You can - if you like - instead outflank them. Say you are a classical economist.
They - act - claim classical liberalism, but ask chat gpt for a summary of books 4 & 5 of the wealth of nations. Then ask it to compare act/nact policies to Adam smiths works in the wealth of nations and the theory of moral sentiments.
You don’t have to be a communist, you can outflank the right. Because they are lies made flesh. They are hollow men and women
Great article. I'm a big fan of Traoré and his continuation of Sankara's legacy. Let's just hope that Burkino Faso and the other Sahel states can sow the seeds for a greater pan-African movement.
Lenin's speeches were jaw dropping and inspiring too. As we're Hitler's and Mao Tse Tung. Not everyone in these countries at the time were ecstatic and full of praise for the future. So let's look again at Burkina Faso in ten years. State control of everything doesn't usually have wonderful outcomes for all it's citizens. Hamas also springs to mind. It's a lovely theory but not a very good reality. Waititi is in a dream state. He's done ok in the "victim of the imperialist west" society. What's his alternative?
No one is advocating for state control of everything. And how would you say capitalism has worked out for everyone? Not great. I’m unclear what Hamas has to do with any of this conversation. I think those who advocate against all evidence that capitalism is doing just fine and point to the historical failures of socialism, which in many cases have been the result of the US explicitly undermining them, as reasons why it won’t work are the ones living in a dream state. The hysteria over the Greens’ fully-costed budget is a perfect example.
Seymour mouths democracy as though there is this definitive 1 brand democracy (American) and that every other democracy is a weak or mutated imitation.
Seymour needs to get out of the way cos American democracy ain't looking that hot & there's room for both Marmite & Vegemite in the political sandwich spread world. We'll never going back to FPP government & even though this coalition is an statistical anomaly of MMP it was never predicted that small parties could hold much more power than they were mandated to do but National's desperation has created this weird 3 headed creature of the political black lagoon.
I think ACT, National, New Zealand First & LabourNZ should be asking themselves "why the average NZ voter is turning away & why we're increasingly looking at the Greens & Te Pati Maori for inspirational leadership to move Aotearoa New Zealand forward.
Say it, I’ll sing it, I’ll shout it. And sadly, it’s nothing new is it? The twerky, jerky, smirky clown is a walking talking abuse of power. He is a f***toy of the rich and powerful.
Thank you, Ryan. I confess to not knowing about Traoré. I cover myself with shame.
The democracy Seymour professes to embrace is not actual democracy. Perhaps as you suggest democracy as purveyed by America is not what Traoré is trying to achieve; rather just (?) a better life for his people via something possibly more like good leadership.
He’s got a really difficult task taking on the biggest money on the planet. I think he’s inspirational. I hope he doesn’t turn out to be a baddie. He certainly has the support of his people, which is usually a sign of a good leader, at least when combined with actual policy that helps people.
I was utterly pro-American,pro-West up until 1973.
When the US supported the coup against a democratically elected socialist president and installed a murderous dictator (Pinochet), that forced me to review my beliefs, my worldview, everything I had thought was the truth.
I read extensively. I listened to critics of the West. And discovered hiw utterly hoodwinked I had been.
The "reforms" of the Douglas-Lange govt - made without electoral mandate - cemented my newfound beliefs in how corrupted democracy could be and how easily the population could be manipulated. (Dancing cossacks, anyone?)
And aiding it all? A media more interested in superficialities than actually presenting the news IN CONTEXT.
If anyone doubts this, look at the treatment meted out to Kiri Allen at a closed function at RNZ, and how she was pilloried on the media for pointing out that the State broadcaster had questionable policies when it came to Māori employees. Now compare how she was trashed by the media in comparison to the naked corruption of Shane Jones or provocative, inflammatory slurs by David Seymour.
Or Broadcasting Mikister Clare Curran for *DARING* to meet someone from RNZ's hierarchy.
