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Major Social Transformation Is a Lot Closer Than You May Realize -- How Do We Finish the Job?
By Kevin Zeese and Margaret Flowers
It starts with winning over the hearts and minds of the American people.
The current social movement that exploded onto the national scene with the 2011 Occupy Movement is following the path of successful movements so far. The social movement in 2014 is poised to begin an exciting era of broadening and deepening the growing consensus for social and economic justice.
This week, our article for the end of 2013 focuses on where we are, i.e. at what stage of the progression of social movements do we find ourselves; and broadly outlines the next steps. Next week, our article for the new year will look more specifically at the tasks ahead for the movement in 2014 and beyond.
Successful people-powered movements follow a similar arc of development. The best description comes from Bill Moyer’s The Movement Action Plan: A Strategic Framework Describing TheEight Stages of Successful Social Movements. We believe this is essential reading for activists and include a link to it on the strategy page on Popular Resistance. Moyer expanded this 1987 article into, Doing Democracy, a book published in 2001, a year before he died. You can see a video of Bill Moyer’s last public presentation where he summarized the insights of his lifetime about how social movements grow and succeed, and about his vision of a new culture emerging through the cracks of a declining empire.
AIPAC's Federal Reserve Vice Chairman
by Stephen Lendman
Napoleon was no democrat. He had his own ideas about conquest and dominance. He knew a thing or two about money power. He said:
"When a government is dependent for money upon the bankers, they and not the government leaders control the nation. This is because the hand that gives is above the hand that takes. Financiers are without patriotism and without decency."
He wasn't the only world figure saying so. Jefferson, Madison and Lincoln said much the same thing. So do independent experts today. The Fed just commemorated 100 years of financial terrorism. It operates lawlessly. It does so destructively. It enriches bankers.
It does it at the expense of popular interests. It does it more than ever today. Obama permits it. So does bipartisan complicity.
Israel Targets Conscientious Objectors
by Stephen Lendman
It does it maliciously. It does it lawlessly. In mid-November, Bar Ahronovitch was imprisoned. Natan Blanc was victimized earlier.
Omar Saad now faces Israeli injustice. On December 23, he was sentenced to 20 days in prison. For the second time, he refused to perform military service. Why in his own words below.
He's from Meghar village. It's in the Galilee. It's in northern Israel. It has a proud tradition. It justifiably defies unjust Israeli diktats. It refuses to accept what's wrong. It does so courageously.
Saad is a conscientious objector (CO). He claims his justifiable rights. He refuses to perform military service. International laws and norms support him.
Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states:
"Everyone has the right of freedom of thought, conscience and religion..."
Lynne Stewart Coming Home
by Stephen Lendman
For Lynne, husband Ralph, their children, other family members, and legions of worldwide supporters, New Year's day 2014 is special.
It's reason to celebrate. On December 31, Lynne wrote from Carswell federal prison as follows:
"My Dears:
Well, the impossible takes a little longer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We learned this morning that the US Attorney’s office has made the motion for my compassionate release and that the Order was on Judge Koeltl’s desk.
Since on the last go-round, he stated in Court that he would treat it 'favorably.' We are now just waiting expectantly.
Released Palestinian Prisoners Aren't Free
by Stephen Lendman
What country is a modern day Sparta? Which one lives by the sword? Which one deplores peace and stability? Which one threatens an entire region and beyond?
Which one ignores rule of law principles? Which one has no constitution? Which one has no official borders?
Which one won't declare them? Which one won't do it because it wants them expanded? Which one intends doing so by stealing other people's land?
Which one mocks democratic values? Which one spurns fundamental human and civil rights? Which one institutionalized racism? Which one violates all international humanitarian laws?
Which one persecutes people for praying to the wrong God? Which one ignores all UN resolutions compromising its interests? Which one considers Muslims subhumans?
The End for Erdogan and AKP - Financial Fraud and Money Laundering
Michael Collins
Hurriyet Daily News columnist Mustafa Sonmez broke a story that should define the outcome of the Turkish crisis. If he's accurate about the Erdogan government's scheming, the crisis in Turkey is over. It is just a matter of time for the full scope of the fraud and corruption to come to public attention. There is no reason to doubt his story since much of it is public record.
Under Erdogan's AKP government, Turkey has engaged in financial manipulation on a grand scale. The manipulation involves overstating national income and understating the nation's current account deficit. The country could soon lose its current terms for access to the international financial system and credibility with those who regulate that system.
2014 Predictions
by Stephen Lendman
Some are best guesses. Others are easier to make. For billions worldwide, 2013 was grim. Expect 2014 to be no better. For many it'll be worse.
Conflicts without end continue. Waging them threaten humanity. War profiteers never had it better.
Washington bears most responsibility. One nation after another is ravaged, destroyed and plundered.
It's the American way. Advancing its imperium matters most. So does benefitting the nation's privileged class.
War criminals and crooks run things. The criminal class in Washington is bipartisan. They're waging war on humanity.
They're ravaging the world for unchallenged dominance. Millions of lost lives don't matter. It's a small price to pay, they claim. So is unspeakable human misery.
Planned Israeli Jordan Valley Annexation?
by Stephen Lendman
In May 2011, Netanyahu addressed Congress. He was warmly welcomed. London's Guardian called it a "love-in." He received 29 standing ovations.
Jerusalem must remain Israel's exclusive capital, he said. Loud cheers followed him saying:
"Israel has no better friend than America, and America has no better friend than Israel. We stand together to defend democracy. We stand together to advance peace. We stand together to fight terrorism."
"Israel will not return to the indefensible boundaries of 1967," he stressed.
Is Anything Left? Privacy Rights
by FRANKLIN LAMB
Beirut
The answer to this question is being pondered across America in light to the two seeming mutually contradictory US Federal Court decisions handed down this month from Courts in Washington DC and New York.
The legal issue of what rights are left to American citizens that can prevent governmental intrusions into their privacy and also governmental invasions using heavy handed searches and seizures following the launching of the Bush administrations ‘war of terrorism’ has gained new impetus following disclosures by former National Security Agency analyst turned whistle blower, Edward Snowden. Without Snowden’s patriotic leaks, no legal challenge could have been brought to the NSA practices.
Now that two US Federal District Courts, with identical powers under the US Constitution have seemingly reached opposite results on the same legal issue involving the right of the NSA to conduct ‘metadata’ searches and store the information of scores of millions of unknowing Americans the issue is likely going to have to be decided by the US Supreme Court. As predicted, appeals were immediately filed from the Trial Courts decision in both cases.
Iran Nuclear Talks Resume in Geneva
by Stephen Lendman
On December 30, Iran and P5+1 nations resumed negotiations. It's the third round since early November. Focus is on implementing Geneva agreed on terms.
Iran's Foreign Ministry political and international affairs director general, Hamid Baeidinejad, heads Tehran's delegation. It includes nuclear, banking, oil and transportation sector representatives.
EU foreign policy head Catherine Ashton's aid, Stephen Clement, heads the P5+1 delegation.
On December 12, Obama breached Geneva. He unilaterally imposed new sanctions. He ordered the Treasury and State Department to implement them.
He circumvented Congress. He did so by executive order. He targeted Iranian, Asian and European companies, as well as individuals connected to them.
He violated the letter and spirit of Geneva. He claimed otherwise. At issue is whether he really wants a permanent agreement once the interim one expires in six months.
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