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Tomdispatch.com / By Michael T. Klare
comments_imageCOMMENTS: 231

A Planet on the Brink: Economic Crash Will Fuel Social Unrest

Governments across the planet are preparing for a surge of violent protests from economic upheaval. Wars may follow.
February 24, 2009  |  
 
 
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The global economic meltdown has already caused bank failures, bankruptcies, plant closings, and foreclosures and will, in the coming year, leave many tens of millions unemployed across the planet. But another perilous consequence of the crash of 2008 has only recently made its appearance: increased civil unrest and ethnic strife. Someday, perhaps, war may follow.

As people lose confidence in the ability of markets and governments to solve the global crisis, they are likely to erupt into violent protests or to assault others they deem responsible for their plight, including government officials, plant managers, landlords, immigrants, and ethnic minorities. (The list could, in the future, prove long and unnerving.) If the present economic disaster turns into what President Obama has referred to as a "lost decade," the result could be a global landscape filled with economically-fueled upheavals.

Indeed, if you want to be grimly impressed, hang a world map on your wall and start inserting red pins where violent episodes have already occurred. Athens (Greece), Longnan (China), Port-au-Prince (Haiti), Riga (Latvia), Santa Cruz (Bolivia), Sofia (Bulgaria), Vilnius (Lithuania), and Vladivostok (Russia) would be a start. Many other cities from Reykjavik, Paris, Rome, and Zaragoza to Moscow and Dublin have witnessed huge protests over rising unemployment and falling wages that remained orderly thanks in part to the presence of vast numbers of riot police. If you inserted orange pins at these locations -- none as yet in the United States -- your map would already look aflame with activity. And if you're a gambling man or woman, it's a safe bet that this map will soon be far better populated with red and orange pins.

For the most part, such upheavals, even when violent, are likely to remain localized in nature, and disorganized enough that government forces will be able to bring them under control within days or weeks, even if -- as with Athens for six days last December -- urban paralysis sets in due to rioting, tear gas, and police cordons. That, at least, has been the case so far. It is entirely possible, however, that, as the economic crisis worsens, some of these incidents will metastasize into far more intense and long-lasting events: armed rebellions, military takeovers, civil conflicts, even economically fueled wars between states.

Every outbreak of violence has its own distinctive origins and characteristics. All, however, are driven by a similar combination of anxiety about the future and lack of confidence in the ability of established institutions to deal with the problems at hand. And just as the economic crisis has proven global in ways not seen before, so local incidents -- especially given the almost instantaneous nature of modern communications -- have a potential to spark others in far-off places, linked only in a virtual sense.

A Global Pandemic of Economically Driven Violence

The riots that erupted in the spring of 2008 in response to rising food prices suggested the speed with which economically-related violence can spread. It is unlikely that Western news sources captured all such incidents, but among those recorded in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal were riots in Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, and Senegal.

In Haiti, for example, thousands of protesters stormed the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince and demanded food handouts, only to be repelled by government troops and UN peacekeepers. Other countries, including Pakistan and Thailand, quickly sought to deter such assaults by deploying troops at farms and warehouses throughout the country.

The riots only abated at summer's end when falling energy costs brought food prices crashing down as well. (The cost of food is now closely tied to the price of oil and natural gas because petrochemicals are so widely and heavily used in the cultivation of grains.) Ominously, however, this is sure to prove but a temporary respite, given the epic droughts now gripping breadbasket regions of the United States, Argentina, Australia, China, the Middle East, and Africa. Look for the prices of wheat, soybeans, and possibly rice to rise in the coming months -- just when billions of people in the developing world are sure to see their already marginal incomes plunging due to the global economic collapse.

Food riots were but one form of economic violence that made its bloody appearance in 2008. As economic conditions worsened, protests against rising unemployment, government ineptitude, and the unaddressed needs of the poor erupted as well. In India, for example, violent protests threatened stability in many key areas. Although usually described as ethnic, religious, or caste disputes, these outbursts were typically driven by economic anxiety and a pervasive feeling that someone else's group was faring better than yours -- and at your expense.


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Michael T. Klare is a professor of peace and world security studies at Hampshire College and the author, most recently, of Rising Powers, Shrinking Planet: The New Geopolitics of Energy (Metropolitan Books).
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At least M. Klare doesn’t believe an economic collapse…
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Honky the Misanthrope on Feb 24, 2009 10:34 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Will usher in some sort of utopia. Most of the PhDs, currently making 35K, who write articles like these, believe we will live in a cross between a commune and a renaissance fair.

By a gun before Dear Leader several limits your options.

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» Dear Leader's Posted by: Honky the Misanthrope
» Buy a dictionary Posted by: Rapunzel
» RE: Buy a dictionary Posted by: donl51
» LOCK AND LOAD Posted by: sirios
» RE: LOCK AND LOAD Posted by: undead

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The prospects
[Report this comment]
Posted by: greekTowner on Feb 25, 2009 1:03 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Eventually a population divided between those without a job protesting and those taking up riot-control police jobs.

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» Green-puke Posted by: godsbreath64
» RE: godsbreath54 Posted by: greenPuker

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The prospects
[Report this comment]
Posted by: greekTowner on Feb 25, 2009 1:06 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A world population divided between those protesting and those taking up jobs as riot-control police officers.

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» RE: The prospects...so simplistic! Posted by: greekTowner

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Gays will have it the worst
[Report this comment]
Posted by: HoboHomo on Feb 25, 2009 1:34 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Just as gays have it the worst in all societies, even in prosperous times, they will be the most targeted of all minorities. Simply because all other oppressed minorities share anti-gay hatred far more than any other prejudice. This fact, combined with the growing jihad Muslims are declaring against homosexuals, along with the rise of Xian fundamentalist and Republican/conservative homophobia...will lead to a global holocaust against queers.

So if I don't get a chance at my last words to the world, before I am executed, let me say 'em now:

F*ck you all, idiot breeders! I'm glad all this misery is spreading far and wide, w/folks losing their homes, jobs, etc. You heteros are now finally experiencing what it's like to live under a terrorist regime, as gays have all along, thanks to your self-righteous sexism and arrogant superiority. I am overjoyed! Bring it all down: good riddance, homophobic Amerika! When it comes to gays, you're no better than Islamic terrorists. No thanks, Obama, for selecting a homophobic preacher for the inauguration's opening prayer...what an intentional slap in our collective face!

--
The Final Testament
http://www.gay-bible.org

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» RE: BLESS THE BULLSHITE! Posted by: greenPuker
» Hobo, you are not alone. Posted by: sirios
» RE: Gays will have it the worst Posted by: Dr. P. Mooney
» Let's DO bother with Canada. Posted by: greenPuker
» RE: Gays will have it... Posted by: greenPuker
» RE: Gays will have it the worst Posted by: greenPuker
» Having a bad day, HoboHomo? Posted by: Bliss Doubt

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There will be blood
[Report this comment]
Posted by: FREEDOM OF SPEECH on Feb 25, 2009 2:09 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
» Encino, is that you???? Posted by: Prophit
» RE: ncino, is that you???? Posted by: HANGTRAITORS
» RE: ncino, is that you???? Posted by: greenPuker
» RE: Facts, counter arguments??? Posted by: greenPuker
» RE: There will be blood Posted by: Bizatch!
» RE: There will be blood Posted by: greenPuker
» GreenPuker Posted by: topbrick

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Milton Friedmann smiles down from heaven.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Perry Logan on Feb 25, 2009 2:56 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Milton Friedmann smiles down from heaven. At last, the whole world is getting economic shock therapy.

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» RE: Nightgaunt and Friedman Posted by: greenPuker
» RE: Why would Friedman be in Heaven? Posted by: the reproduction is u
» RE: Why would Friedman be in Heaven? Posted by: the reproduction is u

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"Mass protests" are an expression of Democratic Will.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: -matti on Feb 25, 2009 2:58 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This article seems targeted to miss the point entirely.

Popular Revolt -especially by peaceful, or mildly rioteous demonstration- is a direct response of the Demos to a failure by the representative Government to adequately express its Will.

Anyone who does not studiously avoid the recent and relevant history of this economic crisis will conclude that it is the culmination point of 30+ years of ignoring the Democratic Will, and more than 10 years of actively flaunting it -even in the "First World".

So why should Popular Revolt be -in ANY way- troublesome to our thoughts?

It is merely the -quite natural and expected- expression of the Democratic Will in a time when the forces opposed to it have lost their influence do to incompentence or greed.

Nothing better could happen in the "People's Republic" of China -or the U.S. or many other places- than the mass repudiation and democratically forced removal of the jerk-offs whose greed and idiocy created this crisis.

