Listen to a reading of this article: ❖ The US-centralized empire's use of propaganda, censorship and Silicon Valley algorithm manipulation is the single most urgent issue of our time, because it's what prevents attention from being drawn to all other issues. And all signs indicate it's set to get much, much worse.
Good writing Caitlin, your analysis is incisive and always fits within a whole. I’ve only discovered you recently but am finding I’m starting to share your posts. I appreciate your voice in this insane time we’re living in. Yours is truly a voice of sanity.
I especially appreciate your arguing for detente and de-escalation as very real options. Where does one find detailed engagement with the main themes AND discussion of true peace in the same author.
Your perspective is very special & critically important for where we’re at.
I hope your message resonated with ever more people.
Anyone who carefully followed all the various machinations, presidential and vice presidential approved lies, statements to the United Nations from Coin Powell and supportive gestures and comments from the many US puppet countries, to the frightening Iraqi 'Weapons of Mass Destruction', the Hollywood fantasy-like scenario developed to satisfy the "Shock and Awe" attack on virtually defenceless Iraq, should know by now the fact that this was just another piece of cruel US fiction. Cruel and inhumane fiction. We’ve seen them before, in the Bay of Tonkin, the toppling of the government in Chile for commercial reasons and installing the criminal government of Pinochet and the interference in probably every South American country, most European countries as well. Even friendly countries like Australia, when in 1975 the US was successful in contributing in a major way to the removal of a progressive and popular Prime Minister and government from office. Just one of many as by one count, the United States has interfered in more than 80 foreign elections between 1946 and 2000 not counting U.S. backed coups and invasions in which they are Machiavellan masters. Deaths over 20 million.
They even have a major department called the CIA with 22,000 employees who have made death and destruction a profession. Who could ever forget Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and hundreds more over time.
The best antidote to subterfuge and straight out lies is transparency. I wonder whether the citizens of the world will ever appreciate the efforts by the likes of Scott Ritter, Julian Assange, Daniel Ellsberg, Edward Snowden, countless journalists and writers for publications like Consortium News and The UNZ Report and the well supported writings of Caitlin Johnstone.
Appreciation of decent efforts can be a slow process when trying to survive in a sea of lies, but one day soon, we hope…as the world needs serious reform.
Masks. Was when Americans and western democracies consented to giving up their free speech rights. Because masks were always just symbols. Not medically effective at preventing transmission of any virus. Not based in medical science, natural science. Based in behavioral science, social science. The science of symbols and linguistics that impact the perceptions of a target audience to effect changes in their behavior. The science that studies the efficacy of propaganda. One of the primary sciences that epidemiologists are formally trained in. It is The Science declared "the best science" we've been ordered to follow.
And symbols are speech. The oldest form of speech. Understood by even the illiterate. And mandated speech is exactly the same as prohibited speech. Free speech isn't just about censorship, it's about compelled speech. The speech the symbol of masks represents is fear. Be scared of others you may come in contact with, they may harm you. Understood at our base level of cognizance, the amygdala, triggers the fight, flight and freeze response. Same as seeing snakes. Here's the science of masks:
So when our friends, family, colleagues and neighbors said mandatory masks weren't their hill to die on they were saying free speech wasn't their hill to die on. They consented to giving up their (our) free speech rights. And now here we are. The other side of that same free speech coin. Prohibited speech. Orwellian Ministries of Truth being created. With only a handful of elected officials even in the opposition party objecting.
I'm old enough to remember when leaders of opposition parties forcefully objected to restrictions on free speech, to being called unpatriotic and un-American for disagreeing with an administration. Like objections Hillary Clinton raised to the Iraq War, the "War on Terror." Deemed heroic by the media and minority party at the time. At the time it was replayed over and over, countless videos viewed and shared of her speech. Now only available in an obscure audio clip you have to search the internet hard for. Memory-holed.
Free Speech, RIP 2020. When free people decided masks weren't the hill to die on. Never dawned on them that mandatory symbolism was that important to oppose.
The only legitimate power of government is to protect individuals from violence, whether the violence is direct, as in assault or vandalism; or indirect, as in deceit, fraud or the pollution or misappropriation of natural resources.
As Caitlin subtly points out, the Bill of Rights protects the LEGITIMATE power of government by prohibiting arbitrary, tyrannical use of government institutions. If the Bill of Rights is not strictly followed, government will eventually collapse into totalitarian tyranny or chaos.
Western society is built around the idea of productive freedoms of all kinds, and free speech is the cornerstone of democracy. The idea being that criticism is essential to change for the better, in that it allows for discussions fora, and disclosures and solutions to the inevitable problems of mobile societies. But Western society has become stultified: there is no mobility or input into important decisions like war, and war budgets: we are told authority's version of what is what and why, and we'd better like it. Corporate media is a washout: no doubt in tandem with other closely managed and compromised news outlets, CBC has just put out a bulletin that the Azovstal compound is being shelled by Russia - just now- when the last holdouts are coming out of there. Sounds a lot like Syria resorting to indictable and totally redundant chemical weapons. But there are limits to atrocious lies: they have a short shelf life and often crash under their own weight. There are ways around corporate media, censorious social media, and hack financial organs. They bring out the ingenious and resourceful.
