Building the Alternatives to stop the march to Global War

20 posts / 0 new

Tue, 2017-01-03 10:54

iyraste1313

02.01.2017 Author: Tony Cartalucci Syria’s War Was Only Ever the Beginning

With the liberation of the city of Aleppo in northern Syria, it appears that the Syrian government in Damascus is on its way to ending the highly destructive conflict now ongoing for nearly 6 years.

But to assume the Syrian conflict is on the verge of resolution is to assume the Syrian conflict was fought in a geopolitical vacuum, disconnected from regional, even global agendas.

In fact, the proxy war the West waged on Syria was considered for the years before it began, during its planning and preparation stages, as only a prerequisite for war with Iran and a greater global conflict to prevent the reemergence of Russia and the rise of China.
http://journal-neo.org/2017/01/02/syrias-war-was-only-ever-the-beginning/

....rarely have I seen so sucinct and clear analysis of the neoliberal war agenda plus offerings of potential forces to stop it.....

May I elaborate somehat?

That we must build our networks and communities not just to disrupt this war agenda, its suppliers and financiers, its media propagandists, but to build our alternate economies in noncooperation with these forces of ecocide...that our local entities must engage in Alliances in support of the development of multipolar powers...

and above all that we must build an alternative political expression, subject to the will of our grass roots networks...

...forget the politics of neoliberalism, its Canadian bought and paid for political institutions

May 2017 see this expression in Canada

Wed, 2017-01-04 12:54

Martin N.

Surely the Russian government stands ready to assist in building "an alternative political expression"? As Canada forgets "the politics of neoliberalism", no doubt by reducing nationalistic tendencies toward defence and 'interfering' globally we can, of course, be reminded daily by the forces of post-national nirvana that Russian endeavours at forgetting to forget their own nationalism is merely 'levelling the playing field'.

Wed, 2017-01-04 13:04

Unionist

Martin N. wrote:
As Canada forgets "the politics of neoliberalism", no doubt by reducing nationalistic tendencies toward defence and 'interfering' globally...

Don't worry, Martin, the hirelings and hackers of Russia and China will never weaken our nationalistic resolve to surround Canada with a hyper-modern defence shield, while maintaining a robust readiness to bring Freedom and Democracy to wherever in the world things are starting to look a bit messy. We are still, in fact, the True North Strong and Free™, even if those social justice warriors made us change "all thy sons" to "all of us".

Wed, 2017-01-04 13:11

Michael Moriarity

Unionist wrote:

Martin N. wrote:
As Canada forgets "the politics of neoliberalism", no doubt by reducing nationalistic tendencies toward defence and 'interfering' globally...

Don't worry, Martin, the hirelings and hackers of Russia and China will never weaken our nationalistic resolve to surround Canada with a hyper-modern defence shield, while maintaining a robust readiness to bring Freedom and Democracy to wherever in the world things are starting to look a bit messy. We are still, in fact, the True North Strong and Free™, even if those social justice warriors made us change "all thy sons" to "all of us".

Wed, 2017-01-04 15:43

Martin N.

Unionist wrote:

Martin N. wrote:
As Canada forgets "the politics of neoliberalism", no doubt by reducing nationalistic tendencies toward defence and 'interfering' globally...

Don't worry, Martin, the hirelings and hackers of Russia and China will never weaken our nationalistic resolve to surround Canada with a hyper-modern defence shield, while maintaining a robust readiness to bring Freedom and Democracy to wherever in the world things are starting to look a bit messy. We are still, in fact, the True North Strong and Free™, even if those social justice warriors made us change "all thy sons" to "all of us".

