There, armed forces who have taken action to de-escalate a heated protest....have been removed from their jobs. For actions they took FIVE years ago - under a totally different government!
2)
Trump orders deployment of troops to Portland and authorises 'full force'
"...President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of US troops to Portland, Oregon, authorising use of "full force" if needed....
....Trump's post does not specify whether he intends to activate national guard or regular US military. The post also did not specify what is meant by the use of "full force"...."
The message to all unifored officers in the country: dont se-escalate - use force instead. The force they have available to quell any protest of massive scale is is.....lethal weapons.
So any mass protests must necessarily include a component of psychologically targetting these uniformed forces and making them question their orders and wiling to lay down arms rather than brutalize and even shoot peaceful protesters. Because the latter is what they are being told to do, in no uncertain terrms.
I agree--we need to make these uniformed forces question their orders and find their compassion and empathy. It's happened before such as during the Vietnam protests. Police refused to arrest peaceful protesters. This is what makes groups like those protesting the proscribing of Palestine Action in the UK so powerful... A thousand plus protesters show up at one place and the cops are forced to arrest 80 year olds and people in wheelchairs, etc. It's really starting to mess with their minds and hearts. With great numbers, I think we can make them ignore any orders to use force, but we can't let up. We must be relentless with the psychological and spiritual warfare to remind the cops that they are part of the 99% and their fate rests alongside us.
Where do we fit in.I don’t know, folks like us are politically out in the cold.Neither Democrats nor Republicans offer anything even close to solutions.
They don't. That's why we have to make our own groups/parties and strike out on our own. We must follow our morals and support like-minded candidates and causes and not fall into the "first past the post" mentality of US politics.
Recently, I saw on Breakthrough News an interview they had with a representative from your Ohio group that is working to stop local jurisdictions from investing in Israel and their genocide. I immediately thought of your involvement in that effort. You are having an impact! I know that things have moved way too slowly around this issue and that too many Palestinians have suffered the horrific consequences. Americans seem particularly dense and slow to move. In this increasingly fascist environment it’s a challenge to counter what’s coming down, but it is being done. It would be way more effective if we could have greater numbers of people involved, like the recent General Strike in Italy. Soon, things might be ripe in the U.S., if not about international issues, then about the degrading domestic situation. Give yourself and your ilk a nice round of applause.
Do you have the link to that BT News interview? Thanks! And our county is deciding not to renew those Israeli bonds, so it did work to raise our voices.
But it does seem to be taking a long time to get things moving on Uniting for Peace at the UN. I just can't see why they all have to play "politics" and drag things out. The Italians in the streets know how to get their message across loud and clear, don't they? We could all learn a lot from them.
Thanks for this post. I seem to fit in best with those taking action.
I've noticed that at the weekly protests I attend ew get about 100 times more honks, cheers, waves, etc. than negative responses. I can't help but wonder how many other regions have that proportion of support for Gaza. If this ratio is similar, we in the west are so far from any kind of democracy.
Even protesting is a good thing. We had the best turnout ever during our last one, and another small community is doing the same thing now.
What you do is an important form of activism -- keep up the great work!
Thanks, Diana. Your Substack is also an important form of activism, too. ;-)
We're seeing so much positive support for our regular protests that one has to wonder if anyone is falling for the propaganda/hasbara the mainstream media promotes anymore. We even get thanks from passers-by for standing up for the rights of the Palestinian people. It's a good sign that most want to build a world that provides basic needs to all. I think most believe that militarism/imperialism is a dead end. Even when I'm frustrated that things aren't happening fast enough to help those in Gaza, I still feel hope that we will get there eventually.
Thank you for this poignant and profound post. I hope that more people take action to dismantle the genocidal war machine and end this genocide and prevent future ones from happening. The people united, will never be defeated, as they say. It's interesting you mentioned the Wretched of the Earth, I am reading that right now and its especially pertinent to the genocide in Gaza as well as other global conflicts. I agree that Mr. Fanon would likely be disappointed at the lack of progress the colonized have made since 1961.
The silver lining is that, with tools like the internet and social media, more like-minded people can band together and work towards building a better world. The more egalitarian world you mentioned sounds like a place I would like to inhabit, here's hoping it can be made manifest.
Thanks for your kind words, Aamir. I agree that the internet is a great tool--and that's why it must be a forum of free speech, not censored or blocked communications, so that all may share their thoughts and work freely with others toward solving our mutual problems.
I found The Wretched of the Earth a tough read. It reminded me that the same colonial mindset is still alive almost 65 years later. It's time we doubled our efforts to rid ourselves of this mindset before another 65 years go by.
You're welcome, I really appreciated this post. Definitely agreed, the internet is a tremendous resource that should be free in the sense of allowing all to share their ideas, and contribute what knowledge they have. It is a great mechanism by which we can cooperate and be stronger together, working towards solving our problems and building a better, more equitable and just world.
