The global ruling class is cementing into place a world where they govern without accountability, we are reduced to serfdom, the climate crisis accelerates, and mass death is normalized.
I try to read Chris Hedges’ comments with some degree of skepticism, or at least an educated sense of balance. But the truth is that every word rings true, every thought rings true, and worst of all, historically, the world we live in is the world that people like Chris Hedges, Noam Chomsky, and Cornell West, have warned us about four years, decades.
If there is a silver lining it’s that we’re still allowed to say these things in semi-public. Now, everybody, go out and hug a fascist gun nut, a born-again Christian, or a mindless yuppie, and try to share their hopes and pain. Because organizing now is the only hope we’ll ever have, and it’ll take all of us to make a difference. Stratification, atomization, is their strongest weapon. Don’t let them keep splintering, dividing, and marginalizing us.
And Mr. Fish, too, just keeps getting better, doesn’t he? Thank you both.
The headline of this newsletter on Substack "The Triumph of Death: The global ruling class is cementing into place a world where they govern without accountability, we are reduced to serfdom, the climate crisis accelerates, and mass death is normalized."
Do you not see the correlation and conflict between this unaccountable global ruling class and the "climate crisis"?
Do you not see that any and all declared global crises are in fact the catalysts for increasing authoritarian power grabs?
Do you not know that human death from cold weather is 600 times more than is human death from hot weather? What mass death are you agitating against?
Do you know know that all previous alarmist predictions of the dire human consequences of global warming (rebranded to "climate change" for obvious reasons that climate will change again), have failed to materialize, and that climate models are wrong every year and have to be re-calibrated?
Can you not see that the Biden Democrat's policies based on this alarmist view of climate change have caused and are causing more human suffering and misery from the purpose authoritarian rules and policies to make fossil fuel more scarce? We have to ask, who are you and others attempting to save from climate catastrophe, and if you goal is to save them, they why are you harming them?
Do you not know that the US had been making significant progress to reduce C02 emissions without radical attempts to force fossil fuel production, and that most of that progress was due to fracking and natural gas production and use? And while we achieved that benefit in the private sector, people like Elon Musk was also advancing other technology to help improve sustainable energy use options.
Do you know that the US electric grid cannot support over 10% of drivers having electric automobiles?
Do you know that sustainable energy alternatives for many essential industries like farming and trucking are decades away? And do you know that death from starvation is anticipated to increase significantly in the coming years... and mostly due to the over-reaction of policy makers to the "climate crises" where the cost of fertilizer has doubled and will likely quadruple.
I think you both empower the same unaccountable globalist government that you decry, and contribute to the human death that you decry... by decrying "climate crisis".
Lastly, where do you stand on the use of nuclear power? France seems to be fine with it.
I don't disagree. Hedges is right. But what exactly is advocated by "... unless those who control us are wrenched from power"? We all know that working through the System is a farce and a laugh. The System is just a red-and-blue-colored mummer's show for the United Corporations of America. So what, then? A passive resistance? A revolution? Of what type? Assuming you could wake people up and get them off the couch long enough to storm the streets, violent revolutions have very uncertain outcomes; they routinely devolve into pure chaos that guarantees nothing except a whole lot of death and atrocity (not that things are super-duper now, but you get my point; people are either complacent or feel powerless). And those revolutions almost always get stomped into the ground by the military anyway. So what, then? Massive resistance? A unified front of labor workers and a real Labor Party? That seems unlikely too. How do you combat a unified front of multi-billionaires who control the media, the police, the government, and probably the military? Is it any wonder people are either dialed-out or flailing for ideas?
Sera's comment says it all about the truth contained in this report, and yes, "organizing now is the only hope humanity will ever have, and it'll take all of us to make a difference." That's the only pathway to survival and the time to begin is NOW! The ruling class will kill us all, including themselves, with their greedy, mad design of forever wars, mendacious plutocratic government structures and predatory capitalist exploitation of the planet's finite resources. It's like an alcoholic's compulsion to drink, a consumptive quest for fulfillment that can only end in insanity and death. It's an ugly, tragic diagnosis, but at least with journalists of integrity like Hedges and Fish presenting the evidence, we'll know the causes of our catastrophic demise.
