"Between 1898 and 1934, the Marines invaded Cuba 4 times, Nicaragua 5 times,Honduras 7 times, the Dominican Republic 4 times, Haiti twice, Guatemalaonce, Panama twice, Mexico 3 times and Columbia 4 times," Washington has intervened militarily in foreign countries more than 200 times."
"If the people are not convinced (that the Free World is in mortal danger) it would be impossible for Congress to vote the vast sums now being spent to avert danger. With the support of public opinion, as marshalled by the press, we are off to a good start. It is our Job - yours and mine -- to
keep our people convinced that the only way to keep disaster away from our shores is to build up America's might."
- Charles Wilson, Chairman of the Board of General Electric and Truman appointee to head the Office of Defence Mobilization, in a speech to the Newspaper Publishers Association, 1950 #
~:~
And if you'd like to view the horoscope with a few details of America's first ever overthrow of Hawaii - if you'd like to snag a peek, please click.
Or you may wish to try our nascent overthrow's birth chart here which has an image of the chart with some details - including info on the current Neptune-Pluto septile (51 degr 26 mins), as aspect said to be karmic in nature.
1890 Hawaii's innocence! How blatantly imperialist could the US government have been? Admittedly, we were young in the occupation business, but we're older than that now. You'd think we should know better, but apparently we don't.
And fearless "leaders" don't care - they're busy stirring things up!
Ah yes, the 1890s: the Gilded Age, the Generation of Materialism = the Robber Barons' collusions marked by the Great Conjunctions of Neptune-Pluto 7 - 9 Gemini, where asteroid Midas, of gold-hoarding fame, now transits.
Well, I agree that sugar can be dangerous, but really now.
The Roman Empire bludgeoned. Must we continue the model, Pres. Obama?
Apr 4, 2009
Full Moon April 9, 2009: Sun Ari-Moon Libra
For the culmination stage of March 26's New Moon 6Ari08, we have a Libra Full Moon on April 9, 2009 which I have detailed for you with the chart set for Washington, DC...my usual astrological and political shenanigans.
This Full Moon gives us a Fire-Air Sun Ari-Moon Libra blend to consider as relationships of all kinds are highlighted now.
Full Moons are oppositions (which always tell of relationships or partnerships) and Aries-Libra is the natural sign polarity of relationships. Rulers Mars and Venus are passionate about getting together - or arguing about why they can't!
Sun Ari-Moon Libra indicates issues of who has the power - me or others? This is a vivacious, charming, outwardly confident pairing, but it vacillates between independence and dependence.
An inner 'heroic picture' may be nursed, yet others may not 'see' the heroism. Head and heart clash over and over again, and the resulting frustrations can destroy self-confidence.
Idealism and hopefulness abound with Sun Ari-Moon Libra in its 'live-wire' Fire-Air combo which is shared natally by William Hazlit, who brilliantly observed:
Image for Integration: 'A conductor leads an orchestra with passionate conviction and a vibrant, pulsating organism of musical perfection is created to the ecstatic uplifting of the audience.' (Sun Sign-Moon Sign, Chas & Suzi Harvey.)
Now - if you click and read the above-linked post concerning April 9's Full Moon, note that Venus Rx 00Ari34 (conj World Point 00Ari00) is now hanging out with asteroid Terpsichore, the orchestrator in April 2009's Full Moon drama in Washington.
Yet on another level, art-loving Venus and music-scorer Terpsichore are possibly about to unleash new, enticing music upon the planet!
And we could all do with some new tunes, couldn't we?
This Full Moon gives us a Fire-Air Sun Ari-Moon Libra blend to consider as relationships of all kinds are highlighted now.
Full Moons are oppositions (which always tell of relationships or partnerships) and Aries-Libra is the natural sign polarity of relationships. Rulers Mars and Venus are passionate about getting together - or arguing about why they can't!
Sun Ari-Moon Libra indicates issues of who has the power - me or others? This is a vivacious, charming, outwardly confident pairing, but it vacillates between independence and dependence.
An inner 'heroic picture' may be nursed, yet others may not 'see' the heroism. Head and heart clash over and over again, and the resulting frustrations can destroy self-confidence.
