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Another World Is Already Here
By David Swanson, Progressive Hub
I hope everyone in the world reads the new book Another World Is Possible: Lessons for America from Around the Globe by Natasha Hakimi Zapata. I think the lessons could be for anywhere on Earth. They are stories of what is possible for the United States (or in some cases a single state thereof) or most anywhere else. But they are also stories of what is already real in certain parts of the world.
To some limited and shrinking extent, states within the United States model successful policies that other states learn from and emulate. If you scroll down this website, you find a growing number of states banning the death penalty, fixing the minimum wage, etc. But the models of successful public policies have always been most dramatic at the level of nations, and the learning of lessons by other nations amazingly limited. Instead of the United States, for example, learning from European investment in human and social needs, Europe is "learning" to shift its resources into war and war preparations on the U.S. model.
In Another World Is Possible, we have not just the positive trends among wealthy nations, from which the United States is usually a sad outlier, but the very best of the best from anywhere on Earth. The examples, surveyed in detail, flaws and all, include: the UK's healthcare system, Norway's family leave, Singapore's housing, Finland's schools, Portugal's drug policies, Estonia's internet policies, Uruguay's renewable energy, Costa Rica's biodiversity law, and Aotearoa New Zealand's pensions. These stories of success, of the struggles that were needed and of the benefits that have resulted, are absolutely stunning. And while we ought to be capable of knowing that even better is possible, people are often best persuaded by the established fact of something having already been done. And there are many lessons to be learned here about the details -- where the wonder or the failure often lies.
The Dark Side of Greenwashing: Corporate Environmentalism in 2025
Fred Gransville
In 2025, globally, corporations will continue milking the rising tide of environmental awareness. By publicizing green projects and declaring themselves sustainable, many firms portray themselves as saviors of the planet. However, all that green talk hides a very different scenario—not quite pretty: greenwashing. This insidious practice has allowed companies to appear environmentally conscious without changing those core practices that kill the planet. This is seen through corporations avoiding substantial change, lying to consumers, and subverting real environmental advancement by exposing their discrepancies.
That also means the pressure to appear sustainable has resulted in an explosion of "green" marketing. While some firms are changing, others cynically exploit the new public mood by deploying words such as "carbon neutrality," "net zero," and "sustainable" in the service of a myth of responsibility that their actions frequently contradict.
Contrasted with corporate greenwashing is a remarkable movement of farmers and ranchers in the U.S. Midwest who plant prairie grasses and wildflowers to counteract soil erosion, enhance biodiversity, and raise crop yields. These farmers aren't going green just because it is trendy; they understand that sustainable agriculture is necessary for environmental and economic health. The stark contrast between these genuine sustainability efforts and corporate greenwashing enlightens us about the true meaning of sustainability and its potential to contribute to the preservation of the planet and local communities.
The Nazi Salute Has U.S. Origins
By David Swanson
An imperial presidency, a cult of idiocracy, and a team of hateful oligarchs is the problem.
A salute is just a symbol.
If you do a web search for images of “Bellamy salute” you find countless black-and-white photographs of U.S. children and adults with their right arms raised stiffly out in front of them in what will strike most people as a Nazi salute. From the early 1890s through 1942 the United States used the Bellamy salute to accompany the words written by Francis Bellamy and known as the Pledge of Allegiance. In 1942, the U.S. Congress instructed Americans to instead place their hands over their hearts when swearing allegiance to a flag, so as not to be mistaken for Nazis.[i]
Doing both — placing your hand over your heart followed by a stiff-arm salute — still gets you (mis-)taken for a Nazi.
Jacques-Louis David’s 1784 painting The Oath of the Horatii is believed to have begun the fashion that lasted for centuries of depicting ancient Romans as making a gesture very similar to the Bellamy or Nazi salute.[ii]
A U.S. stage production of Ben Hur, and a 1907 film version of the same, made use of the gesture. Those using it in U.S. dramatic productions of that period would have been aware of both the Bellamy salute and the tradition of depicting a “Roman salute” in neoclassical art. As far as we know, the “Roman salute” was never actually used by the ancient Romans.
From the Dawn of Weaponized Government to President Trump's Promise to Dismantle It
Chris Spencer
Draining the Swamp? Is that even possible?
