Friday, October 20, 2006
More on waning democracy
As has been argued by people far smarter than me, the term capitalist democracy is a bit of a misnomer, in that at their core they are fundamentally opposed notions. Capitalism is far more compatible with fascism or totalitarianism. Why? Because the bottom line doesn't like to be challenged. What we're starting to see is a convergence between the US, Russia, and China on how governance looks and acts in regard to the people and corporations that populate each of those nations.
The US has just passed the Military Commissions Act. A rather bland title for an act that gives the president and his cronies (which cronies? That's a state secret, sorry. . .) the right to suspend habeas corpus, interrogate by torture (though we don't call it that) and screw your right to a jury trial. Citizen or non-citizen. Olbermann's powerful take on it is here (trust me, spend the 8-plus minutes watching). We are, as noted in the previous post, slipping toward a soft totalitarianism in this nation.
China, as we know, is experiencing huge economic growth by embracing a state capitalism, as long as its citizens do not stir up the pot by demanding political reform. Its not socialism at all anymore, it is in fact fascism, the merging of corporate and state power.
Russia is moving in similar ways. Frustrated with the openness and corruption of the early democratic era in the former USSR, its citizens seem pretty content with economic growth and strongman politics. Putin, the new czar, has consolidated his power over media and all aspects of civil society to stiffle opposition to his policies. Major NGOs are being tossed out of the nation--these human rights groups monitor abuses of power; once they're gone they'll be little left to stop him. Those reporters who do challenge the Russian government often end up like Anna Politkovskaya. 23 of them have been killed in Russia since 1996-- at least a dozen in 'contract-style assasinations' since Putin first took office. All were outspoken critics of his government. Coincidence?
If you believe that I've got a tattered original copy of the US Constitution I'd like to sell you. It's going out of vogue and can be bought real cheap these days.
As has been argued by people far smarter than me, the term capitalist democracy is a bit of a misnomer, in that at their core they are fundamentally opposed notions. Capitalism is far more compatible with fascism or totalitarianism. Why? Because the bottom line doesn't like to be challenged. What we're starting to see is a convergence between the US, Russia, and China on how governance looks and acts in regard to the people and corporations that populate each of those nations.
The US has just passed the Military Commissions Act. A rather bland title for an act that gives the president and his cronies (which cronies? That's a state secret, sorry. . .) the right to suspend habeas corpus, interrogate by torture (though we don't call it that) and screw your right to a jury trial. Citizen or non-citizen. Olbermann's powerful take on it is here (trust me, spend the 8-plus minutes watching). We are, as noted in the previous post, slipping toward a soft totalitarianism in this nation.
China, as we know, is experiencing huge economic growth by embracing a state capitalism, as long as its citizens do not stir up the pot by demanding political reform. Its not socialism at all anymore, it is in fact fascism, the merging of corporate and state power.
Russia is moving in similar ways. Frustrated with the openness and corruption of the early democratic era in the former USSR, its citizens seem pretty content with economic growth and strongman politics. Putin, the new czar, has consolidated his power over media and all aspects of civil society to stiffle opposition to his policies. Major NGOs are being tossed out of the nation--these human rights groups monitor abuses of power; once they're gone they'll be little left to stop him. Those reporters who do challenge the Russian government often end up like Anna Politkovskaya. 23 of them have been killed in Russia since 1996-- at least a dozen in 'contract-style assasinations' since Putin first took office. All were outspoken critics of his government. Coincidence?
If you believe that I've got a tattered original copy of the US Constitution I'd like to sell you. It's going out of vogue and can be bought real cheap these days.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
More notes from the Reich
Readers and fellow travellers may remember the plight of Maher Arar. He was the Canadian who was 'suspected' of terrorist ties while flying through the US from Canada, where he is a naturalized citizen. The CIA nabbed him and sent him to Syria for 'questioning.' After months of isolation and torture it was decided that he was clean, and so the Assad regime shipped him back to the Great White North.
He was honored recently by a rights group, along with his US attorney (he's still miffed about being abducted and tortured for no reason by the US government apparently), but he couldn't accept his award or be present at the ceremony because he's still on the US 'Terror Watch List.'
It would seem that innocence doesn't really matter to TeamBush. Frankly, I'm surprised the guy even had the cojones to want to come back here after his last visit, but no matter, because he can't. Conveniently, he can't even show up to his trial whenever that may be, or he'll be arrested just for trying to show up. That sure keeps the Bushies off the hook, I guess.
Folks may object to the use of the word reich in the post title, but lets be honest about the depths into which our once (and hopefully future) great country has sunk. Orcinus has a long but thoughtful piece (1 of 6) about the US slide into a form of pseudo-fascism. Or to put a better spin on it, fascism 'lite.' Great Taste, More Filling( gulags with political prisoners)!! But its interesting to note the people funding this: a tiny cabal of very very wealthy and powerful conservative families like Coors, Olin, and Scaife. The same folks who funded Whitewater, the Clinton impeachment, and spent many millions to put the ludicrous phrase 'death tax' into our US political lexicon.