Idealism and hopefulness abound with Sun Ari-Moon Libra in its 'live-wire' Fire-Air combo which is shared natally by William Hazlit, who brilliantly observed:
"The love of liberty is the love of others; the love of power is the love of ourselves."
Image for Integration: 'A conductor leads an orchestra with passionate conviction and a vibrant, pulsating organism of musical perfection is created to the ecstatic uplifting of the audience.' (Sun Sign-Moon Sign, Chas & Suzi Harvey.)
Now - if you click and read the above-linked post concerning April 9's Full Moon, note that Venus Rx 00Ari34 (conj World Point 00Ari00) is now hanging out with asteroid Terpsichore, the orchestrator in April 2009's Full Moon drama in Washington.
Yet on another level, art-loving Venus and music-scorer Terpsichore are possibly about to unleash new, enticing music upon the planet!
And we could all do with some new tunes, couldn't we?
Apr 3, 2009
G20: a new world economic order, at your service
Here's a puffy little piece written masterfully by Steve Schifferes, economic reporter for the BBC News, a piece that makes a new world economic order seem about as snuggly and cozy as a pair of fuzzy bedroom slippers toasting by the fireside.
Our tootsies must be quite chilled by now.
Our tootsies must be quite chilled by now.
Apr 2, 2009
Is Obama upping war and revenge?
If you're like me and were hoping that Pres. Obama would NOT escalate the war in Afghanistan, please read Chris Floyd's article Darkness Renewed: Terror as a Tool of Empire.
Baitullah Mehsud's recent threat against Washington, DC, if carried out, would give the US government all the onboard (if scammed again) patriots it needs to keep the revenge cycle rolling and the military industrial complex in charge and flush.
Sometimes the healing concept of 'forgiving the unforgivable' - the only way to end revenge escalation personally or publicly - seems very far away, doesn't it?
Especially with "world leaders" having an anti-peace agenda not in the best interests of the innocent people the ruling class so cavalierly dismiss as 'collateral damage.'
Baitullah Mehsud's recent threat against Washington, DC, if carried out, would give the US government all the onboard (if scammed again) patriots it needs to keep the revenge cycle rolling and the military industrial complex in charge and flush.
Sometimes the healing concept of 'forgiving the unforgivable' - the only way to end revenge escalation personally or publicly - seems very far away, doesn't it?
Especially with "world leaders" having an anti-peace agenda not in the best interests of the innocent people the ruling class so cavalierly dismiss as 'collateral damage.'
Apr 1, 2009
Obama abroad: a view from London and Cupid's Love
Der Spiegel has a report on Pres. Obama arriving at 10 Downing Street, London to excited applause on Wednesday, April 1, 2009.
He's being branded the world's best hope or some such nonsense for one mere mortal to handle and definitely the possibility exists of being set up to fail, because no mortal can help but fall off a golden pedestal of exalted praise and admiration!
Still, this little Pandora is hiding a tiny *ray of hope in the dark corner of society's box of ills. Pandora, the asteroid, now traverses the degree range of 10 - 11 Aquarius - between Jupiter 19AQ+ and North Node (path; destiny; forward destination) 6AQ55 which conjuncts or triggers the 'New President' Eclipse of Jan 26, 2009.
The 11 North Series influence includes finding new groups of people to mix with through travel or ideas, and possibly making greater commitments in relationships - Pres. Obama is certainly mixing with a new set of individuals in Europe this week through both travel and ideas...the G20's haughty international crowd of 'global' players. (Eclipse info: Brady's Predictive Astrology.)
Jupiter-NN as a pair is given by Reinhold Ebertin as 'the *Odyle Force of Baron von Reichenbach' which he researched so diligently under the moon's rays attempting to understand the elusive flow of life force in the living organism.
Another life-force-infused myth of similar flavor is that of the Greek myth of Eros (Roman,Cupid.)
'Eros' in Astrology may be used in love matters, of course, and eroticism, but its 'love at first sight' association - and shooting arrow - adds a piercing quality to the asteroid's meaning when prominent in a chart - and with all that the word may imply in working with Mundane Astrology.
