The Democratic Party had one last chance to implement the kind of New Deal Reforms that could save us from another Trump presidency and Christian fascism. It failed.
I completely agree with you: the parties are irrelevant. They are both corrupted by billionaire class, and lobbies. They don’t work for the people. Neither side.
Perhaps revolution will be necessary to remind them who they work for.
Lennon never had to fight oppression. He was working class, sure. But he was a white Englishman. Some people don’t have the option to say “count me out” because the consequences are death, subjugation or to flee.
I love the beatles - I was raised on their music - but they were never my bible.
Like so many blame Nader for Bush v Gore, Democrats use Trump/MAGA as an excuse. Gore and Clinton lost the election because of their policies. They drove working class people into the Republican's camp. Democrats had a window of opportunity to improve the situation in the past three years but. as usual, they fell well short. "Missed opportunity" should be the Democrat's campaign slogan.
No, I don't. I agree we need to get away from the two party system. I voted for Nader. I am just making the point that Democrats are lame and, I guess I should add that if they wanted to win, they would change their ways. Their true Masters and Corporate sponsors will only let them lean so far to the left. The Democrats will forever "want" to have Medicare for all, Abortion Rights, Union Power, Fair wages, but they will not be effective at making it happen. They have had opportunities to get these things done but they didn't.
Indeed, Biden's presidency has failed to rise to the historical moment. I generally agree with Hedges’ analysis, though I’d quibble over whether fascism is inevitable (as he suggests) or whether it has instead already been firmly established. As I wrote recently, bipartisan support for genocide indicates that fears of a fascist future charitably overlook the present, as well as the past. https://shahidbuttar.substack.com/p/fears-of-a-fascist-future-overlook
Disappointed in this piece ... but before I share my thoughts, may I say that I'm an independent progressive just as Hedges once was, and someone who believes that Trump is a complete horse's-ass of a human being ... Trump actually tried to cancel food stamp benefits for 700k recipients in the early stages of the pandemic ...
Hedges abandoned the U.S. working class and the Constitution in an AUG 27, 2021 interview with Jimmy Dore and he's now been brazenly hiding behind Gaza for the past 5 months ... So his half-hearted "return to America" here was very predictable, especially his trademark decision to leave us all hangin' with no hope ...
Recounting the failures of this administration doesn't do us a bit of good ... somebody please tell St. Chris he did not tell us anything here we didn't already know ... we are the people who bought his books, attended the his public signings, gave him a THUMBS UP and always commented accordingly ... and we deserve much, much more from this once good man ...
Chris Hedges is deliberately misdirecting our attention here ...
------------------
DIVISIVENESS
Hedges is deceptively divisive and he obviously has no problem with it ... rather than comment on the ominous threats posed to our freedoms by the WEF and the WHO, he would have us believe the problem is TRUMP-MAGA ... just listen to the extremely divisive, out-of-context comment he makes here in his otherwise terrific AMERICAN SADISM speech ... listen as he blames the MSM for splitting us into "warring factions" and then demeans those of us who question the motives and tactics of our elected officials as "members of the lunatic fringe and conspiracy theorists" ...
Start at the 43:10 mark and then listen very closely to him at the 44:32 mark:
Many times, Hedges has been quick to point out the problems of our binary reaction to political reporting but once again, he chooses to deftly demonize and conflate law-abiding Christians with fringe MAGA types ...
I happen to believe that 9/11 was an inside job ... so does that make me a member of his lunatic fringe? ... well guess what, Hedges has actually admitted as much ... after a 2014 speech he was asked to comment on 9/11 and insulted our collective intelligence by saying "I don't want to get into conspiracy theories, Bush was probably just asleep at the wheel" ...
Hedges' words do not empower us, his pessimism demoralizes us ...
Here's a few more head-scratching comments that have taken on new meaning since the March 2020 lock downs:
------------------
ON THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
He says all the right things here:
“We cannot be paralyzed by fear. We will be stripped, if we do not resist, of our few remaining rights. To resist, while there is still time, is not only the highest form of spirituality but the highest form of patriotism. It is, if you care about what is worth protecting in this country, a moral imperative."
And on another occasion: "The Constitution remains a sacred document."
------------------
ON THE MANDATES & PASSPORTS
But then, after the lock downs ...
He threw us AND the Constitution under the bus with COVID in an interview with Jimmy Dore ... just watch him dance to avoid a direct answer when asked about the illegal and unconstitutional mandates and passports before sheepishly blowing it off by saying: "that was a decision that I made."
Jimmy: “I’d like to get your thoughts on the vaccine mandates and passports”:
Hedges: “So I got the vaccine … the fact is these things were rolled out without proper vetting, that’s real … but I understand how people are weary about it, because they were turbo-charged … but that was a decision I made to get it … I am quite certain, in the history of pharmaceuticals that they work very hard to bury the negative consequences … that was a decision that I made”
And on USEFUL IDIOTS on SEP 21, 2021
Go to the 1:50 mark ...
Another less-than-passionate, half-hearted response ...
The FDA was compelled by a court ruling to release Phizer's vax trial data that revealed 1,223 post-jab deaths and 34,762 adverse events in the first 10 weeks of its trial ... The FDA attempted to delay the full release of this data for 75 years! ...
This proved that the COVID vax was not "safe & effective"!
"I don't think we're going to stop the pandemic and mutations until everybody gets vaccinated" ...