If Labour or Green MPs/Ministers had done any of the sh*t this govt has, it would be front page news. And the howls of outrage from commentators, editorials, "Free speech union", NZ Initiative, "Taxpayers Union", Mike Hosking, etc, would be like fingernails on a blackboard.
I was pro-American growing up in Idaho. I was anti-Bush at university, cheered when Obama was elected, and then started to read history. Realized that US foreign policy has always been dictated by corporate interests and reading a book called Inevitable Revolutions about the US in Central America as well as the Chile coup was it for me.
It disgusts me even more that free market economists like Hayek and Friedman were advisors to Pinochet. These people view democracy as an impediment to economic freedom which is the most important thing.
If you haven't already, read the Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein. It's a great book on the rise of neo-liberal disaster capitalism from the 1970s until around 2007 when it was written. Covers Chile as well a lot of the other US backed military dictatorships in Latin America.
Good to find you on Substack Frank…. I followed you on FB until I couldn’t take that platform anymore. The media…... So much disinformation and opinion passing for fact. At least on Substack there seems to be ‘healthy’ discussion as opposed to verbal tribal warfare 😉
Really good read Ryan. we’re all looking for leaders with vision we can believe in but most of all trust. I’m not sure a guy who took power in a military coup has relevant answers for us in NZ. Nevertheless neither does bloody David Seymour!
May I suggest that Seymour has taken power in a quiet, for now bloodless coup. The blood comes later with a higher road toll, increased workplace accidents, increased violent crime, increased poverty, deaths in hospital waiting rooms and if this goes on, inevitably there will be some form of conflict.
The video is a deep fake. I agree 100% with what you are saying about Seymour. I don’t think you should be ‘all in’ for Traore’ though. Some fact checking of sources is important too. It problematic to hold up a leader who is suspending elections, invited Russian troops in and is implicated in the execution of civilians.
The core of his argument around African aid vs resources is correct but this guy might not be a good guy. Perish the thought that Seymour might be right about this particular issue.
Thank you for pointing out the video being a fake. I have deleted the link. I’ve checked my sources though. I’m highly skeptical of criticisms from liberal media. But agree we need to be careful.
Gaddafi was also imperfect but taken out for wanting to unite Arab and African nations against imperialist forces and their exploitation. He tried to build a pan-African congress and leave the swift system. He created a UBI and nationalised resources. Contrary to what western media would have us believe, the majority of Libyans loved Gaddafi. Traore as a person appears to be humble (in comparison), living in army barracks rather than a ‘palace’. He is having to use Russian support to stop the proxy forces that are armed and funded by European and American interests from disrupting the peace in Burkina Faso. There have already been numerous assassination attempts on him. I used to follow African sources for info on Africa…. Not ‘western’ media. (After their stance on the genocide in Gaza why would anyone present their view as somehow more credible?) Sadly most of these African channels have been taken out. Demonetised by YouTube so they can’t fund themselves and or banned. We really are living in a propaganda war. It’s all about controlling the narrative. I’m reminded of what a Russian once said to me - “I feel sorry for you westerners, we in Russia know we’re being fed propaganda and can be discerning about it whereas you in the west can’t recognise it in your media and are often misled and played for fools”.
This is why I’m super suspicious of reports of civilian massacres by Western media outlets and human rights violations by NGOs. Not that this stuff doesn’t happen but so much of the narrative is manipulated and many of these organisations are fronts for the CIA. I trust what is coming out of Africa more than anything coming out of the US or Europe.
Yeh 100% Ryan…. It’s really all about follow the money to see who is behind it! Losing control over Burkina Faso Gold is a huge blow to France. The US can only get away with never repaying its trillions of debt by keeping everyone tied into the swift system. BRICS is seriously undermining this…. So they need to control as much of the Middle East and Africa as possible - directly or indirectly.
There are many obvious AI videos about Traore. One of them has Traore detaining the secretary of the IMF and demanding debt relief. The secretary offers 50%. Traore refuses, and imprisons him. It’s pure revenge fantasy, maybe made by Russian bots?
