thegreanvillepostbiasrating--2020-07-18--Maybe Leaving the United States is a Good Idea.

Please make sure these dispatches reach as many readers as possible .
Share with kin , friends and workmates and ask them to do likewise .
Oftentimes , when engaging in a political debate with conservatives , one could probably bet that one of the first retorts they ’ ll likely use would be the favorite : “ Well if you hate America so much , why don ’ t you just leave ?
” I don ’ t hate this country at all .
If I did , I would not be dedicating a significant portion of my time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and concerns that affect the people of this country on a regular basis , why they ’ re happening , and how we can improve .
Having said that , after watching how our lawmakers have handled the coronavirus pandemic that has left 130,000 people to die alone drowning in their own fluids , and the economic crisis in its aftermath the likes of which we haven ’ t seen since the great depression , I ’ d be lying if I said I hadn ’ t thought about it .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it done and the class warfare continues to escalate as the crisis continues , one can ’ t help feeling as though we ’ re living in an abusive relationship with no end in sight , complete with gaslighting and the perpetrators insisting that they ’ re only looking out for our best interests .
The most powerful man in the nation is more concerned about his electoral prospects than the health and wellbeing of the American people , 5.4 million people have lost their health insurancesince this crisis began , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extra unemployment benefits aren ’ t extended and homelessness potentially rises by 45 % , I don ’ t even know if I have it in me to consider what happens in the weeks and months that follow .
I can honestly say that for the first time , I would genuinely like to be able to leave the United States , and build a life somewhere else .
Of course , I can ’ t honestly imagine leaving everything and everyone I know and love behind .
But today , it felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the events of the past four months has begun to sink in .
The fact that I ’ m not even sure what ’ s going to be left to salvage of the United States when all is said and done is weighing on me , and I can ’ t help wondering : why even bother ?
At this point , I ’ ve gotten used to feeling like every day is taken up by just another shout in to the void , or another desperate attempt to make people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what we ’ re all experiencing , and understand the extent of the crisis at hand .
Today , I learned that a resident at the nursing home where I work was told that after four months of not being able to see her daughter , her daughter had taken a sudden and unexpected turn for the worse on Sunday , and lost her battle with cancer .
Every single time I speak with this resident , she always mentioned her daughter at least once in the conversation .
Without her , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer I ’ ll have my resident with me .
Every once in a while , the near constant drumbeat of ‘ it doesn ’ t and shouldn ’ t have to be this way ’ that pervades through my mind gets to be a little to much to bear , and this was one of those times .
I can ’ t help thinking about the fact that a significant portion of the impact this virus has left on us , one way or another , was preventable .
I can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ misery the criminal inaction of our lawmakers has caused not just my residents , but my coworkers , my family , my friends , and countless people throughout this country .
Whether we are ready to admit it or not , the lasting ramifications of this virus will remain with us long after it is done ripping through our communities , and sometimes that thought is a little too much to handle .
I can ’ t help wondering what it must feel like to live in a country like New Zealand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their people are actually valued and respected , and human beings aren ’ t treated like collateral damage .
What is it like to have a healthcare system that doesn ’ t treat you like a commodity , unmotivated by profit ?
What is it like to live somewhere where employers aren ’ t paying their workers just enough so that they don ’ t qualify for assistance ?
What is it like to live somewhere where there is no such thing as nearing 2 trillion dollars in student loan debt , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can go to college without having to worry about the costs ?
Maybe leaving the United States really is a good idea .
If anything , it ’ s certainly easier .
Nevertheless , as heavy as my mind and heart might be , I still can ’ t shake the feeling that we are indeed on the precipice of change , which for better or worse is going to change this country beyond even what we ’ ve already experienced .
Already , we ’ ve reached the point of no return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what we were before March , and this is only the beginning .
We may be at the point where it ’ s time to start all over and build anew , and if we are I ’ d like to do my best to ensure that we use this as an opportunity to create something better .
The only thing keeping me here is the notion that anything worth fighting for will not come easy , and we ’ re all in this together .

Please make sure these dispatches reach as many readers as possible. Share with kin, friends and workmates and ask them to do likewise.
LAUREN MARTINCHEK
"The sense of hopelessness and toll it’s taking on my mental health has me genuinely wanting to leave..."
Oftentimes, when engaging in a political debate with conservatives, one could probably bet that one of the first retorts they’ll likely use would be the favorite : “Well if you hate America so much, why don’t you just leave?”
I don’t hate this country at all.
If I did, I would not be dedicating a significant portion of my time to voicing my thoughts on the issues and concerns that affect the people of this country on a regular basis, why they’re happening, and how we can improve. Having said that, after watching how our lawmakers have handled the coronavirus pandemic that has left 130,000 people to die alone drowning in their own fluids, and the economic crisis in its aftermath the likes of which we haven’t seen since the great depression, I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about it.
There’s no denying that when all is said it done and the class warfare continues to escalate as the crisis continues, one can’t help feeling as though we’re living in an abusive relationship with no end in sight, complete with gaslighting and the perpetrators insisting that they’re only looking out for our best interests. The most powerful man in the nation is more concerned about his electoral prospects than the health and wellbeing of the American people, 5.4 million people have lost their health insurancesince this crisis began, and at the end of July when the extra unemployment benefits aren’t extended and homelessness potentially rises by 45%, I don’t even know if I have it in me to consider what happens in the weeks and months that follow. I can honestly say that for the first time, I would genuinely like to be able to leave the United States, and build a life somewhere else.
Of course, I can’t honestly imagine leaving everything and everyone I know and love behind. But today, it felt as though the extent of the toll that the events of the past four months has begun to sink in. The fact that I’m not even sure what’s going to be left to salvage of the United States when all is said and done is weighing on me, and I can’t help wondering: why even bother? At this point, I’ve gotten used to feeling like every day is taken up by just another shout in to the void, or another desperate attempt to make people in the position of power to do something about what we’re all experiencing, and understand the extent of the crisis at hand.
Today, I learned that a resident at the nursing home where I work was told that after four months of not being able to see her daughter, her daughter had taken a sudden and unexpected turn for the worse on Sunday, and lost her battle with cancer. Every single time I speak with this resident, she always mentioned her daughter at least once in the conversation. Without her, I truly do not know how much longer I’ll have my resident with me.
Every once in a while, the near constant drumbeat of ‘it doesn’t and shouldn’t have to be this way’ that pervades through my mind gets to be a little to much to bear, and this was one of those times. I can’t help thinking about the fact that a significant portion of the impact this virus has left on us, one way or another, was preventable. I can’t help thinking about the trauma and misery the criminal inaction of our lawmakers has caused not just my residents, but my coworkers, my family, my friends, and countless people throughout this country. Whether we are ready to admit it or not, the lasting ramifications of this virus will remain with us long after it is done ripping through our communities, and sometimes that thought is a little too much to handle.
I can’t help wondering what it must feel like to live in a country like New Zealand, or South Korea where the lives of their people are actually valued and respected, and human beings aren’t treated like collateral damage. What is it like to have a healthcare system that doesn’t treat you like a commodity, unmotivated by profit? What is it like to live somewhere where employers aren’t paying their workers just enough so that they don’t qualify for assistance? What is it like to live somewhere where there is no such thing as nearing 2 trillion dollars in student loan debt, and tuition free public college ensures that everyone can go to college without having to worry about the costs?
Maybe leaving the United States really is a good idea. If anything, it’s certainly easier. Nevertheless, as heavy as my mind and heart might be, I still can’t shake the feeling that we are indeed on the precipice of change, which for better or worse is going to change this country beyond even what we’ve already experienced. Already, we’ve reached the point of no return. There is no going back to what we were before March, and this is only the beginning. We may be at the point where it’s time to start all over and build anew, and if we are I’d like to do my best to ensure that we use this as an opportunity to create something better. The only thing keeping me here is the notion that anything worth fighting for will not come easy, and we’re all in this together.


thegreanvillepostbiasrating--2020-07-18--Disentangling contemporary politics with Caleb Maupin

Please make sure these dispatches reach as many readers as possible .
Share with kin , friends and workmates and @ @ @ @ @ .
Friday Night Chat w/ Caleb !
# Revolution # Capitalism # Socialism ( 16 @ @ @ @ @ chats are the ideal tool for those who wish to acquire a solid understanding of @ @ @ @ @ , accessible manner An informal , captivating chat with Caleb Maupin as guide to the @ @ @ @ @ , distortions , rumors , idiocies , hypocrisies , and ideologies that shape our world @ @ @ @ @ style , and barebones production value , make him stand out in contrast to the @ @ @ @ @ lavishly paid corporate disinformers .

Please make sure these dispatches reach as many readers as possible. Share with kin, friends and workmates and ask them to do likewise.
Caleb Maupin
Friday Night Chat w/ Caleb! #Revolution #Capitalism #Socialism (16 Jul 2020)
Caleb's chats are the ideal tool for those who wish to acquire a solid understanding of contemporary history in an easy, accessible manner
An informal, captivating chat with Caleb Maupin as guide to the multitude of news, lies, distortions, rumors, idiocies, hypocrisies, and ideologies that shape our world. His spontaneous, unassuming style, and barebones production value, make him stand out in contrast to the elaborate sets utilized by the lavishly paid corporate disinformers.


