"The goal is NOT to win the war. The goal is to use the war to wash money out of the tax bases of the United States and out of the tax bases of European countries and back into the hands of a Transnational Security Elite. THAT is the goal. To have an ENDLESS war, NOT a SUCCESSFUL war." ~ Julian Ass.ange - Stop the War Interview - 8 October 2011
War has been one of the few constants of civilization, along with agriculture, the sciences, religion and commerce. The abject naivety of those who believe that war can somehow be extracted from the future of civilization without removing the causes of war is saddening.
@@johngatewood4638 War as a force of collective struggle I understand. Say, when one tribe wants to rob another tribe, another tribe has to fight back and maybe even reach for help. But in this day and age war is manufactured, orchestrated and justified like a clockwork. That's malice! Global institutional malice. The only war I don't condemn is the war in against this shit.
For a very few, the 20-year war in Afghanistan was neither expensive, nor a failure. The 2.3 trillion dollars did not simply disappear: it ended up in the pockets of defense contractors, the MIC, and greased the political career of war hawks.
I am registered as a no party voter, focus on the job description instead of political agendas. They don't know how I will vote. Wages paid to US citizens is still here, supporting our economy, creating a variety of honest paying jobs so future generations can get out of sin. God bless America.
So when slavery is bad, wars are bad, being rich is bad, outsourcing cheap labor is bad, immigration is good what do you do? It is already wage slavery (living month to month) in most parts of the world if you want to either have a family or fun life (not both).
As a young man during the sixties and seventies, I couldn’t wait for the turn of the century. My naive mind believed that racism, pollution and hatred would be a thing of the past. I’m now sitting down at 64 and cant believe how we’ve destroyed not only our beautiful country but God’s playground. Shame, shame on us.
@@OlgaFlowen That’s not true. Americans don’t want to be responsible for the death of thousands just for the sake of profit. We are waking up to the lies now with the advent of the internet and believe it or not 2016 was pivotal in that process.
I think I have read over 90 percent of Chris Hedges' and Andrew Bacevich's books. I know my critical thinking skills for international affairs are as honed as they can be for a retired teacher who pumps gas and propane to get by in the nascent quasi-dystopian 21st century.. Hearing these two talk makes me feel whole. Im not nuts. The world is.
All of this strife caused by zionist_fascism, especially the wokeism & cancel culture. To bring about literal revisionism of history while we watch somewhat been silenced by impoverishment, or subsistence survival. Know thy enemy'
RIP John Prine, there's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes, perhaps larger in our metaphoric daddy, than any real Nam or other wars PTSD recipient of honor? Reverting to old Pogo comics for the first two Earth Days, "we have seen the enemy, and it is us."
The Afghan War (20 years) was a HUGE success for the parties that matter: The Military-Industrial Complex. That "failed" war was spectacularly successful for the defense industry, and it was fought on behalf of the defense industry and its political leanings. The largest US export is WAR, so a war's "success" is measured by its cost...the more it costs, the more successful it is. It's that simple.
Kira the problem is the bankers have run out of lands to operate in ,incognito, in Asia or most of Africa they will not be able to blend in superficially even if they change their names, their greatest asset was the petrodollar, instead of using it for the good of humanity, they soiled it with blood and greed. They are now trying to escape the pitch forks, history has a strange way of repeating itself.
I believe that the myth has persisted because fewer and fewer people have the intellectual capacity for mature discernment. I believe that the decimation of our education system along with its prohibitive financial exclusivity has truly created a general public with the awareness of 16 year olds.
Yes. There has definitely been a trend toward black or white/right or wrong thinking in which complexities or nuances are overlooked. I'm not sure it's 100% the education system, as it seems to me more a cultural zeitgeist caused by overwhelm or confusion from hundreds of media channels in our faces 24/7. People react to this chaos by oversimplifying every issue. They just don't have the time or patience to analyze it all. Also there is mental laziness and lots of denial.
I did not fall for the American bs even as a child. Many in my Caribbean country did, but I didn't. Saturday morning television was all I needed to pick up on your false narratives. I could not understand how the natives were savages for defending themselves.
That being said, people of all nationalities have their own version of the same myth, but the difference truly is the fact that Americans have proven to be quite exceptional when compared to other nations. I don’t think Peru or Zimbabwe can claim the same.
@@mandyharewood886 Because Mandy the natives were duped into believing these wars were done for the benefit of the victims. Truly you are not saying you believe Americans are savages, while you use an American platform like UA-cam.
But many in the military and ex-military don't want to admit that they took part in the slaughter of empire; they don't want to admit that they were actually mercenaries for Wall Street; hence, they will always refer to wars like Iraq as a "mistake". Not all military have the integrity, ethics, and honesty of Major General Smedley Butler.
@@animalfarm7467 Yes, most people are weak and cowardly. Its weakness that is the root of our decline. Not being able to be honest about mistakes is weakness.
Both wars were so destructive on humans, the dead and the living. I was raised by a Marine veteran of two year long deployments to Vietnam. All he had for help was alcohol.. Good times. I blame the government for all of it. Iraq was rinse and repeat.
Being American born, my greatest hope during our contraction is that we get a few sober minds in power to steer that contraction away from tyranny and mass violence. From observation the chances are slim but what else can one do except hope that we break our centuries old cycle of violence and greed. I fear for my country and the world.
Uhhh. It was our centuries old violence and greed that made us. I'm not saying that's all that made us. It was definitely part of it though. It wasn't some nice form of community socialism that made America or its ending empire status
US tourists spend gobs of money in France, and promote Paris fashion Houses, buying Haute Couture. Anti America propaganda is nothing new. Some people just aren't grateful.
Yes but it was the leadership of America, and the news media in the military industrial complex it did all the damage! We the American people will suffer for this as we lose our status in the world! I contend that we've never been right in one war in the twentieth century at all! World War one we were on the wrong side WWII we were on the wrong side Korea was a joke on everybody! And Eisenhower as bad as he was was all right about the one thing that we should have all paid attention to! And then the CIA assassinated John Kennedy because he was going to expose their lies!
Your people, indigenous to their ancestral lands, are being genocided and told that it's your own fault for colonizing the world. Even though it was again less than 1% of 1% behind it. If they can justify genocide against indigenous Europeans they can do anything. And this isn't the 1% of the 1% doing the genociding, this is the 99% - they openly encourage and welcome it and think it justified for sins of the great great great great grandfathers of 1% of just 1% your pop. The world is full of evil doers. The only solution is to move far away, and get good with a rifle.
I really respect the honesty and courage of Andrew Bacevich in critically examining his ideas and changing his views - it makes him a great intellectual whose views evolve. Thank you Chris for bring us this podcast.
60 years to realize the truth.... That does not help Vietnam or Laos in anyway either back in the 1960s or now in the 2020s. Nor does it prevent the US from attempting to start a new massive proxy war in South East Asia in the US attempt to prevent the rise of China.
The Biden people hate Russians. The Trump people seem more about talking peace. I think the globalist hate Trump people and want to completely dominate Russia. The globalist are the strange people. They control the media and prey on people’s emotions, especially women’s emotions
America should be satisfying the needs of its citizens. People living under bridges with inadequate healthcare, education and infrastructure is not why the Union of States was conceived and initiated.
SIR MY INDIA IS THE REAL SUPERPOWER 🤗🇮🇳 WE HAVE THE BEST INFRASTRUCTURE AND HIGHSPEED RAIL 🤗🇮🇳 MEANWHILE IN USA PEOPLE ARE HOMELESS EVERYWHERE AND THEY ALSO POOR DONT HAVE CAR . THIS WHY IM SO LUCKY LIVE IN SUPER INDIA THE CLEANEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD 🇮🇳🤗 , WE NEVER SCAM! WE GIVE RESPECT TO ALL WOMEN THEY CAN WALK SAFELY ALONE AT NIGHT AND WE HAVE CLEAN FOOD AND TOILET EVERYWHERE 🇮🇳🤗🚽, I KNOW MANY POOR PEOPLE JEALOUS WITH SUPER RICH INDIA 🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳
@@indiasuperclean6969 This must be true since Indian immigration to America has steadily increased since the 1970s. Wasn't a key point of this discussion about myths? I will say India is on the rise.
Thanks Chris for pushing back on Chambers mischaracterisation of slavery as not having a dominant role in the creation of the US. Slavery is not some minor footnote in the history of the US but is absolutely central to the mythology and legacy of the country.
