Listen to a reading of this article: As the US empire continues to escalate aggressions against both Russia and China, as Moscow warns that "strategic nuclear weapons" may be used to protect the territories it plans on annexing from eastern Ukraine even as Washington prepares to
It seems the West is in need of a good old fashioned “Rectification of Terms.” In short, we can’t solve a problem if we can’t put a name on it. Unless we can name the real enemy (both within and without), and provide a genuine vision for humanity (humanity, not in-group/out-group nonsense), we’re wasting our times and others’.
To quote Confucius:
A superior man, in regard to what he does not know, shows a cautious reserve. If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish. When proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded. When punishments are not properly awarded, the people do not know how to move hand or foot. Therefore a superior man considers it necessary that the names he uses may be spoken appropriately, and also that what he speaks may be carried out appropriately. What the superior man requires is just that in his words there may be nothing incorrect.
— Confucius, Analects, Book XIII, Chapter 3, verses 4–7, Analect 13.3, translated by James Legge[18]
It’s not enough to rail against the enemy’s evil system, a replacement must be offered, one that includes humanity, rather than a “rules based order” that actually only involves something like a billion people, what Putin refers to as the “golden billion.”
Caitlin’s double-edged sword: 1) Expose the illegitimate players who would entertain the possibility of a nuclear holocaust to grow their wealth; and 2) Educate and inspire the propagandized, alienated public who have been strategically encouraged to see personalities and individuals, often their neighbors, as the obstacles to be overcome.
We have been habituated to TV and church. Two venues that ring out the messages safe for mass manipulation and distraction. And two pronouncers of this message: We are all alone, all on our own. Hell, we don’t even see fit to fight for healthcare as a human right. We are a separated lot! So self-denying, so short-sighted, so sad.
Why am I not surprised? These morons really do live in a bubble in D.C.. If the unthinkable does indeed happen, I can only hope all of those stupid, vapid assholes are under the first strike at ground zero . My own evaporation aside, I'd give anything to see those bastards turn to toast.
Caitlin thank you as always for your incisive commentary, on a philosophical and human level so much of what you say resonates with me, and I am sure many others who read it. However, in as much of what you say makes sense, and is objectively true there is an element or undercurrent of inherent defeatism in them, i.e., as spectators watching the unthinkable unfold as a result of the collective inactions/actions and bellicose words of a relatively small group of mandated decision makers, very small relative to the populations of the countries they represent, and indeed infinitesimal in global population terms, i.e., if say there are a thousand of them involved in deliberately directing this cataclysmic opera, well then that would be 0,0000125000000% of the people on this planet, in other words a statistically wholly irrelevant number of individuals systematically directing us towards potential Armageddon, then perhaps rather than accepting the inevitable should we not be talking about trying to do something about it. For example there are +7billion smart phones on this planet, and a vast number of platforms that could be used to instantly aggregate opinions and/or sentiment in a well-constructed "We are the World" type of cogent plea to halt the madness, to those orchestrating this insanity, and perhaps the "professional" politicians, and their interconnected vassals and masters (and I use the word "professional" in the loosest possible terms), such that they are may be forced to think again about the trajectory of irreversible annihilation that they have set upon on our/the worlds behalf.
Clearly this maybe a facile idea, and I am sure there are a multitude, nay a myriad of far smarter, more creative people out the who could conceive a better plan and implement it, and I for one would suggest that it is completely premature to accept the inevitable, and at least attempt to take some form of cohesive global action to avoid this impending unconscionable self-inflicted disaster.
For the deeper fundamentals in my life - my own sense of meaning, I've relied primarily on my readings. Of late Carl Jung's work has formed a foundation on how I approach suffering and my own mortality (and those that I have loved). Other writings - James and his good friend Myers have proven a good foundation along with my own personal experiences and personal experiences of close friends.
Beyond that, I am mostly living my life as I have been. Not much is within my control, if the world is stupid enough to blow itself up.
