Opinion

Symbols, slogans and spin

By Tibor S. Friedman
Online Journal Contributing Writer

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June 29, 2005—Americans surround themselves with symbols that represent who they think they are or want to be. Symbols and slogans conveniently defer introspection and curiosity.

True patriotism and love of country requires we go beyond putting Support Your Troops magnets or flags on our cars. The Great American experiment in democracy is in crisis and immediate jeopardy. The most secretive administration ever has installed a repressive security apparatus paving the way for dictatorship and martial law awaiting an 'event' to trigger the trap set for us. Unless we become active participants and educate ourselves about the crisis that is rapidly enveloping us the Great Experiment will end.

Americans are generally good-hearted folk who believe that their leaders are benign and serve the best interests of the people. Simple inquiry would surely convince us otherwise. Americans aren't stupid but uninformed of what is really happening in their country and the world because of the dumbed down content and propaganda they consume in the mainstream media (MSM) and the public educational system. Recent studies have declared that high school graduates are unable to write a coherent sentence; schools teach information and expect students to retain and regurgitate data, not connect them. This is by design; the elite do not want too many critical thinkers in a diminished economy.

The MSM (and alternative sources on the Internet in particular) holds the key to our real insight into what is happening in our country and the world as well.

Information is the currency of the realm. The Internet today offers our best hope for our education and research, at least until the Elite figure out how to replace it with the restricted and establishment controlled Internet 2 currently being developed.

Information is managed and edited in the MSM and propaganda is an acceptable tool long used in media and education. Spin is the method of the day used to confuse and deflect. The Infotainment Industry—MSM and Hollywood combined—share financial, operational and propaganda interests. A recent example is the TV docudrama Oil Storm on Fox TV on June 5 that served the goals of putting fear into Americans about losing their oil lifeline and their American way of life and to gather support for the 21st Century Oil Wars by calling them the War on Terror, which is phony and being used by the psychopaths to divide us and reduce our numbers. The Bush administration is supported by Fox (aka GOP TV) owner Rupert Murdoch. Similarly, other media events usually have some ulterior motive to influence the public in some way.

For us to fully appreciate our current crisis we have to review our media history.

Walter Lippmann, the prominent journalist in the 1920s, said that the public must be put in its place. He believed, as did Woodrow Wilson and the Elite, that the responsible men (Elite) should manage the 'common interests' and 'live free of the trampling and the roar of a bewildered herd,' the ignorant and meddlesome outsiders. The only function the 'herd' has was to trample periodically in support of one or another element of the leadership class in an election.

As the 'herd' in the last century became more enlightened ever more sophisticated mechanisms for controlling information and perceptions have developed. The manufacture of consent, a term created by Edward Bernays, the father of the Public Relations industry, author of Propaganda and coincidentally Sigmund Freud's nephew, has become an art form and required of journalists.

Bernays says: "Those who manipulate the organized habits and opinions of the masses constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. . . . we are dominated by a relatively small number of persons. . . . as civilization has become more complex. . . . the technical means have been invented and developed by which opinion may be regimented. . . . I must lead the people. Am I not their servant?

"The invisible government tends to be concentrated in the hands of the few because of the expense of manipulating the social machinery which controls the opinions and habits of the masses. It is not generally realized to what extent the words and actions of our most influential public men are dictated by shrewd persons operating behind the scenes."

Expanding on this understanding about the MSM and the Public Relations industry (the propaganda machine) we can include gatekeepers, or sources considered to be on the left (so-called liberals), who are charged with making sure that dissent and alternative views do not stray too far off the reservation of Elite acceptance. Excluded topics include the 9/11 Truth Movement, the New World Order, the City Of London financial center, chemtrails, the Federal Reserve, Inc., etc. It is safe to assume that your letters to the editor are monitored and pre-selected prior to printing. I suspect that some letters and articles in The New York Times (as elsewhere) are fictitious, manufactured and planted, like the Judith Miller articles on WMDs (with con man Chalabi as her source) in the NYT prior to the current Iraq War that encouraged the congressional vote to go to war. MSM always supports and benefits from war. CNN's Aaron Brown declared that now that we are at war we have to get behind the government and the troops disregarding CNN's obvious cheerleading efforts to build support before the war.