To see this mass-mobilization of the People of many nations as something "worrisome" or "troubling" is to express the basest, and most disgusting form of Anti-Democratic thinking.

The Author seems more in love with Apocolyptic Destruction than he is with the People -and hence, democracy.

Truly a new low for Micheal Klare, an unexpected abberation for Tomdispatch.com, and a harsh -but important- precedent for Alternet.

Ugh.

-matti.

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» RE: A Bolshevic asshole! Posted by: greenPuker

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This comment has been removed from the site due to non-compliance with AlterNet's community policies.
» Ain't it a gas? Posted by: willymack
» 36 billion now? Posted by: tony_opmoc

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Heck of a Job
[Report this comment]
Posted by: DrBrian on Feb 25, 2009 5:00 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's already happening here in South Asia, and will surely get worse. So much for the wisdom of the GOP and its economic friends such as Summers, Greenspan, Rubin, Friedman and, yes, Clinton.

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» RE: Heck of a Job Posted by: fever
» He includes Clinton and Rubin. Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: He includes Clinton and Rubin. Posted by: Bliss Doubt

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Mass protests merely prove civilizations' failures
[Report this comment]
Posted by: SevenStarHand on Feb 25, 2009 5:06 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Whether in a democracy or other governmental model, mass protests are little more than symptoms of the complete failure of leaders and institutions. People don't protest unless driven to do so for various reasons (sometimes by official and/or covert manipulators, but mostly not...) that are most often the abject failure to deliver on promises or effectively prevent serious problems. Government should be wise and proactive but it rarely is, because of the hidden agendas of leaders and the deceptive institutions they lead.

When governments resort to force, martial law, or the tactics of deceit in the face of sane and just expectations and mostly peaceful protests, they are merely proving that they are inept and unfit to govern. Any form of civilization that permits problems to regularly grow to the level that people feel mass actions are necessary has already proven its inadequacy. So-called democracy as a smoke and mirrors system to keep the money-deluded proxy-slaves working to prop up empires and wealthy leaders constantly fails to deliver on promises, because they are blatant deceptions from the outset. People who have hidden agendas (greed, arrogance, deception...) regularly fail to keep their promises...

The only way to fix human civilization is to end the great folly and injustice caused by the system we call money. It will be much easier to deliver on the promises governments have been making and failing to deliver (for millennia) when we no longer have to waste obscene percentages of human effort and natural resources feeding an "endless loop" economy and monetary system, instead of living people. The existence of money, credit/usury, profit, corporations, etc., etc., guarantee poverty, inequity, and injustice. They are pivotal sources of the problems, not the solutions.

Civilization is a system and any system has finite resources and capacity. Money is a sub-system within our civilization that is vastly inequitable and vastly wasteful. Now that we have obscene debts on top of the deceptions that have always been there, the capacity of this limited system (civilization) has been overwhelmed by the unwise sub-system of money. Consequently, most human effort is being sucked away to feed the deceptive endless-loop economy and even more deceptive financial structure, instead of benefitting living beings. People are suffering and dying to feed a voracious deception, purposely designed to deceive people into being slaves for propping up empires, run by the greediest and most arrogant among us. This is a definition of evil, pure and simple.

The time for real change is approaching rapidly...

Peace and Wisdom...

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Batman, Iron Man and now Strongman
[Report this comment]
Posted by: edgar1 on Feb 25, 2009 5:32 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The failure of democracy to manage large corporate and financial power has led to depression. Some rinky dink energy and "education" programs won't provide the job.

Civilization and authoritarianism can coexist. This is the model that has been the most frequently used since the rise of the early Egyptian and Chinese empires.

Choices have to be made. Not all can be prosperous. Unlimited breeding in the Third World is intolerable, there is no moral imperative to spend precious billions on ignorant AIDS soaked Africans who have been told again and again what they must do to cut population and limit disease. Unfortunately, this subspecies of homo sapiens insists on its irresponsible behavior. Thus the continent south of the Arab north should be quarantined totally. No emigration nor goods allowed. No diamonds. No gold. No people. No financial or food aid. Similar realism policies are required world wide to ensure the most creative, strongest, and adaptable members of our species survive and thrive. Strong leaders are required, selected by the capacity to wield effective power and to unite the stongest elements of society.

New national entities may be required-eg most of the US, Canada and NorthernMexico might unite. Perhaps the South Atlantic states should be a self sufficient entity. Useless documents like amendments to the US constitution can be unilaterally discarded to void "rights" for those who are primarily consumers and not producers of wealth and security.

Identifiable groups that commit excessive crimes, fail to invent need technology and ideas, or persist in behavior that hinders education presented in a direct and clear manner should be concentrated in remote areas where they can demonstrate that they are equal to peoples like Native Americans and Inuits.

In other words, the ability to use a cell phone or a video game is not a qualification for "equal" rights or any share of power in the new structure that will arise in the ruins of the collapsed US and its allies. Obamamoney will be the Trojan Horse of the century.

Thank you Mr. Law Review Editor. You are truly your parents'son.

Men of vision and strength will seize the historic opportunity as Augustus, Trajan, William the Conqueror, Muhummed, Catherine the Great, Lenin, Genghis Khan, Napoleon and Mao did. "Polls" and "politics" are relics of a dying world.

What will the no talent "political" commentators, ignorant of science economics and history do? BYE BYE Olbermann, Matthews and Hannity.

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» Darwin says the Strong Posted by: edgar1
» No, he didn't Posted by: Bbear41
» Edgar1 you need to read Posted by: topbrick
» Population living on dry sand? Posted by: billwald
» You bet. Posted by: edgar1

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Have you ever wondered this?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: tarnishedreality on Feb 25, 2009 5:43 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Have you ever wondered why with all the unrest throughout the world of people standing up and protesting, why aren't Americans? Really, we should not violently, but honestly we should. This crisis has a lot to do with the failures of our leaders (who have been switched out in some cases) and the big corporations and banks many American. I've heard it said so many times in the comments pages "Where's the outrage?". Well, where is it?

I'm not saying American's should lash out in violent protests that attack other social groups. I just think it would be nice if Americans at least exhibit a pulse. Maybe, a peaceful demonstration in front of the Stock Exchange or the Capitol lawn. We must look like the Steppford Wives to the rest of the world right now. At least they have the nerve to scream about it if even misplaced.

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» RE: Have you ever wondered this? Posted by: richholland
» A few points Posted by: willymack
» Just one checkpoint! Posted by: greenPuker
» RE: Have you ever wondered this? Posted by: tarnishedreality
» Patriot Act Posted by: Bliss Doubt

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On the Brink of Class Warfare
[Report this comment]
Posted by: daw13 on Feb 25, 2009 6:35 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This understated article tells us what Powers That Be are aware of and planning for. What are they thinking? A shift toward wealth-sharing, embrasure of the most exposed, the creation of real, global community? Or something quite different. More along lines indicated by Orwell and Huxley? Many signs indicate the latter. How do we in the semi-protected West feel about this? Awful, but we can live with it? But can we? Are those defined as expendable as sheeple as we? Are they capable of insuring that we all share their fate? My own view is that to imagine anything else is sheer madness.

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So God is punishing the planet for guzzling up all those fossil fuels, isn't he?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: maxpayne on Feb 25, 2009 6:40 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
HOW AWFUL !

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» Please God, don't spank me! Posted by: Bliss Doubt

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nvanness
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Nancy Van Ness on Feb 25, 2009 6:45 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I find it unfortunate that the peaceful protest in several places, including France, are attributed to the presence of riot police. It is much more likely that good organization of the protests is responsible. It is sad that repression is emphasized as responsible for order.

There is a huge difference between the orderly actions of unions and other groups in France and the more spontaneous rock throwing that sparked the actions in Athens.

I wonder why governments cannot be listening better to what those who protest have to say instead of gearing up to repress protest and assuming it will be violent.

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» RE: nvanness Posted by: praedor

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The Economic 9/11 Ruse
[Report this comment]
Posted by: whole2th on Feb 25, 2009 7:01 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The American Revolution was fought, in part, to disconnect from Rothschild Banksterism--the tyranny of King George's monetary concession.

Our unconstitutional Federal Reserve Banksters are in cahoots with others of their ilk world-wide. Collapse of economies and currencies are the modus operandi of these dynasties of banksters.

Let's learn from history of banksterism which has perpetrated wars, recessions, depressions, panics on humanity over and over--because we've not learned the lessons of history. Private ownership of the concessions to produce and control availability of money is the root of the evil.

See Pattison Articles (Google it) about A Timeline Focusing on Taxes, Money and War to see the over and over manipulations of money/currency in the bankster control of governments.

