The murders of unarmed civilians on the streets of Minneapolis, including the killing today of the intensive-care nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti, would not come as a shock to Iraqis in Fallujah or Afghans in Helmand province.
Major adversaries that the empire cannot compete with. Regional powers that the empire cannot subdue. Allies that the empire starts to cannibalize. And finally the empire sheds the facade of democracy and an emperor emerges.
I would say that what we are witnessing is the end of the remaining pretense that America is anything other than an empire, as now it doesn't need to pretend anymore.
Aw geez, FF, but it was so much FUN pretending: "American exceptionalism" (which doesn't even carry the slightest HINT of "Master Race"); "All men are created equal", even though for, like, 250 years (and, of course, continuing to this very day), some just happened to be more equal than others; "Greatest country on Earth!" (viz., slavery; indigenous genocide; Hiroshima and Nagasaki; Abu Ghraib; ICE; etc.)
"These washed-up colonizers really thought they were wolves and not sheep dipped in blood. But, in truth, Europe was just a place for America to launder money and weapons through. Denmark folded in six hours in World War II and Canada just goes wherever the imperial banners are called, these are not real countries on their own. All of these countries have been occupied by America since World War II and only got to participate in further wars like a kid in the back of the car, tooting on a toy steering wheel while running poor Muslims over. Now they're confused that ‘Daddy’ is yelling at them, when they used to have so much fun killing pedestrians together. As NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte pathetically said about Trump, “Daddy has to sometimes use strong language.”"
The fools in charge have no clear perception of what they are actually doing, or of the depth of the dangers they foment.
They are so narcissistic, bloated with the spoils of rapacity and power, that they would destroy even the fig leafs of democracy and decency that they needed, and exploited, to rise to where they are.
The French, Russian and yes--let us not forget it--American Revolutions declared: NO KINGS! no taxation without representation! no occupation!
No clear perception of what they are doing? That is a very dangerous assumption. Nothing has changed in their behavior, not for centuries. This did not begin with WWII, or even with America, or Rousseau, and further beyond. This habitual behavior goes way back and needs to be recognized and accounted for in any actions forward.
You warned us year after year. Our “luxury of indifference” is paying itself forward. My white friend after stating how ‘frightened’ she was in the isolated Colo mtns, requested I “Please, stop. ❤️Small doses only. Today, I had to walk away, but I will be at the next protest.”…. After telling her I was watching live stream interviews on Substack. I’m convinced I’ll be friendless by the end of the month
I don’t understand how so many Americans could just stand by and not lift a finger to try to stop a genocide that our government is funding with our tax dollars. We have seen unfold the character of the majority of Israelis over the past two years and should have no trouble identifying a mass psychosis. But what about Americans who have no trouble looking away? What does that say about the American character. It’s a sickness. A sickness that has been normalized, and called “centrist.”
Nonetheless, the genocide in Gaza does not lessen the depravity of the government’s war on its own people and these recent killings. These deaths are not diminished by the past, as it is often the innocent who pay for the indifference of the many. Don’t mistake this for karma.
Our country was born upon genocide. We deny it to this day! And we conduct our policies around the world in support of genocide. Gaza is untouchable for 80 decades … we created it! If you’ve read Mr Hedges’s work you’d know this. Americans are idiots
Kathy, you didn’t ask me, but I would urge you to give some grace if you can find it. Your friend is freaked out because the empire has a powerful machine designed to freak people out. Don’t shun those who are essentially on your side simply for their weakness; we have actual enemies aplenty. I know just how you feel, but with age sometimes comes occasional wisdom, especially as we have all lost so many friends from 2016 and through the c19 era.
Spare me those who are lefter than thou, more enlightened than thee. It’s “weak” to be shocked by a response to genocide — or lack there of? Because we’re not resigned to it we’re ignorant of history? Oh wise ones, I believe the two of you are too fine for this site. Good grief.
Thanks for the explanation. Kathy, especially, introduced nastiness against others on the site, and you injected condescension — the first time I’ve seen it here. It diminished the discourse. This isn’t a competition. Some people need to feel superior. Fine — you’re both superior. Now can we move on?
