DEAR WORLD, PLEASE CONFRONT AMERICA-By Naomi Wolf

[Ichingcarpenter]

Is it possible to fall out of love with your own country? For two years, I, like many Americans, have been focused intently on documenting, exposing, and alerting the nation to the Bush administration’s criminality and its assault on the Constitution and the rule of law — a story often marginalized at home. I was certain that when Americans knew what was being done in their name, they would react with horror and outrage.

Three months ago, the Bush administration still clung to its devil’s sound bite, “We don’t torture.” Now, Doctors Without Borders has issued its report documenting American-held detainees’ traumas, and even lie detector tests confirm they have been tortured. The Red Cross report has leaked: torture and war crimes. Jane Mayer’s impeccably researched exposé “The Dark Side” just hit the stores: torture, crafted and directed from the top.
The Washington Post gave readers actual video footage of the abusive interrogation of a Canadian minor, Omar Khadr, who was seen showing his still-bleeding abdominal wounds, weeping and pleading with his captors.
So the truth is out and freely available. And America is still napping, worrying about its weight, and hanging out at the mall.

I had thought that after so much exposure, thousands of Americans would be holding vigils on Capitol Hill, that religious leaders would be asking God’s forgiveness, and that a popular groundswell of revulsion, similar to the nineteenth-century anti-slavery movement, would emerge. To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln, if torture is not wrong, nothing is wrong.

And yet no such thing has occurred. There is no crisis in America’s churches and synagogues, no Christian and Jewish leaders crying out for justice in the name of Jesus, a tortured political prisoner, or of Yahweh, who demands righteousness. I asked a contact in the interfaith world why. He replied, “The mainstream churches don’t care, because they are Republican. And the synagogues don’t care, because the prisoners are Arabs.”
It was then that I realized that I could not be in love with my country right now. How can I care about the fate of people like that? If this is what Americans are feeling, if that is who we are, we don’t deserve our Constitution and Bill of Rights. >>>>>>>snip


http://dailystaregypt.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=15446

[gateley]

1. I am heartbroken about my country.

And Naomi's piece is stellar. She's one of my heroes. Recommend.

[mdmc]

26. I am heartbroken about my party

and my country.

[bjobotts]

32. This is not the America I am fighting for. I am fighting against this neopcon-corporate take over

[bjobotts]

33. American citizens are fighting back with the only weapons they have right now

[bjobotts]

34. It has not yet come to the point "If you know a republican...kill him"

[bjobotts]

35. But it is to the point of recognizing Justic has been compromised

[bjobotts]

36. And we are fighting to bring back the rule of law and accountability

[bjobotts]

37. But we need the help of the foreign press as ours is complicit propaganda

[rhett o rick]

52. The problem is the tyrants own all the media and the general public believes

what they hear on corp-media. I don't see a solution to that. We must wait until the gullibles start to feel the pain. Then maybe we can have our American Revolution II.

[dglow]

55. Counting on the international community is unlikely

While I agree with your sentiment and Naomi's, there have been failed attempts already to confront America. Belgium prosecutors initiated efforts to try Bush Cheney for war crimes. But the Busheviks threatened to pull up stakes and move NATO's headquarters, so the Belgians dropped their actions rather than risk losing all the NATO jobs and other perks. You see, BIG BROTHER carries a big stick.

[bbgrunt]

2. k and r. nt

[Solly Mack]

3. K&R

[Mind_your_head]

4. We deserve it alright....We just have to continute to fight for it

We can NEVER relax. All the blood that has been spilled by our ancesters, and ancesters of which we aren't a part ~ except that in this great mixing pot ~ they were Americans, they wanted to be a part of this new country! They didn't want to just send money back to the phillipines or india, or china or haiti or poland, ireland, czechoslovakia, WHEREVER!

We all wanted an opportunity......which many of us 'got'.....in abundance. "We're" not gonna let America be taken over by the very thugs we left in our "home" countries, are we? will we?

[paparush]

5. As the economy contiues to crash and burn, America will become increasingly

militaristic (hard to imagine) for purposes of mass distraction through increasingly nationalistic propaganda.

[Mind_your_head]

6. Maybe 'we' immigrant-types aren't gonna hang on to amerikan 'nationalism'

or accept the increasing militarism (which we all immigrated/came here to escape).

Where's that picture of the dead Italian guy and his wife.....hanging by the gallows at a gas station in Italy?

[paparush]

7. I just don't see Christian America rising up against this government.

I was in DC in January, 2007, with half a million patriots. Flush from the 2006 elections, hopeful for holding Bush accountable, restoring the Constitution, ending the war.

And....nada.

[Mind_your_head]

8. Mebbe 'Christian Amerika' ain't gonna solve the problem, cause they're the

'root cause'

:think:

Seriously, "Christian America" IS the root cause of today's troubles.

[paparush]

17. I completely agree. So, who's the force of change?

When CA is gonna vote for McCain and any other lying sac of shite the GOP/Neocon/Christofascists alliance throws out there.

The left (ME!) is completely marginalized, ignored (even in my own party), and demonized.

When "Rush" can be heard on hundreds of stations, but Democracy Now can only be heard on a handful, what is the medium to change hearts and minds?

I'm beginning to think devastating economic collapse will be the engine that shakes America out of its stupor, but that turmoil in itself fuels the "end times" crowd who despite what I keep hearing, seem to be getting larger and more vocal.

I'm getting kinda morose here.

I need some hope!

[cliffordu]

23. I completely agree.

[shadowknows69]

29. That's because when we protest

We leave before we get what we want. We're past the point of peaceful protest accomplishing anything.

[paparush]

30. Now THAT, I agree with!

[Diclotican]

12. Mind_your_head

Mind_your_head

This man you was talking about was Benito Mussolini, and it was not the wife, but his mistress.. And it is said that when Hitler was getting the news from Italy, that Mussolini was killed by his own pepole he was verry clear to his SS. If something like that happend, they should kill him.. He was not willing to let himself be hang by his head in an gallow.. And to this day, we are not sure how Hitler killed himself, the details are still at best scrubby...

Diclotican

Sorry my bad english, not my native language

[RainDog]

25. addendum

yes, Mussolini's mistress was hung with him. They were shot by partisans in Milan after a trial. The U.S. army was ordered to march around the two bodies hanging upside down and spit on them. I know this b/c my dad lied about his age, enlisted in the army, and was one of the grunts marching and spitting.

archival footage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty4sVI-R8Vo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFSsRTDACCo

sadly, Allied Intel left fascist networks intact to counter bolshevism. These networks continued for decades (and are probably still active - an Italian govt. official made this network known and this documentary provides some insight into their activities - which were chiefly composed of false flag ops to frame communists.

Part 1 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3816937957630557954&q=timewatch+operation+gladio&ei=SDeXSMzeMY7wqgL48IWDBg

Part 3 - http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3409375633223151728&q=timewatch%20operation%20gladio&hl=en

I can't find part 2 online anymore, at least via google. maybe others can.

[Frisbee]

49. All three are here...

http://leninology.blogspot.com/2006/07/operation-gladio.html

[AntiFascist]

56. Put 2 and 2 together...

Michael Ledeen was a self-described student of fascism and he has written about the appeal and rightness of the universal fascist ideal. He is also one of the principal philosophers of the neoconservative movement and has advised the current administration on foreign affairs. He is the one who developed the idea that the far right can also be revolutionary, through "creative destruction". He also may have ties to right-wing intel groups in Italy, which may have been involved in the Niger yellowcake forgeries.

[FirstLight]

9. Damn! That woman has it dialed in!

I wonder, is she writing in a foreign country because they are after her here? I wouldn't doubt it...hope she stays safe!


Did you notice the blurb at the bottom of the piece? She has a new book comin out... liberty, how to become an american revolutionary.

I'm gettin me that book! and after seeing the other news you posted IChing, about Blackwater...I may actually consider flexing my 2nd amendment ? 4th? (is that the one where you can bare your arms?) and I am a pacifist...but my son is on the varsity rifle team! yea! ;)

[Ichingcarpenter]

10. I wondered too about the link but that Egyptian newspaper link is

Solid.... and the nuances of the writing are indicative of hers........

I don't think she is printed much in this country any more..

Remember

"In the present circumstances, no one can afford to assume that someone else
will solve their problems. Every individual has a responsibility to help guide
our global family in the right direction. Good wishes are not sufficient;
we must become actively engaged."-

The Dalai Lama

[gepetto41]

59. she's awesome

Our reputation has suffered because we have trampled other nations' sovereignties based on rumors of WMD and other lies originated in Bush's White House. Fortunately, that is about to change...in about 3 months.

[mwb970]

11. The sane part of the world will eventually unite to oppose us.

If America continues to be a renegade, lawless "rogue nation" on the international stage, the more civilized countries will be compelled to form a bloc and impose sanctions and other restraints on us - first economic, ultimately military - in order to protect the rest of the world from the marauding beast that America has become under the vile, profoundly un-American bush administration.

NATO was formed to counter Soviet expansionism in Europe. A similar organization is sure to emerge whose entire purpose is to thwart America's evil ambitions for world dominance and Empire.

Yes, this is what my once-great country has become, thanks to our "loyal" Republicans: the hated arch-enemy of the world. Way to go, guys.