Thank you for your support, unionist. As a social justice warrior on the lower rungs of the social justice ladder, I am most pleased with the inclusiveness gained with the admittedly small victory of a two word change in our anthem. The next battle is, of course, to repudiate the nationalism of our national anthem in favour of post-nationalist inclusiveness. Perhaps a melding of the Maple Leaf Forever and the Internationale with music by one of the gloomier Russian composers. .......While support from the bubblier end of the socialist order is gratefully accepted, we at the sharp end much prefer new or gently used winter coats and sleeping bags to the benefit of your opinion. ....I am afraid, however, that with much trepidation at the thought of your lowly humble servant advising such an obvious sophisticate, I must disabuse you of the notion that Canada has any capability, other than the stern moral superiority of our liberal elites, to defend our nation much less bring Freedom, robust or not, anywhere. The most Canada is capable of is sending a Mountie out on a skidoo to offer a courtesy exhaust emissions inspection on any invader's vehicles.

Fri, 2017-01-06 12:26

Martin N.

Hm. Not much interest in building alternatives etc,etc. Building alternatives or building anything at all is hard work. Thankless as well, compared to the delights offered by vicarious commentary on recent progressive political setbacks. ....Is it not enough to offer one's heartfelt emotional plea for 'peace' without all that bothersome building stuff to present as credentials to the Gods of Progressive Thought?

R2P. ....Responsibility to Progress.

Fri, 2017-01-06 12:46

ikosmos

The anti-war and peace movement is both very weak in this country and its improvement and strenthening would improve the political climate immensely IMHO. Reading Yves Engler's most recent book - A Propaganda System - shows, with minute detail, how the Canadian military has the largest Public Relations Machinery in Canada, by far.

Canadians are brainwashed on war and peace. Yeah, I'm really sorry for the "over-top-language" but it summarizes things very well. Anti-war and peace activists really have to be knowledgeable, astute, and broad-minded to be both inclusive and able to focus on the real enemy of peace in this country.

It's hard work but it's worth it. In certain regions of this country (I'm thinking Maritimes in particular), the military propaganda machine has the added benefit of government jobs connected to the military in areas of high unemployment. We need to study the enemy and carefully too.

Fri, 2017-01-06 15:57

Martin N.

There is a reason that Canada's centralized military bases are situated close to the nation's finer golf courses and it has nothing to do with defending the country. It takes months upon months to send a couple of hundred trainers anywhere but let negative developments appear and legions of PR drudges are instantly deployed. Their mandate is not in defence of National Defence but covering the government's involvement. ....I'm not sure if it's brainwashing or simply lack of interest in the issue that is easily distracted into Where's Waldo - Trudeau holiday edition or Mariah's failing assets. Trudeau the Lesser follows in his father's footsteps.

Fri, 2017-01-06 18:08

ikosmos

Well, Engler points out the immense resources in the service of selling the Canadian military view of the world and of Canada. I think this begins to explain the shocking disjunction between, for example, Canada's imperial role in the world and the deluded fairy tale that so many Canadian believe about their country.

Fri, 2017-01-06 20:40

#10

epaulo13

..don't believe the anti war/peace movement is weak in canada. i marched across burrard bridge in the early ‘80 with more than 100,000 other folks. this has not gone away and it not that today more of us are wanting more war.

..what has changed is the organizing approach. those movements are now part and parcel of the climate justice struggles. by creating coalitions under climate justice we gain in strength and numbers. and we become more inclusive. eg: when we struggle to end colonization, implement undrip, stop pipelines we are being anti war and for peace.

Fri, 2017-01-06 21:19

#11

Martin N.

You forgot weakening Canada's economy, eroding quality of life, implementing decades of deficits and minimizing the tools at Canada's disposal to counter negative global influences.......In spite of the communal antieverything activist claims of 'growing support', there is little evidence of this phenomonum in polls or elections. ..........Global warming, climate change and now, climate justice. What, exactly, is the goal of this melded "climate justice" movement other than anti-war?

Fri, 2017-01-06 21:25

#12

epaulo13

..there are all kinds of threads here talking about those very things coming from the movements perspective. and i know you had a look and that there is much you disagree with.

Fri, 2017-01-06 23:24

#13

Martin N.

You know I had a look but you only assume I disagree. While I have no disagreement with younger generations agitating for the global outcomes they desire, I do have reservations about the damage they do to the present quality of life, especially to the vulnerable. The unseemly haste with which the activists want climate "justice" belies the pace that technological change can both be financed and implemented. I disagree with ruining the present for nebulous gains in the future.

