Trump Card: The Bully Who Exposes Our Bully Nation
By Charles Derber and Yale Magrass photo above: by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels WN: There is much on this website about America’s–and the West’s concomitant–“militarized capitalism.” None of it is good news . . . an excerpt: The mainstream media and party establishments say, “Isn’t it terrible that Trump is such a bully?” Many ordinary people say […]
Book Review of: Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation
Book Review of: Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Liveright Publishing Corporation, 2020, 356 pages WN: This is one of the few times I also posted a book review to this Blog. This is a highly disturbing–and informative–book. In an interview with Religion […]
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation
Book Review of: Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Liveright Publishing Corporation, 2020, 356 pages WN: This is one of the few times I also posted a book review to this Blog. This is a highly disturbing–and informative–book. In an interview with Religion […]
National Security Experts Warn Trump “Is Promoting Terrorism”
National Security Experts Warn Trump “Is Promoting Terrorism” The president’s post-election incitement expands on a tactic he has long used: stochastic terrorism. Mark Follman National Affairs Editor Bio | Follow Politics photo above: A person in a gas mask protests Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s pandemic policies at the Michigan State Capitol in May 2020Paul Sancya/AP December […]
Reinforcing US Status as ‘Bully and Hegemon,’ Bolton to Threaten ICC Over Probes into America’s War Crimes
Human rights advocates decried the Trump administration’s attack on the International Criminal Court as “another low point” in its effort to skirt accountability for war crimes September 10, 2018 Common Dreams by Jake Johnson, staff writer photo above: Afghans have been waiting decades for justice for war crimes, including some allegedly committed by U.S. forces. […]
Donald Trump Defends Bullying to Megyn Kelly, Advising Her to “Fight Back” 10 Times Harder
By Mark Karlin, Editor of BuzzFlash at Truthout Further to Donald Trump and the United Stats as consummate bullies. (See Bully Culture.) an excerpt: In a new book Bully Nation: How the American Establishment Creates a Bullying Society, authors Charles Derber and Yale R. Magress incisively explain the prototype that has resulted in a surge […]
Focus On: Mapping Militarism 2020
by David Swanson May 6, 2020 WN: The article highlighted below represents a brilliant and multiplex presentation of the worldwide realities of the premier world blight of militarism. One could call it the Ultimate Virus, the Unremitting Pandemic–that few even recognize for the Monstrous World Nightmare it is. The other day I was forwarded an […]
Engagement With “Frances Haugen: ‘I never wanted to be a whistleblower. But lives were in danger’”
Dan Milmo Global technology editor October 24, 2021 WN: Now this is wonderfully gracious theology from Frances Haugen: Because the point of moral bankruptcy is … saying you deserve a chance to start over, that we as a society do better when people get a chance to wipe the slate. I can only add: Amen! […]
Interaction With “The CIA: 70 Years of Organized Crime”
September 22, 2017 by Douglas Valentine – Lars Schall photo above by Tom Thai | CC BY 2.0 WN: Welcome to America the Beautiful. As kids, my brothers and I loved the highlighted song, as sung by George Beverly Shea–who performed in front of more people than any other singer in history. We played it […]
The war inside the Canadian Armed Forces
By Marie-Danielle Smith July 8, 2021 illustration above: by Anna Minzhulina WN: Military. Police. Prisons.1 All are rife with abuse within. As the article states: The Canadian Armed Forces, as an institution, has a necessarily coercive culture. Leaders must have a high degree of authority and control over their subordinates in order for the military […]
Crises in Iraq and Haiti Expose the Failure of Militarized Neoliberalism
It should be no surprise that the new governments installed by all these U.S. wars and coups are among the most corrupt regimes on earth. Published on Thursday, October 10, 2019 by Common Dreams by Medea Benjamin and by Nicolas J S Davies photo above: Not only are they reeling from protests against government corruption […]
The Apocalypse of Settler Colonialism
The Roots of Slavery, White Supremacy, and Capitalism in 17th Century North America and the Caribbean August 24, 2018 Slavery and the Origins of Capitalism by Louis Proyect WN: I wrote the following in introduction to a book similar in its findings about 19th-century American capitalism to 17th-century colonial capitalism, entitled The Half Has Never […]
Worried About Those Global Cyber Attacks? They Were Started by Washington
