I join the majority of the scientific community in believing, that we should hedge our bets agianst Man Made Global Warming, or Climate Change (“CC”). In the last two centuries scientists have been able to objectively measure the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is one of the principal components causing the increase in the earth’s temperature.
CC should not be made into a political issue, with so called Moderates and Liberals affirming CC, and Conservatives, Fossil Fuel Producers, and Traditionalists denying the evidence of CC. Unfortunately the focus on dealing with the real issues are being detoured by issues such as Wall Street profiteers ambitions to profit off of “Cap and Trade”, and Al Gore and his band of venture capitalists wanting to push the CC agenda to profit from renewable energy sources. Money has always been made from opportunities to solve social, environmental, medical, transportation, and other delivery systems. Our capitalistic system can provide positive goods and services for our society that are beneficial to all stakeholders.
There are CC pundits who will pull out a few aberrations in the CC argument, and then attempt to use that “Straw Man” to discredit the entire hypothesis. The fact is that in the last 100 years average temperatures have risen 1.8 degrees F, pre-industrial carbon levels have risen from 280 parts per million, to more than 390 PPM, and is rising at 3 PPM/year. Really dangerous levels of carbon occur at around 450PPM, or about the year 2030 +/-. The rise in temperature is directly related to atmospheric carbon levels.
Deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels are the two greatest contributors to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide. Fossil fuel producers of oil and coal have a present economic interest in discouraging people’s acceptance of CC. Fossil fuel stakeholders usually try to use the big fear words, “Loss of Jobs”, but they could care less about jobs, their interests are purely corporate profits. Fortunately natural gas is plentiful, less polluting, and as a result coal fired generation plants are being converted to natural gas. The bad news is that this coal mined in the US is being exported China, where its negative effect will touch the entire world.
The oceans play a major role in the absorption of one third of all the carbon dioxide. Oceans also move heat around the world to balance out climates. Hurricanes will continue to increase as temperatures increase, causing land devastation and more disruption to climate patterns. Increased carbon dioxide in the oceans has created more acidity, which intern has damaged coral beds and other sea life that sustain our very dwindling edible fish population.
“Cap and Trade” is a somewhat misunderstood delivery system for reducing carbon emissions. The free market, with every person acting in their own rational self-interest, can’t by itself solve the global climate change problem. We need new economics that encourages carbon reduction and that makes it economically untenable for companies to pollute. Those that pollute will lose profits. For example coal generating power plants who convert to natural gas, or other less polluting sources would be able to sell a reasonable amount of credits to other coal companies. This disparity would put less polluting companies at an economic advantage. The idea here is to put a ceiling on how much each industry sector can emit, and gradually reduce that carbon cap over time. Those who run “clean Industries” could add to their bottom line by selling to higher polluters who would still have a ceiling on their allowable maximum emissions. If some people make money by brokering these trades, so be it. Brokers now make money from the sales of other financial instruments such as medical insurance, casualty insurance, real estate, and other tangible and intangible assets. When I hear some capitalists using the argument against “Cap and Trade” as just another Wall Street scam, I just shake my head and say, “Its all about who’s ox is getting gored”. These fossil fuel producers would be there in a “New York Minute” to support “Cap and Trade” if some of the brokerage commissions dropped in their pockets.
Linguistic author George Lakoff said, “The salesmen of death -- the oil and coal companies -- are profiting hugely from our payouts to them via subsidies and high prices. And with the money ordinary citizens are giving to them in subsidies, they are corrupting the political process, influencing political leaders not to deal with global warming -- our greatest threat. We are dependent on them for energy, to a large extent because they have politically blocked the development of alternatives for decades.”
There are four possible scenarios available that I see relating to our confrontation or dismissal of remediating CC as follows:
(1) We assume there is no CC and we do nothing: This would be the perfect scenario, no insurance premiums paid and no future perils. The down side is that we would not be as motivated to wean ourselves off of imported oil; our air would continue to be polluted from dwindling fossil fuels.
(2) We accept that there is CC and we act now: This would be a “win-Win” situation. Effectively we would be reducing our dependence on oil imports (38% of all our imports), breathing cleaner air, reducing the need to invade other countries for their oil, staving off weather disasters of increased hurricanes, rising sea levels, and more deserts. Putting a proactive policy in place will not happen overnight, we need to plan ahead and start implementing this plan immediately.
(3) We act now but find out there is no CC: We would have spent large amounts of money for renewable energy. Effectively we would be reducing our dependence on oil imports (38% of all our imports), breathing cleaner air, reducing the need to invade other countries for their oil.
(4) We assume there is CC and do nothing: If we do nothing and we are wrong, the devastation to our planet would be disastrous. Rising sea levels due to the melting of the polar ice caps would flood many of our coastal cities, causing death, injury, major economic losses, and untold deaths. Our continued use of fossil fuels would increase oil costs, continue to cause health damaging pollution, and make us more vulnerable due to energy dependence and a continued need to invade other countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and possibly Iran, Russia, and Venezuela for control of oil assets. Our food supply would be at risk due to changes in water availability and fertile land.
It appears to me that the best choice and insurance policy against world disaster is choice #2. We are used to paying insurance premiums for medical, fire, and life insurance. We spend $4,000/yr. for every man, women, and child for defense, so what’s the big deal about getting us off of oil and coal, unless one owns a lot of stock in these fossil fuel producing companies? Let’s cut our excessive military spending, eliminate corporate and agricultural subsidies, and as a result we will not have to raise taxes to get us on an energy independent and renewable diet. The pundits of Man Made Global warming do not have a very good and sustainable argument for doing nothing and keeping our heads in the sand about the above critical climate and energy issue.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
14 Characteristics of Fascism, should we be cautious?
Fascism is the “F Word” that seems to raise the hackles on most folks backs, unlike the ubiquitous one that many of us use to informally punctuate our sentences. This heavy handed word is being used as a demonizing tool by some people, and an actual description of possible trending in this country by others. My own informal definition of Fascism is where individual rights, freedom of speech, access to transparent news are limited and married with a great deal of “Corporate Cronyism” that benefits the Military Industrial Complex and world bankers. In addition, fear and False Flag events are used as a mind bending tool to justify wars and brutality.
Lawrence Britt, a high level business executive, who has a passion for contemporary history has examined many Fascist regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to the following regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin countries.
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
The individual display of flags as a symbol of national pride is benign. What is dangerous is when our national leaders portray our malicious behavior, as being acceptable because we are always the “Good Guys”, and others are “Evil Doers”, we are then approaching foreign affairs with an imperialistic myopic mythical chauvinistic point of view.
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
Our treatment of detainees has been despicable, in violation of the Geneva Conventions, very arbitrary, and lacks any sense of humanity and justice that our country was founded upon.
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
In the past we used Communism as the scapegoat for oppression and military buildups, these days it is Muslim bashing. It has never been proven that 19 Muslim high-jackers flew planes into the WTC Towers, in fact seven have been identified as CIA operatives, and proven to be alive.
4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
Today the military uses approximately half of our federal budget, with much of it buried in other departments other than “Defense”. A large portion of the mobilization and operations in the present Middle East wars are carried on by private no-bid contractors, who or have been “Crony Capitalist” buddies of people within the Pentagon and Whitehouse.
5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.
It is still a white male dominated corporatocracy that primarily recognizes only the legitimacy of heterosexual male control. For example parity pay for women, who today only get paid approximately 77% of what a male receives for the same job description has been shot down primarily by a Conservative legislature. The Defense of Marriage Act and foot dragging on DADT in the military are additional examples of sexism and a lack of parity for homosexuals.
6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
The mass media today is owned and controlled by approximately six major corporations who have only one motive which is profit and not transparency. In addition many of these corporations have CEO’s and board members who sit on other corporations who benefit directly or indirectly from the Military Industrial Complex.
7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
Homeland Security has put a limit of citizen rights, privacy from wire tapping, and government inroads to monitor the internet. Intrusive body scans and searches are an exaggerated hoax that enriches government insiders.
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.
The words “God” and ‘Christian Nation” are invoked many times in government official discourse. Should a politician say that he is an Atheist or Agnostic, is to place a major blight on his career. There have been complaints by military field personnel in Iraq about top brass coercing soldiers toward forced Christian belief and worship.
9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
We have seen a real reticence to legislate and prosecute egregious behavior and overstepping by Wall Street and major Corporations. When there was Senate hearings relating to Cheney’s secret meetings with the major oil CEO’s about taking over the oil assets in Iraq, just 2 weeks prior to “9/11”, some of the politicians refused to require that the oil “Fat Cats” testify under oath at the hearings.
10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.
The power of private union membership in the US has plummeted to 12% from a high of 30% a decade ago, a large cause for this has been weakened union lobbying and off shoring of jobs which has been exacerbated by NAFTA and low wages in other countries.
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.
Intellectuals are seen in this country as an irritant that promotes “Critical Thinking”, human rights, and questioning of nation state behavior.
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.
Habeas Corpus rules have been suspended by the invocation of Homeland Security and exaggerated abusive Executive power.
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
With the major influence of Wall Street and Corporate “Personhood” use of lobbying money, the guy on the street does not have a reasonable chance to sway our corrupt politicians.
14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.
Stalin said, “I don’t care how many people vote for whom, only who counts the votes”. With allegations of past voter fraud in the Florida, supported by a Right Wing Supreme Court majority, which is difficult to uncover because of electronic voting machines, it is easy for “Hackers” and corrupted software programmers to change vote counts in the system.
Be it Communism or Fascism manifesting itself under a degree of Totalitarianism, supported by manufactured fear and enemies, governments ability to control the media, and “Corporate Cronyism”, the precious thing we call democracy, bolstered by our Constitutional rights, will be eroded and may die.
Lawrence Britt, a high level business executive, who has a passion for contemporary history has examined many Fascist regimes. Britt found 14 defining characteristics common to the following regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and several Latin countries.
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism - Fascist regimes tend to make constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia. Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays.
The individual display of flags as a symbol of national pride is benign. What is dangerous is when our national leaders portray our malicious behavior, as being acceptable because we are always the “Good Guys”, and others are “Evil Doers”, we are then approaching foreign affairs with an imperialistic myopic mythical chauvinistic point of view.
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights - Because of fear of enemies and the need for security, the people in fascist regimes are persuaded that human rights can be ignored in certain cases because of "need." The people tend to look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, assassinations, long incarcerations of prisoners, etc.
Our treatment of detainees has been despicable, in violation of the Geneva Conventions, very arbitrary, and lacks any sense of humanity and justice that our country was founded upon.
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause - The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe: racial, ethnic or religious minorities; liberals; communists; socialists, terrorists, etc.
In the past we used Communism as the scapegoat for oppression and military buildups, these days it is Muslim bashing. It has never been proven that 19 Muslim high-jackers flew planes into the WTC Towers, in fact seven have been identified as CIA operatives, and proven to be alive.
4. Supremacy of the Military - Even when there are widespread domestic problems, the military is given a disproportionate amount of government funding, and the domestic agenda is neglected. Soldiers and military service are glamorized.
Today the military uses approximately half of our federal budget, with much of it buried in other departments other than “Defense”. A large portion of the mobilization and operations in the present Middle East wars are carried on by private no-bid contractors, who or have been “Crony Capitalist” buddies of people within the Pentagon and Whitehouse.
5. Rampant Sexism - The governments of fascist nations tend to be almost exclusively male-dominated. Under fascist regimes, traditional gender roles are made more rigid. Divorce, abortion and homosexuality are suppressed and the state is represented as the ultimate guardian of the family institution.
It is still a white male dominated corporatocracy that primarily recognizes only the legitimacy of heterosexual male control. For example parity pay for women, who today only get paid approximately 77% of what a male receives for the same job description has been shot down primarily by a Conservative legislature. The Defense of Marriage Act and foot dragging on DADT in the military are additional examples of sexism and a lack of parity for homosexuals.
6. Controlled Mass Media - Sometimes to media is directly controlled by the government, but in other cases, the media is indirectly controlled by government regulation, or sympathetic media spokespeople and executives. Censorship, especially in war time, is very common.
The mass media today is owned and controlled by approximately six major corporations who have only one motive which is profit and not transparency. In addition many of these corporations have CEO’s and board members who sit on other corporations who benefit directly or indirectly from the Military Industrial Complex.
7. Obsession with National Security - Fear is used as a motivational tool by the government over the masses.
Homeland Security has put a limit of citizen rights, privacy from wire tapping, and government inroads to monitor the internet. Intrusive body scans and searches are an exaggerated hoax that enriches government insiders.
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined - Governments in fascist nations tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion. Religious rhetoric and terminology is common from government leaders, even when the major tenets of the religion are diametrically opposed to the government's policies or actions.
The words “God” and ‘Christian Nation” are invoked many times in government official discourse. Should a politician say that he is an Atheist or Agnostic, is to place a major blight on his career. There have been complaints by military field personnel in Iraq about top brass coercing soldiers toward forced Christian belief and worship.
9. Corporate Power is Protected - The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist nation often are the ones who put the government leaders into power, creating a mutually beneficial business/government relationship and power elite.
We have seen a real reticence to legislate and prosecute egregious behavior and overstepping by Wall Street and major Corporations. When there was Senate hearings relating to Cheney’s secret meetings with the major oil CEO’s about taking over the oil assets in Iraq, just 2 weeks prior to “9/11”, some of the politicians refused to require that the oil “Fat Cats” testify under oath at the hearings.
10. Labor Power is Suppressed - Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are either eliminated entirely, or are severely suppressed.
The power of private union membership in the US has plummeted to 12% from a high of 30% a decade ago, a large cause for this has been weakened union lobbying and off shoring of jobs which has been exacerbated by NAFTA and low wages in other countries.
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts - Fascist nations tend to promote and tolerate open hostility to higher education, and academia. It is not uncommon for professors and other academics to be censored or even arrested. Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.
Intellectuals are seen in this country as an irritant that promotes “Critical Thinking”, human rights, and questioning of nation state behavior.
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment - Under fascist regimes, the police are given almost limitless power to enforce laws. The people are often willing to overlook police abuses and even forego civil liberties in the name of patriotism. There is often a national police force with virtually unlimited power in fascist nations.
Habeas Corpus rules have been suspended by the invocation of Homeland Security and exaggerated abusive Executive power.
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption - Fascist regimes almost always are governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each other to government positions and use governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability. It is not uncommon in fascist regimes for national resources and even treasures to be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.
With the major influence of Wall Street and Corporate “Personhood” use of lobbying money, the guy on the street does not have a reasonable chance to sway our corrupt politicians.
14. Fraudulent Elections - Sometimes elections in fascist nations are a complete sham. Other times elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates, use of legislation to control voting numbers or political district boundaries, and manipulation of the media. Fascist nations also typically use their judiciaries to manipulate or control elections.
Stalin said, “I don’t care how many people vote for whom, only who counts the votes”. With allegations of past voter fraud in the Florida, supported by a Right Wing Supreme Court majority, which is difficult to uncover because of electronic voting machines, it is easy for “Hackers” and corrupted software programmers to change vote counts in the system.
Be it Communism or Fascism manifesting itself under a degree of Totalitarianism, supported by manufactured fear and enemies, governments ability to control the media, and “Corporate Cronyism”, the precious thing we call democracy, bolstered by our Constitutional rights, will be eroded and may die.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Eliminating Fossil Fuel & Defense Spending is our key to National Security
Setting aside ignorance and apathy, the Military-Industrial-Petrochemical Complex (MIPC) is our greatest impediment to the continuation of our great nation, and the emotional and physical health of our people. Due to fact that the “MIPC” has its tentacles of financial and political influence so deeply entrenched in our government at many levels, and most specifically the federal level, it has been very difficult to enact an energy and peace policy that is beneficial to the whole of America. In the following article I will specifically cite how the “MIPC” has so insidiously undermined public policy that would take us off of fossil based fuels, oil imports, and greatly reduce defense spending. I will also outline ways that we as individual Americans we can divorce ourselves from this cancerous “MIPC” enemy of our nation.
In 1981 the world reached peak oil production and reserves, with a steady decline since. The US consumes 25% of the world’s usage, but only has 2% of the world’s reserves. We consume 3 times as much oil as the Chinese, but only have a fraction of their population. Our military, the largest single user, consumes 6% to 8% of our national usage at 335,000 barrels per day. 80% of the world’s oil reserves lie within OPEC nations. Compared to Europe and other developed nations we have one of the most regressive energy and environmental policies
The major oil companies are large contributors to presidential and congressional political campaigns. In the last few years the oil companies contributed approximately $420 million per year to political PAC’s and politicians. Exxon contributed $60 million, Chevron $40 million, and BP $30 million. Is it any wonder that government policies greatly favor the oil companies, as opposed to what is best for our national energy policy, the environment, and our citizenry? The game is obviously rigged to favor the needs of the oil companies and not our nation as a whole.
Weeks before “9/11”, Dick Cheney held 40 secret meetings with the major oil producers to discuss and carve out who would be taking over what oil production in Iraq. Senate hearings were held to uncover this fraud, but Republican senators refused to allow oil exec’s to be questioned under oath. Another coincidence, the US Military has most of its military bases in Iraq proximate to the oil production and processing. Does anyone still have a question about the invasion of Iraq being primarily about oil and US Petro Dollars, or do they still subscribe to the myth that we invaded Iraq for WMD’s, ties to bin Laden, or that we wanted to deliver “Freedom and Liberation” to the Iraqi people?
As I have noted in previous articles our real defense costs, both direct and indirect, amount to $1.2 to $1.4 Trillion per year, or approximately 8 to 10% of our GDP. The primary purpose of our military is to support imperialistic operations that secure natural resources and assets for bankers and major corporations. In addition, there is a great deal of money to be made by military and engineering contractors, and bankers who finance the debt created by our excessive military spending. The US spends more for defense than all the combined military budgets of the developed nations. China spends approximately one twentieth of our defense budget on military expenditures.
Defense is not a “Sacred Cow”, do not be intimidated by “False Flag” events such as “9/11”, The Gulf of Tonkin, or Pearl Harbor, Do not act emotionally, but ask serious questions such as who is benefitting financially from any war. We go to war so “Fat Cat” special interests can benefit at the expense of the masses do to corporate greed.
Another issue that we are facing is an escalating trade imbalance which requires the “Fed” to print more and more money, and for us to become a large debtor nation to countries such as China. We have two choices to deal with this excessive debt, we can default and declare bankruptcy, or we can proceed as we have done on many fronts and send our military in to heist and plunder natural resources from other countries through our “Crony Capitalism” corporatocracy. Afghanistan is a perfect example of nation we can occupy and plunder for Lithium, Opium, and land to install a major trans-country gas pipeline. Other nations do not hate us for our freedoms, they actually like most Americans, but they loathe the barbaric imperialistic policies of our corrupt government and run away military. Imports from China are not the only culprit contributing to our trade deficits, oil imports contribute to 38% of our total trade imbalances.
European countries such as France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway have put in place long term sustainable energy plans that benefit the entire society, not just special interest groups. These countries reward, through tax incentives, sustainable energy usage. When Jimmy Carter came into office he installed solar panels on the White House roof, and put together a plan to reduce our energy usage by 25%. Carter was no big friend to the oil companies. When Reagan came into office he arrogantly removed Carter’s positive symbol of solar panels. In addition, Reagan encouraged less fuel efficiency, purchases of larger gas consuming vehicles, and gave tax breaks to anyone buying a vehicle weighing more than 6,000 pounds. People were economically encouraged to buy Hummers and other large SUV type vehicles.
John D. Rockefeller was one of the proponents of Prohibition because it would also outlaw Ethanol, which was a cleaner and renewable alternative to gasoline. Ford had engineered cars that were Ethanol friendly during the early mid-1900, but there was no fuel available due to Prohibition. Ethanol requires as much energy to produce as it can give off, not an efficient energy choice.
On the other hand Bio-Diesel is renewable, it only takes about one third as much energy to produce it as it provides, is renewable, non-polluting, and fuel efficient. Bio-Diesel can be made from waste water, garbage, bio-mass, certain weeds, and special “Macroflora” trees, and other renewable sources.
