Democratic Illusions

Today, Tuesday, July 19, 2016, the U.S. is a corporate state oligarchy fast-transitioning into a full-blown fascist state. I don't make that declarative statement with the purpose of being hyperbolic, or dramatic, or to make any other point other than to state (what I believe to be) a fact.

As we once again go through the quadrennial election-year carnival (or freak show?), it pains me to once again see (many of) my fellow social justice activists get drawn into the drama, into the meaningless news cycles the corporate media serves us day in and day out.

I argue that unless social justice activists come to a full (and accurate) understanding of the true nature of the system, there will be no significant progress when it comes to being able to turn things around (towards justice, democracy, peace, and sustainability).

During the last 40-plus years (a good reference point would be the publication date of the "Powell Memo") the ruling elite ("Deep State") has been putting into place the legal and technological framework that would eventually turn the country into an oligarchy -- a condition which has already been fully implemented -- protected by a surveillance police state and a fascist ideology.

That process accelerated after 9/11 (the PATRIOT Act being a good reference point), when the (corporate-controlled) national security apparatus (and government) gave itself the right to deploy warrant-less surveillance on the entire population, detain American citizens indefinitely (without charge), and assassinate American citizens (and others) extra-judicially. That period marked the transitions into full-blown fascism (from the proto-fascist stage we've been on). In the aftermath of the coming election, we will likely transition into becoming an actual fascistic police state.

As to the nature of the ruling elite, of the "Deep State," it is important to understand that this "class of people" are as ruthless and despotic as any in the history of civilization. They view average citizens (the "precariat" as Chomsky says) as nothing more than vermin, animals that can be easily be disposed of at any time, abused, enslaved, manipulated, tortured, and killed. In the last 15-plus years alone this class of people (the US ruling elite) has been responsible for the killing of millions of innocent people. That of course doesn't count several previous decades when "their class" were responsible for the suppression of social justice movements in multiple countries (most notably in Latin America).

Again, I can't emphasize enough the true (evil) nature of this class of people: as brutal, sadistic, depraved, and despotic as any ruling elite throughout the history of civilization.

The only reason some folks still can't get that notion straight (in their heads) is because there is still a semblance of normalcy in everyday life, and we still haven't reached the point when jack-booted thugs (or militarized police forces) are knocking down doors and grabbing people to secret prisons, yet. But they are getting ready for that next step.

The other reason (I believe) people are confused is because many activists haven't fully realized that exposing oneself to ALL corporate media programming is tantamount to voluntarily subjecting oneself to psyops brainwashing, manipulation. I wish I could find words strong enough to get that message across. When you sit in front of the TV and watch MSNBC, CNN, FoxNews, ABC, CBS, NBC, you are being subjected to a powerful, mind-numbing psyops (cognitive) weapon.

Which brings me to the RNC circus. I'll jump to one issue here: you've heard about the thousand bikers who purport to be "Trump's security" detail? And you've heard about assorted right wing groups walking around with weapons? Well, let's get back to the "Deep State." During the last several years "business" organizations like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the NRA, gun lobby, and others, have been pushing cookie-cutter legislation in state after state allowing gun-owner to open carry, to "stand their ground," conceal-carry, to "carry-anywhere" including public building, parks, schools, theaters, universities. What these organizations (which are tools of the ruling elite) were doing was to set the conditions for the rise of a kind of proto-fascist first line of defense. Those who have read about the rise of Nazism would recognize these dynamics.

They were anticipating, thinking ahead, planning, as they (the deep state) always does. As the ravaging effects of neoliberalism became more obvious, they anticipated that social unrest would follow. And as "they've" done around the world (the Middle East, Latin America), there is nothing more effective for ruling elites than to exploit religious and ethnic divisions (divide and conquer) and manipulate citizens into turning against each other. That's often achieved through demagoguery that fans the flames of xenophobia, racism, fear, jingoism, religious fundamentalism, and ignorance.

There are actually leaked documents where high-placed analysts working for companies that provide services to national security agencies discuss these strategies of balkanization, sometimes arming several groups, and manipulating them into going at each other. This has been happening recently throughout the Middle East. Well, these strategies are now being deployed right here in the "homeland."

Everything else, including plagiarized speeches is just noise, (macabre) entertainment, news cycle BS.

Why do I write all this? Those familiar with my writing would know that this is something I've been "talking" about for long time. The reason is because the longer we (as a movement) take to come to grips with the true nature of the system, the longer is going to take to change it.

