I would (almost) agree with your assessment - though I fear that Trump is different - for the fact that he is operating in a DIFFERENT ERA of history.
Just as there were Mussoilini, Franco, Hitler, etc. during the age of 'classic European fascism', so also do I think that we are currently in the age of 'neo-fascism infused with technological optimism/euphoria' in which Trump can do GREAT DAMAGE on a global level. I'm not concerned with how he damages the U.S. Empire (I welcome that aspect of it), but more with how ->
(a) he emboldens other 'strongman leaders' in other countries to usher in a new age of neo-fascism, authoritarianism, totalitarianism, and surveillance-dystopia in their own respective nations (be it Erdogan, Modi, Putin, Xi, Sisi, Orban, Milei, and so many others)
(b) he ramps up the pace of global destruction (economies, cultures, environment, ecology, exploitation, oppression, etc.) by utilizing technologies (which many non-techies are not even aware of). The pace of change is so swift and ever-changing that it is hard for most nations/societies to keep up with battling the many 'fires/destructions' that Trump (and his policies) keep foisting on the world.
Too many people STILL UNDERESTIMATE Trump (and the destructive power of Trumpian behavior). Too many people STILL belong in the Trump/MAGA cult. Ask yourself this -> how many people belonged to the 'Mussolini cult', the 'Hitler cult', the 'Modi cult'? (just a few comparative examples from history and present to ponder on).
What makes Trump SPECIAL is that 'a character (authoritarian strongman) like Trump' is operating in a fundamentally DIFFERENT era of 'accelerating resource depletion/erosion on a finite planet' with the 'steroidal effects' of scientific/technological progress - leading to a possible extinction of species/biodiversity/ecology the likes of which have never been possible before.
well, i got it half right, that is: trump as a person being very, very bad and just not another employee of empire. do you think the problem is as acutely bad as making it necessary to prioritizing his demise above the struggle for general systemic change?
Duh! Having gotten something 'half-right' on something that should be obvious (but unfortunately isn't) is no measure of competence or comprehension.
>>"do you think the problem is as acutely bad as making it necessary to prioritizing his demise above the struggle for general systemic change"
As usual, you're going on your OWN tangents Martin. FOCUS. Work on your comprehension skills (and don't rely on LLMs to do ALL your thinking for you - though that might explain a part of the problem with your comments).
ok, focusing on trump being really extraordinary bad and not at all just another employee of empire, rn. i mean empire is one thing, but trump, ... gosh.
If THAT was what you got from my comment, the problem lies with YOU 'Truth Seeking Missile'. You sure know how to pick Orwellian-sounding monikers, don't you?
Of course, few of us would have been around during the terms of Mussolini, Franco or Hitler to be now able to make a direct comparison to the character of even one of them. I think you would have had to be there to see what they were.
.......as people.
We see the meetings in the White House with apparently adoring (or overpowered, scared) audiences hanging on Trump's every word. I cannot recall a more sickening sight than this and can't remember any similar theatrical performances during the reign of any other President in those United States.
Anyone who has made a study of people over time would have few doubts that this man Trump will come to a sticky end. What damage he is allowed to create before then is the real worry.
The USA will not recover any respect from the world or the bulk of the US voters while under the control of either the Republican or Democrats Parties. Both have histories that cannot be forgotten and values that are well out of date, totally unacceptable in this day and age.
The USA needs a new start with a new Party, new values with 750 military bases closed, forever.
>>"The USA needs a new start with a new Party, new values with 750 military bases closed, forever."
The USA needs to CEASE being the USA (for starters), and instead focus on PEOPLE (at a global and all-encompassing level) instead of PROFITS. But unfortuntely, I can't see this happening...
The sad thing, for ordinary Americans, I presume, is that the entire world now views their country and population as idiotic, stupid, thick, trigger-happy, destructive, dangerous - and laughable. The UK is bad enough but I am relieved I'm not American.
Not the first nor likely the last 'player' to want to straddle the beast so as not to get played. Ha'Kirya or Qiryah\The Fortress is the widely publicized (Public Directory listed also means 'accessible') address of the heart of the paradoxically secretive global weapons market. NSO represents less its hardware and more so the market's globally marketed software.
Here's where the technocratic if not optimally tactical gamers or wizards of Aaz (Hebrew word for strength) apply very personal mindsets to the levers of leveraged power:
Less a distraction is Trump, more precisely is he merely representative of the symptom that reveals our fundamental problem. Any electorate that rarely troubles itself to demand more than IDENTITY POLITICS has already surrendered the Public Interest (which should be priveleged in a healthy social order) to the Private Interests. In a balanced best of circumstances and income distribution and due to the Pay2Play nature of our political system designed by and for oligarchs it is not surprising when the wealth concentrators and distributors channels its currents and currency to those privileged Private Interests.
Our result is writ large and small about as thoroughly quantified as an online search of these choice words: WEALTH CONCENTRATION\INCOME INEQUALITY (US):
At least the Americans can say that it's their dollar and their empire. Brits cannot even say that, instead, they play the role of the little yappy dog that follows Spike The Bulldog around in the Looney Tunes cartoons, singing Spike's praises, getting slapped around by Spike, and getting Spike into stupid fights.
That's exactly why they're worse as they're able to fool people better.
Trump's blatant bullying and uncouthness were supposed to rile up the dems and other "civil" western democracies. Instead they tucked their tails and line up to crawl to the WH to suck Trump's dick.
They are just as bad. Maybe even worse. British colonialism has been around even longer than American colonialism. Starmer pretends to be a civilized human being, but he is a colonialist pig. At least it is obvious with Trump. I was born a Brit. Too bad for me.
Starmer is the pits. But he will be voted out and his career will be over. With luck he'll end up in jail. The difference is perhaps that the vast majority can see that. Whereas - we're led to believe (might not be true, of course) that Trump still has a lot of support!
The major differences between the British and American populations from my perspective is the imperial British domestic policies were inclusive of the blue collar and economically marginalized. Healthcare was a right for all, higher education was mostly meritocratic, public transportation was a national priority, the mines and other industries were highly unionized, and the majority were raised to have a stake in the state, and were sufficiently informed to not be ignored. This came under a concerted attack in 1980 by Thatcher and her Ayn Rand worldview which, not surprisingly, was an American string attached to decades of economic “aid.”
Compare that to America, where the presidency of FDR ratified laws and regulations that empowered blue collar workers and opened the doors of home ownership and individual economic ascension. That was effectively nipped in the bud. By a mere five years after FDR’s death, the trajectory of the young American Empire was unfettered by a public that was happy to shut up and shop. Five years after FDR’s death, his successor in the WH founded the CIA, and the NSA. Higher education remained a threshold for upward aspiring young people, but the overt racist behavior of local politicians and law enforcement, and the preponderance of racist religious pulpits, were suppressive forces in the socialization of the majority. By the 1970’s there were more European, including British, critics of American imperialism than there were recognized Americans making any noises. Many young Americans were self analyzing and substance experimenting, while that distraction hadn’t widely impacted the British college populations. So there was a significant gap between the political awareness of the British population and the American consumer class. To this day, I think the average Brit is much more rightfully suspicious of religious hucksters than are Americans, and the Brits haven’t really embraced the mindless rhetoric of their military class the way many Americans are chomping at the bit to shout “…USA, USA..”
So what I was describing was a point in time where the British Empire was clearly fading from view, and the American, more muscular, culture was shaped almost totally by the propaganda wielding mandarins of the state.
At this late date, billions of dollars having been poured into European banks, the political leaders throughout Western Europe are all now American lackeys, and the entrenchment of finance capitalism has consolidated their positions, and consigned their people’s futures to no attractive options. The surrealistic picture of a German president, son of a Nazi, seriously trying to lead his people into an anti-Russian frenzy is the bizarre reality of a governing class completely captive to American strategies that is clear to a non-compliant population that wants no part of the insanity. Starmer is Merz’s British twin.
The good news from Europe’s perspective is the multipolar future is still opening its arms to the former murderous, still overtly racist colonialists who are being abandoned by their American “allies.” How long will it take these numbskulls to do right by their people, and forget the Americans who always viewed them as loyal pawns? In a quarter century, the former empires can gain some footing, and remember the lies and betrayals that were the hallmarks of the country they envied.
Wish Americans did live up their responsibilities in the BoR though. The guns aren't there against crime; trespassers; or Injuns - the guns are there for one specific purpose; to remove the corrupt from positions of power with extreme prejudice.
600,000,000 guns, and only one CEO so far, and no politicians.
......and the way Europe is going! Thinking we can fight a war against Russia! Now we ALL have to pay 5% of our taxes to buy useless USA weapons from the CIA (Trump).
Ha. Our 'little Napoleon' is doing the tightrope walk on the edge of a sword. French are about to explode and I will be with them. We are supposed to fight a war against Russia because that big OX in the White House can't do it.
As for weapons from the US. I hear they are sorley depleted but of course European elite do NOT want to hear this and we will be delivered old ones at great cost.
The plan as ever is to send the poor to go and die for elite gains. They don't care which country the poor comes from, many would even prefer it to be their own.
I have a lot of respect for Brar. She is often on Garland Nixon's show. Whenever she is, she provides tremendous insight into what's happening in the world.
You might want to watch the video to hear the disgust in her voice.
idk, she's probably very angry because he started a new party that will probably siphon off energy and potential followers of the CPGB-ML. but i wouldn't contend that corbyn is as bad as sanders (actually endorsing those who kicked him down).
You still have the “Royal” family. No voting them out. People think they have no power and yet Shameless shenanigans on the queen’s part succeeding in making her heirs exempt from inheritance tax, etc etc.
Regarded as a business model, being a constitutional-monarchy is nowhere near as beneficial as being an absolutist-monarchy.
For a start, the elected Govt now controls the taxes, and where they go. Secondly, all those "Assets" (Like palaces, mansions etc) require lots of paid staff and maintenance, but they bring in no revenue to pay for them. It's a truly lousy business model if you're looking to have lots of cash. The Royals are famously always short of cash, lol. And all they get out of it is lots of nice places to live in (Not to be sniffed at); having to wave at random people 500 days a year, and have some influence - but very little real power.
Queen Elizabeth could do almost nothing when the morons voted Thatcher in, and she started selling off the state assets to her Tory cronies for pennies - if she had used any Royal prerogatives, the threat of Republicanism is easy to brandish.
I don't know what Elizabeth really thought about her position but it was very sad watching her addresses to the nation from parliament because the speeches were never hers, they were written by the current prime minister. Elizabeth had to read them as if they were her own words, regardless of how disgusting the policies of the ruling party were.
She was an absolute pro, but you could tell when she liked the policies... which wasn't often.
After Corbyn had his private interview, with her, he came out with starry eyes - by all accounts, he was the PM she'd been waiting for, for a generation.
And instead she got that hideous moronic airhead Liz Truss, it is NO coincidence Elizabeth gave up the ghost that very night. Truss killed the Queen.
That was France. The UK usually ended up with a negotiated deal, which the elites would then break and backstab and murder all those they had negotiated with once the peasants had put down the pitchforks and gone home trustingly.
And then a little while later the elites would quietly bring in some of the reforms, because everyone could see they were good ideas, trouble is they came from the wrong 'Class'.
And that's how the French Norman descendants were dragged into reform after reform by their despised English 'subjects'.
To be accurate, they made an attempt with Edward II (tortured to death) and Charles I. But the French did a more thorough job, executing Louis XVI's family—man, woman, and son (who died in prison).
There are so many disgusting leaders in the world right now. Patriotism needs to be a thing of the past. You may be relieved not to be American, but it would make sense for you to be just as disgusted with your own country's leadership as with anyone else's leadership. The Brits may have thought they were superior once, but that has never been true and it is getting more obvious all the time.
Or if we decide to keep elections, maybe make it so that you don't have to be rich to run for election. Maybe change how elections happen so that the same people don't keep getting elected.
Yeah, but it took thousands of years to bring them to this point, it took 250 for America, less actually we've been seeing the decline for at least eighty years, since they thought they won WWII on their own and the fools in other countries happily let them. Then they decided to make the rest of the world as their worshippers. The start was when zionists were allowed into the Palestine 🇵🇸 to be there as America's watch dog and then decided to turn it around and make America theirs.
It got a big boost when colonizers came to the Americas, committed genocide and stole the land. It got worse when the Brits decided that Palestine was theirs to give to the European Jews so that they could get Jews out of Europe. And now there are all these power mongers who want the resources and land and will do whatever to get it. Too bad they are destroying the world via all their wars and the use of fossil fuels.
The UK, being smaller in size, will be impacted more heavily and faster by decisions pols make. Our speech in the USA is not as suppressed as yours or Germany's. It does have serious fault lines, though. Also, social media can distort the truth, as you know. We have many fine people in America who are not on board with what the worst of us do. I think that's true for most countries.
You're not alone Harry Ziboo. Most of the non-Western world think/feel that way about the U.S. - and with good reason! In fact, I would say that you are in the MAJORITY of the global population that is beginning to see the U.S. (and more prominently the U.S. Empire) for the EVIL that it really represents.
Problem with your observation and that of "the "world" is that most don't have a clue what an "ordinary American" looks like, quite simply because the diversity is enormous. Go ask a Black American with a heritage as described, for example, in Isabel Wilkerson's "Caste" (close friends) -- or a first-gen Italian-American whose forebears only came early 20th century (me), a fourth-gen German- or Scottish-American, family here since the early 1800s (several friends), and a southwestern Hispanic-American, seven-gens deep (surrounded by them), what an ordinary American looks like. Europeans want to conveniently overlook that the nation of immigrants is still very much un-integrated into a smoothly functional whole, and so any analysis based on some averaging effect is patently bullshit, based on the reality I just laid out for you, thank you very much.
>>"that of "the "world" is that most don't have a clue what an "ordinary American" looks like"
What is the relevance of WHAT an 'ordinary American' looks like (in this context)? It really doesn't matter WHAT they look like. What matters is how they/us have supported (intentionally or unintentionally) the WORST of the WORST politicians/etc. CONSISTENTLY (I'm not talking of ideologies here).
>>"...the nation of immigrants is still very much un-integrated into a smoothly functional whole"
Smoothly functional whole ??? What about the U.S. resembles 'smoothly functional whole' (in any context)?
Exactly. There is no coherence is US society. Immigrant and native pockets of different deep traditions persist throughout the country, then mix in large enough cities, usually in conflict to some extent. So to argue anything about Americans as a homogeneous population or the society as having any coherence -- as has occurred in some of this thread -- strikes me as fatuous.
Very true. America is anything but 'homogeneous'. Delving into the pros/cons of 'homogeneous cultures' is a complex/nuanced discussion, so I'm going to avoid it here (plus I haven't thought long/hard enough on the subject).
True. My only thought on the subject is that I have been lucky to live in five different states, metropolises, large, medium, and small cities, suburbs, and even a bit of country -- all over this country. So that first-hand experience has been useful in understanding with what tenacity established groups, both long and recently established, cling to their traditions. There is almost a deep fear everywhere that America will, in the long run, reject you anyway, so you'd better cling to what you know. Truly enlightening especially viewed against the ICE activities within this administration.
What really blows my mind is a group of "liberals", usually voting "D", who nominally supported 3rd party candidates, but voted for Rump in the end because they swallowed the "less-war, more-home-front, curb-the-deep-state rhetoric.
Just reaffirmed for me that there is no limit whatsoever to the gullibility of the US voter in his/her desperation to continue to believe in evolutionary change via the currently structured hyper-corrupt system. Emergency wake-up calls desperately needed, but nonetheless seem useless against this depth of naiveté.
The only possible solution to this debacle, is for our 'democracies' to adopt the Swiss model of citizens' referenda', at all three levels of government.
I appreciate your feedback. I've never lived in Switzerland. My opinion is based on the fact that the Swiss economy is sound, and that they did not get involved in WW2. And the fact that democracies around the world seem to be that in name only. There must be a better way.
The same can be said for people in any Western country at this stage. Up here in Canada the Liberals spouted off on supporting all that the Conservatives wanted to do to restore our economy. Carney blatantly lied and is still doing so and a lot of people still trust the party that has sent our economy into a death spiral. These types of people will never learn their lesson.
Yes, and there are still people saying to "give Carney a chance" etc. Meanwhile he is gutting our government, trying to pass a bill that will relieve corporations of any responsibility to consult with people about what they want to do to the environment, trying to pass a bill that will give hime more rights to surveil us. Oh yeah, it is ONLY the US that has gone crazy. Everyone else is working hard for the people they govern. Please. Starmer is a pig, Carney is looking more like Stephen Harper every day, Australia isn't doing so well, I hear. What do all these leaders have in common? They are all rich, they have a lot of rich friends, they want to keep those rich friends happy, they want to hang on to their money, they support Israel, they support genocide.
“American” Capitalism is popular and favored by billionaires throughout the British Empire, including the USA, Canada, The UK, Australia, and several other colonies. The headquarters of the Empire are somewhere on Wall Street in New York City.
Actually, I understand the secret HQ for the International Oligarchy is City of London. The Duran told me so. ;-)
The US (and the rest of the G7) have all entered "late-state capitalism" where the only thing that counts is the quarterly profits and how to best manipulate your products and taxes to ensure wealth is transferred upward.
We've watched this happen since Reagan, yet have don't nothing about it.
Now one of the favorite schemes of private capital is playing out across the USA. Pile on so much debt that your "corporation" (country) has to declare bankruptcy.
Com'on Vin. While I'm sure there are plenty of voters who match your description, I would bet that there are more who just couldn't bring themselves to vote for that Airhead Harris.
There's a certain aura around voting.
* If you don't vote, you aren't a patriot
* If you don't vote for the Republican or Democrat then your vote is wasted.
Valid points all, but I live in a majority Blue state, and so personally know a healthy group of voters who do indeed match my description, many of whom campaigned for Stein in '16, even putting up road signs for her around my city along with me. Initially committed to doing so in '24, they panicked. This is personal observation of a significant group. Hence for all your valid points, I nonetheless suggest that you're making a lousy bet. At least here where I live in Blue-land.
They probably inherited this from their colonizers, the Brits. Those people have similar delusions. They have elected a few winners. Like Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Tony Blair and, of course, the great Zionist, Keir Starmer. And don't forget, it is the Brits who "gave" Palestine to the Jews in the first place. They started this mess, first in Palestine and then, who knows? The possibilities for destruction are limitless.
It certainly reveals the level of frustration that many "liberals" have in the "D" party and "D" candidates. Don't forget the "liberals" who voted third party or who stayed home and didn't vote. OTOH, the "D" party isn't changing or doing anything to encourage those same "liberals" to come back to the "D" party (unless gaslighting, blaming and shaming them count).
The dems keep ranting about the people who didn’t vote but have you considered that they didn’t choose to stay home? They died because of “vax and relax”. Biden spent 4 years killing his base with his returned to normal grift.
Trump was only in office for one year of Covid and blue Maga had no problem acknowledging how many of his base died, but as soon as Biden was elected y’all pretended that the Covid deaths stopped. It’s completely delusional.
In the USA voting for a D or R is voting for Israel/AIPAC whores. 1 State Palestine. Cancel Israel. Any nation or business that supports Israel is a supporter of Terrorism and Genocide. B D S
The USA is falling apart. It's so huge, it will take a while to unravel, unless something catastrophic happens and speeds it up. There is no cohesiveness, no pressing purpose, and no adherence to founding principles. It has a bloated failing economy and faces a strong challenge by BRICS for using the dollar as world reserve currency. Debt is climbing higher by leaps. Cities are unlivable. International law is ignored. The top 1% contorts the system for their benefit as usual. On and on.
No longer is the USA seen as a magnificent beacon. More and more, it is rightfully resented and hated. When opportunity and free speech are killed, the cornerstones of the country crumble.
Trump is a showman whose only expertise is making real estate deals. He doesn't have the ability to steer this country and I'm sure he is realizing that. That realization takes time when one is surrounded by sycophants and ambitious bootlickers cheering him and steering him. His trust is placed in people with their own selfish interests; not the interests of the entire population. His choices and rhetoric are reactionary and erratic and not based on a long-term vision. All he can do is hang on and gaslight people into thinking he is doing more than he is. So, while he is in this position, he looks after himself, his family, and his friends. That he can do.
Little by little, his supporters are waking up to their great disappointment. This disappointment will morph into anger.
Look at treasury yields. The largest, most liquid, most sophisticated investment market in history, and they are not signaling anything like "imminent crisis".
If that were the case, they'd load up on long-dated deep out of the money gold put options and dollar call options, both of which can be had for cheap.
LEAPS and long-dated options (commodities, currencies, other leveraged securities) is not really the solution I would be looking at if I were of the opinion of 'the house of cards' imminently collapsing.
There are many more secure 'real-world' assets (rather than financially engineered products) that I would put my money into to ameliorate the effects of 'financial systems' crashes. But that is a discussion that is beyond the 'common-ground/common-knowledge/common-understandings' default of 'online social platforms' such as substack.
The 'smart people' know it's coming, just as the 'smart people' saw the real-estate bubble crash and the 'financialization of instruments bubble' crash (on a global level). Just because MOST people don't know enough about REAL ECONOMICS and 'how the global financial systems work' doesn't mean a crisis is not coming.
Also remember that often 'smart money' is ALSO 'stupid money' (one can chalk it up to things like market timing, luck, etc.)
...and also... Rob Urie's newest article (well-documented/supported with hyperlinks, Journal of Belligerent Pontification) is also (and always) excellent.
I HIGHLY recommend to anyone coming across this comment to read his newest... here:
An American friend, now deceased, used to say that his native land came up with a panacea every five seconds, confirming your sentiments with regard to cohesiveness and purpose. I’d add that the ‘ why not’ spirit has gone awry.
I hope NOT! The current political system (which serves the elites and higher classes of the socio-economic hierarcy) needs to be done away with, with extreme PREJUDICE and URGENCY!
Aaron Good is your man. If you want to know just how greedy. He talks about the Oligarchy, the "Deep State", and the "Jewish Mafia". It is an amazing web of deceit. He's on YouTube. I don't know how many times I've told people to look him up. I think one guy started the "Empire and the Deep State" series.
I warned many Americans on Substack that if they elected Trump again he would take the west to war with China and Iran. He is and has always been a signed up member of the swamp. I also warned you would see the deep state take off the gloves. Americans are next. He’s walling you in.
I recommend Brian Berletic to you. He has several videos on "continuity of agenda". The "Deep State" keeps the quest for American Empire on track no matter who is president.
One major difference I see between Trump and ANYONE else is that Trump is destroying America (and everything that it pretended to stand for) from the inside-out at a faster pace than anyone else could (or imagined possible).
(And here I'm simply taking about the U.S. and not the rest of the world).
They didn't learn anything from Trump's predecessors, so I'm guessing your hope is misplaced. What I hope is that people recognize that Trump is just a system, and as you suggest, what really matters is changing the system, not replacing the front man.
Israel bombs the only Catholic church in Gaza that the last Pope called almost every day. The New Improved Pope(American) did not mention Israel in his remarks about it. If there is a god, does Israel control it? Fuck Fuck Israel and it's supporters.
It's a cynical take, but I can't help agreeing. People will keep feeding on whatever slop they're fed ... just a corollary of the old Scott Adams adage "never underestimate the stupidity of the general public."
“As soon as he was re-elected he was just “Yeah okay so Israel comes first and forget everything I said about free speech and the Ukraine war is continuing and there will be no Epstein investigation, fuck you.”
Pretty much sums it up. As some of you know I have been a somewhat vocal supporter of DT. It’s been rather depressing to see him go down this path. I had hoped for the best which was to embrace a new multi polar world and stop with the American Imperialism shit.
Here is a great read from Simplicius. I cannot recommend it enough especially at the end “portentous post.” This is probably NOT going to end well. And I suspect when it doesn’t some of you will understand why I had hoped DT would be a difference maker. Most of us in the West are at the precipice of disaster. As much as I wanted to avoid it I guess it simply had to happen.
Trump reminds me of the Joker from the batman movie series. I did vote for him in 2016 on the off chance he might keep a campaign promise or two. It was obvious, even before he took office, from his appointments that he was just another actor in the deep state kabuki show. I'm now of the opinion that no one gets within reach of US presidency without a nod from our "owners". So now I don't bother to vote.
Just as many MORONS voted for Trump, I myself was a 'liberal MORON' that voted for Clinton and Obama (in a past life). I learned my lessons (though somewhat late in life, IMHO). I just hope we can keep 'future MORONS' to a small and ever-shrinking population, though I have my fears about.
At the federal level I understand but there probably are good local candidates. When I say that I simply mean fair minded people. Not ones looking to make an example out of you to appease their base. Saw a lot of that over the last several years.
Up to and including myself. I don’t want to see things go to shit. It’s a hard decision to make. It’s why I never got upset with Trump for walking away in early 2021.
I did propose a theory in 2023/24 that perhaps he was being reinstalled by the same people who removed him in 2020. He didn’t want to go but in the end they told him you are done. The reason I thought they might be bringing him back was that since 2021 it had been learned America was not going to be able to rely on sanctions alone. Real wars would need to be fought and DT would be much better at recruiting the soldiers as well as getting Patriotism to flow.
I canned that entire thought process after the assassination attempt in Butler. I am not sure what to make of it now. I do know it was VERY unlikely that young lone wolf would be able to pull that off without SERIOUS assistance. However, this is another thing that seems to have been swept under the rug. Reminded me of the Vegas shooting in Trumps first term. So many things that just don’t add up.
No need to invent elaborate conspiracies. Trump is simply weak, stupid and easily manipulated. If the elites want WWIII, it's not as if Trump were the only one who would do it.
Well I don’t see any possible way it doesn’t explode (no pun intended) and kill us all. It becomes impossible once a certain threshold is crossed to holdback your best weapons in order to decapitate your enemy.
Is that a movie? To the first part of your statement I just don’t see it unless they are batshit crazy. Sure they have their doomsday bunkers but their asses are stuck down there for the rest of their lives probably. By the time it’s safe for them to finally emerge after the fallout and nuke winter who knows what would be waiting for them.
But the most important point of danger is their own security turning on them. There’s nothing keeping them loyal once the bombs start falling.
That would be the Russian Oreshnik with a new nuclear-powered weapon coming and already tested. The new one has an indeterminate range. It cannot be intercepted.
I'd be grateful if anyone could define just what IS a "populist" - I've noticed the word itself getting a lot of play recently - Orban is a "Populist", etc. Not a very precise designation - I have the feeling it's actually nothing - as in ALL politicians are Populists - after all, it's 50% plus one - that's the game, right.
Huey Long was a populist and was hated by FDR and J Edgar Hoover. One of my favorite stories of him — He said to a reporter who wanted to know his political philosophy: “You take three dollars from a rich man , give one dollar each to two poor men and keep one for yourself. You’ve made one enemy, two friends and a fast buck.” He’s an interesting character and they’re not making anymore like him apparently.
So, FDR was also a "populist" when he lambasted the "economic Royalists". But, getting back to Trump - where did he say he would "take from the rich and give to the poor". I don't recall that rhetoric - yet, he's classed as a Populist.
Trump managed to present himself as a champion of the working class with no proof to support it. If the MSM had calmly exposed him and demanded answers why he did nothing to improve health care, repair the crumbling infrastructure or put competent, ethical people in charge of the COVID crisis maybe he wouldn’t have skated into the WH the second time. I didn’t vote for him (I voted for Jill Stein, not that it matters). He’s a successful con man but he’s losing his grip. The world has gotten so much worse in the last decade, he can’t cope. His unhinged rant on Epstein was revealing.
Right. As I suspected, the term is completely vacuous - and applies to EVERY politician, in any electoral "democracy", anywhere in the world. That's why it's so often used.
David Mann, Populism (and populist) is a term with multiple meanings for multiple different groups of people.
Even among academics, populism has been difficult to define. This is partly because it has manifested in different ways during different times. While currently its most well-known cases are right-wing parties, leaders and movements, it can also be left-wing.
There’s academic debate on how to categorise the concept: is it an ideology, a style, a discourse, or a strategy? But across these debates, researchers tend to agree on populism having two core principles:
(1) It must claim to speak on behalf of ordinary people.
(2) These ordinary people must stand in opposition to an elite establishment which stops them from fulfilling their political preferences.
These two core principles are combined in different ways with different populist parties, leaders and movements. For example, left-wing populists’ conceptions of “the people” and “the elite” generally coalesce around socioeconomic grievances, whereas right-wing populists’ conceptions of those groups generally tend to focus on socio-cultural issues such as immigration, etc.
Unfortunately, the ambiguity of the terms “the people” and “the elite” mean the core principles of people-centrism and anti-elitism can be used for very different ends.
This is just a brief synopsis, as the topic of 'populism' (and the literature on it) is vast and more nuanced than one would expect.
OK - But, I say we simply dispense with the word. Claiming to speak for "ordinary people" is so common in "democracies" - that it's simply verbiage. My point is that such categories as "populism" are so vague that they do not serve concrete analysis - and therefore those wielding the term really need to employ more specific language. Actually, in my view, "left" and "right" have become nearly as meaningless - especially since the original CLASS basis of the terms has gotten mixed up with so-called Cultural issues.
>>"I think we're pretty much in agreement - very little difference between "multiple meanings" and NO meanings."
If you think there is "little difference between multiple meanings and no meanings" then you have larger problems to work on than attempting to understand LEFT/RIGHT, etc.
>>"such categories as "populism" are so vague that they do not serve concrete analysis"
(1) The world is FULL of 'vague terms' and 'multiple meanings'. Every subject (not just politics) has some version of the SAME dilemma of 'etymological and epistemical' issues. Hence, should we than DO AWAY with all such concepts that describe 'complex subjects' with one word?
(2) Of course they serve 'concrete analysis'. How much have you read (or know) about POPULISM to make such a statement?
>>"Actually, in my view, "left" and "right" have become nearly as meaningless"
Yes, for ANYONE that does not know what LEFT and RIGHT mean, they will think that. Again, the onus is on YOU to understand WHAT they mean, rather than simply 'giving up' by stating that "these terms are meaningless or mixed up".
There are MULTIPE excellent resources on the subject of WHAT is LEFT/RIGHT, etc., but you need to do your homework.
I highly recommend watching the following 3 videos (in order) to better understand LEFT/RIGHT ->
Take whatever viewpoint you want - that's not really relevant here. But as you say, "STUDY UP", since knowing more can help you put 'ideas such as LEFT/RIGHT, populism, etc' into a coherent framework of understanding and meaning.
The path to a digital dystopic hell is being led by an abomination of a not very intelligent, but instinctively manipulative dog-whistling human, trained by his abomination of a father and Roy Chon, an iconic abomination. Nothing new about the species being taken in by that. What is new, is the nature and breadth of the destruction humans have developed, both the weaponry and ability tovlay waste to the environment, and the god-like surveillance and manipulations of the digital world. No, there is no possibility of reformuling this system at this depth of corruption. No revolution is in site and we can reasonably dread that, too. Which leaves the rational to prepare for the obvious existential threats and find allies close in family, friends and local communities, to share resources and build on mutual aid and collective efficiencies. And add no unnecessary burdens of consumption we're brainwashed into craving from childhiid on, or unethically introduce a child into this situation, which shows every sign of getting worse and perhaps, never better. And cherish what we have and know focusing outside ourselves to aid others, invokes our finest spirit.
That's a prescient comment. I do think you're on the mark. I would offer a different view on bringing children into the world. Children are the reason we strive for a world we think is better. Notice that the pols without children have no qualms about furthering destruction. Any society without a healthy number of children is already in trouble. That may be a decision individuals make, as many do, but the world, on the whole, is a far finer place with children. A world without children would be joyless.
With all the horrific situations that come out of adoption and fostering, I'm not sure that would be a good idea. It needs far more oversight than it has from non-corrupt people. The theory in itself is good.
Here in France: There are so many Europeans with multi-racial families. This is because most people do not want a new baby brought into this world. Obviously the Europeans manage this better.
I do not see marked improvement ahead and I do see genocide and the most powerful rushing our digital gulag. I also see toxic environmentsl conditions which no realistic mitigation is addressing. I cannot understand looking at that and deciding introducing a child to this world now is reasonable. But love the children who are already here.
Those are vital concerns, but to bring no children into the world is hastening the end of the world. We want a better world and not its end. It's a dire situation, but the timing of The End is uncertain; it cannot be known.
People will have children no matter what we believe.
It does not matter how well you prepare, except to buy some time. Look at Gaza now, and they are not done there yet. The COVID flu and vax was only a trial run of one plan and was/is very profitable for big pharma and funeral home chains. Expect more soon. They will likely replace wage slaves with robots and AI, retreat into their underground cities and destroy those on the surface with airborne toxins and autonomous hunter-killer drones.
To be clear, my new philosophy is,” If I weren't certain humanity is already doomed by its own nature, I'd find its current behavior very depressing.” I would however not predict tmelines and would like to see people suffer less by increased self sufficiency and mutual aid.
Well said SamAsIAm, though I was with you until the "unethically introduce a child" part. That statement implies that 'your ethics' are the 'de-facto ethics' that everyone should agree/follow?
Bringing a child into this world is a complex decision (with too many variables/factors to consider, especially as no one can really predict the unfolding of future events with a statistical reliability that would muster confidence in such predictions). Also, have you considered that 'your ethics' might not be 'as well thought out' as you imagine them to be?
I will agree with you, though, that people do not take the 'bringing a new life into our world' decision-making process with enough seriousness/importance. I observe way too many people being in 'automatic-pilot' mode when it comes to 'bringing new life into the world' and the 'responsibility/seriousness of being a parent'. But how does one address this problem?
Is there a single soul in this godforsaken country that believes ONE WORD coming outta any politician’s mouth?’
I personally have new respect for Tucker Carlson ( yeah, never fuckin’ thought I’d say THAT in my lifetime) and would happily give him my vote over any career politician.
Dearest Gypsy......all this 'riff raff' in the Circus of 'Elitist' bullshit needs to be fumigated. This includes the 'hangers on' like Tucker Carlson. My opinion is mine BUT this time I don't think I am wrong.
While it is refreshing to hear Carlson talk about Epstein now, do you really think he changed his spots.
John Kerry was the one who represented the Winter Soldiers protesting the Vietnam war before congress. He was quite good. Struck all the right notes. Look at what a POS SecState he was. Since then, I keep wondering how it was that he got selected to testify.
Then there's Obama's friend Bill Ayers, founder of the Weather Underground. He is closely associated with the Oligarchy.
May I recommend Chris Hedges on why you should hate the rich even more than you do?
Ever see Keanu Reefs in "My own Private Idaho?" It starts out with him hanging out with a bunch of homeless kids. But then his dad dies and we find out he's a multi-multimillionaire.
Kerry was a member of the "Forbes" family. Kind of rich wouldn't you say? He's now married to Terresa Heinz. You and I don't move in those circles.
My point is that "someone" set it up so that Kerry would be the one to testify before Congress representing Winter Soldier. In the Wikipedia entry on Winter Soldier Investigation, Kerry is not identified as an organizer.
I've not at all vetted this, but perhaps one of the goals was to make Nixon look bad. Secondarily to get Kerry positive publicity for his entry into politics and his run for House in 1972. He did not attain office until 1982.
I don't know who financed his run for office. Although I was a delegate to my state convention 3x and a precinct officer, I have no idea of the inner workings of the party.
So, let's talk about the "No Kings" rallies, put on by "Indivisible". Run by 2 Jews financed by George Soros. People came, People yelled, People went home. There was no organizing. No agenda. No Plan. The purpose of these rallies (which had to be quite expensive to put on) were to give people a place to "Blow off Steam" so they would stop talking about the Palestinians. History has other examples of this. They were for crowd control.
Kerry didn't change his stripes. He's related to the what I call the "Boston Brahmins" or descended from the Puritans. Members of the oligarchy who pretend to be on your side and then screw you to the wall.
Yes, Aaron Good explains this quite well. He's several videos. The "Empire and the Deep State" is eye opening. His series on Meyer Lansky and the jewish mob and their involvement in the assassination of Kennedy is full of details.
His dad had an impressive career, including being an Ambassador. Carlson comes from this same privileged class.
It is his job to bring Trump down. If that makes him popular enough with the "little people" he may run for office. Once in office (on AIPAC money) he'll follow the agenda of the "Deep State".
Of course, as I said, anyone who becomes a politician is lost. And I don't think in any other system it's any different.
If you're advanced for some role the pushing forces must be close to 100% sure that you're controllable, that you are or can be made part of the team, that you'll toe the line drawn for you. The person must be compromised, likely without being told that the handlers know. The tool that would be wielded as needed to ensure the puppet behaves.
Of course, the above applies in different degrees to positions of different levels. A rep in a small city council or some school board is not as important to care too much.
There's no reason for this person to be compromised. He always is going to vote for the Oligarchy.
He's a chameleon. He will take on whatever skin works for him at the time. Some people will remember him for the time he was on Fox. Others will recall how he bashed Trump.
Now it is important to understand that the Oligarchy isn't a homogenous group.
Look for Chris Hedges article on "Why you should hate the rich". In the video he is just so angry.
I see. You're with Jim in the other thread who said "his father was CIA".
Both you and Jim must have lived your lives as if you were your fathers. Never veer off, never question. Ensure your own families mirror those of your parents'.
I wouldn't give him my vote, but I do think he has made some good points. Let's not forget he was fired by Fox News, a positive in any thinking person's book.
I like much of what Carlson has to say. And there is something about that name, (remember George?). However I'm reminded of a quote attributed to Lenin:
The best way to control the opposition is to lead it ourselves.”
Nothing special about Trump. Just another temporary employee doing permanent damage to America and beyond.
I would (almost) agree with your assessment - though I fear that Trump is different - for the fact that he is operating in a DIFFERENT ERA of history.
Just as there were Mussoilini, Franco, Hitler, etc. during the age of 'classic European fascism', so also do I think that we are currently in the age of 'neo-fascism infused with technological optimism/euphoria' in which Trump can do GREAT DAMAGE on a global level. I'm not concerned with how he damages the U.S. Empire (I welcome that aspect of it), but more with how ->
(a) he emboldens other 'strongman leaders' in other countries to usher in a new age of neo-fascism, authoritarianism, totalitarianism, and surveillance-dystopia in their own respective nations (be it Erdogan, Modi, Putin, Xi, Sisi, Orban, Milei, and so many others)
(b) he ramps up the pace of global destruction (economies, cultures, environment, ecology, exploitation, oppression, etc.) by utilizing technologies (which many non-techies are not even aware of). The pace of change is so swift and ever-changing that it is hard for most nations/societies to keep up with battling the many 'fires/destructions' that Trump (and his policies) keep foisting on the world.
Too many people STILL UNDERESTIMATE Trump (and the destructive power of Trumpian behavior). Too many people STILL belong in the Trump/MAGA cult. Ask yourself this -> how many people belonged to the 'Mussolini cult', the 'Hitler cult', the 'Modi cult'? (just a few comparative examples from history and present to ponder on).
What makes Trump SPECIAL is that 'a character (authoritarian strongman) like Trump' is operating in a fundamentally DIFFERENT era of 'accelerating resource depletion/erosion on a finite planet' with the 'steroidal effects' of scientific/technological progress - leading to a possible extinction of species/biodiversity/ecology the likes of which have never been possible before.
yeah, trump is especially extremely openly bad. to which organisation with strong leadership can we turn to stop this acute threat?
>>"to which organisation with strong leadership can we turn to stop this acute threat?"
HaHa - that you even think/believe in the idea of 'that there is such an organization...' showcases your 'lack of comprehension' of the discussion.
well, i got it half right, that is: trump as a person being very, very bad and just not another employee of empire. do you think the problem is as acutely bad as making it necessary to prioritizing his demise above the struggle for general systemic change?
>>"well, i got it half right,"
Duh! Having gotten something 'half-right' on something that should be obvious (but unfortunately isn't) is no measure of competence or comprehension.
>>"do you think the problem is as acutely bad as making it necessary to prioritizing his demise above the struggle for general systemic change"
As usual, you're going on your OWN tangents Martin. FOCUS. Work on your comprehension skills (and don't rely on LLMs to do ALL your thinking for you - though that might explain a part of the problem with your comments).
ok, focusing on trump being really extraordinary bad and not at all just another employee of empire, rn. i mean empire is one thing, but trump, ... gosh.
RUSSIA RUSSIA RUSSIA!!!
CHINA CHINA CHINA!!!
Please read non-western economic and political analysis so you understand reality.
If THAT was what you got from my comment, the problem lies with YOU 'Truth Seeking Missile'. You sure know how to pick Orwellian-sounding monikers, don't you?
Chang,
Of course, few of us would have been around during the terms of Mussolini, Franco or Hitler to be now able to make a direct comparison to the character of even one of them. I think you would have had to be there to see what they were.
.......as people.
We see the meetings in the White House with apparently adoring (or overpowered, scared) audiences hanging on Trump's every word. I cannot recall a more sickening sight than this and can't remember any similar theatrical performances during the reign of any other President in those United States.
Anyone who has made a study of people over time would have few doubts that this man Trump will come to a sticky end. What damage he is allowed to create before then is the real worry.
The USA will not recover any respect from the world or the bulk of the US voters while under the control of either the Republican or Democrats Parties. Both have histories that cannot be forgotten and values that are well out of date, totally unacceptable in this day and age.
The USA needs a new start with a new Party, new values with 750 military bases closed, forever.
>>"The USA needs a new start with a new Party, new values with 750 military bases closed, forever."
The USA needs to CEASE being the USA (for starters), and instead focus on PEOPLE (at a global and all-encompassing level) instead of PROFITS. But unfortuntely, I can't see this happening...
The sad thing, for ordinary Americans, I presume, is that the entire world now views their country and population as idiotic, stupid, thick, trigger-happy, destructive, dangerous - and laughable. The UK is bad enough but I am relieved I'm not American.
You shouldn’t be relieved to be a Brit, either.
Well I'm not... really. But I do think the US takes the biscuit, with Trump.
Trump is a distraction. The real power brokers remain in the shadows.
“The real power brokers remain in the shadows”
Bingo!
That would be the UK and Israhell.
Some are on Wall Street. Some on the London Stock Exchange. Some live and operate in gated communities or remote guarded compounds.
Investigative journalist, Jane Mayer, has identified a few in her book, Dark Money.
In Tel Aviv yes.
Not the first nor likely the last 'player' to want to straddle the beast so as not to get played. Ha'Kirya or Qiryah\The Fortress is the widely publicized (Public Directory listed also means 'accessible') address of the heart of the paradoxically secretive global weapons market. NSO represents less its hardware and more so the market's globally marketed software.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/20/nso-group-pegasus-trump-eo/ (circa 2025)
https://themedialine.org/by-region/after-the-nso-scandal-whats-next-for-israels-cyber-industry/ (circa 2021)
Here's where the technocratic if not optimally tactical gamers or wizards of Aaz (Hebrew word for strength) apply very personal mindsets to the levers of leveraged power:
https://jacobin.com/2024/04/israel-surveillance-tech-industry-democracy
I can't comment on The Take-Away, I only know from Displacement...
Tio Mitchito
Mitch Ritter\Paradigm Sifters, Code Shifters, PsalmSong Chasers
Lay-Low Studios, Ore-Wa (Refuge of A-Tone-ment Seekers)
Media Discussion List\Looksee
Less a distraction is Trump, more precisely is he merely representative of the symptom that reveals our fundamental problem. Any electorate that rarely troubles itself to demand more than IDENTITY POLITICS has already surrendered the Public Interest (which should be priveleged in a healthy social order) to the Private Interests. In a balanced best of circumstances and income distribution and due to the Pay2Play nature of our political system designed by and for oligarchs it is not surprising when the wealth concentrators and distributors channels its currents and currency to those privileged Private Interests.
https://www.hilarispublisher.com/open-access/the-concentration-of-wealth-examining-the-growing-economic-divide-111544.html
Our result is writ large and small about as thoroughly quantified as an online search of these choice words: WEALTH CONCENTRATION\INCOME INEQUALITY (US):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_inequality_in_the_United_States
https://www.epi.org/unequalpower/publications/wage-suppression-inequality/
Tio Mitchito
At least the Americans can say that it's their dollar and their empire. Brits cannot even say that, instead, they play the role of the little yappy dog that follows Spike The Bulldog around in the Looney Tunes cartoons, singing Spike's praises, getting slapped around by Spike, and getting Spike into stupid fights.
Yeah Mary, cause YOUR leaders are so exemplary 😂
At least they are semi-civil - in public, anyway. Trump isn't even civil in public.
You speak as though I’m a Trump supporter, lol.
That's exactly why they're worse as they're able to fool people better.
Trump's blatant bullying and uncouthness were supposed to rile up the dems and other "civil" western democracies. Instead they tucked their tails and line up to crawl to the WH to suck Trump's dick.
As I said (twice) they're almost as bad. Almost.
They are just as bad. Maybe even worse. British colonialism has been around even longer than American colonialism. Starmer pretends to be a civilized human being, but he is a colonialist pig. At least it is obvious with Trump. I was born a Brit. Too bad for me.
Starmer is the pits. But he will be voted out and his career will be over. With luck he'll end up in jail. The difference is perhaps that the vast majority can see that. Whereas - we're led to believe (might not be true, of course) that Trump still has a lot of support!
The major differences between the British and American populations from my perspective is the imperial British domestic policies were inclusive of the blue collar and economically marginalized. Healthcare was a right for all, higher education was mostly meritocratic, public transportation was a national priority, the mines and other industries were highly unionized, and the majority were raised to have a stake in the state, and were sufficiently informed to not be ignored. This came under a concerted attack in 1980 by Thatcher and her Ayn Rand worldview which, not surprisingly, was an American string attached to decades of economic “aid.”
Compare that to America, where the presidency of FDR ratified laws and regulations that empowered blue collar workers and opened the doors of home ownership and individual economic ascension. That was effectively nipped in the bud. By a mere five years after FDR’s death, the trajectory of the young American Empire was unfettered by a public that was happy to shut up and shop. Five years after FDR’s death, his successor in the WH founded the CIA, and the NSA. Higher education remained a threshold for upward aspiring young people, but the overt racist behavior of local politicians and law enforcement, and the preponderance of racist religious pulpits, were suppressive forces in the socialization of the majority. By the 1970’s there were more European, including British, critics of American imperialism than there were recognized Americans making any noises. Many young Americans were self analyzing and substance experimenting, while that distraction hadn’t widely impacted the British college populations. So there was a significant gap between the political awareness of the British population and the American consumer class. To this day, I think the average Brit is much more rightfully suspicious of religious hucksters than are Americans, and the Brits haven’t really embraced the mindless rhetoric of their military class the way many Americans are chomping at the bit to shout “…USA, USA..”
So what I was describing was a point in time where the British Empire was clearly fading from view, and the American, more muscular, culture was shaped almost totally by the propaganda wielding mandarins of the state.
At this late date, billions of dollars having been poured into European banks, the political leaders throughout Western Europe are all now American lackeys, and the entrenchment of finance capitalism has consolidated their positions, and consigned their people’s futures to no attractive options. The surrealistic picture of a German president, son of a Nazi, seriously trying to lead his people into an anti-Russian frenzy is the bizarre reality of a governing class completely captive to American strategies that is clear to a non-compliant population that wants no part of the insanity. Starmer is Merz’s British twin.
The good news from Europe’s perspective is the multipolar future is still opening its arms to the former murderous, still overtly racist colonialists who are being abandoned by their American “allies.” How long will it take these numbskulls to do right by their people, and forget the Americans who always viewed them as loyal pawns? In a quarter century, the former empires can gain some footing, and remember the lies and betrayals that were the hallmarks of the country they envied.
Really?
I somehow missed that.
We Murkins are not universally “thick”, although I do love my firearms 😁
Which I am PRIVILEGED to be able to own.
Wish Americans did live up their responsibilities in the BoR though. The guns aren't there against crime; trespassers; or Injuns - the guns are there for one specific purpose; to remove the corrupt from positions of power with extreme prejudice.
600,000,000 guns, and only one CEO so far, and no politicians.
THIS is a warning. Just a thought and I hope people will take notice. Trump on Truth Social is now busy telling his supporters to go fuck themselves.
These supporters are the biggest gun owners in the US (I think).
Is it possible that Trump (bypassing Congress) will bring in a law banning guns?
UK is just as much a 'swamp' as USA
......and the way Europe is going! Thinking we can fight a war against Russia! Now we ALL have to pay 5% of our taxes to buy useless USA weapons from the CIA (Trump).
General Dynamics is very appreciative.
But don't try to buy anything useful from the United States. We got out of that business long ago.
Ha. Our 'little Napoleon' is doing the tightrope walk on the edge of a sword. French are about to explode and I will be with them. We are supposed to fight a war against Russia because that big OX in the White House can't do it.
As for weapons from the US. I hear they are sorley depleted but of course European elite do NOT want to hear this and we will be delivered old ones at great cost.
The plan ever always only was for the Americans to have to ride to the rescue.
Again.
The plan as ever is to send the poor to go and die for elite gains. They don't care which country the poor comes from, many would even prefer it to be their own.
US watched too many movies and rubbish TV
Jenny, I thought Trump's plan was for NATO to buy weapons from the USA and pass them onto Ukraine...
This after telling Zelensky to hit Moscow.
Unfortunately the figure is 5% of GDP which might actually translate to 10% of tax revenue.
UK IS THE MOST EVIL COUNTRY ON EARTH. WE SUMPLY LEARLED FROM THEM, AND BECAME THE CHIEF EVIL.
IF you were stupid enough to learn from then well..........
Fair dos.
At least we do eventually vote the worst leaders out. At least it's worked in the past..
And what the fuck did y’all do to Jeremy Corbin?
It may be a mistake to think that Jeremy Corbyn was really committed to the platform he ran on. Remember Bernie in 2016?
Joti Brar is very angry with Corbyn. This is a link to the transcript.
https://www.reddit.com/r/economy/comments/1logqzc/the_real_reason_the_imperial_west_hates_russia/
I have a lot of respect for Brar. She is often on Garland Nixon's show. Whenever she is, she provides tremendous insight into what's happening in the world.
You might want to watch the video to hear the disgust in her voice.
idk, she's probably very angry because he started a new party that will probably siphon off energy and potential followers of the CPGB-ML. but i wouldn't contend that corbyn is as bad as sanders (actually endorsing those who kicked him down).
I'll have to consider this.
when have we voted out bad leaders and got good people in instead?
It has happened in some countries but the good leaders are very quickly extinguished by the CIA, MI5, MI6 etc.
Yes. with claims that they are being given "democracy". i.e. the US (or Britain) wants to take them over.
You still have the “Royal” family. No voting them out. People think they have no power and yet Shameless shenanigans on the queen’s part succeeding in making her heirs exempt from inheritance tax, etc etc.
Regarded as a business model, being a constitutional-monarchy is nowhere near as beneficial as being an absolutist-monarchy.
For a start, the elected Govt now controls the taxes, and where they go. Secondly, all those "Assets" (Like palaces, mansions etc) require lots of paid staff and maintenance, but they bring in no revenue to pay for them. It's a truly lousy business model if you're looking to have lots of cash. The Royals are famously always short of cash, lol. And all they get out of it is lots of nice places to live in (Not to be sniffed at); having to wave at random people 500 days a year, and have some influence - but very little real power.
Queen Elizabeth could do almost nothing when the morons voted Thatcher in, and she started selling off the state assets to her Tory cronies for pennies - if she had used any Royal prerogatives, the threat of Republicanism is easy to brandish.
There is an eternal joke in the Great British Empire....we keep them in for the American tourists who wish they had a Monarchy.
Prince Harry is the best of em, and he's available and right there... ;)
I don't know what Elizabeth really thought about her position but it was very sad watching her addresses to the nation from parliament because the speeches were never hers, they were written by the current prime minister. Elizabeth had to read them as if they were her own words, regardless of how disgusting the policies of the ruling party were.
She was an absolute pro, but you could tell when she liked the policies... which wasn't often.
After Corbyn had his private interview, with her, he came out with starry eyes - by all accounts, he was the PM she'd been waiting for, for a generation.
And instead she got that hideous moronic airhead Liz Truss, it is NO coincidence Elizabeth gave up the ghost that very night. Truss killed the Queen.
Oh. Really! Elaborate more please.
Didn’t you used to behead them?
That was France. The UK usually ended up with a negotiated deal, which the elites would then break and backstab and murder all those they had negotiated with once the peasants had put down the pitchforks and gone home trustingly.
And then a little while later the elites would quietly bring in some of the reforms, because everyone could see they were good ideas, trouble is they came from the wrong 'Class'.
And that's how the French Norman descendants were dragged into reform after reform by their despised English 'subjects'.
To be accurate, they made an attempt with Edward II (tortured to death) and Charles I. But the French did a more thorough job, executing Louis XVI's family—man, woman, and son (who died in prison).
Long time ago......bring beheading back but meanwhile what are the cowardly Americans doing?
There are so many disgusting leaders in the world right now. Patriotism needs to be a thing of the past. You may be relieved not to be American, but it would make sense for you to be just as disgusted with your own country's leadership as with anyone else's leadership. The Brits may have thought they were superior once, but that has never been true and it is getting more obvious all the time.
Idea! Why not eliminate elections?
Or if we decide to keep elections, maybe make it so that you don't have to be rich to run for election. Maybe change how elections happen so that the same people don't keep getting elected.
If elections worked, we wouldn’t be in such a mess…
USA is in too deep Susan.
so are many others, jenny
Yes “in too deep” much like the nuclear bunkers may become when and if tshtf…
Yeah, but it took thousands of years to bring them to this point, it took 250 for America, less actually we've been seeing the decline for at least eighty years, since they thought they won WWII on their own and the fools in other countries happily let them. Then they decided to make the rest of the world as their worshippers. The start was when zionists were allowed into the Palestine 🇵🇸 to be there as America's watch dog and then decided to turn it around and make America theirs.
It got a big boost when colonizers came to the Americas, committed genocide and stole the land. It got worse when the Brits decided that Palestine was theirs to give to the European Jews so that they could get Jews out of Europe. And now there are all these power mongers who want the resources and land and will do whatever to get it. Too bad they are destroying the world via all their wars and the use of fossil fuels.
👏👏👏 Good on you Susan T!
Tell me Susan. Who are the disgusting leaders?
Look at Latin America. Each Country there has been 'regime changed' by the USA.
How many civilians in Chile were LOST
I used to work in a Latin American community organization. I was in daily contact with people who had suffered under US interventions.
The UK, being smaller in size, will be impacted more heavily and faster by decisions pols make. Our speech in the USA is not as suppressed as yours or Germany's. It does have serious fault lines, though. Also, social media can distort the truth, as you know. We have many fine people in America who are not on board with what the worst of us do. I think that's true for most countries.
