Chris Hedges is the epitome of a modern prophet.
He speaks the truth to power.
The recent wave of popular protests sweeping across America following those in the Middle East are very significant indicators of human resilience and dynamic resistance to the elitist corporate state which is strangling the rest of humanity.
This contemporary revolt against the eminently selfish and greedy abuse of power by those in control of our global society, is a powerful reminder of the “signs of the times” which were heralded by Gaudium et Spes and the Fathers of Vatican II.
The question now is whether our Catholic hierarchy is capable of understanding this today, and responding with pastoral sensitivity & wisdom.
It is refreshing to hear the truth frankly proclaimed without the customary partisan caveats. I particularly like the part of this interview near the end where Hedges says (a) corporate interests “looted” the treasury in 2008 and (b) the US has wasted enough money on its failed wars in the mideast to have saved us from the present economic disaster. Both parties contributed to this situation because, as Hedges rightly argues, both are equally beholden to corporate power.
Chris Hedges is a very compelling speaker. His excellence as rhetorician should lead us to evaluate his sweeping claims even more critically. Systems as large, complex and interwoven as the government and the economy should not be simplified.
Some questions to consider:
What is the corporate interest? To what extent can we see there is a unified corporate interest? What parties form and promote this interest?
What mechanisms allow this cabal of CEOs and bankers to manipulate our national policy? What are some examples of these mechanisms at work?
What realistic alternatives do we have to Hedges’ pithily named kleptocracy?
How do current forms and modes of exploitation and injustice differ from historical modes?
Is Corporate exploitation an institutional evil or a result of personal sin? Somewhere in between?
What goods do mega corporations create? how do they contribute to the common good?
I ask all these questions open to the possibility that Mr. Hedges might be correct.
Chris Hedges is great here. I saw another video with him and a Canadian newscast (and they were more like Fox News it seemed). He really put the man in his place, and told the man that he wanted to debate the issues, and instead the newscaster was calling him names.(A left wing wack job)…. Something like you would see over at Fox. He delevered another very on target approach to what is wrong and why these protests are going on. What I liked most about him is that he told them he was not this movements leader. I love the guys delivery and how on point he is on exactly what has went wrong.
A big Thank You to FoxNews for pointing out that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has put up an on-line petition for those who want to stand with the protesters of Occupy Wall Street:
I hope the Democratic Party’s attempt to hijack OWS fails miserably. I’ve never gagged more at Pelosi than during her recent stated “support” of the protestors. What OWS doesn’t need is to be co-opted by big labor and the DNC, and this might be right where it’s headed.
As Chris Hedges said in the interview: “The leaders have no idea where this will go.” Certainly the Democrats and union leaders have no idea where, if anywhere, this movement will lead them. It’s hard to tell whether or not they realize that.
To our great shame, that was our public broadcasting corporation, the CBC!!! A new show called the Lang and O’Leary Exchange ostensibly covering financial “news.” The idea is apparently a supposedly entertaining tension between the utterly outrageous statements of O’Leary – whom we historically would have considered an American style no-holds-barred capitalist – and the more “moderate” and reasonable voice of Amanda Lang (gender thing here too!). All it is is obnoxious, as you saw in that clip … obnoxious and an alarming new phenomenon, as is the new Fox-style Canadian channel “Sun News” – though Sun News is so aenemic I can scarcely imagine it lasting. Anyway, Chris Hedges’ articulate response to O’Leary’s calling him a “left wing nut bar” blew O’Leary out of the water!
Chris Hedges is indeed on point about everything that’s wrong. I’m just a little concerned the wholesale condemnation of both political parties, if that’s the upshot of what’s happening here, could backfire by turning enough people off partisan politics to assure that Republicans have the votes to keep this “Kleptocracy” going without the mitigating factor of a social safety net Democrats have so far managed to protect (unemployment insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, etc.).
Jesse Lagreca
Here is the guy that schooled Fox News the other day, the clip that never got aired by Fox (Same guy). He is great because he once again lets the media know how they have failed the working class and how he is maybe the only working class guy ever to be on Sunday morning news. This is what makes this movement great, because it really is grass roots, and we really can set the agenda, even if it moves slower. Once you let the politicians in, it will become corrupted. I realize it’s inevitable, but it’s just nice for once to actually hear the people’s agenda, and know that people really are feeling this and they want this.
I was at the OWS in Lower Manhattan over the weekend and was intrigued by the whole event. Here is my hope for and advice to them.
I think it is great they are not announcing an agenda of legislative and regulatory proposals. The truth is that most of the pro-consumer/pro-worker regulation, social insurance programs and fair employment legislation liberals today so earnestly defend, were developed in concert with conservatives who at the time feared far more radical acts of consumer or worker empowerment.
OWS should leave the public policy proposals to others. At this stage, what is needed is a strong statement that millions of Americans are disgusted with the behavior of Big Business. We are lied to, cheated, abused, swindled, robbed and insulted by corporations every day. Ethical businesses are almost as rare as unicorns. They deserve the wrath and criticism of consumers and workers.