Chris Hedges DID NOT have to take sides on this issue ... He could have said it's a personal decision, but no ... most people would never tell another person to "walk the plank" if they knew better, but that's exactly what Hedges did here ... he knew the VAX was rushed to market after only one year (the average is 10 years), he knew about the explosive FDA FOIA release and he had to have seen the many videos of vax-injured people ... but he chose to push the "safe & effective" narrative on us anyway! ... and then about 2m after making that same comment during the interview above, Hedges rubbed our nose in it by openly admitting that he "does not trust Moderna or Phizer" ... livelihoods and lives can hang in the balance of reckless, irresponsible comments like this but clearly, this man did not give a hoot about the consequences.
Of course, Hedges is free to write about any topic he chooses ... but although the 2024 PRES election is 8 months away, we've only got 2 months to stop the WHO from implementing those scary amendments to the pandemic treaty ...
But Hedges won't go there ... ya see, it's just too risky, he's cutting too close to the bone ... this has become his post-pandemic trademark ...
Read about James Roguski and the WHO here on Substack ... Hedges should be front and center on this issue.
First, as I noted in the beginning of my post, I only identify as an independent progressive ... I am not a Christian ... ya see, I was raised to believe that it's OK to just believe in one God without having to believe in or worship Christ ...
Secondly, I was once his biggest fan and I've read all but one of his books ...
For the past two decades, Hedges gave us the impression that he'd be there to fight the good fight with us when things got dicey ... but exactly the opposite happened when he snuck out the back door on us with the lock downs ...
That's exactly why I chose the PITA handle ... all I've done here is simply benchmark Hedges' words against his actions to demonstrate how he has broken his most basic promises to us ... for the past two decades, he gave us every indication that he'd be there to fight the good fight with us, but he snuck out the back door with the March 2020 lockdowns and has been hiding from HIS U.S. working class ever since ...
His last truly courageous piece of activism was being a party to a 2012 law suit that challenged the Obama Admin's amendments to SECTION 1021 of the NDAA ...
That was Hedges at his best ... I used to love the guy, but not anymore ...
Hedges is free to write about any topic he chooses ... but although the 2024 PRES election is 8 months away, we've only got 2 months to stop the WHO from implementing those scary amendments to the pandemic treaty ...
But Hedges won't go there ... ya see, it's just too risky, he's cutting too close to the bone ... this has become his post-pandemic trademark ...
Read about James Roguski's writings on the amendments to the WHO pandemic treaty right here on Substack ... Hedges should be front and center on this!
I think that South Park said it best when they described Americas voting choices for president as being between « a douche and a turd sandwich ».
We can expect more from our leaders and political parties. And we should.
My view: oust democrats now to teach them a lesson. Otherwise they have impunity. And hopefully in 4 years, they’ll fix themselves and present a better option that Americans can feel good about coming for. Something better than a douche or a turd sandwich.
If fascism takes over you won’t necessarily get to vote again in four years’ time, or have your vote certified, at least. As one elected Republican congressman once said while representing America to the best of his ability, “They’ll be hunting Democrats like dogs”. ‘Don’t know who that was, it just stuck in my mind, over here in Scotland.
TY. I cannot find the words to thank you for your post. I could rip just about anything that’s said to shreds and not blame only Biden in the “catch all” lame title, alone.
“If men were angels” as the story goes in no. 51. But, of course, we know only devils and their advocates. I’ll grant him this…he invites what will be and it won’t stop war(s) or make angels appear. I applaud his audacious approach to welcoming in the new regime.
It is laughable to think the part he gets right isn’t even right. I’ll leave it here. Peace.
I don’t think Hedges welcomes any of this. He’s just calling it like he sees it, and speaking honestly.
From my reading of his piece, he welcomes neither a Trump nor. Biden presidency, and he’s simply anticipating how voters will react.
If the Democrats want to win an election against republicans, they need to stop acting like republicans, and get back to what is supposed to be core values of the left. Make things better for working people, cos Trump sure won’t.
Demand more of the Democrats. Voting for them now is to give them impunity. They will learn nothing.
I don’t disagree with you. I just don’t think the points are strong enough for an outright blame as he does point out.
Newness of leadership doesn’t guarantee anything and we won’t get new until 28 so his piece reads as a dirty epithet to reality.
I’m not South Parking. I’m as in your face as you’re willing to believe that it’s any one party, bureaucrat, politician, or that progressives don’t have a set of equal problems that need help.
I’m not dying to die under Barron Trump. I am praying for an election in 28 that produces a better skilled, competent, democratic leader who can implement a new vision so us old folks and the internet age agree or respectfully disagree.
Biden isn’t a killer and I don’t think I’m qualified to say much more.
But, I appreciate your comments. I’m always ready to learn, listen but I’ve had enough, myself, of things that have me on edge. Thanks again.
Funny, I didn’t want to write all that so I’d rather give you credit and someone can just tell me I’m lazy and this is why people vote for Trump because the angered relate to a 6 time bankrupt fraudster who, for 5 decades didn’t pay his debts, contractors, immigrant workers, sexually abused women, defrauded and took advantage of every odious opportunity, arm’s length, of course, to loophole his way out of his fake ass Christian ethics and help those usurious mortgage rates, bank fees and credit card rates go higher, along his muddy path. I heard no one lost money? So, let’s raise the glass to Genocide Joe that killing MF’er.
Nance, just say no, mass incarceration and corp taxes cut by over 50% by Ronnie, couldn’t have done much better for working people. Trickle down was a euphemism for “excuse me while I ask this gentleman to tear down his wall while F’ing helping amass billions for the middle class, um I meant CEO’s, that someday Biden will get blamed for, along with his shitty economy”.
They still vote for the “party of run amok Wall Street deregulation and greed that now consumes the environment, those shady tyrannical Democrats, they aren’t, or progressives that would help them, but that apparently they, as “clean”coal miners, believe they belong in the same club as Kelly Loeffler.
