I
have had to step back since the US election earlier in the week –
partially to take stock but also because,in addition to continuing to
feel generally unwell have had a sore back that has affected
everything and has refused to go away.
In
the last five or so years I have had to reassess many previous
assumptions.
Through
most of my life I have been on the Left and a socialist but
rapidly-developing events have seen me reassess this.
Frstly,
Mike Ruppert helped me to see that any political philosophy (whether
neo-liberalism or socialism) is based on the assumption of “more”,
of ‘infinite growth”
Then,
the more I know about abrupt and catastrophic climate change the more
I realise that nobody has any solutions – because the problems are
inherent in what Guy McPherson calls “this set of living
arrangements”.
Or
to take another quote, we’re “damned if we do and damned if we
don’t."
The
Left, and in particular,socialism, has always meant for me, social
ownership and control of the means of production and has always
implied being part of the movement against imperialism, fascism and
for peace.
It
has never meant “progressive” social policies, still less
“political correctness”.
My
sense of social justice has meant that I am sympathetic to feminism
and to rights for the gay community (right up to being happy to give
some support to same-sex marriage).
However,
what I have been observing Is that the liberal Left has put these
policies on a pedestal while vilifying societies that have made
rational choices not to follow the western model, as “fascist”.
This
has reached the point where “reasonable” people, people I would
have hobnobbed with in the past are baying for war with Russia and
wanting to destroy Syria and very obviously – its Christian
communites.
Now
we are seeing these self-same “democrats” who were accusing
Donald Trump of violence and racism while going out into the street
and expressing their disagreement (often in a less than peaceful
manner) with the result of a democratic election where a majority
voted for Trump.
Actually,
probably not so much more for Trump but against war, against
corruption and cronyism. They are expressing shock and anger over
something that they should have seen a mile off. They should have
been able to see Wikileaks and the inconvenient (for them) truths
that were being revealed.
Instead
of that we have a violent reaction and even calls for Trump’s
assasination.
This
has been bizarre for me because I have been forced to listen to
voices I would have eshewed in the past. Fox News, Paul Joseph
Watson, Alex Jones and Info Wars for God’s sake! I have to
reluctantly recognise that these people that I dislike intensely
often (far from always!) carry a lot of truth – certainy more than
CNN or the Guardian!
There
is disinformation on both sides of the divide so we have to
constantly be on the look-out if we want the truth but events are
moveing so quickly that I have to admit I can’t double-check
everything I post. I certainly don’t stand by everything but by
posting different, often opposing viewpoints that people can make up
their own minds and find some clarity in contradictory and confusing
events.
In
short, I see Trump as a consequence, even a symbol.
What
we are witnessing is an impersonal process in which everything is
breaking down at the same time . Trump, Clinton, Obama and all the
others are no more or no less actors in this drama.
Take
Trump out of the picture and there would have been another Trump
These
are my rather confused thoughts right now.
In
the meantime everyone with honesty and integrity that is feeling fear
and uncertainty in the midst of these events that I don’t see
calming down in any way, has my thoughts and prayers. Case in point is Paul Joseph Watson who is ahrd to disagree with in this video
Ditto
I
was rather impressed by Steve of Israeli News. Instead of taking
questions about a story about convoys of buses in Austin, Texas.
Instead of defending a fixed position, or still worse "debunking"
a story he tries his best to investigate and see where the truth
lies.
The
people of Facebook who "debunk", solely based on the source
are lazy and, in my mind contemptible.
I
am unable to follow every story up with this details and can
mistakes.
Mistakes
is what they are.
Chris
Hedges is absolutely right here. The failure of the political class
in the Untied States has led to the unleashing of forces that can
only be described as proto-fascist although right now we are seeing
the violence, racism and anti-democratic stance is coming from the
Left.
It is normal to protest against the actions of politicians – it is unprecedented to protest against the result of an election and call for the removal (or worse) of a politician on that basis.
It is (perhaps) unrecedented for mainstream media to be cheering on mass protest on the streets. Where was CNN with Occupy Wall Street or the ongong DAPL protests?
Postscript: the only things that are absolutely predictable is social and political breakdown and collapse and ultimately the complet collapse of human, industrial society and the extinction of homo sapiens.
Compared to the political/economic rollercoaster in Brazil, House of Cards is kindergarten play."
---Pepe Escobar
Unrest
in Brazil: Fight against corruption or colour revolution?
This video is from Luke Rudkowsky. Are we talking about a popular revolution against a corrupt regime or is this a color revolution organised from the Empire? Brazilian, Pepe Escobar is a voice that I would trust.
3.6
Million People Take To The Streets, Demand Revolution In Brazil
Compared
to the political/economic rollercoaster in Brazil, House of Cards is
kindergarten play.
