This long ago got boring I know, but the Russia Thing continues to grow and flourish on the internet and throughout the media firmament; it is this summer's sharks and missing white women story on steroids.
Of course no matter its ever broadened net, no matter how many Trump or Clinton campaign advisors and staff it ensnares, ultimately it appears there will be no there there for the simple reason that it's not meant for a denouement, it's meant to keep the Rabble (and some of their Betters) entertained and distracted while the serious business of neoLibCon looting and pillage and slaughter continues relentlessly.
The Juggernaut must not be interfered with in any way.
Barring the Who-Knows-What, it won't be.
Showing posts with label Neo-Liberal Nonsense. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neo-Liberal Nonsense. Show all posts
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Monday, July 3, 2017
Frustration With Trump
The Cable Guy came by our place the other day while I was out in the back tending the tomatoes. We don't have cable -- partly as a defense against cable "news" -- so I thought it was odd. Dude says he needs to get to a pole, can he come through our place. I say the pole isn't on our property, it's on the neighbor's. Wouldn't it be easier to go through their place?
"Oh no, that's all right, I can get to it just as easily from your side." OK, I said. How long is it going to take? "Ten-fifteen minutes. Just have to check something. Do you have Comcast?" Noooo, I said. Cable teevee is not allowed in our home.
"Oh. That's interesting." And he goes about his business. No doubt wondering about out sanity.
Practically everybody out here has cable or satellite teevee. Many of our friends and neighbors wouldn't dream of living without it. It's one of the basic utilities like electricity and water. Gots ta have it.
Well, we never have. Even though we're out in the wilderness, we're not that far from Albuquerque and it's a straight line from Sandia Crest where the broadcast towers are to our place, so an outside antenna works fine to bring in local broadcast stations. We have about thirty right now, and more are being added all the time. Many of them are "Christian" -- or some bizarre interpretation of it. Ranting and raving mostly. We pass those stations by.
Since we aren't exposed to cable "news" we aren't exposed to the kinds of hysterics that are apparently typical of the genre. Apparently, too, Mr. Trump drives the cable "news" hysterics into hyperdrive each and every day (almost) with his rage-tweets and attack-tweets, much of it ridiculous, which sets off yet another round of hoo and haw, and obsessive coverage of "Twitler" on both cable "news" and all over the internets.
It's frustrating to the cable "news" specifically and to the news media in general because Trump just won't shut up, and he won't behave like a "normal" president.
The Rules are out the window and news media in general, cable "news" in particular, don't know what to do.
From outside, this situation is interesting in part because it seems quite deliberate -- I'd go so far as to say staged in some respects.
Twitler's attacks on cable "news" especially seem calculated to drive traffic. He's been a godsend to the bottom lines of many a media mogul throughout his campaign and "presidency," and losing him and his tweets would be horrendous, no? They need him, and by golly, he comes through. Doesn't he?
Remember before the election (that he was supposed to lose to Herself) how Trump was planning to set up his own cable network -- or maybe it would be a YouTube channel, or something... -- to defy the gatekeepers and speak directly to the public regarding matters mundane and important and keep his ugly mug in front of the Rabble all the live long day? He would use the platform to counter the lies and deceits of the Clintoon II Regime, but not only them. Oh, no. From his media perch, he'd take 'em allllll down. Remember? Sure you do.
Well, here we are now, 6+ months into his own regime (that wasn't supposed to happen) and sure enough, he's behaving just like he planned to if he had lost (as he was supposed to), only now he doesn't need to set up his own network, because the presidency is a media platform in its own right.
All he has to do is tweet or say something outrageous on mic or camera, and it's off to the races.
Ka-ching. Every utterance of his is money in the bank.
So it's in their interests to keep him around and twit-storming like mad, but it "diminishes the presidency" which will have repercussions anon. It's having repercussions now, of course.
The president of the United States of America (LLC.) is an international laughing stock, not just because of his idiot tweets but because he demonstrates a total lack of self control on the one hand, and complete disinterest in the issues others deem important. He doesn't care if it doesn't mean the spotlight is on him and glory surrounds him.
But that isn't how the world works, is it?
Or is it?
There were a number of opportunities during and after the election and then after the inauguration to prevent him from taking office or to remove him, but all of them were whiffed. What happened instead was that the presidency itself was progressively diminished and as I call it, "jokified." This sets precedent. We should be aware that Trump is being normalized (despite all the cries that "this is not normal!") day by day, and the normalization will become a kind of standard reference for regarding any subsequent presidential behavior. But you can't run a country or an Empire this way.
The King-Emperor must therefore become a figurehead at best, an unimportant cypher, placeholder, or entertainment figure.
I've often pointed to the fact that the neoLibCons who rule us take advantage of every crisis to consolidate their wealth and power (h/t Naomi Klein who detailed the process a decade ago in "The Shock Doctrine.") We've seen it used over and over and over again, and it is very successful in accomplishing the goals of concentration and consolidation of wealth and power in the neoLibCon elite.
There is little doubt that the Elite saw and see Trump's election victory as an existential crisis. It was not supposed to happen. But as always we're seeing the crisis turned to the advantage of the High and the Mighty while the Rabble are being distracted and confused as always.
Trump himself appears to be a willing -- if addlepated -- participant in the game.
One may not like it, but there is little or nothing one can do about it.
So I'll continue to not watch cable "news," continue to grow my tomatoes (watching carefully the spread of the hatching hoppers) and keep monitoring my condition for improvements and deteriorations.
Alarm is warranted, as our idiot rulers are constitutionally unable to do the right thing. But that's nothing new. On the other hand, we are not entirely powerless.
Stay tuned.
"Oh no, that's all right, I can get to it just as easily from your side." OK, I said. How long is it going to take? "Ten-fifteen minutes. Just have to check something. Do you have Comcast?" Noooo, I said. Cable teevee is not allowed in our home.
"Oh. That's interesting." And he goes about his business. No doubt wondering about out sanity.
Practically everybody out here has cable or satellite teevee. Many of our friends and neighbors wouldn't dream of living without it. It's one of the basic utilities like electricity and water. Gots ta have it.
Well, we never have. Even though we're out in the wilderness, we're not that far from Albuquerque and it's a straight line from Sandia Crest where the broadcast towers are to our place, so an outside antenna works fine to bring in local broadcast stations. We have about thirty right now, and more are being added all the time. Many of them are "Christian" -- or some bizarre interpretation of it. Ranting and raving mostly. We pass those stations by.
Since we aren't exposed to cable "news" we aren't exposed to the kinds of hysterics that are apparently typical of the genre. Apparently, too, Mr. Trump drives the cable "news" hysterics into hyperdrive each and every day (almost) with his rage-tweets and attack-tweets, much of it ridiculous, which sets off yet another round of hoo and haw, and obsessive coverage of "Twitler" on both cable "news" and all over the internets.
It's frustrating to the cable "news" specifically and to the news media in general because Trump just won't shut up, and he won't behave like a "normal" president.
The Rules are out the window and news media in general, cable "news" in particular, don't know what to do.
From outside, this situation is interesting in part because it seems quite deliberate -- I'd go so far as to say staged in some respects.
Twitler's attacks on cable "news" especially seem calculated to drive traffic. He's been a godsend to the bottom lines of many a media mogul throughout his campaign and "presidency," and losing him and his tweets would be horrendous, no? They need him, and by golly, he comes through. Doesn't he?
Remember before the election (that he was supposed to lose to Herself) how Trump was planning to set up his own cable network -- or maybe it would be a YouTube channel, or something... -- to defy the gatekeepers and speak directly to the public regarding matters mundane and important and keep his ugly mug in front of the Rabble all the live long day? He would use the platform to counter the lies and deceits of the Clintoon II Regime, but not only them. Oh, no. From his media perch, he'd take 'em allllll down. Remember? Sure you do.
Well, here we are now, 6+ months into his own regime (that wasn't supposed to happen) and sure enough, he's behaving just like he planned to if he had lost (as he was supposed to), only now he doesn't need to set up his own network, because the presidency is a media platform in its own right.
All he has to do is tweet or say something outrageous on mic or camera, and it's off to the races.
Ka-ching. Every utterance of his is money in the bank.
So it's in their interests to keep him around and twit-storming like mad, but it "diminishes the presidency" which will have repercussions anon. It's having repercussions now, of course.
The president of the United States of America (LLC.) is an international laughing stock, not just because of his idiot tweets but because he demonstrates a total lack of self control on the one hand, and complete disinterest in the issues others deem important. He doesn't care if it doesn't mean the spotlight is on him and glory surrounds him.
