This afternoon Jack, Ellen, Sly and I joined with the VFP vigil at the Eureka Courthouse. Because Jack had announced it as a press conference, the T-S, Reporter, and ch. 3 news were all there. I thought that was quite good, actually. Anyway, after being interviewed by James Faulk for the Times-Standard, our conversation stayed in my head awhile. I just e-mailed him the following additional thoughts…
During and immediately after Katrina, as we all watched in horror and disgust, there was a very clear and strong sense that we have to protect ourselves from our government. For many of us, this was only a reminder of what we already knew. For others, it was a wake up call.
Katrina, as a unique weather phenomenon, was hardly the first sign that we need to protect ourselves from our government. We should know this from the way global warming and Peak Oil are ignored. From the threat of jail without charges or access to an attorney. Because peace organizations are infiltrated and spied upon, and protests are forced into “free speech zones.” In the name of the US, torture is conducted at secret prisons. Warrantless wiretapping. 9/11.
If we are supposed to fear terrorism, let us clearly identify it. Those who inflict terror are those who have repeatedly ignored warnings before failing to protect us. Those who hate our freedoms are those who sign legislation to restrict or cancel them.
Fascism is a formula, a recognizable pattern that gradually engulfs a society. It is so blatant that it can’t be seen only when the media distorts reality by maintaining illusions of normalcy and by perpetuating the myths of democracy, capitalism, free speech, free markets and free press.
We do not Consent. Support the truth.