Scientists have been developing fast growing algae strains that will and are starting to become a major raw ingredient for Bio-Diesel. Algae fields can be installed next to many sewage treatment plants, and will feed on the waste water and carbon dioxide. Oil from algae may be also used in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics and less toxic fertilizers and pesticides.
The following are ten proactive things that we can do as a responsible citizen to reduce our dependency on non-renewable fossil fuels:
1. Take public transportation, ride a bike, walk, buy a hybrid, electric car, diesel car, and use sustainable fuels.
2. Lobby your governments to switch their vehicles over to sustainable and renewable fuels.
3. Buy wind generators or use wind energy providers.
4. Install solar or switch over to solar energy providers.
5. Invest in and encourage the use of sustainable solar, wind, and algae/biodiesel fuel providers.
6. Grow your own fruits and vegetables, or purchase locally grown produce.
7. Try to be carbon neutral. Stop using petroleum products. Eat lower on the food chain; meat is a very inefficient use of energy.
8. Turn off lights, HVAC, and appliances that are not in use.
9. Dig beneath the headlines, fact check, question mass media, corporate, and government propaganda.
10. Vote for “Non-Fossil Fuel” politicians who do not support oil and coal producers. Don’t be scared off by people saying it will cut employment.
Together we can reduce our dependency on the Military-Industrial-Petrochemical Complex.
You may visit Harvey’s Blog and leave comments at: http://harveysrantsraves.blogspot.com/
In 1981 the world reached peak oil production and reserves, with a steady decline since. The US consumes 25% of the world’s usage, but only has 2% of the world’s reserves. We consume 3 times as much oil as the Chinese, but only have a fraction of their population. Our military, the largest single user, consumes 6% to 8% of our national usage at 335,000 barrels per day. 80% of the world’s oil reserves lie within OPEC nations. Compared to Europe and other developed nations we have one of the most regressive energy and environmental policies
The major oil companies are large contributors to presidential and congressional political campaigns. In the last few years the oil companies contributed approximately $420 million per year to political PAC’s and politicians. Exxon contributed $60 million, Chevron $40 million, and BP $30 million. Is it any wonder that government policies greatly favor the oil companies, as opposed to what is best for our national energy policy, the environment, and our citizenry? The game is obviously rigged to favor the needs of the oil companies and not our nation as a whole.
Weeks before “9/11”, Dick Cheney held 40 secret meetings with the major oil producers to discuss and carve out who would be taking over what oil production in Iraq. Senate hearings were held to uncover this fraud, but Republican senators refused to allow oil exec’s to be questioned under oath. Another coincidence, the US Military has most of its military bases in Iraq proximate to the oil production and processing. Does anyone still have a question about the invasion of Iraq being primarily about oil and US Petro Dollars, or do they still subscribe to the myth that we invaded Iraq for WMD’s, ties to bin Laden, or that we wanted to deliver “Freedom and Liberation” to the Iraqi people?
As I have noted in previous articles our real defense costs, both direct and indirect, amount to $1.2 to $1.4 Trillion per year, or approximately 8 to 10% of our GDP. The primary purpose of our military is to support imperialistic operations that secure natural resources and assets for bankers and major corporations. In addition, there is a great deal of money to be made by military and engineering contractors, and bankers who finance the debt created by our excessive military spending. The US spends more for defense than all the combined military budgets of the developed nations. China spends approximately one twentieth of our defense budget on military expenditures.
Defense is not a “Sacred Cow”, do not be intimidated by “False Flag” events such as “9/11”, The Gulf of Tonkin, or Pearl Harbor, Do not act emotionally, but ask serious questions such as who is benefitting financially from any war. We go to war so “Fat Cat” special interests can benefit at the expense of the masses do to corporate greed.
Another issue that we are facing is an escalating trade imbalance which requires the “Fed” to print more and more money, and for us to become a large debtor nation to countries such as China. We have two choices to deal with this excessive debt, we can default and declare bankruptcy, or we can proceed as we have done on many fronts and send our military in to heist and plunder natural resources from other countries through our “Crony Capitalism” corporatocracy. Afghanistan is a perfect example of nation we can occupy and plunder for Lithium, Opium, and land to install a major trans-country gas pipeline. Other nations do not hate us for our freedoms, they actually like most Americans, but they loathe the barbaric imperialistic policies of our corrupt government and run away military. Imports from China are not the only culprit contributing to our trade deficits, oil imports contribute to 38% of our total trade imbalances.
European countries such as France, Germany, Sweden, and Norway have put in place long term sustainable energy plans that benefit the entire society, not just special interest groups. These countries reward, through tax incentives, sustainable energy usage. When Jimmy Carter came into office he installed solar panels on the White House roof, and put together a plan to reduce our energy usage by 25%. Carter was no big friend to the oil companies. When Reagan came into office he arrogantly removed Carter’s positive symbol of solar panels. In addition, Reagan encouraged less fuel efficiency, purchases of larger gas consuming vehicles, and gave tax breaks to anyone buying a vehicle weighing more than 6,000 pounds. People were economically encouraged to buy Hummers and other large SUV type vehicles.
John D. Rockefeller was one of the proponents of Prohibition because it would also outlaw Ethanol, which was a cleaner and renewable alternative to gasoline. Ford had engineered cars that were Ethanol friendly during the early mid-1900, but there was no fuel available due to Prohibition. Ethanol requires as much energy to produce as it can give off, not an efficient energy choice.
On the other hand Bio-Diesel is renewable, it only takes about one third as much energy to produce it as it provides, is renewable, non-polluting, and fuel efficient. Bio-Diesel can be made from waste water, garbage, bio-mass, certain weeds, and special “Macroflora” trees, and other renewable sources.
Scientists have been developing fast growing algae strains that will and are starting to become a major raw ingredient for Bio-Diesel. Algae fields can be installed next to many sewage treatment plants, and will feed on the waste water and carbon dioxide. Oil from algae may be also used in the manufacture of biodegradable plastics and less toxic fertilizers and pesticides.
The following are ten proactive things that we can do as a responsible citizen to reduce our dependency on non-renewable fossil fuels:
1. Take public transportation, ride a bike, walk, buy a hybrid, electric car, diesel car, and use sustainable fuels.
2. Lobby your governments to switch their vehicles over to sustainable and renewable fuels.
3. Buy wind generators or use wind energy providers.
4. Install solar or switch over to solar energy providers.
5. Invest in and encourage the use of sustainable solar, wind, and algae/biodiesel fuel providers.
6. Grow your own fruits and vegetables, or purchase locally grown produce.
7. Try to be carbon neutral. Stop using petroleum products. Eat lower on the food chain; meat is a very inefficient use of energy.
8. Turn off lights, HVAC, and appliances that are not in use.
9. Dig beneath the headlines, fact check, question mass media, corporate, and government propaganda.
10. Vote for “Non-Fossil Fuel” politicians who do not support oil and coal producers. Don’t be scared off by people saying it will cut employment.
Together we can reduce our dependency on the Military-Industrial-Petrochemical Complex.
You may visit Harvey’s Blog and leave comments at: http://harveysrantsraves.blogspot.com/
Saturday, November 13, 2010
9/11 an Enriching Business Plan
Putting aside the great loss and devastation to lives and families, one with no moral compass may easily see “9/11” as a tremendous business opportunity. “Corporate Cronyism” has created opportunities for men of means and political connections to high levels of government to conspire to create enriching opportunities for many stakeholders.
When the great banker Baron Rothschild said in the 18th century, "Buy when there's blood in the streets," he merely meant that anyone who had the means could snap up some big bargains in times of revolution and turmoil. Elevated profit opportunities are available when people are motivated by fear.
Through the following specific circumstances I will show how certain stakeholders profited from 9/11, and why 9/11 was a winning formula for a chosen few.
Twin Towers – WTC1 was 93% vacant, while WTC2 was 8% vacant, or an average of 50.5% vacancy for both towers on 9/11. Typically office buildings need to be 95% occupied to be relatively profitable. In addition, both towers had considerable asbestos fireproofing on the structural steel columns, beams, and decking undersides which necessitated removal. The previous owner of the WTC Towers was the Port Authority of NY. The “Port” conducted studies to remove the asbestos and demolish the two 110 story buildings that came in between 10 to 12 billion dollars. In conclusion the buildings had very poor occupancy, antiquated communications infrastructure, serious asbestos abatement issues which made them a perfect candidate for demolition.
Iraq Oil Reserves – Iraq has approximately 115 billion barrels of oil reserves making it 3nd only to Saudi Arabia and Iran in Middle East oil reserves. When Saddam Hussein nationalized the oil fields in 1972 and over 12 Trillion dollars in potential oil sales was taken out of the hands of major players such as BP and Shell. The UK’s Tony Blair with pressure from BP strongly supported taking back the nationalized oil fields. Today major oil companies are back in control thanks to the help of US military forces. Most of the US military bases are proximate to the oil fields.
Scrap Metal & Demolition Contractors - According to FEMA, more than 350,000 tons of scrap steel were extracted from Ground Zero and were hastily barged, or trucked to salvage yards where it was cut up for recycling. Four salvage yards were contracted to process the steel, sold for $120 ton instead of the going rate of $160.
Mass Media –Due to the drama, fear, and hysteria of this cataclysmic event, newspaper, magazine, television, and radio viewership increased, thereby increasing corporate sales of advertising. The major media are owned by General Electric, Viacom, Disney, Fox, AOL Time Warner, Cox, NY Times, Hearst, Gannett, and Scripps.
Propping Up the Dollar - In 2000 Saddam Hussein threatened to start selling oil for Euro Dollars instead of US Petro Dollars. This threat by Hussein was one of the major events that triggered the “9/11 invade Iraq” scenario. Other countries such as Iran and Venezuela would surely have followed suit with a change-over to trading in Euro Dollars that would have decimated the value of the American Dollar and caused untold economic hardships on the US.
Short Sale Options – One week prior to 9/11 there was an inordinate amount of Short Selling of AA, UAL, J.P. Morgan Co. stock. “Short Selling” is taking an option on a stock price falling, while having contracts in hand to sell at a higher price. The FBI did not disclose what hidden investors were involved in this very profitable economic move.
Major Insurance Proceeds – Larry Silverstein the major owner/lessee of the 3 WTC buildings received $500 million in net insurance proceeds from the Controlled Demolition of the buildings after paying off his obligations to “Port” and other stakeholders. The “Port” got back their original development investment of $370 million dollars approximately 10 times from their share of the insurance proceeds. Obviously netting approximately $3.4 billion was far better than having to pay out over $10 billion to demolish the two WTC “White Elephants”.
Homeland Security – There has been a tremendous increase in the sale of body scanners, CCTV systems, security service contracts, primarily in airports due to the alleged fears of potential terrorist activity. Some high level officials in government and related entities have been found to have heavily invested in security related companies.
Private War Contractors in the Middle East – The US has spent over $100 billion on mostly “No Bid, Cost Plus” contracts since 2003 in Iraq. The report, by the Congressional Budget Office, according to people with knowledge of its contents, will say that one out of every five dollars spent on the war in Iraq has gone to contractors for the United States military and other government agencies, in a war zone where employees of private contractors now outnumber American troops.
Unocal Gas Pipeline – The Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline being built from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India is being led by Unocal a Chevron subsidiary formed by a merger of the two companies. It is necessary that the US military has hegemony in the region to secure the route of 1,084 mile, $7.6 billion venture.
Capture of Afghan Poppy Fields – It is now common knowledge that the CIA has been a yearly world trafficker of illegal drugs such as Heroin that is derived from the largest grower of poppies, Afghanistan. It has been estimated that the clandestine drug market run by the CIA, and laundered through major US banks such as Citibank, J.P. Morgan, Chase, etc. is in the neighborhood of $500 billion to $1.5 trillion. This movement of cash helps to stabilize the U Dollar while providing large fees to offshore corporations, banks, and Wall Street.
Increased Debt & Sale of Treasury Notes – A large quantity of treasury notes and debt goes through major international banks. Wars create an opportunity for the banking community to profit on any debt and monetary flow that results from increased expenditures.
Profit on Defense Stocks - Defense and security stocks have become more popular and more valuable. Examples: Lockheed Martin Corp., General Dynamics Corp., Boeing Co., BEA Systems, Raytheon, etc. have all nearly doubled since 2001, while the S&P 500 only gained 25%
Gold Speculation - Gold prices spiked upwards, from $215.50 to $287 an ounce, or 33% on London trading the day of 9/11.
Oil Price Speculation – Gas prices have risen approximately 48% since 2001. Some economists conservatively attribute $10 per barrel premium on oil prices as a result of 9/11. The top oil companies have recorded over $100 billion in profits as a result of increased oil values and the recapture of nationalized oil reserves.
Currency Arbitrage – The value of the US Dollar took a temporary plunge on 9/11, giving holders of foreign currencies such as the Pound Sterling, Euro, Yen, Saudi Riyal, Rupee, and Yuan a perfect opportunity to buy US Dollars at a discount and then resell them at an appreciated rate at a near later date.
Evidence of Corporate Fraud Destroyed – With the Controlled Demolition of WTC7, tenants such as the SEC and FBI had all the important records relating to the investigations of such fraudulent corporate players such as Enron, Worldcom, Tyco, etc. destroyed so that further investigation was brought to a virtual standstill.
In conclusion 9/11 may have been an economic and human loss for some, but in the big picture, the “Fat Cats” laughed all the way to the bank. Do you know any investors, devoid of a moral compass, who would be willing to invest in the next “False Flag” event?
You may visit Harvey’s Blog and leave comments at: http://harveysrantsraves.blogspot.com/
When the great banker Baron Rothschild said in the 18th century, "Buy when there's blood in the streets," he merely meant that anyone who had the means could snap up some big bargains in times of revolution and turmoil. Elevated profit opportunities are available when people are motivated by fear.
Through the following specific circumstances I will show how certain stakeholders profited from 9/11, and why 9/11 was a winning formula for a chosen few.
Twin Towers – WTC1 was 93% vacant, while WTC2 was 8% vacant, or an average of 50.5% vacancy for both towers on 9/11. Typically office buildings need to be 95% occupied to be relatively profitable. In addition, both towers had considerable asbestos fireproofing on the structural steel columns, beams, and decking undersides which necessitated removal. The previous owner of the WTC Towers was the Port Authority of NY. The “Port” conducted studies to remove the asbestos and demolish the two 110 story buildings that came in between 10 to 12 billion dollars. In conclusion the buildings had very poor occupancy, antiquated communications infrastructure, serious asbestos abatement issues which made them a perfect candidate for demolition.
Iraq Oil Reserves – Iraq has approximately 115 billion barrels of oil reserves making it 3nd only to Saudi Arabia and Iran in Middle East oil reserves. When Saddam Hussein nationalized the oil fields in 1972 and over 12 Trillion dollars in potential oil sales was taken out of the hands of major players such as BP and Shell. The UK’s Tony Blair with pressure from BP strongly supported taking back the nationalized oil fields. Today major oil companies are back in control thanks to the help of US military forces. Most of the US military bases are proximate to the oil fields.
Scrap Metal & Demolition Contractors - According to FEMA, more than 350,000 tons of scrap steel were extracted from Ground Zero and were hastily barged, or trucked to salvage yards where it was cut up for recycling. Four salvage yards were contracted to process the steel, sold for $120 ton instead of the going rate of $160.
Mass Media –Due to the drama, fear, and hysteria of this cataclysmic event, newspaper, magazine, television, and radio viewership increased, thereby increasing corporate sales of advertising. The major media are owned by General Electric, Viacom, Disney, Fox, AOL Time Warner, Cox, NY Times, Hearst, Gannett, and Scripps.
Propping Up the Dollar - In 2000 Saddam Hussein threatened to start selling oil for Euro Dollars instead of US Petro Dollars. This threat by Hussein was one of the major events that triggered the “9/11 invade Iraq” scenario. Other countries such as Iran and Venezuela would surely have followed suit with a change-over to trading in Euro Dollars that would have decimated the value of the American Dollar and caused untold economic hardships on the US.
Short Sale Options – One week prior to 9/11 there was an inordinate amount of Short Selling of AA, UAL, J.P. Morgan Co. stock. “Short Selling” is taking an option on a stock price falling, while having contracts in hand to sell at a higher price. The FBI did not disclose what hidden investors were involved in this very profitable economic move.
Major Insurance Proceeds – Larry Silverstein the major owner/lessee of the 3 WTC buildings received $500 million in net insurance proceeds from the Controlled Demolition of the buildings after paying off his obligations to “Port” and other stakeholders. The “Port” got back their original development investment of $370 million dollars approximately 10 times from their share of the insurance proceeds. Obviously netting approximately $3.4 billion was far better than having to pay out over $10 billion to demolish the two WTC “White Elephants”.
Homeland Security – There has been a tremendous increase in the sale of body scanners, CCTV systems, security service contracts, primarily in airports due to the alleged fears of potential terrorist activity. Some high level officials in government and related entities have been found to have heavily invested in security related companies.
Private War Contractors in the Middle East – The US has spent over $100 billion on mostly “No Bid, Cost Plus” contracts since 2003 in Iraq. The report, by the Congressional Budget Office, according to people with knowledge of its contents, will say that one out of every five dollars spent on the war in Iraq has gone to contractors for the United States military and other government agencies, in a war zone where employees of private contractors now outnumber American troops.
Unocal Gas Pipeline – The Trans-Afghanistan Pipeline being built from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India is being led by Unocal a Chevron subsidiary formed by a merger of the two companies. It is necessary that the US military has hegemony in the region to secure the route of 1,084 mile, $7.6 billion venture.
Capture of Afghan Poppy Fields – It is now common knowledge that the CIA has been a yearly world trafficker of illegal drugs such as Heroin that is derived from the largest grower of poppies, Afghanistan. It has been estimated that the clandestine drug market run by the CIA, and laundered through major US banks such as Citibank, J.P. Morgan, Chase, etc. is in the neighborhood of $500 billion to $1.5 trillion. This movement of cash helps to stabilize the U Dollar while providing large fees to offshore corporations, banks, and Wall Street.
Increased Debt & Sale of Treasury Notes – A large quantity of treasury notes and debt goes through major international banks. Wars create an opportunity for the banking community to profit on any debt and monetary flow that results from increased expenditures.
Profit on Defense Stocks - Defense and security stocks have become more popular and more valuable. Examples: Lockheed Martin Corp., General Dynamics Corp., Boeing Co., BEA Systems, Raytheon, etc. have all nearly doubled since 2001, while the S&P 500 only gained 25%
Gold Speculation - Gold prices spiked upwards, from $215.50 to $287 an ounce, or 33% on London trading the day of 9/11.
Oil Price Speculation – Gas prices have risen approximately 48% since 2001. Some economists conservatively attribute $10 per barrel premium on oil prices as a result of 9/11. The top oil companies have recorded over $100 billion in profits as a result of increased oil values and the recapture of nationalized oil reserves.
Currency Arbitrage – The value of the US Dollar took a temporary plunge on 9/11, giving holders of foreign currencies such as the Pound Sterling, Euro, Yen, Saudi Riyal, Rupee, and Yuan a perfect opportunity to buy US Dollars at a discount and then resell them at an appreciated rate at a near later date.
Evidence of Corporate Fraud Destroyed – With the Controlled Demolition of WTC7, tenants such as the SEC and FBI had all the important records relating to the investigations of such fraudulent corporate players such as Enron, Worldcom, Tyco, etc. destroyed so that further investigation was brought to a virtual standstill.
In conclusion 9/11 may have been an economic and human loss for some, but in the big picture, the “Fat Cats” laughed all the way to the bank. Do you know any investors, devoid of a moral compass, who would be willing to invest in the next “False Flag” event?
You may visit Harvey’s Blog and leave comments at: http://harveysrantsraves.blogspot.com/
Sunday, November 7, 2010
God II- A product you can't live without
God II
“ A new and improved product that no one can live without”
We are very excited about this new amazing product that we have been given an exclusive North American franchise on from Whimsical Enterprises!
“The first 1 million lucky buyers will get this exclusive Real Believers package”
(please use the code word “Real Believer” to save hundreds on this offer)
Many of our buyers are touting this “New and Improved God II Version” over the previous “God Version” that people have been spending thousands of dollars for, for over 5,000 years
The New and Improved GOD II version has the following benefits:
• No more guilt over responsible sexual behavior before marriage
• No need to waste time sitting on hard cold seats in houses of worship listening to the same old boring sermons. Just login on your computer with your exclusive password and enjoy a wonderful cyber connection with GOD II, whenever you want 24/7.