With AI and future technology I’d hate to envision a lengthier condemnation of mass layoffs and displaced workers owing to another century of good years gone by.
The debt of ones mortgage and credit cards aren’t pretty today, but keeping up with the Jones’, even in tight knit rural Appalachia, where before a moment ago they had to buy internet service, to steal identities, to buy a bigger trailer. Sarcasm isn’t my strong point. JD Vance, who is a former good guy, spells it out better.
We consume what we’re offered and if it’s not offered on one side, of any coin, flip it and it’ll probably land on another check list of grievances that some may always have for choosing Harvard for their com degree and blame a progressive or MAGA instead!
I digressed but I don’t think I’ll continue so again, TY.
Probably THE biggest misconception about Trump is that he is independently wealthy ... not true ... he's into Deutsche Bank for some big bucks and that's why I doubt his pull in protecting us from the implementation of a CBDC ... the banks have their hook firmly planted in him.
His hand around retiring Justice Kennedy's shoulder as he walked down the WH red carpet was a defining moment. The Heritage, The Federalist, the SCOTUS, the Soros, the Koch Bros. will always be around.
Why anyone would be okay to allow a man convicted of fraud in financial statements, given to any bank, speaking of factors that increase costs for the average dude, on a large scale, or BK 6 times or sexual abuse is beyond me.
The redemption is just one reason to hate him if he has the ability to do what he does, when they can't, after 4000+ lawsuits for debt, discrimination, contract breeches, where he didn't do so great is saying here take my money and please help yourself but I can't stand Biden for not being able to tell WS how to distribute their record profits. I couldn't run for dog-catcher after a business closure with no BK two decades ago.
The government is reactive and run like a Trump company. It isn't that they have efficient methods but I'll be damned if Orban's 9M citizens enjoy the 28% inflation, Reaganesque.
There is so much politicking in politicking that will be and I'm not complicit but I'm realistic. If Biden is the "I won't vote guy because of my own morals" please remember what country you're voting in or sitting out in. War won't stop. Centuries of history tell us what is to come if we read this as intended or not.
I don't mean to be a bag about it, and I have no future generations, but I care about others and including those in war, oppression, famine (Ukraine in 1919) but I can't morally object to a policy, with valid opposition, I realize, but comes from a man who I dare say is no easy rider into the sunset being his legacy of "Genocide Joe". It didn't start with him and it won't end with him.
I'm still wondering where Trump's promise of "clean" coal is? It is an unprecedented situation and I'm angry about so much that I have learned just because of my own deeper dive due to MAGA.
I'm a nobody but I'm a vote for Biden so the youth can get to 28 and beyond.
It is so sad but so true. We have never had any individuality as a nation, always either as a colony under Britain or as a colony under the control of the United States. It is time for us to stand up against a nation that can't chose between two old men.
There was a time where Canadians could be proud. Jean Chrétien refused to join the war on Iraq. He did not believe the evidence of WMD, and he refused, even when UK embraced it. THAT was leadership. We don’t have that anymore. We just have a PM who makes up words like « peoplekind » and can’t say or do anything at all for fear of upsetting a voter or an ally. How we have fallen.
It did…Jean Chrétien refused to join war on Iraq with the BS « WMDs » gaff. He didn’t believe it and refused to join. That’s some political leadership right there. Britain dove right into that war with the Americans, of course.
I think you need to start off with an intelligent person to have a strong leader.
I don’t think Justin got his father’s brains or leadership skills.
ummm...let me think...I can blame them! 50 years of REPUBLICAN economic policy that has harmed the electoral demographic that is the focus of this article, including tax cuts for corporations, corporate "personhood", deregulation...has seen as much as 50 trillion dollars flow upward to the uber wealthy and away from this aggrieved middle and working class. And how do they respond to this? By continuing to vote Republican. Now, not content to merely vote Republican, they have abandoned whatever moral compass they may have once had to support a rapist wanna-be dictator willin to collapse this country into chaos and violence. It is a disgrace. And your article blames the Democratic party because it has somehow "failed" to fully counteract Republican destruction. No mention of the fact that that Republicans vote 50-0 in the Senate AGAINST reforms that would help the working and middle class. The Democrats vote 50-0 (and suffered because of Manchin and Synema.) Mitch McConnell openly declared that he wanted to use the filibuster to block any and all legislation the Democratic party would try and put through during the Obama administration. But somehow this is all the Democrats fault. What a joke this article is so far off the mark.
Do we not want the deep state? Don’t many of us want a theocratic monoculture? A Harvard class full of Atheists is a theocratic monoculture. A legal system that changes hue entirely when you are rich is a deep state oasis. A culture that swears it is a vibrant democracy that generates wealth inequality that’d make Croesus blush did not happen by way of legislation. If the “government” is in thrall to corporations what are we? Not in thrall to corporations? Brave mavericks refusing big paychecks not related to what we produce, at all, but the number of people “under us” in the work place. How democratic would a real democracy be in a culture that fetishizes distrust of government? Skepticism sure, even dissent though the flies collect when one suggests the Genocide Joe has crossed my red line. 19% of wealth is compensation for the deeds performed that we call work. The wealthier the slimmer the percentage. Still it is the apex aspiration of most of us, the measure of success. Enough is not enough. If it were most of these problems would evaporate. “It is not in our czars, dear Brutus, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.
I don’t agree. There are simply not enough political options. The democratic system has become corrupted and it no longer works.
I think South Park put it brilliantly when they described the American voter’s options as being between « a douche, and a turd sandwich ».
It’s not just governments who are corrupted, media is too.
I think what you’re describing is the older generation. The boomers who took more than they earned and left a wake of destruction in their path.
