Reading

The Spectacle of ISIS: Resisting Mainstream Workstations of Fear

Veteran's Day Hypocrisy

I'm not a vet, but if I was one, nothing would piss me off more than all the obligatory flag waiving rah rah gibberish of Veteran's Day. I do come from a family of vets. My Brother, Dad and Grandfather all served in the military. Unfortunately for me, (or fortunately?) they don't take handicapped people. My job often involves helping vets find work. Soon, that will be even a larger part of what I do. I see and talk to vets almost every day. No, I'm not saying I have a perfect understanding of being a vet, but I think I know more than a lot of people. So here's my problem. We, as a country, treat vets like any other commodity. We use them and throw them away. I'm more cynical than most. I see everything the US Government does as making more money for those who already have money. Iraq was never about WMD. Obviously, it was / is about oil. Operation Iraqi Liberation was the initial name given to the invasion of the invasion and take-over of Iraq; OIL. Some PR guy caught this and the name was changed. Meanwhile, in Afghanistan this guy was hanging out. Somehow, the war in Iraq was all about fighting for our freedom. The troops fight for our freedom! Freedom isn't free! Fight them over there or fight them here! The last slogan is my favorite. Somehow, I cannot picture 10-20k Jihad types mounting an invasion of the USA. Perhaps I just missed it. I never heard OBL say we hate you for your freedom. No, the real threat to our freedom is an uninformed citizenry that stopped asking hard questions. But I'm digressing.

We send good young people off to places like Iraq and Afghanistan (why are we still there this long after OBL's demise?) to kill and be killed. Even if you want to believe the official party line for going to such places, there is no denying how bad we treat our returning "heroes." I've yet to meet a vet that likes being called a hero, even the ones who are. Short of all the flag waving and related hoopla, we treat our returning vets shamefully. Check it out... 

More deaths by suicide than combat

Homeless Veterans

Vets Not Treated Properly with PTSD

And just consider

True Costs of War


So until things change a lot, I'll pass on the Veteran's Day chest thumping, meaningless slogans and bumper stickers that do NOTHING to address the challenges returning vets face.  

If you are serious about helping vets; hire one, call your senator to raise hell about the above mentioned problems and or simply be there for one. If you do none of the above get that damn sticker off your car.

Terror by self-inflicted means

America's Homegrown Terror

Can't you hear it already? Those who will be saying, "we never saw this coming." No, it's not a bunch of dudes in Afghanistan who will be our undoing. We have met the enemy and it is us. I think that's how it goes. 

Just a small article to brighten up your day! Well, it will inform you of avoidable disasters in the works. Cut the EPA. Cut OSHA. Cut it all. The free markets will sort it all out!   

Neoliberalism

Something we all need to be aware of. 

Neoliberalism

Ranchers and Militia Men

The case of The Rancher and the Federal Government in Nevada recently, sure brings the weirdos out in force. The linked article seems to be the most neutral I've read. People always want to oversimplify things, casting people as good guys and bad guys. The far righties cast the government as the bad guys and the rancher as the little good guy. I've not read a ton on this on-going conflict. But I've read enough to know it is far from something so simple. I'll let the link rehash a little of the history. I'm more interested in what happens when a large armed white mob decides to take on Uncle Sam's minions. Uncle Sam is not a nice guy, Ruby Ridge, Waco and so on and so on. Some people are foolish enough to believe this is some kind of "victory" for freedom. As best I can tell, the rancher, Cliven Bundy was breaking the law. Uncle Sam got all huffy and sent in the armed goons / agents. Mr. Bundy called in his buddies who in turn called in their buddies (all armed of course) and the stand off was on! Somebody in the Federal Government fortunately decided such a confrontation was not a good idea and backed off. I don't think Uncle Sam was worried all that much about a cattle dispute. Standing up to Uncle Sam is not in itself a bad thing. He's a bully and a thug, no doubt. I'm not so sure this is a good thing. It is not good. Here's why.

Number one, I stand for resistance against oppression via non-violence. Had cooler heads not won the day, how many dead people would there be now and for what? Sorry Militia guys, Uncle Sam still wins any direct confrontation hands down. What if it had gone differently? What if people showed up with no weapons? Uncle Sam would have still backed down and there would be much broader support for the rancher. Am I naive? Well, look at our history. Civil Rights were not gained by force via violence. Gay rights? No, they don't use guns either. Women's Rights? I don't think there were any gun carriers whining  about Mexicans. Let's just take a pass on the violence, shall we? 