But that isn't how the world works, is it?
Or is it?
There were a number of opportunities during and after the election and then after the inauguration to prevent him from taking office or to remove him, but all of them were whiffed. What happened instead was that the presidency itself was progressively diminished and as I call it, "jokified." This sets precedent. We should be aware that Trump is being normalized (despite all the cries that "this is not normal!") day by day, and the normalization will become a kind of standard reference for regarding any subsequent presidential behavior. But you can't run a country or an Empire this way.
The King-Emperor must therefore become a figurehead at best, an unimportant cypher, placeholder, or entertainment figure.
I've often pointed to the fact that the neoLibCons who rule us take advantage of every crisis to consolidate their wealth and power (h/t Naomi Klein who detailed the process a decade ago in "The Shock Doctrine.") We've seen it used over and over and over again, and it is very successful in accomplishing the goals of concentration and consolidation of wealth and power in the neoLibCon elite.
There is little doubt that the Elite saw and see Trump's election victory as an existential crisis. It was not supposed to happen. But as always we're seeing the crisis turned to the advantage of the High and the Mighty while the Rabble are being distracted and confused as always.
Trump himself appears to be a willing -- if addlepated -- participant in the game.
One may not like it, but there is little or nothing one can do about it.
So I'll continue to not watch cable "news," continue to grow my tomatoes (watching carefully the spread of the hatching hoppers) and keep monitoring my condition for improvements and deteriorations.
Alarm is warranted, as our idiot rulers are constitutionally unable to do the right thing. But that's nothing new. On the other hand, we are not entirely powerless.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, May 9, 2017
Saving the NeoLibCon Paradigm
So Emmanuel Macron is being hailed as the Great White Hope of the neoLibCons, saving the paradigm from the likes of the nasty and unrepentant white rightists who have been running rampant through the Euro-Anglo-American globalist Empire.
Indeed.
Or perhaps not.
The situation in France still seems somewhat fluid as "doubts" about Macron's mandate continue in the face of his rather thumping defeat of the white rightist candidate LePen. The problem I'm hearing most frequently is that he ran and won without traditional party support and he will have a tough, nay impossible time winning a majority in parliament, leaving him in a kind of limbo with little or no political backing.
On the other hand, there is a remarkable propaganda effort to prop him up as the savior of civilization in the face of the barbarian hordes -- such as Trump and his diminishing cohort of fanboys.
Hillary and Obama apparently are going all in trying to save the paradigm for the next generation, and I even heard Condoleeeeeeezzza Rice on the radio yesterday defending not just the appalling catastrophe of the Iraq invasion and occupation but the neoLibCon ideas behind that and so much of the disaster we've been heir to since (it seems like) forever.
These people are never right, but they are intent on bulling their way forward in their wrongness come what may.
Great.
Just great.
What did we do to deserve this?
Indeed.
Or perhaps not.
The situation in France still seems somewhat fluid as "doubts" about Macron's mandate continue in the face of his rather thumping defeat of the white rightist candidate LePen. The problem I'm hearing most frequently is that he ran and won without traditional party support and he will have a tough, nay impossible time winning a majority in parliament, leaving him in a kind of limbo with little or no political backing.
On the other hand, there is a remarkable propaganda effort to prop him up as the savior of civilization in the face of the barbarian hordes -- such as Trump and his diminishing cohort of fanboys.
Hillary and Obama apparently are going all in trying to save the paradigm for the next generation, and I even heard Condoleeeeeeezzza Rice on the radio yesterday defending not just the appalling catastrophe of the Iraq invasion and occupation but the neoLibCon ideas behind that and so much of the disaster we've been heir to since (it seems like) forever.
These people are never right, but they are intent on bulling their way forward in their wrongness come what may.
Great.
Just great.
What did we do to deserve this?
Saturday, February 13, 2016
So Is It Over?
I haven't really been following the tangled disintegration of the Oregon Standoff, quote unquote, but it sounds like there might have been something of a resolution -- following an extended period of sex-drugs-and-rock-n-roll. Or something.
They say even the Old Man (Bundy) was rounded up as he de-planed in Portland.
My my.
And only one killed -- so far. Poor deluded LeVoy got his (apparent) wish and was shot down in the snow by state police as twirled and ranted after a botched attempt to flee a roadblock.
Well, I saw the same video everyone else did of his execution, and there appeared to me to be no necessity to shoot him at all, any more than there is a necessity for LEOs to kill this or that suspect, individual, person in the vast majority of cases. They do it because they can, and they can get away with it in almost all cases. Further, as in the case of the poor, deluded elder Finicum, they do it pour encourager les autres. To make a statement: "Fuck with us and you die."
Finicum fucked with the law and authorities a lot, he did. So he, of all those deluded individuals, had to die. I'm sure he was targeted probably very early on. An example had to be made. And it was in spectacular though tragic fashion.
Immediately afterwards, I saw a lot of cheering commentary regarding his killing, as if this time -- of all the thousands of police killings over the last few years -- the dude really needed killing, and hurrah! for the Feds.
No. He's liable to become a martyr, that one. All because he "stood up" to the tyranny of gubment. And they -- the vast, implacable They -- shot him down for it.
That's what makes martyrs, just as has happened over and over again throughout history, triggering one revolution after another.
I make mock of Bernie's pretense to "revolution" -- a "political revolution" as he calls it -- because that's what it is, a pretense of revolution, not the thing itself. I believe it is a deliberate move to stave off the real thing from the left, pressure for which has been mounting for some time. But what about from the right?
A neo-revolution (neo-colonial, neo-conservative, neo-liberal) actually has taken place, suddenly in the aftermath of the unsettled 2000 presidential election, and then slowly consolidating ever since. Because it's not actually a rightist revolution -- though it has many aspects of rightist action and rhetoric -- many actual rightists are unsatisfied. They want more.
They see power in the wrong hands. They want for themselves. Which is what the Bundy Bunch have been after for years.
Meanwhile hundreds of thousands of "patriot-rebels" (they say there may be three hundred thousand of these mooks or more) are arming and prepping themselves into a frenzy of rebellion, indeed potentially of revolution, the real thing.
So is it really over? No, not by a long shot as they say.
We're going to see more and more of this as the neo-crowd continues its consolidation of wealth and power. And those who would fight that consolidation of power become more and more radicalized.
They say even the Old Man (Bundy) was rounded up as he de-planed in Portland.
My my.
And only one killed -- so far. Poor deluded LeVoy got his (apparent) wish and was shot down in the snow by state police as twirled and ranted after a botched attempt to flee a roadblock.
Well, I saw the same video everyone else did of his execution, and there appeared to me to be no necessity to shoot him at all, any more than there is a necessity for LEOs to kill this or that suspect, individual, person in the vast majority of cases. They do it because they can, and they can get away with it in almost all cases. Further, as in the case of the poor, deluded elder Finicum, they do it pour encourager les autres. To make a statement: "Fuck with us and you die."
Finicum fucked with the law and authorities a lot, he did. So he, of all those deluded individuals, had to die. I'm sure he was targeted probably very early on. An example had to be made. And it was in spectacular though tragic fashion.
Immediately afterwards, I saw a lot of cheering commentary regarding his killing, as if this time -- of all the thousands of police killings over the last few years -- the dude really needed killing, and hurrah! for the Feds.
No. He's liable to become a martyr, that one. All because he "stood up" to the tyranny of gubment. And they -- the vast, implacable They -- shot him down for it.
That's what makes martyrs, just as has happened over and over again throughout history, triggering one revolution after another.
I make mock of Bernie's pretense to "revolution" -- a "political revolution" as he calls it -- because that's what it is, a pretense of revolution, not the thing itself. I believe it is a deliberate move to stave off the real thing from the left, pressure for which has been mounting for some time. But what about from the right?
A neo-revolution (neo-colonial, neo-conservative, neo-liberal) actually has taken place, suddenly in the aftermath of the unsettled 2000 presidential election, and then slowly consolidating ever since. Because it's not actually a rightist revolution -- though it has many aspects of rightist action and rhetoric -- many actual rightists are unsatisfied. They want more.
They see power in the wrong hands. They want for themselves. Which is what the Bundy Bunch have been after for years.
Meanwhile hundreds of thousands of "patriot-rebels" (they say there may be three hundred thousand of these mooks or more) are arming and prepping themselves into a frenzy of rebellion, indeed potentially of revolution, the real thing.
So is it really over? No, not by a long shot as they say.
