The Weekly Watch
Resignation
Definition of resignation
1 a : a formal notification of resigning
b : an act or instance of resigning something : surrender
2 : the quality or state of being resigned : submissiveness
This week seems to be a case of all three definitions....the best of these being Pruitt's resignation. Personally I've resigned myself to accept the US as an authoritarian, oligarchical, corporatocracy. The other resignation I see is the US effort to resign from the global community and assume the role of world dictator. However, I refuse to be so submissive as to remain silent to the horrors perpetrated by our country here at home and around the world. I also refuse to be so beaten down that I can't see goodness in my fellow human beings, recognize acts of kindness, sense some beauty in the world around me, and be aware of efforts of good faith. I try to balance my resignation with resolution -
a : something that is resolved - I made a resolution to mend my ways
b : firmness of resolve
Here's a case of resolve...
Did this young teacher's confrontation influence Pruitt's resignation? I hope so...
KRISTIN MINK: I just wanted to urge you to resign because of what you’re doing to the environment in our country. This is my son. He loves animals, he loves clean air, clean water. Meanwhile, you’re slashing strong fuel standards for cars and trucks, for the benefits of big corporations. We deserve to have somebody at the EPA who actually does protect our environment, someone who believes in climate change and takes it seriously for the benefit of all of us, including our children. So I would urge you to resign before your scandals push you out.
https://therealnews.com/stories/mother-who-confronted-scott-pruitt-respo... (video and text)
This teacher is not alone in challenging the system. Many are getting involved...
http://educationopportunitynetwork.org/after-an-educator-spring-teachers...
https://www.politico.com/amp/story/2018/07/04/teacher-candidates-democra...
But even the good news is covered with a cloud when you look at Pruitt's replacement - coal lobbyist Andy Wheeler. https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2018/07/05/Pruitts-EPA-replacement-And...
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/05/pruitt-gone-no-happy-ending...
Wheeler and Pruitt were definitely partners in crime, working to advance this agenda of rolling back our environmental safeguards that they’re going to continue full speed ahead with Wheeler at the helm, to try to get that agenda over the finish line.
https://therealnews.com/stories/scandal-ridden-pruitt-finally-resigns-fr...
One step forward, two steps back.
In reality she probably did not influence Pruitt to resign, but she sets an example for us - to speak truth to power...to challenge the oligarchs...to be a voice for the weak and vulnerable. So I may be resigned to and aware of the environmental, political, economic, and social decline, but I will not sit silent.
There are examples of truth sayers. Sy Hersh has been making the rounds pushing his new book "Reporter". Here's a review of his book - http://www.startribune.com/review-reporter-a-memoir-by-seymour-m-hersh/4...
...an article
https://www.counterpunch.org/2018/06/25/a-reporters-reporter-a-conversat...
And a couple of great interviews, first with fellow reporter Chris Hedges
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejusjNsapO4 (26 min)
and another on RT going underground
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPRagJKxED4 (28 min)
Reporter Ed Schultz died this week. He was my age. Like us all he evolved through his career. Recently he reveled he was fired from MSNBC for covering Bernie.
Schultz says his trouble at MSNBC started when he informed his bosses that he planned to cover Bernie Sanders' campaign announcement live from Vermont, and that he would be airing the first, exclusive, cable network interview with the progressive presidential candidate. They objected, and even went so far as to tell Schultz to drop the story.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/29531/ed-schultz-i-was-fired-msnbc-becaus...
He continues...
"I think the Clintons were connected to [NBC's] Andy Lack, connected at the hip," Schultz told NRO host Jamie Weinstein. "I think that they didn't want anybody in their primetime or anywhere in their lineup supporting Bernie Sanders. I think that they were in the tank for Hillary Clinton, and I think that it was managed, and 45 days later I was out at MSNBC."
https://www.nationalreview.com/podcasts/the-jamie-weinstein-show/episode...
but how does the MSM paint Ed?
A few months later, Schultz landed at Russia Today, where he's a full-time, English language spokesperson for Vladimir Putin.
Jimmy Dore explains the bias
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MojOIvMpdd4 (12 min)
And while we're discussing journalists, let's not forget Julian Assange who continues to be imprisoned for telling us the truth.
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2018/07/05/assa-j05.html
We live in a world shrouded in myths. America's image of itself is a myth.
