Politics is about three things: Power, power, and power.
James Burnham
What follows is my interview with Brazilian journalist Allan dos Santos, a leading anticommunist and supporter of President Jair Bolsonaro. Some years ago I did a regular podcast with Allan called Update Brazil. In our first episode we interviewed Diana West and Olavo de Carvalho (the Brazilian conservative philosopher). Allan is a famous voice for freedom in Brazil, breaking stories about communist and Chinese infiltration of that country.
And Below the continuation after lost connection
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236 responses to “Brazil’s Presidential Election: The Fate of Bolsonaro”
It is that you must realize …
that it is not the quotation alone you must
learn, but the very first, agreed upon derived
comment about that specific quotation.
To wit, and speaking to a deceased friend,
Politics is about three things: Power, power, and power.
– James Burnham
“Politics is about three things:
Mistakes, mistakes, and more mistakes.”
Anon.
Mr Nyquist, in response to your reply about America and Revolution, I’d say that lacking the physical presence of the Monarchy and Aristocracy they were overthrowing, the American Revolution settled into a slow burning fuse which blew up in 1860-1865, and gradually became worse and worse over time subsequently as the American Republic became an Imperial power to reckon with around the world. Burke perhaps would agree with you, perhaps, but I know from de Maistre’s ” considerations on the Revolution in France” that he would not. I am thinking that just as with France, there have been several successively worse incarnations of republics in America.
It is a misunderstanding that America is a imperial power. Only briefly did this hold true, when we held the Philippines. There are fifty states, Puerto Rico and some other islands, here and there. And Puerto Rico is free to go. But they always vote to stay. An empire is where rule is imposed over conquered peoples, leading to various nations under one nation. As George Washington said in his Farewell Address, it is a great gift that the American people are ONE people. One people is not an empire. As for 1861-65, The Civil War was primarily about the preservation of slavery in those states that formed the Confederacy. If there had been no slavery there would have been no Civil War. The 1861 rebellion was, in the words of Confederate Vice President Alexander Stephens, a denial of the principles of the Founding Fathers. It was an attempt to divide the American people into two peoples on the basis of new ideas antithetical to those agreed upon after our independence from Britain. The Confederacy, Stephens said, was based on white supremacy and African slavery. Thus, the Confederacy was a revolutionary state based on novel ideas that no previous state had ever been built on. The war was stirred up by the ideologists of slavery. Their rhetoric attempted to frighten white people with the idea that free blacks would prove to be dangerous. George Washington set the example for our nation by emancipating his slaves on his death. After the war, many Southerners have attempted to rewrite history. It was not about slavery, they said. Decide for yourself if they are right. Go back and read the words of the Confederate leaders. The war was all about slavery and those leaders freely said so. The Founding Fathers, many of them slave holders, had committed to a different path — to Union and the eventual freeing of the slaves. As Robert E. Lee wrote in a letter shortly after the first state seceded, The Union is indivisible. How can they divide it? Of course, he changed his mind when Virginia left the Union.
“You may after the sacrifice of countless millions of treasure and hundreds of thousands of lives, as a bare possibility, win Southern independence…but I doubt it. I tell you that, while I believe with you in the doctrine of state rights, the North is determined to preserve this Union. They are not a fiery, impulsive people as you are, for they live in colder climates. But when they begin to move in a given direction…they move with the steady momentum and perseverance of a mighty avalanche; and what I fear is, they will overwhelm the South.”
It wasn’t easy for them though. Not by a long shot.
Strange to say: If the South had not fired on Fort Summter, the North was going to let them go. Public opinion was anti-war in the north. But once the South opened fire on the Fort, unexpectedly, the North rose up in anger. Some of the Confederate leaders who advised to leave the forts alone, shook their head. A big oopse. Nobody really knew this would be the reaction, because an earlier act of war had been totally ignored and made little or no impression.
Constitution of the Confederate States; March 11, 1861
(18) To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the Confederate States, or in any department or officer thereof.
Sec. 9. (I) The importation of negroes of the African race from any foreign country other than the slaveholding States or Territories of the United States of America, is hereby forbidden; and Congress is required to pass such laws as shall effectually prevent the same.
(2) Congress shall also have power to prohibit the introduction of slaves from any State not a member of, or Territory not belonging to, this Confederacy.
https://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/csa_csa.asp
The slave trade was ended by the U.S. Constitution in 1808 but slavery continued without fresh importation. The Confederacy wanted to revive the importation of slaves.
Maybe a certain element of the Confederacy. I’ve read that only ten percent of Southerners actually owned slaves, and if that number, only three percent were the large plantation owners.
