Chris Hedges joins India & Global Left to break down the the deeper meaning of Trump’s rise, the real motives behind U.S. policy on Iran, Jeffrey Epstein and more.
What can appalled citizens like myself do in response to the planned incineration of 500 tons of emergency food? Parents of starving children in Gaza would give anything for expired emergency rations. Regarding Epstein, won’t the files and videos be irrelevant if we release victims from their NDAs? They can tell the world first hand and in their own words exactly what happened and with whom. If they can’t do that safely within our borders, perhaps the ICC will be sympathetic and offer asylum. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/07/usaid-emergency-food-incinerate-trump/683532/
What about the 40% of the food that is produced daily in the U.S. that goes directly into the trash (which ends up in landfills and incinerators)? This is has been going on for decades...and you're particularly concerned about this 500 tons of emergency aid being incinerated? It pales in comparison. There are larger numbers of Americans going hungry everyday than those in Palestine. Of course the Palestinian genocide is reprehensible in Gaza, but look to clean up your own backyard before decrying what is happening globally as unique and of paramount concern.
And your also worried about Epstein files??? What could you, as an everyday U.S. citizen (I assume you are since you are concerned about something only the U.S. Justice Department and Judicial branch has jurisdiction over), possibly hope to gain from any release of hidden documents regarding this criminal cult that operated in elite circles you would never be exposed or privy to? Absolutely nothing, IMO. The Epstein issue is pure distraction from real issues that are affecting your safety and economic well being. If you don't know what those are, then I suggest you wake up to them.
Why can't you do both? Address horror of what has been and is going on in Gaza - as wel as the absurdity of what is happening in USA today? And identify/make explicit parrallels ....
Maybe YOU should challenge that what you question; rather than to leave it to others to do your work for you. That's one of the main reasons why what is happening in Gaza---continues.
My goal here is pointing out the hypocrisy of ignoring the parallel condition in the U.S. simply due to one's wish to cater to political sensationalism of it happening elsewhere. Keep in mind that Israel has apparently been monitoring and restricting daily caloric intake of each person residing in the walled, occupied, and open air prison for Palestinians-- better known as Gaza-- for years, if not decades. Yet this went widely unreported until Oct. 8th, 2023. Maybe if Gazens had been well feed this entire time, 500 tons of food aid being incinerated (for whatever reason) would warrant the same concern as it does in the U.S.; that is: none.
That said, I believe the response toward the issues breached in this report should NOT be one decrying the incineration of food supplies--it should be the demand of accountability for the war crime of weaponizing food supplies by an occupying military force (in this case the IDF) with respect to an innocent population. Again, I see none. To my understanding, burning food supplies may be socially questionable, but it is NOT a crime* IMO decrying the incineration of food supplies subverts and detracts from possible accountability efforts toward justice for an acts that are actually crimes.
* If it is, then I should think it would be a crime only in the sense that the food was stolen. If that is the case, then why isn't that being talked about-- or better yet being acted upon by the ICC with an indictment? Or even warrants a discussion or investigation of who actually owns these food supplies?... and why the Israeli forces have full access to these food supplies to act upon them however they wish--with impunity? These rhetorical questions all point back to the complicity of the U.S. government in these international war crimes (well established within the Geneva Convention of Post WWII)..and their stranglehold over the U.N. in allowing them to not being internationally prosecuted. The U.S. and its crony Allies operate on the immoral premise that 'If a tree falls in the forest... and nobody hears it; did it really fall?'
It is very unfortunate Hedges continues to try and mislead the public about Labor's historical power of the strike to affect Empire. The strike has never been an effective tool against capitalists. Only about 250k people have historically participated in strikes in the U.S....and I have read (and have seen) that they have affected NOTHING. I wish it were otherwise, but I am willing to face history as it has happened, not how Hedges wishes it to have happened. If Hedges believes otherwise, please give some evidence of those alleged successes.
If you think I am just poo pooing Hedges for no reason and may be wondering what I believe is the best weapon against an authoritarian empire, it is this: Education (and by that I do not mean public school indoctrination that we have now) coupled with non-violent resistance tactics. The effectiveness of this approach is best illustrated in historical effectiveness by Gandhi and MLK. Current "tactics" that could be very effective should be discussed by Hedges and practiced by as many people as possible. Hedges practiced this himself (I applaud his efforts) by testifying at a New Jersey Assembly public hearing recently speaking out in opposition to A3558. There are many tactics to employ, but I will briefly offer another suggestion on tactics here: limit your participation in social media. That's not an easy goal to achieve, but should be discussed regularly amongst family and friends... and pursued to the greatest extent possible. The reason? Empire is fueled by data surveillance and predictive programing...with much of the data being offered by the public for free. That needs to stop immediately. You're not offering just data, your offering to surrender your inferred civil right to privacy...and, thus, essentially, your soul. In my opinion, that's a Faustian bargain.
