Your offer of freedom and democracy means nothing because much of the world still lives in a Debtocracy; it’s taxation without representation. Poor countries can't escape the IMF and WTO.
February 25, 2005 (Press Release) --
Freedom & Debtocracy
Dear George,
It seems that Condi’s visit was only foreplay. Your European tour was being heralded as a new direction in US policy and for a short time, one was lulled into believing that this was actually true. Then, and I know you would be the first to admit that this is not entirely out of character, you put your foot in it by saying; "This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. Having said that, all options are on the table”.
If you don’t mind me saying so, my word of advice to European leaders is this; ‘beware of geeks bearing gifts’.
George, I am very concerned about your obsession with Iran. Look at what happened the last time you intervened in that country? That’s right, it led to the mullahs eventually taking over, and by the way the word is MULL-AHS not MOO-LAAZ, as you pronounced it. As far as I am aware, there are no Longhorns in Iran. In any case, the mullahs have been on the retreat for several years. Iran, especially when compared to Saudi Arabia, is very democratic. Intervening now would merely play into the hand of the mullahs, as they would be more than happy to blame the dire state of the economy on the Great Satan.
What I find even more disconcerting is the fact that you may subcontract attacks on Iranian nuclear sites to the Israelis. Here you have me totally confused. One of the main reasons why Iran wants nuclear weapons is because Israel has nuclear weapons. Yet, your policy is that it is okay for the Israelis to keep their weapons, and they can attack the Iranians for even thinking about having them. All this despite offers of a WMD free Middle East made by the Arab League and supported by Iran.
Why have you studiously ignored this? Is it your version of ‘Wag the Dog’?
I also observed from your speeches this week that your history of Syria and Lebanon is a little bit hazy. Lebanon was “once a proud and prosperous country”. However, the Syrian intervention was to quell a civil war that was already destroying it. They had made some progress when your good friend Ariel Sharon turned up in 1982 and totally wrecked everything.
Still, I would be the first to admit that the Syrians have overstayed their welcome. Does that sound familiar to you? No? Here are some quick stats for you to consider. The US has 150,000 troops in Iraq; Syria has 15,000 troops in Lebanon. Now George being a born-again Christian I am sure that you are aware of the passage in Matthew that says; “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye”.
Even more hypocritical is the fact that you are chasing the Syrians out of Lebanon, but not the Israelis out of Syria. Don’t tell me that you are not aware that Israel has been occupying Syria’s Golan since 1967. There can only be two reasons for this inconsistency – either you genuinely didn’t know, and to be fair that would not surprise anybody, or you believed that no one would notice this faux pax. Unfortunately, since you liberally use your vote in the UN Security Council to veto anything that says Israel should leave Palestinian territory, your rantings about Syria look unbelievably dishonest.
Maybe I am being unkind, it has nothing to do with you, and it is because the likes of Dick and Don and the neocons would not have it any other way.
It is good that you could visit Slovakia. I recall a time when you did not know the difference between that country and Slovenia. I am very happy that you appear to be well on your way to fixing that problem, but very unhappy with you comparing the collapse of the Soviet Union with the fall of Saddam in Iraq. How could you do this? One was the result of people power while the other was the result of an unwelcome military invasion.
You have become so high on this freedom and democracy thing that it is beginning to get scary. Then I heard about your taped conversations of a few years ago where you admitted to smoking dope. I guess the only reason why you are so high now is that you actually never stopped smoking.
George, I do believe that there is a greater plan here. Freedom is the new religion – dare I say it, the new opium for the masses. I guess that is what you meant when you said; “We’re gonna smoke them out”. Irrespective of whatever it costs, like for example 100,000 Iraqi lives, you and the neocons are going to do your level best to ensure that everyone gets high on this new religion of freedom and democracy.
I have thought about this really long and hard George and it took me back in time. It made me think of my distant ancestors. Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa once made a very pertinent observation - “When the Europeans came to South Africa they brought lots of bibles. They gave us bibles and said, ‘Let us close our eyes and pray.’ When we opened our eyes we found that we had a lot of European bibles and the Europeans had a lot of our land.” The story of Indians in the Americas is strikingly similar. Does the phrase Manifest Destiny ring a bell George? You see fortunately for me, unlike yourself, I did not go to Yale - I really have studied history. So, allow me to share with you what I have learned and what I know to be true.
Germans took their freedom and primarily because of economic discontent, voted for Hitler. At the end of World War II, the US recognized the economic dimensions of freedom and invoked the Marshall Plan. This effectively guaranteed democracy in Western Europe.
In 1992, Algerians used their freedom and voted for Islamic Fundamentalists, because that freedom had not delivered economic gain. Alternatively, South Korea only moved towards democracy once economic progress had been achieved.
Latin Americans voted for freedom, but by common consent, they have since suffered a reversal in living standards. In stark contrast and despite what you say about that country, China has made economic progress and consequently has also made political progress.
Then there is the highly instructive example of Russia. Russia was literally rushed into democracy at the behest of the IMF and American advisors, only to have its economy raped and living standards fall precipitously. Now according to a report on CNN, contrary to your views, when polled 48% of Russians viewed economic well-being as their most pressing concern – the corresponding vote for democracy was only 4%. I believe that is why Putin ain’t bitin’ on your rhetoric.
Your offer of freedom and democracy means nothing because much of the world still lives in a Debtocracy; it’s taxation without representation. Developing countries know that under this Debtocracy there is no getting away from that dreaded triumvirate of the IMF, World Bank and WTO. Developing countries have suffered under this Debtocracy for over 30 years. They suffer because particularly in the case of the IMF and World Bank, their votes do not count. There has been no talk of freedom in those forums, no talk of democratic representation, and no proselytizing about changing economic conditions that cause 30,000 preventable deaths every single day.
You call for Liberty! Then you deliberately ignore the Equality and Fraternity that goes with it. I am reminded of the line from the movie The Usual Suspects; “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to make the world believe he didn’t exist”.
You can blow as much smoke as you like George; we know exactly what it is you are hiding behind your screen of freedom. It is Debtocracy; a plan the neoconservatives agreed on long before they selected you as President. You don’t believe me – check with Don and Dick.
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan Ledwidge
Author – A Mannequin for President
www.amannequinforpresident.com
Dear George,
It seems that Condi’s visit was only foreplay. Your European tour was being heralded as a new direction in US policy and for a short time, one was lulled into believing that this was actually true. Then, and I know you would be the first to admit that this is not entirely out of character, you put your foot in it by saying; "This notion that the United States is getting ready to attack Iran is simply ridiculous. Having said that, all options are on the table”.
If you don’t mind me saying so, my word of advice to European leaders is this; ‘beware of geeks bearing gifts’.
George, I am very concerned about your obsession with Iran. Look at what happened the last time you intervened in that country? That’s right, it led to the mullahs eventually taking over, and by the way the word is MULL-AHS not MOO-LAAZ, as you pronounced it. As far as I am aware, there are no Longhorns in Iran. In any case, the mullahs have been on the retreat for several years. Iran, especially when compared to Saudi Arabia, is very democratic. Intervening now would merely play into the hand of the mullahs, as they would be more than happy to blame the dire state of the economy on the Great Satan.
What I find even more disconcerting is the fact that you may subcontract attacks on Iranian nuclear sites to the Israelis. Here you have me totally confused. One of the main reasons why Iran wants nuclear weapons is because Israel has nuclear weapons. Yet, your policy is that it is okay for the Israelis to keep their weapons, and they can attack the Iranians for even thinking about having them. All this despite offers of a WMD free Middle East made by the Arab League and supported by Iran.
Why have you studiously ignored this? Is it your version of ‘Wag the Dog’?
I also observed from your speeches this week that your history of Syria and Lebanon is a little bit hazy. Lebanon was “once a proud and prosperous country”. However, the Syrian intervention was to quell a civil war that was already destroying it. They had made some progress when your good friend Ariel Sharon turned up in 1982 and totally wrecked everything.
Still, I would be the first to admit that the Syrians have overstayed their welcome. Does that sound familiar to you? No? Here are some quick stats for you to consider. The US has 150,000 troops in Iraq; Syria has 15,000 troops in Lebanon. Now George being a born-again Christian I am sure that you are aware of the passage in Matthew that says; “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye”.