The Kremlin Playbook

hadn ’ t given The Russian Playbook much attention until Susan Rice , Obama ’ s quondam security advisor , opined a month ago on CNN that “ I ’ m not reading the intelligence today , or these days — but based on my experience , this is right out of the Russian playbook “ .
She was referring to the latest U.S. riots .
Once I ’ d seen this mention of The Russian Playbook ( aka KGB , Kremlin or Putin ’ s Playbook ) , I saw the expression all over the place .
Here ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – use of the term .
In October 2016 , the Center for Strategic and International studies ( “ Ranked # 1 “ ) informed us of the “ Kremlin Playbook ” with this ominous beginning Well , to these people , to ask the question is to answer it : can ’ t possibly be disappointment at the gap between 2004 ’ s expectations and 2020 ’ s reality , can ’ t be that they don ’ t like the total Western values package that they have to accept , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This was the earliest reference to The Playbook that I found , but it certainly wasn ’ t the last .
I found headlines such as these : Former CIA Director Outlines Russian Playbook for Influencing Unsuspecting Targets ( May 2017 ) ; Fmr .
CIA op .
: Don Jr. meeting part of Russian playbook ( Jul 2017 ) ; Americans Use Russian Playbook to Spread Disinformation ( Oct 2018 ) ; Factory of Lies : The Russian Playbook ( Nov 2018 ) ; Shredding the Putin Playbook : Six crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s too late .
( Winter 2018 ) ; Trump ’ s spin is ‘ all out of the KGB playbook ’ : Counterintelligence expert Malcolm Nance ( May 2019 ) .
Of course , all these people are convinced Moscow interfered in the 2016 presidential election .
Somehow .
To some effect .
Never really specified but the latest outburst of insanity is this video from the Lincoln Project .
As Anatoly Karlin observes : “ I think it ’ s really cool how we Russians took over America just by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be subhuman ?
” He has a point : the Lincoln Project , and the others shrieking about Russian interference , take it for granted that American democracy is so flimsy and Americans so gullible that a few Facebook ads can bring the whole facade down .
A curious mental state indeed .
So let us consider The Russian Playbook .
It stands at the very heart of Russian power .
It is old : at least a century old .
Why , did not Tolstoy ’ s 1908 Letter to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British Indian Empire and win the Great Game for Moscow ?
The Tolstoy-Putin link is undeniable as we are told in A Post-Soviet ‘ War and Peace ’ : What Tolstoy ’ s Masterwork Explains About Putin ’ s Foreign Policy : “ In the early decades of the nineteenth century , Napoleon ( like Putin after him ) wanted to construct his own international order… ” .
Russian novelists : adepts of The Playbook every one .
So there is much to consider about this remarkable Book which has had such an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in world history .
Its instructions on how to swing Western elections are especially important : the 2016 U.S. election ; Brexit ; “ 100 years of Russian electoral interference “ ; Canada ; France ; the European Union ; Germany and many more .
The awed reader must ask whether any Western election since Tolstoy ’ s day can be trusted .
Not to forget the Great Hawaiian Pizza Debate the Russians could start at any moment .
What can we know about The Playbook ?
For a start it must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those crafty Russians insist on speaking among themselves .
Secondly such an important document would be protected the way that highly classified material is protected .
There would be a very restricted need to know ; underlings participating in one of the many plays would not know how their part fitted into The Playbook ; few would ever see The Playbook itself .
The Playbook would be brought to the desk of the few authorised to see it by a courier , signed for , the courier would watch the reader and take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few copies in existence would be securely locked away ; each numbered and differing subtly from the others so that , should a leak occur , the authorities would know which copy read by whom had been leaked .
Printed on paper that could not be photographed or duplicated .
As much protection as human cunning could devise ; right up there with the nuclear codes .
So , The Russian Playbook would be extraordinarily difficult to get hold of .
And yet… every talking head on U.S. TV has a copy at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assumes .
Rachel Maddow has comprehended the complicated chapter on how to control the U.S. power system .
Others have read the impenetrably complex section on how to control U.S. voting machines or change vote counts .
Many are familiar with the lists of divisions in American society and directions for exploiting them .
Adam Schiff has mastered the section on how to get Trump to give Alaska back .
Susan Rice well knows the chapter “ How to create riots in peaceful communities ” .
And so on .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed to believe that Moscow easily controls far-away countries but can ’ t keep its neighbours under control .
There is no Russian Playbook , that ’ s just projection .
But there is a “ playbook ” and it ’ s written in English , it ’ s freely available and it ’ s inexpensive enough that every pundit can have a personal copy : it ’ s named “ From Dictatorship To Democracy : A Conceptual Framework for Liberation ” and it ’ s written by Gene Sharp ( 1928-2018 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was doing , whatever good cause he thought he was assisting , his book has been used as a guide to create regime changes around the world .
Billed as “ democracy ” and “ freedom ” , their results are not so benign .
Witness Ukraine today .
Or Libya .
Or Kosovo whose long-time leader has just been indicted for numerous crimes .
Curiously enough , these efforts always take place in countries that resist Washington ’ s line but never in countries that don ’ t .
Here we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discord being sown , divisions exploited to effect regime change – all the things in the imaginary “ Russian Playbook ” .
So , whatever he may have thought he was helping , Sharp ’ s advice has been used to produce what only the propagandists could call “ model interventions “ ; to the “ liberated ” themselves , the reality is poverty , destruction , war and refugees .
The Albert Einstein Institution , which Sharp created in 1983 , strongly deniescollusion with Washington-sponsored overthrows but people from it have organised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. overthrows .
The most recent annual report of 2014 , while rather opaque , shows 45 % of its income from “ grants ” ( as opposed to “ individuals ” ) and has logos of Euromaidan , SOSVenezuela , Umbrellamovement , Lwili , Sunflowersquare and others .
In short , the logos of regime change operations in Ukraine , Venezuela , Hong Kong , Burkina Faso and Taiwan .
( And , ironically for today ’ s USA , Black Lives Matter ) .
So , clearly , there is some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change operations .
So there is a “ handbook ” but it ’ s not Russian .
Reading Sharp ’ s book , however , makes one wonder if he was just fooling himself .
Has there ever been a “ dictatorship ” overthrown by “ non-violent ” resistance along the lines of what he is suggesting ?
He mentions Norwegians who resisted Hitler ; but Norway was liberated , along with the rest of Occupied Europe , by extremely violent warfare .
While some Jews escaped , most didn ’ t and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saved the rest : the nazi state was killed .
The USSR went away , together with its satellite governments in Europe but that was a top-down event .
He likes Gandhi but Gandhi wouldn ’ t have lasted a minute under Stalin .
Otpor was greatly aided by NATO ’ s war on Serbia .
And , they ’ re only “ non-violent ” because the Western media doesn ’ t talk much about the violence ; “ non-violent ” is not the first word that comes to mind in this video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” are manufactured from existing grievances , to be sure , but with a great deal of outside assistance , direction and funding ; upon inspection , there ’ s much design behind their “ spontaneity ” .
And , not infrequently , with mysterious sniping at a expedient moment – see Katchanovski ’ s research on the “ Heavenly Hundred ” of the Maidan showing pretty convincingly that the shootings were “ a false flag operation ” involving “ an alliance of the far right organizations , specifically the Right Sector and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Fatherland ” .
There is little in Sharp ’ s book to suggest that non-violent resistance would have had much effect on a really brutal and determined government .
He also has the naïve habit of using “ democrat ” and “ dictator ” as if these words were as precisely defined as coconuts and codfish .
But any “ dictatorship ” – for example Stalin ’ s is a very complex affair with many shades of opinion in it .
So , in terms of what he was apparently trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succeeding against rather mild “ dictators ” presiding over extremely unpopular polities .
With a great deal of outside effort and resources .
His “ playbook ” is useful to outside powers that want to overthrow governments they don ’ t like .
Especially those run by “ dictators ” not brutal enough to shoot the protesters down .
It ’ s not Russian diplomats that are caught choosing the leaders of ostensibly independent countries .
It ’ s not Russians who boast of spending money in poor countries to change their governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who meet with foreign opposition leaders .
Russia doesn ’ t fabricate a leader of a foreign country .
It ’ s not Russia that invents a humanitarian crisis , bombs the country to bits , laughs at its leader ’ s brutal death and walks away .
It ’ s not Russia that sanctions numerous countries .
It ’ s not Russia that gives fellowships to foreign oppositionists .
Even the Washington Post ( one of the principals in sustaining Putindunnit hysteria ) covered “ The long history of the U.S. interfering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted “ the days of its worst behavior are long behind it ” .
Whatever the pundits may claim about Russia , the USA actually has an organisation devoted to interfering in other countries ’ business ; one of whose leading lights proudly boasted : “ A lot of what we do today was done covertly 25 years ago by the CIA.
” The famous “ Russian Playbook ” is nothing but projection onto Moscow of what Washington actually does : projection is so common a feature of American propaganda that one may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of doing something , it ’ s a guarantee that Washington is doing it .