This is such a good article- i didn't know of this leader - thanks for enlightening me - I've shared with friends - i hope some of them take the time to read it
Yeh ...it is so interesting as I read about Traore, I thought it is a pity nobodyvus all good or all bad. And then this rather pointed thought came in yhat maybe I should give Seymour that same leeway. I guess that means there must be something redeemable there ...end of life choice comes to mind.... but there isn't much else. There are not many I would accuse of malice as opposed to incompetence, but he is one of them.
I dont want to be cynical here but after what he said that smokers are "fiscal heroes" coz the save the country money by dying early, Im seeing his promotion of the the End of Life Choice Act in a totally different light.
Do away with old people and sick people so that the government doesn't have to support them? When almost all health care is privatised, those of us who can't afford it will die early in droves (and in probably great pain). Free health care will be available for people who are 'productive', i.e. in employment, but with employees' protections gone or severely eroded, this 'perk' will go when employment ceases, and this could occur for the most arbitrary of reasons now, it seems.
Because of that Act, I have held on to the hope that he might have a shred of human decency in him but now, Pip B, I too see it as just another part of his plan. It wasn't even an aberration or an anomaly.
Oh, and if you smoke and get emphysema, can you be denied free hospital care because your illness could be said to be self-inflicted? In the not-too-distant future?
When Atlas-philes are cornered they always come out with the ‘communist’ counterattack, I now say “yes, I guess I am, and proudly so”.
You can - if you like - instead outflank them. Say you are a classical economist.
They - act - claim classical liberalism, but ask chat gpt for a summary of books 4 & 5 of the wealth of nations. Then ask it to compare act/nact policies to Adam smiths works in the wealth of nations and the theory of moral sentiments.
You don’t have to be a communist, you can outflank the right. Because they are lies made flesh. They are hollow men and women
@Tadhg Stopford. Nice one.
Me too. Marxist even.
Marx was a classical economist
Great article. I'm a big fan of Traoré and his continuation of Sankara's legacy. Let's just hope that Burkino Faso and the other Sahel states can sow the seeds for a greater pan-African movement.
He’s really inspirational. His speeches are jaw-dropping. You can see why people are so scared of him.
Lenin's speeches were jaw dropping and inspiring too. As we're Hitler's and Mao Tse Tung. Not everyone in these countries at the time were ecstatic and full of praise for the future. So let's look again at Burkina Faso in ten years. State control of everything doesn't usually have wonderful outcomes for all it's citizens. Hamas also springs to mind. It's a lovely theory but not a very good reality. Waititi is in a dream state. He's done ok in the "victim of the imperialist west" society. What's his alternative?
No one is advocating for state control of everything. And how would you say capitalism has worked out for everyone? Not great. I’m unclear what Hamas has to do with any of this conversation. I think those who advocate against all evidence that capitalism is doing just fine and point to the historical failures of socialism, which in many cases have been the result of the US explicitly undermining them, as reasons why it won’t work are the ones living in a dream state. The hysteria over the Greens’ fully-costed budget is a perfect example.
Seymour mouths democracy as though there is this definitive 1 brand democracy (American) and that every other democracy is a weak or mutated imitation.
Seymour needs to get out of the way cos American democracy ain't looking that hot & there's room for both Marmite & Vegemite in the political sandwich spread world. We'll never going back to FPP government & even though this coalition is an statistical anomaly of MMP it was never predicted that small parties could hold much more power than they were mandated to do but National's desperation has created this weird 3 headed creature of the political black lagoon.
I think ACT, National, New Zealand First & LabourNZ should be asking themselves "why the average NZ voter is turning away & why we're increasingly looking at the Greens & Te Pati Maori for inspirational leadership to move Aotearoa New Zealand forward.
Very well said
Say it, I’ll sing it, I’ll shout it. And sadly, it’s nothing new is it? The twerky, jerky, smirky clown is a walking talking abuse of power. He is a f***toy of the rich and powerful.
