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Showing posts with label American apathy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label American apathy. Show all posts

Thursday, December 9, 2010

AMERICA: Y UR PEEPS B SO DUM?

Ignorance and courage in the age of Lady Gaga


Joe Bageant

If you hang out much with thinking people, conversation eventually turns to the serious political and cultural questions of our times. Such as: How can the Americans remain so consistently brain-fucked? Much of the world, including plenty of Americans, asks that question as they watch U.S. culture go down like a thrashing mastodon giving itself up to some Pleistocene tar pit.

One explanation might be the effect of 40 years of deep fried industrial chicken pulp, and 44 ounce Big Gulp soft drinks. Another might be pop culture, which is not culture at all of course, but marketing. Or we could blame it on digital autism: Ever watch commuter monkeys on the subway poking at digital devices, stroking the touch screen for hours on end? That wrinkled Neolithic brows above the squinting red eyes?


But a more reasonable explanation is that, (A) we don't even know we are doing it, and (B) we cling to institutions dedicated to making sure we never find out.

As William Edwards Deming famously demonstrated, no system can understand itself, and why it does what it does, including the American social system. Not knowing shit about why your society does what it makes for a pretty nasty case of existential unease. So we create institutions whose function is to pretend to know, which makes everyone feel better. Unfortunately, it also makes the savviest among us -- those elites who run the institutions -- very rich, or safe from the vicissitudes that buffet the rest of us.

Directly or indirectly, they understand that the real function of American social institutions is to justify, rationalize and hide the true purpose of cultural behavior from the lumpenproletariat, and to shape that behavior to the benefit of the institution's members. "Hey, they're a lump. Whaddya expect us to do?"

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From American Revolutionary to American Apathy


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Monday, December 6, 2010

From American Revolutionary To American Apathy

Brad Mitchell
Activist Post

What happened Americans? Where is your fighting spirit? Where is your passion? Where is your pride? Your sense of dignity? Your self-worth? Is there anything that you really care about anymore? 

Your personal privacy is gone. Your standard of living has plummeted. You can’t afford to live a basic middle-class life, even though you have two working parents. Your police force abuses its power; your politicians are corrupt and incompetent; you’re so far in debt that your American Dream is to make next month's payments, yet you trudge along grinding out a living like there’s something honorable about it.

The revolutionaries who started this country would look at the current population in disgust, and frankly so do I. Being an American myself I have been weighing two options in recent years: stay and fight, or bid good riddance and get out of this police state. I’ve seen a steady erosion of civil liberties, blatant violations of the Bill of Rights, complete disregard for the limits put in place by the US Constitution, all while our army and police force run around exerting their will, continually expanding, ultimately accountable to no one.

And the worst part is that Americans do nothing. For the life of me I cannot figure out why nobody cares. Is it because Dancing With The Stars is just so interesting you can't look outside at the world around you? Are you so concerned about voting for Bristol Palin to make the next round that you didn’t notice our government has literally inserted itself into every aspect of our lives? Look outside your personal bubble for the next 5 minutes, and see if you don’t find anything wrong with this picture.


In 2006, campus police tasered an unarmed UCLA student while he worked at the computer lab. They did this because he did not show them his student ID card. And if that weren’t bad enough, the entire library full of college students stood around and simply watched. OK, some of them shot video of it, as you can find it all over YouTube, but no one did anything to keep the police in check. And these are college students, who are supposed to be wild, crazy, and out of control. When your chance came to make a stand, you could do nothing but video it and stay out of the way, god forbid you put yourself out there . . . .

What would the college students of the 1960s have done in this situation? Given that they were having violent clashes with the real police every weekend about the Vietnam War, I think it is safe to assume they would have had these “campus cops” pissing their pants.

Speaking of war, did everyone forget that we invaded Iraq and killed civilians under false pretenses? There never were any so-called “WMDs” to justify going in there. Yet we did, and our military killed their citizens, and we completely destroyed a sovereign country even though we had absolutely no reason to. Where were the war protesters on this one? Actually, I did see a few protests on weekends, in certain cities. Well organized, permitted protests, sometimes with a few thousand people, following the marching path they got approval for from the city.