[Mind_your_head]

61. A certain amount of tension/competition in the world makes us all better

Too much tension, 'snaps the spring'. To little tension makes everyone lazy/complacent/not innovative.

It's a great big wide wonderful world we live in.

The bush family and the federal reserve and monopolistic corporations are big diarrhea shit-stains on the hopes and dreams and ENDEAVORS of humanity.

[santamargarita]

13. Most people don't know because of the fascist mainstream media!

During the Nixon era, we still a media...

[defendandprotect]

38. Well, we had a tiny sliver of it . . . enough to let a bit of truth out . . .

and you can see what a threat even a tiny iota of truth is to fascists!

[burythehatchet]

14. I love Naomi Klein, but isn't it interesting that 100,000 DUers

have been saying this for years?

[nolabels]

15. Actually the end of naivety for me began early in Rayguns first term

DU and places like this is just a materialization of what people have known for way too long.

Just like all technology, keep up with it or it will eventually run over you :evilgrin:

[Doctor_J]

18. And Naomi publishes it in the "Daily Star Of Egypt"

not exactly going to reach millions of Americans that way :eyes:

[zazen]

19. just a reminder for credit's sake: it's Naomi _Wolf_

[burythehatchet]

20. Thanks. I love both these Naomi's and always mix them up.

[BonnieJW]

21. This piece was by Naomi Wolf - different person

[Doctor_J]

16. As I have posted before, the time for us to fix this ourselves has passed

We're going to need intervention from abroad. I place most of the blame on Big Media, and hope that everyone from Murdoch on down to the lowest minion at MSRNC goes to prison when this shakes out.

[antimatter98]

22. Wolf has it nailed yes...

If I can amplify with my own opinions/thoughts:

1. Americans are secretly afraid of losing their oil supply
and so are 
disinclined to support a pullout from Iraq, and in parallel,
look the other way
on torture and 'whatever it takes' to keep their cars in the
driveway, tanks
filled, the 'lifestyle' going.  
2. Numbness factor:  9/11 aftermath, the massive propaganda
effort put forward
pre and post 9/11 by media and government.
3. Inherent, systemic selfishness -- deeply held, that buys
into the idea that if a 
man cannot afford a roof and healthcare, he's substandard and
'deserves what
he gets.'  (unless it happens to 'you')
4. Americans permanently brainwashed that giving tax breaks
and bailouts to corporations is not socialism but giving help
to people IS.  This is the Reagan way, put forward effectively
by Rush, and the GOP for decades: (see the movie "The
Corporation")
  -note when you listen to the radio that they report on
"The Dow" and on "profits"
   but never ever a metric that states the health of working
people -- debt load,
    actual (not cooked) cost of living, healthcare
effectiveness and availability.

We've let this happen, but I'm sure none of us who care ever
thought it would
have gone as far as it has gone.  Notice too that our
Democratic Party (in Congress too)
has not fought the FISA issue, has laid down on wireless
wiretaps, impeachment, and continues the
policy of appeasement toward the GOP, allowing also Bush to
continue to war monger,
and ask yourself:  what does this mean that our Democrats are
being so accommodating?  Is
it because after November, we will have a continuance of
'now?'   Surprised?

Good Luck.

[texastoast]

57. Yes.

It will take a revolution to take back America from the corporatists.

And welcome to DU!

:toast:

[bertman]

24. Naomi Wolf AND Naomi Klein are providing us with the information we need to make informed choices.

Rest assured they will be ignored by the MSM.

I'm glad some of us are paying attention.

[aaroh]

27. i like her writing style

[earth mom]

28. People aren't standing up because too many think Obama is gonna save them.

But they are in for a RUDE AWAKENING if he's elected.

[mnhtnbb]

31. Hubby agrees with this view completely. It is why he says he no longer

wants to live in the U.S., because he doesn't want to appear to support this regime.

We are definitely conflicted. What do you do? We've marched, written letters, made phone calls
to reps, donated funds to Dem candidates. What has it gotten us?

Obama--if he manages to get elected--isn't going to turn this around. And I'm increasingly
concerned that this election will be close enough for the Repubs to steal another one.

[defendandprotect]

39. Naomi Wolf wrote "The End of America" ---

http://www.chelseagreen.com/bookstore/item/endofamerica



and Naomi Klein wrote "The Shock Doctrine -- Disaster Capitalism in Action"

http://www.naomiklein.org/shock-doctrine

Both are excellent books ---

[windoe]

40. This generation of Americans

remember JFK, MLK and RFK and others, enough of us do know how corrupt the powers that be are.