When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men in a society, over the course of time they create for themselves a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it.
Those who possess the emotional and intellectual fortitude to face what lies before them will always be in the minority. There is a numbing comfort that comes with surrendering moral autonomy for abject servility and obedience, and this comfort is especially attractive in a crisis.
Because of the disproportionate amount spent on the military, Americans must endure the neglect of environmental needs, the financial insolvency and decay of our cities, the deterioration of our transportation, education, and health care systems, and the devastating effects of unemployment and underemployment upon millions of households and hundreds of communities. In addition, there are the frightful social and psychological costs, the discouragement and decline of public morale, (anomie) the anger and suffering of the poor and the not-so-poor, the militarization and violence of popular culture, ubiquitous presence of the protean security and surveillance apparatus, and the application of increasingly authoritarian solutions to our social ills….
If we are to mobilize resistance to the empire, we must appeal not only to people’s moral values but to their self-interest (and I do not mean their selfishness). People may rally around the banners of empire when convinced that their security and survival are at stake. They will not choose morality if they think it brings endangerment to them and their loved ones. Nor will they choose disarmament and peaceful conversions if they think it will show weakness and invite aggression against themselves and their families.
So they must be shown that the republic is being bled for the empire’s profits, not for their well-being. That real national security means secure jobs, safe homes, healthcare for all, access to higher education without incurring debt peonage, and a clean environment. They must be informed that this empire, which is paid for by their blood, sweat, and taxes, has little to do with protecting them or people abroad and everything to do with victimizing them in order to feed the power and profits of the few. The global military apparatus they grudgingly support at such immense costs to the national treasury, does not serve their interests. To cut it drastically will not leave us prey to some foreign adversaries. On the contrary, to lay down the sword and use our labor and national treasure for the peaceful reconstruction so desperately needed at home and abroad is not to become a weak nation but a truly great one.
Mainstream pundits and propagandists label our desire to move away from corporate militarism and imperial domination as weakness, folly, isolationism, or self-defeating pacifism and yes, even treasonous. But there is another name for the course of action that aims to wrest the wealth and power out of the hands of the military-industrial complex, the protean security and surveillance apparatus, and the Davos jetting World Economic Forum players, and give it back to the people so that they become the agents of their own lives and social conditions: it is called democracy, the victory of the republic, the consent of the governed over the empire.
- The people have been turned into "hosts" (a food source - rent payers) for the 1% parasites (leeches - rent collectors) by the re-establishment of the "West Virginia Coal Mine Experience"™ (circa 1900). See Earned Vs. Unearned income
by incrementally monopolizing (privatizing)necessities (food, water, shelter, utilities, even information), by debt expansion, and by wage suppression: we now work in their company "mines" (cube farms, whatever), live in their company housing (mortgage, rent) shop in their company store (credit card debt), and pay MONOPOLY prices for basic necessities.
Literally, cradle to grave slavery to a small collection of "Nanny" Transnational Corporations (all owned at the top by a handful of the Davos jetting World Economic Forum, transnational investor class.)
I live in a rural community in Texas & the poverty I see here has been accelerating. The local school needs repairs but it’s impossible to pass a bond issue because it would raise taxes on the farms & ranches. What I do see as a hopeful sign is volunteering & grassroots fundraising to mitigate the shortfall.
The Four Horsemen illustration by Mr Fish is perfect for this article.
In my opinion, a functional human society is any group of self-organized human beings that can survive; and the nature of empire is control, through the imposition of force. Within the empire that controls the geographies in which we exist, all human societies are, to varying degrees, dysfunctional; but I don't believe this dysfunction to be because they have, somehow, developed erroneous ways of behavior that have caused the dysfunction. I think the dysfunction is an inherent design feature; because within this empire, no functional society can ever be allowed to exist, as any functional society is, by definition, self-organized and capable of survival; and this will always, and correctly, be considered a threat to imperial control.
Any functional society threatens the empire; so it must be destroyed. Any functional society threatens the empire; so it will be destroyed. Orwell was spot on.