Again let’s look at the actions of the previous generation. How about the millions of people that marched in the Vietnam Moratorium? Millions of people all over the US stopped going to work and took a stand. Protests and marches were held in every city, all over the entire country, and attended by everyone from student activists, to the 9-5 corporate ladder climber. In Washington DC alone 500,000 showed up without a permit, didn’t follow the designated protest route, and surrounded the capital. They had the government trembling, as they knew they could no longer contain the will of the people.  Another example of people who got together, fought for what they wanted, and despite violent and sometime deadly opposition from the government, they succeeded. 

Back to recent days, how about the flat-out execution-style shooting of Oscar Grant at a train station in Oakland? A number of police detained several men, and placed one on his stomach, with his hands behind his back. Next thing you know, an officer pulls out his gun and shoots the man in the back, killing him. This was an unarmed man, on his stomach, who was restrained, with his hands behind him.

And what happened immediately after? Well, the train passengers videotaped it with their cell phones. But did anyone do anything? Did a single fellow officer raise their gun, and point it at the cop who just murdered a person who was in custody? No, of course they didn’t. Instead, the cops banded together and tried to collaborate and create a story that would justify the murder.

And the passengers on the train, how come no action on your part? I can see in all the videos that everyone is visibly upset and enraged at the event. How about several hundred of you step off the train, surround the officers, and make a statement that citizens won't stand for unjust murders committed by our “protectors?" Instead, you just walk off shaking your head, so you can go home and talk a big game on the Internet about what you witnessed, but ultimately did nothing about.

I’m pretty sure the generation before this one would have rushed the officer, rendered him powerless, and let the police know that they wouldn’t stand for abuses of power, excessive force, and murder of citizens. True, it wouldn’t have been an easy battle, and people would have been hurt, but somehow the previous generation knew that making a statement was a more important issue than worrying about whether you got a few lumps. Many even took bullets and sacrificed their lives, but they understood that important issues were bigger than their personal bubble.

How is it that the generation before this one had so much willpower they could actually stand up to authority and be proud of it? What changed to make the current one so pathetic in comparison? Seriously, the 60s generation brought the country to the brink of revolution over the Vietnam War. They thought our involvement was unjust, and they let the government know it. If the government disagreed they got louder and fought back. Granted it wasn’t easy, as everyone knows about theKent State Massacre. But the point is, the students cared enough that this didn’t stop them. They kept on going, stronger than before, until they forced the government to listen.

Somehow the citizens of other countries still know how to slap the government back into its place. When an officer killed a young man in Greece, the country rioted against the police force for two weeks. The entire country got up and made a stand, without even being asked to. They didn’t know this kid, nor did they care about him personally. They cared about the fact that he was murdered by a police officer, and they needed to let the government know this act of aggression was intolerable. This resulted in 14 days of the police fearing for their lives and begging for the Greek citizens' forgiveness. When was the last time we saw police begging for forgiveness in the USA?

Somehow the citizens of England and France know how to fight back as well; take a look at what college students did in the UK when they raised tuition fees. From my recollection tuition fees have gone up every year in the US, for the past 10 years or so. I don’t think anyone has said or done anything about it. We just grovel at how expensive college has become and cut a check. And you all remember France right? They had days of fighting back against the establishment for passing unpopular benefit cutting packages. Looking at the published stats, 1 out of every 3 citizens was on the street taking action. They cut off fuel lines to the airport, effectively shutting down flights out of Paris International. When the government tried to get truckers to bring in fuel via an outside route, protesters stopped them, and the truckers joined the protest.

How is it that other countries that spend more time sleeping and relaxing than we do, can suddenly snap into action and defeat the government whenever they need to? As soon as the hand reaches too far, they band together, fight back, and let the authorities know that the power lies with the people; reminding them that they rule by the consent of the governed, not the other way around.

