Category: Government

Offspring “L.A.P.D.”

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Offspring “L.A.P.D.”

Offspring “L.A.P.D.”

T.K. McNeil is at it again. The Offspring take the L.A.P.D to task in one of today’s CalamityPolitics.com Jukebox Choice(s) of the Day. I have posted the lyrics below.

L.A.P.D.

The Offspring
When cops are taking care of business I can understand
But the L.A. story’s gone way out of hand
Their acts of aggression, they say they’re justified
But it seems an obsession has started from the inside
They’re shooting anyone who even tries to run
They’re shooting little kids with toy guns
Take it to a jury but they don’t give a damn
Because the one who tells the truth is always the policeman
Beat all the niggers
Beat whoever you see
Don’t need a reason
(We’re) L.A.P.D.
The city of L.A. feels like a prison
With helicopters overhead and bullets whizzing by
Martial law ain’t no solution
Police brutality’s just social pollution
Beat all the white trash
Beat whoever you see
Don’t need a reason
(We’re) L.A.P.D.
They say they’re keeping the peace
But I’m not buying it because a billy club ain’t much of a pacifier
“Protecting your freedom”
Now that’s just a lie
It’s an excuse for power that’s more like an alibi
Law and order doesn’t really matter
When you’re the one getting bruised and battered
You take it to a jury, they’ll throw it in your face
Because justice in L.A. comes in a can of mace
Source: Lyric Find
Songwriters: Dexter Holland / Greg Kriesel / Kevin Wasserman / Ron Welty
L.A.P.D. lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

https://www.calamitypolitics.com/2021/01/24/black-sabbath-paranoid/

OPINION: America, Time To Wake UP

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OPINION: America, Time To Wake Up

The U.S. claims it is more entitled to greatness than other nations.

OPINION: America, Time To Wake Up

By I.B. Freely and D. S. Mitchell

Myths

A recent crock of bullshit that has been pedaled is that the U.S. joined the Allies in WWII because of the holocaust. America entering WWII had nothing to do with the holocaust. Almost no one knew what was going on at the time, including several levels of the German government itself.  The only reason America joined, two years after the war started, I might add, was because of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The American Imagination

The vast majority of fighting by American personnel was in the South Pacific in its war against Japan.  Of the 16 million men and women who served in the U. S. military during WWII, only 2 million went to Europe. For some peculiar reason the war against the Nazis in their snazzy uniforms has taken on a supersized place in the American self-image. I will remind folks it would have been hard to kill Hitler from Guam. Not that it matters much.

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Russia: Music & The Disaffected Youth

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Music in Russia is always under threat by Putin's government

THE OTHER RUSSIA:

Music And The Disaffected Youth

By Trevor K. McNeil

Mother Russia

Russia is a different kind of place. It boasts the world’s largest land mass. It is the only place that stopped an invasion by both  Napoleon and Hitler. It is also one of the most insular nations in the world. Significantly it is a Slavic language. It has it’s own unique alphabet derived from Cyrillic script for Old Church Slavonic. It is also functionally unilingual, the vast majority of Russians, unless they have lived or were educated elsewhere, speak only Russian.

No Discord 

It would be tempting to say “The Russians” in the grand narrative sense, it is however, far more accurate to say the Russian government, which is itself divided and distinct. To the point that there are technically two people in charge at any given time. Quite apart from the political sphere, there is also the everyday civilian dimension in which most people live. While there are certainly many who fall into line with Putin’s way of thinking, either naturally or because they have been swayed by propaganda, there are many who do not. Which really only stands to reason, it being a statistical impossibility that in a country of hundreds of millions that the majority would completely, or even strongly, agree with those in power.

Give Me Music

One of the lesser known aspects of Russian culture is its large and diverse music scene. One of the most popular genres is a modern incarnation of Russian folk music. Some mix it with elements of rock music, like the infectiously catchy and usually upbeat Otava Yo. Others are more traditional like Igor Resteryaev who sticks to accordion and vocals, in a style that can veer from the pensive to the goofy depending on the song.

