Yes gerard, as far as I’m concerned, considering most factors including SCOTUS
they have the game completely rigged to the point where they will not turn back
now. Of course it will eventually be their own demise. Eventually they will devour
each other which could take some time. They now consider many of us
expendable. If you cannot pay your way and or toe the line you will be dealt with
accordingly. I predict with this sitting president, that a year from now we will not
be allowed by law to communicate through websites such as TD. So enjoy your
freedom of speech while you can because they mean business.

Steve E:  In my opinion, you got half the answer—that is, the persecution of
Manning and the vicious pursuit of Assange are meant primarily to discourage
whistle-blowing in general.  That is the present sickness of our country; 
nobody in the power structure is listening; everybody is in lock-down for fear
of admitting the need for fundamental changes.  The power structure is trying
to maintain a status quo that is unsustainable because of radical injustices and
false values. 
  The other half of the picture, in my opinion, is in Assange’s statements
themselves as to why the Leaks were necessary:  His argument and belief is
that if the ordinary citizens have the information they need, they will act to
rectify errors and change policies and democracy will be revitalized.  He
recognized that conspiracy (secret operation)  especially as it influences the
entire world, had to be opened in order to give citizens the knowledge they
need (and the proof) of mismanagement so that they—nobody could do it
better than the themselves—could insist upon a widespread recognition of
error and move toward openness, honesty, higher values than mere
materialism. The (learned helplessness) treatment of Manning and the sex
crime accusations against Assange are both a kind of side-show.  One is
sadism; the other is intentional distraction from the real issue.
In a way that has not happened before—and the risks are considerable that
the main point will remain unrecognized—the ball is in the American people’s
court.
  Assange’s original statements have never had wide publication—
deliberately, of course.  They probably still exist somewhere on the net, but
they are taken down from the original site and most people probably never
heard of them.  (Try the archives of the London Guardian.)  These two
whistleblowers have never yet been given any opportunity to speak in their own
behalf.  They may never have that opportunity unless citizens speak out in their
defense.

I think Assange and Manning are primarily examples set forth by the oligarchy to
remind the masses of their power. This could happen to you, please take notice
and obey. All whistle-blowing will not be tolerated. We will do what we want,
when we want, got it. Oh well, grab the kids honey, and warm up the SUV, we are
headed to Disney World. By the way sweety, I see Oprah has a great new network
all her own. Life is good.

Archie 1954:  WikiLeaks may have had some minor influence in the Middle East
uprisings, but it was Facebook that was central.

  WikiLeaks opened up the cables mainly for the purpose of breaking down the
secrecy of unproductive, even dangerous because hidden, methods of graft,
insult, bribery and domination that pass for “international diplomacy” and
“negotiations.”  Ordinary Americans have suspected as much, so the Leaks
didn’t come as a great surprise, but only as a reminder.  The degree to which
Manning is being punished (before conviction)  and Assange is in danger of
extradition and revenge is not because of the importance of the Leaks but
because of the determination of an undemocratic government to lock its people
out of information they need to know if they are to participate in self-
government.
  What happens next is entirely up to the people.  Will they take their
responsibility or will they allow Assange and Manning to be persecuted?
WikiLeaks is not a game-changer for the world; it is a wake-up call for
American citizens.

There were peaceful demonstration from Saudi Arabia to Libya. But its changed. After
the US opened fire on demonstrators trying to walk to the green zone, Libya and Iran
followed suit and now the military is emboldened everywhere: Saudi Arabia, Yemen,
Bharain, etc. to preserve the status quo. Obama may unwittingly have put a damper on
history and controlled the aspirations of hungry people like Bouazizi. But it has to be
temporary even if it alligns with US goals in the region. For one the course of history is
pushed toward Iran in the region if weapons are the means of change. No one wins
because war is disasterous on farming and food access feeding the cycle that lead to
this historical period. Experets like Robert Reich, Steven Chu, Monsanto, and Jeffery
Immelt who brought about to this situtation are naturally glib about how they will solve it.

How does he even look in the mirror
http://vimeo.com/20715539

THE WAY WE LIVE

Morph: We don’t have real people power in the country. If we did, why do we allow ourselves to be treated like cattle?

Our collective docility is key to answering your question.

The response is in not only our high standard-of-living but the Way We Live. Which is key to how we both cause and react to the events that surround us. The situation is very complex and all too often we try to reduce it to sound-bite simplicity. And thus we miss its complexity, which must be understood for any solution to follow.

From the web-site in reference:

We can no longer govern ourselves with 17th century governments and ideas. The times have changed, so must we.

