[blind-democracy] FW: Popular Resistance Newsletter - How to turn crisis to our advantage
- From: "Bob Hachey" <bhachey@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 20 Feb 2017 16:32:25 -0500
Hi all,
This one does a good job explaining the mess we’re in as well as pointing the
way to a better future. Bottom line, we must recognize that Trump is merely a
symptom, not the real problem and that the problem was created by corrupt
leaders of both parties.
Bob Hachey
From: PopularResistance.org
[mailto:info=popularresistance.org@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of ;
PopularResistance.org
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2017 9:21 AM
To: bhachey@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Popular Resistance Newsletter - How to turn crisis to our advantage
With the Trump administration floundering and the movement opposed to him
expanding, we need to be prepared for a possible shock doctrine moment...
This newsletter is also available
on the web
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=ca3f41360e&e=e5b1868e14>
here
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=8181108819&e=e5b1868e14>
.
Image removed by sender.
With the Trump administration floundering and the movement opposed to him
expanding, we need to be prepared for a possible shock doctrine moment, whether
intentional or not, that could be used to unify the country around an unpopular
president and shut down political dissent.
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=d74483e532&e=e5b1868e14>
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=d74483e532&e=e5b1868e14>
Image removed by sender. Bush Approval Polls
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=d74483e532&e=e5b1868e14>
In 2001, even after one of the most difficult and questioned presidential races
ever, President Bush was still
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=0fe99cf8a8&e=e5b1868e14>
approaching 60% approval at this stage of his presidency, rising to 62% by
mid-April. In March, the first signs of a recession hit, ending ten years of
growth, and his popularity plummeted to 51% by the end of summer. His
administration started to weaken.
Then September 11 hit. The country rallied around the President. A few days
after the attack, Bush had the
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=0a8959c6ef&e=e5b1868e14>
highest approval ratings in Gallup history at 90%. His popularity began to
drop, approaching pre-9/11 numbers, but then he began the war in Iraq and his
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=81bda6fba6&e=e5b1868e14>
popularity returned to 75%. It took until the
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=2e851051e4&e=e5b1868e14>
end of 2003 for his popularity to fall to pre-9/11 levels.
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=decfdee741&e=e5b1868e14>
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=decfdee741&e=e5b1868e14>
Image removed by sender. Mobilization for Global Justice
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=decfdee741&e=e5b1868e14>
The US attacked Afghanistan on October 7, 2001. This period of turmoil was
used to pass the PATRIOT Act on October 26, which curtailed civil liberties and
dissent while expanding government surveillance powers.
A
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=af3d05cbbe&e=e5b1868e14>
vibrant protest movement against corporate globalization, which had begun in
Seattle in 1999, was
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=78eabba5a5&e=e5b1868e14>
planning a mass protest of 100,000 people in Washington, DC against the World
Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund in late September, 2001,
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=e2f55cbf13&e=e5b1868e14>
was destroyed and confused about how to respond after 9/11.
The Democratic Party became openly complicit in moving forward on US wars and
in support of the Global War on Terror, which has become a never-ending war.
Bush’s opponent, Al
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=be4d2d9e5f&e=e5b1868e14>
Gore, gave multiple speeches
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=e698a9ad2a&e=e5b1868e14>
endorsing Bush’s war on terror and an attack on Iraq, even urging the US to
focus on attacking Iran.
A struggling presidency became a powerful war-time presidency.
Being Organized to Prevent a Destructive Impact of a Crisis Moment
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=fc5adc98f6&e=e5b1868e14>
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=fc5adc98f6&e=e5b1868e14>
Image removed by sender. 1933 burning down of Reichstag
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=fc5adc98f6&e=e5b1868e14>
What lessons should the protest movement of today take from the 9/11 experience
and similar events that have occurred, e.g. the
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=ecc76b0425&e=e5b1868e14>
1933 burning down of Reichstag under Hitler, which turned him into a dictator
even though his party did not have a majority in the legislature?
