More of an attempt to whitewash Saudi Arabia than to understand Osama. The new "moderate Islam" of the Saudis (which is extirpating thousands of Yemenis with the help of the US) is now a major American ally in our machinations against Syria, Iran and the Palestinians. We have to spruce up its image (a woman was executed for witchcraft in 2011 and a sorcerer in 2012) as a worthy ally in our struggle to impose "democracy" [i.e., free trade] in the region, so such major reforms as allowing women to drive cars and introducing movie theatres is hailed as a major advance (from 1300 to 1900 in one leap). Osama was a good boy (he killed Russians) misled by foreign influences (he killed Americans) but we can't blame our ally; we may get to sell them another billion dollars worth of weapons due to the rate they are using up the last ones we sold them on the Yemenis.
The opinions, views, thoughts, and ramblings of editors of PoliticalAffairs.net – and other stuff worth reading or viewing.
Thursday, August 9, 2018
"My Son, Osama"
More of an attempt to whitewash Saudi Arabia than to understand Osama. The new "moderate Islam" of the Saudis (which is extirpating thousands of Yemenis with the help of the US) is now a major American ally in our machinations against Syria, Iran and the Palestinians. We have to spruce up its image (a woman was executed for witchcraft in 2011 and a sorcerer in 2012) as a worthy ally in our struggle to impose "democracy" [i.e., free trade] in the region, so such major reforms as allowing women to drive cars and introducing movie theatres is hailed as a major advance (from 1300 to 1900 in one leap). Osama was a good boy (he killed Russians) misled by foreign influences (he killed Americans) but we can't blame our ally; we may get to sell them another billion dollars worth of weapons due to the rate they are using up the last ones we sold them on the Yemenis.
Thursday, August 2, 2018
The Future of the Green Party?
Now that they have officially abandoned "capitalism" what will the role of the Green Party be in 2020. We will have to see what happens with their candidates this year. Is a fusion of the Greens with the Left of the Democratic Party even conceivable? The Greens appear here to stay so lamenting their presence as "spoilers" or as wasted votes is just not to make a serious evaluation of the political landscape and therefore to be unable to come up with a realistic strategy to defeat the Republicans. The Greens claim to be for working people but refuse to accept money from unions! They should be trying to build their ties with the labor movement since the anti-Trump struggle would be stronger with a united opposition which included the Greens in a popular front rather than as an independent "third force" acting on its own. The last thing we need is splitting the progressive vote especially in districts where the Republicans can be defeated. The main obstacle to a unified progressive movement may turn out to be the Clinton wing of the Democrats which prefers corporate financial support to popular democratic control.
Monday, July 30, 2018
NYT on China: Journalism or Propaganda?
This article is a good example of how the NYT uses "journalism" to further US imperialist anti-China propaganda. In the first place, a satellite tracking station is not a "base." Here are three telling quotes as examples of the, not so subtle, propaganda going on.
1. This "base" is an example of "Beijing’s long push to transform Latin America and shape its future for generations to come — often in ways that directly undermine the United States’ political, economic and strategic power in the region." This "base" is in Argentina not too long ago run by a fascist military dictatorship supported by United States political, economic and strategic power which also supported dictatorships in Brazil, Chile, Central America, etc.
2. The NYT still uses the "meme" that Latin America is the US's "backyard" (what are the Chinese doing in our backyard?) "For much of the past decade, the United States has paid little attention to its backyard in the Americas." The Monroe Doctrine is being neglected.
3. So that we can get what's happening we are treated to a quote from a professor at the United States Army War College (what a title -- they forgot to rename it "Peace College")-- "Beijing has transformed the dynamics of the region, from the agendas of its leaders and businessmen to the structure of its economies, the content of its politics and even its security dynamics,” said R. Evan Ellis, a professor of Latin American studies at the United States Army War College."
The article does give a good overview of China's activities in the region which are mostly positive (but given a slightly negative if not sinister spin by those the NYT chose to quote). The upshot is: the backyard is becoming an independent front yard of its own and what should the US do in response to this?
Monday, July 16, 2018
Putin/Trump Meeting: A Chance to Reset Our Relations
"That order includes Russia playing a central role, instead of being treated like a pariah or a second-rate has-been." This is the point. The US has treated Russia as a pariah since the end of the Soviet Union and provoked everyone of the problems with Russia by first meddling in Russian elections in the 90s (and those of many other countries before and since), supporting an anti-Russian coup in Ukraine, and putting NATO on Russia's borders after having promised not to do so. So Putin is criticized for giving us back a dose of our own medicine. Despite this propaganda article in the NYT, which lacks any objectivity or truthful attempt to explain Russian foreign policy, the whole world will benefit by this meeting between Trump and Putin if a lessening of needlessly hostile intentions results -- despite the attempts to increase tensions by the leftover war hawks in the Republican and Democratic party establishments.
Sunday, July 8, 2018
US Attitude Reveals Real Intent of Negotiations With DPRK
"Washington insists that North Korea disclose all the details of its nuclear weapons program, dismantle its facilities and let outside inspectors verify the steps. The idea is to remove all the North’s nuclear weapons and its ability to build more, before offering any significant rewards. The North has long rejected such an approach, instead demanding that the United States take reciprocal measures in each “phased” step it takes toward denuclearization." In other words, the US demands complete capitulation from the North while the North offers tit for tat. It's obvious the US isn't serious about these negotiations, it's all a stunt to later declare we tried a peaceful approach but the North was unreasonable and duplicitous. The American leopard hasn't changed its spots.
Friday, June 29, 2018
Maoism 101
"Still, Mr. Feng’s lectures can have the feel of a different era. In describing Mao’s views on revolution, for example, he rails against imperialist forces and “bureaucratic capitalism” for “ruthlessly exploiting laboring people.”" Too bad Mr. Feng doesn't live in Trump's USA which is free of bureaucrats and working people are not exploited and are paid a living wage so that food stamps, housing assistance, unemployment insurance, and welfare are unnecessary.
Monday, June 25, 2018
Ethnic Cleansing and the Bedouins
Ethnic cleansing at work: the Arabs will be moved to make way for Israeli settlers and to break up the West Bank and prevent a "two state solution" --
''Yet the new site offers only one-16th of an acre for each family — a fraction of what Bedouins from the tribe were granted in the late 1990s when they were displaced by the expansion of Maale Adumim. Oddly, the Supreme Court’s ruling claimed that there would be a place for their herds to graze — though the government had already acknowledged the opposite.'' They will be removed and their way of life destroyed --Untermenchen. Right wing settlers have joined the Supreme Court and the Court no longer is a safeguard which follows the law but has become partisan. This is happening to our Supreme Court too which is on the road to rehabilitate the Dred Scott Decision.
''Yet the new site offers only one-16th of an acre for each family — a fraction of what Bedouins from the tribe were granted in the late 1990s when they were displaced by the expansion of Maale Adumim. Oddly, the Supreme Court’s ruling claimed that there would be a place for their herds to graze — though the government had already acknowledged the opposite.'' They will be removed and their way of life destroyed --Untermenchen. Right wing settlers have joined the Supreme Court and the Court no longer is a safeguard which follows the law but has become partisan. This is happening to our Supreme Court too which is on the road to rehabilitate the Dred Scott Decision.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)