Moon of Alabama Brecht quote
February 26, 2024
Aaron Burned Himself To Make Us Look At Gaza

Like many readers here I feel helpless about the ongoing genocide against Palestinians committed by U.S. supported Zionist settlers in the West Bank and Gaza. I can not even find the right words to express myself about it.

Others are more consequential. And powerful. Disgust about the cruelty imposed on Palestinians can induce the utmost will to change things.

U.S. Air Force Member Sets Self on Fire Outside Israel’s Embassy in D.C. to Protest War in GazaTime, Feb 25 2024

An active-duty member of the U.S. Air Force set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, in apparent protest of the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which he described as a “genocide.”

The burn victim, who identified himself in video of the incident as 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell, reportedly succumbed to his injuries on Sunday night, according to independent journalist Talia Jane, who posted on social media that she is in contact with Bushnell’s family and friends.


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Bushnell reportedly sent a message to media outlets before his planned self-immolation. “​​Today, I am planning to engage in an extreme act of protest against the genocide of the Palestinian people,” he warned. …

On Facebook Sunday morning, he also wrote: “Many of us like to ask ourselves, ‘What would I do if I was alive during slavery? Or the Jim Crow South? Or apartheid? What would I do if my country was committing genocide?’ The answer is, you’re doing it. Right now.” The post included a link to a live-stream of his protest on the web-broadcasting platform Twitch, which has since removed the video for violations of its community guidelines and terms of service. “I will no longer be complicit in genocide. I’m about to engage in an extreme act of protest,” the airman repeated, in footage reviewed by TIME, as he walked toward the driveway of the Israeli embassy. “But compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers, it’s not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal.”

After Bushnell doused himself with liquid and reached for his lighter, unidentified law enforcement or security officers could be heard asking off-screen, “Can I help you?” After setting himself aflame, he repeatedly shouted “Free Palestine.”

A security man decided to 'help' by pointing his gun on the dying man.


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A censored video of the incident is here.

Rest in peace, Aaron Bushnell. Rest. In. Peace.

Comments

One thing we can learn from Aaron Bushnell’s sacrifice- something well known to many, throughout history, but undermined and distorted by bourgeois ideology- is that the good of the whole is more important than the good of a part. He reminds us that the whole concept of society must sometimes be defended by risk or sacrifice. The individualistic conviction that the ‘pursuit of (individual) happiness’ trumps the cohesion and wellbeing of the social whole is, and has always been, the most pernicious element of capitalist ideology, and it’s no accident that it is enshrined in the founding documents of the United States.

Posted by: Honzo | Feb 27 2024 1:32 utc | 201

Posted by: wagelaborer | Feb 27 2024 1:31 utc | 202
20,000 dead women and children in less than 4 months maybe?

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Feb 27 2024 1:36 utc | 202

It was murder, and demonstrated something that should not exist within the human race that invented words such as civilization.
Posted by: Not Ewe | Feb 26 2024 20:15 utc | 144
=================
I agree (from what I know about the situation) that it was murder.
Rachel Corrie did not plan to give up her life.
She underestimated the viciousness of the Zionists.

Posted by: Jane | Feb 27 2024 1:40 utc | 203

The Bushnell effect? I see the news of Genocide Joe murmuring ceasefire by next Monday.

Posted by: Sakineh Bagoom | Feb 27 2024 1:57 utc | 204

wagelaborer | Feb 27 2024 1:31 utc | 202–
If every recruit had the proper amount of prior knowledge, first and foremost s/he wouldn’t have become a recruit, and secondly as soon as saying the oath would immediately need to engage in halting the current administration’s breaking of the Constitution that was just sworn to be upheld and defended. Indeed, all naturalized citizens have that same responsibility. And then there’s the individual responsibility that’s spelled out in the Genocide Convention. And if US citizens had any clue about the duties and responsibilities of citizens, then a massive revolt would’ve occurred before Korea. Clearly, US Elites have triumphed beyond their wildest dreams in their division of American society and dumbing down the citizenry. How does any one individual go about trying to alter that dynamic? Aaron Bushnell seems to have decided that there was only one course of action for him to take for maximum effectiveness. Anyone second-guessing or doubting the sincerity of Aaron’s action needs to question their own. IMO, you just spit on his grave.

Posted by: karlof1 | Feb 27 2024 1:57 utc | 205

So this airman is a member of the imperial war machine that has killed an estimated 22,000,000 humans since WW2 and which is now occupying 30% of Syria and stealing their wheat and oil, while Syrians go hungry and cold, but that doesn’t bother him?
The US is also bombing Yemen, Iraq, and Somalia, and no doubt, Russia (under cover of the Ukies), but for some reason only the Gaza bombing upsets him?
I fail to see the logic.
Posted by: wagelaborer | Feb 27 2024 1:31 utc | 202
____
Are you saying that he died for the wrong cause and/or or that he should’ve immolated himself sooner?

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 27 2024 1:58 utc | 206

Anyone second-guessing or doubting the sincerity of Aaron’s action needs to question their own.
Posted by: karlof1 | Feb 27 2024 1:57 utc | 207
____
Perfect, just perfect. Respect!
Posted by: karlof1 | Feb 27 2024 1:57 utc | 207

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 27 2024 2:00 utc | 207

I thought I saw what was called a “memorial” to Aaron Bushnell
It showed someone – a man — setting into the ground the last of a flurry of flags of Israel.
Hard to believe anyone, even zionists, can be that obscenely tone-deaf.
Maybe I was mistaken.

Posted by: Anon | Feb 27 2024 2:03 utc | 208

So this airman is a member of the imperial war machine that has killed an estimated 22,000,000 humans since WW2 and which is now occupying 30% of Syria and stealing their wheat and oil, while Syrians go hungry and cold, but that doesn’t bother him?
The US is also bombing Yemen, Iraq, and Somalia, and no doubt, Russia (under cover of the Ukies), but for some reason only the Gaza bombing upsets him?
I fail to see the logic.
Posted by: wagelaborer | Feb 27 2024 1:31 utc | 202
Are you aware of the role of the soldiers Soviet in the Russian revolution? Absolutely critical.

Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Feb 27 2024 2:07 utc | 209

Jesus Christ sacrificing himself on the Cross was mental illness, not an act of courage.
Jesus Christ would have made a great general in Rome’s woke army.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Feb 27 2024 2:13 utc | 210

Honor the dead.
Treasure the living.
There’s a very small band of Americans who have been confronting the beast and paid the price for it.
Know whats wrong with USA, or the west in general ?
If only there’r more Kathy Kelly and her comrades !
http://sainthoward.blogspot.com/2014/12/putting-saints-in-jail.html

Posted by: denk | Feb 27 2024 2:24 utc | 211

In late November 2023 Aaron Bushnell was ordered to be ready to deploy to Israel at a moment’s notice.
This was reported by Max Blumenthal, and re-reported by Judge Napolitano in his discussion with Scott Ritter today.
Copy of order paper shown ~ 0:41 .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWUjRDEm2bw
~~

Posted by: suzan | Feb 27 2024 2:34 utc | 212

This is the finest, most comprehensive debunk of every single hasbara talking point ever invented and the finest legal argument I have ever heard that ‘israel’ is an illegitimate entity:
https://youtu.be/Yhbx6iplYNY?si=0XColdRx43hR73DB
“A legal masterpiece by Ralph Wilde on behalf of the Arab league”
Precisely and carefully argued, Wilde essentially states that:
– None of Israel’s actions past or current in the Palestinian territories are legitimate under international law, the law of resistance, the law of occupation, and other international legal conventions.
– Palestine was the natural and legal successor state to the British Mandate Palestine UNDER BRITISH LAW and should have transitioned to full statehood, like all other British “Class A” colonial territories upon the collapse of the British empire.
– the Balfour declaration established ‘israel’ EX VIRES, bypassing British Law and bypassing the legal transition of THE ENTIRETY of mandate Palestine to full statehood.
– The UN recognition of ‘israel’ in 1948 was illegal under international law.
– the establishment of Palestine as a full state must occur immediately, regardless of ‘Israel’s ‘ security concerns in order to remain consistent with international law.
– ‘israel’ has no legitimate security concerns or rights in mandate Palestine, under international law.
– the Palestinians have the right to violent resistance to Israeli occupation, none of which can be classified as terrorist actions. ‘israel’ has no right of retaliation as an illegitimate entity.
– the defense of ‘israel’s’ ‘right to self defense’ offered by the UK, US and Zambia are essentially an invitation to bypass international law and create a special set of laws for ‘israel’… In effect delegitimizing the fundamental basis of modern international legal framework.
… And much more.
The highlight of the argument, from my point of view, was that even under the British Law of Mandate Palestine, the succession of Palestine to full statehood was expected, and the creation of Israel was a violation of established British Law regarding “Class A British Territories”.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Feb 27 2024 2:47 utc | 213

This is going to be a controversial comment so those of a nervous disposition should pass on by. One of the posters above (Duchess & Bob, I think) quoted this:-
“People in Gaza are being burned alive, are suffocating to death under collapsed buildings, are having operations and amputations without anesthesia, are starving to death, are watching their loved ones die in front of them, are experiencing suffering of a degree that very few of us here in the west can even imagine. And our ruling class is absolutely attempting to normalize this for us.”
If you remove the word ‘Gaza’ and replace it with ‘Iraq’, ‘Syria’, Ukraine’ etc, the above paragraph would be equally accurate. Mr Bushnall chose to join the US military; what, I wonder, did he think of his country’s actions in, say, attacking and occupying Iraq? The US and its armed forces has a long and dishonourable history in the devastation it has brought to many other countries. Didn’t Mr Bushnall realise this when he signed up? Why was he not so appalled by his military’s actions in many theatres of war that he eschewed military service?
No-one who has posted here, at least as far as I can tell, personally knew Aaron Bushnall so it’s impossible to fully understand his mental state. What is happening in Gaza is not unique – the western imposed sanctions regime in Iraq is estimated to have caused the death of 500,000 children – a ‘price well worth paying’ according to the late and singularly unlamented Madeleine Albright – so it is valid to ask why Mr Bushnall became so fixated on Gaza and Palestine.

Posted by: Fern | Feb 27 2024 2:54 utc | 214

I thought quite a lot before deciding to view his video.
I am a veteran US soldier that left that life long ago due to a crisis of conscience and an awakening. It’s not easy to come to terms with everything you’ve been “taught” from infancy. I’m sure Mr. Bushnell struggled long and hard.
I decided that if this young man, a man I would have much in common with, decided to sacrifice so much to be witnessed, it was owed to him.
It is very difficult to see. I’ve seen a lot of horrors and death in my life first hand and this is… somehow worse.
My eyes were already open Aaron, but I pray you open many others with your sacrifice.
Airman Bushnell…
Airman Aaron Bushnell…
Airman Aaron Bushnell…
Ready, Aim, Fire!
Ready, Aim, Fire!
Ready, Aim, Fire!
Taps
Rest in peace Aaron.

Posted by: Archetypex | Feb 27 2024 3:11 utc | 215

Karlof and Malenkov
I dont think Wagelaborer is ‘questioning Aaron’s sincerety’, as a conscientious military man, Aaron could’ve joined the like of Code Pink or Kathy Kelly much earlier.
Fact is, if there’s a nation wide anti war movement confronting the beast , we wouldnt be in such a mess today, Aaron wouldnt have to resort to such drastic measure.

Posted by: denk | Feb 27 2024 3:21 utc | 216

“ Didn’t Mr Bushnall realise this when he signed up? Why was he not so appalled by his military’s actions in many theatres of war that he eschewed military service?”
It can take a lifetime to undo, relearn and reset all that you were taught your whole life. It’s not easy, it’s why most people will never even question it, let alone try. It’s much easier to ignore.
When he signed up he was not the same person he was yesterday.

Posted by: Archetypex | Feb 27 2024 3:21 utc | 217

The highlight of the argument, from my point of view, was that even under the British Law of Mandate Palestine, the succession of Palestine to full statehood was expected, and the creation of Israel was a violation of established British Law regarding “Class A British Territories”.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Feb 27 2024 2:47 utc | 216
===============
Pappe, in The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine, states that the legality of Resolution 181, in 1948, was “never tested” in an international court of law, and was, tout court, illegal.
It is crystal clear that Britain utterly betrayed the Palestinians (plus of course the Arabs), and their own conception of themselves. Instead they revealed themselves as the Perfidious Albion known to all who have dealings with the British state.
One of the (many) money quotes in the Pappe book: “…as the Labour party made up its mind to leave India, Palestine lost much of its attraction [to the Brits]” (p. 27).
Pretty much lets the cat out of the bag.
IOW, they didn’t need Palestine anymore. They pulled out, and announced beforehand that they were doing so. Of course that was the signal to the Zionists to turn up the heat. Per Pappe, the Brits responded “mildly” to Zionist provocations and terrorist actions, so the latter knew they would get no meaningful pushback until the Brits finally bid adieu to Palestine, the land and people it had set up for wreckage by arming its enemies and disarming the local defenders and of course lying.
Certainly reinforces the “Herzl as useful idiot of the Brits” thesis.

Posted by: Jane | Feb 27 2024 3:29 utc | 218

it is valid to ask why Mr Bushnall became so fixated on Gaza and Palestine.
Posted by: Fern | Feb 27 2024 2:54 utc | 217
===============
I disagree.
It is not valid.
It is an insult to the man.

Posted by: Jane | Feb 27 2024 3:31 utc | 219

“…a standard to which all may repair” Not to kill ourselves but to ask if we are doing enough to justify our existence in a world full of such Evil.
Aaron today has caused many of us to ask how we can “up our game.”
Aaron is me at 19, wondering if it was up to me alone to think of something that would stop the US assault on Vietnam, some monkey-wrench into the System, were it to be taken up by others.
We were born into this time; are we doing what we came here to do?

Posted by: Bagration | Feb 27 2024 3:40 utc | 220

so it is valid to ask why Mr Bushnall became so fixated on Gaza and Palestine.
Posted by: Fern | Feb 27 2024 2:54 utc | 217
Because only in Gaza and Palestine more broadly, is the totality of Western colonialism, hypocrisy and murderous greed so evident and in so stark a manner.
All other horrors, and horrors they are, are concentrated for once in one tiny, helpless spot on earth.
Gaza is the Human Mind Breaker.
Gaza is the Smasher of False Masks.
Gaza is the Mirror of Humanity held up to the face as one tiny rectangular reflection of a monstrous visage.
It is the horror of horrors, the one that could not be hidden behind layers of yellowcake and veils WMD, neither could a saddam-like dictator be conjured as a Boogeyman to deflect.
For the first time in history the lies of the Empire stand exposed so clearly, their alibis so feeble that they sound out as mere admissions of guilt:
“Yes, we are wrong, but still, let this injustice stand”
At some level of cognitive dissonance the mind shatters.
Some minds cannot bear to hold a thought and it’s contradiction true at the same time.
“We are Pure Good”
“We are Pure Evil”
Some minds shatter. Some minds crack.
Some minds set themselves on fire.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Feb 27 2024 3:51 utc | 221

Fern — In 1968 I backed LBJ and his offers to bribe the VC with economic development in the Mekong region.
In 1969 I saw the babies in the ditch at My Lai.
18 to 19 can cover a lot of territory. Aaron’s transition probably came as a shock of realization and penance. And probably feeling totally alone in that.

Posted by: Bagration | Feb 27 2024 4:04 utc | 222

Arch, Jane,
Keep in mind that the Zionists initially targeted both Palestinians and British people in Palestine. I know you are both aware of the King David bombing and that Zioscum essentially invented modern political terrorism. In addition to Pappe’s book check out “State of Terror” by Suarez.
Anyway point being that the Brits were also intimidated into what happened and they were exhausted by centuries of managing their empire, the world wars and basically washed their hands of the situation, or at least the factions that supported the full scope of the mandate were pushed out or something like that.

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Feb 27 2024 4:17 utc | 223

To those questioning Aaron’s military history and motives you’re being either disingenuous or ignorant. Check out what happened to Pat Tillman. He too woke up to reality and was fragged for it. Young people must overcome years of programming without the benefits of years of accumulated wisdom. That’s kind of the whole point.
And for those reasons I have even more respect for what he did. And make no mistake, the amount of coverage in legacy media will be inversely proportionate to the clarity and importance of his protest.

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Feb 27 2024 4:22 utc | 224

Mr Bushnall chose to join the US military; what, I wonder, did he think of his country’s actions in, say, attacking and occupying Iraq?
Posted by: Fern

Well considering he was four years old at the time…

Posted by: luther7718 | Feb 27 2024 4:32 utc | 225

What a kind and brave soul! May Aaron Bushnell rest in peace. You have done far more to the cause of humanity than most, if not all of us. Thank you for your empathy toward fellow human beings. Hope the zionist nazis burn in hell!

Posted by: L K | Feb 27 2024 4:34 utc | 226

Bagration 223
From the point of view of a US serviceman in the 60s Communism was highly oppressive of human freedom, freedom.of faith freedom of enterprise and freedom of political opinion.
The US has now become its former enemy . It oppresses the faith of Islam, it oppresses Julian Assange and it oppresses democracy for the benefit of the elites.
It’s inevitable that the US will disintegrate like the Soviet Union now that it oppresses all the basic human rights of its own citizens.
This protest by one US citizen will ignite the whole US nation against US oppression.
The American Dream just burned and the forest fire that follows is unavoidable. Everybody here feels the monumental significance of this moment. Except some apologisers for loyalty to the US nation . The wood is dry, the peat is dry, the tarmac is bubbling and Nature will reclaim the US Nation.
Metaphorically speaking. US : Trope. For those without metaphorical imagination. It won’t be literally burned down. Aaron Bushnall will catch alight the US imagination.

Posted by: Giyane | Feb 27 2024 4:42 utc | 227

230
I will not be attending Genocide Joe’s Cremation.

Posted by: Giyane | Feb 27 2024 4:56 utc | 228

231
Truth will out. From Aaron Bushnell’s action on being told to be ready for immediate deployment as an Airman to israel , the whole world now knows that it is the US that is bombing Palestinians, not Israel.
It is the US that should be accused of Genocide by the ICJ, and the US that resigns its custodianship of the United Nations. Israel lost its custodianship of the religion of the One God over 2000 years ago.

Posted by: Giyane | Feb 27 2024 5:13 utc | 229

B, I too struggle to find the words to express the absolute horror and helplessness about this GENOCIDE in Gaza.
Aaron act of extreme protest is actually one of bravery, of courage. The man with the gun represents Zionists among us cheering the GENOCIDE in Gaza. And likely the psychopaths within our own MIC who have no problem killing for Zionist billionaire profit. Foot soldiers for the elite.
If only more Americans had the empathy to stand against this Genocide, it might not be allowed to continue.
I also tell folks that what OUR GOV is doing in Gaza, they would think nothing of doing the same to us
RIP AARON…

Posted by: Kay | Feb 27 2024 5:17 utc | 230

The point is not to try to figure out Aaron Bushnell’s inner logic. He wrote very clearly his motives. The point is for us to take from his death new more vigorous actions in our local community. Be more daring, more imaginative, more demanding!.

Posted by: Klok | Feb 27 2024 5:28 utc | 231

It must be ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE that the message is blunted by well meaning questions with every sort of negative overtone loaded in their.
The relentless suggestions that are clearly ludicrous here are exactly those being bandied in heavily curated DNC fora where no free thoughts are appreciated. Word for word slander.
no excuses.

Posted by: Not Ewe | Feb 27 2024 6:05 utc | 232

Posted by: Jane | Feb 27 2024 3:29 utc | 221
You and I know this. Perhaps you know by reading. I know by sensing.
However the legions of hasbara beat on to the contrary with mind boggling arguments that confuse all but the true scholars of the matter.
Ralph Wilder’s argument for once provided clear, logical, verifiable truth that even the layman can consume.
That’s the true value.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Feb 27 2024 6:14 utc | 233

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Feb 27 2024 2:47 utc | 216
Thanks posting Ralph Wilder’s ICJ presentation.

Posted by: Forest | Feb 27 2024 6:24 utc | 234

Not Ewe 235
Does randomly huffing and puffing do it for you? Whatever blows yer skirts up. Some meaning or argument would be useful.

Posted by: Giyane | Feb 27 2024 6:25 utc | 235

Yanis Varoufakis
@yanisvaroufakis
·
17h
To the staff writers at The Guardian: The US airforce serviceman who burned himself alive in front of the Israeli Embassy did not, as you wrote, die “shouting about Palestine”. No, he died heroically shouting Free Palestine. OK?
https://twitter.com/yanisvaroufakis/status/1762108107784679775

Posted by: Menz | Feb 27 2024 6:38 utc | 236

“he did more to the cause (PR wise, reality wise) by immolating himself that he could never do as a mere soldier in the US army; as well he didn’t want to ‘soil his soul’ participating in a genocide; his soul was worth more to him than his life.
Posted by: canuck | Feb 26 2024 23:09 utc | 189”
So, are you saying that Bradley Manning accomplished absolutely nothing because he was only a mere soldier in the army? Do you think that Edward Snowden accomplished absolutely nothing? Both of them had the same courage and noble motives as Aaron Bushnell, but in my opinion they chose a much better way to take action. I think Aaron, given the qualities he obviously had, certainly could have accomplished much more over the next, say, fifty years, despite being a FORMER mere soldier, than he will as a tombstone during those fifty years.
Someone in a previous post said “mission accomplished” but I think it’s premature to declare. The mission won’t be accomplished until the zionists are stopped. If his action actually results in that happening before half a million people starve to death, then I’ll be thrilled – but surprised.

Posted by: Dalit | Feb 27 2024 6:42 utc | 237

fyi
https://twitter.com/Megatron_ron/status/1762232899892387850
Hamas with an official statement on the death of Aaron Bushnell:
“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
We in the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) express our heartfelt condolences and our full solidarity with the family and friends of the American pilot Aaron Bushnell, whose name has been immortalized as a defender of humanitarian values and the plight of the oppressed Palestinian people who are suffering due to the U.S. administration and its unjust policies, like the American activist Rachel Corrie who was crushed by a zionist bulldozer in 2003 in Rafah, the same city for which Bushnell paid for with his life to pressure his country’s government to prevent the criminal zionist army from attacking it and committing massacres and violations in it.
The administration of US President Joe Biden bears full responsibility for the death of the American military pilot Aaron Bushnell due to its policy that supported the Nazi zionist entity in the genocide war against our Palestinian people, as he gave his life in order to highlight the massacres and zionist ethnic cleansing against our people in the Gaza Strip.
The heroic pilot Aaron Bushnell will remain immortal in the memory of our Palestinian people and the free people of the world, and a symbol of the spirit of global humanitarian solidarity with our people and their just cause.
The tragic incident that cost pilot Bushnell his life is an expression of the growing anger among the American people who reject their country’s policy that contributes to the killing and genocide of our people, and rejects their government’s violation of global humanitarian values, by providing cover to ensure the impunity of the Nazi entity and its leaders from punishment and accountability.”

Posted by: michaelj72 | Feb 27 2024 6:47 utc | 238

Somehow, Prometheus, like Aaron Bushnell must have known the gift he stole for mankind (at the price of his own flesh) would be used exactly as intended:
To Illuminate Mankind.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Feb 27 2024 7:14 utc | 239

… but in my opinion they chose a much better way to take action.
Posted by: Dalit | Feb 27 2024 6:42 utc | 240
There is no “better” way to take action.
There is only the way you have and the way you can.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Feb 27 2024 7:24 utc | 240

The conservative New York Post had an article about Bushnell and his self-immolation. Faitly balanced IMO.
It was the comments of the readers that were quite shocking. The majority of these fine conservatives were treating him as mentally unbalanced and complaining about the woke state of the armed forces of their glorious republic(?!) that allowed in such individuals. And yet, recalling how all these good conservatives had reacted after the film “American Sniper”, they did not consider Chris Kyle the psychopathic racist murderer he was.
This is the contemporary west. Misanthropic vermin like Madeleine Albright and John Bolton are not only perceived as totally sane, but they are honored for their contributions in the “defence” and the “advancement” of the superior western civilization. The soulless pilots who served as the air branch of ISIS in 2016 are valued as solid military personnel. But idealistic, sensitive souls like Aaron Bushnell (who was top of his class as an airman) are deemed as mentally unstable and weaklings.
Is it really any wonder that such people end up with equally unhinged politicos in positions of power? Are we to believe that the human detritus that made such callous and cretinous comments on the New York Post article (obviously the same in some pseudo-progressive outlet) is fundamentally opposed to the criminality of its ruling elite?

Posted by: Constantine | Feb 27 2024 7:47 utc | 241

I want to thank all the people in this thread who criticized Bushnell’s act for outing themselves as Zionist scum. I hope that regulars here pay attention and remember these names.

Posted by: ABOBA | Feb 27 2024 9:09 utc | 242

I watched the uncensored video on Telegram. A human being died, in horrible pain and he knew exactly
what he was doing, IMHO. Like Thích Quảng Đức in Saigon so many years ago.
I am sickened by the narrative that is being attempted (starting with the gentlemen who pointed
weapons at him) that he was suffering “mental distress”, and they have tried to establish
this line straight from the beginning. As the original is ignored and censored it will
influence many, but not all. Such people should be ashamed of themselves. Enough said.

Posted by: billb | Feb 27 2024 9:38 utc | 243

Peace to you, Aaron Bushnell.

Posted by: Lavieja | Feb 27 2024 9:44 utc | 244

Thats one hell of a statment !
Its a shame that the oppression in america is so total, that someone feels that is the only way to make him self hered.
Thats the true lesten to learn here.
Its a shame that the anti facist movment was crushed under foot by blogs like this, the far right, the media and the polititians.
Understand the problem and your half way to solving it.
America needs a strong antifacist movment…
Lets call it…. Antifa

Posted by: Mark2 | Feb 27 2024 9:48 utc | 245

It’s pretty clear that this misguided Antifa member suffered from severe mental illness. It’s amusing to see people up in arms trying to put this sick person on some sort of pedestal. He was mentally ill and committed the ultimate act narcissism. He will soon be forgotten. Just a stain on the sidewalk.

Posted by: Bart Thompson | Feb 27 2024 10:08 utc | 246

I’LL JUST LEAVE THIS HERE THEN….
Veterans Today.com

Posted by: Mark2 | Feb 27 2024 10:15 utc | 247

Young and well articulating his cause, Aaron Bushnell, I hold in high esteem and he will be remembered.
***********************
“..exhausted by centuries of managing their empire, the world wars and basically washed their hands of the situation, or at least the factions that supported the full scope of the mandate were pushed out or something like that”
@Tom_Q_Collins | Feb 27 2024 4:17 utc |
I disagree, the British were running the whole project for a century and getting the jews out Europe was part of it. The unspoken motive was to maintain British/angloamerican control of banking.
Thus Germans and Russians and even the French needed to see the jews as dangerous radicals/traitors.
So banking would remain under US/UK control.
The reason the British even chose to delegate a lot of financial power in the hands of a small minority group was not that they had to but because they wanted it.
A small minority group needs a strong partner to defend and protect it, while on the same time it needs to have international networks.
So by making sure that they are internationally seen as enemies Britain could count on their lojalty.
And when they seemed to forget it the British would remind them. Thus Lord Palmerston who controlled all upheavals on the continent through his masonic networks would send the navy ‘to protect’ one individual, Don Pacifico, in Greece.
The more people hate the jews the better for the isolation of those who were delegated to handle the coffer of the angloempire.
The more revaulting the zionists in Israel behaves the better.
This principle was practised by Venice and they moved their system to Britain, introducing freemasons and the Knights of Malta as part of the controlling mechanism.
The fact that things are getting worse lately probably illustrates that the empire is weakening and so it is even more important to isolate the cassiers.

Posted by: petergrfstrm | Feb 27 2024 10:24 utc | 248

He will soon be forgotten. Just a stain on the sidewalk.
Posted by: Bart Thompson | Feb 27 2024 10:08 utc | 249
He may one day be forgotten but you will never even be known.
He may be a stain on the sidewalk but not even your outline will remain in this world.

Posted by: Arch Bungle | Feb 27 2024 10:37 utc | 249

202
why bring reality into this thing the folks here are emotional you cannot reason with it the vaxxed need hero
this white hat snuffed himself out he should have given the mossadick embassy gunmen a flaming hug
he joined a death machine the biggest in history ignored the 100s of millions of collateral and only came to his senses in the last few months..
if it was real his burnt offering death feeds baal molech

Posted by: todd | Feb 27 2024 10:53 utc | 250

“he did more to the cause (PR wise, reality wise) by immolating himself that he could never do as a mere soldier in the US army; as well he didn’t want to ‘soil his soul’ participating in a genocide; his soul was worth more to him than his life.
Posted by: canuck | Feb 26 2024 23:09 utc | 189”
“So, are you saying that Bradley Manning accomplished absolutely nothing because he was only a mere soldier in the army? Do you think that Edward Snowden accomplished absolutely nothing? Both of them had the same courage and noble motives as Aaron Bushnell, but in my opinion they chose a much better way to take action. I think Aaron, given the qualities he obviously had, certainly could have accomplished much more over the next, say, fifty years, despite being a FORMER mere soldier, than he will as a tombstone during those fifty years…”
Posted by: Dalit | Feb 27 2024 6:42 utc | 240
“Of all that is written, I love only what a person hath written with his blood. Write with blood, and thou wilt find that blood is spirit.”
Friedrich Nietszche , Thus Spake Zarathustra,1884.
Thus Spake Zarathustra

Posted by: canuck | Feb 27 2024 11:42 utc | 251

Fern @ 217:
Bushnell was aged 25 years when he self-immolated. He would have been a small child when the US invaded Iraq in 2003.
One assumes that Bushnell had a typical Western childhood in being fully immersed in media propaganda and stories about US benevolence and exceptionalism that there really would have been no way for him to know what the US was actually doing in other parts of the world, in Syria, Yemen, Latin America, Ukraine and beyond, unless he got out of normal US civilian life or whatever passes for such.
Perhaps it was AFTER he joined the US Air Force, that he had access to information that revealed the truth behind US activity in the Middle East, and it was this access and discovery, confirmed by whatever else he found or people in the airforce he spoke to, that changed him.
If he had never joined the armed forces, Bushnell would likely have remained ignorant of the true extent of Israel’s atrocities and the US role in aiding Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. But he did, and he was transformed, and perhaps that is what the US political establishment and the corporate media are afraid of.

Posted by: Refinnejenna | Feb 27 2024 11:51 utc | 252

Keep in mind that the Zionists initially targeted both Palestinians and British people in Palestine.
Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Feb 27 2024 4:17 utc | 226
Wrong.

Posted by: Jane | Feb 27 2024 11:54 utc | 253

Todd @ 253:
“why bring reality into this thing the folks here are emotional you cannot reason with it the vaxxed need hero ”
Hmmm, I guess Todd is vaxxed. Poor guy!

Posted by: Jane | Feb 27 2024 11:56 utc | 254

Refinnejenna 255
‘Perhaps it was AFTER he joined the US Air Force, that he had access to information that revealed the truth behind US activity in the Middle East, and it was this access and discovery, confirmed by whatever else he found or people in the airforce he spoke to, that changed him.’
Yes, if Lysias is right and he was working at aN Air Base where there was full access to comprehensive Israeli Intel on all Palestian citizens, transmitted by British Spy hubs in Cyprus to the NSA in the US, perhaps this Genocide has opened his eyes to the COMPREHENSIVE EVIL of USUKIS APARTHEID.
If we all had such disgusting access to USUKIS APARTHEID Intel we would all burn ourselves alive rather than be party to this Satanic wickedness.

Posted by: Giyane | Feb 27 2024 12:19 utc | 255

There are many Muslims living in the West who see an opportunity for a cushy job in the USUKIS 24/7 spy networks, mirroring the old
Native administrative networks of the British Raj.
Yes maybe this is your chance to get rich, but it is also your chance to go to Hell/ Jahannam for helping the Satans / shayateen do their jealous spy work on humans.

Posted by: Giyane | Feb 27 2024 12:25 utc | 256

AlJazeera has a powerful.piece about this. Rest in Power, Aaron Bushnell.
Suicide vs genocide. Both the writer’s grandparents were Airmen in Vietnam. Belen Fernandez

Posted by: Giyane | Feb 27 2024 12:59 utc | 257

Max Blumenthal & Scott Ritter bringing attention to Aaron Bushnell’s readiness orders, to prepare at a moment’s notice to be sent to Israel, is important. It should be reiterated. It is the gross assumption that an “ally” can call upon the USA to sacrifice everything, including USA soldiers, in any ludicrous shit-stirring scheme.
The USA is guilty in letting this evil go on too long, in both Ukraine and Israel. And both allies assume they can lean on USA resources — from money, arms, and lives — to buffer their crimes against the world. The incestuous, self-licking ice cream cone of institutional private profiteering off the state has gone beyond the pale. No more wars, no more funding arms, no more allies more precious than ourselves.
That young man seems like he was trapped between duty, honor, and conscience. Too bad the evil who commands him feels no duty, honor, or conscience. Again, it comes back to the question of evil and how do you fight back. I wish the young man knew he could be a conscientious objector, or willingly accept the brig, if he was called to go to Israel and perpetuate genocide. Alas, too late.
Maybe his statement this way will be more powerful to people of duty, honor, and conscience. But it is now our responsibility to make the loss of one of our own count. We will all have competing answers to that; best to focus more on doing anything in our garden than more talk.

Posted by: titmouse | Feb 27 2024 13:02 utc | 258

Watch the video BEFORE he immolated.
Most people would have difficulty articulating that content and message with his calmness, clarity, coherence, logic, and accuracy – by a man who was walking to an immolation.
Anyone who claims mental impairment or suicide is the most odious form of scumbag.
Thanks for posting this – I’m at a loss for words.

Posted by: bill wolfe | Feb 27 2024 13:11 utc | 259

Aaron Bushnell certainly does make one feel humble.