(Even the all-seeing-eye at apex (top) of the 13-step pyramid (on back of a soon-to-disappear, they say) US dollar may be of an Eros turn of glance.)
But speaking of love, I want to mention that I enjoyed the new TV program last evening, Cupid - and am sending its creators kudos for the cool premise and fun plot line!
As for the G20 Summit this week, my sincere hope is that our president is mixing with new groups and making commitments as much on behalf of the American people's best interests as he purports himself to be...yet without ignoring the interests of the rest of the world.
Sheesh, now I'm at it, too - over-expectations!
~:~
*Alan Oken gives Moon sextile Jupiter as the ray of hope aspect. And yes, I have it natally. You didn't guess that, did you? jc
He's being branded the world's best hope or some such nonsense for one mere mortal to handle and definitely the possibility exists of being set up to fail, because no mortal can help but fall off a golden pedestal of exalted praise and admiration!
Still, this little Pandora is hiding a tiny *ray of hope in the dark corner of society's box of ills. Pandora, the asteroid, now traverses the degree range of 10 - 11 Aquarius - between Jupiter 19AQ+ and North Node (path; destiny; forward destination) 6AQ55 which conjuncts or triggers the 'New President' Eclipse of Jan 26, 2009.
The 11 North Series influence includes finding new groups of people to mix with through travel or ideas, and possibly making greater commitments in relationships - Pres. Obama is certainly mixing with a new set of individuals in Europe this week through both travel and ideas...the G20's haughty international crowd of 'global' players. (Eclipse info: Brady's Predictive Astrology.)
Jupiter-NN as a pair is given by Reinhold Ebertin as 'the *Odyle Force of Baron von Reichenbach' which he researched so diligently under the moon's rays attempting to understand the elusive flow of life force in the living organism.
You may wish to view the anatomy of a fanciful representation of the Odyle Force in human form here or skip ahead to the completed version of my drawing Odyle Aura, if you dare.
Another life-force-infused myth of similar flavor is that of the Greek myth of Eros (Roman,Cupid.)
'Eros' in Astrology may be used in love matters, of course, and eroticism, but its 'love at first sight' association - and shooting arrow - adds a piercing quality to the asteroid's meaning when prominent in a chart - and with all that the word may imply in working with Mundane Astrology.
(Even the all-seeing-eye at apex (top) of the 13-step pyramid (on back of a soon-to-disappear, they say) US dollar may be of an Eros turn of glance.)
But speaking of love, I want to mention that I enjoyed the new TV program last evening, Cupid - and am sending its creators kudos for the cool premise and fun plot line!
As for the G20 Summit this week, my sincere hope is that our president is mixing with new groups and making commitments as much on behalf of the American people's best interests as he purports himself to be...yet without ignoring the interests of the rest of the world.
Sheesh, now I'm at it, too - over-expectations!
~:~
*Alan Oken gives Moon sextile Jupiter as the ray of hope aspect. And yes, I have it natally. You didn't guess that, did you? jc
Mar 31, 2009
Old Bush vs New Obama: as the police state turns
From the GREAT STATE OF MAINE...
Change
Under the old guy:
"On Monday, March 21, at [a town hall meeting] billed as a "conversation on saving Social Security," I and two friends, Leslie Weise and Karen Bauer, decided to go down and participate in this dialogue. Unfortunately, we were evicted before the President arrived by an as yet unnamed man, because of the content on the bumper sticker of my friend’s car. That bumper sticker said, "No more blood for oil. ... We were parked in the parking lot, stood in line for a half an hour or so, went and sat down in the audience and then were forcibly ejected by a person who was posing as a secret service agent." - Alexander Young April, 2005
One of the latest incidents came when John Sachs, 18, a Johnston High School senior and Democrat, went to see Bush in Clive last week. Sachs got a ticket to the event from school and wanted to ask the president about whether there would be a draft, about the war in Iraq, Social Security and Medicare.. But when he got there, a campaign staffer pulled him aside and made him remove his button that said, "Bush-Cheney '04: Leave No Billionaire Behind." The staffer quizzed him about whether he was a Bush supporter, asked him why he was there and what questions he would be asking the president.. "Then he came back and said, 'If you protest, it won't be me taking you out. It will be a sniper,'" Sachs said. "He said it in such a serious tone it scared the crap out of me."
