Showing posts with label Institutions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Institutions. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
A New Blog
Here's the link---
https://ecologicalliberalism.blogspot.com/
Please join me on a path forward.
Everyone Be Well, and Happy Trails
Saturday, November 7, 2015
The Powers-That-Be are Lying
The Oligarchs don't lie about everything, but there are several crucial subjects about which they do lie often. Following are some of those.
1. Price inflation is stagnant. The State-Corporate Complex can say this with a straight face because when they figure how much prices have increased, here's what's not included: the costs of food, housing, and energy. Those items are not part of what's called "core inflation". To give credit where it's due, the Powers-That-Be are correct regarding energy costs...even though those are not counted. Oil has tanked, no pun intended; that's good, but a guy like me drives only about 20 miles per week. "Low" gas prices don't make up for the constant increases in food and sundry grocery store items. Manufacturers of those goods either are raising prices outwardly or doing it surreptitiously by shrinking the size of product packages. Plus, rent for housing in the USA (with a few exceptions) is skyrocketing. An old dog like me cannot believe how high rental costs are nowadays.
2. Unemployment in the USA is now 5.X%. This lie is so egregious as to make one physically sick. Reputable, credible economists and former Fed Gov't officials all across the political spectrum estimate that the true unemployment rate is somewhere between 20% and 43%.
3. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement will be good for everyday Americans. The details of that abomination now are finally public; some were released earlier by WikiLeaks, but now we have the entire disaster available for scrutiny. The critics (such as Lori Wallach of TradeWatch) are saying, "It's worse than we expected.", and they were harsh critics before the full text was released. I've written about this before, so I won't repeat myself. The details of this miserable Treaty can be found in lots of places, not the least of which is Citizen.org/TPP. Promotion of the TPP by many in Gov't, the Corporate Media, and various other Mega Corporations is proof positive that Oligarchs don't give a damn about us.
4. We are not at War...it's "counter-terrorism"; therefore, Geneva Conventions, Due Process, the Constitution in general, Ethics, and even Morality do not limit us when dealing with "enemy combatants". That lie is so outrageous and defies Logic so much that I'm beginning to think that George Orwell was the greatest political prophet in all of History...bar none. The Powers-That-Be are trying to sell us on the concept that the people we're fighting are neither soldiers nor criminals. Sorry, Oligarchs, they have to be one or the other. The term, "enemy combatant" is a fiction. Due Process applies to everyone, even soldiers or criminals. If it doesn't, we no longer are civilized, ethical beings.
5. It is necessary to monitor everyone in the National Surveillance State. Good grief, that is pure, unadulterated Propaganda...it's bullshit to the Nth Degree. Why people are buying into that is beyond my comprehension. Have mercy.
6. We are in an Economic Recovery. That statement is so blatantly ridiculous it defies not only Logic, but the imagination as well. All one has to do to see it's not true is take a little time to do a serious, critical study of our economic condition...utilizing a wide variety of credible sources while ignoring Propaganda from the State-Corporate Complex. The USA, and most of the world, is in a deep Recession and heading for a Depression that very well may be worse than the one in the 1930's.
........................................................................................
It's important to keep in mind that when it's "crunch time", when Institutions are in a bind, any Institution will protect itself rather than individuals or Individual Rights. Natural Rights, possessed by all people, will be sacrificed by any Oligarchy upon the altar of expediency. It is Institutions that constantly must be monitored...by us. Remember the words of an Eastern philosopher: we be many; they be few. That is precisely why we are inundated totally with Propaganda from the State-Corporate Complex. It's important to us and future generations that we think critically, speak out, deny unwarranted power to Institutions run amok, boycott those entities that trash Natural Rights, and do it all peacefully. Violent actions beget more violence and complete suppression of the individual.