The younger generation is different. It’s so noticeable. They are not driven by the same motivators as we were or our parents were.
Things change but change slowly.
I think there is reason to be hopeful. And certainly there is reason to truth seek, because it’s only from knowing the truth can we learn our mistakes. The same modes used to brainwash my generation and those before me with a sanitized history will fall on deaf ears on the next generation: they no longer trust institutions including schools. And they don’t much care about money or wealth accumulation.
Let’s call them, the incorruptibles. That’s our hope for change. The old guard can’t live forever.
Same comment as I wrote on the written piece. Does Chris know any Trump voters? I know many and NONE are Christian fascists! On the contrary they want more freedom for themselves and everyone else. They dont want the government getting into peoples private lives. Yes, some of them are okay with abortion bans, although most that I know think 6 weeks is way too early. They would feel more comfortable with 15 weeks or later, which would be similar to what European countries have in practice. Most Trump voters I know dont care much about abortion either way. And speaking of bodily autonomy, most Trump voters thought that covid vaccine mandates were wrong and. authoritarian. Fascist, one might say.... And let me finish by saying is that I do not like Trump and would only vote for him with great reluctance if the only other viable choice is Joe Biden, who is truly authoritarian ( fascist, one might say).
Ronald Reagan, a Republican, gutted regulatory agencies and social services, not the Democrats, although by now the Democrats are completing his work on American society.
Confirmation. Every homeless person I see confirms this. I can not avoid seeing people begging on many street corners in Oklahoma City. It is a painful reality.
A “temporary” pear US is building in Gaza is -- to export intentionally starved and utterly desperate Palestinians to, perhaps St. Helena or northern Pakistan – but out of Palestine. A Nakba-2 horror.
The ones who remain will – die, according to Nazi-dominated Israeli government.
US-Israel cabal is implementing Hitler’s “Final Solution” – we are watching it in real time on TV.
GENOCIDE DEFINES THE BOTTOM OF ALL HUMAN POWER OR MONEY, WHILE TRILLIONAIRE'S DEFINE AND RULE BY THE ARROGANT AND SELF-APPOINTED "MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE"
FEB/MAR 2024 FORBES COVER STORY -- BLACKSTONE'S CROWN PRINCE BY JONATHAN GRAY:
"THIS WILL BE A GLOBAL
PHENOMENON.
IT'S GONNA HAPPEN
HERE. IT'S GONNA
HAPPEN EVERYWHERE"
BOLD TITLE:
REMASTERING
THE UNIVERSE
THE NEW ERA OF PRIVATE EQUITY IS HERE:
NEVER ENDING, INDIVIDUAL FRIENDLY FUNDS.
BLACKSTONE SEES AN $80 TRILLION OPPORTUNITY.
IMHO, if this shit is literally believed by such insane money megalomaniacs --- God save the World if they actually rule the coming Global EMPIRE!
IMHO, Inequality is the greatest problem in the world:
"Negative Externality Cost" (NEC) lying and looting, needs to be replaced with a moral and extendable "Positive Externality Profits" (PEP) for 'we the people' --- the 'so-called' scams of SRI (socially responsible), and ESG ("What Is Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Investing? --- IMHO, a complete financial scam-job of putting 'powder on a pig'.
I am not sure based on what exactly thinks that a Trump presidency would be worse than the disaster we are in, brought to you by Pfizer, Genocide Joe and the Deep State? How exactly could it get worse? The Dems did to Trump what they said that he would do to them, dragged him through courts and I am almost sure they will try to Epstein him...
How can a Trump second term be worse than the worst presidency in the history of US - period?
I am FAR MORE terrified of a Demented Joe second term; chances are it will go nuclear.
As many others, Mr. Hedges suffers from Trump derangement syndrome; please get over it...
I am shocked that Mr. Hedges was expecting ANYTHING from the "democratic" side of the uniparty? Both presidents are emblematic for the current state of affair in the US:
> Trump is vulgar, failed businessman, born with a silver spoon but charismatic in his way
> Biden is an angry, disgusting, rabid, aggressive, impotent and senile old man...
This IS what the USA has become, metaphorically speaking; there is NO WAY OUT through elections.
It’s all about the deep state now
The parties are irrelevant except as a way to preen and put on a show
Tyrannical systems use parties either single or multi as a facade
It’s beautiful evil how America was captured by bureaucrats
And we have to pay for it as tax slaves and wage slaves
Cool
Our government was captured by corporate and billionaire power. Bureaucrats just serve power.
Totally agree. And how easily corruptible they are.
I completely agree with you: the parties are irrelevant. They are both corrupted by billionaire class, and lobbies. They don’t work for the people. Neither side.
Perhaps revolution will be necessary to remind them who they work for.
No, Mary, as John Lennon wrote, and sang:
"You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out"
However, Mary, I do believe, and would suggest to John that the last word of the first line of "Imagine" --- would be sung as:
"Imagine there's no Empire"
EG.
Imagine there's no Empire
It's easy if you try
No Hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people livin' for today
Ah, ah, ah-ah
Lennon never had to fight oppression. He was working class, sure. But he was a white Englishman. Some people don’t have the option to say “count me out” because the consequences are death, subjugation or to flee.
I love the beatles - I was raised on their music - but they were never my bible.
Yes, Mary, but —
Only oversight John Lennon ever made!
The last word in the first line of IMAGINE — should have been:
“Imagine there’s no EMPIRE”
Tell that to Mariane Antoinette.
Like so many blame Nader for Bush v Gore, Democrats use Trump/MAGA as an excuse. Gore and Clinton lost the election because of their policies. They drove working class people into the Republican's camp. Democrats had a window of opportunity to improve the situation in the past three years but. as usual, they fell well short. "Missed opportunity" should be the Democrat's campaign slogan.
