Michael Parenti speech on Empire & Neo-Imperialism

Michael Parenti speaks on empires and neo-imperialism in the age of GW Bush

[@itzenormous]

Michael Parenti is probably our greatest living intellectual. When I was less radical and had not yet developed the full breadth of political analysis, I ascribed that title to Noam Chomsky. But Parenti takes Chomsky's structural analysis of the world and develops it a few steps further with what even he might call a functional/structural analysis. Chomsky tells you what and how the elites are doing what they do; Parenti not only does that, but he also reveals why. And he further understands the depth of the struggle against the imperialists and reactionaries ... by championing every anti-imperialist movement on this planet.

[@dopaminey9946]

And with a marvelous sense of humour...after all the horrors he speaks about. A Beautiful American.

[@lilmane1070]

I totally agree. I have found myself making that same transition in the last 6 months since discovering Parenti. Though I still have a deep respect for Chomsky (also bc I love linguistics)

[@norvillerodgersspeaks]

He even calls Chomsky a cuck in his own way in his essay on left anti-communism.

[@moogymog1722]

I still like Chomsky though for I started with him in my political journey from a liberal to a social Democrat into a socialist. I remember my elder sister introducing me to Chomsky and now I introduced to her Michael Parenti. One of the great differences between Chomsky and Parenti is that the former is this serious grandpa telling you about many things while the latter makes jokes here and there lol

[@ricksauermilch5225]

I'd say Angela Davis but yeah

[@coco-mj5jd]

It just wouldn't be a Parenti lecture without microphone trouble. Love this guy.

[@foodparadise5792]

No, he said it's impossible to find any institution with a working mic.

[@BreckoniousMaximus]

So true!

[@troncarter3905]

Thanks for the spoilers. 😆

[@janelliot5643]

I love this guy, too! I've always loved that he calls out crappy mic set-ups.

[@grandwonder5858]

Yeah, a mic problem created by KZbin and the US government because they can’t stand the fact that he used his free speech to expose their BS and deceits!

[@laundry1799]

I love how he makes clear those in power and those who peddle the US ideology are NOT stupid and knew exactly what they are doing and are extremely effective at it.

[@cheri238]

Professor Michael Parenti, greatness lives on. Thank you for your dedication to brutal truth with integrity. I would rather read your books and listen to your lectures and Hannah Arendt 's than most others. Alhough, many others have enriched my life. Bless you, dear man. American history on all sides, world histories, philosophy, Dr. Gerald 's books, Afro-American history. I wonder if you eve!!r met or knew of him? What a combination. Look at us today in 2024! I am not voting for the Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians, I don't watch corporate news since 911, only independent journalists and writers with a morsl compass. Free Palestine and Julian Assange.!! Enough said.

[@zacoolm]

Thank so much for uploading and your efforts! Parenti has never been more relevant!

[@4204799]

i cannot stop listening to this man, these ideas are so so essential right now

[@justinrussell851]

I honestly wish Michael Parenti was a household name. You're right that his words are timeless and can be applied everywhere.

[@Geezerelli]

Thomas Sowell could teach him how to think.

[@Geezerelli]

How would he rate Biden at this time?

[@caribbean_warrior6757]

3/12/22,soooooo relevant to what is happening right now😳

[@JMBibliophile]

My already failing patriotism has been rounded up, piled up, and burnt to nothing, and this man's words were the fuel.

[@nastycricket9845]

Listening to this in November 2023 when all of this is obvious to the public I feel like we're winning and empire is falling

[@karenjeter8233]

I only recently heard of Mr. Parenti. I loved his speech about there are no poor countries only over exploited countries. I agree

[@dsleeperhold]

“They’re not under developed, they’re over exploited”

[@insight827]

ah yes, the piss lecture

[@poppysunsettlingstories]

I've been listening to Parenti for the last two weeks. Thanks for posting this. Still timely insight.