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Alexi Navalny: Enemy of the Rogue State

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Alexi Navalny: A Thorn In Putin’s Side

Putin has political opponents he just doesn't care how he silences them

Alexi Navalny:

ENEMY OF THE ROGUE STATE

By Trevor K. McNeil

 

Rebel Roots

No nation has ever been completely peaceful, no matter what some might like to claim. As though in a self-aware correction to this, some don’t even bother to try and appear civilized, such as the Mongols or the Spartans. Others go through periods of stability, though the next invasion, rebellion, conquest or border war isn’t a matter of if, but when.

On a Reverse Trajectory

One of the main perpetrators of the meat-grinder of Europe was Russia or, as it was known for the majority of the century, the Soviet Union. That doesn’t mean the Czarist period was a picnic, either. Under the czars, someone was always fighting or planning to fight, someone else. Even during the days  of the purges, the threat of being purged surely was enough to make a lot of people angry. Russia, is a direct rebuke to the notion of history progressing in a linear trajectory.  Putin’s Russia more closely resembles 1961 than the first attempts at democratization in 1991. If anything they are moving backwards. Now, as then, there are those opposing the government, often at risk to their lives by way of assassination by the state. One such death-defying rebel is Alexi Navalny.

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OPINION: Expatriation Fits The Crime

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The riots at the capitol have a lot of us thinking about what should happen to the people who participated in the riot

OPINION:

Expatriation Fits The Crime

By I.B. Freely

Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers To the Right

Partisan politics can get confusing. Not least in terms of the descriptors used in particular contexts. A case in point is the January 6th Capitol Hill incident. I am reticent to use either ‘riots’ or ‘insurrection’ to describe the events of that day, because of the party implications of each term. Those on the left preferring ‘insurrection’ and those on the right going more for ‘riot.’ Neither of which are high praise, yet there is only one that qualifies as treason which still carries the death penalty. By calling what happened an insurrection commentators are tacitly calling for the state execution of the participants, which seems like a bit of an overreaction.   

 Fits The Crime

I’m old-fashioned and still believe that the punishment should fit the crime. According to most legal experts, a group not known for their creativity, the worst punishment, short of death, would be for the participants to go to prison. While it seems odd, there are actually other alternatives that are both better and worse than either the prison cell or the electric-chair.

Back Where They Came From

With a group the size of the one at the Capitol, it is a statistical likelihood that at least some of them are naturalized citizens. In other words, those born in another country that have taken American citizenship, patriotism particularly strong among those who were born elsewhere. Much like how new converts to a religion tend to be even more devout. There are some that would say that naturalized citizens cannot lose their citizenship once they have it. While this is true in most cases there are particular exceptions. Treason is the most obvious, but so is joining what are called subversive groups which is considered a ‘violation of allegiance.’ Examples of subversive groups include Al-Queda, ISIS and both the German and American Nazi Party.

A Bit Sticky

Therefore, any naturalized US citizens who join such a group can be considered traitors to the state and are candidates for ‘denaturalization.’ The same goes for those who join armies that are actively fighting against the United States. It is a bit sticky that the argument could be made that the group that attacked the Capitol, some with clear murderous intent, could be considered subversive groups, including and particularly the Boogaloo Boys who have clearly stated their intent to overthrow the Government of the United States by armed insurrection. Any attempt at such an action by a naturalized citizen could well lead to their denaturalization.

 Born In the USA

It might seem crazy but there are circumstances in which those who were born in the United States can lose their citizenship. The most obvious is the process of renunciation in which someone actively says they don’t want to be an American Citizen anymore. This is what happens in most cases, though there are extreme cases in which a naturally born US citizen can lose their citizenship by law. Specifically by committing an act of treason or a set of other crimes against the state that can lead to what is called ‘expatriation.’ A fancy term for exile, which would require one to find another country to live in, as Edward Snowden did, moving to Russia after being expatriated following his exposure of the US spy network which the sensitive darlings at the NSA took personally.

I Dreamed A Dream

It is unlikely to happen, the majority of administrators being gutless self-servers who won’t sneeze without checking with their base, but the idea of the Capitol Hill participants having to make a new life in Putin’s Russia, particularly with the anti-Left sentiment so many have shown, never fails to make me smile.

https://www.calamitypolitics.com/2021/01/11/editorial-surprisingly-unsurprised/

 

Doug Emhoff A First Class Second Gentleman

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**Calamity Politics thought we should tell the real life story of Doug Emhoff and VP Kamala Harris for Valentine’s Day.

