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RSN: Norman Solomon | Biden and Buttigieg Are Showing How Corporatism and 'the Madness of Militarism' Go Together
 Norman Solomon, Reader Supported News Solomon writes: "There's nothing like an illegal and utterly reckless U.S. act of war to illuminate the political character of presidential candidates. In the days since the assassination of Iran's top military official, two of the highest-polling Democratic contenders have displayed the kind of moral cowardice that got the United States into - and kept it in - horrific wars from Vietnam to Afghanistan and Iraq."
Eager to hedge their bets, Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg have offered merely tactical critiques of President Trump’s decision to kill Qassim Suleimani. In sharp contrast to Elizabeth Warren and especially Bernie Sanders, the gist of the responses from Biden and Buttigieg amounted to criticizing the absence of a game plan for an atrocious game that should never be played in the first place.
Many journalists have noted that only in recent days has foreign policy become prominent in the race for the 2020 nomination. But what remains to be addressed is the confluence of how Biden and Buttigieg approach the roles of the U.S. government in class war at home and military war abroad — both for the benefit of corporate elites.
Let’s be clear: More than 50 years ago, when Martin Luther King Jr. bravely condemned “the madness of militarism,” he was directly challenging those who included the political ancestors of the likes of Buttigieg and Biden — Democratic politicians willing to wink and nod at vast death and destruction, courtesy of U.S. taxpayers, equivocating while claiming that the war machinery would operate better in their hands.
On war-related issues, Buttigieg’s rhetorical mix offers something for just about anyone. “Mr. Buttigieg is campaigning as an antiwar veteran,” The New York Times oddly reported in a January 5 news article. Yet on the same day, during a CNN interview about the drone killing, Buttigieg functioned more as a war enabler than opponent.
In response to anchor Jake Tapper’s first question — “Are you saying that President Trump deserves some credit for the strike?” — Buttigieg equivocated: “No, not until we know whether this was a good decision and how this decision was made, and the president has failed to demonstrate that.” His elaborations were littered with statements like “we need answers on whether this is part of a meaningful strategy.”
As for Biden, in recent months his shameful war-enabling history has drawn more attention while he continues to lie about it. And — given how hugely profitable endless wars have been for military contractors — Biden’s chronic enabling should be put in a wider context of his longtime service to corporate profiteering on a massive scale.
Biden has no interest in discussing his actual five-decade history of serving corporate power, which can only discredit the renewed “Lunch Bucket Joe” pretenses of his campaign. Meanwhile, as Buttigieg gained in the polls amid a widening flood of donations from Wall Street and other bastions of wealth, he moved away from initial claims of supporting such progressive measures as Medicare for All.
The military-industrial complex, inherently corporate, needs politicians like Biden and Buttigieg. One generation after another, they claim special geopolitical (Biden) or technocratic (Buttigieg) expertise while striving to project warm personas in front of cameras. The equivalents, one might say, of happy-face stickers on corpses.
Such dedicated political services to militarism are also political services to the corporate power of oligarchy.
Political positions on class warfare don’t always run parallel to positions on military warfare. But they have now clearly aligned in the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
Days ago, Bernie Sanders summed up: “I know that it is rarely the children of the billionaire class who face the agony of reckless foreign policy, it is the children of working families.”
One of the many reasons I’m actively supporting Sanders for president is that (although hardly flawless) his track record on military spending, war, and foreign policy is much better than the records of his opponents.
Devastating impacts of nonstop war are all around us in the United States, from deadly federal budget priorities to traumatic effects of normalized violence. And it’s difficult to grasp the magnitude of harm to so many millions of human beings in other countries. Sometimes, while trying to clear away the fog of the USA’s political and media abstractions, I think of people I met in Baghdad and Kabul and Tehran, their lives no less precious than yours or mine.
Norman Solomon is co-founder and national coordinator of RootsAction.org. He was a Bernie Sanders delegate from California to the 2016 Democratic National Convention and is currently a coordinator of the relaunched independent Bernie Delegates Network. Solomon is the author of a dozen books including War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death.
Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.
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Showing posts with label DEFICIT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DEFICIT. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
RSN: Norman Solomon | Biden and Buttigieg Are Showing How Corporatism and 'the Madness of Militarism' Go Together
Saturday, December 28, 2019
IN AMERICA, THE ONLY THING EASIER TO BUY THAN A GUN...
There are two theories that suggest humans pretty much revert when there are things in their environment that cause high levels of stress. One (by Avi Tuschman) suggests the problem starts with a drive for "in-breeding as opposed to out-breeding". As awful as that sounds, there are drives throughout the animal kingdom to keep their DNA clean from other species so their better adaptations don't get lost. The other (mine) suggests that anti-predation drives go into overdrive with stress and fear. These automatically push people to want autocratic leadership, more rather than less hierarchy in society, as well as pushing them to close their minds and think like the group (so they don't stick out and get eaten by a predator). Closed mindedness correlates very strongly with conservative thought, and both of these are easily elicited by FEAR.
Basically, I'd say the fool in the photo is frightened, at a very deep level, and ancient drives of lower animals have taken over.
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Tuesday, December 24, 2019
FOCUS: Paul Krugman | The Cruelty of a Trump Christmas
 24 December 19 A Serious Fight With the Orange Menace No Doubt
The struggle to save American Democracy from the clutches of Donald Trump and his enablers over the past three years has been intense to say the least. We are clearly at a crossroads. RSN has been a vital player in the network of organizations meeting the challenge with resolve, day-in and day-out.
RSN is going to fight - that’s a fact.
What we are doing is working. Help with funding please.
Marc Ash
Sure, I'll make a donation!Founder, Reader Supported News Update My Monthly Donation
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24 December 19
Paul Krugman, The New York Times
Krugman writes: "By Trump-era standards, Ebenezer Scrooge was a nice guy."
After all, the explosion of the budget deficit under Trump shows that Republican claims to care about fiscal responsibility were always humbug, that they’re perfectly willing to slash taxes on the rich without offsetting spending cuts. Furthermore, because America spends relatively little money helping the poor, even harsh cuts — like the Trump administration’s new rules on food stamps, which will hurt hundreds of thousands — will at best save only tiny amounts compared with the cost of tax cuts.
And in important cases, the right is so eager to hurt low-income Americans that it’s willing to do so even if there are no budget savings at all.
Consider the case of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, which a 2012 Supreme Court decision made optional: States could choose not to participate.
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Andy Borowitz | Andrew Johnson Horrified That History Books Will Mention Him in Same Sentence as Trump
 21 December 19 We Sincerely Appreciate the Incredible Effort of Our Donors
It’s a real struggle right now to pull in enough funding to meet RSN’s operating costs. It is however very reassuring to see the incredible effort being made by great donors dedicated to keeping this unique news source strong and vital.
A lot of people absolutely do “stand up for Reader Supported News.”
Please, join them.
Marc Ash
Sure, I'll make a donation!Founder, Reader Supported News Update My Monthly Donation
If you would prefer to send a check:
Reader Supported News PO Box 2043 Citrus Hts, CA 95611 |
20 December 19
Andy Borowitz | Andrew Johnson Horrified That History Books Will Mention Him in Same Sentence as Trump
Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker
Borowitz writes: "In a rare public statement from beyond the grave, Andrew Johnson, the seventeenth President of the United States, said that he was 'horrified' that history books will now mention him in the same sentence as Donald J. Trump."
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Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker
Borowitz writes: "In a rare public statement from beyond the grave, Andrew Johnson, the seventeenth President of the United States, said that he was 'horrified' that history books will now mention him in the same sentence as Donald J. Trump."
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An independent investigation found that Washington state Representative Matt Shea has taken part in acts of political intimidation and domestic terrorism. (photo: Dorothy Edwards/Crosscut)
GOP Lawmaker Participated in 3 Armed Standoffs Against US Government, Report Says
Alberto Luperon, Law & Crime
Luperon writes: "A Republican lawmaker in Washington state participated in three armed standoffs against the United States from 2014 through 2016, said a report written for the Washington State House of Representatives."