Though sime may have thought as Alexander Stephens, I disagree that the average Southerner was trying to build a confederacy on “white supremacy and African slavery.”.
There were also other important issues besides just slavery.
I used to have a little book that said Lincoln instigated the Fort Sumter incident, but sending reinforcements and supplies after the Confederates had ordered the garrison to leave.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say that he instigated it, but both sides were in a precarious position regarding the fort.
I will say this. I have researched my family tree through all four of my grandparents, and discovered quite a few Confederate veterans in my ancestry, including several direct ancestors. And I haven’t yet discovered that any of them owned slaves. Common sense tells me that most people aren’t going to risk life, limb, and property to defend someone else owning a slave.
I can also say, that there is a certain attachment felt by Southerners to the land and the way of life, and a resentment to outsiders imposing anything on them at the barrel of a gun.
I know, because I feel this attachment. I actually saw that attachment first put into terms in a Sir Walter Scott novel, in which he was describing the attachment the Scotch Highlanders felt for their native land.
You know I respect you and your work, but I heartily disagree with your conclusions on my heritage here.
If there is a physical war on these shores, you will see Southerners fighting as hard as, or harder than anyone else.
That was just my two cents, Mr. Nyquist. I am a proud Southerner, with a lot of Southern heritage on all sides of my family. No hard feelings.
Of course. No hard feelings. I have great regard for the South excepting the slavery. I have a picture of myself with a statue of Gen. Thomas Jackson before they took his statue down. He was a great military commander. Think of this, however: The president and vice president of the confederacy could have won the war by freeing the slaves. But this was not possible. The ruling class of the South would never do that. The suggestion of doing this was made by a Confederate general. He was warned that such a suggestion was treasonous. I do not bring this up to cast aspersions on the South. I favor many things about the South. It had chivalry. It had idealism. But you have to be honest about the elephant in the room.
Good points.
Jeff, if the Confederacy wanted to revive the importation of slaves, as you say, then why does the Constitution of the Confederate States; March 11, 1861, one month before Lincoln declared war for nefarious reasons, abolish the importation of slaves, from anywhere but the North, where slaves were still forced labor?
On what do you base your assertion?
The Confederacy was then trying to get Virginia to secede; and because the Virginia economy benefitted from the interstate slave trade, banning foreign importation would keep the domestic price high. There was also concern for support from England and France if the trade was resumed. Meanwhile, the idea of lowering the price of slaves so everyone might be able to afford one was being talked up.
Here is what Civil War historian Brooks Simpson wrote on the issue: “There had been a battle over reopening the international slave trade in the 1850s, with South Carolina’s Lawrence Keitt at the forefront. The argument was that reopening the trade would lower prices, so more (white) southerners could own slaves. In opposition was Virginia, which had the largest enslaved population in the US at the time. Slaves were one of Virginia’s most profitable exports, and the Virginians wanted to close the international market so southern whites would buy slaves from Virginia slaveholders.
“Fast forward to 1861. Note how the new clause courts Virginia. If it stays in the Union, it can still sell slaves to Confederate slaveowners. Join the Confederacy, and Virginia’s export commodity in human beings is protected from foreign competition.”
It was all about slavery. Sorry.
If Bolsanaro misses out on the presidency this will be the second time in two years that an unpopular candidate has found a large amount of votes at the last minute to win an election.
The communists have found tricks for cheating in elections. This is a real challenge for people who automatically assume elections are honest. There has always been cheating at the margins. But wholesale cheating essentially cancels the democratic element in Constitutional Government. Now there is no check on the Government from voters. The communists can take over using the administrative staff in place, and politicians as their chosen puppets.
I’m pretty dam- certain that states
of America or elsewhere don’t have the moral
right to legally enslave any human of any kind,
within “their” territory.
Not after 1865.
https://www.thenational.scot/news/23063272.major-incident-communications-shetland-shut-subsea-cable-damage/
Sea cables and pipes are sure having a rough time of it lately.
The Russians have been committing sabotage in Germany, too. This is going to escalate. They want to disrupt our communications as much as possible. We must had them Ukraine on a silver plate — OR ELSE.
Won’t India begin to have second thoughts
about being friendly with Russia when
Russia uses a nuke, however small?
A moralistic society ?!
India depends on Russia for certain weapon systems.
What’s with this “We,” nonsense? Ukarine is not ours, and we are not Germany.
A wider view of Mr. James Burnham
http://www.jrnyquist.com/lions-and-foxes.html
What further thoughts, updates or reevaluation can you share in regards to the timing of possible open attacks on our soil from Russia/China? And, do you think there would be any dependable warning signs something is imminent if one is on the road so as to get back home or get out of high risk targets?
Before the more knowledgeable one replies, …..