And also, I don't want people to confuse these things I'm saying with the promotion of fear, defeatist attitude, or hopelessness. To the contrary, (believe it or not) I'm a very optimistic person and I'm totally convinced that if the people unite under a common understanding (of the true nature of the system), and purpose, this whole corporate state oligarchy police state apparatus the ruling elite has built for itself, would collapse overnight, relatively speaking.

In other words, if people are under the spell of the lies, the propaganda, the cognitive infiltration, and somehow still believe we live in a functional democracy, then that gives the depraved ruling elite all they need: acceptance of the system the way it is.

Also, these struggles are nothing new in history. All civilizations have had to deal with these dynamics. The bottom line is that the only reason this condition exists is because we allow it to exist (even if unwittingly). Once we decide (in enough numbers) that we're done with this system, then is over, and we can begin something new, better.

I do have a number of suggestions about how to move forward, since my mantra is that aside from pointing what's wrong, we as social justice activists have a responsibility to imagine and think about what a decent society would look like. I'll write about that in my next essay.

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Good to see you are here! I took lots of heat at Dkos for sticking up for your truth to power posts.
Keep writing!!!!

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Ray Pensador's picture

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Ray Pensador's picture

BTW, where is OPOL. I went to the orange satan and saw that his last post was in May.

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

and he was ill, then having other problems...he knows how to reach me.
And he knows I am there for him.
He has not reached out to me.
I am very worried.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Ray Pensador's picture

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

It'd be wonderful to see him show up here again. I hope he's all right.

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OPOL is alive and well. His son is in Argentina. I chit chat with him almost every day on FB. I will let him know.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

Ray Pensador's picture

I'll look for him on Facebook.

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

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earthling1's picture

Hope your personal problems go away.

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Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

hester's picture

know exist, like moi and I've been worried about you for a while. Good to know you are okay. THanks so much

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Don't believe everything you think.

Please send hugs to OPOL.

I'm not on FB, or would send them there.
thanks
Hope he'll post here

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snoopydawg's picture

I have the link to his page but I don't know if it's appropriate to post it?
Anyway he just posted about how ashamed he is that America blew up 77 innocent civilians in Syria.

I posted in the EBs tonight asking where the outrage is from the world leaders because a terrorist organization killed 77 innocent civilians?
But it seems that only innocent civilians being killed by terrorists is bad when it happens to people who live in the countries that are doing the bombings. The Paris and Brussels terrorists told them that the acts were in retaliation for France's actions in the Middle East.

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

shaharazade's picture

posting on fb. so I think he's okay. His post's seem pretty up beat. Maybe he's taking a break or recovering/decompressinig from dkos.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

Thanks for being here and sharing your thoughts. I have lots of concerns in this regard, myself. I'm looking forward to more in-depth discussion on this.

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Ray Pensador's picture

Aside from not giving up on participating in every way (including the rigged election process), we need to find a way for social justice groups to unite under a common understanding (city by city), form grassroots groups capable of coordinating actions together (autonomously) with the idea of creating parallel social structures (when corrupt organizations are unresponsive). I always ask people: aside from pointing out what's wrong, and perhaps going to protests, or campaigning for a candidate, what active steps are you taking on a day to day basis to withdraw support from the corporate state, to undermine it legitimacy, to come up with alternative solutions to everyday issues we face?

The question may create anxiety, but it doesn't have to. People can start slow an small, and then build from there. For example, if I know you're a TV watcher, I would ask you a huge personal favor: go three days without watching TV (especially the news). If you frequent Starbucks, I would plead with you, "please go a week without giving your money that that corporate chain and instead find a locally own, independent coffeehouse. Would you do that huge favor for me?

Then of course, I would suggest people make an effort to meet face to face when they can, think together, talk about local issue right there where you live; promote local food production, etc.

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

reflectionsv37's picture

Glad to see you posting again! I've wondered where you were. Keep writing, maybe some will turn off those TV's and try to think for themselves.

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“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.”
George W. Bush

Raggedy Ann's picture

Raggedy Andy and I were fed up with it all. I'm not a Starbucks consumer - don't drink coffee - we gave wind and solar energy and are beginning to grow much of our goid. We are on the path to self sustainability. You have always been on the forefront, Ray, so I value your suggestions.

I've been sick and tired of our consumer society for done time because it takes people's attention away from the oligarchs - their plan, of course - and, working at a university, I talk to lots of young people about it. They are starting to realize the game is rigged, so getting them on guard is crucial. Mass movement is necessary.

