Ruling by the Supremes

[Myra Bronstein]

...I think that IS the definition of fascism and with this Court ruling we now, IMO, officially have sanctioned it. How nice :dancing:

Good point Peter.

"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." - Benito Mussolini.

This is the most surreal episode imaginable. And it should dispel any doubts about the position of the US on the fascist continuum.

[Myra Bronstein]

AMY GOODMAN: We begin our show today looking at yesterday’s landmark Supreme Court ruling that will allow corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money to elect and defeat candidates.
...
Well, we need a movement for a constitutional amendment to declare that corporations are not persons entitled to the rights of political expression. And that’s what the President should be calling for at this point, because no legislation is really going to do the trick.
...

Great show. I like the fact that he's moved past the surreal shock to prescribe the antidote: a constitutional amendment. Which gives us yet another opportunity to observe that Obama is all lip service when it comes to looking out for people. He'll continue to harumph about the horrible decision but not DO anything about it. 'Cause the fact is that aside from rhetoric he's no different from Bush 43.

Well, it still tells us what we need to do about it. Press for a constitutional amendment.

[Myra Bronstein]

In addition to pushing for a constitutional amendment, isn't it theoretically possible in the US to recall supreme court justices?

[Dawn Meredith]

In addition to pushing for a constitutional amendment, isn't it theoretically possible in the US to recall supreme court justices?

I have not ever heard of this, Myra. Impeachment is the only ave. that I am aware of and we will not see THAT happening.

Great letter from Douglas Horne, also Bruce C. on opting out of voting.

I know that several here already do not vote for these reasons and I struggle with this myself because if we all just cease voting then we will end up with Sarah Palin. Obama's response to this horrendous decision by the gang of five was the first sign of hope I have seen from him in a very long time. But talk is cheap. Let's see if he continues to stand by his anti-conspiracy creep.

Thus far this admin. is a re-run of W's miserable eight years. Can anyone show me any demonstrable "change"?

Dawn

[Peter Lemkin]

Thus far this admin. is a re-run of W's miserable eight years. Can anyone show me any demonstrable "change"?

Dawn

Style only - in substance, NO!!!!!!

I'm afraid both the Yankees and the Cowboys have joined forces with Darth Vader Mengele Hitler Stalin Bush Caligula Kahn Tojo Walker Dulles Shackley Hunt Hughes Himmler Farben Xe Halliburton Northrop GE Enron Citicorp BSE BCCI Nugan-Hand Goldman-Sachs etc. et al. ad nauseum Corp. :bandit:

[Ed Jewett]

Bruce, somehow I missed your "entry" to DPF so let me extend now and here a hearty welcome. I too stopped voting some years ago, probably for similar reasons. I'd guess there are three elements with which some of us look at the range of topics covered here and elsewhere: 1) the simple, deep and detailed research to figure who did what to whom; 2) the ongoing monitoring of the world and news and op-ed to see what's going down now; and 3) having some discussion with someone somewhere as to what can be done about it. Many of the founders and principals at DPF are heavily into category #1 and, to a large extent, I'm not qualified to do much but read, try to follow along, and wash their coffee cups so they can keep working. My personal orientation tends to category #2, because of my initial interest in news, documentary film, and the like. Increasingly, I am moving into category #3 if only for my children and theirs. I don't hold out much hope for changing or stopping the inexorable trends we see through politics, petitioning, or -- alas -- even civil disobedience. There is something to be said for a discussion at the small-group local interpersonal level for figuring out how to sustain, survive (and I don't refer to militia-based survivalism) and thrive in a world gone mad and dominated by others. Category #3 is a topic for a different thread, even a different web site, as I'm not sure it's one in coherence with the intent and focus of the DPF founders. Even Category #2 might be outside the normal realm except as it pertains to the same sinister inputs, modes and methods. At any rate, welcome... Any meaningful, respectful discussion is valid because it is apparent that the powers that be don't even want us to know, read or discuss anything except that which meets with their approval.

