A Letter to CBC's 'The Lang & O'Leary Exchange'

The 14 March episode of The Lang & O'Leary Exchange featured a beaming Kevin O'Leary patched in from a beach in the Bahamas who spoke with great enthusiasm about the opportunities the massive earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdowns devastating Japan had created for making a profit. As palm trees swayed in the breeze behind him, O'Leary exclaimed that he was feeling quite “bullish” about investing in infrastructure after so much had been destroyed. This was broadcast by the CBC as the Japanese had not yet finished finding, let alone burying, their thousands of dead and their nuclear reactors were teetering on the brink of full meltdown.

When Lang asked if O'Leary agreed this was a disaster for the Japanese economy, he responded,

With Global Capitalism Exposed as a Sham, All the Global Elite Have Left Is Pure Force
By Chris Hedges, Truthdig
Posted on September 22, 2009, Printed on September 23, 2009
http://www.alternet.org/story/142788/

The rage of the disposed is fracturing the country, dividing it into camps that are unmoored from the political mainstream. Movements are building on the ends of the political spectrum that have lost faith in the mechanisms of democratic change. You can't blame them. But unless we on the left move quickly this rage will be captured by a virulent and racist right wing, one that seeks a disturbing proto-fascism.

Every day counts. Every deferral of protest hurts. We should, if we have the time and the ability, make our way to Pittsburgh for the meeting of the G-20 this week rather than do what the power elite is hoping we will do-stay home. Complacency comes at a horrible price.