Worried About Those Global Cyber Attacks? They Were Started by Washington The notorious US spy agencies invented this monster, first with the Stuxnet virus against Iran—but then they lost control over it. By William Greider JUNE 30, 2017 WN: Of course, the United States has never been the “peacekeeper that upholds the world’s higher values”, as […]
An Open Letter to Michelle Obama, October 13, 2016
WN: A friend reminded me, in response to that below, that none of us in the first world is untainted vis à vis violence. And with that taintedness is a bending at least towards hypocrisy and Pharisaism – which my friend also reminded me about. So with that mea culpa, please read on.: Dear […]
Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism
September 26, 2014 by CHARLES R. LARSON WN: There is someone of my acquaintance who rails against the US Black community for its violence of Black on Black, while almost completely downplaying police violence against Blacks. He also rails against them for their poverty: they just are not enterprising, and therefore deserve their state, end […]
There’s No Business Like the Arms Business
photo above: A mural near the former U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran. (David Holt / CC-BY-2.0) July 26, 2016 Tomgram: William Hartung, How to Arm a “Volatile” Planet Editorial by WN It is a very strange world: Michelle Obama makes a highly impassioned, brilliant speech at the Democratic National Convention – one nearly universally praised, […]
Extensive Commentary On: What white Christian support for Trump reveals about systemic racism
By Robert P. Jones | November 12, 2020 [pullquote]But among the sizable minority of Americans who disagree with each of these statements, more than 80 percent voted for Donald Trump. In other words, a denial of systemic racism has become a defining trait among Trump’s strongest supporters. According to the exit polls, this divide over systemic […]
Empire or Humanity?
By Howard Zinn Posted on August 15, 2021 image above from the Movie Poster: The Fall of the American Empire WN: A character in the movie highlighted says: “That’s what destroyed the United States: money.” Now greed, fear and power—these three–remain for every empire known to humanity. But the greatest of these is Greed. And […]
War Criminal Donald Rumsfeld Found Dead at 88
by Phyllis Bennis July 1, 2021 photo above: Then-US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld addresses a press conference at the Pentagon on 4 May 2004, more than a month after the US invasion of Iraq (AFP/File photo) WN: Rumsfeld did monstrous evil around the world, on a scale not unlike that of World War II […]
The Prognosis
October 2020 | Pandemic By David Cayley WN: There are recent posts and others here, that inform you about David Cayley. Cayley is a powerful prophet crying, perhaps in the wilderness. . . excerpts: [su_dropcap size=”5″]I[/su_dropcap]t is striking how often historical events arrive with their meanings plainly legible. When Napoleon clattered by Hegel’s window in […]
James Murdoch, Rebellious Scion
Increasingly uncomfortable with News Corp’s politics and profit motives, Rupert’s younger son chose chickens and sheep over Fox, and insists he doesn’t watch ‘Succession.’ By Maureen Dowd Oct. 10, 2020 photo above: John Phillips/Getty Images WN: A very telling article highlighted below . . . excerpts: WASHINGTON — As we sat down to […]
The Unraveling of America
by Wade Davis August 6, 2020 Wade Davis holds the Leadership Chair in Cultures and Ecosystems at Risk at the University of British Columbia. His award-winning books include “Into the Silence” and “The Wayfinders.” His new book, “Magdalena: River of Dreams,” is published by Knopf. WN: This is an exceptional article! There is however a […]
An Open Letter To Joe Biden
Dear Mr. Biden. If I might be so bold, I wonder about connecting some dots at this incredible kairos moment of U.S. and world history. I was moved by your empathetic videoed message to the Floyd family during the funeral service in Houston. You have deeply suffered multiple losses as this article sensitively points out: […]
Cornel West Says ‘Neo-Fascist Gangster’ Trump and Neoliberal Democrats Expose America as ‘Failed Social Experiment’
WN: Please see in light of the title this outstanding article by Canadian Wade Davis: The Unraveling of America. [pullquote]One knows a “civilization” is dying when small men cast long shadows.–anonymous American pastor, 2020[/pullquote] 1. Introduction to the Post: This post, updated numerous times, has become a kind of dog’s breakfast. One could spend hours […]
Beyond the Economic Chaos of Coronavirus Is a Global War Economy
Beyond the Economic Chaos of Coronavirus Is a Global War Economy By William I. Robinson, Truthout March 23, 2020 photo above: Image by Unknown Owner WN: Great wisdom here. Only the extremely naïve believe that the militarized capitalism of the West is about democracy. Anything but! excerpts: [pullquote]When the pandemic comes to an end, we […]