Obama is on a short leash and needs an UPWISING of the masses to really 'get it' this time while we are in the throes of bankster tricks.
Watch the
JFK Secret Society Speech and learn about JFK's Executive Order 11110 and how the banksters were likely key to his assassination as banksters were likely key to Abraham Lincoln's assassination after Lincoln printed "greenbacks" and put that 'people's currency' into circulation.

This economic collapse is BY DESIGN--of the banksters and war industrialists. We are mere cattle in their eyes.

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» You're know nothing propaganda. Posted by: GuitarBill

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RE: Never had a hangover...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: sausage on Feb 25, 2009 7:39 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
from smoking pot. Don't get hangovers from smoking pot. Do get hangovers from tranks and other downers.

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RE: Junk Yard Dog.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Zeugitai on Feb 25, 2009 11:39 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Who is this? GW?

The same old misleading metaphor trotted out again. Does it help you "understand" what is happening?

Why are people so easily satisfied by goofy metaphors and their inherent misleading analogies? Because it's easy to lump real complexity into a simple ball of candy?

This is a big part of the problem Americans face.

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Economic collapse leads to social unrest.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: sausage on Feb 25, 2009 7:37 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well, d'uh.

Guy writes a four screen-long essay to tell us what we all should already know.

Let me see, what other instances of social unrest due to economy collapses have occurred in world history....hmmmmmmm....the French Revolution, perhaps? How about the Russian Revolutions of 1905 and 1917? What about the Bonus Army "Hooverville," in Washington, D.C. in 1932? Cuba, circa 1956-1959, anyone?

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Social unrest?
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Posted by: Alsu on Feb 25, 2009 8:02 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
People in France are protesting against falling wages and rising living costs. They are right! A great proportion of youth in France is without a chance of getting a regular job with a just pay. It's the same over here in Germany. Due to harsh mesures of the so called social systems there have been the first deaths: starved, in one of the richest countries in the world. The government is increasing the pressure on the poor directly or indirectly to raise money for the ultra rich. This can't go on, the social injustice has to end, for the poor in my country as well as for the poor in all of the world. Justice and rights are not something which is given, they are something you fight for. Our fathers(or mothers) and grandfathers fought and died for the rights we have now, which are taken from us every day. There will be protests on the 28 of march, and I hope they will be large. I will be there, as well as at any other protest. And I will march in front. If that makes me an extremist, so be it.

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» RE: Social unrest? Posted by: Zeugitai
» Arabs out of France Posted by: edgar1

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economy and social unrest
[Report this comment]
Posted by: pfm on Feb 25, 2009 8:12 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am not a philosopher, nor a psychologist, or psychiatrist, I possess no credentials denoting higher learning. I find I am unable to see anything but promotion of - fear - in this article.

Governments across the planet are preparing for a surge of violent protests from economic upheaval. Why, because that's how most contemporary government's are designed to function today. Unfortunately most of the world's populous has been educated to "drool" when our leaders ring the bell in a manner not unlike those dogs in Pavlov's experiments. When government's by design change the game they expect this form of reaction and are prepared to meet it .... it's called population control by fiat. And "we" accept it because "we" know no difference.

Respectfully,
Paul F. Miller
striving to promote sustainable awareness

BLOG SITE NAME ... AUTHENTICALLY WIRED

BLOG SITE ADDRESS ... http://waterman99.wordpress.com/2009

... everyone has the right to clean & accessible water, adequate for the health & well being of the individual & family, and no one shall be deprived of such acess or quality of water due to individual economic circumstances ... Article # 31 - United Nations

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The truth is...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ArmirB on Feb 25, 2009 8:24 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
... that there is an european Association of the left. Perhaps, or I hope so, stronger than the left ever was in Europe, but as long not strong enough. The Members of this Union are union activists, politicans and a lot of smaller association. People like YOU! Not criminals, not Terrorists!
They are starting to demonstrate against social injustice.
There is nothing wrong at this point. There are no big fights and nobody ist interested in starting a war.
So please understand, that we have to fight for our rights, in our countries and in peace. And if sometimes a group of people start to fight against the police, then it´s just for the moment, to show that WE HAVE A VOICE AGAINST SOCIAL INJUSTICE.
Sorry Guys, but you have Obama, we just have a lot of corrupt politicians. That´s it.

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peace maker
[Report this comment]
Posted by: homeopath on Feb 25, 2009 8:24 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]


Dear Michael,

What "government troops" would that be in Haiti?

Of course, there are none.

President Aristide dissolved the army.

A person with your scope really can't excuse such misinformation. It is a sad and typical example of the neglect by many writers when it comes to Haiti.

I am tired of seeing these problems because the 'information fog' created by irresponsible stories and tourist reporters actually amounts to the basis for the lasting misery of the Haitian people. It is in addition to the high level of disinformation and propaganda put out about Haiti by the criminal three - the US, Canada and France - and it is this very 'fog' that makes the current tragedy there possible,- and effective help impossible... You can't fix what you don't know.

It was also key to the popular belief in the West, that there was a 'popular rebellion' in 2004 and that UN troops in Haiti are 'peace keepers'! Neither is true.

There was a gang of CIA created mercenaries in 2004, about 200-300 death squad types and old army die hards - and there is today an occupation force of UN troops, who - according to even their own commander - have at best kept crime at bay. At worst, they murdered scores of the poorest Haitian citizens and raped many women. ( All for US $ 600 million a year... )

There is no peace to keep in Haiti, there are no warring parties, there is no mandate other than the wishes of US/ Canada/ France - which are colonial.
And there is no Haitian army...

Please, pass on this message to any other writer you know.
It may contribute to more effort in getting the whole story on Haiti, and , perhaps, finally some respect and law abiding behaviour by the 'West'.
Thank you.

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» Dance to the Music Man Posted by: edgar1

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Socialism = Survival
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Malcolm Medgar on Feb 25, 2009 8:31 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Today the human being has millions of years of evolution to look at in the rear view mirror. But just up ahead, as this article indicates, is one of the most dramatic episodes ever created by that natural process. Dramatic because the question of human survival is truly in doubt.

The capitalist economic system is exhausted and will soon collapse. From the time of the collapse of feudalism and its birth in the Industrial Revolution, capitalism was always destined to become a dominant global force. And globalization will be a historic marker as the zenith of its existence. But globalization robbed the system of the only thing that kept its fatal internal contradictions at bay—growth. Capitalism has conquered the planet, it has nowhere else to feed. Now the time of its death is at hand.

The whole litany of worldwide flashpoints of socio-political unrest cited by Mr. Klare are very telling. These skirmishes are signs the two most powerful groups that capitalism creates are beginning to engage in a final battle for power. Marx called one the bourgeoisie, the ruling class, and the other the proletariat, or working class. It can be most simply described as the clash between the wealthy and the working people.

The fight is inevitable and it will destroy one class or the other. Then on the ruins of the old system, the class that prevails will reorganize society along the lines of their dictates. If the bourgeoisie remains on top it will not mean the restoration of capitalism to health and stability. It will mean the depopulation of the planet and the enslavement of man in a world described in the dystopian literature of Orwell, Huxley, and Atwood.

Only a working class victory and working people in power will see to the end of this madness and willingly share our available resources for the sake of human survival. Socialism is the only way most of us and our children will live into the distant future on this planet.

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» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: tony_opmoc
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: Malcolm Medgar
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: jvisher
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: willymack
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: tony_opmoc
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: Malcolm Medgar
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: samd11
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: Malcolm Medgar

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Well deserved
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Posted by: DufusTwo on Feb 25, 2009 8:46 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You know what? Maybe social unrest is exactly what we need. Maybe the Sheeple have finally had ENOUGH.

RT
Online Privacy when it Counts

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» Spam. Click "report this comment" Posted by: Bliss Doubt

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homo sapiens - the most successful large species ever.
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Posted by: jvisher on Feb 25, 2009 8:53 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is about life, folks. The exponential growth of the human population over the last several centuries is a direct consequence of us having figured out how to turn oil and coal into energy that we can consume. Well fed organisms have more offspring and well fed offspring survive to reproduce. Forget the GOP and the Dems and the socialist capitalist, fascist, nazis buddists, tantric sex instructors and dog trainers, aren't controlling this. Fat humans can't help but deceive themselves into thinking they are fat because they are smart. Not to dis the human mind, but how much smarts does it take to extract oil from the ground and burn it to keep warm and crack to make fertilizers, the whole chain of industrial society is built one dumb link at a time. When the coal and oil run out the human population will diminish by factors of 10 to 100. Then the earth can go back to being what it was before this oil fed yeast infection called modern man exploded.