hadn’t given The Russian Playbook much attention until Susan Rice, Obama’s quondam security advisor, opined a month ago on CNN that “ I’m not reading the intelligence today, or these days — but based on my experience, this is right out of the Russian playbook “. She was referring to the latest U.S. riots.
Once I’d seen this mention of The Russian Playbook (aka KGB, Kremlin or Putin’s Playbook), I saw the expression all over the place. Here’s an early – perhaps the earliest – use of the term. In October 2016, the Center for Strategic and International studies (“Ranked #1“) informed us of the “Kremlin Playbook” with this ominous beginning
There was a deeply held assumption that, when the countries of Central and Eastern Europe joined NATO and the European Union in 2004, these countries would continue their positive democratic and economic transformation. Yet more than a decade later, the region has experienced a steady decline in democratic standards and governance practices at the same time that Russia’s economic engagement with the region expanded significantly.
And asks
Are these developments coincidental, or has the Kremlin sought deliberately to erode the region’s democratic institutions through its influence to ‘break the internal coherence of the enemy system’?
Well, to these people, to ask the question is to answer it: can’t possibly be disappointment at the gap between 2004’s expectations and 2020’s reality, can’t be that they don’t like the total Western values package that they have to accept, it must be those crafty Russians deceiving them. This was the earliest reference to The Playbook that I found, but it certainly wasn’t the last.
I found headlines such as these: Former CIA Director Outlines Russian Playbook for Influencing Unsuspecting Targets (May 2017); Fmr. CIA op.: Don Jr. meeting part of Russian playbook (Jul 2017); Americans Use Russian Playbook to Spread Disinformation (Oct 2018); Factory of Lies: The Russian Playbook (Nov 2018); Shredding the Putin Playbook: Six crucial steps we must take on cyber-security—before it’s too late. (Winter 2018); Trump’s spin is ‘all out of the KGB playbook’: Counterintelligence expert Malcolm Nance (May 2019).
Of course, all these people are convinced Moscow interfered in the 2016 presidential election. Somehow. To some effect. Never really specified but the latest outburst of insanity is this video from the Lincoln Project. As Anatoly Karlin observes: “I think it’s really cool how we Russians took over America just by shitposting online. How does it feel to be subhuman?” He has a point: the Lincoln Project, and the others shrieking about Russian interference, take it for granted that American democracy is so flimsy and Americans so gullible that a few Facebook ads can bring the whole facade down. A curious mental state indeed.
So let us consider The Russian Playbook. It stands at the very heart of Russian power. It is old: at least a century old. Why, did not Tolstoy’s 1908 Letter to a Hindu inspire Gandhi to bring down the British Indian Empire and win the Great Game for Moscow? The Tolstoy-Putin link is undeniable as we are told in A Post-Soviet ‘War and Peace’: What Tolstoy’s Masterwork Explains About Putin’s Foreign Policy: “In the early decades of the nineteenth century, Napoleon (like Putin after him) wanted to construct his own international order…”. Russian novelists: adepts of The Playbook every one. So there is much to consider about this remarkable Book which has had such an enormous – hidden to most – role in world history. Its instructions on how to swing Western elections are especially important: the 2016 U.S. election; Brexit; “100 years of Russian electoral interference“; Canada; France; the European Union; Germany and many more. The awed reader must ask whether any Western election since Tolstoy’s day can be trusted. Not to forget the Great Hawaiian Pizza Debate the Russians could start at any moment.
What can we know about The Playbook? For a start it must be written in Russian, a language that those crafty Russians insist on speaking among themselves. Secondly such an important document would be protected the way that highly classified material is protected. There would be a very restricted need to know; underlings participating in one of the many plays would not know how their part fitted into The Playbook; few would ever see The Playbook itself. The Playbook would be brought to the desk of the few authorised to see it by a courier, signed for, the courier would watch the reader and take away the copy afterwards. The very few copies in existence would be securely locked away; each numbered and differing subtly from the others so that, should a leak occur, the authorities would know which copy read by whom had been leaked. Printed on paper that could not be photographed or duplicated. As much protection as human cunning could devise; right up there with the nuclear codes.
So, The Russian Playbook would be extraordinarily difficult to get hold of. And yet… every talking head on U.S. TV has a copy at his elbow! English copies, one assumes. Rachel Maddow has comprehended the complicated chapter on how to control the U.S. power system. Others have read the impenetrably complex section on how to control U.S. voting machines or change vote counts. Many are familiar with the lists of divisions in American society and directions for exploiting them. Adam Schiff has mastered the section on how to get Trump to give Alaska back. Susan Rice well knows the chapter “How to create riots in peaceful communities”.
And so on. It’s all quite ridiculous: we’re supposed to believe that Moscow easily controls far-away countries but can’t keep its neighbours under control.
There is no Russian Playbook, that’s just projection. But there is a “playbook” and it’s written in English, it’s freely available and it’s inexpensive enough that every pundit can have a personal copy: it’s named “From Dictatorship To Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation” and it’s written by Gene Sharp (1928-2018). Whatever Sharp may have thought he was doing, whatever good cause he thought he was assisting, his book has been used as a guide to create regime changes around the world. Billed as “democracy” and “freedom”, their results are not so benign. Witness Ukraine today. Or Libya. Or Kosovo whose long-time leader has just been indicted for numerous crimes. Curiously enough, these efforts always take place in countries that resist Washington’s line but never in countries that don’t. Here we do see training, financing, propaganda, discord being sown, divisions exploited to effect regime change – all the things in the imaginary “Russian Playbook”. So, whatever he may have thought he was helping, Sharp’s advice has been used to produce what only the propagandists could call “model interventions“; to the “liberated” themselves, the reality is poverty, destruction, war and refugees.
The Albert Einstein Institution, which Sharp created in 1983, strongly deniescollusion with Washington-sponsored overthrows but people from it have organised seminars or workshops in many targets of U.S. overthrows. The most recent annual report of 2014, while rather opaque, shows 45% of its income from “grants” (as opposed to “individuals”) and has logos of Euromaidan, SOSVenezuela, Umbrellamovement, Lwili, Sunflowersquare and others. In short, the logos of regime change operations in Ukraine, Venezuela, Hong Kong, Burkina Faso and Taiwan. (And, ironically for today’s USA, Black Lives Matter). So, clearly, there is some connection between the AEI and Washington-sponsored regime change operations.
So there is a “handbook” but it’s not Russian.
Reading Sharp’s book, however, makes one wonder if he was just fooling himself. Has there ever been a “dictatorship” overthrown by “non-violent” resistance along the lines of what he is suggesting? He mentions Norwegians who resisted Hitler; but Norway was liberated, along with the rest of Occupied Europe, by extremely violent warfare. While some Jews escaped, most didn’t and it was the conquest of Berlin that saved the rest: the nazi state was killed. The USSR went away, together with its satellite governments in Europe but that was a top-down event. He likes Gandhi but Gandhi wouldn’t have lasted a minute under Stalin. Otpor was greatly aided by NATO’s war on Serbia. And, they’re only “non-violent” because the Western media doesn’t talk much about the violence; “non-violent” is not the first word that comes to mind in this video of Kiev 2014. “Colour revolutions” are manufactured from existing grievances, to be sure, but with a great deal of outside assistance, direction and funding; upon inspection, there’s much design behind their “spontaneity”. And, not infrequently, with mysterious sniping at a expedient moment – see Katchanovski’s research on the “Heavenly Hundred” of the Maidan showing pretty convincingly that the shootings were “a false flag operation” involving “an alliance of the far right organizations, specifically the Right Sector and Svoboda, and oligarchic parties, such as Fatherland”. There is little in Sharp’s book to suggest that non-violent resistance would have had much effect on a really brutal and determined government. He also has the naïve habit of using “democrat” and “dictator” as if these words were as precisely defined as coconuts and codfish. But any “dictatorship” – for example Stalin’s is a very complex affair with many shades of opinion in it. So, in terms of what he was apparently trying to do, one can see it only succeeding against rather mild “dictators” presiding over extremely unpopular polities. With a great deal of outside effort and resources.
His “playbook” is useful to outside powers that want to overthrow governments they don’t like. Especially those run by “dictators” not brutal enough to shoot the protesters down. It’s not Russian diplomats that are caught choosing the leaders of ostensibly independent countries. It’s not Russians who boast of spending money in poor countries to change their governments. It’s not Russian diplomats who meet with foreign opposition leaders. Russia doesn’t fabricate a leader of a foreign country. It’s not Russia that invents a humanitarian crisis, bombs the country to bits, laughs at its leader’s brutal death and walks away. It’s not Russia that sanctions numerous countries. It’s not Russia that gives fellowships to foreign oppositionists. Even the Washington Post (one of the principals in sustaining Putindunnit hysteria) covered “The long history of the U.S. interfering with elections elsewhere“; but piously insisted “the days of its worst behavior are long behind it”. Whatever the pundits may claim about Russia, the USA actually has an organisation devoted to interfering in other countries’ business; one of whose leading lights proudly boasted: “A lot of what we do today was done covertly 25 years ago by the CIA.”
The famous “Russian Playbook” is nothing but projection onto Moscow of what Washington actually does: projection is so common a feature of American propaganda that one may certain that when Washington accuses somebody else of doing something, it’s a guarantee that Washington is doing it.


thegreanvillepostbiasrating--2020-07-19--Signees Of Letter Against ‘Cancel Culture’ Exposed As Frauds

Please make sure these dispatches reach as many readers as possible .
Share with kin , friends and workmates and ask them to do likewise .
DISPATCHES FROM MOON OF ALABAMA , BY `` B '' This article is part of an ongoing series of dispatches from Moon of Alabama The forces of illiberalism are gaining strength throughout the world and have a powerful ally in Donald Trump , who represents a real threat to democracy .
But resistance must not be allowed to harden into its own brand of dogma or coercion—which right-wing demagogues are already exploiting .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only if we speak out against the intolerant climate that has set in on all sides .
... n July 7 Harpers published a letter which condemned the 'cancel culture ' .
In the 'cancel culture ' online masses seek to censor controversial speakers with whom they do not agree .
Some 150 prominent writers and academics had signed the A Letter on Justice and Open Debate Said shorter : `` Do n't cancel the Fascist but , more importantly , DO N'T CANCEL US ! ''
The people who signed the letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more concerned with being criticized themselves for the nonsense they write .
Next to Noam Chomsky there were quite a lot of warmongers and false 'liberuls ' who had amongst the names , for example David Frum and J.K. Rowlings .
These are people who are themselves prone to practices 'cancel culture ' when they disagree with others .
The signatories , many of them white , wealthy , and endowed with massive platforms , argue that they are afraid of being silenced , that so-called cancel culture is out of control , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and free exchange of ideas , even as they speak from one of the most prestigious magazines in the country .
... [ T ] he irony of the piece is that nowhere in it do the signatories mention how marginalized voices have been silenced for generations in journalism , academia , and publishing .
That the original letter and its signers can not be taken seriously was emphatically proven with this : The signers of the letter against the 'cancel culture ' had cancelled Glenn Greenwald from signing it .
I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this - Greenwald or the other signers .
Posted by b on July 18 , 2020 at 17:30 UTC | Permalink '' b '' is Moon of Alabama 's founding ( and chief ) editor .
This site 's purpose is to discuss politics , economics , philosophy and blogger Billmon 's Whiskey Bar writings .
Moon Of Alabama was opened as an independent , open forum for members of the Whiskey Bar community .
Bernhard ) '' b '' ) started and still runs the site .
Once in a while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from regular commentators .
You can reach the current administrator of this site by emailing Bernhard at MoonofA @ aol.com .
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License .