- Des Moines Register October, 2004
Under the new guy:
"We're going to take questions. All right...Just want to make sure my mike's working here. Here's the deal on questions. First of all, we didn't screen anybody. So there's some people who like me in the audience, some people that don't. Some people agree with me, some people who don't. It doesn't matter. We want to take questions from everybody."
- Pres. Obama, town hall meeting, Elkhart, Indiana Feb, 2009
~:~
A shout-out of thanks goes to my friend Alex D'Atria from Modern Astrology who sent along the above information.
Change
Under the old guy:
"On Monday, March 21, at [a town hall meeting] billed as a "conversation on saving Social Security," I and two friends, Leslie Weise and Karen Bauer, decided to go down and participate in this dialogue. Unfortunately, we were evicted before the President arrived by an as yet unnamed man, because of the content on the bumper sticker of my friend’s car. That bumper sticker said, "No more blood for oil. ... We were parked in the parking lot, stood in line for a half an hour or so, went and sat down in the audience and then were forcibly ejected by a person who was posing as a secret service agent." - Alexander Young April, 2005
One of the latest incidents came when John Sachs, 18, a Johnston High School senior and Democrat, went to see Bush in Clive last week. Sachs got a ticket to the event from school and wanted to ask the president about whether there would be a draft, about the war in Iraq, Social Security and Medicare.. But when he got there, a campaign staffer pulled him aside and made him remove his button that said, "Bush-Cheney '04: Leave No Billionaire Behind." The staffer quizzed him about whether he was a Bush supporter, asked him why he was there and what questions he would be asking the president.. "Then he came back and said, 'If you protest, it won't be me taking you out. It will be a sniper,'" Sachs said. "He said it in such a serious tone it scared the crap out of me."
- Des Moines Register October, 2004
Under the new guy:
"We're going to take questions. All right...Just want to make sure my mike's working here. Here's the deal on questions. First of all, we didn't screen anybody. So there's some people who like me in the audience, some people that don't. Some people agree with me, some people who don't. It doesn't matter. We want to take questions from everybody."
- Pres. Obama, town hall meeting, Elkhart, Indiana Feb, 2009
~:~
A shout-out of thanks goes to my friend Alex D'Atria from Modern Astrology who sent along the above information.
Sen. Ted Kennedy returns to work Mar 31, 2009!
Having just heard the news, I want to share with you that cancer patient Senator Ted Kennedy is back in the Senate saddle today!
Chomsky video on the economy + Spitzer, Afghanistan, Wall Street, and Obama
Article Round-Up March 31, 2009:
"Graveyard of Empires. Welcome to Vietnam, Mr. President"
By Ray McGovern
The chickens are coming home to roost after eight years of Cheney and Bush, but there is no sign that President Obama is listening to anyone capable of fresh thinking on Afghanistan. Obama has apparently decided to stay in the chicken coop. And that can be called, well, chicken.
Putting A New Coat on a Failed Strategy
By Ron Jacobs
Washington and its NATO cohorts will stay in Afghanistan until the world is safe from Al-Qaeda. Left unsaid by Obama, just like it was unsaid by George Bush, is the reality that foreign troops killing Afghans and Pakistanis has done very little to end the supposed threat from Al-Qaeda.
It's a bird...It's a plane...No, it's Spitzer to the Rescue
By Mike Whitney
If Obama is serious about restoring confidence in the markets, he should replace current SEC chief Mary Schapiro with Eliot Spitzer. That would send a message to the world that the president is through messing around. Schapiro is another Wall Street today who believes the markets can regulate themselves.
Noam Chomsky on the Economy and Democracy: Video & Transcript
Chomsky: Plan is recycled recycled Bush-Paulson. We need nationalization and steps towards democratization.
Obama's Attack on the Middle Class
By Paul Craig Roberts
If the tax rate on a multi-million dollar annual income goes up by 5 percentage points, the cutbacks won't really affect the lifestyle.