Bwa haha haha haha haha haha. The only reason the Soviets got in was because Hitler broke their pact. Before that they attacked Poland with Germany. After being attacked they were equipped by the UK the US and Canada. After the war they suppressed and oppressed that entire region of Europe. Sell your revisionist history to your commie friends not in a public space. It will save you the embarrassment.
The Soviets lost 22 million in WW2 before the US became the "saviour". It was the Soviets who met the US in Germany. The Soviets became too powerful and the US was fearful of losing its superiority. The US conspired with Saudi to lower the oil prices, destroying Soviet economy, until the Soviet Union went bankrupt and collapsed. All the while Reagan was spouting "take down this wall" as the humanitarian gesture. The US now fears Russia.
Well many countries are removing their money from the U.S. monetary system. Over 22 countries so far. Quite sure there will be more. That's not good all the way around. BRICS is on the move.
@@evalramman7502 That's the classiest and truest statement I've ever heard from an American. 😂😂 No whining about how the downfall can be reverted, no denial about being replaced just the cold truth. Power corrupts people. Whoever will be at the top will always be inclined to misuse it's position and will be hated by others for that. The justifiable hate will still be lesser than it's predecessor ( like america is much better than colonial britain) but it will be there in abundance.
@@deneseroberts3308 He had two years with total control of all three branches of government. Boehner and McConnell did nothing to interfere with his not closing Guantanamo Bay. They also did nothing to force him to drone strike dozens of women and children at weddings.
I love the discussion here. Two people willing to challenge each other and rather than just defend an assertion each expands his reply to fold the other person’s challenge into their argument.
WTF do you mean, saying America won't be missed. The collapse of our Empire means misery, hardship and suffering for hundreds of millions of people. We WILL be missing the perks and privileges of being American.
Tucson has turned into an armpit of rich, poor and homeless. My once thriving working class neighborhood is crumbling and dilapidated. Used to be a horse in every backyard…now only the rich own horses.
"Why does the myth persist? Those who wield power have an interest in sustaining the myth because as long as the myth persists, so does their elevated status".
Another great book I can add to Michael Parenti, John Pilger, [ etc ] Thank you. You made my day. Those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it. Yet those who do study history are doomed to stand by helplessly while everyone else repeats it.
@@buildertrash4102 So many Americans have renounced they're US citizenships and moved to better countries. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
dude you dont "read history," you watched some history channel and read a few pop history ny times best sellers and now its all bias confirming doomer vids on youtube
Both Chris Hedges and Andrew Bacevich are admirably honest and profound thinkers/authors. I am impressed with the latter's confession of being a conservative and obviously a belated realist in recognizing the official lies and crimes of our past and present governments and working through his teaching and writings to enlighten the citizenry, young and aged.
"Once we lose the world's reserve currency status, there's no going back. We won't get that prosperity that we've been able to enjoy. It's going to be a very very different world in the United States of America." ~ Mike Maloney
Excellent discussion Chris and Andrew. This is what I'd like to know. With U.S. freezing accounts on Russia, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Syria coupled with sanctions levied against manny others who dare to declare their independance from U.S. imperialism, how are these bullying U.S. financial policies benefiting the exploited working class at home when its clear the consumer price index can't begin to pay the growing interest on our $32 trillion dolar national debt. The oligarchy is canabalizing the U.S. economy.
You're letting them do it Apocalypse showed you what to do. It's the only way. Take power and let the people of Yah have their land back. Or,you will perish. We,have awakened.We are Israel. The aboriginal Israelites. If not,our father is going to rain down nuclear MISSILES upon you, while supernaturally protecting His elect. This is your choice. None other. All this deflection on what's really the reason for what's happening is astonishingly, ignorant. There is a curse being fulfilled by stealing our lands, and one being lifted for us disobeying Yah. We have now finished Jacob's trouble of 400 plus years of gentile rule It's over. You..better.. recognize what's about to go down. After Russia AND it's allies destroy the United States,they will try to fight the coming of Christ. A NEGRO man. The son of the Creator. His chariots will be terrible and fight Satan's chariots ( UFOs). He will take ALL crowns. His people shall enslave all who opposed them for 1000 years of His reign on Earth. This is what the word of the most high says. Oh, there is no....Rapture!! You cannot,escape.
Every day we encounter novel challenges that have become the new standard. Although we previously perceived it as a crisis, we now acknowledge it as the new normal and must adapt accordingly. Given the current economic difficulties that the country is experiencing in 2023, how can we enhance our earnings during this period of adjustment? I cannot let my $680,000 savings vanish after putting in so much effort to accumulate them.
Despite hearing that insider trading secrets could lead to making millions in the financial market, I hesitated to invest as I lack the required skills and a sound strategy to surpass the market and achieve profitable returns. Additionally, although I possess $160,000, I find it challenging to take the plunge due to a shortage of funds.
It is advisable to steer clear of cons that appear improbable. Seeking guidance from a fiduciary advisor can be helpful as they are highly skilled in their field and can provide tailored advice based on an individual's risk appetite. While there may be unscrupulous individuals, there are also remarkable ones with a positive track record.
@@berkrix4312 My consultant is Julie Anne Hoover I found her on a CNBC interview where she was featured and reached out to her afterwards. she has since provided entry and exit points on the securities I focus on. I basically follow her trade pattern and haven’t regretted doing so
Buy durable tools for gardening and maintenance of equipment. The older the better and longer lasting they will be. Buy Solar panels and nickel iron batteries. Buy brushed electric motors. While you can get them. Buy marine VHF radios. Buy lots of seeds of heritage food plants, especially giant mangel wurzel, indigenous corn and squash and beans.
Does US government has the wisdom to look at herself in an objective way? American people’s life is in her hand!!! Economic is in turmoil, unemployed is at it’s all time high, country is divided, homelessness is a wonderland of shame, infrastructure in shamble, all these US government does not see? Still Promoting WAR everywhere around the world!!!! What is the logic?? Shame on US government!!!!!!
Vietnamm and Iraq wars weren't ''blunders' they were waar crimes! Guess it's safe to come out on the anti war side now that he's retired. Hefges has the pateince of a saint with these people.
@Reezy37 Cheap accusation. People are often brainwashed when young and because of wars some wake up and come out of it. Some were so disgusted and ended up with drugs or alcohol, some committed suicide and some had the courage to write and talk about it. Speaking out in the middle of the war would not have had any impact at all othr than that he would have been thrown out and no one would have wanted to hear much about it.
Hedges does have pro-establishment arguments, never take anyone as a saint. Lots of controlled opposition figures, you never know when they'll remove one of the many masks they wear. Not being judgmental, but there are usually indicative signs, like being allowed to openly sharply criticize without reprecussions.
One of the biggest contributors to American decline is the amount of pointless spending on defense. While every other developed country spent about 2% of GDP, we just wasted 5-10% a year for decades. All the advantages we gained for the past 100 years was just thrown away. As a result, our per capita income is now in line with other countries when 50 years ago, we were far and away the leader.
Its not like it was useless. That dominance on military power made us the global police, giving us rights to cheap international shipping, labor, resources, ece, making the USD the world's reserve currency, granted enormous political and cultural power, ece. The only reason international shipping isnt plagued by piracy is the omnipresent US navy, in an agreement stretching to the end of WWII. The issue is, given all that power and all the resources, the powers that be squandered all of it instead of building a resilient, forward looking nation.
Unlimited tax dollars funneled into secret mafioso thuggery "military/corporate/banking" cabal chimera which acknowledges no governments, no civil laws and no constitution whatsoever. All taxpayer funded for 100 years without oversight. Just ask Ike.
If America did not divide the world and acrtually compromised and cooperated with people who don't share their values or didn't act so violently agains anyone or any country that opposed them, they would be in a much better place than today. Failing internal infrastructure while aggressively posturing in foreign affairs is a sign of a declining empire.
USA has three branches of government on the state and federal levels for all citizens to get involved. We have safety regulations for workers, Labor laws protecting children, life insurance, home insurance, car insurance, social security, Medicaid healthcare for poor people. USA is fighting corruption, but we still have the covenant with God through Jesus Christ.
Might have. It's like I heard Ben Franklin said coming out of the continental congress when asked if we had a king. His response was something along , a republic if you can keep it. Always struck me that we could not keep it and lost it long ago.
Nope. You cannot want fair opportunity for some (Americans) but not others (non-Americans). If this doesn't make sense, then reflect upon its converse: You cannot inflict violence on others (non-Americans), but hope for peace for your own (Americans).