The lesson is that even a bumbling president can become widely supported and
very powerful and that a strong political movement can be destroyed in a moment
of crisis. What can we do to prevent that?
We need to be aware of the possibility, examine the potential crises that can
occur, recognize what is really happening, explain it quickly and be organized
to prevent harm from being done.
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=46b9c332dd&e=e5b1868e14>
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=46b9c332dd&e=e5b1868e14>
Image removed by sender. 2001 twin towers attack
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=46b9c332dd&e=e5b1868e14>
There are three major areas where a crisis could occur that could turn any
president, even Donald Trump, into one that people rally around and give great
power to: (1) An economic collapse; (2) A terrorist attack on the United
States; (3) A major war. These can each be something the administration is
complicit in creating or something that is a natural occurrence, blow-back from
US economic and foreign policy. The movement needs to be ready to respond. We
can’t fall into a fervor of patriotic unity that gives Trump a blank check.
People in the movement need to be prepared and consider what they can do to
make sure the political culture does not fall for a manufactured or real
crisis. People need to be ready to respond by pointing out that the crisis was
caused by the US political system, of which Trump is a symptom. It is critical
to point the finger of blame back at the system — and do so immediately — and
to
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=1d56a89459&e=e5b1868e14>
be ready with an agenda that changes the system in a way that protects people
and the planet.
1. The US and World Economy Are Fragile
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=802116cb13&e=e5b1868e14>
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=802116cb13&e=e5b1868e14>
Image removed by sender. Economic crisis
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=802116cb13&e=e5b1868e14>
The US and world economy are fragile because of policies put forward by both
parties that have created a top-heavy economy of highly-concentrated wealth.
Most people in the United States are economically insecure. Research shows that
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=e30ac9adeb&e=e5b1868e14>
two-thirds of people in the US cannot even handle a $500 surprise expense.
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=87d2343383&e=e5b1868e14>
Tens of millions are entrenched in poverty because of government policies and,
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=cf24daeab3&e=e5b1868e14>
under Trump policies, this is likely to worsen.
The US
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=7886426631&e=e5b1868e14>
economy has underlying flaws that make it more fragile than it seems. While
the dominant view is Trump has been given a strong economy, there are
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=fdf54dfc7a&e=e5b1868e14>
key indicators showing that a recession could hit,
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=8d707ab848&e=e5b1868e14>
indicators that continue today.
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=25b63ef497&e=e5b1868e14>
Forbes predicts Trump’s economic plan could send the US into the worst
recession since the Reagan era.
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=dae086f68c&e=e5b1868e14>
US News and World Report points to five reasons the US will face recession
under Trump.
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=11bc437937&e=e5b1868e14>
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=11bc437937&e=e5b1868e14>
Image removed by sender. A banner reading 'Capitalism isn't working' at the
Occupy London Stock Exchange protest. Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=11bc437937&e=e5b1868e14>
Nafeez Ahmed points to more fundamental and long-term problems in “
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=ff69bd2978&e=e5b1868e14>
How the Trump Regime Was Manufactured By War Inside the Deep State.” He points
to a systemic crisis which has its foundation in the cost of energy extraction,
which will make it impossible to create a growing economy. The Energy Return On
Investment (EROI) has dropped from 100 to 1 to 10 to 1 today meaning the world
is getting less energy for its extraction investments over time, making it
impossible to increase economic growth. Trump, building on the policies of
Obama, Bush and those before them, is increasing energy extraction, which could
accelerate the decline in EROI and lead to economic collapse.
2. Terrorist Attack Contrived or Blowback
A terrorist attack on the United States will most likely be provoked by US
foreign policy. The US has been in continuous war since 9/11 and before that,
it was a hegemonic, dominant world empire – the largest empire in world history.