The Absurdity of Spending US Tax Dollars on Israel
By PAUL J. BALLES
Paul J. Balles argues that if enough ordinary Americans "feel the pinch and connect the dots between their own financial losses and America's continued unbridled support of Israel's devastating war machine, Israel could be forced to make peace with the Palestinians.
~:~
During his second term, Pres. Ronald Reagan, laboring under many difficult transits to the US natal chart in the late 80s-early 90s, declared March 21, 1989 to be "Afghanistan Day" - more than a little imperialistic and insensitive of him, I'd say.
America had done many things to undermine the Soviet Union while their troops occupied Afghanistan including the CIA working with Osama bin Laden and approving of his setting up al Qaeda.
So I took a peek at a chart for March 21, 1989, noon, Washington, DC and saw the trio of Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus (4 - 14 Cap) opposing America's natal planets in Cancer - difficult transits for US authority, aims, relationships, and values.
And since the pair of Saturn-Uranus, (fresh from their Great Conjunction/s of 1988 - Feb 13, June 26, and Oct 18 in the 27 - 30 Sagittarius range) represent, on one level, the Middle East (particularly Israel-Palestine), you may wish to know the midpoint picture formed by the trio marking the idealistically named, 'Afghanistan Day'...with Neptune signifying oil, gas, water, ideals, dreams, drugs including poppies, and the veils of deception (including self-deception)...
Saturn-Uranus = Neptune: a new vision fighting to be understood; feeling lost; the inability to face emotional stress; falsehood or malice caused through weakness; resigning oneself to the inevitable; abandoning resistance; weakening strength; separation; bereavement.
With the Sun in a national chart signifying the nation's leader, we may assume one situation described by these transits was Reagan's weakening health and mind - his sleepiness was harder to hide from the public than FDR's wheel chair had been.
Another midpoint picture from that day involves the pair of Jupiter and Uranus, whose synthesized energies represent optimism, lucky breaks, far-sightedness, organizers and inventors, among other things (Ebertin.)
Jupiter-Uranus = Mercury: gathering of ample knowledge (intell?); a fortunate turn in one's occupation; a person with an abundance of thoughts; planning on success; a series of fortunate breaks. (All midpoint pics from Tyl and Ebertin.)
And so we are reminded that Astrology describes the complexity of life as positive transits occur simultaneously with more negative ones. Planets retrograde (seem to move backward), then turn direct and 'hit' or contact our planets more than once which extends the length of time the transits affect us...more time to get things right, to understand, to work it out better 'this time.'
Now thuggish Pluto is making his weight felt in opposition to America's natal planets in Cancer (the same ones mentioned above in the 3 - 14 degree range) - Pluto in Capricorn, sign of authority and control - and we face difficult times once again with a president whose job it is to deal with it.
Venus, Jupiter, and Sun...luxuries and values, money, ego, the things America holds dear, are under siege. But as with personal charts we may remember the one factor that Astrology brings to the table, the element of Time.
And the wisdom to know that all good things - and bad things - must come to an end.
~:~
Evening Update: I return to find that Juan Cole has written on Pres. Obama's apparent Domino Theory for Afghanistan as he uses the same old boogeyman rhetoric favored by his predecessor in the Oval Office.
"Graveyard of Empires. Welcome to Vietnam, Mr. President"
By Ray McGovern
The chickens are coming home to roost after eight years of Cheney and Bush, but there is no sign that President Obama is listening to anyone capable of fresh thinking on Afghanistan. Obama has apparently decided to stay in the chicken coop. And that can be called, well, chicken.
Putting A New Coat on a Failed Strategy
By Ron Jacobs
Washington and its NATO cohorts will stay in Afghanistan until the world is safe from Al-Qaeda. Left unsaid by Obama, just like it was unsaid by George Bush, is the reality that foreign troops killing Afghans and Pakistanis has done very little to end the supposed threat from Al-Qaeda.