Somehow, resistance to tyranny takes place in other countries around the world, instinctively. No one organizes it; the people just react accordingly when they see their liberties being violated. Why doesn’t this happen in the USA? Are people that much more afraid here than in every other country in the world? Or are they simply lazy? Or just apathetic? Whatever the cause is, it’s made me lose hope that the people will ever win a “victory” over the tyrannical government.

Let's examine the latest example of government intrusion, which culminated in Opt-Out Day. We’ve all seen the ridiculous violations by the TSA.  Nov 24th was America's chance to finally take a shot back. Their opportunity to let the powers-that-be know they’ve stepped too far, and that when people band together they can form a force more powerful than any policy can ever be. Opt-Out day gave every one of you a chance to take a stand with three simple words “I Opt Out.”

Internet and media sources were buzzing with this all week, wondering what would happen. Would US citizens break the travel industry and finally show their true spirit? 100,000s of people online claimed they would indeed opt out, and make their demands known. But what happened on the official day? Big surprise . . . nothing. You couldn’t even take this little inconsequential step towards making a stand. A step that required nothing from you other than 3 words. You weren’t asked to riot, protest, take a precious day off work, or do anything that would put you at risk in the slightest. All you had to do was let the government know that you weren’t going to let them see you naked. For reasons I cannot understand, you couldn’t do it. Everyone talked a big game from their computer, but when put in a place where you had to take minimal action, you failed.

Of course there's the story that the TSA caved, and shut down its body scanners for Holiday travel, robbing the people of their victory on Opt-Out-Day. But what about the day after Thanksgiving? What about the day after that? How about yesterday, today, or tomorrow? These scanners are in action as we speak, as are the "enhanced pat-downs."  Meanwhile the American people continue along, accepting these repeated violations, while doing absolutely nothing about it. You don't need national Opt-Out-Day to take a stand here. Any day that someone tries to violate your personal privacy is your day to do something. Or any day you see it happening to someone else for that matter.

This so called “revolt” is just another example of how pathetic the American people have become with regard to confronting authority. And if airport violations aren't enough for you to care about, then get ready, as Janet Napolitano has made it clear that the groping and scanning is slated for the American streets. Naturally, it will start at Federal buildings and major public events, and then slowly but surely find its way onto buses, trains, at highway checkpoints, etc.  It seems that these checkpoints have actually already begun.

Perhaps that will be enough to get a rise out of the American population, not that I'm really holding out much hope these days. Somehow you can fight tooth-and-nail for a $199 flat screen TV onBlack Friday, beating your fellow citizens senseless for something you don’t even need. However, when it comes time to protecting your civil liberties, which you truly do need, you won’t even open your mouth to voice some opposition. And I thought the priorities of the government were screwed up. 

After witnessing these disgusting displays by the American people, I think it’s time to bid adieu to this country. I can’t stand what the government has become, but what’s even harder to stand is what has happened to the people. I hope you all wake up one day and take a stand; I promise I’ll be the first one back as soon as that happens. Until then, enjoy having your genitalia fondled, I’m sure cavity searches are around the corner . . . we just need the “sphincter bomber” to strike first.

Note: This is not offensive violence I am giving examples of, or endorsing; this is defensive resistance to crimes committed by unbridled governments.

Also by Brad Mitchell
America's Healthcare Insanity

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Beware The Rising Ire of a Forgotten Generation
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Citizens of Europe Rage Against The Machine
5 Best Countries to Escape America's Decline


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Monday, November 29, 2010

Lies Across America

“Every single empire, in its official discourse, has said that it is not like all the others, that its circumstances are special, that it has a mission to enlighten, civilize, bring order and democracy, and that it uses force only as a last resort.” – Edward Said