Hedges warned us, year after year, in column after column and book after book, but he was ignored, vilified, and dismissed. The terror we unleashed on others in the world would never come home, so we kept expanding DHS and ICE and spending obscene sums on the Pentagon. It was only a matter of time and the right combination of circumstances, and now we see that our cruelty and arrogance has come home. DHS will never properly investigate its murders or be held accountable. We don't do accountability in this Home of the Cowardly.
Hell, Ron Paul was right about the so-called "Patriot Act " and that anyone who thought it never would be used on Americans was a fool.
Whenever you give government any power, ask yourself whether you would be comfortable with giving that power to your worst political enemy. Because sooner or later, they will have that power.
it grieves me that I helped to cause this. I had the opportunity to re-elect Jimmy Carter, with his unpopular message of lowered thermostats and self-sacrifice. Instead, I was seduced by Reagan’s trickle-down prosperity theology. And now we’re here.
Don’t take too much weight upon yourself. Carter was a deeply moral man, but it was his administration that began the deregulation process that became a crusade under Reagan. Carter, though, revealed something critical about America, something Reagan and subsequent administrations capitalized upon: sacrifice is for others, not for us. This was driven home after 9/11 (go shopping) and during Covid (hell no I won’t wear a mask).
Where are all the NRA gun cultists who rationalize arming themselves with military grade weaponry against a tyrannical government. Not that I support anyone arming themselves, but they sure seem silent let alone getting their butts out to support and protect their fellow citizens against a government gone full tyrannical. It turns out that was just a big fat lie and they are all cowards. Or more ironically they are the ones in ICE acting for the tyrannical government. Cowards and hypocrites. And the biggest irony is that Trump just declared that anyone carrying a gun legally is fair game to be killed by his ICE Gestapo. That means them in the heat of the moment. And mark my words, I have said for years now, that if anyone comes to take their guns away it will be Trump.
They (MAGA, NRA, etc) will be for it, until inevitably, it gets turned against them too - as it will. The ruling class has no allies - only useful idiots.
Yes, presumably all the NRA people and the back woods weekend militias all now have jobs with ICE. Can anyone track whether ICE staff numbers increase at weekends with part timers ?
I’m not sure anything can be done at this point other than to fight the regime through economic means. We need to boycott ALL corporations on the stock market, not just select companies, and purchase our necessities from local, family owned businesses. Once Wall Street feels the impact, the politicians will be forced to listen.
It seems evident that Minneapolis is the proving ground for the tactics - including citing the Insurrection Act and declaring martial law. And another win-win for the Trump regime: there's been little mention of - what was his name? Oh yea, Epstein.
Violence is the language of empire and central to the American national character. America is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world and calls it "civilization". Lies too are a form of violence.
My apologies. I always thought it was "desserts" because the consequences of your actions come AFTER you've done them, the same way "desserts" come AFTER a meal!
Apparently, thanks to the interwebs, it looks like I'm not the only who's made that mistake/had that interpretation.
Well, as Trump et. sim. said about ICE: "We all make mistakes". Of course, my mistake leads to a (welcome) correction from the Hedges community; ICE's "mistakes" lead to the murder of innocent human beings.
Thanks for giving me a smile. I always interpreted it as deserts as "correct". But love your interpretation. It also makes sense. You're original not wrong! :-)
How many times have we been warned by Chris Hedges and other independent journalists that this would happen? Nobody should be surprised. I remember thinking at the time the Patriot Act was passed that I would live to see the empire collapse (I’ll soon be 83).
Yes. I’m 77. The Patriot Act and the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security were certainly the beginning of the end. The US has been slouching in this direction all my adult life. My first vote against this direction was for George McGovern but Nixon won by a landslide. Any uprising against this paroxysm of evil will have to be accompanied by repentance for all the historical evil committed by Empire.
I’m shocked by how the Democrat congress doesn’t care about what’s happening. I guess Netanyahu’s paid them to get rid of the woke left. Chuck Schumer could totally care less about his constituents. Since he hasn’t done anything yet he is clearly not ever going to.
