Well.
Wow.
I mean, wow.
So in case you missed it, the first US presidential debate was everything the US empire deserves and a fair reflection of everything the US empire is.
If Vladimir Putin were every bit the election-meddling demon the Democrats say he is, and if he had unlimited time and unlimited resources to create the perfect ninety-minute propaganda video to discredit the US-led unipolar world order, he could not have designed one more effective than the performance that was just delivered by President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden with the help of moderator Chris Wallace.
Trump after being asked to condemn white supremacists: ‘Proud boys, stand back and stand by’ pic.twitter.com/4Pw2z3FsUO
— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) September 30, 2020
I mean, it had everything. Both candidates yelling over each other the entire time, Biden telling the sitting president of the United States to shut up on live television, Trump at one point saying the Proud Boys should “stand back and stand by“, Chris Wallace literally shouting to be heard over the unceasing interruptions, Biden getting confused and arguing that the Green New Deal would pay for itself and then turning around saying he does not support the Green New Deal, mountains of lies and nonsense, both candidates trying to out-right wing each other, and absolutely no meaningful discussion of policies that will actually help ordinary Americans at all.
It was crazier than any of Trump’s debates in 2016. It was crazier than any presidential debate that has ever happened. You seriously could not have designed a more perfect display to do everything we’ve been told for years that Russian propagandists are trying to do: depress the vote, encourage support for third parties, weaken public trust in America’s institutions, and humiliate the United States on the world stage.
The world is going to be talking about this for a while now. Clips from this debate are going to share widely all across the planet. It will be translated in many languages. Articles will be written about it for days. And people who’d never thought to question whether this is the government that should be leading the world into the future are suddenly going to find themselves contemplating that question.
And hopefully the next one will be even worse.
Chris Wallace jumps in after Trump and Biden have continuously interrupted each other: "Gentlemen, I hate to raise my voice, but why shouldn't I be different than the two of you?"
He also tells Trump: "Frankly, you've been doing more interrupting" https://t.co/a7VWn5npT9 pic.twitter.com/htgKNkq2Yw
— CBS News (@CBSNews) September 30, 2020
It is good for the US empire to invalidate itself in this way. The government that has encircled the planet with hundreds of military bases and snuffed out millions of human lives while displacing tens of millions since 9/11 in military interventions that were based on lies, which sanctions, sabotages and destroys any nation which dares to disobey its dictates, and which is escalating world-threatening cold war aggressions against not one but two nuclear-armed nations is not a government that should have any control over humanity’s collective future.
The uglier a face that appears on this murderous empire, the better it will be for everybody. In a government that is intrinsically evil and destructive from root to flower, an attractive face with competent management is the last thing anyone should want.
It doesn’t matter who won this accidental Kremlin propaganda performance of a debate. It doesn’t even matter who wins the election; the most evil aspects of the US government will continue unhindered regardless of which oligarchic puppet wins in November. What does matter is that the dark, ugly aspects of global power that people had previously not noticed are being drawn into the spotlight and seen by everybody. 2020 seems to be a good year for that.
If the imperialists who run things have any sense they will find a way to cancel future debates in the name of national security, because they’re the ones who will be worst affected by them. Here’s hoping they don’t, though.
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91 responses to “Russia Could Never Discredit The US Empire The Way These Guys Just Did”
Totally agree. That ‘Presidential’ debate was two geriatrics sharing a second childhood moment over an hour and a half.
On the other hand, the non-debate did serve the purpose of avoiding any real issues. The forever wars were avoided entirely. The environmental crisis wasn’t touched on. Trump’s personal attack on Biden’s kids (Hunter, whose privileged escapades in Ukraine and China are normal imperial policy) were kind of sad and totally irrelevant.
The only clear takeaway was that Trump wants to reopen the economy and Biden wants to ‘defeat’ COVID-19 first, before reopening the economy.
Given the endemic nature of COVID-19, the econony would never re-open under Biden’s plan.
This is the Eurasian century; we should be calling economic battlestations, not cowering from a cold/flu whose real lethality rate is the same as a bad flu. (According to Off Guardian and Swiss Policy Research).
Most Americans in general are comically arrogant, as they self-righteously run their mouths about “defending democracy” around the world, even as their own so-called democracy is like the film Idiocracy crossbred with the Nazi Third Reich.
The Trump-Biden debate has exposed America to the entire planet for the fraud that it has always been.
The American Empire Has No Clothes.
Trump-Biden debate put US democracy on display – world’s laughing stock armed with nukes
https://www.opednews.com/articles/Trump-Biden-debate-put-US-by-Scott-Ritter-Democracy-200930-506.html
Oh hell, if the world needed the Trump-Biden debate to figure that out by now we all deserve Darwin Awards.
There is no globalism or American Empire; just Western European imperialism and its champion stooge, taken again for yet another ride.
Trump at least gummed up the gears of the War Machine and tried to reassert American self-sovereignty.
So America’s Western European vassal states and stooges are the ones really responsible for America’s crimes around the world?
And Trump is actually opposed to the American war machine–even as he has increased the war machine budget and is deploying American military in the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia, and Eurasia (while spouting empty promises about withdrawing US troops)?
Keep smoking that meth.
Orwellian self-delusions have always more comforting than reality for Americans and America apologists.
Who owns the money owns the Western Empire. The fight is on between American patriots and European imperialists to own the U.S dollar and political system. Europe’s power elites would rather keep America Europe’s dumb savant enforcer.