We're going to see more and more of this as the neo-crowd continues its consolidation of wealth and power. And those who would fight that consolidation of power become more and more radicalized.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
The Flint Water Thing...
What a mess. It's also a primary example of what's wrong with Neo-Liberalism and why the People must take matters into their own hands and reject the outrageous and dangerous ideologies of both Neo-Liberalism and Neo-Conservatism.
They both kill people and lead to immense levels of suffering for the masses while enriching a handful of warmongers, exploiters and plutocrats.
It's insanity. Governing insanity. And it must be brought to an end.
The Flint Water Catastrophe is typical, and it's a marker, one of an increasing number of "chickens coming home to roost" things.
(I don't think I've said previously, but we recently received notice that our tap water here in Central New Mexico is officially contaminated -- you got it, with lead, copper and some chemical related to PCB. Of course we stopped drinking it a long time ago, but this is the first time the tests have said what we've long suspected...)
Several factors enter into what happened in Flint (and I wonder how many other cities are or will be affected in the same or similar ways). One, of course, is the replacement of elected governance with the appointed, dictatorial "emergency managers" whose misrule in Michigan has become one of the lesser-known scandals of the 21st century. I've noticed that most of the mainstream coverage of the Flint water crisis makes no mention the emergency managers that were assigned to Flint and their unilateral decisions in the matter. What the mainstream says instead is that "the city decided" -- but that implies public knowledge/consent to change the source of water, and there was none. The public had no role and no authority and very little knowledge of and in that decision at all. The "city of Flint" did not make a decision regarding the water source, the emergency manager(s) assigned to the city did. And then, because of ideology, they denied there was a problem as the crisis grew worse and worse.
Saying that "the city of Flint" made the decisions that led to the current crisis is a way of blaming the victims, and it needs to stop.
The water crisis is entirely a matter of certain individuals rigid ideology that inevitably produces crisis and death and destruction -- and victims by the millions for the profit of a few.
The Flint Water Thing is one of a myriad monstrous consequences of these death-dealing ideologies, and though I doubt it will cause a necessary ideological shift in our governing classes, it will add to the pressure on them to fix what's wrong and do the right thing for once in their sorry lives.
This -- and so much else that's gone wrong over the last several decades -- must stop.
They both kill people and lead to immense levels of suffering for the masses while enriching a handful of warmongers, exploiters and plutocrats.
It's insanity. Governing insanity. And it must be brought to an end.
The Flint Water Catastrophe is typical, and it's a marker, one of an increasing number of "chickens coming home to roost" things.
(I don't think I've said previously, but we recently received notice that our tap water here in Central New Mexico is officially contaminated -- you got it, with lead, copper and some chemical related to PCB. Of course we stopped drinking it a long time ago, but this is the first time the tests have said what we've long suspected...)
Several factors enter into what happened in Flint (and I wonder how many other cities are or will be affected in the same or similar ways). One, of course, is the replacement of elected governance with the appointed, dictatorial "emergency managers" whose misrule in Michigan has become one of the lesser-known scandals of the 21st century. I've noticed that most of the mainstream coverage of the Flint water crisis makes no mention the emergency managers that were assigned to Flint and their unilateral decisions in the matter. What the mainstream says instead is that "the city decided" -- but that implies public knowledge/consent to change the source of water, and there was none. The public had no role and no authority and very little knowledge of and in that decision at all. The "city of Flint" did not make a decision regarding the water source, the emergency manager(s) assigned to the city did. And then, because of ideology, they denied there was a problem as the crisis grew worse and worse.
Saying that "the city of Flint" made the decisions that led to the current crisis is a way of blaming the victims, and it needs to stop.
The water crisis is entirely a matter of certain individuals rigid ideology that inevitably produces crisis and death and destruction -- and victims by the millions for the profit of a few.
The Flint Water Thing is one of a myriad monstrous consequences of these death-dealing ideologies, and though I doubt it will cause a necessary ideological shift in our governing classes, it will add to the pressure on them to fix what's wrong and do the right thing for once in their sorry lives.
This -- and so much else that's gone wrong over the last several decades -- must stop.
Monday, March 10, 2014
More "New Citizen" Members
The next one I could find a website for -- at least that wasn't flashing malware warnings -- is the Association of Broadcasters Ukraine which, from appearances, is primarily concerned with media coordination (anti-Russia, pro-EU) and freedom from government restrictions in the East and Crimea.
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Democracy! Freedom! Justice! is next. It appears to be a kind of open forum where items of interest can be posted. Varied content from sports to intricate political and social arguments. No obvious political stance. Contact is Alexander KOLOMYJEC who appears to be an actor in Kiev. Interesting.
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Next is something called "UkrProstir," but the website opens to a site called "NGO.zp.ua" which is short for "NGOs Zaporozhye" which is a city in SE Ukraine. The outfit is apparently the "youth council" in Zaporozhye, and is primarily concerned with issues important to youth. One of their projects us UkrProstir, which is either a separate entity or is the originating entity for NGO.zp.ua. According to the UkrProstir tab, it exists as a media relations tool to coordinate messages and methods between NGOs. From what I can tell, it appears to be quite sophisticated. The contact is: Nicholas Kolodyazhniy
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Next with a website that opens is the Information Press Center
It appears to be yet another media umbrella organization, but this one is in Crimea, and so its focus is on the situation in Crimea, and from what I can tell, it is hosting lots of discussion which is not particularly skewed toward anti-Russian propaganda. Refreshing. I'll post their mission:
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We next find something called "Popular Diplomacy" -- again with a malware website. It is primarily concerned, it seems, with the integration of Ukraine with the EU. The contact is Bogdan Kavulych.
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Then there is "Kiev National Control" which has a severely malware website. It appears to be a "government accountability" org, but its focus seems to be on the Euromaidan protests and EU integration above anything else. The contacts are: Dmitry Motaylenko, Vadim Logvinov of whom I could find nothing.
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Had to skip a bunch of orgs either because they had nothing online or because they're no longer in existence...
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Then we have: PAUCI -- the Ukrainian-Polish Cooperation Foundation. Seems self-evident, no? It does have a page that expresses the more or less commonplace EU Eastern Territories expansion ideas and plans.
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The next one that had a useful website was called "European Choice" which has a powerfully evocative mission:
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"Center for Youth Initiatives" is next. It appears to be an Armenian focused youth organization, though it's hard to tell, as its website is not opening correctly for me. I'm not getting a malware warning, but it has all the signs of malware. Like most of the youth initiatives it's mainly interested in "education" about clean government, candidates and European integration. I won't link to the New Citizen web listing, but I did some research through other sources and found the Center listed among those receiving grants from the EU's Eastern Partnership Program. Make of this what you will. It's a demonstration of how extensive the EU's EP is into Ukrainian society if nothing else.
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Next one I'll list is the International Democracy Institute (aka "International Institute of Democracies") headed by Serhiy Taran. Their mission:
Serhiy Taran something interesting in November of last year:
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The Center for Civil Liberties is next. Anyone familiar with my writing knows my Question for Civil Libertarians: "Liberty for whom? To do what?" Of course, there is never -- ever -- an answer. To find that one of the NGOs under the "New Citizen" umbrella is a "civil liberties" center, therefore, is interesting. For whom, I ask. To do what?
According to its own Partners and Donors page it is a partner of the EU.
And apparently this outfit has been active in other parts of the EU's Eastern Territories as well as Ukraine.
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Last, but by no means least (and with the understanding that I left out quite a few orgs because of malware or nonfunctional websites) we have the "Ukrainian Association of Student Government" -- an EU front. Their program seems to be focused -- like that of so many other youth organizations under the New Citizen wing -- on EU integration. One of its partner/funders, interestingly, is "The Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy." Its call for proposals in Ukraine is interesting:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
There are more New Citizen/Center UA initiatives that need some clarification including this one:
The Ukrainian people have many legitimate grievances, but a quick review of this page explains as clearly as possible what the "revolutionaries" have been after all along. It has very little to do with the "people," and everything to do with "reform" along the lines of Chicago School Neo-Liberalism as it is imposed by the EU and the US.
The Ukrainians are in for a world of hurt.