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» THE PLANET IS NOT IN PERIL Posted by: Dennis St. John
» RE: THE PLANET IS NOT IN PERIL Posted by: tony_opmoc

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Who said the war against capitalism will be world wide?
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Posted by: bfh369 on Feb 25, 2009 9:09 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Marx foresaw that capitalism, i.e. exploitation, would engulf the world. He also understood that the people would unite and overthrow this same exploitative regime. Only unity of the people will transform exploitation into a revitalized balance which capitalism and class structured, male dominated states have destroyed. Tribal cultures, community movements, and family revitalization are leading the way to local balance and away from centralized control.

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'Brick & Mortar' beginning to Shake?
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Posted by: Purple Girl on Feb 25, 2009 9:12 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Seems the entities which comprise only really Brick & Mortar, but have Ruled Humanity for about a century might be facing a downfall, much like their Monarchial predecessors.
It astounds me how Corps have been free to claim they Built the US- brought the World a global Economy.Funny I don't feel like Clay?
Yet politcal leaders have been bowing down to these idols for decades. We have to save the Corp sto save jobs. No we need to save the Workers who built the Corps, granted them the ability to expand through Their blood sweat and tears.People built those corps (and Gov'ts) Literally and figuratively. Humanity gave birth to industry, Government and Religion- not the other way around. And Yet we are expected to cater to their every whim.Talk about a 'Wizard of Oz' analogy. These are not the Great and Powerful 'Oz', they are only illusions being manipualted by a mere mortal.
Heres one of the biggest scams still being played- the Value of gold. What asset to humanity is this shiny rock- Does it produce food, energy? Or is it merely the idea it possess such powers. It's a fucking rock! If all hell breaks loose- the guy with the shiny rock is gonna walk while I make a deal with the guy with a chicken in exchange for my labor or veggies.
If we were to let the banking industry collapse, taking our debts owned to them with them into the sociological Grave, Wouldn't that make US all a bit richer? Whether or not there is a Corp around, Trade & commerce (Production & comsumption) will survive- like it did for millenia before they were created.
Teh entire population of th eworld is currently screwed, so why not just scrape it all, call us all even and start again- this time with the knowldege of where shit goes wrong- handing the Reins of Human enterprise adn existence over to a Few hold up in Ivory towers.
considering how much has been borrowed and banked on under purely speculative assumptions about Human productivity and future values- It appears most of the loss has been mmore intangible like Smoke and mirrors.
Really all Brick and mortar has been is Middlemen skimming off the trade between production and consumption- and obviously not a management tool that has benefited either side, but quite profittable for them.
Humanity needs to get these Creations back under our control, and threatening to just destroy them may send a message that the corps (Gov'ts, Religions) might take heed,an d begin acting like the Tools for Human Developement they have always merely been.

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GOOD NEWS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BANKERS
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Posted by: Dennis St. John on Feb 25, 2009 10:25 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Wars incur tremendous debts with high interest. The international bankers must be drinking toasts to one another with champagne.

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An Inconvenient Solution
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Posted by: P.E.A.C.E. on Feb 25, 2009 10:37 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
To go from an extinctionistic hydrocarbon-based economy to a sustainable carbohydrate-based economy, we just need to re-value Cannabis agriculture, manufacture & trade for what they're truly worth.

How bad do things have to get before all solutions are considered?

End prohibition of Cannabis now.

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» RE: An Inconvenient Solution Posted by: Zeugitai
» Ending the prohibition... Posted by: Bbear41

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Against whom will we riot? Whom should we hang?
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Posted by: billwald on Feb 25, 2009 10:54 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Our Founding Fathers gave us the perfect government to hide our true owners from the voters? Whom shall we hang? The tax collecters we just voted in? With whom shall we replace them? A new round of tax collectors?

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Give It Away Now
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Feb 25, 2009 12:18 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What Ive got youve got to give it to your mamma
What Ive got youve got to give it to your pappa
What Ive got youve got to give it to your daughter
You do a little dance and then you drink a little water

What Ive got youve got to get it put it in you
What Ive got youve got to get it put it in you
What Ive got youve got to get it put it in you
Reeling with the feeling dont stop continue

Realize I dont want to be a miser
Confide wisely youll be the wiser
Young blood is the lovin upriser
How come everybody wanna keep it like the kaiser

Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
I cant tell iff Im a king pin or a pauper

Greedy little people in a sea of distress
Keep your more to receive your less
Unimpressed by material excess
Love is free love me say hell yes

Im a low brow but I rock a little know how
No time for the piggies or the hoosegow
Get smart get down with the pow wow
Never been a better time than right now

Bob marley poet and a prophet
Bob marley taught how to off it
Bob marley walkin like he talk it
Goodness me cant you see Im gonna cough it

Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Ooh... ooh yeah
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
I cant tell iff Im a king pin or a pauper

Lucky me swimmin in my ability
Dancin down on life with agility
Come and drink it up from my fertility
Blessed with a bucket of lucky mobility

My mom I love her cause she love me
Long gone are the times when she scrub me
Feelin good my brother gonna hug me
Drink my juice lone chug-a-lug me

Theres a river born to be a giver
Keep you warm wont let you shiver
His heart is never gonna wither
Come on everybody time to deliver

Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
I cant tell iff Im a king pin or a pauper

What Ive got youve got to give it to your mamma
What Ive got youve got to give it to your pappa
What Ive got youve got to give it to your daughter
You do a little dance and then you drink a little water

What Ive got youve got to get it put it in you
What Ive got youve got to get it put it in you
What Ive got youve got to get it put it in you
Reeling with the feeling dont stop continue

Realize I dont want to be a miser
Confide wisely youll be the wiser
Young blood is the lovin upriser
How come everybody wanna keep it like the kaiser

Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now

Give it away now
Give it away now
...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwcsKxMqdXM

http://www.warchild.org.uk/donate

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» Red Hot Chili Peppers! Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: Red Hot Chili Peppers! Posted by: tony_opmoc
» RE: Give It Away Now Posted by: blogfrog

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They feel threatened by any collective action that is why!
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Posted by: RR#1 on Feb 25, 2009 1:39 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Unions and collectivities might garner some legitimacy, they are on code red with us and we don't get it.
Cheers,
RR

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USA Can You Spare Us a Dime?
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Feb 25, 2009 2:00 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I personally think the following is a load of bollocks - but in the spirit of free communication and debate - we want our money back from all the toxic shit you gift wrapped for us in pretty boxes. Sure we should have looked inside before accepting them - but we trusted you. We don't trust you any more.

http://lewrockwell.com/north/north689.html

Tony

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War is a failed paradigm
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Posted by: maxsmart on Feb 25, 2009 2:48 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Call me stupid but I don't think one should just casually accept that war is inevitable in international affairs or class warfare.
War never benefits anyone but it is rather pleasant as a release of tension. For both side of any fight I suppose but that's about it.

What I think is that people's protests and problems should be taken seriously not just reacted to and if efforts are made to understand and try as best as possible to address problems then that might help defuse the tension and make it easier to work on the problem too.

We all need to realize we are interdependent, no one really wins with someone else's loss in the long run. The grievances just build for the the next battle when the other side wins.
Dominance and submission is not a successful behavioral strategy.

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» RE: War is a failed paradigm Posted by: jvisher

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I don't REALLY...
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Posted by: Bbear41 on Feb 25, 2009 3:32 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...Believe in 'Maya doomsday,' but between global warming and economic breakdown, It seems that some kind of 'Great Overturning, is at hand.

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» RE: I don't REALLY... Posted by: tony_opmoc

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George Bush Sings u2
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Feb 25, 2009 4:19 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]

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Morons!
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Posted by: dockboy on Feb 25, 2009 5:10 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You all are morons. You seem to think this is the first time humanity has faced a crisis. Perhaps the real crisis is not the crisis itself, but the fact that so many don't have the character to face a crisis. You expect someone else to take care of you, and now it may be the resources needed to take care of you don't exist.

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» Give It A Break Posted by: bessie
» RE: Morons! Posted by: mnstra

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Extra Golden Featuring Obama in 2007
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Feb 25, 2009 5:19 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Extra Golden - promo video

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Run
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Feb 25, 2009 5:42 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I'll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You've been the only thing that's right
In all I've done

And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we'll make it anywhere
Away from here

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

Louder louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say

To think I might not see those eyes
Makes it so hard not to cry
And as we say our long goodbye
I nearly do

Light up...

Slower slower
We don't have time for that
All I want is to find an easier way
To get out of our little heads

Have heart my dear
We're bound to be afraid
Even if it's just for a few days
Making up for all this mess

Run

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Spend More money on Global Warming..
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Posted by: IPF on Feb 25, 2009 11:06 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
perhaps that will accelerate the crisis, protests and global revolution.

Or perhaps the UN will save us....

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The Sky is Falling bullshite!
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Posted by: greenPuker on Feb 26, 2009 9:59 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The World Bank finds that...
(1) We have zero economic growth in the developing world .
(2)Rising food prices.

Really “portentious and alarming” findings!

Klare, in this article, screams that..

”we have a perfect recipe for unrelenting civil unrest and violence. The eruptions seen in 2008 and early 2009 will be mere harbingers of a grim future in which, in a given week, any number of cities will reel from riots and civil disturbances which could spread like multiple brushfires in a drought.”

Michael T. Klare alarmingly states that it is essentially impossible to keep track of all such episodes, suggesting that we are on the verge of a global pandemic of economically driven violence!.

Michael T Klare is a “The sky is falling” alarmist and writes dipshit articles like this to promote his stature. Nothing of what he has forewarned about riots will come to pass in the USA.
Alternet should always offer a rebuttal article to keep the rabid “I-told-you-so” crowd from rioting on paper!

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JUST A MATTER OF TIME
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Posted by: stopthemaddness2 on Feb 27, 2009 5:59 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
People are people any where you go. All need the same basic things, food shelter, clothing, substanice existence.

What is happening over there, and not being reported here, will happen here if things don't change/improve and do so quickly.

Just a matter of time!

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ba
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mnstra on Feb 28, 2009 7:13 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In order for a massive social movement against the ruling class,to happen, we all must be united for the common welfare.If we hate each other or alienate others form us, we cannot possibly begin to get America out of this financial mess through massive protest.During the 1960s we protested the Vietnam war as kindred spirits.The movement of millions came together in massive rallies to stop the war, to stop the killing in our names. It did not work back then, The elite did what they wanted to anyway.Today's social unrest must bring all of us together in even larger numbers to save our country . There are just too few well placed people in the upper echelons of our nation, that control way too much wealth, while millions starve.No matter how may bankers get bonuses, they will all have to face the coming environmental degradation with all of us.

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Alternet Comments:

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At least M. Klare doesn’t believe an economic collapse…
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Honky the Misanthrope on Feb 24, 2009 10:34 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Will usher in some sort of utopia. Most of the PhDs, currently making 35K, who write articles like these, believe we will live in a cross between a commune and a renaissance fair.

By a gun before Dear Leader several limits your options.

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» Dear Leader's Posted by: Honky the Misanthrope
» Buy a dictionary Posted by: Rapunzel
» RE: Buy a dictionary Posted by: donl51
» LOCK AND LOAD Posted by: sirios
» RE: LOCK AND LOAD Posted by: undead

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The prospects
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Posted by: greekTowner on Feb 25, 2009 1:03 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Eventually a population divided between those without a job protesting and those taking up riot-control police jobs.

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» Green-puke Posted by: godsbreath64
» RE: godsbreath54 Posted by: greenPuker

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The prospects
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Posted by: greekTowner on Feb 25, 2009 1:06 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
A world population divided between those protesting and those taking up jobs as riot-control police officers.

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» RE: The prospects...so simplistic! Posted by: greekTowner

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Gays will have it the worst
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Posted by: HoboHomo on Feb 25, 2009 1:34 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Just as gays have it the worst in all societies, even in prosperous times, they will be the most targeted of all minorities. Simply because all other oppressed minorities share anti-gay hatred far more than any other prejudice. This fact, combined with the growing jihad Muslims are declaring against homosexuals, along with the rise of Xian fundamentalist and Republican/conservative homophobia...will lead to a global holocaust against queers.

So if I don't get a chance at my last words to the world, before I am executed, let me say 'em now:

F*ck you all, idiot breeders! I'm glad all this misery is spreading far and wide, w/folks losing their homes, jobs, etc. You heteros are now finally experiencing what it's like to live under a terrorist regime, as gays have all along, thanks to your self-righteous sexism and arrogant superiority. I am overjoyed! Bring it all down: good riddance, homophobic Amerika! When it comes to gays, you're no better than Islamic terrorists. No thanks, Obama, for selecting a homophobic preacher for the inauguration's opening prayer...what an intentional slap in our collective face!

--
The Final Testament
http://www.gay-bible.org

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» RE: BLESS THE BULLSHITE! Posted by: greenPuker
» Hobo, you are not alone. Posted by: sirios
» RE: Gays will have it the worst Posted by: Dr. P. Mooney
» Let's DO bother with Canada. Posted by: greenPuker
» RE: Gays will have it... Posted by: greenPuker
» RE: Gays will have it the worst Posted by: greenPuker
» Having a bad day, HoboHomo? Posted by: Bliss Doubt

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There will be blood
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Posted by: FREEDOM OF SPEECH on Feb 25, 2009 2:09 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
» Encino, is that you???? Posted by: Prophit
» RE: ncino, is that you???? Posted by: HANGTRAITORS
» RE: ncino, is that you???? Posted by: greenPuker
» RE: Facts, counter arguments??? Posted by: greenPuker
» RE: There will be blood Posted by: Bizatch!
» RE: There will be blood Posted by: greenPuker
» GreenPuker Posted by: topbrick

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Milton Friedmann smiles down from heaven.
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Posted by: Perry Logan on Feb 25, 2009 2:56 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Milton Friedmann smiles down from heaven. At last, the whole world is getting economic shock therapy.

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» RE: Nightgaunt and Friedman Posted by: greenPuker
» RE: Why would Friedman be in Heaven? Posted by: the reproduction is u
» RE: Why would Friedman be in Heaven? Posted by: the reproduction is u

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"Mass protests" are an expression of Democratic Will.
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Posted by: -matti on Feb 25, 2009 2:58 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This article seems targeted to miss the point entirely.

Popular Revolt -especially by peaceful, or mildly rioteous demonstration- is a direct response of the Demos to a failure by the representative Government to adequately express its Will.

Anyone who does not studiously avoid the recent and relevant history of this economic crisis will conclude that it is the culmination point of 30+ years of ignoring the Democratic Will, and more than 10 years of actively flaunting it -even in the "First World".

So why should Popular Revolt be -in ANY way- troublesome to our thoughts?

It is merely the -quite natural and expected- expression of the Democratic Will in a time when the forces opposed to it have lost their influence do to incompentence or greed.

Nothing better could happen in the "People's Republic" of China -or the U.S. or many other places- than the mass repudiation and democratically forced removal of the jerk-offs whose greed and idiocy created this crisis.

To see this mass-mobilization of the People of many nations as something "worrisome" or "troubling" is to express the basest, and most disgusting form of Anti-Democratic thinking.

The Author seems more in love with Apocolyptic Destruction than he is with the People -and hence, democracy.

Truly a new low for Micheal Klare, an unexpected abberation for Tomdispatch.com, and a harsh -but important- precedent for Alternet.

Ugh.

-matti.

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» RE: A Bolshevic asshole! Posted by: greenPuker

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This comment has been removed from the site due to non-compliance with AlterNet's community policies.
» Ain't it a gas? Posted by: willymack
» 36 billion now? Posted by: tony_opmoc

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Heck of a Job
[Report this comment]
Posted by: DrBrian on Feb 25, 2009 5:00 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It's already happening here in South Asia, and will surely get worse. So much for the wisdom of the GOP and its economic friends such as Summers, Greenspan, Rubin, Friedman and, yes, Clinton.

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» RE: Heck of a Job Posted by: fever
» He includes Clinton and Rubin. Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: He includes Clinton and Rubin. Posted by: Bliss Doubt

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Mass protests merely prove civilizations' failures
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Posted by: SevenStarHand on Feb 25, 2009 5:06 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Whether in a democracy or other governmental model, mass protests are little more than symptoms of the complete failure of leaders and institutions. People don't protest unless driven to do so for various reasons (sometimes by official and/or covert manipulators, but mostly not...) that are most often the abject failure to deliver on promises or effectively prevent serious problems. Government should be wise and proactive but it rarely is, because of the hidden agendas of leaders and the deceptive institutions they lead.

When governments resort to force, martial law, or the tactics of deceit in the face of sane and just expectations and mostly peaceful protests, they are merely proving that they are inept and unfit to govern. Any form of civilization that permits problems to regularly grow to the level that people feel mass actions are necessary has already proven its inadequacy. So-called democracy as a smoke and mirrors system to keep the money-deluded proxy-slaves working to prop up empires and wealthy leaders constantly fails to deliver on promises, because they are blatant deceptions from the outset. People who have hidden agendas (greed, arrogance, deception...) regularly fail to keep their promises...

The only way to fix human civilization is to end the great folly and injustice caused by the system we call money. It will be much easier to deliver on the promises governments have been making and failing to deliver (for millennia) when we no longer have to waste obscene percentages of human effort and natural resources feeding an "endless loop" economy and monetary system, instead of living people. The existence of money, credit/usury, profit, corporations, etc., etc., guarantee poverty, inequity, and injustice. They are pivotal sources of the problems, not the solutions.