After mentioning all that is wrong with “them”, the above phrase has the courage to mention “us”.  It is pertinent to repeat this axiom of politics: “Any political representation to a central government, whether local, state or national, is no more than a reflection of the sentiments of the body politic”.

We, the people, decide who represents “us”. But, politics is a land far, far away that we think of only occasionally - whilst fixating on food and boob-tube entertainment.

Americans live in a fantasy world where they think a job will bring “The Good Life”. It’s that simple. What is happening to us now – from the poor state of National Health to the Housing Foreclosures to the Environment to the Lapse of Regulatory Authority – is not the Good Life.

We must awaken from the arms of Morpheus (sic!) to understand how we’re living a dream that no longer has any relation to reality. We are in full transition from the Industrial to the Information Age, which is wreaking havoc in our Manufacturing Sector – at a time when the economy has been rent asunder by the get-rich-quick cupidity of Wall Street.

A REVOLUTION (OF SORTS)

Any revolution in mindset requires a huge undertaking across the width and breadth of this nation. Which is why we have national political parties. The Tea Party is a successful representation in that it started at the grassroots and spread across the nation - regardless of what you may think of them.

Which is why the Left in this country, that is, those who think about “us” and not “myself”, need a similar grassroots movement.

All such political movements, however, require a cogent set of principles – what are called “overarching beliefs” or objectives. This is formulated in a Progressive Agenda. For which the very notion of “progressivism” must be explained.

What does Progressive Politics mean? Here’s a definition that makes sense: “a political movement that addresses ideas, impulses, and issues stemming from modernization of American society.” (From WikiP)

Key attribute: It is soceital and not only economic.

MY POINT

It is time to reclaim our rights. The First Step: A party, for instance, clearly distinguishing itself from the others by employing the most damned word in American English, which is, “social”. And thus the Social Democrat Party.

With a manifesto that shows clearly that the political objective was Income Fairness – which translates directly to Higher Taxation and Redistribution in terms of Public Services. That objective strikes at the heart of the Tea Party and puts a stake in it. Which is why they will defend themselves tenaciously.

One fact is certain: The Left will not win this Mother of all Political Wars, from behind a computer. It is a good tool, but only minds and bodies in the streets will grab the attention of the body politic. Then they must be convinced of the underlying principles and how they are necessary to install a political class that believes in US.

Meaning you and me.

Here we have a failing democracy because too much money and power are
controlled by corporate owners and politicians and the people are too inert to
take back the power they have given over to monied interests.  That inertia may
change, but not yet.

In the Middle East, the young (and jobless) men and women by the millions are
finding ways (mostly nonviolent unless pushed mercilessly into violence by
reactionary forces) to form a more democratic and just future for themselves
and their nations.  Probably due to the internet mainly, they have grown up
more aware that there are more possibilities available to more people under a
democratic set-up than under dictatorships and oligarchies that are rigid and
resistant to reformation.

Quite possibly, they are rising at the same time we are falling, and for opposite
reasons.  They have faith; we have lost faith.  They are more universally minded;
we are more insular and ignorant of the “outside” world. They have energy. We
are lulled into lethargy by pills and additives, liquor, ignorance, entertainment,
fun and games, violence and national conceit. 

The sun also rises; the sun also sets.

Here we have a failing democracy because too much money and power are
controlled by corporate owners and politicians and the people are too inert to
take back the power they have given over to monied interests.  That inertia may
change, but not yet.

In the Middle East, the young (and jobless) men and women by the millions are
finding ways (mostly nonviolent unless pushed mercilessly into violence by
reactionary forces) to form a more democratic and just future for themselves
and their nations.  Probably due to the internet mainly, they have grown up
more aware that there are more possibilities available to more people under a
democratic set-up than under dictatorships and oligarchies that are rigid and
resistant to reformation.

Quite possibly, they are rising at the same time we are falling, and for opposite
reasons.  They have faith; we have lost faith.  They are more universally minded;
we are more insular and ignorant of the “outside” world. They have energy. We
are lulled into lethargy by pills and additives, liquor, ignorance, entertainment,
fun and games, violence and national conceit. 

The sun also rises; the sun also sets.

We don’t have real people power in the country. If we did, why do we allow ourselves to be treated like like cattle?

I’m getting sick and tired of this. How about you? This country is about to crap out. We have one last chance to roll the dice. You call it.