Number two, violent change is too damn costly. 600,000 dead in the American Civil War to end slavery is a high price to pay. The French and Russian Revolutions brought about change but also filled a lot of graves along the way. I'd shutter to think what a violent revolution would really look like here in the USA. The Civil War of the 1800's would be a sunny day at the beach by comparison. We have much better guns, more armed people and air war. Anyone who advocates for such a thing is a god dammed lunatic. Somebody had to say it, so I said it. There it is. How can these brave freedom fighters be advocating anything else? This is just not the way to go for so many reasons. This is no way to resolve differences. 

Number three. Damn it! We are in 2014. Have we not learned anything? Uncle Sam at least was smart enough to back down from this. As far as the gun carriers, how many of them have ever seen real combat? Some sure. I bet there is a good percentage who have never shot at anything but paper or unarmed animals. I saw nothing to indicate they were at all organized. That's not going to end well either once the shit storm gets really going. We have a system in place. It is far from perfect. I'd still take it over armed mobs be they government goons or so called militia groups. I'm no fan of either side. Here are some things to ponder. 

1. I mentioned race on purpose. If the rancher were a black guy or a Mexican, how many of the militia guys would have shown up to defend them? If the rancher was a poor person? 

2. How can armed people facing down law enforcement be a positive thing? If it were a group of brown people or Muslims, what would the reaction had been?                

3. Do we want to live in a country that works this way? Mob rule? 

4. What could have Uncle Sam done differently? Macho-male bullshit too often goes hand in hand with badges. How did it come to this?  
      

Paid by the same people, people!

100 Ways Republicans are just like Democrats

Back on!

Finally back on line. More posts soon!! 

Off line a few more days

Hi Readers!!

I'm currently off line at home. Can't write too much here at work. I hope to be back up and running by the weekend! Once I'm back on, I'll upload my book to Amazon.

Thanks!

-Paul

Kids for Cash

Kids for Cash

Scumbag of the day! 

Possible

America the Possible: A Manifesto, Part I

From decline to rebirth

BY JAMES GUSTAVE SPETH

American Debit

American Debit

Gibberish

Gibberish... That's what passes for political dialogue. We have two supposed "sides" each claiming the other is taking us to dictatorship or worse. I hate to be the one to break it to you... But it's all a grand illusion. We are are already there. The US Government can and does kill without "due process," has "black site prisons-with no such thing as due process, and tortures people. Yet this same government has the nerve to lecture others about freedom and human rights. But let's get back to the main points, lack of meaningful dialogue and the absence of any real choice. I've always watched the political stuff people post on Face Book from both the right and the left (as if these are the only options there are). Other than this blog, I've quit posting much about politics. Over simplified mimes only serve to alienate friends with different points of view, and don't lend themselves well to open and honest dialogue. Here's a good example:

       
Disclaimer: These stunts are paid for by political special interest groups.   

So the average schmo may think "My, my Obama sure has let gas prices rise!" without asking himself / herself who pays for such a message, and why? This is closer to the truth.The bottom line is the oil companies win no matter who is president. If I disagree with the poster, I'm not going to change his or her mind, and they aren't going to change mine. Rather there will be tit for tat bickering back and fourth. This accomplishes nothing.      

The left is far from free of doing the same kind of thing. 

Check this out:

Belittling others over spelling errors is no way to win them over. I disagree with the Tea Party world view, but applaud anyone getting out to express their views. I cannot spell either, as anyone has followed this blog knows! I hope the value of the ideas outweigh my occasional spelling and grammatical errors. While the two "sides" both make claims of fascism (another one of the most over used words in the English Language) of the other, the people who run things laugh all the way to the bank and or country club. Always follow the money. So here are my questions for you! 

1. How can we have open and honest dialogue with those we disagree with? 

2. How can we bring the Demos back to our Democracy?

3. What is the cost of ignoring question number 1 and number 2?

For an in depth look at Fascist, Check this out.

Possible alternative?

Green Party

  

    

More on the 1%

More on The 1%

Paul's Book.

On a less serious note, Seeds of the Utopia will be out on Amazon as an e-book later this month! 

Details soon... 

Read the Introduction!