Please make sure these dispatches reach as many readers as possible. Share with kin, friends and workmates and ask them to do likewise.
DISPATCHES FROM MOON OF ALABAMA, BY "B"
This article is part of an ongoing series of dispatches from Moon of Alabama
O
The forces of illiberalism are gaining strength throughout the world and have a powerful ally in Donald Trump, who represents a real threat to democracy. But resistance must not be allowed to harden into its own brand of dogma or coercion—which right-wing demagogues are already exploiting. The democratic inclusion we want can be achieved only if we speak out against the intolerant climate that has set in on all sides.
...
n July 7 Harpers published a letter which condemned the 'cancel culture'. In the 'cancel culture' online masses seek to censor controversial speakers with whom they do not agree. Some 150 prominent writers and academics had signed the A Letter on Justice and Open Debate
Said shorter: "Don't cancel the Fascist but, more importantly, DON'T CANCEL US!"
The people who signed the letter, all in influential positions, seemed more concerned with being criticized themselves for the nonsense they write.
Next to Noam Chomsky there were quite a lot of warmongers and false 'liberuls' who had amongst the names, for example David Frum and J.K. Rowlings. These are people who are themselves prone to practices 'cancel culture' when they disagree with others.
Counter letters were written and published:
The signatories, many of them white, wealthy, and endowed with massive platforms, argue that they are afraid of being silenced, that so-called cancel culture is out of control, and that they fear for their jobs and free exchange of ideas, even as they speak from one of the most prestigious magazines in the country.
...
[T]he irony of the piece is that nowhere in it do the signatories mention how marginalized voices have been silenced for generations in journalism, academia, and publishing.
That the original letter and its signers can not be taken seriously was emphatically proven with this:
Jeremy Repanich @racefortheprize - 23:14 UTC · Jul 17, 2020 LOL. Thomas Chatterton Williams, who wrote the Harper's letter, admitted today that Glenn Greenwald was kept off the letter b/c other signees didn't like his views.
The signers of the letter against the 'cancel culture' had cancelled Glenn Greenwald from signing it.
I am not sure who should be more embarrassed about this - Greenwald or the other signers.
Posted by b on July 18, 2020 at 17:30 UTC | Permalink
Comments Sampler
NOTE ^1000Careerist lackeys serving the elites control the American press. Ever pushing for war and inequality, covering up the oligarchy's crimes... They are in reality shameless disinformers. No wonder the world is in such terrible disarray.
About the author(s) "b" is Moon of Alabama's founding (and chief) editor. This site's purpose is to discuss politics, economics, philosophy and blogger Billmon's Whiskey Bar writings. Moon Of Alabama was opened as an independent, open forum for members of the Whiskey Bar community. Bernhard )"b") started and still runs the site. Once in a while you will also find posts and art from regular commentators. You can reach the current administrator of this site by emailing Bernhard at MoonofA@aol.com.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
ALL CAPTIONS AND PULL QUOTES BY THE EDITORS NOT THE AUTHORS
Comment here or on our Facebook Group page.


thegreanvillepostbiasrating--2020-07-19--Unmasking pseudo left attacks on genuine anti-imperialists

Caleb 's chats are the ideal tool for those who wish to acquire a solid understanding of contemporary history in an easy , accessible manner .
In this issue : While the right has convinced a substantive number of working class people that their enemy is black/brown people , especially immigrants , the ruling class continues on its path of constant pillage of nature and humanity .
The duty of Marxists is to clarify who the real enemy is , and how to oppose it .
Meantime , the fake left , ensconced in the Democratic Party , throws its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global salvation .
Their specialty is to malign anti-imperialists .
In our modern Western Western society your badge of `` progressivism '' is affirmed not by your participation in `` old fashioned '' antiwar or anti-imperialist struggles , but by the way you support outlier issues , i.e.
, gay rights , and none is more radical in this field than support for transgender rights , if for no other reason than if `` gay rights '' concerns a minority of the population , transgender rights concerns an even smaller minority .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maupin affirms in this post , support gay rights to the fullest , seeing them as an integral subset of human rights .
It follows that by definition they also support the right of all `` trannies '' to live their lives undisturbed by bigotry and any form of discrimination .
This , however , is much too general a standard for the identity politics warriors , who , as Maupin explains , have apparently ( to the benefit of the ecocidal and highly oppressive imperial status quo ) have decided to pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The issue is complex by deliberate intent , so I will just let Caleb sort it out in his usual fashion .
An informal chat with Caleb Maupin as guide to the multitude of news , lies , distortions , rumors , idiocies , hypocrisies , and ideologies that shape our world .

Caleb's chats are the ideal tool for those who wish to acquire a solid understanding of contemporary history in an easy, accessible manner.
In this issue: While the right has convinced a substantive number of working class people that their enemy is black/brown people, especially immigrants, the ruling class continues on its path of constant pillage of nature and humanity. The duty of Marxists is to clarify who the real enemy is, and how to oppose it. Meantime, the fake left, ensconced in the Democratic Party, throws its own sneaky obstacles on the road to global salvation. Their specialty is to malign anti-imperialists.
In our modern Western Western society your badge of "progressivism" is affirmed not by your participation in "old fashioned" antiwar or anti-imperialist struggles, but by the way you support outlier issues, i.e., gay rights, and none is more radical in this field than support for transgender rights, if for no other reason than if "gay rights" concerns a minority of the population, transgender rights concerns an even smaller minority. That said, true leftists, as Caleb Maupin affirms in this post, support gay rights to the fullest, seeing them as an integral subset of human rights. It follows that by definition they also support the right of all "trannies" to live their lives undisturbed by bigotry and any form of discrimination. This, however, is much too general a standard for the identity politics warriors, who, as Maupin explains, have apparently (to the benefit of the ecocidal and highly oppressive imperial status quo) have decided to pick a fight with the Marxian/ anti-imperialist left. The issue is complex by deliberate intent, so I will just let Caleb sort it out in his usual fashion.
An informal chat with Caleb Maupin as guide to the multitude of news, lies, distortions, rumors, idiocies, hypocrisies, and ideologies that shape our world.


thegreanvillepostbiasrating--2020-07-20--China’s Economy – and Globalization – A Look into the Future

