Memorial Day is an appropriate day to publish such an article, “The Disease of Permanent War” by Chris Hedges. This day is named in honor of those who have given their lives or suffered grievous wounds in combat for their country. I do not write ‘in defense of their country’ as too often their combat has nothing to do with defense but with offense.
We have become completely dominated by the MICC (Military Industrial Congressional Complex) to mention Dwight Eisenhower’s original title for the famed warning in his farewell address.
In 1968 during the watershed of The Movement we had a meeting at Oak Brook in the board room of the Butler Company. Amongst those in attendance were Michael Gifford, Fred Hampton (later assassinated by Chicago detectives), Tom Smothers, Peter Yarrow and myself. The purpose of this gathering was to see if we, with our groups, could come to a common cause. Each of us had strong dedication to our respective causes. After several hours we could not agree. We left the meeting to repair to my home. I lived in the compound. My father was awaiting in my greenhouse. I wanted my friends to meet him. We told him we were not succes
sful in concentrating on one subject,
He said, “There is one cause more important than everything you all address, that is Peace!. You maybe for religious tolerance, civil rights, freedom of speech, poverty, or indigenous rights however they are pale in comparison to the importance of Peace.” We were stunned, no one more than I. His point was so simple and so true. This statement from a man of the far right, a member of the MICC, and an officer in the cavalry. I never forgot that statement nor its correctness and importance.
Now, four decades later we are faced with so many challenges of world wide significance that those of the 60’s seem minor in comparison. Climate change, dwindling resources, water, religious strife, energy, human rights, hunger, poverty, wars of imperial design. If the list continues it will be much longer.
Again my father was right. Peace is the prime objective. Cessation of war must become our mantra. Otherwise we do not have a chance for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. mb
Sunday, May 24, 2009
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This is by Paul Hawkin, a great intellect, who hereby gives a speech which is really for all of our graduating classes past, present and future.
Mike Blaxill, one of the Editors at MB Civic, posted it earlier. It is worth another read. mb
Saturday, May 23, 2009
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Yes, the problem is simple. The solutions are not. How are we going to be able to tell those who have not that they are not entitled to enjoy our lifestyle. This is particularly difficult when in America we have such great diversity between the poor and the rich.Our own example tells the world that we do not care. We have what we want and don't care about the needs and desires of other people. It is particularly difficult when so much of the world consumption is programmed by our marketeers. Take one example, meat. From the problems of food consumption for animals and the damage caused by their waste it is difficult to explain the reason for meat consumption except to profit the corporate interests. Large autos or trucks are another example.
In every sense the USA is promoting consumerism and other countries are taking it up. We are over consuming our very planet.
It is not a question of reducing the consumption or the population we are already in the terminal path of destruction.
Poliicians and businessmen are ignoring these problems to serve the short term philosophy most demanded by the bottom line. More money to make, more souls to save keeps all in business.
It is not going to be easy however this article lays it out. Something must be done. Otherwise nothing will spare our children or certainly our grandchildren. We have had challenges before which have been solved. We have also seen many civilizations go under due to lack of long term prior planning. This time it is the world at stake. Do not believe those who say we don't have problems-they are lying, either due to lack of education or obscene motives. Get to it to help in any way possible. Now is the time-that alone should make the short termers happy. MB
Saturday, May 16, 2009
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Disinformation in all areas is not just created by commercials used in advertising. It is pervasive in the area of politics. We have just passed through a period of excessive manipulation through the previous administration. Use of fear, primarily, has created a continuing feeling of insecurity. As many facts have become more prevalent doubt has increased. We are feeling the effects of a pandemic of rampant distrust. We need openness and transparency. There is no other solution. mb
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
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My 'Russian Bear' partner, Stas Namin is writing about his friends at Yukos Oil. They are incarcerated as a result of a messy show trial to gain control the largest oil company in Russia. A sub plot, or perhaps the primary plot, was to silence them politically. They were constantly criticizing the government for corruption, lack of transparency and incompetence. Normally when such activities exist nowadays in Russia they are ignored by the government. In this case taking down the wealthiest Russian, grabbing an oil company and eliminating a strong political rival was too tempting for Putin to ignore, mb
Besides Stas's article I suggest you look at the Khodorkovsky website (English version). It is interesting. I have saved it.
Friday, May 1, 2009
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