Christianity was adopted by the medieval ruling class as a tool to control their territories and the serfs upon whose productive labor they depended. Putin is using religion to justify his nationalism and the right of a new ruling class to maintain power which they attained by appropriating the socialized property of the Soviet people for themselves. Basing your ideology on a backward medieval superstition in a period of world history in which all advanced countries have, in practice, adopted secular values would be a great mistake. Putin is no fool and his "Christianity" will prove to be skin deep as with all other world leaders who give lip service to values that have only instrumental uses for them.
Tuesday, July 31, 2018
Monday, July 30, 2018
NYT on China: Journalism or Propaganda?
This article is a good example of how the NYT uses "journalism" to further US imperialist anti-China propaganda. In the first place, a satellite tracking station is not a "base." Here are three telling quotes as examples of the, not so subtle, propaganda going on.
1. This "base" is an example of "Beijing’s long push to transform Latin America and shape its future for generations to come — often in ways that directly undermine the United States’ political, economic and strategic power in the region." This "base" is in Argentina not too long ago run by a fascist military dictatorship supported by United States political, economic and strategic power which also supported dictatorships in Brazil, Chile, Central America, etc.
2. The NYT still uses the "meme" that Latin America is the US's "backyard" (what are the Chinese doing in our backyard?) "For much of the past decade, the United States has paid little attention to its backyard in the Americas." The Monroe Doctrine is being neglected.
3. So that we can get what's happening we are treated to a quote from a professor at the United States Army War College (what a title -- they forgot to rename it "Peace College")-- "Beijing has transformed the dynamics of the region, from the agendas of its leaders and businessmen to the structure of its economies, the content of its politics and even its security dynamics,” said R. Evan Ellis, a professor of Latin American studies at the United States Army War College."
The article does give a good overview of China's activities in the region which are mostly positive (but given a slightly negative if not sinister spin by those the NYT chose to quote). The upshot is: the backyard is becoming an independent front yard of its own and what should the US do in response to this?
Monday, July 16, 2018
Putin/Trump Meeting: A Chance to Reset Relations
"That order includes Russia playing a central role, instead of being treated like a pariah or a second-rate has-been." This is the point. The US has treated Russia as a pariah since the end of the Soviet Union and provoked everyone of the problems with Russia by first meddling in Russian elections in the 90s (and those of many other countries before and since), supporting an anti-Russian coup in Ukraine, and putting NATO on Russia's borders after having promised not to do so. So Putin is criticized for giving us back a dose of our own medicine. Despite this propaganda article in the NYT, which lacks any objectivity or truthful attempt to explain Russian foreign policy, the whole world will benefit by this meeting between Trump and Putin if a lessening of needlessly hostile intentions results -- despite the attempts to increase tensions by the leftover war hawks in the Republican and Democratic party establishments.
Sunday, July 08, 2018
Gangster-Like US Attitude Reveals Real Intentions of Talks With North Korea
"Washington insists that North Korea disclose all the details of its nuclear weapons program, dismantle its facilities and let outside inspectors verify the steps. The idea is to remove all the North’s nuclear weapons and its ability to build more, before offering any significant rewards. The North has long rejected such an approach, instead demanding that the United States take reciprocal measures in each “phased” step it takes toward denuclearization." In other words, the US demands complete capitulation from the North while the North offers tit for tat. It's obvious the US isn't serious about these negotiations, it's all a stunt to later declare we tried a peaceful approach but the North was unreasonable and duplicitous. The American leopard hasn't changed its spots.
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