As if things weren't bad enough already.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Democracy! Freedom! Justice! is next. It appears to be a kind of open forum where items of interest can be posted. Varied content from sports to intricate political and social arguments. No obvious political stance. Contact is Alexander KOLOMYJEC who appears to be an actor in Kiev. Interesting.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Next is something called "UkrProstir," but the website opens to a site called "NGO.zp.ua" which is short for "NGOs Zaporozhye" which is a city in SE Ukraine. The outfit is apparently the "youth council" in Zaporozhye, and is primarily concerned with issues important to youth. One of their projects us UkrProstir, which is either a separate entity or is the originating entity for NGO.zp.ua. According to the UkrProstir tab, it exists as a media relations tool to coordinate messages and methods between NGOs. From what I can tell, it appears to be quite sophisticated. The contact is: Nicholas Kolodyazhniy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Next with a website that opens is the Information Press Center
It appears to be yet another media umbrella organization, but this one is in Crimea, and so its focus is on the situation in Crimea, and from what I can tell, it is hosting lots of discussion which is not particularly skewed toward anti-Russian propaganda. Refreshing. I'll post their mission:
Mission IPC:
We promote awareness of Crimean residents and their meaningful participation in decision-making processes through professional development of independent media and the establishment of public dialogue between the public, government and business.
IPC organizes press conferences and round table discussions on matters of public concern, and also works as a training center for journalists, regularly holds seminars and trainings. In addition, IPC conducts media literacy program for community organizations.
On the basis of Ukrainian gymnasium in Simferopol and school number 1 in Sevastopol School work young Internet reporter, where students are taught the basics of journalism, let the school newspaper "College Times» and their online publication.
IPC regularly monitors violations of professional standards and ethics of journalism - Publication ordered materials and use of "hate speech" in the print media.
IPC develops judicial journalism - to establish a dialogue with the courts, promoting greater transparency of the judicial system, and conducts training for journalists writing on legal topics. In addition, IPC journalists themselves cover the activities of vessels - the online edition of the "Bureau of Justice information" .
Since 2008, based on the IPC operates the online edition of "investigative reporter" , and produced a TV program of investigative journalism "matter of national security" and the program of media and media literacy "Focus".
IPC broadcast television projects "Black Sea" TRK, and some regional broadcasting companies.
Successfully operating a network of media centers IPC in Yalta, Sevastopol, Djankov, Theodosia, and from March 2012 - in Yalta, where various media events involving representatives of local organizations, governments and businesses, as well as available public Internet Publishing Media Center «IPC-Big Yalta" , Ecopolis , media center «IPC-Djankoi», «IPC-Evpatoria" and media center «IPC-Theodosius."Hard to dispute these activities and mission. Contact is: Anna Lukinova who appears to be ethnic Russian and who is fairly well connected in the NGO community in Crimea and Europe.
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We next find something called "Popular Diplomacy" -- again with a malware website. It is primarily concerned, it seems, with the integration of Ukraine with the EU. The contact is Bogdan Kavulych.
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Then there is "Kiev National Control" which has a severely malware website. It appears to be a "government accountability" org, but its focus seems to be on the Euromaidan protests and EU integration above anything else. The contacts are: Dmitry Motaylenko, Vadim Logvinov of whom I could find nothing.
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Had to skip a bunch of orgs either because they had nothing online or because they're no longer in existence...
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Then we have: PAUCI -- the Ukrainian-Polish Cooperation Foundation. Seems self-evident, no? It does have a page that expresses the more or less commonplace EU Eastern Territories expansion ideas and plans.
What is happening in Eastern Europe and South Caucasus has a direct impact on the European Union. Enlargement of the European Union in 2004 brought these countries into the EU, and this strengthened the influence of their security, stability and prosperity in the EU. So, for example, the potential for energy supplies from these countries are important for the diversification of energy resources to the EU.Etc. These ideas are little known or understood in the US, but they are apparently well-known in Europe and in Russia.
All of these countries, to varying degrees, carry out political, social and economic reforms and expressed his desire to move closer to the European Union. The conflict that occurred in August 2008 in Georgia, which showed weak can these countries and the EU security begins far beyond its borders.
The European Commission has expressed specific ideas on how to improve relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. They also include a new association agreement, including expanded free trade agreements with those countries that are willing and able to enter into a deeper cooperation and gradual integration into the EU economy. This will also simplify the EU journey through gradual visa liberalization, accompanied by measures to prevent illegal migration.
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The next one that had a useful website was called "European Choice" which has a powerfully evocative mission:
The EUROPEAN CHOICE - is a nonprofit CSO based in Ukraine since 2003. We are highly experienced professionals with a unique blend of skills, knowledge and liaisons for international investors, european policy and integration., Intelligence, international development, anticorruption, media and lobby, culture and CSR.There you have it, that's what it's all about. By the numbers.
Our strategy goal is to create and manage
First Europe Direct Office in Ukraine
before 1 January 2015
The EUROPEAN CHOICE goals are:
- to promote and contribute to foreign policy debate in Ukraine,
- to advise decision makers from politics, business, and civil society
- to inform the public on foreign and european policy questions / issues
- to strengthen the Ukraine foreign policy community
- to advance Ukraine's foreign affairs status in the world
To achieve this since 2003 we:
- Mark Official European Years
- European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008
- European Year of Innovation 2009
- European Year Combating Poverty 2010
- European Year of Volunteering 2011
- European Year of Active Aging in 2012
- European Year of Citizens 2013
- European Year of the Brain 2014
- International Year of Light 2015
- Conduct events dedicated to EU Weeks and Days
- Kremenchug Europe Days 2010
- Kremenchug Europe Days 2011
- EVAW 2009
- EWAV 2010
- EWAV 2011
- Get Online Week 2011
- EU Sustainable Energy Week 2012
- UNITED Ukraine 2011
- International Day of Democracy
- European e-Skills Week 2012
- World Water Day 2010
- Green Office Week Ukraine
- The European Day for Civil Justice 2009
- Global Entrepreneurship Week 2011 (GEW)
- International Right to Know Day
- Action Week Against Racism 2011
- Refugee Day 2011
- Day Against fascism and Antisemitism 2011
- Single Market Week 2012
- European SME Week 2012
- Organize EU oriented raise awareness campaigns in different fields
- Collaborate with the partners abroad on different study and field-works
- Civil Society Forum Eastern Partnership
- 55 ATA Assembly
- SENSE 2010 Polish Aid Project
- Open Government Partnership
- RegioNews Agency Network
- New Citizen Partnership
- Ukraine Policy Dialog Project 2020
- Compass 2020 Fridrich Ebert Stiftung Project
- Facilitate the EU People Network with more that 800 people all over Ukraine
Measurable deliveries for 10 year:
- 500 000 online visitors of ON-Line EUROPEAN CHOICE Websites and Social Media
- 200 000 visitors of OFF-Line street events
- 25 000 photo
- 130 seminars
- 80 tv-progrmas
- 6 Eurotours
- 1400 publications in media
- 23 European Campaign `s during 2009-2012
- 400 legal consultations
- 18 LIVE broadcasting on RADIO and TV
- 3 offices in Kremenchug and Kyiv
- 21 staff member and 150 volunters
- 5 national wide researches on economy, health, governance
- 15 grants from SOROS, USAID, IRF, CIDA, SIDA, UCAN, UNDP, EU foundations
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There are several members with nonfunctioning or malware websites which I'll skip. The next one with an interesting site, though, is one called Center for Political Education, which is code for pro-EU, anti-Russian propaganda -- styled "voter education." Unlike some, this one is very simple and straightforward, announcing their topics and purposes with no effort to mask them:
On the surface, none of this would look particularly pernicious to Americans, yet in the context of Ukraine, the rest of the EU's Eastern Territories, and the other targeted nations for overthrow of governments, these activities and objectives are essentially "subversive" in the sense it was meant during the various Red Scares the United States has endured. This is how it is done, step by step, slowly and generally out in the open. Where it can't be done in the open, it's done covertly. The US has had plenty of practice. But it appears that Europe is quite capable of handling these matters independently... (don't know whether any of the links above will work, but if they do, they should go to translated pages...)
Fair and transparent elections
We are committed to ensuring the competitiveness of the electoral process, the proper administration of elections and promote voter awareness. »» » . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
European Integration of Ukraine
We contribute to the formation of Ukrainian citizens to the European democratic values, institutions and procedures of the European Union shall inform the European Community and Ukraine on its achievements. »» » . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effective associations
We help sustainable development NGOs that are able to represent the interests of citizens effectively with public institutions. »» » . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Democratic youth leadership
We provide becoming responsible young leaders who share the principles of service, integrity and openness in politics and social activities. »» » . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Responsible political parties
We promote the development of responsible party environment, enhance the ability of parties to implement the education of their staff, to establish better communication with citizens. »» »
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"Center for Youth Initiatives" is next. It appears to be an Armenian focused youth organization, though it's hard to tell, as its website is not opening correctly for me. I'm not getting a malware warning, but it has all the signs of malware. Like most of the youth initiatives it's mainly interested in "education" about clean government, candidates and European integration. I won't link to the New Citizen web listing, but I did some research through other sources and found the Center listed among those receiving grants from the EU's Eastern Partnership Program. Make of this what you will. It's a demonstration of how extensive the EU's EP is into Ukrainian society if nothing else.