This is ridiculous. Nader could have won but you stick to the same duopoly!
No, I don't. I agree we need to get away from the two party system. I voted for Nader. I am just making the point that Democrats are lame and, I guess I should add that if they wanted to win, they would change their ways. Their true Masters and Corporate sponsors will only let them lean so far to the left. The Democrats will forever "want" to have Medicare for all, Abortion Rights, Union Power, Fair wages, but they will not be effective at making it happen. They have had opportunities to get these things done but they didn't.
It was said at the time that Nader pulled votes away from the Democrats' candidate.
SO. .................and you continue to have a duopoly!
Indeed, Biden's presidency has failed to rise to the historical moment. I generally agree with Hedges’ analysis, though I’d quibble over whether fascism is inevitable (as he suggests) or whether it has instead already been firmly established. As I wrote recently, bipartisan support for genocide indicates that fears of a fascist future charitably overlook the present, as well as the past. https://shahidbuttar.substack.com/p/fears-of-a-fascist-future-overlook
HEDGES IS DIVISIVE! ...
Disappointed in this piece ... but before I share my thoughts, may I say that I'm an independent progressive just as Hedges once was, and someone who believes that Trump is a complete horse's-ass of a human being ... Trump actually tried to cancel food stamp benefits for 700k recipients in the early stages of the pandemic ...
Hedges abandoned the U.S. working class and the Constitution in an AUG 27, 2021 interview with Jimmy Dore and he's now been brazenly hiding behind Gaza for the past 5 months ... So his half-hearted "return to America" here was very predictable, especially his trademark decision to leave us all hangin' with no hope ...
Recounting the failures of this administration doesn't do us a bit of good ... somebody please tell St. Chris he did not tell us anything here we didn't already know ... we are the people who bought his books, attended the his public signings, gave him a THUMBS UP and always commented accordingly ... and we deserve much, much more from this once good man ...
Chris Hedges is deliberately misdirecting our attention here ...
------------------
DIVISIVENESS
Hedges is deceptively divisive and he obviously has no problem with it ... rather than comment on the ominous threats posed to our freedoms by the WEF and the WHO, he would have us believe the problem is TRUMP-MAGA ... just listen to the extremely divisive, out-of-context comment he makes here in his otherwise terrific AMERICAN SADISM speech ... listen as he blames the MSM for splitting us into "warring factions" and then demeans those of us who question the motives and tactics of our elected officials as "members of the lunatic fringe and conspiracy theorists" ...
Start at the 43:10 mark and then listen very closely to him at the 44:32 mark:
https://scheerpost.com/2021/06/29/chris-hedges-speaks-on-american-sadism/
Many times, Hedges has been quick to point out the problems of our binary reaction to political reporting but once again, he chooses to deftly demonize and conflate law-abiding Christians with fringe MAGA types ...
I happen to believe that 9/11 was an inside job ... so does that make me a member of his lunatic fringe? ... well guess what, Hedges has actually admitted as much ... after a 2014 speech he was asked to comment on 9/11 and insulted our collective intelligence by saying "I don't want to get into conspiracy theories, Bush was probably just asleep at the wheel" ...
Hedges' words do not empower us, his pessimism demoralizes us ...
Here's a few more head-scratching comments that have taken on new meaning since the March 2020 lock downs:
------------------
ON THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
He says all the right things here:
“We cannot be paralyzed by fear. We will be stripped, if we do not resist, of our few remaining rights. To resist, while there is still time, is not only the highest form of spirituality but the highest form of patriotism. It is, if you care about what is worth protecting in this country, a moral imperative."
And on another occasion: "The Constitution remains a sacred document."
------------------
ON THE MANDATES & PASSPORTS
But then, after the lock downs ...
He threw us AND the Constitution under the bus with COVID in an interview with Jimmy Dore ... just watch him dance to avoid a direct answer when asked about the illegal and unconstitutional mandates and passports before sheepishly blowing it off by saying: "that was a decision that I made."
AUG 27, 2021 ...
Go to the 8:12 mark ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NusQH0pnX7Y&t=509s
Jimmy: “I’d like to get your thoughts on the vaccine mandates and passports”:
Hedges: “So I got the vaccine … the fact is these things were rolled out without proper vetting, that’s real … but I understand how people are weary about it, because they were turbo-charged … but that was a decision I made to get it … I am quite certain, in the history of pharmaceuticals that they work very hard to bury the negative consequences … that was a decision that I made”
And on USEFUL IDIOTS on SEP 21, 2021
Go to the 1:50 mark ...
Another less-than-passionate, half-hearted response ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7ZGT8raQS8
“It’s a hard question, I guess”
------------------
ON THE COVID VAX
On DEC 2, 2021 ...
The FDA was compelled by a court ruling to release Phizer's vax trial data that revealed 1,223 post-jab deaths and 34,762 adverse events in the first 10 weeks of its trial ... The FDA attempted to delay the full release of this data for 75 years! ...
This proved that the COVID vax was not "safe & effective"!
https://yandex.com/search/?text=FDA+FOIA+release+1223+deaths+phizer+covid+vaccine+december+2%2C+2021&lr=21504&search_source=yacom_desktop_common
But then, just 30 days later ...
On JAN 1, 2022 ...
Chris Hedges made this comment on the Krystal Kyle & Friends Podcast (Episode #54):
Go to the 1:08:47 mark:
https://krystalkyleandfriends.substack.com/p/episode-54-audio-chris-hedges#details
"I don't think we're going to stop the pandemic and mutations until everybody gets vaccinated" ...