Please make sure these dispatches reach as many readers as possible .
Share with kin , friends and workmates and ask them to do likewise .
EDITED AND HOSTED BY THE GREANVILLE POST fter the corona crisis , may the world be facing a monumental paradigm shift of power towards a more balanced civilization - more social justice and equity ?
The global almost total lockdown , chosen by most governments around the globe in response to mastering the Covid-19 crisis , devastated the world economy , as we know it – and hundreds of millions of lives .
Was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time when those responsible for this universal , scientifically unnecessary lockdown be held accountable ?
The last six months , governments around the world have almost unilaterally committed an auto-destruction of their socioeconomic fabric and collectively of the global economy .
It may never return to the “ normal ” of the times before COVID .
That , per se , may not be a bad omen , though , as our pre-corona existence – especially in the west – was everything else but an ethical “ normal ” .
Pre-Corona Globalization and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” greed , inequity , exploitation of people and depletion of resources .
This was largely possible due to an ever more reckless ultra-capitalist globalization and privatization of everything – goods , services and assets through international corporatism and globalized private banking .
Global finance was – and still is to some extent – dominated by a fiat US-dollar system aiming at total control of the world ’ s riches towards a global economic and resources hegemony , enforced by sanctions and confiscation of assets , coercing dissenting nations under the dictate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The countries that did not cave in – Cuba , Venezuela , Iran , Syria , Yemen , North Korea – and not least , of course , China and Russia are relentlessly assailed .
The corona pandemic temporarily slowed western pressure on China and Russia , as it brought about an abrupt stop to world economic activities , causing a melt-down of assets , plunging stock markets by over 30 percent , creating untold bankruptcies , unemployment and human misery unrecorded in past history .
The calamity may be far surpassing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great Depression ( 1929 – 1933 ) and the Financial Crisis of 2007 – 2009 , possibly by orders of magnitude , once the dust settles and a more accurate accounting can take place .
This may take months , if not years .
Neoliberal economics have “ normalized ” greed , inequity , exploitation of people and depletion of resources .
This was largely possible due to an ever more reckless ultra-capitalist globalization and privatization of everything – goods , services and assets through international corporatism and globalized private banking .
Estimates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) now predict unemployment and underemployment may reach up to 2.0 billion people , worldwide , more than half of the globe 's total workforce , many of them living in precarious conditions well before the corona outbreak .
The World Food Program ( WFP ) fears that hundreds of millions of people may be affected by famine and tens of millions may die .
This is a somber base from which to look forward into – let ’ s hope – a brighter future .
The silver lining of this dark corona @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming to an end , and instead the world is presented with a wide-open window of new opportunities to stitch a social fabric that fits all or most of humanity – forging a new social contract towards creating a common future for mankind .
Salient features under globalization as we know it Economic development under unfettered globalized capitalism has in the past 70 years ravaged the globe and in the Global South has drastically increased inequality , injustice among peoples and nations .
The Washington Consensus ( 1989 ) has given free reign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermined and even annihilated national sovereignties of poorer countries , for example , driving local farmers off their land by forcing subsidized western agricultural crops into their countries .
Globalization under the neoliberal concept has also brought privatization of everything , but especially of social services and infrastructure , destroying the peoples ’ accumulated asset base – shuffling social capital from the bottom to the top , to the western private banking sector and a few oligarchs , thereby destroying the little and often flimsy social safety nets poorer nations may have established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handy now with Covid-caused poverty skyrocketing .
CNBC reports that America ’ s billionaires added US $ 434 billion to their fortunes during the 3 months of U.S. lockdown between mid-March and mid-May 2020 .
China ’ s 1949 Revolution initiated by Chairman Mao presented a new concept of economic and social development , one that still holds as of today .
After western devastation of China , it started wisely in building strength by seeking self-sufficiency in education , health and nutrition – and in eradicating poverty .
The Chinese society worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constant creation – with natural ups and downs and trials and errors – but steadily advancing , learning – and succeeding which , in turn , motivates new creation , new achievements .
After reaching this first objective of basic autonomy , China opened her gates to the world to continue the harmonious flow of creating relationships for trade and investments , educational and cultural exchange and gradually moving into research and cutting-edge science to share with the world .
It is the contrary of what the west is used to .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concept hardly understood in the profit-driven capitalist west .
The idea of cooperation in economic development coupled with an endless flow of creation – avoiding conflicts and moving forward , a solid Tao principle – has grown China to where she stands today – becoming the world ’ s second largest economy , after starting practically from zero only 70 years ago .
China is a vivid example of socialist success .
Or , as the Chinese would say , “ socialism with Chinese characteristics ” .
A nation that never seeks conflicts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strives for partnerships and peaceful coexistence .
This worries the west , especially the self-declared US empire .
On 7 September 2013 , Visionary President Xi Jinping re-initiated the ancient 2100-year-old Silk Road at Kazakhstan ’ s Nazarbayev University .
Adjusted to the 21st Century , it is called the Belt and Road Initiative ( BRI ) , but it is based on the same old principles building bridges between peoples , exchanging goods , research , education , knowledge , cultural wisdom , peacefully , harmoniously and ‘ win-win ’ style .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ spoke about “ People-to-People Friendship and Creating a better Future ” .
But he went further , pointing to the history of exchanges under the Ancient Silk Road among people from different creeds and cultures , “ they had proven that countries with differences in race , belief and cultural background can absolutely share peace and development as long as they persist in unity and mutual trust , equality and mutual benefit , mutual tolerance and learning from each other , as well as cooperation and win-win outcomes.
” This is the corner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21st century .
It signals a globalization under different terms – a globalization under equals .
And , yes , a New Social Contract .
Partner countries are invited , not coerced , to participate in this mammoth enterprise to span the world with land and maritime routes , for trade , for joint research and scientific exchanges , leading to an endless flow of ideas for new technologies but also of social sciences to enhance peaceful human interactions .
A case in point may be the new China-Cuba collaboration in health science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Globalization under a new normal China will play a major role in the new emerging world order - not a One World Order , as a small western elite envisions , but a new paradigm built on partnership , on equality on building bridges , instead of walls , avoiding and resolving conflicts peacefully and without violence .
Call it a new Social Contract to span the world for all those who are interested in participating .
The corona crisis is gradually bringing an awakening for a new consciousness , one that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rush of things – greed , power , comfort and also neglect for the less privileged and destitute .
China may be a guiding light for the realization of this new paradigm .
Why ?
– Because China experienced in her 70 years of Revolution what the corona-devastated world needs today to rebuild and to restart with a new set of values towards a better equilibrium of access to goods , services and resources , while maintaining a healthy environment .
What propelled China forward , was the simple principle of local production @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a local currency through a public banking system managed by a sovereign central bank working for the good of the people ( not for shareholders ) , gearing towards an equitable development and self-sufficiency for all .
This does not preclude private sector participation at all .
But the State sets rules and parameters within which private interests may move .
That ’ s why China is “ A socialist nation with Chinese characteristics.
” Prospects for a new concept of globalization China ’ s economy is strong .
Despite a practical standstill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost recovered , while the west is still struggling to find common denominators for collaboration and for revamping their economies .
The IMF had originally predicted a global GDP decline of 3 % for 2020 , and a slight growth for 2021 .
In the meantime , the IMF adjusted the decline to 5.5 % ; still way too little , since the world hasn ’ t even seen the tip of the iceberg yet of this global mammoth socioeconomic disaster .
For China the IMF foresees a modest growth of 1.1 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underestimates .
Given the massive wipe-out of much of the global economy , 2020 negative GDP for the world may be as high as 10 % to 15 % when the chips are down and counted .
On the other hand , China having recovered rather quickly and with a public banking sector destined to address the economy ’ s weak spots , 2020 growth might be in the order of 3 % to 3.5 % .
But as a leading economist from the International Monetary Institute ( IMI ) of Beijing ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are talking about quality growth ” , meaning , growth will focus on the social dimension of people ’ s needs .
China will forge ahead with the socioeconomic development program of the century – the BRI and expand her partner and associate members , already more than 160 today .
Due to the corona catastrophe , foreign debt has been rising almost in reverse proportion as GDP has declined .
President Xi has pledged 2 billion dollars to fight the virus .
Additional debt relief especially to the poorer debt-strangled Belt and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a better-connected world .
A new kind of globalization will rise from the ashes of the corona crisis .
Restoring individual countries sovereignty , as well as their monetary , financial and economic autonomy and without a debt stranglehold preventing them from prospering , is crucial for becoming equal partners in a new globalized world .
BRI is the new vehicle promoting self-assured partners that do not have to fear “ sanctions ” for wanting to preserve their sovereignty .
The west , especially Washington may not like this “ game changer ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be spared in the foreseeable future from western bashing and aggressions .
The reasons are NOT corona guilt or mismanagement , or unfair trade , reasons Washington likes to propagandize .
These false accusations are meant to denigrate China to break or weaken the world ’ s trust in China ’ s economy and in particular her strong and gold backed currency , the yuan .
China ’ s central bank ( People ’ s Bank of China – PBC ) has just launched a trial run in a number of cities , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Xiong ’ an of her new crypto-currency , the e-RMB ( Ren Min Bi , meaning People 's Money ) , or Yuan .
Eventually the new cyber money will be rolled out internationally for trade , commodity pricing – and even as a safe and stable reserve currency .
The digital blockchain money assures the users total security , no interference from outside .
It is a protection from ” sanctions ” and arbitrary confiscation .
This will add a new dimension to China ’ s economic strength .
Not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , but the yuan may also shortly become the key reserve currency in the world .
Look at the huge continent of Eurasia which is also connected to Africa .
To serve this enormous landmass no seas have to be crossed .
Its easy trading , friendly relations , no conflicts , because equal partners strive for the real meaning of trade , no losers , only win-win .
Then there are the countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization ( SCO ) , which in addition to China include also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon also Iran , with Malaysia and Mongolia in observation status waiting in the wings .
China is also boosting trade among the ASEAN+3 countries ( Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Brunei , Cambodia , Indonesia , Laos , Malaysia , Myanmar , the Philippines , Singapore , Thailand , and Vietnam ; plus 3 = Japan , South Korea and China ) .
Monetary transactions will take place in local currencies , not the US dollar .
They will be using CIPS ( Cross-Border Interbank Payment System ) , avoiding the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ASEAN+3 account for about half the world population and for one third of the globes economic output .
It is a formidable market and most of it on this huge landmass called Eurasia .
No need for the belligerent west .
This new form of non-aggressive and non-invasive globalization may make example and evoke reflection .
Perhaps it may serve others , Europe for instance – as a vehicle to recover from the colossal corona collapse .
Imagine a globalized world among equals – a community seeking a common future for mankind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ geopolitical analyst .
He is also a water resources and environmental specialist .
He worked for over 30 years with the World Bank and the World Health Organization around the world in the fields of environment and water .
He lectures at universities in the US , Europe and South America .
He writes regularly for Global Research ; ICH ; New Eastern Outlook ( NEO ) ; RT ; Countercurrents , Sputnik ; PressTV ; The 21st Century ; Greanville Post ; Defend Democracy Press ; The Saker Blog , the and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ author of is an economist and geopolitical analyst .
He is also a water resources and environmental specialist .
He worked for over 30 years with the World Bank and the World Health Organization around the world in the fields of environment and water .
He lectures at universities in the US , Europe and South America .
He writes regularly for Global Research ; ICH ; New Eastern Outlook ( NEO ) ; RT ; Countercurrents , Sputnik ; PressTV ; The 21st Century ; Greanville Post ; Defend Democracy Press ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internet sites .
He is the author of Implosion – An Economic Thriller about War , Environmental Destruction and Corporate Greed – fiction based on facts and on 30 years of World Bank experience around the globe .
He is also a co-author of The World Order and Revolution !
- Essays from the Resistance Peter Koenig is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization .
First published by the New Eastern Outlook – NEO

Please make sure these dispatches reach as many readers as possible. Share with kin, friends and workmates and ask them to do likewise.
EDITED AND HOSTED BY THE GREANVILLE POST
Peter Koenig
A
fter the corona crisis, may the world be facing a monumental paradigm shift of power towards a more balanced civilization - more social justice and equity? The global almost total lockdown, chosen by most governments around the globe in response to mastering the Covid-19 crisis, devastated the world economy, as we know it – and hundreds of millions of lives. Was it necessary? Will there be a time when those responsible for this universal, scientifically unnecessary lockdown be held accountable?
The last six months, governments around the world have almost unilaterally committed an auto-destruction of their socioeconomic fabric and collectively of the global economy. It may never return to the “normal” of the times before COVID. That, per se, may not be a bad omen, though, as our pre-corona existence – especially in the west – was everything else but an ethical “normal”.
Pre-Corona Globalization and Economic Development
Neoliberal economics have “normalized” greed, inequity, exploitation of people and depletion of resources. This was largely possible due to an ever more reckless ultra-capitalist globalization and privatization of everything – goods, services and assets through international corporatism and globalized private banking.
Global finance was – and still is to some extent – dominated by a fiat US-dollar system aiming at total control of the world’s riches towards a global economic and resources hegemony, enforced by sanctions and confiscation of assets, coercing dissenting nations under the dictate of the United States and her western allies. The countries that did not cave in – Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, Syria, Yemen, North Korea – and not least, of course, China and Russia are relentlessly assailed.
The corona pandemic temporarily slowed western pressure on China and Russia, as it brought about an abrupt stop to world economic activities, causing a melt-down of assets, plunging stock markets by over 30 percent, creating untold bankruptcies, unemployment and human misery unrecorded in past history. The calamity may be far surpassing the Credit Crisis of 1772, the Great Depression (1929 – 1933) and the Financial Crisis of 2007 – 2009, possibly by orders of magnitude, once the dust settles and a more accurate accounting can take place. This may take months, if not years.
Neoliberal economics have “normalized” greed, inequity, exploitation of people and depletion of resources. This was largely possible due to an ever more reckless ultra-capitalist globalization and privatization of everything – goods, services and assets through international corporatism and globalized private banking .
Estimates from the International Labor Office (ILO) now predict unemployment and underemployment may reach up to 2.0 billion people, worldwide, more than half of the globe's total workforce, many of them living in precarious conditions well before the corona outbreak. The World Food Program (WFP) fears that hundreds of millions of people may be affected by famine and tens of millions may die. This is a somber base from which to look forward into – let’s hope – a brighter future.
The silver lining of this dark corona cloud is that the dollar hegemony is coming to an end, and instead the world is presented with a wide-open window of new opportunities to stitch a social fabric that fits all or most of humanity – forging a new social contract towards creating a common future for mankind.
Salient features under globalization as we know it
Economic development under unfettered globalized capitalism has in the past 70 years ravaged the globe and in the Global South has drastically increased inequality, injustice among peoples and nations. The Washington Consensus (1989) has given free reign for forging unequitable trade agreements which often undermined and even annihilated national sovereignties of poorer countries, for example, driving local farmers off their land by forcing subsidized western agricultural crops into their countries.
Globalization under the neoliberal concept has also brought privatization of everything, but especially of social services and infrastructure, destroying the peoples’ accumulated asset base – shuffling social capital from the bottom to the top, to the western private banking sector and a few oligarchs, thereby destroying the little and often flimsy social safety nets poorer nations may have established – safety nets which would come in handy now with Covid-caused poverty skyrocketing. CNBC reports that America’s billionaires added US$ 434 billion to their fortunes during the 3 months of U.S. lockdown between mid-March and mid-May 2020.
China’s 1949 Revolution initiated by Chairman Mao presented a new concept of economic and social development, one that still holds as of today. After western devastation of China, it started wisely in building strength by seeking self-sufficiency in education, health and nutrition – and in eradicating poverty. The Chinese society worked and keeps working in a flux of constant creation – with natural ups and downs and trials and errors – but steadily advancing, learning – and succeeding which, in turn, motivates new creation, new achievements.
After reaching this first objective of basic autonomy, China opened her gates to the world to continue the harmonious flow of creating relationships for trade and investments, educational and cultural exchange and gradually moving into research and cutting-edge science to share with the world. It is the contrary of what the west is used to. It is cooperation instead of competition. A concept hardly understood in the profit-driven capitalist west.
The idea of cooperation in economic development coupled with an endless flow of creation – avoiding conflicts and moving forward, a solid Tao principle – has grown China to where she stands today – becoming the world’s second largest economy, after starting practically from zero only 70 years ago. China is a vivid example of socialist success. Or, as the Chinese would say, “socialism with Chinese characteristics”. A nation that never seeks conflicts or invasions of other countries, but strives for partnerships and peaceful coexistence. This worries the west, especially the self-declared US empire.
On 7 September 2013, Visionary President Xi Jinping re-initiated the ancient 2100-year-old Silk Road at Kazakhstan’s Nazarbayev University. Adjusted to the 21st Century, it is called the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but it is based on the same old principles building bridges between peoples, exchanging goods, research, education, knowledge, cultural wisdom, peacefully, harmoniously and ‘win-win’ style.
In his inauguration speech, President Xi spoke about “People-to-People Friendship and Creating a better Future”. But he went further, pointing to the history of exchanges under the Ancient Silk Road among people from different creeds and cultures, “they had proven that countries with differences in race, belief and cultural background can absolutely share peace and development as long as they persist in unity and mutual trust, equality and mutual benefit, mutual tolerance and learning from each other, as well as cooperation and win-win outcomes.”
This is the corner stone for the development endeavor of the 21st century. It signals a globalization under different terms – a globalization under equals. And, yes, a New Social Contract. Partner countries are invited, not coerced, to participate in this mammoth enterprise to span the world with land and maritime routes, for trade, for joint research and scientific exchanges, leading to an endless flow of ideas for new technologies but also of social sciences to enhance peaceful human interactions. A case in point may be the new China-Cuba collaboration in health science that emerged from the corona crisis.
Globalization under a new normal
China will play a major role in the new emerging world order - not a One World Order, as a small western elite envisions, but a new paradigm built on partnership, on equality on building bridges, instead of walls, avoiding and resolving conflicts peacefully and without violence. Call it a new Social Contract to span the world for all those who are interested in participating. The corona crisis is gradually bringing an awakening for a new consciousness, one that we always had but got buried in the rush of things – greed, power, comfort and also neglect for the less privileged and destitute.
China may be a guiding light for the realization of this new paradigm. Why? – Because China experienced in her 70 years of Revolution what the corona-devastated world needs today to rebuild and to restart with a new set of values towards a better equilibrium of access to goods, services and resources, while maintaining a healthy environment.
What propelled China forward, was the simple principle of local production for local markets and local consumption with a local currency through a public banking system managed by a sovereign central bank working for the good of the people (not for shareholders), gearing towards an equitable development and self-sufficiency for all. This does not preclude private sector participation at all. But the State sets rules and parameters within which private interests may move. That’s why China is “A socialist nation with Chinese characteristics.”
Prospects for a new concept of globalization
China’s economy is strong. Despite a practical standstill of about two months, China has almost recovered, while the west is still struggling to find common denominators for collaboration and for revamping their economies. The IMF had originally predicted a global GDP decline of 3% for 2020, and a slight growth for 2021. In the meantime, the IMF adjusted the decline to 5.5 %; still way too little, since the world hasn’t even seen the tip of the iceberg yet of this global mammoth socioeconomic disaster. For China the IMF foresees a modest growth of 1.1% in 2020. Both figures are likely underestimates. Given the massive wipe-out of much of the global economy, 2020 negative GDP for the world may be as high as 10% to 15% when the chips are down and counted.
On the other hand, China having recovered rather quickly and with a public banking sector destined to address the economy’s weak spots, 2020 growth might be in the order of 3% to 3.5%. But as a leading economist from the International Monetary Institute (IMI) of Beijing’s Renmin University says – “we are talking about quality growth”, meaning, growth will focus on the social dimension of people’s needs.
China will forge ahead with the socioeconomic development program of the century – the BRI and expand her partner and associate members, already more than 160 today. Due to the corona catastrophe, foreign debt has been rising almost in reverse proportion as GDP has declined. President Xi has pledged 2 billion dollars to fight the virus. Additional debt relief especially to the poorer debt-strangled Belt and Road partners, might facilitate progress towards a better-connected world.
A new kind of globalization will rise from the ashes of the corona crisis. Restoring individual countries sovereignty, as well as their monetary, financial and economic autonomy and without a debt stranglehold preventing them from prospering, is crucial for becoming equal partners in a new globalized world. BRI is the new vehicle promoting self-assured partners that do not have to fear “sanctions” for wanting to preserve their sovereignty.
The west, especially Washington may not like this “game changer” approach. Therefore, China may not be spared in the foreseeable future from western bashing and aggressions. The reasons are NOT corona guilt or mismanagement, or unfair trade, reasons Washington likes to propagandize. These false accusations are meant to denigrate China to break or weaken the world’s trust in China’s economy and in particular her strong and gold backed currency, the yuan.
China’s central bank (People’s Bank of China – PBC) has just launched a trial run in a number of cities, including Shenzhen, Suzhou, Chengdu, and Xiong’an of her new crypto-currency, the e-RMB (Ren Min Bi, meaning People's Money), or Yuan.
Eventually the new cyber money will be rolled out internationally for trade, commodity pricing – and even as a safe and stable reserve currency. The digital blockchain money assures the users total security, no interference from outside. It is a protection from” sanctions” and arbitrary confiscation. This will add a new dimension to China’s economic strength. Not only will her economy soon outrank that of the United States, but the yuan may also shortly become the key reserve currency in the world.
Look at the huge continent of Eurasia which is also connected to Africa. To serve this enormous landmass no seas have to be crossed. Its easy trading, friendly relations, no conflicts, because equal partners strive for the real meaning of trade, no losers, only win-win. Then there are the countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which in addition to China include also Russia, India and Pakistan - and soon also Iran, with Malaysia and Mongolia in observation status waiting in the wings.
China is also boosting trade among the ASEAN+3 countries (Association of Southeast Asian Nations – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam; plus 3 = Japan, South Korea and China). Monetary transactions will take place in local currencies, not the US dollar. They will be using CIPS (Cross-Border Interbank Payment System), avoiding the dollar controlled SWIFT payment scheme.
SCO and ASEAN+3 account for about half the world population and for one third of the globes economic output. It is a formidable market and most of it on this huge landmass called Eurasia. No need for the belligerent west.
This new form of non-aggressive and non-invasive globalization may make example and evoke reflection. Perhaps it may serve others, Europe for instance – as a vehicle to recover from the colossal corona collapse. Imagine a globalized world among equals – a community seeking a common future for mankind.
Peter Koenig is an economist and geopolitical analyst. He is also a water resources and environmental specialist. He worked for over 30 years with the World Bank and the World Health Organization around the world in the fields of environment and water. He lectures at universities in the US, Europe and South America. He writes regularly for Global Research; ICH; New Eastern Outlook (NEO); RT; Countercurrents, Sputnik; PressTV; The 21st Century; Greanville Post; Defend Democracy Press; The Saker Blog, the and other internet sites. He is the author of is an economist and geopolitical analyst. He is also a water resources and environmental specialist. He worked for over 30 years with the World Bank and the World Health Organization around the world in the fields of environment and water. He lectures at universities in the US, Europe and South America. He writes regularly for Global Research; ICH; New Eastern Outlook (NEO); RT; Countercurrents, Sputnik; PressTV; The 21st Century; Greanville Post; Defend Democracy Press; The Saker Blog, the and other internet sites. He is the author of Implosion – An Economic Thriller about War, Environmental Destruction and Corporate Greed – fiction based on facts and on 30 years of World Bank experience around the globe. He is also a co-author of The World Order and Revolution! - Essays from the Resistance
Peter Koenig is a Research Associate of the Centre for Research on Globalization.
First published by the New Eastern Outlook – NEO
[post-views]