The Afghanistan war was extremely successful. It fulfilled it's main objective for 20 years. The objective from the beginning to the end of that, and the other wars, was to take money from the American people and their future, and give it to the military industrial complex. Period. Also seen in Europe today.
Ehh, but the defense industry is one of the reasons why we've got nuclear power, space exploration, computers and the internet, not to mention a lot of other benefits it gave. It's simple: war is a massive motivator for technological innovation. If you're still not convinced of this with those examples, let me drop some facts: Nazi-Germany and the technology they had, america that invested a lot in nuclear tech for the atom bom, the Cold War and the soviet union challenging each other for technological supremacy and not to forget israel that had to be technologically better to defend themselves. Threat is an great motivator, especially concerning democracies and the freedom of speech.
@@rickbo5858 What about 60 Minutes reporting on a bloated military-industrial-surveillance complex that paid $10,000 for a mere $300.00 oil pump and several feet of hose? What can be said to all the 56,000 dead in Vietnam? A criminal war if there ever was one. Even a veteran like JFK saw the fallacy of that insane violence overseas.
@@rickbo5858let me drop another fact to beat your hubris. America didn't take up that much of a fight during WW2, allies did. Not only that American logistics already scared the Germans. There's no need for atomic bombs. And had the US been consistent in helping china beat the Japanese imperialism, pearl harbor shouldn't have happened, and the atom bomb would not be dropped. Plus, if you care that much about technology advance, you understand you might talk to people who are actually in tech? It's not the way to bring in advanced technology that benefits the masses. And what advance do you have when you constantly lose in war? Vietnam is not the only example, Afghanistan and Lebanon too.
FDR, America's most popular president, prefaced his proposed "Second Bill of Rights" (Jan 1944) with the following : "... We have accepted ... a second bill of rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of station, race or creed" (1) the right to a useful and remunerative job ... (2) the right to earn enough to provide adequate food, clothing and recreation (3) the right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living (4) the right of every businessman, large or small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home and abroad (5) the right of ever family to a decent home (6) the right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health (7) the right to protection from the economic fear of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment (8) the right to good education
I was introduced to Mr. Basevich by Mr. Hedges and have since watched lectures and interviews with the Historian and retired US Army Colonel - the dude is awesome!!!
I came to United States near 50 years ago. I will never forget the first night in this blessed country and over the years I noticed that there are forces that is trying to destroy it . I often tell my fellow American friends that since I come from outside I appreciate the country , the constitution and the whole set up much more than them that are borne here .
Bret Weinstein has argued that the USA peaked around 1971, and all American systems have become unsustainable. He has interesting ideas. I will say as a child of the 1970s, we had no idea how great we had it.
It's the Constitution, 327h, and a few other documents that enshrine the rights of US citizens. The problems begin whenever politicians try to abolish, or limit, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Remember, you "gotta fight for your right to Party."
When the corporatists say war is necessary to counter a existential threat to national security they are really referring to their own position of power which is based on the gathering of super profits and resources
Afghanistan did not end in abject failure. The goal was to continue feeding the trough of the military industrial complex, and that’s exactly what happened. Mission accomplished.
They had the choice between winning the war (which they could have done easily through a Roosevelt-like New Deal scheme starting from Kabul and Kandahar, which would have meant sacrificing some profits) and winning money : they chose money and they lost that war in that place of the world where all empires come to be judged and put to death. America is toast : Afghanistan is now part of the Chinese sphere of co-prosperity and the Gulf countries that are providing Afghanistan with oil have realized they no longer need anglo-saxons in their zone of influence.
@@MrMirville Well said. The fact they took the route you mentioned reveals a substantial amount about where they're at, and by extension the rest of the Western world. I say this because as we both know, they knew the consequences of both decisions.
It's just like Twitter was if u are on a chat u can see your comment but if u say like the real truth of what they told everyone they needed to take but the whole truth. U will see but if u take down the video and bring it right back it won't be there
The search for the truth has always been a very painful journey....thanks to these gentlemen for sharing their mind provoking thoughts/analysis that makes whats happening in the world today make a little more sense.
Also an absolutely pointless journey as it took decades upon decades to come to a truth so much so that Americans don't care about it anymore. Knowing the truth about Vietnam will not stop the US from going back to South East Asia for another war. This time I hope we Asians have enough strength to return to sender.
Even though he doesn't go nearly far enough for my taste, I am glad to see a self-described conservative thinker acknowledge the need for radical change. We should nurture that.
Typically tho, conservatives think we are in a too far left state of being, which is of course, delusion or propaganda, so when they say change, they mean change back to what they imagine. Tho I have only just started the video so may be talking out my wazoo........somehow.
Me as well. Apparently Bacevich is just another perhaps well-intentioned Republicrat who would probably be quiet as long as the President keeps their stock prices increasing and the banks bailed out when they commit crimes.
Chris hedges is such a needed breath of honesty ,his revision of recent history and post WW2 becomes enlightened when ones looks for reasons as too 21st discontented disposition greetings from Australia
Saddam Hussain declined inspectors access after gassing people in Iraq. That's not our fault. We were attacked on Sept. 11, unprovoked. Putin is chasing defectors in Ukraine, claiming they speak Russian. Ukraine asked for our help, so did South Korea, South Vietnam, Haiti, and US was attacked at Pearl Harbor unprovoked. We weren't in WWI or WWII until we were forced into it. Germany was attacking merchant ships delivering supplies to impoverished European nations in WWI. Japan was brutally attacking the South Pacific Islands, slaughtering innocent people during WWII. God Bless America.
“The problem was how to keep the wheels of industry turning without increasing the real wealth of the world. Goods must be produced, but they must not be distributed. And in practice the only way of achieving this was by continuous warfare.” - George Orwell “The essential act of war is destruction, not necessarily of human lives, but of the products of human labour. War is a way of shattering to pieces, or pouring into the stratosphere, or sinking in the depths of the sea, materials which might otherwise be used to make the masses too comfortable, and hence, in the long run, too intelligent.” - George Orwell
Chris, along with many leftist still thinks there can be a "new deal" even though the era of free money, the period of printing money with no consequences is over!
@@garyjones3142 Not Countries. CONTINENT'S. Africa, South America, Asia, Eurasia and All Island Nations. Especially Hawaii. All are Happy for the West demise. The West has been like a Parasite to the World for too long. Destoying Nature for Profit. Capitalism was a Cancer to organic life on Earth. Total delusion Arrogance. Disconnected from Life and Reality.
I talk to elders daily. The last two I asked was 93 & 90yrs old. They say "it's ALWAYS been like this & nothing you can do to change it." The other lady said "religion makes it all acceptable. Without religion we could have a type of peace again" ❤
If Our Creator isn't pleased with us, nothing will work for us. No blessings. Remove usury, alcohol, drugs, deal honestly, follow our Creators laws not laws that contridict them. Don't make acceptable what God made unacceptable and vice versa.
In WW2 far more Russians and Chinese died than Americans. Even in WW2 the idea the USA was a saviour was just history being rewritten. A better example, but less well known than the Suez Crisis, is when the British Empire built Concentratiom camps in the 1950s for Kenyans in an attempt to squash an uprising. British empire was already well into a decline by WW2. I think the USA’s peaked about the time David Hasslehoff was singing on a crane above the Berlin Wall.
Concentration camps were actually used in South Africa during the Boer War, but how should the forced marches and containment of Native Americans in ‘reservations’ be described, if not as concentration camps - after all, it was expected they would just die.
As a member of a Native nation, it amazes me that these discussions act as if Natives never existed. Reparations for former black slave descendants but no discussion about giving back Native lands. White and Black issues in America are matters between a conquering nation. The same is true in Australia. Aborigines are a side issue. Little discussion about white europeans stealing Aboriginal lands which leaves me to ask, why are white values, white customs, and white laws more significant than those who own and occupy the land? White America! Give us back our lands!! You do not know how to manage it!
For both good and ill, the story of empire dominates human history and will likely continue to do so. As technology advanced so did empires in terms of their ability to expand further in symbiosis with those advances. White Europeans didn't invent 'empire' and nor were they unique in displacing or oppressing peoples who happened to be there before them. History isn't a morality play unfortunately.
Reparations for Descendents of slavesshould be discussed just as Reparations for your people.But if we want to really be honest Native Americans played a big role in helping capture and enslaving Africans once they were brought here. Native Americans hands aren't clean and you were collaborators with the Europeans in keeping the enslaved slaves.
Many of the American Blacks were decendants of ancient natives to this land. That is the truth no one cares to admit, especially the so-called 'Native americans' since that goes far beyond reparations for slavery.