Chris Hedges DID NOT have to take sides on this issue ... He could have said it's a personal decision, but no ... most people would never tell another person to "walk the plank" if they knew better, but that's exactly what Hedges did here ... he knew the VAX was rushed to market after only one year (the average is 10 years), he knew about the explosive FDA FOIA release and he had to have seen the many videos of vax-injured people ... but he chose to push the "safe & effective" narrative on us anyway! ... and then about 2m after making that same comment during the interview above, Hedges rubbed our nose in it by openly admitting that he "does not trust Moderna or Phizer" ... livelihoods and lives can hang in the balance of reckless, irresponsible comments like this but clearly, this man did not give a hoot about the consequences.
Of course, Hedges is free to write about any topic he chooses ... but although the 2024 PRES election is 8 months away, we've only got 2 months to stop the WHO from implementing those scary amendments to the pandemic treaty ...
But Hedges won't go there ... ya see, it's just too risky, he's cutting too close to the bone ... this has become his post-pandemic trademark ...
Read about James Roguski and the WHO here on Substack ... Hedges should be front and center on this issue.
You're just butt-hurt because Chris Hedges called out the right-wing Christians, of which you seem to be one.
You're quoting his works which you like, but he also wrote a book about Christian fascism.
First, as I noted in the beginning of my post, I only identify as an independent progressive ... I am not a Christian ... ya see, I was raised to believe that it's OK to just believe in one God without having to believe in or worship Christ ...
Secondly, I was once his biggest fan and I've read all but one of his books ...
For the past two decades, Hedges gave us the impression that he'd be there to fight the good fight with us when things got dicey ... but exactly the opposite happened when he snuck out the back door on us with the lock downs ...
PITA --- please remember that PITA means Pain In The Ass --- which IMHO fits you pretty well in a 40 long.
Did I pop your little love bubble with St Chris?
That's exactly why I chose the PITA handle ... all I've done here is simply benchmark Hedges' words against his actions to demonstrate how he has broken his most basic promises to us ... for the past two decades, he gave us every indication that he'd be there to fight the good fight with us, but he snuck out the back door with the March 2020 lockdowns and has been hiding from HIS U.S. working class ever since ...
His last truly courageous piece of activism was being a party to a 2012 law suit that challenged the Obama Admin's amendments to SECTION 1021 of the NDAA ...
That was Hedges at his best ... I used to love the guy, but not anymore ...
Hedges is free to write about any topic he chooses ... but although the 2024 PRES election is 8 months away, we've only got 2 months to stop the WHO from implementing those scary amendments to the pandemic treaty ...
But Hedges won't go there ... ya see, it's just too risky, he's cutting too close to the bone ... this has become his post-pandemic trademark ...
Read about James Roguski's writings on the amendments to the WHO pandemic treaty right here on Substack ... Hedges should be front and center on this!
I think that South Park said it best when they described Americas voting choices for president as being between « a douche and a turd sandwich ».
We can expect more from our leaders and political parties. And we should.
My view: oust democrats now to teach them a lesson. Otherwise they have impunity. And hopefully in 4 years, they’ll fix themselves and present a better option that Americans can feel good about coming for. Something better than a douche or a turd sandwich.
If fascism takes over you won’t necessarily get to vote again in four years’ time, or have your vote certified, at least. As one elected Republican congressman once said while representing America to the best of his ability, “They’ll be hunting Democrats like dogs”. ‘Don’t know who that was, it just stuck in my mind, over here in Scotland.
TY. I cannot find the words to thank you for your post. I could rip just about anything that’s said to shreds and not blame only Biden in the “catch all” lame title, alone.
“If men were angels” as the story goes in no. 51. But, of course, we know only devils and their advocates. I’ll grant him this…he invites what will be and it won’t stop war(s) or make angels appear. I applaud his audacious approach to welcoming in the new regime.
It is laughable to think the part he gets right isn’t even right. I’ll leave it here. Peace.
I don’t think Hedges welcomes any of this. He’s just calling it like he sees it, and speaking honestly.
From my reading of his piece, he welcomes neither a Trump nor. Biden presidency, and he’s simply anticipating how voters will react.
If the Democrats want to win an election against republicans, they need to stop acting like republicans, and get back to what is supposed to be core values of the left. Make things better for working people, cos Trump sure won’t.
Demand more of the Democrats. Voting for them now is to give them impunity. They will learn nothing.
I don’t disagree with you. I just don’t think the points are strong enough for an outright blame as he does point out.
Newness of leadership doesn’t guarantee anything and we won’t get new until 28 so his piece reads as a dirty epithet to reality.
I’m not South Parking. I’m as in your face as you’re willing to believe that it’s any one party, bureaucrat, politician, or that progressives don’t have a set of equal problems that need help.
I’m not dying to die under Barron Trump. I am praying for an election in 28 that produces a better skilled, competent, democratic leader who can implement a new vision so us old folks and the internet age agree or respectfully disagree.
Biden isn’t a killer and I don’t think I’m qualified to say much more.
But, I appreciate your comments. I’m always ready to learn, listen but I’ve had enough, myself, of things that have me on edge. Thanks again.
Ha! ...
Thank you. I think ...
It is a sincere TY!
Funny, I didn’t want to write all that so I’d rather give you credit and someone can just tell me I’m lazy and this is why people vote for Trump because the angered relate to a 6 time bankrupt fraudster who, for 5 decades didn’t pay his debts, contractors, immigrant workers, sexually abused women, defrauded and took advantage of every odious opportunity, arm’s length, of course, to loophole his way out of his fake ass Christian ethics and help those usurious mortgage rates, bank fees and credit card rates go higher, along his muddy path. I heard no one lost money? So, let’s raise the glass to Genocide Joe that killing MF’er.
