Welcome to The Now

 

 

 If the cave on the shutdown didn't answer that question, let Kshama Sawant (and others from Workers Strike Back) explain:

 

 

 

 Political Gatekeepers (PG) are a tricky bunch. They have representatives on both the right and left of the political spectrum, so neither side can claim a monopoly. At first glance, they actually seem like they want real fundamental change, and some may even position themselves as influencers or leaders of the movement of the moment. But there are some signs that reveal their true identity: You Can Never Be More "Left" Or "Right" Than They Are : Be careful when objecting over a policy or a tactic; you may be dubbed "extreme" or "alt." The PGs are standard-barer, and even if you're on the same side most of the time, the times you are not it will be you who are in the wrong. The full wrath of a PG will come out if your objection threatens their bottom line, which is usually connected to the movement, it's leader(s), and/or the political infrastructure. Which leads to... You Cannot Ever Challenge the Overall Leader of the Movement . The Le...

 

 

  Mint Press News: Criticizing Israel is a crime ? Black Agenda Report: Black liberals are not helping . Prism Reports: Incarcerated workers put on their own version of a "strike." ScheerPost: Chris Hedges reminds us how America became  "Trumpland."

 

 It's the policies and the system, not just the person in charge:

 

 Now that Democrats are out of power, Americans who regularly get their news from mainstream cable, TV and (some) internet may have noticed shifts in tone: I'm calling this the "Grift Shift." Shows and individuals who are dependent on the drama of electoral politics making course corrections that will keep them relevant (read: profitable and having access) yet blameless. They get to now be "critical" of politicians that they lauded and protected while embracing those who were once the recipient of their most fiery condemnations.  Remember: most of American media is owned by companies who are known more for entertainment than informing the public. In other words: this shift is more about securing the bag than some great epiphany. 

 Greg Stoker spoke on this, but here's the text from Jason Hickel's post : The problem with liberalism is that it rests on a fundamental contradiction that cannot be resolved. It will always fail, it will always collapse, and this explains everything about our current moment. Liberals try to hold two commitments at once: on the one hand, they are firmly committed to capitalism; on the other, they express support for principles like human rights, democracy, equality, freedom of speech, environment and the rule of law.  This duality is the core of liberalism. But there's a problem. Capital accumulation requires cheapening labour and nature. This eventually comes into direct conflict with principles like rights and equality. And whenever this conflict appears, the liberal ruling class sides with capital, abandons their lofty principles, and throws workers and nature under the bus.  Every. Single. Time. This results in flagrant displays of hypocrisy. They run on nice-soundin...

  Selling weapons to a country hellbent on starting WWIII didn't invoke anger. Neither was betraying unions. Not fighting for (let alone just implementing) universal healthcare during a pandemic was met with yawns. Fracking is fine. Selling weapons to another country to use for a genocide? "Well, the victims  may be People of Color, but..." So what upsets the Guardians of American Race Relations, Breakfast Club Branch? Jill Stein rightfully calling Angela Rye's attacks "the talking points" of imperialism and white supremacy .  To be fair, the real source of their ire is the inroads the Green Party is making with Muslim Americans, in particular those who support Palestinians. The Democratic Party was so confident that Harris could win on a combination of Obama/Clinton cliff notes and "fear of Trump" that they ignored Palestinian voice at the 2024 Democratic Convention (a convention, mind you, that basically skipped the whole "our nominee should...

 Hint: It's who Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X warned us about: In short: liberals hate friction and disruption, and do their best to minimize it while maintaining a claim that they want change. 

 

 As they put it, people like Pakman sees politics as a sport; his basic needs are met so there no real concerns:

  That said, Kyle's being disingenuous by using the story to attack RFK, Jr, knowing full well that Marianne Williamson has just as many political flaws.