Hillary Clinton is American, owned by financial interests to whom she is completely in thrall, a rabid neo-conservative warmonger, completely uncritical of Israel and focused for any claim to be progressive entirely on identity politics. Which is also a precise description of today’s Guardian newspaper. The once august and intellectual title is now a shrill cheerleader for far right Blairites and wealthy American feminists.
The Guardian is as unabashed in its support for Clinton as in its support for the Blairites. The stream of “feminist” articles about why it would advance the cause of women to have a deeply corrupt right winger in the White House is steadily growing into a torrent. It is a perfect example of what I wrote of a month ago, the cause of feminism being hijacked to neo-conservative ends.
Bernie Sanders is not perfect – nobody is. But he understands that obscene and still burgeoning wealth inequality is the greatest problem of western society, and that the state framework supporting crazed banking structures is the root cause of this. The support for him is a sign of the inevitable popular reaction to the extreme inequality of society. Sanders is channelling that reaction effectively.
The establishment therefore circles its wagons around Hillary Clinton. The hope is that women can be persuaded it is an act of misogyny simply to stand in her way. The other great establishment hope is that the Democrat party machinery is so strong in black communities, that black Americans can be in effect ordered to vote for a woman who epitomises the system which disadvantages them, rather than an apostle of genuine change in the economic order. I retain hope the establishment may find that black Americans are cleverer than that.
The machinery used to manipulate identity politics – racial and gender – is all that Clinton has. If Clinton beats Sanders, it will be the perfect demonstration of the fact that identity politics has become the enemy of progress in society.
In the field of identity, Bernie Sanders would be the first non-Christian President of the United States. Would that not be wonderful in a country whose politicians feel the need to genuflect to swarms of religious evolution-denying nutters who believe foreign wars are good because they presage the Rapture?
And would it not be great if the first President since Carter not in thrall to Israel were Jewish?
Tony Sir,
I note that Zionists are high on the censorship and closing down dialogue that does not fit their strict criteria of what we may, or may not discuss. Indeed, I’ve grappled with them and crossed swords since my University days and am proud in my support to Palestinians and their rightful struggle for a just settlement over the disputed Holy Lands. However, even I find it difficult to forgive those who bomb and terrorise schools and hospitals, much as one could never forgive or forget the perpetrators of the Holocaust.
Again though I’m opposed to censorship and console myself with the fact that one can only have strong views and convictions if challenged to support them by others, but it is indeed a loss that posters are hounded off these boards for voicing their views and concerns, which certain types feel don’t adhere to certain principles that our Zionist friends lay down, all to trap us in an effort to accuse you of being an ‘anti-semite’, which seems to be a catch all phrase rolled out and abused as much as calling someone a fascist is, notwithstanding the facts that the goalposts seem to be forever moving.
If you’re demonstrating what you called “a trained (historical) mind” then bring on the great untrained (or “sheeple”/”peeps” as our friend Herbie would call them).
Chris Rogers, if you think the attempted insults are likely to stop any time soon, you are obviously a newcomer. Welcome. 🙂
“Indeed, I’ve grappled with them {ie, Zionists}and crossed swords since my University days..”
___________________
You’re a mighty warrior indeed. Albeit an internet one nowadays and perhaps you went to the odd mini-demo or two back then.
You probably got chucked off The Guardian’s blog because you were sending them a dozen comments a day, on Zionism and Israel I suppose.
Why should The Guardian act as a sounding board for someone who’s rather obviously obsessive?
Off to the supermarket car park with you! 🙂
O/T How do I know if I am blocked on Twitter? Anybody know?
Thanks, John
Ben-Sweden is the Saudi Arabia of Feminism
10 Feb, 2016 – 6:17 pm
http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=utf-8&fr=aaplw&p=pic+cop+pepper+spraying
While seriously unpleasant, I think (perhaps optimistically) that we can all agree that that does not rise to the level of “brutally crushed”. In fact, it doesn’t even rise to “crushed”, because the Occupy protests lasted for months after that day. While the protesters were occasionally prevented from demonstrating where they liked, at no point were they prevented from demonstrating at all, or even move to a place more than a few blocks away from where they wanted to protest.
