Rebel or Perish

Stephen Lendman, Contributor
Activist Post

A previous article discussed what perhaps is the most perilous time in world history. American-led Western societies are waging war on humanity.

Imperial war is a way of life. Social democracies are being eliminated. Freedom is on the chopping block to be crushed. Elections are meaningless and farcical.

America’s are the worst. They mock legitimacy. Money power controls them. It runs the country and most societies. People have no say. They’re ill-served and stomped on by governments in bed with corporatist rogues.

Media scoundrels serve wealth and power interests. Managed news misinformation is featured. Former Wall Street Journal writer Greg Jaffe now writes on military issues for the Washington Post.

His latest article calls the world “safer.” Measured by most relevant statistics, he says, America and the world “have never been safer.”

No legitimate journalist would claim it. No respectable editor would publish it.

At a time Western nations wage permanent war, crack down repressively against dissent, and inflict unprincipled hardships on people, Jaffe claims “global statistics point undeniably toward progress in achieving greater peace and stability.”

He credits massive military spending. He advocates “peace through strength.” He wants more of the same at a time America spends more than the rest of the world combined.

Unprincipled amounts devoted to foreign and domestic militarism make everyone less safe. Humanity may be destroyed to save it. Nuclear war is possible.

The Middle East cauldron could erupt in mushroom-shaped cloud destruction. Nuclear winter could follow. When America and other nuclear powers consider these type weapons king-sized hand grenades, the worst of all outcomes is possible.

When war is a way of life, bad endings happen. Priority one is preventing it. Militarists are power hungry rogues. They’re amoral, unethical, deceitful, and manipulative. They breach social and legal standards.

They never say they’re sorry. They’re callously unconcerned about others. They’re indifferent to human suffering. They’re sociopaths. They’re clinically insane. They threaten humanity.

Bertrand Russell once explained two options. Either we renounce war and live in peace or end the human race. There’s no in between. Survival depends on ending global militarism and belligerence before it’s too late.

Occupy Wall Street is right saying “the only solution is world revolution.” The alternative is what no one should tolerate. Indifference and/or acquiescence aren’t options. Rebel or perish. There’s no in between.

A previous article said vote independent or stay home. Another option is voting with your feet and opting out.

America’s duopoly offers the evil of two lessers. Trends watcher Gerald Celente said voting for Obama or Romney is choosing between two evils. “Lessor or greater, evil is evil.”

Replacing one rogue with another assures permanent rogue governance. Money and power triumph every time. So do institutionalized imperialism, global wars and homeland repression. Ordinary people always lose.

Moral degeneracy defines America. Human lives and welfare don’t matter. Post-election, nothing will change. Ahead expect worse. Bipartisan complicity assures it.

Might over right is policy. So is prioritizing America’s 1% over all others. They want it all. They intend to get it. They’re well on their way. How much poverty, homelessness, hunger, and human misery are tolerable?

How long will people accept global wars over peace? Who’ll volunteer to sacrifice personal welfare so America can run the world?

Who’ll put up with duopoly power in place of societies fit to live in? Who’s willing to accept a global holocaust? Who’ll watch while nations are consumed in war, mass destruction, and elimination of freedom? Who’ll make the ultimate sacrifice for the wrong reason?

Who’s foolish enough to think elections matter? In Venezuela they do. It’s the exception that proves the rule. In America and other Western societies, they perpetuate what no one should tolerate.

George Bernard Shaw was right saying, “Democracy is a form of government that substitutes elections by the incompetent many for the appointment of the corrupt few.”

Obama proved it by governing to the right of George Bush. He wages war on humanity, has looted the nation’s wealth, wrecked the economy, sacrificed people needs, institutionalized tyranny, and presides over a bogus democracy under a repressive police state apparatus. Imagine what he’ll do if reelected.

Prior to his 2008 election, James Petras called him “the greatest con man in recent history.” After nearly four years of globally destructive policies, he still has half the country’s support. Adherents will have to explain.

In his latest article, Petras said Obama surpassed the worst of George Bush. If reelected, expect hugely regressive policies causing greater harm.

People who should know better support him. “(L)iberals have crossed the line,” said Petras. In the process, they “surrender(ed) their integrity” and good sense.

So-called liberal publications lost their credibility long ago. Nation magazine is one of the worst. Editor/publisher Katrina vanden Heuvel masquerades as a progressive. She’s an establishment figure.

She’s a Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) member. She’s welcomed on corporate TV. The Washington Post features her articles.

Her maternal grandfather founded the entertainment conglomerate MCA. Her father was executive assistant to former Thailand ambassador William Donovan. He was involved in the CIA’s creation.

Her father also held other government posts and served as a Farfield Foundation board member. During the Cold War, it was a CIA front group. It’s now defunct.

Vanden Heuvel and other Nation magazine writers unabashedly support Obama. They pretend Democrats differ from Republicans. Their blind idolatry and contempt for truth betray their readers.

After Obama’s 2008 nomination, vanden Heuvel said his “election will open a new era of reform.” His Senate voting record proved otherwise. It was hardline Republican. As president, he exceeded it. Nation magazine still supports him. It misstates, twists and avoids hard truths doing so. It endorses what it should condemn.

Popular social movements under Obama were marginalized. Peace advocacy “virtually disappeared,” said Petras. Obama rewarded adherents with “escalat(ed) military spending” and permanent wars.

Homeland repression escalated. Obama’s kill list threatens everyone everywhere. Legislation he demanded gave him diktat power.

On his say alone, anyone can be imprisoned indefinitely uncharged and untried. Constitutional rights no longer exist. Imagine choosing four more years sure to get worse.

Supporting Obama over Romney is like choosing cyanide over strychnine. Both assure permanent wars, corporate empowerment, greater poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and hunger, as well as harsh crackdowns on resisters.

Neither gives a damn about people needs, rule of law principles or other democratic values. Expect the worst ahead. Living standards will keep eroding. Social benefits will disappear. People most in need won’t be helped.

Mindless adherents of either candidate will have themselves to blame. America’s Green Party says “ANOTHER US IS POSSIBLE – ANOTHER PARTY IS NECESSARY.”

Change depends on ending duopoly power. Ordinary people must do it. No one else will. There’s no other way. Consider the options. Rebel or perish!

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at [email protected]. His new book is titled How Wall Street Fleeces America: Privatized Banking, Government Collusion and Class War. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening. http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/