The new VP and her Second Gentleman have a great love story

Doug Emhoff:

Our First Second Gentleman is First Class

By Anna Hessel

 Second to None

The United States of America has its first ever Second Gentleman. Apparently that is the official title of the spouse of the first female Vice President, the fabulous Kamala Harris. Douglas Craig Emhoff is an accomplished entertainment attorney in his own right. Another ground breaker, Doug happens to be the first Jewish spouse of an American VP.  Mr. Emhoff has stepped into his new defining role with ease, grace, and enthusiasm.  His dignified and quiet demeanor, enthusiastic support of his wife, distinguished good looks, and resplendent normalcy make him the ideal individual to become the first Second Gentleman.

Lawful Beginnings

Born in New York on October 13th, 1964. The 56-year-old Emhoff married Kamala Devi Harris in 2014, Their birthdays are only a week apart.  He spent his high school days at Agoura and Cedar Ridge. He attended the University of Southern California and California State University – Northridge.  He continued his education and graduated from USC Gould School of Law.

A Career of His Own

Doug has enjoyed a successful legal career as a partner and litigator with the law firm of DLA Piper, working from their District of Columbia and state of California locations. He specializes in intellectual property and entertainment law.   As an attorney, Mr. Emhoff’s achievements include defending a former well-known Olympic and NFL athlete in a civil suit instigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  He also represented those holding the rights to a well-recognized character of animation in trademark and copyright infringement.

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Comfortable In Their Indecency

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Comfortable In Their Indecency

The work of social justice must continue.

OPINION:

Comfortable In Their Indecency

D. S. Mitchell

Daily Blessings

I have been enormously blessed. I wake with a grateful heart each day.

Unvarnished Anger

I am however, angry with so many well-meaning people that assume that it is because they worked hard, or because they are especially smart is why they have done well financially in this society. The presumption then being that those who aren’t doing well must be lazy, stupid, unworthy or some other white elitist measurement of failure. There are millions of people every day that have their dreams smashed for reasons that have nothing to do with how hard they are working. Born in poverty, birth  defects, disease, accidents, divorce, abuse, homelessness, hunger. The list of adversity is long.

Knees Down

We live in a cruel capitalist society, with thousands of devices designed to keep the already advantaged always on top. In every city in this country huge numbers of people are living in tents, surrounded by garbage, no mental health services for people in crisis, police officers  so comfortable in their indecency that they feel no shame in holding their knee on the neck of another human being for nearly 9 minutes. The injustice in this country should have us on our fucking knees.  DSM/Calamity

OPINION: Propaganda and Intentions

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OPINION: Propaganda and Intentions

propaganda is misused by governments to effect people's opinion and actions

OPINION: Propaganda and Intentions

By Trevor K. McNeil

As bad as they seem?

Meanings can be tricky. Some words taking on cultural coloring, in no way reflecting the actual meaning. One of the main examples is the notion of stereotypes. Generally, a neutral term for observable trends it has come to be used interchangeably with prejudice or racism, only one of which is actually bad. It might seem strange because of how it is now used, but prejudice isn’t inherently negative. All it really means, going to the Latin root, is to pre-judge. Pre-judging something negatively is what people now mean when they used the term. Completely ignoring the fact that it is just as possible to pre-judge someone or something positively.

And Now To Politics

The way this all relates to politics, aside from the fact that language is generally how people understand the world, and very much informs our world-view, is that there is a word in the political arena that has been both misused and misunderstood almost from its inception. Propaganda, like post-modernism, is probably not what you think. Used by the political set, in one way or another, going back to Ancient Greece, propaganda is the use of information mediums to advance a particular political agenda or world-view. This can be done in a particularly bias or intentionally misinforming way, as seen in China and  Russia, but such is not an inherent element. A bug rather than a feature, one might say.

Misuse and Lies

It is just such misuses and lies, particularly perpetrated by the Russians in the form of agitprop, that has led to the sullied reputation propaganda now has. In reality, everything from pamphlets for political candidates, to campaign ads, as well as certain types of billboards, books and even songs, plays and movies, count as propaganda.

