The Future of Government Is Bleak: The National Intelligence Council Releases “Global Trends 2040”

@JaniceOCG Conditions in U.S. led to war & start of Gilead in @HandmaidsOnHulu. Intelligence experts @ODNI_NIC have their own real-world concerns on where we’re going. Listen in as @JYSexton & @CanYouHearMeSMH recall how we got here. Thurs., 8 pm ET, from 1/13/22, “If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny.”

“Here it is that the people paid to study these things telling you that the system is not working and America in particular is not in a position to deal with emerging challenges and if we don’t start within the next 20 years, we are in very, very serious trouble,” said Jared Yates Sexton.

The causes of war trace directly to policies and conditions in a nation, and the National Intelligence Community produces a report every four years, from a U.S. perspective, on where the world is and is going. It’s a planning document to assist policymakers, military leaders, and other thinkers in developing strategies to effectively manage the country. The National Intelligence Council released a dire report, Global Trends 2040: A More Contested World, in March, 2021. They begin by predicting that global challenges like climate change, disease and financial crises, “are likely to manifest more frequently and intensely in almost every region and country.” While not written in stone, the “future scenarios” they foresee, depend on the choices we make today.

With insight on how power, persuasion and wealth is used, the report looks at structural forces to project where the world is heading, in the areas of Demographics, Environment, Economics and Technology. Among many other things, they see increasing global health challenges, global warming, vast inequality, disequilibrium in resources to meet the challenges, growing pessimism and disillusionment, aging populations, rising nationalism, and political discord and international conflicts.

“Here it is that the people paid to study these things telling you that the system is not working and America in particular is not in a position to deal with emerging challenges and if we don’t start within the next 20 years, we are in very, very serious trouble,” said Jared Yates Sexton. Nick Hauselman wonders if this report even would have been released if Trump had won in 2020, as it clearly demonstrates the country’s weaknesses.

After introducing the futuristic report, the two podcast hosts take a look back to unpack the history of how we’ve arrived at this moment, beginning 30 years ago in 1992, when George H.W. Bush was leading the nation.

Find and download Global Trends 2040: A More Contested World, a free e-book by the National Intelligence Council.

— LMO

“Jared Yates Sexton and Nick Hauselman discuss the recently released report from the National Intelligence Council which predicts over the next 20 years what might happen to governments around the globe. They also bring in the same report from 1992 to add historical context to trace the path we’re on and whether the Great American Experiment is a failure.” — The Muckrake Political Podcast

CONTACT US “If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny” for access to the Zoom chatroom—L. Michelle Odom, Senior Producer
LMOdom@OurCommonGround.com or TWN@TruthWorksNetwork.com
Watch Thursdays, 8 pm ET, January 13 to April 7, 2022, on the TruthWorks Network YouTube Channel. All Are Welcome!

LISTEN TO | National Intelligence Council Says The Future Of Gov’t Is Bleak | The Muckrake Political Podcast | 4/13/2021

Frozen in Time: Grover Norquist and the Taxpayer Protection Pledge Stymie America

@ASoulAFire @JaniceOCG Explore the issue of American greed w/ @PeteDominick & @ritholtz in wide-ranging & insightful dialogue between 24:00 – 1:25:40. Join Thursdays, 8 pm ET, from 1/13/22, “If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny.”

Pete Dominick and Barry Ritholtz explore the issue of American greed in a wide-ranging and insightful dialogue between 24:00 – 1:25:40.

In one segment, they hone in on the reason American infrastructure is in such disrepair – the Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

“…take that piece of shit broken part and throw it on Grover Norquist’s front lawn. I want his front lawn to look like a garbage dump. Cause…if you have to point to one motherfucka in America who’s responsible for the state of the roads, it’s that asshole…If you want nice things you have to pay for them, and that includes shit like an electrical grid…”
— Barry Ritholtz, 1:18:00 – 1:21:23

“I think if you’re a Congressman, you should be humiliated that the roads of America are in the condition that they’re in…I think everybody in America, every time you get a blowout on the highway, every time you break an axle…you should take that piece of shit broken part and throw it on Grover Norquist’s front lawn. I want his front lawn to look like a garbage dump. Cause…if you have to point to one motherfucka in America who’s responsible for the state of the roads, it’s that asshole…If you want nice things you have to pay for them, and that includes shit like an electrical grid…” — Barry Ritholtz, 1:18:00 – 1:21:23

“Grover Norquist…makes every single Republican at every level of government, sign an oath, called the Pledge, that they will never raise any tax, period, which is the goddamn dumbest policy of any civilization ever…”
— Pete Dominick, 1:21:23 – 1:21:40

Grover Norquist is an American political activist and strategist for conservative and libertarian causes, who makes everyone sign a pledge refusing to raise taxes. “The organization is known for its ‘Taxpayer Protection Pledge,’ which asks candidates for federal and state office to commit themselves in writing to oppose all tax increases. The founder and president of ATR is Grover Norquist, a conservative tax activist.” — Wikipedia

See what politicians have to say about the Taxpayer Protection Pledge at the ATR website. https://www.atr.org/about-the-pledge

So where, exactly, does Grover Norquist live?

