Since taking office, Ortega has created his own Citizen´s Counsel in each region to spend the 570? million dollars that he has received from Chavez. Instead of putting that money into the government and allowing democratic channels like the National Assembly to decide how it is spent, Ortega has guarenteed himself complete control over where (and more importantly to whom) the money goes. How is that democratic? There has also been a level of secrecy and censorship which has not been in Nicaragua since the 80s.

Dora Maria Tellez has the moral autority to condemn Ortega`s government because, unlike the majority of FSLN members, she refused to play a part in la piñata (the theft of money and property that Sandinistas split amongst themselves after taking office). The most respected and idealistic of the Frente Sandinista from the days of the revolution are all MRS members now from Sergio Ramirez, Dora Maria Tellez, Edmundo Jarquin and the late Herty Lewites.

The FSLN is not the party it was in the 1980s. It is one half of the power-sharing couple of Aleman and Ortega. The Nicaraguan people deserve better.

‘Although the left was not even radical in the 1990’s, it was grasping at the same straws as it had been hoping would “ignite” the masses at least since Watergate. This hope, combined with a not-totally unjustified fear that real radicalism — a la Malcolm X and the Black Panthers — would subject them to the same treatment (as well as set back if not end their imagined progress with middle Americans), largely explains their contribution to the nihilistic nineties.’

In fact I was so disillusioned with white-leftists after the 1970’s that I stopped paying attention to the politics of Hayden, and all other legislators in Sac, and have not really paid them any mind since. So I don’t remember the crocks you mention. Since about four years ago I have become somewhat politically active, as well as very politically aware, and in terms of support for politicians, I’ve contributed bucks to Dennis Kucinich and Barbara Lee and Cindy Sheehan.

I appreciate your quotation. Who said it? Whoever it was is a very courageous person as well as being right, ultimately. And I hope I follow your Rule 1. Always. I know I try to.

“The greatest weapon in the hands of the Oppressor is the Mind of the Oppressed.”

Anyone who has grown up in the US of A has been subjected to Colonization of the Mind. So the first assignment for each of us is to Decolonize our own thought processes.

Rule No 1: ASSUME NOTHING

So whether one thinks the tail (Israel) wags the dog (the US), or vice versa, is essentially a matter of emphasis. With one difference, however. Thinking — and preaching — that the tail wags the dog opens one to the charge of Anti-Semitism (racism), which charge when levelled by Americans against Americans, in my humble opinion, resonates with such forceful negativity among America’s rulers that it further empowers the tail.

This is a great observation. There has been a lot of talk of “Imperialism” as a way to obscure the ZPC. But the question is who influences and in whose interest is Imperialism being advanced in today’ era. This question is not being asked by those on the “left” who likes to merely throw out “Imperialism” as an esoteric label.

That sounds like a basic principle I could support, regardless of the endless yiping about one political party or another. In fact, I’d like to see that happen in America.

this sentence says it all. why are they speaking and writing to the concerns of “thinking” (sic) leftists, instead to the concerns of the PEOPLE of this country and this country? in your mind these are obviously two different things!!!! so, what good are you leftists?

there’s really not much to add, once you’re done with all the subtraction.

that’s the problem, they’re “thinking” in their isolated ivory towers and echo chambers (of which this is a fine example). real thinking comes from thinking AND doing AND interaction with the real world. “intellectuals” have been at the root of many evils thru history.

“…does that distinguish him in your mind from Barbara Lee and Dennis Kucinich, or do you dump all three in the trash together?”

well, i dump ALL you “intellectuals” and “leftists” and “progressives” in the trash together. i mean i want to throw up when i consider the difference btw your hype and what you really stand for. just look at your luminaries, they’ve done pretty well for themselves while not helping the people or the country ONE IOTA. anyone can bullshit in an armchair. and no, not ONE of them, would really like to be in a position of authority and responsibility, that would mean getting their hands dirty, all these presidential runs are just side shows for base points, fame, power and money. it’s much easier making your millions by bullshitting the blind.

do you think that barbara lee, or tom hayden, or dennis kucinich would even notice that you or I entered the room? (unless it’s posing for cameras). no, they would look straight through us, we don’t even exist in their little cliques. they could give shit what we think or how it is to be in our shoes. to them, we’re not even ants. it’s not about us, it’s about them, they’ve got a nice little gig going all these years.

“I’m not even going to approach the Israel-as-the-Root-of-All-Evil matter.”

yes, it’s great living in an israeli colony and being the colonized, and having your taxes go toward israeli concerns (while making US the target of THEIR blowback) and having your “leaders” commit high treason by licking israeli boots and kissing israeli ass (IN PUBLIC), and giving israel priority over all other states of the US.

get out in the world, lloyd, REAL WORLD, and smell some fresh air, instead of hanging around this echo chamber. how many people do you think read this article? lessee, there are a grand total of 8 comments (including mine), so, let’s be optimistic and assume that only 1 in 100 readers leaves a comment (wildly optimistic, since it’s so easy). that makes a grand total of 800 readers of this article (while 80 is more like it). and how many would really change their mind? so, you see, this site makes as much difference as an ant in India.

and i didn’t even read the article, i’m just commenting on these cobwebs surrounding the article. i know my comments also don’t make a diff, but i just enjoy calling you “intellectuals” on your bullshit once in a while.

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Articles/Pettifer_Zionism.htm

“USrael-as-the-Root-of-All-Evil” ? Why not?
Hitler and Nazism has been branded, unchallenged, the root of ALL Evil for the last 60 years, why not NOW this duo?

My advice is, now that he has dropped out of the presidential nomination, to join in the Ron Paul REVOLUTION and put a break on this madness…

http://www.counterpunch.org/hayden07202006.html

I’m not even going to approach the Israel-as-the-Root-of-All-Evil matter. You and hp can enjoy your circle-jerk together on that subject.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onNzrNEFs1E&feature=PlayList&p=181923B27C885CDF&index=0&playnext=1#