Liberal folk have no representation at all. Not Bernie, not AOC, no, just lip service.
difficult to feel and say but Hedges is always refreshing for his clarity and fearless insight.....I've read/barely tolerated enough Taibbi lately/ugh to know how valued, crucial and rare these insights are and how much courage it takes to speak them .....
Fondly do we hope–fervently do we pray–that this mighty scourge of war [imperialism] may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said “the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether.”
As the Romans warned: hodie mihi cras tibi (today it's me, tomorrow it will be you). In the past 842 days of genocide in Gaza I often wrote: if we don't oppose the genocide and the undermining of international law by the zionists USA and their supporters, if we don't support the Palestinians and their human rights, the day will come that they will do the same to us as well.
That day has come, in USA and Europe. It's only getting more extreme by the day. ICE in Minneapolisis is just an example.
Let the murder of two young protesters (a mother of 3, an intensive-care unit nurse), using their right to protest, be a warning to all of us. Hodie mihi cras tibi.
>> Fight for your rights. Use them or lose them. <<
Mr. Hedges’ reportage is always correct (not to mention terribly beautiful and poetic) in his analysis—because he does and has always done the work of studying primary documents, deep research & only then analysis … the purview of a true journalist.
For approximately 20 years he (usually freelance & alone but for a photographer) has literally and figuratively firmly put his own boots on the ground all over the globe wherever conflict was brewing (usually initiated & thus attributed correctly to the inevitable involvement of the CIA, MI6, Mossad, et. al.)
Firmly entrenched in the actual afflicted regions and armed not with firearms but with his ethical revulsion, unflinching morality, and a visceral desire for Truth, as an authentic war correspondent he did his homework as few did back then or now, learning the languages he needed to know to correctly assess the situation, understand local reporters & the people in such zones as South and Central (and now North) America, the Balkans, the utter ugly mess of the Serb/Croat “war region,”and of course in the Middle East. He consistently and to this day (via his interviews & personal essays) tackles Zionist insistence that Israel rule not only their own sovereign state but also Palestine as well as all of the Middle East & North Africa.
Of course, most of you know all this already. I simply had to say what I feel about Mr. Hedges, and as well to acknowledge & appreciate some others of his ilk — worthy comrades such as Max Blumenthal, Norman Finkelstein, & Noam Chomsky, among a few others. These folks do/did not fear socialism—they simply reveal facts—the truth.
We are basically doomed for hiding behind false tenets for so long, thereby upholding & continuing to mask the lies so conveniently dressing up the one-way ultra-capitalist Keynesian Department Store windows — which were never going to reveal a magical economic “trickle down effect” for the 99%.
I dare not even wish to hope for rescue—that would be dangerously
nostalgic, and the Nostoi, itself lost forever, is for mythical Epic heroes — not average citizens such as me.
Chris,I've followed your work for nearly ten years, and you've been warning us of this boomerang for most of that time. I guess that just as there are none so blind, there are none so deaf.
Major adversaries that the empire cannot compete with. Regional powers that the empire cannot subdue. Allies that the empire starts to cannibalize. And finally the empire sheds the facade of democracy and an emperor emerges.
All signs of a declining empire.
I would say that what we are witnessing is the end of the remaining pretense that America is anything other than an empire, as now it doesn't need to pretend anymore.
Aw geez, FF, but it was so much FUN pretending: "American exceptionalism" (which doesn't even carry the slightest HINT of "Master Race"); "All men are created equal", even though for, like, 250 years (and, of course, continuing to this very day), some just happened to be more equal than others; "Greatest country on Earth!" (viz., slavery; indigenous genocide; Hiroshima and Nagasaki; Abu Ghraib; ICE; etc.)