It's a bird...It's a plane...No, it's Spitzer to the Rescue
By Mike Whitney
If Obama is serious about restoring confidence in the markets, he should replace current SEC chief Mary Schapiro with Eliot Spitzer. That would send a message to the world that the president is through messing around. Schapiro is another Wall Street today who believes the markets can regulate themselves.
Noam Chomsky on the Economy and Democracy: Video & Transcript
Chomsky: Plan is recycled recycled Bush-Paulson. We need nationalization and steps towards democratization.
Obama's Attack on the Middle Class
By Paul Craig Roberts
If the tax rate on a multi-million dollar annual income goes up by 5 percentage points, the cutbacks won't really affect the lifestyle.
The Absurdity of Spending US Tax Dollars on Israel
By PAUL J. BALLES
Paul J. Balles argues that if enough ordinary Americans "feel the pinch and connect the dots between their own financial losses and America's continued unbridled support of Israel's devastating war machine, Israel could be forced to make peace with the Palestinians.
~:~
During his second term, Pres. Ronald Reagan, laboring under many difficult transits to the US natal chart in the late 80s-early 90s, declared March 21, 1989 to be "Afghanistan Day" - more than a little imperialistic and insensitive of him, I'd say.
America had done many things to undermine the Soviet Union while their troops occupied Afghanistan including the CIA working with Osama bin Laden and approving of his setting up al Qaeda.
So I took a peek at a chart for March 21, 1989, noon, Washington, DC and saw the trio of Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus (4 - 14 Cap) opposing America's natal planets in Cancer - difficult transits for US authority, aims, relationships, and values.
And since the pair of Saturn-Uranus, (fresh from their Great Conjunction/s of 1988 - Feb 13, June 26, and Oct 18 in the 27 - 30 Sagittarius range) represent, on one level, the Middle East (particularly Israel-Palestine), you may wish to know the midpoint picture formed by the trio marking the idealistically named, 'Afghanistan Day'...with Neptune signifying oil, gas, water, ideals, dreams, drugs including poppies, and the veils of deception (including self-deception)...
Saturn-Uranus = Neptune: a new vision fighting to be understood; feeling lost; the inability to face emotional stress; falsehood or malice caused through weakness; resigning oneself to the inevitable; abandoning resistance; weakening strength; separation; bereavement.
With the Sun in a national chart signifying the nation's leader, we may assume one situation described by these transits was Reagan's weakening health and mind - his sleepiness was harder to hide from the public than FDR's wheel chair had been.
Another midpoint picture from that day involves the pair of Jupiter and Uranus, whose synthesized energies represent optimism, lucky breaks, far-sightedness, organizers and inventors, among other things (Ebertin.)
Jupiter-Uranus = Mercury: gathering of ample knowledge (intell?); a fortunate turn in one's occupation; a person with an abundance of thoughts; planning on success; a series of fortunate breaks. (All midpoint pics from Tyl and Ebertin.)
And so we are reminded that Astrology describes the complexity of life as positive transits occur simultaneously with more negative ones. Planets retrograde (seem to move backward), then turn direct and 'hit' or contact our planets more than once which extends the length of time the transits affect us...more time to get things right, to understand, to work it out better 'this time.'
Now thuggish Pluto is making his weight felt in opposition to America's natal planets in Cancer (the same ones mentioned above in the 3 - 14 degree range) - Pluto in Capricorn, sign of authority and control - and we face difficult times once again with a president whose job it is to deal with it.
Venus, Jupiter, and Sun...luxuries and values, money, ego, the things America holds dear, are under siege. But as with personal charts we may remember the one factor that Astrology brings to the table, the element of Time.
And the wisdom to know that all good things - and bad things - must come to an end.
~:~
Evening Update: I return to find that Juan Cole has written on Pres. Obama's apparent Domino Theory for Afghanistan as he uses the same old boogeyman rhetoric favored by his predecessor in the Oval Office.
Mar 30, 2009
Track volcanic clouds from Alaska's Mt Redoubt
Space Weather News for March 30, 2009
MT. REDOUBT: Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano has erupted at least 19 times since March 22, and several of the most powerful blasts have spewed clouds of ash and sulfurous gas into the lower stratosphere.