That’s what Putin said. I guess after many years of American invasions into far away foreign lands, Russia decided to take notes and make a play of its own. Now America wants to cry foul lol what a joke
Radicals need not to be irresponsible? How about those in power need not to be irresponsible? After all, their irresponsibility is what creates radicals.
Once again your program has hit the target. I always come away with a different perspective after hearing you and COL. Bacevich. Knowing the history of the two wars Vietnam ,and the war in Iraq the country was pointed down the wrong path by the politicians. And it took the young people of this nation to say hey Government you are wrong. Coupled with the Black movement of that time this nation and its leaders still have not learned a thing. We must support this channel and your guest who are not afraid to raise the proper issue, and take it head on. Thank You Both for you efforts.
Absolutely correct analysis. I have said that States Of America can not heal (be successful) without penance for the crime of Iraq (85% approval rating by Americans). That was the moment we actually became pathetic.
Thank you, dear gentlemen. Precious work. Indispensable honesty. Truly helpful, if only in conversation of decency, of depth. History is with us, even unhappily too much so. It is important to maybe work on our six points now.
Well done. Bravo! We still have a few "public intellectuals. Main Takeaway: Complete lack of any Self-Reflection----Man we have got to look at ourselves in real depth.
“A society that has done something special against Black people for hundreds of years must now do something special for Black people.” - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from "A Testament of Hope"
The Afghan war was the biggest transfer of money from the public sector to specific private companies. 2 trillion $US over 20 years. It was a successful war in this regard.
SIR MY INDIA IS THE REAL SUPERPOWER 🤗🇮🇳 WE HAVE THE BEST INFRASTRUCTURE AND HIGHSPEED RAIL 🤗🇮🇳 MEANWHILE IN USA PEOPLE ARE HOMELESS EVERYWHERE AND THEY ALSO POOR DONT HAVE CAR . THIS WHY IM SO LUCKY LIVE IN SUPER INDIA THE CLEANEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD 🇮🇳🤗 , WE NEVER SCAM! WE GIVE RESPECT TO ALL WOMEN THEY CAN WALK SAFELY ALONE AT NIGHT AND WE HAVE CLEAN FOOD AND TOILET EVERYWHERE 🇮🇳🤗🚽, I KNOW MANY POOR PEOPLE JEALOUS WITH SUPER RICH INDIA 🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳
JKF's very public murder. The turning point? Read James Douglass - JFK - The Unspeakable. Thank you Chris - appreciate your insight, understanding, and work.
"The goal is NOT to win the war. The goal is to use the war to wash money out of the tax bases of the United States and out of the tax bases of European countries and back into the hands of a Transnational Security Elite. THAT is the goal. To have an ENDLESS war, NOT a SUCCESSFUL war."
~ Julian Ass.ange - Stop the War
Interview - 8 October 2011
Yes. In this regard the Afghan war was a great success.
Trotsky's idea of "Permanente Revolution" is the same thing. Scary part a lot of people are still buying into it.
War has been one of the few constants of civilization, along with agriculture, the sciences, religion and commerce. The abject naivety of those who believe that war can somehow be extracted from the future of civilization without removing the causes of war is saddening.
@@johngatewood4638 War as a force of collective struggle I understand. Say, when one tribe wants to rob another tribe, another tribe has to fight back and maybe even reach for help. But in this day and age war is manufactured, orchestrated and justified like a clockwork. That's malice! Global institutional malice. The only war I don't condemn is the war in against this shit.
Julian Assange is still locked up an on America's kill list for telling the truth.
For a very few, the 20-year war in Afghanistan was neither expensive, nor a failure. The 2.3 trillion dollars did not simply disappear: it ended up in the pockets of defense contractors, the MIC, and greased the political career of war hawks.
I am registered as a no party voter, focus on the job description instead of political agendas. They don't know how I will vote. Wages paid to US citizens is still here, supporting our economy, creating a variety of honest paying jobs so future generations can get out of sin. God bless America.
So when slavery is bad, wars are bad, being rich is bad, outsourcing cheap labor is bad, immigration is good what do you do? It is already wage slavery (living month to month) in most parts of the world if you want to either have a family or fun life (not both).
Damn🤬!
@@art-hx6hq"buzz word buzz word buzz word, catch phrase buzz word" go make your own opinions first maybe
@@art-hx6hqThat’s the system people believe in, vote wisely? How? 😂
As a young man during the sixties and seventies, I couldn’t wait for the turn of the century. My naive mind believed that racism, pollution and hatred would be a thing of the past. I’m now sitting down at 64 and cant believe how we’ve destroyed not only our beautiful country but God’s playground. Shame, shame on us.
I had that same naive mindset myself. Now at the age of 70yrs I am devasted by the true reality and realize we were programmed for this ending.
Don't worry, we are just getting started.
Your children, like me, born in 68, believed in our parents ideals. now were fucked too. I gave up giving any fucks long ago Dad
I'm 25 don't tell me shame you've had decades to do something about it.
@@xXMapleVodkaXx What are you currently doing? Let me answer that: NOTHING.
I'm blown away how the majority of citizens can't see that for decades we've been lied to. The list is sooo long... Like, really really long...
It's not that they can't see it's that they don't care.
The BIGGEST lie is how the bible has been interpreted by men.
They don't want to see. Point it our and they will dismiss it as foreign "subversion" and accuse you of treason and of being "unpatriotic".
@@OlgaFlowen That’s not true. Americans don’t want to be responsible for the death of thousands just for the sake of profit. We are waking up to the lies now with the advent of the internet and believe it or not 2016 was pivotal in that process.
We in the ROTW always knew
I think I have read over 90 percent of Chris Hedges' and Andrew Bacevich's books. I know my critical thinking skills for international affairs are as honed as they can be for a retired teacher who pumps gas and propane to get by in the nascent quasi-dystopian 21st century.. Hearing these two talk makes me feel whole. Im not nuts. The world is.
All of this strife caused by zionist_fascism, especially the wokeism & cancel culture. To bring about literal revisionism of history while we watch somewhat been silenced by impoverishment, or subsistence survival. Know thy enemy'
Amen.
👍
Lots of ignorance and apathy in America. The irony is that anyone can research the facts, they won't.
❤❤❤❤
"War is a racket" by Smedley D. Butler explains the motivation for our endless wars better than anything else. We are doomed.
Great book
Most wars/conflicts are started by democrats.
You got me. You win. ha ha@@DD_93
@@void9837 you don't know about Philippines .
onward through the fog! You go @@void9837! Free your mind, first, then comment.
The troops who wound up protecting the poppy fields know these wars served their purpose. No blunders.
@Jaques Rabit he was miss lead
yep, the drugs!
Exactly 👍👍
RIP John Prine, there's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes, perhaps larger in our metaphoric daddy, than any real Nam or other wars PTSD recipient of honor?
Reverting to old Pogo comics for the first two Earth Days, "we have seen the enemy, and it is us."
@@kimgaugemusic
Oxycodone main ingredient is opium?
The Afghan War (20 years) was a HUGE success for the parties that matter: The Military-Industrial Complex. That "failed" war was spectacularly successful for the defense industry, and it was fought on behalf of the defense industry and its political leanings. The largest US export is WAR, so a war's "success" is measured by its cost...the more it costs, the more successful it is. It's that simple.
I thought a war involved two opposing armys? Invading foreign countries to simulate an economy is shameful pathetic to say the least.
Absolutely true
Dead on.
Hats off to you sir 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
@@fletcher932 do you disagree with the OP? I cannot tell.
Chris Hedges, a true American Icon!
Empires die when the bankers decide that's what they want. "The hand that lends is above the hand that receives." -Napoleon
Not if the hand that receives has enough and decides to retaliate.
Kira the problem is the bankers have run out of lands to operate in ,incognito, in Asia or most of Africa they will not be able to blend in superficially even if they change their names, their greatest asset was the petrodollar, instead of using it for the good of humanity, they soiled it with blood and greed.
They are now trying to escape the pitch forks, history has a strange way of repeating itself.
@@ajl2232 The public are nutless, and they don't even know what a banking family is. #conditioned
Global generational PTSD
Alchemy of usury currency,
CBDC's next on the
Tyranny/Slavery list...
Your first sentence contradicts the Napoleon quote. The banks think they're above everyone else, but the revolutions that result prove otherwise.