I think Chris is absolutely right in his observations here about the world. I can’t imagine why anyone who agrees would ever want to bring a child into this world because of it. But I also believe the mainstream media’s corruption has been exposed sufficiently enough that if there is enough work put in, an actual honest politician can succeed without the need of mass media coverage, which so far appeared impossible for a presidential candidate to have a chance without it.Ralph Nader, Dennis Kucinich, Sanders, and Tulsi Gabbard are the candidates who suffered from this come to mind. And obviously, the majority of professional politicians aren’t trustworthy. The ideal candidate for the job of U.S. president to me would be one who would be vocal about and actively participate in class struggles and protests such as protesting the military industrial complex, fight for free health care, etc. One such person considering running is someone Chris knows well who may be a good choice. Unfortunately, this person has said on camera that they have a weakness for big money and that the job appeals to their ego, reasons that make me suspicious of them. Otherwise, I would immediately support this person. I agree with Chris that change in the world should come from the grassroots. At the same time, it’s important to at least try to elect honest and moral people in government. I wonder if Chris knows who I’m describing. Anyway, I think the devastation of the world in all the ways Chris described here is apparent enough to most people by now that an honest candidate has a chance despite what looks to many like an impossible accomplishment without the support of Oligarchy owned media.
The winner-take-all, zero sum capitalism that America and Western Europe have devolved in to, has a hard time understanding the Eastern philosophical perspective on capitalism that works to mutually benefit countries, companies, workers and citizens. You may call the Chinese working conditions as 'sweatshops' but as an American worker, I am jealous that they do not have to fear being unhoused or hungry and can retire with dignity. American work conditions may include air conditioning, but the sweat of fear cannot be discounted. In it's relations with sovereign nations, China recognizes differences, strengths and ways to benefit all stakeholders. American capitalism only works to benefit shareholders.
I hold out hope that after a period of deep depression/recession the US and Western Europe will be forced to join the new world order and the WEF, World Bank, Wall Street and MIC are mere memories of a time past, as the iceman and telegraph operators have become.
It seems to me the billionaire class is content to create a hell on earth. They are really foolish enough to think it won’t touch them. History says otherwise. I think the other end of their thinking is that they are aware of everything going wrong but think they are entitled to get theirs before it all falls apart. They are living up to the saying “money is the root of all evil” and “total power corrupts totally”. We the people are caught in their self serving net and we are just food for fodder to them. We are expendable if we’re not doing their will. They manage to find just enough cooperative people in the general population to keep pushing their agenda. At some point in the middle of the carnage that is on the horizon these same people will be aghast and wonder how this could happen to their neighbors and family members. History is repeating itself only on a global scale.
I find reading the comments as interesting as reading Chris’ commentaries. They display the serious differences that exist in this country as well as how our views are shaped by the Western media. There are several unarguable truths that Hedges has been stating for years. We are governed by a criminally corrupt and morally bankrupt ruling elite and that climate change, regardless of the causes is very real and endangering the entire planet and our very existence on it. We are living in a world historic time where the world is splitting into two separate universes. One is led by the declining U.S. NATO empire which is desperately trying to maintain a unipolar world under its complete control through wars and economic blackmail. The other is the emergence of a Eurasian Empire being formed now under China and Russia’s leadership that makes up more than half the world’s population and includes India, Iran, Brazil, Venezuela, and many other countries that refused to back the U.S. NATO war against Russia in Ukraine. It appears from the actions and from talks of Russian and Chinese leadership that their focus is on not only economic growth but in non interference in other country’s internal affairs and respect for individual cultures. How this struggle plays out will largely determine the future of humanity. One thing is certain, it is out of our control now, as the US government is completely under the control of the Military Industrial Complex and Wall Street.
It is hard for me to comment they say I am autistic and I don't understand what that means exactly. In August of 2018 the headline read Canada stands alone against the world. Today Canada stands with 20 other countries as Full Democracies and the United States is not among us.
I try to read Chris Hedges’ comments with some degree of skepticism, or at least an educated sense of balance. But the truth is that every word rings true, every thought rings true, and worst of all, historically, the world we live in is the world that people like Chris Hedges, Noam Chomsky, and Cornell West, have warned us about four years, decades.