Book Review of Christianity and Pluralism, Ron Dart and J. I. Packer, Lexham Press, 2019; 70 pages
Book Review of Christianity and Pluralism, Ron Dart and J. I. Packer, Lexham Press, 2019; 70 pages WN: This brief missive offers much to consider and chew on. excerpts: In this reviewer’s experience, there is none so fundamentalist as one who has grown to reject what once was held near and dear. (Not of course, […]
Itching for a brawl
To interpret the latest round of US-Iran tension, here is some history you need to know by Ken Sehested WN: This site provides thoughtful, informed, and pointed commentary on the sins of (American) Empire. The masthead reads: Daily Manna The eye sees what it brings the power to see. — Thomas Carlyle At the intersection […]
The Exposure of the Republican Party
The Exposure of the Republican Party The GOP will not be a great or good party until those who lead it straighten their backbone. November 13, 2019 Peter Wehner Contributing writer at The Atlantic and senior fellow at EPPC photo above: Pool / Reuters WN: This rings so true. When unchecked hubris and unbridled greed […]
Our Mad Dog President—and His Bible-Thumping Kennel Pals
Published on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Common Dreams by Michael Winship The White House theocrats may be the biggest danger of all. photo above: Like Trump, a would-be dictator madly claiming the overwhelming support of the populace, the real-life Capone insisted that his criminal acts satisfied “a public demand.” (Photo-Illustration: Daily Intelligencer; Photos: Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty […]
Puerto Ricans Demonstrate How to Oust a Corrupt Leader
Jul 25, 2019 Opinion | TD originals Sonali Kolhatkar photo above: Puerto Ricans gather in San Juan to celebrate the resignation of Gov. Ricardo Rosselló. (Dennis M. Rivera Pichardo / AP) WN: Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the Ultimate Corrupt/Ultimate Despicable/Ultimate Deplorable Trump were next (or better went through a genuine Christian conversion)?! 🙂 excerpts: […]
Editorial: The politics of division stripped of any disguise
Jul 18, 2019 by NCR Editorial Staff photo above: The White House is seen in Washington July 12. (CNS/Tyler Orsburn) WN: This is so well stated, it bears quoting in full. Opinion The stock market indexes keep pushing through the ceiling. Your portfolio looks better than it has in years. The jobless rate recently hit […]
Donald Trump has made it clear: the only ‘real Americans’ are white and Christian
Donald Trump has made it clear: the only ‘real Americans’ are white and Christian In a recent tirade from his bully pulpit on Twitter, Trump revealed who he thinks belongs in the United States – and who doesn’t by Theodore R Johnson Tue 16 Jul 2019 photo above: ‘His remarks suggest that ‘real Americans’ are […]
How Colin Kaepernick Beat the NFL
How Colin Kaepernick Beat the NFL His settlement with the league is a major victory for the leader of the league’s protest movement. By Jeremy Stahl Feb 15, 2019 5:22 PM photo above: New York City, New York, JuLY 12 ,2020: In this photo we see a graphic artist drawing, painting, an artist made of […]
Five Forces Driving the Rise of Fascism in 2019
Five Forces Driving the Rise of Fascism in 2019 By Michael I. Niman,Truthout Published January 13, 2019 WN: The article highlighted below is a call to see beyond dystopian rise of fascism in the world to what we Christians call “Kingdom Come”. The article is nonetheless very sobering. excerpts: bitchute.com [su_dropcap size=”5″]T[/su_dropcap]he New Year’s Day […]
Trump’s Massive Corruption Exposé
Trump’s Massive Corruption Exposé WN: The sooner the All-In-One Ultimate Ugly American, Planet Enemy Number One and Supreme Narcissist is off the World Stage, the more safely we can all breathe again… Not that the brutal American Empire will fall because of Trump’s exiting Stage Alt-Right. But it’s for the moment a good start… […]
Reckoning With John McCain
Respecting the best of McCain requires grappling with the rest of McCain. By Timothy Patrick McCarthy Twitter August 27, 2018 photo above: John McCain in 2007. (Dennis Van Tine / MediaPunch / IPX) WN: In my view, the article highlighted below is a respectful, balanced assessment of Senator McCain, when seen through the lenses of […]
Donald Trump’s Fixer Says the President Engaged in a Criminal Conspiracy to Sway the 2016 Election
That’s impeachable. By John Nichols Twitter August 22, 2018 10:40 am photo above: Michael Cohen leaves his federal court hearing in New York on August 21, 2018. (Reuters / Brendan McDermid) WN: Is anyone really surprised?! The answer shouts out from the question1. Yet an acquaintance, the vast majority of white Evangelicals, and in general Trump’s […]
America just won the world’s hardest math contest. Again.
