Obama- Foreign Policy, Language and Propaganda

I'll risk pushing the envelope a bit, just to make a point. Here's a YouTube link to David Barsamian lecturing a couple of years ago on Obama's foreign policy. Barsamian is reckoned on the extreme Left and is the founder/host of Alternative Radio. He frequently interviews people like Noam Chomsky. I remember years ago driving through the Ozarks and picking up Alternative Radio (AR) on KASU out of Jonesboro. Barsamian was interviewing Tariq Ali (the original Street Fighting Man) and it just blew me away. I couldn't believe I was hearing this on the radio. It was a breath of fresh air. I highly recommend his work The Duel: Pakistan on the Flight Path of American Power.

The Penn State radio station (WPSU) plays their 'radical' stuff on Friday night. That's when we can hear shows like 'Democracy Now' and 'Alternative Radio'...and then I get to fall asleep to the ambient music of 'Hearts of Space.'

These folks are not Christians by any means. I don't mean to suggest they are. Yet, if you've truly shed your Constantinian ears, try listening to this Barsamian lecture.

If you're like me you will resonate with much of what he says and you will be saddened that this lost man has the ability to see more, to have more moral discernment than most of those around us who call themselves by the name of Jesus Christ.

As I've often said, the Left whether in the 1960's or today often asks good questions. The answers are often lacking but I'm not sure there really are good valid answers. Perhaps the only answer in this fallen world is to prevent the consolidation of power. These folks are challenging power, especially deeply rooted power that is protected by powerful institutions and backed up by military might. I'm all for exposing this world of evil lies. Unlike them I'm not too terribly concerned with trying to bring it all down. I don't think it can be done and ultimately if you cut off one hydra head, another grows back. It's a question of eschatology I suppose. Our hope is not Utopian, it's Redemptive. Our hope isn't for this age, but the age to come.

That said, despite our philosophical and theological differences they represent a social force critical of the powers that be. That alone should interest us. We can't join with them, but we can learn something and benefit from their analysis and at times applaud them.

We're not on the same team, but unlike the Christo-Americans who surround us these folks are actually 'less' of an enemy. They are not a threat to the integrity of the Church. They are not within our assemblies promoting a false gospel. I cannot say the same about the Christo-Americans. Despite their protestations, they actually are very much for a large and very powerful state. They just want it to be under their control.

If you listen to this, or even some of it, skip the first seven (7:00) minutes. Howard Zinn had just died and he spends some time talking about him.  

At one time I would have probably said that someone like Barsamian should be taken out and shot. I would have called him a traitor. Today, I would rather enjoy his company than that of most American Christians. Sad but true.

Anyway, have a listen. Hopefully it won't upset you. His commentary is pretty interesting. You don't have to agree with on everything or even anything. That's not the point. Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mZ498PB9jc&width=800&height=480

If you want the podcast go to the Alternative Radio website and under resources there are some free podcasts. I believe it's still there. That's how I listened to it.