The only program OWS needs to embrace at this stage is support for worker and consumer organization. Senator Durbin was great calling on BofA depositors to switch their accounts. The jaws of the 1% dropped to the floor at the act of a senator “not playing by the rules” — i.e. naming a particular swindling business and calling on consumers to take action. We all should be moving our money to credit unions.
The Right Wing in Wisconsin had the same hissy-fit that “liberals are not playing by the rules” when liberals “dared” to stop patronizing businesses whose PACs supported the Republican Governor and his agenda. What happened to the conservative principle that people have a right to do what they want with their own money?
This isn’t the time for new laws or regulations. It’s time to tell these “job creators” (who haven’t created any jobs lately) exactly what we think of them and take every direct action against them that we can. Union organization would be a great start. Exposing their abuses, lies and secret political agenda would is also needed.
Lastly, I implore OWS, don’t insult religion or desecrate the flag — at least the American flag. If you must desecrate, use the NYC flag. No one really cares about that – even New Yorkers!
Is it just me, Kurt, or is this a really clever way of saying, “Please keep attracting media attention and build a constituency, but don’t form any specific opinions as those of us who have been organizing for some time will provide those when necessary.”
Good work if you can pull it off. Speaking from the conservative side, after a couple years of watching how the Tea Party folks play along with the mainstream, I doubt you’ll manage to pull it off. Generally, if the crazy faction manages to get more attention, they take that as a reason to keep acting crazy. Good luck with that.
Is it just me, Kurt, or is this a really clever way of saying, “Please keep attracting media attention and build a constituency, but don’t form any specific opinions as those of us who have been organizing for some time will provide those when necessary.”
Something in that ballpark, yes.
Good work if you can pull it off.
Thanks. It’s sure worth a shot.
Speaking from the conservative side, after a couple years of watching how the Tea Party folks play along with the mainstream, I doubt you’ll manage to pull it off. Generally, if the crazy faction manages to get more attention, they take that as a reason to keep acting crazy. Good luck with that.
Yes, it could be a challenge. Having spent most of my life as an active Left-wing anti-Communist, it does let me try out some skills I have not had to use in a while.
Ahh, for the good old days. I remember once being on a planning committee for a march on Washington for an issue I can’t remember. Some earnest young thing had a list of 100 or so organizations co-sponsoring our march. I grabbed the sheet from his hand, eyeballed it, took out a pen and scratched five groups off the list. I announced that these five groups were all Communist fronts (U.S. Peace Council, being one) and either they are out or my union pulls out.
Chris Hedges is the epitome of a modern prophet.
He speaks the truth to power.
The recent wave of popular protests sweeping across America following those in the Middle East are very significant indicators of human resilience and dynamic resistance to the elitist corporate state which is strangling the rest of humanity.
This contemporary revolt against the eminently selfish and greedy abuse of power by those in control of our global society, is a powerful reminder of the “signs of the times” which were heralded by Gaudium et Spes and the Fathers of Vatican II.
The question now is whether our Catholic hierarchy is capable of understanding this today, and responding with pastoral sensitivity & wisdom.
It is refreshing to hear the truth frankly proclaimed without the customary partisan caveats. I particularly like the part of this interview near the end where Hedges says (a) corporate interests “looted” the treasury in 2008 and (b) the US has wasted enough money on its failed wars in the mideast to have saved us from the present economic disaster. Both parties contributed to this situation because, as Hedges rightly argues, both are equally beholden to corporate power.
Chris Hedges is a very compelling speaker. His excellence as rhetorician should lead us to evaluate his sweeping claims even more critically. Systems as large, complex and interwoven as the government and the economy should not be simplified.
Some questions to consider:
What is the corporate interest? To what extent can we see there is a unified corporate interest? What parties form and promote this interest?
What mechanisms allow this cabal of CEOs and bankers to manipulate our national policy? What are some examples of these mechanisms at work?
What realistic alternatives do we have to Hedges’ pithily named kleptocracy?
How do current forms and modes of exploitation and injustice differ from historical modes?
Is Corporate exploitation an institutional evil or a result of personal sin? Somewhere in between?
What goods do mega corporations create? how do they contribute to the common good?
I ask all these questions open to the possibility that Mr. Hedges might be correct.
Chris Hedges is great here. I saw another video with him and a Canadian newscast (and they were more like Fox News it seemed). He really put the man in his place, and told the man that he wanted to debate the issues, and instead the newscaster was calling him names.(A left wing wack job)…. Something like you would see over at Fox. He delevered another very on target approach to what is wrong and why these protests are going on. What I liked most about him is that he told them he was not this movements leader. I love the guys delivery and how on point he is on exactly what has went wrong.
A big Thank You to FoxNews for pointing out that the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has put up an on-line petition for those who want to stand with the protesters of Occupy Wall Street:
http://www.dccc.org/pages/occupy
The web site promises “After you sign, we’ll deliver your signatures directly to Speaker Boehner and Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor.”
I hope the Democratic Party’s attempt to hijack OWS fails miserably. I’ve never gagged more at Pelosi than during her recent stated “support” of the protestors. What OWS doesn’t need is to be co-opted by big labor and the DNC, and this might be right where it’s headed.