The Euro peoples became vassals to their financial power elites the moment they signed onto the anti-democratic EU project. A project fronted by the U.S., no doubt, but behind the scenes, who really benefited? What point to an American Empire, if Americans do not and can not truly own and benefit from such an empire?
Rothschilds, Rockerfellers, Soros, whatever names powerful enough to stay out of the public eye. Loyalty to Europe’s power money clans is what drives Western globalism.
Keeping America Europe’s dumb giant enforcer has been a priority since Eisenhower pulled the plug on the Suez intervention.
https://timeline.eisenhowermemorial.gov/milestone/56969daf0e49b9072c3e2bef#
When Britain faltered in Iran, they called in the Americans. When France lost Vietnam, they called upon America to avenge their ‘honour’. When France needed to defend the CFA Franc against Gaddaffi’s gold dinar, they called in the U.S. of A through NATO. When France needed support in the African Sahel post Gaddafi, they called in the United States.
America must be free of foreign parasites, for their own good and the greater wellbeing of the West, and particularly, the Anglo West. We’re to lose all our principles and liberties to keep European imperialism tops in the Eurasian Century? No deal.
Biden is the alternative to Trump, an accomplished war criminal with an impeccable globalist humanitarian interventionist record.
Four more years – Trump semper victor; non est alius. Really, there is no other.
What chance do the Patriots have? They are not in control of the money supply. Many of the most fervent so called Patriots, while ultimately opposed to globalist forces, have wonky religious beliefs that undermine healthy structural sovereignty and, in some cases, have them working with globalists to bring about some sort of Rapture. The adults in the room sold us down the river long ago. The rot is baked in. The train has left the station. All we can do is stay vigilant and do the best we can while it collapses.
https://www.oftwominds.com/blogoct20/corruption10-20.html
Um, well all the Patriots have to do is vote Trump and convince enough Nationalists and others to vote Trump as well. This defeats the globalist fifth columns, for this round. The game will not be over; the game never ends. Trump is imperfect, but would probably be dead if he were a JFK.
Hugh Smith writes good stuff; he was a regular contributer to Washington’s Blog. That said, sometimes he and some others like him can be too defeatist. The desperation to oust Trump, should tell one something about how important the Presidency is to securing a New, Reset World Order.
Going pollyanna unicorn demanding perfect candidates with the perfect solutions, obviously will not work. Someone will be President after Nov. 3 going into 2021. Trump is still objectively the least worst choice that can win. For one thing, if denied the Presidency in 2020, the so-called Resistance would ironically need civil rights and liberties to abuse to continue to promote Reset cultism.
Biden would be a massive setback; people just don’t get the threat; the Democrats front those who want to end populism, the great enemy of the minority abusive power elites. All they lack is the power of the U.S. Presidency.
To end the threat of populism, the hawkish power elites have to destroy the foundation of everyone’s lives (including those more dovish elites) – the popular economy.
The government jobs folk probably imagine themselves as a kind of ruling class, but few will survive the mass layoffs pending when they are no longer needed to win this election. Ironically, big government inadvertently ‘saved’ the economy because so many now-redundant government workers, couldn’t be laid off. Had they been treated like the private sector, support for Reset cultism would have ended too soon.
However one may question the reasoning chain thru which the religious right comes to their conclusions, one has to consider the validity of their conclusions. Hubris aside, it would appear, going by Trump’s actions, they are highly skeptical of NATO and want to cut losses to just supporting Israel.
This is an improvement over supporting the geopolitical ambitions of NATO’s traditional imperialist leaders (France, and to some degree Britain) then tacking on Israel as well. The blood and treasure just isn’t there, not America or in any of the Five Eyes nations.
Ignoring the religious hubris, in geopolitical terms keeping the Near and Middle East USA-friendly is far smarter than pursuing the bottomless blood-and-treasure hole of European imperialism in Africa and Euro globalist freeloading off the so-called U.S. Empire.
The convolutions over COVID-19 have barely checked the Eurasian Century. The only prize up for grabs is what power elite factions control the United States, King Dollar, and the Anglo-Western War machine. Not all U.S. power elites are Euro quislings, or there wouldn’t be a ferocious fight to unseat Trump and install Harris-Biden.
Patriots have their only chance of victory at the polls. No hot civil war has ever been won by an indigenous faction without outside support.
How many of the smug commenters here have actually lived in a full-on fascist state? My guess is that the answer is ZERO, and that includes our host as well. That is why almost no one takes seriously the possibility that if Trump is reelected, the United States will go fascist–and I mean hard fascist with a police state, concentration camps and all the rest. To those living outside the U.S., this may seem like just desserts for a people who brought it upon themselves. But let me remind you that fascist leaders have a well known tendency to impose their wrath outside the borders of their own countries. Hence, it could be a disaster for other nations as well and even for the world as a whole, as the risk of all-out nuclear war will become very acute.
Let history be your guide. Be careful what you wish for.
As if the characteristics of fascism have not been birthed, coddled, and raised by both parties to a point whereby “full-on” fascism could rear its ugly head. The National Security State is moved by more powerful players than Trump and the agenda kicked off by 9/11 continues its course.
If the Biden set gets back in the White House you can be sure the plandemic pushers will keep upping that ante.
People don’t have to have direct experience of fascism to take it seriously.
As to the nuclear threat—to my mind, the greatest risk of catastrophe lies in threatening Russia to the point where they decide to die on their feet rather than to die on their knees. The threat-posture also amplifies the odds of accident/error. The Biden set just loves them some Russia-bashing.
I’m not surprised by this. Let me remind here a fragment of Heaven’s plan: “And both these kings [Great Britain and Russia. In 1882 British troops occupied Egypt. Great Britain then took the role of “the king of the south”. Around the same time, Russia expanded its influence in the region, which previously belonged to Seleucus I Nicator, and took the role of “the king of the north”], their hearts (will be) to do mischief, and at one table (they) will speak a lie; but it will not succeed. Indeed yet (the) completion to (the) appointed time [it’s mentioned in Daniel 11:29]. And [the king of the north] will go back (to) his land with great wealth [1945. This detail indicated that after the previous victories Hitler will attack the Soviet Union and will fight to the bitter end]; and his heart (will be) against the holy covenant [Soviet Union introduced state atheism and believers were repressed]; and will act [it means activity in the international arena]; and go back to his own land [1991-1993. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. Russian troops returned to their country]. At the appointed time (he) will return back [it means the end of the unipolar world. Russia will again have military bases outside the country. The return of Russia in this context also means crisis, which will eclipse the Great Depression. Not only the eurozone will break up, but also the European Union and NATO. Then, also, many countries of the former Eastern block will return to a military alliance with Russia].” (Daniel 11:27-29a)
o me, the debate and election are a clear example of the global crime syndicate’s media, intentionally trying to divide people.
I believe all these divisions we see and hear about, every day, are intentionally exploited. They are surely fomented/encouraged by the syndicate’s media. The MSM ignores the most important issues and stories that could make a huge difference in the way we see ourselves and our “leaders.” Issues and stories that could stir us to see that we each have valuable roles in contributing to solutions.
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Instead, the focus is always on our differences, us against them. Always pitting people against each other. Never encouraging unity and real solutions. Always appealing to the worst of our human traits and values. Never appealing to our positive qualities and abilities to come together to solve problems.
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John Whitehead’s quote in his article “Tyranny at Standing Rock . . .” is true:
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“How do you conquer a nation:
Distract them with football games, political circuses and Black Friday sales. Keep them focused on their differences—economic, religious, environmental, political, racial—so they can never agree on anything. And then, when they’re so divided that they are incapable of joining forces against a common threat, start picking them off one by one.”
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I believe recent/ongoing evidence, in the U.S., of the syndicate’s media efforts to divide us, instead of encouraging real solutions, are both the BLM movement and the #MeToo movement. Not to mention, Russia-gate, China-gate . . ..
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Not to mention the multitude of worldwide divisions and wars that have been created and exploited by the global robber baron crime syndicate. It is horrifying to think about how people, across the planet are being influenced to hate each other and kill each other.
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Our differences are used against us. Instead they should be celebrated. They should be held up as an example of the power of the human spirit. As an example of the ability of people to overcome, arguably, the hardest challenges history has ever faced.
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Instead they are exploited for, and by, the rich and powerful. They. Don’t. Want. Solutions.
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Let’s stop blaming the victims of the con and start blaming the con artists.
Reply
I should have said: “I believe recent/ongoing evidence, in the U.S., of the syndicate’s media efforts to divide us, instead of encouraging real solutions, are [how they reported on] both the BLM movement and the #MeToo movement
“There is so much beauty” scene from American Beauty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB0th8vNLxo
Truth is dialectic and conflict is just varying prioritizations of dialectic truths. So much energy is wasted failing to recognize the underlying conflict as a mismatch in prioritization.
A small percentage are genetically wired truth seekers…probably many here. We prioritize honesty with ourselves and others. At some point, the world stops making sense to us because, although we are raised to believe the world prioritizes honesty, the world actually operates on the ends justify the means principle. It appears insane to us…because it is.
This article discusses the importance of prioritizing honesty in the teaching of history. The vast majority of people would prioritize patriotic positivity over honesty. The world does not deserve the honest truth seekers, but don’t let the bastards get you down…there is so much beauty: https://scheerpost.com/2020/09/28/patriotic-history-is-fake-history/
“Free election of masters does not abolish the masters or the slaves.” – Herbert Marcuse
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When in doubt, just remember what the astute commentator George Carlin had to say about the matter:
The politicians are put there to give you the idea that you have freedom of choice. You do not. You have no choice. You have owners. They own you. They own everything. They own all the important land. They own and control the corporations. They have long since bought and paid for the Senate, the Congress, the state houses, the city halls. They got the judges in their back pockets and they own all the big media companies, so they control just about all of the news and information you get to hear. They got you by the balls. They spend billions of dollars every year lobbying. Lobbying to get what they want. Well, we know what they want. They want more for themselves and less for everybody else, but I will tell you what they do not want. They do not want a population of citizens capable of critical thinking. They do not want well-informed, well-educated people capable of critical thinking. They are not interested in that. That does not help them. That is against their interests. They want obedient workers. Obedient workers, people who are just smart enough to run the machines and do the paperwork.. It is a big club and you aint in it. You and I are not in the big club. ..The table is tilted, folks. The game is rigged and nobody seems to notice.. Nobody seems to care. That is what the owners count on.. It is called the American Dream, because you have to be asleep to believe it.
~
This fine article can be read here:
The Election Has Already Been Hijacked and the Winner Decided: “We the People” Lose By John W. Whitehead!
https://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/john_whiteheads_commentary/the_election_has_already_been_hijacked_and_the_winner_decided_we_the_people_lose
Quite right Caitlin: “It doesn’t even matter who wins the election.” But even when “the dark, ugly aspects of global power…..are being drawn into the spotlight” most people will not notice because they are blinded by the spotlights.