• No more large yearly membership fees or tithing (Mormons really like this special feature)
• GOD II has no gender, the ladies and transgender people will really like this feature.
• One size fits all, no more feeling rejected, judged, or left out because you don’t believe in the correct god
• No more exposure of you or your family to sexual religious predators
• No more having to give up an “eye for an eye, or tooth for a tooth”
• Prayer time is cut by 50% giving you more time for fun sex and outdoor experiences in nature.
• Gay people really like this because they are considered normal and equal to everyone else.
• You receive a genuine embossed certificate signed by Mr. Madeup Ethereal, CEO of the Universe, with a 24 ct. gold embossed stamp and exclusive membership number, wallet membership card.
• No more cumbersome inflammable bibles, prayer books, or Torah scrolls, just down load to your I-Pad, Droid, or Kindle.
• GOD II encourages and mentors “Critical Thinking” skills.
Don’t be without this valuable and rewarding product, just go to: WWW.GODII.COM. Purchase online with a credit card, Paypal, bank wire transfer, or mail in a Cashier’s check for only $250 for a one year exclusive membership. After trying this product for the first 30 days you will be entitled to an exclusive lifetime membership for only $1,000. (10 day hold on personal checks before we can process your order). Also visit our Ebay Store: GODII for all.
Quantity discounts for groups, students, brain washed, and seniors.
Try our very popular add on product called: “Heavenly Delight’s”
Purchased separately “Heavenly Delights” is $100 for the year, or $500 for a lifetime membership.
Heavenly Delight’s exclusive benefits:
• Lifetime guarantee that how much you swear, steal, cheat, defraud, have kinky sex, murder, and oppress you will be entered into the Gates of Heaven upon your demise.
• You will receive our exclusive “No entry into Purgatory Shield” that is rated for fires up to 100,000 degrees Centigrade.
• A free Devil inhibitor Laser Gun (batteries not included).
Buy GODII and Heavenly Delights in the next 7 days, and receive an amazing value of $300 for both wonderful tried and proven products.
We have infinite ratings on Ebay and are proud members of the Better Business Bureau and Open Thinkers Foundation.
“If you loved the original product you will find GODII immensely improved”
Don’t leave home without it!
“ A new and improved product that no one can live without”
We are very excited about this new amazing product that we have been given an exclusive North American franchise on from Whimsical Enterprises!
“The first 1 million lucky buyers will get this exclusive Real Believers package”
(please use the code word “Real Believer” to save hundreds on this offer)
Many of our buyers are touting this “New and Improved God II Version” over the previous “God Version” that people have been spending thousands of dollars for, for over 5,000 years
The New and Improved GOD II version has the following benefits:
• No more guilt over responsible sexual behavior before marriage
• No need to waste time sitting on hard cold seats in houses of worship listening to the same old boring sermons. Just login on your computer with your exclusive password and enjoy a wonderful cyber connection with GOD II, whenever you want 24/7.
• No more large yearly membership fees or tithing (Mormons really like this special feature)
• GOD II has no gender, the ladies and transgender people will really like this feature.
• One size fits all, no more feeling rejected, judged, or left out because you don’t believe in the correct god
• No more exposure of you or your family to sexual religious predators
• No more having to give up an “eye for an eye, or tooth for a tooth”
• Prayer time is cut by 50% giving you more time for fun sex and outdoor experiences in nature.
• Gay people really like this because they are considered normal and equal to everyone else.
• You receive a genuine embossed certificate signed by Mr. Madeup Ethereal, CEO of the Universe, with a 24 ct. gold embossed stamp and exclusive membership number, wallet membership card.
• No more cumbersome inflammable bibles, prayer books, or Torah scrolls, just down load to your I-Pad, Droid, or Kindle.
• GOD II encourages and mentors “Critical Thinking” skills.
Don’t be without this valuable and rewarding product, just go to: WWW.GODII.COM. Purchase online with a credit card, Paypal, bank wire transfer, or mail in a Cashier’s check for only $250 for a one year exclusive membership. After trying this product for the first 30 days you will be entitled to an exclusive lifetime membership for only $1,000. (10 day hold on personal checks before we can process your order). Also visit our Ebay Store: GODII for all.
Quantity discounts for groups, students, brain washed, and seniors.
Try our very popular add on product called: “Heavenly Delight’s”
Purchased separately “Heavenly Delights” is $100 for the year, or $500 for a lifetime membership.
Heavenly Delight’s exclusive benefits:
• Lifetime guarantee that how much you swear, steal, cheat, defraud, have kinky sex, murder, and oppress you will be entered into the Gates of Heaven upon your demise.
• You will receive our exclusive “No entry into Purgatory Shield” that is rated for fires up to 100,000 degrees Centigrade.
• A free Devil inhibitor Laser Gun (batteries not included).
Buy GODII and Heavenly Delights in the next 7 days, and receive an amazing value of $300 for both wonderful tried and proven products.
We have infinite ratings on Ebay and are proud members of the Better Business Bureau and Open Thinkers Foundation.
“If you loved the original product you will find GODII immensely improved”
Don’t leave home without it!
Friday, October 22, 2010
If I become benign Emperor
Appeared in Benicia Herald 101/5/10:
In my humble opinion (is that an oxymoron), if I should be appointed emperor, I would need to have in place a detailed agenda of “To Do’s”. There is cliché that says that, “Success comes about when opportunity meets with preparation”. My first step is to prepare my agenda list as follows:
“Prop 13” would be repealed, as its original intent was to give seniors, who owned and occupied their homes a property tax break. All properties, commercial, industrial, religious, and residential would be appraised yearly at full market value. Those whose primary residence is occupied by them, would be income means tested based on the average of the last three years of income, both earned, unearned, and capital gains. This change would encourage home ownership and eliminate subsidies to the wealthy and long time property owners. The goal is to lower taxes on new owners and raise taxes on long time owners.
All personal relationship activities of consenting adults, including sexual, consenting prostitution, marriage, gender orientation, and behavioral would not come under any government regulations. Any of the above activity that resulted in non-consensual physical or emotional abuse would be controlled by existing statutory criminal laws.
All drugs would be legalized in concert with some government oversight, user education, and taxation. This change would greatly reduce costs in our penal system.
Capital punishment would be abolished, as studies have clearly proven that it falls unjustly on the poor and minorities, is non-reversible, is too costly for the taxpayers, and does not lower the murder rate. California savings estimated to be $138 million per year.
Repeal all agricultural subsidies. Farming is now big corporate business. Primarily subsidizing corn, sugar cane, wheat, soy, and other grains promotes the use of unhealthy sugar intake and prepared foods. Farming is a business, and in our capitalistic system should compete based on healthy competition and good business practices.
Do no try to outlaw guns, as this is an unrealistic and unfair expectation. People who are able to prove the safe handling and storage of guns should not be penalized for the unlawful or irresponsible behavior of others. Having guns for target practice or responsible hunting for food is not unreasonable. People should not be allowed to own automatic weaponry, hand grenades, and other military ordinance, unless it has been made inoperable for collection purposes.
The tax exempt status of religious institutions would be repealed. Tax exemptions are a subsidy to a special interest class that does not include agnostics, atheists, and others who do not pay to belong to religious organizations. To the extent that religious institutions perform charity work, they would receive the same tax benefits of other non-profit benevolent organizations. Religion serves no higher benefit to society than yoga, meditation, personal growth therapy, belonging to a gym, traveling in nature, going to a spiritual retreat, or visiting a wilderness in Hawaii.
Any politician at the local, state, or national level who receives a campaign contribution from a special interest group would be punishable as a federal offense to vote on an issue involving the special interest. The offending politician would be subject to fines, and public service.
At the basic level for profit health insurance companies would be replaced by many non-profit companies that could compete nationally. There would be a requirement that companies could not merge if it decreased the competition base. Drugs and medical equipment could be purchased internationally, with quality oversight, in order to bring down prices.
The inheritance tax would be progressive. Inheritance is not an important skill in the national interest such as intellect, hard work, capital, and labor. Billionaires such as Buffet, Turner, and Gates do not believe that building of continuing wealthy family dynasties is in the best public interest.
A transparent and open media is essential to a healthy democracy. National media outlets being owned by a half dozen multi-lateral corporations is not in the public interest. Major corporations such as Viacom, Disney, News Corporation, GE, Disney, AOL Time Warner would be required to divest themselves of major media outlets that created a monopoly on information.
Independent journalists would have complete access to all government spending and government operations information. It would be the full responsibility of the government to prove that keeping particular information classified would be in the national interest.
Government employees could belong to unions without the ability to strike. Teachers would be paid based on merit, and tenure would be modified. Governments would be required to sub-contract out services such as security, public works, and grounds/building maintenance on an open bid basis. Government workers, because of better job security could only receive 90% of the average prevailing wages.
The government would have to be totally transparent about any incidences of False Flag events such as 911. It would be the government’s responsibility, not the public’s, to prove that there was no malfeasance related to any actions that involved the public security or fiscal expenditures.
There would be no bailouts of private companies. Banks and financial institutions would be regulated so that they had to be totally transparent and not too big to fail. All consumer borrowing would require that buyer be made totally aware of all the potential risks, and would be required to sign off on each risk.
The Federal Reserve being an integral part of our financial system would be required to be totally transparent to the public.
Men and women who are financially irresponsible and abusive, who continue to create children, would be required to have birth control implants that would render them infertile until they could show a history of parental responsibility.
Corporations would be limited as to their ability to contribute to political campaigns. It is not in the public interest to concentrate so much power in the hands of a few large entities.
There would be no job discrimination privately, publicly, or militarily based on race, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation.
Startup small businesses that are R&D related, would receive extra tax credits for successful innovation.
A long term plan would be put in place to phase out fossil burning fuels.
Any laws that supported “Crony Capitalism” would be abolished. Government officials would be personally liable for handing out special conflict of interest contracts.
Issues involving civil and human rights would be decided by the judiciary, as history has proven that electorate is too ignorant, fearful, and uneducated to decide how the fair rights of minority groups should be determined.
If you have items you would like to add to the above, please send them to the “Letters to the Editor”.
Harvey is a Benicia businessman. You may visit Harvey’s Blog and leave comments at: http://harveysrantsraves.blogspot.com/
In my humble opinion (is that an oxymoron), if I should be appointed emperor, I would need to have in place a detailed agenda of “To Do’s”. There is cliché that says that, “Success comes about when opportunity meets with preparation”. My first step is to prepare my agenda list as follows:
“Prop 13” would be repealed, as its original intent was to give seniors, who owned and occupied their homes a property tax break. All properties, commercial, industrial, religious, and residential would be appraised yearly at full market value. Those whose primary residence is occupied by them, would be income means tested based on the average of the last three years of income, both earned, unearned, and capital gains. This change would encourage home ownership and eliminate subsidies to the wealthy and long time property owners. The goal is to lower taxes on new owners and raise taxes on long time owners.
All personal relationship activities of consenting adults, including sexual, consenting prostitution, marriage, gender orientation, and behavioral would not come under any government regulations. Any of the above activity that resulted in non-consensual physical or emotional abuse would be controlled by existing statutory criminal laws.
All drugs would be legalized in concert with some government oversight, user education, and taxation. This change would greatly reduce costs in our penal system.
Capital punishment would be abolished, as studies have clearly proven that it falls unjustly on the poor and minorities, is non-reversible, is too costly for the taxpayers, and does not lower the murder rate. California savings estimated to be $138 million per year.
Repeal all agricultural subsidies. Farming is now big corporate business. Primarily subsidizing corn, sugar cane, wheat, soy, and other grains promotes the use of unhealthy sugar intake and prepared foods. Farming is a business, and in our capitalistic system should compete based on healthy competition and good business practices.
Do no try to outlaw guns, as this is an unrealistic and unfair expectation. People who are able to prove the safe handling and storage of guns should not be penalized for the unlawful or irresponsible behavior of others. Having guns for target practice or responsible hunting for food is not unreasonable. People should not be allowed to own automatic weaponry, hand grenades, and other military ordinance, unless it has been made inoperable for collection purposes.
The tax exempt status of religious institutions would be repealed. Tax exemptions are a subsidy to a special interest class that does not include agnostics, atheists, and others who do not pay to belong to religious organizations. To the extent that religious institutions perform charity work, they would receive the same tax benefits of other non-profit benevolent organizations. Religion serves no higher benefit to society than yoga, meditation, personal growth therapy, belonging to a gym, traveling in nature, going to a spiritual retreat, or visiting a wilderness in Hawaii.
Any politician at the local, state, or national level who receives a campaign contribution from a special interest group would be punishable as a federal offense to vote on an issue involving the special interest. The offending politician would be subject to fines, and public service.
At the basic level for profit health insurance companies would be replaced by many non-profit companies that could compete nationally. There would be a requirement that companies could not merge if it decreased the competition base. Drugs and medical equipment could be purchased internationally, with quality oversight, in order to bring down prices.
The inheritance tax would be progressive. Inheritance is not an important skill in the national interest such as intellect, hard work, capital, and labor. Billionaires such as Buffet, Turner, and Gates do not believe that building of continuing wealthy family dynasties is in the best public interest.
A transparent and open media is essential to a healthy democracy. National media outlets being owned by a half dozen multi-lateral corporations is not in the public interest. Major corporations such as Viacom, Disney, News Corporation, GE, Disney, AOL Time Warner would be required to divest themselves of major media outlets that created a monopoly on information.
Independent journalists would have complete access to all government spending and government operations information. It would be the full responsibility of the government to prove that keeping particular information classified would be in the national interest.
Government employees could belong to unions without the ability to strike. Teachers would be paid based on merit, and tenure would be modified. Governments would be required to sub-contract out services such as security, public works, and grounds/building maintenance on an open bid basis. Government workers, because of better job security could only receive 90% of the average prevailing wages.
The government would have to be totally transparent about any incidences of False Flag events such as 911. It would be the government’s responsibility, not the public’s, to prove that there was no malfeasance related to any actions that involved the public security or fiscal expenditures.
There would be no bailouts of private companies. Banks and financial institutions would be regulated so that they had to be totally transparent and not too big to fail. All consumer borrowing would require that buyer be made totally aware of all the potential risks, and would be required to sign off on each risk.
The Federal Reserve being an integral part of our financial system would be required to be totally transparent to the public.
Men and women who are financially irresponsible and abusive, who continue to create children, would be required to have birth control implants that would render them infertile until they could show a history of parental responsibility.
Corporations would be limited as to their ability to contribute to political campaigns. It is not in the public interest to concentrate so much power in the hands of a few large entities.
There would be no job discrimination privately, publicly, or militarily based on race, gender, nationality, or sexual orientation.
Startup small businesses that are R&D related, would receive extra tax credits for successful innovation.
A long term plan would be put in place to phase out fossil burning fuels.
Any laws that supported “Crony Capitalism” would be abolished. Government officials would be personally liable for handing out special conflict of interest contracts.
Issues involving civil and human rights would be decided by the judiciary, as history has proven that electorate is too ignorant, fearful, and uneducated to decide how the fair rights of minority groups should be determined.
If you have items you would like to add to the above, please send them to the “Letters to the Editor”.
Harvey is a Benicia businessman. You may visit Harvey’s Blog and leave comments at: http://harveysrantsraves.blogspot.com/
The Symbolism and Substance of Patriotism
Appeared in Benicia Herald 10/12/10:
How does each one of us choose to view and understand Patriotism? What is a Patriot? Who is a Patriot, and who is a traitor? What must I do to act patriotically? Do I use the words to make myself appear to be superior to others? If I say I am a Patriot, or act Patriotically, does that confer special rights on me that should not be enjoyed by one who is not seen as a Patriot? Do I view my Patriotism in terms of my caring and empathy for people, or do I see the words in abstract symbolic terms.
The dictionary defines Patriotism as “Love or devotion to ones country”. Patriotic is defined as “Inspired by Patriotism”. A Patriot is, “One who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests”. Patriotism, Nationalism, and loyalty are interchangeable words for many of us. The definition of loyalty is, “Unswerving in allegiance; faithful in allegiance to ones sovereign or government; faithful to a law, custom, ideal, institution, or product”. Analyzing each of the above definitions brings up many questions about Patriotism and loyalty for me.
The politically opportunistic and dangerous Senator Joseph McCarthy misused the word “Patriotism” as a tool to gain power, squash those who disagreed with him, and to further his ominous political career. Using the word “Patriotism” as a tool of power, to oppress free thought and dissent, incarcerate without “Due Process”, and to torture and kill is no more patriotic then if one acted as the despotic traitor themselves.
I feel patriotic when I perform acts of service. I believe that acts of service, performed on a one to one basis, volunteering locally or nationally, or unconditional giving of one’s self to another is the highest form of Patriotism. Patriotism should serve to benefit and support those in need and our peers, not to enrich and further and empower the mega wealthy, or to support further acts of violence and corruption by our government.
As a wise, self serving, and practical choice, I choose to be “Conditionally Patriotic”, as I did not know there was any other moral or intelligent choice. Thomas Jefferson said, “Dissent is the highest form of Patriotism”. Why do governments try to suppress free expression, transparency in the media, and dissatisfaction with so called benign mandates of government that oppress the people? According to Jefferson, governments that suppress dissent and freedom of thought are discouraging true Patriotism. “Blind unconditional Patriotism” and “Blind Love” can be both equally damaging to the believer. Loyalty or Patriotism usually serves the master, but most times does not best serve the slave, follower, or loyal citizen.
One of the greatest symbols of Patriotism, acting Patriotic, or being a Patriot is seen by many of us as how we perceive “Old Glory”. There are realities of the flag and myths about the flag. Some of the realities are that it’s a piece of rectangular of cloth, dyed in three colors that people like to salute, or display at parades, government buildings, or just wave around. Another reality is that some of us receive a warm fuzzy feeling in our souls when we salute or view the flag. Quite frankly it matters not to me, if people salute the flag in admiration, or burn it in protest, because they are both symbolic acts of little substance.
Dying for ones country is sometimes seen as a Patriotic act. There is something about the adrenalin rush and macho chest beating energy that makes some of us feel very Patriotic when our country goes to war. The last great example of the above is our invasion of Iraq, when 89% of us so called Patriotic Americans believed we were doing the right thing to bring Hussein down, fight terrorists, and free the Iraqi people. The thought of hundreds of thousands of innocent dead Iraqi adults and children, thousands of our own people left dead, a country left in mass destruction, and civil wars, does not reinforce my feelings of Patriotism. After seven years of war in the Middle East, that Patriotic feeling that most of once felt has diminished and been replaced by shame, anger, and resentment that the leaders of our country lied to us. It is difficult for me to feel Patriotic for the reason that we invaded Iraq was for over a hundred billion barrels of oil reserves and to preserve the value of the dollar. Hussein threatened to start trading oil in Euro’s instead of dollars. I cannot feel Patriotic knowing that we caused the death and destruction, because we valued greed more than life.
Trusting and not questioning our government is sometimes seen as acting Patriotic. I believe that Patriotism is tied into the myth of the patriarchal father, who is all knowing, righteous, infinitely wise, and always acting in our best interests. Some of us also fall for this myth in our families, religious institutions, places of employment, and dangerously, or many times our corrupt government leaders. Sometimes the words loyalty and Patriotism are interchangeable. Mark Twain aptly said, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it". The point I am trying to make is that the wise person should exercise conditional loyalty or Patriotism.
Saying, “We are the best country in the world”, in an omnipotent superior fashion sometimes invokes feelings of superiority and Patriotism, but it may also backfire on us. The above statement if said in arrogance or boasting, may also invoke feelings of resentment and hatred by those people in other countries, and specifically where our foreign policy has been violent, imperialistic, and disrespectful of the indigenous people.