I'm so looking forward to more discussion with you on this, Ray.

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

orlbucfan's picture

Great to see you here! I'm hoping to see more of bobswern and don Midwest, too. They are registered on here, but haven't gotten real active yet. DailyKos has turned into a real cyber cesspool, I'm sad to say. Sad

I have never been a vidiot. I have always been a voracious reader, and love holding books in my hands. I like reading on tablets, too. Recycling and composting have been second nature. I guess I'm sorta weird as an American. I'm not into keeping up with the joneses, or consumerism. Environmentalism has always been a first commandment w/me. I have hated watching greed and over development destroy my state, Florida.

Rec'd! Looking forward to reading more of your work. I'm a pragmatic optimist, too. Smile

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

WaterLily's picture

While you may not recognize me from GOS, I always read and appreciated your thoughtful essays. And I'm glad they're back!

We killed our cable ... I don't remember how many years ago. Might have been five already. Never looked back. I can barely stand to be in front of one that's on anymore. Hate Starbucks. Shop at the farmer's markets and coop. Etc. But I hope to contribute even more meaningfully in ditching this corporate state ... if I knew how. Looking forward to the discussion!

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elenacarlena's picture

I'm kidding. I rarely go. When I do, I shamelessly borrow their Wi-Fi while filling my own water bottle from their drinking fountain.

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mimi's picture

problem. Starbucks is overpriced and they have contaminated the coffeeshop neighborhoods around the world. They destroyed thousands of potential independently owned little coffee-shops and made their survival impossible, similar to Amazon, who killed thousands of bookstores, brick and online ones.

But Starbucks knows very well how to use people's addiction and need to online communication. Poor people who can't afford anymore an internet connection to their home, or people who are homeless and would need the internet connections as much as anybody else, they HAVE to search for free wi-fi. And there are more Starbucks around than libraries. And they are open longer hours too.

So, it's time to resist and boycott Starbucks and demand public free wi-fi connections in public spaces, so that everyone can get access for free and when needed without becoming slave of the Starbucks corporation.

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elenacarlena's picture

Two Starbucks, though.

I am all for free public Wi-Fi. In fact, I'm kind of happy with our city on that score. See http://www.lexingtonky.gov/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=1801 (page 167).

That's the 2007 comprehensive plan for our city.

LFUCG is looking to provide free WiFi service in the downtown area where
infrastructure from a previous private provider already exists. Other free connections
include Lexington Public Libraries, the University of Kentucky, Blue Grass Airport
and various private businesses. LFUCG plans to pursue wireless connectivity for the
entire county.

LFUCG is Lexington-Fayette Urban-County Government.

They still haven't spread beyond downtown at this point, though. I didn't know about the libraries until I looked this up; I'll start going there instead. Although I kind of enjoy annoying the Starbucks manager by not buying anything.

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featheredsprite's picture

We have the technology. We can build it. Smile

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Life is strong. I'm weak, but Life is strong.

earthling1's picture

They cannot allow the sheeple unabridged communication. Too dangerous to their rule.
Think about the citizenry coming together and turning the tables on TBTF banks and divide and conquer them. One at a time , disinvest. Beginning with B of A.

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Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

shaharazade's picture

coffee shops have wifi. We went to beach last year and shah had to work so needed wifi. We stayed in a small townand the wefi in our cabin was terrible. He found an internet local coffee shop ran by geeks which did not serve Frapachinos and was pretty bare bones but it did the trick. You really can find affordable alternatives to the corporate biggies onliine and off.

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elenacarlena's picture

hours on buses. We do have some independent coffee shops with WiFi, they're just not walking distance. A library branch is, though. Sayonara, Starbucks!

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Haikukitty's picture

You don't really appreciate how asinine and grating it is until you remove yourself for awhile. Now, when I go to my parents and its blaring out through the house, I don't know how they can stand it.

I had stopped regularly watching TV several years ago - but only finally canceled cable this year. But I'm a big reader, so it was mainly that I just enjoy books more.

Now, I'm not one of those people saying you shouldn't have a TV in the house - we do. We have one TV and mostly my husband uses it to play video games or watch youtube videos.

Nor am I saying I'm too good for light entertainment, I watch plenty of stupid movies and internet videos.

It's the constant messaging that's the problem with cable TV. And you don't really appreciate the penetrating SCALE of it until you stop watching it. Even the freaking commercials - it's all of a piece constantly pushing the neoliberal worldview.

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gulfgal98's picture

We cut the line to the satellite over six years ago. My husband had a harder time withdrawing than I did. I took me about two to three weeks and him about that many months. Now neither of us miss it. What we got in return is quiet in our home. My stress levels went down appreciably as a result. We do check out movies from the library, but it is now a case of choice rather than mindless background noise. When we visit family. the tv is always on and it reminds me of just how mind numbing most programming is. The only thing I really miss is watching sports. Other than that, not having tv has been a real positive addition to the quality of life in our home. Cutting the cord was the best thing that ever happened in our home.

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Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

We bailed on cable - too expensive, and we never watched enough. I have tons of dvds and blu-rays and there's always youtube!

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I tried to subscribe to your newsletter but when I hit submit I received a message of "too many attempts yada ... yada ... yada" Help ~ please 'n thank you.

Namaste'

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It's very good to run into you again. The liberating effect of the Sanders campaign has, I think, opened a lot of minds to thinking outside the propaganda frameworks we've all been steeped in for so long. Your visionary critiques have been too strange for many people to wrap their heads around. But the big middle finger the party establishments have extended to the voters -- putting forward such corrupt, dishonest, unlikeable candidates -- has opened many eyes and minds.

Many people are finally starting to catch up to you. Please keep showing us the way forward, so we can find the truth.

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Ray Pensador's picture

Yes, for a minute there there seemed to be some hope with the Bernie campaign (I actually volunteer for the better part of a year); he spoke truth to power. But then he endorsed. That was an incredibly disappointing thing for me, even though I feared he would.

Regardless, you are absolutely right: these two candidates (Trump an Hillary) are what you get in this type of utterly corrupt system. I will vote for neither of them.

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

I think he deliberately chose to commit himself to the insider game when he decided to run for president as a Democrat. He'd never really done that before, as he stayed an independent previously. He gave all of us plenty of warning that we need to take over, and I view his "endorsement" as passing the baton to us. He'll continue to play the inside game, because he has no choice, but we have to find new leaders. He'd be the first to tell us that, since he's already been doing so continuously.

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WaterLily's picture

And, I actually read an interesting take on the whole endorsement -- I'll see if I can dig up the link -- that argued, quite convincingly, that it was a strategic move designed to expose the fact that Hillary's unfavorables had nothing to do with Bernie.

Does nothing to help us in the short term, but it certainly helps further rip the veil from the public's eye and recruit more into the ranks of reality/sanity.

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WaterLily's picture

elenacarlena's picture

Indeed, if Hill won't concede the nom to Bern, the supers should flip.

Not holding my breath. But it's heartening to read that TPTB are freaked out about how her numbers have only become worse. Apparently they don't live solely in the echo chamber at TOP.

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WaterLily's picture

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Are you sure that this did nothing to help in the short term? What about the immediate 1000% increase in Green Party donations and the massive shift both occurring and coming (barring a Bernie nom) over to Green Party voter registrations?

Yes, that turning of the aware and informed to the other non-corporate candidate was entirely predictable, wasn't it? And virtually everyone's talking about this, increasing awareness of other options.

If enough people vote for Jill Stein, and the General votes are accurately counted with a minimum of voter suppression, guess what happens?

But The People must not again simply accept the disastrous results of this rigged Dem nomination process or any General cheating as a 'done deal' - massive peaceful protest/lawsuits in all possible areas is required to make it clear that the American people are not going to take this bulldozing of, by and for self-interests any more. Ever again.

None of this is ever going to change until it is changed, and every citizen is a potential agent of positive change within the 99% of the population so desperately needing this.

This is running in a mix just now, and somehow seems so appropriate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2vEs3xQW2k&list=RDVZYyKcf1JmM&index=27

Beth Hart - Setting Me Free

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

of how I view Bernie's actions than I've ever written.

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Seriously, OPOL didn't just move on from DKOS, he has had liver issues.
I think it was about 1968, that I became the person known to medical science that proved you can live with 2% liver function! Boy, do I know the ins and outs of that crap. I have been examined by dozens of doctors face to liver, blah blah blah!
I do not give up, and agree with you that the way we are going is historically proven to be jackbooted rule.
I have no fear. Kill me? Imprison ME?
NOTHING the fuckers can do to me now, 64 years old, can possibly hurt me more than what I endured as a child, and as a young adult.
Disease is one thing, government imposed torture is another.