Posted by: librul | Feb 27 2024 13:12 utc | 260

I seem to come across someone yelling ‘kill the Israelis’ in this thread, couldnt find it now ?
Over at UNZ,
Ever since Oct 23 Its all about those cartoonist evil Jews,
Really ?
Including Jews like Aaron Bushnell?
The Israeli anti war movement ?
How about the Israeli MP who launched a petition to send Israel to ICJ ?
NATO slaughtered 30M civilians since WW2.
Do we advocate genociding the whites, including saints like Kathy Kelly ?
There isnt a single politician in the entire west who’s fit to tie Ofer Cassif shoe lace.
But there’s Kathy Kelly, the old girl has been petitioning to send uncle sham to ICJ

How can the American public move beyond being spectators and consumers and become actual, literal participants in U.S. foreign policy? Here’s one way: the Merchants of Death War Crimes Tribunal, an online event scheduled for November 10-13, 2023.
As Kelly, one of the organizers, describes it:
“The Tribunal intends to collect evidence about crimes against humanity committed by those who develop, store, sell, and use weapons to commit crimes against humanity. Testimony is being sought from people who’ve borne the brunt of modern wars, the survivors of wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, lIBYA, Syria, Yemen, Gaza, and Somalia, to name but a few of the places where U.S. weapons have terrified people who’ve meant us no harm.”

Had there been more people like Kelly, perhaps the carnage would’ve stopped after Nam, or Idonesia, or Fallujah, or Mosul, or Kunduz……
Aaron wouldnt have to die a tragic death
It took an avalanche of home coming body bags to ignite an anti war movement which eventually bring back the troops
Would the sacrifice of Aaron rekindle that spirit to confront the beast ?

Posted by: denk | Feb 27 2024 13:40 utc | 261

This is the finest, most comprehensive debunk of every single hasbara talking point ever invented and the finest legal argument I have ever heard that ‘israel’ is an illegitimate entity:
https://youtu.be/Yhbx6iplYNY?si=0XColdRx43hR73DB
“A legal masterpiece by Ralph Wilde on behalf of the Arab league”
Precisely and carefully argued, Wilde essentially states that:
– None of Israel’s actions past or current in the Palestinian territories are legitimate under international law, the law of resistance, the law of occupation, and other international legal conventions.
. . .
ArchBungle 216
=========================
This really is a must-watch video.
Simply . . . fantastic.
Can this irrefutable presentation of the Arab/Palestinian legal position affect the reality on the ground?
The argument and logic suggest why Zionists obsess about acknowledgment of their insane asylum of a state’s “right to exist.”
Because the Zionists know darn well that their state in fact as zero “right to exist” in either international or moral law.

Posted by: Jane | Feb 27 2024 13:47 utc | 262

This really is a must-watch video.
Posted by: Jane | Feb 27 2024 13:47 utc | 265

Please also consider viewing Wilde’s lecture given to the Balfour Project wherein he presents his argument that Israel is an illegitimate nation built on a foundation of illegality.
Dr Ralph Wilde Webinar: How Britain broke international law to stop Palestinian independence ==> https://youtu.be/wb9qRpmtjsk
The lecture is based on Dr Wilde’s article published in the Journal of the History of International Law, ‘Tears of the Olive Trees: Mandatory Palestine, the UK, and accountability for colonialism in international law’.
https://brill.com/view/journals/jhil/aop/article-10.1163-15718050-12340216/article-10.1163-15718050-12340216.xml

Posted by: too scents | Feb 27 2024 13:56 utc | 263

Including Jews like Aaron Bushnell?
____
denk, what makes you think that Bushnell was a Jew?

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 27 2024 14:11 utc | 264

IIRC, Kathy Kelly’s late husband Karl Meyer never paid war taxes, kept his income low, and may have been the only person to do any jail time for not filing.
Bring on the trolls.
Most peace activists are mostly virtue signaling. Would that I had known that in my youth.
If wanting peace is mental illness, then I’ve survived being “crazy all these years.”
Aaron has raised the bar for all of us, and not everyone can make that leap. Pity.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.”
I expect Aaron received a most loving welcome.

Posted by: Bagration | Feb 27 2024 14:11 utc | 265

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 27 2024 14:11 utc | 267
—————
yOU mean he isnt ?

Posted by: denk | Feb 27 2024 14:20 utc | 266

Posted by: Bagration | Feb 27 2024 14:11 utc | 268
———————-
Kathy Kelly was jailed multiple times for her anti war protest, what has it gotta to with her hubby’s alleged tax evasion ?
So you’r proud to have paid your WAR TAX EH ?

Posted by: denk | Feb 27 2024 14:25 utc | 267

Posted by: bill wolfe | Feb 27 2024 13:11 utc | 262
Watch the video BEFORE he immolated.
Most people would have difficulty articulating that content and message with his calmness, clarity, coherence, logic, and accuracy – by a man who was walking to an immolation.

Is there a video with him explaining his views? I just saw one with him walking to the spot and then self-immolating whilst crying out ‘Free Palestine!’ (and refusing to lie down whilst dying despite the guards ordering him to do so).
Please link to that other video if so. Thank you.

Posted by: Scorpion | Feb 27 2024 14:30 utc | 268

This takes me back to the time of the Vietnam war. Having thought it over at some length, I have to offer Bushnell my deepest respect, and I wish him well on his journey. I think he came a long way for one so young.

Posted by: Bemildred | Feb 27 2024 14:32 utc | 269

yOU mean he isnt ?
Posted by: denk | Feb 27 2024 14:20 utc | 269
___
That’s exactly what I mean.
Now answer the goddamn question: Why do you say he is?

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 27 2024 14:40 utc | 270

Posted by: wagelaborer | Feb 27 2024 1:31 utc | 202
I don’t see how these kinds of comments (‘why was Bushnell obsessed with Gaza?’) add anything to the discussion. This is quite close to the Whataboutism and ‘muddying of the waters’ strategy that we hear from the mainstream media. Sure, as a member of the military, Bushnell was complicit in many global horrors. The same is true of US taxpayers generally, and, for that matter, taxpayers of the Western developed nations. What would we say if someone self-immolated as a protest against racism, or climate collapse, or war-mongering (Syria, Yemen, Venezuela, etc) in general? You would probably say the act was ‘too broad’ to have any teeth. Gaza is different. Gaza is different because: it’s happening right in front of our eyes; the media/political classes lie about it constantly; it’s objectively unique, in this historical moment, in terms of casualties and human suffering; and to many of us, it’s a case of 19th c. style colonialism being practiced right out in the open, where the powerful party is obviously working to completely eradicate the powerless, for ideological and nationalist reasons. I would never do what he did, nor would I want any of my friends or loved ones to do it, but Bushnell’s words reflect what a lot of people are feeling: we often seem to operate with the default understanding that we are good people who would never tolerate slavery or genocide a la the Holocaust, yet here it is, happening right under our eyes.

Posted by: Lukacs | Feb 27 2024 14:51 utc | 271

denk, what makes you think that Bushnell was a Jew?
Posted by: malenkov | Feb 27 2024 14:11 utc | 267
—————
yOU mean he isnt ?
Posted by: denk | Feb 27 2024 14:20 utc | 269
_____
Answering a question with a question is not the same thing as answering a question.
Now answer the question.

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 27 2024 15:06 utc | 272

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 27 2024 15:06 utc | 274
—————
I thought Aarons are Jews ???

