More Rants on the American led War Machine.

At the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, peace talks were put in place to prevent the war from continuing. Russia, Ukraine, and of all countries, Israel, were ready to find a diplomatic solution. When hearing of these diplomatic meetings, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson traveled to Ukraine to meet with puppet Ukrainian president Zelensky. After that meeting, Zelensky went "full steam ahead" against Russia, promised $billions of humanitarian aid and sophisticated weaponry. To this day, the American public and the world do not know the exact amount given to this little and corrupt country. Nonetheless, we know the amount to be well over $100.000.000. It is reported by newspapers like the NYT that officials really don't know where all the money is going.  

It has been reported by dependable sources that Ukrainian generals and high-level officials are now riding around Kiev in brand-spanking new Mercedes. All the while, young men and women have been conscripted into the army and forced to fight on the front lines whether they agree with it or not. Deserters are imprisoned or executed. Russian and Ukranian people are being slaughtered by the 100's of thousands for a war only the UK and America desire. 

Interestingly, before the war, the corporate mainstream media reported about the rising neonazi movement in Ukraine. A strong influence in Ukraine's government and particularly the military, this neonazi element and influence are playing a huge role in continuing the war. Our major media has whitewashed this fact. Why? The majority of the planet despises Nazis and what they represent. I don't believe your hard-working Joe, trying to make a living to support his family, is aware of this. 

The US is giving financial, military, and battleground intelligence to these Nazis to weaken Russia. The major group calls themselves The Azov Battalion. Investigating their particular ideology matches Hitler's Mein Kamph to the letter.  

Another major source has said that Zelensky has been given a way out. If he is in danger from these white nationalist thugs, there's a lavish villa somewhere in Italy where he can go - a bit like "witness protection" nationally. I don't think about his response, but the pressure from the Ukranian Nazis, the UK, and the US must be immense to continue the war. 

Ukraine is being destroyed because a group of UK and American neocons want total financial and military control of the entire planet. When one reads about the US's military actions across the planet since WWII, the visceral response is to vomit and feel an incredible pang of collective guilt. 

This war could have ended only months after it started; the NATO and American war machine ensured this would never happen. These thousands of innocent lives were lost because of a small group of greedy, power-hungry assholes think they know better.  

Remember, this war could have ended initially but was thwarted by the US, UK, and the warmongers in NATO. 

Ukraine has become a totalitarian state, wholly backed by the Western Empire.

End of rant. 

  

Independent Journalists are being Targeted by the State.

People have been so propagandized about war that it's become a joke. People get off on war. These armchair warriors walk around their living rooms carrying Ukraine flags while singing the Star Spangled Banner. Most listen to the corporate media and have been brainwashed into believing Russia is the biggest threat on the planet. This is simply not true. Many independent journalists have attempted to explain the history of Ukraine. Especially the coup de ta in 2014. This was a US-backed take-over of the democratically elected president. The US is on tape discussing which leaders to support during and after the coup. This is a fact. Many attempts by independent journalists to explain what led to the Russian invasion have been censored, canceled, or smeared as Russian agents. Now many are detained at airports for their articles. To quote a well know phrase, This is Orwellian. 

A well-known independent journalist, Kit Klarenberg, was detained at Lunto Airport on May 17, 2023. He writes for many publications, including The Grayzone. The man was questioned for five hours, had all his electronics confiscated, and was told that he would be detained indefinitely if he didn't answer their questions. The man is an investigative journalist and certainly not a spy for a foreign power. In a word, the Brits have become a totalitarian state regarding any view politically, and otherwise, it may disagree. I mean, really, they have Julian Assange in solitary confinement for releasing true information about the crimes of the State without charge. 

Our democratic governments in the west condon what is called the Ukranian Kill List. See my article:

https://craigwmiddleton.substack.com/p/ukraines-official-kill-list-opinion

Let me repeat myself: the US Government condones this Ukranian lKill list or is ignoring it. 

There is a history of the State detaining independent journalists for their work. This goes all the way back to Edward Snowden and the last World War. Those that come to mind: Glenn Greenwald's late husband, David Miranda; Citizen4Four's director, Laura Poitras; and many others. 

The most egregious so far is the attack on independent journalist Matt Taibbi. He reported on the Twitter Files reveling the disturbing collusion between security agencies and the government to censor certain voices. Because independent journalism is attacked by governments because they do not want their corruption and crimes revealed.  Period. Taibbi was not only attacked during the congressional hearing, he later was threatened with lying to Congress for mixing up a few acronyms. By coincidence, the next day, the Tax Office approached Taibbi's home for enigmatic reasons. This is called "intimidation" and the tactics of organized crime. 

Journalists are murdered in Mexico every day. Perhaps in a few cases by the government, but most by powerful drug cartels that desire to remain anonymous. This instance proves a point.

Investigative journalism is steadily being wiped out by those in power: a drug cartel, the CIA, or the Italian mafia; they all play by the same rules. In essence, Gangster Rules. 