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"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

For anyone who wants details about who the movers and shakers are behind the push to fascism and what their plan is and what to expect next, read the following diaries from 10 years ago:

https://penspages.wordpress.com/

Since those diaries were written, the attack on Syria has proceeded as planned. Next up on their PNAC blueprint is designer viruses that can vector race specific targets. ie, all blacks, all hispanics, all descendants of Ghengis Khan (hint, that's one out of every 200 people).

Yeah, thees guys actually WROTE what they intended to do and they've done it. Step by step.

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Ray Pensador's picture

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

snoopydawg's picture

The attack on Syria was planned as far back as 1990 and as usual, Israel is in the thick of things. Why the hell are we using our money and our soldier's lives to do Israel's dirty work for them?

The enemy in this war is
not “terrorism”…but militant Islam….Afghanistan constitutes just one front in World War IV, and the battles
there just one campaign….The immediate choice lies before the U.S. government in regard to Iran….The overthrow of the first theocratic revolutionary
Muslim state and its replacement by a moderate or secular government, however, would be no less important a victory in this war than the annihilation of bin Laden…Second, the U.S. should continue to target regimes that sponsor terrorism. Iraq is the obvious candidate, having not only helped al Qaeda, but attacked Americans directly (including an assassination attempt against the first President Bush) and developed weapons of mass destruction…Third, the U.S. must mobilize in earnest…the beginning of a desperately needed “transformation” of the American military…

Second, the US should continue to target regimes that sponsor terrorism.
I agree. So that means that the US, U.K., Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the other regimes that are arming, training and funding Al Quada and the other so called moderate terrorists should be targeted.
IMO, this is the reason why Obama was seElected to be president. The left was tired of the Bush administration's wars so they ran a charismatic man who said all of the right things about wars and he was able to shut the anti war groups down.
Many people have no problem with his use of drones, keeping the Afghanistan and Iraq wars going. Or destroying Libya and Syria.
And again, how many people even know what game he is playing with Russia?

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

OMG, and thanks!

Well, this certainly explains the otherwise inexplicable, including the massive annual transfer of 'austeritied'-to-death American taxpayer money and weaponry to Israel, direct and immediate Bibi involvement promised by Hillary in the Clinton Administration, similar right-wing propaganda/trolling in America and Israel, etc., tying it all together in a ribbon-wrapped outhouse, built of hazardous waste and loaded with toxic poop.

Is Russia in on this, and is that why Hillary, as Sec of State, sold them such a large chunk of America's already-deficient-for-nuclear-power strategic supplies of uranium? Or was that to make them a more credible bogeyman? Or just for the 10s of millions transferred to the Clinton foundation, on top of Bill's half-million-dollar speaking fee received in that period. Or for all 3 or???

https://penspages.wordpress.com/

...The Plan

As detailed in The Wurmser Turns, David Wurmser gave us a very detailed look at exactly what World War IV is going to look like.

Damascus has been in Wurmser’s sights at least since he began working with Perle at AEI in the mid-1990s.For the latter part of the decade, he wrote frequently to support a joint U.S.-Israeli effort to undermine then-President Hafez Assad in hopes of destroying Ba’athist rule and hastening the creation of a new order in the Levant to be dominated by “tribal, familial and clan unions under limited governments.”

Indeed, it was precisely because of the strategic importance of the Levant that Wurmser advocated overthrowing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in favour of an Iraqi National Congress (INC) closely tied to the Hashemite monarchy in Jordan.

“Whoever inherits Iraq dominates the entire Levant strategically,” he wrote in one 1996 paper for the Jerusalem-based Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies (IASPS).

Wurmser, whose Israeli-born spouse Meyrav Wurmser heads Middle East studies at the neo-conservative Hudson Institute, was the main author of a 1996 report by a task force convened by the IASPS and headed by Perle, called the ‘Study Group on a New Israeli Strategy Toward 2000’.

The paper, called ‘A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm‘, was directed to incoming Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

It featured a series of recommendations designed to end the process of Israel trading “land for peace” by transforming the “balance of power” in the Middle East in favour of an axis consisting of Israel, Turkey and Jordan.

To do so, it called for ousting Saddam Hussein and installing a Hashemite leader in Baghdad. From that point, the strategy would be largely focused on Syria and, at the least, to reducing its influence in Lebanon.

Among other steps, the report called for Israeli sponsorship of attacks on Syrian territory by “Israeli proxy forces” based in Lebanon and “striking Syrian military targets in Lebanon, and should that prove insufficient, striking at select targets in Syria proper.”