The last time an Alaskan volcano blew its top (Kasatochi in August 2008), similar clouds caused fantastic sunsets around the Northern Hemisphere.
Today's edition of SpaceWeather News features satellite maps of Mt. Redoubt's sulfur dioxide emissions. Using these maps, we can track the volcanic clouds as they drift around the globe and be alert for unusual sunsets and other phenomena when they pass nearby.
Visit SpaceWeather.com for more information and updates.
MT. REDOUBT: Alaska's Mt. Redoubt volcano has erupted at least 19 times since March 22, and several of the most powerful blasts have spewed clouds of ash and sulfurous gas into the lower stratosphere.
The last time an Alaskan volcano blew its top (Kasatochi in August 2008), similar clouds caused fantastic sunsets around the Northern Hemisphere.
Today's edition of SpaceWeather News features satellite maps of Mt. Redoubt's sulfur dioxide emissions. Using these maps, we can track the volcanic clouds as they drift around the globe and be alert for unusual sunsets and other phenomena when they pass nearby.
Visit SpaceWeather.com for more information and updates.
Bill Maher on the American Empire: video link
Here's a link to a video of Bill Maher concerning America as empire - yes, removing US troops from Iraq would only be the tip of the iceberg.
Is America "stuck" with an empire? Some elements of our government purposefully built it, but let Mr. Bill tell you his quirky yet truth-telling ideas.
The US has military bases in 150 countries. And Chalmers Johnson, in his NYT bestseller, The Sorrows of Empire (2005) provides a list of 'sorrows' the last one of which we seem to be in process of experiencing since 2008...bankruptcy. This a permanent war economy has wrought - with corporate greed and political corruption as the sauce ladled on top.
And so the current financial crisis is intricately linked with Pres. Obama's plans to escalate the war in Afghanistan (which I have previously stated is 'a very bad idea') and will only make matters worse as it ramps up jihad recruiting against the west and, if you care about personal and national finances, negates the possibility of ever knowing fiscal responsibility or prosperity again.
George Bush and Dick Cheney tossed our economy into the dustbin with their upping of hawkish imperialism and I hope and pray that Barack Obama is as smart as he's said to be. It simply cannot make sense to continue our nation's global dream of running the world while being the most hated nation on the globe - and retain a sovereign nation with any resemblance to a United States of America that any sane, free person would like to live in.
To quote Chalmers Johnson:
"The economic consequences of imperialism and militarism are also transforming our value system by degrading "free enterprise," which many Americans cherish and identify with liberty. Our military is by far the largest bureaucracy in our government. Militarism removes capital and resources from the free market and allocates them arbitrarily, in accordance with bureaucratic decisions uninfluenced by market forces but often quite responsive to insider influence and crony capitalism."
He then goes on to detail how on March 10, 2003, the US government invited 5 engineering companies to submit bids for post-war building in Iraq. You know the main offenders: KBR, Cheney's old company as a subsidiary of Halliburton, and Bechtel, which Mr. Johnson says has "half-century-old connections to the CIA and to high-ranking Republican politicians."
No wonder Congress and the Republicans in charge were so gung ho for invading Iraq. One may imagine that several Democrats in Congress held portfolios full of Bechtel and KBR shares as well. And I had thought the Bush-Cheney war was illegally perpetrated in part to interrupt Hussein's oil black market that France and Germany had been profiting by. Two birds, one stone, and topple Poppy's old nemesis, too?
As Chalmers Johnson continues, "Virtually all contracts coming from the military reflect insider trading."
He then quotes Robert Higgs, a senior fellow in political economy at the Independent Institute, summarizing the military-industrial complex as: "a vast cesspool of mismanagement, waste, and transgressions not only bordering on but often entering deeply into criminal conduct...The great arms firms have managed to slough off much of the normal risks of doing business in a genuine market, passing on many of their excessive costs to the taxpayers while realizing extraordinary rates of return on investment."
Well, there we go! And if the military-industrial complex (as wielded by the one-world-government acolytes who have coup'd our nation) isn't reformed, or better yet stopped in its hoof-tracks, any tactics, legislation, and bailouts attempting to 'repair' our broken economy will be but a drop in the militarily-siphoned bucket.
