Democracy Now! - John Pilger on Empire 2 of 5

[GAURAV1140]

I really love when US does something so brutal.....becoz it gets them 1 step closer to their inevitable downfall as a pay back.....Nature never spares any evil done....But i must give credit....united states is the least brutal a world power can get....imagine soviets winning cold war....or the murderous British empire still looting the world....or Chinese overtaking US in future....they don't even spare their own people let alone others....

[dharmaatdawn]

this is truly heartbreaking. the corporations and military will stop at nothing to get what they want. lifes are taken and theres no consiquence to any of those horrendous actions. peoples lifes just dont count. that is very very scary.

[Cabronosidad]

He's wide of the mark at 6.20. The crucial point about the Falkland Islands & Diego Garcia isn't that one group were white whilst another were black, but that in both cases Britain retained control over strategic assets overseas, with which it could fulfill its function of facilitating the extension of the American empire abroad. The colour of the inhabitants affected is largely irrelevant.

[McDoulgham]

@Cabronosidad Watch his documentary "Stealing of a Nation" to learn the sad truth. If you call inhabitants some "Tarzan" and "Friday man" as British officials did, well what else can you say? The problem is that our elite is inherently racist in a the true sense of racism, but also in the sense of class racism - in want of a better expression.

[WELLBRAN]

What is shocking about this story is that so called socialist MP's were all in on it! Wilson healey etc SOB's!! The British people were ignorant about this

[CERNOBE]

i am an intellectual

[panthera50]

The Americans don't even know their own evel history. :-(

[JohnnyRock2000]

Power corrupts. In the modern world, public opinion rules and generally this opinion is manipulated by the media. Presently, the internet skips the established message, bringing truth at some times as this and waking up a duped audience.

[JohnnyRock2000]

There was only 2000 of them. Why didn't they just simply buy them off. Israel does this successfully in East Jerusalem.

[frickadele]

@Steelsixtysix

shill

[frickadele]

The terrorists are Britain and the USA.

I'm sick of them.

[frickadele]

@frickadele

Have you noticed...

that missionaries always come...

before the soldiers do.

They're just scouts...in sheep's clothing.

"I come in peace."

Bullshit.

[abdhamidmatsain]

the US and UK political system is "Imperial Corporate-cracy" camouflaged by elusive democracy...the majority "brainwashed" public in both countries are make-belief walking zombies are ruled by the minority powerful elites...

[thepofmeister]

we all know the fourth reich will never give up the world. it would have to be taken from them. noone is in a position to do this. people just don't care to get an education. my wife has seen everything i have. does she care? no. why? maybe she just cares about her position as she perceives it can't all be true... go figure that...

[NestleWaters88]

@JeunFost LOL --> let it out

[pedro270569]

diego garcia is a clear case of crimes against humanity by UK and US governments(evil people)

[yviva]

@pedro270569

so so are the unites states and australia (the nations of the presenters), - lands occupied by western colonialism & empire.

[pedro270569]

@yviva agreed

[KlaatuAustral]

I wouid like the UK to invade my country. Nothing really exciting happens around here. After all, countries are just political fictions...

I would trade my nationality for 10000 pounds.

[NestleWaters88]

@KlaatuAustral LOL what country would that be?

[KlaatuAustral]

This may sound a little cruel, but you cannot call a bunch of 2,000 people a "Nation". That´s ludicrous.

But if they are UK citizens, then they have to take advantage of that and demand to go to London. That would be a good opportunity to form part of first world civilization.

[slimithy12]

so it okay for them to forcibly remove them from thier home land cos there was only 2000 of them. so how many people do there have to be before it becomes a nation? there were less then 2000 people on the falkland island when the british sent their entire fleet over 5000 miles across the world to defend their rights. the hypocracy is amazing. its funny that an educated person can watch this and the only thing they have to say is "2000 people is hardly a nation"....madness

[hartmut1164]

The difference between Diego Garcia and the Falklands was an other one: In one case the British government executed its sovereignty over a territory, in the other case it prevented an other state of gaining this sovereignty.

The actions of the British government were in both cases inline and demanded by the system of states established by the Peace of Westphalia.

[slimithy12]

i would like to see how you would react if the british goverment (or what ever government you live under) forcibly removed you from your home to make way for a military base and dumped you in some slum somewhere. i bet you wouldn be talking shit about your governments right to do so. it never seizes to amaze me how unsympathetic people can be to other people's suffering but when its them they expect the whole world to drop what their doing and help....lol.

[hartmut1164]

The constitutional set-up of the most British Oversea Territories is well known: The supreme executive, legislative and indicative power is invested in The Queen and the Privy Council; in real terms: the British Government.

Anyone how lives in such territories is free to leave those - if he doesn't he accepts those constitutional settlement and has no right to complain if the British Government does executes its powers.

[hartmut1164]

"judicative" instead of "indicative"

[slimithy12]

so if you were forcibly removed you from your home would you feel the british had the right to do so, just because you were under their sovereignty? remember the only reason why the british have any say over those islands or any other place in the world out side of the british isles is force of arms, not birth right. or any other "right" for that matter. so please let me know how YOU would feel about being disspossessed.

[hartmut1164]

I have the impression that you do not understand what "sovereignty" really means - governments have the right to do so except their powers are limited by a kind of constitution or international treaty.

"Force of arms"? Welcome in reality. Sovereignty is based on the force of arms and interests of states. Even the creation of the national states in Europe was a history of force of arms - no big difference in the policy of the Tudors or Louis XIV in this respect.

[slimithy12]

i know what sovereignty means. please dont avoid answering my original question. which i will repeat, what whould you do if your forced to leave your home to make way for a military base?

[hartmut1164]

My feelings are of no interest - that's what "sovereignty" means: To issue orders regardless of the "feelings" of your subjects.

[slimithy12]

lol.....and thats democracy now my friend.

[hartmut1164]

The British Oversea Territories are not democracies: They are possessions of The Queen - in which The Queen, aka the British Government, can act as the Government sees fit.

How ever lives in this territories and does not like this settlement is free to leave those territories, but how ever stays does agree unconditional to this rules.

[slimithy12]

you keep repeating yourself. im aware of how you feel about the rights and liberties of others outside of the UK, you have made that clear. im interested in how you would feel if the british government exercised its so called rights to remove YOU from a place that you had called home your whole life.

[hartmut1164]

I can tell you:

I will reject this claim, based on "Liberty of Subject Act" 1354 of Edward III, and consequents Act of Parliament over the centuries and based on International Treaties, like the EU-Treaties and the European Human Rights Convention.

But: If such laws or treaties do not exist, The Crown is free to act according to its pleasure. This is the very nature of sovereignty.

[slimithy12]

well done, now that wasent too hard to admitt was it. its nice to know that you would not agree with them stealing your land, so try to more sympathetic to the suffering of others in the future. peace

[hartmut1164]

It is not a question of sympathy, but of legal reasoning: At least since the judgment in the Somersett's Case in which Lord Mansfield (very reluctantly) declared slavery illegal in England and Wales in 1772, but did not free the slaves in the colonies (today British Oversea Territories) it is clear that there is a different law for the UK and those territories.

It is just the case that the British Government can act in the BOT much more freely, unbounded by law, than anywhere else.

[slimithy12]

yes our government are hypicritical thieves, liars and murders who act like they are better and more civilized then others, when infact they use civilization as a front. behind the scenes they expliot and degrade the less fortunate. however having said that i wouldnt want to live anwhere eles in the world (and i have traveled) there is no place like home.

[hartmut1164]

All government are necessary this way - in some respect, given the human nature, needed to keep some order between humans.

The British Government has just by history some extra legalistic trick in the bag (and can cover in the worst case behind the petticoat of The Queen).

[SilentEmpires]

dancebaby** u are absoluely right that it's also found Judaism and Christanity...but christanity has been spoiled with the 3gods in one theory (trinity)...which the original Christians never believed (research The Juresalem Church which was found by Jesus's companions). And Moses's Scriptures revealed to him by Allah/God has been changed by the Rabbis of Ancient Babylonwhich conqured Jersulam centuries after Moses (peace be upon him). therefore Islam is the ONLy MOnthestic Faith unspoiled by man

[voskresene]

Of course there is no textual evidence to support your claim about "Moses' scripture" which contradicts the Jewish/Christian text. Only Muslims make such assertions. And that is all they are; assertions; and dogmatic ones at that.

[SilentEmpires]

the present day jewish and christian texts has been heavely doctored throughout the ages....and THIS AINT DOGMA OR MY OWN ASSERTIONS...ITS DOCUMENTED HISTORY...in the TEN Commandments Allaah/God says...1. You shall NOT worship any other god but Me (God)...So where does the trinity 3 gods in one come from.

2. You shall NOT make a graven image...go to any church now and you will find it full of images of (supposed god, prophets etc) God sent Muhammed to clean His Religion & confirm the Prophets.

[voskresene]

Your understanding of Trinitarian theology is flawed. The reason why I am not a muslim is because of the fact that the very text that is purported to be from God builds a straw man (i.e. misrepresents trinitarian theology) and then tears it down. All of your statements about the trinity (e.g. three gods in one) demonstrates that that you don't know what you are talking about. I would encourage you to go and watch debates on youtube that James White has done against Muslim apologists.

[east2west360]

@Voskresene

Trinitarian theology is Flawed to the core..."the longer a peoiple spend on the road of misguidence the further they get from the truth" [Muhammed peace be upon him]....so true b'cos if you look at the christian west its refered to as the god-less west....the truth would not lead to such a decadent society. and is the trinity not dogma of 3 gods in one (son father and holy spirit) if so SILENTEPMIRES IS SPOT ON.

[voskresene]

You are off on the trinity. You need to study it. You are caricaturing it. Go watch a debate on the issue on youtube between one of your scholars and a Christian scholar. I can send you a link if you need help. Otherwise you are wasting my time and making yourself look ignorant. Regarding the West, you are right about its decadence. But you must remember that in Islam, there is no concept of separation of church and state.

[voskresene]

So it is no surprise that this is the case in a traditionally Islamic country. Jesus had no intention of setting up a theocratic state. He said His kingdom was not of this world. So again, your argument only shows that you need to read about Christianity a little bit more. Go to the source itself. Read about it from a Christian perspective, and don't use Ahmed Deedat an others like him as your source for understanding Christianity. They only erect straw men and tear them down. Peace.

[east2west360]

*VOSKRESENE.

tell me who follows the teachings of Jesus (peace be on him)? is it christians or muslims who truely follow Jesus's message? Muslim woman still have there hair covered, sex before marriege is still a sin punished in muslim lands, Homosexuality is still outlawed by muslims.  while even your christian priests are practicing gays in the christian world....plus when Jesus greeted people he use to say "peace be upon you" which is still the universal islamic greeting. I rest my case..

[voskresene]

Uh, where do I begin to answer this? Just because a country that has a Christian tradition allows the things you listed above doesn't mean that the country is Christian. Christians follow these things. A person who claims to be a Christian and practices the things you listed above is not (with the exception the head covering) Simple as that. Read the New Testament. Regarding the greeting of Jesus, I don't see how that gives any weight to your argument. So he did. So what?

[voskresene]

Also, I again challenge you to produce one shred of textual evidence to show that any group of Christians had views about Christ that looked anything like what we see in Islam. Even Arius had a higher view of Christ than Muslims. All of your arguments are just regurgitated Ahmed Dedat sound bites. There are lots of good debates out there between Christian and Muslim scholars where these issues are discussed in more detail. It would be better to carry on this discussion there.

[SilentEmpires]

"A Democracy is nothing more than mob rule,

where fifty-one percent of the people

may take away the rights of the

other fourty-nine percent."

