As an Australian journalist writing on geopolitical affairs, I’ve been fascinated to witness the rapid transformation of the US from a democracy to a fascist state under the Biden administration.
arresting beseechments and knife-edged entreaties to the US citizenry, george. thank you. said-citizens have already lost their putative 'democracy' to the 'greedification' [luv that neologism] of our politicians and esurient, out-of-control MIC thugs by the electorate who are naught but ciphers in the entire US electoral process... and likely have been ever since the instauration of the electoral college system. the harvard campus protestors' demonization and delegitimization are, like ritter, a testament to the neutralizing of their 1st-amendment rights. for example, our son firth's letter to harvard's dean and president fell on deaf ears. firth is a 2008 harvard alumnus, and he wrote on behalf of the anti-genocide protestors encamped on the zioisrael-controlled harvard campus, which the administration has ignored and rejected for publication in the HARVARD CRIMSON, as well as in the zionist-controlled MSM. firth's letter follows below:
"President Garber says, 'As an academic institution, we do not shy away from hard and important questions.'
Well, he has done just that. In his criticism of the encampment, the President failed to even mention why the encampment exists, and what the protestors are asking for. Garber failed to show any attempt to dialogue with them (despite his claim that we can achieve more thru dialogue), and has failed to consider students, staff, and faculty requests for Harvard to divest from companies aiding and abettIng war. As an alumnus and Second Marshal of the Class of 2008, I am ashamed of the University's indifference and inaction during the ongoing Gaza catastrophe. Harvard should be listening to the students protesting, and implementing their calls for divestment of military- affiliated companies. If they did so, the protests would end. As the University displays more obduracy, students shall continue to disrupt. A University is nothing without students, so please refrain from the trap of "us vs. them".
Harvard seems to believe that our community cares more about preserving the comfortable pomp and pageantry of the graduation ceremony than to reduce its indirect complicity in a savage war. You are wrong. We are not impressed with Harvard's lip service to free speech while it demonizes students of every race and religion who are courageously and uncomfortably standing up for the sanctity of human life in the Middle East, and calling for an end to various incarnations of war, siege, blockade, occupation, and apartheid. Harvard has sadly joined the political bandwagon of broad-brushing the demonstrators as violent, unreasonable, and antisemitic, when in fact 99% of them are not. The current administration is a disgrace to free speech, objectivity, and ethical leadership. Garber should resign.
Firth McEachern, May 14, 2024 Second Marshal, Class of 2008."
As a practical matter, the university is a PMC jobs program and a signaling mechanism "this person carries appropriate PMC values and will jump through the hoops you put in front of him."
George, the frightening transition in the US from a putative democracy into a repressive and authoritarian state, as demonstrated in the Ritter incident and numerous others, is a reality that you articulate with great passion and credibility. The real concern, in my view, is the lack of perception and outrage regarding this quite obvious development on the part of too many of our citizens and institutions. Furthermore, a significant portion of our political “leadership” seems to be actively promoting authoritarianism and treasonous behavior. Time will tell whether the admonitions and warnings from you and others will be heeded before it’s too late.
This has stopped me in my tracks. Previously held respect for US democracy and diplomacy, which has been fragile and teetering for a number of years, has now totally evaporated. I am nonetheless shocked at the precipitous void that has opened. We cannot no longer blindly trust our governments…. I was always taught to respect those who lead. Oops 😬
No, no, no!!! 1st off America has never been a democracy. It has always been an illusion in words only. Furthermore, the article is focused on the Biden administration when any American administration will do exactly the same. This is the United States as it really is with the shroud removed and I fear it may be too late to reel it back.
Yes and no and yes and no. Based on their bigoted, horrendous, racist nationalist behaviors, one always believed fascism would march in from the “right.” The problem is, the “right” always faced loud opposition. What Clinton taught me is that it takes a democrat to push through the really awful stuff the republicans want to get done, but cannot because of their odious personalities. Case in point: kids in cages. Oh how the “left” wept! Quietly, softly, and with an empathetic smile, Biden continued that policy. And did so, unopposed.
Glad to see that someone actually sees US for what it actually is and always has been. Why is it so hard to see US this way? Democracy has and is just another arsenal to their MO to keep the citizens under control. This goes for the whole west. Our only choice is to destroy all these weapons contracts and take the power away of the west. That should be the ultimate goal of the people of the west to finally change this massive abuse by their governments
if we didn't see this coming with the decades-long per/prosecution of an australian journalist for supposed breaking of a foreign law many will excuse this nothing more than another exception until it's too late
I completely agree with Ritter’s assessment of the Genocide being committed by Israel with the assistance of the Western “democracies”, but find his assessment of the Russian Genocide in Ukraine to be utterly tone-deaf and nonsensical. However I fully respect his right to disagree with me and present his opinions. How surprising so many in positions of power find his opinions so dangerous.