Civilization is a system and any system has finite resources and capacity. Money is a sub-system within our civilization that is vastly inequitable and vastly wasteful. Now that we have obscene debts on top of the deceptions that have always been there, the capacity of this limited system (civilization) has been overwhelmed by the unwise sub-system of money. Consequently, most human effort is being sucked away to feed the deceptive endless-loop economy and even more deceptive financial structure, instead of benefitting living beings. People are suffering and dying to feed a voracious deception, purposely designed to deceive people into being slaves for propping up empires, run by the greediest and most arrogant among us. This is a definition of evil, pure and simple.

The time for real change is approaching rapidly...

Peace and Wisdom...

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Batman, Iron Man and now Strongman
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Posted by: edgar1 on Feb 25, 2009 5:32 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The failure of democracy to manage large corporate and financial power has led to depression. Some rinky dink energy and "education" programs won't provide the job.

Civilization and authoritarianism can coexist. This is the model that has been the most frequently used since the rise of the early Egyptian and Chinese empires.

Choices have to be made. Not all can be prosperous. Unlimited breeding in the Third World is intolerable, there is no moral imperative to spend precious billions on ignorant AIDS soaked Africans who have been told again and again what they must do to cut population and limit disease. Unfortunately, this subspecies of homo sapiens insists on its irresponsible behavior. Thus the continent south of the Arab north should be quarantined totally. No emigration nor goods allowed. No diamonds. No gold. No people. No financial or food aid. Similar realism policies are required world wide to ensure the most creative, strongest, and adaptable members of our species survive and thrive. Strong leaders are required, selected by the capacity to wield effective power and to unite the stongest elements of society.

New national entities may be required-eg most of the US, Canada and NorthernMexico might unite. Perhaps the South Atlantic states should be a self sufficient entity. Useless documents like amendments to the US constitution can be unilaterally discarded to void "rights" for those who are primarily consumers and not producers of wealth and security.

Identifiable groups that commit excessive crimes, fail to invent need technology and ideas, or persist in behavior that hinders education presented in a direct and clear manner should be concentrated in remote areas where they can demonstrate that they are equal to peoples like Native Americans and Inuits.

In other words, the ability to use a cell phone or a video game is not a qualification for "equal" rights or any share of power in the new structure that will arise in the ruins of the collapsed US and its allies. Obamamoney will be the Trojan Horse of the century.

Thank you Mr. Law Review Editor. You are truly your parents'son.

Men of vision and strength will seize the historic opportunity as Augustus, Trajan, William the Conqueror, Muhummed, Catherine the Great, Lenin, Genghis Khan, Napoleon and Mao did. "Polls" and "politics" are relics of a dying world.

What will the no talent "political" commentators, ignorant of science economics and history do? BYE BYE Olbermann, Matthews and Hannity.

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» Darwin says the Strong Posted by: edgar1
» No, he didn't Posted by: Bbear41
» Edgar1 you need to read Posted by: topbrick
» Population living on dry sand? Posted by: billwald
» You bet. Posted by: edgar1

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Have you ever wondered this?
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Posted by: tarnishedreality on Feb 25, 2009 5:43 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Have you ever wondered why with all the unrest throughout the world of people standing up and protesting, why aren't Americans? Really, we should not violently, but honestly we should. This crisis has a lot to do with the failures of our leaders (who have been switched out in some cases) and the big corporations and banks many American. I've heard it said so many times in the comments pages "Where's the outrage?". Well, where is it?

I'm not saying American's should lash out in violent protests that attack other social groups. I just think it would be nice if Americans at least exhibit a pulse. Maybe, a peaceful demonstration in front of the Stock Exchange or the Capitol lawn. We must look like the Steppford Wives to the rest of the world right now. At least they have the nerve to scream about it if even misplaced.

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» RE: Have you ever wondered this? Posted by: richholland
» A few points Posted by: willymack
» Just one checkpoint! Posted by: greenPuker
» RE: Have you ever wondered this? Posted by: tarnishedreality
» Patriot Act Posted by: Bliss Doubt

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On the Brink of Class Warfare
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Posted by: daw13 on Feb 25, 2009 6:35 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This understated article tells us what Powers That Be are aware of and planning for. What are they thinking? A shift toward wealth-sharing, embrasure of the most exposed, the creation of real, global community? Or something quite different. More along lines indicated by Orwell and Huxley? Many signs indicate the latter. How do we in the semi-protected West feel about this? Awful, but we can live with it? But can we? Are those defined as expendable as sheeple as we? Are they capable of insuring that we all share their fate? My own view is that to imagine anything else is sheer madness.

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So God is punishing the planet for guzzling up all those fossil fuels, isn't he?
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Posted by: maxpayne on Feb 25, 2009 6:40 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
HOW AWFUL !

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» Please God, don't spank me! Posted by: Bliss Doubt

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nvanness
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Posted by: Nancy Van Ness on Feb 25, 2009 6:45 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I find it unfortunate that the peaceful protest in several places, including France, are attributed to the presence of riot police. It is much more likely that good organization of the protests is responsible. It is sad that repression is emphasized as responsible for order.

There is a huge difference between the orderly actions of unions and other groups in France and the more spontaneous rock throwing that sparked the actions in Athens.

I wonder why governments cannot be listening better to what those who protest have to say instead of gearing up to repress protest and assuming it will be violent.

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» RE: nvanness Posted by: praedor

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The Economic 9/11 Ruse
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Posted by: whole2th on Feb 25, 2009 7:01 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The American Revolution was fought, in part, to disconnect from Rothschild Banksterism--the tyranny of King George's monetary concession.

Our unconstitutional Federal Reserve Banksters are in cahoots with others of their ilk world-wide. Collapse of economies and currencies are the modus operandi of these dynasties of banksters.

Let's learn from history of banksterism which has perpetrated wars, recessions, depressions, panics on humanity over and over--because we've not learned the lessons of history. Private ownership of the concessions to produce and control availability of money is the root of the evil.

See Pattison Articles (Google it) about A Timeline Focusing on Taxes, Money and War to see the over and over manipulations of money/currency in the bankster control of governments.

Obama is on a short leash and needs an UPWISING of the masses to really 'get it' this time while we are in the throes of bankster tricks.
Watch the
JFK Secret Society Speech and learn about JFK's Executive Order 11110 and how the banksters were likely key to his assassination as banksters were likely key to Abraham Lincoln's assassination after Lincoln printed "greenbacks" and put that 'people's currency' into circulation.

This economic collapse is BY DESIGN--of the banksters and war industrialists. We are mere cattle in their eyes.

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» You're know nothing propaganda. Posted by: GuitarBill

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RE: Never had a hangover...
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Posted by: sausage on Feb 25, 2009 7:39 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
from smoking pot. Don't get hangovers from smoking pot. Do get hangovers from tranks and other downers.

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RE: Junk Yard Dog.
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Posted by: Zeugitai on Feb 25, 2009 11:39 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Who is this? GW?

The same old misleading metaphor trotted out again. Does it help you "understand" what is happening?

Why are people so easily satisfied by goofy metaphors and their inherent misleading analogies? Because it's easy to lump real complexity into a simple ball of candy?

This is a big part of the problem Americans face.

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Economic collapse leads to social unrest.
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Posted by: sausage on Feb 25, 2009 7:37 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well, d'uh.

Guy writes a four screen-long essay to tell us what we all should already know.

Let me see, what other instances of social unrest due to economy collapses have occurred in world history....hmmmmmmm....the French Revolution, perhaps? How about the Russian Revolutions of 1905 and 1917? What about the Bonus Army "Hooverville," in Washington, D.C. in 1932? Cuba, circa 1956-1959, anyone?

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Social unrest?
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Posted by: Alsu on Feb 25, 2009 8:02 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
People in France are protesting against falling wages and rising living costs. They are right! A great proportion of youth in France is without a chance of getting a regular job with a just pay. It's the same over here in Germany. Due to harsh mesures of the so called social systems there have been the first deaths: starved, in one of the richest countries in the world. The government is increasing the pressure on the poor directly or indirectly to raise money for the ultra rich. This can't go on, the social injustice has to end, for the poor in my country as well as for the poor in all of the world. Justice and rights are not something which is given, they are something you fight for. Our fathers(or mothers) and grandfathers fought and died for the rights we have now, which are taken from us every day. There will be protests on the 28 of march, and I hope they will be large. I will be there, as well as at any other protest. And I will march in front. If that makes me an extremist, so be it.

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» RE: Social unrest? Posted by: Zeugitai
» Arabs out of France Posted by: edgar1

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economy and social unrest
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Posted by: pfm on Feb 25, 2009 8:12 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am not a philosopher, nor a psychologist, or psychiatrist, I possess no credentials denoting higher learning. I find I am unable to see anything but promotion of - fear - in this article.

Governments across the planet are preparing for a surge of violent protests from economic upheaval. Why, because that's how most contemporary government's are designed to function today. Unfortunately most of the world's populous has been educated to "drool" when our leaders ring the bell in a manner not unlike those dogs in Pavlov's experiments. When government's by design change the game they expect this form of reaction and are prepared to meet it .... it's called population control by fiat. And "we" accept it because "we" know no difference.

Respectfully,
Paul F. Miller
striving to promote sustainable awareness

BLOG SITE NAME ... AUTHENTICALLY WIRED

BLOG SITE ADDRESS ... http://waterman99.wordpress.com/2009

... everyone has the right to clean & accessible water, adequate for the health & well being of the individual & family, and no one shall be deprived of such acess or quality of water due to individual economic circumstances ... Article # 31 - United Nations

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The truth is...
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Posted by: ArmirB on Feb 25, 2009 8:24 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
... that there is an european Association of the left. Perhaps, or I hope so, stronger than the left ever was in Europe, but as long not strong enough. The Members of this Union are union activists, politicans and a lot of smaller association. People like YOU! Not criminals, not Terrorists!
They are starting to demonstrate against social injustice.
There is nothing wrong at this point. There are no big fights and nobody ist interested in starting a war.
So please understand, that we have to fight for our rights, in our countries and in peace. And if sometimes a group of people start to fight against the police, then it´s just for the moment, to show that WE HAVE A VOICE AGAINST SOCIAL INJUSTICE.
Sorry Guys, but you have Obama, we just have a lot of corrupt politicians. That´s it.

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peace maker
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Posted by: homeopath on Feb 25, 2009 8:24 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]


Dear Michael,

What "government troops" would that be in Haiti?

Of course, there are none.

President Aristide dissolved the army.

A person with your scope really can't excuse such misinformation. It is a sad and typical example of the neglect by many writers when it comes to Haiti.

I am tired of seeing these problems because the 'information fog' created by irresponsible stories and tourist reporters actually amounts to the basis for the lasting misery of the Haitian people. It is in addition to the high level of disinformation and propaganda put out about Haiti by the criminal three - the US, Canada and France - and it is this very 'fog' that makes the current tragedy there possible,- and effective help impossible... You can't fix what you don't know.

It was also key to the popular belief in the West, that there was a 'popular rebellion' in 2004 and that UN troops in Haiti are 'peace keepers'! Neither is true.

There was a gang of CIA created mercenaries in 2004, about 200-300 death squad types and old army die hards - and there is today an occupation force of UN troops, who - according to even their own commander - have at best kept crime at bay. At worst, they murdered scores of the poorest Haitian citizens and raped many women. ( All for US $ 600 million a year... )

There is no peace to keep in Haiti, there are no warring parties, there is no mandate other than the wishes of US/ Canada/ France - which are colonial.
And there is no Haitian army...

Please, pass on this message to any other writer you know.
It may contribute to more effort in getting the whole story on Haiti, and , perhaps, finally some respect and law abiding behaviour by the 'West'.
Thank you.

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» Dance to the Music Man Posted by: edgar1

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Socialism = Survival
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Posted by: Malcolm Medgar on Feb 25, 2009 8:31 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Today the human being has millions of years of evolution to look at in the rear view mirror. But just up ahead, as this article indicates, is one of the most dramatic episodes ever created by that natural process. Dramatic because the question of human survival is truly in doubt.

The capitalist economic system is exhausted and will soon collapse. From the time of the collapse of feudalism and its birth in the Industrial Revolution, capitalism was always destined to become a dominant global force. And globalization will be a historic marker as the zenith of its existence. But globalization robbed the system of the only thing that kept its fatal internal contradictions at bay—growth. Capitalism has conquered the planet, it has nowhere else to feed. Now the time of its death is at hand.

The whole litany of worldwide flashpoints of socio-political unrest cited by Mr. Klare are very telling. These skirmishes are signs the two most powerful groups that capitalism creates are beginning to engage in a final battle for power. Marx called one the bourgeoisie, the ruling class, and the other the proletariat, or working class. It can be most simply described as the clash between the wealthy and the working people.

The fight is inevitable and it will destroy one class or the other. Then on the ruins of the old system, the class that prevails will reorganize society along the lines of their dictates. If the bourgeoisie remains on top it will not mean the restoration of capitalism to health and stability. It will mean the depopulation of the planet and the enslavement of man in a world described in the dystopian literature of Orwell, Huxley, and Atwood.

Only a working class victory and working people in power will see to the end of this madness and willingly share our available resources for the sake of human survival. Socialism is the only way most of us and our children will live into the distant future on this planet.

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» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: tony_opmoc
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: Malcolm Medgar
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: jvisher
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: willymack
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: tony_opmoc
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: Malcolm Medgar
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: samd11
» RE: Socialism = Survival Posted by: Malcolm Medgar

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Well deserved
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Posted by: DufusTwo on Feb 25, 2009 8:46 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You know what? Maybe social unrest is exactly what we need. Maybe the Sheeple have finally had ENOUGH.

RT
Online Privacy when it Counts

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» Spam. Click "report this comment" Posted by: Bliss Doubt

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homo sapiens - the most successful large species ever.
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Posted by: jvisher on Feb 25, 2009 8:53 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is about life, folks. The exponential growth of the human population over the last several centuries is a direct consequence of us having figured out how to turn oil and coal into energy that we can consume. Well fed organisms have more offspring and well fed offspring survive to reproduce. Forget the GOP and the Dems and the socialist capitalist, fascist, nazis buddists, tantric sex instructors and dog trainers, aren't controlling this. Fat humans can't help but deceive themselves into thinking they are fat because they are smart. Not to dis the human mind, but how much smarts does it take to extract oil from the ground and burn it to keep warm and crack to make fertilizers, the whole chain of industrial society is built one dumb link at a time. When the coal and oil run out the human population will diminish by factors of 10 to 100. Then the earth can go back to being what it was before this oil fed yeast infection called modern man exploded.

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» THE PLANET IS NOT IN PERIL Posted by: Dennis St. John
» RE: THE PLANET IS NOT IN PERIL Posted by: tony_opmoc

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Who said the war against capitalism will be world wide?
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Posted by: bfh369 on Feb 25, 2009 9:09 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Marx foresaw that capitalism, i.e. exploitation, would engulf the world. He also understood that the people would unite and overthrow this same exploitative regime. Only unity of the people will transform exploitation into a revitalized balance which capitalism and class structured, male dominated states have destroyed. Tribal cultures, community movements, and family revitalization are leading the way to local balance and away from centralized control.

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'Brick & Mortar' beginning to Shake?
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Posted by: Purple Girl on Feb 25, 2009 9:12 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Seems the entities which comprise only really Brick & Mortar, but have Ruled Humanity for about a century might be facing a downfall, much like their Monarchial predecessors.
It astounds me how Corps have been free to claim they Built the US- brought the World a global Economy.Funny I don't feel like Clay?
Yet politcal leaders have been bowing down to these idols for decades. We have to save the Corp sto save jobs. No we need to save the Workers who built the Corps, granted them the ability to expand through Their blood sweat and tears.People built those corps (and Gov'ts) Literally and figuratively. Humanity gave birth to industry, Government and Religion- not the other way around. And Yet we are expected to cater to their every whim.Talk about a 'Wizard of Oz' analogy. These are not the Great and Powerful 'Oz', they are only illusions being manipualted by a mere mortal.
Heres one of the biggest scams still being played- the Value of gold. What asset to humanity is this shiny rock- Does it produce food, energy? Or is it merely the idea it possess such powers. It's a fucking rock! If all hell breaks loose- the guy with the shiny rock is gonna walk while I make a deal with the guy with a chicken in exchange for my labor or veggies.
If we were to let the banking industry collapse, taking our debts owned to them with them into the sociological Grave, Wouldn't that make US all a bit richer? Whether or not there is a Corp around, Trade & commerce (Production & comsumption) will survive- like it did for millenia before they were created.
Teh entire population of th eworld is currently screwed, so why not just scrape it all, call us all even and start again- this time with the knowldege of where shit goes wrong- handing the Reins of Human enterprise adn existence over to a Few hold up in Ivory towers.
considering how much has been borrowed and banked on under purely speculative assumptions about Human productivity and future values- It appears most of the loss has been mmore intangible like Smoke and mirrors.
Really all Brick and mortar has been is Middlemen skimming off the trade between production and consumption- and obviously not a management tool that has benefited either side, but quite profittable for them.
Humanity needs to get these Creations back under our control, and threatening to just destroy them may send a message that the corps (Gov'ts, Religions) might take heed,an d begin acting like the Tools for Human Developement they have always merely been.