So I want to sign off with two quotes on the subject from past presidents who warned us best they could in 1796 and again in 1961. But as it turns out, the power-hungry ones with black-hearts can read, too:
"Overgrown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to Republican liberty."
President George Washington, Farewell Address, Sept 17, 1796
And here's the ignored advice you've read many times over:
"This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience...In the councils of government, we must guard against the unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic process. We should take nothing for granted."
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Farewell Address, Jan 17, 1961
Misplaced power was sought. Disaster has risen. And unless the madness is curtailed, bankruptcy is on America's menu.
Is America "stuck" with an empire? Some elements of our government purposefully built it, but let Mr. Bill tell you his quirky yet truth-telling ideas.
The US has military bases in 150 countries. And Chalmers Johnson, in his NYT bestseller, The Sorrows of Empire (2005) provides a list of 'sorrows' the last one of which we seem to be in process of experiencing since 2008...bankruptcy. This a permanent war economy has wrought - with corporate greed and political corruption as the sauce ladled on top.
And so the current financial crisis is intricately linked with Pres. Obama's plans to escalate the war in Afghanistan (which I have previously stated is 'a very bad idea') and will only make matters worse as it ramps up jihad recruiting against the west and, if you care about personal and national finances, negates the possibility of ever knowing fiscal responsibility or prosperity again.
George Bush and Dick Cheney tossed our economy into the dustbin with their upping of hawkish imperialism and I hope and pray that Barack Obama is as smart as he's said to be. It simply cannot make sense to continue our nation's global dream of running the world while being the most hated nation on the globe - and retain a sovereign nation with any resemblance to a United States of America that any sane, free person would like to live in.
To quote Chalmers Johnson:
"The economic consequences of imperialism and militarism are also transforming our value system by degrading "free enterprise," which many Americans cherish and identify with liberty. Our military is by far the largest bureaucracy in our government. Militarism removes capital and resources from the free market and allocates them arbitrarily, in accordance with bureaucratic decisions uninfluenced by market forces but often quite responsive to insider influence and crony capitalism."
He then goes on to detail how on March 10, 2003, the US government invited 5 engineering companies to submit bids for post-war building in Iraq. You know the main offenders: KBR, Cheney's old company as a subsidiary of Halliburton, and Bechtel, which Mr. Johnson says has "half-century-old connections to the CIA and to high-ranking Republican politicians."
No wonder Congress and the Republicans in charge were so gung ho for invading Iraq. One may imagine that several Democrats in Congress held portfolios full of Bechtel and KBR shares as well. And I had thought the Bush-Cheney war was illegally perpetrated in part to interrupt Hussein's oil black market that France and Germany had been profiting by. Two birds, one stone, and topple Poppy's old nemesis, too?
As Chalmers Johnson continues, "Virtually all contracts coming from the military reflect insider trading."
He then quotes Robert Higgs, a senior fellow in political economy at the Independent Institute, summarizing the military-industrial complex as: "a vast cesspool of mismanagement, waste, and transgressions not only bordering on but often entering deeply into criminal conduct...The great arms firms have managed to slough off much of the normal risks of doing business in a genuine market, passing on many of their excessive costs to the taxpayers while realizing extraordinary rates of return on investment."
Well, there we go! And if the military-industrial complex (as wielded by the one-world-government acolytes who have coup'd our nation) isn't reformed, or better yet stopped in its hoof-tracks, any tactics, legislation, and bailouts attempting to 'repair' our broken economy will be but a drop in the militarily-siphoned bucket.
So I want to sign off with two quotes on the subject from past presidents who warned us best they could in 1796 and again in 1961. But as it turns out, the power-hungry ones with black-hearts can read, too:
"Overgrown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to Republican liberty."
President George Washington, Farewell Address, Sept 17, 1796
And here's the ignored advice you've read many times over:
"This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience...In the councils of government, we must guard against the unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic process. We should take nothing for granted."
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Farewell Address, Jan 17, 1961
Misplaced power was sought. Disaster has risen. And unless the madness is curtailed, bankruptcy is on America's menu.
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