My purpose of this article is to address the obvious fantasies about our democracy and the so-called free press (MSM) and their failure to provide Americans with real information for making educated decisions; we are considered the least informed population in the world. The MSM and most gatekeepers are believed to be infiltrated with CIA personnel and work explicitly for the Elites in power, in corporations, government and banking and serve to protect their interests in the US and abroad. My ultimate purpose is to compel Americans to wake up and begin to explore what is going on and to become engaged in their lives and their children's futures.

It is not my intent here to go into all the aspects that constitute the over arching plan (conspiracy, some would say) to create a One (New) World (Order) Government—a generational and incremental implementation process that, now in its final stages, presently threatens the world with the 21st Century Oil Wars and the destruction of what little sovereignty is left in America and elsewhere (observe this process in the EU).

Neo-liberalism / Globalism (imperialism disguised as democracy and free trade) are names used to describe the acquisition and consolidation of ever greater wealth, natural resources, total political power and control over others and are the motivational forces which drive the decisions by the international Elite. They control the transnational corporations, the 200-plus think tanks (the Council On Foreign Relations being foremost in the US) which exist to facilitate their goals, the foundations (Carnegie, Ford, Rockefeller, etc), the World Bank, IMF, WTO, the Federal Reserve (a private corporation never audited and with no congressional oversight); this influence is pervasive and can only be truly appreciated as one researches the various issues.

I will provide at the end a list of informative articles, authors and websites for those interested in doing research into these critical issues. These are some of many qualified writers, journalists and researchers who have, based on their investigative research, experience and knowledge, documented valuable information for those interested in discovering the truth.

Themes and Trends

The recent Online Journal report on Bilderberg 2005 confirms the intent and complicity of our leaders and the transnational corporations and banking interests they serve to create a One World Government using the UN, or similar institution, and to further diminish America economically and to ultimately abdicate US sovereignty and the Constitution to a Regional and subsequent World Power while enriching themselves and accumulating power in the process.

The Congress, MSM (including CPB, NPR and PBS), all academic and other Institutions, with rare and generally marginalized, individuals as exceptions, are in general alignment with this 'conspiracy.' This diverse involvement is reflected in the roster of the 4,000 or so members of the Council on Foreign Relations, a group described as, superficially an innocent forum for academics, businessman, politicians, contains within its shell, perhaps unknown to many of its members, the power elite that unilaterally determines US foreign policy. The major objective of this submerged - and obvious subversive–foreign policy is the acquisition of markets and economic power (profits) for a small group of giant multi-nationals under the virtual control of a few banking investment houses and controlling families.

The Royal Institute of International Affairs, in London (the center of power for the New World Order elite), founded its American wing, the CFR, funded by the Rockefellers, in 1921. The RIIA's patron is the Queen of England.

CNN has recently been using CFR 'spokespeople' to get Americans to accept them as 'mainstream' and also uses other conservative think tanks like the American Enterprise Institute and the Brookings and CATO Institutes to disseminate their views designed to shape American perceptions and beliefs.

Think tanks provide the two supposedly oppositional political parties with intellectual material and propaganda. Issues are used as smokescreens and for public distraction and confusion while greater and more relevant issues are ignored or downplayed. What we witness in MSM is the allowed official version of reality–much of it staged theatre. It is apparent as one examines (CFR, TC, Bilderberg member) Bill Clinton's record (presiding over NAFTA, media consolidation, FDA approval of GMO going into the world's food supply via Monsanto, laid the foundations for the USA PATRIOT Act, passed welfare 'reform' etc.) and associations that he is as much (if not more so) a Globalist / New World Order operative as George Bush is. Both parties serve the same masters as one can see from the Bilderberg attendance list.

John Edwards auditioned at the annual Bilderberg meeting in 2004; apparently the elite chose to stay the course with George Bush. One cannot become president of the US without the Elites' explicit approval. The election is a formality and exercise for the benefit of creating the illusion of an ongoing democracy. The 'free speech zone' areas created by both parties in 2004 were their version of democracy. The MSM (already) is focusing on the battle for the White House 2008, creating mythologies of opposing individuals and distracting the public with a hope for change that never comes—as both parties work towards the creation of a New World Order with the United States as a much reduced power, economically and militarily. Remember that politicians are the fronts for (or part of) the Elites and as such share in their fortunes and power. One need only look at the Bush dynasty and their involvement in and creation of their fortunes and power by the Military / Industrial / Intelligence Complex. War is profitable.

Henry Kissinger (perennial Bilderberg, Trilateral, CFR member) received knighthood from the Queen of England in 1995 for his lifelong devoted service to the Crown; after years of trying to retake the American colonies the City of London decided to infiltrate through the CFR and other ways to reclaim their perceived influence over their new addition to the Empire; and so it appears it has. Their conspiracy has become our fact.

Conspiracy theories are a convenient 'slide' term used by MSM and others to short circuit further inquiry into a matter. The greatest conspiracy is the one created by this concept that keeps people from being inquisitive and concerned about the health and direction of their country. As noted, only a small group of Elites know the full scope of their agenda while those outside are given information on a need to know basis and as loyalty and subservience is developed move closer to the center of affluence and control. A corporation is a perfect example of this where one can succeed and move up the hierarchy as long as one fulfills the needs of the corporation but if one challenges the system, then you could be ejected and possibly blacklisted from entry into other corporations. In this way, people buy into the system and by being invested in it are reluctant to jeopardize their position and wealth. Hierarchy assures compliance, promotions or corrective actions if needed. America is a transnational corporation (an Enron) disguised as a government; a form described as totalitarian corporatism.

What can you do?

As Catherine Austin Fitts and others suggest, voting, writing to your representatives or editors has limited, if any effect, but continue letting them know what you think. The system is generally rigged with gatekeepers to marginalize any dissent or resistance.

The only practical options open are to divert our financial and personal support for the tapeworm (the system) by withdrawing our attention from TV (shut it off) and its mind control and our money out of large multinational banks and corporations that depend on our money to survive, and putting it into local banks and businesses; cut up all your credit cards. Support local efforts to develop sustainable economies and environmental initiatives; get to know your neighbors and share what you know.

Ultimately, the tapeworm will have only itself to devour.

Stop supporting the so-called two-party system that is really two groups belonging to the same business party that share the One World Government agenda. The continuity of bipartisan corruption clearly shows that, with rare exceptions like Reps Cynthia McKinney and Ron Paul, their allegiance is to the international elite and not to the American people.

Resource List

I would suggest that you save, on your hard drive, CD, disk, memory stick or print those articles you believe are important to you.

The underlined reference listing can be used on Google for access to article (not linked).

Economics and the Economy

Will You Survive the Coming Financial Crash? Kent Daniel Bentkowski (pdf) 2005.

- A former investment banker's excellent overview of the dumbing down of Americans, the CFR, Bilderberg, NWO, Federal Reserve, Inc., and related financial issues.

The Negative Return Economy Scoop: Sanders/Austin Fitts

The (bipartisan) United States government has operated a secret budgeting and spending program for decades outside the framework of the American Constitution. Shocking!

Will The Real Economic Hit Men Please Stand Up? Catherine Austin Fitts

Meditations on 9/11 Truth: Commentary and review of 21st Century Economic Warfare.

The Endangered US Dollar Museletter #149 Richard Heinberg

History of money, the dollar, strong dollar policy and petrodollars

The Destruction of The American Economy (TBRNews.org/archives 1306)

Andre Gunder Frank (recently deceased–we'll miss him) - Biting critique of Uncle Sam's money, IMF, WB policies–article aptly follows list of Republican Corporate donors.

Oil, War and Empire

Chalmers Johnson, author of Four Sorrows of Empire:

'America's Empire of Bases'–(Commondreams.org) America's 1000 world wide bases.

'No Longer the 'Lone' Superpower'–(Commondreams.org–Tomdispatch.com) Coming to terms with China–excellent overview of regional dynamics and Americas role.

Jeffrey St. Clair (Counterpunch.org) co-author (with Alexander Cockburn) of 'Dimes Worth of Difference: Beyond the Lesser of Two Evils'–A critical view of the nonexistent and mythological differences between the Democrats & Republican–the Republicrats:

'One for Oil and Oil for One'–Examines the Bipartisan Oiligarchy and the Environmental group's complicity and involvement in deception.

'The Mark of Mc Cain'–an expose on how the media helps to mythologize a politician–a hollow and opportunistic John McCain.

Lockheed and Loaded - Jeffrey St. Clair (counterpunch.org)–The Company that Runs the Empire

F. William Engdahl, author of A Century of War - Anglo-American Oil Politics and The New World Order

'The Oil factor in Bush's 'war on tyranny''–Asia Times (3/3/05)

'A New American Century'–Iraq and the hidden euro-dollars war - the Petrodollar era.

Blood, Oil, Guns, and Bullets - Aziz Choudry - Penetrating look at the American Oiligarchy, the Bush regime and their military assault on the world.

The Globalists and Islamists–Fomenting the 'clash of civilizations' for the New World Order–Excellent historical overview of Anglo-American oil imperialism and the overthrow of democracies. History forgotten (omitted) is repeated . . .

Webster Tarpley (on his website):

'The Unauthorized Biography of George H W Bush' (free online book)–Written in 1991 but relevant and excellent history of the rise of the Bush dynasty from Prescott to George, Jr. with help from the Harrimans, Rockefellers and other elites.

'Against Oligarchy'–British Financial Warfare: How the City of London created the Great Depression–or how the NWO elites manipulate the global economy . . .

Aerosol and Electromagnetic Weapons in the Age of Nuclear War - Amy Worthington

A frightening survey of weapons being used and developed by the USG for use against its own people and the world; depleted uranium, Chemtrails, HAARP, etc.

War is a Racket by Smedley Darlington Butler, Major General

Making war for Wall Street and corporations–from WW1–nothings changed.

The Splendid failure of Occupation (onlinejournal.com) by B.J Sabri- Ongoing fascinating, informative series on the war of empire in Iraq and other issues . . .

New World Order

The Neocons Second Front Anne Williamson, May 26, 2005 (sandersresearch.com)

- Examines Wolfowitz/Bolton new assignments in context of the next stage of empire.

The Brotherhood and the Manipulation of Society Parts 1–10 (educate–yourself.org)

By Ivan Fraser and Mark Beeston–explains the history, makeup and organization of the Illuminati elite. - An untarnished view of the beast that stalks the world.

The Creature from Jekyll Island by G. Edward Griffin–Mindblowing and riveting.

This book has ranged across 2,000 years of money and banking from Diocletian to the Rothschilds to Alan Greenspan—and tied it into the New World Order.

Freedomforceinternational.org site for G. Edward Griffins series:

'The Future is Calling'–a 4 part expose on the so called 'war on terror' and the connections to the CFR and the deliberate engagement in war for change.

Bilderberg 2005 by Daniel Estulin (onlinejournal.com)–2 parts

Mentioned earlier; a peek at the characters involved in the NWO and their agenda.

The Council on Foreign Relations and the New World Order by William Blase

Concise and information packed with the players and history of the CFR.

The Secret Shadow Government: A Structural Analysis by Richard J. Boylan, PhD.

- A guide to the elite NWO players and groups who operate behind the official façade.

The American Turkish Council: US association helps create the NWO. (onlinejournal.com) by John Stanton

- NWO creation of New EuroAsia with the usual players involved; highly informative.

Neoliberalism and Empire

Globalism and World Order: The Institutionalization of Injustice by Nafeez Mosaddeq Ahmed (mediamonitors.net)

Excellent overview of the predatory and destructive practices and results of the IMF, WB, WTO, GATT etc. that have been and are being used to destroy the sovereignty of nations as they plunder their resources and place millions into poverty.

A Short History of Neoliberalism by Susan George

"To allow the market mechanism to be sole director of the fate of human beings and their natural environment . . . would result in the demolition of society"; sums up Neoliberalism.

World Bank, WTO and Corporate Control over Water by Vandana Shiva

Indian activist working to preserve seeds, water resources against predators like Monsanto and Coca-cola–describes the worlds struggles against Neoliberalism.

Media

Manufacturing Consent: A Propaganda Model (thirdworldtraveler.com)

By Noam Chomsky–excellent overview by the master on democracy and propaganda.

What makes Mainstream Media Mainstream? (zmag.org)

By Noam Chomsky–an essay on how MSM media works.

Secret Admirers: The Bushes and the Washington Post (onlinejournal.com) two parts.

By Michael Hasty–A look at the Bush dynasty and their propaganda machine; for more on the media and the CIA google to 'Mockingbird–subversion of the free press.'

Paranoid Shift (onlinejournal.com) by Michael Hasty (also see other articles by MH)

Fascism, the Bushes, conspiracies and the media. . . .

Monopoly Media Manipulation (michaelparenti.org) by Michael Parenti

Leading political scientist and activist sheds light on media manipulation of public opinion: suppression by omission, framing and other techniques of deception.

Fascism and 9/11

Now and Then (rense.com) - Hitler, Bush II and totalitarian corporatism . . .

George W. Bush–Terrorist in the White House: War for Israel (nogw.com)

A who's who of the Neocon/Zionist/Illuminati Bush cabal . . . links and with updates

9/11 and The American Empire (scoop.co.nz) - David Ray Griffin's historical talk at the University of Wisconsin on Apr. 18, 2005 on the evidence that implicates the leaders of the USG in the events of 9/11.

Internet Sites

Whatreallyhappened.com–collection from wide alternative and MSM sources

Rense.com–collection from wide alternative and MSM sources

Onlinejournal.com–Penetrating and cutting edge alternative news and research

Educate-yourself.com–good source for NWO and alternative articles–a must read is Tavistock: the Best Kept Secret in America by Dr Byron T. Weeks, MD on mind control.

Davidicke.com–NWO author who dubbed Problem, Reaction and Solution method.

Joelskousen.com–Excellent must read Strategic Threats and How to Analyze the News

Savethemales.ca Henry Makow's NWO site is fascinating and piercing.

Gregpalast.com–hard hitting investigative sleuth on the stolen American elections and the current anti IMF/WB Latin American movements. Sharp.

The Money Changers–google to Patrick S J Carmack's book on international bankers, the Rothschilds money monopoly and the creation of debt.

Threeworldwars.com -NWO site with toolbars and links to critical information on NWO.

Truedemocracy.net–Go to Magazine and Fall 2003 issue for NWO–other articles

Globalresearch.ca -Michel Chossudovsky's highly informative eclectic international site

Counterpunch.com–Michael St. Clair and Alexander Cockburn muckraking site.

Solari.com–Catherine Austin Fitts site - information and alternatives to the tapeworm

Books

A Peoples History of the United States–Howard Zinn–omits the Federal Reserve, Inc. scam but is still more honest than the Rockefeller Foundation versions.

I hope this article and resource list is helpful to you and I do believe it is possible to build a better world when we have the information, knowledge and the love to do it.

Disclaimer: This article is offered in the spirit of free speech and is for informational and educational purposes only.