Re: Easy shot
As much as it pains me to accept, the Cold War with Russia is on again. EJ is spot on that we may never know the truth. At least not in time for it to matter much. So it goes.
The first casualty, and all that.
I think this topic is as radioactive as Karen Silkwood. I certainly don't believe it should be banned or censored, even if it seems that it might eventually. But I fail to see the point in pursuing it beyond what Chomsky mentioned.
The spin is in and the narrative is set. I don't see anyone here having the resources to come to any meaningful understanding of even the most basic who what where when and why's of this story. So all we are left with is expressions of opinion over whose propaganda appeals to us more.
And in choosing which narrative to accept, we inevitably are perceived as allying with one participant or another. And that can dicey real fast in wartime.
Me, I struggle with pacifism and am ashamed of myself for not having the courage of a Quaker. I don't want war, but nobody asked me what I wanted and could care less what I think about it anyway. The job of a citizen in time of war is to line up, salute and sacrifice. Dissent is treason. I certainly don't believe that, but lots of people do. Even here.
And since it has been positively established that our communications, transactions and movements are monitored and stored in perpetuity, I feel fortunate that there's still the option of turning off the propaganda and shutting up.
My energy, intellect and emotion are focused on those I love and the work of expanding that circle as wide as I can reasonably make it. Giving them up to the "public diplomacy" and "Total Information Awareness" folks to play with is a waste of precious life if you ask me.
The politicians, the technocrats and desk generals need their war. EJ said as much:
As for conspiracy theories, well that's another reason why I prefer to wait for politics to become history.
Originally posted by touchring
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No 30. Corruption of news-writers (Johnson)[edit]
Published: Saturday, 11 November 1758
Stating that "money and time are the heaviest burdens of life, and that the unhappiest of all mortals are those who have more of either than they know how to use", Johnson praises those who spend their lives inventing new amusement for the rich and idle. Chief among these are the newswriters, who have multiplied greatly in recent years. Johnson identifies the necessary qualities of a journalist as "contempt of shame and indifference to truth", and says that wartime offers the perfect opportunity to exercise these.
"Among the calamities of war may be justly numbered the diminution of the love of truth, by the falsehoods which interest dictates, and credulity encourages. A peace will equally leave the warriour and relater of wars destitute of employment; and I know not whether more is to be dreaded from streets filled with soldiers accustomed to plunder, or from garrets filled with scribblers accustomed to lie."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Idl..._.28Johnson.29
Published: Saturday, 11 November 1758
Stating that "money and time are the heaviest burdens of life, and that the unhappiest of all mortals are those who have more of either than they know how to use", Johnson praises those who spend their lives inventing new amusement for the rich and idle. Chief among these are the newswriters, who have multiplied greatly in recent years. Johnson identifies the necessary qualities of a journalist as "contempt of shame and indifference to truth", and says that wartime offers the perfect opportunity to exercise these.
"Among the calamities of war may be justly numbered the diminution of the love of truth, by the falsehoods which interest dictates, and credulity encourages. A peace will equally leave the warriour and relater of wars destitute of employment; and I know not whether more is to be dreaded from streets filled with soldiers accustomed to plunder, or from garrets filled with scribblers accustomed to lie."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Idl..._.28Johnson.29
I think this topic is as radioactive as Karen Silkwood. I certainly don't believe it should be banned or censored, even if it seems that it might eventually. But I fail to see the point in pursuing it beyond what Chomsky mentioned.
The spin is in and the narrative is set. I don't see anyone here having the resources to come to any meaningful understanding of even the most basic who what where when and why's of this story. So all we are left with is expressions of opinion over whose propaganda appeals to us more.
And in choosing which narrative to accept, we inevitably are perceived as allying with one participant or another. And that can dicey real fast in wartime.
Me, I struggle with pacifism and am ashamed of myself for not having the courage of a Quaker. I don't want war, but nobody asked me what I wanted and could care less what I think about it anyway. The job of a citizen in time of war is to line up, salute and sacrifice. Dissent is treason. I certainly don't believe that, but lots of people do. Even here.
And since it has been positively established that our communications, transactions and movements are monitored and stored in perpetuity, I feel fortunate that there's still the option of turning off the propaganda and shutting up.
My energy, intellect and emotion are focused on those I love and the work of expanding that circle as wide as I can reasonably make it. Giving them up to the "public diplomacy" and "Total Information Awareness" folks to play with is a waste of precious life if you ask me.
The politicians, the technocrats and desk generals need their war. EJ said as much:
Essential Trends - Part II-B: War Economy Theory - Eric Janszen
by EJ
Published on 11-30-11 03:27 PM Number of Views: 2584
Essential Trends - Part II-B: War Economy Theory
U.S. Marines landing at Inchon as battle rages during Korean Civil War.
Location: Inchon, Korea
Date taken: 1950
Photographer: Hank Walker
Life Images
• Inside an engineered stagflation
• Post-credit bubble, pre-war economy
• Sectors of the stock market speak
by EJ
Published on 11-30-11 03:27 PM Number of Views: 2584
Essential Trends - Part II-B: War Economy Theory
U.S. Marines landing at Inchon as battle rages during Korean Civil War.
Location: Inchon, Korea
Date taken: 1950
Photographer: Hank Walker
Life Images
• Post-credit bubble, pre-war economy
• Sectors of the stock market speak
As for conspiracy theories, well that's another reason why I prefer to wait for politics to become history.
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