Dawn F. Massa Stancavish’s Post

Safeguarding the Spirit of America’s Foundational Rights As we express gratitude for the divinely inspired vision of our Founding Fathers, it's crucial to remember the lessons of history and the importance of vigilance in protecting these freedoms. Justice Scalia’s reference to the Soviet Union's Bill of Rights—a mere 'parchment guarantee'—serves as a sobering reminder that the rights and liberties we enjoy must be actively upheld and not taken for granted. Ephesians 6 reinforces this, reminding us that our struggle is not just against obvious threats but also against the subtle and pervasive influences of evil in the unseen world. Thankfully, we reside in a nation that empowers its citizens to influence its course through the ballot box—a privilege that stands as a testament to the foresight and wisdom of those who framed our government. As we navigate these turbulent times, let’s remain committed to ensuring our nation continues to be that 'city on the hill,' shining brightly as a beacon of hope and democracy. #FoundingFathers #AmericanDemocracy #SpiritualWarfare #CivicDuty #Ephesians6

🕊️ As we commemorate VE Day today, it’s a powerful moment to reflect not only on the hard-won peace of the past but also on the lessons we might still be learning. History often offers a mirror to our present and a forecast of our future. While we celebrate the end of WWII on May 8, 1945, and the triumph of peace over conflict, we must also ask ourselves: Have we fully embraced the lessons of history? Current global conflicts suggest that the answer is complex, and the need for peace and understanding remains as urgent as ever. It will be for future historians to determine how well we learned from the past. Let’s strive to make their verdict a positive one. Let’s work toward peace and unity, learning from history to create a future where conflict is an exception, not the norm. #VEDay #ReflectingOnHistory #Peace #GlobalUnity #LearnFromThePast

The unexpected death of the Russian #opposition leader Alexei #Navalny has once again put the spotlight on the #geopolitical tensions between the #West and #Russia. It is undeniable that Navalny, even after his death, is being used as #propaganda material to fan hatred against the sitting Russian power. However, what is even more poignant is the selective outrage and double standards prevailing among the political #elite in the West. While Western leaders have remained silent for years about the illegal imprisonment of Julian #Assange, the founder of #WikiLeaks, using Navalny as a symbol of resistance against the Russian #regime has almost become a reflex. This blatant #hypocrisy is downright shameful and raises serious questions about the credibility of Western #democracies. It is regrettable that while we can expect such practices from a Russian #regime, we should not expect the same from civilized Western democracies. It is high time that Western #leaders reconsider their own #standards and #values and question why they are selectively outraged and why some #humanrights issues are ignored while others are exploited for #political purposes. If we want the world to continue believing in the #ideals of #democracy and #humanrights, we must be consistent in our actions and not succumb to political #opportunists who are willing to use #humanlives as pawns in their game of #geopolitical chess. It is high time for a thorough reconsideration of our #priorities and #values before we stray further from the #principles on which our Western societies are built. **Disclaimer:** This #commentary is not written with the intention of detracting in any way from the tragic #death of the Russian opposition leader #Alexei Navalny. No one deserves to meet such an end, and our thoughts are with his #family, #friends, and #supporters in this difficult time. This piece is intended to shed light on the double standards and selective outrage in the West regarding #humanrights issues, without trivializing the seriousness of Navalny's situation. #Navalny #Assange #West #HumanRights #Democracy #Hypocrisy #Geopolitics #FreePalestine #peace #journalist #politics #codeblack #EU #NATO #BRICS #ICJ #Hamas #Gaza #Israel

Happy Juneteenth from LETS GO Boys and Girls! This culturally historic holiday marks the official emancipation of slaves following the American Civil War. Although the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 declared all American slaves as free, the doctrine was unable to be enforced in Confederate territories. On June 19th, 1865, Union soldiers marched into Galveston Bay, Texas, and decreed the freeing of the state’s slaves. The holiday became known as "Juneteenth" among the newly freed Texans, and over time has become a celebration of independence, solidarity, and empowerment for African-Americans. Today, take some time to learn about our country’s history, look back on how far we have come, and consider how we, as a collective, can continue to make a difference. #Juneteenth2024