— LMO

“Barry Ritholtz has spent his career helping people spot their own investment errors and to learn how to better manage their own financial behaviors. He is the creator of The Big Picture, often ranked as the number one financial blog to follow by The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and others. Barry Ritholtz is the creator and host of Bloomberg’s Masters in Business radio podcast, and a featured columnist at the Washington Post. He is the author of the Bailout Nation: How Greed and Easy Money Corrupted Wall Street and Shook the World Economy (Wiley, 2009). In addition to serving as Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Ritholtz Wealth Management, he is also on the advisory boards of Riskalyze, and Peer Street, two leading financial technology startups bringing transparency and analytics to the investment business. Barry has named one of the 15 Most Important Economic Journalists in the United States, and has been called one of The 25 Most Dangerous People in Financial Media. When not working, he can be found with his wife and their two dogs on the north shore of Long Island…” — Stand Up! with Pete Dominick

CONSIDER segment on greed 24:00 – 1:25:40 | “Barry Ritholtz and Dr Mia Bloom Episode 386″ | Stand Up! with Pete Dominick | 7/7/2021

Call the Senate…Just Because

@ASoulAFire @JaniceOCG Let the #USSenate know you demand they protect democracy. #YourVoiceMatters Join Thursdays, 8 pm ET, from 1/13/22, “If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny.”

Contact your U.S. Senators just because you want them to know you see how they create exceptions to the filibuster whenever they want to…but have yet to do so on voting rights and election integrity legislation.

Contact your U.S. Senators just because it’s Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday…

Contact your U.S. Senators just because you demand they work to protect, preserve and enhance democracy.

Contact your U.S. Senators just because you want them to know you see how they create exceptions to the filibuster whenever they want to…but have yet to do so on voting rights and election integrity legislation.

Contact your U.S. Senators just because they work for you.

#DemocracyMatters

— LMO

Call Your Senators:

U.S. Capitol Switchboard

202-224-3121

Find & Email Your Senators:

https://www.senate.go v/senators/senators-contact.htm

Mail Your Senators:

The Honorable (Name)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

(Name of Committee)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

FIND and CONTACT U.S. Senators, track bills, etc. | Senate.gov

Prof. Jared Yates Sexton Will Join the 1/13/22 Premiere of “If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny”

@ASoulAFire @JaniceOCG @AtwoodSociety Prof. Jared Yates Sexton @jysexton joins premiere Thursday, 1/13/22, 8 pm ET, of “If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny.” You’re invited! #DemocracyMatters

Prof. Jared Yates Sexton, Associate Professor, Writing and Linguistics, Georgia Southern University-Statesboro, will join If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny – Lessons from The Handmaid’s Tale, on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, 8 pm ET, we are pleased to announce. This evening we delve into current threats to America’s democracy, including the assault on voting rights and push toward autocracy.

“Jared Yates Sexton is the author of The Man They Wanted Me to Be, The People Are Going to Rise Like the Waters Upon Your Shore, American Rule and three collections of fiction. He co-hosts The Muckrake Political Podcast with Nick Hauselman, has a newsletter on Substack, and is Associate Professor of Writing and Linguistics with Georgia Southern University-Statesboro. Sexton has gone undercover into the fascist world and his political writing has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The New Republic, Politico, and Salon.com. He is working on a new book.” — Stand Up! with Pete Dominick, a podcast

MARK YOUR CALENDAR | Jan. 13, 2022, 8 pm ET | Guest Panelist Prof. Jared Yates Sexton, Associate Professor, Writing and Linguistics, Georgia Southern University-Statesboro | If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny | TruthWorks Network

Author Brynn Tannehill, “American Fascism: How the GOP is Subverting Democracy” | The Muckrake Political Podcast Interview

@ASoulAFire @JaniceOCG @BrooseMiller Listen in as @jysexton interviews @BrynnTannehill on #AmericanFascismHowtheGOPisSubvertingDemocracy. Join Thursdays, 8 pm ET, from 1/13/22, “If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny.”