Oh, very well then:
https://indi.ca/wolves-crying-wolf-canada-denmark-etc/
"These washed-up colonizers really thought they were wolves and not sheep dipped in blood. But, in truth, Europe was just a place for America to launder money and weapons through. Denmark folded in six hours in World War II and Canada just goes wherever the imperial banners are called, these are not real countries on their own. All of these countries have been occupied by America since World War II and only got to participate in further wars like a kid in the back of the car, tooting on a toy steering wheel while running poor Muslims over. Now they're confused that ‘Daddy’ is yelling at them, when they used to have so much fun killing pedestrians together. As NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte pathetically said about Trump, “Daddy has to sometimes use strong language.”"
And I thought Sarah Palin was the Queen of the Word Salad! Trump's got her beat by a mile!
"404 Error"
I fixored the link.
Sorry: couldn't open the link. Got the standard "404 Error"
I edited to insert a different link.
The fools in charge have no clear perception of what they are actually doing, or of the depth of the dangers they foment.
They are so narcissistic, bloated with the spoils of rapacity and power, that they would destroy even the fig leafs of democracy and decency that they needed, and exploited, to rise to where they are.
The French, Russian and yes--let us not forget it--American Revolutions declared: NO KINGS! no taxation without representation! no occupation!
No dictator
No clear perception of what they are doing? That is a very dangerous assumption. Nothing has changed in their behavior, not for centuries. This did not begin with WWII, or even with America, or Rousseau, and further beyond. This habitual behavior goes way back and needs to be recognized and accounted for in any actions forward.
I meant, no clear conception of the resistance that may arise, as it should.
You warned us year after year. Our “luxury of indifference” is paying itself forward. My white friend after stating how ‘frightened’ she was in the isolated Colo mtns, requested I “Please, stop. ❤️Small doses only. Today, I had to walk away, but I will be at the next protest.”…. After telling her I was watching live stream interviews on Substack. I’m convinced I’ll be friendless by the end of the month
I don’t understand how so many Americans could just stand by and not lift a finger to try to stop a genocide that our government is funding with our tax dollars. We have seen unfold the character of the majority of Israelis over the past two years and should have no trouble identifying a mass psychosis. But what about Americans who have no trouble looking away? What does that say about the American character. It’s a sickness. A sickness that has been normalized, and called “centrist.”
Nonetheless, the genocide in Gaza does not lessen the depravity of the government’s war on its own people and these recent killings. These deaths are not diminished by the past, as it is often the innocent who pay for the indifference of the many. Don’t mistake this for karma.
Our country was born upon genocide. We deny it to this day! And we conduct our policies around the world in support of genocide. Gaza is untouchable for 80 decades … we created it! If you’ve read Mr Hedges’s work you’d know this. Americans are idiots
"But what about Americans who have no trouble looking away? What does that say about the American character. It’s a sickness."
The problem is humans are herd animals as easily led as any sheep or lemming.
Kathy, you didn’t ask me, but I would urge you to give some grace if you can find it. Your friend is freaked out because the empire has a powerful machine designed to freak people out. Don’t shun those who are essentially on your side simply for their weakness; we have actual enemies aplenty. I know just how you feel, but with age sometimes comes occasional wisdom, especially as we have all lost so many friends from 2016 and through the c19 era.
And I kinda feel that’s by design too.
Spare me those who are lefter than thou, more enlightened than thee. It’s “weak” to be shocked by a response to genocide — or lack there of? Because we’re not resigned to it we’re ignorant of history? Oh wise ones, I believe the two of you are too fine for this site. Good grief.
And I’m gonna give you some grace too.
I haven’t slept well for three years now, It makes me bitchy.
Thanks for the explanation. Kathy, especially, introduced nastiness against others on the site, and you injected condescension — the first time I’ve seen it here. It diminished the discourse. This isn’t a competition. Some people need to feel superior. Fine — you’re both superior. Now can we move on?
🙄🙄🙄. Hello kettle. Grow up is my message.
https://substack.com/@drstaceypatton1865/note/c-204923303?r=khorh&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
By design. You are correct. Eyes open!
https://substack.com/@drstaceypatton1865/note/c-204923303?r=khorh&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Hedges warned us, year after year, in column after column and book after book, but he was ignored, vilified, and dismissed. The terror we unleashed on others in the world would never come home, so we kept expanding DHS and ICE and spending obscene sums on the Pentagon. It was only a matter of time and the right combination of circumstances, and now we see that our cruelty and arrogance has come home. DHS will never properly investigate its murders or be held accountable. We don't do accountability in this Home of the Cowardly.