Posted by: denk | Feb 27 2024 15:10 utc | 273

I thought Aarons are Jews ???
Posted by: denk | Feb 27 2024 15:10 utc | 275
____
Joshua is a Jewish name, therefore everyone named Joshua is a Jew.
Judy is a Jewish name, therefore everyone named Judy is a Jew.
Jacob is a Jewish name, therefore everyone named Jacob is a Jew.
Sam is a Jewish name, therefore everyone named Sam is a Jew.
Ben is a Jewish name, therefore everyone named Ben is a Jew.
David is a Jewish name, therefore everyone named David is a Jew.
Nathan is a Jewish name, therefore everyone named Nathan is a Jew.
Abraham is a Jewish name, therefore the 16th US president was a Jew.
How many people named Bushnell are Jews? Oh, never mind — I guess every da bidze is a Jew, huh?

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 27 2024 15:16 utc | 274

Aaron appears to have grown up in a christian family.
“Aaron Bushnell grew up in a religious compound in Massachusetts where his parents are long-time members of the Community for Jesus church.”
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/02/27/us-airman-aaron-bushnell-israeli-embassy-washington-church/

Posted by: jure | Feb 27 2024 15:18 utc | 275

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 27 2024 15:16 utc | 276
—————
thanks for the head up.
But does it matter ?
Even if Aaron isnt one
I can name many decent Jews
Like wise,
I can name many decent Whites

Posted by: denk | Feb 27 2024 15:19 utc | 276

@ denk | Feb 27 2024 15:19 utc | 278
I have this unaccountable fondness for facts. YMMV.

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 27 2024 15:21 utc | 277

“He was described as a cyber-defence operations specialist with the 531st Intelligence Support Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas, and had been in the air force since May 2020.”
Hopefully he got his hands on classified information which he passed on before his death?

Posted by: jure | Feb 27 2024 15:24 utc | 278

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si_H9GXuGtU
Rest in peace, Aaron, where all sickness and sorrow has passed away.
Memory eternal.

Posted by: juliania | Feb 27 2024 15:26 utc | 279

WHO’S The beast , ?
THE unitedsnakes.
MIC/ BIG OIL/ BIG PHARMA/ BIG AGRI/ BIG BANKS/ AIPAC/ XTIAN FUNDIES/ COLD WAR IDEOLOGUES,/ IPAC…..
It isnt by chance that MIC is leading the pack.
the most toxic of the lot.

The national defense budget, recently set for 2023 at $858 billion and, as ever, larger than the rest of the world’s military budget combined. And, oh yeah, the modernization — the rebuilding — of the nation’s nuclear weapons over the next three decades at an estimated cost of nearly $2 trillion. As Nuclear Watch put it: “It is, in short, a program of nuclear weapons forever.

https://geopolitics.co/2023/01/08/before-the-bombs-come-the-platitudes/

Posted by: denk | Feb 27 2024 15:36 utc | 280

Hundreds Vigil Outside Israeli Embassy after US Airman’s Gaza Protest, Biden Blamed
…..Hundreds gathered in a vigil outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, following a tragic incident where a member of the US Air Force, Aaron Bushnell, set himself on fire in protest against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The crowd’s chant of “We will never forget our martyrs” resonated during the gathering, which served as both a political rally and a memorial service.
Signs with the poignant message “His Last Words — Free Palestine” were raised as a speaker condemned Israel’s military offensive in Gaza. People also displayed signs saying, ‘Stop US support for genocide,’ highlighting the United States’ unwavering support for the Israeli entity……
https://english.almanar.com.lb/2054747
Comment – apparently a tsunami on social media supporting Aaron’s peace efforts.

Posted by: Exile | Feb 27 2024 15:37 utc | 281

257
spike proteins no clot shots here honey but i am being cooked by 5g and food full of heavy metals.
so much emotion here so many hurt folks suffering the tortures of the damned tortures of the damned or just working on emotional performance…
even when in the military folks work secretly for the military
a sim or a real person for that is what he was a military person a legal fiction real or not hundreds of years doing the smedley butler shuffle henchman for foreign corporations bankers. the heads always kosher nostra fake hebrews a turkic russio khazharian brew the devils servant
they said edwyne jacob rothschild died and soros lives i say vice versa
today we rarely get proof of life proof of death or resting place truman show
the flikerings on the cave wall shoah a man in flames i saw it it israel
for real.
276 take a chill pill the folks using the name lists you have up are frauds name stealers ashkanazim very little semite in the blood
history of criminality and violence murder inc

Posted by: todd | Feb 27 2024 15:38 utc | 282

“He will soon be forgotten. Just a stain on the sidewalk”
Posted by: Bart Thompson | Feb 27 2024 10:08 utc
I remember the shadows on the wall at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, even though I was not born when America made those shadows

Posted by: will moon | Feb 27 2024 15:38 utc | 283

“he did more to the cause (PR wise, reality wise) by immolating himself that he could never do as a mere soldier in the US army; as well he didn’t want to ‘soil his soul’ participating in a genocide; his soul was worth more to him than his life.
Posted by: canuck | Feb 26 2024 23:09 utc | 189”
“So, are you saying that Bradley Manning accomplished absolutely nothing because he was only a mere soldier in the army? Do you think that Edward Snowden accomplished absolutely nothing? Both of them had the same courage and noble motives as Aaron Bushnell, but in my opinion they chose a much better way to take action. I think Aaron, given the qualities he obviously had, certainly could have accomplished much more over the next, say, fifty years, despite being a FORMER mere soldier, than he will as a tombstone during those fifty years.
Someone in a previous post said “mission accomplished” but I think it’s premature to declare. The mission won’t be accomplished until the zionists are stopped. If his action actually results in that happening before half a million people starve to death, then I’ll be thrilled – but surprised.”
Posted by: Dalit | Feb 27 2024 6:42 utc | 240
I guess you would have wanted Socrates to go into exile from Athens after being convicted of “impiety” instead of sacrificing himself to save his soul by ingesting the poisonous hemlock?
And, Socrates’ death as a martyr was the model for Jesus’s crucifixion’s and by extension Aaron’s own ultimate sacrifice:
“Socrates gives a justification even in the Apology:
Men of Athens, I honor and love you; but I shall obey God rather than you, and while I have life and strength I shall never cease from the practice and teaching of philosophy, exhorting anyone whom I meet after my manner.
Socrates believed that the Oracle at Delphi had entrusted him with the mission of examining the Athenians and exhorting them to wisdom. He could not in conscience abandon this mandate, either by ceasing to practice philosophy or by abandoning the city.
I say, now, when, as I conceive and imagine, God orders me to fulfil the philosopher’s mission of searching into myself and other men, I were to desert my post through fear of death, or any other fear; that would indeed be strange, and I might justly be arraigned in court for denying the existence of the gods.”
I stand on my point.

Posted by: canuck | Feb 27 2024 15:46 utc | 284

Posted by: Fern | Feb 27 2024 2:54 utc | 217
Think single issue voter. Also he appears to be in the moment as his writings suggest. An example, im paraphasing. Ask what would i do? The answer is you are doing it rightnow. Canuck i think said upstream something like . The illness of the world became ovewhelmin. Every one has a tipping point.

