Contemplating the Unthinkable in Ukraine: Trading Land for Peace
Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis (USA ret.), Senior Fellow and Military Expert for Defense Priorities
https://www.19fortyfive.com/2022/06/contemplating-the-unthinkable-in-ukraine-trading-land-for-peace/
UPDATED PIECE on Ukrainian Troops Rebelling
Larry C. Johnson | CEO and co-founder of BERG Associates, LLC, an international business-consulting firm with expertise combating terrorism and investigating money laundering, formerly Deputy Director in the U.S. State Department’s Office of Counter Terrorism (1989-1993, and CIA operations (1984-1989)
https://sonar21.com/updated-piece-on-ukrainian-troops-rebelling/
People Who Defend Empire Narratives Are Really Just Defending Their Worldview From Destruction
Caitlin Johnstone
https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2022/06/02/people-who-defend-empire-narratives-are-really-just-defending-their-worldview-from-destruction/
PATRICK LAWRENCE: Biden’s Taiwan Talk
Patrick Lawrence
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/05/31/patrick-lawrence-bidens-taiwan-talk/
The United Kingdom, following the United States, plans to transfer multiple launch rocket systems to Kiev.
ReplyDeleteThey will be "British" M270B1.
The rest of the world is mere proscenium for our purported leaders, to put this point another way. No one with a hand in American foreign policy, so far as I can make out, is the slightest bit interested in the one thing, above all others, that the 21st century requires of competent statecraft. This is the desire and ability to understand the perspectives of others.
ReplyDeleteTell me, does "responsible" statecraft recognize the right of the Taiwanese to self-determination?
Or is it focused on preening itself before telling us that 'might makes right'.
The US is a nuclear power. If it wanted to defend Taiwan, it could put everything on the line and commit to the use of nuclear weapons in case of an invasion. Beijing would throw a tantrum, but in the face of mutual annihilation, would have to back down.
But nobody cares about the right to self-determination - until you are seeking it, and don't have the means to win on the battlefield.
Responsible statecraft is the art of pretentious bullshit. If Taiwan is a part of China, what is Washington doing by sending billions in armaments? You're sending weapons to China!
Claiming sovereignty over an island that is being armed by your adversary is pathetic. Who does Beijing think they are fooling?
We all have the ability to understand the perspective of others. So we keep up this pretense to not ruffle China's feathers, so they can pretend to save face. Adherence to principles, such as the right to self-determination is too inconvenient, or rather "irresponsible".
Jesus F. Christ.
Russian Federation Council of the Ministry of Defense Name Goals for Phase 3 Of SMO.
ReplyDelete———————————————————————————————————————-
https://www.topnews.ru/news_id_533066.html
The Council at the Ministry of Defense named the goals of the third stage of the special operation of the Russian Federation
According to experts, the capture of populated areas is not the main goal of the Russian Armed Forces.
Igor Korotchenko, a member of the Public Council of the Ministry of Defense, a reserve colonel and journalist, spoke about the goals of the third stage of the special operation in Ukraine.
According to him, the strategic task of the second stage of the special operation is “the defeat of the Donbass group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine”, and the capture of “some Avdiivka”
After that, the third stage of the operation is to control the Mykolaiv, Odesa and Kharkiv regions.
It continues to amaze me every day and for me, simply breathtakingly obvious that many people can see the propaganda that takes place during a war. Yet, can't admit to themselves that the exact same propaganda techniques are used in peace time on just about every other topic of learning.
ReplyDeleteRefuse to believe that economics and finance have had a 100 false flags placed upon them over many years In order to hide the truth.
In the same way the winners of wars rewrite the history afterwards.
There were 42 different versions of the financial crash now there is just one that gets rewritten every 5 years. The crash of the 1920's now reads like a fairytale and so will the 2008 crash eventually and doubt created over what caused it.
Who Refuse to believe the reason the propaganda taints every topic is because of a political system that is always open to new ways of preserving the status quo.
Will MMT be absorbed into the blob like the squad and basterdised like Keynes to preserve the status quo?