I believe that the myth has persisted because fewer and fewer people have the intellectual capacity for mature discernment. I believe that the decimation of our education system along with its prohibitive financial exclusivity has truly created a general public with the awareness of 16 year olds.
Yes. There has definitely been a trend toward black or white/right or wrong thinking in which complexities or nuances are overlooked. I'm not sure it's 100% the education system, as it seems to me more a cultural zeitgeist caused by overwhelm or confusion from hundreds of media channels in our faces 24/7. People react to this chaos by oversimplifying every issue. They just don't have the time or patience to analyze it all. Also there is mental laziness and lots of denial.
I did not fall for the American bs even as a child. Many in my Caribbean country did, but I didn't.
Saturday morning television was all I needed to pick up on your false narratives. I could not understand how the natives were savages for defending themselves.
That being said, people of all nationalities have their own version of the same myth, but the difference truly is the fact that Americans have proven to be quite exceptional when compared to other nations. I don’t think Peru or Zimbabwe can claim the same.
@@mandyharewood886 Because Mandy the natives were duped into believing these wars were done for the benefit of the victims. Truly you are not saying you believe Americans are savages, while you use an American platform like UA-cam.
Of very misinformed 16yr olds.
I’d like to offer a more accurate title “ How Americans have been destroyed by the US Corporation”
Bacevich calls Iraq and Vietnam "grievous blunders". Some others would call those war crimes.
I agree with both those takes.
But many in the military and ex-military don't want to admit that they took part in the slaughter of empire; they don't want to admit that they were actually mercenaries for Wall Street; hence, they will always refer to wars like Iraq as a "mistake". Not all military have the integrity, ethics, and honesty of Major General Smedley Butler.
@@animalfarm7467 Yes, most people are weak and cowardly. Its weakness that is the root of our decline. Not being able to be honest about mistakes is weakness.
@@michaelashby9654 "mistakes"? :) Mistakes are not mistakes if they are repeatedly made deliberately.
Both wars were so destructive on humans, the dead and the living. I was raised by a Marine veteran of two year long deployments to Vietnam. All he had for help was alcohol.. Good times. I blame the government for all of it. Iraq was rinse and repeat.
Being American born, my greatest hope during our contraction is that we get a few sober minds in power to steer that contraction away from tyranny and mass violence. From observation the chances are slim but what else can one do except hope that we break our centuries old cycle of violence and greed. I fear for my country and the world.
Perhaps would would prefer Venezuela?
@@michaelcap9550 WTF has that got to do with anything said?
The MSM are in control.
They will not tolerate what you advised. It does not suit the MSM.
History says otherwise!!
Uhhh. It was our centuries old violence and greed that made us. I'm not saying that's all that made us. It was definitely part of it though. It wasn't some nice form of community socialism that made America or its ending empire status
I'm French, and I like the way you face the history, the myth and the reality.
US tourists spend gobs of money in France, and promote Paris fashion Houses, buying Haute Couture. Anti America propaganda is nothing new. Some people just aren't grateful.
The global human population deserves better than what has happened under the savagery of the people holding the world hostage ! 😮😮😮
HERE ! HERE ! !
Yes but it was the leadership of America, and the news media in the military industrial complex it did all the damage! We the American people will suffer for this as we lose our status in the world! I contend that we've never been right in one war in the twentieth century at all! World War one we were on the wrong side WWII we were on the wrong side Korea was a joke on everybody! And Eisenhower as bad as he was was all right about the one thing that we should have all paid attention to! And then the CIA assassinated John Kennedy because he was going to expose their lies!
@@7SKYBALLER Hear, hear! not here, here!
Your people, indigenous to their ancestral lands, are being genocided and told that it's your own fault for colonizing the world. Even though it was again less than 1% of 1% behind it. If they can justify genocide against indigenous Europeans they can do anything. And this isn't the 1% of the 1% doing the genociding, this is the 99% - they openly encourage and welcome it and think it justified for sins of the great great great great grandfathers of 1% of just 1% your pop. The world is full of evil doers. The only solution is to move far away, and get good with a rifle.
@@longdragon3 😅😅😂
I wonder how people can not see the writing on the wall. If you're not outraged you're not paying attention.
I really respect the honesty and courage of Andrew Bacevich in critically examining his ideas and changing his views - it makes him a great intellectual whose views evolve. Thank you Chris for bring us this podcast.
60 years to realize the truth.... That does not help Vietnam or Laos in anyway either back in the 1960s or now in the 2020s.
Nor does it prevent the US from attempting to start a new massive proxy war in South East Asia in the US attempt to prevent the rise of China.
Just the fact that we don't even acknowledge Russia roll in WW2, that war would have been lost if not for the Russian sacrifice.
Totally agree…that many people are unaware of the Russian sacrifice to bring the war to an end is unbelievable.
The Biden people hate Russians. The Trump people seem more about talking peace. I think the globalist hate Trump people and want to completely dominate Russia. The globalist are the strange people. They control the media and prey on people’s emotions, especially women’s emotions
America is no friend. The world knows America so well.
I have stated the same above. The word is role, not roll!
@@mochilero-fe6hv thanks for the correction
America should be concerned about stopping disease instead of spreading war
Short lifespans are incredibly beneficial to the capitalist class. It's like a death cult.
We are the disease.
@@TennesseeJed the Enlightenment failed l.
America should be satisfying the needs of its citizens. People living under bridges with inadequate healthcare, education and infrastructure is not why the Union of States was conceived and initiated.
The disease of progressivism.
This was a brilliant diatribe and discussion. Would have loved for it to be longer! We need conversations like these!
I gotta give Chris Hedges credit- he set the record straight in a diplomatic way🌝
SIR MY INDIA IS THE REAL SUPERPOWER 🤗🇮🇳 WE HAVE THE BEST INFRASTRUCTURE AND HIGHSPEED RAIL 🤗🇮🇳 MEANWHILE IN USA PEOPLE ARE HOMELESS EVERYWHERE AND THEY ALSO POOR DONT HAVE CAR . THIS WHY IM SO LUCKY LIVE IN SUPER INDIA THE CLEANEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD 🇮🇳🤗 , WE NEVER SCAM! WE GIVE RESPECT TO ALL WOMEN THEY CAN WALK SAFELY ALONE AT NIGHT AND WE HAVE CLEAN FOOD AND TOILET EVERYWHERE 🇮🇳🤗🚽, I KNOW MANY POOR PEOPLE JEALOUS WITH SUPER RICH INDIA 🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳🤗🇮🇳
@@indiasuperclean6969Good to know
@@indiasuperclean6969 This must be true since Indian immigration to America has steadily increased since the 1970s. Wasn't a key point of this discussion about myths? I will say India is on the rise.
@@indiasuperclean6969sir 😂
@@indiasuperclean6969 except if you're a female and you wish to ride on a bus...
Guest says that those in power weren’t evil. What the hell do you call it.
Thanks Chris for pushing back on Chambers mischaracterisation of slavery as not having a dominant role in the creation of the US. Slavery is not some minor footnote in the history of the US but is absolutely central to the mythology and legacy of the country.
If USA was the redeemer of Europe in WW2, what should we call the Soviet Union? Their contribution can't be ignored.
enslaver
Bwa haha haha haha haha haha. The only reason the Soviets got in was because Hitler broke their pact. Before that they attacked Poland with Germany. After being attacked they were equipped by the UK the US and Canada. After the war they suppressed and oppressed that entire region of Europe.
Sell your revisionist history to your commie friends not in a public space. It will save you the embarrassment.
Scapegoat.😔
They became the sacrificial lamb
The Soviets lost 22 million in WW2 before the US became the "saviour". It was the Soviets who met the US in Germany. The Soviets became too powerful and the US was fearful of losing its superiority. The US conspired with Saudi to lower the oil prices, destroying Soviet economy, until the Soviet Union went bankrupt and collapsed. All the while Reagan was spouting "take down this wall" as the humanitarian gesture. The US now fears Russia.
Having destroyed and bullied weaker nations for decades, most countries are praying for this day to come.
Right you are, America is in a difficult situation now and has been for a very long time.
They'll feel the same way about our replacements.
Well many countries are removing their money from the U.S. monetary system. Over 22 countries so far. Quite sure there will be more. That's not good all the way around. BRICS is on the move.
That is true I prayed for that .
@@evalramman7502 That's the classiest and truest statement I've ever heard from an American. 😂😂 No whining about how the downfall can be reverted, no denial about being replaced just the cold truth. Power corrupts people. Whoever will be at the top will always be inclined to misuse it's position and will be hated by others for that. The justifiable hate will still be lesser than it's predecessor ( like america is much better than colonial britain) but it will be there in abundance.