Even more hypocritical is the fact that you are chasing the Syrians out of Lebanon, but not the Israelis out of Syria. Don’t tell me that you are not aware that Israel has been occupying Syria’s Golan since 1967. There can only be two reasons for this inconsistency – either you genuinely didn’t know, and to be fair that would not surprise anybody, or you believed that no one would notice this faux pax. Unfortunately, since you liberally use your vote in the UN Security Council to veto anything that says Israel should leave Palestinian territory, your rantings about Syria look unbelievably dishonest.
Maybe I am being unkind, it has nothing to do with you, and it is because the likes of Dick and Don and the neocons would not have it any other way.
It is good that you could visit Slovakia. I recall a time when you did not know the difference between that country and Slovenia. I am very happy that you appear to be well on your way to fixing that problem, but very unhappy with you comparing the collapse of the Soviet Union with the fall of Saddam in Iraq. How could you do this? One was the result of people power while the other was the result of an unwelcome military invasion.
You have become so high on this freedom and democracy thing that it is beginning to get scary. Then I heard about your taped conversations of a few years ago where you admitted to smoking dope. I guess the only reason why you are so high now is that you actually never stopped smoking.
George, I do believe that there is a greater plan here. Freedom is the new religion – dare I say it, the new opium for the masses. I guess that is what you meant when you said; “We’re gonna smoke them out”. Irrespective of whatever it costs, like for example 100,000 Iraqi lives, you and the neocons are going to do your level best to ensure that everyone gets high on this new religion of freedom and democracy.
I have thought about this really long and hard George and it took me back in time. It made me think of my distant ancestors. Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa once made a very pertinent observation - “When the Europeans came to South Africa they brought lots of bibles. They gave us bibles and said, ‘Let us close our eyes and pray.’ When we opened our eyes we found that we had a lot of European bibles and the Europeans had a lot of our land.” The story of Indians in the Americas is strikingly similar. Does the phrase Manifest Destiny ring a bell George? You see fortunately for me, unlike yourself, I did not go to Yale - I really have studied history. So, allow me to share with you what I have learned and what I know to be true.
Germans took their freedom and primarily because of economic discontent, voted for Hitler. At the end of World War II, the US recognized the economic dimensions of freedom and invoked the Marshall Plan. This effectively guaranteed democracy in Western Europe.
In 1992, Algerians used their freedom and voted for Islamic Fundamentalists, because that freedom had not delivered economic gain. Alternatively, South Korea only moved towards democracy once economic progress had been achieved.
Latin Americans voted for freedom, but by common consent, they have since suffered a reversal in living standards. In stark contrast and despite what you say about that country, China has made economic progress and consequently has also made political progress.
Then there is the highly instructive example of Russia. Russia was literally rushed into democracy at the behest of the IMF and American advisors, only to have its economy raped and living standards fall precipitously. Now according to a report on CNN, contrary to your views, when polled 48% of Russians viewed economic well-being as their most pressing concern – the corresponding vote for democracy was only 4%. I believe that is why Putin ain’t bitin’ on your rhetoric.
Your offer of freedom and democracy means nothing because much of the world still lives in a Debtocracy; it’s taxation without representation. Developing countries know that under this Debtocracy there is no getting away from that dreaded triumvirate of the IMF, World Bank and WTO. Developing countries have suffered under this Debtocracy for over 30 years. They suffer because particularly in the case of the IMF and World Bank, their votes do not count. There has been no talk of freedom in those forums, no talk of democratic representation, and no proselytizing about changing economic conditions that cause 30,000 preventable deaths every single day.
You call for Liberty! Then you deliberately ignore the Equality and Fraternity that goes with it. I am reminded of the line from the movie The Usual Suspects; “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was to make the world believe he didn’t exist”.
You can blow as much smoke as you like George; we know exactly what it is you are hiding behind your screen of freedom. It is Debtocracy; a plan the neoconservatives agreed on long before they selected you as President. You don’t believe me – check with Don and Dick.
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan Ledwidge
Author – A Mannequin for President
www.amannequinforpresident.com
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