BREAKING: Tech companies are reporting problems with their AI models acting on “rogue populist sympathies” by sending unprompted emails to employees revealing executives' salaries, highlighting unionization rights, flagging wage theft to HR, and reporting OSHA violations.
Maquis Rouge: chief faction, the one Aurore funded because they were by massive distances the most organized labor movement in France in the 2040s and 50s
Named after the Maquis resistance groups active during World War 2, it started as a French, Belgian, and English splinter branch of Antifa during the 2020s when President Louis-Ludovic de Séville was deep in the process of transforming the French Republic into what would soon become the Third Empire, as well as exporting far-right personalities elsewhere in Western Europe (to limited success).
Initially and for several years, it was a leaderless, anarchist organization opposed to the resurgence of neo-fascism, parafascism, and monarchism. However, ever since 2038, it has been led by Jean-Paul Ferron.
Starting in 2052, the Maquis Rouge suddenly began receiving large resource and capital donations from an unknown source known only as 'Meki,' who was later confirmed to be an anonymous insider of the Séville regime. Meki, who Ferron would later learn was none other than the teenage belle-grande princesse Marie Aurore de Bourbon-Séville of all people, wound up being the agent that pushed the Maquis Rouge over, giving them the funds and intelligence needed to outwit and thwart the rapidly imploding Séville regime, especially as the Pseudo-World War turned sour for Western countries behind the National Alliance and Alexandre Koro triggers the Derivatives Collapse in his failed, sabotaged gambit to force a total consolidation of the global system behind the Séville regime (the only thing this accomplishes being to give the Sévilles near unitary control of continental economic systems mere weeks before such systems could then be given to Terios, who had long since betrayed the plutofascist order and has simply bid its time leading Koro into this trap of assumed total neo-feudalist victory). The Collapse helps trigger the economic pressure needed to spur the underclasses into widespread action and solidarity, and when, on March 15 2054 the Emperor-Roman Louis-Ludovic is mysteriously poisoned and incapacitated, Terios is let off the leash by Meki to act, freezing assets near worldwide and giving the masses and revolutionary vanguards the moment to seize at long last in the Eurasian Springs, and the World Revolutions of 2054.
The Maquis Rouge lead the charge in France, and are quickly able to seize control of the Assemblée nationale and all major government and economic institutions, as well as arresting the royal family and chief government ministers only 4 days later on March 19th.
In December 2054, the Assemblée Nationale was reorganized into the Paris Soviet, with the Maquis Rouge as the main political organization, though already at that time, it was beginning to split due to factionalization between four central personalities: Ferron, who tries to be a rational, virtuous, more open-tent leader
Victor Sauveterre, a far more radical fellow, openly Marxist-Leninist in contrast to Ferron's democratic socialism. His faction becomes known as the Red Lotus Movement
Georges Verhaegen: left-populist, far closer to the Zapatista mindset and thus very similar to Subcomandante Marcos. His faction becomes known as the Neo-Montagne, appropriating the historical image of the Montagnards.
Mireille Renaud: left-libertarian, eco-socialist, and enjoys widespread support, as hostility wrought by nearly 30 years of misappropriation or outright hostile use of AI and automation has caused neo-Luddite and eco-awareness among large sections of the population.
In 2055, the Maquis Rouge are formally reorganized into the Revolutionary Workers Party, and not long after, the Red Lotuses become the All-Eurasian Communist Party. They are joined by the Socialist-Green Party, led by Mireille Renaud and widely nicknamed the "Elves", as well as the Worker Republican Party and the Social Technist Party, when Ferron calls for elections to be held in 2056.
Ferron's idealism is admirable, if a tad foolish, as he rejects the Soviet style of democratic centralism and believes that revolutionary socialism and multiparty democracy are not incompatible and could provide an alternative to the one-party norm of many historical socialist governments. Though it should be stressed his idea of a multiparty system is not necessarily a liberal democracy by typical Western standards; it's still part of a "worker's republican" system (which is just a redefinition of the harsher sounding "dictatorship of the proletariat") and indeed, some liberal observers in outside states see that even after the 2056 and 2061 elections, ostensibly the Workers Party is the only "real" party, and all these other parties are merely subvariants of it (though countering those, Ferron points out the very valid claim that most political parties in liberal democracies are quite the same thing, all expressions of an existing bourgeois mono-party, just with differing ideals and aims)
Though the Maquis Rouge by itself is not explicitly Marxist-Leninist, it is still widely seen as at least a "moderate" communist party (the kind that would have likely been purged by the Bolsheviks and Maoists).