[Myra Bronstein]

Bruce, somehow I missed your "entry" to DPF so let me extend now and here a hearty welcome. I too stopped voting some years ago, probably for similar reasons. I'd guess there are three elements with which some of us look at the range of topics covered here and elsewhere: 1) the simple, deep and detailed research to figure who did what to whom; 2) the ongoing monitoring of the world and news and op-ed to see what's going down now; and 3) having some discussion with someone somewhere as to what can be done about it. Many of the founders and principals at DPF are heavily into category #1 and, to a large extent, I'm not qualified to do much but read, try to follow along, and wash their coffee cups so they can keep working. My personal orientation tends to category #2, because of my initial interest in news, documentary film, and the like. Increasingly, I am moving into category #3 if only for my children and theirs. I don't hold out much hope for changing or stopping the inexorable trends we see through politics, petitioning, or -- alas -- even civil disobedience. There is something to be said for a discussion at the small-group local interpersonal level for figuring out how to sustain, survive (and I don't refer to militia-based survivalism) and thrive in a world gone mad and dominated by others. Category #3 is a topic for a different thread, even a different web site, as I'm not sure it's one in coherence with the intent and focus of the DPF founders. Even Category #2 might be outside the normal realm except as it pertains to the same sinister inputs, modes and methods. At any rate, welcome... Any meaningful, respectful discussion is valid because it is apparent that the powers that be don't even want us to know, read or discuss anything except that which meets with their approval.

Ed, This is a thought provoking post. I love your summary. And I hope that DPF is a place for "having some discussion with someone somewhere as to what can be done about" current problems. Speaking strictly for myself, I'd like to be more focused on solutions and action and strategy. Even if the odds of success are slim I think sustained effort is important, if for no other reason than to keep our souls from withering.

[Peter Lemkin]

http://freespeechforpeople.org/

:heeeelllllooooo:

"American citizens have repeatedly amended the Constitution to defend democracy when the Supreme Court acts in collusion with democracy's enemies, whether they are slavemasters, states imposing poll taxes on voters, or the opponents of woman suffrage. Today, the Court has enthroned corporations, permitting them not only all kinds of special economic rights but now, amazingly, moving to grant them the same political rights as the people. This is a moment of high danger for democracy so we must act quickly to spell out in the Constitution what the people have always understood: that corporations do not enjoy the political and free speech rights that belong to the people of the United States."

- Professor Jamin Raskin, constitutional law expert at American University's Washington College of Law and Maryland state senator

[Myra Bronstein]

http://freespeechforpeople.org/

:heeeelllllooooo:

"American citizens have repeatedly amended the Constitution to defend democracy when the Supreme Court acts in collusion with democracy's enemies, whether they are slavemasters, states imposing poll taxes on voters, or the opponents of woman suffrage. Today, the Court has enthroned corporations, permitting them not only all kinds of special economic rights but now, amazingly, moving to grant them the same political rights as the people. This is a moment of high danger for democracy so we must act quickly to spell out in the Constitution what the people have always understood: that corporations do not enjoy the political and free speech rights that belong to the people of the United States."

- Professor Jamin Raskin, constitutional law expert at American University's Washington College of Law and Maryland state senator

Yes.

Yes. And if this is not done is it logical to conclude that the constitution is no longer a living breathing document? And if the constitution is no longer a living document, then...

[Peter Lemkin]

...I think that IS the definition of fascism and with this Court ruling we now, IMO, officially have sanctioned it. How nice :dancing:

Good point Peter.

"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." - Benito Mussolini.

This is the most surreal episode imaginable. And it should dispel any doubts about the position of the US on the fascist continuum.

Beam me up Scotty....NOW!...Scotty!!!!!!........
US on the fascist continuum - (I'd say dead ahead at 'warp' speed....):captain::dancing2: