Citizen Reporter

Anti-Americanism. If you’re reading newspapers or watching the so called “news” on TV, you might have heard this term. More and more lately, mainstream media loves to mention France or Germany’s “Anti-American” sentiment. And many Americans read this and say “Yeah! Those bastards, they’re anti-american!”

Let this journalist be the first to clear up something: Anti-Americanism is a made up word. It’s a politicians word and a media word, used to get you angry and feel betrayed, and therefore to support the very leaders that are doing things that are hurting your well-being (say spending your tax money on war or tax breaks for polluting companies for example) They point to Europe and shout “look, look, they hate Americans, they are evil!” This of course is sheer bullshit. Whats more, it’s being swallowed up by many in the US.

“Why then do so many people hate Americans?” You might ask with anger. Well first, let’s make a separation: Government – Citizens. These two entities are not the same. And Europeans are quite good at separating the two. Now, what does hold truth is that a majority of Europeans are completely frustrated and angry at the American government. This has first and foremost to do with this spirit of “with us or against us, we’re going to do what we want”and then theres the completely anti- international agreements like environmental, international law, and open trade policies, all of which the Bush administration has completely turned its back to. These are things which are important to Europeans and most of the world, hence, a hatred of this rogue American government. This says nothing of American people. Except that many world-wide are baffled as to why the American public goes along with this government? But what should be said, is that actually, many Americans do not want to go along with this government insane and criminal policies, the trouble is, to go against it is quite difficult and in many cases harmful to one’s political/social/legal and physical health.

Next time you hear anti-American in the news, turn it off, put the newspaper aside, don’t be distracted by political manipulation that tries to play on your emotions.

The Powell speech to the UN. Such a big media event. Photos, Terrorist Family Trees, Audio, and a Test Tube, yup, all signs that the American government has it all figured out. While those nee sayers are just “old Europe” as Rumsfeld says, they’re just weak. Surely the world was convinced after seeing satellite pictures with yellow and red circles that would make John Madden recount his days of circling up the Giants penalty in the crucial moments of the game. And who can refute phonecalls that have arabic speaking individuals saying things like “Have you moved the things and cleaned out the area” clearly this is a conversation about weapons of mass destruction, when else are such words used??? Who didn’t shed a tear when Powell introduced this little vial in his hand, of how much Anthrax closed down the American congress that ordinarily sit around voting on its next pay raise? (remember they don’t have any connection of Iraq to the anthrax in he US, but hey, who needs proof right? this is justice)

As clear as it all may seem, there are just a few points that hold… well… NO TRUTH AT ALL. Let’s go to the transcript:

First, the audio tape, a truely vague and random piece of “evidence”… here are some highlights:

“You didn’t get a modified. You don’t have one of those, do you?”

“I’ll come to see you in the morning. I’m worried. You all have something left.”

“We evacuated everything. We don’t have anything left.”

At this point Powell, trying to be Colombo like, says “Note what they’ve said – evacuating”

So.. how many Arabic conversations sound like this? Several million a day perhaps? No – surely its about weapons of mass destruction. Furthermore Iraqi nationals have testified that the accented Arabic is clearly an exaggeration and not real Iraqi arabic. But surely, it’s from Powell so it has to be true according to CNN and MSNBC – never have either of those “News” channels indicated the information might be false.

Next on Powell’s “proof” list: Let me say a word about satellite images before I show a couple. The photos that I am about to show you are sometimes hard for the average person to interpret, hard for me. The painstaking work of photo analysis takes experts with years and years of experience, pouring for hours and hours over light tables. But as I show you these images, I will try to capture and explain what they mean, what they indicate to our imagery specialists.

How convenient, the average person can’t understand! Well, then we’ll just have to believe that these buildings that all look the same and could be a house, a pig farm, or a weapons factory, they must be what Powell says they are. Look at the photos! The only difference between them are Powell’s red and yellow circles!

Let’s not forget his use of sources: Ladies and gentlemen, these are not assertions. These are facts, corroborated by many sources, some of them sources of the intelligence services of other countries. …Clearly he has shown us his sources!

Then comes the training camps: Those helping to run this camp are Zarqawi lieutenants operating in northern Kurdish areas outside Saddam Hussein’s controlled Iraq. But Baghdad has an agent in the most senior levels of the radical organization, Ansar al-Islam, that controls this corner of Iraq.

later he says Zarqawi’s activities are not confined to this small corner of north east Iraq. He traveled to Baghdad in May 2002 for medical treatment, staying in the capital of Iraq for two months while he recuperated to fight another day.

First, why would he go to Iraq for medical attention? There is no real medical attention! Embargo.. remember!? Also, the Kurdistan (region) government representatives came forward in the NYTimes today stating, as much as they dislike Saddam, there are no such camps in northern IRAQ! Furthermore, this link to Osama Bin Laden… if Osama is a fundamentalist, then he does not like christians and he does not like alcohol. He is outspokenly against those things. Why on earth would he collaborate with Saddam Hussein, who is publicly known to adore Whiskey and has had national Beer Breweries all over Iraq. Beyond that… his number one government representative, Terik Aziz… is a CHRISTIAN! Yes! And thats not new news, its not a secret, he’s a christian and he’s the foreign minister, why would Osama Bin Laden work with Christians? Then he may as well work with the American government. OH wait… he doesn’t… anymore.

It goes on and on… the point is.. Powell’s speech could only convince someone with the desire to believe him and with no desire for knowing the truth. In fact this government has no case, and Powell is lucky to not have appeared before a court, because his case would have been thrown out for lack of evidence.

Neo-colonialism can take many forms. Normally, it’s capitalist style.. with a Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Nike or Phillips flag instead of a national flag. However sometimes, neo-colonialism looks like traditional colonialism, for example: FRANCE AND Cote D’Ivoire.

Admittedly, these two nations have or had a special relationship. And yes, France in many cases, has worked to aid and assist democracy and developement that nation. However what does not fall under this category is ARMED OCCUPATION! And furthermore an armed occupation that takes sides! Which side is France on? Why big French business of course! How many Euros are being lost in multi-nationals because of this “civil war”. Nevermind the people who are caught in the middle… this is business! And who’s leading the way? The corporatist conservatives Raffarin, Villepen and even Chi-Chi himself. While it is horrible that government and rebels can’t agree to a peace accord, it is also quite horrible the way the French government has orchestrated this like their own school play. Meanwhile hate, xenophobia, and violence, grow in Cote D’Ivoire. Where’s the UN and the US led international community now? Oh yeah, this part of the world isn’t “a vital U$ interest”.

It is a sad day. Not for Texans or Americans or scientists, BUT FOR THE WORLD. Everything related to space travel and research is important not just for one nation, but for the future of humanity. It is a tragedy that some have died so that others can learn. It is also a tragedy that political leaders would use such a sad accident as a patriotic rally, to wave more american flags. Fuck the american flag… good people.. human people… working for humankind… died today. Let us remember them and work harder at what they believed in, not at ignorant nationalism.

Colin Powell: the alleged “brains” of the Bush coup. As the months go on, and the count down to the restoration of some sort of democracy in the US approaches (when the people vote them out!), Powell sounds less and less like a free-thinker and more and more like a Bush clone. Which is ironic since Bush has such a fear of cloning.

Here are some quotes by the good General from the rich-people’s summit @ Davos, Switzerland:

He starts off with the now typical: “When we feel strongly about something, we will lead, we will act, even if others are not prepared to join us,”

Of course, he faced harsh criticisms from those crazy Europeans and their lack of will to bomb and kill, to which he responded:

`How much more time does Iraq need to answer these questions?’ ” Mr. Powell said. “Saddam should tell the truth, tell the truth now.” – Strange thing, a representative of this administration, talking about telling the truth. We’re still waiting for the truth about those energy meetings that were kept secret… and Enron! Powell should tell the truth now!

Some other statements from the military man:

“I don’t think I have anything to be ashamed of, or apologize for, with respect to what America has done for the world,”

Interesting… how noble.

“We’ve put wonderful young men and women at risk, many of whom have lost their lives,” he said, his voice growing hoarse. “We’ve asked for nothing but enough land to bury them in.”

One has to wonder, why is he burying wonderful men and women?

Here’s another classic vague one from Davos:

“I think the evidence is there, the evidence is clear,” Mr. Powell replied. He added there was also a “clear link” between the Iraqi regime and terrorist groups, including the Qaeda network.

No specifics… nice job. This sounds similar to the old, if you don’t know, I’m not going to tell you. For a man who’s so certain, why not tell us? Oh, military secrets…. that’s right… what happened to “tell the truth now?”

Mr. Powell said the United States was “sensitive to the plight of the Iraqi people, not only in case of conflict but also right now.” It makes you wonder what the holidays are like at the Powell mansion, he calls starvation and isolation SENSITIVE!!!

Colin Powell, future presidential candidate. It’s like Bush with half a brain. There may be no earth left when he’s finished.

I once again refer to the Asia Times for a most excellent commentary on patriotic stupidity. Remember, friends don’t let friends, be patriotic. Like Ho Chi Min said as his country was being colonized by France, “Patriotism is ignorant and dangerous.” (he said something to that effect)

COMMENTARY

Press the patriotism button, baby

By Sreeram Chaulia

In George W Bush’s America, it is the season for political dolls to again become big hits with shoppers, reminding toy market analysts of the Saddam Hussein “action figures” that stole the Christmas sales in the winter of 1990-91. A small firm in the state of Connecticut, Herobuilders Inc, is raking in fabulous profits generated by unique 12-inch talking world figures that utter politically correct dialogues when the button on their heads is pressed.

Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein comes wrapped in a pocket-sized sado-masochistic outfit, holding nukes and germs in either hand, threatening to blow up the “free world”. Herobuilders’ figure of the US president, spouting 17 tough-talking Bushisms, sold out its inventory of 50,000 dolls in less than a week in early December 2002. Among the doll’s aphorisms are Bush’s landmark declaration made at Ground Zero in New York after the twin World Trade Center towers were destroyed, “The people who knocked down these buildings will hear all of us soon.” This dialogue is followed by raucous background cheering of construction workers and rescuers: “USA! USA! USA!”

The piece de resistance of Herobuilders’ repertoire is the talking doll of Osama bin Laden, costing US$36. Press down on his white turban and he squeaks in a rather Yankee-doodle style, “I suck! Would you stop bombing me? You’re killing me. I suck! My turban is too tight, I made a big mistake, all jihad go home. I was just kidding. I suck. Oohoohoohoohoo!” Toyshops claim that this doll has beaten all previous action figure sales records and that makers are planning a second version programmed with even more funny quotes from the sheikh.

Toys of British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani are struggling to compete with this all-star lineup, but they, too, have interesting comments to make. Blair convinces buyers that it is in the “interests of world peace that Saddam is disarmed”. Giuliani praises the “spirit of New York which can never be cowed down by mad terrorists”.

What is to be made of all this? One way of looking at the phenomenon is to argue that Americans are a very informal, sporty people and enjoy spoofs of politics and politicians. Ever-popular WWF wrestlers mimic the president and wear underwear with the stars-and-stripes on it. “Dubyaman” comics and pictures of Bush reading “Presidency for Dummies” circulate with rapidity. Talk show comedians come on television and rubbish Kim Jong-il as a dissolute dimwit. Irreverence and casualness, according to this line of thought, is endemic to the American way of life and no icon is too big to be spared some debunking in popular culture.

The alternative view, which I hold, is that Herobuilders company is nicely buttressing the Bush doctrine of preemptive war to “extend the benefits of freedom across the world”. (See The National Security Strategy of the United States of America, September 2002). When legendary trainer Nick Bollettieri was asked the secret of America’s monopoly of world tennis champions, he replied, “We catch them young.” Political dolls do a similar service – they capture and color the psychology of American youth at a formative and impressionistic age. The norms and ideas the Bush, Saddam and bin Laden dolls impart are far more effective than what children learn in school textbooks.