I thought I was the only one who thought that way about the Stupid, ignorant, brain-washed and arrogant retards.
You're not alone Harry Ziboo. Most of the non-Western world think/feel that way about the U.S. - and with good reason! In fact, I would say that you are in the MAJORITY of the global population that is beginning to see the U.S. (and more prominently the U.S. Empire) for the EVIL that it really represents.
Let’s now forget the Brits spawned the American colonies
Mary. Your Country is as much to blame as the USA.
UK lost the 'colonial plot' and hitched themselves to the USA.
To my mind. UK is a 'royalist/racist country which should be obliterated.
I was English by birth but was born in Sri Lanka. I detest and loathe the British probably more than the Americans.
MY parents could never conceive of the fact that black/brown people had brains.
YOU still have a DISGUSTING/INBRED Royal family who owns huge amount of land.
What do the Royals do with this land?
Problem with your observation and that of "the "world" is that most don't have a clue what an "ordinary American" looks like, quite simply because the diversity is enormous. Go ask a Black American with a heritage as described, for example, in Isabel Wilkerson's "Caste" (close friends) -- or a first-gen Italian-American whose forebears only came early 20th century (me), a fourth-gen German- or Scottish-American, family here since the early 1800s (several friends), and a southwestern Hispanic-American, seven-gens deep (surrounded by them), what an ordinary American looks like. Europeans want to conveniently overlook that the nation of immigrants is still very much un-integrated into a smoothly functional whole, and so any analysis based on some averaging effect is patently bullshit, based on the reality I just laid out for you, thank you very much.
>>"that of "the "world" is that most don't have a clue what an "ordinary American" looks like"
What is the relevance of WHAT an 'ordinary American' looks like (in this context)? It really doesn't matter WHAT they look like. What matters is how they/us have supported (intentionally or unintentionally) the WORST of the WORST politicians/etc. CONSISTENTLY (I'm not talking of ideologies here).
>>"...the nation of immigrants is still very much un-integrated into a smoothly functional whole"
Smoothly functional whole ??? What about the U.S. resembles 'smoothly functional whole' (in any context)?
Exactly. There is no coherence is US society. Immigrant and native pockets of different deep traditions persist throughout the country, then mix in large enough cities, usually in conflict to some extent. So to argue anything about Americans as a homogeneous population or the society as having any coherence -- as has occurred in some of this thread -- strikes me as fatuous.
Very true. America is anything but 'homogeneous'. Delving into the pros/cons of 'homogeneous cultures' is a complex/nuanced discussion, so I'm going to avoid it here (plus I haven't thought long/hard enough on the subject).
True. My only thought on the subject is that I have been lucky to live in five different states, metropolises, large, medium, and small cities, suburbs, and even a bit of country -- all over this country. So that first-hand experience has been useful in understanding with what tenacity established groups, both long and recently established, cling to their traditions. There is almost a deep fear everywhere that America will, in the long run, reject you anyway, so you'd better cling to what you know. Truly enlightening especially viewed against the ICE activities within this administration.
Vin & Chang,
"America the salad bowl = where diverse cultures coexist , maintaining their distinct identities.
America the melting pot = that different cultures blend together to form a single unified culture" .
Two concepts of America neither of which is totally accurate.
Anyway Trump has put paid to both concepts.
The best Movie about Americans: Stepford Wives.
Look at all those 'supposedly feminist women' at Trumps Inauguration. Were they robots? Looked like it to me as an observer.
I don't consider them members of my species, Jenny.
What really blows my mind is a group of "liberals", usually voting "D", who nominally supported 3rd party candidates, but voted for Rump in the end because they swallowed the "less-war, more-home-front, curb-the-deep-state rhetoric.
Just reaffirmed for me that there is no limit whatsoever to the gullibility of the US voter in his/her desperation to continue to believe in evolutionary change via the currently structured hyper-corrupt system. Emergency wake-up calls desperately needed, but nonetheless seem useless against this depth of naiveté.
We aren’t voting our way out of this mess.
The only possible solution to this debacle, is for our 'democracies' to adopt the Swiss model of citizens' referenda', at all three levels of government.
Obviously you don't know much about the Swiss.
This is a Country which my sister and family have lived in for years.
You go out for a Holiday and the Swiss know everything you have done, including parking tickets.
I appreciate your feedback. I've never lived in Switzerland. My opinion is based on the fact that the Swiss economy is sound, and that they did not get involved in WW2. And the fact that democracies around the world seem to be that in name only. There must be a better way.
The same can be said for people in any Western country at this stage. Up here in Canada the Liberals spouted off on supporting all that the Conservatives wanted to do to restore our economy. Carney blatantly lied and is still doing so and a lot of people still trust the party that has sent our economy into a death spiral. These types of people will never learn their lesson.
Yes, and there are still people saying to "give Carney a chance" etc. Meanwhile he is gutting our government, trying to pass a bill that will relieve corporations of any responsibility to consult with people about what they want to do to the environment, trying to pass a bill that will give hime more rights to surveil us. Oh yeah, it is ONLY the US that has gone crazy. Everyone else is working hard for the people they govern. Please. Starmer is a pig, Carney is looking more like Stephen Harper every day, Australia isn't doing so well, I hear. What do all these leaders have in common? They are all rich, they have a lot of rich friends, they want to keep those rich friends happy, they want to hang on to their money, they support Israel, they support genocide.
“American” Capitalism is popular and favored by billionaires throughout the British Empire, including the USA, Canada, The UK, Australia, and several other colonies. The headquarters of the Empire are somewhere on Wall Street in New York City.
“Where are billionaire headquarters ?” ‘. ‘Mmm! On wall St yes, but with a tether to Israel..
Actually, I understand the secret HQ for the International Oligarchy is City of London. The Duran told me so. ;-)
The US (and the rest of the G7) have all entered "late-state capitalism" where the only thing that counts is the quarterly profits and how to best manipulate your products and taxes to ensure wealth is transferred upward.
We've watched this happen since Reagan, yet have don't nothing about it.
Now one of the favorite schemes of private capital is playing out across the USA. Pile on so much debt that your "corporation" (country) has to declare bankruptcy.
And all run colonies.
“ what do all these leaders have in common?”…. Answer.. … 3 things,,, which are Money, then Money .. then ….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkS2xydpLIg&list=RDPkS2xydpLIg&start_radio=1
Love it ! Try https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&p=if+i+had+a+millio+dollars+song&type=E210US714G91923#id=2&vid=0e7eced1a7150220e85f2e12fef48e51&action=click
It's called greed.
“It’s called greed” yes, but with survival a very equal partner.
Well said Susan T!
Peter Sawchuk, in reality Carney is MORE LIKE Poilievre than different - though they deliver 'their lies' in different styles.
Too many liberals (in Canada) have fallen for the SCAM that is Carney (IMHO).
Com'on Vin. While I'm sure there are plenty of voters who match your description, I would bet that there are more who just couldn't bring themselves to vote for that Airhead Harris.
There's a certain aura around voting.
* If you don't vote, you aren't a patriot
* If you don't vote for the Republican or Democrat then your vote is wasted.
* Vote for the lesser of two evils.
* Of course voting machines are accurate
Valid points all, but I live in a majority Blue state, and so personally know a healthy group of voters who do indeed match my description, many of whom campaigned for Stein in '16, even putting up road signs for her around my city along with me. Initially committed to doing so in '24, they panicked. This is personal observation of a significant group. Hence for all your valid points, I nonetheless suggest that you're making a lousy bet. At least here where I live in Blue-land.
They probably inherited this from their colonizers, the Brits. Those people have similar delusions. They have elected a few winners. Like Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Tony Blair and, of course, the great Zionist, Keir Starmer. And don't forget, it is the Brits who "gave" Palestine to the Jews in the first place. They started this mess, first in Palestine and then, who knows? The possibilities for destruction are limitless.
This is TRULY what I don't understand Vin.
One part desperation mixed with two-parts gullibility makes a dangerously inebriating cocktail, Jenny
Slave Police state......
It certainly reveals the level of frustration that many "liberals" have in the "D" party and "D" candidates. Don't forget the "liberals" who voted third party or who stayed home and didn't vote. OTOH, the "D" party isn't changing or doing anything to encourage those same "liberals" to come back to the "D" party (unless gaslighting, blaming and shaming them count).
Yeah, John, but what good would it do? The duopoly is a two-lane highway to perdition, ultimately leading only to the breakdown lane.
You are too kind. In my mind, they are headed over the cliff where the underfunded bridge washed out.
Well said, Joy. Those underfunded bridges and related infrastructure are everywhere.
The dems keep ranting about the people who didn’t vote but have you considered that they didn’t choose to stay home? They died because of “vax and relax”. Biden spent 4 years killing his base with his returned to normal grift.
Trump was only in office for one year of Covid and blue Maga had no problem acknowledging how many of his base died, but as soon as Biden was elected y’all pretended that the Covid deaths stopped. It’s completely delusional.
Lot's of controversy over Covid. Now there are stories about mRNA vaccines causing cancer.
In the USA voting for a D or R is voting for Israel/AIPAC whores. 1 State Palestine. Cancel Israel. Any nation or business that supports Israel is a supporter of Terrorism and Genocide. B D S
Chuck: 👍👍👍
Genocide is not a word Sen. B.S.(I) can say.
The USA is falling apart. It's so huge, it will take a while to unravel, unless something catastrophic happens and speeds it up. There is no cohesiveness, no pressing purpose, and no adherence to founding principles. It has a bloated failing economy and faces a strong challenge by BRICS for using the dollar as world reserve currency. Debt is climbing higher by leaps. Cities are unlivable. International law is ignored. The top 1% contorts the system for their benefit as usual. On and on.
No longer is the USA seen as a magnificent beacon. More and more, it is rightfully resented and hated. When opportunity and free speech are killed, the cornerstones of the country crumble.
Trump is a showman whose only expertise is making real estate deals. He doesn't have the ability to steer this country and I'm sure he is realizing that. That realization takes time when one is surrounded by sycophants and ambitious bootlickers cheering him and steering him. His trust is placed in people with their own selfish interests; not the interests of the entire population. His choices and rhetoric are reactionary and erratic and not based on a long-term vision. All he can do is hang on and gaslight people into thinking he is doing more than he is. So, while he is in this position, he looks after himself, his family, and his friends. That he can do.
Little by little, his supporters are waking up to their great disappointment. This disappointment will morph into anger.
I absolutely do not expect the cowardly people in the US to do a damned thing. I hope I am wrong.
The system itself will slowly implode regardless of what people do or don't do. If it cannot stand, it will not stand.
Look at treasury yields. The largest, most liquid, most sophisticated investment market in history, and they are not signaling anything like "imminent crisis".
IDK Feral Finster. I'm not a "money person" but plenty of people who are, think it's a house of cards waiting for a wind. I couldn't say either way.
If that were the case, they'd load up on long-dated deep out of the money gold put options and dollar call options, both of which can be had for cheap.
LEAPS and long-dated options (commodities, currencies, other leveraged securities) is not really the solution I would be looking at if I were of the opinion of 'the house of cards' imminently collapsing.