“Support our Troops” can be seen as another act of Patriotism, or maybe just an abstraction that does little for the well being of our troops, but makes us feel that we are doing our part for the Patriotic war effort. It is a nice gesture to affix a yellow ribbon “Support our troops” magnet or decal to ones car, and its makes the person displaying the symbol feel as if they are doing their patriotic duty. In reality, if we are truly patriotic in substance, and not in symbolism, whenever the “War Drums” start to beat we should ask serious questions of our leaders, not trust that they are acting in our best interests, loudly protest, and collectively threaten to withhold our tax dollars and votes for the pending war effort. Let’s support our troops by making sure that they have proper armor in the battlefield, adequate physical and mental health care for them and their families, financial support for their families, and a respectable job when they return from combat. Lastly let’s have societal support for our homeless vets. Supporting our troops in substance is not putting them in harm’s way in the first place, so that rich and powerful “Fat Cats” may profit on the bodies and lives of young idealistic and innocent young men and women who justly believe that they are doing their patriotic duty.
So next time we feel that we need be patriotic, act patriotically, or say what should be patriotic, we should give serious thoughts to how the act of Patriotism will benefit our fellow man, or enrich a “Fat Cat”, or just give us a short lived adrenalin rush.
Harvey is a Benicia businessman. You may visit Harvey’s Blog and leave comments at: http://harveysrantsraves.blogspot.com/
How does each one of us choose to view and understand Patriotism? What is a Patriot? Who is a Patriot, and who is a traitor? What must I do to act patriotically? Do I use the words to make myself appear to be superior to others? If I say I am a Patriot, or act Patriotically, does that confer special rights on me that should not be enjoyed by one who is not seen as a Patriot? Do I view my Patriotism in terms of my caring and empathy for people, or do I see the words in abstract symbolic terms.
The dictionary defines Patriotism as “Love or devotion to ones country”. Patriotic is defined as “Inspired by Patriotism”. A Patriot is, “One who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests”. Patriotism, Nationalism, and loyalty are interchangeable words for many of us. The definition of loyalty is, “Unswerving in allegiance; faithful in allegiance to ones sovereign or government; faithful to a law, custom, ideal, institution, or product”. Analyzing each of the above definitions brings up many questions about Patriotism and loyalty for me.
The politically opportunistic and dangerous Senator Joseph McCarthy misused the word “Patriotism” as a tool to gain power, squash those who disagreed with him, and to further his ominous political career. Using the word “Patriotism” as a tool of power, to oppress free thought and dissent, incarcerate without “Due Process”, and to torture and kill is no more patriotic then if one acted as the despotic traitor themselves.
I feel patriotic when I perform acts of service. I believe that acts of service, performed on a one to one basis, volunteering locally or nationally, or unconditional giving of one’s self to another is the highest form of Patriotism. Patriotism should serve to benefit and support those in need and our peers, not to enrich and further and empower the mega wealthy, or to support further acts of violence and corruption by our government.
As a wise, self serving, and practical choice, I choose to be “Conditionally Patriotic”, as I did not know there was any other moral or intelligent choice. Thomas Jefferson said, “Dissent is the highest form of Patriotism”. Why do governments try to suppress free expression, transparency in the media, and dissatisfaction with so called benign mandates of government that oppress the people? According to Jefferson, governments that suppress dissent and freedom of thought are discouraging true Patriotism. “Blind unconditional Patriotism” and “Blind Love” can be both equally damaging to the believer. Loyalty or Patriotism usually serves the master, but most times does not best serve the slave, follower, or loyal citizen.
One of the greatest symbols of Patriotism, acting Patriotic, or being a Patriot is seen by many of us as how we perceive “Old Glory”. There are realities of the flag and myths about the flag. Some of the realities are that it’s a piece of rectangular of cloth, dyed in three colors that people like to salute, or display at parades, government buildings, or just wave around. Another reality is that some of us receive a warm fuzzy feeling in our souls when we salute or view the flag. Quite frankly it matters not to me, if people salute the flag in admiration, or burn it in protest, because they are both symbolic acts of little substance.
Dying for ones country is sometimes seen as a Patriotic act. There is something about the adrenalin rush and macho chest beating energy that makes some of us feel very Patriotic when our country goes to war. The last great example of the above is our invasion of Iraq, when 89% of us so called Patriotic Americans believed we were doing the right thing to bring Hussein down, fight terrorists, and free the Iraqi people. The thought of hundreds of thousands of innocent dead Iraqi adults and children, thousands of our own people left dead, a country left in mass destruction, and civil wars, does not reinforce my feelings of Patriotism. After seven years of war in the Middle East, that Patriotic feeling that most of once felt has diminished and been replaced by shame, anger, and resentment that the leaders of our country lied to us. It is difficult for me to feel Patriotic for the reason that we invaded Iraq was for over a hundred billion barrels of oil reserves and to preserve the value of the dollar. Hussein threatened to start trading oil in Euro’s instead of dollars. I cannot feel Patriotic knowing that we caused the death and destruction, because we valued greed more than life.
Trusting and not questioning our government is sometimes seen as acting Patriotic. I believe that Patriotism is tied into the myth of the patriarchal father, who is all knowing, righteous, infinitely wise, and always acting in our best interests. Some of us also fall for this myth in our families, religious institutions, places of employment, and dangerously, or many times our corrupt government leaders. Sometimes the words loyalty and Patriotism are interchangeable. Mark Twain aptly said, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it". The point I am trying to make is that the wise person should exercise conditional loyalty or Patriotism.
Saying, “We are the best country in the world”, in an omnipotent superior fashion sometimes invokes feelings of superiority and Patriotism, but it may also backfire on us. The above statement if said in arrogance or boasting, may also invoke feelings of resentment and hatred by those people in other countries, and specifically where our foreign policy has been violent, imperialistic, and disrespectful of the indigenous people.
“Support our Troops” can be seen as another act of Patriotism, or maybe just an abstraction that does little for the well being of our troops, but makes us feel that we are doing our part for the Patriotic war effort. It is a nice gesture to affix a yellow ribbon “Support our troops” magnet or decal to ones car, and its makes the person displaying the symbol feel as if they are doing their patriotic duty. In reality, if we are truly patriotic in substance, and not in symbolism, whenever the “War Drums” start to beat we should ask serious questions of our leaders, not trust that they are acting in our best interests, loudly protest, and collectively threaten to withhold our tax dollars and votes for the pending war effort. Let’s support our troops by making sure that they have proper armor in the battlefield, adequate physical and mental health care for them and their families, financial support for their families, and a respectable job when they return from combat. Lastly let’s have societal support for our homeless vets. Supporting our troops in substance is not putting them in harm’s way in the first place, so that rich and powerful “Fat Cats” may profit on the bodies and lives of young idealistic and innocent young men and women who justly believe that they are doing their patriotic duty.
So next time we feel that we need be patriotic, act patriotically, or say what should be patriotic, we should give serious thoughts to how the act of Patriotism will benefit our fellow man, or enrich a “Fat Cat”, or just give us a short lived adrenalin rush.
Harvey is a Benicia businessman. You may visit Harvey’s Blog and leave comments at: http://harveysrantsraves.blogspot.com/
Are Governments Credible Witnesses?
Appeared in Benicia Hearald 10/19/10:
So why is that we have so little trust in the credibility of government? Should we be shocked to find out that governments have much the same character failings as individuals, but only to a much greater extent? Sometimes truths about our patriarchal institutions are uncomfortable to digest emotionally, and do not satisfy that child like need to feel “Warm and Fuzzy”. No matter how painful, I always opt for the truth over safe short term deception or myth. Most deceptions ultimately reveal their ugly faces, but the truths live on through eternity.
Typically the type of people who enter the higher levels of government are motivated by power, a need to be recognized, sometimes wanting to perform good for society, and to ride on the financial perks that politics offers, both openly and clandestinely. So when we voice our dissatisfaction about government, we are really expressing our thoughts and feelings about the people who structure themselves into the organization we call government. Many times it is not even the government leaders who are the architects of misdeeds, but their financial backers behind the curtains. Our human nature as Americans is that we want to believe that we are always the “Good Guys” and never have greedy or imperialistic motives for what our government does in own country or other countries.
Many times people in government rationalize their lies by saying, “It is in the security interest of our country that we keep the truth from you”. For example, “The American people do not need to see pictures of dead soldiers coming back in body bags and coffins”. What the military really fears is that their support for an unjustified war will be withheld.
The following is according to TruthAboutDeception.com.: So why do people lie? People lie every day. They learn how to lie early in life, and continue lying their entire lives. A person may lie to protect or enrich himself, and in an attempt to control life, or to avoid accountability. Evidence suggests that most people learn to lie at a very early age. Starting at about three, children will lie to avoid getting into trouble. By age five, when it comes to dodging punishment, most kids are expert liars. Parents teach children how to tell these white lies early in life. For example, “Tell Aunt Betty she looks great in those jeans.” It is natural for people to lie to protect themselves and cover for their mistakes. But covering for someone else is a little more of a stretch and requires a little more practice. But by the time most people are adults, lying is second nature.
Wiki leaks are a useful blog for revealing the perjurious behavior of militaries and governments. Governments try to shut down “Wiki” by saying that “Wiki” endangers soldiers. That is a fallacious defense by our government, because if government was so concerned about the well being of our people in uniform they would question the motives of sending them into warfare in the first place.
We were told that the reason we invaded Iraq was to “Free and Liberate” the people from Saddam Hussein and destroy weapons of mass destruction. Now how would it play out in the hearts and souls of the masses if they were honestly told that the US invaded Iraq to denationalize the oil production, and put it back in the hands of private corporations, owned primarily by US and UK mega corporations? In addition, Hussein wanted to start trading oil in Euro’s which would do a lot to destabilize our US dollar even further. We as Americans would then look like “Big greedy bad guy bullies” if the truth be told. In reality people in other nations sometimes despise us and our allies for how we behave around the world, not for our internal lifestyles.
The human emotional mind many times rules over the logical intellectual mind as a means to protect us from uncomfortable realities of life. We want to believe that our government leaders are honest, moral, transparent, and keep their promises. History has proven that many times our government leaders deceive us by manipulating the truth, withholding important information, or using mass media PR and spin to manifest their deception. Unfortunately, many times the consequences of powerful people lying in government are injury, death, destruction, and financial ruin.
For those who are still stuck in their safe cocoon of denial about our government being the “Good Daddy” that we need and fantasize about, I will cite some of the following examples of our government being a perjuring and deceitful witness:
• Gulf Of Tonkin: Fictitious report of a North Vietnamese attack to justify a mass escalation of the Vietnam War.
• Pearl Harbor: Suppression of multiple warnings and information sources about an impending possible attack by the Japanese in order to induce America into WWII.
• Illegal Bombing of Cambodia: Directed by Kissinger, McNamara, and Nixon that killed 2 million innocent civilians that was uncovered by Daniel Ellsberg in the Pentagon Papers.
• 9/11: The true conspirators are the US government, not 19 Muslim terrorists. The “9/11 Commission Report” was a major cover up orchestrated by Philip Zelikow, a Bush loyalist and Executive Director of the “9/11 Commission” who controlled the investigation and report writing and purposely left out major evidence and information that would lead to the true cause and effect of 9/11.
There are those who refuse to accept the realities of the above lies, but if one is truly interested in finding out the uncomfortable truth, it is readily out there for your investigation. If one uncovers facts about our government that are detrimental to society does that make one unpatriotic? Nazi propaganda specialist J. Goebbels said, "Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for a lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger"
Some of my fellow American’s accuse me of being unpatriotic, because I question the integrity and moral choices of our government leaders. If a citizen witnesses a bank robbery and brings the criminals to the attention of the law enforcement authorities that person would be seen as community hero. On the other hand if an individual or group calls out breaches of government integrity, military mass killing of civilians, or questions the leadership status quo they are sometimes demonized as being unpatriotic citizens or “America Haters”.
The archetype of the Patriarchal “Good and Kind” father myth causes some people to go into denial about family members, clergy, spouses, and government leaders. People in general always want to feel that they are a member of the best nation, and will obscure their reality to make the myth so. I believe that any person who truly studies our American history from a dispassionate point of view will clearly find that both Democrat and Republican high level leaders in our government have lied to us on many occasions. No country is immune from corruption, barbarianism, and deceit. We can show our continued patriotism by being vigilant activist watchdogs of our high level civilian and military leaders, and hopefully move government to be a credible witness in the court of its citizenry.
You may visit Harvey’s Blog and leave comments at: http://harveysrantsraves.blogspot.com/
So why is that we have so little trust in the credibility of government? Should we be shocked to find out that governments have much the same character failings as individuals, but only to a much greater extent? Sometimes truths about our patriarchal institutions are uncomfortable to digest emotionally, and do not satisfy that child like need to feel “Warm and Fuzzy”. No matter how painful, I always opt for the truth over safe short term deception or myth. Most deceptions ultimately reveal their ugly faces, but the truths live on through eternity.
Typically the type of people who enter the higher levels of government are motivated by power, a need to be recognized, sometimes wanting to perform good for society, and to ride on the financial perks that politics offers, both openly and clandestinely. So when we voice our dissatisfaction about government, we are really expressing our thoughts and feelings about the people who structure themselves into the organization we call government. Many times it is not even the government leaders who are the architects of misdeeds, but their financial backers behind the curtains. Our human nature as Americans is that we want to believe that we are always the “Good Guys” and never have greedy or imperialistic motives for what our government does in own country or other countries.
Many times people in government rationalize their lies by saying, “It is in the security interest of our country that we keep the truth from you”. For example, “The American people do not need to see pictures of dead soldiers coming back in body bags and coffins”. What the military really fears is that their support for an unjustified war will be withheld.
The following is according to TruthAboutDeception.com.: So why do people lie? People lie every day. They learn how to lie early in life, and continue lying their entire lives. A person may lie to protect or enrich himself, and in an attempt to control life, or to avoid accountability. Evidence suggests that most people learn to lie at a very early age. Starting at about three, children will lie to avoid getting into trouble. By age five, when it comes to dodging punishment, most kids are expert liars. Parents teach children how to tell these white lies early in life. For example, “Tell Aunt Betty she looks great in those jeans.” It is natural for people to lie to protect themselves and cover for their mistakes. But covering for someone else is a little more of a stretch and requires a little more practice. But by the time most people are adults, lying is second nature.
Wiki leaks are a useful blog for revealing the perjurious behavior of militaries and governments. Governments try to shut down “Wiki” by saying that “Wiki” endangers soldiers. That is a fallacious defense by our government, because if government was so concerned about the well being of our people in uniform they would question the motives of sending them into warfare in the first place.
We were told that the reason we invaded Iraq was to “Free and Liberate” the people from Saddam Hussein and destroy weapons of mass destruction. Now how would it play out in the hearts and souls of the masses if they were honestly told that the US invaded Iraq to denationalize the oil production, and put it back in the hands of private corporations, owned primarily by US and UK mega corporations? In addition, Hussein wanted to start trading oil in Euro’s which would do a lot to destabilize our US dollar even further. We as Americans would then look like “Big greedy bad guy bullies” if the truth be told. In reality people in other nations sometimes despise us and our allies for how we behave around the world, not for our internal lifestyles.
The human emotional mind many times rules over the logical intellectual mind as a means to protect us from uncomfortable realities of life. We want to believe that our government leaders are honest, moral, transparent, and keep their promises. History has proven that many times our government leaders deceive us by manipulating the truth, withholding important information, or using mass media PR and spin to manifest their deception. Unfortunately, many times the consequences of powerful people lying in government are injury, death, destruction, and financial ruin.
For those who are still stuck in their safe cocoon of denial about our government being the “Good Daddy” that we need and fantasize about, I will cite some of the following examples of our government being a perjuring and deceitful witness:
• Gulf Of Tonkin: Fictitious report of a North Vietnamese attack to justify a mass escalation of the Vietnam War.
• Pearl Harbor: Suppression of multiple warnings and information sources about an impending possible attack by the Japanese in order to induce America into WWII.
• Illegal Bombing of Cambodia: Directed by Kissinger, McNamara, and Nixon that killed 2 million innocent civilians that was uncovered by Daniel Ellsberg in the Pentagon Papers.
• 9/11: The true conspirators are the US government, not 19 Muslim terrorists. The “9/11 Commission Report” was a major cover up orchestrated by Philip Zelikow, a Bush loyalist and Executive Director of the “9/11 Commission” who controlled the investigation and report writing and purposely left out major evidence and information that would lead to the true cause and effect of 9/11.
There are those who refuse to accept the realities of the above lies, but if one is truly interested in finding out the uncomfortable truth, it is readily out there for your investigation. If one uncovers facts about our government that are detrimental to society does that make one unpatriotic? Nazi propaganda specialist J. Goebbels said, "Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for a lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger"
Some of my fellow American’s accuse me of being unpatriotic, because I question the integrity and moral choices of our government leaders. If a citizen witnesses a bank robbery and brings the criminals to the attention of the law enforcement authorities that person would be seen as community hero. On the other hand if an individual or group calls out breaches of government integrity, military mass killing of civilians, or questions the leadership status quo they are sometimes demonized as being unpatriotic citizens or “America Haters”.
The archetype of the Patriarchal “Good and Kind” father myth causes some people to go into denial about family members, clergy, spouses, and government leaders. People in general always want to feel that they are a member of the best nation, and will obscure their reality to make the myth so. I believe that any person who truly studies our American history from a dispassionate point of view will clearly find that both Democrat and Republican high level leaders in our government have lied to us on many occasions. No country is immune from corruption, barbarianism, and deceit. We can show our continued patriotism by being vigilant activist watchdogs of our high level civilian and military leaders, and hopefully move government to be a credible witness in the court of its citizenry.
You may visit Harvey’s Blog and leave comments at: http://harveysrantsraves.blogspot.com/
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Muslim bashing is part of our war strategy
If one researches history of the inception of most nation state conflicts, one will find a manufactured enemy to substantiate a war. An aggressor country always needs a perceived enemy to get its people into alignment to support its government for an invasion. In some cases where there is some disagreement in ideology, or in most cases if the invading country needs to capture land or resources, propaganda programs must be disseminated, and ultimately a “False Flag” event must occur to act as the warring catalyst. The U.S. has been the most popular player and expert in this, “Lets blame and demonize so we can invade” game. Many other countries in the past have also used the above PR strategy to get their people in lock step to support a war.
Please bear in mind that in most instances a countries military industrial complex sees any conflict as an opportunity for military officer’s rapid advancement, and major increased sales of military hardware. High ranking officers are usually the military personnel who do not endure many casualties. International bankers then have an opportunity to make large profits on interest baring loans and bonds that are sure to be paid back.
Going back to the period of “Manifest Destiny” and the expansion of the railroads across America, expanding settlers and the US Cavalry slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Native Americans. In order to rationalize their slaughter, we found it necessary to label them as an enemy, then we had to label them sub-human and uncivilized. Using this inhumane rationale, because they were inferior or equivalent to wild animals we could support killing and exterminating them. This mass murder was really about taking away land that they held for thousands of years so that our peoples of European decent could have the land at little or no cost.
In 1973, military units in Chile attacked key government installations and overthrow the democratically-elected government of Salvador Allende Gossens. This coup, which brought the repressive regime of Augusto Pinochet to power, was in large part the product of pressure and planning by American corporate and political leaders. Allende was elected in 1970 as the candidate of the Popular Unity Party with the support of the Socialist and Communist Parties. He was thus freely elected and a man of the Left, which for U.S. leaders was their worst-case scenario.
Harold Geneen, CEO of ITT Corporation, a conglomerate that owned vast copper and other non-ferrous metal assets in Chile were concerned about the newly elected democratic government headed by Allende. Geneen contacted his friend Henry Kissinger who had our CIA set up a covert mission to make it look like Communist elements were destabilizing the government. Thousands of Chileans were murdered by the CIA, so that corporate assets would remain in the hands of ITT. The US had to make it appear that Chileans were bad people that needed to be eliminated because they were Communist, or Communist sympathizers.
Since the end of WWII, Communism was the perfect enemy to support our military buildup and aggression. The Vietnam war that was ramped up on the “False Flag” Gulf of Tonkin event, gave Lyndon Johnson and Congress the entre’ to move ahead with a full occupation and invasion of South Vietnam. Ultimately the campaign included bombing in the north, and the illegal secret bombing and killing of over 2 million innocent Cambodian civilians. Our economic goal was to protect the property of major corporations in that area, secure lands that provided rubber trees, keep in place opium that provided illicit drugs for the CIA and Mafia connections, and protecting access to oil production around the Indonesian basin. In addition, a great deal of money was made by the Military Industrial Complex, and bankers.