Jim Quinn
The Burning Platform

The increasingly fragile American Empire has been built on a foundation of lies. Lies we tell ourselves and Big lies spread by our government. The shit is so deep you can stir it with a stick. As we enter another holiday season the mainstream corporate mass media will relegate you to the status of consumer. This is a disgusting term that dehumanizes all Americans. You are nothing but a blot to corporations and advertisers selling you electronic doohickeys that they convince you that you must have. Propaganda about consumer spending being essential to an economic recovery is spewed from 52 inch HDTVs across the land, 24 hours per day, by CNBC, Fox, CBS and the other corporate owned media that generate billions in profits from selling advertising to corporations schilling material goods to thoughtless American consumers.  Aldous Huxley had it figured out decades ago:


“Thanks to compulsory education and the rotary press, the propagandist has been able, for many years past, to convey his messages to virtually every adult in every civilized country.”

Americans were given the mental capacity to critically think. Sadly, a vast swath of Americans has chosen ignorance over knowledge. Make no mistake about it, ignorance is a choice. It doesn’t matter whether you are poor or rich. Books are available to everyone in this country. Sob stories about the disadvantaged poor having no access to education are nothing but liberal spin to keep the masses controlled. There are 122,500 libraries in this country. If you want to read a book, you can read a book. The internet puts knowledge at the fingertips of every citizen. Becoming educated requires hard work, sacrifice, curiosity, and a desire to learn. Aldous Huxley describes the American choice to be ignorant:

 “Most ignorance is vincible ignorance. We don’t know because we don’t want to know.”

It is a choice to play Call of Duty on your PS3 rather than reading Shakespeare. It is a choice to stand on a street corner looking for trouble rather than reading Hemingway. It is a choice to spend Black Friday in malls fighting other robotic consumers for iSomethings, the latest innovative, advanced TVs, flashy Rolexes, and ostentatious Coach bags rather than spending the day reading Guns of August by Barbara Tuchman, a brilliant Pulitzer Prize winning history of the outset of World War I, which would provide insight into what could happen on the Korean Peninsula. It is a choice to watch 6 hours per day of Dancing With the Stars, American Idol, Brainless Housewives of Everywhere, or CSI of Anywhere rather than reading Orwell or Huxley and discovering that their dystopian warnings have come true.

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Tuesday, November 16, 2010

American Idle

Live every day as if it were your last . . . and then some day you’ll be right. ~H.H. “Breaker” Morant~

Keith Johnson -- Revolt of the Plebs

History is not likely to speak well of today’s Americans.  While the people of nations around the globe stand up to their oppressors, Americans sit idly by as their government runs roughshod over their life, liberty and property. 

As we speak, large-scale protests and mass demonstrations continue in more than a dozen countries as citizens strike back against injustice, criminality and brutal austerity measures imposed by their corrupt governments. 

In the UK, more than 50,000 students recently took to the streets to protest a spike in tuition costs. 

In Greece, workers clashed with police outside the Finance Ministry over frozen pensions and cuts in their salaries. 

In Germany, tens of thousands demonstrated over the weekend to protest government policies and social inequities in advance of Merkel’s Democrat party’s national meeting.

In early October, thousands of Icelanders stormed their parliament with renewed anger over the deepening financial crisis, and against those responsible for it.  Many of their politicians were forced to flee out the back door, where they were pelted with eggs, flour and tomatoes. 

In France, transportation and commerce was brought to a virtual standstill throughout vast portions of the country, as angry citizens railed against their government for increasing the retirement age from 60 to 62.

Press coverage of these events gets little attention here in the United States.  When the press does cover it, they portray the demonstrators as greedy laysbouts who have been become dependant on government handouts.  In reality, people of these countries know full well that they are being made to do without in order to enrich powerful central banks that conspired with  their politicians to loot their economies.  The people have had enough, and they’re letting their governments know it.
If only we had the same spirit.  When will the American people recognize the full frontal assault being perpetrated against them?  When will they realize that, they too, are being made to do with less, so that their corrupt politicians can fulfill the unlawful arrangements they have made with the very same central banks and financial institutions that are bringing down nations around the globe?

Right now, millions of Americans have lost (or are losing) their homes to foreclosure as a result of the same kind of collusion between politicians and the banking cartels. 