If there is a silver lining it’s that we’re still allowed to say these things in semi-public. Now, everybody, go out and hug a fascist gun nut, a born-again Christian, or a mindless yuppie, and try to share their hopes and pain. Because organizing now is the only hope we’ll ever have, and it’ll take all of us to make a difference. Stratification, atomization, is their strongest weapon. Don’t let them keep splintering, dividing, and marginalizing us.
And Mr. Fish, too, just keeps getting better, doesn’t he? Thank you both.
Letter to Chris.
Dear Chris,
The headline of this newsletter on Substack "The Triumph of Death: The global ruling class is cementing into place a world where they govern without accountability, we are reduced to serfdom, the climate crisis accelerates, and mass death is normalized."
Do you not see the correlation and conflict between this unaccountable global ruling class and the "climate crisis"?
Do you not see that any and all declared global crises are in fact the catalysts for increasing authoritarian power grabs?
Do you not know that human death from cold weather is 600 times more than is human death from hot weather? What mass death are you agitating against?
Do you know know that all previous alarmist predictions of the dire human consequences of global warming (rebranded to "climate change" for obvious reasons that climate will change again), have failed to materialize, and that climate models are wrong every year and have to be re-calibrated?
Can you not see that the Biden Democrat's policies based on this alarmist view of climate change have caused and are causing more human suffering and misery from the purpose authoritarian rules and policies to make fossil fuel more scarce? We have to ask, who are you and others attempting to save from climate catastrophe, and if you goal is to save them, they why are you harming them?
Do you not know that the US had been making significant progress to reduce C02 emissions without radical attempts to force fossil fuel production, and that most of that progress was due to fracking and natural gas production and use? And while we achieved that benefit in the private sector, people like Elon Musk was also advancing other technology to help improve sustainable energy use options.
Do you know that the US electric grid cannot support over 10% of drivers having electric automobiles?
Do you know that sustainable energy alternatives for many essential industries like farming and trucking are decades away? And do you know that death from starvation is anticipated to increase significantly in the coming years... and mostly due to the over-reaction of policy makers to the "climate crises" where the cost of fertilizer has doubled and will likely quadruple.
I think you both empower the same unaccountable globalist government that you decry, and contribute to the human death that you decry... by decrying "climate crisis".
Lastly, where do you stand on the use of nuclear power? France seems to be fine with it.
Yours truly,
Frank
I don't disagree. Hedges is right. But what exactly is advocated by "... unless those who control us are wrenched from power"? We all know that working through the System is a farce and a laugh. The System is just a red-and-blue-colored mummer's show for the United Corporations of America. So what, then? A passive resistance? A revolution? Of what type? Assuming you could wake people up and get them off the couch long enough to storm the streets, violent revolutions have very uncertain outcomes; they routinely devolve into pure chaos that guarantees nothing except a whole lot of death and atrocity (not that things are super-duper now, but you get my point; people are either complacent or feel powerless). And those revolutions almost always get stomped into the ground by the military anyway. So what, then? Massive resistance? A unified front of labor workers and a real Labor Party? That seems unlikely too. How do you combat a unified front of multi-billionaires who control the media, the police, the government, and probably the military? Is it any wonder people are either dialed-out or flailing for ideas?
Sera's comment says it all about the truth contained in this report, and yes, "organizing now is the only hope humanity will ever have, and it'll take all of us to make a difference." That's the only pathway to survival and the time to begin is NOW! The ruling class will kill us all, including themselves, with their greedy, mad design of forever wars, mendacious plutocratic government structures and predatory capitalist exploitation of the planet's finite resources. It's like an alcoholic's compulsion to drink, a consumptive quest for fulfillment that can only end in insanity and death. It's an ugly, tragic diagnosis, but at least with journalists of integrity like Hedges and Fish presenting the evidence, we'll know the causes of our catastrophic demise.
When plunder becomes a way of life for a group of men in a society, over the course of time they create for themselves a legal system that authorizes it and a moral code that glorifies it.