Now that I have set a prelude and motivation for war, I can get to the current subject of how demonizing Muslims has been a PR boon to our war effort in the Middle East. Approximately ten years before our invasion of Iraq, the PNAC, and the Trilateral commission had a goal to achieve US hegemony, primarily by securing oil and mineral reserves in the Middle East. For decades there had been varying degrees of conflict between Israel, aided financially by the US, and neighboring Muslim countries. In addition, there has been continuing conflict and tension between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. In the early nineties there was an alleged bombing of the World Trade Center by Muslim radicals. There was also an alleged bombing by Muslim radicals of a US Navy ship in Yemen, and a facility in Africa. Muslims are also dark skinned people who embrace a language, culture and religion that is alien to us in America. I am in no way condoning radical or barbaric behavior by any group, and specifically Muslims. The reason why I always use the word “alleged”, is that the CIA, MI-5, and the Mossad have been involved in numerous undercover counter-intelligence events that have perpetrated a false enemy.
Warring, has always been profitable for international bankers and the “Military Industrial Complex”, as well as major corporations, and natural resource asset investors. Saddam Hussein, an original CIA front man who turned rogue, and nationalized Iraq’s oil production, that was previously owned by BP, Shell, etc. turned out to be on our Persona non Grata list. Iraq happens to have OPEC’s third largest oil reserves at approximately 115 billion barrels.
The US needs control of more oil reserves, and the US and UK oil companies are very unhappy about having their oil production taken away by Hussein. The big conundrum is, how do we get the American people and congress behind an invasion of Iraq to recapture the oil production for the large energy corporations.? Please be clear “Freeing and Liberating” oppressed people in itself is not a money making venture, but we as Americans generally loathe the idea of going to war primarily for economic purposes. If we were so concerned about the lives of oppressed peoples, we would have not allowed the slaughter of over 800,000 impoverished people in Darfur. Unfortunately they had no oil, minerals, or diamonds that we could turn into money.
Enter the perfect “False Flag” event “911”, those “Bad crazy Muslims” are at again, but this time on American soil, killing over 3,000 innocent Americans, and destroying massive American symbols of wealth such as the two World trade Center Towers. Based on the above falsehood that it was “The Muslims” and WMD’s, we invaded Iraq.
The lesson is for those who demonize a group of people, condemning their legal right to build a community center a block from Ground Zero, please do some serious fact checking before you label innocent people demons based on the reports of our government that has a long history of lying and killing thousands of innocent people.
Please bear in mind that in most instances a countries military industrial complex sees any conflict as an opportunity for military officer’s rapid advancement, and major increased sales of military hardware. High ranking officers are usually the military personnel who do not endure many casualties. International bankers then have an opportunity to make large profits on interest baring loans and bonds that are sure to be paid back.
Going back to the period of “Manifest Destiny” and the expansion of the railroads across America, expanding settlers and the US Cavalry slaughtered hundreds of thousands of Native Americans. In order to rationalize their slaughter, we found it necessary to label them as an enemy, then we had to label them sub-human and uncivilized. Using this inhumane rationale, because they were inferior or equivalent to wild animals we could support killing and exterminating them. This mass murder was really about taking away land that they held for thousands of years so that our peoples of European decent could have the land at little or no cost.
In 1973, military units in Chile attacked key government installations and overthrow the democratically-elected government of Salvador Allende Gossens. This coup, which brought the repressive regime of Augusto Pinochet to power, was in large part the product of pressure and planning by American corporate and political leaders. Allende was elected in 1970 as the candidate of the Popular Unity Party with the support of the Socialist and Communist Parties. He was thus freely elected and a man of the Left, which for U.S. leaders was their worst-case scenario.
Harold Geneen, CEO of ITT Corporation, a conglomerate that owned vast copper and other non-ferrous metal assets in Chile were concerned about the newly elected democratic government headed by Allende. Geneen contacted his friend Henry Kissinger who had our CIA set up a covert mission to make it look like Communist elements were destabilizing the government. Thousands of Chileans were murdered by the CIA, so that corporate assets would remain in the hands of ITT. The US had to make it appear that Chileans were bad people that needed to be eliminated because they were Communist, or Communist sympathizers.
Since the end of WWII, Communism was the perfect enemy to support our military buildup and aggression. The Vietnam war that was ramped up on the “False Flag” Gulf of Tonkin event, gave Lyndon Johnson and Congress the entre’ to move ahead with a full occupation and invasion of South Vietnam. Ultimately the campaign included bombing in the north, and the illegal secret bombing and killing of over 2 million innocent Cambodian civilians. Our economic goal was to protect the property of major corporations in that area, secure lands that provided rubber trees, keep in place opium that provided illicit drugs for the CIA and Mafia connections, and protecting access to oil production around the Indonesian basin. In addition, a great deal of money was made by the Military Industrial Complex, and bankers.
Now that I have set a prelude and motivation for war, I can get to the current subject of how demonizing Muslims has been a PR boon to our war effort in the Middle East. Approximately ten years before our invasion of Iraq, the PNAC, and the Trilateral commission had a goal to achieve US hegemony, primarily by securing oil and mineral reserves in the Middle East. For decades there had been varying degrees of conflict between Israel, aided financially by the US, and neighboring Muslim countries. In addition, there has been continuing conflict and tension between Israel and the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. In the early nineties there was an alleged bombing of the World Trade Center by Muslim radicals. There was also an alleged bombing by Muslim radicals of a US Navy ship in Yemen, and a facility in Africa. Muslims are also dark skinned people who embrace a language, culture and religion that is alien to us in America. I am in no way condoning radical or barbaric behavior by any group, and specifically Muslims. The reason why I always use the word “alleged”, is that the CIA, MI-5, and the Mossad have been involved in numerous undercover counter-intelligence events that have perpetrated a false enemy.
Warring, has always been profitable for international bankers and the “Military Industrial Complex”, as well as major corporations, and natural resource asset investors. Saddam Hussein, an original CIA front man who turned rogue, and nationalized Iraq’s oil production, that was previously owned by BP, Shell, etc. turned out to be on our Persona non Grata list. Iraq happens to have OPEC’s third largest oil reserves at approximately 115 billion barrels.
The US needs control of more oil reserves, and the US and UK oil companies are very unhappy about having their oil production taken away by Hussein. The big conundrum is, how do we get the American people and congress behind an invasion of Iraq to recapture the oil production for the large energy corporations.? Please be clear “Freeing and Liberating” oppressed people in itself is not a money making venture, but we as Americans generally loathe the idea of going to war primarily for economic purposes. If we were so concerned about the lives of oppressed peoples, we would have not allowed the slaughter of over 800,000 impoverished people in Darfur. Unfortunately they had no oil, minerals, or diamonds that we could turn into money.
Enter the perfect “False Flag” event “911”, those “Bad crazy Muslims” are at again, but this time on American soil, killing over 3,000 innocent Americans, and destroying massive American symbols of wealth such as the two World trade Center Towers. Based on the above falsehood that it was “The Muslims” and WMD’s, we invaded Iraq.
The lesson is for those who demonize a group of people, condemning their legal right to build a community center a block from Ground Zero, please do some serious fact checking before you label innocent people demons based on the reports of our government that has a long history of lying and killing thousands of innocent people.
We need more American hero’s such as Daniel Ellsberg
Daniel Ellsberg is a consummate example of a modern day patriot who risked his illustrious career for the pursuit of truth, and transparency in government. How many of us have the courage to sacrifice our careers, or being imprisoned, for the triumph of conscience. Finding people who have the courage to be high level government “Whistleblowers” has many obstacles in addition to vocational ruin, such as mysterious death, loss of income, threats to family members, harassment, and “Black Balling” in social and professional communities. We need a high level career professional today, such as an Ellsberg to come forth, who has the courage to uncover the US Government hoax of 911.
"If there’s another 9/11 or a major war in the Middle-East involving a U.S. attack on Iran, I have no doubt that there will be, the day after or within days an equivalent of a Reichstag fire decree that will involve massive detentions in this country." D. Ellsberg
Ellsberg graduated summa cum laude from Harvard, graduated first in his class of 1,100 at Marine officers school, and served as a first lieutenant platoon leader in Vietnam. Ellsberg is a former American military analyst employed by the RAND Corporation, who precipitated a national firestorm in 1971 when he released the Pentagon Papers, the US military's account of activities during the Vietnam War, to The New York Times. The release awakened the American people to a systematic program of organized deception carried out by the Pentagon against the population to continue the Vietnam War.
At a past interview, Ellsberg stated that based on his past associations, he believed that criminal elements of the US government were psychologically capable to have carried out 911.
Ellsberg said that he was associated with people at the highest levels of government who created warring schemes to provoke pro-war sentiment in the US. He is amongst a group of esteemed professionals, military leaders, and other government officials who believe that a new investigation of 911 is paramount.
Every day more and more respected professionals are publicly voicing their questions about the official 911 “Meme”. The 911 cover-up wall is breaking under the weight of these truth seekers' efforts. The perpetrators of 911 are watching the “Truthers” in great fear, while wondering what other incriminating evidence will be spilled into the public forum. The present administration has become so concerned about the public being made so aware of the true facts of 911that they have appointed Cass Sunstein, a legal scholar, to try to spread propaganda on the internet in order to try to “Debunk” hard evidence possibly pointing to US complicity in 911.
A government that was surely intent on truth and transparency, would go to great lengths to uncover the truth about 911, by supporting a new and thorough independent investigation. There have been offers from legal entities, as well as other nations to conduct a new 911 investigation. Again in the interest of truth and integrity why is the US so obstructive to the noble gestures for seeking the truth?
We must not, and cannot rely on our corrupt government and complicit superficial “spin doctor” mass media sources to provide us with honest, complete, and transparent information about issues such as military operations and budgets, foreign relations, and health care reform. I seek out independent sources that have no US government ties, or receive no corporate monies or donations. Even past trusted sources such as NPR are being harnessed by its government and corporate benefactors. I trust news services from other countries, before I take seriously information that has been manipulated by the CIA, Sate Department, and Pentagon.
There is an ever present conflict of interest when the entity that is the reporter or messenger is also the perpetrator of the action. Enron and their cozy auditors, Arthur Anderson are textbook examples of the fraudulent perpetrators, also being the auditor/observer and reporter. Who could ever trust a politician who receives a special interest campaign contribution to act in the best interests of the voters, and not the lobbyist’s client?
Many more people are starting to accept the clear evidence of three massive buildings falling at free fall speed, caused by Controlled Demolitions, and one building not even hit by any flying objects as milestones in the evidence file of the US “official 911 Report” being a cruel hoax perpetrated on a loyal nation. In addition, two independent scientific sources, not tied to the US government or Corporatocracy, have found clear evidence of Thermite and nano-Thermite, a high temperature explosive and incendiary capable of easily melting steel, in the collapsed building debris.
Is there an “Ellsberg” building up courage, standing in the wings of high level government, being tugged at by his conscience, who will come forth as a great patriot to expose the egregious US crime of 911? Will alleged passenger jet liners, high jacked by CIA actors, and crashing into massive buildings, allegedly causing their free fall collapse be the next “911-e-gate”? We must bring an end to the “Gulf of Tonkin’s”, “Operation Northwood’s”, Fantasy “Warren Commissions“, “Illegal Bombings of Cambodia’s”, “Iran Contras”, “911’s”, and many other False Flag events that perpetuate wars, only support the wealthy and powerful, kill and maim many innocents, and keep us perpetually in debt. I believe that 911 is the biggest “Canary in the Mine” to date, of False Flag events, that needs to be thoroughly uncovered, in order to stop these deceptive catalysts leading to needless wars and conflicts. Uncovering False Flag events is not an issue of partisanship, leaders of both major political parties have been equally complicit in these deceitful acts that lead to wars.
The short term pain of US high level official embarrassment, due to the 911 event, will eventually heal, but the long term “Sweetness of Truth” will live on to be a major boost to the people’s confidence in ultimate justice and transparency in government. This “Ugly 911 Elephant in the Room” must be removed for the survival of our country, and the cleansing of our national and spiritual integrity.
What is the value of blind loyalty to country, company, and military, without first applying morality, integrity, justice, and humanity? If our blind loyalty, greed, fear, apathy, and denial triumph over truth, fairness, and justice, then we have clearly lost our way as a nation and a human race. We should never feel intimidated, uncomfortable, unpatriotic, or disloyal for asking the sometimes difficult and important questions.
"If there’s another 9/11 or a major war in the Middle-East involving a U.S. attack on Iran, I have no doubt that there will be, the day after or within days an equivalent of a Reichstag fire decree that will involve massive detentions in this country." D. Ellsberg
Ellsberg graduated summa cum laude from Harvard, graduated first in his class of 1,100 at Marine officers school, and served as a first lieutenant platoon leader in Vietnam. Ellsberg is a former American military analyst employed by the RAND Corporation, who precipitated a national firestorm in 1971 when he released the Pentagon Papers, the US military's account of activities during the Vietnam War, to The New York Times. The release awakened the American people to a systematic program of organized deception carried out by the Pentagon against the population to continue the Vietnam War.
At a past interview, Ellsberg stated that based on his past associations, he believed that criminal elements of the US government were psychologically capable to have carried out 911.
Ellsberg said that he was associated with people at the highest levels of government who created warring schemes to provoke pro-war sentiment in the US. He is amongst a group of esteemed professionals, military leaders, and other government officials who believe that a new investigation of 911 is paramount.
Every day more and more respected professionals are publicly voicing their questions about the official 911 “Meme”. The 911 cover-up wall is breaking under the weight of these truth seekers' efforts. The perpetrators of 911 are watching the “Truthers” in great fear, while wondering what other incriminating evidence will be spilled into the public forum. The present administration has become so concerned about the public being made so aware of the true facts of 911that they have appointed Cass Sunstein, a legal scholar, to try to spread propaganda on the internet in order to try to “Debunk” hard evidence possibly pointing to US complicity in 911.
A government that was surely intent on truth and transparency, would go to great lengths to uncover the truth about 911, by supporting a new and thorough independent investigation. There have been offers from legal entities, as well as other nations to conduct a new 911 investigation. Again in the interest of truth and integrity why is the US so obstructive to the noble gestures for seeking the truth?
We must not, and cannot rely on our corrupt government and complicit superficial “spin doctor” mass media sources to provide us with honest, complete, and transparent information about issues such as military operations and budgets, foreign relations, and health care reform. I seek out independent sources that have no US government ties, or receive no corporate monies or donations. Even past trusted sources such as NPR are being harnessed by its government and corporate benefactors. I trust news services from other countries, before I take seriously information that has been manipulated by the CIA, Sate Department, and Pentagon.
There is an ever present conflict of interest when the entity that is the reporter or messenger is also the perpetrator of the action. Enron and their cozy auditors, Arthur Anderson are textbook examples of the fraudulent perpetrators, also being the auditor/observer and reporter. Who could ever trust a politician who receives a special interest campaign contribution to act in the best interests of the voters, and not the lobbyist’s client?
Many more people are starting to accept the clear evidence of three massive buildings falling at free fall speed, caused by Controlled Demolitions, and one building not even hit by any flying objects as milestones in the evidence file of the US “official 911 Report” being a cruel hoax perpetrated on a loyal nation. In addition, two independent scientific sources, not tied to the US government or Corporatocracy, have found clear evidence of Thermite and nano-Thermite, a high temperature explosive and incendiary capable of easily melting steel, in the collapsed building debris.
Is there an “Ellsberg” building up courage, standing in the wings of high level government, being tugged at by his conscience, who will come forth as a great patriot to expose the egregious US crime of 911? Will alleged passenger jet liners, high jacked by CIA actors, and crashing into massive buildings, allegedly causing their free fall collapse be the next “911-e-gate”? We must bring an end to the “Gulf of Tonkin’s”, “Operation Northwood’s”, Fantasy “Warren Commissions“, “Illegal Bombings of Cambodia’s”, “Iran Contras”, “911’s”, and many other False Flag events that perpetuate wars, only support the wealthy and powerful, kill and maim many innocents, and keep us perpetually in debt. I believe that 911 is the biggest “Canary in the Mine” to date, of False Flag events, that needs to be thoroughly uncovered, in order to stop these deceptive catalysts leading to needless wars and conflicts. Uncovering False Flag events is not an issue of partisanship, leaders of both major political parties have been equally complicit in these deceitful acts that lead to wars.
The short term pain of US high level official embarrassment, due to the 911 event, will eventually heal, but the long term “Sweetness of Truth” will live on to be a major boost to the people’s confidence in ultimate justice and transparency in government. This “Ugly 911 Elephant in the Room” must be removed for the survival of our country, and the cleansing of our national and spiritual integrity.
What is the value of blind loyalty to country, company, and military, without first applying morality, integrity, justice, and humanity? If our blind loyalty, greed, fear, apathy, and denial triumph over truth, fairness, and justice, then we have clearly lost our way as a nation and a human race. We should never feel intimidated, uncomfortable, unpatriotic, or disloyal for asking the sometimes difficult and important questions.
Raising Minorities also Raises the Majority
Some folks have accepted a norm of short term thinking that enables them to rationalize intolerance and discrimination. We like to think of ourselves as living in the “Best Nation” in the world. How do we define best nation, is it economic opportunity, human rights, health care for all, education, lowest mortality rate, a free and open press, and quality of life? Unfortunately we do not rank at the top of the list for all these important criteria, and the one issue I am going to focus on today is human rights. A subset of human rights is equal opportunity for all based on race, nationality, religious belief or none, gender, and sexual orientation. I believe, based on historical data that creating an environment of tolerance, equal opportunity, and inclusion benefits everyone from an economic, emotional, spiritual, and sociological perspective.
I am a relatively well educated white male heterosexual non-observant agnostic Jew, who has been able to make his way successfully into the economic and societal fabric of this country. Warren Buffet would probably say that I am a member of the “Lucky Sperm Club”. I really do not have a first-hand experience of what it would be like to be a, “Gay-Black-Muslim-Transgender-Women”. I am citing a fictitious example of what I believe to be one of the most severely perceived under classes in our present society. With the exception of lineage, intelligence, physical, or emotional disabilities it would be ideal for all peoples on earth to have equal opportunities. It is easy for me to be smug, confident, and insulated from the pain of discrimination, rejection, and feeling less than.
Afro-Americans for hundreds of years were a consummate example of what happens to unfortunate people when we fail to give them due respect, equal educational, housing, and employment opportunities. In addition, through the slavery model we have destabilized their family units and ingrained them with a sense of deteriorated self esteem. It is very easy for us to say, “Why don’t you just get over your past and get with the program”? That statement is a very simplistic and insensitive cop-out, realizing that everyone is affected differently by their experience, perception, and family culture.
Contrasting the northern states against the southern states, where there was a disparity in integration, and educational opportunity, the north advanced more rapidly, and the south took a much longer time to advance as a society. With education came many more technological, financial, and mercantile opportunities. Be it not for the mainly agrarian plantation type slave culture embraced by the south, in the long term with the exception of a few wealthy plantation owners, the southern states would have advanced much rapidly than they had.
Women for millennia have been treated as chattels, not allowed to vote, hold most jobs, and were denied educational opportunities in most cultures. Now in modern cultures most of oppression of human has been eliminated, even though there are still remnants of some insecure chauvinistic males making snide remarks about women even today. As a result of empowering women we have doubled the amount of people in our society who have developed intellect, useful skills, and creative energy to offer our society. The argument that women should be home just making babies is a totally fallacious argument for a modern society. Many women do not have the passion to birth, raise, and parent children, so who wants someone in a society that will be a poor parent. On the corollary there are many men who have the passion and nurturing skills to make better parents than women. Maybe someday with technology, men will be capable of breast feeding.
Another example of how we would gain more as society economically and emotionally is the acceptance of openly gay military personnel. It is estimated that approximately 12,000 admitted gay military personnel have been dismissed from military service due to their unaccepted sexual orientation. The estimated cost of the DADT policy is upwards of over $500 million factoring in training costs and early departures. Many of these gay military departures were bright talented highly trained enlisted people and officers who brought real skill values to the military service. Twenty Two members of NATO allow service of openly gay military members. Most fire departments in our cities have openly accepted gay firefighters. These firefighters live in communal sleeping and bathroom facilities without any issues. The problem is not gays in the military, it is fearful ignorant people in the military who bring everyone else down. If we have talented people who happen to be gay, why would we rationally exclude them from making a positive contribution to military service.
Same Sex Marriage, or “Prop 8” is another issue that to says to gay people, you pay taxes, you contribute to society equally with heterosexual people, and more or less you have the same relationship issues that straight couples have. “But you are less than”, so therefore you must settle for “Separate but Equal”; meaning domestic partnerships. “Separate but Equal” was knocked down by the court in Brown v. Board of Education. Denying gays to marry was just adjudicated to be in violation of the Constitution, and the issue of defining who can marry should have never put to a vote in the first place, but that’s politics. To date there is not one piece of bonifide evidence that shows that gay marriage has destroyed, or threatened anyone’s traditional marriage. It is estimated that California will gain approximately $400 million going to its hospitality, travel, gift, and other industries from gay marriages. California will also gain approximately $65 million in taxes from these transactions.
Ignorance, fear, and backward cultural and religious family values are not acceptable, or logical reasons for perpetuating intolerance. People who hold these views are also an unfortunate minority who hold down the advancement and betterment of society. Making laws barring intolerance and discrimination are only an intellectual first step. The final cure is to enable and encourage people to experience diversity, teach tolerance in our schools and places of worship, and encourage progressive thinking children to enlighten their fearful ignorant parents and adult friends. On the surface, the principles of majority rule and the protection of individual and minority rights would seem contradictory. In fact, however, these principles are twin pillars holding up the very foundation of what we mean by democratic government. When we give everyone the best educational and employment experiences, fair housing choices, equal relationship choices, and remove fearful and hateful attitudes from our psyche, than we can only be the most successful society where everyone becomes a winner.
I am a relatively well educated white male heterosexual non-observant agnostic Jew, who has been able to make his way successfully into the economic and societal fabric of this country. Warren Buffet would probably say that I am a member of the “Lucky Sperm Club”. I really do not have a first-hand experience of what it would be like to be a, “Gay-Black-Muslim-Transgender-Women”. I am citing a fictitious example of what I believe to be one of the most severely perceived under classes in our present society. With the exception of lineage, intelligence, physical, or emotional disabilities it would be ideal for all peoples on earth to have equal opportunities. It is easy for me to be smug, confident, and insulated from the pain of discrimination, rejection, and feeling less than.
Afro-Americans for hundreds of years were a consummate example of what happens to unfortunate people when we fail to give them due respect, equal educational, housing, and employment opportunities. In addition, through the slavery model we have destabilized their family units and ingrained them with a sense of deteriorated self esteem. It is very easy for us to say, “Why don’t you just get over your past and get with the program”? That statement is a very simplistic and insensitive cop-out, realizing that everyone is affected differently by their experience, perception, and family culture.
Contrasting the northern states against the southern states, where there was a disparity in integration, and educational opportunity, the north advanced more rapidly, and the south took a much longer time to advance as a society. With education came many more technological, financial, and mercantile opportunities. Be it not for the mainly agrarian plantation type slave culture embraced by the south, in the long term with the exception of a few wealthy plantation owners, the southern states would have advanced much rapidly than they had.
Women for millennia have been treated as chattels, not allowed to vote, hold most jobs, and were denied educational opportunities in most cultures. Now in modern cultures most of oppression of human has been eliminated, even though there are still remnants of some insecure chauvinistic males making snide remarks about women even today. As a result of empowering women we have doubled the amount of people in our society who have developed intellect, useful skills, and creative energy to offer our society. The argument that women should be home just making babies is a totally fallacious argument for a modern society. Many women do not have the passion to birth, raise, and parent children, so who wants someone in a society that will be a poor parent. On the corollary there are many men who have the passion and nurturing skills to make better parents than women. Maybe someday with technology, men will be capable of breast feeding.
Another example of how we would gain more as society economically and emotionally is the acceptance of openly gay military personnel. It is estimated that approximately 12,000 admitted gay military personnel have been dismissed from military service due to their unaccepted sexual orientation. The estimated cost of the DADT policy is upwards of over $500 million factoring in training costs and early departures. Many of these gay military departures were bright talented highly trained enlisted people and officers who brought real skill values to the military service. Twenty Two members of NATO allow service of openly gay military members. Most fire departments in our cities have openly accepted gay firefighters. These firefighters live in communal sleeping and bathroom facilities without any issues. The problem is not gays in the military, it is fearful ignorant people in the military who bring everyone else down. If we have talented people who happen to be gay, why would we rationally exclude them from making a positive contribution to military service.
Same Sex Marriage, or “Prop 8” is another issue that to says to gay people, you pay taxes, you contribute to society equally with heterosexual people, and more or less you have the same relationship issues that straight couples have. “But you are less than”, so therefore you must settle for “Separate but Equal”; meaning domestic partnerships. “Separate but Equal” was knocked down by the court in Brown v. Board of Education. Denying gays to marry was just adjudicated to be in violation of the Constitution, and the issue of defining who can marry should have never put to a vote in the first place, but that’s politics. To date there is not one piece of bonifide evidence that shows that gay marriage has destroyed, or threatened anyone’s traditional marriage. It is estimated that California will gain approximately $400 million going to its hospitality, travel, gift, and other industries from gay marriages. California will also gain approximately $65 million in taxes from these transactions.
Ignorance, fear, and backward cultural and religious family values are not acceptable, or logical reasons for perpetuating intolerance. People who hold these views are also an unfortunate minority who hold down the advancement and betterment of society. Making laws barring intolerance and discrimination are only an intellectual first step. The final cure is to enable and encourage people to experience diversity, teach tolerance in our schools and places of worship, and encourage progressive thinking children to enlighten their fearful ignorant parents and adult friends. On the surface, the principles of majority rule and the protection of individual and minority rights would seem contradictory. In fact, however, these principles are twin pillars holding up the very foundation of what we mean by democratic government. When we give everyone the best educational and employment experiences, fair housing choices, equal relationship choices, and remove fearful and hateful attitudes from our psyche, than we can only be the most successful society where everyone becomes a winner.
The Symbolism and Substance of Patriotism
How does each one of us choose to view and understand Patriotism? What is a Patriot? Who is a Patriot, and who is a traitor? What must I do to act patriotically? Do I use the words to make myself appear to be superior to others? If I say I am a Patriot, or act Patriotically, does that confer special rights on me that should not be enjoyed by one who is not seen as a Patriot? Do I view my Patriotism in terms of my caring and empathy for people, or do I see the words in abstract symbolic terms.
The dictionary defines Patriotism as “Love or devotion to ones country”. Patriotic is defined as “Inspired by Patriotism”. A Patriot is, “One who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests”. Patriotism, Nationalism, and loyalty are interchangeable words for many of us. The definition of loyalty is, “Unswerving in allegiance; faithful in allegiance to ones sovereign or government; faithful to a law, custom, ideal, institution, or product”. Analyzing each of the above definitions brings up many questions about Patriotism and loyalty for me.
The politically opportunistic and dangerous Senator Joseph McCarthy misused the word “Patriotism” as a tool to gain power, squash those who disagreed with him, and to further his ominous political career. Using the word “Patriotism” as a tool of power, to oppress free thought and dissent, incarcerate without “Due Process”, and to torture and kill is no more patriotic then if one acted as the despotic traitor themselves.
I feel patriotic when I perform acts of service. I believe that acts of service, performed on a one to one basis, volunteering locally or nationally, or unconditional giving of one’s self to another is the highest form of Patriotism. Patriotism should serve to benefit and support those in need and our peers, not to enrich and further and empower the mega wealthy, or to support further acts of violence and corruption by our government.
As a wise, self serving, and practical choice, I choose to be “Conditionally Patriotic”, as I did not know there was any other moral or intelligent choice. Thomas Jefferson said, “Dissent is the highest form of Patriotism”. Why do governments try to suppress free expression, transparency in the media, and dissatisfaction with so called benign mandates of government that oppress the people? According to Jefferson, governments that suppress dissent and freedom of thought are discouraging true Patriotism. “Blind unconditional Patriotism” and “Blind Love” can be both equally damaging to the believer. Loyalty or Patriotism usually serves the master, but most times does not best serve the slave, follower, or loyal citizen.
One of the greatest symbols of Patriotism, acting Patriotic, or being a Patriot is seen by many of us as how we perceive “Old Glory”. There are realities of the flag and myths about the flag. Some of the realities are that it’s a piece of rectangular of cloth, dyed in three colors that people like to salute, or display at parades, government buildings, or just wave around. Another reality is that some of us receive a warm fuzzy feeling in our souls when we salute or view the flag. Quite frankly it matters not to me, if people salute the flag in admiration, or burn it in protest, because they are both symbolic acts of little substance.
Dying for ones country is sometimes seen as a Patriotic act. There is something about the adrenalin rush and macho chest beating energy that makes some of us feel very Patriotic when our country goes to war. The last great example of the above is our invasion of Iraq, when 89% of us so called Patriotic Americans believed we were doing the right thing to bring Hussein down, fight terrorists, and free the Iraqi people. The thought of hundreds of thousands of innocent dead Iraqi adults and children, thousands of our own people left dead, a country left in mass destruction, and civil wars, does not reinforce my feelings of Patriotism. After seven years of war in the Middle East, that Patriotic feeling that most of once felt has diminished and been replaced by shame, anger, and resentment that the leaders of our country lied to us. It is difficult for me to feel Patriotic for the reason that we invaded Iraq was for over a hundred billion barrels of oil reserves and to preserve the value of the dollar. Hussein threatened to start trading oil in Euro’s instead of dollars. I cannot feel Patriotic knowing that we caused the death and destruction, because we valued greed more than life.
Trusting and not questioning our government is sometimes seen as acting Patriotic. I believe that Patriotism is tied into the myth of the patriarchal father, who is all knowing, righteous, infinitely wise, and always acting in our best interests. Some of us also fall for this myth in our families, religious institutions, places of employment, and dangerously, or many times our corrupt government leaders. Sometimes the words loyalty and Patriotism are interchangeable. Mark Twain aptly said, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it". The point I am trying to make is that the wise person should exercise conditional loyalty or Patriotism.
Saying, “We are the best country in the world”, in an omnipotent superior fashion sometimes invokes feelings of superiority and Patriotism, but it may also backfire on us. The above statement if said in arrogance or boasting, may also invoke feelings of resentment and hatred by those people in other countries, and specifically where our foreign policy has been violent, imperialistic, and disrespectful of the indigenous people.
“Support our Troops” can be seen as another act of Patriotism, or maybe just an abstraction that does little for the well being of our troops, but makes us feel that we are doing our part for the Patriotic war effort. It is a nice gesture to affix a yellow ribbon “Support our troops” magnet or decal to ones car, and its makes the person displaying the symbol feel as if they are doing their patriotic duty. In reality, if we are truly patriotic in substance, and not in symbolism, whenever the “War Drums” start to beat we should ask serious questions of our leaders, not trust that they are acting in our best interests, loudly protest, and collectively threaten to withhold our tax dollars and votes for the pending war effort. Let’s support our troops by making sure that they have proper armor in the battlefield, adequate physical and mental health care for them and their families, financial support for their families, and a respectable job when they return from combat. Lastly let’s have societal support for our homeless vets. Supporting our troops in substance is not putting them in harm’s way in the first place, so that rich and powerful “Fat Cats” may profit on the bodies and lives of young idealistic and innocent young men and women who justly believe that they are doing their patriotic duty.
So next time we feel that we need be patriotic, act patriotically, or say what should be patriotic, we should give serious thoughts to how the act of Patriotism will benefit our fellow man, or enrich a “Fat Cat”, or just give us a short lived adrenalin rush.
The dictionary defines Patriotism as “Love or devotion to ones country”. Patriotic is defined as “Inspired by Patriotism”. A Patriot is, “One who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests”. Patriotism, Nationalism, and loyalty are interchangeable words for many of us. The definition of loyalty is, “Unswerving in allegiance; faithful in allegiance to ones sovereign or government; faithful to a law, custom, ideal, institution, or product”. Analyzing each of the above definitions brings up many questions about Patriotism and loyalty for me.
The politically opportunistic and dangerous Senator Joseph McCarthy misused the word “Patriotism” as a tool to gain power, squash those who disagreed with him, and to further his ominous political career. Using the word “Patriotism” as a tool of power, to oppress free thought and dissent, incarcerate without “Due Process”, and to torture and kill is no more patriotic then if one acted as the despotic traitor themselves.
I feel patriotic when I perform acts of service. I believe that acts of service, performed on a one to one basis, volunteering locally or nationally, or unconditional giving of one’s self to another is the highest form of Patriotism. Patriotism should serve to benefit and support those in need and our peers, not to enrich and further and empower the mega wealthy, or to support further acts of violence and corruption by our government.
As a wise, self serving, and practical choice, I choose to be “Conditionally Patriotic”, as I did not know there was any other moral or intelligent choice. Thomas Jefferson said, “Dissent is the highest form of Patriotism”. Why do governments try to suppress free expression, transparency in the media, and dissatisfaction with so called benign mandates of government that oppress the people? According to Jefferson, governments that suppress dissent and freedom of thought are discouraging true Patriotism. “Blind unconditional Patriotism” and “Blind Love” can be both equally damaging to the believer. Loyalty or Patriotism usually serves the master, but most times does not best serve the slave, follower, or loyal citizen.
One of the greatest symbols of Patriotism, acting Patriotic, or being a Patriot is seen by many of us as how we perceive “Old Glory”. There are realities of the flag and myths about the flag. Some of the realities are that it’s a piece of rectangular of cloth, dyed in three colors that people like to salute, or display at parades, government buildings, or just wave around. Another reality is that some of us receive a warm fuzzy feeling in our souls when we salute or view the flag. Quite frankly it matters not to me, if people salute the flag in admiration, or burn it in protest, because they are both symbolic acts of little substance.
Dying for ones country is sometimes seen as a Patriotic act. There is something about the adrenalin rush and macho chest beating energy that makes some of us feel very Patriotic when our country goes to war. The last great example of the above is our invasion of Iraq, when 89% of us so called Patriotic Americans believed we were doing the right thing to bring Hussein down, fight terrorists, and free the Iraqi people. The thought of hundreds of thousands of innocent dead Iraqi adults and children, thousands of our own people left dead, a country left in mass destruction, and civil wars, does not reinforce my feelings of Patriotism. After seven years of war in the Middle East, that Patriotic feeling that most of once felt has diminished and been replaced by shame, anger, and resentment that the leaders of our country lied to us. It is difficult for me to feel Patriotic for the reason that we invaded Iraq was for over a hundred billion barrels of oil reserves and to preserve the value of the dollar. Hussein threatened to start trading oil in Euro’s instead of dollars. I cannot feel Patriotic knowing that we caused the death and destruction, because we valued greed more than life.
Trusting and not questioning our government is sometimes seen as acting Patriotic. I believe that Patriotism is tied into the myth of the patriarchal father, who is all knowing, righteous, infinitely wise, and always acting in our best interests. Some of us also fall for this myth in our families, religious institutions, places of employment, and dangerously, or many times our corrupt government leaders. Sometimes the words loyalty and Patriotism are interchangeable. Mark Twain aptly said, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it". The point I am trying to make is that the wise person should exercise conditional loyalty or Patriotism.
Saying, “We are the best country in the world”, in an omnipotent superior fashion sometimes invokes feelings of superiority and Patriotism, but it may also backfire on us. The above statement if said in arrogance or boasting, may also invoke feelings of resentment and hatred by those people in other countries, and specifically where our foreign policy has been violent, imperialistic, and disrespectful of the indigenous people.
“Support our Troops” can be seen as another act of Patriotism, or maybe just an abstraction that does little for the well being of our troops, but makes us feel that we are doing our part for the Patriotic war effort. It is a nice gesture to affix a yellow ribbon “Support our troops” magnet or decal to ones car, and its makes the person displaying the symbol feel as if they are doing their patriotic duty. In reality, if we are truly patriotic in substance, and not in symbolism, whenever the “War Drums” start to beat we should ask serious questions of our leaders, not trust that they are acting in our best interests, loudly protest, and collectively threaten to withhold our tax dollars and votes for the pending war effort. Let’s support our troops by making sure that they have proper armor in the battlefield, adequate physical and mental health care for them and their families, financial support for their families, and a respectable job when they return from combat. Lastly let’s have societal support for our homeless vets. Supporting our troops in substance is not putting them in harm’s way in the first place, so that rich and powerful “Fat Cats” may profit on the bodies and lives of young idealistic and innocent young men and women who justly believe that they are doing their patriotic duty.
So next time we feel that we need be patriotic, act patriotically, or say what should be patriotic, we should give serious thoughts to how the act of Patriotism will benefit our fellow man, or enrich a “Fat Cat”, or just give us a short lived adrenalin rush.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Denial is not a river in Egypt
Denial is an emotional pain resisting malady that is unique to the human species. This emotional opiate rears its destructive head in our personal lives, the business world, sociologically, foreign relations, and in government. Some of us allow this insidious emotion to short circuit our estate, and financial planning, interfere with healthful life choices, and to set us onto a fantasy course of self destructive behavior. The following are some specific examples of how denial erodes our sense of both personal and national well being:
• How many of us put off going in for a medical checkup when our bodies are telling us that we are not feeling well, or that we have an unusual growth or lump on or about our bodies that should be investigated? Unfortunately there is still a portion of society that does not have adequate health coverage. Though with the new Health Care Reform we seem to be making an attempt at trying to include more of our citizens in the new health care system.
We have friend whose brother was concerned about a lump protruding from his body. He was not sure if it was a hernia, or a benign or malignant tumor. Due to his fears of taking time from work for an exam and his fear of what the prognosis might be he put off going to the doctor. As a result of his denial his new found cancer progressed to the point of entering his colon, liver, lungs, and other organs. Stage four cancers are usually fatal. This unfortunate man is on a battery of medications being paid for by the county, and his chances of recovery are slim to none.
• We do not always embrace death and the planning that is required for this normal event with a mature and realistic view. Having a Durable Power of Attorney, or Living Will is important for everyone so that their family and doctors will be clear about their intentions should a life threatening illness arise. Those with young children might want to consider a Guardianship directive, so that there is no family infighting or concern about who will care for the surviving children should both parents die simultaneously. My partner and I have gifted our bodies to UC Medical Center so that future generations of the living will get the benefits of medicines use of our organs for research and education. We all care about our children and want them to receive the greatest benefits from our estates with the least amount of stress and administrative costs. Family or Individual Trusts that cause assets to move on to the benefactors without costly probate costs are essential in addition to a will.
• Racism unfortunately is an issue that we have not been able to fully cure in this country. A national poll taken during the last presidential election revealed that 16% admittedly would not vote for a Black person for president. Even though that we have made considerable social progress in passing laws to make intolerant behavior illegal, some people still hold discriminatory beliefs within their emotional viscera. People of color and women still face overt and latent resistance in employment, housing, commerce, and educational opportunities.
• Most scientists and many CEO’s of major corporations now agree that there is a man made component of Global Warming (“GW”). Some anti-government groups claim that Global Warming is a hoax perpetuated to allow the government to charge a Carbon Tax, or a vehicle for Wall Street to make money from Cap and Trade transactions. Others demonize the Liberal establishment by saying that the Global Warming issue is just an over-reaction by “Tree Hugging” environmentalists. Let us assume for a moment that above is a hoax. My answer to the above is that we have a great economic political force from fossil fuel providers such as the coal and oil industry who see the GW issue as a threat to their economic survival. If we move toward reducing GW, by implementing clean energy sources such as nuclear power, wind, sea, and solar power, society will win by creating cleaner air, less dependency on oil imports, and reducing the political influence of entrenched fossil fuel industries.
• There is saying that, “Love is Blind”. This much used adage not only holds true in interpersonal relationships, but also in some peoples unconditional Nationalism and Patriotism. Some people are in such denial about their countries intentions and actions that they refuse to accept that the US is the largest perpetrator of international insurgent terrorism, human rights abuses, and military/CIA carried out mass murders. The massive slaughter of Native Americans during the period of European settler’s expansion across the American Plains, caused a holocaust that murdered hundreds of thousands of innocent people. The state of Texas was in such denial about the above atrocities that they wanted the realistic information to be removed from school textbooks.
The documented secret illegal killings of 2 million Cambodian civilians, slaughter of hundreds of thousands in East Timor in Indonesia, supported Israeli ghettoization and abuses of Palestinians who occupied lands for hundreds of years, illegal torture and incarceration of alleged Muslim terrorists in Guantanamo prisons, and other egregious murders and human rights abuses carried out directly or indirectly by the American government do not bode well to our so called reputation of being the “Greatest Country in the World”.
• Some of the most severe cases of denial that I have observed recently are some people’s emotional resistance to acknowledging that our country, even though based on overwhelming motive and scientific evidence, there is clear information that America was complicit in the crimes of 911. I believe that because we live in a Patriarchal culture where religion, parents, schools, and government are sometimes unrealistically viewed as the benevolent father who would never want to hurt it’s children, that there is evidence of denial behavior. I have heard some people say, “Why would our government want to kill 3,000 of its own innocent people”. My answer very simply is that history has shown worldwide, that many countries have authorized deleterious experimentations on its populace, committed mass atrocities, sent its soldiers into battle to die for the so called “Better Good”, all defined by the greed and power lust of its high level leaders. People in their childlike denial, will long for the “Kind Benevolent Father” who will keep them safe, and never do anything overtly to harm them.
In conclusion if we are to live healthier, more peaceful, and sane lives, it is incumbent upon all of us, long term, to move beyond that destructive un-empowering emotion called “Denial”. Denial has taken more than its share of well meaning prisoners.
• How many of us put off going in for a medical checkup when our bodies are telling us that we are not feeling well, or that we have an unusual growth or lump on or about our bodies that should be investigated? Unfortunately there is still a portion of society that does not have adequate health coverage. Though with the new Health Care Reform we seem to be making an attempt at trying to include more of our citizens in the new health care system.
We have friend whose brother was concerned about a lump protruding from his body. He was not sure if it was a hernia, or a benign or malignant tumor. Due to his fears of taking time from work for an exam and his fear of what the prognosis might be he put off going to the doctor. As a result of his denial his new found cancer progressed to the point of entering his colon, liver, lungs, and other organs. Stage four cancers are usually fatal. This unfortunate man is on a battery of medications being paid for by the county, and his chances of recovery are slim to none.
• We do not always embrace death and the planning that is required for this normal event with a mature and realistic view. Having a Durable Power of Attorney, or Living Will is important for everyone so that their family and doctors will be clear about their intentions should a life threatening illness arise. Those with young children might want to consider a Guardianship directive, so that there is no family infighting or concern about who will care for the surviving children should both parents die simultaneously. My partner and I have gifted our bodies to UC Medical Center so that future generations of the living will get the benefits of medicines use of our organs for research and education. We all care about our children and want them to receive the greatest benefits from our estates with the least amount of stress and administrative costs. Family or Individual Trusts that cause assets to move on to the benefactors without costly probate costs are essential in addition to a will.
• Racism unfortunately is an issue that we have not been able to fully cure in this country. A national poll taken during the last presidential election revealed that 16% admittedly would not vote for a Black person for president. Even though that we have made considerable social progress in passing laws to make intolerant behavior illegal, some people still hold discriminatory beliefs within their emotional viscera. People of color and women still face overt and latent resistance in employment, housing, commerce, and educational opportunities.
• Most scientists and many CEO’s of major corporations now agree that there is a man made component of Global Warming (“GW”). Some anti-government groups claim that Global Warming is a hoax perpetuated to allow the government to charge a Carbon Tax, or a vehicle for Wall Street to make money from Cap and Trade transactions. Others demonize the Liberal establishment by saying that the Global Warming issue is just an over-reaction by “Tree Hugging” environmentalists. Let us assume for a moment that above is a hoax. My answer to the above is that we have a great economic political force from fossil fuel providers such as the coal and oil industry who see the GW issue as a threat to their economic survival. If we move toward reducing GW, by implementing clean energy sources such as nuclear power, wind, sea, and solar power, society will win by creating cleaner air, less dependency on oil imports, and reducing the political influence of entrenched fossil fuel industries.
• There is saying that, “Love is Blind”. This much used adage not only holds true in interpersonal relationships, but also in some peoples unconditional Nationalism and Patriotism. Some people are in such denial about their countries intentions and actions that they refuse to accept that the US is the largest perpetrator of international insurgent terrorism, human rights abuses, and military/CIA carried out mass murders. The massive slaughter of Native Americans during the period of European settler’s expansion across the American Plains, caused a holocaust that murdered hundreds of thousands of innocent people. The state of Texas was in such denial about the above atrocities that they wanted the realistic information to be removed from school textbooks.
The documented secret illegal killings of 2 million Cambodian civilians, slaughter of hundreds of thousands in East Timor in Indonesia, supported Israeli ghettoization and abuses of Palestinians who occupied lands for hundreds of years, illegal torture and incarceration of alleged Muslim terrorists in Guantanamo prisons, and other egregious murders and human rights abuses carried out directly or indirectly by the American government do not bode well to our so called reputation of being the “Greatest Country in the World”.
• Some of the most severe cases of denial that I have observed recently are some people’s emotional resistance to acknowledging that our country, even though based on overwhelming motive and scientific evidence, there is clear information that America was complicit in the crimes of 911. I believe that because we live in a Patriarchal culture where religion, parents, schools, and government are sometimes unrealistically viewed as the benevolent father who would never want to hurt it’s children, that there is evidence of denial behavior. I have heard some people say, “Why would our government want to kill 3,000 of its own innocent people”. My answer very simply is that history has shown worldwide, that many countries have authorized deleterious experimentations on its populace, committed mass atrocities, sent its soldiers into battle to die for the so called “Better Good”, all defined by the greed and power lust of its high level leaders. People in their childlike denial, will long for the “Kind Benevolent Father” who will keep them safe, and never do anything overtly to harm them.
In conclusion if we are to live healthier, more peaceful, and sane lives, it is incumbent upon all of us, long term, to move beyond that destructive un-empowering emotion called “Denial”. Denial has taken more than its share of well meaning prisoners.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Wrong Resaon, Wrong Party
To bring any thread of validity to the argument that a "Community Center" should not be built near Ground Zero, one has to be patently clear that the Muslim community orchestrated and carried out 911. There is a great deal of doubt around the "Official US Report". Motive, abundant evidence, US reticence to investigate 911, and US incongruent behavior strongly point to the US, Larry Silverstein, and Israel being the central players in this egregious crime. In any False Flag event there must be a perceived enemy. A great deal of the American public have been made to believe by our mass media in concert with our government that Muslims are the perpetrators. This Muslim baiting extends to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict where our media make Israel look like the innocent victims with no culpability for their inhumane and imperialistic treatment of peoples who are being poorly treated, ghettoized, having their land bulldozed, and insensitively demonized as "Uncivilized Barbarians". So to be really fair let’s put the blame for "911" where it is squarely deserved, our US government.
Friday, August 27, 2010
911: The Truth is Not Enough
163
by Ken Jenkins How many times has this happened to you? You
are explaining to someone some of the rational,
logical reasons why the official story of 9/11
can’t be true, perhaps explaining how WTC 7 fell in the exact
manner of a professionally planned controlled demolition – a
job which would typically take weeks to prepare – when out
comes a ‘thought stopper’ phrase like:
“That’s just another conspiracy theory!” or …
“Do you also believe in Big Foot and tin foil hats?”
Or perhaps the person gets angry and/or agitated. Facts
no longer matter at that point, and you can tell the person
does not want to hear any more. For example, the following
response came from someone after they were given a 20-
minute summary of 9/11 Truth information:
“I wouldn’t believe that, even if it were true!”
That reaction defies all logic and
reason. But it clearly illustrates just
how irrational some peoples’ defenses
can be. Here are a few more honest
responses/defenses:
“As long as my wife and kids are
fine and we can live the life style we
have, the truth is, I don’t really care
what happened on 9/11.”
“I would not want to live in a world
where such a thing could be true.”
“You can’t expect someone to
listen to information that turns their
world upside down.”
“I’m not sure I want to know. If this is true, then up
would be down and down would be up. My life would never
be the same.”
“Look, I have to admit that I seriously resist anyone
messing with my worldview!”
Why So Much Resistance to 9/11 Truth?
Such reactions are emotionally based. 9/11 is a very emotionally
charged issue. The source of the denial and resistance
is FEAR. The implications of 9/11 Truth are very scary for
most people to take in. Given that a part of our government’s
job description is keeping its citizens safe, it’s terrifying to
consider that a secret rogue part of our government will do
just the opposite – mass murder those very citizens, in order to
advance dark agendas – like wars for corporate empire. To further
consider that associated ‘secret teams’ would then put out
corporate media cover-up stories, in the form of an elaborate
fantasy story backed up with planted evidence, and to think
that story was nearly universally accepted without question
– this is the stuff of nightmares.
Then there is the difficulty of accepting the self-image
shattering realization that we were duped by such cover story
lies. 9/11 Truth suggests a very uncomfortable and disturbing
worldview, especially to those new to such concepts. The
intensity of fear brought up by these vast implications
causes defense mechanisms to take over our rational thought
processes. Such denial most often overrides rationality.
What’s a 9/11 Truth Activist To Do?
How can we overcome such powerful denial? What
knowledge about these emotional barriers can empower us
to be more effective in reaching larger numbers of our fellow
citizens?
Start out by asking questions to find out what the person
you are addressing currently thinks and feels about the 9/11
Truth message. Adjust your approach based on what you hear.
Based on their responses, reach out and connect though empathy,
to express to them an understanding of their difficult
position. It’s not that hard to do – after all, most of us went
through a similar process of conversion
at some point, when we were in denial
and uninformed about 9/11. Let them
know about your own doubts, how you
had a difficult time believing that the
official story was false. Explain how
upsetting it was for you to consider the
alternative – those very inconvenient
truths. Even for those of us who were
not upset by the idea of 9/11 being an
inside job, there was often a difficulty
in wrapping our heads around the enormity
of it all. Talk about your own difficulties
in rejecting the official story.
Reasons for Resistance to the Truth
There are a number of valid reasons why many of us
resist the truth of 9/11. What follows are some major ones.
A. The Big Lie: I’ll start with the ‘Big Lie’ because it was
the main barrier that kept me from fully accepting the truth of
9/11 as I was researching it in the weeks after the event. The
sheer audacity of pulling off something so outrageous in broad
daylight, thinking they would get away with it, and the large
scale of it all kept me doubting for weeks. My turning point
was learning about what really happened at Pearl Harbor – the
many warnings that were ignored, the Japanese secret codes
that the US had broken, etc. This new understanding, that the
attack on Pearl Harbor was clearly allowed to happen, was
what finally had me fully accept 9/11 Truth. The comparable
number that were deliberately mass murdered, the scale of
the event, the audacity, and the 60 years of largely successful
cover-up all showed me that a Big Lie had happened before,
and worked to fool most of the public, and not all that long
ago. It was only later I discovered these quotes:
“The individual is handicapped by coming face to face
with a conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists.”
~ J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI
“The masses indulge in petty falsehoods every day, but
it would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal
untruths. ... The bigger the lie, therefore, the likelier it is to
be believed.” ~ Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf
B. Major Paradigm Shift: Questioning the official story
of 9/11 threatens the foundations of our society, or at least
seems to. It challenges our fellow citizens’ belief systems
regarding the nature of our government, and even the very
nature of our nation. Such questioning is far more profound
than, say, questioning a war. Accepting the truth of 9/11
is, for many, a major paradigm shift, an inverting of their
worldview. Such shifts risk a period of chaos and uncertainty,
which many find scary.
C. Blind Nationalist Faith: 9/11 Truth is a confrontation
with the self-image that many Americans have – of their
country and of themselves. The self-image Americans have
been sold though our school systems and media is that we are
the exceptional nation, the good guys wearing the white hats,
the bringers of democracy and freedom. Such nationalistic
faith can exceed religious faith in its dogmatic blindness.
David Ray Griffin has an article on this subject elsewhere
in this issue. [See article ps. XX-XX] and, Dr. Griffin also
addresses these issues in a DVD titled “9/11 and Nationalist
Faith.”
D. Projecting Parental Duties on Authorities: In
his book As If We Were Grownups, author Jeff Golden’s
thoughtful assertion is that, “We consistently elect [political]
candidates who tell us what children would want to hear.
Children want to hear that everything is okay, that little is
required of them, that they can go out and play or watch TV,
and that they’ll be taken care of and protected. In exchange,
they are expected to be seen and not heard, to pay their taxes,
to take their flu shots, and to not question the authorities.”
E. Admission of Gullibility: Anyone we are introducing
9/11 Truth to now has believed the official story for years. To
accept 9/11 Truth they have to admit they were duped, deceived,
and manipulated for all that time. That brings up questions of
gullibility, naiveté, lack of perceptiveness, obliviousness, etc.
Most of us have resistance to admitting such shortcomings.
Astronomer Carl Sagan sums it up nicely:
“One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve
been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence
of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out
the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too
painful to acknowledge – even to ourselves – that we’ve been
so credulous [i.e. gullible].”
F. The Rabbit Hole Effect – Wider Implications:
To believe 9/11 Truth, one also has to believe many other
difficult truths, such as:
• Parts of our corporate media must be incredibly corrupt
to be complicit in such a massive cover-up;
• There must be a powerful, secret, hidden government
that is capable of planning and executing such a horrible
and unthinkable act;
• Some of our leaders are more corrupt and malicious
than most of us would want to believe.
But one has only to remember the words of philosopher
and statesman, Edmund Burke, to understand how corruption
tends to prosper especially in good times:
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for
good men to do nothing.”
G. Apathy and Complacency: Radio talk show host,
Mike Rivero, sheds some light on why so many people are
apathetic and complacent about changing their beliefs:
“Most people prefer to believe their leaders are just and
fair even in the face of evidence to the contrary, because once
a citizen acknowledges that the government under which they
live is lying and corrupt, the citizen has to choose what he or
she will do about it. To take action in the face of a corrupt government
entails risks of harm to life and loved ones. To choose
to do nothing is to surrender one’s self-image of standing for
principles. Most people do not have the courage to face that
choice. Hence, most propaganda is not designed to fool the
critical thinker but only to give moral cowards an excuse not
to think at all.”
H. PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: 9/11 was
first and foremost a Psyop, shorthand for a Psychological
Operation. It is a term used by secret services like the CIA to
describe a class of operations that are intended to manipulate
the emotions of populations; it is a form of mind control.
The specific intention of 9/11 was to terrorize the American
people into supporting the so-called “war on terror,” which
is a replacement for the cold war’s “war on communism.”
It’s a blank check for the US government and the American
military-industrial-complex to attack anyone, anywhere they
want, anytime they want – to support the empire.
The psy-op initially worked for a vast majority of US
citizens, and for many, it is still working.
The terror that so many felt during and after the attacks
left many people, particularly in New York City, with Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD. To revisit those events,
as is necessary to expose the truth of 9/11, can retrigger
that stress and add to the other discomforts that are already
intrinsic to that same truth we are revealing. The desire to
minimize re-experiencing that trauma causes people to back
away. We need to go easy on those who exhibit such stress.
I. Lack of Knowledge of Historical Parallels or Patterns:
While not strictly a emotional issue, the ignorance most
people have about the many false flag events used to justify
wars throughout history also has a psychological component.
Our ability to conceptualize new information is dependent
on having a frame of reference, that is, already knowing
something similar, in order to be able to anchor a new thought.
The lack of such historical reference points, therefore, can be
yet another source of resistance. This blockage is perhaps the
easiest one to deal with – by educating people about the long
history of false flag events used for triggering wars.
The Awakening Will Take Time
These are most of the major reasons why so many people
resist 9/11 Truth. By understanding them, we can meet people
with empathy and understanding, and have more patience with
them. Patience is so important because for most, awakening to
9/11 Truth is a gradual process, often taking weeks, months, or
even years. In light of that, try to be sensitive when presenting
evidence, so as to notice when a person is ‘full’ – when they
have heard enough for the moment, and need space to digest
and absorb the new, and often, disturbing concepts.
The good news is that with all that is happening now in
our post-9/11 world, particularly with the public knowledge of
the lies about WMDs and Saddam being linked to al Qaeda and
9/11 that led us into war with Iraq, people’s minds are opening
wider every day. More and more people are waking up to the
degree of corruption and deception that is routine in our government.
Every day they learn more about how the corporate
media have been complicit in lies and cover-ups. Trust in such
corporate and governmental institutions is now at an all time
low, and dropping. This makes people far more open to the 9/11
Truth message. In a very real sense, our job is getting easier.
The truth alone is not enough, but the truth plus strategic
thinking, planning and educating is enough to convince most
fence-sitters. As David Hutton, author of The Change Agents’
Handbook, says: “You do not have to spend a lot of time and
effort on those who strongly resist change. You only have to
help and protect those who want to change.” Understanding
the various emotional obstacles is an essential part of such
a strategy.
It’s been over seven years for some of us who have been
working to expose the truth about 9/11. It will likely take
several more years, but we will win – as long as we work
smart and don’t give up. The truth will be revealed, and the
resultant awakening will lead to the kind of deep changes
that are so necessary to create a more positive future.
* * *
9/11 activist and video producer Ken Jenkins has a degree
in electrical engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University,
and has done extensive postgraduate study in psychology.
A pioneer in the 9/11 movement, Ken started presenting his
PowerPoint and video productions on 9/11 Truth in early 2002,
and has since spoken at five national 9/11 conferences. His first
video, “Perspective on 9/11” was originally made for those
early presentations. He has since produced ten DVDs with
leading 9/11 Truth author David Ray Griffin, including “9/11
– The Myth and the Reality”. He is also a partner in 9/11 TV
(911TV.org), which has documented speakers from many 9/11
conferences and events. The resulting DVDs are distributed
partly through local cable access channels nationwide.
By revealing the “false flag” nature of the 9/11 attacks,
it is Ken’s intention to not only help end the current bogus
“war on terror” but to also open the way to ending war as a
political option on this planet.
All rights reserved. Copyright belongs to the author. ■
Not Enough by Ken Jenkins
by Ken Jenkins What follows are concise answers to the most
frequently asked questions and objections
related to the 9/11 Truth message.
1. “9/11 is ancient history – it’s time to move on.”
Our entire world took a radical and dark turn as a direct
result of 9/11. As things stand, the phony “war on terror”
will continue to last “for a lifetime” as we were promised,
wasting resources – human, natural and economic – while
justifying empire, repressive police state policies, and
keeping people afraid. The Obama administration is shifting
the “war on terror” from Iraq back to Afghanistan, and is
also now bombing Pakistan. Only 9/11 Truth can reverse this
trend of endless war.
2. “Yes, but Bush & Company have left office. Not
much we can do, is there?”
9/11 Truth has less to do with the perpetrators than with a
corrupt set of systems, which allow psychopaths like Cheney
and the neocons to pull off a scam like 9/11. The problems
are far more deep and profound than a few bad actors.
3. “How could the whole of the mainstream media be
complicit?”
A few gatekeepers at the top control the corporate media.
Consider this quote from former CIA Director William Colby:
“The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) owns everyone of
any significance in the major media.” Google “Operation
Mockingbird” to learn some of the history of the controlled
corporate media. Mockingbird was a secret CIA campaign
to influence domestic and foreign media in the 1950s, made
public in 1975 during the Church committee investigation.
Soon after Mockingbird was implemented, it was assessed
to be a ‘spectacular success.’
4. How could such a large conspiracy be kept secret for
so long? It must have involved thousands of people?
The conspiracy was not all that large. Most likely,
only a few dozen people were central to the plot. Others
involved were compartmentalized dupes who were not in
on the planning. Also, our government has kept many far
bigger major operations secret for many years, such as the
Manhattan Project (1939-1946.) That Top Secret program
was designed to develop the first atomic weapon before the
Nazi’s did during WWII and employed 130,000 people
5. “What about the guys who you claim ‘wired’ the
buildings? Wouldn’t they have spoken up by now?”
They are guilty of being part of a mass murder and would
likely get the death penalty. They were likely well paid and
now living in luxury, most likely outside this country. What
would be their incentive for speaking up? If they did so,
they’d be instantly silenced by the others.