——————————–
Chris Rogers
10 Feb, 2016 – 6:19 pm
I suggest you do some correspondence with Prof. David Graeber on the US-establishments treatment of the Occupy Movement – he was effectively hounded out of New York for his support of Occupy and direct action.
While I obviously don’t know the professor’s story, I suspect the word “effectively” and the passive voice are doing a lot of work here. Was it the government that did the hounding, his host university, or others again?
@Habbabkuk,
Until the time you post under your real name and identify yourself as I have no fear in doing, one will not take you seriously, nor will I fall into any of the bear traps you seem delighted in laying for many on these boards.
I make no demands of you, will not censor you but do me a favour and just ‘fuck off’ as in my neck of the woods in wales we don’t suffer fools gladly.
To all others, may I apologise for my use of profanity, which is much needed when dealing with certain types, particularly those who make great demands on others whilst offer zero in return, apart from more bear traps and ‘bait & switch’ techniques.
Now either grow up and grow some balls or shut up and bloody contribute.
@martinned,
It was US federal agencies, Prof. gabber having his apartment searched and trashed by both the NYPD and FBI – I trust that answers your enquiry?
That should of course read Prof. Graeber, one of the drawbacks of having a wireless keyboard I’m afraid.
“Speaking of politeness, who goes around calling people with whom he disagrees “fascists”, “supporters of torture”, racists”, etc…..?”
I say what I see. If a person has been supporting the fascists who stole power in a coup in Ukraine there is no doubt I will call that person a fascist supporter. If someone is a racist, religionist, or bigoted against Muslims and Islam I speak the truth. If they support torture or the perpetrators of torture I say what I think about them. But you’ve been quite good since your ban. Well done! 😀
“Speaking of politeness, who goes around calling people with whom he disagrees “fascists”, “supporters of torture”, racists”, etc…..?”
I say what I believe to be true. If a person has been supporting the fascists who stole power in a coup in Ukraine there is no doubt I will call that person a fascist supporter. If someone is a racist, religionist, or bigoted against Muslims and Islam I speak the truth. If they support torture or the perpetrators of torture I say what I think about them. But you’ve been quite good since your ban. Well done! ?
John Goss,
Yes, its not just slugs I have always been interested in, but Snails too.
In fact I have always found Snails fascinating creatures especially two completely different varieties I have come across in my life.
The first was in a very remote farmhouse in North Wales when I was about 7 years old. These snails were luminous..they lit up brightly at night (as did the sky – no air or street pollution)
The second kind of Snail I was fascinated in was much more recently – and not that far from home…it was an enormous white snail (by snail standards). I can understand why The French eat them..I couldn’t though – they are very rare in England.
As an aside, it is extremely rare for me to drink beer at lunch time – or in the week for that matter (except Wednesdays)…and it is also rare for me to do pub quizzes unless I am on holiday – with loads of different Nationalities…
but this was a 60’s pub quiz….
On the first 20 questions I got 17 right.
My wife looked at me in amazement.
Tony
I live in America these days, and there’s not a lot I’m going to disagree with in this post. But…
For all the questions against Hillary Clinton, I think people of my generation remember 2000 and what followed, and will do a lot to avoid a similar outcome. If it means backing Hillary, who is more likely to prevail against a Republican opponent, we’ll take that.
I also think (with the exception of foreign policy), she wraps relatively liberal positions in centrist clothing. For better or worse, that’s the Clinton MO. It’s how the Clintonites think you bring about change.
She’s likely to appoint Gary Gensler to a senior cabinet position – possibly Treasury Secretary – and although he’s a former Goldman partner, he is HATED by bankers. He was instrumental in pushing through the most far-reaching reforms mandated under Dodd-Frank, and the specter of him in a position of influence again will not go down well on Wall Street.
