.
Given that the events since 2020 were unprecedented in several obvious respects, and that covid policies -- as implemented by many govts worldwide (lockdowns, mandates, 'health passports', etc) -- have demonstrably led to
immense harms: loss off livelihoods, loss of lives, loss of community, loss of employment, etc., it is not at all surprising that there will be a spectrum of views on the topic. Some more valid than others.
The fact that YOU -- as far as I've seen here in this forum: feel free to correct me -- and others here with similar sentiments have yet to CLEARLY and unequivocally acknowledge this (Re: the immense and
unjustifiable harms caused by covid-related POLICIES/Restrictions), and instead choose to utilize the news of the death of a (from all accounts)
genuine journalist as a platform to apply Strawman and False Equivalence talking points to this thread speaks far more to your shortcomings than those of others trying to make sense -- however half-baked, in some instances -- of the absolute madness of the last ~3yrs (madness with no sign of abating, by the way).
Remember: the fucking "experts" were 100% WRONG from the onset. And I'm referring here to the "experts" that had genuinely good intentions. Those among the "expert"/bureaucratic management class that knowingly LIED to the public (for whatever reasons: self-preservation, greed, grift, etc.) deserve no empathy. In a just world there would be fierce consequences/punishment for their complicity.
[removed this paragraph; unproductive to discourse]
You -- or anyone else -- have no moral high ground to call out the "covid is a hoax" contingent (how many lives/livelihoods/jobs were ended by the actions of the "covid is a hoax" contingent? Indeed)
Not until there is FULL acknowledgement and accountability for the egregious wrongs perpetrated on populations worldwide under the FALSE guise of a "health emergency" (which, in any event, will NEVER justify mandates or lockdowns: even if such measures were somehow beneficial to some degree -- they clearly weren't; we're still collectively enduring the harms caused by them -- affronts to human rights are NEVER justifiable, regardless of whatever programming may persuade some to be convinced otherwise).
You (and others) continue to be myopic on this issue (and other related issues being promoted heavily these last few years Re: 'climate alarm', monetary systems, etc); in many ways you are the ideal rube for what's coming/what's already being campaigned heavily by 1st world systems over the last several years. Your sensibilities/ideals are being used against you, and you may have already become a fascist enabler without realizing it, or perhaps there's blinkered awareness of it but it's justified under the guise of "the reality of current circumstances". you may reflexively respond to these words by labeling me "right-leaning", or better yet: FAR-Right. etc. Interpret these words however you deem fit.
We're all susceptible to programming. But the problem begins when there is a lack of self-awareness of the impact these increasingly pervasive and pernicious techniques (programming/conditioning/nudging/sentiment manipulation, etc) may have in our own views, which in turn leads to an inability to self-reflect and re-assess positions. This, in turn -- particularly in this current era -- leads towards complicity in vile acts and crimes against humanity.
EDIT to add the following, in anticipation of the rhetoric received numerous times as a response to my commentary (rather than addressing the root issues raised): of course, the above applies across all tribalist/political persuasions, arguably skewed by degrees in a particular direction depending on a number of factors/objectives. Misdirections, limited hangouts, controlled opposition, deflections, poisoned wells (etc) abound. What may be unique in this particular zeitgeist (compared to earlier/historical propaganda/large-scale disinfo campaigns) may best be summarized by the following:
@birb_k
We are being subjected to a complex matrix of debatable issues & crisis, and sub-debates within crisis’. It drains energy & focus. Everyone is upset about many things, and important things involving freedom suffer for collective focus.
Society is being Venn diagram’d to death.
https://x.com/birb_k/status/1739717443088503214?s=20OR, perhaps, consider the recent musing of our dormant landlord, who once shared many of the views many of us held, but has (over the last few years or so) re-assessed some of his prior beliefs (hint, hint):
Jeff Wells
@JeffWellsRigInt
A few years ago, any one of maybe ten things happening right now would have been regarded as apocalyptic. Now that's just the background noise while we wait for things to get REALLY nuts.
...
2020: The Great Terror Begins
2021: Bio-Fascism
2022: NATO-Russia War
2023: Genocide
Happy New Year
https://x.com/JeffWellsRigInt/status/17 ... 40337?s=20https://x.com/JeffWellsRigInt/status/17 ... 90043?s=20And with respect to the OP:
@JeffWellsRigInt
You either die a hero or you live long enough to become a villain to shitlibs. RIP John Pilger.
https://x.com/JeffWellsRigInt/status/17 ... 78966?s=20RIP Pilger.