I just can't grasp the thought process that says look, look, look at the propaganda during the war then shout look, look, look at the honesty during peace time.
It makes no sense to me.
I could be completely crazy and as mad as a box of frogs, but 100's of years history shows no matter how many changes takes place. The political system has always found new ways of preserving the status quo.
Watching what happened up close at COP26 in Glasgow. It was a complete masterclass of how to hold onto and preserve the status quo. During a period of what could turn out to be a time of massive change. With virtually zero resistance.
A complete masterclass of how to strengthen the status quo at a time of extreme weakness. Killed off any idea of any real change, stone dead within a 72 hour period. Using a massive advertising campaign that promoted the status quo over any real change, in the same way a sheep dog can hypnotise a 1000 sheep to enter a sheep pen.
Conditioning in education camps over many years plays a big part in it.
So back to the original question
Will MMT be absorbed into the blob like the squad and basterdised like Keynes to preserve the status quo?
The man from Del Monte he says yes.
And it will go like this until it is rewritten out of history by severe doubt.
" Well we tried MMT and MMT certainly caused inflation, but it did provide a few important insights"
It will go the same path as Keynes body of work. Absorbed by the blob to preserve the status quo.
For me and I could be completely crazy and as mad as the craziest person on the planet.
ReplyDeleteBut for me, the way I see it, crazy or not. MMT will be killed off by a million cuts of Groupthink. A GROUPTHINK supported by massive advertising camps to preserve the status quo.
Be lucky if the important insights stand the test of time, once the education camps are finished with them, over a long period of time.
MMT is too wonkish for its own good.
ReplyDeleteAsk a man to serve his country by risking his life, and he agrees to join the military.
Ask him to serve his country by learning a bit of economics, and he asks if he can join the military instead.
It continues to amaze me every day and for me, simply breathtakingly obvious that many people can see the propaganda that takes place during a war. Yet, can't admit to themselves that the exact same propaganda techniques are used in peace time on just about every other topic of learning.
ReplyDeleteExactly, but mot people cannot even see the most blatant war propaganda even though it is not eve disguised.
Cultural programming is based on cognitive-affective bias so it becomes systemic.
In addition, there are vested interests fully committed to preserving the status quo by attacking any attempt to expose how this massive scam works.
MMT is too wonkish for its own good.
ReplyDeleteMaybe, but I suspect that understanding this sort of thing is beyond the ability of most people, even very "smart" people. It goes against the framing imposed by their world view, so they cannot see it even when it is set forth clearly. The vast majority though is not capable of thinking at the level required for modern life. That bodes ill for "democracy," and it opens the door to oligarchy. Not that the oligarchy is more knowledgeable. They are just more motivated toward control and are willing "to do what it takes."
From what I gather, most of the proponents of MMT don't have the background to actually understand it in any detail and as a result many add confusion to debate, such as it is, in the media.
If we didn't have enough worrying news over the last few days.
ReplyDeleteRussian aircraft and Pantsir-S system deployed at Russian base in Qamishlo, northern Syria after Turkey makes "Special Operation" announcement.
After Kiev had assured US it won't use HIMARS to strike targets on Russian territory.
Today Bridget Brink, US Ambassador to Ukraine announced Ukrainian forces to independently decide range of strikes delivered using HIMARS rocket system.
The US and Russia are back to not talking to each other.
Ritter is going to be right.
Russian senior lawmaker says US supplies of HIMARS artillery rocket systems to Kiev pose a direct threat to Russia’s national security and should elicit a deeper Russian military campaign into Ukrainian territory.
With the West now giving these !omg range missiles to Ukraine. They have given Putin the excuse he needs to go to the Duma and ask for permission to escalate.
Ritter's analysis is going to end up being spot on.
Wouldn't surprise me one bit that very soon Putin will make such an announcement. Things are going to start escalating on the Russian side.
Total war ?
Or hundreds of thousands of more troops ?
Keep an eye on Belarus. They have Russia's back.
Belarusian Prez Lukashenko holds talks with Defense Ministry as army enters next stage of battle-ready testing.
Unverified reports say Belarus troops sent to border with Ukraine.
Link where I got the above info
ReplyDeletehttps://t.me/s/IntelRepublic
" Ukrainian forces to independently decide range of strikes delivered using HIMARS rocket system. "
ReplyDeleteThis thing is going to escalate bigly if this is true.
Bridget Brink, US Ambassador to Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteAt least she has the right name for the job. As she has just brought everybody to the brink of what happens next.
“ Will MMT be absorbed into the blob like the squad and basterdised like Keynes”
ReplyDeleteYo It’s called a synthesis … this is the proper way it works..
ReplyDeleteDr. Jack Rasmus
Economist, radio show host, & author: 'The Scourge of Neoliberalism', 'Alexander Hamilton & Origins of the Fed' & 'Central Bankers at the End of Their Ropes'.
Who posts on Mike's Twitter feed
" What's supporting the dollar is rising interest rates in a global weak economy, resulting in wealthy offshore capitalists and investors rushing to buy US securities, for which they need dollars. Voila. Dollar rises. "
Can be provide a graph that proves it ?
Or once again just another embedded ideology that doesn't look at the real data ?
https://d3fy651gv2fhd3.cloudfront.net/charts/united-states-foreign-bond-investment@2x.png?s=unitedstaforboninv&v=202205162000V20220312&d1=20120604&url2=/united-states/currency
Russia will hit decision-making centers if Ukraine uses weapons received from the United States against the territories of the Russian Federation.
ReplyDeleteMedvedev told Al Jazeera today.
https://mobile.twitter.com/nexta_tv/status/1532443426653888512?cxt=HHwWgICzwazLqsQqAAAA
The number of refugees from Ukraine to the EU has exceeded 7 million
📰 Warsaw-based EU border agency Frontex reported.
From what I gather, most of the proponents of MMT don't have the background to actually understand it in any detail and as a result many add confusion to debate, such as it is, in the media.
ReplyDeleteUnderstanding it in detail isn't necessary, and pointless if one doesn't get the insight. How much understanding is required to see that faulty economic policies harm and kill people?
When we speak of artificial scarcity, we're being more explicit as to the issue. Yet most people accept that form of scarcity as if it were no different than material scarcity.
In relation to activism, my comment to Steve Grumbine was:
We are creatures of habit, who enjoy our creature comforts, are risk adverse, and want to be led. The writing is on the wall.
Steve has put a ton of effort into this, and where has it gone?
We don't have the numbers; don't have the tools proponents of the status quo have; and are running out of time.
Moreover, I am criticizing the needlessly academic nature of the "debate". Orthodox wonks will keep blathering on about it until the cows come home. It's just a delaying tactic.
ReplyDeleteHowever, they don't say a peep about the Phillip's Curve.
ReplyDeleteIf they do that, the term 'job guarantee' may come up.
Can't have that, now can we?
Keep it in the safe spaces, like inflation! deficits!
“ It's just a delaying tactic.”
ReplyDeleteYes the dreaded vast “neoliberal conspiracy!” at work again!
Could never be that they are all Art Degree morons..,, never!
Understanding it in detail isn't necessary, and pointless if one doesn't get the insight.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is necessary to first have the insight that the whole conventional approach to economics is wrong, regardless of school of thought, since these approaches are contradicted by institutional (legal) analysis of actual operations.
But that is hardly sufficient to approach MMT intelligently. As Matt says, "art degree morons."
I don't subscribe to Matt's art degree excuse. Are we going to hold people accountable or not?
ReplyDeleteThis interminable "debate" should have ended when no one in academia was able to refute Bill Mitchell's work on the Philips Curve.
There's plenty of MMT content for wonks to consume. But wonks aren't the target audience for cultivating political change.
The clock is ticking.
To what extent would CBDC's affect MMT's relevance?
How relevant will MMT be in a declining industrial civilization?