This week readers discussed Tulsi Gabbard’s relationship with the Democratic Party and the New York Times coverage of Africa. Letters came for Get Tulsi Gabbard On the Debate Stage” and “Mass Manufacturers of Slander and Lies
In his latest piece, Danny Haiphongcalls for the anti-war movement to “Get Tulsi Gabbard On the Debate Stage” since she is the sole pro-peace candidate in the presidential primary.
Beverly Ricewrites:
“Gabbard showed her true colors on the vapid chat fest The View when she agreed with the ignorant panel that Syrian president Assad was a dictator.
“After decades of the masses getting the excrement end of the stick from both sides of the aisle -- especially the Democrats who are supposedly the people's party -- the fake hope and change of the Droneman years, and now the bait and switch of the Trump administration, let's all wake up and smell reality. It's a fool's errand to believe the interests of the masses will be served by either side of the empire mafia. Instead of sending a dime to one of the "It" girls (or guys) for the Demowits, you'd be better off using that money to pay a bill or even buy a scratch off. Your odds of getting something of value are a lot better with lotto than with wasting money and votes on the Democrats.”
Danny Haiphong responds:
“I don't disagree with Bruce or any of the Black Agenda Report readers who oppose the Democratic Party wholesale. The Democratic Party is the party of Wall Street and war. Our time is better spent on efforts that undermine the control of the two party duopoly over the political direction of working people and poor people, especially Black Americans. I don't believe my argument that Tulsi Gabbard should be on the debate stage is antagonistic to these efforts. Gabbard indeed has contradictions and running in the War Party is the biggest. However, the 2020 DNC-controlled debates will occur and many will watch them. Having Gabbard on the debate stage does ensure that critical questions of war and peace, such as U.S. involvement in Syria, Yemen, and Venezuela, will not solely be dominated by O'Rourke, Biden, Harris, Booker, and the rest. My article was not a call to organize for Gabbard but was meant rather to highlight that she should not be excluded from the debates. What Gabbard can contribute is a political platform, that, however rhetorical it is, no doubt reflects the growing anti-war sentiments of the U.S. populace.”
In “Mass Manufacturers of Slander and Lies” Glen Ford exposes the falsehoods in the New York Timescoverage of US policy in Africa.
Shaswat Sinhawrites:
“This was yet another fantastic article by Glen Ford, that once again exposes the lies and hypocrisy of mainstream US media. From the beginning I completely agreed with BAR's stand on Russiagate, which was a complete hoax, and now with Mueller's report the mainstream media and Dems are frantically scurrying to save face by inventing another string of lies. My first experience with NYT was 16 years ago, when I came to this country to attend graduate school, and I was aghast and disturbed to see right-wing and false stories published in it. More disturbing was to see how it was normally accepted in academic institutions and liberal population. Till then I considered it a respectable media house, but the very first encounter with the issue of NYT had opened my eyes. Now, I feel like puking seeing it.
“I wish BAR was read by more people who could understand the crumbling imperial structure of US empire. Putin bashing and hatred towards Russia is so transparent in its ulterior motive that it surprises me how people are not able to see it. The brain-washing is so extreme that facts like expansion of bases in Africa, doesn't even register in liberal population's minds, let alone show some empathy for the bleeding continent mercilessly exploited and drained by imperialist-capitalist world order headed by the US. Africa needs to be saved from these racist-imperialist thugs, the countries need to unite together to stop this inhuman pillage going on for centuries.”
It was great to see such thoughtful responses. Your letters are your contribution to our struggle against the corporate media.
Jahan Choudhryis Comments Editor for Black Agenda Report. He is an organizer with the Saturday Free School based in Philadelphia, PA
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