Wall St, for what it’s worth, is heavily Republican leaning these days; they do however hedge their bets, and are donating to Clinton, but they’d strongly prefer pretty much any Republican.
The other area to emphasize regarding the desirability of getting any Democrat into the White House is on Supreme Court appointments. The balance on the court right now is very precarious, pretty well every significant decision breaks 5-4. At least three judges are close to retirement, and the idea that a Republican president could start filling those gaps with Scalia clones should terrify anyone. At least two centrist or liberal justices are going to be needed soon, and we won’t have those if a Democrat is not in the White House.
None of this is a compelling, positive case for Clinton over Sanders – but it has a lot of buyers over here. And I don’t think it’s a case that can be dismissed out of hand either.
Habbabkuk,
I’m back again in “moderation” at The Guardian for pointing out how poor and biased its coverage was/is about Syria, namely what’s happening at Allepo – I’ve also been banned for complaining about the love affair The Guardian has with Apple Inc.
And yes, I’ve been moderated a few times when discussing Israel and Palestine, particularly from the keyboard of Freedland, who gets on my bloody nerves – I have 10 years of posting on CIF, but can’t be arsed to get a new Gmail account just to re-register with CIF.
Now please annoy elsewhere.
Re the crushing of the Occupy Movement, documents released under FOIA, indeed do reveal brutal tactics;
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/3/28/1373942/-Crushing-the-Occupy-Movement-How-Wall-Street-Used-Government-Forces-to-Suppress-Political-Dissent
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/29/fbi-coordinated-crackdown-occupy
David Graeber, besides being the thinker behind the Occupy movement, has written a great book, Debt – The First 5,000 Years, which has now appeared in an updated and expanded edition.
It was US federal agencies, Prof. gabber having his apartment searched and trashed by both the NYPD and FBI – I trust that answers your enquiry?
It does. It also reminds me of another thing that annoys me about law enforcement in the US: that the police can come and ransack your place without any requirement to leave things intact and more or less in its rightful place (or compensate you for the damage done).
@ John Goss,
I’m not exactly a newcomer, just had not got around to posting – I’ve been intrigued and visiting Craig’s Blog for about 12 months and find many of his views refreshing, and those of many of the poster i must add.
I’m not one for the mutual appreciation society and don’t mind anyone having a go at me for my views, I do take umbrage when fools continue with their baiting in order to effectively censor you – hence, one utilises language we utilise in the working mans clubs when chatting.
On the whole I find it pleasant here, as with some other Blogs I visit and am happy to contribute if I have something to say.
I do miss posting on The Guardian though, but times change and i need to move on.
Yuckkk.. Where’s the Sick Bucket.
Hellfire Clinton Standing close by.. Chuckles as the Evil Albright tells young women voters they would go to hell if they did not vote
Clinton… Now some are urging Albright, and Gloria Steinem, To be Dropped the campaign.
NO, Abright the Special place hell is certainly reserved for you –
Lesley Stahl on U.S. sanctions against Iraq:
We have heard that a half million children have died. I mean, that’s more children than died in Hiroshima. And, you know, is the price worth it?
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright: I think this is a very hard choice, but the price–we think the price is worth it.
—60 Minutes (5/12/96)
What Clinton’s pal Albright Thought was justified –
In protest at what 70 members of the US congress called “infanticide masquerading as policy,” Denis Halliday, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq who ran the sanctions regime, resigned in 1998. Noting the sanctions were causing the deaths of up to 5,000 children a month, Halliday bluntly stated: “We are in the process of destroying an entire society. It is as simple and terrifying as that. It is illegal and immoral.”
Speaking to journalist John Pilger, Halliday later explained: “I was instructed to implement a policy that satisfies the definition of genocide — a deliberate policy that has effectively killed well over a million individuals, children and adults.”
