Thomas Riggins's Blog
Political and cultural commentary based on a world view shaped by the works of Plato, Aristotle, Confucius, Averroes, Maimonides, Spinoza, Kant, Hegel, Marx, Sartre and Bertrand Russell "What is the use of studying philosophy if all that it does for you is to enable you to talk with some plausibility about some abstruse questions of logic, etc., and if it does not improve your thinking about the important questions of everyday life, if it does not make you more conscientious."-Wittgenstein
Tuesday, September 08, 2026
PERU SHOWS LIMITS OF ANTI-CHINA US PUSH
PERU SHOWS THE LIMITS OF WASHINGTON'S ANTI-CHINA PUSH
''As Secretary of State Marco Rubio travels this week to Peru, its growing economic ties to China have raised tensions with the U.S., but show no signs of reversing course.''
’'Experts describe China as a patient partner, with state-owned firms that often think on longer timelines than private Western companies under pressure to deliver quarterly profits to stockholders. President Xi Jinping of China inaugurated the [new Peruvian]port in November 2024, calling it ‘a new Asia-Latin America land-sea corridor for the new era’.’’---NYT 9/8/2026
‘’Longer time lines’’—this is the key to understanding this article. Chinese state owned corporations are able to out- maneuver, wit, and compete with US imperialism. This is because the Chinese state is not run by a capitalist class. Such a class is present, and significant, but it is not dominant.
Capitalism needs to reproduce itself by constantly generating sufficient capital to expand and update its economic system; it cannot indulge in long-term planning which is the prerogative of a socialist oriented economy not dependent upon generating maximum surplus value in the minimum amount of time unless it can impose monopoly control of the world market as it tries to dominate its own working class as well as the war of competition within it own ranks between the various capitalist nations incorporations which have created that market.
The Chinese Communist Party, which currently functions as ‘’the dictatorship of the proletariat’’ during the transition from capitalism to socialism in China, is able to develop the domestic economy and expand internationally because it regulates the surplus value generated by the market under its control both for necessary capital investment and for the rational distribution of social benefits which are neglected by the bourgeoisie which expropriates it for its own enrichment and conspicuous consumption.
Where it cannot be suppressed by economic warfare or military intervention, socialism, and socialistic measures, will out perform capitalism. This is what worries US imperialism. China has created a stronger and more vibrant economic basis for the transition to socialism then the Soviet Union was able to maintain as a result of the economic warfare waged against it during the Cold War. See less
Saturday, September 05, 2026
DUDS AND DUBIOUS EVIDENCE
‘’Russia’s failed drone attack on a German airport was part of a dangerous pattern of escalation that, experts and officials said, risks sparking an open confrontation with NATO — whether the Kremlin wants it or not.
German officials declared this week that the Russian state was behind the attack, in which one explosive drone hit a parked Ukrainian cargo plane and another appeared to collide with a plane taking off. Both drones failed to detonate. ‘’—NYT 9/5/2026
Amateur hour in Leipzig. Dud drones one of which ‘’appeared to’’ hit a plane— [did it hit a plane or not? ] is the basis of this long article repeating a chorus of the usual suspects [NATO leaders] denouncing Russia.
As is usual with New York Times articles of this kind, no empirical proof is offered that can be independently verified. We are told it exists but just can't be made public.
So all the proof that is publicly available is simply assertions made by hostile governments who are involved in a proxy war being waged against the Russian Federation that they started in the first place by trying to incorporate Ukraine into a military alliance which they knew would upset the balance of power in eastern Europe and force a Russian response. A response more forceful than they anticipated and which they cannot contain as it slowly but surely dismembers Ukraine.
It's up to NATO, if it wants to save what's left of Ukraine, to sit down with its puppet and negotiate a just and lasting peace with the Russians and give up its fantasy that Ukraine is going to defeat Russia.
Friday, September 04, 2026
CIA's Advice to Putin
‘’The C.I.A. director, John Ratcliffe, flew to Moscow last week to try to persuade Russia to cut a deal before the country’s military and economic situation got any worse.’’ —NYT 9/4/2026
Really! The C.I.A. is worried that Russia may find itself in a weakened military and economic situation. If the war continues Russia won't get as good a deal from the Ukrainians so they should quit now while they are ahead and the Ukrainians start winning. This concern for the well-being of Russia it's quite touching.