[@seedfamily1404]

Parenti, Prashad, & Parampil; 3 of my favorite Peeps! Here is a list of all the people, friends & comrades that I hold dear, trust, learn from, draw inspiration from, & look to for their analysis (whether that be historical or theoretical, Dialectical Materialist, Historical Materialist, Scientific Socialist, Marxist-Leninist, Anti-Imperialist, Anti-Fascist, progressive, compassionate & scientific with regards to addiction & mental health issues, or just *whatever* else, really), prose, lyrics, music, art, voice; lastly, I look to them for Comfort, Love, Camaraderie & Solidarity! Yugopnik, Breht O'Shea (Revolutionary Left Radio), Alyson Escalante (Red Menace), Nick Estes (The Red Nation), Caleb Maupin, Alex Aviña, Mexie (Vegan Vanguard), Angela Davis, Assata Shakur, Dead Prez, Rebel Diaz, Multiply, Tobe Nwigwe, Mysonne, Ajamu Baraka, Catdad & the Plough & Stars Podcast (The official podcast of "The Party for Reclamation & Survival"; a revolutionary communist party), Thumblesteen, Bay Area415, Ben Norton, Max Blumenthal, Comrade Natalie ( @NatalieRevolts ), Xiangyu, Immortal Technique, Boots Riley (The Coup), Paul Morrin, Ian Goodrum, Hakim, Aaron Maté, Carl Zha, Daniel Dumbrill, Nomiki Konst (The Nomiki Show), aaaaaand idk who else, but I'm sure I'm forgetting people lol... but this list has plenty of good folks to look to... so enjoy! Check out all of these peoples' channels here on youtube, look them up on social media like twitter, instagram, facebook, etc, go look up their art & read their books & articles, watch their films, listen to their music, reach out to them, write them, email, like comment subscribe, blah blah blah, become their Patreon patrons, hook 'em up if you can, or even ask them to help you raise funds if you need them. Whatever! It's all good... Love & Solidarity, friends. Red Salute. Down with imperialism! ⏳⚘🍞🛠☄✊🏽☆🔥🔖🚩🍞🌾⏳

[@Geezerelli]

@@seedfamily1404 History has proven Marxism to be a fantasy. Thomas Sowell once was a Marxist, but then he matured.

[@HeliosWrath]

@@seedfamily1404 what Prashad speech do you recommend?

[@thebloodgod248]

Long live Parenti!🎉❤

[@Ari-bb3hd]

When he was talking about qaddafi here before they murdered him... :’(

[@AfroMarxist]

:(

[@ac1dP1nk]

@Eustass D. CAPTAIN Kidd he had it coming despite the evil machinations of the west

[@amyfalconer1660]

he seriously predicted it

[@justinrussell851]

Definitely.. Parenti was ahead of his time with his critique of Libya. The fact that US literally destabilized the region and made them into a failed state is a crime against humanity.

[@matthewstone1362]

@@justinrussell851 There are no crimes when the judges are criminals.

[@lukethomeret-duran5273]

Parenti and Chomsky are the 2 intelectuals that have had the most impact on my education on politics without them I'd be as blind as the majority of people I study international relations with.

[@Geezerelli]

You need to read Thomas Sowell and become enlightened. Yuri Bezmenov warned us 40 years ago as to the destabilization techniques used against free nations.

[@liamf2300]

you should check out this guy called karl marx, you might find his stuff interesting

[@NZENZN]

A good start, but keep looking for more there are some more intellectual activist figures out there to find

[@lukethomeret-duran5273]

@@NZENZN yes I know. This comment was from 2 years ago. I've read like 55 more books from different authors since

[@addammadd]

@@lukethomeret-duran5273I’d love to know how that process has impacted your development. Where are you at these days?

[@dragonfly1929]

PAX ROMANA,PAX BRITANICA.PAX AMERICANA ..MY FOOT.,PARENTE YOU ARE WONDERFUL..

[@DancingSoldiersOfRa]

How have I found your channel for the first time just now AfroMarxist! Love it, keep up the good work.

[@AfroMarxist]

✊🏿❤

[@ivanwalker3391]

The master .... Michael Parenti. "WE", the people, can do better! Demos Poder.

[@davidneary5772]

This guy is&always will be correct,

[@DeadManAnimations]

Absolutely amazing

[@justinrussell851]

Thanks for the upload. It's an absolute joy listening to Michael Parenti. The cadence, clarity, and power of his words is second to none. I certainly miss Parenti presence because the world sorely needs more voices like his who are unafraid to call out the US empire for what they are and represent.

[@Geezerelli]

Does he hypnotize you like Obama or Hitler?

[@justinrussell851]

@@Geezerelli Come again?!!

[@mikkykyluc5804]

@@Geezerelli Dude, Parenti is as anti-establishment as they come. Now stop spamming this comment section.

[@earlpipe9713]

There's gotta be a better example of a literal hypnotic tier orator than Obama. While he has his own certain kind of charisma, and can be good at playing the comic foil, I can't remember a single stirring thing he said

[@justinrussell851]

@@earlpipe9713 I definitely agree.. Obama had a charm and mic presence. But, I feel that he act solely on behalf of the establishment and corporate interests. IMO political leaders like Obama can garner your trust to then rob you blind.

[@OneOopsimath]

Thanks for putting this up

[@pameti.dragoblago]

sweet, sweet man... a true treasure

[@tymanung6382]

With Michael Parenti, Noam Chomsky, Vijay Prashad, Michael Hudson, Richard Wolff, David Harvey. Nancy Fraser, Utsa. + Prabhat Patnaik, Radhika, Desai, etc. though they are reaching relatively many in US + else where, why are not even more people listening to them so that we reach a majority view in US + European empires? (Other than gov + corporate ignoring or censuring??

[@robjames3864]

Everybody knows that the dice are loaded Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed Everybody knows the war is over Everybody knows the good guys lost Everybody knows the fight was fixed The poor stay poor, the rich get rich That's how it goes Everybody knows

[@beechnut9]

My father listened to him in our home when I was a boy, I listened to him while on my own in my twenties, and I will play him now so my boys can appreciate Leonard.

[@Geezerelli]

The Pareto Principle applies here to explain why there is no equal distribution.

[@maxpayne930]

And this is why this planet need extermenatus to end needles sufering cos we are lost coase

[@oswaldgilharry1952]

Not everyone

[@earlpipe9713]

uhm, only if there's an actual secret grimdark space empire to fall back on for fun and frolics

[@damadafknrio]

Greetings from Hawaii, Mr. Parenti! We need to connect. Pronto. I constantly condemn Americanism. Listening to you is truth and gives hope to all.

[@Geezerelli]

You may be able to live in North Korea or Haiti. You would love it!

[@aenstreams1998]

@@Geezerelli It's no surprise you bring up two of the greatest victims of American imperial barbarism. If you had the first clue what we did to the people of those countries, for no reason other than to expand the coffers of the rich, you'd melt back into the darkness in shame where you belong.

[@Geezerelli]

@@aenstreams1998 Can you define a woman?🤓

[@aenstreams1998]

@@Geezerelli lol you people are the barest surface level automatons

[@Geezerelli]

@@aenstreams1998 Name calling doesn’t make you better than everyone else🤓😩

[@CalebCarman]

Apt timing!

[@addammadd]

14:08 the moment of this lecture which had the greatest impact on me and yet the smallest impact on the left. Treating your highly motivated, demonstrably capable opponent as if they are stupid and weak is an ideologically driven blunder.

[@sharontownsend-thompson9505]

Thank you

[@erikeparsels]

Brilliant summary of the empire. I am right there with him right up to the point where he says we should vote for the "lesser evil" Democrat Kerry, and that's where I break with him.

[@merfymac]

Where does Parenti say vote lesser evil? I thought his message was the opposite: they’re all crooks, two cheeks of the same ass

[@pameti.dragoblago]

53:12 Iraq also started to trade oil in the EU's euros - instead of us$.

[@marcobsomer5574]

très intelligent

[@XnarozX]

great man

[@Geezerelli]

For what? Telling Biden how to destroy a country?

[@user-sj1mv1kv2k]

Can someone find a source that confirms Parenti's claim at 25:10 about Gaddafi planting 40 million trees?

[@ignatiushazzard]

Also curious - commenting in hopes of someone coming through with that :)

[@BreckoniousMaximus]

The words and ideas Parenti speaks resonate in the soul of the "common man." I often wonder, If people only heard the words from a blank video of Parenti; having no knowledge of the labels society uses on Parenti and having no knowledge who is speaking, would his ideas ring true? In other words, it seems as if people judge the person and not the words or ideas coming from his or her mouth. Better yet, a book with no cover, just the written word of Parenti, so nobody has the ability to judge the way he looks, sounds, and what he wears. The reader would not know the political background or history of Parenti, I wonder how he would be perceived. Obviously by what Parenti says, an educated person could deduce most of this information. The same goes for Noam Chomsky. People who don't like him usually comment on the way he looks and speaks, not on what he is actually saying. I guess this is why I prefer books, one is forced to simply take in the words.

[@TheSurrealist.]

Who else is here because they heard Michael’s voice used in the beginnings of songs by Choking Victim?

[@thomaskirkpatrick1134]

Fantastic!

[@heatherstockford814]

Placing our current moment in context. Relevant. Like Hedges said, corporate oligarchy would rather that people do not connect the dots.

[@jakethemistakeRulez]

He hasn't produced much material lately. I'd really like to see what he has to say about what has been going on in the past few years.