Halliday’s successor Von Sponeck resigned in protest two years later, asking in his resignation letter: “How long should the civilian population of Iraq be exposed to such punishment for something they have never done?” Later he told Pilger: “I have not in the past wanted to use the word genocide, but now it is unavoidable.”
Making a hat-trick, Jutta Burghardt, head of the UN World Food Programme in Iraq, resigned two days after Von Sponeck, describing the sanctions regime as “a true humanitarian tragedy.”
With a few honourable exceptions such as Pilger, Tony Benn and George Galloway, the response of the British political class and media was either to ignore or dismiss the fact sanctions were killing Iraqis on a mass scale.
According to the media watchdog Media Lens, in 2003 Halliday was mentioned in just two of the 12,366 Guardian and Observer articles mentioning Iraq. Von Sponeck was mentioned a grand total of five times in the same year. Von Sponeck’s book on the sanctions has never been reviewed in the British press, and has been mentioned just once — by the veteran Middle East correspondent Robert Fisk.
@Chris Rogers, the troll clown “Habbabkuk” is not worth engagig with, normally best ignored, but lately he’s been attracting a collection of simple replies of “Piss off Troll”, which is just as good ! 😀
@martinned,
As stated, if you have a real interest in Prof. Graeber he really is a most open fellow and generous too – again, he does not take well to fools though, but if you are in London and get a chance to visit Graeber when he’s teaching at the LSE go for it.
I am glad some other people now appreciate the merits of the ancient Athenian political system, which I think is the only (partial) exception to Robert Michels’s Iron Law of Oligarchy.
@Lysias,
Graeber has an astute mind and his latest book on bureaucracy is well worth reading, his book on Money is a must read.
For your info David associates with many of the leaders of the Heterodox School of Thought in Economics, most notably Prof. Steve Keen and Michael Hudson, most of whom I know personally or at least have correspondence with.
If anyone knows the email address of Norman Finkelstein I’d be impressed, I cannot fathom out his email at the Turkish Uni he now teaches at but would love to correspond with him. Truly a remarkable scholar and intellect, up there with Chomsky – a great shame he’s hounded out of US academia. So much for freedom of speech!!!!!!!
Finkelstein’s Wikipedia entry only says he taught at ORTADOĞU ENSTİTÜSÜ [Middle East Institute] – Sakarya Üniversitesi [Sakarya University] in 2014-15. Is he still teaching there?
The institute’s URL appears to be http://ormer.sakarya.edu.tr .
Good post. Hillary Clinton is certainly a prototype establishment politician. Her ascendency to POTUS would be another disappointment for American politics. Business as usual would be her MO.
Sanders and Trump, whatever their massive differences, are establishment outsiders. Provided they each have integrity, the election of either could shake things up.
Then again, we said that about Obama.
Hi Chris… Re Prof Finkelsteine –
http://normanfinkelstein.com/
I recently read Michael Hudson’s Killing the Host: How Financial Parasites and Debt Bondage Destroy the Global Economy. I think it is also a great book.
I find it extremely difficult, well almost impossible, to explain anything, even the basics, to people who think they know about anything, when their main source of information is what they read in a Newspaper or see on The News on TV.
In fact, I have almost given up, because The Propaganda is so STRONG, and They Know They are Right.
I just grit my teeth and try to smile, otherwise they get extremely upset and angry with me for gently trying to tell them the Truth…
There is no way, they can believe it. They have read it in a Newspaper – and Seen it on TV….so they “Know” its True.
It simply is not worth The Grief.
Argument never changed anyone’s mind, even when what is happening is impoverishing them.
Tony
Try the Contact Button Chris. Let us Know if it works for ya.
That normanfinkelstein.com Web site says Finkelstein will be speaking in the UK Mar. 7-11, 2016, and that he is currently scheduled to speak at the Universities of Oxford and Bristol.