Not only my opinion. Be Well
Friday, August 1, 2014
What Oligarchs Fear the Most
Recently I watched a couple of excellent documentaries on Netflix: Genius on Hold, and Downloaded. The first was the story of Walter Shaw, showing how the old AT&T (Ma Bell) ground this brilliant entrepreneur into virtual dust. The second was the story of Napster and one of its founders, Shawn Fanning (& others who started the company). The Napster tale isn't primarily about music "piracy"; instead, it's mostly about vertical vs. horizontal organization of society. Both films are fascinating.
That brings me to the title of this piece. Oligarchs, no matter where they are or whether they're in private or public Institutions, in my opinion fear this above all else: that any society will gradually switch from vertical organization (or mode of operation) to horizontal organization. With vertical organization/operation, corruption is more likely, unwarranted power is more easily obtained, and unfair control of the population or any subgroup is easier to impose.
I'm an old dog, but I really admire these young pups who are challenging the rule of Oligarchies... in communications, in the music industry, in the news media, in public institutions, and in business in general. The Old Regime, with its head in the sand, is being run over by a bullet train. Mostly it only knows how to be reactionary; so, for example, after they finally figured out how popular was Napster, the Music Industry Oligarchs sued about 18,000 of their customers or potential customers. To their credit, they at last capitulated by deciding that perhaps I-Tunes would be good for the industry. They still, however, are opposing systems that allow budding entertainers to produce and market their music directly... cutting out the Oligarchs.
We're in a Revolutionary Era. Entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs have figured out that vertical integration of Institutions is a scam... and unnecessary. The myth that we need a "Ruling Class" in business or even government is dying. The Old Guard is kicking and screaming... and striking back. But the bullet train just keeps coming. Establishment tactics are being exposed. For example, take NAFTA. Oligarchs in Gov't and Big Business sold that scam to We the People on the basis that it would increase trade and create jobs here in this country. It wasn't long before we determined that pretty much the opposite was true. Basically, here's how NAFTA works---
Mega companies move their factories (along with the associated jobs) to Mexico, hire Mexican workers at very low wages and benefits, ship their goods back here, and sell them. That's the "trade" generated by the scam known as NAFTA.
In the case of the News Media, I think most people have realized that when it comes to the term "mainstream media", the name "Corporate Media" is entirely accurate. The mainstream outlets all are owned by mega, vertically integrated, transnational corporations. To believe they have no oligarchical bias is, I think, being extremely naive. A plethora of alternative, mostly independent, journalistic outlets have sprung up. Those media often provide information that is never seen or heard in the mainstream "press". Again, the Old Guard is kicking and screaming... and attacking... with Propaganda on an unprecedented scale. Once in awhile, however, the Corporate Media realize how futile it is to stand in front of a bullet train in order to try and stop it, so they actually join forces with people like Glenn Greenwald or Julian Assange. The tide is turning. Oligarchs are beginning to try to become relevant to human affairs.
Most Oligarchies around the world, at least in the developed world, most of the time do not resort to brutal force and violence to control their human subjects. They know that in all likelihood the People would not stand for it. So instead, they rely on Propaganda, distraction, and circuses. [As I've said over & over, it's NOT a "conspiracy"; for the most part, it's in plain sight.] Keeping people apathetic and compliant is a priority. What worries the "Ruling Class" now is that everyday folks are NONVIOLENTLY challenging the status quo in every field of endeavor... often successfully.
POSTSCRIPT---
All of the above is the main reason that the Internet is being attacked by Oligarchs. The Web is the primary tool by which vertical organization of society eventually will be toppled... or at least, that type of organization will become less and less relevant. The attacks often are not obvious; sometimes they appear as a wolf in sheep's clothing. Politicians, in particular, must be carefully watched if the internet is to remain free and unfettered. Just my opinion.
Be Well
That brings me to the title of this piece. Oligarchs, no matter where they are or whether they're in private or public Institutions, in my opinion fear this above all else: that any society will gradually switch from vertical organization (or mode of operation) to horizontal organization. With vertical organization/operation, corruption is more likely, unwarranted power is more easily obtained, and unfair control of the population or any subgroup is easier to impose.