Radical Democracy

Dr. Henry A Giroux

Radical Democracy Against Cultures of Violence

Tuesday, 17 December 2013 09:16


Read and get pissed off! 

After Disaster

There is an all too familiar pattern going on. Disaster strikes in the form of an, earthquake, flood or typhoon; the world responds with money and people to help. As we will see some places get more help than others. Why is that? The news cycle moves on to the next story of the moment. What happens afterward, we seldom, if ever, hear about. Where does the money go? What happens to the unnamed millions left in the disaster's wake? It is usually not good. Consider an earthquake in Haiti, flooding in Pakistan and a typhoon in The Philippines. What can be learned from these three different situations? And as always; a good question to as is who benefits? 

Haiti suffers from long standing corruption, poor infrastructure and less than stable governments changing on the whims of Washington. This is the poorest country in all the western hemisphere to begin with. How could they possibly deal with such a catastrophic earthquake?  Keep in mind many government buildings were destroyed, and government officials killed. Where to even begin? All of the sudden, there was this idea of remaking Haiti better than before. Much of the money went to projects well underway having little to do with the biggest need caused by the earthquake, safe permanent housing. There was on-going construction of a teaching hospital, and a massive business park with factories and new power stations. The idea was so-called job creation. Still, four plus years on, it's not done nor is there a big enough harbor to get good out to the USA, and other countries. For a more detailed account, read here. AID has become its own racket. It is not about helping people as it is about making money. Most of the US tax payer money was spent through these guys, not the Haitian people. Why ask locals what's needed? Outside NGO's always know better, right? You can guess the results. This spells it out pretty clearly. There is no big mystery why there are so many people living in shanty-town like camps to this day. It's around 200,000! No wonder we don't hear any more about Haiti. People would be appalled, and outraged. Rightly so.  

The situation in Pakistan is different. There is still a wide gap between the richest who run the country and her poor. It is also worth keeping in mind this is also a nuclear armed state. The floods of 2010 affected up to 18 million people with almost 2000 deaths. This is in a country of 185 million at the time. That is almost 10% of the population. Pakistan suffers from shaky governments, and serious internal problems. Not only that, but her most dangerous rival, India to the south offered no assistance. Further destabilizing her nuclear armed neighbor to the south does little to help matters. Radical groups within Pakistan, like the Pakistani Taliban, discourage international aid by attacking aid workers. They view such efforts as an attack on Pakistani sovereignty. The western media focused more on political implications of the unfolding disaster than the massive humanitarian suffering. Flood disasters, unlike massive earthquakes unfold over time. Sadly, this makes them less dramatic news stories. Despite many challenges, the Pakistani Government, along with the military did a pretty good job of responding to the disaster. Sadly, the portrayal of Pakistan as a corrupt and dangerous country in the media caused both western governments and peoples pause before helping. Also, the US Military lost a great opportunity to further isolate extremists. Not helping all that much with relief and only focusing on two wars at the time gave the extremists room to grow. We could do a better job. The difficulty lies in our continued view as some lives are moor valuable than others. Sadly, geography plays a part. We are simply more willing to help those who are closer. 

With today's technology, where a country is should not play a part. This type of relief should be a top mission for the US armed forces, perhaps the best organization in the world for leading massive relief efforts. Relief and security go hand in hand. This is a much more effective way to fight terrorism than becoming terrorists ourselves via night raids and drone strikes. I'm drifting of the main points of this entry. Let me get back on track. For a really serious look at these two disasters, check out the following In depth comparison. Let's consider one more recent disaster, Typhoon Haiyan.

Typhoons are no strangers to The Philippines. They get around 6 to 9 storms in a season. They have experience in dealing with these storms. But Typhoon Haiyan was perhaps the strongest storm to make land-fall on record. Winds were recorded as high as 195 MPH (315 KMPH). There is no way to adequately prepare for such a storm anywhere. There is going to be major damage and many fatalities. But in a country with limited resources, it's going to be magnified. They are going to need outside help. There already is enough corruption to go around but this does not stop the world's financial institutions from piling on to the already exacerbated problems faced by The Philippines. They offer low interest loans that will help pay for reconstruction but little beyond. These guys are out to make money, not do charity. As crazy as it sounds, not repaying the loans will affect The Philippines' credit rating. This ensures further loss of natural resources and grater suffering of the people at or near the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. There is little if any net economic growth. This article explains it in more detail than I can. The Philippines are  are still on the hook for loans taken out during the Marcos Regime for things like a nuke plant never used or simply stolen outright. Something is very wrong in a world where money is to be made off those suffering from a huge natural disaster. These tragedies will continue to play out in much the same way. Why? 