Hehehe,…
Cute couple though, right?
The debate went perfectly. If anyone should disagree with this statement they are not so much wrong as completely unaware there’s a lot more going on here than meets the eye. It was actually done amazingly well. My compliments, a basket of roses and a bottle of his, her or its choice to the Chef. God bless America!
Thought provoking 🙂 I didn’t see it, so only heard it was a bun fight second hand…
My first thought was that you mean that the organisers succeeded in winding Trump up (behind the scenes?) to the point he made a fool of himself, knowing that he would be unable to keep his trap shut when provoked. Trump lost; all he had to do to win was stay calm and allow Biden to expose his senility. (This tactic is used a lot to on the British show “The News Quiz”).
Or perhaps you mean that both sides appealed successfully to their own bases in a population that is so bewildered by lies and bamboozled by appeals to blind anger that they can no longer think straight?
Or something else? I like puzzles; but cryptic comments sometimes fail to put their point across except to their own choir 😉
Paid actors.
Sorry, Caity, but your article makes it seems as though the two of them were equally causal and to blame for the mess. I’m not a fan of either of them, but I thought that Biden was being ‘nice’ when he told trump to shut up.
Trump was nothing short of a loudmouth bully. Telling him to shut up was just too nice. If I were Biden the expletive deleted that I’d use would have had to be beepd.
Not only that but, if I were Chris Wallace, I’d have told Trump that, one more outburst, one more interruption and I’m going to turn your microphone off and turn up the volume on Biden’s.
Caitlin was dead-on correct.
But I take issue with all the whining about how awful it was. I thought it was hilarious! A final slap in the face to all the rubes who go on endlessly about the “democratic process” that finds the best candidate for the world’s great beacon of “freedom and democracy”.
Hope to see more. Maybe they could just mud-wrestle?
Instead of condemning or calling on the group to stand down, Trump said, “Proud Boys — stand back and stand by.
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Believe in what you wish but I find it useful to think about what the big guy would say if the big guy exists. I imagine the question at the pearly gates asked of all Americans for a long time will be:
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How did you vote in 2020?
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And if you voted for the man who said for the proud boys to ‘stand back and stand by’.
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Then you can take the down elevator and burn in hell for all eternity.
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As it should be.
Since you don’t believe in God (“…if the big guy exists”), your “question” at the pearly gates simply reflects your opinion – nothing more. Believe me, as someone who does believe in God, he won’t give a flying fuck who you voted for in 2020. He’ll care about your heart, your motivations, and your deeds.
But are not “your heart, your motivations, and your deeds” expressed in, or at least reflected by, your voting behavior or lack thereof? If we are to heed the gist of the teachings of Jesus, as they have imperfectly come down to us, is it not a cardinal point that how you act, how you live, the compassion you show, the courage you muster, the decisions you make–yes, even in the voting booth or in the refusal to enter it–crucially important things in living this life?
I suspect it is unusual for a “White Supremacy Group” such as Trump actually had to prompt twiddles dumb and Dee to provide an actual name for to have a Cuban Black/Hispanic leader, but apparently even they have gone equal opportunity of late. Priceless.
This absolute Gong Show is the golden opportunity for the The Greatest Nation On Planet Earth’s vassal states to declare their independence and tell Donito and Mikey and Nancy and Chuckie and Mitt and Lindsey to fuck off. For example, Angela could declare, in public, that Nordstream 2 will be completed and that if Donny and Billy and Stevie want to impose “sanctions” on Germany, to go right ahead and do so.
Of course the US’s vassal states are not going to do that. What they ARE going to do is follow the US (Deep) State Department’s and CIA’s orders even more quickly and closely – you know, how-high? and what-color? closely. For a recent example of quickly and closely, a couple of days ago Vassal States numbers 1 and 2 – AKA “UK” and “Canada” – imposed sanctions on Belarus. Do you think that Justine and BoJo came up with that action on their own? No. They’re just following the orders of their masters – the Oligarchic Transnational Elite Collective (OTEC).
The behavior of the individuals that make up the bewildered herds in the various US vassal states are controlled by “money”. Google the term “Group of 30” and you will find out who are the very important slaves working directly under the OTEC. This microscopically small group decides just exactly WHO is going to get the trillions of printed-out-of-thin-air fiat USDs, Euros, etc. and for just exactly WHAT purpose they must be “spent”. Read the Group of 30’s list of members. Read their mission statement. Of course their REAL mission is to keep the whatever-you-want-to-call-it, fatally-flawed system going exactly as it is (perpetual wars and perpetual growth and all), and, most importantly, to maintain the OTEC as the OTEC.
Unfortunately for OTEC, its members are now going to have to get their hands just a bit dirty and tell their subordinate political slaves that the “performance” they witnessed last night cannot have anything close to a “rerun”. A rerun could get the entire series canceled, so OTEC’s slaves are going to sit down with Mr. Potato-Head and the Tangerine Jackass, as well as their handlers, probably via Skype or Zoom, and hand them the script that they’re going to have to very carefully follow on the Season 58, Episode 2, Presidential Debate (Debacle?). IMO, Episode 1 was so G. D. bad that some kind of Episode 2 will have to occur in order for “The United States Of America” to look to the rest of the world like something other than The Gong Show or a remake of The Three Stooges.
The problem for the OTEC is that, quite obviously, Episode 1 showcased to the world, live, unedited, the true character of Mr. Potato-Head and the Tangerine Jackass. Even Texas-village-idiot Dubya looked positively regal compared to these two pea-brains. So the question for the OTEC is how to overcome the proverbial “you can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”, or just exactly how to “put lipstick on two pigs” and have them NOT still look to viewers like two pigs with lipstick. I think that accomplishing this feat with these two specimens of humanity is going to be even more difficult than accomplishing the alchemists’ dream of transforming lead into gold. (This is precisely where the war-criminal, Liar and Murderer In Chief O’bomb’em excelled – looking and talking with great dignity and polish, while in private killing innocent people all over the world.)
Again, the two present turds are going to need a very serious shit-shine-of-a-script, along with a couple of carefully inserted cattle prods and a few well-placed, big-letter teleprompters, in order for them to come off looking like something other than the crude, unethical, bone-ignorant, uncaring morons that they are. A few OTEC-remote-controlled, internally-administered electrical shocks at the right moments during the next “debate” could make the difference between a box-office success or a possibly-trillion-dollar money-loser for OTEC.
BTW, if you want four more years of what you’ve been witnessing for at least the past 30 years, only ever-increasingly worse, just vote for more Rs and Ds in November; makes no difference which.
Excuse my density, an effect of the aging process, but what does OTEC mean? I’ve tried to research it and come up empty. Thanks in advance for clueing me in.
Paragraph 2, last sentence of my comment.
Appreciated. Showing my age more and more, but I suppose that’s better, as they say, than the alternative.
“…the first US presidential debate was everything the US empire deserves and a fair reflection of everything the US empire is…it is good for the US empire to invalidate itself in this way.”
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US Empire will just continue to roll along. The impotent political face of such Empire really does not matter. The Empire just lumbers along like an out-of-control road grader that simply crushes everything in its wandering wild path with so much momentum built up that nothing can stop it. The figurehead leader just sits at the front of the road grader and occasionally looks back at what it just crushed and then quickly turns his head forward eagerly watching for the next victims. And when that road grader runs out of fuel or the wheels get stuck from debris, they simply hop onto the next one in waiting and continue the wrecking-ball process. Wwweeee!
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These two so-called Presidential candidates are PERFECT for the times we live in. This is an age of chaos and decline and shameful-self-promotion-above-all-things and ignoring the plight of billions of people on the Earth in pain. These “Public Servants” are the perfect face for Our Age of Devolution. No answers for anything. Both with dirty hands and shameful records. Neither with any grasp of reality. Perfect symbols for a sad time in human history. And guess what? The leaders of other nations are no better, so at least these Public Servants have plenty of company on the Fast Track To Global Entropy.
Evil evil evil. USA shove your evil red white and blue, flag worshiping bullshit up your ass and die
“If the imperialists who run things have any sense they will find a way to cancel future debates in the name of national security, because they’re the ones who will be worst affected by them. Here’s hoping they don’t, though.”
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Yes. I think I’m going to focus on the “imperialists who run things” because they have names and faces. I have no idea who something called the deep state, the corporate oligarchy, the U.S. centralized empire . . . or them are. There just a nameless, faceless entities with no responsibility to anyone or anything. They are immune to criticism.
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When I think of “imperialists who run things” (what I call the global robber baron crime syndicate,) I know some of their names and faces. I can try to, at least, call them out and try to make a case to them to find real solutions.
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I believe they are most responsible for this horror show that we are living in. I believe they are most responsible for dividing us, not only in the states, but across the planet.
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Boycott the global crime syndicate.
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“Divide and conquer.
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“It’s one of the oldest military strategies in the books, and it’s proven to be the police state’s most effective weapon for maintaining the status quo.
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“How do you conquer a nation?
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“Distract them with football games, political circuses and Black Friday sales. Keep them focused on their differences—economic, religious, environmental, political, racial—so they can never agree on anything. And then, when they’re so divided that they are incapable of joining forces against a common threat, start picking them off one by one.”
~John Whitehead` Tyranny at Standing Rock . . .
I think they did find a way to cancel future debates. I friend told me that team Biden is considering cancelling future debates because of Trump’s “outlandish behavior” last night.
It’s about as good an excuse as any to hide Uncle Joe in the basement until November.
Aha! I assumed they’d attempt that ploy. Actually, a simpler fix to unwanted and rule-breaking interruptions would be to cut the other guy’s microphone when one side is supposed to have the floor. Apply this for both the 2-min Q&A and the subsequent rebuttals.
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American presidential campaign “debates” have inexorably deteriorated to purposeful chaos from the original high-minded staid affairs first introduced by Kennedy and Nixon. Back in 1960, students from high to junior high were encouraged to emulate those gentlemen in classroom debates focused around the same issues. They did a more credible job than the two cretins did on TV last night.
Yes, I immediately thought the same regarding cutting off mics. Also, they could have the camera limited to a head shot of the person who has the floor, so only those in the live audience would see any gestures or facial expressions. If they can’t behave like gentleman, technology has a fix. Of course, I believe both sides have to agree to any rule changes. Also the MSM loves theater rather than content. In the end, I think the advertising dollars that are at stake will ensure future debates, and more of the same ridiculous, childish behavior (unless it is important to the real rulers that Trump is gone).
I have no idea what they’ll do Skip, but I think it’s a circus act. A flim flam. A con job. A circus nightmare from hell. Paid actors who work for the robber barons, seemingly, with the intention of foiling any meaningful solutions to the problems our planet faces.
Seemingly with the intention of foiling any meaningful, peaceful, humane . . . solutions to the problems we face.
To me, the debate and election are a clear example of the global crime syndicate’s media, intentionally trying to divide people.
I believe all these divisions we see and hear about, every day, are intentionally exploited. They are surely fomented/encouraged by the syndicate’s media. The MSM ignores the most important issues and stories that could make a huge difference in the way we see ourselves and our “leaders.” Issues and stories that could stir us to see that we each have valuable roles in contributing to solutions.
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Instead, the focus is always on our differences, us against them. Always pitting people against each other. Never encouraging unity and real solutions. Always appealing to the worst of our human traits and values. Never appealing to our positive qualities and abilities to come together to solve problems.
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John Whitehead’s quote in his article “Tyranny at Standing Rock . . .” is true:
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“How do you conquer a nation:
Distract them with football games, political circuses and Black Friday sales. Keep them focused on their differences—economic, religious, environmental, political, racial—so they can never agree on anything. And then, when they’re so divided that they are incapable of joining forces against a common threat, start picking them off one by one.”
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I believe recent/ongoing evidence, in the U.S., of the syndicate’s media efforts to divide us, instead of encouraging real solutions, are both the BLM movement and the #MeToo movement. Not to mention, Russia-gate, China-gate . . ..
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Not to mention the multitude of worldwide divisions and wars that have been created and exploited by the global robber baron crime syndicate. It is horrifying to think about how people, across the planet are being influenced to hate each other and kill each other.
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Our differences are used against us. Instead they should be celebrated. They should be held up as an example of the power of the human spirit. As an example of the ability of people to overcome, arguably, the hardest challenges history has ever faced.
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Instead they are exploited for, and by, the rich and powerful. They. Don’t. Want. Solutions.
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Let’s stop blaming the victims of the con and start blaming the con artists.
One of the harshest disappointments in life is to realize that you have been ” had ” by someone. You fell for their charade and their tricks and you feel like a complete fool. You question your logic; you question your intelligence; you may even question your sanity. I have not watched TV for 20 years because I find it totally disgusting. Ms Caitlin Johnstone is 1000 percent correct; the United States of America could not have been discredited any more than the live TV shitshow last night. Perhaps the gods above will save this planet and send these idiots to the next life ASAP. Oh the shame, the shame; this is what the U.S. has sunk to. Hit really hurts!!
Made me think of a quote by Carl Sagan:
” . . . If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.”
Our poor sick society. The worst of us rule over the rest of us, while claiming to be the best of us.
While I agree with all you say about the truly pathetic display of the debate and the dangers posed by the US Empire, I dont think the world will see it like you suggest. Most people will just blame Trump and believe things will be ok if he is defeated. They will completely miss the point and the lesson you want them to learn about the insane and dangerous US Empire.
You’re absolutely right. I’ve been seeing posts all morning praising Biden and demanding we vote for him. Can’t see the forest for the trees. At least he didn’t wet his pants–or did he?
Usually civility means I got the power so stop whining just because I am torturing you. Yet you could wish for a little of that last night. In the meantime, we were able to see something of how little regard Trump has for other people – us. I can’t stand Uncle Joe , but Trump concerns me a lot more as a dictator on the rise. Someone who knows a lot of history can see the main parallel between him and Hitler – both seek to evoke massive contempt in people for everyone else except themselves.
Looking forward to the swimsuit competition. I still have a couple of Biden Trump butt plugs for sale.
I quit watching TV quite a while ago, so thanks for bringing me up to speed. Glad I didn’t have to see it first hand. I would’ve lost my supper.
“2 cheeks from the same backside” – George Galloway
My sentiments exactly! Unbelievable.
Question: Who won and who lost.
Answer: Not sure who won but we definitely lost.
Thank you, Caitlin, my very thoughts. What I can’t understand is the powers that run the USA permitting this ugly political farce.
I am grateful that the true face of U.S. democracy has been put on display.
Anyone remember Ralph Steadman, the artist who illustrated Hunter S. Thompson’s work? I would love to see his take on this.
I watched about 3 minutes of it and couldn’t stomach any more. It blatantly displayed that whom the bank cartel and its minions select for office is of no concern to them. Those selected have become less and less competent as time passes, to the point that these two are blithering idiots. If one takes an honest look at all the political “leadership”, one sees more of the same. To put forth that any of them are our best and brightest is a mockery of any such evaluation. Quite the contrary, they are the worst of us. Petty psychotic morons with no moral foundation whatsoever. But, when we decided that government is a necessary thing, that is putting a gun to people’s heads and forcing them to do this or not do that, there could be no other result. The implementation of such force is immoral or amoral, take your pick. All governments end in such manner. It just happens to be America’s turn.
Nothing much to add. We Australians were not surprised. Keep your expectations low and you won’t be disappointed. It was a shameful and cringeworthy display, and I feel deeply sorry for the American people.
And for the rest of the world, who will also have to live with one of these abominations making the rules.
Hubert M. Reiter
Melbourne-Australia
If voting made a difference, we wouldn’t be allowed to vote. Sorry, I can’t quote the source.
“Voice of the People” column published in the Lowell Sun in September 1976 and written by Robert S. Borden:
“If voting could change anything it would be made illegal!”
