Israel Does Not Deserve to Exist Nor Is It Worthwhile to Preserve It

The scholar, Yeshayahu Leibowitz, who Isaiah Berlin called the conscience of Israel, warned that, “If Israel did not separate
church and state, it would give rise to a corrupt rabbinate that would warp Judaism into a fascistic cult. Religious nationalism is to religion what National Socialism was to socialism,” warned Leibowitz, who died in 1994. He understood that the blind veneration of the military, especially after the 1967 war that captured the West Bank in East Jerusalem was dangerous and would lead to the ultimate destruction of democracy. “Our situation will deteriorate to that of a second Vietnam, to a war and constant escalation without prospect of ultimate resolution,” he wrote. He foresaw that, “The Arabs would be the working people and the Jews, the administrators, inspectors, officials and police, mainly secret police. A state ruling a hostile population of 1.5 million to 2 million foreigners would necessarily become a secret police state. With all that implies for education, free speech and democratic institutions. The corruption characteristic of every colonial regime would also prevail in the state of Israel. The administration would have to suppress Arab insurgency on the one hand and acquire Arab quiz links on the other. There is also good reason to fear that the Israeli Defense Force, which has been until now, a people’s army would, as a result of being transformed into an army of occupation to generate and its commanders who will have become military governors, will resemble their colleagues in other nations.” He warned that the rise of virulent racism would consume Israeli society. He knew that prolonged occupation of the Palestinians would spawn concentration camps for the occupied, and that in his words, “Israel would not deserve to exist and it will not be worthwhile to preserve it.” – from the broadcast

Launch of the Ecosocial Energy Manifesto from the Peoples of the South

The Manifesto for an Ecosocial Energy Transition from the Peoples of the South,  is an important new call from the Global South for a real, clean, and equitable transformation away from fossil fuels, the trashing of nature, and the disproportionate consumption patterns of the wealthiest countries. The manifesto can be read and individuals and organizations can add their signature here.

Militarism versus Global Health

I just learned about the “One World, One Health” initiative that would address zoonotic diseases. You should too. Visit http://oneworldonehealth.org/

Imagine a trillion dollar commitment to modernize the nuclear arsenal. That plus another all-time high for the US military budget of $768 billion.

Comparatively, nothing is being spent on addressing pandemic-creating phenomenon and US exceptionalism thwarting international cooperation prevails.

The US government has failed us miserably. This initiative should have been fast tracked. The minions who currently occupy our government posts need to be replaced with with true servants of, by and for the people, providing real leadership for ensuring ecological health.

British Court Approves Julian Assange Extradition to the US

File:Julian Assange - 9060712888 (cropped).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

The British court’s ruling to extradite Julian Assange to the United States to face charges there, boosts fascism and state secrecy, sending a chilling message to the practice of journalism everywhere. The vendetta against Julian, pursued by deranged actors inside the US government seeking revenge for his exposing their ‘secrets’, is being carried out.

Today is a low point in the history of press freedom and democracy. Without a free press reporting on state actions, government can perpetrate atrocities in our name, without our consent, undermining our safety and security.

Once regarded as a paragon of  press freedom supporting democracy in the world, with this act, the United States government is following in the tradition of the worst of fascist states in their destruction of a free press. Long live the free and unfettered press!

Militarism vs Climate Chaos Readiness

US military budget growth

The military industrial complex is a Frankenstein’s monster that must be reigned in. How? By replacing elected ignorant automaton representatives who pander to the monster with people of vision and intelligence. Sounds simple doesn’t it? It’s not. Both parties pander to the military. We must replace militarism with a reasonable level of defense only, redirecting the resources now being squandered on militaristic imperial forays towards more pressing matters, like climate chaos. The window is closing on the time remaining for the state to be proactive to address climate chaos. Soon the state will be overwhelmed responding to emergencies and disasters resulting from anthropogenic climate chaos. The money currently being wasted on militarism should be redirected towards mitigation and adaptation activities now.