All this time many of us thought C.I.A.directors had anti-Russian proclivities and it turns that, just as the Chinese and the DPRK , they have been wishing Putin well and don't want to see conditions in his country getting worse. I guess you don't know who your friends are till you really need them.
Trump doesn't pay any attention to the C.I.A. which was skeptical with regards to his victorious triumph over Iran and his control of the soon to be rechristened Strait of Trump, why should Putin.
Thursday, August 20, 2026
''A Stunning Win for the Left in Florida: 6 Takeaways From Tuesday’s Primaries
State Representative Angie Nixon, a progressive firebrand, marshaled grass-roots enthusiasm to defeat a moderate who dramatically out-raised her. Can it carry her to victory in November?'' NYT 8/20/2026
Considering the fact Florida is in the grips of MAGA fascism this is a real advance in raising the social consciousness of masses of Floridian voters. DSA did not formally endorse her even though she is a new member. This makes sense because the positions she ran on are progressive Democratic party positions and positions of right wing social Democrats. None of her positions are specifically socialist. For Florida however, her positions are about as progressive as the current level of class consciousness can support. Her position on Cuba is not a socialist position, she opposes the blockade but also calls for regime change. This is opportunistic but probably pragmatically necessary considering how dismally backwards the Florida electorate is on this issue. So this is a great leap forward for Florida, an Evel Knievel leap— let's hope it lands safely, but it's only a first step in reality.
Thursday, July 16, 2026
NO MORE KINGS?
The confirmation farce and why we would be better off with a King!
No more kings! Are you sure? Here’s what today's New York Times says:
‘’Blanche Faces Crucial Hurdle After Rocky Hearing
The fate of Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general remained uncertain on Wednesday after a rocky confirmation hearing in which a Republican senator raised serious questions about his role in creating a $1.8 billion fund for purported victims of Justice Department persecution.’’
We also find out all these hearings, all the drama reported [rocky hearing, uncertain fate, and other rubbish] doesn't amount to a hill of beans because whether the Senate votes or not, and even if he is rejected by 100% of the senators voting ‘’NO’’— nevertheless ‘’He could serve in an acting capacity for the remainder of Mr. Trump’s term.’’ So this hearing is smoke and mirrors signifying nothing but play acting.
Meanwhile, if a real king, Charles III, had his heart set on apointing a buddy of his as Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor [the real AG function]—it’s tough patootie. He can't even make the nomination. The Prime Minister presents him with the name of the person he wants as the new Lord Chancellor and lo and behold (the king’s id unconsciously focused on the guillotine) appoints him the new Lord Chancellor. So all’s well that ends well for the capitalist ruling class here in the US, as in his Majesty's realm, king or no King. What we need is no more capitalist ruling class.
Tuesday, July 14, 2026
1789
Bastille Day 1789— France celebrates it but forgot what it means for European civilization. Napoleon forgot it and 1812 was the result. Hitler never understood it and 1945 was the result. NATO’s misunderstanding of it is about to bring about another tragedy. Ex oriente lux.X
Thursday, July 09, 2026
As Parents Reject Vitamin K Shots, Some Babies Develop Devastating Bleeding By Maggie Astor— NYT 7/9/2026
COMMENT
Once again a serious philosophical problem from Plato's REPUBLIC raises its head—that is, the state’s responsibility for the welfare of children. The same species of reasoning that justifies drivers licenses, marriage licenses, medical licenses, etc., basically state licenses that function to protect people’s well-being both collectively and individually should cover the protection of children from the consequences of stupid actions taken by their parents that could endanger them. The requirement for vitamin K shots should be required by the state. When it comes to medicine there should be no problem with state supervision checking parental control. In fact having a baby that will be able to grow and prosper is a state concern and responsibility. The state should require a license to have a baby because no baby should be thrown into the world with unfit parents. The day the state won't be needed to ensure the welfare of all children will be the day it withers away. Necessity for having a license to be a parent and the setting up of a system to oversee this basic human right is a technological problem not a philosophical or moral one.
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