In 2008, the banking elite threatened to shut down the U.S. economy unless corrupt politicians in Washington D.C. forced through the Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP).  Though more than 90% of the American public voiced opposition to the bill, their words fell on deaf ears.  To add insult to injury, the passage of TARP was actually celebrated by members of congress, who stood at the podium with broad smiles and giggled as they signed the hellish legislation.

Billions of taxpayer dollars went to the bankers to rescue them from foolish investments in mortgage-backed securities. The TARP funds were supposed to be used to clear the bank’s books and free up lending to the American people.  But that didn’t happen.  Instead, the bankers tightened lending even more and used their newfound wealth to pay debts, acquire other banks, pay huge bonuses to their employees, and engage in more irresponsible investment activities. 

To their credit, the American people found the gumption to confront those politicians in town hall meetings across the nation.  But the media—being the obedient lapdogs to the federal government that they are—quickly pounced upon these unhappy citizens; labeling them as dangerous upstarts who were working outside the parameters of civil and polite discourse that the government deems manageable.  Raising your voice was equated with violence, hoisting signs was considered racist and gatherings were announced as potential staging grounds for domestic terrorism. 

How absurd—that the mainstream media would think it could even be possible to kowtow the American people into compliance—especially when you measure these relatively mild examples of public opposition against the large-scale strikes and civil unrest we are witnessing in other countries. 


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Monday, October 25, 2010

A World Made by War

How Old Will You Be When the American War State Goes Down? 

Tom Engelhardt

When you look at me, you can’t mistake the fact that I’m of a certain age.  But just for a moment, think of me as nine years old.  You could even say that I celebrated my ninth birthday last week, without cake, candles, presents, or certainly joy.

I’ve had two mobilized moments in my life.  The first was in the Vietnam War years; the second, the one that leaves me as a nine-year-old, began on the morning of September 11, 2001.  I turned on the TV while doing my morning exercises, saw a smoking hole in a World Trade Center tower, and thought that, as in 1945 when a B-25 slammed into the Empire State Building, a terrible accident had happened. 

Later, after the drums of war had begun to beat, after the first headlines had screamed their World-War-II-style messages (“the Pearl Harbor of the 21st century”), I had another thought.  And for a reasonably politically sophisticated guy, my second response was not only as off-base as the first, but also remarkably dumb.  I thought that this horrific event taking place in my hometown might open Americans up to the pain of the world.  No such luck, of course.

If you had told me then that we would henceforth be in a state of eternal war as well as living in a permanent war state, that, to face a ragtag enemy of a few thousand stateless terrorists, the national security establishment in Washington would pump itself up to levels not faintly reached when facing the Soviet Union, a major power with thousands of nuclear weapons and an enormous military, that “homeland” -- a distinctly un-American word -- would land in our vocabulary never to leave, and that a second Defense Department dubbed the Department of Homeland Security would be set up not to be dismantled in my lifetime, that torture (excuse me, “enhanced interrogation techniques”) would become as American as apple pie and that some of those “techniques” would actually be demonstrated to leading Bush administration officials inside the White House, that we would pour money into the Pentagon at ever escalating levels even after the economy crashed in 2008, that we would be fighting two potentially trillion-dollar-plus wars without end in two distant lands, that we would spend untold billions constructing hundreds of military bases in those same lands, that the CIA would be conducting thefirst drone air war in history over a country we were officially not at war with, that most of us would live in a remarkable state of detachment from all of this, and finally -- only, by the way, because I’m cutting this list arbitrarily short -- that I would spend my time writing incessantly about “the American way of war” and produce a book with that title, I would have thought you were nuts.

But every bit of that happened, even if unpredicted by me because, like human beings everywhere, I have no special knack for peering into the future.  If it were otherwise, I would undoubtedly now be zipping through fabulous spired cities with a jetpack on my back (as I was assured would happen in my distant youth).  But if prediction isn’t our forte, then adaptability to changing circumstances may be -- and it certainly helps account for my being here today.


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