How I became a political Pundit (2)

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Member D promptly responded: [I was new to the group and did not know personally any of the members except Member A] 
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Member D: "Thanks to everyone in this group for their perspicacity and sanity-restoring analyses on topics of vital importance. After my obligatory immersion in the filthy cesspool of lies and massive ignorance that passes for journalism in America—because we need to keep tabs on what the empire’s professional liars are saying—reading your commentary is cathartic and re-energising. Just watching honesty and wisdom on display is a thing of beauty. 
"The various takes on Trump are most interesting and I would like to convert that part of the discussion into a self-contained piece for our readers. Of Godfree or Jeff, or Peter Man (or combination thereof) would do the honors, that would be wonderful. (The Bold is by the writer of the message)
“By the way I feel exactly as Peter (Man) does regarding Tyler Durden and ZeroHedge, libertarians, etc. I used to include Zero in my daily reading patrols but I stopped several years ago and now use it sporadically.” 
[Member D turns out to be Patrice Greanville, chief editor of the Greanville Post, an independent and dissident voice far from the beaten path of the mainstream. His website over the years has gained a loyal following. Patrice is a lifelong activist and has clung tenaciously to the truth as he understands it.]

Here is my response to Patrice, trying to apologize for having naysaid all the naysayers. I was the only one arguing we shouldn’t vote for Trump.
Peter Man: “I don't want to be inside an echo chamber where we resonate only to the same frequencies. A little dissonance sometimes jolts us out of complacency and self-righteousness. It's interesting to note the incongruent phenomenon of the greatest democracy always blaming their social ills on others. Aren’t the people in charge? If not, then why keep fooling ourselves that it's the greatest system that should be foisted upon everyone else? I find that being introspective and looking in the mirror helps me understand the truth because it reduces self-delusion. We have met the enemy and he is us. Nothing will change until we acknowledge where the problem lies and do something about it.”

On Dec. 7, a CWG member posted a link under the title “Pew on US vs China”
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/12/05/u-s-is-seen-as-a-top-ally-in-many-countries-but-others-view-it-as-a-threat/

I commented right away.
Peter Man: “We should not be fooled by the word ‘ally.’ The US is an ally of Japan and South Korea? When will we see Japanese and Korean bases in America with extraterritorial rights? Supposing they do, if Japanese or Korean soldiers commit some heinous sexual offenses on a white girl in California, will they be sent home for trial to be released without fanfare? When American politicians want to get elected to high office, do they visit Japanese and Korean politicians to receive approval? Will America allow the Japanese and Korean military to install dangerous missiles near residential areas despite public protest? Will America change its policies when its Japanese or Korean allies put their foot down and demand that their interests be respected? That's how we judge whether we should believe in the word ‘ally.’

Patrice promptly posted.
"Peter, we are ready to start publishing some of your thought provoking materials. Can you send us as soon as possible a bioblurb we can use on our site?"

On Dec. 16, Patrice and I learned that our messages were not getting through to each other probably because of a server/computer malfunction. He had asked for my bio several times and he didn’t hear back from me.
Patrice reassures me: “You have a natural ability to speak and define with great lucidity immensely important things in a few words, a rare gift.  (I’ve seen several memorable instances of this on the CWG exchanges.)” 
To remove all my self-doubts, he closes: “I think your life trajectory is simply most impressive, explaining where that great lucidity comes from. My friend, we have our minds and the great gift of loving truth and justice, the two most beautiful things in this world. Only discriminate kindness compares well to those virtues. A person who is kind-hearted, especially to those who cannot defend themselves, and who loves truth and justice, is as good a person as you can find. Look forward to a great collaboration."

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