Posts Tagged ‘humanity’

“Because we are at war…”

Wednesday, April 4th, 2012

“We are at war.” “This is a war here.” “Our country is at war.”

How many times have we heard these words, most often uttered by someone trying and justify the unjustifiable, like sacrificing liberty for the illusion of security, or giving away inch after inch of precious power for the sake of the nation’s interests – not to be confused with our own interests.

If you’re like me, then you’re sick of hearing this wartime pretense being used to co-opt  both common sense and human rights alike.

We are at war… with who? Your only enemies are the ones you keep creating through your actions. Preemptive war only proliferates ideas of hate, and you can’t kill an idea no matter how hard you fight.

This is a war… no it isn’t! If you truly want to strike a critical blow against terror, stop terrorizing people. Quit believing that you are in a war. Withdraw from that mindset… then withdraw from the battlefields.

Awaken to our new world. It’s no longer about fighting religions, countries or cultures. The threats we do face, we face as a species. Cooperation, not infighting, is the way forward.

Israel and Human Rights – Parting Ways

Monday, March 26th, 2012

You know how when you catch a liar in a lie, they overreact and get all angry and hostile? That’s pretty much what the State of Israel has just done.

The United Nations human rights council decided to establish an international investigation into abuses committed in the West Bank settlements. And in response, Israel has severed all ties with that branch of the UN.

Oh, what… afraid that your horrendous, ongoing atrocities will be exposed? Too bad. The world is waking up, no matter how hard you try and hide. (more…)

Corporations Seeking Immunity for Rape, Torture, Genocide

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

Imagine what can happen when international corporations are no longer liable for committing heinous crimes against humanity. It’s a scary premise for any entity, let alone some of the world’s most influential and vehemently greedy institutions.

Yet that is precisely what is being ruled on right now in the US, where a split decision is due to be settled in the Supreme Court.

The case centers around Shell Oil subsidiaries that colluded with the Nigerian government to torture and execute individuals protesting against the companies’ oil exploration. Plaintiffs filed suit in a US district court under the Alien Tort Statute, which empowers federal courts to hear cases by “an alien” bringing a civil suit for wrongs committed “in violation of the law of nations.”

Last year, while ruling on the Citizens United bill, the Supreme court found the First Amendment does mean Corporations are considered people, opening the doors for unlimited political spending by business entities. Now, this same ruling might make international corporations financially liable for their actions.

Of course, given how much clout these mega-conglomerates yield, it won’t come as a huge surprise to see the Supreme Court affording corporations all the pros of personhood while shielding them from any cons – like facing repercussions for using mass murder as a business tactic.

Whatever comes of this ruling, it certainly shows us the direction the pro-corporatism people want to take our world. It is far more profitable when businesses get all the benefits the government offers, while at the same time skirting any accountability and shirking all responsibility to the world in which they exist.

This is why populist movements, like #occupy, are so essential. The pro-business side will continue to tirelessly and systematically stack the cards in their own favor at the expense of everyone else. Unless we fight tooth and nail right now, the hill we’re climbing towards a more just civilization could very well grow into a mountain right under our feet.

The Power of Portable Tech

Tuesday, August 9th, 2011

Smart phones and other handheld devices have already dramatically reshaped the world around us, and the best is yet to come!

With a phone, you can access the fountain of knowledge on the Internet, join up with millions of like-minded individuals, and hold authorities accountable for their actions.

Within a decade or two, most of the world will have access to some kind of smart phone, taking humanity to a whole new level of empowerment.

The future is going to be AWESOME!

Inspirational Imagery of the Day

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

Today’s inspirational imagery comes from the ground as the space shuttle launches into Earth’s atmosphere. Even though we’ve been doing it for 40+ years now, it’s still a spectacular achievement to fly into space, and a distinguished feather in humanity’s hat.

With all of the problems that plague the planet, like institutionalized war, extreme poverty, and corrupt governance, it’s quite uplifting to see concrete proof that humans are capable of greatness.

Israeli Soldiers Tell All

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

Transgressions by the Israeli army in the occupied Palestinian territories will be divulged by a group of former soldiers in a campaign aimed at raising public awareness of military violations.

The mission is spearheaded by Breaking the Silence, an organization of former soldiers committed to speaking out unethical military practices.

This is excellent news for the Palestinian people. As more and more Israeli atrocities get dragged out into the light, so to will awareness grow regarding Israel’s persistent injustices and crimes against humanity, and the stronger the movement for a free Palestine will become.

Jews Organize Boycott of Israel

Saturday, March 19th, 2011

Around twenty Jewish organizations, along with some prominent Jewish figures, have endorsed a letter calling for sanctions against Israel and a boycott of Israeli goods and institutions.

These boycotts and sanctions are “a moral tool of non-violent, peaceful response to more than sixty years of Israeli colonialism” which “rightfully place accountability on Israeli institutions (and their allies and partners) that use business, cultural, and academic ties to white-wash Israel’s responsibility for continuing crimes against humanity.”

In a related story, prominent ex-White House journalist Helen Thomas, who was fired last year for uttering anti-Israeli statements, continued her tirade this week, saying “I’m not anti-Jewish; I’m anti-Zionist. I am anti-Israel. It has taken what doesn’t belong to it. If you have a home and you’re kicked out of that home, you don’t come and kick someone else out.”

The world is waking up to the reality of the Israel-Palestine situation. As Israel gets exposed for their continued atrocities, the world will keep mounting pressure to help end the plight of the Palestinian people.