Abby Martin: Deep State and US Empire | Doomscroll
The Democratic Party's 'Husk' and the Fading of Progressive Energy
Abby Martin contends that the Democratic Party has become a 'husk of corporate power,' incapable of channeling genuine progressive energy due to its co-option of past social movements. She argues that neoliberalism hollowed out and defanged the struggles of the 60s and 70s, leaving a system that offers no material gains. Joshua Citerella, while acknowledging the need for change, expresses frustration with the two-party system's tendency to pull left-wing critiques into the Democratic fold, even when making criticisms. He holds out hope for generational shifts in political consensus, drawing parallels to the rise of Reaganism. However, Martin believes a return to the cyclical absorption of left-wing energy into the Democratic Party is unlikely because the party itself is fundamentally bankrupt. The final sentence highlights that the Democratic Party's rhetoric has consistently failed to deliver tangible benefits.
Israel's Identity: Apartheid, Ethnostate, or Theocracy?
Abby Martin defines Israel as an apartheid state, emphasizing that Zionism relies on creating an artificial majority through ethnic cleansing, necessitating an apartheid system. She argues that questioning Israel's 'right to exist' is fundamentally asking if an apartheid state has that right, which she asserts it does not, as apartheid is a crime against humanity. Martin points to the military occupation and dual legal systems as evidence. She also touches upon the complex issue of Jewish identity, noting the inclusion of Ethiopian Jews while questioning the broader definition of ethnicity or race. The discussion highlights the internal contradictions, such as the treatment of African refugees within Israel and the forced sterilization of Ethiopian Jews, which Martin labels as war crimes and evidence of a caste system. The final sentence concludes that these actions reveal a deep-seated discrimination within Israeli society.
Abby Martin: Israel's Existence and US Utility
The existence of Israel is predicated on historical atrocities, and its utility as a progressive idea for a safe haven has been co-opted. Over time, the left has distanced itself due to the generated hatred, and Israel's current form is heavily subsidized by the US, serving as a military garrison for US expansion and hegemony in the Middle East.
Abby Martin: Journalist Threats and the First Amendment
As a journalist critical of Israel, Martin has faced graphic threats, but she considers these trivial compared to the dangers faced by Palestinian journalists. She emphasizes that while the US faces challenges to its First Amendment, the threats she endures are minor in comparison, highlighting a lack of real journalism in the US.
Krystal Ball: The Co-option of Conspiracy and Online Discourse
Terms like 'deep state' and 'conspiracy' have been hijacked and superficialized for right-wing political means. While historically useful for critiquing power structures, they are now often associated with unsubstantiated claims, obscuring real issues and contributing to a fragmented, polarized public discourse.
Krystal Ball: The 'Deep State' as a Permanent War Machinery
The 'deep state' is not a shadowy cabal but a permanent machinery of warfare and an extractive system designed to impose global capitalism. This machinery, embodied by the US military, enforces the dictates of oil companies and banks, creating a global military dictatorship with an unsustainable, self-perpetuating need for resources and conflict.
Abby Martin: The US Military's Environmental Devastation
The US military is the world's largest polluter, consuming vast amounts of fuel and resources, far exceeding that of entire countries. This immense environmental impact is often hidden from global climate discussions, fueling a perpetual state of warfare necessary to maintain the global capitalist system and its demand for resources like oil.
Krystal Ball: Camp Lejeune's Devastating Contamination
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, experienced the worst water contamination in American history due to the callous dumping of toxic waste by military brass in the 60s and 70s. Despite claims of ignorance, the military covered up the contamination for years, leading service members and their families to drink poisoned water. This resulted in high infant mortality rates and miscarriages, with the military denying claims and stonewalling victims for decades, leaving them without accountability or compensation.
Abby Martin: Reaching Working People with Empathy
To connect with working people, especially those who perceive the left as overly focused on identity politics, one must approach them with humility and empathy. The speaker uses the concept of the military-industrial complex as a capitalist hegemony to explain the 'death spiral' draining people's energy, framing it as a machine that benefits corporations like Chevron over ordinary citizens. The focus should be on basic needs like clean water, air, and a sustainable way of life, which have been lost due to the politicization of environmentalism.