This over-reaction by the USA is most disturbing and endangers the survival of Democracy itself.
Perhaps the Zionists who insist on policing comment are showing us their true colours, and also their reach!
Very well written George, and you are 100% right--the US is a fascist state all the way.
Given that Biden and his entire staff are imposters, people installed by whoever it was that stole the election of 2020, the American people are captives. Thanks much for your fine analysis, depressing though it is.
>>>>>>Ritter has been a thorn in the side of the Biden administration. His outspoken views and criticisms of US foreign policy – his criticism of its wars on Russia and Palestine, consistently calling out the failings of the US Government, the extent of corruption within it, and its desire to invade Russia using Ukraine as a proxy, its support of Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians, and its quest to invade China – have not only resonated but stung the powers that be within the State Department.<<<<
“It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.”
I first became aware of Ritter on my local public radio station shortly after 911. He was interviewed a few times, consistently telling us, as a former UN weapons inspector, there were no WMDs in Iraq. Shortly after, I listened to Congress give carte blanche authority to George W. Bush to declare war on Iraq, subverting the constitution which formerly required congressional approval to declare war. Then the "Patriot" act was passed, expediting surveillance against Americans. The military industrial complex runs the world, and with the Cold War over, Hussein and the war on terror filled the gap. As a writer here myself who calls things out, I would say authoritarianism is growing, but it's not yet full out fascism. That could come with demented Trump and the far right Christian nut jobs that have taken over the Republican Party. Skim over Project 2025 from the Heritage Foundation. They have a 900-page plan.
I also think what's not being spoken of is an inevitable climate change driven economic contraction on the horizon. The police here are pretty much militarized in preparation. The insistence on Cop City in Atlanta being fought is a good indicator of preparation for massive unrest as the whole scheme of the consumption economy implodes. It's not in the news, but there are millions of American climate refugees at this point. And there is rising fascism in Europe, too.
Perhaps Biden's appalling enabling of Netanyahu is in anticipation of solidifying allies, no matter how heinous in a world about to come apart.
As a fellow Australian we need to somehow wake up the masses here. From the start when i heard about AUKUS it was clear that US wants to make our country another US military base to fight against China. Our country will be decimated as US has no qualms to allow allies people and country to be destroyed. Again we see this in their proxy war in Ukraine.
arresting beseechments and knife-edged entreaties to the US citizenry, george. thank you. said-citizens have already lost their putative 'democracy' to the 'greedification' [luv that neologism] of our politicians and esurient, out-of-control MIC thugs by the electorate who are naught but ciphers in the entire US electoral process... and likely have been ever since the instauration of the electoral college system. the harvard campus protestors' demonization and delegitimization are, like ritter, a testament to the neutralizing of their 1st-amendment rights. for example, our son firth's letter to harvard's dean and president fell on deaf ears. firth is a 2008 harvard alumnus, and he wrote on behalf of the anti-genocide protestors encamped on the zioisrael-controlled harvard campus, which the administration has ignored and rejected for publication in the HARVARD CRIMSON, as well as in the zionist-controlled MSM. firth's letter follows below:
"President Garber says, 'As an academic institution, we do not shy away from hard and important questions.'
Well, he has done just that. In his criticism of the encampment, the President failed to even mention why the encampment exists, and what the protestors are asking for. Garber failed to show any attempt to dialogue with them (despite his claim that we can achieve more thru dialogue), and has failed to consider students, staff, and faculty requests for Harvard to divest from companies aiding and abettIng war. As an alumnus and Second Marshal of the Class of 2008, I am ashamed of the University's indifference and inaction during the ongoing Gaza catastrophe. Harvard should be listening to the students protesting, and implementing their calls for divestment of military- affiliated companies. If they did so, the protests would end. As the University displays more obduracy, students shall continue to disrupt. A University is nothing without students, so please refrain from the trap of "us vs. them".
Harvard seems to believe that our community cares more about preserving the comfortable pomp and pageantry of the graduation ceremony than to reduce its indirect complicity in a savage war. You are wrong. We are not impressed with Harvard's lip service to free speech while it demonizes students of every race and religion who are courageously and uncomfortably standing up for the sanctity of human life in the Middle East, and calling for an end to various incarnations of war, siege, blockade, occupation, and apartheid. Harvard has sadly joined the political bandwagon of broad-brushing the demonstrators as violent, unreasonable, and antisemitic, when in fact 99% of them are not. The current administration is a disgrace to free speech, objectivity, and ethical leadership. Garber should resign.
Firth McEachern, May 14, 2024 Second Marshal, Class of 2008."
As a practical matter, the university is a PMC jobs program and a signaling mechanism "this person carries appropriate PMC values and will jump through the hoops you put in front of him."
