Democracy Is Dying . . . Worldwide!

Quite a few interesting observations these past two weeks. I am sure that you have some of your own too. Here are a few of my takeaways:

On January 7th. I watched a program on PBS titled: Great Conversations. It took place between Jamie Raskin, who is an Incredible Human Being for whom I have the Utmost Respect, and Fiona Hill. They both agreed that we are in the fight of our life for democracy in these United States. Their lovely conversation brought me to where we are today as I was witnessing some of the ghastly events going on in our World. I recalled then how hopeful and delighted I was when newly elected President Joe Biden said: We Will Lead By The Power Of Our Example, Not By The Example Of Our Power. However, it seems as if no sooner had he uttered those wonderful words when he gave the nod for our Proxy War against Putin to begin. What the hell happened to upend his words so drastically? And I wonder if there could have been an alternative to war-mongering? And, since October of 2023 with Netanyahu’s War of Vengeance on Gaza and the West Bank, Biden has morphed into Genocide Joe as he supported the horrific and atrocious events that are still going on. Do words mean nothing anymore? And how can we believe Anything that comes out of his mouth after this unbelievable about-face? So, as much as I do believe that our democracy is at stake as Raskin and Hill outlined, I wonder what they both think of Biden’s promise to the nation, and how that impacts and blows away the very concept of democracy? Moreover, his reactions are displaying to the entire world that We Will Lead By The Example Of Our Power. Therefore, we will support Bullies and Dictators of our choosing such as Sisi? Modi? as long as they proclaim that they are our “Allies.” We will also fill their coffers with our dollars, some of which are stolen! And, in my humble opinion, this, amongst many other behaviors, only proves what a war-mongering, ruthless, merciless, blood-thirsty nation we are – and have been since our inception – and our fantastical delusion and outright lie of wanting to bring “freedom and democracy” to the World, simply because we are the “Good Guys!” Just listen to the terrific lectures of Chris Hedges, amongst many others! Moreover, we proclaim that we do this by the Power Of Our Example when it is, in fact, by the Example Of Our Power as evidenced by our meddling everywhere, and in the hundreds of military basis, forts, outposts etc. that we have all over the Planet. Supporting Netanyahu’s War Of Vengeance also sets an example for other Authoritarians and Allies to retaliate with equal ferocity against their Perceived “enemies,” and whether such retaliatory behaviors would qualify as Crimes Against Humanity in our books? And this is just a sampling of why: Democracy Is Dying . . . Worldwide and our United States bears a huge responsibility for that! How utterly embarrassing! How dismally hypocritical!! What glaring double-standards!!!

Another recent and simple example of our uncivilized and merciless nature as a nation is how we Executed inmate, Kenneth Smith, in Alabama, by deploying nitrogen asphyxiation! One of those who attended described how the man was writhing and squirming for over twenty minutes before he finally died! Is this Torture? Is this Humane? Is Capital Punishment, which is Murder by the State, still acceptable to this Exceptional nation? How absolutely horrific and uncivilized!

I also watched a discussion on Washington Journal between Benjamin Friedman, a reasonable, smart guy who is very aware of the Middle East Issues and Michael Doran a pathetic, old, brainwashed white man dripping with poison whose Humanitarian Brain Cells have been Killed by Bigotry, Racism and Arrogance. There are many of those in our Corridors of Power, and as long as they exist it should not be surprising that our Foreign Policies are causing such havoc across the world!

Anyway, I believe that when you take in all of the above and add some of your own observations, you will come to the realization why this nation, and our world are in such disarray, and why there is this palpable discontent and malaise amongst Ordinary People Worldwide who might not be able to articulate their disconcerted feelings, or put those feelings into words, but who know that there is something very awry in a World ruled by a Political Leadership that is inept, to say the least!

However, a Glimmer of Hope and of Logic, Reason and Jurisprudence came through on Friday, January 26th. with the the ICJ (International Criminal Court) basically saying that Israel’s behavior in Gaza has gone way beyond the limits of self-defense. Netanyahu and his Posse immediately began mouthing off against the ICJ, though I doubt that their words will alter his criminal behavior, nevertheless, it was a call to action for the whole world! How will the World respond?

Recently, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists set the Doomsday Clock at Nine Seconds To Midnight! Check them out and read their scary list of factual concerns. Yes, the churning turmoil in our World might very well bring on our Extinction if Political and Corporate Leaders just sit back and do nothing constructive and positive, such as negotiating and not war-mongering? Practicing Justice, Equality and a Decent Existence for citizens? Because unless this happens there will be more and more bloodshed, which is another reason why Democracy Is Dying . . . Worldwide! I won’t hold my breath, because It doesn’t seem that the US and Western Nations can rise above the selfish, arrogant interests of the Colonist Enterprise despite seeing with their own eyes how many people, historians, minorities, nations and otherwise are proving every day the suffering and de-humanization that Colonialism caused them while it lasted, and continues to carry on its adverse effects to this very date! The recent example of the atrocities going on in Palestine and the region are a glaring example! It is simply paranoia to constantly view the slightest Word, or Event as an existential threat, when there are always alternatives!

While sitting in my easy chair I have also been “attending” all the campaigning that was going on in our nation, listening to all the speeches, and dreading what is ahead for us! Raskin and Hill are correct when they state that we are in the fight of our lives for our democracy, however, looking at the Planet’s politics I am fearfully coming to the conclusion that  as it stands right now: Democracy Is Dying . . . Worldwide! It is a scary thought!