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GOOD NEWS FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BANKERS
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Posted by: Dennis St. John on Feb 25, 2009 10:25 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Wars incur tremendous debts with high interest. The international bankers must be drinking toasts to one another with champagne.

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An Inconvenient Solution
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Posted by: P.E.A.C.E. on Feb 25, 2009 10:37 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
To go from an extinctionistic hydrocarbon-based economy to a sustainable carbohydrate-based economy, we just need to re-value Cannabis agriculture, manufacture & trade for what they're truly worth.

How bad do things have to get before all solutions are considered?

End prohibition of Cannabis now.

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» RE: An Inconvenient Solution Posted by: Zeugitai
» Ending the prohibition... Posted by: Bbear41

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Against whom will we riot? Whom should we hang?
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Posted by: billwald on Feb 25, 2009 10:54 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Our Founding Fathers gave us the perfect government to hide our true owners from the voters? Whom shall we hang? The tax collecters we just voted in? With whom shall we replace them? A new round of tax collectors?

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Give It Away Now
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Feb 25, 2009 12:18 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What Ive got youve got to give it to your mamma
What Ive got youve got to give it to your pappa
What Ive got youve got to give it to your daughter
You do a little dance and then you drink a little water

What Ive got youve got to get it put it in you
What Ive got youve got to get it put it in you
What Ive got youve got to get it put it in you
Reeling with the feeling dont stop continue

Realize I dont want to be a miser
Confide wisely youll be the wiser
Young blood is the lovin upriser
How come everybody wanna keep it like the kaiser

Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
I cant tell iff Im a king pin or a pauper

Greedy little people in a sea of distress
Keep your more to receive your less
Unimpressed by material excess
Love is free love me say hell yes

Im a low brow but I rock a little know how
No time for the piggies or the hoosegow
Get smart get down with the pow wow
Never been a better time than right now

Bob marley poet and a prophet
Bob marley taught how to off it
Bob marley walkin like he talk it
Goodness me cant you see Im gonna cough it

Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Ooh... ooh yeah
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
I cant tell iff Im a king pin or a pauper

Lucky me swimmin in my ability
Dancin down on life with agility
Come and drink it up from my fertility
Blessed with a bucket of lucky mobility

My mom I love her cause she love me
Long gone are the times when she scrub me
Feelin good my brother gonna hug me
Drink my juice lone chug-a-lug me

Theres a river born to be a giver
Keep you warm wont let you shiver
His heart is never gonna wither
Come on everybody time to deliver

Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
I cant tell iff Im a king pin or a pauper

What Ive got youve got to give it to your mamma
What Ive got youve got to give it to your pappa
What Ive got youve got to give it to your daughter
You do a little dance and then you drink a little water

What Ive got youve got to get it put it in you
What Ive got youve got to get it put it in you
What Ive got youve got to get it put it in you
Reeling with the feeling dont stop continue

Realize I dont want to be a miser
Confide wisely youll be the wiser
Young blood is the lovin upriser
How come everybody wanna keep it like the kaiser

Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now
Give it away give it away give it away now

Give it away now
Give it away now
...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwcsKxMqdXM

http://www.warchild.org.uk/donate

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» Red Hot Chili Peppers! Posted by: Bliss Doubt
» RE: Red Hot Chili Peppers! Posted by: tony_opmoc
» RE: Give It Away Now Posted by: blogfrog

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They feel threatened by any collective action that is why!
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Posted by: RR#1 on Feb 25, 2009 1:39 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Unions and collectivities might garner some legitimacy, they are on code red with us and we don't get it.
Cheers,
RR

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USA Can You Spare Us a Dime?
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Feb 25, 2009 2:00 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I personally think the following is a load of bollocks - but in the spirit of free communication and debate - we want our money back from all the toxic shit you gift wrapped for us in pretty boxes. Sure we should have looked inside before accepting them - but we trusted you. We don't trust you any more.

http://lewrockwell.com/north/north689.html

Tony

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War is a failed paradigm
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Posted by: maxsmart on Feb 25, 2009 2:48 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Call me stupid but I don't think one should just casually accept that war is inevitable in international affairs or class warfare.
War never benefits anyone but it is rather pleasant as a release of tension. For both side of any fight I suppose but that's about it.

What I think is that people's protests and problems should be taken seriously not just reacted to and if efforts are made to understand and try as best as possible to address problems then that might help defuse the tension and make it easier to work on the problem too.

We all need to realize we are interdependent, no one really wins with someone else's loss in the long run. The grievances just build for the the next battle when the other side wins.
Dominance and submission is not a successful behavioral strategy.

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» RE: War is a failed paradigm Posted by: jvisher

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I don't REALLY...
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Posted by: Bbear41 on Feb 25, 2009 3:32 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...Believe in 'Maya doomsday,' but between global warming and economic breakdown, It seems that some kind of 'Great Overturning, is at hand.

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» RE: I don't REALLY... Posted by: tony_opmoc

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George Bush Sings u2
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Feb 25, 2009 4:19 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]

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Morons!
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Posted by: dockboy on Feb 25, 2009 5:10 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
You all are morons. You seem to think this is the first time humanity has faced a crisis. Perhaps the real crisis is not the crisis itself, but the fact that so many don't have the character to face a crisis. You expect someone else to take care of you, and now it may be the resources needed to take care of you don't exist.

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» Give It A Break Posted by: bessie
» RE: Morons! Posted by: mnstra

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Extra Golden Featuring Obama in 2007
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Feb 25, 2009 5:19 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Extra Golden - promo video

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Run
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Posted by: tony_opmoc on Feb 25, 2009 5:42 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I'll sing it one last time for you
Then we really have to go
You've been the only thing that's right
In all I've done

And I can barely look at you
But every single time I do
I know we'll make it anywhere
Away from here

Light up, light up
As if you have a choice
Even if you cannot hear my voice
I'll be right beside you dear

Louder louder
And we'll run for our lives
I can hardly speak I understand
Why you can't raise your voice to say

To think I might not see those eyes
Makes it so hard not to cry
And as we say our long goodbye
I nearly do

Light up...

Slower slower
We don't have time for that
All I want is to find an easier way
To get out of our little heads

Have heart my dear
We're bound to be afraid
Even if it's just for a few days
Making up for all this mess

Run

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Spend More money on Global Warming..
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Posted by: IPF on Feb 25, 2009 11:06 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
perhaps that will accelerate the crisis, protests and global revolution.

Or perhaps the UN will save us....

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The Sky is Falling bullshite!
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Posted by: greenPuker on Feb 26, 2009 9:59 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The World Bank finds that...
(1) We have zero economic growth in the developing world .
(2)Rising food prices.

Really “portentious and alarming” findings!

Klare, in this article, screams that..

”we have a perfect recipe for unrelenting civil unrest and violence. The eruptions seen in 2008 and early 2009 will be mere harbingers of a grim future in which, in a given week, any number of cities will reel from riots and civil disturbances which could spread like multiple brushfires in a drought.”

Michael T. Klare alarmingly states that it is essentially impossible to keep track of all such episodes, suggesting that we are on the verge of a global pandemic of economically driven violence!.

Michael T Klare is a “The sky is falling” alarmist and writes dipshit articles like this to promote his stature. Nothing of what he has forewarned about riots will come to pass in the USA.
Alternet should always offer a rebuttal article to keep the rabid “I-told-you-so” crowd from rioting on paper!

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JUST A MATTER OF TIME
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Posted by: stopthemaddness2 on Feb 27, 2009 5:59 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
People are people any where you go. All need the same basic things, food shelter, clothing, substanice existence.

What is happening over there, and not being reported here, will happen here if things don't change/improve and do so quickly.

Just a matter of time!

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ba
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mnstra on Feb 28, 2009 7:13 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In order for a massive social movement against the ruling class,to happen, we all must be united for the common welfare.If we hate each other or alienate others form us, we cannot possibly begin to get America out of this financial mess through massive protest.During the 1960s we protested the Vietnam war as kindred spirits.The movement of millions came together in massive rallies to stop the war, to stop the killing in our names. It did not work back then, The elite did what they wanted to anyway.Today's social unrest must bring all of us together in even larger numbers to save our country . There are just too few well placed people in the upper echelons of our nation, that control way too much wealth, while millions starve.No matter how may bankers get bonuses, they will all have to face the coming environmental degradation with all of us.

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