There are many more secure 'real-world' assets (rather than financially engineered products) that I would put my money into to ameliorate the effects of 'financial systems' crashes. But that is a discussion that is beyond the 'common-ground/common-knowledge/common-understandings' default of 'online social platforms' such as substack.
The 'smart people' know it's coming, just as the 'smart people' saw the real-estate bubble crash and the 'financialization of instruments bubble' crash (on a global level). Just because MOST people don't know enough about REAL ECONOMICS and 'how the global financial systems work' doesn't mean a crisis is not coming.
Also remember that often 'smart money' is ALSO 'stupid money' (one can chalk it up to things like market timing, luck, etc.)
...and also... Rob Urie's newest article (well-documented/supported with hyperlinks, Journal of Belligerent Pontification) is also (and always) excellent.
I HIGHLY recommend to anyone coming across this comment to read his newest... here:
https://roburie.substack.com/p/socialism-is-the-path-to-liberty
An American friend, now deceased, used to say that his native land came up with a panacea every five seconds, confirming your sentiments with regard to cohesiveness and purpose. I’d add that the ‘ why not’ spirit has gone awry.
Excellent comment/critique/analysis.
Prediction : The Ds will continue to pretend to be the lesser evil.
How long can this game go on? It's been 40 years already, are another 40 possible?
>>"are another 40 possible?"
I hope NOT! The current political system (which serves the elites and higher classes of the socio-economic hierarcy) needs to be done away with, with extreme PREJUDICE and URGENCY!
I have been saying this for over eight years now: Trump is weak, stupid and easily manipulated.
You forgot ‘vain’ , FF🫣
Sorry 'bout that.
👍 Vanity is the basis of his malleability, I’d suggest😊
Flattery is Trump's Achilles' Heel. His massive ego will be his undoing.
“Will be Trump’s undoing””maybe the undoing of the entire species..
Doesn't matter, if it works.
“Trump is weak, stupid, and easily manipulated”
Yup! Crass is also in that group..
Ditto for much of the MAGA cult.
Finster, 'weak, stupid, and easily manipulated' people are EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! Never underestimate them (or human stupidity).
200 years of capitalist propaganda will do that to a population. It’s not just the USA though, most of the white world has drunk the kool-aid.
US was founded on 'greed!'
Greed and survival are comfortable bed-mates…
Aaron Good is your man. If you want to know just how greedy. He talks about the Oligarchy, the "Deep State", and the "Jewish Mafia". It is an amazing web of deceit. He's on YouTube. I don't know how many times I've told people to look him up. I think one guy started the "Empire and the Deep State" series.
>>"most of the white world has drunk the kool-aid"
Ron Stockton, I have lived with/in multiple cultures, and I can attest that this is not something unique to 'white cultures'.
MOST of the world (white, pink, blue, red, green, black, brown, yellow, golden, whatever) has drunk the CAPITALISM kool-aid.
I warned many Americans on Substack that if they elected Trump again he would take the west to war with China and Iran. He is and has always been a signed up member of the swamp. I also warned you would see the deep state take off the gloves. Americans are next. He’s walling you in.
Feral Finster is right.
I recommend Brian Berletic to you. He has several videos on "continuity of agenda". The "Deep State" keeps the quest for American Empire on track no matter who is president.
“Keeps the empire on track no matter who is president…”
Alleluia !
To be fair, Harris would have done much the same, although there would be more self-serving and hypocritical human rights talk.
One major difference I see between Trump and ANYONE else is that Trump is destroying America (and everything that it pretended to stand for) from the inside-out at a faster pace than anyone else could (or imagined possible).
(And here I'm simply taking about the U.S. and not the rest of the world).
“He’s walking you in” more like the Masters of the Universe are putting the wall right close to your nose.
I hope people learn a lesson from Trump, but how will they be able to change this stupid system?
They didn't learn anything from Trump's predecessors, so I'm guessing your hope is misplaced. What I hope is that people recognize that Trump is just a system, and as you suggest, what really matters is changing the system, not replacing the front man.
Oligarchy is too deeply entrenched. There is no way to fix this system.
Read “The Lessons of History” by historians Will and Ariel Durant. You may find a copy at your local library, or download a free PDF version online.
There are ways to fix the system.. but first it must be seen as broken.. and the system is covertly run by the Chosen….
Israel bombs the only Catholic church in Gaza that the last Pope called almost every day. The New Improved Pope(American) did not mention Israel in his remarks about it. If there is a god, does Israel control it? Fuck Fuck Israel and it's supporters.
As a Christian, I'd say Satan is controlling Israel.
Chuck; you continue to speak TRUTH TO POWER.
Power to the People
It's a cynical take, but I can't help agreeing. People will keep feeding on whatever slop they're fed ... just a corollary of the old Scott Adams adage "never underestimate the stupidity of the general public."
“As soon as he was re-elected he was just “Yeah okay so Israel comes first and forget everything I said about free speech and the Ukraine war is continuing and there will be no Epstein investigation, fuck you.”
Pretty much sums it up. As some of you know I have been a somewhat vocal supporter of DT. It’s been rather depressing to see him go down this path. I had hoped for the best which was to embrace a new multi polar world and stop with the American Imperialism shit.
Here is a great read from Simplicius. I cannot recommend it enough especially at the end “portentous post.” This is probably NOT going to end well. And I suspect when it doesn’t some of you will understand why I had hoped DT would be a difference maker. Most of us in the West are at the precipice of disaster. As much as I wanted to avoid it I guess it simply had to happen.
https://open.substack.com/pub/simplicius76/p/trumps-epstein-finale-puts-country?r=nvvvu&utm_medium=ios
Trump reminds me of the Joker from the batman movie series. I did vote for him in 2016 on the off chance he might keep a campaign promise or two. It was obvious, even before he took office, from his appointments that he was just another actor in the deep state kabuki show. I'm now of the opinion that no one gets within reach of US presidency without a nod from our "owners". So now I don't bother to vote.
Just as many MORONS voted for Trump, I myself was a 'liberal MORON' that voted for Clinton and Obama (in a past life). I learned my lessons (though somewhat late in life, IMHO). I just hope we can keep 'future MORONS' to a small and ever-shrinking population, though I have my fears about.
At the federal level I understand but there probably are good local candidates. When I say that I simply mean fair minded people. Not ones looking to make an example out of you to appease their base. Saw a lot of that over the last several years.
I had been saying something like that for years, to general derision from the Simplicius commentariat.
Up to and including myself. I don’t want to see things go to shit. It’s a hard decision to make. It’s why I never got upset with Trump for walking away in early 2021.
I did propose a theory in 2023/24 that perhaps he was being reinstalled by the same people who removed him in 2020. He didn’t want to go but in the end they told him you are done. The reason I thought they might be bringing him back was that since 2021 it had been learned America was not going to be able to rely on sanctions alone. Real wars would need to be fought and DT would be much better at recruiting the soldiers as well as getting Patriotism to flow.
I canned that entire thought process after the assassination attempt in Butler. I am not sure what to make of it now. I do know it was VERY unlikely that young lone wolf would be able to pull that off without SERIOUS assistance. However, this is another thing that seems to have been swept under the rug. Reminded me of the Vegas shooting in Trumps first term. So many things that just don’t add up.
No need to invent elaborate conspiracies. Trump is simply weak, stupid and easily manipulated. If the elites want WWIII, it's not as if Trump were the only one who would do it.
WWIII is coming. I wish I were wrong.
Well I don’t see any possible way it doesn’t explode (no pun intended) and kill us all. It becomes impossible once a certain threshold is crossed to holdback your best weapons in order to decapitate your enemy.
The sociopaths who rule the West are convinced that nuclear war is survivable (for them personally) and besides, Russia doesn’t have the stones.
Ever seen "Don’t Look Up!"?
Is that a movie? To the first part of your statement I just don’t see it unless they are batshit crazy. Sure they have their doomsday bunkers but their asses are stuck down there for the rest of their lives probably. By the time it’s safe for them to finally emerge after the fallout and nuke winter who knows what would be waiting for them.
But the most important point of danger is their own security turning on them. There’s nothing keeping them loyal once the bombs start falling.
There are two possible ways I can see the world not having a nuclear exchange:
1. A solar outburst takes out the grid and the satellites first. A solar outburst of this strength will eventually happen, the question is when.
2. Someone takes out the nukes with non nuclear hypersonic missiles or some other new non nuclear weapon fast enough a retaliation cannot be launched.
That would be the Russian Oreshnik with a new nuclear-powered weapon coming and already tested. The new one has an indeterminate range. It cannot be intercepted.
After the first few paragraphs, it goes behind a SubStack paywall. Anything you can share about you particulary recommend the end of the article?
Sorry about that. Here’s the link to a post from Nov I think. Ugh now can’t see wth I’m typing eeek lol.
https://x.com/jucherespecter/status/1859781420048339251?s=46
Now I can see it. That’s what Simp refers to as the Portentous Post. He also describes as eerie I think. I agree
I'd be grateful if anyone could define just what IS a "populist" - I've noticed the word itself getting a lot of play recently - Orban is a "Populist", etc. Not a very precise designation - I have the feeling it's actually nothing - as in ALL politicians are Populists - after all, it's 50% plus one - that's the game, right.
Huey Long was a populist and was hated by FDR and J Edgar Hoover. One of my favorite stories of him — He said to a reporter who wanted to know his political philosophy: “You take three dollars from a rich man , give one dollar each to two poor men and keep one for yourself. You’ve made one enemy, two friends and a fast buck.” He’s an interesting character and they’re not making anymore like him apparently.
So, FDR was also a "populist" when he lambasted the "economic Royalists". But, getting back to Trump - where did he say he would "take from the rich and give to the poor". I don't recall that rhetoric - yet, he's classed as a Populist.
Trump managed to present himself as a champion of the working class with no proof to support it. If the MSM had calmly exposed him and demanded answers why he did nothing to improve health care, repair the crumbling infrastructure or put competent, ethical people in charge of the COVID crisis maybe he wouldn’t have skated into the WH the second time. I didn’t vote for him (I voted for Jill Stein, not that it matters). He’s a successful con man but he’s losing his grip. The world has gotten so much worse in the last decade, he can’t cope. His unhinged rant on Epstein was revealing.
The IRS investigated Long on multiple occasions at FDR's directive and found nothing on him.
He also was proud of the fact that the KKK had always endorsed his opponent.
"We the People" - is populist.
Right. As I suspected, the term is completely vacuous - and applies to EVERY politician, in any electoral "democracy", anywhere in the world. That's why it's so often used.
"Every" politician, "anywhere in the world". You got it all figured out David. Why do I even bother to post?
David Mann, Populism (and populist) is a term with multiple meanings for multiple different groups of people.
Even among academics, populism has been difficult to define. This is partly because it has manifested in different ways during different times. While currently its most well-known cases are right-wing parties, leaders and movements, it can also be left-wing.
There’s academic debate on how to categorise the concept: is it an ideology, a style, a discourse, or a strategy? But across these debates, researchers tend to agree on populism having two core principles:
(1) It must claim to speak on behalf of ordinary people.
