just like in any cult, the primary culpability for fascism lies with the cult leader (which is Trump in this case). It's similarly to the allocation of blame in the case of Hitler with Nazi Germany, Stalin with the Soviet Union, Pol Pot with Cambodia, etc. Even though many share the guilt and burden of culpability, the metaphorical 'head of the snake' is often the 'chief enabler' of such movements and events.
Recently in the USA it more resembles HG Wells' The Time Machine with its Morlocks vs. Eloi.
😄😆
"It takes a lot of education to make us this stupid. "
It really does. Imagine thinking that mass murdering children is a "good" thing or even an "okay" thing to do. We have to be taught and re-taught a million times over to accept such a sick and twisted viewpoint and make it our own.
But sometimes, the events are too shocking, and they shock us out of our learned helplessness. This genocide is one of those moments. Use it to shock others out of their complacency. Use it to teach them lessons of morality. Use it to tell them that whatever is happening today in Gaza could happen to them tomorrow. We've got to keep clearing those eyes--and jump-starting those hearts that have turned to stone. #FreePalestine
❤️❤️ Love your comment very much TRC!
>>"But sometimes, the events are too shocking, and they shock us out of our learned helplessness. This genocide is one of those moments. Use it to shock others out of their complacency. Use it to teach them lessons of morality. Use it to tell them that whatever is happening today in Gaza could happen to them tomorrow. We've got to keep clearing those eyes--and jump-starting those hearts that have turned to stone."
YES! 🙏🙏
What is Drumpf's excuse? He doesn't read, doesn't listen, thinks only about himself and thinks killing every Palestinianin Gaza is wonderful so that he can have a statue there on the killing grounds of the Israelis. If it does get put up, I hope every bird within a ten mile radius flies by and shits on it, the bigger the bird the better ;-D
He'd just kill the birds. Problem solved.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
You should really let us know if you love Caitlin’s post.
I must be really healthy, because I’ve been appalled by the U.S. government actions since the Vietnam era. It’s actions against humans and the environment have been a choice that I have objected since then, and I will continue to object to the utter evil insanity!
I get tired of people saying you can't judge history by the mores of today. Then what is the point of studying history? I study history to change things not knowledge for knowledge's sake.
Thanks for expressing these thoughts. I was very bothered by this world for most of my life growing up with the Vietnam War and the awful realization that just before me on this earth, my country was the scene of utter horror. Nazi time.
But I was hopeful that things like Human Rights are on the way to betterment.
Now I am totally shaken by the complicity in Genocide of every country I am connected with. I don't know where to escape from the people who silently or slimy in words allow and even support this insane, vast crime. "Never, not again!" It hurts me so badly to see the endless suffering of the beautiful people in Gaza and the West Bank. What could possibly go on in their heads and hearts? I am devastated to realize their horrendous arrogance and total lack of heart!
I will never stop fighting the disgustingly Evil ZioNazis and their western supporters- until I stop breathing.
I completely empathize with you. I, for one, can NEVER EVER go back to being the person that I was before this Genocide started. I assume that there are many millions more all over the world feeling the same way as we do...
I’ve had the misfortune of explaining the genocide in Gaza to my little siblings. It made my little siblings feel shocked and scared. I hate that we live in a world where little children like them are slaughtered every hour of every day. Having little siblings makes me uniquely cognizant of this deplorable reality.
To be balanced in a profoundly sick society is no measure of good health
—Jiddu Krishnamurti
The thing of wanting to be part of the "in" crowd, of having to see the "other" as evil and ourselves as good combined with the relentless propaganda from the media, especially the mainstream media, has deformed us as a society and sometimes as individuals. This article is long and it is specifically about Norway, but it applies to all of us, I think.
https://x.com/Glenn_Diesen/status/1926986846308839463
Real interesting link Susan. “The considerations of the rational individual have been defeated in Norway by the tribal mindset and groupthink.” It does apply to all of us, doesn’t it.
The author’s renditions of “groupthink” are well-articulated. Striking how irrationally nutty groupthink sounds when you put it to words!
Your sharp description of this world resonates with me, I can’t believe that, when I look at the news, it resembles to dystopian fiction like 1984 and Handmaid’s Tale.
Controlled media puppets spin ridiculous lies.
Governments ignore humanity, and are bought by sociopathic CEO’s.
Many people are just mindless drones who are kept distracted by reality shows.
I sometimes would prefer to be able to ignore passively the madness, but I just can’t.
I just find myself crying often, whenever the world around stops.
Thank you for your work.
I remember my small niece asking me why the ‘chicken’ she ate was called the same as the animal ‘chicken’. She was distressed when she realised they were the same and went vegetarian for a while. She was later ‘encouraged’ to go back to eating meat by an adult in her family. Children understand most things simply until we indoctrinate them.
❤️
Powerful, Caitlin: The mind, soul, heart, body weep....