Those who possess the emotional and intellectual fortitude to face what lies before them will always be in the minority. There is a numbing comfort that comes with surrendering moral autonomy for abject servility and obedience, and this comfort is especially attractive in a crisis.
Because of the disproportionate amount spent on the military, Americans must endure the neglect of environmental needs, the financial insolvency and decay of our cities, the deterioration of our transportation, education, and health care systems, and the devastating effects of unemployment and underemployment upon millions of households and hundreds of communities. In addition, there are the frightful social and psychological costs, the discouragement and decline of public morale, (anomie) the anger and suffering of the poor and the not-so-poor, the militarization and violence of popular culture, ubiquitous presence of the protean security and surveillance apparatus, and the application of increasingly authoritarian solutions to our social ills….
If we are to mobilize resistance to the empire, we must appeal not only to people’s moral values but to their self-interest (and I do not mean their selfishness). People may rally around the banners of empire when convinced that their security and survival are at stake. They will not choose morality if they think it brings endangerment to them and their loved ones. Nor will they choose disarmament and peaceful conversions if they think it will show weakness and invite aggression against themselves and their families.
So they must be shown that the republic is being bled for the empire’s profits, not for their well-being. That real national security means secure jobs, safe homes, healthcare for all, access to higher education without incurring debt peonage, and a clean environment. They must be informed that this empire, which is paid for by their blood, sweat, and taxes, has little to do with protecting them or people abroad and everything to do with victimizing them in order to feed the power and profits of the few. The global military apparatus they grudgingly support at such immense costs to the national treasury, does not serve their interests. To cut it drastically will not leave us prey to some foreign adversaries. On the contrary, to lay down the sword and use our labor and national treasure for the peaceful reconstruction so desperately needed at home and abroad is not to become a weak nation but a truly great one.
Mainstream pundits and propagandists label our desire to move away from corporate militarism and imperial domination as weakness, folly, isolationism, or self-defeating pacifism and yes, even treasonous. But there is another name for the course of action that aims to wrest the wealth and power out of the hands of the military-industrial complex, the protean security and surveillance apparatus, and the Davos jetting World Economic Forum players, and give it back to the people so that they become the agents of their own lives and social conditions: it is called democracy, the victory of the republic, the consent of the governed over the empire.
- The people have been turned into "hosts" (a food source - rent payers) for the 1% parasites (leeches - rent collectors) by the re-establishment of the "West Virginia Coal Mine Experience"™ (circa 1900). See Earned Vs. Unearned income
by incrementally monopolizing (privatizing)necessities (food, water, shelter, utilities, even information), by debt expansion, and by wage suppression: we now work in their company "mines" (cube farms, whatever), live in their company housing (mortgage, rent) shop in their company store (credit card debt), and pay MONOPOLY prices for basic necessities.
Literally, cradle to grave slavery to a small collection of "Nanny" Transnational Corporations (all owned at the top by a handful of the Davos jetting World Economic Forum, transnational investor class.)
I live in a rural community in Texas & the poverty I see here has been accelerating. The local school needs repairs but it’s impossible to pass a bond issue because it would raise taxes on the farms & ranches. What I do see as a hopeful sign is volunteering & grassroots fundraising to mitigate the shortfall.
War is very useful to the sociopaths in power.
Reform? We don't have time for that now, don't you know, we gotta fight Milosevic/Osama/Saddam/Khamenei/Gaddafi/Kim/Assad/Putin?
And protesting current conditions? What are you, say, are you on *their* side?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable."
[JFK Remarks on the first anniversary of the Alliance for Progress, 13 March 1962]”
The Four Horsemen illustration by Mr Fish is perfect for this article.
In my opinion, a functional human society is any group of self-organized human beings that can survive; and the nature of empire is control, through the imposition of force. Within the empire that controls the geographies in which we exist, all human societies are, to varying degrees, dysfunctional; but I don't believe this dysfunction to be because they have, somehow, developed erroneous ways of behavior that have caused the dysfunction. I think the dysfunction is an inherent design feature; because within this empire, no functional society can ever be allowed to exist, as any functional society is, by definition, self-organized and capable of survival; and this will always, and correctly, be considered a threat to imperial control.