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Next one I'll list is the International Democracy Institute (aka "International Institute of Democracies") headed by Serhiy Taran. Their mission:
"Radical renewal..." what could that mean? Of course, sometimes it's necessary.
International Institute of Democracies is an independent nonprofit organization that examines the problem of institutional formation in transition democracies. The main activities of the organization are - monitoring of political mobilization, expert discussions and round tables, public opinion polls and expert interviews. His mission organization sees the formation of a qualitatively new political discourse that contribute to the qualitative transformation in transitional democracies, and in particular the promotion of new findings, ideas and meanings that have contributed to a radical renewal of Ukrainian society.
Serhiy Taran something interesting in November of last year:
"This is the paradox of the current relations between the Government and the people. I can add that the Orange Revolution - it was an objective process of political change in generations. Typically, a political generation - is 15 years, and every time a new generation comes to power, there are some turmoil in the country. These can be "peaceful" shock and as revolutions. If you recall the story, take 1917, add 15 years and we get 1933 and all hazards associated with it: promoted Stalin destroyed all the revolutionary elite who actually made the revolution.In other words, despite the rumblings in the streets and squares last fall and winter, it wasn't quite time for a real revolution in Ukraine. Which gets into some interesting territory -- why did the EuroMaidan Revolt happen the way it did, "too soon," and what forces were behind it? Furthermore, was the EuroMaidan Revolt a real revolution or was it merely a replacement of one set of kleptocrats with another more amenable to the diktats out of Berlin and Brussels? I've never doubted that the rumblings in the streets and squares of Ukraine represented deep discontent, but the demagoguing and manipulation of that discontent that was obvious from the stage set up in Maidan Square from the outset made it clear (to me at any rate) that this was not what it was being touted as.
And this formula in 15 years concluded the entire Soviet history. Fit it for an independent Ukraine, starting from 1990. Based on the theory of a new political generation restoration Ukraine, only 15 years after the revolution of 2004 possible any new major revolution or turmoil that is only in the years 2019-2020. During these years, according to my predictions, there will be major changes in Ukraine and only with the advent of a new political generation"- sums Taran.
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The Center for Civil Liberties is next. Anyone familiar with my writing knows my Question for Civil Libertarians: "Liberty for whom? To do what?" Of course, there is never -- ever -- an answer. To find that one of the NGOs under the "New Citizen" umbrella is a "civil liberties" center, therefore, is interesting. For whom, I ask. To do what?
According to its own Partners and Donors page it is a partner of the EU.
And apparently this outfit has been active in other parts of the EU's Eastern Territories as well as Ukraine.
TSHS coordinates the project «Enhancing respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in countries and regions where they are most at risk», funded by the European Commission hr-nis.org . Besides Ukraine project applies to Belarus, Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. The priorities of the project is to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms, development of international solidarity and protection of human rights defenders and civil society activists from political persecution of power in the court and out of court. More information on the project website ( http://hr-nis.org/ ).
Immediate focus is on the EuroMaidan protests in Kiev (stopped being updated last December, tho), but they have other interests including matters of law and justice and internal security. But the question, "Civil Liberties for whom, to do what?" is never answered or even addressed. According to some of their other pages, however, they are active in fields of prison and mental health care reform, so there is that.
Also TSHS continues to work in an international network of "Society and Army» ( http://nis-army.org/ ), International School of Human Rights and Civil Action ( www.inthschool.org ), the Coalition of Hate ( CAH www.mhg- . org ) and the Coalition for the protection of fundamental freedoms in Eurasia.
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Last, but by no means least (and with the understanding that I left out quite a few orgs because of malware or nonfunctional websites) we have the "Ukrainian Association of Student Government" -- an EU front. Their program seems to be focused -- like that of so many other youth organizations under the New Citizen wing -- on EU integration. One of its partner/funders, interestingly, is "The Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy." Its call for proposals in Ukraine is interesting:
2014 general call for proposals by the Democracy
In a nutshell, there you have it. That is the US program in the EU's Eastern Territories.
U.S. Embassy invites Ukrainian non-profit and non-governmental organizations to participate in the contest by the Democracy Project. Applications are accepted continuously, there is no deadline for applications - competition is permanent. Applications are accepted continuously, there is no deadline for applications - competition is permanent.The purpose of the programDemocracy is intended to support projects to foster the development and construction of civil society in Ukraine. Democracy - a focused but flexible mechanism, which provides seed money for unique and sustainable projects, especially those that contribute to the development of the capacity and sustainability of NGOs in Ukraine. In projects that receive grants, organizations demonstrate concrete achievements and their impact on a particular area or community. Since July 1996, about 600 projects of Ukrainian NGOs have received funding under the "Foundation for Democracy." Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
The main requirements for the project:
- Grants are provided to Ukrainian organizations that have the status of non-governmental and non-profit and registered in accordance with Ukrainian legislation. These include: non-governmental organizations (associations), charitable foundations and think tanks.
- Organizations and their members can not represent a political party, appointed or elected officials.
The maximum funding for a single grant is $ 24,000, the average amount of grants is between $ 5,000 and $ 15,000- U.S. and foreign organizations and individuals are not eligible to apply for grants.
- Grant applications must be submitted in English and Ukrainian languages.
- In addition to this competition, the U.S. Embassy conducts regional and thematic competitions, where the requirements for organizations and projects may differ from this competition. Watch for announcements on the website and in the local media.
- Project duration should not exceed one year. Project costs can not h distribution ATIS before signing the grant agreement. Costs incurred before the official start date will not be reimbursed.
Scope of projectsTheme prioryrety the Democracy Fund:
- Human Rights Education, monitoring and reporting violations of human rights: Proposals should indicate which segments of the population will be targeted and what activities are planned for the project and after its completion;
- The rule of law and reform in law: reforms in various areas of law, legal clinics / advising, legal education of citizens, judicial support, lobbying and activities after the project;
- Economic Reform: Promoting initiatives in the area of market economy, small and medium-sized businesses, reforms in the agricultural sector, support for links between the public and private sectors to lobby tax reform and other issues relating to entrepreneurship;
- Civil Society: Initiatives that promote the continued development effectiveness and sustainability of the third sector;
Electoral System: Voter education and election monitoring, training of election commissions, etc.;- Anti-Corruption and Transparency in Government: Education and awareness campaigns problems;
- Preventing Human Trafficking: Projects aimed at awareness, prevention and legal assistance;
- Equality of women, ethnic and other minorities protection, legal aid, aimed at creating associations and others.
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There are more New Citizen/Center UA initiatives that need some clarification including this one:
The public demands from politicians of primary 13 reforms that have to revive and unite the country. Public figures emphasize that Yevromaydan has not yet completed its primary mission - to change the rules, not the person
More than 120 experts and public figures together and presented "reanimation package of reforms" - 13 priority legislative initiatives aimed at changing the system of governance and a healthy start work of public institutions. The initiative was born in New Partnership citizen and civil society Maidan.
Reform package consists of 2 blocks. 7 immediate reform experts respected NGOs willing to work out how to introduce specific legislation and Parliament over the next few months.
- Judicial reform. Reform of the Procuracy
- The reform of law enforcement
- Anti-corruption reform
- The reform of the electoral law
- Administrative Reform
- The reform of decentralization and regional development
- Tax Reform
The experts also called for the implementation of 5 reforms in the medium term, requiring extensive work involving all political actors and actors in the process:"The public and the politicians got a real chance to change the country, although a very high price. We have to take the daily hard work of the reform, which is one of the instruments of change, or not build new Ukraine ", - said the activist public sector Yevromaydanu Hanna Hopko.
- Deregulation and incentives for business development and investment
- Pension reform and the reform of social security
- Education Reform
- Health
- Land reform
Public figures call for pro-democracy MPs to form a group in order to work together on reforms and invite government representatives to actively spipratsi. Participants of the initiative "resuscitation reform package" seeking not only willing laws output, but also to change the principle of cooperation between authorities and society as parliament and government will indeed platform presentation and implementation of public interest."Until now, social activists could count on effective cooperation in promoting needed public law just a few MPs. It's time to change that. We want all MPs listened to the opinions of experts and civil society activists, and every law passed before the adoption of the discussion is not "under the carpet" and a broad discussion of the whole society, "- Maxim Latsyba, Project Manager Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research.