Readers and fellow travellers may remember the plight of Maher Arar. He was the Canadian who was 'suspected' of terrorist ties while flying through the US from Canada, where he is a naturalized citizen. The CIA nabbed him and sent him to Syria for 'questioning.' After months of isolation and torture it was decided that he was clean, and so the Assad regime shipped him back to the Great White North.
He was honored recently by a rights group, along with his US attorney (he's still miffed about being abducted and tortured for no reason by the US government apparently), but he couldn't accept his award or be present at the ceremony because he's still on the US 'Terror Watch List.'
It would seem that innocence doesn't really matter to TeamBush. Frankly, I'm surprised the guy even had the cojones to want to come back here after his last visit, but no matter, because he can't. Conveniently, he can't even show up to his trial whenever that may be, or he'll be arrested just for trying to show up. That sure keeps the Bushies off the hook, I guess.
Folks may object to the use of the word reich in the post title, but lets be honest about the depths into which our once (and hopefully future) great country has sunk. Orcinus has a long but thoughtful piece (1 of 6) about the US slide into a form of pseudo-fascism. Or to put a better spin on it, fascism 'lite.' Great Taste, More Filling( gulags with political prisoners)!! But its interesting to note the people funding this: a tiny cabal of very very wealthy and powerful conservative families like Coors, Olin, and Scaife. The same folks who funded Whitewater, the Clinton impeachment, and spent many millions to put the ludicrous phrase 'death tax' into our US political lexicon.
That Swingin' "Sieg Heil" Beat!
Sometimes looking for something on the internet will bring you to the most bizzarre places. What a great album this must be. Now if the Government really wanted to start some sort of consumer-driven TIPS spy program, wouldn't purchasers of this album be a good place to start?
But the best part of all. . . Who knew there was a need for Volume 2? Is there really so much good fascist music out there that it can't fit on one album?! Sadly, it would seem there is. There is a whole category in Amazon entitled Original Third Reich Nazi Recordings. Geez, it would seem my disc collection is a bit, um, incomplete.
But who knows, maybe this all all just for the history buffs out there, or 80 year-olds looking to reminisce while holed up in Austrian or Uruguayan mountain redoubts? And if that's the case, does this mean that in 60 years we'll be able to find a "Best of Bin Laden" album as well?
Sometimes looking for something on the internet will bring you to the most bizzarre places. What a great album this must be. Now if the Government really wanted to start some sort of consumer-driven TIPS spy program, wouldn't purchasers of this album be a good place to start?
But the best part of all. . . Who knew there was a need for Volume 2? Is there really so much good fascist music out there that it can't fit on one album?! Sadly, it would seem there is. There is a whole category in Amazon entitled Original Third Reich Nazi Recordings. Geez, it would seem my disc collection is a bit, um, incomplete.
But who knows, maybe this all all just for the history buffs out there, or 80 year-olds looking to reminisce while holed up in Austrian or Uruguayan mountain redoubts? And if that's the case, does this mean that in 60 years we'll be able to find a "Best of Bin Laden" album as well?
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Wayne Allen Goes Medieval
Cornpone-namedWayne Allen (big surprise!) Dierks Jr. of Little Rock, AR (bigger surprise!) apparently took out his frustration on a finger-flipping fellow motorist by firing a CROSSBOW at the vulgar driver's car. No word if Bubba was on his way to the Ozark Mountains Renaissance Faire at the time of the, um, bolting.
The article says that, "Archery-crossbow hunting seasons for deer, bear and turkey began Oct. 1 so it is not extraordinary that someone might be carrying a crossbow in their vehicle this time of year."
Now, OK archery I can understand. But people really crossbow hunt?
But, prithee hear me all potential knaves and scoundrels terrorizing the Kingdom of Arkansas, Dierks is free on bail until his Oct. 25 arraignment, so fly right and watch out for errant knights!
Cornpone-namedWayne Allen (big surprise!) Dierks Jr. of Little Rock, AR (bigger surprise!) apparently took out his frustration on a finger-flipping fellow motorist by firing a CROSSBOW at the vulgar driver's car. No word if Bubba was on his way to the Ozark Mountains Renaissance Faire at the time of the, um, bolting.
The article says that, "Archery-crossbow hunting seasons for deer, bear and turkey began Oct. 1 so it is not extraordinary that someone might be carrying a crossbow in their vehicle this time of year."
Now, OK archery I can understand. But people really crossbow hunt?
But, prithee hear me all potential knaves and scoundrels terrorizing the Kingdom of Arkansas, Dierks is free on bail until his Oct. 25 arraignment, so fly right and watch out for errant knights!