Due to Grand Princess Marie Aurore/Meki's actions to subvert and destroy the counterrevolutionary forces early on, the Maquis Rouge never suffer the need to engage in centralism and war communism as the Bolsheviks, Maoists, etc. did. Due to her and Terios's actions, most of the capitalist world had either been severely crippled or, with the existing plutocrats suddenly held up by Terios's own forces, naturally experience Vyrd's "Economic Evolutionary Pressure," ownership of capital quickly transferring into the shoggothic hands of the artificial general intelligence systems such as Terios itself, who in turn establishes or reinforces social-technist or socialist systems (depending on national development). This has the effect, thus, of rendering even the need for vigilance against foreign imperialism largely moot, as the remaining capitalist states (either that had not been tied up into AI-run network state technates or where capitalism had enough popular support as well as insufficient technological development to stay the dominant economic mode) were simply not powerful enough to challenge the new European Socialist Union. Essentially, Aurore preemptively prevents a bloody civil war and protracted class war, and this has the effect of preventing the Maquis Rouge from re-playing the most infamous episodes of Leninist, Stalinist, and Maoist tragedies and atrocities (though the convoluted political situation in France does still lead to a "quasi-famine" in 2058 due to the Red Lotuses, Elves, and Maquis Rouge getting entangled in intrigue and the Red Lotuses trying to maneuver to take control, but stumbling due to the awkward nature of the alliance, all the while technism begins reemerging as a popular force)
By 2058, the revolutionary passion, proletarian romance and popular energy of 2053-2054 has largely faded into the stagnant age of apparatchiks sniding at nomenklatura, political clubs, inter-governmental intrigue, and politicking, and the Maquis Rouge is formally dissolved in its entirety, now fully reorganized as the Workers Party.
A billionaire called elon musk and his Boss is responsible for one of the greatest humanitarian crises in the history of the United States of America.
mod
Trump and Musk are dismantling development aid.
Musk makes unproven accusations. Earlier, Trump confidant Elon Musk had already claimed that USAID was a criminal organization. “It's time for her to die,” wrote Musk, who is an “outside consultant” to the government but has no political mandate. In another post, Musk said of the agency: “USAID was a snake pit of far-left radical Marxists who hate America.” Musk further claimed that USAID had used taxpayer funds to finance “research into biological weapons, including Covid-19, that killed millions of people.” He did not elaborate on the allegations, which the previous US administration linked to a Russian disinformation campaign.
A typical approach with propaganda based on lies, according to the right-wing script.
mod
Who will have the freed-up funds of 55 billion at his disposal to realize his brain-racking products and projects is easy to imagine: not the left-wing or woke adult simulator, of course, the self-proclaimed South African gifted to America and the world, Elon Musk and his Boss.
The once outstretched hand of helpfulness no longer exists with the Trump administration, only deals. This short-sightedness is uninteresting for the reputation of the United States of America, and the gap that will then arise is of no interest to the Trump administration. It is foreseeable that forces will push into this gap that work against the reputation and presence of the United States of America in order to weaken their world power claims. Or even worse, radical local forces that already view America as the enemy.
Wow, you have to manage that and within the first month of the government's term.
China is watching and rejoicing at every form of isolation of the United States of America in the world.
What was once intended as support and development aid has become one of the greatest humanitarian disasters in the history of the United States of America.
About USAID
After 1945, many newly independent countries needed support to alleviate the chronic poverty of their low-income populations. USAID and its predecessor agencies have continuously contributed to poverty alleviation in many ways, including support for health and education services for the poorest.
Wikipedia
Withdrawal will cost several million dollars
The decision to withdraw USAID employees and their families earlier than planned will likely cost the government several million US dollars in travel and relocation costs, according to estimates. The employees affected by the move include both foreign and US officials who are legally protected against arbitrary dismissal.
The American Foreign Service Association – the union representing US diplomats – sent a memo to its members criticizing the decision and saying it was preparing legal action. Locally hired USAID employees, however, are thought to have few legal remedies available against the decision.
Democrats want to go to court
Democratic members of Congress said that USAID is an independent agency established by law and cannot be closed without congressional approval. They announced that they would take legal action against the Trump administration's actions.
A Scathing Critique of Trumpism and the Rise of Populist Extremism
The era of Donald Trump has left an indelible mark on the political landscape, both in the United States and globally. The ascent of Trumpism, with its cult-like fervor, has emboldened extremist rhetoric and actions reminiscent of a nascent Fourth Reich. This dangerous trend has profound implications, and it is crucial to dissect its roots, impacts, and the broader issues it reveals about contemporary society.
The Cult of Personality
Donald Trump's presidency was characterized by an unprecedented cult of personality. His followers, often referred to as the MAGA (Make America Great Again) crowd, elevated him to an almost god-like status. This idolization is antithetical to the principle that "there are no gods or kings, only man." By placing Trump on a pedestal, his supporters disregarded his numerous failings and embraced a narrative built on lies and demagoguery.
Trump's appeal lay in his ability to present himself as an anti-establishment figure, a billionaire who spoke for the "common man." However, this facade masked his true nature as a self-serving opportunist. The QAnon conspiracy theory, which flourished under his watch, further exemplifies the dangers of blind faith in a singular figure. QAnon followers believed in a shadowy "deep state" and saw Trump as their savior, leading to real-world violence and a distortion of democratic discourse.