Only
three days after massive street demonstrations calling for the
impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff, and less than two weeks
after his legally dubious four-hour detention for
questioning, former Brazilian President Lula is about to
spectacularly re-enter the Brazilian government as a Minister,
actually a Super-Minister.
This
is Rousseff’s one and only chess move left amidst an unprecedented
political/economic crisis. Predictably, she will be accused on all
fronts – from comprador elites to Wall Street - of having abdicated
in favor of Lula, while Lula will be accused of hiding from the
two-year-old Car Wash corruption investigation.
Lula
and his protégé Dilma had two make-or-break, face-to-face meetings
in Brasilia, Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, discussing the
detailed terms of his re-entry. At first, Lula would only accept a
post in government if he becomes Government Secretary – in charge
of political articulation; he would then be part of the hardcore hub
that really decides Brazilian policy.
But
then, according to a government minister, who requested anonymity,
surged the suggestion of Lula as Chief of Staff – the most
important ministry post in Brazil.
What’s
certain is that Lula is bound to become a sort of ‘Prime Minister’
– implying carte blanche to drastically change Dilma’s wobbly
economic policy and forcefully reconnect with the Workers’ Party’s
large social base, which is mired in deep distress under massive cuts
in social spending. If Lula pulls it off – and that’s a major
“if” - he will also be perfectly positioned as a presidential
candidate for the 2018 Brazilian elections, to the despair of the
right-wing media-old elite-economic complex.
Lula’s
next role, institutionally, will combine coordinating measures to
re-start Brazil’s growth while at the same time realigning the
government’s base in Brazil’s notoriously corrupt Congress. He
will be immune from the Car Wash investigation – but he can still
be investigated by the Brazilian Supreme Court.
The
comeback kid?
Lula’s
task is nothing short of Sisyphean. How much political capital the
former most admired politician in the world retains (Obama: “That’s
the guy”) is open to serious questioning. Even a whiff of the prime
ministerial possibility being floated early in the week was enough to
plunge the Sao Paulo stock market and drive the US dollar up again.
His fight with
the Goddess of the Market will be classic High Noon.
Lula
always privileged balanced budgets and the government’s
credibility. For instance, as he ascended to power way back in 2003,
he placed former BankBoston ace Henrique Meirelles at the Central
Bank and immediately went for a fiscal adjustment, sanitizing
expenses and taming inflation.
Lula
is not against a fiscal adjustment per se – which Brazil badly
needs; the problem is Dilma’s own, bumbled adjustment went really
hardcore on the Brazilian working classes and lower middle classes,
including a raid on unemployment insurance. Lula is essentially
against the working classes being excessively punished – which will
only depress the economy even further. The proof that what he did in
2003 was the right thing – and was part of a calculated long game –
is that Brazil was growing at 7.5 percent a year in 2010.
A
media beast as effective as Bill Clinton in his glory days, Lula will
also switch to non-stop PR offensive – something that the Dilma
administration simply does not master. When in power, he always
explained his policies in layman’s terms, for instance exhorting
people to go shopping and to use the credit his administration was
providing. But these were the good old times; now it’s a toxic
environment of no consumption, no investment, and no credit.
Still,
Lula is bound to bring Meirelles – a Wall Street favorite - back to
the Central Bank. Meirelles has already advanced deeply unpopular
reforms are essential if Brazil wants to regain its competitiveness.
All
eyes on the Supreme Court
The
Lula game-changer is not about to turn the whole complex chessboard
upside down; it will instead make it even more unpredictable. The
hegemonic judicial-politico-media-old elite-economic complex was
screaming for Rousseff’s impeachment as late as last weekend. Yet
now nobody knows what post-impeachment Brazil would look like.
Under
the current juncture, a Rousseff impeachment - who has not been
formally accused on any wrongdoing - translates as a white coup. One
of the first acts of ‘Prime Minister’ Lula, a master negotiator,
as he seizes the chessboard, will be to offer a – what else -
negotiated solution to the crisis, which will imply this
administration stays on, including Vice President Temer, whose
political party is the PMDB, currently allied with the Workers’
Party.
In
parallel, the Brazilian Attorney General has already collected
information on the notorious coke snorting loser of the last
presidential elections, right-wing opposition leader Aecio Neves, who
among other feats maintains an illegal bank account in Liechtenstein
under his mother’s name. He’s bound to be fully investigated.
investigate
a cast of thousands, from Lula and Dilma’s current Vice President
Temer to Neves and the current Education Minister.
At
the same time the heavily politicized, Hollywood-worthy Car Wash
investigation will keep firing on all cylinders even as the chief
targets – Rousseff impeached and Lula in chains – become more
elusive. Their key strategy is clear; to intimidate virtually
everybody. The federal prosecutors behind Car Wash want to blow up
any possibility of a political agreement in Brasilia – even at the
price of plunging Brazil into civil war mixed with further economic
depression.