Now, there is little push to fundamentally change the way we think about each other. Some lives are more valuable than others in current thinking. We internalize competition and so-called free markets as being normal and natural. If a lie is repeated often enough, it become truth in the minds of men. Those with control get to spread the message they want for their own benefit. So if the powers that be say there is no such thing as global warming / climate change despite mountains of evidence to the contrary, people believe it. Fear plays a part. What will happen if we lose our jobs? What would a different world look like? This one may not be good, but at least I know my place in it. I know where i stand. And... I have things to lose. Fear is a great tool of control. Those who benefit from the status quo absolve themselves from so-called natural disasters. No, the Haiti earthquake was not caused by climate change. That's missing the point all together. Another narrative for the benefit of the few, a belief in the naturalness of poverty helped lead to the extreme number of casualties. Substandard building practices with poor materials? Who cares? They are only poor people (read Unpeople)! Those who think this way are the same few who benefit from climate change denial, the most wealthy. How can they see it any differently when such beliefs are all they know? Those of us who care need to offer counter-narratives to free markets, competition and poverty being natural.          


  

Who Runs America?

Who Runs America?

A lot of interesting reading. 

Roy Cooper

Roy Cooper

If you have been paying attention, you know I'm not real big on the current duopoly supposedly running things. That said, I find among Democrats a few here and there who truly have people's interest at heart. I'll support them. Can they make a difference? Time will tell.  I think this guy is one of them. If you want to see what a right wing government looks like in power, look no further than North Carolina, my home state. Cuts to unemployment, health care, education, voter suppression, basically a Tea Partyer's wet dream come true is the result. It was all bought and paid for. The Democratic Party here in the south is really Republican lite. But at least they pay lip service to the poor, the disenfranchised, and the environment. I don't think there is much hope for fixing the two party system. But if there is any, it begins at the local and state level. I'm willing to give this guy a chance.       

So-called debate on Evolution vs Creationism

I think the real purpose of anti-science is control. Keep 'em belevin. Keep 'em dumb. Keep 'em under control.

Not sure I like the idea of this so called "debate" but for those of you who want to check it out,

HERE IT IS   

Blog Abstract

I'll post this as a page as well. 

Keep this in mind. All conflict rises from inequality, real or imagined. Unpeople, here defined by Chomsky, are not an accident. They are not created by God or any other supernatural force. They do not "deserve" to live a life of crushing poverty and desperate hopelessness. They are created by powerful people who make policies for their own benefit. The world is devolving into a casino capitalist free for all resulting in massive inequalities the world over. There is a never-ending need for new markets and cheap labor. Here is an illustration of the results. According to the dominant narrative, this is the natural order of things. By that, I mean what we are taught about ourselves by society. We are "free," competition with winners and losers in natural, you get ahead through hard work, you can pull yourself up by your own boot straps (what does that even look like) are some examples of the myths created for the benefit of a few. Unless we rethink the world we want to actually live in, conflict will only grow.

There are alternatives. The point of this blog is to offer a counter-narrative to the dominant discourse. By discussing Unpeople, I hope to do just a small part in making the world a more just and better place. Should everyone be exactly equal? I'm not sure that's even a good thing, much less possible.We should strive for a world where everyone's basic needs are met. Also, a world where everyone can live a full life with dignity. No one should live in garbage or die via drone. This is not a world I can live in, and do nothing. One blog, among millions, is not much. But if I can move the meter any toward a better more just place for all, I've done my job. If one person just reconsiders the state-sponsored mythologies that benefit the few, I'm happy.

DISCLAIMER...    

I'm a white guy American who benefits greatly from the current system. I cannot fathom how the Bottom Billion live from minute to minute day to day. The least I can do is try. I can also make others aware. I too am limited by the stories I hear and internalize. I have much to learn, and a long way to go. Will you join me?