(2) These ordinary people must stand in opposition to an elite establishment which stops them from fulfilling their political preferences.
These two core principles are combined in different ways with different populist parties, leaders and movements. For example, left-wing populists’ conceptions of “the people” and “the elite” generally coalesce around socioeconomic grievances, whereas right-wing populists’ conceptions of those groups generally tend to focus on socio-cultural issues such as immigration, etc.
Unfortunately, the ambiguity of the terms “the people” and “the elite” mean the core principles of people-centrism and anti-elitism can be used for very different ends.
This is just a brief synopsis, as the topic of 'populism' (and the literature on it) is vast and more nuanced than one would expect.
OK - But, I say we simply dispense with the word. Claiming to speak for "ordinary people" is so common in "democracies" - that it's simply verbiage. My point is that such categories as "populism" are so vague that they do not serve concrete analysis - and therefore those wielding the term really need to employ more specific language. Actually, in my view, "left" and "right" have become nearly as meaningless - especially since the original CLASS basis of the terms has gotten mixed up with so-called Cultural issues.
I think we're pretty much in agreement - very little difference between "multiple meanings" and NO meanings.
>>"I think we're pretty much in agreement - very little difference between "multiple meanings" and NO meanings."
If you think there is "little difference between multiple meanings and no meanings" then you have larger problems to work on than attempting to understand LEFT/RIGHT, etc.
The logic of your comment has issues ->
>>"such categories as "populism" are so vague that they do not serve concrete analysis"
(1) The world is FULL of 'vague terms' and 'multiple meanings'. Every subject (not just politics) has some version of the SAME dilemma of 'etymological and epistemical' issues. Hence, should we than DO AWAY with all such concepts that describe 'complex subjects' with one word?
(2) Of course they serve 'concrete analysis'. How much have you read (or know) about POPULISM to make such a statement?
>>"Actually, in my view, "left" and "right" have become nearly as meaningless"
Yes, for ANYONE that does not know what LEFT and RIGHT mean, they will think that. Again, the onus is on YOU to understand WHAT they mean, rather than simply 'giving up' by stating that "these terms are meaningless or mixed up".
There are MULTIPE excellent resources on the subject of WHAT is LEFT/RIGHT, etc., but you need to do your homework.
I highly recommend watching the following 3 videos (in order) to better understand LEFT/RIGHT ->
(1) The Left-Right Political Spectrum is about Class Conflict (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3cmjNrXWms)
(2) How Political Definitions Shape Reality (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaFkzIQk-1o)
(3) How we know what Left and Right actually mean: who’s who, 1789-1917 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3uevocEy3c)
If time permits, I recommend watching the COMPLETE playlist -> What is Politics? (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLU4FEuj4v9eAU706Cz_fCvcG44pNow14Y)
OK professor. I'll study up - meanwhile I'll just take Lenin's viewpoint. He writes to clarify, rather than to obscure.
Take whatever viewpoint you want - that's not really relevant here. But as you say, "STUDY UP", since knowing more can help you put 'ideas such as LEFT/RIGHT, populism, etc' into a coherent framework of understanding and meaning.
The path to a digital dystopic hell is being led by an abomination of a not very intelligent, but instinctively manipulative dog-whistling human, trained by his abomination of a father and Roy Chon, an iconic abomination. Nothing new about the species being taken in by that. What is new, is the nature and breadth of the destruction humans have developed, both the weaponry and ability tovlay waste to the environment, and the god-like surveillance and manipulations of the digital world. No, there is no possibility of reformuling this system at this depth of corruption. No revolution is in site and we can reasonably dread that, too. Which leaves the rational to prepare for the obvious existential threats and find allies close in family, friends and local communities, to share resources and build on mutual aid and collective efficiencies. And add no unnecessary burdens of consumption we're brainwashed into craving from childhiid on, or unethically introduce a child into this situation, which shows every sign of getting worse and perhaps, never better. And cherish what we have and know focusing outside ourselves to aid others, invokes our finest spirit.
That's a prescient comment. I do think you're on the mark. I would offer a different view on bringing children into the world. Children are the reason we strive for a world we think is better. Notice that the pols without children have no qualms about furthering destruction. Any society without a healthy number of children is already in trouble. That may be a decision individuals make, as many do, but the world, on the whole, is a far finer place with children. A world without children would be joyless.
Plenty of kids in poorer countries need adopting......only problem for Americans is they are brown or black.
Hi Jenny
I’m too old to adopt a very young child, but if religion weren’t an issue, I’d cherish an older Palestinian child.
( of course, I don’t identify as white myself.)
With all the horrific situations that come out of adoption and fostering, I'm not sure that would be a good idea. It needs far more oversight than it has from non-corrupt people. The theory in itself is good.
Hello Wren. I agree.
Here in France: There are so many Europeans with multi-racial families. This is because most people do not want a new baby brought into this world. Obviously the Europeans manage this better.
Americans are racist!
“Americans are racist! “ perhaps, but that distinction is not exclusive to Americans..
Jenny: my former neighbors adopted FIVE black girls, all with profound autism.
I do not see marked improvement ahead and I do see genocide and the most powerful rushing our digital gulag. I also see toxic environmentsl conditions which no realistic mitigation is addressing. I cannot understand looking at that and deciding introducing a child to this world now is reasonable. But love the children who are already here.
Those are vital concerns, but to bring no children into the world is hastening the end of the world. We want a better world and not its end. It's a dire situation, but the timing of The End is uncertain; it cannot be known.
People will have children no matter what we believe.
It does not matter how well you prepare, except to buy some time. Look at Gaza now, and they are not done there yet. The COVID flu and vax was only a trial run of one plan and was/is very profitable for big pharma and funeral home chains. Expect more soon. They will likely replace wage slaves with robots and AI, retreat into their underground cities and destroy those on the surface with airborne toxins and autonomous hunter-killer drones.
To be clear, my new philosophy is,” If I weren't certain humanity is already doomed by its own nature, I'd find its current behavior very depressing.” I would however not predict tmelines and would like to see people suffer less by increased self sufficiency and mutual aid.
Well said SamAsIAm, though I was with you until the "unethically introduce a child" part. That statement implies that 'your ethics' are the 'de-facto ethics' that everyone should agree/follow?
Bringing a child into this world is a complex decision (with too many variables/factors to consider, especially as no one can really predict the unfolding of future events with a statistical reliability that would muster confidence in such predictions). Also, have you considered that 'your ethics' might not be 'as well thought out' as you imagine them to be?
I will agree with you, though, that people do not take the 'bringing a new life into our world' decision-making process with enough seriousness/importance. I observe way too many people being in 'automatic-pilot' mode when it comes to 'bringing new life into the world' and the 'responsibility/seriousness of being a parent'. But how does one address this problem?
Is there a single soul in this godforsaken country that believes ONE WORD coming outta any politician’s mouth?’
I personally have new respect for Tucker Carlson ( yeah, never fuckin’ thought I’d say THAT in my lifetime) and would happily give him my vote over any career politician.
Don't go there Gypsy............these are the same people they were before.
Jenny, I always respect your opinion.
Dearest Gypsy......all this 'riff raff' in the Circus of 'Elitist' bullshit needs to be fumigated. This includes the 'hangers on' like Tucker Carlson. My opinion is mine BUT this time I don't think I am wrong.
Hugs and xxx's
While it is refreshing to hear Carlson talk about Epstein now, do you really think he changed his spots.
John Kerry was the one who represented the Winter Soldiers protesting the Vietnam war before congress. He was quite good. Struck all the right notes. Look at what a POS SecState he was. Since then, I keep wondering how it was that he got selected to testify.
Then there's Obama's friend Bill Ayers, founder of the Weather Underground. He is closely associated with the Oligarchy.
May I recommend Chris Hedges on why you should hate the rich even more than you do?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJ-OSJ7J64w
Kerry became a politician and that's what politicians do. If Carlson goes into politics he'll be doing the same.
Kerry's "switch" was more perfidious than that.
Ever see Keanu Reefs in "My own Private Idaho?" It starts out with him hanging out with a bunch of homeless kids. But then his dad dies and we find out he's a multi-multimillionaire.
Kerry was a member of the "Forbes" family. Kind of rich wouldn't you say? He's now married to Terresa Heinz. You and I don't move in those circles.
My point is that "someone" set it up so that Kerry would be the one to testify before Congress representing Winter Soldier. In the Wikipedia entry on Winter Soldier Investigation, Kerry is not identified as an organizer.
I've not at all vetted this, but perhaps one of the goals was to make Nixon look bad. Secondarily to get Kerry positive publicity for his entry into politics and his run for House in 1972. He did not attain office until 1982.
I don't know who financed his run for office. Although I was a delegate to my state convention 3x and a precinct officer, I have no idea of the inner workings of the party.
So, let's talk about the "No Kings" rallies, put on by "Indivisible". Run by 2 Jews financed by George Soros. People came, People yelled, People went home. There was no organizing. No agenda. No Plan. The purpose of these rallies (which had to be quite expensive to put on) were to give people a place to "Blow off Steam" so they would stop talking about the Palestinians. History has other examples of this. They were for crowd control.
Kerry didn't change his stripes. He's related to the what I call the "Boston Brahmins" or descended from the Puritans. Members of the oligarchy who pretend to be on your side and then screw you to the wall.
Yes, Aaron Good explains this quite well. He's several videos. The "Empire and the Deep State" is eye opening. His series on Meyer Lansky and the jewish mob and their involvement in the assassination of Kennedy is full of details.
His dad had an impressive career, including being an Ambassador. Carlson comes from this same privileged class.
It is his job to bring Trump down. If that makes him popular enough with the "little people" he may run for office. Once in office (on AIPAC money) he'll follow the agenda of the "Deep State".
Of course, as I said, anyone who becomes a politician is lost. And I don't think in any other system it's any different.
If you're advanced for some role the pushing forces must be close to 100% sure that you're controllable, that you are or can be made part of the team, that you'll toe the line drawn for you. The person must be compromised, likely without being told that the handlers know. The tool that would be wielded as needed to ensure the puppet behaves.
Of course, the above applies in different degrees to positions of different levels. A rep in a small city council or some school board is not as important to care too much.
You aren't understanding.
He was lost the day he was born.
A member of the privileged elite.
There's no reason for this person to be compromised. He always is going to vote for the Oligarchy.
He's a chameleon. He will take on whatever skin works for him at the time. Some people will remember him for the time he was on Fox. Others will recall how he bashed Trump.
Now it is important to understand that the Oligarchy isn't a homogenous group.
Look for Chris Hedges article on "Why you should hate the rich". In the video he is just so angry.
I see. You're with Jim in the other thread who said "his father was CIA".
Both you and Jim must have lived your lives as if you were your fathers. Never veer off, never question. Ensure your own families mirror those of your parents'.
I wouldn't give him my vote, but I do think he has made some good points. Let's not forget he was fired by Fox News, a positive in any thinking person's book.
!
I like much of what Carlson has to say. And there is something about that name, (remember George?). However I'm reminded of a quote attributed to Lenin:
The best way to control the opposition is to lead it ourselves.”