Telling the truth and doing the right thing makes you a radical in this day and age.
I agree. Obama conformed; he went along, but he shouldn’t have. He was a major disappointment.
Boehner and Mc Connel blocked his every move.
Exactly
Obama did what he had to ,so as to not end up like Kennedy, and you would to ...
@@deneseroberts3308 He had two years with total control of all three branches of government. Boehner and McConnell did nothing to interfere with his not closing Guantanamo Bay. They also did nothing to force him to drone strike dozens of women and children at weddings.
He's not qualified for the job, should've stayed unemployed and rapping.
I love the discussion here. Two people willing to challenge each other and rather than just defend an assertion each expands his reply to fold the other person’s challenge into their argument.
Andrew and Chris. Two of my go-to guys for truth.
The Empire of lies will not be missed.
I know. Rewriting history on all those poor students run down with tanks. The nerve they had to protest god!
WTF do you mean, saying America won't be missed. The collapse of our Empire means misery, hardship and suffering for hundreds of millions of people. We WILL be missing the perks and privileges of being American.
Tucson has turned into an armpit of rich, poor and homeless. My once thriving working class neighborhood is crumbling and dilapidated. Used to be a horse in every backyard…now only the rich own horses.
"Why does the myth persist?
Those who wield power have an interest in sustaining the myth because as long as the myth persists, so does their elevated status".
Another great book I can add to Michael Parenti, John Pilger, [ etc ] Thank you. You made my day.
Those who don’t study history are doomed to repeat it.
Yet those who do study history are doomed to stand by helplessly while everyone else repeats it.
It’s been going on since the days of Sumer mate. What can one do?.
@@buildertrash4102 So many Americans have renounced they're US citizenships and moved to better countries.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
dude you dont "read history," you watched some history channel and read a few pop history ny times best sellers and now its all bias confirming doomer vids on youtube
@thespartan8476
So maybe we need to stop fleeing the US and work for a better world.
And it drives me nuts
Reminds me of was pharma CEO said about cancer. A cure wont makes us $.
That sick f%*÷
@@torontoontario8387 Corporate in a nutshell.
Both Chris Hedges and Andrew Bacevich are admirably honest and profound thinkers/authors. I am impressed with the latter's confession of being a conservative and obviously a belated realist in recognizing the official lies and crimes of our past and present governments and working through his teaching and writings to enlighten the citizenry, young and aged.
"Once we lose the world's reserve currency status, there's no going back. We won't get that prosperity that we've been able to enjoy. It's going to be a very very different world in the United States of America." ~ Mike Maloney
Anarchism says we can live well without money.
Centuries ago, when the "Oligarchs" greated currency & canceled bartering, & CONTROLED the monetary system, what did the "others" EXPECT ?
Excellent discussion Chris and Andrew. This is what I'd like to know. With U.S. freezing accounts on Russia, Venezuela, Afghanistan, Syria coupled with sanctions levied against manny others who dare to declare their independance from U.S. imperialism, how are these bullying U.S. financial policies benefiting the exploited working class at home when its clear the consumer price index can't begin to pay the growing interest on our $32 trillion dolar national debt. The oligarchy is canabalizing the U.S. economy.
They will just go to china to do business
Capitalism ultimately eats itself.
You're letting them do it Apocalypse showed you what to do. It's the only way. Take power and let the people of Yah have their land back. Or,you will perish. We,have awakened.We are Israel. The aboriginal Israelites. If not,our father is going to rain down nuclear MISSILES upon you, while supernaturally protecting His elect. This is your choice. None other. All this deflection on what's really the reason for what's happening is astonishingly, ignorant. There is a curse being fulfilled by stealing our lands, and one being lifted for us disobeying Yah. We have now finished Jacob's trouble of 400 plus years of gentile rule It's over. You..better.. recognize what's about to go down. After Russia AND it's allies destroy the United States,they will try to fight the coming of Christ. A NEGRO man. The son of the Creator. His chariots will be terrible and fight Satan's chariots ( UFOs). He will take ALL crowns. His people shall enslave all who opposed them for 1000 years of His reign on Earth. This is what the word of the most high says. Oh, there is no....Rapture!! You cannot,escape.
more now thanks to Biden
Truth
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Buy durable tools for gardening and maintenance of equipment.
The older the better and longer lasting they will be.
Buy Solar panels and nickel iron batteries.
Buy brushed electric motors.
While you can get them.
Buy marine VHF radios.
Buy lots of seeds of heritage food plants, especially giant mangel wurzel, indigenous corn and squash and beans.
Empires decline when the proceeds of the total production of a nation(s) end up in the hands of a few people.
Or when the cost of operating Empire exceeds the revenue gathered. A look at the US debt clock is a good indicator of how things progress.
Anyone who holds Obama in high regard is ignorant.
Andrew Bacevich has a lot to learn.
We all have our areas. Fortunately he has some good ones too.🙂
Obama is a joke to us here in Africa, he needs to account for war crimes like bush. America is No more in our eye's.
MakeAfricaGreatAgain
MAGA!
It also applies to most American Presidents
Amen to that statement
Does US government has the wisdom to look at herself in an objective way? American people’s life is in her hand!!!
Economic is in turmoil, unemployed is at it’s all time high, country is divided, homelessness is a wonderland of shame, infrastructure in shamble, all these US government does not see?
Still Promoting WAR everywhere around the world!!!! What is the logic??
Shame on US government!!!!!!
He holds Obama in high regard. There were several problems I had with this gentleman before he made that comment. But this was enough.
Obama was disaster
Sleepy Joe was Obummers evil spawn.
agree Obama sunk USA
He seems to be a socialist and deletes/blocks comments he don't like if they understand them
Marius van Der l...💯💯
Vietnamm and Iraq wars weren't ''blunders' they were waar crimes! Guess it's safe to come out on the anti war side now that he's retired. Hefges has the pateince of a saint with these people.
@Reezy37 Cheap accusation. People are often brainwashed when young and because of wars some wake up and come out of it. Some were so disgusted and ended up with drugs or alcohol, some committed suicide and some had the courage to write and talk about it. Speaking out in the middle of the war would not have had any impact at all othr than that he would have been thrown out and no one would have wanted to hear much about it.
? CH lost his job @nytimes for speaking out against Iraq war
Hedges does have pro-establishment arguments, never take anyone as a saint. Lots of controlled opposition figures, you never know when they'll remove one of the many masks they wear. Not being judgmental, but there are usually indicative signs, like being allowed to openly sharply criticize without reprecussions.
This is a beautifully done interview with many pertinent truths. Well worth watching and pondering.
Thanks Chris and Andrew for an excellent discussion. Much appreciated.
Happy to have heard these words- POWER AND HONESTY in a discussion about the leadership of the crumbling of an empire. Thanks Chris
I am European & I telling the people of USA don’t make the same mistakes we did in the past thx Chris for your work
One of the biggest contributors to American decline is the amount of pointless spending on defense. While every other developed country spent about 2% of GDP, we just wasted 5-10% a year for decades. All the advantages we gained for the past 100 years was just thrown away. As a result, our per capita income is now in line with other countries when 50 years ago, we were far and away the leader.
Its not like it was useless. That dominance on military power made us the global police, giving us rights to cheap international shipping, labor, resources, ece, making the USD the world's reserve currency, granted enormous political and cultural power, ece. The only reason international shipping isnt plagued by piracy is the omnipresent US navy, in an agreement stretching to the end of WWII. The issue is, given all that power and all the resources, the powers that be squandered all of it instead of building a resilient, forward looking nation.
Unlimited tax dollars funneled into secret mafioso thuggery "military/corporate/banking" cabal chimera which acknowledges no governments, no civil laws and no constitution whatsoever. All taxpayer funded for 100 years without oversight. Just ask Ike.
It’s not pointless. It funnels taxpayers money into private hands.
It's a military dictatorship pretending to be free and democratic just for the looks
Shiiiiitttttt!!! 65% when you includes veterans costs.
If America did not divide the world and acrtually compromised and cooperated with people who don't share their values or didn't act so violently agains anyone or any country that opposed them, they would be in a much better place than today. Failing internal infrastructure while aggressively posturing in foreign affairs is a sign of a declining empire.
The decay and decline is divine. You reap what you sow.
Im just happy the Nuggets dominated the Lakers
The world's population will rejoice the downfall of the us-dollar hegemony 2023!
@@TimezUp23Amen
I love Chris Hedge’s podcast, he brings real news
Democracy Now is another independent news channel that's really great
@@TI.T.OI hope your joking its twisted history by communists and perverts 😂
USA has three branches of government on the state and federal levels for all citizens to get involved. We have safety regulations for workers, Labor laws protecting children, life insurance, home insurance, car insurance, social security, Medicaid healthcare for poor people. USA is fighting corruption, but we still have the covenant with God through Jesus Christ.
I can't help feeling that if everyone was given a fair break to achieve, this American empire might have stayed strong. ". In unity lies strength"
It was built on blood. This was always the fate.
Might have. It's like I heard Ben Franklin said coming out of the continental congress when asked if we had a king. His response was something along , a republic if you can keep it. Always struck me that we could not keep it and lost it long ago.
Nope. You cannot want fair opportunity for some (Americans) but not others (non-Americans). If this doesn't make sense, then reflect upon its converse: You cannot inflict violence on others (non-Americans), but hope for peace for your own (Americans).
The Afghanistan war was extremely successful. It fulfilled it's main objective for 20 years. The objective from the beginning to the end of that, and the other wars, was to take money from the American people and their future, and give it to the military industrial complex. Period. Also seen in Europe today.
Ehh, but the defense industry is one of the reasons why we've got nuclear power, space exploration, computers and the internet, not to mention a lot of other benefits it gave. It's simple: war is a massive motivator for technological innovation. If you're still not convinced of this with those examples, let me drop some facts: Nazi-Germany and the technology they had, america that invested a lot in nuclear tech for the atom bom, the Cold War and the soviet union challenging each other for technological supremacy and not to forget israel that had to be technologically better to defend themselves. Threat is an great motivator, especially concerning democracies and the freedom of speech.
@@rickbo5858 Yeah, imagine the unprecedented level of motivation a 3rd world war will be for technological innovation …
@@rickbo5858 What about 60 Minutes reporting on a bloated military-industrial-surveillance complex that paid $10,000 for a mere $300.00 oil pump and several feet of hose? What can be said to all the 56,000 dead in Vietnam? A criminal war if there ever was one. Even a veteran like JFK saw the fallacy of that insane violence overseas.
It was successful but after the zombies got what they wanted, they turned against you
@@rickbo5858let me drop another fact to beat your hubris. America didn't take up that much of a fight during WW2, allies did. Not only that American logistics already scared the Germans. There's no need for atomic bombs. And had the US been consistent in helping china beat the Japanese imperialism, pearl harbor shouldn't have happened, and the atom bomb would not be dropped. Plus, if you care that much about technology advance, you understand you might talk to people who are actually in tech? It's not the way to bring in advanced technology that benefits the masses. And what advance do you have when you constantly lose in war? Vietnam is not the only example, Afghanistan and Lebanon too.
FDR, America's most popular president, prefaced his proposed "Second Bill of Rights" (Jan 1944) with the following : "... We have accepted ... a second bill of rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all regardless of station, race or creed"
(1) the right to a useful and remunerative job ...
(2) the right to earn enough to provide adequate food, clothing and recreation
(3) the right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living
(4) the right of every businessman, large or small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies at home and abroad
(5) the right of ever family to a decent home
(6) the right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health
(7) the right to protection from the economic fear of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment
(8) the right to good education
so like Socialism !
@@mikeboate208 The true evil.
@@michaelcap9550unless it’s corporate socialism, you know, for the oligarchs
@@mikeboate208
Socialism for the oligarchy. Capitalism for the rest of us 😢
a Feel Good storyline.
In reality not.
I was introduced to Mr. Basevich by Mr. Hedges and have since watched lectures and interviews with the Historian and retired US Army Colonel - the dude is awesome!!!
holding obama in high regard has sent me on my way. thanks.
Exactly!!
Same
Obama was the great divider☝️He had people mesmerized by his eloquent speaking 🤬
I'm sure he won't care about somebody named " Jersey Poodle" deciding to not follow him. 😂😂
Obama was far too much of a Republican at the end of the day. Just another Slave to Wall Street.
I came to United States near 50 years ago. I will never forget the first night in this blessed country and over the years I noticed that there are forces that is trying to destroy it . I often tell my fellow American friends that since I come from outside I appreciate the country , the constitution and the whole set up much more than them that are borne here .
How can you called it a bless place every nook and corner the law of God is been trampled upon it is even worse than Sodom an Gomorrah
@@moosadiamond Travel. Travel to the OPs country and other countries. It may answer your own questions.
Bret Weinstein has argued that the USA peaked around 1971, and all American systems have become unsustainable. He has interesting ideas. I will say as a child of the 1970s, we had no idea how great we had it.
It's the Constitution, 327h, and a few other documents that enshrine the rights of US citizens. The problems begin whenever politicians try to abolish, or limit, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Remember, you "gotta fight for your right to Party."
Came to the US from where?
When the corporatists say war is necessary to counter a existential threat to national security they are really referring to their own position of power which is based on the gathering of super profits and resources
Afghanistan did not end in abject failure. The goal was to continue feeding the trough of the military industrial complex, and that’s exactly what happened. Mission accomplished.
@@geoffreymayrand1494 The purpose was not to win.
They had the choice between winning the war (which they could have done easily through a Roosevelt-like New Deal scheme starting from Kabul and Kandahar, which would have meant sacrificing some profits) and winning money : they chose money and they lost that war in that place of the world where all empires come to be judged and put to death. America is toast : Afghanistan is now part of the Chinese sphere of co-prosperity and the Gulf countries that are providing Afghanistan with oil have realized they no longer need anglo-saxons in their zone of influence.
@@MrMirville Well said. The fact they took the route you mentioned reveals a substantial amount about where they're at, and by extension the rest of the Western world.
I say this because as we both know, they knew the consequences of both decisions.
@@MrMirville OK what’s your point? Why do you say Americas toast
Mission opium acommplished?
No comment. UA-cam is watching me and I don't want them deleting my cartoons. Excellent journalism as usual Mr. Hedges.
Hi there! The youtube is constantly follows my comments. It has banned my comments a few times, it is sickening, George Orwell, the big brothers
👍
I sure noticed that, today, myself.
It's just like Twitter was if u are on a chat u can see your comment but if u say like the real truth of what they told everyone they needed to take but the whole truth. U will see but if u take down the video and bring it right back it won't be there
The search for the truth has always been a very painful journey....thanks to these gentlemen for sharing their mind provoking thoughts/analysis that makes whats happening in the world today make a little more sense.
Also an absolutely pointless journey as it took decades upon decades to come to a truth so much so that Americans don't care about it anymore. Knowing the truth about Vietnam will not stop the US from going back to South East Asia for another war. This time I hope we Asians have enough strength to return to sender.
Even though he doesn't go nearly far enough for my taste, I am glad to see a self-described conservative thinker acknowledge the need for radical change. We should nurture that.
Typically tho, conservatives think we are in a too far left state of being, which is of course, delusion or propaganda, so when they say change, they mean change back to what they imagine.
Tho I have only just started the video so may be talking out my wazoo........somehow.
Envision a world beyond empire.
History rhymes.
Stalin, Hitler, MAO, IDI AMIN...
Good Times.✌️
As Bobby Kennedy Jr. does.
“Yes, AmeriKKKa is 💩! 🦍🇺🇸🔥🦇☢️🕎🕉️⚛️☢️🕉️🕎♒️☢️🤷🏼♀️⚛️🕉️🔥⚛️🕉️🕎☢️
a world of anarchy seems bad
Best regards to all the sane Americans! From Siberia 🇷🇺 with love and respect 🤝
"President Obama, who I hold in high regard" He lost me w that comment.
Ex-president Obama was a pupil of Bzezinsky, bzezinsky was a humankind hater. Obama is a good pupil of him.
Obama is corrupt
Shows he is still an establishment figure
Me as well. Apparently Bacevich is just another perhaps well-intentioned Republicrat who would probably be quiet as long as the President keeps their stock prices increasing and the banks bailed out when they commit crimes.
I laughed at loud in horror
I'm very much a fan of the inevitable post-American world, like much of humankind who has suffered.
What an excellent comment. I couldn't agree more.
Brother you ain't seen suffering like you would see in a post-American world.
@@SkyRiver1 shut up
@@SkyRiver1 Like democracy, the USA is probably the "worst of all superpowers, except for all others."
I can't wait for it to be so. This sick narcissistic obsession with white power needs to end.
Thank you, gentlemen, for fine talk. Both are always well spoken, with highest integrity.
We ignored that ELEPHANT sitting in the middle of the room for so long it has become a permanent fixtures
Chris hedges is such a needed breath of honesty ,his revision of recent history and post WW2 becomes enlightened when ones looks for reasons as too 21st discontented disposition greetings from Australia
Saddam Hussain declined inspectors access after gassing people in Iraq. That's not our fault. We were attacked on Sept. 11, unprovoked. Putin is chasing defectors in Ukraine, claiming they speak Russian. Ukraine asked for our help, so did South Korea, South Vietnam, Haiti, and US was attacked at Pearl Harbor unprovoked. We weren't in WWI or WWII until we were forced into it. Germany was attacking merchant ships delivering supplies to impoverished European nations in WWI. Japan was brutally attacking the South Pacific Islands, slaughtering innocent people during WWII. God Bless America.
“The problem was how to keep the wheels of industry turning without increasing the real wealth of the world. Goods must be produced, but they must not be distributed. And in practice the only way of achieving this was by continuous warfare.”
- George Orwell
“The essential act of war is destruction, not necessarily of human lives, but of the products of human labour. War is a way of shattering to pieces, or pouring into the stratosphere, or sinking in the depths of the sea, materials which might otherwise be used to make the masses too comfortable, and hence, in the long run, too intelligent.”
- George Orwell
Chris Hedges suffered severe blood loss from biting his tongue through this interview
I noticed that too.
Chris, along with many leftist still thinks there can be a "new deal" even though the era of free money, the period of printing money with no consequences is over!
😂
🤣🤣🤣
Just love 💓🌟💓Chris Hedges !!!! You the Man!
Smedley Butler. Read his book, War is a Racket….
The prayers of those whom were oppressed by the empire, has been answered😢
What'll happen will be one set of oppressors will be replaced with another.
@Severed Whitehead they want to find another kingdom more wicked than this one sooo bad.
It's hard for them to accept the level of their depravity
Be careful what you wish for.....
Name a few ?
@@garyjones3142 Not Countries. CONTINENT'S.
Africa, South America, Asia, Eurasia and All Island Nations. Especially Hawaii.
All are Happy for the West demise. The West has been like a Parasite to the World for too long. Destoying Nature for Profit. Capitalism was a Cancer to organic life on Earth. Total delusion Arrogance. Disconnected from Life and Reality.
"That which goes against the Dao comes to an early end."
- Lao Tzu
the Black American experience is absolutely central to American history
Once upon a time the German republic collapsed...anyone remember what rose out of that? That is America's future 😢
The Roman republic collapsed and the Roman empire expanded and survived for a few hundred years.
With the current birthrates there won't be any surviving centuries...🏛
Well stated
@@kynismos that's why I assume that the US want Russia & China gone to achieve that without obstructions
@@jmvpams1380 Or it's to point fingers as to who is to blame.
I talk to elders daily. The last two I asked was 93 & 90yrs old. They say "it's ALWAYS been like this & nothing you can do to change it." The other lady said "religion makes it all acceptable. Without religion we could have a type of peace again" ❤
Absolutely unbelievable that a country that can print money anytime it wants and still crumble. 🙀
Printing money is not Just go to printing machine.
Not still. Because of.
Its no unbelievable if you know the mindset of the people who prints the money and what they have planned.
If Our Creator isn't pleased with us, nothing will work for us. No blessings.
Remove usury, alcohol, drugs, deal honestly, follow our Creators laws not laws that contridict them. Don't make acceptable what God made unacceptable and vice versa.
Yeah like plundering the resources of weaker nations..
The American-Indian Wars are the longest wars in American history!
Medals were given out and a lot of money was spent.
This is real news! Subscribed.
In WW2 far more Russians and Chinese died than Americans. Even in WW2 the idea the USA was a saviour was just history being rewritten. A better example, but less well known than the Suez Crisis, is when the British Empire built Concentratiom camps in the 1950s for Kenyans in an attempt to squash an uprising. British empire was already well into a decline by WW2. I think the USA’s peaked about the time David Hasslehoff was singing on a crane above the Berlin Wall.
Concentration camps were actually used in South Africa during the Boer War, but how should the forced marches and containment of Native Americans in ‘reservations’ be described, if not as concentration camps - after all, it was expected they would just die.
During the Civil War the Confederates also operated concentration camps.
That's what Hollywood is for
@@jean-francoisaubry neither side were saints in THAT department.
As a member of a Native nation, it amazes me that these discussions act as if Natives never existed. Reparations for former black
slave descendants but no discussion about giving back Native lands. White and Black issues in America are matters between a conquering nation.
The same is true in Australia. Aborigines are a side issue. Little discussion about white europeans stealing Aboriginal lands which leaves me to ask,
why are white values, white customs, and white laws more significant than those who own and occupy the land? White America! Give us back our
lands!! You do not know how to manage it!
For both good and ill, the story of empire dominates human history and will likely continue to do so.
As technology advanced so did empires in terms of their ability to expand further in symbiosis with those advances.
White Europeans didn't invent 'empire' and nor were they unique in displacing or oppressing peoples who happened to be there before them.
History isn't a morality play unfortunately.
@@gerhard7323 winter has arrived!
Reparations for Descendents of slavesshould be discussed just as Reparations for your people.But if we want to really be honest Native Americans played a big role in helping capture and enslaving Africans once they were brought here. Native Americans hands aren't clean and you were collaborators with the Europeans in keeping the enslaved slaves.
Many of the American Blacks were decendants of ancient natives to this land. That is the truth no one cares to admit, especially the so-called 'Native americans' since that goes far beyond reparations for slavery.
Right !
The only reason I didn't dislike this video is because of Chris.
Well deserved end. An empire of purê evil.
That’s what Putin said. I guess after many years of American invasions into far away foreign lands, Russia decided to take notes and make a play of its own. Now America wants to cry foul lol what a joke
But we're figuring out our pronouns! 👍
Radicals need not to be irresponsible? How about those in power need not to be irresponsible? After all, their irresponsibility is what creates radicals.
They are the radicals.
Once again your program has hit the target. I always come away with a different perspective after hearing you and COL. Bacevich. Knowing the history of the two wars Vietnam ,and the war in Iraq the country was pointed down the wrong path by the politicians. And it took the young people of this nation to say hey Government you are wrong. Coupled with the Black movement of that time this nation and its leaders still have not learned a thing. We must support this channel and your guest who are not afraid to raise the proper issue, and take it head on. Thank You Both for you efforts.
. Andrew does a marvelous job of explaining the decline of this empire. Our leader believe their hubris that this won't happen to us
Absolutely correct analysis. I have said that States Of America can not heal (be successful) without penance for the crime of Iraq (85% approval rating by Americans). That was the moment we actually became pathetic.
Every war America has been involved in since WW2 is unjustifiable. Not to mention the list of war crimes.
We are guilty
@@blue18404 Again.
@@rainmanjr2007 The American public at best is amoral.
Not Korea?
Thank you, dear gentlemen. Precious work. Indispensable honesty. Truly helpful, if only in conversation of decency, of depth. History is with us, even unhappily too much so. It is important to maybe work on our six points now.
Well done. Bravo! We still have a few "public intellectuals. Main Takeaway: Complete lack of any Self-Reflection----Man we have got to look at ourselves in real depth.
Thank you, Andrew and Chris, great👍👏🌹 episode😊
“A society that has done something special against Black people for hundreds of years must now do something special for Black people.” - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from "A Testament of Hope"
Best line so far, to admit the dishonesty of politics/politicians and their trait to cling to power. 💯
The sad truth is: It did not have to be that way. It could have been so good. If only. Pure greed and hubris used to destroy what could have been.
Afghanistan was incredibly profitable for the military manufacturer. Those industries made millions. That's the advantage about war
Billions if not trillions over the last 80 years.
The Afghan war was the biggest transfer of money from the public sector to specific private companies. 2 trillion $US over 20 years. It was a successful war in this regard.
This government is getting out of hand. Telling us wat to say and think. We are going to live in fantasy island. Not America
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150 degrees hot on a warm day 🤣
JKF's very public murder. The turning point? Read James Douglass - JFK - The Unspeakable. Thank you Chris - appreciate your insight, understanding, and work.
Kennedy was farther right than most republicans. He died because he was.
Here ! Here ! !
. . . and the CIA . . . yet exists. Shameful.
It absolutely was.
LedHed Pb 207.20 🎶 🎸 🎹
So it took him years to understand what hippies already knew about Vietnam?