Malu 'Aina

The U.S. Grand Illusion

Before 9-11 & Beyond

          A definition of illusion is – something that deceives or misleads intellectually. On Sept. 20, 2001 George W. Bush said “Americans are asking “Why do they hate us? His answer was “They hate our freedoms…” What George W. Bush said is part of the US Grand Illusion. Nevertheless, blessings to all who died on 9-11, in wars before and since then, and to loved ones still living.

      Let’s be clear. The NY World Trade Center and the Pentagon are not viewed globally as images of enduring freedom. If anything, they are symbols of global domination by the US empire. The US likes to project itself as “a beacon of freedom & democracy” despite committing genocide against native populations, a history of slavery, and numerous US military and CIA interventions waged around the world on behalf of corporate interest for control of resources. For a long list of US initiated coups and military interventions (millions killed and trillions wasted) see the book Killing Hope by William Blum.  Also read Bin Laden’s letter to America http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article6537.htm

See list of military deployments since WWII here TomSamway US military deployments

                                                                                    

      Since 9-11 the US has waged multiple wars in the greater Middle East including Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Lebanon, Somalia, etc. Let’s face it. It wasn’t about “freedom.” It was all about OIL. Let us not forget the US torture at Abu Graib prison, Guantanamo, and secret US prisons around the world. Also, the repressive US Patriot Act, prepared well in advance of 9-11, and quickly pushed through Congress after 9-11 that suspends the Bill of Rights in cases of terrorism. Let us also remember the massive US foreign and domestic surveillance state that has been established under the National Security Administration (NSA) and Homeland Security since 9-11. And let us question how we can wage an endless war against terrorism, when WAR ITSELF IS TERRORISM. It is for these reasons and more that much of the world views the US as the greatest threat to peace on the planet. In 1960 President Dwight Eisenhower warned about the growing danger of “the US Military Industrial Complex” (MIC). That complex is now named MICIMATT – “Military-Industrial-Congress-Intelligence-Media-Academia-Think-Tank” complex, a term coined by former CIA analyst Raymond McGovern.  Let’s learn from 9-11. A war with China is not the answer to US defeat in Afghanistan.

Remember! It’s an Illusion to Think War is Peace, and Global Domination is Freedom!.

1. Mourn all victims of violence. 2. Reject violence & war as solutions. 3. Defend civil liberties.
4. Oppose all discrimination, anti-Islamic, anti-Semitic, anti-Hawaiian, anti-Black, anti-Asian, etc.
5. Seek peace through peaceful means and work for justice in Hawai`i and around the world.

Malu ‘Aina Center for Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown), Hawaii 96760

Phone (808) 966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org to receive our posts. For more information www.malu-aina.org

September 10, 2021 Hilo Peace Vigil leaflet – week 1041– Fridays 3:30-5PM downtown Post Office

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Jim Albertini Malu 'Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola'a (Kurtistown) Hawai'i 96760
Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org

Update on Hilo downtown Post Office/Federal building 1st floor Public Restrooms locked

1PM Wed. Sept. 1, 2021

I had to do some errands in Hilo so I went by the downtown Post office and walked the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building. There are Mens and Womens restrooms on both the 2nd and 3rd floors (not for public use) that are also locked. I believe the 2nd and 3rd floor restrooms have always been for people who work in the building.

Besides the Post Office on the first floor there are really only 4 other offices in the entire 3 story building

1. Farm Program/Farm Loans

2. NRCS (National Resource Conservation Service

3. Rural Development

4. US Dept. of Veteran Affairs.

So the Post Office staff and the 4 other office staff have the 2nd and 3rd floor restrooms to use. They do not need to privatize the first floor public rest rooms but they have.

Remember, the US just left Afghanistan after 20 years of war spending trillions of dollars ($300 million a day for 20 years according to Biden) Yet we can’t keep 2 public restrooms opened and clean. What’s the problem? Government offices are there to serve the public. The public deserve OPEN PUBLIC RESTROOMS.

Jim Albertini

Aloha Kai and staff,

Mahalo for your response on the Hilo Federal Building PUBLIC restrooms being locked for the general public.  I appreciate your efforts to get the building manager to explain the situation but I find the explanation insulting.

I am a tax payer and help pay the salaries of the tenants of that building.  It is clear that since that building was constructed decades ago those first floor PUBLIC restrooms located near the post office area were meant for use by the general public.  To now shift to ONLY key use by building tenants is indicative of the shift in government to serve “special interests” rather than serving “The General Public.”  In my view it shows contempt for, instead of serving, those in need, especially the least among us.  America is going in the wrong direction.

Please stand up to this nonsense and reopen the PUBLIC  restrooms.

Mahalo,

Jim Albertini

cc news media

Jim Albertini Malu ‘Aina Center For Non-violent Education & Action P.O. Box 489 Ola’a (Kurtistown) Hawai’i 96760 Phone 808-966-7622 Email ja@malu-aina.org Visit us on the web at www.malu-aina.org

On 8/31/21 8:28 AM, Rep. Kai Kahele wrote:

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