There are different kinds of education. The basics are meant to groom us working class peasants, the demographic majority, to fit the needs of the econ system. To believe, as Thacher asserted, "there is no alternative." Because the elites soon learned the old ideal of in depth public education meant we did pesky things like vote and form labor unions. Education by and for us still exists, albeit unacknowledged by the MSM. For example, look up Les Leopold and the Labor Institute, based in NJ.
We have flexed our power--and won. Like the original Populist farmer-labor coalition which elected state governments. The reform movement of the Progressives, while genteel elitist, was also good for us workers. The best example of worker interests as central was the New Deal and Keynesian economics. However, the Depression and the threat of real leftists made these alternatives the lesser evil for the ultra wealthy, bankers, and corporations. Add the '60s movements for civil rights, women's liberation, ecological concerns, gay rights, anti-war, etc. All of which won. The New Deal and then the '60s terrified the hell out of the 1%ers; economic democracy could break out! They organized around what is shown in the infamous Powell memo. Thus the Dem party was usurped by neolibs who made our country, and the world, safe for multinational corporations and elitist oligarchy. Their rightward shift also enabled the Rs to go for a sick amalgam of plutocrats and Christofascists. And here we are.
I'm not entirely convinced we can change anything now, either. But we did before and could again. The elites are still afraid of us. Otherwise they wouldn't be trying so hard to convince us we're politically powerless. And that trickle up econ is inevitable. Consider China, with its very, very centralized powerful emperors and now the CP. They were (and are) afraid of desperate peasants finally revolting and overthrowing their oppressors, which happened several times in their history. Let that be a lesson worth knowing.
If you didn't care, then you wouldn't have taken the time to comment on my post.
Further, "probably", schmoboly. Iif you believe I am wrong, then explain why rather than present yourself as a lazy sycophant. If you can't develop a logical argument, then I see no reason for anyone to endorse your ignorant opinion.
Look up a list of what are called 'logical fallacies.' Ad hominem is one; it means that if you can't refute something, attack the person instead. Another is argument by assertion--simply announce a truth claim with no evidence to back it up. Besides, how would you know if Chris H. knows more about everything unless you are claiming to know everything, too?
As for "who cares," an elitist dismissal. Implying disagreement is proof of inferiority so to be ignored. Something we working class people run into far too often and deeply resent.
I agree with some arguments made here, propose slightly different versions of a few, and flat out disagree with others both in this comment and those done previously by the same person. If you want an example of how to construct a nuanced reply, read mine above.
a good reminder and summary of some of the things going on. I have been following their channels since Gaza, too, and am happy how it grew and who they had on.
A Genocide Foretold is now available for purchase. Yesterday it was out of stock.
Thank Chris Hedges for all you are and stand for. I have the majority of your books on a tablet but I chose the paperback edition. Between you, Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn , Francesca Albanese, Norman Finkelstein and so many others the darkness of empire has been exposed. I have learned so much in the past 9 years.
It's difficult to get ones mind around the horror that is occurring and the absolute complicity of the corporate world order, the media etc.
Reality is a harsh perspective to adhere to but I have no idea how to, much less interest in denying it.
Typically I'm drawn to the earth sciences, geology, chemistry, meteorology, ecology but the political structures and economics evaded my understanding. You and others have educated me. I'm forever grateful and looking forward to reading A Genocide Foretold. Not that it'll be enjoyable, it's about reality.
This cult of self nonsense has been a pacifier for the creation of a consumer society. I'm 67 and when I look at how much has changed in my lifetime and how little of it I understood from say 1980-2016, I'm ashamed of my blindness.
I do have and read, Only One Earth by Barbara Ward and Rene Dubos around 1980. The warnings were all there. We live off the very thin veneer of the planets crust and atmosphere. Maybe several miles deep into the crust for extraction of resources and 5 or so miles of the lower atmosphere, (the trophesphere), we inhabit this minute space. We fight wars with the most sophisticated of weaponry just to exhaust what is available. An economy that must grow exponentially without any impedance. It's a bio-physically impossible task.
Is there intelligent life on earth? I'm not so sure.