It’s
also clear that without the Brazilian Supreme Court effectively
policing the myriad excesses of the Car Wash investigation, there is
zero possibility of Brazil emerging from its dire politico-economic
crisis.
And
all this while impeachment enters ‘Walking Dead mode’.
Institutionally, an impeachment fast track could last only 45 days.
That’s all the time Lula would have to sew up a grand bargain by
proving to the PMDB party that the Rousseff administration has become
economically viable.
Before
the Lula game-changer, referring to the offensive against Lula, Dilma
and the Workers’ Party, crack historian Paulo Alves de Lima told
me, “We’re on the verge of a new stage of a rolling
counter-revolution, of an even more restricted democracy, unbearably
pregnant with arrogance and institutional violence. We’re closer to
Pinochet, to the ideal state enshrined by Friedmanesque
neoliberalism.
We’re on the verge of mass fascism, which is a big
novelty in Brazil.”
The
Pinochet specter, of right-wingers seizing power just like in Brazil
in 1964 and Chile in 1973, may be partially exorcized – for now.
But make no mistake: the next few days are bound to be epic. Judge
Moro, Car Wash’s Elliot Ness, allied with the Globo media empire,
will go no holds barred to prevent any possibility of a political
agreement in Brasilia brokered by Lula. Because this would mean Lula
not only as Prime Minister, but as President – again – in 2018.
Total war starts now.
From Zero Hedge
Head
Of Brazilian Central Bank Ready To Quit Amid Political Insanity
It
seems as though Brazil can’t get through a single day without some
piece of political news or economic data creating confusion and
turmoil.
Last
weekend, millions of Brazilians took to the streets to call for the
ouster of President Dilma Rousseff whose political career and legacy
hang in the balance.
An
impeachment bid tied to allegations she cooked the fiscal books in
2014 looms large and when the ever-expanding car wash probe ensnared
former President (and Rousseff mentor) Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva,
some assumed it was just a matter of time before Dilma buckled under
the pressure.
But
Rousseff had other plans.
Just
as a Sao Paulo state judge said a decision on Lula’s arrest should
fall to federal judge Sergio Moro, Dilma
offered Lula a ministry position.
In his new position, he plans to revive the flagging economy with
what the market assumes will be a series of leftist policies. That
explains why the BRL retraced all of the gains it posted when Lula
was first detained.
Of
course Lula himself denies that he would pursue policies that may
harm the country's fiscal position. According to Valor, Lula’s
plans wouldn’t include a shift to the left. Nor would they include
expanding credit. Or rate cuts. Or tapping Brazil’s FX reserves. Or
social security reform. In short, it isn’t exactly clear what they
would include but whatever the case, “investors
see risk of government resorting to an economic policy shift in a
last-ditch attempt to save President Rousseff’s mandate,”
Luciano Rostagno, chief strategist at Banco Mizuho do Brasil told
Bloomberg in a phone interview.
And
it’s not just investors that are unnerved.
BCB
President Alexandre Tombini is reportedly “giving signs” that he
may resign.
“The
possible nomination of Lula points to deep economic policy changes,
with repercussions in monetary policy and FX policy,” Valor
reported on Wednesday, explaining Tombini’s reservations about
Lula’s new post. The BCB chief worries Lula may tap FX reserves and
put pressure on Tombini to cut rates, Valor continues, without citing
sources.
Apparently,
Lula has already moved to replace him. According to Veja,"Lula
has invited Henrique Meirelles to assume the central bank chief post.
Needless
to say, this is all weighing heavily on the BRL:
Meanwhile, Senator
Delcídio do Amaral - whose arrest
in November unnerved
markets and suggested sitting lawmakers are not in fact immune from
investigation - copped a plea-bargain and gave testimony
which indicates that Rousseff knew of and tried to cover up bribery
at Petrobras.
"According
to the plea documents released Tuesday, Ms.
Rousseff was aware of all the details of the 2006 purchase of an oil
refinery in Pasadena, Texas.
Prosecutors suspect Petrobras used the
refinery deal to generate funds it allegedly used to pay for millions
of dollars of bribes and
personally benefit some
Petrobras executives, according to the
documents," WSJ
recounts,
adding that "Mr. do Amaral also alleged Ms. Rousseff pressured
Justice Minister José Eduardo Cardozo to free jailed suspects caught
up in the graft probe, according to the documents. Mr. Cardozo left
his post in late February, saying he was weary of 'political and
personal pressure,' without being more specific."
Amaral
also says Rousseff's former chief of staff and current Education
Minister, Aloizio Mercadante tried to pay for his silence,
allegations which Brazilian weekly Veja says it can prove via tape
recordings. Lula is also implicated in the testimony.