"This initiative - an attempt zaprovatydyty mechanism of" change from below "- added Olga Halabala, activist public sector Yevromaydanu.
Participants of the initiative "resuscitation reform package" together in groups, each of which highlighted expert and organizational subgroups elected chief expert and general manager. The initiative seeking new members with proposals to cover even wider range of reforms, such as media reform, including the transformation of state broadcasters into public, military and security reform, and others. Reform package expands, and the initiative is open to accession stakeholders.
There follows a list of experts who will cheerfully provide their services in all necessary categories. This is, I think, the distillation of what "New Citizen" and its members as well as "Center UA" is all about. It is nothing less than the full-on implementation of neo-liberal economic, social and political "reforms" in Ukraine and their eventual extension into the other Eastern Territories of the EU, without further let or hindrance from Russia or any other impediment.After the public launch initiative "resuscitation reform package," the participants to be involved in promoting reforms of citizens in Ukraine. For next week, experts will travel to the regions present their results to local activists, experts, politicians and journalists.
The Ukrainian people have many legitimate grievances, but a quick review of this page explains as clearly as possible what the "revolutionaries" have been after all along. It has very little to do with the "people," and everything to do with "reform" along the lines of Chicago School Neo-Liberalism as it is imposed by the EU and the US.
The Ukrainians are in for a world of hurt.
As if things weren't bad enough already.
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Again With The Who and What of "New Citizen" and "Center UA"
This exploration of the Ukrainian orgs under the umbrella of "New Citizen" and "Center UA" -- funded by Omidyar Network -- has become a long-term project.
I'm only half way through the list -- if that far -- and what I've found so far can be fairly characterized as a coordinated and concerted effort to inject (shall we say) pro-EU and anti-Russian attitudes and perspectives into Ukrainian politics and culture over many years, decades in fact, openly funded by US and EU interests through the regular channels of USAID and NED along with many others, some of which are acknowledged, but it appears many are not.
"New Citizen" is an umbrella for 58 orgs, most of which are focused on integration of Ukraine into the EU orbit, even if it means Ukraine is on the Periphery indefinitely. "New Citizen," in turn, is a project of "Center UA" -- which I haven't had time to explore more than superficially, but which appears to be a front for US and EU interests in Ukraine.
What, exactly, are those interests? From a geopolitical and strategic point of view, those interests seem to pivot on "stopping" the Soviet Union (er... Russia) from expanding to the West. But that's silly. Russia is not expanding to the West. Russia is organizing and protecting its borders. Whether it needs to or should do so "in the 21st Century" is a question for consideration, but that it is doing so shouldn't be.
Russia has a historical and national interest in protecting its western and southern borders from incursions from would-be conquerors. The idea of detaching Ukraine from Russian influence (which is the obvious point of attaching Ukraine and the other Eastern Territories to the EU) and -- let's say -- from Russian "oversight" must be psychologically terrifying to Russians and to a lot of Ukrainians as well. The long and deep historical and cultural ties between Russia and Ukraine can't be dismissed out of hand.
On the other hand, the decades-long effort to condition and accustom Ukrainians to reject Russian influence and culture and to turn toward Europe instead has had results in repeated overthrows of more Russian-friendly governments, including the latest one.
"Democracy" -- on the European model -- is still a somewhat foreign concept in Ukraine, and the people and governing class are clearly unskilled in its operations. "Democracy" is still largely seen through the Soviet lens which is both more inclusive and more authoritarian than that of Europe or the United States.
"Free markets" and "capitalism" are likewise muddled and confusing notions. When oligarchs are provided with so much and the people get little or nothing for their devotions to free markets and capitalism, it's hard to justify either one, and yet both are supposedly among the benefits Ukrainians are to receive once their official association with the EU is achieved. Of course many understand that this association will come with requirements for "reform" -- which means austerity on the Greek model or even more severe than the Greek model.
Is this what Ukrainians really want?
From appearances, they aren't asked, and they don't have an alternative option, as the 'interim government' is rushing headlong into the arms of the EU, damn the consequences, damn the people, damn everything.
It's not clear how things will settle out, but it is more and more clear that the situation now is pretty much what the EU enthusiasts set out to accomplish, even if it had to be done with the use of fascist and neo-Nazi shock troops. "Whatever it takes" seems to be the motto for the advocates of EU integration.
I'm only half way through the list -- if that far -- and what I've found so far can be fairly characterized as a coordinated and concerted effort to inject (shall we say) pro-EU and anti-Russian attitudes and perspectives into Ukrainian politics and culture over many years, decades in fact, openly funded by US and EU interests through the regular channels of USAID and NED along with many others, some of which are acknowledged, but it appears many are not.
"New Citizen" is an umbrella for 58 orgs, most of which are focused on integration of Ukraine into the EU orbit, even if it means Ukraine is on the Periphery indefinitely. "New Citizen," in turn, is a project of "Center UA" -- which I haven't had time to explore more than superficially, but which appears to be a front for US and EU interests in Ukraine.
What, exactly, are those interests? From a geopolitical and strategic point of view, those interests seem to pivot on "stopping" the Soviet Union (er... Russia) from expanding to the West. But that's silly. Russia is not expanding to the West. Russia is organizing and protecting its borders. Whether it needs to or should do so "in the 21st Century" is a question for consideration, but that it is doing so shouldn't be.
Russia has a historical and national interest in protecting its western and southern borders from incursions from would-be conquerors. The idea of detaching Ukraine from Russian influence (which is the obvious point of attaching Ukraine and the other Eastern Territories to the EU) and -- let's say -- from Russian "oversight" must be psychologically terrifying to Russians and to a lot of Ukrainians as well. The long and deep historical and cultural ties between Russia and Ukraine can't be dismissed out of hand.
On the other hand, the decades-long effort to condition and accustom Ukrainians to reject Russian influence and culture and to turn toward Europe instead has had results in repeated overthrows of more Russian-friendly governments, including the latest one.
"Democracy" -- on the European model -- is still a somewhat foreign concept in Ukraine, and the people and governing class are clearly unskilled in its operations. "Democracy" is still largely seen through the Soviet lens which is both more inclusive and more authoritarian than that of Europe or the United States.
"Free markets" and "capitalism" are likewise muddled and confusing notions. When oligarchs are provided with so much and the people get little or nothing for their devotions to free markets and capitalism, it's hard to justify either one, and yet both are supposedly among the benefits Ukrainians are to receive once their official association with the EU is achieved. Of course many understand that this association will come with requirements for "reform" -- which means austerity on the Greek model or even more severe than the Greek model.
Is this what Ukrainians really want?
From appearances, they aren't asked, and they don't have an alternative option, as the 'interim government' is rushing headlong into the arms of the EU, damn the consequences, damn the people, damn everything.
It's not clear how things will settle out, but it is more and more clear that the situation now is pretty much what the EU enthusiasts set out to accomplish, even if it had to be done with the use of fascist and neo-Nazi shock troops. "Whatever it takes" seems to be the motto for the advocates of EU integration.
Friday, March 7, 2014
What and Who Is "New Citizen" and "Center UA"?
These are the outfits Omidyar Network has funded to the tune of $1.105 million over two years, not a huge amount by any means, but enough, it seems, to have an effect. And that's what any billionaire philanthropist/investor wants his or her money to do. Effect the outcome of events. Cause events if need be.
Over the last several days, I've been looking into "New Citizen" and "Center UA," the two outfits Omidyar admits to funding in Ukraine. Strangely, the admissions are somewhat incomplete. For example in announcing the grant/investment in "New Citizen (Center UA)" in 2011, Omidyar omits to mention that "New Citizen" is a project of "Center UA", and in clarifying their funding in Ukraine, they fail to mention, again, that "New Citizen" is a project of "Center UA," and they further muddy the waters by claiming their investments were in "Center UA," not mentioning "New Citizen" at all -- except in the title. An observer might suspect deliberate obfuscation. A lawyer would say, "It's in the title, and the link within goes to "New Citizen," and besides, everything -- except that $770,000 grant-or-investment -- was already disclosed long ago. There is no news here..."
At any rate, I've been trying to find out what this "New Citizen" is and what "Center UA" is supposed to be.
New Citizen's website is in Ukrainian only, and basically what they say they are is an umbrella "service" organization for 58 other organizations, including "Center UA," although a project of "Center UA," whose website is in English, and whose website appears to be down at the moment...
Of the New Citizen members that have functioning websites, however, we may begin at the beginning and go through the list:
Mama-86 is a water resources management NGO (interesting in and of itself) which posted a communiqué in November from Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum condemning the Ukrainian Government's decision not to sign and implement the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU and demands the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers and the immediate signing of the Agreement. (By whom?) Interesting, too, is that Mama-86 says it is a member of
The chair of the coordinating council of Mama-86 is Anna Golubovska-Onisimova, who has apparently very strong EU connections.
An environmental NGO, focused on integrating and managing Ukrainian water resources with those of the EU could hardly be called pernicious, could it? Well, it's hard to say, isn't it? One can't know from the looks of things.
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Internews UA is the next member with a working website. Its mission as stated on its home page is:
At any rate, they sponsor a lot of projects and programs to inject -- shall we say -- these values of which they speak into Ukrainian consciousness and to promote them through "successful media." They will be sponsoring fora shortly to discuss and promote EU connections.
Just a sampling of what they offer and what they do.
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Next we find something called "Democratic Initiatives Ilko Kucheriv" headed by Irina Bekeshkina. A quick glance at their home page shows item after item of anti-Russian propaganda, not exactly the promotion of "democratic initiatives," but I guess it is necessary to denounce Russia before any "democracy" can be initiated in Ukraine. Or anywhere else for that matter. They also have many projects, which I didn't investigate for the simple reason that their homepage was cluttered up with so much overt anti-Russian speakers and propaganda. It's sort of the counterpoint, I guess, to Internews's pro-EU stuff. Hand in glove as it were.
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Up next is something called "The Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research" which is also filled with anti-Russian propaganda. Huh. Practically everything they have on their homepage is about protesting in the Maidan, getting rid of Yanukovych, and denouncing Russia. There seems to be a theme here.
The center is headed by Yulia Tyshchenko and Kostyantyn Mykhailychenko. The link goes to a email post by said Kostyantyn Mykhailychenko which is interesting in and of itself for it describes a book published in 2009 called "EU's Eastern Partnership: Additional Possibilities for European Integration of Ukraine." How charming. But it doesn't stop with Ukraine. Included in the EU's "Eastern Partnership" are Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Moldova. The book, it seems, was being distributed free online within Ukraine by request to the Center, printed copies available by application. Looks like there might be long term plans to "coordinate" all of these Eastern lands bordering Mother Russia with EU. Perhaps Mr Putin in the Kremlin isn't quite so "paranoid" and "desperate" as he is made out to be by the Western media.... but then again, he's Russian...
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Then we have Mvarta, the Ukrainian Youth Guard. It appears to be organized as a political pressure and lobbying group composed of young voters advocating the interests of children and youth throughout Ukraine and holding politicians accountable for fulfilling their promises to youth. How refreshing. Mvarta is headed by Evgenya Malykh. Interesting...
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Next is Debate Academy. They announced a workshop last October that seems pretty straightforward:
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We have something called "Elite State" the function of which is not entirely clear, but from what little I could glean from their webpage (which is considered malware, so beware) they are primarily involved in coordinating information on behalf of graduates of the National Academy of Public Administration of Ukraine. And offering some interesting "psychological games" of power. The head is Olga Piddubchak who says of herself: (translated from the Ukrainian via the Google Machine)
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We move on to: "Ukrainian Strategy" headed by Anatoliy Pinchuk (this site is also considered malware). I won't link to this one because it is firing off warning after warning, so better not. At any rate, it appears to be a very pro-active neo-liberal political and economic endeavor. Anatoliy Pinchuk is very closely tied into the international neo-liberal think tank community.
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Following "Ukrainian Strategy" is the social activist Alexey Pogorelov who is CEO of the Ukrainian Association of Press Publishers which is an umbrella organization for 114 independent media outlets and which seemed to be aligned with those determined to overthrow Yanukovych. More malware, so I won't link.
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Thence to: "Community" Foundation, a Eurocentric outfit headed by Taras Peter, a media consultant to various government and non-government organizations.
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Next we have "Center UA" the umbrella under which "New Citizen" is formed. Center UA is headed by Oleh Rybachuk, who is considered quite notorious by some. Here's Mark Ames' description:
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Following "Center UA" is "Bukvoid" -- an online and print publishing outfit which seems pretty straightforward. It's headed by Sergey Rudenko, but not the Soviet General...
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Next is the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine which boasts of more than 600 journalist members and affiliation with the International Federation of Journalists. It is headed by Ukrainian Media Personality Roman Skrypin (though their history page says he resigned in 2011.)
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Then we have the Institute of Political Education which appears to be primarily dedicated to the EU integration project. Headed by Oleksandar Solontay and Andrey Strannikov, both associated with "Youth Guard" and other NGOs active in Ukrainian Politics.
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Next is the Institute of Media which appears to be an anti-Russia propaganda outfit. Its head is Victoria Syumar.
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Tired now, must take a break.
Over the last several days, I've been looking into "New Citizen" and "Center UA," the two outfits Omidyar admits to funding in Ukraine. Strangely, the admissions are somewhat incomplete. For example in announcing the grant/investment in "New Citizen (Center UA)" in 2011, Omidyar omits to mention that "New Citizen" is a project of "Center UA", and in clarifying their funding in Ukraine, they fail to mention, again, that "New Citizen" is a project of "Center UA," and they further muddy the waters by claiming their investments were in "Center UA," not mentioning "New Citizen" at all -- except in the title. An observer might suspect deliberate obfuscation. A lawyer would say, "It's in the title, and the link within goes to "New Citizen," and besides, everything -- except that $770,000 grant-or-investment -- was already disclosed long ago. There is no news here..."
At any rate, I've been trying to find out what this "New Citizen" is and what "Center UA" is supposed to be.
New Citizen's website is in Ukrainian only, and basically what they say they are is an umbrella "service" organization for 58 other organizations, including "Center UA," although a project of "Center UA," whose website is in English, and whose website appears to be down at the moment...
Of the New Citizen members that have functioning websites, however, we may begin at the beginning and go through the list:
Mama-86 is a water resources management NGO (interesting in and of itself) which posted a communiqué in November from Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum condemning the Ukrainian Government's decision not to sign and implement the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU and demands the resignation of the Cabinet of Ministers and the immediate signing of the Agreement. (By whom?) Interesting, too, is that Mama-86 says it is a member of
Ukrainian National Platform Civil Society Forum of the Eastern Partnership, which brings together 186 NGOs from all over Ukraine...Well now, first I've heard of that, and look, another umbrella! As I mentioned in discussing this exploration, you go down so many diversionary corridors and blind alleys it isn't even funny.
The chair of the coordinating council of Mama-86 is Anna Golubovska-Onisimova, who has apparently very strong EU connections.
An environmental NGO, focused on integrating and managing Ukrainian water resources with those of the EU could hardly be called pernicious, could it? Well, it's hard to say, isn't it? One can't know from the looks of things.
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Internews UA is the next member with a working website. Its mission as stated on its home page is:
The promotion of European values in UkraineSo that's good. Only what does it mean, exactly? Media promotion of "European values" could be anything, I guess, but the upshot would be propaganda, would it not? And what is this apparent assumption that Ukraine's "values" aren't those of Europe? Interesting.
through the development of successful media
At any rate, they sponsor a lot of projects and programs to inject -- shall we say -- these values of which they speak into Ukrainian consciousness and to promote them through "successful media." They will be sponsoring fora shortly to discuss and promote EU connections.
Headlines
EU invites you talk about the relationship of the EU-Ukraine in Ivano-Frankivsk
March 12 at 10.00 in Ivano-Frankivsk, a workshop on "EU-Ukraine relations: where next?". EU Delegation to Ukraine invites experts on European integration, international affairs experts and analysts, representatives of local governments and the business community, civil society activists and journalists to discuss the most pressing issues on the agenda of relations between Ukraine and the EU. moreTraining on Europe - invite journalists to participate
March 14-15 in Kiev held a training on "Discovering Europe". Invited journalists from Eastern and Southern regions of Ukraine. Deadline for applications - 10 March. moreExclusive interview with the chief editor of the site MediaPort Zurab Alasaniya
Journalists Project EaP Media Freedom Watch an exclusive interview taken in Kharkov editor of the most popular online news portal MediaPort Zurab Alasaniya on freedom of speech in Kharkiv. more
Just a sampling of what they offer and what they do.