I remember how liberals celebrated and laughed when Alex Jones got cancelled by social media and later on when Donald Trump got banned by Twitter. Ha Ha, those right wing nut jobs deserved it. No one should be allowed to spread such dangerous filth. At the time, some left-wing commentators (including our host) warned that the axe would ultimately fall more heavily on the left. Which brings us to the present day and the ever-increasing repression of independent left wing voices. Ha Ha, Caity warned us.
God, I REALLY hope that the people who are saying that this is the last ditch effort of a government that's lost the trust of the people--that even this is just delaying their inevitable loss of power--are all right. Because I don't want to see this continuing and getting worse and worse for the entire second half of my life.
I am surprised that the author has not been banned anywhere, including facebook, twitter, and youtube.
As soon as I create an account on twitter, facebook, or linkedin, it gets deactivated and suspended even if I don't post anything at all. And I actually had only one facebook account in my entire life where I tried to post anything. I had that account for one (1) day only before it was deactivated - just to give you an idea that I never was any social media freak or a violator of any rules. In fact, I had been entirely indifferent to social media until I wanted to share my story.
I think that some ideas might sound controversial but they are well tolerated by the governments and their owners.
Frances Leader stated today that Steve Kirsch who does not ban even any trolls that post the same spam over and over again on his substack, has banned her from posting any comments for the next 100 years. Lol.
This began many years ago maybe even as soon as the Vietnam War but became more evident when Trump came in the sphere and the evil LEFTIST felt they could corrupt a duly elected president. Don't get me wrong Republicans were just as corrupt until now that the left has proven beyond a doubt they are far more evil.
Look today at all the politicians and the only one wanting a peaceful working negotiation to the conflict is Trump. I may be right leaning but even many on the right are War mongering neocons: it makes me sick to my stomach.
If you do not believe in a God or higher power you might want to begin because the end of this realm of life may be rapidly approaching.
For me the power is out of our hands and rest solely on eternity.
If you believe man is smart enough to solve this peacefully your a bigger fool than conceivably imagined.
Well, as for "Western civilization", you know what Mr. Gandhi said:
"Mr. Gandhi, what do you think of Western civilization?"
"I think it would be an good idea."
Good writing Caitlin, your analysis is incisive and always fits within a whole. I’ve only discovered you recently but am finding I’m starting to share your posts. I appreciate your voice in this insane time we’re living in. Yours is truly a voice of sanity.
I especially appreciate your arguing for detente and de-escalation as very real options. Where does one find detailed engagement with the main themes AND discussion of true peace in the same author.
Your perspective is very special & critically important for where we’re at.
I hope your message resonated with ever more people.
Peace
Laptop class making up delusional fairy tales while people get killed and inflation skyrockets.
"Tough slog"? And then some.
Anyone who carefully followed all the various machinations, presidential and vice presidential approved lies, statements to the United Nations from Coin Powell and supportive gestures and comments from the many US puppet countries, to the frightening Iraqi 'Weapons of Mass Destruction', the Hollywood fantasy-like scenario developed to satisfy the "Shock and Awe" attack on virtually defenceless Iraq, should know by now the fact that this was just another piece of cruel US fiction. Cruel and inhumane fiction. We’ve seen them before, in the Bay of Tonkin, the toppling of the government in Chile for commercial reasons and installing the criminal government of Pinochet and the interference in probably every South American country, most European countries as well. Even friendly countries like Australia, when in 1975 the US was successful in contributing in a major way to the removal of a progressive and popular Prime Minister and government from office. Just one of many as by one count, the United States has interfered in more than 80 foreign elections between 1946 and 2000 not counting U.S. backed coups and invasions in which they are Machiavellan masters. Deaths over 20 million.
They even have a major department called the CIA with 22,000 employees who have made death and destruction a profession. Who could ever forget Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay and hundreds more over time.
The best antidote to subterfuge and straight out lies is transparency. I wonder whether the citizens of the world will ever appreciate the efforts by the likes of Scott Ritter, Julian Assange, Daniel Ellsberg, Edward Snowden, countless journalists and writers for publications like Consortium News and The UNZ Report and the well supported writings of Caitlin Johnstone.
Appreciation of decent efforts can be a slow process when trying to survive in a sea of lies, but one day soon, we hope…as the world needs serious reform.
Masks. Was when Americans and western democracies consented to giving up their free speech rights. Because masks were always just symbols. Not medically effective at preventing transmission of any virus. Not based in medical science, natural science. Based in behavioral science, social science. The science of symbols and linguistics that impact the perceptions of a target audience to effect changes in their behavior. The science that studies the efficacy of propaganda. One of the primary sciences that epidemiologists are formally trained in. It is The Science declared "the best science" we've been ordered to follow.