If you missed this last week, here's Lee Camp with his concept of the 8 great American myths. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNwI8OO6l3E (16 min)
Ralph Nader in an excellent interview describes the American Myth and the loss of democracy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9OJZOMEjOU (24 min)
Dr Gerald Horne explains the role of slavery in the onset of the American revolution.
https://therealnews.com/stories/ghorne0728raipt3
Born into slavery around 1818, Frederick Douglass became a key leader of the abolitionist movement. On July 5, 1852, in Rochester, New York, he gave one of his most famous speeches, “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro.” He was addressing the Rochester Ladies Antislavery Society. This is actor James Earl Jones reading the speech during a performance of historian Howard Zinn’s acclaimed book, “Voices of a People’s History of the United States.” He was introduced by Zinn. (video or text)
https://www.democracynow.org/2018/7/4/what_to_the_slave_is_4th
Slavery still exists in the US in our prisons. James Forman jr discusses the nature of our prison system (video or text)
https://www.democracynow.org/2018/7/4/james_forman_jr_on_locking_up
Chris Hedges laments the failure of the US nation state...
https://www.truthdig.com/articles/america-the-failed-state/
Jimmy Dore discusses to faux persecution of the wealthy summering in the Vineyard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MojOIvMpdd4 (31 min)
Our Neighbors to the South
At my Friday night music gathering one of the pickers said something about Venezuela being a dictatorship. I explained that their elections are better and more transparent than ours, and the real reason they are portrayed as such a bad country is because they have so much oil that we can't exploit.
https://www.truthdig.com/articles/why-venezuela-reporting-is-so-bad/
Later in the evening the topic of all the refugees on our southern border came up in the discussion. The implication was the countries to our south are all corrupt and incompetent. I presented the idea that those countries are destabilized by the US for the benefit of our corporations.
https://thesaker.is/the-balkanization-of-south-america-and-the-role-of-f...
Yes we are the bully, the bully of the world...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkJ6ZyMLs4o 3min cut Bully of the Town circa 1930
Iran oil export ban? Now how does that happen? Must be through war. (2 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SN5C5fajqOQ
http://eaworldview.com/2018/07/iran-daily-defiant-rouhani-us-cannot-stop...
Make no mistake, the US, Israel and Saudi Arabia are bound and determined to create a war with Iran.
https://therealnews.com/columns/the-battle-for-iran-policy-or-regime-change
So why did we sanction Russia? They invaded Ukraine (after we promoted a fascists coup). So now at our behest Israel is arming the regime. Max Blumenthal explains
https://therealnews.com/stories/israel-is-arming-ukraines-blatantly-neo-... (video or text)
Max Blumenthal asked why a fascist leader was welcomed in the US Senate building. He discusses Andriy Parubiy, the founder of two neo-Nazi organizations and the chair of Ukraine’s parliament, and the violent white supremacist movement against Russia
https://therealnews.com/stories/ukrainian-fascist-leader-speaks-in-us-co... (video or text)
The US must learn to respect other countries. The SCO appears more functional than the G7.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ubbo_EXDr1U (5 min)
The SCO held it's first summit after India and Pakistan joined China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan as full members last year.
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-06/10/c_137244977.htm
Compare the results of the G7 and SCO meetings...
https://thedailycoin.org/2018/06/17/the-sco-and-g7-meetings-point-to-dif...
On so many levels, in so many ways, we can see the decline of US empire and the evolution of a China based empire. I hope it can be accomplished economically rather than militarily.
Economics
Capitalism is about to collapse. Richard Wolff and Chris Hedges discuss the situation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60FrsWm9OAc (27 min)
Will a state bank be developed in California? It is possible...
https://www.truthdig.com/articles/california-dreaming-cannabis-cash-publ...
Nomi Prins explains how banks are running the world (audio or text)
https://www.truthdig.com/articles/nomi-prins-on-the-banks-that-run-the-w...
The story in France makes plain we are experiencing a global corporate coup. In the second half, Max interviews Pierre Jovanovic of Quotidien.com about possible new EU legislation targeting alternative media.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLlooQpdomY (last 15 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sF2a0ErZSo (the interview continues in the last 15 min)
But what is the focus of our media?
The news cycle continues to focus on T-rump and his tweets. He has the media eating out of his hand. He controls the narrative.
Noam explains that T-rump is a distraction.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQvig0KvUaE (8 min)
If they really wanted T-rump there is no need to lie about Russian collusion. Clearly he is using his office for profit (in a long line of politicians)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbCU0JLeEPU (4.5 min)
The Environment
Climate Chaos is bound toward more extremes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBP1kO1yrh4 (10 min)
The general population remains relatively unaware of the urgency of climate change, says Jennifer Marlon of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (video or text)
https://therealnews.com/stories/heat-waves-and-climate-change-mass-media...
Up to 143 million people will become internally displaced in sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America by the year 2050. (video or text)
https://therealnews.com/stories/143-million-climate-refugees-by-2050
And so we wind our way to the end of this edition about resignation (perhaps acceptance would have been a better descriptor of my thoughts). Because at the end of the day I find myself accepting the concept that we don't have a democracy (and have not for a long time...maybe never). I am resigned to the fact that our climate will continue to become more chaotic as we spew ever more pollution and continue on our fossil fuel frenzy. I am aware we sit on the brink of an economic collapse as the US uses war and aggression to maintain the dominance of the dollar.
However for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. So as an individual I can walk a different path. I can't create world peace, but I can seek peace of mind. I can't destroy the islands of plastic in the oceans, but I can minimize and reduce the plastic in my life...and eliminate single use plastics. I still drive a gas powered car, but I also ride my bike. I use the sun to heat my house and collect rain water for the garden. I grow much of my own food. I protect the small forest in my care and continue to plant trees. You get the idea. We can walk a better path in this decaying system. Death and decay are part of the cycle of life...and the cycle of cultures. This is (probably) our only ride... our one chance at a full life. I'm resigned to the loss of the myth of America, and I am resolved to live as full a life as I can in the remnants of it's decay.
Governments are instituted among People, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
As always, I look forward to your stories, ideas, and comments below.
Comments
...and a parting shot from Mr Fish
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
or, we suck united
Zionism is a social disease
At least we would be united
...or at least sucklings together...
suckling (ˈsʌklɪŋ)
1. (Zoology) an infant or young animal that is still taking milk from the mother
2. a very young child
BTW what happened to the goat avatar? I can't tell if you're kidding now.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Good Sunday morning, Lookout ~~
You are a real educator. You have given me much food for thought. It usually takes me all day and most of the week to get through the articles and videos, and I'm a more knowledgable person for it. A big thank you!
I, too, am happy that Pruitt is gone. The fellow following may be just as bad, but we now have examples of how to speak truth to power, so find your courage. We all might be called upon to take that stand.
We've been so dry, it's frightening. However, we got a hell of a rainstorm yesterday afternoon. It dropped 60/100ths. We are in our monsoonal flow for the week, so fingers crossed for a bit of rain each day.
I agree - the more self-sustaining and care-taking we can be, the better. I feel every person can do one thing and make a difference. It all adds up.
Have a beautiful day, everyone!
"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
Always glad to "see" you
I'm at least a third generation teacher. I've a picture of my grandmother as a young woman in her one room school house. It takes me all week to put together my essay. I appreciate you exploring the contents. (I don't know how Joe manages to put together the eb all week long).
So glad to hear you finally got some rain. People here have been complaining about all we've gotten and I've been reminding them of the extreme drought in your area and the one we experienced a few years ago. People do seem to have weather amnesia. No wonder climate is difficult for them to understand.
In our exchange earlier in the week I dropped the links for a couple of recent Kevin Shipp videos without a disclaimer. I've been meaning to touch base with you to say he, like us all, has his prejudice. I can tell his religious feelings shade his political views. He is a trumpeteer, so like all sources we have to be aware of the bias. None the less he is well worth the listen. Here's those links for other readers.
For those who have listened to Kevin's shadow government talk, fast forward to the 50 min mark for the relationship to the Clinton Foundation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gbCJqejZQk
Here's and additional hour long wide ranging conversation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yub8pHzkwFU
Have a good day RA!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Good morning ...
Here's another Jimmy Dore clip about Ed Schultz. This one has Big Ed himself explaining what happened when he wanted to cover Bernie's announcement. A lot of us had our eyes opened in 2015.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syVTtJge__8 width:500 height:300]
We wanted decent healthcare, a living wage and free college.
The Democrats gave us Biden and war instead.
Thanks!
I didn't want to flood too much Ed Show into the weekly, so I appreciate the link.
The 2016 election was an eye opener..at least for me. I will be grateful to Bernie the rest of my life. No he's not perfect, but he helped me wake up to the true nature of the dims, our political system, and the bankrupt approach of our media. As was the topic last week, our focus is typically on peoples flaws rather than their positive points. Our tendency is to jump on the negative pole because is is easier to tear down than to build up.
As a teacher I did my best to help ALL my students. Learning to see the "good" in people was essential. Early in my career a fellow educator reminded me of the saying..."they're not so bad once you get to know them". Taking that to heart I tried to get to know them all.
I always appreciate you recommendations - thanks.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Anyone who had you as a teacher in real life
and knows you was blessed to learn from you, I am sure. I learn from you each Sunday, even without knowing you. Thanks for all you do. I am fighting for a piece of land to take care of.
When it comes to land, people start fighting over it to their deaths. What a shame. Just saying because you remind me to it when you talk about your piece of land.
Take good care of your forest.