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=2ca632c4f3&e=e5b1868e14>
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=2ca632c4f3&e=e5b1868e14>
Image removed by sender. US bombing
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=2ca632c4f3&e=e5b1868e14>
There is lots of reason for blow back against the United States. Since World
War II the
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=a500762e58&e=e5b1868e14>
US has killed more than 20 million people in 37 countries. Since the Iraq War,
US intelligence has warned that military attacks are creating terrorists faster
than the US can capture or kill them, intelligence that
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=b1a92eb9a4&e=e5b1868e14>
Bush-era officials refused to accept. President
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=a73077c45f&e=e5b1868e14>
Obama’s legacy of bombing, including dropping
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=d8faf5c611&e=e5b1868e14>
26,000 bombs in his final year and
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=08879cb336&e=e5b1868e14>
more bombs than Bush, often resulted in killing civilians rather than
fighters. Reportedly as much as
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=384e4a54df&e=e5b1868e14>
90% of those killed were innocents. All of this creates anger at the United
States and could lead to blow back against the US.
Even President Trump hinted at the mass murder by US presidents when he was
criticized for saying positive things about President Putin.
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=d9a3b4fd22&e=e5b1868e14>
Trump’s response: “We’ve Got A Lot Of Killers – You Think Our Country’s So
Innocent?”
If there is a terrorist attack, the movement must be clear and loud — pointing
out the cause is US foreign policy and demanding a change in policy that is not
based on war and militarism.
3. Uniting Behind a War-Time President
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=8036404c78&e=e5b1868e14>
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=8036404c78&e=e5b1868e14>
Image removed by sender. Bush in Iraq
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=8036404c78&e=e5b1868e14>
It is difficult to criticize a commander-in-chief in the midst of leading a
major war. The largest potential war is with Russia. Such a conflict is
something President Trump has sought to avoid. There is very little Trump has
been consistent on but working with Russia and de-escalation of tensions has
been the one issue where he has been consistent.
Democrats, in particular, have been spreading propaganda to demonize Russia in
order to undermine Trump’s efforts at détente. They have accused Trump of
inappropriate ties to Russia during his campaign, exposed potential Russian
blackmail of Trump and blamed Russia for impacting the outcome of the
election.
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=52eefcceec&e=e5b1868e14>
Senator Cardin, the ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee is the
lead sponsor of a bill to prevent Trump from ending sanctions on Russia. This
would greatly limit his ability to negotiate détente with Putin. Cardin is
being joined by bi-partisan war hawks on this bill.
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=f212038ffb&e=e5b1868e14>
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=f212038ffb&e=e5b1868e14>
Image removed by sender. Trump inauguration with military services standing
behind him for key photo op
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=f212038ffb&e=e5b1868e14>
The national intelligence complex sees conflict with Russia as essential to
ensuring US domination. As Mike Whitney points out, the
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=35f50a8f5c&e=e5b1868e14>
resignation of National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, was required by the
security state because he supported peace with Russia.
Another area of concern for increased US militarism is Iran. Trump’s former NSC
adviser
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=a7a44b8db4&e=e5b1868e14>
threatened Iran when he said the US was putting Iran “on notice” and that the
US would “not rule out a military attack.” Flynn was not the only Iran hawk, so
is
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=2d3f2a9331&e=e5b1868e14>
Secretary of Defense Mattis. Bi-partisan
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=b68e402275&e=e5b1868e14>
hawks have pushed for war with Iran for a long time.
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=099b947d4b&e=e5b1868e14>
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=099b947d4b&e=e5b1868e14>
Image removed by sender. Flynn with Trump
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=099b947d4b&e=e5b1868e14>
During confirmation hearings, Rex
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=ed69c78d29&e=e5b1868e14>
Tillerson, threatened actions that could lead to military conflict with China.
China has had mixed reactions,
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=1f038628a1&e=e5b1868e14>
sometimes accusing Tillerson of being naïve and threatening war and
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=13a78bd810&e=e5b1868e14>
other times taking an approach of working together for peace. The US has long
been positioning itself to maintain global hegemony by controlling Asia with
Obama’s Asian Pivot as one example. The recent
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=bec6986ee5&e=e5b1868e14>
missile test by North Korea has also led to threats. In fact, the
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=9a0cb2c735&e=e5b1868e14>
US has been the aggressor in North Korea and that country warned us to stop US
threats of nuclear war before testing a missile.
On all of these potential conflicts, the movement must be on the side of peace
and demilitarization. If a conflict occurs, the peace movement should grow in
opposition to it. And, if Trump pushes forward on détente with Russia, the
movement should support demilitarization. If there is war it will be part of a
continuous pattern of war by the United States since 9/11. War should lead to
escalation of protest.
The Movement Can Blunt a Crisis and Turn It to Our Advantage
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=6b345da000&e=e5b1868e14>
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=6b345da000&e=e5b1868e14>
Image removed by sender. propaganda the media controls minds
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=6b345da000&e=e5b1868e14>
On all of these issues the movement is positioned to turn a crisis to our
advantage. Rather than reacting with fear and unquestioning patriotism, we can
show that the events are the result of failed systems such as corruption, the
capitalist economy and US imperialism. Rather than allowing more harmful
policies to be rushed through Congress or by Executive Order, we can be
vigilant and oppose those. We must also be organized and ready to promote
positive alternatives that are supported by majorities of people.
Most people in the United States are opposed to war and want the US to scale
back its global presence and be a cooperative member of a multi-polar world.
Most people, especially youth in the US, recognize that capitalism is a root
cause of wealth inequality and destruction of the planet. Support for a new
economic system is growing.
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=339f6e1f87&e=e5b1868e14>
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=339f6e1f87&e=e5b1868e14>
Image removed by sender. System is guilty
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=339f6e1f87&e=e5b1868e14>
If a crisis occurs, we need to use it, not to unify behind the President, but
to rapidly explain how the crisis is part of the failed government policies of
both parties, that it is a systemic problem of which Trump is a symptom and
that the crisis means the movement must expand.
One challenge for the movement, and it is a significant challenge, is that
currently a large portion of the protests are merely anti-Trump and fail not
recognize that both parties are complicit. The movement must be willing to
point fingers at the Democratic Party and its leaders as key players in
creating the crisis. If we do this, then the system-wide transformation the
country seeks can be aided by a crisis.
The movement must use its social and independent media to get our message out
because the corporate media and both parties will be calling for unity in
crisis. The judo of taking their narrative and flipping it to the truth of
long-term systemic problems created by two parties that represent Wall Street
and war will be our immediate and major task. If we succeed we will advance our
cause even in a crisis whether it is self-created, provoked or blow back. We
will not only blunt the potential of a Reichstag moment but turn it to our
advantage to serve transformation of the nation. If we are to succeed, we must
start preparing now. Those who are prepared for crisis, do best when it occurs.
<https://www.twitter.com/FlushtheTPP/> follow on Twitter |
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=01f09ed248&e=e5b1868e14>
like on Facebook |
<http://us2.forward-to-friend.com/forward?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=5c4a1e085a&e=e5b1868e14>
forward to a friend
Our mailing address is:
PopularResistance.org
402 East Lake Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21212
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=98c9cf8fff&e=e5b1868e14>
CLICK HERE TO DONATE.
"Because a sustainable future depends on the people willing to see the truth
for what it is, and for those to stand up in unison in order to make a
difference." — Jake Edwards Keli'i Eakin
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=fda709da4c&e=e5b1868e14&c=5c4a1e085a>
unsubscribe from this list |
<http://popularresistance.us2.list-manage2.com/profile?u=33602bebba8fb7dd6e71fb413&id=fda709da4c&e=e5b1868e14>
update subscription preferences
Image removed by sender.
Other related posts:
- » [blind-democracy] FW: Popular Resistance Newsletter - How to turn crisis to our advantage - Bob Hachey