To be quite honest, if you believe in an existential view of life, it is irrelevant how you live it because it is all an accident and if it randomly disappears then so so be it. Easy come easy go. The only relevance to the questions asked in this piece would be if we have a purpose, were purposely designed and put here...if we are not the product of random matter coming together and forming life (actually a scientifically proved impossibility) then we need to explore another possibility; the exquisitely complex interdependent purposefulness of nature, our bodies etc. cause us to ask why is there so much purposeful design?...then things, though appearing bleak might, in accordance with some sacred writings on this, indicate soon something 'is going to happen, something wonderful' as Dave Bowman said in Space Odyssey 2010..
So many people try to reiterate that which already has been described and likely experienced millenia ago. It's all happened before, happening now, and will happen again.
I’ve been told Armageddon is just around the corner all my life. Now 58.
It has to be the greatest fear tactic of all the bogeyman in the tool box.
Could it happen? Of course. But it’s far more likely through error than intent, despite all the posturing.
And really, why sweat it? Yes, seek better solutions than the vomit that currently holds the reigns but it isn’t worth worrying over. If it happe, we’re fucked.
Everything about the world of which we are an outgrowth says it is here to be enjoyed, and we are here to enjoy it. True enjoyment is benign, is generous, wants to envelop everyone and everything. I only regret that I sometimes forgot that, but wishing something to have been different is not nothing, it is creative, it adds to reality in some way. The only prayer I ever say is a wish: may all things be made right.
Well we have seen it all before in 1938, when Hitler wanted to annex the Sudetenland... Hitler was not so ridiculous as to pretend that the Sudeten inhabitants were victims of a genocide at the hands of the Czechs. He proposed an annexation referendum, overseen by the German army, though. The Czeks refused, France mobilized, so Hitler proposed a peace conference, at Munich, during which a piece of Czechoslovakia was given to Germany.
The New York Times did its best to ignore Hitler’s exactions, even while the German dictator was notoriously killing millions of minorities, and occupied democracies.
The NYT, and pseudo-progressives paid by Putin, are at it again with the nuclear tyrant: "If [giving part of Ukraine to Putin] happens, a territorial settlement will be reached and the global rules-based international order will be re-established." This is criminal nonsense. Putin is obsessed with taking Ukraine. Any negotiated settlement will just give him time to re-arm and return with greater force and greater threats. He will come back. The only way to end the threat is to eliminate Putin. If not eliminated, he will come back.
We have an extremely similar situation now. However, many have learned this history. This is why 27 European countries, including traditional neutrals such as Sweden and Switzerland, are sending weapons to Ukraine. France is not taking orders from Biden, and yet, has switched to war production of many of its most sophisticated weapons, after sending 25% of its mobile high precision guns to Ukraine.
The way out in 1937 was to make a coup against Hitler. The German army asked the US and UK to stand officially against Hitler (thus supporting France, Hitler’s dedicated enemy). The German army leaders would then make a coup, arguing to the German Volk that Germany faced annihilation. Instead the US and UK warned Hitler that his general officers were plotting against him. Hitler gave his army a stern warning.
Now we have a similar situation. The Russian military has to be told that, in case of nuclear exchange, Russia would face annihilation. Their duty is then to arrest their rogue leaders.
The best course for peace is then, as horrible as it may sound, to prepare for nuclear war. There is simply no alternative. Any concession to Putin is a concession to a group of criminals who threatened this week to "use strategic nuclear weapons against the West for their occupation of Ukraine".
I think that those questions should guide our lives, armageddon or not 💞. Thank you.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
1 John 2:17
It seems the West is in need of a good old fashioned “Rectification of Terms.” In short, we can’t solve a problem if we can’t put a name on it. Unless we can name the real enemy (both within and without), and provide a genuine vision for humanity (humanity, not in-group/out-group nonsense), we’re wasting our times and others’.