WJ:
As Chris Hedges said in the interview: “The leaders have no idea where this will go.” Certainly the Democrats and union leaders have no idea where, if anywhere, this movement will lead them. It’s hard to tell whether or not they realize that.
To our great shame, that was our public broadcasting corporation, the CBC!!! A new show called the Lang and O’Leary Exchange ostensibly covering financial “news.” The idea is apparently a supposedly entertaining tension between the utterly outrageous statements of O’Leary – whom we historically would have considered an American style no-holds-barred capitalist – and the more “moderate” and reasonable voice of Amanda Lang (gender thing here too!). All it is is obnoxious, as you saw in that clip … obnoxious and an alarming new phenomenon, as is the new Fox-style Canadian channel “Sun News” – though Sun News is so aenemic I can scarcely imagine it lasting. Anyway, Chris Hedges’ articulate response to O’Leary’s calling him a “left wing nut bar” blew O’Leary out of the water!
Chris Hedges is indeed on point about everything that’s wrong. I’m just a little concerned the wholesale condemnation of both political parties, if that’s the upshot of what’s happening here, could backfire by turning enough people off partisan politics to assure that Republicans have the votes to keep this “Kleptocracy” going without the mitigating factor of a social safety net Democrats have so far managed to protect (unemployment insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, etc.).
Jesse Lagreca
Here is the guy that schooled Fox News the other day, the clip that never got aired by Fox (Same guy). He is great because he once again lets the media know how they have failed the working class and how he is maybe the only working class guy ever to be on Sunday morning news. This is what makes this movement great, because it really is grass roots, and we really can set the agenda, even if it moves slower. Once you let the politicians in, it will become corrupted. I realize it’s inevitable, but it’s just nice for once to actually hear the people’s agenda, and know that people really are feeling this and they want this.
I was at the OWS in Lower Manhattan over the weekend and was intrigued by the whole event. Here is my hope for and advice to them.
I think it is great they are not announcing an agenda of legislative and regulatory proposals. The truth is that most of the pro-consumer/pro-worker regulation, social insurance programs and fair employment legislation liberals today so earnestly defend, were developed in concert with conservatives who at the time feared far more radical acts of consumer or worker empowerment.
OWS should leave the public policy proposals to others. At this stage, what is needed is a strong statement that millions of Americans are disgusted with the behavior of Big Business. We are lied to, cheated, abused, swindled, robbed and insulted by corporations every day. Ethical businesses are almost as rare as unicorns. They deserve the wrath and criticism of consumers and workers.
The only program OWS needs to embrace at this stage is support for worker and consumer organization. Senator Durbin was great calling on BofA depositors to switch their accounts. The jaws of the 1% dropped to the floor at the act of a senator “not playing by the rules” — i.e. naming a particular swindling business and calling on consumers to take action. We all should be moving our money to credit unions.
The Right Wing in Wisconsin had the same hissy-fit that “liberals are not playing by the rules” when liberals “dared” to stop patronizing businesses whose PACs supported the Republican Governor and his agenda. What happened to the conservative principle that people have a right to do what they want with their own money?
This isn’t the time for new laws or regulations. It’s time to tell these “job creators” (who haven’t created any jobs lately) exactly what we think of them and take every direct action against them that we can. Union organization would be a great start. Exposing their abuses, lies and secret political agenda would is also needed.
Lastly, I implore OWS, don’t insult religion or desecrate the flag — at least the American flag. If you must desecrate, use the NYC flag. No one really cares about that – even New Yorkers!
Is it just me, Kurt, or is this a really clever way of saying, “Please keep attracting media attention and build a constituency, but don’t form any specific opinions as those of us who have been organizing for some time will provide those when necessary.”
Good work if you can pull it off. Speaking from the conservative side, after a couple years of watching how the Tea Party folks play along with the mainstream, I doubt you’ll manage to pull it off. Generally, if the crazy faction manages to get more attention, they take that as a reason to keep acting crazy. Good luck with that.
Is it just me, Kurt, or is this a really clever way of saying, “Please keep attracting media attention and build a constituency, but don’t form any specific opinions as those of us who have been organizing for some time will provide those when necessary.”
Something in that ballpark, yes.
Good work if you can pull it off.
Thanks. It’s sure worth a shot.
Speaking from the conservative side, after a couple years of watching how the Tea Party folks play along with the mainstream, I doubt you’ll manage to pull it off. Generally, if the crazy faction manages to get more attention, they take that as a reason to keep acting crazy. Good luck with that.
Yes, it could be a challenge. Having spent most of my life as an active Left-wing anti-Communist, it does let me try out some skills I have not had to use in a while.
Ahh, for the good old days. I remember once being on a planning committee for a march on Washington for an issue I can’t remember. Some earnest young thing had a list of 100 or so organizations co-sponsoring our march. I grabbed the sheet from his hand, eyeballed it, took out a pen and scratched five groups off the list. I announced that these five groups were all Communist fronts (U.S. Peace Council, being one) and either they are out or my union pulls out.
He really seems to enjoy calling his opponents “fascists”, doesn’t he?