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America's Mastery of Fear as Gross Domestic Product: From McCarthyism to Modern Surveillance to De-Platforming
by Tracy Turner
What a shame about all that McCarthyism nonsense – We have replaced it with Obama-Harrison-ism Doublespeak Doublethink.
You can have more “Security” than you wanted, you just have no rights, no Free Speech. We have replaced it with HATESPEECH PROSECUTIONS!
The United States has monopolized fear as a political and social tool for most of its history. This tool has profoundly shaped international relations and domestic life. Fear has been remanufactured and wielded in American policy, from the Red Scare to modern surveillance. Fear has become a frangible product, influencing international interventions to energy policies.
Timeline of U.S. Fear Production: 1920s to 2024
The Early 20th Century: The Birth of Modern Fear
1920s – Red Scare and Political Repression
The U.S. faced intense anti-communist rhetoric following World War I during the First Red Scare (1917-1920). The Palmer Raids targeted suspects, leading to mass arrests and deportations. The Red Scare not only established a precedent for using fear to justify political repression and surveillance but also significantly eroded civil liberties, a loss keenly felt by the populace.
World War II and the Atomic Age
1940s – Atomic Bombs and Nuclear Fear
The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan in 1945 produced an ongoing existential fear, a tangible, fungible new product. The Cold War arms race amplified these core survival fears, reflected in civil defense drills and fallout shelters. The Atomic Age demonstrated how fear could be ongoing and mobilized to justify military and civil defense expenditures.
Cold War Era: McCarthyism and the Red Menace
1950s – Domestic Fear
Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist crusade created a climate of paranoia. The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) investigated and blacklisted individuals suspected of communism, severely limited civil liberties, and employed fear to erase dissent.
RT Is Being Scapegoated For The US’ Global Soft Power Failures
Andrew Korybko
Andrew Korybko's Newsletter
The US simply cannot accept that it lost the battle for hearts and minds across the Global South and even among a growing segment of the Western population itself.
The US’ sanctions against RT on the basis of it supposedly functioning as an undeclared intelligence agency “engaged in covert influence operations” are the continuation of its liberal-globalist elite’s efforts to revive the Russiagate conspiracy theory ahead of the November elections. Elements thereof earlier smeared Jill Stein as “a useful idiot for Russia” and then RT was accused of financing some top conservative influencers, who weren’t even aware of these alleged ties, all of which was explained here:
● 4 September: “The Democrats’ Attacks Against Jill Stein Show How Desperate They’re Getting”
● 5 September: “The Latest Russiagate Scandal Aims To Discredit Alt-Media & Trump”
● 7 September: “Russia’s Tenet Media Operation Was A Total Flop If The Reports Are True”
The intent was to discredit third-party candidates, Alt-Media, Trump, and top conservative influencers in the hopes of manipulating more voters into casting their ballots for Kamala. It remains to be seen whether this will succeed, but the complementary goal being advanced by the latest move is to scapegoat RT for the US’ global soft power failures. RT has proudly informed their audience of “inconvenient truths” about US foreign policy, however, so there’s nothing conspiratorial about that.
Okinawan Governor Denny Tamaki Calls Out Crimes Committed by U.S. Military Personnel, New Henoko Base Construction, and PFAS
The great U.S. historian, Peter Kuznick, Governor of Okinawa Denny
Tamaki, and Pat Elder representing World BEYOND War.
By Pat Elder, World BEYOND War
DC event highlights Tamaki as an ally of the peace movement, despite restraints.
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki is in Washington D.C. for the fourth time to voice Okinawan concerns to the U.S. government. Last night, the Washington Office of the Okinawan Prefectural Government hosted “Okinawa Night with Governor Denny Tamaki” at the City Club of Washington. I was asked to attend on behalf of World BEYOND War. My report follows.
The lavish event featured traditional Okinawan hors d’oeuvres and lively Okinawan dance and music. The event was attended by more than a hundred people, mostly representing DC-based NGO’s and academic institutions.
“This is my fourth visit to the U.S., in order to resolve the U.S. military base issues on Okinawa. I think it’s important that I come to the U.S. and directly convey my message to the U.S. government and appeal to them, especially in light of the situations surrounding Okinawa, including the recent series of sexual assaults committed by U.S. military personnel and the recent reinforcement of defense capabilities in the southwest islands, we believe that it is very meaningful to take this opportunity right before the presidential election to directly convey the actual situation in the Okinawa prefecture.”
Short Overview of Making Colonial Empires by European Powers from the Time of the Vienna Congress up to WWI (1815−1914)
Great Britain as well as one by one acquired new colonies and up to 1914
became the greatest Western colonial empire and the biggest one in the
world’s history having territorial acquisitions from Canada to New Zealand
by Dr. Vladislav B. Sotirovic
The period in the world’s history from the end of the Napoleonic Wars (1815) to the beginning of the Great War (1914) is usually labeled as the “golden age” of the European imperialistic expansion and the making of the greater national states and overseas colonial empires in Africa and Asia. Nevertheless, in 1815 huge territories of the world still have been un known to Europeans, and millions of people in Africa and Asia were living their lives not influenced by European civilization. Europeans even were not very familiar with China, one of the oldest, richest, and biggest civilizations globally. However, only a century later, European explorers, colonists, missionaries, merchants, bankers, adventurists, soldiers, and administrators, penetrated almost all corners of the globe. As a matter of fact, the people of Asia and especially Africa mainly were unable to resist colonists and to repulse the superior European technology, especially of armed forces. In Africa, for instance, on the eve of the Great War, there were only two territories free of European colonization: Liberia on the western African seacoast and Abyssinia in East Africa.
As a historical-political phenomenon, imperialism is understood as domination or control by one state or a group of people over others. The new phase of imperialism started in the first half of the 19 th century when occupational-colonial authorities were imposed by (West) European industrial states in their competition for the colonial partition of Asia and especially Africa. At least from the Marxist viewpoint (V. I. Lenin), imperialism was an economic necessity of the industrialized capitalist economies that had the aim to offset the declining tendency of the rate of profit by exporting capital investments. The others did not understand imperialism as necessary in economic terms as it was, for instance, the case with J. A. Schumpeter who defined this phenomenon as the non-rational tendency of the state to expend as much as its power and territory. From the psychological point of view, imperialism was rooted in the minds of rulers and ruling aristocracy for the grabbing of land to become richer and politically influential. Alternative views of imperialistic policies stress the outgrowth of popular nationalism or a method to underwrite the welfare state in order to pacify the working class, personal adventurism, civilizing mission, or finally as a consequence of international rivalry for political power and prestige. Nevertheless, the 19th-century neo-imperialism had clearly a Eurocentric focus (like the previous one too).
The Evolution of America's Secret Police and Surveillance State: From Nixon to the Present
governance that prioritizes security over individual liberties
by Tracy Turner
The Evolution of America's Secret Police and Surveillance State: From Nixon to the Present. This research is of paramount importance as it offers a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the evolution of the United States surveillance apparatus. It sheds light on its profound impact on civil liberties and the pivotal role of key figures and events in shaping its history.
The Dawn of Surveillance Role Players
The concept of Surveillance Role Players (SRPs) is familiar. It has evolved from early covert operations into a sophisticated, pervasive system that now includes law enforcement, emergency responders, and private entities acting in surveillance capacities. This article meticulously chronicles the transformation of the United States' surveillance apparatus from its roots under President Richard Nixon to the current state of pervasive state and corporate surveillance. It explores the influences and consequences of critical policies, individuals, and events.
The Nixon Era: Establishing the Foundation
The seeds of modern surveillance were sown in the Nixon administration. In the early 1970s, President Richard Nixon's administration, primarily through the notorious COINTELPRO operation, aggressively sought to control dissent and monitor political opponents through covert and often illegal means. This historical context provides a deeper understanding of the evolution of surveillance in the United States, ensuring that the audience is well-informed and enlightened about the topic.
U.S./NATO Surveillance Role Player (SRP) Programs: A Critical Examination Introduction to SRP Programs
SRP programs represent a grave violation of constitutional rights...
by Tracy Turner
Every September 11, we are told to “never forget.” Never, ever forget the freedoms and civil rights you enjoyed before the economics of the Nanny Surveillance Role Players State. Never forget the Civil Rights you have forfeited, so the owners of private shadow armies could become billionaires.
Surveillance Role Player (SRP) programs, a controversial practice, involve recruiting and deploying individuals to act as covert operatives for various government agencies, including the NSA, CIA, DHS, and potentially other entities like the Committee of Public Safety (COPS). These programs, due to their controversial nature, are problematic and conflict with the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Ethical and Legal Concerns
These programs recruit a troublingly diverse array of individuals, including former police officers, military personnel, intelligence operatives, and individuals with criminal backgrounds, such as drug dealers, prostitutes, and human traffickers. This diverse recruitment strategy undermines the rule of law and ethical standards expected of law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Notable figures like Edward Snowden and Glenn Greenwald have criticized this approach for compromising civil liberties and ethical standards. The government coerces, traps, blackmails the criminals and prostitutes into acting out inhumane behaviors, thereby the government violates both the rights of their criminal minions and the intended victims.
The crisis-ridden U.S. empire wants to take the world down with it in nuclear flames
American pretense and delusion of absolute power is coming to
a shuddering, calamitous end
Strategic Culture
The United States defines itself in zero-sum terms. Its national myth – let’s indulge the preposterous arrogance for a moment – is that it is an exceptional nation in the history of the world. It is supposedly the indispensable leader of the “free world”, a paragon of democratic virtue and it possesses the most powerful and benevolent military force the world has ever seen.
Thankfully, many decent American citizens know that this is propaganda hogwash. Still, its political class and complacent mass media view the United States as the world’s supreme uni-power. All other nations must pay homage to this consummate hegemon.
Therein lies a fatal contradiction. This untenable definition is essential for justifying its presumed privileges. And yet, by doing so, the U.S. cannot brook any genuine equality or mutual respect essential for peaceful multilateral relations. It must be the top dog – at all costs. That is a definition of imperialism. The concomitants are aggression, belligerence, lawlessness, and duplicity – of course, all concealed with impossibly virtuous rhetoric, or in short, propaganda. So-called allies are merely servile functionaries to augment American global ambitions.
Hence, when the real world does not match the mythical notions of the U.S., there is consequently an ineluctable existential crisis. The zero-sum, all-dominant demands of the would-be hegemony are not achievable. In this situation, the hegemonic power behaves like a drunk in a bar who is refused another drink. Mayhem and violence are almost inevitable.
The Rise of Authoritarianism in the Democratic Party: A Comprehensive Examination
maintaining global dominance and countering Soviet influence
by Tracy Turner
Private Armies and Mercenaries
The rise of authoritarianism, a significant factor in the use of private armies and mercenaries, is a bipartisan issue that transcends party boundaries. Companies like Academi (formerly Blackwater) gained notoriety for their operations in Iraq, and their influence has extended to domestic law enforcement. Although Blackwater was established under the George W. Bush administration, its use has persisted and expanded under Democratic leadership For instance, the Obama administration maintained and broadened the use of private security contractors for tasks such as diplomatic protection and counterterrorism efforts (Sullivan, 2016).
More recently, Democratic leaders have faced scrutiny over their connections with private security firms. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has utilized private contractors for various law enforcement duties, including crowd control and surveillance. Reports from the 2020 protests police brutality revealed the deployment of private security forces under DHS, raising significant concerns about the use of excessive force and the lack of accountability associated with these contractors (AP, 2020). Using private mercenaries in domestic settings underscores a troubling trend towards privatized power, reinforcing authoritarian practices under the guise of security.
World BEYOND War Visits Palestine as the Slaughter in Gaza Continues
By World BEYOND War
World BEYOND War board member John Reuwer is participating in a delegation of 25 Christian, Muslim, and Jewish leaders, to witness events happening in Jerusalem and the West Bank and urge a cease fire and arms embargo to end the genocide in Gaza. Hosted by Sabeel, a Palestinian Christian organization, he is meeting with religious leaders, scholars, and Palestinians who have lost their homes or been otherwise displaced.
On July 28, the delegation visited the Shuafat Refugee camp in East Jerusalem, which is occupied Palestinian territory (illegally under international law). It was established in 1965 when residents were forced out of the old city. As you can see from this picture, the original simple buildings have become massive to house the 80,000 refugees currently living on less than two square kilometers. Note the apartheid wall that keeps the residents from enjoying Jerusalem or visiting their relatives, even though they pay taxes to the city. In the background is a mural that bestows beauty on an ugly situation.
Toxic Titans: Corporations Driving the World's Worst Environmental Catastrophes
by Tracy Turner
The environmental impact of major corporations has reached a critical juncture, with numerous entities driving ecological catastrophes through exploitative practices. This article exposes thirty of the most egregious offenders whose actions have led to profound environmental degradation. From catastrophic oil spills and relentless deforestation to pervasive plastic pollution, these corporations have systematically prioritized profit over planetary health. The following list details their activities and highlights the urgent need for systemic reform. As concerned citizens, it is our responsibility to demand change and protect our planet's ecological integrity.
Corporate Offenders:
ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil's oil drilling ventures are notably facilitated by government subsidies, a key factor that allows for extensive environmental degradation without sufficient financial accountability. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlights that these subsidies, by enabling ExxonMobil to maintain high emission levels while externalizing cleanup costs, area significant contributor to the company's environmental impact (EPA, 2023).
Chevron
Chevron's destructive practices in the Amazon are bolstered by government-backed tax breaks and favorable regulatory conditions, a crucial support system that leads to accelerated deforestation and pollution. Greenpeace International underscores that these governmental aids, by shielding Chevron from financial repercussions and regulatory constraints, are a major factor in the company's environmental impact (Greenpeace International, 2023).