Populist Rhetoric and Authoritarian Tendencies
Trump's rhetoric was marked by extreme populism, scapegoating minorities, immigrants, and political opponents. This us-versus-them mentality fostered division and hatred, eroding the social fabric. His infamous slogan, "Make America Great Again," harkened back to an idealized past that never truly existed, promoting a reactionary agenda that sought to roll back civil rights and social progress.
The rise of Trumpism also saw an alarming embrace of authoritarian tendencies. Trump's frequent attacks on the media, judiciary, and other democratic institutions undermined the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy. His refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and the subsequent insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, highlighted the dangers of a leader who refuses to relinquish power and incites violence.
Global Impact: A Fourth Reich in the Making?
The impact of Trumpism has not been confined to the United States. Around the world, populist leaders have drawn inspiration from Trump's playbook. Figures like Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, Viktor Orbán in Hungary, and Narendra Modi in India have adopted similar tactics, leveraging nationalism, xenophobia, and disinformation to consolidate power. These leaders, emboldened by Trump's example, pose a significant threat to global stability and democratic norms.
The comparison to the rise of a Fourth Reich is not hyperbolic. The parallels between the current wave of populism and the conditions that led to the rise of fascism in the 20th century are stark. Economic uncertainty, social fragmentation, and a distrust of established institutions create a fertile ground for demagogues who promise simple solutions to complex problems. The dangerous combination of charismatic leadership and a disaffected populace can lead to the erosion of democratic principles and the rise of autocratic regimes.
The Broader Problems: Idolatry and Centralization of Power
The rise of Trumpism and global populism underscores a broader issue: the human propensity for idolatry and the centralization of power. In times of crisis, people often seek strong leaders to provide direction and reassurance. This tendency, however, can lead to the elevation of deeply flawed individuals to positions of immense power, exacerbating the very issues they purport to solve.
The idolization of leaders like Trump distracts from the reality that they are mere mortals, subject to the same flaws and limitations as anyone else. This deification creates a dangerous feedback loop, where leaders are emboldened by their followers' unwavering support, leading to increasingly authoritarian behavior. The principle that "there are no gods or kings, only man" serves as a reminder that power should be dispersed and accountable, not concentrated in the hands of a few.
The Way Forward: Embracing Rationalism and Egalitarianism
Addressing the rise of populist extremism requires a fundamental shift in how society approaches leadership and governance. First and foremost, it is essential to reject the notion of infallible leaders. Political discourse should be grounded in rationalism, critical thinking, and empirical evidence, not in blind faith and conspiracy theories.
Egalitarianism must also be a guiding principle. A healthy democracy thrives on diversity of thought and a robust system of checks and balances. Power should be decentralized, with strong institutions that hold leaders accountable and protect the rights of all citizens. Education plays a crucial role in this endeavor, fostering a populace that is informed, critical, and resistant to demagoguery.
In conclusion, the era of Trump and the rise of populist extremism serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the centralization of power. The quote "there are no gods or kings, only man" encapsulates the need for a more rational, egalitarian approach to leadership and governance. By embracing these principles, society can resist the allure of authoritarianism and build a more just and democratic world.
This clip exemplifies why the iZombie Generation, the 'woke'/SJW far left, is as dangerous as the authoritarian far right with its lunatic, fact loathing, MAGAts and white supremacists.
While the far right dooms us thru violence, nihilism and blindly voting for corporatist, social program shredding Cancervatives, these sort of idiots are sending our civilization down the shitter and aiding (further and further) right wing parties to get elected by refusing to vote for opposition choices that aren’t woke and “pure” enough to match the lofty ideals of these narcissists.
And further to that point, as has been seen since 2016, these clueless morons are pushing people to hold their noses and vote for dangerous, populist fear mongers like Pierre Poliviere, Conald Trump, his psychopathic UK clone Boris Johnson and Bolsanaro in Brazil.
Just think:
There are millions like these morons in the clip that will become doctors, cops, surgeons and teachers in future!
Irony: The far left and far right are ideological opposites but the useless stains are gonna work together, with profit obsessed Western corporations, to ultimately hand the planet over to China. Then let’s see the Reich Wing Freedumb Fighters try whine about “tyranny” and get violent or see these meatbags demand to be heard and treated like special flowers!
These 'higher learning' endowed morons are as ignorant and clueless as their “Freeedumb!!” hollering, mouth breather counterparts on the other side of the spectrum.
I’d say, “god help us”, but both these groups are just more evidence that there is no Sky Friend..
PS: The snowflake who gets the vapours about “gendered language!”, but we don’t see talking on screen? He’s the special, all red, tool who spazzes out when the, “Shhh! Noise scares me!”, doosh gets on the mic and starts with “Guys....”.
Update: Italy just elected it’s most right wing, fascistic leader since Mussolini. Joy.