Thomas Jefferson

mankind should "Rule by The Truth" , the truth does not change nor does it divide like democracy...look at the crimes during the age of democracy...

The only way of life for all humanity is the life of truth, reason, compasion, righteousness, Justice, peace...and everyone should know - The Way Is Called...Islam..All Praise to Allah/God.

[dancebaby808]

such ethics and standards are to be found in ALL monotheistic faiths, not just Islam. perhaps you should familiarize yourself with the ethics and exhortations in other scriptures before making such simplistic declarations.

[daviddoyle1978]

I personally want to marry Amy. It's so ironic that the left provides the finest standard of journalism in the USA. Where the hell is the intelligent right?

[eye0thetiger]

haven't you watched Glenn Beck?!? He's genius! :)

[macnob123]

genius at what?

[daviddoyle1978]

God bless him and his post-colonial guilt complex.

[Toutourina]

Is america above the international laws?

These people should have the right to go back to their land.

I am so furious about what I hear now

[caveman0110]

Unfortunately there is no power which could enforce the law... not until the UN becomes a body truly representative of the will of the people of earth and gets some teeth. But it´s more likely that the US collapses by itself.

[afthefragile]

America made those "international laws"...

And it made those laws for the other poorer countries.

They don't apply to America or UK or Israel.

[beaujam90]

Israel uses 70 millions of US evengelists idiots. I don't blame Israel if the rest of the world let it use and abuse laws and people. We deserve it as we let it happen.

[kdurston1]

it's ironic, the 14 million dollars could have been used just to pay the natives off to get the island.

[trollfinger]

I don't think they wanted money, they wanted their land. What country would sell itself ?

[kdurston1]

yes, that's the point. the objective is the land. it's easier just to pay off the inhabitants. but then, this guy would probably then just complain about american militarism paying off inhabitants ans destroying a paradise.

[trollfinger]

I don't think his agenda is about the land, but the people who weren't given a choice and cheate dinto signing over their land. You should watch the stealing a nation film, it's horrible.

[Sunclief]

Maybe South Africa helped you in World War 1, World War 2 and Korea but never again I will not make the mistakes my father made and his father made! I hope the Russians, North Koreans and the Chinese blast you back into the next stone age!

[Sunclief]

Deago Garcia! and you lik eto talk about South African whites you hypacrites! Get your own house in order!

[soopaj]

one person can change their life many people can change the world, EDUCATE! INFORM! I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees as a slave to the multinational corporate war machine if you want to turn a blind eye to it all then fine but personally i'll be on the front line doing what i can

[gungtala]

Change yourself and the world will change. I hope that will explain changing the world.

[tulycreme]

the same plot that was built against palestinian people. Wasn't palestine considered a land without a people.... here you have!

[MythofDemocracy]

I feel physically sick.

Sometimes I'm ashamed to be British. These pigs that rule in our name are a fucking disgrace.

[Nuclearcx]

I've solved the problem by simply not caring, and thankfully I'm not British or American so I couldn't really do anything about it either. So yeah some bitches are getting assfucked but well, it happenz.

[maffphew]

that must be one of the most moronic statements i have ever read. you are a selfish ignorant arse.

[Nuclearcx]

At least I'm no hypocrite who thinks I can change the world. Ignorant fool

[maffphew]

Grow up. How am I an ignorant fool and a hypocrite? I think you should read what you have written. You're ignorant by stating that you dont care if people get 'assfucked'. Maybe someone should fuck you in the ass because 'well, it happens'. Writing anonymous statements from the safety of your computer. You're pathetic.

[galtyyy]

Maybe you can't change the world with your defeatist and cowardly mindset, but others have done it and will continue to do so. You should thank them for free speech, voting rights, and labor protection laws. Or are you to ignorant to recognize how these rights came about?

