Comments on: Jose Padilla — Just a Nice Kid from Brooklyn

By: rosemarie jackowski

rosemarie jackowski — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:56:00 +0000

Deadbeat…Again, I agree with everything you say. I feel a deep compassion for those in other countries who are being killed and exploited by the usa. I have less compassion for those in this country because “we” could fix things. If a large number of people in the usa just did nothing, for a period of time, long enough to affect the economy, things would change. If everyone just stayed home from work and boycotted all except medical and fire emergencies, we would create a different country.
The people in the usa have the kind of country that they vote for and support. It is only a small minority of us who are dissatisfied resisters. We were born in the wrong country at the wrong time. We are the misfits – not the other way around.

By: Deadbeat

Deadbeat — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 17:22:28 +0000

Ms. Jackowski you are absolute correct to clarify that we cannot “blame” government for our atomization. The ruling class has a variety of methods to breakdown solidarity that leads to atomizing citizens. Racism, carrots, identity politics and most importantly stereotypes and indoctrination means that citizens atomizes themselves.

My point however is to highlight the Liberals notion of how the courts are supposedly the “last bastion” to seek “justice”. Or that the courts are “agencies of change”. As the Padilla case and our own mutual experiences with the court reveals that Liberal notion is patently untrue.

The courts like other political institutions only responds to power derived from mass movements and agitation. The true “tragedy” of the Padilla case is the lack of organizing and direct action around his case.

By: rosemarie jackowski

rosemarie jackowski — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 17:35:58 +0000

Deadbeat…Thanks for the comments. I agree with everything you say. But, I point out the even Nader’s attempt to use the Court to allow his participation in the debates was unsuccessful. I like your very eloquent way of saying what I meant in the article. Thank you. My only question is, how did we become “atomized”. I don’t think that we can place all of the blame on the government. There is some aspect of individual responsibility that comes into play – and why is there no call to “free Padilla” and so many other political prisoners being held by the usa. To me, it is shocking that so few seem to be shocked by the fact that that we have a secret prison system dedicated to torture.

By: Deadbeat

Deadbeat — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 15:57:20 +0000

The judicial system is nothing more than an extension of politics. Liberal, especially during the activism of the 1960′s, tried to convince the public that the “court” is some sort of “independent” entity where “justice” is served. Liberal really did this to diffuse direct action. We saw people like Ralph Nader seemly be able to use the courts as a “change agent”. “Activist” (ie reform) group sought to “change the law” rather than society as altogether. Clearly what the Padilla case does is to expose this flawed strategy. No “reform” will ever alter the political nature of the courts. The courts are really ENFORCEMENT arms of exploitation and capitalism. The “genius” and the REAL threat of the courts is that it ATOMIZES everyone and allows the rulers to dismantle solidarity. In other words how many people went out and stormed into the courts to FREE Padilla?

The Padilla case is not a “tragedy” or “cause for concern”. It is business as usual.