I'm an old dog, but I really admire these young pups who are challenging the rule of Oligarchies... in communications, in the music industry, in the news media, in public institutions, and in business in general. The Old Regime, with its head in the sand, is being run over by a bullet train. Mostly it only knows how to be reactionary; so, for example, after they finally figured out how popular was Napster, the Music Industry Oligarchs sued about 18,000 of their customers or potential customers. To their credit, they at last capitulated by deciding that perhaps I-Tunes would be good for the industry. They still, however, are opposing systems that allow budding entertainers to produce and market their music directly... cutting out the Oligarchs.
We're in a Revolutionary Era. Entrepreneurs and non-entrepreneurs have figured out that vertical integration of Institutions is a scam... and unnecessary. The myth that we need a "Ruling Class" in business or even government is dying. The Old Guard is kicking and screaming... and striking back. But the bullet train just keeps coming. Establishment tactics are being exposed. For example, take NAFTA. Oligarchs in Gov't and Big Business sold that scam to We the People on the basis that it would increase trade and create jobs here in this country. It wasn't long before we determined that pretty much the opposite was true. Basically, here's how NAFTA works---
Mega companies move their factories (along with the associated jobs) to Mexico, hire Mexican workers at very low wages and benefits, ship their goods back here, and sell them. That's the "trade" generated by the scam known as NAFTA.
In the case of the News Media, I think most people have realized that when it comes to the term "mainstream media", the name "Corporate Media" is entirely accurate. The mainstream outlets all are owned by mega, vertically integrated, transnational corporations. To believe they have no oligarchical bias is, I think, being extremely naive. A plethora of alternative, mostly independent, journalistic outlets have sprung up. Those media often provide information that is never seen or heard in the mainstream "press". Again, the Old Guard is kicking and screaming... and attacking... with Propaganda on an unprecedented scale. Once in awhile, however, the Corporate Media realize how futile it is to stand in front of a bullet train in order to try and stop it, so they actually join forces with people like Glenn Greenwald or Julian Assange. The tide is turning. Oligarchs are beginning to try to become relevant to human affairs.
Most Oligarchies around the world, at least in the developed world, most of the time do not resort to brutal force and violence to control their human subjects. They know that in all likelihood the People would not stand for it. So instead, they rely on Propaganda, distraction, and circuses. [As I've said over & over, it's NOT a "conspiracy"; for the most part, it's in plain sight.] Keeping people apathetic and compliant is a priority. What worries the "Ruling Class" now is that everyday folks are NONVIOLENTLY challenging the status quo in every field of endeavor... often successfully.
POSTSCRIPT---
All of the above is the main reason that the Internet is being attacked by Oligarchs. The Web is the primary tool by which vertical organization of society eventually will be toppled... or at least, that type of organization will become less and less relevant. The attacks often are not obvious; sometimes they appear as a wolf in sheep's clothing. Politicians, in particular, must be carefully watched if the internet is to remain free and unfettered. Just my opinion.
Be Well
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
The Institutionalists vs. the Insurrectionists, RE: Edward Snowden
Both John Kerry and Hillary Clinton have suggested that Edward Snowden should return to the U.S. and face trial. That brings to mind the current, worldwide philosophical (and practical) clash between the Institutionalists and the Insurrectionists. Institutions, or the Establishment in general, ostensibly exist to serve the People in various ways; that's their purpose. The Oligarchs who run Institutions often sincerely believe in the goodness of that function... until the Institution is exposed in some wrongdoing or another... until the end supposedly justifies foul means. Then everything changes. The Oligarchs hunker down and do everything possible (legal or not) to protect the Institution; to hell with the People, or Justice, or due process.
I would think that most people know that if Snowden did return, he never would receive a fair and just trial. Here's why---
1. In all likelihood, he would be held incommunicado.
2. Evidence would be suppressed. The Gov't would claim "State Secrets", "National Security", "Executive Privilege", etc., ad nauseum.