In the garden we have a deer. It is cute. And lots of birds and lots of huge trees. Nobody takes care of them. The work involved is too much to be handled by just one person. And no money to hire professionals. If I were allowed to do something with that land ... I would find ways.
https://www.euronews.com/live
So nice to hear from you
Taking care of land is interesting. When I was younger I liked the Chinese saying...the best fertilizer is the farmers footsteps. Now I'm more of an adherent to the idea...nature knows best...in part because the forest matures and is better able to take care of itself and also because the more you develop, create, plant, etc. the more maintenance you have. As I age I find myself being more accepting of the natural flow. I think what is important is to experience the outdoors and be in it ...be a part of it. I'm glad you are able to enjoy your family place. Old trees seem to me to be wise somehow...being with them might impart some of their wisdom to us.
Germany has been making the news. Sorry I didn't have any coverage of that here this week. The EU seems as fragile as the US these days...poised on the brink of...some big change.
Wishing you the best.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
yes, the EU is not something that needs to be
defended the way it is these days. I don't understand enough of it to comment on it. I just know it does not work. It has so many member states (28) now, which are all on their own ego trips and really not up to ethical and human rights standards you would expect of a constitutional and representative democracies to have, so that it is simply not acceptable for them to be member states, imo.
I only learn that slowly and not in detail. Lotlizard has her reasons to be opposed to the EU and she knows why. I simply am apalled by a couple of member states' so-called democracies. Don't want to name names. I have pretty much resigned on those issues.
https://www.euronews.com/live
Another great week writing wise.
Another great week in Judo. (Finally coming to grips with the fact I am much more physically capable than I thought my entire life. Seriously. It's a strange feeling to have always thought of yourself as the weak guy and realize that I only thought that because I bought into the bullshit about strong people not being intelligent.)
Physical skills are JUST as hard as mental activities, no matter what any rich idiot who wants to avoid work says. While the ability to run miles and other drudgery that our society associates with strength do not appeal, the knowledge that you can use your strength for good and to help others is incredibly liberating.
Also finding that I'm enjoying newer takes on older ideas. hence my writing, hence my musical taste recently.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mILJlEG3RO0]
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
That sounds great!
Also glad to hear your meet up went well. Interesting how upswings build on themselves...much like the downward slide is a slippery slope.
I say onward and upward!
Nice musical interlude. So interesting how computer games are commissioning compositions.
A friend's daughter (I've known her whole life) is making a name for herself as a composer. So neat to see the successes of young people...especially those we know.
https://madelinemyers.com/about/
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
tapu dali has passed
tapu dali was a member here and I miss his commentary that he brought to many subjects here as well as his sense of humor and wit. I'm sure that many will remember him from his sigline.
" I know you believe you understood what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. -- S.I. Hayakawa. "
I read about this on DK this morning
Be at peace tapu dali and thank you for sharing yourself with us. Both here and at the Orange blog where he had been a member for almost a decade.
profile @ DK
The message echoes from Gaza back to the US. “Starving people is fine.”
Mood lightener
this video has been making the rounds and it is funnier than all get out.
The story behind the video
The message echoes from Gaza back to the US. “Starving people is fine.”
Sweet escape to tapu dali
Not so much from the store...what a chase scene.
Didn't really "know" tapu dali, but the sigline did bump my memory. I hope he had a peaceful passing.
Good to "see" you this Sunday.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Ed Schultz led RT’s 2016 election night coverage
starting around 1:45:50, where Ed Schultz says to Larry King, “There’s more truth coming out of Jesse Ventura in 30 seconds than you get out of these other guys in three hours.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HnVwWBQ0r8
Sad isn't it?
That we pretend we have democracy...and the media necessary to promote an informed populous.
Thanks for coming by. I hope things are well with you across the pond.
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
We the Disabled have nowhere to go.
No one to represent us. No real employment. Nothing. We're fucked no matter where we go or what we do.
Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.
Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.
We're all in this mess together my friend
I always hated the term disabled...and learning disabled. We all have talents....all of us! The trick is focusing on those. It should be I'm talented in this or that...not I have this disability or that.
Wishing you the best!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Late to this good Watch, been at care center and
following, the hospital, with Mom--lots of medical confusion--finally unearthed; Dementia complicating everything and the system convoluted, which has needed a fix for decades and more so now.
All's well that ends well; but two, make that two doctors, were wrong as well as one radiologist; so be careful out there in medical land, everyone.
Agree with your wise Dad!
And, heh, would love to hear you play, someday, down on the river, maybe
Thanks for the continued hard work; good teachers are hard to come by.
I hope to get up your way
Sometime next year. Thinking about the wildflower pilgrimage next spring...
http://www.wildflowerpilgrimage.org/
Normally it happens in late April sometime.
The medical tread mill is not designed for health care...it is about profit. But there are some dedicated care providers. It is just they are not always easy to find. All the best with your Mom!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”