Political
"It isn’t nations and governments pulling the strings of real power in the world, it’s a class of plutocrats who aren’t ultimately answerable to any government.
This class of plutocrats uses governments like Israel, the US, the UK, and the KSA to advance its agendas to exploit, loot and plunder the rest of humanity."
- Caitlin Johnstone
So any gang I can vote for supports infinite growth, consumerism, fossil fuel subsidies, perpetual war, Israel's slaughter of peaceful Palestinian protesters, and worst of all, the plutocrats. Why don't I have better choices?
“When a plutocracy is disguised as a democracy, the system is beyond corrupt.”- Suzy Kassem
It seems like the takeover is near complete. But not all is lost. We can fight back, and show we care, by living more self-sufficient, simple, and local lifestyles.
The more we immerse ourselves in our own lives and communities, the less we are financially supporting (and condoning the actions of) the exploiters, looters and plunderers.
Anything else is pretending what isn't true - that our governments work for the people, and that you can have everything you want without all the grief it causes.
2 + 2 = 4, and a local simplicity is the way on our finite planet.
Ghassan Kanafani, the famed Palestinian author, wrote in the short story “Return to Haifa,” (I highly recommend reading it) the following: “These old catchwords are worn out, these mathematical equations are full of cheating. First you say that our mistakes justify your mistakes, then you say that one wrong doesn’t absolve another. You use the first logic to justify your presence, and the second to avoid the punishment your presence here deserves. It seems to me you greatly enjoy this strange game. Here again, you’re trying to fashion a race horse out of our weakness and mount its back....I know that one day you’ll realize that the greatest crime any human being can commit, whoever he may be, is to believe even for one moment that the weakness and mistakes of others give him the right to exist at their expense and justify his own mistakes and crimes.”
ReplyDeleteIt astounds me that in the world today it is justified to kill unarmed Palestinians and black people and immigrants despite the “strange game” those delivering the blows have created in the first place. Kanafani was right...lets hope the lesson is learned soon by all!
Today I was reading an author that claims there is less war and killing now than ever before in human history.
DeleteMy question is, "Why is there any killing at all?"
Today I learned that Ghassan Kanafani is considered one of the greatest modern Arabic authors. Thank you. I look forward to learning more about him and his work.
I also learned that he was assassinated in 1972 at age 36. The Israeli intelligence agency MOSSAD claimed responsibility.
DeleteY'all are so bang on on this one...I hope the pendulum swings back to something like a Renaissance and soon.
ReplyDeleteMichael,
DeleteI wonder if current abuses of power will eventually create violent demand for reform. If so, when? I am getting tired of waiting.
Can we throw in something like an Enlightenment, too?
Suzy Kassem's quote "...beyond corrupt" was startling to read and precisely correct. Gregg, to your comment to Michael, trouble is now the government military complex is so great and powerful, it can mow down a violent demand for reform in short order. That is perhaps the most terrifying thing to me. The police state and it's physical and armed power can make an uprising cease immediately. Plenty of evidence of it all over the world!
ReplyDeleteThe way we fight for change is radically different from even 50 years ago. It does not seem like we've found a way to affect much change. I know that sounds cynical and it is. the flip side is heck yes! Bring on the Enlightenment!
"Come on people now, smile on your brother, everybody get together, try to love one another right now! Right now! Right now!" -The Youngbloods, Get Together
I think the best we can do is be as independent of the "beyond corrupt" system as what is reasonably possible for each of us in the circumstances we are in. What you wrote rings true for me:
"The more we immerse ourselves in our own lives and communities, the less we are financially supporting (and condoning the actions of) the exploiters, looters and plunderers."
...It's what keeps me going every day. It is the best thing I can think of to do. Peace
Terri,
DeleteWhen I was in Grade 4 my family lived in Eugene, Oregon (1970s). The funky hippy church we went to had guitars and bongos instead of an organ, and they played "Get Together" every Sunday service. It was the only thing I liked about going to church.