“Israel can shape its strategic environment, in cooperation with Turkey and Jordan, by weakening, containing, even rolling back Syria,” the report argued, to create a “natural axis” between Israel, Jordan, a Hashemite Iraq and Turkey that “would squeeze and detach Syria from the Saudi Peninsula.”

“For Syria, this could be the prelude to a redrawing of the map of the Middle East, which could threaten Syria’s territorial integrity,” it suggested.

There’s the groundwork being laid for World War IV, way back in 1996. Israel must move into Lebanon and from there the attack on Syria begins. So how influential is David Wurmser? Read what I’ve uncovered about The Usual Suspects here, here and ashulmans diary here. Take special note of the list of “authors” at the bottom of ashulmans diary. Then take another look at the flowchart that shows Wurmser’s place in the grand scheme of things. Wurmser’s job at one time was to prove there existed a link between Al Queda and Iraq. Do any of the other names on that flowchart look familiar?

Woolsey, Gingrich, Perle, Cheney, Libby, Michael Ledeen (Keyser Soze himself!), Harold Rhode, Bolton, Shulsky, Rubin, Wolfowitz, etc.

These are The Usual Suspects, people, and this plan for starting World War IV has been long in the making. ...

And here - bolding mine:

https://penspages.wordpress.com/page/2/

This is the first installment of a series of articles in which I will introduce you to the cast of characters that pull all the strings behind the neocon movement, The Usual Suspects. This group has had a long and sordid history of criminal activity and have shown a propensity for sacrificing U.S. national security for their own agendas. ...

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

snoopydawg's picture

This statement stood out for me.

Again, I can't emphasize enough the true (evil) nature of this class of people: as brutal, sadistic, depraved, and despotic as any ruling elite throughout the history of civilization.

I can't understand how so many people in our government and military can not feel a thing when they make the decision to invade countries, overthrow elected governments and install brutal dictators and then do nothing when they commit heinous human rights violations, or drop bombs that kill people who are no threat to us or decide that it's okay to kidnap people and then send them to another country to be tortured.
I read that since 1945 the United States has killed more than 1.3 billion people
Seriously, how can people not feel anything about those actions?
And for what? Or should I say for who? The military needs to invade countries to protect US interests is what we are told.
I have yet heard a reason for why Obama is sending thousands of troops to countries that surrounds Russia except that it's because of Russia's aggression. But I don't remember Russia invading country after country, has anyone else?

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Ray Pensador's picture

If you get down to the essence of why this class of people (the flesh-and-blood real, not too hard to identify) do what they do, it comes down to unquenchable greed an lust for power: the same as it has always been in history. This people also share other traits, including higher incidence of sociopathy and other personality disorders. Basically, in a way, they are sick, insane (not to be confused with average people who suffer mental illness and deserve our love, compassion, and help).

If not stopped, they will bring even greater mayhem and destruction to the world. People like Chris Hedges, Henry Giroux, and Naomi Klein (among many others) have had a lot to say about the nature of these people. Again, words fail to describe them.

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

jimpost's picture

when you said this, but if you truly believe it, your head needs a thorough cleaning.

This people also share other traits, including higher incidence of sociopathy and other personality disorders. Basically, in a way, they are sick, insane (not to be confused with average people who suffer mental illness and deserve our love, compassion, and help

I'm sorry, but the way you cherry-pick this is disgusting. So personality disorders are a sickness that's eeevil, but "average" people who have "mental illness" deserve "love, compassion and help."

Have you no understanding of how sick this is? Insanity is sick, but mental illness is okay?! Psychopaths can indeed cause harm to others. So can those with psychosis. So can those of us who suffer from depression. But what, if we are "average" it's okay? Have you bothered to think this through and understand that people in power often suffer these illnesses because that very illness drives them to seek positions of power?

I find your lack of understanding about mental illness disturbing. The fact that 20 people here have up-voted this comment of yours is even more disturbing. Talk about lack of critical thinking skills. Not to mention empathy and compassion.

Shame on you all.

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The more people I meet, the more I love my cats.

orlbucfan's picture

Go crawl back under it, okay?

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

elenacarlena's picture

people with mental illness.

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it isn't ok to attack the person - just the message.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

Ray Pensador's picture

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

We'll see about #13 but so far yeah. The 15 Rules of Web Disruption

{Hugs} Ray! Did you know coffeetalk got banned finally about a month ago? She was my first hidden I think. Heh I just went back in time, your diaries were great thank you for everything.

