It is beneficial to the mainstream media to push for war because they are owned, in part, by industries and corporations that benefit from war. It is also beneficial for the networks equally because war equals ratings and revenue spikes.
Consequences be damned, right?
It doesn’t matter to the heads of CNN, CNBC, Fox, etc. how many bodies are on the heap if it means the money keeps flowing and their owners are kept happy simultaneously, after all.
Their words matter, too.
Even though a majority of Americans have contempt for these outlets, the rhetoric still shapes the cultural shifts in many ways. You can refuse to watch the American liberal channels, still lean in that direction politically, and get the same stances thanks to echo chamber memes and talking points that social media lumps us together in.
The same occurs for conservatives.
Words that matter even more are those of the President of the United States, though. Of course, we all know this and it was a big selling point two years ago when Biden was running against Trump. We were promised a return of adults to the table, though nothing in the way of fundamental change.
That was enough for most.
But we also were told by the media that we had to ignore the President’s obvious mental decline over the years. Early into the primaries it was acceptable to discuss, but the second he stole the nomination it became too taboo a subject.
I’ve even been called ageist by my own family for suggesting that Joe isn’t up to snuff these days.
We collectively understand that your cognitive abilities decline as the years add up. Even if we pretend Joe had no other baggage or red flags, it is disingenuous to say that we should look at the manner Biden has been engaging himself in and throw that obvious reality out the window.
We were fine pointing out how fucked up Trump was across the board, including mental decline. Suggesting that those assertions are only allowed one way is partisan bullshit.
So, let me be clear:
Biden should not be President in the same way that people of a certain age shouldn’t be the quarterback of an NFL team.
Also, no Trump would not be a shining knight in this moment and his comments of late are clear proof.
But, here we are.
Biden, like it or not, is indeed President. Everything he does, and doesn’t do, matters.
Most recently, his off the script senior moment let slip that he thinks Putin shouldn’t be allowed to stay in power once the Russia/Ukraine situation is resolved.
Considering the rhetoric around this hyperintense situation and the fact that we’ve already done everything possible outside of physical engagement, it’s terrifying to hear the US President calling for a regime change.
I had praised Joe’s handling of the no-fly zone situation, as he has remained firm against the idea. While the media has pushed it hard on the general populace, with polls showing support because of wording, he’s continued to push back.
I thought it meant he doesn’t want WW3.
No I am left to believe he’s just slowing the race towards nuclear conflict down until it is “most advantageous” to him, the party, and their corporate owners.
He went hands off during much of the early steps and things thought too extreme are now policy, with us already engaging in a clear proxy war but avoiding outright conflict. Biden just let slip, while doubling down, that we’re also training Ukrainian troops in Poland right now. That sounds like a leak, folks.
It’s, of course, not to say Putin is innocent. For some tragic reason most people that try to have nuanced talks on this subject always have to kick off with criticism of Putin.
Even those that do get labeled Russian bots, so why bother!?
Decades of propaganda will do that.
Red scare, Russia-gate. It all takes a toll.
I think Putin is an evil war criminal, as I do with many world leaders including essentially all past US Presidents, but I don't think we should be required to spend the first half of our time dismissing Putin before we can talk about things like this.
Instead, I just added it half-way through I guess.
Anyway, I have come to believe now that the corporations, the media, and many of the politicians that are all tied together indeed want war. Not just war, though. That much is obvious. No, it’s this specific war that they want.
History at this point backs me up and the clear trajectory further supports that stance.
Putin needs a way out.
He has not been provided with one
He’s now a “butcher,” after all. Remember when we called the far less menacing Sadam the “butcher of Baghdad”?
Therefore, they will increasingly want this war, too.
So, while the White House continues to have to play clean up for Biden when he gets a bit too ahead of the game, you have to wonder how much more irresponsible behavior the mad man at the top of Russia is willing to hear before the peace by further aggression act goes nuclear.
Biden is the best gift Putin and Russian propagandists could ask for.
Greed and arrogance have now put us at the brink of WW3 and the back doors and escape windows are being shuttered. The working class are already suffering and, soon, even the elites and oligarchs might be wishing they hadn’t been so blinded by the shimmer of gold. But, remember, you better avoid calling out the fact that Biden is clearly past due because WW3 is more acceptable than being “ageist”.
We’re walking things back and fumbling forward.
“For god's sake this man cannot remain in power.”
Remember those words.