Thank you, Ryan. I confess to not knowing about Traoré. I cover myself with shame.
The democracy Seymour professes to embrace is not actual democracy. Perhaps as you suggest democracy as purveyed by America is not what Traoré is trying to achieve; rather just (?) a better life for his people via something possibly more like good leadership.
He’s got a really difficult task taking on the biggest money on the planet. I think he’s inspirational. I hope he doesn’t turn out to be a baddie. He certainly has the support of his people, which is usually a sign of a good leader, at least when combined with actual policy that helps people.
Seymour is scared shitless that "globalise the intifada" has gone mainstream. He senses his libertarian days are numbered.
Brilliant insights in this article. Thanks so much.
A powerful piece, Ryan. Well said.
Interesting that you mention Allende.
I was utterly pro-American,pro-West up until 1973.
When the US supported the coup against a democratically elected socialist president and installed a murderous dictator (Pinochet), that forced me to review my beliefs, my worldview, everything I had thought was the truth.
I read extensively. I listened to critics of the West. And discovered hiw utterly hoodwinked I had been.
The "reforms" of the Douglas-Lange govt - made without electoral mandate - cemented my newfound beliefs in how corrupted democracy could be and how easily the population could be manipulated. (Dancing cossacks, anyone?)
And aiding it all? A media more interested in superficialities than actually presenting the news IN CONTEXT.
If anyone doubts this, look at the treatment meted out to Kiri Allen at a closed function at RNZ, and how she was pilloried on the media for pointing out that the State broadcaster had questionable policies when it came to Māori employees. Now compare how she was trashed by the media in comparison to the naked corruption of Shane Jones or provocative, inflammatory slurs by David Seymour.
Or Broadcasting Mikister Clare Curran for *DARING* to meet someone from RNZ's hierarchy.
If Labour or Green MPs/Ministers had done any of the sh*t this govt has, it would be front page news. And the howls of outrage from commentators, editorials, "Free speech union", NZ Initiative, "Taxpayers Union", Mike Hosking, etc, would be like fingernails on a blackboard.
I was pro-American growing up in Idaho. I was anti-Bush at university, cheered when Obama was elected, and then started to read history. Realized that US foreign policy has always been dictated by corporate interests and reading a book called Inevitable Revolutions about the US in Central America as well as the Chile coup was it for me.
It disgusts me even more that free market economists like Hayek and Friedman were advisors to Pinochet. These people view democracy as an impediment to economic freedom which is the most important thing.
If you haven't already, read the Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein. It's a great book on the rise of neo-liberal disaster capitalism from the 1970s until around 2007 when it was written. Covers Chile as well a lot of the other US backed military dictatorships in Latin America.
Great book. Her book about capitalism and climate change This Changes Everything is great too.
Good to find you on Substack Frank…. I followed you on FB until I couldn’t take that platform anymore. The media…... So much disinformation and opinion passing for fact. At least on Substack there seems to be ‘healthy’ discussion as opposed to verbal tribal warfare 😉
Really good read Ryan. we’re all looking for leaders with vision we can believe in but most of all trust. I’m not sure a guy who took power in a military coup has relevant answers for us in NZ. Nevertheless neither does bloody David Seymour!
May I suggest that Seymour has taken power in a quiet, for now bloodless coup. The blood comes later with a higher road toll, increased workplace accidents, increased violent crime, increased poverty, deaths in hospital waiting rooms and if this goes on, inevitably there will be some form of conflict.
Seymour and the convicted felon Trump - both don’t care. And guess what? Both talk the same.
Thank you, this is exactly what i needed today. This govt is doing my head in. Long live Ibrahim Traore, kia kaha Burkina Faso!!!