I would think you best bet would be to survey
you daily lifestyle and look for those times you
are not nearby electronic devices.
Just a quick idea.
Other than that, memorize safe walking routes
to home from various points in your daily
car routines, and also scout them out.
( – store a bike on the walk route?)
… and ask the men if they would do anything
to defend you, and how much, better
a discomfort now than surprise later.
If she has to ask them, then they are most likely worthless.
The warnings of attack are all there now. What more do you want? China and Russia are in the late stages of their mobilization. If they do not reverse course there will be war within a year. If the West adopts appeasement the process could be dragged out.
Do you think appeasement is a better option for the West in the short-term, if that delays the start of the war? Would it give the West a better chance of being prepared once it starts?
I had this discussion with the late Peter Pry last year. He said if war is coming we need to have the war now before the balance turned more against us. I do not know the right answer, but I have long suspected the West cannot grasp its danger and is not able to form such judgments. In fact, the West has already reacted in a manner that suggests events will spin out of control. We will resist out of reflexive revulsion. Human nature does not give in to threats which are outside of the imagination’s power to conceive.
Ok then. Having it said plain and outloud is helpful. It’s no longer a probable 2 months preparatory window from the start of Russian conscription, but literally any time something life altering could pop off. Denial is a potent force. Otherwise you expect a world war within a year. I’m a bit surprised it could be put off that long. Necessary travel is truly a serious matter now, requiring prayerful discernment – whether to go or stay, and on what end. Go-bags would only last so long if detained away from home. Thank you.
Prayer is the best “test” for me. I’m still traveling and right now I’m in Myrtle Beach. I will admit that I brought some ThyroSafe with me for the first time ever. LOL!
@PrayinginOK: Yes, can not allow fear to control life and decisions, but also need to be watchful and wise, and listen to Him. Hope u have a sweet, refreshing time on the coast.
Thank you Mntgal! ❤️ The weather is gorgeous!
I’ve been thinking the same thing. Should I abandon the idea of an annual 500 mile (one-way) recreational trip for fear of getting trapped far away from my home after a nuclear attack, although in a remote area in the desert. Even a full tank of gas wouldn’t get me all the way home, and all of the desperate traffic, if it didn’t quickly become blocked, might be opposite to my direction of travel–occupying the entire roadway–even both sides of any freeways. My home would probably be in a heavy fallout area due to prevailing winds, but I would have family responsibilities there.
The Russian nuclear test of tactical nukes has supposedly failed and they are covering it up. That is a story leaking out of Russia.
I sure hope so it’s true.
Maybe people are starting to wake up to the ‘China threat’? https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2022/10/20/poll-over-80-americans-see-china-human-rights-economy-military-problem/
Hopefully, Biden will wake up too!.. Exit stage left Mr. President, no your other left. It’s painful to read and watch for me. Thank you for sharing this link.
RE the link — sure, no problem.
However, I must say, that’s pretty weak sarcasm; unimpressive.
There are indications that Russia is planning a big false flag operation involving the destruction of a major dam in Kherson. This would cause extensive flooding, cause more problems for Ukraine’s electricity grid, and create an insurmountable natural barrier for the Russian-occupied East bank of the Dnipro River.
—–
The Russian-appointed governor of Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, accused Ukrainian forces, without citing evidence, of planning to destroy a major dam at the Nova Kakhovka hydroelectric power station.
https://www.oafnation.com/news/18oct22kherson?fbclid=IwAR3ustoMjQEveNboKmQqUG40olCl_2-rhomVkuxtndRDmX-f84kATXdnkFU
According to the ISW, Russia is likely preparing for a false flag attack on the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russian forces mined the dam of the Kakhovka HPP … Russian sources, however, continued to accuse Ukrainian forces of shelling the power plant. They are doing this an attempt to cover their retreat further into eastern Kherson Oblast. Continued Russian preparation for a false-flag attack on the Kakhovka HPP is also likely meant to distract from reports of Russian losses in Kherson Oblast. Reports indicate that Russian troops are likely deliberately removing large amounts of military (and some civilian) personnel and equipment from the west bank of the Dnipro River. They don’t want a repeat of the rout in Kharkiv.
For what it’s worth, Ukrainian officials have likened the Kherson evacuations to forced deportations as in Soviet times (article in the Moscow Times). It’s likely the civilians serve the purpose of being human shields for the military equipment that is also being evacuated deeper into Russian-held territory.
Also from the ISW:
The White House confirmed on October 20 that Iranian military personnel are in Russian-occupied Crimea, Ukraine, to assist Russian forces in conducting drone attacks on Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructure.