Yes, I agree. In my limited reading, the Wretched of the Earth is an uncomfortable and difficult read. This to me, shows that we are trying to grow and become more equitable and fair in our outlook, and are trying to become better people who contribute to the development of a better future world. It is definitely disappointing that we are still grappling with that colonial mentality nearly 7 decades later, but I have hope that, if we give a concerted, united effort, we can move past that mindset and truly build the egalitarian, conscientious and prosperous world Frantz Fanon believed we could. No time better than the present to work on it!
Yes indeed, this is the best time to work on things. For sure, it's important to learn from one another and the past to avoid making the same mistakes, and also considering different perspectives we may not otherwise have had. Hopefully together, we can be strong and united and build the better world we hope for.
My heart sank when I applied to be on the Flotilla: 6000 applicants before me! The only “skill” I could offer was cooking, and that’s pretty questionable. Clearly I’m not there but the soul was willing.
We need more than hope. We need ACTION but if I express it here, the Men in Dark Suits’ll show up at my door (not that I ain’t ready for ‘em.)
A January 6, only by antigenociders?
A million of us? Could it work? They can’t gun down a million of us surely.
You're welcome! I would have loved to go with the flotilla, too, but I know that at my age and health condition(s), I would have been more of a burden than a help, especially after being seasick on the journey. I'll have to wait until they get a port/airport set up in Palestine where I can come in and be of help in the future.
If we can increase our numbers of ACTIVE protestors and get a good portion of the military/police on our side... We do stand a chance. We have the numbers. We just need the courage and the smarts.
One day I hope to wake up and find all the destructive elements of the imperialists gone for good. But it's not going to happen unless we join together and get to work to change the system and out the elites who make our lives hell. They won't go by themselves.
For certain, the oligarchs and their flunkies are going to hang on hard, with their bare hands if they have to, to all the wealth and resources they've stolen from the workers of the world. But we've gotta keep in mind that We of the 99% outnumber them, and that by working together, side-by-side, we can build the world of justice and peace that we want and need.
It's going to take more than numbers of people rising up.
Why do I say that?
1) Well look at this seminal event that just happened:
"FBI fires agents pictured kneeling at George Floyd protest, US media report"
1 hour ago
Sofia Ferreira Santos
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr4q5xrz9dpo
There, armed forces who have taken action to de-escalate a heated protest....have been removed from their jobs. For actions they took FIVE years ago - under a totally different government!
2)
Trump orders deployment of troops to Portland and authorises 'full force'
1 hour ago
Nadine Yousif
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cddmn6ge6e2o
"...President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of US troops to Portland, Oregon, authorising use of "full force" if needed....
....Trump's post does not specify whether he intends to activate national guard or regular US military. The post also did not specify what is meant by the use of "full force"...."
The message to all unifored officers in the country: dont se-escalate - use force instead. The force they have available to quell any protest of massive scale is is.....lethal weapons.
So any mass protests must necessarily include a component of psychologically targetting these uniformed forces and making them question their orders and wiling to lay down arms rather than brutalize and even shoot peaceful protesters. Because the latter is what they are being told to do, in no uncertain terrms.
I agree--we need to make these uniformed forces question their orders and find their compassion and empathy. It's happened before such as during the Vietnam protests. Police refused to arrest peaceful protesters. This is what makes groups like those protesting the proscribing of Palestine Action in the UK so powerful... A thousand plus protesters show up at one place and the cops are forced to arrest 80 year olds and people in wheelchairs, etc. It's really starting to mess with their minds and hearts. With great numbers, I think we can make them ignore any orders to use force, but we can't let up. We must be relentless with the psychological and spiritual warfare to remind the cops that they are part of the 99% and their fate rests alongside us.
Where do we fit in.I don’t know, folks like us are politically out in the cold.Neither Democrats nor Republicans offer anything even close to solutions.
They don't. That's why we have to make our own groups/parties and strike out on our own. We must follow our morals and support like-minded candidates and causes and not fall into the "first past the post" mentality of US politics.
Recently, I saw on Breakthrough News an interview they had with a representative from your Ohio group that is working to stop local jurisdictions from investing in Israel and their genocide. I immediately thought of your involvement in that effort. You are having an impact! I know that things have moved way too slowly around this issue and that too many Palestinians have suffered the horrific consequences. Americans seem particularly dense and slow to move. In this increasingly fascist environment it’s a challenge to counter what’s coming down, but it is being done. It would be way more effective if we could have greater numbers of people involved, like the recent General Strike in Italy. Soon, things might be ripe in the U.S., if not about international issues, then about the degrading domestic situation. Give yourself and your ilk a nice round of applause.
Do you have the link to that BT News interview? Thanks! And our county is deciding not to renew those Israeli bonds, so it did work to raise our voices.
But it does seem to be taking a long time to get things moving on Uniting for Peace at the UN. I just can't see why they all have to play "politics" and drag things out. The Italians in the streets know how to get their message across loud and clear, don't they? We could all learn a lot from them.