[@jmar6588]

He's stepping away from the politics. He doesn't want to be the next Chomsky, soft and out of touch.

[@jakethemistakeRulez]

@@jmar6588 I think his insights are deeper than Chomsky and I think his input would be nice. I don't think he will ever be out of touch.

[@ifsugarman]

he've said enough, we have to go on by ourselves

[@frickfrack1725]

@@jakethemistakeRulez Literally everything he's said in the past could be said again with different countries and different leaders. It's generally the same problems though. Start/continue providing local mutual aid and keep learning from others!

[@ignatiushazzard]

I read in a comment section somewhere that he's got some kind of elderly-type issues that make it hard for him to think and talk like he used to. Can't remember- alzheimers or something maybe? I also don't know if it's true, but...

[@haraldisdead]

He's never not fighting with the mic 😆😆😆

[@Geezerelli]

Maybe he isn’t mechanically gifted. Socialists need to rule the productive, as they are incapable of being productive themselves.

[@ltrotter636]

No Black American would be astonished by what the US really does around the world. Not one.

[@drakekoefoed1642]

one thing about the externalization of costs: suppose it costs more to steal the resources than buy them. that cost goes to the mic, so it does not come out of billionaires' plunder. instead it adds to them out of public money

[@Geezerelli]

The government only prints money ; it doesn’t create anything.

[@tomkrymkowski2582]

Capitalism is a social organization of economic production based on Private Property as it's basis. Private Property is Private ownership of the means of production. This property produces ever increasing exchange value for those who own and control the means of production.

[@MDNQ-ud1ty]

Sounds like a convoluted way to describe slavery.

[@masonrichton1130]

Love love love the lecture. I wonder what he would've said if he could've seen what the democrats would do with their power all of Kerry's actions as secretary of state I wonder if he would still see any distinguishable evil between the two.

[@justinrussell851]

I somewhat think Parenti new better to see that both parties are one in the same. It's absolutely hilarious that he saw threw Bernie Sanders long before everyone else did.

[@skis_injeans]

The Empire strikes first... I learned that from Bad Religion and Parenti.

[@cftpafan]

The people laughing in the background are hilarious to me.

[@loreto1815]

When was this talk recorded?

[@OneOopsimath]

15:32 Listing off “victories” of US foreign policy post-WWII 28:15 US empire in Africa

[@damadafknrio]

I have a friend who's argument is that because the Territorial Act was never properly repealed in Hawaii that there is no State of Hawaii, which is True. Then there is the argument that the Territorial Act was fraudulent to begin with.

[@meeowmrrp]

that one person in the background laughing

[@jankobelde]

Where and when was this recording done?

[@norvillerodgersspeaks]

Parenti was the chad

[@kosmosfaber6534]

*is

[@norvillerodgersspeaks]

@@kosmosfaber6534 he hasn't been active giving lectures or interviews since like 2015.

[@norvillerodgersspeaks]

I mean he is in his 80s so it's understandable, but he has largely retreated from public life.

[@snotrohmitabc123]

1:08:53 "So we're getting screwed, and not very well at that.." LMAO

[@Bernillary]

when/where was this?

[@Geezerelli]

At the gay rights seminar in Sausalito CA.

[@josereyes-md2ww]

Similarity with Roman imperialism quote begins after minute 55:00

[@josereyes-md2ww]

55:20

[@That_One_Internet_Guy1234]

Where is the video to this lecture?

[@FrostRare]

Smooth parenti

[@FrostRare]

Smoooooooth, yelloowwwww Parenti

[@AuoraWolf5911]

16:00

[@wavyphoton8205]

43:11

[@peterkerruish8136]

Hey Michael have you ever thought that "nasty people" are behind the constant "sound/volume " problems that your lectures suffer from... M8 You are the bees knees!

[@ronytomano]

Is this his latest speech? Was this last year anyone know?

[@Geezerelli]

He passed on from AIDS several months ago.

[@mikkykyluc5804]

@@Geezerelli Dude what the hell is wrong with you... Michael Parenti is still alive at time of writing.

[@Geezerelli]

@@mikkykyluc5804 Yuri Bezmenov warned us about these cretins 40 years ago.

[@elizabethdavis2877]

Gary null has had him on his show

[@DemShion]

Bookmark 15:35

[@nathanswann1198]

always have an adult beverage nearby to properly digest a Parenti talk

[@anthonygood1335]

I'm still a liberal and anti-revolutionary, but I'm liking this Parenti guy.

[@Sim6dot9]

Keep listening and you will no longer be a an anti-revolutionary liberal. You will become a comrade.

[@Laurinh632]

give the man a glass haha

[@selloletlalo5000]

I say to our former colonisers and imperialists your enemies are not our enemies your enemies is not Africa's enemies fight your own wars and battles on your own.

[@knowing1100]

Don't you think that Persian as the first world empire that declared human rights in 539 BC?.. then before it's fall they promoted Sarmatians that later became most Europeans. Good to recall and lessons from.

[@PhillipRottingham]

I was a little taken aback at him saying people should vote for the Democrats but this is from around 2004 as best I can tell. I'm not sure if Parenti has made any comments on the 2020 Elections. He seems to have retired from public life.

[@raddison3187]

pRof paRenti gives polical-HistoRy the boost we need know as people of democRacy, not plutocRacy!

[@Geezerelli]

Democracy doesn’t work.

[@nathitshabalala5414]

Why do you do this to all your Rs?

[@davidmiller571]

Lmao love the commercial breaks. Someone is making money off this and it ain’t him.

[@Progenitor1979]

They didn't 'help' in South Africa but won anyway...weird that!

[@davidrobusti8645]

Buy your own mike, Mike!

[@peterkoinzell7983]

Tho he said Pluto was named by the Roman’s when it was named by a lil girl in England or something

[@crisanister5131]

This guy reminds me of the Peoples Front of Judea and "What did the romans ever did for us..."

[@knowing1100]

The parent empire had good motive based on liberty and international trade such as Silk Road,. Then kids get spoiled and corruption gets out of control.

[@lancebeamon9729]

This guy was doing fine in this share until at 1:05 minutes mark. He lost me when he urged us to vote democratic. That party is no better than the opposition party.

[@veronicaancrum4871]

This Is an old video and I can tell you for sure he would never say that today. F the Democratic Party.

[@mikhaillamadrid6166]

@@veronicaancrum4871 He has hated the Democrats since Clinton at least but what is he supposed to do, urge you to not vote whatsoever? He was actually more fiery in his older speeches. Look at 1986 vs 2015. He's aged and conceded to some things. US is a single party imperialist state but one party is slightly less right of center so I'd pick that one.

[@legrandfromage9682]

Voting isn’t revolutionary behaviour. Don’t put too much stock in electoral politics, but even if the dems are a shitty right wing capitalist party you shouldn’t vote for the even shittier right wing capitalist party.

[@sterg17]

the party changed since then

[@ronmackinnon9374]

From later talks I've seen online, I know he voted for Obama in 2008, then for Jill Stein in 2012, not sure about since. Lesser-evilism has never delivered on its justifications, as it as only led to things getting even worse, as starkly signified by the Democrats' now actively embracing and rehabilitating the reprehensible GW Bush administration with its WMD lies, torture program, police state measures (and the Florida electoral theft which started it all), along with their promoting uncritical glorification of the CIA and FBI.

[@kris8165]

Talk about the 'Soviet empire ' why don't you.. Commies😢

[@GoldandAppel]

They're constantly trying to Trump me!

[@jarlekrisvivison1577]

Cool guy but I don't trust his mustache 🤔

[@martinjanecek4950]

maybe you should pay more attention to his arguments. lol

[@Geezerelli]

Maybe he uses that to tickle his husbands weaner.

[@mikkykyluc5804]

Don't worry, Parenti's moustache can't hurt you ^_^ unless you're a filthy capitalist of course!

[@Geezerelli]

Hitlerite socialist

[@emale03]

PARENTI IS AN EDUCATED FOOL!!!

[@Geezerelli]

He needs to read Thomas Sowell and Victor Davis Hanson.

[@TestTest-ft9xh]

@@Geezerelli loooool the astroturfs are triggered or just doing their job

[@TestTest-ft9xh]

And you, sir, are an uneducated fool.

[@WmanPL]

This man is oversimplifying how the world works. He polarizes the world into the two groups: the bad American backed dictators and the good left-wing parties/rulers etc. I wonder what he would say in the case of Ukraine war because his argument doesn’t hold up here

[@HakimButSouthAfrican]

If you think modern day Russia is leftwing then you are a vessel for western camping. Also, after hearing all the horrifying acts committed by the US you still feel the need to defend it for some reason. No country since ww2 has committed the amount of atrocities that the US has committed in the world. America is the world's largest terrorist organisation

[@Doggy9000.]

11:00