An Analysis of Dwight Eisenhower's and Joe Biden's Ominous Warnings, Assassinations of JFK, MLK, and RFK
Eisenhower's farewell address was less a goodbye and more a dire warning wrapped in a well-tailored suit beware the military-industrial complex, or it will eat democracy for breakfast. If you've ever wondered why we've got a massive military, a gargantuan intelligence apparatus, and endless wars, Ike wasn't just whistling past the graveyard. The deep state was born on his watch, as the Cold War made paranoia the new national pastime, and every shadow was a communist. But Eisenhower knew that once the gears of war and surveillance are oiled, they start grinding democracy into dust.
Then came the JFK, MLK, and RFK murders trifecta of political assassinations aimed at rocking the nation to its knees and pointing out the seamiest aspects of the U.S. government. If you like the official version of history, JFK was killed by a lone nut with a rifle, and so was MLK, while RFK was stopped by another lone nut with a grudge. Scratch that surface, and you realize perhaps, just perhaps, that something's a bit too tidy. How handy for the powers that be when those annoying men with ideas like civil rights and anti-war start keeping their mouths shut permanently. Coincidence? Or textbook case of weaponized government?
Death of Social Justice Via Corporate and Governmental Elites: A Critical Approach
Fred Gransville
The More It Changes, the More It Stays the Same.
"Rebellion" of Status Quo. Social Justice via Corporate Hegemony, Neoliberalism, Global Elites, Political Rhetoric, Think Tanks,
Corporate State, Faux Democracy, Anti-Human Rights, Empire
In 1984, George Orwell describes a book within the novel called "The Theory and Practice of Oligarchical Collectivism by Emmanuel Goldstein," which is said to be bound in red leather. The book is subversive--a means through which one might see a description of the Party's philosophy and mechanisms in the text, an essential tool Winston used in his rebellion against the totalitarian regime.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. With a rubber-stamped approved permit to do so.
Underneath the captivating rhetoric of media, academia, and activism in social justice, there lies a disheartening reality: the structures and agencies of this ideology are, at best, failing and, at worst, actively betraying its values. It is systemic co-option rather than an isolated missed opportunity. Global elites, with their web of foundations, think tanks, and closed clubs, hijack movements that should be a force against power structures. What was once considered an absolute radical critique of inequality and oppression has now been twisted to serve as the means of sustaining that very system.
How to Create a Business That Inspires Your Community
Janet Campbell
Image via Freepic
Starting a business in your community offers the unique opportunity to create something meaningful while building connections with those around you. It begins with understanding the needs of your area and aligning your vision with the resources available locally. Each step plays a vital role in building a strong foundation, from shaping a business plan to navigating permits and establishing your presence. Success grows when you integrate into the fabric of your community, leveraging partnerships and fostering trust.With the right approach, your venture can become valuable to the local landscape, driving growth and inspiring others.
Leverage Market Research for Business Success
Understanding your market is crucial for any business. Gathering and analyzing market data enables you to make informed decisions that align with consumer needs. For instance, combining sales figures with customer feedback can reveal trends and forecast future conditions. Tools like regression analysis can help you benchmark your performance against industry standards, ensuring your business remains competitive. Exploring market analysis strategies can further deepen your understanding and guide your business to success.
Feminism: Mockingbird Press, CIA PsyOps, and Misandry Are Erasing Male Innovation and Destroying the Foundations of Society
Tracy Turner
Modern Feminism Chants Equality Ad infinitum While Promoting Misandry
A Cultural Revolution at the Hands of Covert Influence
The very fabric of modern civilization is inculcated with the contributions of legions of people, mostly men, whose innovations have shaped the world we live in today. From the dawn of agriculture to the space age, men have driven technological, scientific, medical, and economic progress. Yet, over the recent decades, a concerted effort has been to undermine and marginalize the historical importance of male achievements. It is not organic; it's contrived, secretive, impelled in part by intelligence agencies--the CIA included. The rise of feminism, particularly in its second-wave manifestation during the 1960s and 1970s, has been manipulated in ways that have not only advanced the cause of gender inequality but have simultaneously worked to undermine traditional masculine roles, devalue male innovation, and stifle creativity in male-dominated fields.
The article examines the secret operations, such as the CIA's Operation Mockingbird and its influence on the press, that have formed a crutch for feminist history. It will also look at how this narrative has minimized male contributions in every significant field of human endeavor--from agriculture, medicine, space exploration, and engineering to animal husbandry, ranching, and food production--and fostered a culture of misandry that has managed to alienate men and remove their sense of purpose. We will have to engage in a deep historical, scientific, and cultural analysis to learn how much male-driven progress has been systemically erased, and we argue that this urgent balance must come forth in societal recognition of both male and female contributions.