Years ago I ended up falling for the myth of progress and now here we are, a live streamed Genocide for our viewing pleasure
America's War on Reality has literally been a smashing success.
The answer to combating the criminality of the ruling elite lies in civil disobedience, not resistance. You cannot resist an authoritarian regime without being devoured by it. Waving a protest banner proclaiming "RESIST" is pure stupidity. That would be like resisting arrest of a patrol officer. How often does that work in one's favor? Almost never. However, you can be disobedient to an authoritarian regime. This, most often, happens in court with a lawyer who proves that you did not disobey the States's rules. It happens on a smaller scale by those that refuse to be jabbed with an experimental drug parading as clinically proven vaccine. I believe that is why the term "civil disobedience" is almost never used or talked about today in MSM. That's because they know the power of it's use as it has proven successful in the past; specifically for those disciples of Gandhi and MLK.
Again, collective and sustained civil disobedience should be everyone's M.O. I suggest you start living it-- and embracing it on a daily basis.
Haven't heard this much lately, but right wingers used to talk about jury nullification. Juries can declare a law null and void, so not just about finding a defendant guilty or innocent under the law. Which has happened throughout American history. But there is nothing that says a jury must be informed of this right by the judge. Best keep it quiet; it gives elites the heebie-jeebies.
You bring up an interesting legal concept (jury nullification) of which I was not aware. In a brief review of the concept it seems like an attorney that chooses to bring the idea up in court may face legal consequences. Maybe this is why the subject is kept under the table???
However, I didn't read where a jury can be prohibited from openly discussing this legal (IMO) option during deliberations. It seems like such a verdict (if adopted by the jury) could still be dismissed by the Judge as illegal (probably), but I don't see any adverse legal consequences for jury members in doing so (open to correction here by others better informed on the topic)--and it can still send the message of civil disobedience. Since juries are made up of peers, this argues everyone should be aware of this concept rather than be mentally corralled within the legal process the elites have laid out for the public to run through like mice.
Anyhow, very interesting point. Thanks, Rafi, for bringing this insight up.
What can appalled citizens like myself do in response to the planned incineration of 500 tons of emergency food? Parents of starving children in Gaza would give anything for expired emergency rations. Regarding Epstein, won’t the files and videos be irrelevant if we release victims from their NDAs? They can tell the world first hand and in their own words exactly what happened and with whom. If they can’t do that safely within our borders, perhaps the ICC will be sympathetic and offer asylum. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2025/07/usaid-emergency-food-incinerate-trump/683532/
What about the 40% of the food that is produced daily in the U.S. that goes directly into the trash (which ends up in landfills and incinerators)? This is has been going on for decades...and you're particularly concerned about this 500 tons of emergency aid being incinerated? It pales in comparison. There are larger numbers of Americans going hungry everyday than those in Palestine. Of course the Palestinian genocide is reprehensible in Gaza, but look to clean up your own backyard before decrying what is happening globally as unique and of paramount concern.
And your also worried about Epstein files??? What could you, as an everyday U.S. citizen (I assume you are since you are concerned about something only the U.S. Justice Department and Judicial branch has jurisdiction over), possibly hope to gain from any release of hidden documents regarding this criminal cult that operated in elite circles you would never be exposed or privy to? Absolutely nothing, IMO. The Epstein issue is pure distraction from real issues that are affecting your safety and economic well being. If you don't know what those are, then I suggest you wake up to them.
Why can't you do both? Address horror of what has been and is going on in Gaza - as wel as the absurdity of what is happening in USA today? And identify/make explicit parrallels ....
Kudos to you for having the courage to courteously challenge what the rest of us chose to ignore.
Maybe YOU should challenge that what you question; rather than to leave it to others to do your work for you. That's one of the main reasons why what is happening in Gaza---continues.
You can....and I did.
My goal here is pointing out the hypocrisy of ignoring the parallel condition in the U.S. simply due to one's wish to cater to political sensationalism of it happening elsewhere. Keep in mind that Israel has apparently been monitoring and restricting daily caloric intake of each person residing in the walled, occupied, and open air prison for Palestinians-- better known as Gaza-- for years, if not decades. Yet this went widely unreported until Oct. 8th, 2023. Maybe if Gazens had been well feed this entire time, 500 tons of food aid being incinerated (for whatever reason) would warrant the same concern as it does in the U.S.; that is: none.
That said, I believe the response toward the issues breached in this report should NOT be one decrying the incineration of food supplies--it should be the demand of accountability for the war crime of weaponizing food supplies by an occupying military force (in this case the IDF) with respect to an innocent population. Again, I see none. To my understanding, burning food supplies may be socially questionable, but it is NOT a crime* IMO decrying the incineration of food supplies subverts and detracts from possible accountability efforts toward justice for an acts that are actually crimes.
* If it is, then I should think it would be a crime only in the sense that the food was stolen. If that is the case, then why isn't that being talked about-- or better yet being acted upon by the ICC with an indictment? Or even warrants a discussion or investigation of who actually owns these food supplies?... and why the Israeli forces have full access to these food supplies to act upon them however they wish--with impunity? These rhetorical questions all point back to the complicity of the U.S. government in these international war crimes (well established within the Geneva Convention of Post WWII)..and their stranglehold over the U.N. in allowing them to not being internationally prosecuted. The U.S. and its crony Allies operate on the immoral premise that 'If a tree falls in the forest... and nobody hears it; did it really fall?'
It’s nice to see mainstream media finally admitting that there is famine in Gaza
When you live in a world where many countries have nukes should think about blowback
In Frank Herbert’s Dune every power had atomics
Not sure how much it helped social welfare but think it could here on this planet
It is very unfortunate Hedges continues to try and mislead the public about Labor's historical power of the strike to affect Empire. The strike has never been an effective tool against capitalists. Only about 250k people have historically participated in strikes in the U.S....and I have read (and have seen) that they have affected NOTHING. I wish it were otherwise, but I am willing to face history as it has happened, not how Hedges wishes it to have happened. If Hedges believes otherwise, please give some evidence of those alleged successes.
If you think I am just poo pooing Hedges for no reason and may be wondering what I believe is the best weapon against an authoritarian empire, it is this: Education (and by that I do not mean public school indoctrination that we have now) coupled with non-violent resistance tactics. The effectiveness of this approach is best illustrated in historical effectiveness by Gandhi and MLK. Current "tactics" that could be very effective should be discussed by Hedges and practiced by as many people as possible. Hedges practiced this himself (I applaud his efforts) by testifying at a New Jersey Assembly public hearing recently speaking out in opposition to A3558. There are many tactics to employ, but I will briefly offer another suggestion on tactics here: limit your participation in social media. That's not an easy goal to achieve, but should be discussed regularly amongst family and friends... and pursued to the greatest extent possible. The reason? Empire is fueled by data surveillance and predictive programing...with much of the data being offered by the public for free. That needs to stop immediately. You're not offering just data, your offering to surrender your inferred civil right to privacy...and, thus, essentially, your soul. In my opinion, that's a Faustian bargain.
There are different kinds of education. The basics are meant to groom us working class peasants, the demographic majority, to fit the needs of the econ system. To believe, as Thacher asserted, "there is no alternative." Because the elites soon learned the old ideal of in depth public education meant we did pesky things like vote and form labor unions. Education by and for us still exists, albeit unacknowledged by the MSM. For example, look up Les Leopold and the Labor Institute, based in NJ.
We have flexed our power--and won. Like the original Populist farmer-labor coalition which elected state governments. The reform movement of the Progressives, while genteel elitist, was also good for us workers. The best example of worker interests as central was the New Deal and Keynesian economics. However, the Depression and the threat of real leftists made these alternatives the lesser evil for the ultra wealthy, bankers, and corporations. Add the '60s movements for civil rights, women's liberation, ecological concerns, gay rights, anti-war, etc. All of which won. The New Deal and then the '60s terrified the hell out of the 1%ers; economic democracy could break out! They organized around what is shown in the infamous Powell memo. Thus the Dem party was usurped by neolibs who made our country, and the world, safe for multinational corporations and elitist oligarchy. Their rightward shift also enabled the Rs to go for a sick amalgam of plutocrats and Christofascists. And here we are.
I'm not entirely convinced we can change anything now, either. But we did before and could again. The elites are still afraid of us. Otherwise they wouldn't be trying so hard to convince us we're politically powerless. And that trickle up econ is inevitable. Consider China, with its very, very centralized powerful emperors and now the CP. They were (and are) afraid of desperate peasants finally revolting and overthrowing their oppressors, which happened several times in their history. Let that be a lesson worth knowing.
If you didn't care, then you wouldn't have taken the time to comment on my post.
Further, "probably", schmoboly. Iif you believe I am wrong, then explain why rather than present yourself as a lazy sycophant. If you can't develop a logical argument, then I see no reason for anyone to endorse your ignorant opinion.