Thanks I enjoyed the read
The video is a deep fake. I agree 100% with what you are saying about Seymour. I don’t think you should be ‘all in’ for Traore’ though. Some fact checking of sources is important too. It problematic to hold up a leader who is suspending elections, invited Russian troops in and is implicated in the execution of civilians.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/apr/25/220-civilians-burkina-faso-human-rights-watch-killings-two-villages
The core of his argument around African aid vs resources is correct but this guy might not be a good guy. Perish the thought that Seymour might be right about this particular issue.
https://fullfact.org/world/ibrahim-traore-burkina-faso-speech-ai/
Thank you for pointing out the video being a fake. I have deleted the link. I’ve checked my sources though. I’m highly skeptical of criticisms from liberal media. But agree we need to be careful.
Gaddafi was also imperfect but taken out for wanting to unite Arab and African nations against imperialist forces and their exploitation. He tried to build a pan-African congress and leave the swift system. He created a UBI and nationalised resources. Contrary to what western media would have us believe, the majority of Libyans loved Gaddafi. Traore as a person appears to be humble (in comparison), living in army barracks rather than a ‘palace’. He is having to use Russian support to stop the proxy forces that are armed and funded by European and American interests from disrupting the peace in Burkina Faso. There have already been numerous assassination attempts on him. I used to follow African sources for info on Africa…. Not ‘western’ media. (After their stance on the genocide in Gaza why would anyone present their view as somehow more credible?) Sadly most of these African channels have been taken out. Demonetised by YouTube so they can’t fund themselves and or banned. We really are living in a propaganda war. It’s all about controlling the narrative. I’m reminded of what a Russian once said to me - “I feel sorry for you westerners, we in Russia know we’re being fed propaganda and can be discerning about it whereas you in the west can’t recognise it in your media and are often misled and played for fools”.
This is why I’m super suspicious of reports of civilian massacres by Western media outlets and human rights violations by NGOs. Not that this stuff doesn’t happen but so much of the narrative is manipulated and many of these organisations are fronts for the CIA. I trust what is coming out of Africa more than anything coming out of the US or Europe.
Yeh 100% Ryan…. It’s really all about follow the money to see who is behind it! Losing control over Burkina Faso Gold is a huge blow to France. The US can only get away with never repaying its trillions of debt by keeping everyone tied into the swift system. BRICS is seriously undermining this…. So they need to control as much of the Middle East and Africa as possible - directly or indirectly.
There are many obvious AI videos about Traore. One of them has Traore detaining the secretary of the IMF and demanding debt relief. The secretary offers 50%. Traore refuses, and imprisons him. It’s pure revenge fantasy, maybe made by Russian bots?
I haven’t seen that one. I’d imagine the impulse for some sort of justice is strong in a lot of African countries.
Beautiful.
This is such a good article- i didn't know of this leader - thanks for enlightening me - I've shared with friends - i hope some of them take the time to read it
Totally with you on this Ryan
Yeh ...it is so interesting as I read about Traore, I thought it is a pity nobodyvus all good or all bad. And then this rather pointed thought came in yhat maybe I should give Seymour that same leeway. I guess that means there must be something redeemable there ...end of life choice comes to mind.... but there isn't much else. There are not many I would accuse of malice as opposed to incompetence, but he is one of them.
I dont want to be cynical here but after what he said that smokers are "fiscal heroes" coz the save the country money by dying early, Im seeing his promotion of the the End of Life Choice Act in a totally different light.
Do away with old people and sick people so that the government doesn't have to support them? When almost all health care is privatised, those of us who can't afford it will die early in droves (and in probably great pain). Free health care will be available for people who are 'productive', i.e. in employment, but with employees' protections gone or severely eroded, this 'perk' will go when employment ceases, and this could occur for the most arbitrary of reasons now, it seems.
Because of that Act, I have held on to the hope that he might have a shred of human decency in him but now, Pip B, I too see it as just another part of his plan. It wasn't even an aberration or an anomaly.
Oh, and if you smoke and get emphysema, can you be denied free hospital care because your illness could be said to be self-inflicted? In the not-too-distant future?