John Pilger: American Exceptionalism Driving World to War, interviewed by Finian Cunningham

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by Finian Cunningham
Writer, Dandelion Salad
East Africa
Crossposted from Strategic Culture Foundation, Nov. 27, 2019
December 3, 2019

Australian-born John Pilger has worked for over five decades as a reporter and documentary film-maker covering wars and conflicts all over the world. In the following interview, the award-winning journalist says the world is arguably at a more perilous geopolitical juncture than even during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 at the height of the Cold War. This is because American “exceptionalism” – which, he points out, mirrors that of Nazi Germany – has developed into a hyper-rogue phase. The relentless denigration of Russia by American and Western media show that there are few red lines left to restrain aggression towards Moscow, as there were, at least, during the past Cold War. Russia and China’s refusal to bow down to Washington’s dictate is infuriating the would-be American hegemon and its desire for zero-sum world domination.

Uncle Sam was Born Lethal by Paul Street

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by Paul Street
Writer, Dandelion Salad
The Official Website of Paul Street, Sept. 1, 2019
September 16, 2019

“For revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival.”

– Frederick Douglass, July 4, 1852

Howard Zinn: We Should Welcome the Collapse of the US Empire

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with Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally posted Sept. 16, 2018
September 12, 2019

“Some day people will look back on 9/11 and sure they will see it as you know the first terrible act of terrorism committed in the United States by some foreign group but they may also see 9/11 as the beginning of the disintegration of the American Empire. Because from 9/11 came the war on terrorism, so-called, the bombing of Afghanistan and now the war on Iraq and the bloating of the American military machine and the war budget and the deprivation of civil liberties. And I believe that there will be a victory in the short run and defeat of the American government in the long run. And that defeat should be welcomed. We need regime change in the United States.” — Howard Zinn

Chris Hedges: How The Capitalist State Uses Fear To Maintain Control

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Dandelion Salad

with Chris Hedges

RT America on Sep 7, 2019

Host Chris Hedges talks to Dr. Charles Derber about how the capitalist state uses fear bolstered by racism as a tool to control the people, and through their efforts to abolish civil liberties, crush dissent and extinguish democratic space. Derber is the author of a new book, Moving Beyond Fear: Upending the Security Tales in Capitalism, Fascism and Democracy, with Yale R. Magrass.

Chris Hedges and Danny Haiphong: Myths of American Exceptionalism

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Dandelion Salad

with Chris Hedges and Danny Haiphong

RT America on Aug 31, 2019

Host Chris Hedges talks with journalist Danny Haiphong about how the myths of American meritocracy and individualism are used to legitimize the accumulation of inherited wealth by the ruling elite class. Haiphong’s new book with Roberto Sirvent, American Exceptionalism and American Innocence: A People’s History of Fake News – From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror.

10 Ways We Pretend War Is Not a Crime and How to Change Them by David Swanson

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Updated: Sept. 10, 2019 added the audio

by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy
August 28, 2019

August 27, 2019, remarks, Chicago

Happy Kellogg-Briand Pact Day! As you all know, but most people do not, the Peace Pact was signed 91 years ago today. And, as you all probably know, but most people do not, the inspiration and vision and endless labor behind it came from a mass movement begun and led, not by Mr. Kellogg or Monsieur Briand but by a lawyer from Chicago named Salmon Oliver Levinson. You could point that out to Minnesotans from Frank Kellogg’s Twin Cities if, of course, any of them had ever heard of Frank Kellogg.

U.S. Economic Warfare and Likely Foreign Defenses by Michael Hudson

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by Michael Hudson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
July 22, 2019

Keynote Paper delivered at the 14th Forum of the World Association for Political Economy, July 21, 2019.

Today’s world is at war on many fronts. The rules of international law and order put in place toward the end of World War II are being broken by U.S. foreign policy escalating its confrontation with countries that refrain from giving its companies control of their economic surpluses. Countries that do not give the United States control of their oil and financial sectors or privatize their key sectors are being isolated by a United States imposing trade sanctions and unilateral tariffs giving special advantages to U.S. producers in violation of free trade agreements with European, Asian and other countries.

Put Away The Flags by Howard Zinn

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by Howard Zinn
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 3, 2010
crossposted at The Progressive (2006)
July 5, 2019

On this July 4, we would do well to renounce nationalism and all its symbols: its flags, its pledges of allegiance, its anthems, its insistence in song that God must single out America to be blessed.

I’m Sick and Tired of This Thing Called “Patriotism” by William Blum

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by William Blum
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Originally published July 5, 2010
July 4, 2019

Some thoughts on “patriotism” written on July 4

Most important thought: I’m sick and tired of this thing called “patriotism”.

The Japanese pilots who bombed Pearl Harbor were being patriotic. The German people who supported Hitler and his conquests were being patriotic, fighting for the Fatherland. All the Latin American military dictators who overthrew democratically-elected governments and routinely tortured people were being patriotic — saving their beloved country from “communism”.

David Swanson: War Is A Lie

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by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy
July 1, 2019

Lois Lindstrom on Jun 29, 2019

War Is A Lie is a thorough refutation of every major argument used to justify wars, drawing on evidence from numerous past wars, with a focus on those that have been most widely defended as just and good.

Boycott America! by Bruce Gagnon

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by Bruce Gagnon
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Organizing Notes, June 20, 2019
June 28, 2019

Don’t buy our cola
our chips
and our not so good chocolate

Americans Pay Price for Criminal Wars From Mass Shootings at Home by Finian Cunningham

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by Finian Cunningham
Writer, Dandelion Salad
East Africa
Crossposted from Strategic Culture Foundation
June 11, 2019

America’s horrendous gun violence can be attributed to many factors, but there is one factor that is hardly talked about or explored in public discourse – the apparent link between mass shootings and the rampant culture of US militarism.

Memorial Day Myths by David Swanson

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by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy
Originally published May 30, 2018
May 27, 2019

“Memorial Day is a time to remember, appreciate, and honor the selfless patriots who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to freedom. At a time when our country seems so divided, we must not forget that it is because of their service and sacrifice that we live in the most free and prosperous nation on Earth.” —Congressman Tom Garrett

Exceptionally Innocent by David Swanson

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by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy
May 3, 2019

Go right now and get yourself and the nearest house with a flag in front of it a copy of Roberto Sirvent’s and Danny Haiphong’s American Exceptionalism and American Innocence: A People’s History of Fake News — From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terror.

David Swanson: If Everybody Matters, War Can Never Be Justified At All

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by David Swanson
Writer, Dandelion Salad
Let’s Try Democracy, Mar. 10, 2019
March 12, 2019

Student Peace Awards of Fairfax County on Mar 12, 2019

David Swanson is an author, activist, journalist, and radio host. He is director of World BEYOND War and campaign coordinator for RootsAction.org. The U.S. Peace Memorial Foundation awarded him their 2018 Peace Prize, and he has been nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize.