#i truly do not understand how anyone supports israel in any way shape or form

[party-gilmore]

TL;DR - if you’re trying to use chanukah this year for zionist propaganda as either a:

goy who’s trying to use it as an excuse to ramp up your antisemitism, or

zionist who’s trying to use it as an excuse to ramp up anti-Palestinian sentiment, or

that lovely combination of BOTH we see from christian fundies/evangelists

then I wish you a very happy GET FUCKED.

I still truly can not wrap my head around how people are taking -

“Jewish holiday remembering a fight back against an occupying force for the right to continue living our lives on our own land and continue the religious observances intrinsically linked with our culture, meant not to glorify the violence but to celebrate the refusal to give up and give in even under threat of death”

- and go forth in thinking that the moral of said story is NOT to support Palestine trying to do the same damn thing.

Chanukah still will be joyous for me. It still stands as a bright reminder of jewish resilience and perseverance the fight for our own liberation. But for me it will also be a reminder of vigilance, and the Never Again that we promised after the Shoah - that ANY of the trials we were put through, genocide or occupation or slavery - should never again be visited on another people.

No matter what a group of radicals within them might say or do.

It should be a rally and a reminder not just of our own fight against antisemitism but also to support others in theirs, to CONTINUE coming out around the fucking world to stand in open defense and support of Palestinian liberation and to KEEP trying to stop anyone from putting another people through what we’ve gone through. ESPECIALLY Israel.

Even a half-assed attempt at a good faith reading should understand that the moral of chanukah is in no way, shape, or form to justify the State of Israel’s actions, or that it’s somehow intrinsically a “zionist” holiday. Its literally memorializing a battle AGAINST assimilation and occupation and oppression and massacres.

And anyone who’s not a complete and utter fucking twat is going to recognize that that should translate into supporting Palestine as they face the same exact fight - but at an EXPONENTIALLY increased threat. The kind of power being leveled against them right now boggles the fucking mind. In no way am I trying to diminish what Jews in that era faced but. Bombs, white phosphorous, that kind of DIRECT control over modern resources such as medicine and electricity we’ve come to rely on. UNFATHOMABLE to those days.

And ABOVE all that. I can not fucking stand for EITHER 1) goyim using chanukah as “proof of inherent jewish zionism” to ramp up their antisemitism around the holiday, OR the other end of that equation, 2) radical zionist Jews literally fucking like “if you aren’t zionist i better not see you even fucking TOUCHING chanukah this year” WHICH!!!! i CAN NOT BELIEVE I HAVE ACTUALLY SEEN WITH MY OWN TWO EYES!!!!

BUT THANKS TO MY FUCKING BEOKEN ASS FOR YOU PAGE ALGORITHM (derogatory) WHICH HAS DECIDED TO PUT LITERALLY ANYTHING WITH THE WORDS ISRAEL OR PALESTINE IN FRONT ME. i HAVE LITERALLY SEEN THAT FUCKING POST WORD FOR WORD.

H.

HOW DO YOU MISS THE POINT OF “this week we celebrated the time occupying forces tried to purge our culture from the land we are actively living on, or - failing that - purge us, but we didn’t give up and now we remember that we made it through by having a joyous time with our families” THAT FUCKING BADLY???? THAT YOU THINK THE KEY TAKEAWAY THERE IS “getting the land it happened in” INSTEAD OF “surviving as a nation and a people”

HOW MUCH MORE FUCKING HYPOCRITICAL CAN YOU GET.

#and it may very well just be The American Jew experience but #i just. can’t fucking fathom it. #that i’ve seen it NOT JUST FROM GOYIM #i guess there’s always radicals in any group you’re never gonna get away from that #it’s just so fucking frustrating to try and explain ‘look this kind of belief isn’t inherent to all judaism-‘ #only to be smacked in the face with a post by another jew saying EXACTLY THAT #and it’s like fffuuucccckkkk #i gotta stay outta my fucking for you page the algorithm is SHIT

[workersolidarity]

Does anyone ever question why the US is in Syria at all? Or who is actually in control of the US Military?