Nance, just say no, mass incarceration and corp taxes cut by over 50% by Ronnie, couldn’t have done much better for working people. Trickle down was a euphemism for “excuse me while I ask this gentleman to tear down his wall while F’ing helping amass billions for the middle class, um I meant CEO’s, that someday Biden will get blamed for, along with his shitty economy”.
They still vote for the “party of run amok Wall Street deregulation and greed that now consumes the environment, those shady tyrannical Democrats, they aren’t, or progressives that would help them, but that apparently they, as “clean”coal miners, believe they belong in the same club as Kelly Loeffler.
With AI and future technology I’d hate to envision a lengthier condemnation of mass layoffs and displaced workers owing to another century of good years gone by.
The debt of ones mortgage and credit cards aren’t pretty today, but keeping up with the Jones’, even in tight knit rural Appalachia, where before a moment ago they had to buy internet service, to steal identities, to buy a bigger trailer. Sarcasm isn’t my strong point. JD Vance, who is a former good guy, spells it out better.
We consume what we’re offered and if it’s not offered on one side, of any coin, flip it and it’ll probably land on another check list of grievances that some may always have for choosing Harvard for their com degree and blame a progressive or MAGA instead!
I digressed but I don’t think I’ll continue so again, TY.
Probably THE biggest misconception about Trump is that he is independently wealthy ... not true ... he's into Deutsche Bank for some big bucks and that's why I doubt his pull in protecting us from the implementation of a CBDC ... the banks have their hook firmly planted in him.
His hand around retiring Justice Kennedy's shoulder as he walked down the WH red carpet was a defining moment. The Heritage, The Federalist, the SCOTUS, the Soros, the Koch Bros. will always be around.
Why anyone would be okay to allow a man convicted of fraud in financial statements, given to any bank, speaking of factors that increase costs for the average dude, on a large scale, or BK 6 times or sexual abuse is beyond me.
The redemption is just one reason to hate him if he has the ability to do what he does, when they can't, after 4000+ lawsuits for debt, discrimination, contract breeches, where he didn't do so great is saying here take my money and please help yourself but I can't stand Biden for not being able to tell WS how to distribute their record profits. I couldn't run for dog-catcher after a business closure with no BK two decades ago.
The government is reactive and run like a Trump company. It isn't that they have efficient methods but I'll be damned if Orban's 9M citizens enjoy the 28% inflation, Reaganesque.
There is so much politicking in politicking that will be and I'm not complicit but I'm realistic. If Biden is the "I won't vote guy because of my own morals" please remember what country you're voting in or sitting out in. War won't stop. Centuries of history tell us what is to come if we read this as intended or not.
I don't mean to be a bag about it, and I have no future generations, but I care about others and including those in war, oppression, famine (Ukraine in 1919) but I can't morally object to a policy, with valid opposition, I realize, but comes from a man who I dare say is no easy rider into the sunset being his legacy of "Genocide Joe". It didn't start with him and it won't end with him.
I'm still wondering where Trump's promise of "clean" coal is? It is an unprecedented situation and I'm angry about so much that I have learned just because of my own deeper dive due to MAGA.
I'm a nobody but I'm a vote for Biden so the youth can get to 28 and beyond.
Thank you for a neutral perspective trajectory displaying variables from the past..that impacted today… and what dictatorial dystopia will be.
This is very thought provoking and what big corporations bully intent is.
I fear the Canadian government will skip merrily along behind them. Canada stands for nothing now.
It is so sad but so true. We have never had any individuality as a nation, always either as a colony under Britain or as a colony under the control of the United States. It is time for us to stand up against a nation that can't chose between two old men.
There was a time where Canadians could be proud. Jean Chrétien refused to join the war on Iraq. He did not believe the evidence of WMD, and he refused, even when UK embraced it. THAT was leadership. We don’t have that anymore. We just have a PM who makes up words like « peoplekind » and can’t say or do anything at all for fear of upsetting a voter or an ally. How we have fallen.
Did it ever?
It did…Jean Chrétien refused to join war on Iraq with the BS « WMDs » gaff. He didn’t believe it and refused to join. That’s some political leadership right there. Britain dove right into that war with the Americans, of course.
I think you need to start off with an intelligent person to have a strong leader.
I don’t think Justin got his father’s brains or leadership skills.
ummm...let me think...I can blame them! 50 years of REPUBLICAN economic policy that has harmed the electoral demographic that is the focus of this article, including tax cuts for corporations, corporate "personhood", deregulation...has seen as much as 50 trillion dollars flow upward to the uber wealthy and away from this aggrieved middle and working class. And how do they respond to this? By continuing to vote Republican. Now, not content to merely vote Republican, they have abandoned whatever moral compass they may have once had to support a rapist wanna-be dictator willin to collapse this country into chaos and violence. It is a disgrace. And your article blames the Democratic party because it has somehow "failed" to fully counteract Republican destruction. No mention of the fact that that Republicans vote 50-0 in the Senate AGAINST reforms that would help the working and middle class. The Democrats vote 50-0 (and suffered because of Manchin and Synema.) Mitch McConnell openly declared that he wanted to use the filibuster to block any and all legislation the Democratic party would try and put through during the Obama administration. But somehow this is all the Democrats fault. What a joke this article is so far off the mark.