Longer excerpt: “Has it ever dawned on the editors that the attitudes of the 70 million projected non-voters may be very consistent with the reality that the concept of voting and electing representatives is basically dishonest and fraudulent. If voting could change anything it would be made illegal! There is no way any politicians can legally represent anyone because he was elected on a secret ballot by a small percentage of voters. He then claims to represent the people who voted against him and even those who wisely chose not to participate in such criminal activity.“
It was Mark Twain
This is one of those sayings that is often misattributed to a person already famous for pithy sayings. Source for your attribution to Mark Twain, or you are wrong.
Next time the venue should be in a cage.
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Seemed like Trump was blowing off nearly four years of steam for his incessant trashing by the media, the impeachment by the Dems and several attempted coups by the Deep State.
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Biden seemed like he was on a mean drunk.
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Both were largely incoherent, though Biden was moreso by a furlong. He rarely responded directly to a point and gave the sketchiest of explanations or the emptiest of cliches.
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Trump was more on point but he telegraphed his responses in such poorly-constructed shorthand that you had to know the issues and the arguments in considerable detail beforehand to appreciate.
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I’ve witnessed barfights that were more civil, lucid and justifiable. Clearly each of these ruffians hates the other rather than merely disagreeing on political issues. Each was trying to crawl deeper into the gutter than his opponent. I think Biden won that contest after repeatedly calling his opponent a “clown” and telling him to shut up several times. Trump essentially confined his snark to questioning Joe’s limited intelligence. (Remember the perceived impudence when Ronald Reagan addressed Jimmy Carter by his given name rather than “Mr. President” or “President Carter” in their debates? How times and mores have changed in forty years! I guess four decades of non-stop shameless graft, corruption, theft of public resources and blatant bloodthirsty war crimes by its leaders will coarsen any society.)
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Neither of the individuals on display Tuesday evening are fit for the office of the presidency, not if America is to be considered a part of the civilised world. With the election only the month of October away, either one of these jokers will have to quickly “surprise” us with a deal we can’t refuse (Joe is the one always saying “here’s the deal,” but only the Donald can start a shooting war) or the party leaderships had better move to find more suitable substitutes… like someone sane whom the citizenry might tolerate. Neither of these guys will be accepted by a critical mass of voters, especially jobless and destitute voters. There will be rebellion… and the FEMA camps will finally fulfill their purpose. Buy more toilet paper and bottled water while you still can.
Good to hear from you Realist. I’ve become disenchanted with the management of CN’s comment section.
I’m pretty sure the Dems are just trying to use “identity” politics with Harris to put them over the top. If they have any brains they’ll figure out a way to hide Sleepy Joe until it’s over. He clearly isn’t up to the task for any more debates. If the dems win, it will have to be the result of TDS, not any positive performance from Biden.
The Empire is in no way civilized. It’s war machine is the antithesis of “civilization,” at least as I define the term. They need a sociopath to represent them. Any sane person would stop the war machine and bring our kids home.
“Any sane person would stop the war machine and bring our kids home”…and do a million other things of common sense and human decency. Strangely, I suspect that such a leader will emerge to do what cries out to be done, and that the majority of the American people, after several more years of suffering and turmoil magnified to the max by the Covid fallout, will be ready–indeed, eager–for him or her. Can’t tell you why. Just a feeling, an intuition, a premonition, that a Kennedyesqe figure will somehow step into this maelstrom instead of the Hitlerian one so many expect. And this time “the lone assassin” will miss; the bullets ricochet back to their source. Perhaps just an old man’s foolish dream, but I intend to go down betting on and believing in the ultimate triumph of the human spirit.
Newton, what you believe and hope for is part of a cyclical world that many people assume to be real and inevitable. They often speak of the model in terms of generational turnings. As others say, the pendulum will forever continue to swing back and forth. I thought the world had finally and permanently achieved universal peace when Reagan and Gorbachev ended the cold war, the Soviet Union was dismantled, the Warsaw Pact was dismantled, communism was abandoned by the Soviets and all their former satellite countries and assurances were given that NATO would never expand by one millimeter. You saw what happened to those expectations as soon as the leadership changed in THIS country. PNAC and the notion of full spectrum American dominance was formulated, then systematically implemented by a succession of presidents from both major parties until we have arrived at the precipice the world stands upon today where Trump is accused of treason for failing to be suitably bellicose and Biden outright promises there will be hell to pay for Putin and Russia if he wins the coming election. We may not pass out of this horrific cycle in human affairs until some form of Armageddon actually befalls us. (That is the most important catastrophe I want prevented!) But whether it comes to that or not, the citizenry will have to change and demand the sort of leader you want for our future. That political niche will have to be created by the people before the right man or woman can fill it. You note JFK. It took the aftermath of WWII to create such a man. Sadly, as soon as he appeared the pendulum quickly swung back to darkness, to war, to Vietnam and all we’ve experienced since. May there be peace so humanity can have a future, brother.
Thank you, Realist, for the thoughtful and sensitive response to my strange long-term optimism. I know how unfashionable it is, how farfetched it seems. But it’s something I not only feel deep in my bones but also, to use William James’ words, will myself to believe. It’s heartening to hear another voice that resolutely hopes, despite all odds, that humanity and peace will somehow, some way, prevail.
Good to hear from you too, Skip. Yes, it is I, the Realist from the CN site, not the one from UR, though he does seem sane and rational. CN right now is focused mainly on Assange. Someone should be. They’ve become very selective (or remiss?) in the comments they allow through their filter. Very difficult to get anything posted let alone carry on a conversation with another reader there.