We all know we shouldn't be in Syria (or many other countries) to begin with, in direct contravention of International Law. Whereas Russia has actually been invited into Syria and has done the majority of the work battling ISIS. The US however, has mostly used the opportunity to expand it's waning Imperialist sphere of influence in the region. Making moves such as blocking Iran from delivering equipment and weapons to Hezbollah at the behest of Israel.

I'm sure that sounds good if you buy the Propaganda that the US Military pumps out of its Corporate Media arms. But the reality on the ground has been that Hezbollah has been the only force capable of defending Shiite Communities near the Syrian, Lebanese border at a time when ISIS along with US/CIA-funded Al-Quaeda offshoots like Al Nusra Front have presented an immanent danger to these communities. Their major crime? Being Shiite Communities caught in the crossfire.

This is, of course, to say nothing of the origins of the Syrian Civil War, of which the CIA/State Department and other arms of US Imperialism played a leading role by secretly funding and training terrorist Organizations to attack the Syrian State.

The US is the reason ISIS exists to begin with. You cannot just destabilize an entire region of the world and expect no consequences.

Then along comes Trump, who claims to despise useless foreign wars. However, despite the supposed hesitancy of Trump to continue with the US involvement in the occupation of Syrian territory, or the training and arming of terrorist groups, he's mostly just made a big show of wanting to get out while continuing, and even expanding many aspects of the Obama era policies in Syria.

Of course there's no way of knowing Trump's sincerity about wanting to extricate the Military from pointless Imperial excursions, but only two options are really possible here.

Either Trump and Obama before him were always lying, and never had any intention of removing US involvement in the region, or the US Political apparatuses have completely lost control of the US Military, the Defense Contracting Industry, and the Security State.

I say this not to absolve US leadership's responsibility in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions of deaths associated with the Imperialist Wars in the Middle East, but as a serious question as to Civilian control of the US Military.

On multiple occasions over the last decade, I've taken notice of increasing incidents beginning in the Obama Administration when the President, or Administration Officials would officially declare a Policy, while the Military pursued a contradictory Policy.

Now of course this could be a typical case of lying to the public about declared Policy, not exactly a new phenomenon. However, these moments of contradiction may actually be an example of a loss of control over Military Policy. This happens in countries all across the World, but to most Americans this notion is unthinkable.

But let's give this a Materialist Analysis.

In many countries that depend heavily on their Military for basic security, continuously relies on the Military to pursue Government Policy, and/or has a massively bloated Military Beaurocracy, it is not uncommon to lose civilian control over their Military apparatus when their interests collide with those of Civilian Governments.

In the US, Civilian control over the Military was a founding principle, though noticeably it hasn't really been tested over the last century. The US Military has never really had any major Policy differences with our Bourgeois Governments.

But perhaps this has begun to change since the beginning of the Obama Administration. For example, clearly the Military never had any intention of ever closing Guantanamo Bay Military Prison, and sure enough, despite a direct Presidential order to do so, the Military successfully resisted, and even convinced Congress to slip a Law into a Budget Bill banning the President from closing the Prison. I took notice.

On numerous occasions in the Syria conflict, the stated policies of the Presidential Administrations have gone completely ignored, or were directly contradicted by the actions or statements of the Military itself.

Pretty soon, this may no longer be just speculation. There might come a time when the Military drops all pretenses and publicly ignores a major Policy or some other Civilian orders.

For decades Presidents and Congresses have allowed the Military to freely pursue its own Imperialist goals with little or no oversight, and largely it's goals have aligned with those of our Bourgeois Elected Officials.

However, now as different sections of the Bourgeoisie's interests have come into conflict with one another and those of the Military, you see what seems to be more pushback and decision making independence by the US Military.

Consider this. The Military and Defense Contracting Interests have normally been most closely aligned with that of the Fossil Fuel Industry, the Chemical Manufacturing Industry, the Metals Production Industries, and the Financial Industry, among others.

But today a divide is rapidly growing between the Fossil Fuels, Chemical Production and Metal workings Industries and those of Silicon Valley, mainly Renewable Energy Production, technology, communication, and others like Synthetic Materials Production and other new possiblities that don't use the same resources that older industries needed.

These newer Industries already threaten to supplant the old ones. The economy is evolving and the Financial Industry is funding all of these changes.

This creates some major divisions within the Bourgeoisie and in some ways the new industries are less dependant on our old allies, traditional Territorial dominance, with a shifting geopolitical alignment. I'm some ways the new Economy requires more international cooperation, non-traditional allies and more foreign investment and cooperation from the biggest adversaries of the older Fossil Fuel based industries that have dominated our economy for over a Century.

That's not to say Imperialism is waning. Far from it, today you see an increasingly aggressive forms Imperialism. However the Geopolitical landscape is rapidly shifting. China's on the rise. Silicon Valley wants a piece of the Action, whereas traditional Fossil Fuel Industries... well, not so much. Likely this will become the biggest battleground for the Bourgeoisie, and within Military leadership.

And it's not as simple as one big divide between traditional production and tech industry production. We may eventually come to see multitudes of divisions and contradictions arising out of the economic evolution.

For now, based on my observations of the interactionsvbetween Civilian Government and Military leadership in recent years, makes me believe there may be a complete loss of control over the Military by the Bourgeois Governments, or at least certain Governments. Soon open vying for Military backing could become a thing, similar to corrupt governments in Africa and the Middle East.

I'm sure everyone's heard of the famous final speech by the Imperialist General turned President Dwight D. Eisenhower about the threat posed by the US Military Industrial Complex??? Today's splintering Economic interests may finally reveal to the Public what that warning really meant 60 years ago.

US Empire is self-sustaining and omnipresent. It doesn't need a Congress, a President or Civilian Beaurocracy to function. It has its own version of all those things within its own infrastructure.

But this also might present Socialists with an opportunity if these divisions break out into the public. If I'm noticing it, surely someone else has.

At some point public sentiment might turn against the Military. But only if they begin to see it as an Organization out of control that's no longer guarding their interests. It will be up to the Socialist Movement to help guide and shape this sentiment overtime by educating the Working Class.

It will be incumbent upon Socialists to educate the Working Class about how the US Military is utilized across the third-world as the guardian of Bourgeois Resources and Private Property. We have to show the people how Corporate America uses the Military as it's own Mafia Enforcer who's number one job is the violent suppression of foreign workers to keep their so low it drives our own down here in the US.

I don't imagine most Workers being very happy to learn that the majority of their tax money is going to the Military, not to keep them safe, but instead to suppress wages in third-world countries using extreme violence. Once people truly understand what this means for them, for the quality of their jobs, and for the suppression if their own wages, then we may be able to change how people perceive the Military Indusrial Complex more generally, and hopefully turn the public against it over time.

This will be no easy feat. The fact is the Military enjoys the highest levels of support of any Government Angency among the US population. Persistent non-stop Military propaganda from the time were toddlers till we die has had a profound effect on people's ability to look at the Military and Imperialism critically. People rarely question the Military or its leadership.

To change this perception will take more than a few rallies and Propaganda. We will need a persistent, Universal effort on the Left to hammer home just how damaging the Military is to the interests of the Working Class.

It will require engagement with the public through forms of media they engage with on a daily basis. That means a steady campaign that blankets Social Media, Public Media, and even finding ways to break out onto the airwaves of the Corporate Media when possible.

As I say in pretty much everything I post, this has to start by aligning all the countless Marxist-Leninist Organizations and Parties, and integrating our efforts into a coherent strategy.

It will require reaching out to Organizations sponsored by the Governments of Socialist Nations like the Republic of Cuba, Venezuela, and the DPRK, as well as any Anti-Revisionist Organizations or Parties in non-Socialist Countries.

Lets see where we can work together on Strategy and Tactics. Let's work to create International Unity by Organizing Rallies, Demonstrations, and Protests across cities, States, and Nations. We should also be organizing Propaganda campaigns similarly, by publishing Propaganda internationally where possible and in different languages. Let's learn how to do these things and get it done. We are only as strong as we are United and Militant.

If you have any clout with a local chapter of Communist Parties or Organizations in your area, convince your Comrades to start reaching out to other Parties, other Organizations and let's get working together. Good Praxis means nothing without enough people to gain attention.

All of this is possible. We have to begin at the very bottom of Organizing efforts and work our way up. That's what happens after many decades of neglect and infighting.

And I believe we have the time to get this done. But only if we begin working on it right now! Slowly but surely, the divisions and contradictions between the different interests of the Bourgeoisie will begin breaking out into public more and more often.

The same goes for Civilian control of the Military. We have to make sure we're ready to go on the offensive as these issues become bigger and bigger in the coming years.

I know we can do this! But only if the Workers of the World Unite!

Solidarity Comrades!

#military industrial complex #military #us military #us empire #imperialism #us imperialism #bourgeois propaganda #the bourgeoisie #bourgeoise #bourgeois democracy #dictatorship of the bourgeoisie #economy #politics #socialism #revolutionary socialism #socialist politics #communism #communist #socialist #marxism #marxist #marxism leninism #marxist leninist #media #international solidarity #solidarity #socialist solidarity #us military industrial complex #marx #karl marx

[the-record-columns]

Feb. 12, 2020: Columns

A friend first, then a banker…

(Editor’s note: This column was written by Ken Welborn shortly after the death in 2010 of his longtime friend, Ronald “Ron” Shoemaker.)

By KEN WELBORN

Record Publisher

I simply do not know to express the sadness I feel as I write today about my friend, Ron Shoemaker.

For my entire adult life, Ron was there whenever I needed him with wise counsel, patience and understanding.  Anytime I had the opportunity to introduce Ron, I would always do so as “…my friend, Ron,” and the fact that he was my banker would only come up if appropriate or necessary.  While he made his entire career in the realm of finance, his true legacy is that of an honest man, a good family man, a brother like no other — and a trusted friend.

Ron Shoemaker was what I like to refer to as an old-line banker, one who could read people as well as financial statements, and who would place character ahead of collateral when circumstances called for it.  Ron truly cared about his customers, never more clearly evidenced to me than the time, back in the old NCNB days, when he didn’t loan me the money.

I had gotten myself involved in a circumstance (the proverbial good cause) that had gone south and I had been convinced by the gentleman in charge that I had no choice but to ante up $10,000 as my part to clean up the mess.  I went to see Ron, explained what had transpired to him, and asked to borrow the money. 

He then asked me several questions about my involvement in the deal, studied about it a minute or two and then leaned forward and said, “I’ll loan you the money, I promise, but I want you to do something for me first.” 

He then went on to tell me that he didn’t think what was going on was fair to me; that I was being scammed, and that I should see an attorney before I agreed to pay a dime.  I kind of hesitated, so, without another word, he picked up his phone and called Jim Moore, asking him if he could see Ken Welborn for a few minutes. 

About an hour later, as I left Jim’s law office in the old Northwestern Bank Building, he told me I was fortunate to have a friend like Ron looking out for me, because I had no liability whatever in this deal, and if anyone argued with me to simply tell them “…you’ll see them in court.”

When I went by to thank Ron, he smiled broadly and said, “I have heard your daddy the preacher say many times that there is no right way to do the wrong thing, and this is plainly wrong.”  

That was my friend Ron talking — clearly the banker Ron took a back seat that day.

I followed him when he went to Southern National Bank (now BB&T), and was as happy as anyone in the county when, some years later, he told me he and a group of directors were forming what came to be Wilkes National Bank and then Northwestern National Bank.  They made a great success of that company, catering particularly to small businesses and individuals; and by understanding just how personal folks take a banking relationship.  Simply put, they treated their customers the way they would want to be treated. 

That attitude came from the top down, from Ron Shoemaker.

After his retirement, I mostly saw him when he was out to eat with his wife, Jane — who always looked as though she just left the beauty shop.  I would tease him about still dressing up like a banker, even after retirement, and he would remind me he needed the coat pockets to hold the fifty or so pictures he always carried of his grandson; his newest pride and joy.

Ron’s health had been failing for the past few years, and I cannot even imagine what he went through, but clearly he didn’t have to go it alone — his family stood by him steadfastly.  He remained positive and upbeat, always finding the best in whatever circumstance he was facing. 

He was a man at peace with himself, with his family, and with God. 

I am a better man for having known him.

                                               Ron Shoemaker                                   May 1, 1940—February 12, 2010                                                Rest in Peace

The Perfect Valentines Gift Does Exist

By HEATHER DEAN

Record Reporter

Disclaimer: I’m that girl.

I would rather spend the day curled up with a good book and a warm beverage instead of going out in public.

Contrary to popular belief, people like us do exist outside of fairy tales and movies, and there’s nothing supernatural about it. Think about it: Books are so much better than the blasé “flowers, chocolates, and promises you don’t intend to keep” on the most commercialized day of the year, posing as a holiday.

Last summer, my two daughters and I spent the day at Biltmore. We toured the house and gardens, and then went to the shops. They made a bee line for the candy store and I perused for a bit at the other treasures before going into the bookstore. (Side note: If I ever win the lottery, I will have a library that puts Mr. Vanderbilt’s to shame.) After about 30 minutes I heard a familiar voice echo in the hallway. It was my youngest. “TOLD you mom would be in the bookshop!” They came in and we looked over books together, discussing the history, language and Edwardian clothing surrounding the primary books in the shop, as well as swooning over the calligraphy sets. As I made my purchase the shopkeeper said “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversations. You have such well behaved and intelligent children. Thank you for that.”    

I told her it was generational- my mom instilled that same love for history and leaning in her children, and I am grateful that my kids have inherited that as well. Of course they have inherited my tenaciousness as well and more than once a letter has been sent home about them debating in the class when the information about something historical has been inaccurate. (Guess the administration wasn’t ready for a first grader to know about the Celts, or a third grader to know her Greek gods.)  

I say all this because there is an invaluable opportunity here in Wilkes next week to get that perfect Valentines Day gift. The Friends of the Library Used Book Sale is Thursday, Feb. 13, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14 and Feb. 15, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

So go ahead and lay out a candlelit table, with favored beverage and lots of candy, but don’t miss this opportunity to wow and amaze your significant other by placing a book they would love at the table setting.  

 Collusion in disguise?

By AMBASSADOR EARL COX and KATHLEEN COX

Special to The Record

On March 2, Israelis will go to the polls again for the third time in one year to elect, or re-elect, their prime minister.  One week ago, MSNBC audiences were told by Bill Kristol, a NeverTrump propagandist, that if Prime Minister Netanyahu is defeated, then the Democrats have a better chance of winning the White House.  Given the Democrat’s deep-in-the-gut hatred for Donald Trump, is it beyond the realm of possibility to think their operatives could have a hand in helping to swing the election against Netanyahu?  On this we must keep a close watch for even a hint of collusion. It’s interesting to note the players on Team Gantz, better known as the Blue and White party - Netanyahu’s major opposition. More on this later.

With Trump’s newly unveiled peace plan, Netanyahu is in an awkward and difficult position. Attached to that plan was a map. After the peace plan was published, Israelis noticed problems with the attached map.  Large sections of Highway 60 which crosses Judea and Samaria from north to south, is placed outside of Israeli jurisdiction.  Without correction, entire Israeli communities, equaling approximately 700,000 individual Israelis, will be isolated outside of Israeli jurisdiction. 

Israel has always insisted that any viable peace plan must make clear provision for defensible borders.  As unbelievable as it is, the map was crafted in error.  Netanyahu’s team is now working on the corrections.  If not completed before the March 2nd elections, Netanyahu will be in political trouble.  

Last Monday, Gantz, along with two of his senior campaign advisors and strategists, traveled to Washington to meet with President Trump.  Prior to Gantz’s arrival, light was shed on his two traveling companions, Ronen Tzur and Joel Benenson.  Both have Tweeted numerous vicious attacks on President Trump even going so far as to compare him to Hitler.  After meeting with President Trump, Gantz left Washington with Trump’s peace plan tucked underarm and knowing of the errors on the map.  As Israel’s former Chief of Staff for the Israel Defense Forces, Gantz is a superb strategist.  As such, he returned to Israel and announced that he intended to present the plan to the Knesset for approval.  Knowing that Netanyahu’s base of support, which are the Likud, right-wing lawmakers and the right-religious bloc, could not pass the plan with errors, even though they support it overall.  Forcing them to publicly oppose the plan would serve the best interests of both Gantz’s party and the Democrats.  With Netanyahu supporters opposing the plan, both the plan and Netanyahu would be discredited in the eyes of voters.  This would force many to simply stay away from the polls on March 2nd.All of this, the defeat of the plan and the defeat of Netanyahu, would bode well for the Democrats.  

Now, a word about the players.  Who are Joel Benenson and Ronen Tzur of Team Gantz?  Both are currently serving as senior campaign advisors to Gantz. As it turns out, Benenson helped shape the policies and positions of the Democrat Party.  He served as Obama’s senior political strategist in the 2008 and 2012 elections and he also served as Hillary Clinton’s senior political strategist in 2016.  The Israeli left is clearly intertwined with the Democrat Party.  Gantz’s announcement that he intended to present the plan to the Knesset for approval, along with the faulty map, was not a sign of his support for the peace plan but rather a cleverly disguised attempt to discredit Trump and Netanyahu.  It seems foul play may be underway.  Dare I suggest collusion?  

 Leather Britches and a good talk

By CARL WHITE

Life in the Carolinas

I think it’s safe to say that food has the unique capacity to nourish the body as well as relationships of all sorts.

During lunch with a friend not long ago, our lunch included among other things a tasty Amish potato salad which was made with chunks of potato with easy blending to leave good amounts of the potato structure intact. Based on its flavor profile, I do believe that the traditional Amish recipe was followed.

As the meal progressed, my friend looked up and said, “While this is a good potato salad, my mama made the best I have ever eaten. Hers was creamy and had a yellow tent to it.” He went on to share memories about his sweet mother and how well she treated him. He is confident that he was her favorite child.

The stories progressed to when he was invited to a Homecoming at the Hinshaw Baptist Church. As is tradition, there were all sorts of good foods to enjoy, including a potato salad that appeared to be creamy and had a familiar yellow tent to it.

With modest expectations, he spooned out a good helping and when he set down to eat, was instantly flooded with memories of his mama’s potato salad. He could not believe what he was tasting. He immediately went on a search to find the maker of the dish that had stirred so many memories.

He found her and to his delight she not only knew his mother but had learned from her how to make that creamy potato salad that featured a hint of yellow mustard for flavor and color.

The maker could not have been more pleased to know that a recipe learned long ago, brought forward such wonderful and meaningful memories on that day.

I attended an event not long ago where the Appalachian Song Writer, Singer and Storyteller William Ritter presented a program titled “Songs, Stories and Seeds.”

I had met Will several years prior during a gathering of the storyteller’s series “Liars Bench” which was being hosted at Western Carolina University. The series was produced by the renowned and colorful storyteller Gary Carden. We had cameras rolling for the evening and it was a great event.

On this day, however, he shared stories about Appalachian inspired music and the not so talked about seed sharing system of the Appalachian Region.

Much of Will’s talk was around the culture of seed sharing and some of the music was about the same thing. I loved his story about “Leather Britches” and the song he penned titled “Greasy Beans.”

I liked the “Leathers Britches” because they brought back memories of my grandparents stringing the beans on a thread and hanging them to dry. In the cooler months when fresh beans were not growing, they were rehydrated and cooked. The have a very different flavor; some folks like them and some do not. I like them because of the memory. They are hard to find these days because it’s easy to get fresh food year-round. However, there are some folks who still make them.  

Will’s song about “Greasy Beans” talks about the love people have for the unique aspects of the bean. The plants run long, and the beans are best eaten big and plump.

After Will’s program, we set and talked about music, heirloom seed sharing, and good mountain stories for about three hours. It was a good time and it all started around food memories.

When I think about all the great conversations I have had around food, I am confident that if food or a good beverage were not involved, the visits would have been much shorter. Sometimes a quick visit is good, but often, a little lingering is much better.

 Carl White is the Executive Producer and Host of the award-winning syndicated TV show Carl White’s Life In The Carolinas. The weekly show is now in its 11th year of syndication and can be seen in the Charlotte market on WJZY Fox 46 Saturday’s at noon and My 12. The show also streams on Amazon Prime. For more information visit www.lifeinthecarolinas.com. You can email Carl at [email protected].