The Muckrake Political Podcast host Jared Yates Sexton, interviewed the author Brynn Tannehill, on her latest book, American Fascism: How the GOP is Subverting Democracy, which he describes as an incredibly important must-read. He says the book offers a good synopsis of the current crisis of the destruction of our democracy.

Sexton points out that people who should know better are now downplaying the severity of the January 6th coup attempt, are delusional about it, or are profiting from it. He also points out the lack of preparedness among average Americans who seem to find the facts too terrifying to contemplate.

“We’re not prepared for this,” Sexton said. “We’re not taught in schools how to recognize growing fascism. We’re not taught how to recognize what happens when democracy is corrupted and hijacked.”

“We’re not prepared for this,” Sexton said. “We’re not taught in schools how to recognize growing fascism. We’re not taught how to recognize what happens when democracy is corrupted and hijacked.”

Brynn Tannehill said she included some things in her book, after seeing the 2020 election, 1/6 insurrection and inauguration, that need to go right to start reversing the trend of encroaching authoritarianism and collapse of democracy – yet we lack the political will to do so. “The factors that are causing the implosion of democracy, not only are they still there after 1/6, but are worsening in many ways,” she said.

“The factors that are causing the implosion of democracy, not only are they still there after 1/6, but are worsening in many ways.”
— Brynn Tannehill

She observes how the Republican Party is now taking steps to ensure they can’t lose future elections, such as voter suppression, gerrymandering, allowing dark money to flow in from conservative billionaires in ways that are completely untraceable, and putting legal mechanisms and people in places to overturn elections.

Waking Americans up to current threats to democracy is not easy, but Tannehill suspects if Democrats win the 2024 election, and the results are somehow overturned, that might lead people to wake up. “But at that point, it’s too late,” she said. Another way Americans might see the threat is if states begin to refuse to accept the authority of the federal government – essentially seceding.

Tannehill points out that Republicans are currently not supporting many popular proposals, such as minimum wage, stimulus, infrastructure, the equality act, the voting rights act, preventing states from overturning elections, and transparency in politics. — LMO

“Jared had a chance to sit down with Author and veteran Brynn Tannehill to discuss her new book American Fascism: How the GOP is Subverting Democracy.” — The Muckrake Political Podcast

LISTEN TO | “Interview With Author Brynn Tannehill | Weekender Teaser” | The Muckrake Political Podcast | 7/9/2021

Hulu’s Playlist on The Handmaid’s Tale

@ASoulAFire @JaniceOCG See Hulu’s @HandmaidsOnHulu playlist to catch up or review the series. Join Thursdays, 8 pm ET, from 1/13/22, “If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny.”

Loads of clips from The Handmaid’s Tale are found on this playlist. Check it out! — LMO

“Now nominated for 20 Emmy Awards including Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actress. Every single episode of The Handmaid’s Tale is now streaming only on Hulu.” — Hulu

SEE | The Handmaid’s Tale Playlist | A Hulu Original Series | Hulu | 6/3/2021

Find Black Female and Male Therapists and Other Resources to Support Mental Health

@ASoulAFire @JaniceOCG Support during rising fascism may be needed. Find Black male and female therapists @bftherapists. Join Thursdays, 8 pm ET, from 1/13/22, “If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny.”

Finding the right therapist is more than a notion, and with the added layer of looking for one who you may identify with based on their color or gender, the task can seem overwhelming.

The website “Black Female Therapists” is a world of resources for women and men seeking to maintain or improve their personal mental health. The site offers classes, therapy, affirmations, a podcast, blog, tips and more.

Most importantly, they offer a searchable database of Black Female and Male Therapists, to start you on a journey toward mental health and wellness. See the directory of Black Male Therapists here. — LMO

“Black Female Therapists (BFT) is the #1 lifestyle and empowerment platform for women of color!

“This platform was created to promote, inspire, and elevate other black female therapists and create a safe space for black mental health. BFT gives mental health therapists a chance to show their #blackgirlmagic and makes it easier to connect with individuals nationwide.

“Not only is it a place to connect but also a safe place for black women to discuss their mental health and wellness journey and learn new strategies to live a better life. From indulging in the newest self-care strategies to helping strategize mental health issues, we live for being a go-to daily source for all things Black Female Therapists, Self-Care, Mental Wellness, Stress Management, Travel, Relationships and Mental Health.

“Our Mission

01 To remove the stigma around mental health in the Black community.

02 To provide a platform for Black women and men to find therapists they relate to.

03 To aid in the mission of supporting mental health in our community.”

— Black Female Therapists

EXPLORE | Black Female Therapists

The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 4 Coming Soon • A Hulu Original

@ASoulAFire @JaniceOCG Here’s a short promo on Season 4 of @HandmaidsOnHulu. Join Thursdays, 8 pm ET, from 1/13/22, “If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny.”

It’s a great time to catch up on Season 4 while we wait on Season 5 expected in 2022. — LMO

Change never comes easy. Blessed be the squad. The Handmaid’s Tale Season 4, Coming 2021.

WATCH THE HANDMAID’S TALE

https://www.hulu.com/the-handmaids-tale

ABOUT THE HANDMAID’S TALE

Adapted from the classic novel by Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale is the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism in its militarized ‘return to traditional values’. As one of the few remaining fertile women, Offred (Elisabeth Moss) is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a last desperate attempt to repopulate the world. In this terrifying society, Offred must navigate between Commanders, their cruel Wives, domestic Marthas, and her fellow Handmaids – where anyone could be a spy for Gilead – all with one goal: to survive and find the daughter that was taken from her.

SUBSCRIBE TO HULU’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Click the link to subscribe to our channel for the latest shows & updates: http://www.youtube.com/hulu?sub_confi

— Hulu

WATCH 1:30 | The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 4 Coming Soon • A Hulu Original | Hulu | 6/24/2020

Dr. David H. Ikard Will Join the 1/13/22 Premiere of “If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny”

@ASoulAFire @JaniceOCG @AtwoodSociety Prof David Ikard @blkeducator joins premiere Thursday, 1/13/22, 8 pm ET, of “If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny.” You’re invited! #DemocracyMatters

Dr. David H. Ikard, Professor and Chair, African-American and Diaspora Studies, Vanderbilt University, will join If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny – Lessons from The Handmaid’s Tale, on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, 8 pm ET, we are pleased to announce. This evening we delve into current threats to America’s democracy, including the assault on voting rights and push toward autocracy.

“Professor Ikard is Professor of African American and Diaspora Studies. His research and teaching interests include African American Literature, black feminist criticism, hip hop culture, black masculinity and whiteness studies. He is the author/co-author of four books, including Breaking The Silence: Toward a Black Male Feminist Criticism (2007), Nation of Cowards: Black Activism in Barack Obama’s Post-Racial America (2012), co-authored with Martell Teasley and winner of the Best Scholarly Book Award by DISA in 2013, Blinded by the Whites: Why Race Still Matters in 21st-Century America (2013), and Lovable Racists, Magical Negroes, and White Messiahs (2017). His essays have appeared in African American Review, MELUS , Palimpsest, African and Black Diaspora Journal, The Journal of Black Studies, and Obsidian III.” — Vanderbilt University

MARK YOUR CALENDAR | Jan. 13, 2022, 8 pm ET | Guest Panelist Dr. David H. Ikard, Professor and Chair, African-American and Diaspora Studies, Vanderbilt University | If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny | TruthWorks Network YouTube Channel

“Black AND Armed–The Pro-Gun Movement for Black People”

@ASoulAFire @JaniceOCG Black AND Armed Guest #DamonFinch on @DearCulturePod w/ @MrGerrenalist & #ShanaPinnock in an interesting chat on cultural attitudes on guns. Join Thursdays, 8 pm ET, from 1/13/22, “If America Fails?: The Coming Tyranny.”

I have a hard time wrapping my head around the value of handguns against enemies with bombs, drones, and all sorts of biological, chemical and psychological weapons.

Still, in a one-on-one threat to your personal existence, it’s clear that a gun might make the difference between your life and your death. I suppose that’s why the trend among Black people is to take up arms – a well-worn path among white Americans.

There are scenes in The Handmaid’s Tale where resisters try to hold the line against the regime that has successfully overtaken most of the United States. (See Season 4, Episode 5, “Chicago,” for example).

It’s much harder, for me, at least, to picture how a gunfight could ever be an effective strategy in fighting fascism. That begs the question…

What are effective tools and strategies for fighting a growing tyranny?

— LMO

Please reflect on this question as you listen to the linked podcast:

“Black gun ownership is rising and this week on the Dear Culture Podcast, our hosts, Shana Pinnock and Gerren Keith Gaynor break down the new surge and talk to Black Americans who are taking justice and protection into their own hands.” — Dear Culture

LISTEN TO | Black AND Armed–The Pro-Gun Movement for Black People | Dear Culture, a podcast by theGrio | 10/7/2021

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