George, the frightening transition in the US from a putative democracy into a repressive and authoritarian state, as demonstrated in the Ritter incident and numerous others, is a reality that you articulate with great passion and credibility. The real concern, in my view, is the lack of perception and outrage regarding this quite obvious development on the part of too many of our citizens and institutions. Furthermore, a significant portion of our political “leadership” seems to be actively promoting authoritarianism and treasonous behavior. Time will tell whether the admonitions and warnings from you and others will be heeded before it’s too late.
This has stopped me in my tracks. Previously held respect for US democracy and diplomacy, which has been fragile and teetering for a number of years, has now totally evaporated. I am nonetheless shocked at the precipitous void that has opened. We cannot no longer blindly trust our governments…. I was always taught to respect those who lead. Oops 😬
No, no, no!!! 1st off America has never been a democracy. It has always been an illusion in words only. Furthermore, the article is focused on the Biden administration when any American administration will do exactly the same. This is the United States as it really is with the shroud removed and I fear it may be too late to reel it back.
Yes and no and yes and no. Based on their bigoted, horrendous, racist nationalist behaviors, one always believed fascism would march in from the “right.” The problem is, the “right” always faced loud opposition. What Clinton taught me is that it takes a democrat to push through the really awful stuff the republicans want to get done, but cannot because of their odious personalities. Case in point: kids in cages. Oh how the “left” wept! Quietly, softly, and with an empathetic smile, Biden continued that policy. And did so, unopposed.
Glad to see that someone actually sees US for what it actually is and always has been. Why is it so hard to see US this way? Democracy has and is just another arsenal to their MO to keep the citizens under control. This goes for the whole west. Our only choice is to destroy all these weapons contracts and take the power away of the west. That should be the ultimate goal of the people of the west to finally change this massive abuse by their governments
Thank you for your appraisal. It is so true.
if we didn't see this coming with the decades-long per/prosecution of an australian journalist for supposed breaking of a foreign law many will excuse this nothing more than another exception until it's too late
So what does anyone propose to do about it?
This is the only question that matters to the sociopaths that rule over us - "What's going to stop me?"
I completely agree with Ritter’s assessment of the Genocide being committed by Israel with the assistance of the Western “democracies”, but find his assessment of the Russian Genocide in Ukraine to be utterly tone-deaf and nonsensical. However I fully respect his right to disagree with me and present his opinions. How surprising so many in positions of power find his opinions so dangerous.
This over-reaction by the USA is most disturbing and endangers the survival of Democracy itself.
Perhaps the Zionists who insist on policing comment are showing us their true colours, and also their reach!
Very well written George, and you are 100% right--the US is a fascist state all the way.
Given that Biden and his entire staff are imposters, people installed by whoever it was that stole the election of 2020, the American people are captives. Thanks much for your fine analysis, depressing though it is.
So basically Ritter has been watched! Finish.
How many others are being watched and will have the same problem?
This really isn't a new thing. Dissidents have always been treated this way here.
All good countries tend to go in this way.
Sliding into darkness.
>>>>>>Ritter has been a thorn in the side of the Biden administration. His outspoken views and criticisms of US foreign policy – his criticism of its wars on Russia and Palestine, consistently calling out the failings of the US Government, the extent of corruption within it, and its desire to invade Russia using Ukraine as a proxy, its support of Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians, and its quest to invade China – have not only resonated but stung the powers that be within the State Department.<<<<
“It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.”
― Voltaire, The Age of Louis XIV
I'm an American and I wholeheartedly agree with this. So do a lot of us.
I first became aware of Ritter on my local public radio station shortly after 911. He was interviewed a few times, consistently telling us, as a former UN weapons inspector, there were no WMDs in Iraq. Shortly after, I listened to Congress give carte blanche authority to George W. Bush to declare war on Iraq, subverting the constitution which formerly required congressional approval to declare war. Then the "Patriot" act was passed, expediting surveillance against Americans. The military industrial complex runs the world, and with the Cold War over, Hussein and the war on terror filled the gap. As a writer here myself who calls things out, I would say authoritarianism is growing, but it's not yet full out fascism. That could come with demented Trump and the far right Christian nut jobs that have taken over the Republican Party. Skim over Project 2025 from the Heritage Foundation. They have a 900-page plan.
I also think what's not being spoken of is an inevitable climate change driven economic contraction on the horizon. The police here are pretty much militarized in preparation. The insistence on Cop City in Atlanta being fought is a good indicator of preparation for massive unrest as the whole scheme of the consumption economy implodes. It's not in the news, but there are millions of American climate refugees at this point. And there is rising fascism in Europe, too.
Perhaps Biden's appalling enabling of Netanyahu is in anticipation of solidifying allies, no matter how heinous in a world about to come apart.
As a fellow Australian we need to somehow wake up the masses here. From the start when i heard about AUKUS it was clear that US wants to make our country another US military base to fight against China. Our country will be decimated as US has no qualms to allow allies people and country to be destroyed. Again we see this in their proxy war in Ukraine.