Momma need some new shoes, and the people need a brand spanking new government – “ROLL-EM”

“Wake up People”  -  JOIN THE REVOLUTION
Read “Common Sense 3.1” at ( http://www.revolution2.osixs.org )
We don’t have to live like this anymore. “Spread the News”
FIGHT THE CAUSE - NOT THE SYMPTOM

We have to be smarter…

Just the opposite occurred in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Bush’s obscene wars for profit created terrorism where there was none before. But you knew this was going to happen- this creating of their own reality. The neocons will rewrite history because they can.

Re:By Lafayette, March 15 at 9:26 pm

Lafayatte,

I have a map and I know what I am talking about and you don’t or are you pretending ignorance??!!.
The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is the only political group which is well financed and organised right now.
They have a large following and VERY strong influence in the Media, Universities, labor Unions. They have the backing of the USA.
They are experienced in strong arm tactics and intimidation and sure will win in any election which will be the last election.  Almost most of their demands have been met by the army, and more are following.!!
TIME WILL TELL and I hope things will turn up differently, but I doubt it!.

tg3: All the secular regimes that were toppled, eventually, are being replaced, with the full support and urging of the USA, by Islamist re-acionary theocratic oppressive regimes

Bollocks. Armchair punditry at its worst, demonstrating complete ignorance of the situation.

Most north-African Muslim countries are steadfastly against “theocratic oppressive regimes”. A role model for the area is secular Turkey, which has never had such a regime, even in Ottoman times.

Saudi Arabia is theocratic but not oppressive.

Iran is by no means indicative of the rest of the Middle East. Get a map.

Yup, keep striving for democracy. That should cure everything. Like a chicken with
it’s head removed. They laugh while we play pin the tail on the donkey, or an
elephant. Democracy is for suckers, just ask the rich.

Things will change in the Middle East for the worse. All the secular regimes that were toppled, eventually, are being replaced, with the full support and urging of the USA, by Islamist re-acionary theocratic oppressive regimes.  After a while the the USA will withdraw its support from these so called “revolutionary regimes”, under the pretext of “human rights” violations, and “breeding terrorists” In the near future, the people of the Middle East will end up with more “wars”, occupations,  bloodshed, suffering, division, more “regimes changes”, and more states will be created.
Juan Cole knows that and he is full of shit.

The “kleptocratic” Bush era is NOT receding, and that is the problem.  I hope all
the good things Juan Cole says about democracy in the Middle East rising are
true.  I’d like to see a lot more signs of democracy opening up here as well, but
vested interests, even though they know they are inwardly rotten and falling apart
from their own blind greed, still hang onto illusions of power and ascendency.
  Any living organism, social or biological, constantly tries to recover from illness,
to right wrongs, to keep putting forth tendrils etc.  Our democratic machinery is
broken because those in control have cut themselves off from the people and are
willfully trying to manage one part without listening to other parts.  Thus the
“reactor” is “overheating” and a “melt-down” is imminent.  I think people sense
that, and that accounts for the reluctance to take any action because results are
unpredictable.  Best advice:  Stay well, mentally, spiritually, physically

The “kleptocratic” Bush era is NOT receding, and that is the problem.  I hope all
the good things Juan Cole says about democracy in the Middle East rising are
true.  I’d like to see a lot more signs of democracy opening up here as well, but
vested interests, even though they know they are inwardly rotten and falling apart
from their own blind greed, still hang onto illusions of power and ascendency.
  Any living organism, social or biological, constantly tries to recover from illness,
to right wrongs, to keep putting forth tendrils etc.  Our democratic machinery is
broken because those in control have cut themselves off from the people and are
willfully trying to manage one part without listening to other parts.  Thus the
“reactor” is “overheating” and a “melt-down” is imminent.  I think people sense
that, and that accounts for the reluctance to take any action because results are
unpredictable.  Best advice:  Stay well, mentally, spiritually, physically

All my life the President of the United States has styled himself as the “Leader of the Free World”. At the same time, our country has been waging imperial wars, sponsoring cruel repressive regimes, crushing democratic movements in third world countries with vicious CIA “covert operations” (such as providing Latin American dictators and their goon squads with weapons and training in the use of mass killings and torture).

Now that most of Latin America has at last shaken off the tyrannical proxy regimes of the CIA, the IMF and the World Bank, the policies and tactics of those institutions is coming home. Freeom? Arguably, we used to live under a modicum of freedom, but the Corporate (formerly “Republican”) Party is now instituting a regime of totalitarian corporate control that, once fully implemented, will be no more democratic than Saudi Arabia’s monarchy or Iran’s theocracy.

The very notion that a country can export what it does not have itself is ridiculous.

If the USA wants to export democracy, we should do something about establishing democracy here, first.

We could start with a clear recognition of the civil right to join a trade union.

Call it arrogance or call it stupidity to believe that
we can successfully accomplish social engineering in
Iraq or Afghanistan (or anywhere else, for that matter)
when we are so miserably failing at it in our own
country.

One way to test the hypothesis that the Bush regime opened the door for democratic movements in the middle east, and that the people there appreciate those efforts, would be to send Bush, Cheney and the rest of the cabal on a tour of Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, etc., and see how many adoring crowds the Bushites will gather. Or whether they will be shredded.

I know where I’ll put my bet.

Corporate America knows that it is not the quality of the lie that matters so much as the quantity. As long as you’re spinning new lies you don’t have to defend the old ones.

mike: wonder who choked on this when ratification came up in Congress?

About half of Congress, that is, 261 of them.

Who put them there? We did. Nobody but us.

Yep, we sheeple voted them all into office. Every damn one ‘em.

“history will be my judge”? a judge should be his
history.

The developing worldwide tsunami of distancing themselves from US dominance
began over fifty years ago in the Carribean and in recent years spread to South
America is on going at the present in the Middle East and North Africa with still
to be definitive changes.

  As far as Bush’s and the neocons wishes….the US is at present $4 trillion dollars
in the red for its Israeli inspired ( Nethanyahu’s Clean Break prepared by Perle,
Wolfowitz and others ) invasion in Iraq and Afganistan in addition to over several
million Iraqis dead and thousands of Afghans as well as thousands of American
service personnel dead or crippled for life.

So much for intelligent decisions and policies with the claimed main objective of
securing the health, welfare and security of 310 million Americans.

US policy in the middle east has been all about maintaining the status quo, so long as the black gold is under the sand, of course. Everything we do is about propping up our favorite dictators (king’s, shah’s, whatever). Why do you think we never came out in support of the revolts in Egypt or Morocco, or look the other way as Libya and Saudi Arabia shoot protesters in cold blood.

No folks, these are the anti-US, anti-GW protests. The oppressed peoples of the middle east are tired of the US brand of democratic reform.

After all, we don’t even have democracy here.

Citing Lafayette ~ [Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.]

Wonder who choked on this when ratification came up in Congress?

Maybe they’re just starting to see what happens if they
don’t take charge of their country.. I mean, we’re
supposedly rich and advanced over here in America, but
leaving the wrong people in power for too long seems to
have put all of that at risk.

NEVER RATIFIED DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

JC: The demands of the protesters throughout today’s Arab world have nothing in common with earlier U.S. neoconservative plots. Today’s democratic forces want the right to form unions and engage in collective bargaining. They want a better deal economically, and government intervention to ensure the public welfare. They want genuine grass-roots input into legislation and governance ... They want national resources to benefit the common person, not foreign corporations.

Yes, to all the above - but just for starters.

Our “land of freedom” is in self-contradiction with to its own moniker. Labor laws are practically non-existent compared (employing a benchmark) to others. I can do so easily enough a comparison with France (where the right to strike is constitutional), but Europe in general has far more union representation at both government and corporate levels than does the US. In fact, in Germany, by law, union representative sit on corporate boards.

More broadly, what we should resuscitate is a Progressive Agenda, an overarching manifesto that will bring “true freedom” to Americans. Whazzat?

True freedom is not just the invocation of Constitutional Rights. The constitution does not go nearly far enough. A better document is the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights (see here and here).

From WikiP:

The following countries voted in favour of the Declaration: Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, .... Sweden, Syria, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela

The US Senate never ratified the document ... and has consistently refused, time and time again, to ratify the document - which means interpreting it into US law.

MY POINT

Let’s consider some of the articles in the UN DHR linked above:

Article 4. - No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

A lawyer will have no trouble arguing that predatory pricing that induced mortgagors into assuming balloon-debt was a form of indenture and thus servitude. Whether this group of Supremes would agree is altogether another question.

Article 5 - No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Abu Ghraib, anyone?

Article 8 - Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Guantanamo, anyone?

Article 23.
•  (1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
•  (2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
•  (3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
•  (4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

1 above: Wisconsin?
2 above: Women in America (and elsewhere)?
3 above: Clearly against America’s Income Unfairness, thus justifying higher taxation to assure better Income Equitability.
4 above: Clearly against numerous state laws that hinder or prevent public services unions.

I could go on, but then I should write a book about it, shouldn’t I.

Or someone should? Any takers … ?

Bush said; “history will be my judge”. Looks like he’s going to get his wish.