Since our last column readers have been writing to us about the assassination of Gen Soleimani and the coup in Bolivia. We share your letters for “Will the Assassination of Gen. Soleimani Be Trump’s 1914 Moment?” and “Pachamama and the Pope.”
“Will the Assassination of Gen. Soleimani Be Trump’s 1914 Moment?” by Wilmer J. Leon argues that the killing of the Iranian commander could be a trigger point for global conflict.
Will Griffin writes:
“This article mentions nothing of the contradictions of capitalist-imperialism which is the major reason for WW1, and 1914. The Great War didn’t begin because of some assassination. It began because imperialist powers were competing on the world stage for more land, resources, labor markets and dominance. It was inevitable. The author talks about ‘not repeating history.’ Well, with this bourgeois interpretation of history, we will certainly repeat it.”
Aumonte Payne writes:
“The US is now the most meaningless war empire in modern history. Strategically the US seems to be in a state of chaos and not just because of Trump. The US spends trillions of dollars on its war apparatus but the US does not fight anyone worth fighting. China and Russia are just letting the US over extend itself while they forge relationships with the countries the US alienates. These old white dudes are slipping now. The 21st century began as America's to lose and that is exactly what is happening.”
Rashieda Weaver writes:
“Here's something that we on this page can do. Most of you probably are aware that President Trump was not only devoid of Congressional advice before he approved the order to militarily assassinate Iranian STATE leader Soleimani: he hadn't spoken with any U.S. international allies either. And in recent days since the assassination his administration has been in contact with NATO powers to explain and also get them to assist. However this attempt is still unsuccessful. To date America has no allied support. In fact his plan for gaining international sanctions have also failed. United Nations sanctions could possibly violate the 2015 Iran PEACE accord. Basically the action isn't well received by any world power. Making U.N. sanctions unlikely. But to seal the deal let's make an international protest. Let's all write letters to the United Nations; telling them that we want them to deny any U.N. sanctions on Iran and if President Trump asks we want his request denied.”
In “Pachamama and the Pope” Ann Garrison argues that the violent coup in Bolivia may have been foreshadowed by a right wing rebellion at the Vatican against the Pope’s show of respect for Bolivia’s Earth goddess.
Riva Enteen writes:
“Ann Garrison's Pachamama and the Pope lays bare the imperialism, racism, misogyny and contempt for indigenous people that rules this planet. Even a pope is vulnerable if he "criticizes capitalism..., and calls for the downtrodden to create a new world order." After Pope Frances blessed Bolivian statues of Pachamama, a Bolivian indigenous earth goddess, they were stolen from a church in Vatican City and thrown in the Tiber River, proudly documented on film by the thief.
“The National Catholic Reporter declares, ‘This act of terrorism was also profoundly racist and misogynist, and reasserts the neocolonial, white supremacist mentality that is at the root of the destruction of the Amazon and its native peoples.’
“The thief, now hailed as a hero, tours with the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP), ‘where its three values—tradition, family, and property—are a protective wall against all Marxist, socialist and communist thought.’
“A majority of Bolivians practice a syncretic Catholicism, a blend of both Catholic and indigenous religion. But upon entering the palace, Bolivian coup leader Luis Fernando Camacho, pronounced that 'Pachamama will never return to the palace,' and 'Bolivia belongs to Christ.'”
"When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint.
When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist.’ —Dom Helder Camara.”
As the empire and its allies continue the West’s centuries long assault on the world’s masses, we will have to think hard about how to build an alternative.
Jahan Choudhry is Comments Editor for Black Agenda Report. He is an organizer with the Saturday Free School based in Philadelphia, PA.
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This week’s featured author is Amanda Lock Swarr. Swarr is Associate Professor of Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Washington.
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