Week-end Inspiration: "We Are the World." 1985

Poetry in song.   The great pop singers of the time.  

It is an honor to present this to you now.  

-- TMP

Erdogan the Magnificent

In her new book, Madeleine Albright satirizes Erdogan, the leader of Turkey, as "The Magnificent."  This is an apt send-up of Turkey's current tyrant.

I have just started the relevant chapter, but have already read much of value about Turkey after World War I.  It is an important history.  It is a story of a descent from a nascent democracy into the authoritarian-run nation of today.

We should empathize with the Turkish as they experience the loss of true democracy.  

I'll be back later with more of the story.

Award-Winning Journalist Greg Palast Teams with Kansas ACLU

Voter Suppression Tactics Targeted


I thought it was about time to check in with award-winning journalist, Greg Palast.  Palast, in case you are not aware has written for Rolling Stone, The Guardian, and other esteemed periodicals about the vote suppression efforts of Republicans all across the country.

Now comes word from Palast earlier this month that he has teamed up with the ACLU of Kansas to attack the purge lists compiled by that state's Secretary of State, Chris Kobach.  These purge lists end up targeting minorities, attempting to throw them off voting roles.

This matter is the great hidden news story of our time and needs to be widely known.  Please forward this post as widely as possible.

 


Latest News on Greg Palast
(contains tasteful and needed fund-raising appeal)

Albright's Warning -- II

Briefly --

As recent readers here know, I have been somewhat touting the new Madeleine Albright book, Fascism:  A Warning.  I am now reading about Serbia and Milosevic.  This is a tragedy on a much smaller scale than that which faced either Italy or Germany under Mussolini and Hitler.  Yet it represents a tragedy nevertheless, with its horror stories of mass murders and Serbian version of concentration camps.

Fascism, we learn, can appear most anywhere -- here, there, everywhere -- and even in us.  Let us be, then, about the business of learning as much as we can about this hideous political affliction.  

Albright's Warning

I was very fortunate to be able to obtain a copy of Madeleine Albright's new book, Fascism: A Warning, on the day of release.  I am finishing up the first few chapters and am very impressed with the history of the early days of fascism in both Italy and Germany.  The history in Italy is especially welcome as this is less well-known.

Dear Friends, we are living in dire and bitter times.  The kind of fascism which is spreading now in the U.S. is not limited to that country.  Despots around the world have been emboldened to confront the free press and others not committed with obeisance to the dictator.

While the U. S. and Europe still remain relatively free, those of us who care about the truth and about justice for the common man and woman, have a sacred duty to respond to this crisis, to speak up and do everything sanely possible to prevent any downward spiral into the dark abyss of authoritarianism, despotism, and -- yes -- fascism. 

Fascism: A Warning

THE BOOK

In this new book by Madeleine Albright, former U. S. Secretary of State, a serious warning about the rise of fascism sends out a light upon our troubled country and world.  The publisher's description below gives a good summary of what to expect.

While I have not read the book (the official release date is supposedly the 10th), I think this is an important work.  I have some concerns about conflating fascism with communism -- both systems which confronted Albright and her family -- still there is obviously good history here.  And let us not be afraid to call a spade a spade. 

                                                                                              -- TMP  

About the Book

A personal and urgent examination of Fascism in the twentieth century and how its legacy shapes today’s world, written by one of America’s most admired public servants, the first woman to serve as U.S. secretary of state

A Fascist, observes Madeleine Albright, “is someone who claims to speak for a whole nation or group, is utterly unconcerned with the rights of others, and is willing to use violence and whatever other means are necessary to achieve the goals he or she might have.” 

The twentieth century was defined by the clash between democracy and Fascism, a struggle that created uncertainty about the survival of human freedom and left millions dead. Given the horrors of that experience, one might expect the world to reject the spiritual successors to Hitler and Mussolini should they arise in our era.[*] In Fascism: A Warning, Madeleine Albright draws on her experiences as a child in war-torn Europe and her distinguished career as a diplomat to question that assumption.

Fascism, as she shows, not only endured through the twentieth century but now presents a more virulent threat to peace and justice than at any time since the end of World War II.  The momentum toward democracy that swept the world when the Berlin Wall fell has gone into reverse.  The United States, which historically championed the free world, is led by a president who exacerbates division and heaps scorn on democratic institutions.  In many countries, economic, technological, and cultural factors are weakening the political center and empowering the extremes of right and left.  Contemporary leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un are employing many of the tactics used by Fascists in the 1920s and 30s.

Fascism: A Warning is a book for our times that is relevant to all times.  Written  by someone who has not only studied history but helped to shape it, this call to arms teaches us the lessons we must understand and the questions we must answer if we are to save ourselves from repeating the tragic errors of the past.

* Most people now alive clearly have no personal memory of Hitler or Mussolini.   -- TMP  

Madeleine Albright Warns of Signs of Fascism in America

Madaleine Albright

Former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, warns in a new book of signs of creeping fascism in the U.S. and around the world.  This is, of course, a theme I have centered on here in the past.  Albright is clearly on the right track with her views.

In an interview with Terry Gross of the popular radio program Fresh Air, Albright specifically warns of the current U.S. President's tirades against the press, for example. 

The move to authoritarianism is often not overnight.  In fact, things can proceed so slowly that most people don't notice the shift.  Others who know their history, know better.  I hope you, dear reader, are in the second category. 

Madeleine Albright Warns of Creeping Fascism

Sinclair Statement Said to Be One Step Closer to American-Style State-Run Media

 Rush Link

Sinclair Broadcasting Forced Orwellian Statement on Local Stations

At least one station opts out

Rep. Adam Schiff

Sinclair Broadcasting, a rightist media company, has tried to require local stations to broadcast a statement decrying so-called fake news, a mantra of Our Military Leader (Oval Office Occupant).  Most stations have complied, but at least one station has not.

Public figures from Dan Rather to Tom DeLay have strongly criticized Sinclair.  It is time to move away from private profit-making corporations controlling our media.  (See Robert McChesney link elsewhere on this blog page.)   


Sinclair Forced Statement on Stations

Teachers on the Move as Legislatures Dawdle

Teachers in Republican-led states are marching for better pay and funding for schools.  You can read more at the link appearing at the end of this post.

Certainly it is long past time that legislatures responsible for schools fully fund the education of our young citizens of tomorrow.  The future of the nation depends on such support.


Teachers March for Fair Pay and Better Conditions