Alberto Luperon, Law & Crime
Luperon writes: "A Republican lawmaker in Washington state participated in three armed standoffs against the United States from 2014 through 2016, said a report written for the Washington State House of Representatives."
Some of the details about Rep. Matt Shea were already known, but the results of this investigation led to renewed calls for his resignation.
The report said the lawmaker participated in, helped plan, or otherwise supported three armed standoffs.
- Rancher Cliven Bundy‘s armed stand off with the U.S. government in resistance to a federal court order.
- A standoff in Bonner County, Idaho. There was going to be a planned lawful removal of guns from a military veteran who had been added to the National Instant Criminal Background System because a healthcare professional determined he was ineligible to buy firearms, said the report.< The takeover of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon. The report states he engaged in significant pre-planning for the 41-day standoff.
“Representative Shea on or about January 3, 2016, created a detailed military styled operation plan entitled ‘Operation Cold Reality’ that included roles and responsibilities of [his group the Coalition of Western States] members and militia leadership in support of the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon,” the report stated.
Other findings included Shea using intimidation tactics against a political opponent. According to the report, he posted a picture of himself on his Facebook page in front of the opponent’s home, but refused to take it down at the request of that opponent, party affiliates, and law enforcement officials.
Shea dismissed the report on his Facebook account.
“Like we are seeing with our President this is a sham investigation meant to silence those of us who stand up against attempts to disarm and destroy our great country,” he wrote. “I will not back down, I will not give in, I will not resign. Stand strong fellow Patriots.”
The report authors said he declined to be interviewed for the investigation.
Shea has been suspended from the House GOP caucus, said House Minority Leader Rep. J.T. Wilcox on Twitter.
Rep. Matt Shea has been suspended from any role in the House Republican Caucus. He should resign. He cannot use House Republican staff, he cannot meet with the caucus, his office will be moved. seattletimes.com/seattle-news/p…
793 people are talking about this
A number of controversial details in the investigation were previously reported by media outlets. For example, investigators determined Shea wrote a missive called the Biblical Basis for War. This document argued that the U.S. government should be replaced with a theocracy, and that men who oppose this idea should be killed. Shea also supported training minors and young adults for a “Holy war,” said the report.
Matt Bevin looks out at the crowd during a campaign rally with President Trump in Lexington, KY, in November. (photo: Timothy D. Easley/AP)
Kentucky's Ex-Governor Pardoned a Child Rapist Because the 9-Year-Old Victim's Hymen Was Intact
Antonia Noori Farzan, The Washington Post
Farzan writes: "When the Louisville Courier-Journal revealed earlier this month that former Kentucky governor Matt Bevin had pardoned a slew of violent criminals during his final weeks in office, he cited his belief in second chances."
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Antonia Noori Farzan, The Washington Post
Farzan writes: "When the Louisville Courier-Journal revealed earlier this month that former Kentucky governor Matt Bevin had pardoned a slew of violent criminals during his final weeks in office, he cited his belief in second chances."
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U.S. troops. (photo: Dept. of Defense)
Trump to Sign $738 Billion Defense Bill: What Does It Include?
Al Jazeera
Excerpt: "US President Donald Trump said he will sign a $738 billion defense policy bill on Friday that includes paid parental leave, the creation of a space force and a measure providing another means to punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his allies with sanctions."
Al Jazeera
Excerpt: "US President Donald Trump said he will sign a $738 billion defense policy bill on Friday that includes paid parental leave, the creation of a space force and a measure providing another means to punish Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his allies with sanctions."
EXCERPT:
Democrats were forced to drop a provision to block Trump from transferring money from Pentagon accounts to construct a fence along the US-Mexico border. They also dropped protections for transgender troops and tougher regulations on toxic chemicals that are found in firefighting foam used at military installations.
Negotiations broke free, however, after Republicans agreed to accept a Democratic demand - endorsed by Trump in end-stage negotiations - for the landmark parental leave provision, which provides 12 weeks of paid parental leave to federal employees.
Syria, Russia, Iran
Democrats also let go of House-passed provisions to restrict Trump from waging war against Iran unless Congress approves; ban deployment of new submarine-launched, low-yield nuclear weapons; and ban US military assistance for attacks by Saudi-led forces in Yemen.
The bill contains a measure called the Caesar Act, which had failed to gain congressional approval in several previous attempts. It applies sanctions to supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's military efforts in the country's civil war, which include Russia and Iran. It also grants authorities to the US secretary of state to support those collecting evidence and pursuing prosecutions of people who have committed war crimes in Syria.
The popularity of the annual defence policy bill reflects strong support among members of Congress for military personnel and the economic boost that military installations and defence contractors provide back home. Recent defence increases have been a boon for contractors such as Lockheed Martin, lead manufacturer of the F-35 fighter.
Despite broad bipartisan support, a few left-leaning Democrats and libertarian-leaning Republicans voted against the NDAA because it did not include policy planks that would have restrained Trump's war powers, including the ban on support for Saudi Arabia's air campaign in Yemen.
Some also objected to the 2.8 percent increase in military spending, as the national debt is skyrocketing.
Santo Catalino López Velásquez poses with his baby daughter, toddler son and wife Fidelia Jaqueline García Álvarez inside a shelter for immigrants in Mexicali, Mexico. (photo: Emilio Espejel/Guardian UK)
Trump's 'Shameful' Migrant Stance Condemns Thousands to Violent Limbo in Mexico
Tom Phillips, Guardian UK
Phillips writes: "More than 57,000 asylum seekers have been forced to wait for their court hearings in Mexican border towns - some of the most violent places on Earth."
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Tom Phillips, Guardian UK
Phillips writes: "More than 57,000 asylum seekers have been forced to wait for their court hearings in Mexican border towns - some of the most violent places on Earth."
READ MORE
Palestinian protesters wave flags in front of Israeli soldiers on Gaza's border with Israel near Beit Lahiya. (photo: Adel Hana/AP)
ICC to Investigate Potential Israeli War Crimes in Palestinian Territories
Al Jazeera
Excerpt: "The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has said she will launch a full investigation into alleged war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories."
Al Jazeera
Excerpt: "The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court has said she will launch a full investigation into alleged war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories."
EXCERPT:
Bensouda launched a preliminary probe in January 2015 into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Israel and the Palestinian territories, in the wake of the 2014 Gaza war which left 2,251 dead on the Palestinian side, the majority civilians, and 74 on the Israeli side, most of them soldiers.
Israel and its ally, the United States, have both refused to sign up to the court, which was set up in 2002 to be the only global tribunal trying the world's worst crimes, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Newly planted oil palm plantation in Aceh, Sumatra, Indonesia. (photo: Rhett A. Butler/Mongabay)
Paris Accord 'Impossible to Implement' if Tropical Forest Loss Not Stopped
Taran Volckhausen, Mongabay
Volckhausen writes: "Across the tropics, flames rip through forests, chainsaws tear down ancient trees, while elite farmers and ranchers make a grab for more land belonging to the public or to indigenous people - a land-hunger fed by commodities trading giants and global investors in pursuit of ever higher profits gained from international markets in the EU, China, the U.S. and elsewhere."
Taran Volckhausen, Mongabay
Volckhausen writes: "Across the tropics, flames rip through forests, chainsaws tear down ancient trees, while elite farmers and ranchers make a grab for more land belonging to the public or to indigenous people - a land-hunger fed by commodities trading giants and global investors in pursuit of ever higher profits gained from international markets in the EU, China, the U.S. and elsewhere."
EXCERPT:
A darkening prospect for intact forests
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) recently published a study in the journal Science Advances suggesting intact tropical forest loss from 2000 to 2013 will result in over 626% more long-term carbon emissions through 2050 than previously thought. The researchers arrived at this upward revision by adding up emissions that would have been removed from the air if tropical forest remained intact, from selective logging, defaunation, and carbon stock degradation at forest edges that had been overlooked in previous studies.
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