3. The Judge, or perhaps Tribunal, would allow nothing to surface that didn't relate to the 1917 Espionage Act. In other words, the Govt's many, many, many wrongdoings and violations of the Constitution would be deemed "not pertinent to this case" or "not relevant".
4. Jury nullification would not be allowed.
The tragic irony in the Snowden affair is that Obama, when first running for President, publicly claimed that his Administration would protect whistleblowers... that they were good for government. As soon as he was elected, he continued the case against Tom Drake (an NSA whistleblower)... a case first brought to trial by Alberto Gonzales under Dubya Bush. As the Australian socialist, journalist, and documentarian John Pilger once stated, "Brand Obama...and it's all fake.".
I'm fairly sure that Oligarchies around the world are beginning to worry because nonviolent Insurrectionists courageously are exposing the gross wrongdoings of various Institutions. Just as importantly, the People no longer are buying the Propaganda put out against patriotic, peaceful whistleblowers. Notice, however, that those at the highest levels in any Oligarchy continue on no matter how illegal, unjust, and unethical their exposed actions are shown to be. They accuse the whistleblower or journalist of being a criminal, and then claim that the Institution will "reform" its wrongful ways. Distract, distract, distract. All of that means it will take a long, sustained effort to really reform any corrupt Establishment.
Kudos to Daniel Ellsberg, John Perkins, John Pilger, Matt Taibbi, Jeremy Scahill, Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poitras, Julian Assange, Sarah Harrison, Edward Snowden, Chelsea (formerly Bradley) Manning, Tom Drake, and many, many others for the great personal costs they have paid in order to help bring Outlaw Gov'ts into the light. Exposing rogue Institutions is a very risky business. Very little is more patriotic. We the People should support the peaceful Insurrectionists to the hilt.
Be Well
I would think that most people know that if Snowden did return, he never would receive a fair and just trial. Here's why---
1. In all likelihood, he would be held incommunicado.
2. Evidence would be suppressed. The Gov't would claim "State Secrets", "National Security", "Executive Privilege", etc., ad nauseum.
3. The Judge, or perhaps Tribunal, would allow nothing to surface that didn't relate to the 1917 Espionage Act. In other words, the Govt's many, many, many wrongdoings and violations of the Constitution would be deemed "not pertinent to this case" or "not relevant".
4. Jury nullification would not be allowed.
The tragic irony in the Snowden affair is that Obama, when first running for President, publicly claimed that his Administration would protect whistleblowers... that they were good for government. As soon as he was elected, he continued the case against Tom Drake (an NSA whistleblower)... a case first brought to trial by Alberto Gonzales under Dubya Bush. As the Australian socialist, journalist, and documentarian John Pilger once stated, "Brand Obama...and it's all fake.".
I'm fairly sure that Oligarchies around the world are beginning to worry because nonviolent Insurrectionists courageously are exposing the gross wrongdoings of various Institutions. Just as importantly, the People no longer are buying the Propaganda put out against patriotic, peaceful whistleblowers. Notice, however, that those at the highest levels in any Oligarchy continue on no matter how illegal, unjust, and unethical their exposed actions are shown to be. They accuse the whistleblower or journalist of being a criminal, and then claim that the Institution will "reform" its wrongful ways. Distract, distract, distract. All of that means it will take a long, sustained effort to really reform any corrupt Establishment.
Kudos to Daniel Ellsberg, John Perkins, John Pilger, Matt Taibbi, Jeremy Scahill, Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poitras, Julian Assange, Sarah Harrison, Edward Snowden, Chelsea (formerly Bradley) Manning, Tom Drake, and many, many others for the great personal costs they have paid in order to help bring Outlaw Gov'ts into the light. Exposing rogue Institutions is a very risky business. Very little is more patriotic. We the People should support the peaceful Insurrectionists to the hilt.
Be Well
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