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Next we find something called "Democratic Initiatives Ilko Kucheriv" headed by Irina Bekeshkina. A quick glance at their home page shows item after item of anti-Russian propaganda, not exactly the promotion of "democratic initiatives," but I guess it is necessary to denounce Russia before any "democracy" can be initiated in Ukraine. Or anywhere else for that matter. They also have many projects, which I didn't investigate for the simple reason that their homepage was cluttered up with so much overt anti-Russian speakers and propaganda. It's sort of the counterpoint, I guess, to Internews's pro-EU stuff. Hand in glove as it were.
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Up next is something called "The Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research" which is also filled with anti-Russian propaganda. Huh. Practically everything they have on their homepage is about protesting in the Maidan, getting rid of Yanukovych, and denouncing Russia. There seems to be a theme here.
The center is headed by Yulia Tyshchenko and Kostyantyn Mykhailychenko. The link goes to a email post by said Kostyantyn Mykhailychenko which is interesting in and of itself for it describes a book published in 2009 called "EU's Eastern Partnership: Additional Possibilities for European Integration of Ukraine." How charming. But it doesn't stop with Ukraine. Included in the EU's "Eastern Partnership" are Ukraine, Georgia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Moldova. The book, it seems, was being distributed free online within Ukraine by request to the Center, printed copies available by application. Looks like there might be long term plans to "coordinate" all of these Eastern lands bordering Mother Russia with EU. Perhaps Mr Putin in the Kremlin isn't quite so "paranoid" and "desperate" as he is made out to be by the Western media.... but then again, he's Russian...
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Then we have Mvarta, the Ukrainian Youth Guard. It appears to be organized as a political pressure and lobbying group composed of young voters advocating the interests of children and youth throughout Ukraine and holding politicians accountable for fulfilling their promises to youth. How refreshing. Mvarta is headed by Evgenya Malykh. Interesting...
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Next is Debate Academy. They announced a workshop last October that seems pretty straightforward:
Bring out the debaters
We invite students to participate in a seminar Debate skills, which will take place on 23-24 November 2013. in Uzhgorod.Of course there are more organizations to track down thanks to this announcement. Dimitry Sinchenko is the go-to guy for the Debate Academy, and he has quite an interesting website which I don't have time to explore in detail, but he seems pretty deeply involved in the overthrow of the Yanukovych government and is a Deputy Head of the UDAR Vitali Klichko party.
Taking part in the workshop you will:- Learn how to shape the debate of national decision-making turned into teaching methods ";- Learn to use the information to confirm the opinion;- To improve their public speaking skills;- Learn the basics of Public Speaking;- Find new friends and meet old;- Learn what a "Debate adrenaline";- Try their hand at debating!Who we are waiting for:Young people from all over Ukraine who want to improve their skills in reasoned debate.Conditions:participation in the event is free. Participants are provided with books, textbook and handouts. Nonresident reimbursed travel expenses and accommodation provided.How to register:to take part in training must complete the online form (http://bit.ly/182Z9nm) and qualify. Applications will be accepted up to 18.00 hrs. November 18, 2013.For more information, please refer to branch of "Debate Academy» http://www.debate.org.ua. For additional questions, please call: 0504112042 Nazar, Vladimir 0637371611.Organizer: branch of "Debate Academy" in partnership with the Foundation for information and education initiatives "Development" and Transcarpathian community centers with the financial support of the "Roma of Ukraine" MF "Renaissance".
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We have something called "Elite State" the function of which is not entirely clear, but from what little I could glean from their webpage (which is considered malware, so beware) they are primarily involved in coordinating information on behalf of graduates of the National Academy of Public Administration of Ukraine. And offering some interesting "psychological games" of power. The head is Olga Piddubchak who says of herself: (translated from the Ukrainian via the Google Machine)
President of NGO "elite of the state" Olga Piddubchak - bright and outstanding personality.At least from that, I kind of like her! Oh well...
From a genetic nature and space volitional qualities as born in the Year of the Tiger, Eastern horoscope.
Honors social intelligence, personal charisma and sunshine of the Golden Fleece, for the Western zodiac Aries horoscope.
It has a strong intuition and inclination to understand the unconscious, because it is hazel - for the Celts, Druids horoscope. And Mrs. Olga was born in Zhytomyr ancient land where long live the western Scythians, the Celts, who worshiped the sun god - Cola and Water Goddess - Dan.
Moreover, on this fertile land, as the philology and toponymy, the village of Ray. Perhaps not everyone knows, but it was the name of the mother of the Supreme God Zeus.
So, given this strong earth girl who graduated with a silver medal and school honors - Zaporozhye Institute for Municipal and Public Administration majoring in "administrative management".
She later graduated from the master's and graduate of the National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine in Kiev, specialty "State Government". He has practical experience in the law drafting. Years of public service began in 1999.
Ms. Olga has several publications in scientific journals and actively participates in conferences of national and international levels.
Research interests: political-socialization of young executives in terms of administrative reform in Ukraine.
By the ideology of Unique Ukrainian Spiritual Democracy, which combines the irrational (soul), good (democracy) and the historical experience of successful ancestors ancient Ukrainian state.
The nature of Nordic and emotional, the sanguine and choleric limits. That does not prevent him more than three years to manage non-governmental organization that brings together successful and patriotic representatives of state agencies, local governments and scientists.
Combines in his person the lively creative logical and intuitive approaches to solving management problems.
Adheres to the principles of ecological social relations of gender harmony and positive future programming.
Favorite mythological images Olga - First Princess Country Artiniyi, silver Vovkynya in Diamond Crown.
The immediate objective: to create an effective administrative system under which happen gradually replacing the moral quality of obsolete and structurally qualified personnel on the system, positive and patriotic staff with appropriate education in the field of public administration. The first step in this direction - to improve the system of transparent competitive selection to public service.
Projects is working now: Legislative theater Ball Masters and Ministers.
Membership in civic councils: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Kyiv City State Administration.
Note: NGO "elite of the state" was registered 08/08/08, has representation in 19 regions of Ukraine and 13 community councils in ministries, departments and regional administrations.
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We move on to: "Ukrainian Strategy" headed by Anatoliy Pinchuk (this site is also considered malware). I won't link to this one because it is firing off warning after warning, so better not. At any rate, it appears to be a very pro-active neo-liberal political and economic endeavor. Anatoliy Pinchuk is very closely tied into the international neo-liberal think tank community.
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Following "Ukrainian Strategy" is the social activist Alexey Pogorelov who is CEO of the Ukrainian Association of Press Publishers which is an umbrella organization for 114 independent media outlets and which seemed to be aligned with those determined to overthrow Yanukovych. More malware, so I won't link.
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Thence to: "Community" Foundation, a Eurocentric outfit headed by Taras Peter, a media consultant to various government and non-government organizations.
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Next we have "Center UA" the umbrella under which "New Citizen" is formed. Center UA is headed by Oleh Rybachuk, who is considered quite notorious by some. Here's Mark Ames' description:
When the revolution came to Ukraine, neo-fascists played a front-center role in overthrowing the country’s president. But the real political power rests with Ukraine’s pro-western neoliberals. Political figures like Oleh Rybachuk, long a favorite of the State Department, DC neocons, EU, and NATO—and the right-hand man to Orange Revolution leader Viktor Yushchenko.
Last December, the Financial Times wrote that Rybachuk’s “New Citizen” NGO campaign “played a big role in getting the protest up and running.”
New Citizen, along with the rest of Rybachuk’s interlocking network of western-backed NGOs and campaigns— “Center UA” (also spelled “Centre UA”), “Chesno,” and “Stop Censorship” to name a few — grew their power by targeting pro-Yanukovych politicians with a well-coordinated anti-corruption campaign that built its strength in Ukraine’s regions, before massing in Kiev last autumn.Rybachuk is widely considered to be the power behind the overthrow of Yanukovych, but he is also considered to be the tool of the EU and the US State Department. So are quite a few of the other individuals and organizations under the wing of Omidyar/"New Citizen"/USAID/NED.
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Following "Center UA" is "Bukvoid" -- an online and print publishing outfit which seems pretty straightforward. It's headed by Sergey Rudenko, but not the Soviet General...
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Next is the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine which boasts of more than 600 journalist members and affiliation with the International Federation of Journalists. It is headed by Ukrainian Media Personality Roman Skrypin (though their history page says he resigned in 2011.)
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Then we have the Institute of Political Education which appears to be primarily dedicated to the EU integration project. Headed by Oleksandar Solontay and Andrey Strannikov, both associated with "Youth Guard" and other NGOs active in Ukrainian Politics.
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Next is the Institute of Media which appears to be an anti-Russia propaganda outfit. Its head is Victoria Syumar.
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Tired now, must take a break.
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