And symbols are speech. The oldest form of speech. Understood by even the illiterate. And mandated speech is exactly the same as prohibited speech. Free speech isn't just about censorship, it's about compelled speech. The speech the symbol of masks represents is fear. Be scared of others you may come in contact with, they may harm you. Understood at our base level of cognizance, the amygdala, triggers the fight, flight and freeze response. Same as seeing snakes. Here's the science of masks:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1467-9450.2009.00784.x
So when our friends, family, colleagues and neighbors said mandatory masks weren't their hill to die on they were saying free speech wasn't their hill to die on. They consented to giving up their (our) free speech rights. And now here we are. The other side of that same free speech coin. Prohibited speech. Orwellian Ministries of Truth being created. With only a handful of elected officials even in the opposition party objecting.
I'm old enough to remember when leaders of opposition parties forcefully objected to restrictions on free speech, to being called unpatriotic and un-American for disagreeing with an administration. Like objections Hillary Clinton raised to the Iraq War, the "War on Terror." Deemed heroic by the media and minority party at the time. At the time it was replayed over and over, countless videos viewed and shared of her speech. Now only available in an obscure audio clip you have to search the internet hard for. Memory-holed.
https://rumble.com/vxq0b1-almost-memory-holed-hillary-screaming-ppl-have-right-to-question-govt.html
Free Speech, RIP 2020. When free people decided masks weren't the hill to die on. Never dawned on them that mandatory symbolism was that important to oppose.
The only legitimate power of government is to protect individuals from violence, whether the violence is direct, as in assault or vandalism; or indirect, as in deceit, fraud or the pollution or misappropriation of natural resources.
As Caitlin subtly points out, the Bill of Rights protects the LEGITIMATE power of government by prohibiting arbitrary, tyrannical use of government institutions. If the Bill of Rights is not strictly followed, government will eventually collapse into totalitarian tyranny or chaos.
Free Speech critical to a real Democracy...must do all we can to promote your excellent points .
Western society is built around the idea of productive freedoms of all kinds, and free speech is the cornerstone of democracy. The idea being that criticism is essential to change for the better, in that it allows for discussions fora, and disclosures and solutions to the inevitable problems of mobile societies. But Western society has become stultified: there is no mobility or input into important decisions like war, and war budgets: we are told authority's version of what is what and why, and we'd better like it. Corporate media is a washout: no doubt in tandem with other closely managed and compromised news outlets, CBC has just put out a bulletin that the Azovstal compound is being shelled by Russia - just now- when the last holdouts are coming out of there. Sounds a lot like Syria resorting to indictable and totally redundant chemical weapons. But there are limits to atrocious lies: they have a short shelf life and often crash under their own weight. There are ways around corporate media, censorious social media, and hack financial organs. They bring out the ingenious and resourceful.
I remember how liberals celebrated and laughed when Alex Jones got cancelled by social media and later on when Donald Trump got banned by Twitter. Ha Ha, those right wing nut jobs deserved it. No one should be allowed to spread such dangerous filth. At the time, some left-wing commentators (including our host) warned that the axe would ultimately fall more heavily on the left. Which brings us to the present day and the ever-increasing repression of independent left wing voices. Ha Ha, Caity warned us.
So the BBC labels the "Ghost of Kiev" a "legend." "Fantasy" might have been more apt, but the most appropriate word is "LIE!"
Consortium News too? Shit.
God, I REALLY hope that the people who are saying that this is the last ditch effort of a government that's lost the trust of the people--that even this is just delaying their inevitable loss of power--are all right. Because I don't want to see this continuing and getting worse and worse for the entire second half of my life.
convincing the working class that capitalism serves the have-nots while sucking the blood and sweat of the working class is no easy task.
Noam Chomsky: Trump the ‘One Western Statesman of Stature’ Pushing Peace in Ukraine https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2022/05/01/noam-chomsky-trump-one-western-statesman-stature-pushing-peace-ukraine/
I am surprised that the author has not been banned anywhere, including facebook, twitter, and youtube.
As soon as I create an account on twitter, facebook, or linkedin, it gets deactivated and suspended even if I don't post anything at all. And I actually had only one facebook account in my entire life where I tried to post anything. I had that account for one (1) day only before it was deactivated - just to give you an idea that I never was any social media freak or a violator of any rules. In fact, I had been entirely indifferent to social media until I wanted to share my story.
I think that some ideas might sound controversial but they are well tolerated by the governments and their owners.
Frances Leader stated today that Steve Kirsch who does not ban even any trolls that post the same spam over and over again on his substack, has banned her from posting any comments for the next 100 years. Lol.
So, things are not always as they appear to be.
This began many years ago maybe even as soon as the Vietnam War but became more evident when Trump came in the sphere and the evil LEFTIST felt they could corrupt a duly elected president. Don't get me wrong Republicans were just as corrupt until now that the left has proven beyond a doubt they are far more evil.
Look today at all the politicians and the only one wanting a peaceful working negotiation to the conflict is Trump. I may be right leaning but even many on the right are War mongering neocons: it makes me sick to my stomach.
If you do not believe in a God or higher power you might want to begin because the end of this realm of life may be rapidly approaching.
For me the power is out of our hands and rest solely on eternity.
If you believe man is smart enough to solve this peacefully your a bigger fool than conceivably imagined.
Remember Michael Avenatti? Scumbag once fêted across Main Stream Media? Here’s another useful idiot