Here’s the link:
https://youtu.be/j_unxziy1C4?si=zCz0qkkfUf_eHErc
Red Green, the inimitable Canadian philosopher and expert handyman, could fix anything with duct tape! Where is he now when we need him?
I wonder, too. If I could duct tape Trump's and Netanyahu's fat mouths shut, I'd do it in a heartbeat!
You take one end, Cindy, and I'll hold the other!
Thanks for this post. I seem to fit in best with those taking action.
I've noticed that at the weekly protests I attend ew get about 100 times more honks, cheers, waves, etc. than negative responses. I can't help but wonder how many other regions have that proportion of support for Gaza. If this ratio is similar, we in the west are so far from any kind of democracy.
Even protesting is a good thing. We had the best turnout ever during our last one, and another small community is doing the same thing now.
What you do is an important form of activism -- keep up the great work!
Thanks, Diana. Your Substack is also an important form of activism, too. ;-)
We're seeing so much positive support for our regular protests that one has to wonder if anyone is falling for the propaganda/hasbara the mainstream media promotes anymore. We even get thanks from passers-by for standing up for the rights of the Palestinian people. It's a good sign that most want to build a world that provides basic needs to all. I think most believe that militarism/imperialism is a dead end. Even when I'm frustrated that things aren't happening fast enough to help those in Gaza, I still feel hope that we will get there eventually.
Thank you for this poignant and profound post. I hope that more people take action to dismantle the genocidal war machine and end this genocide and prevent future ones from happening. The people united, will never be defeated, as they say. It's interesting you mentioned the Wretched of the Earth, I am reading that right now and its especially pertinent to the genocide in Gaza as well as other global conflicts. I agree that Mr. Fanon would likely be disappointed at the lack of progress the colonized have made since 1961.
The silver lining is that, with tools like the internet and social media, more like-minded people can band together and work towards building a better world. The more egalitarian world you mentioned sounds like a place I would like to inhabit, here's hoping it can be made manifest.
Thanks for your kind words, Aamir. I agree that the internet is a great tool--and that's why it must be a forum of free speech, not censored or blocked communications, so that all may share their thoughts and work freely with others toward solving our mutual problems.
I found The Wretched of the Earth a tough read. It reminded me that the same colonial mindset is still alive almost 65 years later. It's time we doubled our efforts to rid ourselves of this mindset before another 65 years go by.
You're welcome, I really appreciated this post. Definitely agreed, the internet is a tremendous resource that should be free in the sense of allowing all to share their ideas, and contribute what knowledge they have. It is a great mechanism by which we can cooperate and be stronger together, working towards solving our problems and building a better, more equitable and just world.
Yes, I agree. In my limited reading, the Wretched of the Earth is an uncomfortable and difficult read. This to me, shows that we are trying to grow and become more equitable and fair in our outlook, and are trying to become better people who contribute to the development of a better future world. It is definitely disappointing that we are still grappling with that colonial mentality nearly 7 decades later, but I have hope that, if we give a concerted, united effort, we can move past that mindset and truly build the egalitarian, conscientious and prosperous world Frantz Fanon believed we could. No time better than the present to work on it!
So true! It's time to get to work. Learn from the past and learn from each other (online, but in person is better).
Yes indeed, this is the best time to work on things. For sure, it's important to learn from one another and the past to avoid making the same mistakes, and also considering different perspectives we may not otherwise have had. Hopefully together, we can be strong and united and build the better world we hope for.
Hi TRC
Highly appreciate the link(s), thank you Sistah.
My heart sank when I applied to be on the Flotilla: 6000 applicants before me! The only “skill” I could offer was cooking, and that’s pretty questionable. Clearly I’m not there but the soul was willing.
We need more than hope. We need ACTION but if I express it here, the Men in Dark Suits’ll show up at my door (not that I ain’t ready for ‘em.)
A January 6, only by antigenociders?
A million of us? Could it work? They can’t gun down a million of us surely.
You're welcome! I would have loved to go with the flotilla, too, but I know that at my age and health condition(s), I would have been more of a burden than a help, especially after being seasick on the journey. I'll have to wait until they get a port/airport set up in Palestine where I can come in and be of help in the future.
If we can increase our numbers of ACTIVE protestors and get a good portion of the military/police on our side... We do stand a chance. We have the numbers. We just need the courage and the smarts.
One day I hope to wake up and find all the destructive elements of the imperialists gone for good. But it's not going to happen unless we join together and get to work to change the system and out the elites who make our lives hell. They won't go by themselves.
For certain, the oligarchs and their flunkies are going to hang on hard, with their bare hands if they have to, to all the wealth and resources they've stolen from the workers of the world. But we've gotta keep in mind that We of the 99% outnumber them, and that by working together, side-by-side, we can build the world of justice and peace that we want and need.