Do we not want the deep state? Don’t many of us want a theocratic monoculture? A Harvard class full of Atheists is a theocratic monoculture. A legal system that changes hue entirely when you are rich is a deep state oasis. A culture that swears it is a vibrant democracy that generates wealth inequality that’d make Croesus blush did not happen by way of legislation. If the “government” is in thrall to corporations what are we? Not in thrall to corporations? Brave mavericks refusing big paychecks not related to what we produce, at all, but the number of people “under us” in the work place. How democratic would a real democracy be in a culture that fetishizes distrust of government? Skepticism sure, even dissent though the flies collect when one suggests the Genocide Joe has crossed my red line. 19% of wealth is compensation for the deeds performed that we call work. The wealthier the slimmer the percentage. Still it is the apex aspiration of most of us, the measure of success. Enough is not enough. If it were most of these problems would evaporate. “It is not in our czars, dear Brutus, but in ourselves, that we are underlings.
I don’t agree. There are simply not enough political options. The democratic system has become corrupted and it no longer works.
I think South Park put it brilliantly when they described the American voter’s options as being between « a douche, and a turd sandwich ».
It’s not just governments who are corrupted, media is too.
I think what you’re describing is the older generation. The boomers who took more than they earned and left a wake of destruction in their path.
The younger generation is different. It’s so noticeable. They are not driven by the same motivators as we were or our parents were.
Things change but change slowly.
I think there is reason to be hopeful. And certainly there is reason to truth seek, because it’s only from knowing the truth can we learn our mistakes. The same modes used to brainwash my generation and those before me with a sanitized history will fall on deaf ears on the next generation: they no longer trust institutions including schools. And they don’t much care about money or wealth accumulation.
Let’s call them, the incorruptibles. That’s our hope for change. The old guard can’t live forever.
Fab. Yes lets call them that. And hope….
Same comment as I wrote on the written piece. Does Chris know any Trump voters? I know many and NONE are Christian fascists! On the contrary they want more freedom for themselves and everyone else. They dont want the government getting into peoples private lives. Yes, some of them are okay with abortion bans, although most that I know think 6 weeks is way too early. They would feel more comfortable with 15 weeks or later, which would be similar to what European countries have in practice. Most Trump voters I know dont care much about abortion either way. And speaking of bodily autonomy, most Trump voters thought that covid vaccine mandates were wrong and. authoritarian. Fascist, one might say.... And let me finish by saying is that I do not like Trump and would only vote for him with great reluctance if the only other viable choice is Joe Biden, who is truly authoritarian ( fascist, one might say).
Ronald Reagan, a Republican, gutted regulatory agencies and social services, not the Democrats, although by now the Democrats are completing his work on American society.
Confirmation. Every homeless person I see confirms this. I can not avoid seeing people begging on many street corners in Oklahoma City. It is a painful reality.
I think eventually everyone should learn that for years Americans lived 'the life' and didn't know anything about politics and didn't vote.
For a Democracy to have such a dismal voting record is egregious.
Thanks Chris.
As Dr. Strangelove’s end theme music sings:
We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when, but again we’ll meet again some sunny day!
Think about it – A Genocide in YOUR Name !!
A “temporary” pear US is building in Gaza is -- to export intentionally starved and utterly desperate Palestinians to, perhaps St. Helena or northern Pakistan – but out of Palestine. A Nakba-2 horror.
The ones who remain will – die, according to Nazi-dominated Israeli government.
US-Israel cabal is implementing Hitler’s “Final Solution” – we are watching it in real time on TV.
https://chrishedges.substack.com/p/israels-trojan-horse-read-by-eunice?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
TRILLIONAIRE'S
LIES & LOOTING
GLOBAL EMPIRE
INEQUALITY
GENOCIDE DEFINES THE BOTTOM OF ALL HUMAN POWER OR MONEY, WHILE TRILLIONAIRE'S DEFINE AND RULE BY THE ARROGANT AND SELF-APPOINTED "MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE"
FEB/MAR 2024 FORBES COVER STORY -- BLACKSTONE'S CROWN PRINCE BY JONATHAN GRAY:
"THIS WILL BE A GLOBAL
PHENOMENON.
IT'S GONNA HAPPEN
HERE. IT'S GONNA
HAPPEN EVERYWHERE"
BOLD TITLE:
REMASTERING
THE UNIVERSE
THE NEW ERA OF PRIVATE EQUITY IS HERE:
NEVER ENDING, INDIVIDUAL FRIENDLY FUNDS.
BLACKSTONE SEES AN $80 TRILLION OPPORTUNITY.
IMHO, if this shit is literally believed by such insane money megalomaniacs --- God save the World if they actually rule the coming Global EMPIRE!
IMHO, Inequality is the greatest problem in the world:
"Negative Externality Cost" (NEC) lying and looting, needs to be replaced with a moral and extendable "Positive Externality Profits" (PEP) for 'we the people' --- the 'so-called' scams of SRI (socially responsible), and ESG ("What Is Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Investing? --- IMHO, a complete financial scam-job of putting 'powder on a pig'.
I am not sure based on what exactly thinks that a Trump presidency would be worse than the disaster we are in, brought to you by Pfizer, Genocide Joe and the Deep State? How exactly could it get worse? The Dems did to Trump what they said that he would do to them, dragged him through courts and I am almost sure they will try to Epstein him...
How can a Trump second term be worse than the worst presidency in the history of US - period?
I am FAR MORE terrified of a Demented Joe second term; chances are it will go nuclear.
As many others, Mr. Hedges suffers from Trump derangement syndrome; please get over it...
I am shocked that Mr. Hedges was expecting ANYTHING from the "democratic" side of the uniparty? Both presidents are emblematic for the current state of affair in the US:
> Trump is vulgar, failed businessman, born with a silver spoon but charismatic in his way
> Biden is an angry, disgusting, rabid, aggressive, impotent and senile old man...
This IS what the USA has become, metaphorically speaking; there is NO WAY OUT through elections.