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Obama expresses his idea of what civil society is

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To the true collectivist all of society IS a collective commons owned by all and the purpose of government is to fairly apportion the collective commons owned by us all. So, to the true collectivist with no concept of natural rights and what is actually meant by 'civil society' the term takes on a whole new dimension within the framework of Statism.

To Barack Obama the term civil society refers to those groups in a collectivist society standing up for their fair piece of the collectively owned commons:

[Please correct me if I'm wrong.]

~
Remarks by President Obama at the Civil Society Forum

Hotel El Panama
Panama City, Panama

4:35 P.M. EST

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Buenas tardes. Thank you, President Varela. Thank you very much, Panama, for hosting this Summit of the Americas. And I thank everybody who's traveled here from across the region for the courageous work that you do to defend freedom and human rights, and to promote equality and opportunity and justice across our hemisphere and around the world.

I am proud to be with you at this first-ever official gathering of civil society leaders at the Summit of the Americas. And I'm pleased to have Cuba represented with us at this summit for the very first time. (Applause.)

We're here for a very simple reason. We believe that strong, successful countries require strong and vibrant civil societies. We know that throughout our history, human progress has been propelled not just by famous leaders, not just by states, but by ordinary men and women who believe that change is possible; by citizens who are willing to stand up against incredible odds and great danger not only to protect their own rights, but to extend rights to others.

I had a chance to reflect on this last month when I was in the small town of Selma, Alabama. Some of you may have heard of it. It's a place where, 50 years ago, African-Americans marched in peaceful, nonviolent protest -- not to ask for special treatment but to be treated equally, in accordance with the founding documents of our Declaration of Independence, our Bill of Rights. They were part of a civil rights movement that had endured violence and repression for decades, and would endure it again that day, as many of the marchers were beaten.

But they kept marching. And despite the beatings of that day, they came back, and more returned. And the conscience of a nation was stirred. Their efforts bent, in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, the arc of the moral universe towards justice. And it was their vision for a more fair and just and inclusive and generous society that ultimately triumphed. And the only reason I stand here today as the President of the United States is because those ordinary people -- maids, and janitors, and schoolteachers -- were willing to endure hardship on my behalf. (Applause.)

And that's why I believe so strongly in the work that you do. It's the dreamers -- no matter how humble or poor or seemingly powerless -- that are able to change the course of human events. We saw it in South Africa, where citizens stood up to the scourge of apartheid. We saw it in Europe, where Poles marched in Solidarity to help bring down the Iron Curtain. In Argentina, where mothers of the disappeared spoke out against the Dirty War. It's the story of my country, where citizens worked to abolish slavery, and establish women's rights and workers' rights, and rights for gays and lesbians.

It's not to say that my country is perfect -- we are not. And that's the point. We always have to have citizens who are willing to question and push our government, and identify injustice. We have to wrestle with our own challenges -- from issues of race to policing to inequality. But what makes me most proud about the extraordinary example of the United States is not that we're perfect, but that we struggle with it, and we have this open space in which society can continually try to make us a more perfect union.

We've stood up, at great cost, for freedom and human dignity, not just in our own country, but elsewhere. I'm proud of that. And we embrace our ability to become better through our democracy. And that requires more than just the work of government. It demands the hard and frustrating, sometimes, but absolutely vital work of ordinary citizens coming together to make common cause.

So civil society is the conscience of our countries. It's the catalyst of change. It's why strong nations don't fear active citizens. Strong nations embrace and support and empower active citizens. And by the way, it's not as if active citizens are always right -- they're not. Sometimes people start yelling at me or arguing at me, and I think, you don't know what you're talking about. But sometimes they do. And the question is not whether they're always right; the question is, do you have a society in which that conversation, that debate can be tested and ideas are tested in the marketplace.

And because of the efforts of civil society, now, by and large, there's a consensus in the Americas on democracy and human rights, and social development and social inclusiveness. I recognize there's strong differences about the role of civil society, but I believe we can all benefit from open and tolerant and inclusive dialogue. And we should reject violence or intimidation that's aimed at silencing people's voices.