Yes, CN is doing a very good job with Assange coverage, and I also like many of the new authors found there. “CN Live” is an asset too, although my limited internet doesn’t allow much streaming. But Joe Lauria doesn’t seem to give a darn about the comment section, and the endless moderation and delay in posting is a royal pain. We have lost many intelligent commenters since Bob Parry passed. Also the moderator deemed several of my comments off limits during the initial COVID coverage. It is a real shame, because even CN interviewees like Whitney Webb and Francis Boyle were excluded from the voices allowed on CN discussing COVID.
Sorry to get off topic, but its great to see you posting here.
I agree with you about CN. There used to be some great discussions there, which I think is important to keep people engaged. I appreciate their Assange coverage but I can’t help being very disappointed.
Definitely
Anyone who watched whatever that was. And, did not think Donald Trump made a complete ass of himself is not worth acknowledging.
Including this blog’s author.
EOM
I’m with you, Smedley, and your namesake.
Caity, thank you for watching it so I didn’t have to this time! I don’t think I could have stomached it. That anyone would believe this is the best America has to offer, is beyond pathetic. I am deeply embarrassed by the whole farce. It would be funny if the consequences of it were not so dire.
*I should specify that by dire, I mean no matter who wins, the results are dire for the whole world.
A debate is usually between two people or groups of people with opposing views on a topic or policy.
A ‘debate’ between oligarchs is impossible because they only pretend to disagree.
With greed being their raison d’être, superficiality is their sustenance.
Five minutes was way more than enough — the quintessence of the kakistocracy. There’s a solution to make these shoutfests more ‘civilised’: they must be moderated by Vladimir Putin.
There is light years between Trump/Biden and Putin. Where these two are reactive and crass, Putin is well spoken and intelligent. He also thinks before he speaks. If America is stupid enough to go to war against Russia they will get decimated and they know it.
I think you misinterpret my meaning — Putin’s overwhelming superiority was the point I was making, and if he were moderating their exchanges those two dolts might have at least tried to show themselves not to be the parochial philistines they are.
I understood. Was just emphasizing my agreement. Probably should have been more clear.
Caitlin,
The sacrifices you make on behalf of your readers! Above and beyond the call of journalism. I myself was unwilling to subject myself to that loathesomeness.
#MyQuislingCanWhipYourQuisling
Tweet and re-Tweet!
Thank you, Caitlin Johnstone for doing what I haven’t got the stomach to do: watch an American election debate. You are 100% correct, and I speak as a U.S. citizen who despises both capitalist parties. The corrupt and violent government deserves to explode like the end of a video game and start again. I hope for socialist revolution.
Me too, eco-socialist to be more precise. In the longer run, it’s either that or death, and when push comes to shove, my money is on the survival instinct, the most elemental and powerful in all living things. “Even the small worm turns when trod upon.”
Punch and Judy must be banned !
what a shit show … turned it off
more wars on the way that you can be assured
if it were me in there instead of Good Joe i would’ve flippd him off and said meet me in the middle and we’ll duke it out. it would’ve been my only chance perhaps to beat the living shit out of his orange face. i could not say i would’ve challenged Biden the same way. i’m 79 and i would’ve broke his entire skull apart with the leading left and voila! jail for me!
this was so irritating and boring. i thot it replicated the DT–Hil da Shill debates but at least she had an excuse. she was smaller. and y’know carried the entire weight of western Civ on her narrow shoulders.
mr. Chris was so impotent and wimpy i wanted to punch him out also. i had to turn it off or i would’ve started hitting myself, my table my walls and burned my house down.
this is totally disgusting….2020. huh.
where are the aliens? come and get us!
#MyQuislingCanWhipYourQuisling
Childish, insufferable, unwatchable bickering > neither were presidential. On the terror wars >
“Unequivocal 9/11 Nukes” > “Breathtaking: Solving Nuclear 9/11” > “Exposing NIST Jenga Game” > all at VeteransToday(.)com > PDJT has had four years to tell us who the REAL TERRORISTS are.
So you prefer the soft spoken psychopath to the loud mourh psychopath. Both are equally ruthless behind closed doors. The ugly face of politics is becoming obvious to all and few of us like it.
Amen Khatika
You summed it up well. I assume Trump’s ‘strategy’ was to try, through rude interruptions, to make Biden crack; to draw out his failing faculties. Biden had moments when I thought that would happen, but he help up fairly well. It was a sad display.
Maybe Trump’s had enough and wants to hand over the crumbling empire to Biden.
I am an Australian not an American & I was embarrassed by it( the so called debate) To think these two men are representative of the once, so called, great & powerful USA. Woeful, juvenile & shameful. How discouraging for the rest of the world.
The only reason we see these two debating is because very rich and powerful people have again, to use an analogy in magic, forced the cards on us. Elections everywhere are easily controlled, indeed bought and sold, unfortunately. Trump was nobody’s choice ever, for a long time anyway, but the state-controlled media fell over themselves to give him free publicity. Imagine their surprise and disappointment when he won the 2016 election. It’ll be one hundred times that if 2020 goes to him as well.
Of course, having any hope in either of the two candidates being foisted on us is going the wrong direction.
The revolution will correct the massive wrong that is coercive representative government if nothing else will.
Great phrase, worth Tweeting. “Democracy? You mean #CoerciveRepresentativeGovernment.”
May the correction begin soon, brother.