Hell, Ron Paul was right about the so-called "Patriot Act " and that anyone who thought it never would be used on Americans was a fool.
Whenever you give government any power, ask yourself whether you would be comfortable with giving that power to your worst political enemy. Because sooner or later, they will have that power.
it grieves me that I helped to cause this. I had the opportunity to re-elect Jimmy Carter, with his unpopular message of lowered thermostats and self-sacrifice. Instead, I was seduced by Reagan’s trickle-down prosperity theology. And now we’re here.
Don’t take too much weight upon yourself. Carter was a deeply moral man, but it was his administration that began the deregulation process that became a crusade under Reagan. Carter, though, revealed something critical about America, something Reagan and subsequent administrations capitalized upon: sacrifice is for others, not for us. This was driven home after 9/11 (go shopping) and during Covid (hell no I won’t wear a mask).
Where are all the NRA gun cultists who rationalize arming themselves with military grade weaponry against a tyrannical government. Not that I support anyone arming themselves, but they sure seem silent let alone getting their butts out to support and protect their fellow citizens against a government gone full tyrannical. It turns out that was just a big fat lie and they are all cowards. Or more ironically they are the ones in ICE acting for the tyrannical government. Cowards and hypocrites. And the biggest irony is that Trump just declared that anyone carrying a gun legally is fair game to be killed by his ICE Gestapo. That means them in the heat of the moment. And mark my words, I have said for years now, that if anyone comes to take their guns away it will be Trump.
They're all for rhe crackdown. Those against it, are, for the most part, not the fighting types.
They (MAGA, NRA, etc) will be for it, until inevitably, it gets turned against them too - as it will. The ruling class has no allies - only useful idiots.
you nailed it
all those years i thought you all kept guns for exactly what’s happening now…
cowardice seems to rule now.
Yes, presumably all the NRA people and the back woods weekend militias all now have jobs with ICE. Can anyone track whether ICE staff numbers increase at weekends with part timers ?
The facade has been completely lifted.
I’m not sure anything can be done at this point other than to fight the regime through economic means. We need to boycott ALL corporations on the stock market, not just select companies, and purchase our necessities from local, family owned businesses. Once Wall Street feels the impact, the politicians will be forced to listen.
The point is to provoke a response and thus an excuse for a military crackdown.
If ICE does not get the response it seeks, then it keeps killing innocents until it does.
Win-win from the totalitarian perspective.
It seems evident that Minneapolis is the proving ground for the tactics - including citing the Insurrection Act and declaring martial law. And another win-win for the Trump regime: there's been little mention of - what was his name? Oh yea, Epstein.
Violence is the language of empire and central to the American national character. America is the greatest purveyor of violence in the world and calls it "civilization". Lies too are a form of violence.
Sadly, you are correct. These are our just deserts.
or "desserts"
That was my original choice but when I looked it up on line, Wikipedia seemed to indicate it was “just deserts”. That surprised me.
"Deserts" as in "deserving".
Cats don't taste sweet, and thus we have no use for dessert. This makes it easier for us to grasp this idiom.
My apologies. I always thought it was "desserts" because the consequences of your actions come AFTER you've done them, the same way "desserts" come AFTER a meal!
Apparently, thanks to the interwebs, it looks like I'm not the only who's made that mistake/had that interpretation.
Well, as Trump et. sim. said about ICE: "We all make mistakes". Of course, my mistake leads to a (welcome) correction from the Hedges community; ICE's "mistakes" lead to the murder of innocent human beings.
Thanks for giving me a smile. I always interpreted it as deserts as "correct". But love your interpretation. It also makes sense. You're original not wrong! :-)
What a great concise essay!
We have been complacent and complicit for years. The chickens are now coming home to roost.
Yes, but not before they’ve been armed and trained in oppressive nastiness by Israel
How many times have we been warned by Chris Hedges and other independent journalists that this would happen? Nobody should be surprised. I remember thinking at the time the Patriot Act was passed that I would live to see the empire collapse (I’ll soon be 83).
Yes. I’m 77. The Patriot Act and the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security were certainly the beginning of the end. The US has been slouching in this direction all my adult life. My first vote against this direction was for George McGovern but Nixon won by a landslide. Any uprising against this paroxysm of evil will have to be accompanied by repentance for all the historical evil committed by Empire.
I’m glad I’m old, but I constantly worry about the future my two little great nieces face. And they’re among the lucky ones.
I’m shocked by how the Democrat congress doesn’t care about what’s happening. I guess Netanyahu’s paid them to get rid of the woke left. Chuck Schumer could totally care less about his constituents. Since he hasn’t done anything yet he is clearly not ever going to.
Liberal folk have no representation at all. Not Bernie, not AOC, no, just lip service.
There are a few - Jaymie Raskin for one. Jayapal for another. Oregon's Merkely's decent.
difficult to feel and say but Hedges is always refreshing for his clarity and fearless insight.....I've read/barely tolerated enough Taibbi lately/ugh to know how valued, crucial and rare these insights are and how much courage it takes to speak them .....
Fondly do we hope–fervently do we pray–that this mighty scourge of war [imperialism] may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said “the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether.”
This god so many speak of, sounds utterly vile to me.
As the Romans warned: hodie mihi cras tibi (today it's me, tomorrow it will be you). In the past 842 days of genocide in Gaza I often wrote: if we don't oppose the genocide and the undermining of international law by the zionists USA and their supporters, if we don't support the Palestinians and their human rights, the day will come that they will do the same to us as well.
That day has come, in USA and Europe. It's only getting more extreme by the day. ICE in Minneapolisis is just an example.
Let the murder of two young protesters (a mother of 3, an intensive-care unit nurse), using their right to protest, be a warning to all of us. Hodie mihi cras tibi.
>> Fight for your rights. Use them or lose them. <<
Mr. Hedges’ reportage is always correct (not to mention terribly beautiful and poetic) in his analysis—because he does and has always done the work of studying primary documents, deep research & only then analysis … the purview of a true journalist.
For approximately 20 years he (usually freelance & alone but for a photographer) has literally and figuratively firmly put his own boots on the ground all over the globe wherever conflict was brewing (usually initiated & thus attributed correctly to the inevitable involvement of the CIA, MI6, Mossad, et. al.)
Firmly entrenched in the actual afflicted regions and armed not with firearms but with his ethical revulsion, unflinching morality, and a visceral desire for Truth, as an authentic war correspondent he did his homework as few did back then or now, learning the languages he needed to know to correctly assess the situation, understand local reporters & the people in such zones as South and Central (and now North) America, the Balkans, the utter ugly mess of the Serb/Croat “war region,”and of course in the Middle East. He consistently and to this day (via his interviews & personal essays) tackles Zionist insistence that Israel rule not only their own sovereign state but also Palestine as well as all of the Middle East & North Africa.
Of course, most of you know all this already. I simply had to say what I feel about Mr. Hedges, and as well to acknowledge & appreciate some others of his ilk — worthy comrades such as Max Blumenthal, Norman Finkelstein, & Noam Chomsky, among a few others. These folks do/did not fear socialism—they simply reveal facts—the truth.
We are basically doomed for hiding behind false tenets for so long, thereby upholding & continuing to mask the lies so conveniently dressing up the one-way ultra-capitalist Keynesian Department Store windows — which were never going to reveal a magical economic “trickle down effect” for the 99%.
I dare not even wish to hope for rescue—that would be dangerously
nostalgic, and the Nostoi, itself lost forever, is for mythical Epic heroes — not average citizens such as me.
Thanks for listening.
Chris,I've followed your work for nearly ten years, and you've been warning us of this boomerang for most of that time. I guess that just as there are none so blind, there are none so deaf.