Sat, 2017-01-07 11:51

#14

Martin N.

epaulo13 wrote:

..there are all kinds of threads here talking about those very things coming from the movements perspective. and i know you had a look and that there is much you disagree with.

But, you came to this thread. Likely because no one comes to the cult of "all kinds of threads" that harangue the faithful and castigate the critics. Perhaps knocking on doors Saturday morning will drum up interest more successfully. For all your claims of legions of supporters, you can barely lay claim to the odd mercy post on your many threads, me among them.

Sat, 2017-01-07 13:13

#15

epaulo13

..your language is toxic and abusive. it discourages open debate. i won’t engage with you while this continues.

Sat, 2017-01-07 13:25

#16

ikosmos

epaulo13 wrote:
..don't believe the anti war/peace movement is weak in canada. i marched across burrard bridge in the early ‘80 with more than 100,000 other folks. this has not gone away and it not that today more of us are wanting more war.

I was simply arguing that the anti war/peace movement could play a much larger role in Canada than it currently does and that a key factor - is the role of pro war military propaganda here in Canada ... whose leading proponent, and actor, is the Canadian military and its gigantic PR octopus.

Your other point is interesting ... the idea that Canadian peaceniks have essentially moved over to the "green" struggle.

Sun, 2017-01-08 05:01

#17

epaulo13

ikosmos wrote:

epaulo13 wrote:
..don't believe the anti war/peace movement is weak in canada. i marched across burrard bridge in the early ‘80 with more than 100,000 other folks. this has not gone away and it not that today more of us are wanting more war.

I was simply arguing that the anti war/peace movement could play a much larger role in Canada than it currently does and that a key factor - is the role of pro war military propaganda here in Canada ... whose leading proponent, and actor, is the Canadian military and its gigantic PR octopus.

..my post was not meant to challenge this perse. i'm not historian re the peace movement but have some thoughts on it.

..the day of that march across the bridge different factions were pulling at demonstrators to go different ways. i understand that in demos of this size this can happens. but this factonal thing carried on afterwards and you saw each year afterwards decline in numbers. they were not able to build on that 100,000.

..at the same time those folks marching were not a part of the peace movement in the same way the peace anti war organizers were. they were progressive leaning folk from all walks of life. they were involved in other struggles which were their main focus. so unions, social activists, feminist groups, environmentalist and just regular folk despising war. i'd like to stress this distinction.

Your other point is interesting ... the idea that Canadian peaceniks have essentially moved over to the "green" struggle.

..i'm not suggesting that. i'm saying now there is a place that encompasses the peace anti war aspect. nobody really moved and i'm not even sure their is a peaceniks. the leap is an example and it goes way beyond the green struggle. environmental justice encompasses far more than green and is a rallying point. a place to come together and collaborate. it's a change in organizing strategy but not just that. at the heart of it is self determination.

Sun, 2017-01-08 17:04

#18

Martin N.

epaulo13 wrote:

..your language is toxic and abusive. it discourages open debate. i won’t engage with you while this continues.

Oh dear. I am direct and to the point. You dance about avoiding the subject, now deflecting the conversation to your hurt feelings. I am a product of more than several decades of life in the real world, not the rarified air of academe and climate justice advocacy and not much given to societal niceties. It is not my intent to be toxic or abusive, rather to gain some insight into an activist phenomenon whose reach exceeds its grasp.

Sun, 2017-01-08 18:49

#19

Edzell

epaulo13 wrote:
..your language is toxic and abusive. it discourages open debate. i won’t engage with you while this continues.

Is this addressed to all of us or someone in particular?

Sun, 2017-01-08 18:56

#20

epaulo13

Edzell wrote:

epaulo13 wrote:
..your language is toxic and abusive. it discourages open debate. i won’t engage with you while this continues.

Is this addressed to all of us or someone in particular?

..it was to address martin n.