The freedom to be heard is a principle that the Americas at large is committed to. And that doesn't mean, as I said, that we're going to agree on every issue. But we should address those issue candidly and honestly and civilly, and welcome the voices of all of our people into the debates that shape the future of the hemisphere. (Applause.)

Just to take one example: As the United States begins a new chapter in our relationship with Cuba, we hope it will create an environment that improves the lives of the Cuban people -– not because it's imposed by us, the United States, but through the talent and ingenuity and aspirations, and the conversation among Cubans from all walks of life so they can decide what the best course is for their prosperity.

As we move toward the process of normalization, we'll have our differences, government to government, with Cuba on many issues -- just as we differ at times with other nations within the Americas; just as we differ with our closest allies. There's nothing wrong with that. But I'm here to say that when we do speak out, we're going to do so because the United States of America does believe, and will always stand for, a certain set of universal values. And when we do partner with civil society, it's because we believe our relationship should be with governments and with the peoples that they represent.

It's also because we believe that your work is more important than ever. Here in the Americas, inequality still locks too many people out of our economies. Discrimination still locks too many out of our societies. Around the world, there are still too many places where laws are passed to stifle civil society, where governments cut off funding for groups that they don't agree with. Where entrepreneurs are crushed under corruption. Where activists and journalists are locked up on trumped-up charges because they dare to be critical of their governments. Where the way you look, or how you pray, or who you love can get you imprisoned or killed.

And whether it's crackdowns on free expression in Russia or China, or restrictions on freedom of association and assembly in Egypt, or prison camps run by the North Korean regime -- human rights and fundamental freedoms are still at risk around the world. And when that happens, we believe we have a moral obligation to speak out.

We also know that our support for civil society is not just about what we're against, but also what we're for. Because we've noticed that governments that are more responsive and effective are typically governments where the people are free to assemble, and speak their minds, and petition their leaders, and hold us accountable.

We know that our economies attract more trade and investment when citizens are free to start a new business without paying a bribe. We know that our societies are more likely to succeed when all our people -- regardless of color, or class, or creed, or sexual orientation, or gender -- are free to live and pray and love as they choose. That's what we believe.

And, increasingly, civil society is a source of ideas -- about everything from promoting transparency and free expression, to reversing inequality and rescuing our environment. And that's why, as part of our Stand with Civil Society Initiative, we've joined with people around the world to push back on those who deny your right to be heard. I've made it a mission of our government not only to protect civil society groups, but to partner with you and empower you with the knowledge and the technology and the resources to put your ideas into action. And the U.S. supports the efforts to establish a permanent, meaningful role for civil societies in future Summits of the Americas. (Applause.)

So let me just say, when the United States sees space closing for civil society, we will work to open it. When efforts are made to wall you off from the world, we'll try to connect you with each other. When you are silenced, we'll try to speak out alongside you. And when you're suppressed, we want to help strengthen you. As you work for change, the United States will stand up alongside you every step of the way. We are respectful of the difference among our countries. The days in which our agenda in this hemisphere so often presumed that the United States could meddle with impunity, those days are past. (Applause.)

But what it does mean -- but we do have to be very clear that when we speak out on behalf of somebody who's been imprisoned for no other reason than because they spoke truth to power, when we are helping an organization that is trying to empower a minority group inside a country to get more access to resources, we're not doing that because it serves our own interests; we're doing it because we think it's the right thing to do. (Applause.) And that's important.

And I hope that all the other countries at the Summit of the Americas will join us in seeing that it's important. Because sometimes, as difficult as it is, it's important for us to be able to speak honestly and candidly on behalf of people who are vulnerable and people who are powerless, people who are voiceless. I know, because there was a time in our own country where there were groups that were voiceless and powerless. And because of world opinion, that helped to change those circumstance. We have a debt to pay, because the voices of ordinary people have made us better. That's a debt that I want to make sure we repay in this hemisphere and around the world.

Thank you very much, everybody. (Applause.) God bless you.

END

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-of ... iety-forum

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Great Leader Obama"...as part of our Stand with Civil Society Initiative, we've joined with people around the world to push back on those who deny your right to be heard."

This Kollective speak translates to, "In order for you to be heard we will silence others." Begin the Glorious purges Kom Rads.