While many people get off on war from their "patriotic living rooms," waving flags and spouting "freedom," independent journalist are being attacked (contrary to the US Constitution) and are the last stalwart against political corruption. 

Interesting Characters.

 

On my way to the grocery store, an interesting woman showed herself again. She is a small woman and wears a flamboyant hat. Over some weeks, I've observed why she goes to the mall. She believes her job is to organize all the shopping carts, placing them in there proper place.  We have two grocery stores, and she spends the day pushing numerous carts, aligning them perfectly in there designated slots. The shopping center is quite large. It seems she believes this is her contribution to society. Whenever we cross paths, we exchange smiles, and I know she believes that her efforts are a meaningful task for her and our community. I love her hat.

While waiting at the bus stop, an old Chinese woman showed up with her bags of groceries. Too many bags, and were way too heavy for her slight frame. My guess was she was in her early seventies. What struck me the most about her was her air of calmness and peace. She was beautiful, and I surmised she would have been quite a 'stunner' in her youth. The bus finally arrived, and she carried her heavy load without any assistance. I wanted to help but stopped because of her independence and pride. One could see the barely visible lines on her face, depicting her to have experienced a difficult life.  

The young man at the liquor store has been working there for years. He has long black hair and wears dark makeup around his eyes. Imagine a 90s Goth. I always thought he was a young lad expressing his non-conformity and chosen identity. After so many years, he commented on my Wikileaks hoody. "That's one cool jacket, man." We talked about Julian Assange. He was totally informed about Wikileaks and the man himself. At face value, the boy would be considered a dumb-shit boy. I found his knowledge and awareness of global affairs impressive. 

Every human being has their own story. 

Sometimes the "invisible" are the most interesting. 

Haruki Murakami - Novelist as a Vocation -Comment.

Reading about a successful novelist's career, particularly when they write about themselves, is fascinating to me on many levels. Novelist as a Vocation is really a selection of essays published at various times in the author's life as a writer. 

Murakami's beginnings as a novelist started quite late in his life. I believe he was in his late twenties, owning and managing a jazz club/cafe and doing quite well. One of his great loves is baseball. During a game, he heard that well-known crack of the ball hitting the bat. (one of my favorite sounds) an epiphany "You need to write a novel." His first published work, his first try, was Hear the Wind Sing. This book gave hin critical acclaim as a promising new writer in Japan. 

Murakami's humility is obvious throughout the text. He attributes most of his success to lady luck. Something of a miracle. He writes:

What has been (and continues to be) most important for me is my direct, physical awareness that some special power has given me a chance to write novels. I have been able to grasp that opportunity and, with no little help from Lady Luck, turn it into a career. Looking back, I have no idea who granted me this license, only that someone or something did. All I can say is that I am truly grateful. (p.41.)

As we read the essays, we see his transformation as a novelist. Moving from the first person to the third person came gradually. Kafka on the Shore, for example, combines both. I've read that many great novelists have experienced the same: when creating a character, the character takes over and takes the narrative in a new direction at some point in the writing. One of the great mysteries of the art form. 

Many people ask a novelist about their habits and procedures as a writer. Many are different and somehow the same. A professor I had the pleasure of meeting proclaimed: "Writing is all about rewriting, to then write the whole damn thing again." At the time, I thought this was a bit harsh. All the good writers do this. Joyce, Hemingway, Joyce Carol Oates, and Murakami. It's necessary hard work before the novel is thrown into the world. 

I love Murakami's stories. The man's writing style and subject matter are original. I connect to his characters, life's vagaries, and unanswered questions about our world. 

Novelist as a Vocation is a novelist's account of his writing and view of life. 

The US Government has Gone Mad. Opinion.

Only 3 months ago, Biden announced that he would not send $10 million F16' to Ukraine. He has reversed this decision and is sending them anyway.  The Ukraine military can't fly these highly technical and expensive war machines; thus, the Americans must train them. This is terribly bad news for the world at large. In war terms, this is commonly called an 'exalation.' While Ukrainians are receiving billions in social aid and weapons of mass destruction, the US is considering cutting basic social welfare for American citizens because of the US's' debt ceiling. 

This is utter madness. 

The anti-Russian propaganda machine has been in full swing since at least 2015. Government officials and corporate stenographers have ensured the world that Russia is a bad actor and must be stopped. Anyone with half a brain and a little knowledge of Russia's history knows this to be propaganda. 

NATO has surrounded  Russia with military bases and deadly weapons in violation of the verbal treaty made sometime after WWII. NATO extended its forces eastwards anyway, putting Russia on high alert. What would the US do in a similar situation? Because the US is an economic war machine, the answer is an obvious one. 

Last year many called the Ukraine war a proxy battle between the US and Russia, while Ukraine is a sacrificial pawn for American imperialist intentions. Back then, you'd be called a Putin puppet or Kremlin apologist. It's common knowledge that this is a proxy war between Russia and the US. From various leaks and now the promise of F16s, there is no doubt this is a proxy war. 