The Strategic Impact of California's Fires On Economic Decline On US Security
by Tracy Turner
January 17 Update: Eaton/Palisades Fires $390+ Billion in Damage
Do their red ties blind these politicians (Listed below), or are they not just enemies of California? Are they purveyors of a globalist agenda, a term used to describe a set of policies that prioritize international cooperation and trade over national interests, seeking to dismantle the United States's economic underpinnings?
They are playing a dangerous game by attempting to deny disaster relief to a state that drives America's prosperity, where millions of American lives are merely pawns to be sacrificed at the altar of narrow ideological gain. To what end? Is it to sabotage the fifth-largest economy in the world, erode American sovereignty, and hand over leverage to foreign interests, all while peddling rhetoric that masks their true intentions? In their reckless pursuit of short-term political power, they threaten the long-term stability of the US economy, proving themselves loyal not to the American people but to a globalist elite that thrives on chaos and decline.
Preliminary Economic Ripple Effect and Unparalleled Demand on Federal Relief: A Case Study of the 2025 California Wildfires
Section 1: 1986-1987 Earthquakes - Financial Impact and Federal Relief
| Earthquake | Economic Loss (Nominal) | Adjusted for Inflation | Total FEMA & Federal Relief |
| Northridge Earthquake (1994) | $44 billion | $75 billion | $500 billion |
| Whittier Narrows (1987) | $358 million | $800 million | $15 billion |
| Sierra Madre (1986) | $100 million | $225 million | $5 billion |
| Total Economic Loss | $50 billion | $76 billion | $1 trillion |
A Treat
Paul Craig Roberts
Dear Friends,
I am as tired of challenging and distressing news as you. Today there is a treat instead. The treat is “the Tall Texan,” the American pianist Van Cliburn playing Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto at the first Soviet international competition in Moscow in 1958, which Van Cliburn won. Khrushchev, the General Secretary of the Communist Party, was present as was Mikoyan. You will see them applauding.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/6qROema2MDI / Or use this LINK for phones.
After the performances, the judges approached Khrushchev, the ruling General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and asked if they might give the prize to Van Cliburn. Khrushchev asked the judges, “Was he the best?” The judges said, “yes.” “Then give him the prize.” The Soviet conductor could easily have ruined Van Cliburn’s performance, but he did not and the two went on together to make recordings. Today the sanctions would prevent both Van Cliburn’s performance and the subsequent recordings.
Beating Wall Street at Its Own Game — The Bank of North Dakota Model
by Ellen Brown
North Dakota is staunchly conservative, having voted Republican in every presidential election since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. So how is it that the state boasts the only state-owned bank in the nation? Has it secretly gone socialist?
No. The Bank of North Dakota (BND) operates on the same principles as any capitalist bank, except that its profits and benefits serve the North Dakota public rather than private investors and executives. The BND provides a unique, innovative model, in which public ownership is leveraged to enhance the workings of the private sector. It invests in and supports private enterprise — local businesses, agriculture, and economic development – the core activities of a capitalist system where private property and enterprise are central. Across the country, small businesses are now failing at increasingly high rates, but that’s not true in North Dakota, which was rated by Forbes Magazine the best state in which to start a business in 2024.
The BND was founded in 1919, when North Dakota farmers rose up against the powerful out-of-state banking-railroad-granary cartel that was unfairly foreclosing on their farms. They formed the Non-Partisan League, won an election, and founded the state’s own bank and granary, both of which are still active today.
The BND operates within the private financial market, working alongside private banks rather than replacing them. It provides loans and other banking services, primarily to other banks, local governments, and state agencies, which then lend to or invest in private sector enterprises. It operates with a profit motive, with profits either retained as capital to increase the bank’s loan capacity or returned to the state’s general fund, supporting public projects, education, and infrastructure.
According to the BND website, more than $1 billion had been transferred to the state’s general fund and special programs through 2018, most of it in the previous decade. That is a substantial sum for a state with a population that is only about one-fifteenth the size of Los Angeles County.
The BND actually beats private banks at their own game, generating a larger return on equity (ROE) for its public citizen-owners than even the largest Wall Street banks return to their private investors.