6. “What happened to all the passengers?”
They died. That part of the official conspiracy theory is
true.
7. “So, if you don’t believe the official story, what really
happened then?”
All we know for certain is that the official story cannot
be true. We don’t know all the details of
what happened. That’s why we want a
real investigation – with subpoena powers
– to find out what really did occur.
8. “Not even the Bush administration
would do something so evil.”
These are the same guys responsible
for over a million deaths in Iraq and
Afghanistan, plus hundreds of deaths
of first responders at Ground Zero. A
few thousand more mean little to such
psychopaths.
9. “The Bush administration was
too incompetent to pull off such a
complex plan.”
The Bush administration only ordered
the operation; it was designed and
implemented by professionals behind the
scenes. Plus, these are the same people
who pulled off the major scam of taking
us to war with Iraq based on lies, with
help from the complicit corporate media.
They avoided impeachment for over 50
impeachable offenses. They stole two
elections. This is hardly incompetence.
10. “But isn’t terrorism a real threat?”
The answer to this is best described by former British
Foreign Secretary Robin Cook: “The truth is, there is no
Islamic army or terrorist group called al Qaeda. And any
informed intelligence officer knows this. But there is a
propaganda campaign to make the public believe in the
presence of an identified entity representing the ‘devil’
only in order to drive the TV watcher to accept a unified
international leadership for a war against terrorism. The
country behind this propaganda is the US …”
11. “Didn’t Osama bin Laden confess to doing 9/11?”
No. Right after 9/11 he denied any involvement, and
later repeated this message. The one alleged confession
video has been shown to be a fake, with an imposter, a lookalike
playing bin Laden.
Also, bin Laden is not even wanted by the FBI for 9/11,
due to “a lack of evidence”, according to FBI spokesperson,
Rex Tomb.
12. “This sounds like just a conspiracy theory to me.”
The official story is a conspiracy theory. It’s by definition
a conspiracy because more than one person was involved in
planning a crime. And the official story is just a theory because
it has never been proven, in a court of law or anywhere else.
13. “Didn’t the 9/11 Commission prove the case?”
No, not at all, it didn’t even attempt to. The 9/11
Commission Report started with the
assumption that the official story was
true. Commission Director and Bush
administration insider, Philip Zeikow,
wrote a detailed outline for the report
before the Commissioners even met,
and was in charge of every aspect of the
Commission, including writing the final
report. They did not consider alternative
theories. The report did not even mention
the collapse of WTC Building 7.
14. “What possible motivation
would the Bush administration have
for ordering the 9/11 scam?”
The motivation is revealed by the
very results that were implemented
right after 9/11 (qui bono? – who
benefits?). It is now known that the Bush
administration started discussing how
to start wars with Afghanistan and Iraq
during their first month in office. 9/11
gave them the pretext for those wars
(with some additional lies about WMDs
to kickstart the invasion of Iraq). They
wanted and got far more power and control. They got all the
things that the PNAC (Project for a New American Century)
said they wanted in the year 2000. Rumsfeld, Cheney, and
Jeb Bush, as well as most of the leading neocons were
all members of the PNAC, and signatories on the paper
Rebuilding America’s Defenses, which specially called for
“a catalyzing event like a new Pearl Harbor.”
* * *
If we are well prepared to answer these types of
questions whenever they come up, we can then be more
effective in educating skeptics about the real truth. The most
ardent skeptics often make the best Truthers once converted.
And once converted, a person rarely, if ever, turns back to
believing the big lie that is called the ‘official story.’ ■
by Ken Jenkins How many times has this happened to you? You
are explaining to someone some of the rational,
logical reasons why the official story of 9/11
can’t be true, perhaps explaining how WTC 7 fell in the exact
manner of a professionally planned controlled demolition – a
job which would typically take weeks to prepare – when out
comes a ‘thought stopper’ phrase like:
“That’s just another conspiracy theory!” or …
“Do you also believe in Big Foot and tin foil hats?”
Or perhaps the person gets angry and/or agitated. Facts
no longer matter at that point, and you can tell the person
does not want to hear any more. For example, the following
response came from someone after they were given a 20-
minute summary of 9/11 Truth information:
“I wouldn’t believe that, even if it were true!”
That reaction defies all logic and
reason. But it clearly illustrates just
how irrational some peoples’ defenses
can be. Here are a few more honest
responses/defenses:
“As long as my wife and kids are
fine and we can live the life style we
have, the truth is, I don’t really care
what happened on 9/11.”
“I would not want to live in a world
where such a thing could be true.”
“You can’t expect someone to
listen to information that turns their
world upside down.”
“I’m not sure I want to know. If this is true, then up
would be down and down would be up. My life would never
be the same.”
“Look, I have to admit that I seriously resist anyone
messing with my worldview!”
Why So Much Resistance to 9/11 Truth?
Such reactions are emotionally based. 9/11 is a very emotionally
charged issue. The source of the denial and resistance
is FEAR. The implications of 9/11 Truth are very scary for
most people to take in. Given that a part of our government’s
job description is keeping its citizens safe, it’s terrifying to
consider that a secret rogue part of our government will do
just the opposite – mass murder those very citizens, in order to
advance dark agendas – like wars for corporate empire. To further
consider that associated ‘secret teams’ would then put out
corporate media cover-up stories, in the form of an elaborate
fantasy story backed up with planted evidence, and to think
that story was nearly universally accepted without question
– this is the stuff of nightmares.
Then there is the difficulty of accepting the self-image
shattering realization that we were duped by such cover story
lies. 9/11 Truth suggests a very uncomfortable and disturbing
worldview, especially to those new to such concepts. The
intensity of fear brought up by these vast implications
causes defense mechanisms to take over our rational thought
processes. Such denial most often overrides rationality.
What’s a 9/11 Truth Activist To Do?
How can we overcome such powerful denial? What
knowledge about these emotional barriers can empower us
to be more effective in reaching larger numbers of our fellow
citizens?
Start out by asking questions to find out what the person
you are addressing currently thinks and feels about the 9/11
Truth message. Adjust your approach based on what you hear.
Based on their responses, reach out and connect though empathy,
to express to them an understanding of their difficult
position. It’s not that hard to do – after all, most of us went
through a similar process of conversion
at some point, when we were in denial
and uninformed about 9/11. Let them
know about your own doubts, how you
had a difficult time believing that the
official story was false. Explain how
upsetting it was for you to consider the
alternative – those very inconvenient
truths. Even for those of us who were
not upset by the idea of 9/11 being an
inside job, there was often a difficulty
in wrapping our heads around the enormity
of it all. Talk about your own difficulties
in rejecting the official story.
Reasons for Resistance to the Truth
There are a number of valid reasons why many of us
resist the truth of 9/11. What follows are some major ones.
A. The Big Lie: I’ll start with the ‘Big Lie’ because it was
the main barrier that kept me from fully accepting the truth of
9/11 as I was researching it in the weeks after the event. The
sheer audacity of pulling off something so outrageous in broad
daylight, thinking they would get away with it, and the large
scale of it all kept me doubting for weeks. My turning point
was learning about what really happened at Pearl Harbor – the
many warnings that were ignored, the Japanese secret codes
that the US had broken, etc. This new understanding, that the
attack on Pearl Harbor was clearly allowed to happen, was
what finally had me fully accept 9/11 Truth. The comparable
number that were deliberately mass murdered, the scale of
the event, the audacity, and the 60 years of largely successful
cover-up all showed me that a Big Lie had happened before,
and worked to fool most of the public, and not all that long
ago. It was only later I discovered these quotes:
“The individual is handicapped by coming face to face
with a conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists.”
~ J. Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI
“The masses indulge in petty falsehoods every day, but
it would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal
untruths. ... The bigger the lie, therefore, the likelier it is to
be believed.” ~ Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf
B. Major Paradigm Shift: Questioning the official story
of 9/11 threatens the foundations of our society, or at least
seems to. It challenges our fellow citizens’ belief systems
regarding the nature of our government, and even the very
nature of our nation. Such questioning is far more profound
than, say, questioning a war. Accepting the truth of 9/11
is, for many, a major paradigm shift, an inverting of their
worldview. Such shifts risk a period of chaos and uncertainty,
which many find scary.
C. Blind Nationalist Faith: 9/11 Truth is a confrontation
with the self-image that many Americans have – of their
country and of themselves. The self-image Americans have
been sold though our school systems and media is that we are
the exceptional nation, the good guys wearing the white hats,
the bringers of democracy and freedom. Such nationalistic
faith can exceed religious faith in its dogmatic blindness.
David Ray Griffin has an article on this subject elsewhere
in this issue. [See article ps. XX-XX] and, Dr. Griffin also
addresses these issues in a DVD titled “9/11 and Nationalist
Faith.”
D. Projecting Parental Duties on Authorities: In
his book As If We Were Grownups, author Jeff Golden’s
thoughtful assertion is that, “We consistently elect [political]
candidates who tell us what children would want to hear.
Children want to hear that everything is okay, that little is
required of them, that they can go out and play or watch TV,
and that they’ll be taken care of and protected. In exchange,
they are expected to be seen and not heard, to pay their taxes,
to take their flu shots, and to not question the authorities.”
E. Admission of Gullibility: Anyone we are introducing
9/11 Truth to now has believed the official story for years. To
accept 9/11 Truth they have to admit they were duped, deceived,
and manipulated for all that time. That brings up questions of
gullibility, naiveté, lack of perceptiveness, obliviousness, etc.
Most of us have resistance to admitting such shortcomings.
Astronomer Carl Sagan sums it up nicely:
“One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve
been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence
of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out
the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It is simply too
painful to acknowledge – even to ourselves – that we’ve been
so credulous [i.e. gullible].”
F. The Rabbit Hole Effect – Wider Implications:
To believe 9/11 Truth, one also has to believe many other
difficult truths, such as:
• Parts of our corporate media must be incredibly corrupt
to be complicit in such a massive cover-up;
• There must be a powerful, secret, hidden government
that is capable of planning and executing such a horrible
and unthinkable act;
• Some of our leaders are more corrupt and malicious
than most of us would want to believe.
But one has only to remember the words of philosopher
and statesman, Edmund Burke, to understand how corruption
tends to prosper especially in good times:
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for
good men to do nothing.”
G. Apathy and Complacency: Radio talk show host,
Mike Rivero, sheds some light on why so many people are
apathetic and complacent about changing their beliefs:
“Most people prefer to believe their leaders are just and
fair even in the face of evidence to the contrary, because once
a citizen acknowledges that the government under which they
live is lying and corrupt, the citizen has to choose what he or
she will do about it. To take action in the face of a corrupt government
entails risks of harm to life and loved ones. To choose
to do nothing is to surrender one’s self-image of standing for
principles. Most people do not have the courage to face that
choice. Hence, most propaganda is not designed to fool the
critical thinker but only to give moral cowards an excuse not
to think at all.”
H. PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: 9/11 was
first and foremost a Psyop, shorthand for a Psychological
Operation. It is a term used by secret services like the CIA to
describe a class of operations that are intended to manipulate
the emotions of populations; it is a form of mind control.
The specific intention of 9/11 was to terrorize the American
people into supporting the so-called “war on terror,” which
is a replacement for the cold war’s “war on communism.”
It’s a blank check for the US government and the American
military-industrial-complex to attack anyone, anywhere they
want, anytime they want – to support the empire.
The psy-op initially worked for a vast majority of US
citizens, and for many, it is still working.
The terror that so many felt during and after the attacks
left many people, particularly in New York City, with Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD. To revisit those events,
as is necessary to expose the truth of 9/11, can retrigger
that stress and add to the other discomforts that are already
intrinsic to that same truth we are revealing. The desire to
minimize re-experiencing that trauma causes people to back
away. We need to go easy on those who exhibit such stress.
I. Lack of Knowledge of Historical Parallels or Patterns:
While not strictly a emotional issue, the ignorance most
people have about the many false flag events used to justify
wars throughout history also has a psychological component.
Our ability to conceptualize new information is dependent
on having a frame of reference, that is, already knowing
something similar, in order to be able to anchor a new thought.
The lack of such historical reference points, therefore, can be
yet another source of resistance. This blockage is perhaps the
easiest one to deal with – by educating people about the long
history of false flag events used for triggering wars.
The Awakening Will Take Time
These are most of the major reasons why so many people
resist 9/11 Truth. By understanding them, we can meet people
with empathy and understanding, and have more patience with
them. Patience is so important because for most, awakening to
9/11 Truth is a gradual process, often taking weeks, months, or
even years. In light of that, try to be sensitive when presenting
evidence, so as to notice when a person is ‘full’ – when they
have heard enough for the moment, and need space to digest
and absorb the new, and often, disturbing concepts.
The good news is that with all that is happening now in
our post-9/11 world, particularly with the public knowledge of
the lies about WMDs and Saddam being linked to al Qaeda and
9/11 that led us into war with Iraq, people’s minds are opening
wider every day. More and more people are waking up to the
degree of corruption and deception that is routine in our government.
Every day they learn more about how the corporate
media have been complicit in lies and cover-ups. Trust in such
corporate and governmental institutions is now at an all time
low, and dropping. This makes people far more open to the 9/11
Truth message. In a very real sense, our job is getting easier.
The truth alone is not enough, but the truth plus strategic
thinking, planning and educating is enough to convince most
fence-sitters. As David Hutton, author of The Change Agents’
Handbook, says: “You do not have to spend a lot of time and
effort on those who strongly resist change. You only have to
help and protect those who want to change.” Understanding
the various emotional obstacles is an essential part of such
a strategy.
It’s been over seven years for some of us who have been
working to expose the truth about 9/11. It will likely take
several more years, but we will win – as long as we work
smart and don’t give up. The truth will be revealed, and the
resultant awakening will lead to the kind of deep changes
that are so necessary to create a more positive future.
* * *
9/11 activist and video producer Ken Jenkins has a degree
in electrical engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University,
and has done extensive postgraduate study in psychology.
A pioneer in the 9/11 movement, Ken started presenting his
PowerPoint and video productions on 9/11 Truth in early 2002,
and has since spoken at five national 9/11 conferences. His first
video, “Perspective on 9/11” was originally made for those
early presentations. He has since produced ten DVDs with
leading 9/11 Truth author David Ray Griffin, including “9/11
– The Myth and the Reality”. He is also a partner in 9/11 TV
(911TV.org), which has documented speakers from many 9/11
conferences and events. The resulting DVDs are distributed
partly through local cable access channels nationwide.
By revealing the “false flag” nature of the 9/11 attacks,
it is Ken’s intention to not only help end the current bogus
“war on terror” but to also open the way to ending war as a
political option on this planet.
All rights reserved. Copyright belongs to the author. ■
Not Enough by Ken Jenkins
by Ken Jenkins What follows are concise answers to the most
frequently asked questions and objections
related to the 9/11 Truth message.
1. “9/11 is ancient history – it’s time to move on.”
Our entire world took a radical and dark turn as a direct
result of 9/11. As things stand, the phony “war on terror”
will continue to last “for a lifetime” as we were promised,
wasting resources – human, natural and economic – while
justifying empire, repressive police state policies, and
keeping people afraid. The Obama administration is shifting
the “war on terror” from Iraq back to Afghanistan, and is
also now bombing Pakistan. Only 9/11 Truth can reverse this
trend of endless war.
2. “Yes, but Bush & Company have left office. Not
much we can do, is there?”
9/11 Truth has less to do with the perpetrators than with a
corrupt set of systems, which allow psychopaths like Cheney
and the neocons to pull off a scam like 9/11. The problems
are far more deep and profound than a few bad actors.
3. “How could the whole of the mainstream media be
complicit?”
A few gatekeepers at the top control the corporate media.
Consider this quote from former CIA Director William Colby:
“The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) owns everyone of
any significance in the major media.” Google “Operation
Mockingbird” to learn some of the history of the controlled
corporate media. Mockingbird was a secret CIA campaign
to influence domestic and foreign media in the 1950s, made
public in 1975 during the Church committee investigation.
Soon after Mockingbird was implemented, it was assessed
to be a ‘spectacular success.’
4. How could such a large conspiracy be kept secret for
so long? It must have involved thousands of people?
The conspiracy was not all that large. Most likely,
only a few dozen people were central to the plot. Others
involved were compartmentalized dupes who were not in
on the planning. Also, our government has kept many far
bigger major operations secret for many years, such as the
Manhattan Project (1939-1946.) That Top Secret program
was designed to develop the first atomic weapon before the
Nazi’s did during WWII and employed 130,000 people
5. “What about the guys who you claim ‘wired’ the
buildings? Wouldn’t they have spoken up by now?”
They are guilty of being part of a mass murder and would
likely get the death penalty. They were likely well paid and
now living in luxury, most likely outside this country. What
would be their incentive for speaking up? If they did so,
they’d be instantly silenced by the others.
6. “What happened to all the passengers?”
They died. That part of the official conspiracy theory is
true.
7. “So, if you don’t believe the official story, what really
happened then?”
All we know for certain is that the official story cannot
be true. We don’t know all the details of
what happened. That’s why we want a
real investigation – with subpoena powers
– to find out what really did occur.
8. “Not even the Bush administration
would do something so evil.”
These are the same guys responsible
for over a million deaths in Iraq and
Afghanistan, plus hundreds of deaths
of first responders at Ground Zero. A
few thousand more mean little to such
psychopaths.
9. “The Bush administration was
too incompetent to pull off such a
complex plan.”
The Bush administration only ordered
the operation; it was designed and
implemented by professionals behind the
scenes. Plus, these are the same people
who pulled off the major scam of taking
us to war with Iraq based on lies, with
help from the complicit corporate media.
They avoided impeachment for over 50
impeachable offenses. They stole two
elections. This is hardly incompetence.
10. “But isn’t terrorism a real threat?”
The answer to this is best described by former British
Foreign Secretary Robin Cook: “The truth is, there is no
Islamic army or terrorist group called al Qaeda. And any
informed intelligence officer knows this. But there is a
propaganda campaign to make the public believe in the
presence of an identified entity representing the ‘devil’
only in order to drive the TV watcher to accept a unified
international leadership for a war against terrorism. The
country behind this propaganda is the US …”
11. “Didn’t Osama bin Laden confess to doing 9/11?”
No. Right after 9/11 he denied any involvement, and
later repeated this message. The one alleged confession
video has been shown to be a fake, with an imposter, a lookalike
playing bin Laden.
Also, bin Laden is not even wanted by the FBI for 9/11,
due to “a lack of evidence”, according to FBI spokesperson,
Rex Tomb.
12. “This sounds like just a conspiracy theory to me.”
The official story is a conspiracy theory. It’s by definition
a conspiracy because more than one person was involved in
planning a crime. And the official story is just a theory because
it has never been proven, in a court of law or anywhere else.
13. “Didn’t the 9/11 Commission prove the case?”
No, not at all, it didn’t even attempt to. The 9/11
Commission Report started with the
assumption that the official story was
true. Commission Director and Bush
administration insider, Philip Zeikow,
wrote a detailed outline for the report
before the Commissioners even met,
and was in charge of every aspect of the
Commission, including writing the final
report. They did not consider alternative
theories. The report did not even mention
the collapse of WTC Building 7.
14. “What possible motivation
would the Bush administration have
for ordering the 9/11 scam?”
The motivation is revealed by the
very results that were implemented
right after 9/11 (qui bono? – who
benefits?). It is now known that the Bush
administration started discussing how
to start wars with Afghanistan and Iraq
during their first month in office. 9/11
gave them the pretext for those wars
(with some additional lies about WMDs
to kickstart the invasion of Iraq). They
wanted and got far more power and control. They got all the
things that the PNAC (Project for a New American Century)
said they wanted in the year 2000. Rumsfeld, Cheney, and
Jeb Bush, as well as most of the leading neocons were
all members of the PNAC, and signatories on the paper
Rebuilding America’s Defenses, which specially called for
“a catalyzing event like a new Pearl Harbor.”
* * *
If we are well prepared to answer these types of
questions whenever they come up, we can then be more
effective in educating skeptics about the real truth. The most
ardent skeptics often make the best Truthers once converted.
And once converted, a person rarely, if ever, turns back to
believing the big lie that is called the ‘official story.’ ■
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