To quote Confucius:
A superior man, in regard to what he does not know, shows a cautious reserve. If names be not correct, language is not in accordance with the truth of things. If language be not in accordance with the truth of things, affairs cannot be carried on to success. When affairs cannot be carried on to success, proprieties and music do not flourish. When proprieties and music do not flourish, punishments will not be properly awarded. When punishments are not properly awarded, the people do not know how to move hand or foot. Therefore a superior man considers it necessary that the names he uses may be spoken appropriately, and also that what he speaks may be carried out appropriately. What the superior man requires is just that in his words there may be nothing incorrect.
— Confucius, Analects, Book XIII, Chapter 3, verses 4–7, Analect 13.3, translated by James Legge[18]
It’s not enough to rail against the enemy’s evil system, a replacement must be offered, one that includes humanity, rather than a “rules based order” that actually only involves something like a billion people, what Putin refers to as the “golden billion.”
"As We Move Closer To WW3..." - we are in it already. It's just revving up.
Caitlin’s double-edged sword: 1) Expose the illegitimate players who would entertain the possibility of a nuclear holocaust to grow their wealth; and 2) Educate and inspire the propagandized, alienated public who have been strategically encouraged to see personalities and individuals, often their neighbors, as the obstacles to be overcome.
We have been habituated to TV and church. Two venues that ring out the messages safe for mass manipulation and distraction. And two pronouncers of this message: We are all alone, all on our own. Hell, we don’t even see fit to fight for healthcare as a human right. We are a separated lot! So self-denying, so short-sighted, so sad.
Why am I not surprised? These morons really do live in a bubble in D.C.. If the unthinkable does indeed happen, I can only hope all of those stupid, vapid assholes are under the first strike at ground zero . My own evaporation aside, I'd give anything to see those bastards turn to toast.
Caitlin thank you as always for your incisive commentary, on a philosophical and human level so much of what you say resonates with me, and I am sure many others who read it. However, in as much of what you say makes sense, and is objectively true there is an element or undercurrent of inherent defeatism in them, i.e., as spectators watching the unthinkable unfold as a result of the collective inactions/actions and bellicose words of a relatively small group of mandated decision makers, very small relative to the populations of the countries they represent, and indeed infinitesimal in global population terms, i.e., if say there are a thousand of them involved in deliberately directing this cataclysmic opera, well then that would be 0,0000125000000% of the people on this planet, in other words a statistically wholly irrelevant number of individuals systematically directing us towards potential Armageddon, then perhaps rather than accepting the inevitable should we not be talking about trying to do something about it. For example there are +7billion smart phones on this planet, and a vast number of platforms that could be used to instantly aggregate opinions and/or sentiment in a well-constructed "We are the World" type of cogent plea to halt the madness, to those orchestrating this insanity, and perhaps the "professional" politicians, and their interconnected vassals and masters (and I use the word "professional" in the loosest possible terms), such that they are may be forced to think again about the trajectory of irreversible annihilation that they have set upon on our/the worlds behalf.
Clearly this maybe a facile idea, and I am sure there are a multitude, nay a myriad of far smarter, more creative people out the who could conceive a better plan and implement it, and I for one would suggest that it is completely premature to accept the inevitable, and at least attempt to take some form of cohesive global action to avoid this impending unconscionable self-inflicted disaster.
Can't stomach an escalating war? Militor® can help:
https://medium.com/slackjaw/militor-a-new-prescription-drug-from-the-makers-of-war-98b914d8ecd5?sk=e90bfe04921e09806ee8850c6c2ea1a9
For the deeper fundamentals in my life - my own sense of meaning, I've relied primarily on my readings. Of late Carl Jung's work has formed a foundation on how I approach suffering and my own mortality (and those that I have loved). Other writings - James and his good friend Myers have proven a good foundation along with my own personal experiences and personal experiences of close friends.
Beyond that, I am mostly living my life as I have been. Not much is within my control, if the world is stupid enough to blow itself up.