Look up a list of what are called 'logical fallacies.' Ad hominem is one; it means that if you can't refute something, attack the person instead. Another is argument by assertion--simply announce a truth claim with no evidence to back it up. Besides, how would you know if Chris H. knows more about everything unless you are claiming to know everything, too?
As for "who cares," an elitist dismissal. Implying disagreement is proof of inferiority so to be ignored. Something we working class people run into far too often and deeply resent.
I agree with some arguments made here, propose slightly different versions of a few, and flat out disagree with others both in this comment and those done previously by the same person. If you want an example of how to construct a nuanced reply, read mine above.
When will A Genocide Foretold be available for purchase as a book? Currently out of stock but available as an e-book.
a good reminder and summary of some of the things going on. I have been following their channels since Gaza, too, and am happy how it grew and who they had on.
CHRIS, YOU AND ROBERT REICH ARE TOPS!
A Genocide Foretold is now available for purchase. Yesterday it was out of stock.
Thank Chris Hedges for all you are and stand for. I have the majority of your books on a tablet but I chose the paperback edition. Between you, Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn , Francesca Albanese, Norman Finkelstein and so many others the darkness of empire has been exposed. I have learned so much in the past 9 years.
It's difficult to get ones mind around the horror that is occurring and the absolute complicity of the corporate world order, the media etc.
Reality is a harsh perspective to adhere to but I have no idea how to, much less interest in denying it.
Typically I'm drawn to the earth sciences, geology, chemistry, meteorology, ecology but the political structures and economics evaded my understanding. You and others have educated me. I'm forever grateful and looking forward to reading A Genocide Foretold. Not that it'll be enjoyable, it's about reality.
This cult of self nonsense has been a pacifier for the creation of a consumer society. I'm 67 and when I look at how much has changed in my lifetime and how little of it I understood from say 1980-2016, I'm ashamed of my blindness.
I do have and read, Only One Earth by Barbara Ward and Rene Dubos around 1980. The warnings were all there. We live off the very thin veneer of the planets crust and atmosphere. Maybe several miles deep into the crust for extraction of resources and 5 or so miles of the lower atmosphere, (the trophesphere), we inhabit this minute space. We fight wars with the most sophisticated of weaponry just to exhaust what is available. An economy that must grow exponentially without any impedance. It's a bio-physically impossible task.
Is there intelligent life on earth? I'm not so sure.
Years ago I ended up falling for the myth of progress and now here we are, a live streamed Genocide for our viewing pleasure
America's War on Reality has literally been a smashing success.
At least one war obtained it's stated objective.
The answer to combating the criminality of the ruling elite lies in civil disobedience, not resistance. You cannot resist an authoritarian regime without being devoured by it. Waving a protest banner proclaiming "RESIST" is pure stupidity. That would be like resisting arrest of a patrol officer. How often does that work in one's favor? Almost never. However, you can be disobedient to an authoritarian regime. This, most often, happens in court with a lawyer who proves that you did not disobey the States's rules. It happens on a smaller scale by those that refuse to be jabbed with an experimental drug parading as clinically proven vaccine. I believe that is why the term "civil disobedience" is almost never used or talked about today in MSM. That's because they know the power of it's use as it has proven successful in the past; specifically for those disciples of Gandhi and MLK.
Again, collective and sustained civil disobedience should be everyone's M.O. I suggest you start living it-- and embracing it on a daily basis.
Haven't heard this much lately, but right wingers used to talk about jury nullification. Juries can declare a law null and void, so not just about finding a defendant guilty or innocent under the law. Which has happened throughout American history. But there is nothing that says a jury must be informed of this right by the judge. Best keep it quiet; it gives elites the heebie-jeebies.
You bring up an interesting legal concept (jury nullification) of which I was not aware. In a brief review of the concept it seems like an attorney that chooses to bring the idea up in court may face legal consequences. Maybe this is why the subject is kept under the table???
However, I didn't read where a jury can be prohibited from openly discussing this legal (IMO) option during deliberations. It seems like such a verdict (if adopted by the jury) could still be dismissed by the Judge as illegal (probably), but I don't see any adverse legal consequences for jury members in doing so (open to correction here by others better informed on the topic)--and it can still send the message of civil disobedience. Since juries are made up of peers, this argues everyone should be aware of this concept rather than be mentally corralled within the legal process the elites have laid out for the public to run through like mice.
Anyhow, very interesting point. Thanks, Rafi, for bringing this insight up.
Cheers!