thegreanvillepostbiasrating--2020-07-20--REVOLUTIONARY GROUP DYNAMICS: HOW MINORITIES INFLUENCE MAJORITIES, FROM GROUP COMPLICITY TO COLLECTI

REVOLUTIONARY GROUP DYNAMICS: HOW MINORITIES INFLUENCE MAJORITIES, FROM GROUP COMPLICITY TO COLLECTIVE CREATIVITY

From the macro to the micro hen it comes to stereotypes of the masses of revolutionary people , the masses have built barricades that look like forts which they hide behind , armed with guns .
But if we trace the behavior of masses back far enough to pre-revolutionary situations , masses become groups .
In order to understand how masses of people become a revolutionary force , we first need to understand how groups , small groups of ten to twenty people , become revolutionary .
By revolutionary I don ’ t mean that groups consciously advocate for revolutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the group understand the science of how minorities in groups can influence majorities to change , no matter what the contents .
Who is to blame when groups go wrong ?
The most typical responses people give when groups fail to meet their expectations are to : For example , at a staff meeting , staff members will say to each other “ the leader should have done this or they should have done that ” .
Psychological analysis of the leaders is in no short supply .
The leader is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alcoholic or a dictator .
Another common strategy is to target members of the group that are stigmatized in some way .
They are deemed as recalcitrant , needy , talk too much , talk too little , don ’ t listen , are unrealistic , are cynical , depressed or inarticulate .
Usually people will say to each other , “ if only the [ stigmatized people ] would get fired , transferred , get sick or find another job , everything would be fine ” .
But everything wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produce the following to do the work for the majority of people : However , there is a third possibility .
Let us assume a group has sixteen people .
It has two leaders and two particularly obnoxious members , leaving twelve other members .
How is it that two leaders and two stigmatized individuals can control twelve other people ?
Why don ’ t those twelve other people take control of the situation , challenge the leaders ’ faults publicly and shut up the obnoxious individuals ?
After all , its twelve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who appear as bystanders jump into the fray ?
Why are they putting up with a miserable situation ?
That is one of the subjects of this article .
Groups of human beings are not machines .
They are composed of individuals with free will who can coordinate , practice cooperation , obey or leave a group .
Because groups become “ alive ” as they function over time , the truth is that in groups , there are no neutral bystanders .
Every member of the group is either actively or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group ’ s power .
Those twelve people are complicit in whatever happens in the group , for better or for worse .
I have been in groups most of my life .
From the age of seven to the age of twenty I played in pick-up baseball and football games .
During the same window of time , I endured 12 years of Catholic education in grammar and high school where I was taught by nuns and brothers .
For the first 13 years of my life I blamed leaders and obnoxious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of groups changed when I became involved with radical political groups .
In my twenties I participated in Men ’ s Liberation Collective , a radical psychiatry group , community and in a council communist political group .
In those groups I learned about Wilhelm Reich and his theory of mass complicity .
In my early 40 ’ s I worked as a group counselor for an organization called Men Overcoming Violence .
This was a 40-week program which met once a week to help men gain communication skills so as to not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked in group settings in two half-way houses in San Francisco .
I spent about eight months in what I would now call a cult , a left-wing political psychology group .
Beginning in 1989 and for the next 27 years , I taught psychology courses at universities and community colleges , including classes in group dynamics and mass psychology .
These classes ranged from eight to 40 students .
Throughout those years my appreciation of group complicity was a key to understanding why rebellions in groups don ’ t occur more often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The earliest years of social psychology in the 2nd half of the 19th century were dominated by political reactionaries who hated groups .
Taine , Le Bon and Sighele had never forgotten what the masses did during the French Revolution .
For them the whole ( the group ) was less than the sum of the parts ( the individual ) .
In other words , something degenerative happened to individuals when they joined a group .
Without any empirical research they characterized groups as childish , criminal , beastly , savage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , primitive , cruel and fickle .
Despite the lack of scientific research behind these pronouncements , this stereotype is a staple of mass media today , with the “ looting ” mantra splashed across the headlines , whenever a natural disaster or a social uprising appears .
For them Lord of the Flies depicts what happens in groups without strong leaders .
At the other extreme on the left , whether they are anarchists , communists or social democrats , they all believed that the working-class in masses was heroic .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capitalists and their kind , then gregarious and cooperative tendencies would come to the fore .
For them the whole ( the group ) is more than the sum of its parts ( the individuals ) .
Major social change only comes about through mass action .
The challenge is to awaken in the masses confidence they have the numbers to take over the world .
The problem these leftists were unwilling to face is that workers are conflicted about what to do in a revolutionary situation and they can be turned into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manipulation such as used by Goebbels and Hitler .
When I was first starting out in the early 1970s on my radical political journey , Wilhelm Reich was required reading for being a situationist communist .
I read every book of his that was translated into English .
Reich was the only psychologist whose theories were more sexual than Freud ’ s .
He had a theory of character armor which explained that working class people didn ’ t rebel more because they had character armor in their bodies that prevented them from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good revolutionaries were bodily unarmored and had good orgasms .
I never had a problem with orgasms , but I investigated Reichian therapy to make sure I didn ’ t miss anything .
I spent three years in Reichian therapy .
Typically , either leftists don ’ t know about Reich or if they do know about him , they refer to the Mass Psychology of Fascism and then say he went crazy .
It ’ s fair to say that the last fifteen years or so of his life Reich did go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost his insight into the mass complicity of the masses in the situations we were in .
Reich once said that there never could have been a Hitler if there wasn ’ t a little bit of Hitler in a whole lot of people .
Reich was at his best at criticizing the masses from a left-wing point of view .
He argued the fascist rulers were much smarter than communists because they knew mass psychology .
He demonstrated how mass complicity works in his books “ Listen Little Man ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us return to our group of sixteen people : two leaders , two stigmatized individuals and twelve members who are complicit .
In our Men Overcoming Violence group , we taught men communication skills so that they don ’ t batter their partners .
In our group we gave our members an opportunity to shape the direction of the group in terms of when we met and how consecutive the meetings were .
Since part of the mission of Men Overcoming Violence was to communicate in a non-violent way , we were open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members in our program , not just on their partner .
On one occasion , a group member – I ’ ll call him Antonio – complained that 40 weeks in a row with no break was too much .
Men needed a Saturday off now and then where there was no meeting .
For the rest of this article , I will use this example to show how group members moved from passive members who were complicit , to members assuming some power as to what the direction of our group would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-hour Saturday meeting we allowed 15 minutes of time for members to meta-communicate about how the meeting went and how the program was going for them .
It was here that Antonio first brought up the problem of meeting every single Saturday .
The following italicized headings are the steps necessary by which a minority in a group can impact a majority .
When minorities impact and change majorities the group has gone through a revolutionary process .
Antonio made a proposal both to all members of the group and to the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between meetings .
He made his pitch to a dead silent reception .
Mistakenly , Antonio interpreted this as a sign that no one liked his idea .
Dejected , he didn ’ t say any more .
But what Antonio didn ’ t realize was that group silence can mean many things besides rejection .
It can mean some members were not paying attention .
It can mean they were paying attention but were apathetic and don ’ t care .
It can mean that some members want to think about it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Antonio ’ s proposal but are afraid to speak about it publicly because they are afraid to speak publicly about anything .
They might agree but withhold saying anything about it because that would violate subgroup norms , whether they be race or class customs .
So , the first skill Antonio needed to cultivate in moving the group from complicity to power was perseverance .
Antonio had to bring up his proposal more than once .
People needed time to get used to it and those who didn ’ t agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could rebut it .
If Antonio brought his claim up repeatedly , he gave the message that he was determined , and he was not giving up easily .
In private , we counselors encouraged Antonio not to give up and to try to pitch it again , which he did .
It was not enough that Antonio repeats himself .
He had to make his position rhetorically compelling .
Aristotle argued that there were four considerations in being rhetorically successful .
The claim has to be logical , meaning the person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there must be a tight relationship between the facts or the reasons and the claim .
The argument also has to come from a reliable source , whether as a primary or secondary source .
The third consideration is that the argument was not just rational .
It had to have heart and it had to show imagination .
In Antonio ’ s case part of his evidence needs to be something like – he can go to a ballgame with his son on the Saturdays he has off .
The last ingredient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim has to be timely .
There has to be a necessity to the claim .
There has to be an urgency such that if something is not done now it may be too late .
Why is it now or never ?
Then the counselors and the rest of the group criticized Antonio ’ s claim .
We told him that the claim had to be specific about how often and in what sequence he expected these breaks to occur .
It wouldn ’ t do to simply say “ let ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feels like it ” .
The breaks needed to be built into our institutional setting .
His claim had a pathological ( emotional appeal ) because he talked about all the places he would go with the time off .
His source was good since he was a respected group member who did his work and participated in the program .
The timing of the argument was not good .
We had only held three meetings , so members had not been ground down by the wear-and-tear of the group in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought it up after 10 or 12 meetings in a row , he might have had a better reception .
The rest of the group members and the counselors discussed Antonio ’ s claim and we decided if we went along with Antonio ’ s pitch the best time for breaks would be every eight weeks , because that was when we allowed new members to come in .
We told the group that if they agreed to take a break it would need to be every eight weeks .
However , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision .
It was still up to the group .
Find allies and get them to commit to a public agreement Even if you persevere and repeat yourself and even if Antonio had followed all four of Aristotle ’ s criteria of logos , ethos , pathos and kairos , he is only one person in a group of 16 .
His claim can be dismissed by the group members , whether to themselves privately or to other group members on personal grounds such as these .
Antonio is : • a victim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need for attention ; Antonio needed to find allies .
How did he do this ?
He got the phone numbers of the members whom he senses might be sympathetic to his claim because of what he knows about them and talks to them between the meetings .
It is not enough to get them to be sympathetic over the phone or privately in person .
It has to be public .
I remember as an adjunct faculty member , I would bring things up at faculty meetings .
Other teachers would listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or done .
Then after the meeting , a couple of adjuncts would come up to me and say how much they appreciated what I said .
I thought to myself “ why in the world didn ’ t you say anything when I was making an appeal in the meeting ” ?
Finding allies to change the direction of a group means asking them to make a commitment to speaking in public before and after you make your pitch .
It means verbalizing their own reasons at the time .
How many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mistake to think you have to convince all or even half the members .
You just need to have enough to make an impression that you are a political force within the group to be reckoned with .
What that means is that the majority will be affected by your presence and your views will be taken into consideration even if they are not discussed .
In a group of sixteen , three or four people is enough .
In other words , about 20-25 % of the group .
Anticipate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Between meetings , Antonio drew up on paper three columns .
In the first column he put the names of the people he thought would be opposed to his proposal .
In the middle column , in bullet form , he listed their objections .
In the last column he rebutted their objections , as much as he could , and committed his arguments to memory .
When he made his proposal at the next meeting , he said something like , “ I know there are significant objections to my proposal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ drags the program out even longer than it already is .
Others may feel like having two weeks off with no group structure might cause a relapse to being violent .
Well I thought about that and here is my answer ” .
He didn ’ t name the people who might object , he simply named the objections .
That kept those members from being put on the spot and less likely to be defensive .
He didn ’ t pull out the paper and read it .
That would be perceived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a turn-off .
He also didn ’ t name every possible objective because that would be overkill .
He could save those objections if he needed them for another round of group discussion .
Anticipating objections and rebutting them like this will build up his credibility : “ Wow , Antonio has really thought about this .
He ’ s done his homework .
He ’ s serious ” these members might think to themselves .
None of these group members will want to follow the proposal of someone who seems rigid or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about everything , it is better to intentionally give ground on the little issues .
People are far more willing to work with you , if they feel that you are dialectical and can go back and forth on an issue and concede points .
Antonio did do this and we think this is one reason he was able to keep his allies .
Present your message so that it appeals to the whole of the group As much as possible , try to make the claim as an appeal to the interests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Antonio ’ s case , he suggested to one of the counselors that his proposal would be welcomed by counselors so that would get a break too .
He also argued that this would be better for the men who enrolled in the problem long after Antonio ’ s cohort graduated .
Of course , there is Antonio ’ s self-interest involved .
However , as much as possible , if there is some part of the proposal that appeals to wider interests , it might have a better chance of passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day of the meeting It is very important that if there is any flexibility in the seating arrangements that Antonio take full advantage of them .
If the tradition of the group is for everyone to be seated ( including the counselors ) it will be too much for Antonio to stand to make his proposal .
But if it is possible to stand without it seeming weird as the act of standing commands more authority than sitting .
In addition , Antonio had three allies .
On the day of his presentation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies were evenly spread out so that they could see each other and interpret others ’ body language .
Also , if they were spread out , they appear to be independent voices rather than as part of a clique .
One ally spoke before Antonio , and one spoke after Antonio .
They all gave different reasons for wanting the break every eight weeks .
Present your message so that is part of a plan Since the counselors already suggested that they would go along with Antonio if the breaks were every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , he still had to convince the rest of the group .
Would the eight-week break proposal go into effect immediately or would it be gradual ?
Since some group members were not convinced that extending their program an extra five weeks was a good idea , Antonio suggested that they try two breaks in the next 16 weeks and then revisit the proposal .
Having a plan also means having an articulated division of labor as to who will do the work , a timeline for each step to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of whether the proposal was a success or not .
Antonio and his allies agreed to write up a questionnaire at the end of the 40-week program and ask members on a scale of one to ten how successful the proposal was .
The questionnaire also included essay questions , asking what group members did with their time off , and whether they had any violent incidents during that time .
Meta-communicate : reveal the steps you took to move the majority to other group members Antonio ’ s methods should not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Antonio should reveal all the steps in this article to his fellow group members so they too could try to influence the majority of the group on other issues .
In this way , the twelve formerly complicit members of the group move to become active minorities so that the group maximizes its collective creativity by making all members capable of transforming the group .
In this way , leaders would be reduced in stature because the seat of creativity will be the group rather than the leaders .
All members of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happens to it , whether we like it or not .
Most of the time most members in groups are dragged along in the galleys of groups unaware of what is happening , stupidly blaming leadership or annoying individuals for what happens in the group while doing nothing about it .
But it doesn ’ t have to be that way , as this article tries to demonstrate .
Complicit members can become active minorities who demand that that majorities come to life and maximize their resource basis through collective creativity of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revolutionize group dynamics .
Bruce Lerro has taught for 25 years as an adjunct college professor of psychology at Golden Gate University , Dominican University and Diablo Valley College in the San Francisco Bay Area .
He has applied a Vygotskian socio-historical perspective to his three books found on Bruce Lerro has taught for 25 years as an adjunct college professor of psychology at Golden Gate University , Dominican University and Diablo Valley College in the San Francisco Bay Area .
He has applied a Vygotskian socio-historical perspective to his three books found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ articles and get involved at Planning Beyond Capitalism He can be reached at mailto : goethe48 @ pacbell.net

NOW IN THE TOP 1% OF AMAZON’S ASIA TITLES. WITH A SPECIAL FOREWORD BY PEPE ESCOBAR. 568 PP, ILLUSTRATED.
The bestseller on China that everyone is talking about!
Available in eBook edition (Kindle or ePub). Fits all devices.
GET YOUR COPY TODAY. CLICK HERE OR ON THE IMAGE ABOVE JUST $9.99 USD


thegreanvillepostbiasrating--2020-07-20--“Bounties on U.S. Troops” Story Collapses!  (Jimmy Dore)

Please make sure these dispatches reach as many readers as possible .
Share with kin , friends and workmates and @ @ @ @ @ .
As reported earlier , the `` bounties on U.S troops '' by the perennially @ @ @ @ @ be an unverifiable non-fact , that is a hoax , part of the long Russiagate @ @ @ @ @ with the usual complicity of a system of filthy , unethical media .
That the @ @ @ @ @ leads the parade in these exercises in filthy propaganda ( along with its twin , @ @ @ @ @ by the CIA , and the equally morally bankrupt Democratic Party ) should surprise no @ @ @ @ @ ago ( if ever ) ceased to be a newspaper .
Its actual role is @ @ @ @ @ of service to the ruling imperial class .
Loaded with careerists , russophobes and neocons @ @ @ @ @ '' , if we can call it that , will invariably reflect the anglo-zionist view @ @ @ @ @ is US-hegemonic , hence eternally disposed to intervention and war across the planet .