Posted by: Tannenhouser | Feb 27 2024 15:53 utc | 285

“Somehow, Prometheus, like Aaron Bushnell must have known the gift he stole for mankind (at the price of his own flesh) would be used exactly as intended:
To Illuminate Mankind.”
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Feb 27 2024 7:14 utc | 242
Probably the best post of yours I have read; and there are lost of them..
And, don’t forget Prometheus was doomed by Zeus to have his liver eaten up every day by an eagle for eternity. Yet Prometheus was redeemed by Heracles who unchained him:
From Prometheus Unbound-by Percy Blysse Shelley:
“Life may change, but it may fly not; Hope may vanish, but can die not; Truth be veiled, but still it burneth; Love repulsed -but it returneth.”

Posted by: canuck | Feb 27 2024 15:54 utc | 286

Posted by: michaelj72 | Feb 27 2024 6:47 utc | 241
Thanks for posting the complete text of Hamas’ sincere acknowledgement of Bushnell’s sacrifice.

Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Feb 27 2024 16:37 utc | 287

Self-immolation by a single protester is what started the “Arab Spring” which resulted in the overthrow of decades long tyranny in Algeria. It hasn’t amounted to much yet but it’s still pretty recent in historical terms

Posted by: nicholas zahareas | Feb 27 2024 16:54 utc | 288

This may seem off topic in a way, but basically in fact it is on topic. I’m responding to Teri #190 who responds to karlof1 regarding a sycophantic rather disgusting if true remark alleged to have been made by RFK,Jr. regarding the argentine scoundrel Melei’s supposed “budget surplus.” Well, the truth is that Melei has achieved his “surplus” by withholding funds due to the various provinces in argentina. This is about equivalent to the US Feds withholding payments due to states. Several of the argentine provinces are now suing Melei in the argentine supreme court and others are withholding shipments of raw materials. Melei isn’t any kind of conservative economist. He is simply a liar charlatan.
My point is that if RFK,Jr actually thinks this is a good thing, he is just another grifter scoundrel like Melei, as well as being another Izzyhell firster like Bribem and 99.9% of US Con-gress. The contrast with the integrity we have just seen from a brave young soldier of twenty five short years is striking. More tragic than I can say in words.
Yes, I know this is a bit long, but my point is that in the face of the Nobility, Courage, and Dedication of Aaron Bushnell, a true Hero for Humanity, it’s shocking weasel people can actually bring themselves to pump out more lies.

Posted by: Formerly Miss Lacy | Feb 27 2024 16:59 utc | 289

@ Formerly Miss Lacy | Feb 27 2024 16:59 utc | 291
Thank you for your comment. As is tge case with so many politicians, it’s difficult if not impossible to determine where RFK Jr. the Ignoramus leaves off and and RFK Jr. the Opportunistic Weasel begins.
Neither merits trust, let alone public office.

Posted by: malenkov | Feb 27 2024 17:03 utc | 290

So I went and typed “Savio Speech” into my address bar, and what do you know, this came up:

And that — that brings me to the second mode of civil disobedience. There’s a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart that you can’t take part! You can’t even passively take part! And you’ve got to put your bodies upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus — and you’ve got to make it stop! And you’ve got to indicate to the people who run it, to the people who own it — that unless you’re free the machine will be prevented from working at all!!

Sit-in Address on the Steps of Sproul Hall

Posted by: Bemildred | Feb 27 2024 17:04 utc | 291

Self-immolation by a single protester is what started the “Arab Spring” which resulted in the overthrow of decades long tyranny in Algeria. It hasn’t amounted to much yet but it’s still pretty recent in historical terms
Posted by: nicholas zahareas | Feb 27 2024 16:54 utc | 290
Not Algeria. Ben Ali in Tunisia, and Hosni Mubarak in Egypt were ousted, with the “West” then using this whole “Arab Spring” to foment regime change also in Libya, and ousting Gaddafi by having him murdered by thugs (and then continuing this “Arab Spring” by supporting head choppers in Syria against Assad).
In Algeria, they only made constitutional changes as far as I can recall.

Posted by: jure | Feb 27 2024 17:15 utc | 292

Illegal.
Apartheid.
Entity.
Now proved .
Pack you bags and leave now Illegal Settler colonisers , while you have time to organise.
Or you will leave carrying just what you can and what you have hidden in your body.
At a few days notice.
From River To The Sea and for the love of Aaron’s Act of Immolation and immortality.

Posted by: DunGroanin | Feb 27 2024 17:24 utc | 293

denk — thanks for the link. Very vsluable. I think nuclear war has a 30% chance of taking out 30% of humanity. By 2030.
Bemildred — Mario’s speech really kicked off the ’60s actions. We can hope.

Posted by: Bagration | Feb 27 2024 17:38 utc | 294

“Hopefully he got his hands on classified information which he passed on before his death?
Posted by: jure | Feb 27 2024 15:24 utc |
I highly doubt it.
He had principles he was willing to die for.
I don’t see him engaging in anything criminal.
Although, watch it come out as a smear campaign.

Posted by: Archetypex | Feb 27 2024 17:49 utc | 295

I highly doubt it.
He had principles he was willing to die for.
I don’t see him engaging in anything criminal.
Although, watch it come out as a smear campaign.
Posted by: Archetypex | Feb 27 2024 17:49 utc | 295
I doubt it myself as well, but hope dies last. A tragic death like this (may Aaron rest in peace) is symbolic, but the things Snowden, Manning and Wikileaks have revealed are far more damaging to the Empire.

Posted by: jure | Feb 27 2024 18:01 utc | 296

@ Formerly Miss Lacy | Feb 27 2024 16:59 utc | 289
My original comment that referenced RFK Jr is at # 188, and I see that I forgot to put a link to RFK Jr’s tweet.
He did indeed write that (I posted the full text of the tweet in my comment), but here is a link to the tweet so that it can be verified:
https://twitter.com/RobertKennedyJr/status/1761880852986986848?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Posted by: teri | Feb 27 2024 18:21 utc | 297

Have we learned anything about what he was trying to tell us? https://folkpotpourri.com/a-fire-that-wont-be-forgotten/ God bless you young man. RIP

Posted by: Ozark Grandpa | Feb 27 2024 18:21 utc | 298

Posted by: comrade simba | Feb 26 2024 19:16 utc | 118
I’ll give you this much, pal:. You probably had to work hard at coming up with something like that to say. I hope payday comes soon.

Posted by: Gene Poole | Feb 27 2024 19:38 utc | 299

https://brill.com/view/journals/jhil/aop/article-10.1163-15718050-12340216/article-10.1163-15718050-12340216.xml
Posted by: too scents | Feb 27 2024 13:56 utc | 263
============
Thanks, I will do so.
My admiration for Wilde is off the charts already.
Wish I knew more about the Arab League’s plans.

Posted by: Jane | Feb 27 2024 19:47 utc | 300