Any functional society threatens the empire; so it must be destroyed. Any functional society threatens the empire; so it will be destroyed. Orwell was spot on.
I think Chris is absolutely right in his observations here about the world. I can’t imagine why anyone who agrees would ever want to bring a child into this world because of it. But I also believe the mainstream media’s corruption has been exposed sufficiently enough that if there is enough work put in, an actual honest politician can succeed without the need of mass media coverage, which so far appeared impossible for a presidential candidate to have a chance without it.Ralph Nader, Dennis Kucinich, Sanders, and Tulsi Gabbard are the candidates who suffered from this come to mind. And obviously, the majority of professional politicians aren’t trustworthy. The ideal candidate for the job of U.S. president to me would be one who would be vocal about and actively participate in class struggles and protests such as protesting the military industrial complex, fight for free health care, etc. One such person considering running is someone Chris knows well who may be a good choice. Unfortunately, this person has said on camera that they have a weakness for big money and that the job appeals to their ego, reasons that make me suspicious of them. Otherwise, I would immediately support this person. I agree with Chris that change in the world should come from the grassroots. At the same time, it’s important to at least try to elect honest and moral people in government. I wonder if Chris knows who I’m describing. Anyway, I think the devastation of the world in all the ways Chris described here is apparent enough to most people by now that an honest candidate has a chance despite what looks to many like an impossible accomplishment without the support of Oligarchy owned media.
The winner-take-all, zero sum capitalism that America and Western Europe have devolved in to, has a hard time understanding the Eastern philosophical perspective on capitalism that works to mutually benefit countries, companies, workers and citizens. You may call the Chinese working conditions as 'sweatshops' but as an American worker, I am jealous that they do not have to fear being unhoused or hungry and can retire with dignity. American work conditions may include air conditioning, but the sweat of fear cannot be discounted. In it's relations with sovereign nations, China recognizes differences, strengths and ways to benefit all stakeholders. American capitalism only works to benefit shareholders.
I hold out hope that after a period of deep depression/recession the US and Western Europe will be forced to join the new world order and the WEF, World Bank, Wall Street and MIC are mere memories of a time past, as the iceman and telegraph operators have become.
It seems to me the billionaire class is content to create a hell on earth. They are really foolish enough to think it won’t touch them. History says otherwise. I think the other end of their thinking is that they are aware of everything going wrong but think they are entitled to get theirs before it all falls apart. They are living up to the saying “money is the root of all evil” and “total power corrupts totally”. We the people are caught in their self serving net and we are just food for fodder to them. We are expendable if we’re not doing their will. They manage to find just enough cooperative people in the general population to keep pushing their agenda. At some point in the middle of the carnage that is on the horizon these same people will be aghast and wonder how this could happen to their neighbors and family members. History is repeating itself only on a global scale.
What You state is true. I would like to know Your solution and How am I to go about this solution?
I find reading the comments as interesting as reading Chris’ commentaries. They display the serious differences that exist in this country as well as how our views are shaped by the Western media. There are several unarguable truths that Hedges has been stating for years. We are governed by a criminally corrupt and morally bankrupt ruling elite and that climate change, regardless of the causes is very real and endangering the entire planet and our very existence on it. We are living in a world historic time where the world is splitting into two separate universes. One is led by the declining U.S. NATO empire which is desperately trying to maintain a unipolar world under its complete control through wars and economic blackmail. The other is the emergence of a Eurasian Empire being formed now under China and Russia’s leadership that makes up more than half the world’s population and includes India, Iran, Brazil, Venezuela, and many other countries that refused to back the U.S. NATO war against Russia in Ukraine. It appears from the actions and from talks of Russian and Chinese leadership that their focus is on not only economic growth but in non interference in other country’s internal affairs and respect for individual cultures. How this struggle plays out will largely determine the future of humanity. One thing is certain, it is out of our control now, as the US government is completely under the control of the Military Industrial Complex and Wall Street.
It is hard for me to comment they say I am autistic and I don't understand what that means exactly. In August of 2018 the headline read Canada stands alone against the world. Today Canada stands with 20 other countries as Full Democracies and the United States is not among us.
I think we are making progress.