As subtle carriers of propaganda, a-la James Bond films during the Cold War, the dolls help shape a new generation of proud, nationalistic and president-saluting citizens. They sow the seeds of a peculiar American morality whose first canon is “we” are good and “they” (“Russkies”, “commies” or “jhadis”) are evil. The simplistic dichotomy of good against evil, which the Bush doctrine reiterates, does not raise eyebrows in average American homes, thanks to the groundwork laid by action figures and Superman cartoons. It is the same spadework that results in a singularly American trait: “flag patriotism”, which far supersedes the occasional underwear buffoonery of wrestlers. In no other country does one get to see the national flag so profusely exhibited in front of homesteads, on motor vehicles, in shopping malls and on school bags of tiny tots.

These visual symbols collectively assist in inculcating the unquestioning sense of loyalty toward a regime that is waging war after war after war. Latest opinion polls conducted earlier this month reveal that 87 percent of Americans consider Iraq a “threat to national security”. That such an overwhelming majority has bought the Bush line – without conducting any objective analysis or common sense thinking – is living proof that the business of “getting folks to rally behind the flag” is roaring in America.

Noted historian Tariq Ali has likened Bush’s Americanism to another form of religious fundamentalism that thrives on whitewashing domination, manipulation and extermination, and relying on the good-evil paradigm to prepare domestic constituencies for foreign misdemeanors. Taboo questions that are not encouraged in this “religion” range from “Why are we going after some evil, and ignoring or mollycoddling other evil?” and “Did you know that the US air force used chemical and biological weapons extensively in the Korean War?” to “Why do we spuriously parrot that our actions always defend democracy and liberate oppressed people when we know that it is a lie?”

The most that adherents of this religion are willing to acknowledge, as the character named “Control” does to Richard Burton in the classic Cold War flick The Spy Who Came in From the Cold, is that “we” sometimes use “evil methods” to counter evil, thereby preserving good in the end.

A tiny segment of American civil society, located in university campuses, church dioceses and human rights organizations, is without doubt vibrant and vigilant, organizing peace marches and asking the taboo questions. But their efforts are largely met with apathy, or worse, antipathy from the mainstream. Last month, I marched in a peace rally in Syracuse, a small New York town, and found to my consternation that the 50-odd banners we planted on the grass along pavements near the city center were crossed out with red paint the morning after the demonstration.

Our script had read “No blood for oil in Iraq”. In red sanguine-looking paint, someone had retorted: “Be American. God Bless.” Only a religion, thoroughly internalized, can propel citizens to brave the cold of snowy nights simply to overwrite a few taboo questions on innocuous placards. Here was a first-rate illustration of Tariq Ali’s “clash of fundamentalisms”.

In 1988, John Mackenzie published Propaganda and Empire. The Manipulation of British Public Opinion, a remarkable history of ideas and norms that formed the societal consensus behind the last round of British worldwide expansionism. Glorification of martial virtues and the persona of Queen Victoria, backed by misinformation about the civilizing mission of colonizers like Cecil Rhodes, spread to all layers of British society from the 1880s onward. Textbooks, imaginative brochures, advertising, theater, radio and institutions like the Boy Scouts were used by the crown to trumpet the “liberation” (more accurately, the selective genocide) of the “heathen lands”. No room was left for doubt whether the colonial project was causing irreparable human and psychological damage to the subject peoples.

The air in America these days is a lot similar. The Cold War ended de jure in 1991, but the glory and religious fervor of unipolar empire is sinking in only after September 11. More and more common citizens are getting touchy about “pacifists” who oppose the Bush doctrine. More and more school kids are punching the plastic helmet on Herobuilders’ Saddam Hussein toy to hear the Iraqi dictator guffaw and warn, “America, I’m coming for you with all my germs.” More and more children, asked what they want to be when they grow up, say “Real American Hero”.