Peace & Love

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Ray Pensador's picture

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

About time for that coffeetalk banning! A practiced apologist for everything most damaging...

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

That means focus on the message and not the messenger. We moderators take it seriously. We try not to micro manage and to let people work through their differences. We will not tolerate fist fights however. What happened to you at top will not happen here.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

Ray Pensador's picture

Yes, when it comes to debate, it is not that hard to understand the protocol about not engaging in personal ad hominem attacks. That's definitely a red flag regarding the intentions of the attacker. I'm glad you guys are on top of that here.

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

enhydra lutris's picture

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

elenacarlena's picture

people not want to post or comment.

Sometimes I think we're so used to the way TOP operates that it takes a while before people completely decompress and get TOP-style comments out of their system.

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elenacarlena's picture

I like Haikukitty's comments below.

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not quite sure how it happened.

It was just a reminder to remain civil. This means to stay focused on the message and not attack the messenger.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

Haikukitty's picture

When their very nature causes them to harm others on a huge scale?

Also, I'm not convinced that all those displaying sociopathic behaviors are ill and in need of help. I think maybe they are just greedy assholes, although who knows?

But are they truly deserving of our compassion and love when they are incapable of not abusing it and taking advantage of it? When there are so many others, addicts and PTSD victims and people with other assorted mental illnesses who are actually suffering and if they do harm others, it's usually unintentional or as a result of a break from reality?

I don't know the answer, I'm just asking the question.

Maybe I'm just too angry with the behaviors of our current crop of leaders to be able to feel any compassion for them right now.

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earthling1's picture

Unlike those with true mental problems, such as addicts and those who really suffer.

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Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

Psychopathy may be (edit: a result of) a defect of the brain or of abuses suffered and nothing the person can control or even perceive as being undesirable, but when anyone is chronically destructive of others, they must be kept out of any position where they can harm others. It's not a 'fault' issue, it's a protection of society and individuals situation.

Dr. Robert Hare does have a checklist for psychopathic traits which could be used in assessment for public service positions, and in order to have anything resembling a civilization, anyone demonstrating a lack of empathy to the point of being willing to harm others to achieve personal desires should never be in a position of power over anyone. However, all due caution must be used not to inaccurately label anyone - although some public figures have so thoroughly shown themselves in their behaviours, attitudes and responses to be psychopathic as to, in a sane society, be forever barred from political positions.

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

gulfgal98's picture

that CEO's have a rate of psychopathic personality traits that is four times the rate of those in the general population. That is not a knock on people with mental illness, but a knock on the type of people who are running things in this country. Here is a list of the top ten occupations for psychopaths.

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Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

Ray Pensador's picture

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

1 - 8 made sense. 9 & 10 made me laugh out loud. Chefs and public servants. I don't cook, but public servants should make the both of us get analyzed.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

gulfgal98's picture

but like you, as a retired public servant, I am not sure I fit into that category or hope I do not. However I have met and even worked under two people that could have fallen into that category. Thank goodness, my last supervisor was not one of those. Smile

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Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

I helped to get him fired.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

elenacarlena's picture

Must have a ton of ads. Rats. I wanted to make sure I'm not a psychopath!

Well, I'm charming challenged. I guess that makes it unlikely. Wink

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can't possibly be a psychopath.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

elenacarlena's picture

OK, I'll stop wondering then. Biggrin

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Lol, interesting article to a point but the defining feature of psychopathy is the lack of the human quality of empathy and the inability to care or even to gain enjoyment from inflicting harm on others, not, as intimated in the article via the regurgitation of someone's passing thought, evidently entirely unbased on knowledge, a desire to try to make a living in, for example, performance arts such as music, as they must then be conceited to think that anyone wants to hear them.

There is a distinct danger in taking some of the more common and peripheral human traits also associated with psychopathy, (which is a specific dysfunction/disorder, whether from organic or emotional [including both traumatic and 'spoiling'] causes) and attaching that specific label to a far wider section of humanity on that faulty basis.

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

I dispute that list because the profession most psychopaths aspire to is politician. After all, it's usually the biggest liar in the room who gets elected.

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Don't pretend you can't understand the difference between CHARACTER and an illness. These people are evil. They lack integrity and any moral character. I'm a father who has a son fighting a serious mental illness and let me tell you: FUCK THESE EVIL CLOWNS. The only cure for these shits is a bullet in the brain.