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After reading that glorious speech, I am right now experiencing endless thrills up my leg. With all these thrills, I am struggling to type the following komments:

Karl Marx Treatment Center wrote:
.... Around the world, there are still too many places where laws are passed to stifle civil society, where governments cut off funding for groups that they don't agree with. Where entrepreneurs are crushed under corruption. Where activists and journalists are locked up on trumped-up charges because they dare to be critical of their governments. Where the way you look, or how you pray, or who you love can get you imprisoned or killed...


Komrade Glorious Leader must be kommended for educating the Panamanians about "The Chicago Way" which is soon to become "The USSA Way."

Karl Marx Treatment Center wrote:
....And whether it's crackdowns on free expression in Russia or China, or restrictions on freedom of association and assembly in Egypt, or prison camps run by the North Korean regime -- human rights and fundamental freedoms are still at risk around the world. And when that happens, we believe we have a moral obligation to speak out. ...


I believe that Komrade Glorious Leader got a "little mixed up" here. He forgot to mention that the USSA has a "moral obligation to speak out in support of these krakdowns and restriktions.

Karl Marx Treatment Center wrote:
....We also know that our support for civil society is not just about what we're against, but also what we're for. Because we've noticed that governments that are more responsive and effective are typically governments where the people are free to assemble, and speak their minds, and petition their leaders, and hold us accountable...


Again, Komrade Glorious Leader is "mixed up." What he meant to say is that "what we're for" means we're for punishing those who don't konform to the Party's definition of "civil society." People are only free to assemble, speak their minds, petition their leaders, and even attack/kill police officers if it means advancing the Party's agenda and supporting its narrative. Those who don't konform to the Party's definition of "civil society" will be held accountable, put on show trials, and their lives will be ruined... perhaps even forfeited "for the kommon good."

Karl Marx Treatment Center wrote:
....We know that our economies attract more trade and investment when citizens are free to start a new business without paying a bribe....


Unless they are charged with being "racist." Then they must pay the specified amount to the appropriate Race Ministry representatives. Remember, the seriousness of the charges outweigh truth, facts, and evidence.

Karl Marx Treatment Center wrote:
....We know that our societies are more likely to succeed when all our people -- regardless of color, or class, or creed, or sexual orientation, or gender -- are free to live and pray and love as they choose. That's what we believe....


Does Komrade Glorious Leader have a mouse in his pocket? They are free to suckseed in business as long as it does not destroy the planet and it serves all designated viktim classes, regardless of religious beliefs. Those religions must be approved by the state.

Karl Marx Treatment Center wrote:
...And, increasingly, civil society is a source of ideas -- about everything from promoting transparency and free expression, to reversing inequality and rescuing our environment....


Civil society is a source of korrekt and approved ideas. Transparency will be achieved through NSA surveillance of all society members. Free expression will not be tolerated if it is determined to be offensive, not korrekt, and unapproved.

Karl Marx Treatment Center wrote:
... And that's why, as part of our Stand with Civil Society Initiative, we've joined with people around the world to push back on those who deny your right to be heard. ...


But only if you are an Izlamik terror group or another designated klass of viktim. Members of of designated terror groups, like the Tea Party <spit>, the NRA <spit>, the Catholic Church <spit>, veterans <spit>, and the State of Israel <spit><spit> will be pushed back on, attacked, and denied the right to be heard.

Karl Marx Treatment Center wrote:
....As you work for change, the United States will stand up alongside you every step of the way. We are respectful of the difference among our countries. ....


But, only if you are working for a change like establishing a militant Izlamic theocracy or a Marxist gubbermint.

Karl Marx Treatment Center wrote:
...Thank you very much, everybody. (Applause.) God bless you.....


Now, here, I'm "mixed up." I believed that the official Party narrative is to boo God. Oh, I think I get it now. Komrade Glorious Leader is using it as an "opiate of the masses" to please his largely Christian Panamanian audience and lure them into accepting the narratives. Briliant!


Karl Marx Treatment Center wrote: Remarks by President Obama at the Civil Society Forum
Hotel El Panama
Panama City, Panama
4:35 P.M. EST

[two hours of semantically empty droning]

tl;dr

Could have been shortened to "You all do what I direct you to do."


 
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