The very FACT that 911 and all the other crimes go unpunished is a MESSAGE to people how ruthless this power structure is. TV and movies are full of stories that showcase how powerful and brutal our police have become to everyday citizens.

The MESSAGE is clear: DO NOT FUCK WITH US.

And most people have absorbed this subconsciously, and consciously, just as planned.

[defendandprotect]

42. And, I agree that Americans feel intimidated --- and we think Congress is intimidated . . .

[windoe]

45. The only way out of fear is anger

anger leads to action, but it is hard to control, en masse. Righteous indignation is a powerful force if kept focused and channeled.

I cannot envision what on Earth would change the minds of congress, to demand justice, to show them DO NO FUCK WITH US, other than a massive, really massive (peaceful) turnout. Less would be very risky.

[defendandprotect]

46. With the intimidation . . .

of group turnouts . . .

I think we all realize we have to find new and creative ways to do this ---

The "freeze as a statue" idea recently used .... was it in one of the bus terminals? . .

represents what I mean ---

Together, but apart --

[defendandprotect]

41. I think many of us have tried over long periods of time to change things --

as far as I can see most of the peaceful ways of doing things are blocked ---

that leaves coming out into the streets NON-VIOLENTLY --

because anything gained with violence doesn't last very long.


America doesn't seem to have much experience with this ---

unions turned out -- women turned out --- anti-war protesters turned out -- but all separately!


In fact, with our communities so broken up after the end of WWII into suburbs,

I think the internet is where Americans are first meeting other Americans!


This fascist movement is also GLOBAL --- no one is safe from these neo-cons/theo-cons.


I think it's enough to simply ask DU'ers --- and I ask this regularly -- what are you

going to do if there is another STEAL in 2008---????

Is anyone prepared to come out into the streets then --- or will we be watching our TVs

waiting for them to confirm .... "Hey, this one was a steal!" . . . ????

[rhett o rick]

53. When the republicans steal another election, I don't expect much reaction.

We are a nation of lazy sheep. The Democrats in Congress lead by example. When King George invades a country against the wishes of Congress, why would any Democratic Congress member EVER VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THIS DICTATOR????? They just go along as if business as usual. The fascist movement is global and I don't see any hope for at least a decade. When it gets bad enough people will revolt. Like in Paraguay. Currently in the US the gullibles are fat, dumb and drive big pickup trucks.

[L0oniX]

43. Amerian world police nazi's. I hate the military who blindly obeys the Bush criminals.

“Blind obedience to authority is the enemy of the truth.” Albert Einstein



Exterminating millions in the name of freedom and democracy.

[defendandprotect]

44. "Obama will be constrained by his own Democratic Party--"

Moreover, if elected, Obama will be constrained by his own Democratic Party. America’s political parties bear little resemblance to the disciplined organizations familiar in parliamentary democracies in Europe and elsewhere.

Realistically, if you read the article, Naomi then goes on to list all the ways Americans are
blocked from responding to this corruption.

Money? The Oil companies are POURING money into McCain's campaign --
Having lived thru the 1963 coup on American government, I think we have clear
evidence that that high officials of the oil industry sponsored and supported that coup.

And -- it should be of special interest to DU'ers -- that Naomi is making clear that the
Democratic Party is itself compromised!

So, put on your thinking caps folks and ask yourself --- what is Plan B?

What are you going to do about the DLC/corporate control over the Democratic Party?

What are you going to do if there is another steal in 2008 -- ???

[Hekate]

47. From one who ceased vigiling, marching, & charging airfare to D.C.--It's hard to continue...

... with all of that when the media ignores, distorts, and under-reports.

I read DU and observe how many on the left are willing to tear our candidates down and tear each other apart over small imperfections that loom like mountains in their eyes.

I "table" for candidates and register voters. I support groups and candidates with my small checks. I pray silently and light my candles alone. My heart is broken for my country, and for the first time in my life I am afraid of my own government and its representatives.

I wonder how many hundreds of thousands of others feel and act as I do?

Hekate

[Imagevision]

48. I love America - but it's government sucks...

[Morgan Wick]

50. You wanna know what we really need?

Get the Christian Left more organized. Then the Left will have a strong moral voice against torture and the other failings of the House of Bush. Where are the Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons of the left?

[rhett o rick]

51. Hey Morgan welcome to DU. Christian wacko's on the left doesn't compute.

Lefties can not be the closed minded a-holes like Robertson and Falwell.

[texastoast]

58. My Methodist bishop is one of them

Our bishop came out against the war. I was so proud. You can check out this link for Christians who are doing their best to walk the walk.


http://www.sojo.net/

Welcome to DU!

[rhett o rick]

54. How so very sad that we hope the world will fix America? nm

[Blue_Tires]

60. ttt n/t