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And that 1.3 billion people won't count those 'acceptably' and more gradually killed for increased US industry interest profiteering in multiple countries as well as within the US itself, ranging from claimed 'acceptably' high 'cost-cutting' industrial toxic exposures in food, water, air, products and workplaces killing uncountable millions, often attributed in industry 'science' to any and all other causes resulting in victim blame, lowered liability for polluters and thus even more inadequate regulation, and with other 'cost-cutting' unsafe working conditions taking their toll, a number of unsafe and even ineffective pharma drugs killing millions for great profits - polluting industry has been getting away with literal murder for so long, their owners/CEOs now feel entitled to expand, the destruction and denial of existing scientific literature, such as that once contained within the EPA libraries 'down-sized' during the Bush Administration, helping enormously. (Long-running pet peeve of mine.)

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Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.

A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.

at c99p. Always appreciate your words and insights and mentally confer on you a "telling it like [as] it is" award. Looking forward to your thoughts about what comes next, after people are able to see clearly.

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"It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society." --Jiddu Krishnamurti

Good to see you. I never saw anyone take as much punishment as you at top (that other place). I think Bob Swern is still there but very bloodied. He might have packed up and left too. He has/had a huge target on his back. He was sat in a corner with no rating ability for months. I'm not sure of the details. I logged out and left weeks ago.

BTW, OPOL is registered here. You can search him thru c99 and send him an email. I let him know on FB you were asking for him. Hopefully he'll drop by to say hi.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

Sandino's picture

I agree, dkmich, Ray was really ahead of the curve in revealing the nature of kos and the goons, and maintained a level of unilateral civility that would have made Ghandi jealous. Great to see you Ray!

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Ray Pensador's picture

That's some high praise there; very kind of you.

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

I haven't been around in a while, but I have been reading. I had to log in to say hello to you though. It's a good essay, and I believe you are correct in your assessment. I am a little more pessimistic than you. I think the two parties have been really effective making people hate each other because of social identity. It is amazing how tightly the lines are being drawn and it is all fear mongering on both sides. Meanwhile the oligarchs toast one another.

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The stress from all the treachery, buffoonery, etc was about to kill me so I've been nursing my health and staying away from blogging. I miss my friends but I'm pretty fkn annoyed with the world. I hope you understand. I'm with you guys and hoping for the best. Keep fighting the good fight.

#StillSanders

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Ray Pensador's picture

to have known you. Although we've never met, I've always considered you a kindred spirit. During the last few months I forced myself to go to TOP mainly to read your inspiring diaries about Bernie. I hadn't visited that place for a few years after I was banned for calling kos and the site a propaganda tool of the corrupt Democratic party establishment.

Anyways, now more than ever I see what a incredibly toxic place that is no only for the progressive movement, but for just plain decency and ethics. Not wanting to waste too much time talking about that place, I just say that I truly believe that it is some kind of CIA propaganda experiment/project. I'll leave it at that.

I understand what you say about feeling down given the the state of affairs. The way I deal with that is is that I try to pace myself, knowing that the struggle is a life-long one.

But most importantly, I've concluded that we need to change our focus from trying to beg those in power to do the right thing, to finding each other, creating strong bonds, forming cohesive groups with camaraderie, solidarity, love, and compassion for each other in mind. Doing that we can start to build parallel social structures one community at a time, and we can start to find ways to undermine the corporate state, withdraw our support, and shift our energies away from it. As that happens, we'll gain strength and will then eventually become strong enough to change the system.

Either way, yes rest, you earned the right to take a break...

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www.RayPensador.com
When you boil it all down, the number one step you can take to get out from under the fascist boot of the oligarchy is to stop subjecting yourself to the the U.S. corporate news media. It is a powerful psyops weapon.

I will just say that there's a reason Putin called the internet a "CIA project."

And leave it at that.

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Only connect. - E.M. Forster

"...the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality.”

El Che

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enhydra lutris's picture

drop in now and then. Good luck with everything.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

orlbucfan's picture

I love the way you decorate your diaries. Miss that aspect as well as the writing. Sad

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

snoopydawg's picture

Thanks for checking in and letting us know what's happening.
Take care of yourself and I hope that your health improves.

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

reflectionsv37's picture

Lot's of us have been asking and wondering where you were. I so understand how all of this has taken a toll on you. Get some rest and come back and join us when you're ready! We'll be here waiting for you!

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“Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.”
George W. Bush

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