According
to the latest, Lula is set to become Rousseff's Chief of Staff.
As
you can see, this is a veritable circus. Throw in the fact that Lower
House Speaker Eduardo Cuhna, the ringleader of the bid to impeach
Rousseff, is himself facing impeachment for hiding Swiss bank
accounts, and you have a political dynamic that is just about as
poisonous as one could possibly imagine.
We
wish Brazil's beleaguered populace the best of luck in tossing the
whole lot of them, because unless and until someone cleans house, the
economic malaise is going to continue and the BRL will never have any
lasting respite.
President
Dilma Rousseff appoints predecessor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in
attempt to lift approval ratings
Former
Brazilian president Luiz
Inácio Lula da Silva has
been named chief of staff in the government of Dilma Rousseff, as the
embattled leader reshuffles her cabinet in a desperate attempt to
stay in office.
The
decision means that the former president, currently under criminal
investigation for corruption and money-laundering, will not have to
face any eventual trial in an ordinary criminal court. As a
government minister, he will be entitled to the so-called “privileged
forum” of a hearing in Brazil’s supreme court.
While
the decision will help to shore up support for Rousseff’s flailing
government among the trade union movement and others loyal to the
former president, it will enrage yet further the anti-government
movement that took to the streets on Sunday in
the country’s largest ever protests.
Ukrainian
security forces brought in the units of the Right Sector to
Konstantinovka, Donetsk region, to suppress mass riots. The night
before people came out on the streets to demand a punishment for the
Ukrainian soldiers who ran over and killed an 8 year-old girl. The
expertise has confirmed that the driver was drunk.
The
adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Anton Gerashenko
announced that the soldiers will shoot to kill.
Despite
restrictions from the authorities, about a hundred people gathered at
the site of the accident, bringing stuffed toys and flowers.
In
Kiev, those who came to the meeting were named "the associates
of the terrorists"
People
say, they are tired of silently watching the decay in the Ukrainian
army.
-
What do we see now? Drunk soldiers who drive military vehicles and
run over our children. This shouldn't happen. This is not an isolated
case. The first two cases have been brushed under the rug. There were
other incidents when the military vehicles crashed into cars, and, in
particular, into the bus #9.
All
night the residents of Konstantinovka burned tires and Ukrainian
military vehicles.
The
angry residents deblocked school #7, where the Ukrainian forces set
up barracks and ammo storage.
This
is a police car set on fire near a college dorm, which is now used by
the Ukrainian soldiers instead of students.
People
threw rocks, screaming: "Shame, get out!"
Most
residents have already decided whether the Ukrainian army are
liberators or occupants.
-
The liberators of Ukraine are killing people!
The
commanders took their soldiers from the site of accident, practically
saved their lives. People were ready to punish them right there.
The
armored vehicle ran over a woman and two kids on a sidewalk. The
doctors pulled the infant from the banged up stroller.
An
8 year-old girl died on the spot.
After
striking the pedestrians, the vehicle hit a pole. The occupants of
the vehicle just got some scratches
The
protesters blocked Lomonosova and Kalinina streets. The
spontaneous
rally continued all day and all night
Noone
from the authorities attempted to speak to the protesters. Just tried
to calm the residents from TV screens.
The
main task before the law enforcement - is to find and arrest the
organizers. As usual, the Russian special agencies have already been
blamed. Therefore the conversation with the protesters will be short.
The
security forces are allowed to shoot to kill.
Anton
Gerashenko: "If anyone in Konstantinovka uses this accident to
protest against the Ukrainian authorities, there will be one warning
shot, and then they will shoot to kill, and if there is no time for a
warning, they will shoot to kill immideately"
Eyewitnesses
said that Ukrainian soldiers, who got out of the armored vehicle,
could barely stand on their feet.
It
is not a problem to find alcohol, despite the Kiev authorities
officially declaring a "Dry rule"
"They
drunk every day, from 12 to 2 am they were shooting every night, then
they pointed lasers at the windows"
The
soldiers have been detained.
The
authorities report that they were able to curb the riots. Probably
with the help of the radicals from the Right Sector. Their units have
arrived into the city, report local residents
-
Last night a helicopter, full of people, came from Kramatorsk. Locals
report the Right Sector units, numbering about 150 people, have
arrived into the city. Today arrests started in Konstantinovka. And
many locals report, that they started to walk from door to door,
trying to identify those with protest sentiments.
The
death of the child has touched the entire Donbass. In solidarity with
Konstantinovka, rallies have been held in Donetsk and other cities.
Hundreds of residents came to pay respects to all the little victims
of the war.
According
to Ukrainian authorities, 65 kids have been killed since the
beginning of the conflict.
There
are reports that several people who participated in the protest have
been detained and taken into an unknown direction.
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