In a funny hot mic moment on Russian TV, even a Defense Ministry official admitted they are using Iranian drones.
https://isw.pub/Rus101922
Worse killings lie ahead.
It is all so sad for the Ukrainian people. To have all this be forced upon them because evil people cant leave well enough alone. I pray for them.
There were reports posted here in a previous blog, about Ukraine bursting three dams below Chernobyl. Everyone who made comments supported the action, despite he fact that Zelensky failed to evacuate or even warn farmers that their land would be submerged by rushing flood waters. Stalin did the same thing.
Big difference between Ukraine bursting their own dam to slow or halt the Russian advance, and Russia doing it to help cover their retreat and cause more destruction.
Jackass.
I try to read everything posted here. I do not recall anyone praising the breaking of dams in Ukraine. The Russian’s forced evacuation of Kherson is Stalinist in the sense of kidnapping thousands of Ukrainians — as was done on occupied territories under Stalin, who forcibly relocated hundreds of thousands from eastern Poland and the Baltic States. These Russian lies you like to spread need to be disentangled. Why would Zelensky harm his own side? His people are eager to fight. They have more volunteers than weapons to put in their hands. Russian conscripts are eager to escape from service. And the Russians are the ones who have wrought destruction on the country of Ukraine. But you hold Moscow blameless. Where is your judgment? Why don’t you examine evidence with an intelligent and more questioning eye? And your first name begins with G, not P.
Genocide is genocide. Zelensky should have evacuated instead of massacring his own people. This lends credence to the Globalist depopulation agenda. The end does not justify the means. Why did Zelensky fail to evacuate or at least warn Ukrainians that he was going to bust the dams and flood the valley? At least Putin is evacuating.
Name calling demonstrates frustration due to inability to engage in reasonable debate.
Nope. What I said was reasonable. What I called you is what you are. I probably actually owe all jackasses an apology for using their name to label you.
You do a lot worse than name calling, by slandering and undermining a country trying to fight off an unprovoked invasion.
You are basically a slanderer, a whisperer, a back biter, a liar, a reprobate.
Petunia: You believe in many things that cannot or (at least) have not been proven. You believe in narratives that help your country’s foreign enemies. Why? You obviously do not like my analysis. But you never offer any solid evidence. Russian propaganda is not evidence. Conspiracy theory is circular in that it always interprets every fact as proof of its thesis. Why should anyone believe such a thesis when real facts, real details, show contradictions at every turn? A vague theory, about vaguely postulated conspirators, can fit many facts. You ought to get all the facts together and consider wider history.
No, I am not Greg. Stop suspecting you brother; even if he might be a practical joker.
I was not referring to my brother.
Re:
[ JEFF NYQUIST says:
OCTOBER 21, 2022 AT 12:53 PM
Petunia: You believe in many things that cannot or (at least) have not been proven. ]
Such as? Again, you fail to specify what you accuse me of. Just this vague general allusion to some nebulous insinuation instead of citing even one example. That’s a progressive tactic.
Petunia: You believe in a conspiracy to depopulate the world. This you have stated. And that conspiracy, in your view, is not a Marxist conspiracy. It is for you a capitalist conspiracy. Right? Here is my take: If the vaccinations were an attack vector I do not believe it is an attack on the whole world’s population. I believe it is primarily an attack on the NATO countries and Israel. The free world took the mRNA. Not Russia. Not China. Not North Korea. Not Cuba. Here is where we differ. Name your enemy. I have named mine: the communist bloc and its fifth column in the West. Now show your cards.
Russian propagandist “Petunia” says: Genocide is genocide. Zelensky should have evacuated instead of massacring his own people. This lends credence to the Globalist depopulation agenda. The end does not justify the means. Why did Zelensky fail to evacuate or at least warn Ukrainians that he was going to bust the dams and flood the valley? At least Putin is evacuating.
Leaving aside for a moment the issue of truth and falsehood, this passage doesn’t even make sense unless the dam had blown and large numbers had died in the flooding. But the dam hasn’t been blown (as of 12:55 EST), so the tenses are wrong and designed to mislead (there is no sign that this propagandist has problems with the English language).
As for the truth of the matter, our propagandist simply repeats the Russian story and doesn’t even address Zelensky’s accusation that the Russian forces are planning to blow the dam and blame Kiev as a false-flag operation and as a smokescreen for further Stalin-style deportations (as Jeff mentions).
Re:
[ROCIOMATAMOROS722 says:
OCTOBER 21, 2022 AT 12:57 PM ]
Zelensky, destroyed three of his own dams, months ago. The reports were posted several times in comments on other essays, here.
I was just told by a Ukraine-connected source that the Russians are about to blow that dam. It could compromise the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, too.