Burn It Down

The main thing that determines whether something is propaganda comes down to the intention of the creator. Whether said propaganda is considered good or bad, is almost entirely left to one’s own distinction. A notorious case of conflict in meaning came with the film V For Vendetta. Based in the graphic novel of the same name by British author Alan Moore, the film set off a minor fire-storm both the left and the right saying it was hate-filled propaganda against their own side. Which is ironic, because the ethos of the original book, somewhat lost in the film, is apolitical. The work is still propaganda but of a much different sort. Rather than advancing a particular political ideal, it largely transcends politics, instead going into the realms of moral philosophy. The basic message of both the book and the film is one of autonomy.

Bringing It Down To Earth

Seeing governments as little more as methods to organize. It is individuals who are truly important. A sentiment most clearly shown in the line: “people shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.” The government in both the book and the film is presented as fascist, but the general idea is that any government, of any description that gets above its station needs to be brought back down to earth.

In The Mirror Darkly

A case in which intention was presumed, came with the hit series Black Mirror. Premiering on British television in 2011 many, critics and viewers alike, presumed creator Charlie Brooker, known for his style of ‘satirical pessimism’ was an ardent Luddite. Assuming the show’s damning take on information technology to be a Boomer raging against the technology they don’t understand. Never mind that Brooker was 40 during the first season. There was an idea behind the darkness to be sure but one far from what was assumed. Brooker has gone on record saying he has no problem with technology.

Black Mirror

The horror elements in Black Mirror derive entirely from human causes. Basically people using what could be elevating technology to ruin their lives. The title is indicative of this. Brooker noticed that if you turn off a smartphone or tablet the screen becomes reflective, creating a black mirror. A darkened reflection of one’s true self. So, while there are certainly ideas and world-views at play in Black Mirror, they are so subtly present that most people missed it. Making it at most failed propaganda, rather than the anti-technology screed most assumed. Putting a different spin on the show and the incorrect use of the idea of propaganda itself.

https://www.calamitypolitics.com/2018/10/29/on-line-bullying/

OPINION: Jonathan Pie Says Goodbye

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OPINION: Jonathan Pie Says Goodbye 

HUMOR:  Jonathan Pie Says Goodbye To Donald Trump

T.K. McNeil suggested this great Goodbye rant from YouTube by Jonathan Pie. Jonathan says everything I have ever thought about Donald Trump, plus some I never thought of. One hell of a rant. It is the best goodbye, good riddance speech you will ever hear. Check out Jonathan’s YouTube channel and subscribe. Enjoy. DSM

 

We Share A Dream

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Honor MLK today by doing something for someone else. Make today a day of service.

We Share A Dream

By Anna & Wes Hessel

Thank You, Dr. King…

We celebrate the birthday of one of the greatest and most humble human beings to ever live, Dr. Martin Luther King, a Godly man of peace and gentle warrior.  He selflessly championed for civil rights and worked to change the world into a better place.  Many hard won civil rights from that time have been attacked during the Trump administration but now with the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Dr. King’s legacy will continue to live on.  The Biden-Harris inaugural team has instituted a day of service to honor the remarkable Martin Luther King, Jr.

 The Son of a King

Born the son of a preacher man, Michael King, Jr., entered life in 1929 on January 15th in Atlanta.  His father, Michael, Sr., was himself the scion of a pastor.  Junior joined senior in 1934 on a sojourn through  Rome, Tunisia, Egypt, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem, commissioned by the church the elder King pastored.  The final stop was in Berlin for the Baptist World Alliance’s international conference.

The Fight for Reform

There both Kings saw firsthand the spread of Nazi influence.  The BWA issued an official policy statement, saying, “This Congress deplores and condemns as a violation of the law of God the Heavenly Father, all racial animosity, and every form of oppression or unfair discrimination toward the Jews, toward coloured people, or toward subject races in any part of the world.”  Having visited sites in the German capital which were involved with the Reformation movement started by Martin Luther, Michael Sr. began to call himself, “Martin Luther King, Sr.” and renamed his son accordingly, making it official on junior’s birth certificate in 1957.

Growing Up Black

Junior had befriended a Caucasian boy before they both entered first grade, but because of their skin color difference, they went to separate (segregated) schools.  The white child’s parents a short time later then cut off contact between the two, citing race as the deciding factor.  When the younger Martin Luther went to his parents about the break, they sat him down to detail the slavery of blacks and resultant racism.  When confronted with all that had been perpetrated against people of color, MLK said later he became, “determined to hate every white person”.  His father and mother, though, taught junior that Jesus called for the love of everyone.

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