[Nuclearcx]

Oh please. I'm being a realist; what can a person do against powers that can mobilize entire armies or buy damn airplanes with nuclear bombs in them if they wish. Small changes may happen but nothing signicant will unless intense pressure mounts. So why bother caring. Just do what you do daily, watch your little youtube videos and tv and stop being a fool who thinks he can change the way things are done,you can't. It'll only make you miserable and may lead you to engage in stupid actions

[galtyyy]

You're ignoring the effect of organization by large numbers of people to create change. One person can do little, but that is not how things get done so your premise is bunk and thus so is your chickenshit conclusion. Universal voting rights for adults is not a small change, nor is health standards for food, the end of the Vietnam War, the end of child labor, the end of racial segregation in the U.S., Apartheid in Africa, Imperialism in India, and the break up of the oil monopoly.

[Nuclearcx]

You can't get enough people to be for the right things anyway unless they are completely obvious such as many of which you mentioned.. So your point is pretty moot. Stop dreaming it won't do you any good.

[Katharsis2006]

Thats why history will never remember ur name. If we embrace an attitude such as that, no change can ever come. Imagine Martin Luther King thought "U can't change ppl u can't fight against the Powers that be" or Gandhi or any gr8 historical figure. Society would've never progressed. We would've probably still been burning witches.

To not try for change simply bcuz u dont think ur gonna succeed is cowardly. Lets try for a change. If it doesnt work, hey at least we tried. And if it does,Great!

[Nuclearcx]

and you think history will remember your name? fucking megalomaniac. what I'm saying is that even if you manage to change things who says it will change for the better or that the core things that caused the thing to be wrong in the first place will change?

[Katharsis2006]

I don't see the reason for you to use such language.

Anyway, I never suggested history will remember my name. What gave you that impression. All I said that it won't remember yours.

Your argument or your indifferent attitude is sort of self-defeating. But let me get it straight first... Are you suggesting that if you don't know whether something can be changed for the better or not, then it's best to not even try? lol

[sim0b]

I cant believe how much shit comes out of the US governments mouth and how much Hollywood lie about how innocent the us government and militay industrial complex is. Why isnt all this in the mainstream media???? The west is run by criminals.

[blactek]

What is called democracy in the west - is actual corporate servitude, a multi-teared system constructed to convert all people into a profit center. First through low cost labor and second by rampant consumerism, everything is a product for which we work and buy. The last people to roam the earth truly free are long gone.

[poetforpeace]

I agree with you completely, blactek.

[MythofDemocracy]

Well said. Its a corporate oligarchy and, before that, a monarchic dictatorship.

We have never known freedom.

[inferno0020]

That is funny. When you guys talk about the West, you talk about how evil the Western cooperation, Capitalism and CIA are.

However, when you guys talk about China/Tibet, Darfur or Kosovo, you guys started talking like those "evil Westerners" who want to "liberate" those places. Why you guys have this type of double standard toward different parts of world?

[MythofDemocracy]

I think you might be inventing an ideology where none exists.

[Zopre]

democracy has nothing good in store for famillies except an early death in barbarism and societal collapse. Being able to be just and have a very open mind to other views, i often try to fInd good in democracy but i fkn cant.

[johnb035]

paradise my ass, I lived there for a year...seemed more like 10 years though lol. We were told that the pior inhabitants were "contract" workers that volunteered to be there to harvest copra (coconut)on a plantation. I actually helped renovate some of the plantation while I was there....

[Marly61]

Wow you totally missed the point deliberately.

[johnb035]

and your point is.......

[Marly61]

WOW, you miss everything

[Nuclearcx]

Miss who? Miss America?

[roomf07]

Thanks very much for this. If only more people watched it!

[wwwPNACATTACKcom]

Wanna see that or 10 other Pilgers documentary?

[humanist7117]

Astonishing journalism! NC

[wwwPNACATTACKcom]

Wanna see that or 10 other Pilgers documentary?

[humanist7117]

Yes, of course! NC

Have a great day!

[wwwPNACATTACKcom]

Go to my account and OperationNorthwoods too: use -See more link and see guide! (1st page)

Have a great day - For you too :D