This is so beautiful, bless your heart. I feel a big shift inside me. Bless you!
To be quite honest, if you believe in an existential view of life, it is irrelevant how you live it because it is all an accident and if it randomly disappears then so so be it. Easy come easy go. The only relevance to the questions asked in this piece would be if we have a purpose, were purposely designed and put here...if we are not the product of random matter coming together and forming life (actually a scientifically proved impossibility) then we need to explore another possibility; the exquisitely complex interdependent purposefulness of nature, our bodies etc. cause us to ask why is there so much purposeful design?...then things, though appearing bleak might, in accordance with some sacred writings on this, indicate soon something 'is going to happen, something wonderful' as Dave Bowman said in Space Odyssey 2010..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmCMIJsYvZM
So many people try to reiterate that which already has been described and likely experienced millenia ago. It's all happened before, happening now, and will happen again.
For those inclined to read here's another take on the eternal problem: https://www.amazon.com/War-Christianity-Conversations-Vladimir-Solovyov/dp/1597312533
Also read Dostoyevsky's "The Possessed" (Constance Garnett's translation) and see if you recognize the patterns.
I'm disappointed you find al Jazeera credible.
I’ve been told Armageddon is just around the corner all my life. Now 58.
It has to be the greatest fear tactic of all the bogeyman in the tool box.
Could it happen? Of course. But it’s far more likely through error than intent, despite all the posturing.
And really, why sweat it? Yes, seek better solutions than the vomit that currently holds the reigns but it isn’t worth worrying over. If it happe, we’re fucked.
Everything about the world of which we are an outgrowth says it is here to be enjoyed, and we are here to enjoy it. True enjoyment is benign, is generous, wants to envelop everyone and everything. I only regret that I sometimes forgot that, but wishing something to have been different is not nothing, it is creative, it adds to reality in some way. The only prayer I ever say is a wish: may all things be made right.
If You Want Peace, Prepare For Nuclear War
Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum Nuclei
Well we have seen it all before in 1938, when Hitler wanted to annex the Sudetenland... Hitler was not so ridiculous as to pretend that the Sudeten inhabitants were victims of a genocide at the hands of the Czechs. He proposed an annexation referendum, overseen by the German army, though. The Czeks refused, France mobilized, so Hitler proposed a peace conference, at Munich, during which a piece of Czechoslovakia was given to Germany.
The New York Times did its best to ignore Hitler’s exactions, even while the German dictator was notoriously killing millions of minorities, and occupied democracies.
The NYT, and pseudo-progressives paid by Putin, are at it again with the nuclear tyrant: "If [giving part of Ukraine to Putin] happens, a territorial settlement will be reached and the global rules-based international order will be re-established." This is criminal nonsense. Putin is obsessed with taking Ukraine. Any negotiated settlement will just give him time to re-arm and return with greater force and greater threats. He will come back. The only way to end the threat is to eliminate Putin. If not eliminated, he will come back.
We have an extremely similar situation now. However, many have learned this history. This is why 27 European countries, including traditional neutrals such as Sweden and Switzerland, are sending weapons to Ukraine. France is not taking orders from Biden, and yet, has switched to war production of many of its most sophisticated weapons, after sending 25% of its mobile high precision guns to Ukraine.
The way out in 1937 was to make a coup against Hitler. The German army asked the US and UK to stand officially against Hitler (thus supporting France, Hitler’s dedicated enemy). The German army leaders would then make a coup, arguing to the German Volk that Germany faced annihilation. Instead the US and UK warned Hitler that his general officers were plotting against him. Hitler gave his army a stern warning.
Now we have a similar situation. The Russian military has to be told that, in case of nuclear exchange, Russia would face annihilation. Their duty is then to arrest their rogue leaders.
The best course for peace is then, as horrible as it may sound, to prepare for nuclear war. There is simply no alternative. Any concession to Putin is a concession to a group of criminals who threatened this week to "use strategic nuclear weapons against the West for their occupation of Ukraine".