by Mahbub Majumdar August 1, 2018 Mahbub Majumdar is the national coach for the Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad and a professor at BRAC University in Bangladesh. photo above: (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post) WN: I’m not anti-America! I am though anti-bullying, bullying of which America is Ultimate Example, Ultimate Offender. Just as Trump is of all Americans, […]
The Last Temptation
How evangelicals, once culturally confident, became an anxious minority seeking political protection from the least traditionally religious president in living memory Michael Gerson April 2018 Issue Politics WN: This is a greatly informed, wise and even hopeful assessment of what has happened to white Evangelicals in America since their embrace of Trump (81% voted for […]
Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race
For years, racism has been defined by the violence of far-right extremists, but a more insidious kind of prejudice can be found where many least expect it – at the heart of respectable society Listen to the audio version of this long read Tuesday 30 May 2017 05.30 BST (Last modified on Wednesday 31 May 2017 […]
‘Shades of 1933 Germany’: Trump’s Hostile Rally Prompts Third Reich Comparisons
Former British ambassador expresses shock at president’s rhetoric as U.N. panel issues warning on Charlottesville response Published on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 by Common Dreams WN: Things begin to become genuinely scary. Especially in light of a former Trump advisor who warned of armed insurrection if Trump is impeached. Lord, have mercy. In the wake […]
America’s Iran Hysteria
The Irrationality of Iran Vilification By Danny Sjursen Posted by Danny Sjursen at 7:46am, May 30, 2017. Follow TomDispatch on Twitter @TomDispatch. WN: It is now almost in every geopolitical instance a truism that if the United States says “black” the reality is the inverse – or significantly other. Such is the case in the article highlighted below. America’s view […]
Tomgram: Rajan Menon, The China Missile Crisis of 2018?
Posted by Rajan Menon at 5:11pm, February 12, 2017. Follow TomDispatch on Twitter @TomDispatch. an excerpt: “We’re Going to War in the South China Sea…” Facing off against China, President Trump could find himself in a similar predicament, having so emphasized his toughness, his determination to regain America’s lost respect and make the country great […]
Donald Trump Intentionally Lies to Us
He has no mandate. That fact has so unhinged Trump that he is shaming himself and his office by promulgating obvious lies. Picture above: President-elect Trump calls on a reporter during a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower, on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. (AP Photo / Evan Vucci) By John Nichols January 24, […]
White, Conservative, Christian Friend—I Wish You Really Were Pro-Life
October 12, 2016 / John Pavlovitz WN: The highlighted article below is truly powerful and wise! Likewise in relation to the article: I am not a “progressive,” because too many “progressives” I read are not consistently pro-Life. They (of course not all) favour the use of abortion as birth control, elevating women’s right to choose […]
The Neocon Project for a New Democratic Party
photo above: White House Monday, 08 August 2016 08:45 J.P. SOTTILE FOR BUZZFLASH AT TRUTHOUT an excerpt: Unlike Hillary Clinton, of course, which brings the whole thing back to the miasma of confusion hanging over this strange election. Hillary is on the Neocon team — if not in name, certainly in deed. She will “stand up” […]
Tomgram: Ann Jones, Donald Trump Has the Traits of a Wife Abuser and Women Know It
Posted by Ann Jones at 8:01am, June 14, 2016. Follow TomDispatch on Twitter @TomDispatch There are two other articles I’ve posted about Trump’s bullying ways here: Bully, and here: Bully Trump. There is a related article about Donald Trump and potential running mate Newt Gingrich here. an excerpt: In fact, Donald J. Trump perfectly fits […]
“Pardon Me?!”
“Pardon Me?!” A one-time friend, Lloyd Billingsley, years ago confidently told me that “the left” by definition is ideological, “the right” by contrast normal/normative. Such in turn ideological blindness still gobsmacks me. Lloyd is an intelligent man but profoundly doctrinaire, and like a close acquaintance, Lloyd sadly is highly unloving – even hateful – towards […]