When the legendary American journalist, Seymor Hersh, reported the destruction of the Nord Stream Pipeline was the act of the US., the neocons went silly/stupid, first blaming Russia for the sabotage (yea, right!) then claiming it was a "Gilligan's Island" operation, the world couldn't stop laughing and crying at the same time. At any other time, this would be an Act of War. Considering Hersh's reputation as an investigative reporter, there's no doubt that America conducted the operation. 

What is the American government doing? They're putting the lives of millions of human beings at risk for absolute annihilation. And for what? Absolute economic hegemony? 

Again, this is pure madness. 

I'm not a "Kremlin apologist" but a human concerned about the planet's welfare. 

To be crude, the US Government needs to get its collective head's out of its ass and push for peace - and the weapon manufacturers can all go to hell. 

Preston & Child - Relic - Comment.

 

An admission here must be stated from the start: Of the 21 novels published in the Pendergast series (I've read most), Relic is the first novel, and I only picked it up for the first time last week. This is a cardinal sin for me as a "fanboy" of these novels. Needless to say, what a gripping story. 

As stated many times, this series combines detective mystery, science fiction, and great gothic tales of the 19th century. This novel introduces the enigmatic billionaire and FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast. For all 21 novels to become best sellers, there is a certain attraction for many. Why? Because Pendergast is a modern Sherlock Holmes with many skills and talents that sparks the reader's imagination. 

Relic is a wild tale. On face value, and for many discerning readers, the subject matter belongs in a comic book. I would disagree. This novel is polished. The research alone in archaeology and genetic science is accurate. The possibility of an unknown species is valid. 

The introduction of Detective D'Agosta, aside from Pendergast, is my favorite character. He's a hard-nosed, persistent, and honest NYPD detective. The man's sense of humor is purely New York American, The fact he gets along with the highly intellectual, southern FBI agent is ironic in the least. Both men are loyal, smart, honest, and basically good men. 

The story begins in the early 1980' in the Amazon jungle. An anthropologist is in search of a legendary tribe. He comes across a small hut, an altar, displaying a small statue of a "god." An old woman comes out of the jungle screaming about the evil of the spirit. The scientist captures the "relic"  and returns it to The New York Museum. Years later, gruesome deaths in the museum begin, 

Agent Pendergast shows up in New York because he's investigating similar murders. Then, of course, the fun begins. 

After reading most of these novels, I'd have to say I enjoyed this one as much as the rest.  

Australian PM: "Enough is Enough" in Assange Case. Really?

 

In an interview some weeks ago, Australian Prime Minister Albanese spoke out about Australian political prisoner Julian Assange. He said (paraphrased), "Julian Assange is an Australian citizen. The man's prosecution has gone on way too long. Enough is enough." From memory, no leader from this country has uttered a peep about Assange. Yes, some back-bench politicians have mentioned Assange in Parliament, to no meaningful change for the award-winning publisher. The question remains, does the PM have any power to use diplomatic channels to finally free him? As a card-carrying cynic, I think not. 

That said, this is a step in the right direction.

Over the last few months, the president of Mexico asked for Assange's release. More recently, the president of Brazil, Lula Desilva, protested Assange's imprisonment and officially requested the journalist's release. 

The last Press Gala in DC revealed a cartel of stenographers patting each other on the back for their "journalism." For me, this was a cringe-fest like no other. And to hear President Biden carry on about the power of the press as a necessary aspect of "our democracy," everyone in the room knowing full well the US has a journalist in prison for telling the truth about American war crimes and governmental corruption, was not only cringe-worthy but pushing many to get physically sick over the hypocrisy. 

The American corporate press is a cult in total collusion with the security state. When we look back at Russiagate, at least, we know this connection to be true. When one looks at the Biden Laptop story suppressed by MSM and social media, named "Russian propaganda," to discover later the story to be absolutely true, this only substantiates this diabolical collusion. 

At the risk of repeating the views of many independent journalists and free press activists, the imprisonment, persecution/prosecution of Julian Assange is a crime against the US Constitution and a crime against humanity. If Julian Assange goes down, this will set a terrible precedent for investigative journalism. Obviously, this is the point. Reveal a government's corruption and war crimes, and you'll end up in a high-security prison like a child molester or terrorist. 

When I hear that well-used phrase, "It's a matter of national security," I wince and think they're hiding something. 

Way back when the free press's job was to hold power to account. This is rapidly disappearing because corporate and governments have joined forces - known as true fascism. 

To hear national leaders call for the release of Julian Assange is a great move for real democracy. The problem is that the permanent government calls all the shots, particularly in the United States. 

Viewing the Assange case from this highly cynical point of view, knowing our "leaders" really have no power to release Assange, any hope for the man's release diminishes. 

Considering the current political mayhem and social upheaval around the planet, it's necessary to remind people that the UK and the United States have a journalist in prison for telling the truth. 

This is not democracy but totalitarianism.