Fundamentally, there are only two forms of economic and political organization—centralized or distributed. The distributed model is based upon the principle of subsidiarity, which is, “an organizing principle that matters ought to be handled by the smallest, lowest or least centralized competent authority.” Governments today are in the centralized category. By contrast, the free market—to the extent it was allowed to operate in the age of classical liberalism—was a model of power distribution. The dominant form of government over recorded history has been monarchy. That began to change in the late 18th century with former British colonies in North America declaring their independence. Thirteen years later, the French Revolution erupted. Since then, centralized governments have thrived in various forms to include progressivism, socialism, fascism, and military dictatorship. Should we then close the book on the older monarchies, claiming they have nothing to teach us today, or are there lessons in these monarchies that, if understood today, would lead us back to distribution of power and the recovery of personal liberty? Full article: https://lnkd.in/gxPZ32x3

Happy to share my new article in Riddle where I bring in the sprawling, layered imperium of state and political institutions into our understanding of Russia's wartime personalist dictatorship. https://lnkd.in/ewwErra8

Wishing you all a wonderful Independence Day filled with pride and joy as we celebrate the achievements of our great nation! 🇺🇸 Let us come together to honor the values and freedoms that have shaped our country's history. May this day be a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for our independence and a symbol of the unity that binds us as a nation. #IndependenceDay2024. #FreedomDay. #PatrioticSpirit. #IndependenceDayCelebration. #CelebrateFreedom. #IndependenceDayFestivities. #ProudToBeFree. #NationalPride.

I feel delighted and honoured that my essay 'Europe Without America' is the lead article in the latest issue of Survival! In this short essay, I examine the historically anomalous nature of the contemporary US-led European security order in the context of other distinctive aspects of European history. These include the absence of a long-lasting hegemon since the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe’s rise and global dominance, and its instigation of the two world wars which brought its own destruction. I argue that America’s role as effectively a non-territorial hegemon allowed Europe largely to reconcile the ‘impossible trinity’ of unity, security and liberty which had previously eluded it. However, this anomalous and relatively happy period could soon end if, due to US internal political dynamics or a need to strategically prioritise East Asia, the American Leviathan withdraws from its function as Europe’s security provider. The full article is FREE TO READ and is available to download here: https://lnkd.in/g-fVe8V9 Many thanks to my International Institute for Strategic Studies colleagues Dana Allin for his encouragement with this and Carolyn West for her editorial support. #survival #europeansecurity #appliedhistory #NATO #strategicstudies

The famous quote attributed to Che Guevara about creating "one, two, three Vietnams" comes from a letter he wrote in April 1965 to his wife, Aleida March. In the letter, Che Guevara expressed his belief in the need to spark multiple centers of revolutionary resistance in different parts of the world, following the example of guerrilla warfare in Vietnam. The full phrase in the letter reads: "Create two, three... many Vietnams in the continent." This phrase has been interpreted as a call to expand armed revolutionary struggle in Latin America and elsewhere, drawing inspiration from the success of the Vietnamese resistance against American intervention. In the great strategic competition between the 🇺🇸United States and 🇨🇳China, it has been the latter who best understood Che's words, encouraging as much #resistance and #conflict as they can against the United States. #CheGuevara was an Argentine🇦🇷 Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, guerrilla leader, diplomat, and military theorist. A key figure in the Cuban 🇨🇺Revolution, he became a symbol of revolution and global anti-imperialism. Guevara's ideas on guerrilla warfare, socialism, and international solidarity continue to influence leftist movements worldwide. His iconic image, often portrayed in a beret with a star, remains widely recognized as a symbol of rebellion and defiance against injustice. #CognitiveWarfare #BatallaCultural #Narrative

Identity: I am Georgian and therefore I am European Body: Georgia, nestled in the Caucasus region, has a rich and complex history that often places it at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. While its geographical location might suggest a Eurasian identity, there are compelling historical, cultural, and political reasons why Georgia can rightfully claim its European heritage. * Historical ties: Georgia has a long-standing relationship with Europe, dating back centuries. It was part of the Byzantine Empire and later the Russian Empire, both of which were integral to European history. * Cultural influences: Georgian culture has been significantly influenced by European traditions in art, literature, philosophy, and religion. The country has a vibrant Orthodox Christian tradition that shares many commonalities with European Christianity. * Political aspirations: Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia has consistently sought to align itself with European values and institutions. It has been a member of the Council of Europe since 1995 and has aspired to join the European Union and NATO. Today, Georgia's European identity is a source of pride and a driving force behind its aspirations for a more integrated and prosperous future. #Georgia #Europe #EuropeanIdentity #History #Caucasus #OrthodoxChristianity #EU #NATO