-Thanks,

-Paul   

American Poverty

Shit Poor

On the State of the Union

A good read on the current state of things

Asia Times

I agree with this article. The State of The Union has devolved over time into basically a cheer leading / pep rally event. I used to watch it regularly. Perhaps I'm missing something. But under our corporate funded "Democracy," I don't think so. Citizens United was the last nail in the coffin of American Democracy. So when we try to "call-out" various dictators, thugs, and murderers, I just know they chuckle. Nobody beats Uncle Sam at terrorism, murder, "disappearing" people and God only knows what other horrors. There's money to be made.

     

Feelings of Invisibility

This is a post from another blog I have. I think it works here as well. 

-Paul 

Not so long ago I read Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. Interesting... No, it is not about some superhero. It is about a guy who is invisible to the larger society. He's a ghost of a man. We never learn the main character's  name through the whole book, just a few aliases he uses from time to time. This guy turns this invisibility to his advantage, but not in such a way that makes him happy. I, as a handicapped person, also find myself invisible sometimes.

We have rules and guidelines for how to treat the disabled, and I cannot help but wonder f they do more harm than good. For example, does the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) actually make it harder for people with disabilities to get jobs? The ADA was passed in 1990. Unemployment for the disabled is still abysmal by any standard. It is almost double the rate of the non-disabled. I'm asking the question in all honesty. I could see where potential employers would shy away from hiring someone with disabilities BECAUSE of this law. Read it will cost more money. Just being able to get around is another barrier. In my limited experience the USA is the best place I've been as far as accessibility is concerned. But it varies from state to state. Too many places take a minimalist approach. For example, a strip shopping center with a ramp at one end (along with a lone handicapped parking space). This kinda sucks for someone with limited mobility. This represents being further disabled by society. We are talking about a large chunk of the US population, 23% according to this article. That's like one out of every five people! Where are they? I think a part of the problem is the expectations are set so low for too many. I was taught I could do anything I want. I took the lesson seriously, and now I work full time, blog sometimes and write books in my free time. I should be the rule and not the exception. What I mean is every so called disabled person should have every opportunity to live life to it's fullest potential free from physical and social barriers. I'm thankful for those who have struggled for me so I was not institutionalized at a young age. We still have a very long way to go.

I'm hopeful the invisibility spell is slowly fading away. Technology helps. I don't have to look for a job that involves hard physical labor. I can do plenty of stuff via computer (like blogging). But technology alone will not change much. People with disabilities need to self-advocate. Society at large needs to recognize and encourage everyone to live to their full potential. This cannot be done via legislation alone. We collectively need to build more avenues of inclusion, involvement, and equality. I'll do my part through writing and speaking up. What about you?          

Rule Number One... Non-Violence

Looking at the Worth A look Post, you may ask yourself what does peak-oil have to do with Unpeople. Everything. The Secret of the Seven Sisters is a really good series on Al Jazeera that gives a through look at the long dark history of the oil business over the last hundred or so years. They are not displacing happy white people. Everywhere oil is found and developed, conflict quickly breaks out. The Middle East, Africa, and even here on North America. It takes many forms; from wars, terrorism, thuggery, to unfolding slow-violence in the southern USA. See Dahr Jamail, one of the last true investigative journalists for more on this. The script runs pretty much the same. A company finds oil, buys off the local elites, shafts the locals, and leaves crushing poverty in it's wake. Let's not forget about the tiny group of rich autocrats and their associated goons either. I try to look for information on what's going on, and it's there on the internet. Sadly, these types of stories seldom make into the mass / corporate media's 24 / 7 news cycles. When they do, there is rarely any depth beyond who was killed, kidnapped or tortured. Seldom if ever, does anyone ask "why." The on-going coverage of the Niger Delta area on the nightly news just touches the surface. They have more important things to do like selling denture cream or pharmaceuticals. Here is something more in depth from Amnesty International on the Niger delta conflict. Most people are blissfully unaware of the true cost of driving everywhere, me included. It is one thing to read about such horrors, but another to live through it day in and day out. For the average western schmo like me, it is almost incomprehensible. Still, I want to educate myself and others. As a conflict Resolution practitioner, I wonder how will this all play out? It does not look good. 

We are using a finite resource as if it can go on forever. I have a feeling John Michael Greer is right. There is no magic technological bullet that is going to save us from the FACT that oil will run out. We are not facing this fact. Rather, we ignore it. I don't know when this will happen but it cannot be but so far off. Now, I'm not talking about some twisted Mad Max-like apocalyptic fantasy. Leave that for the movies. No, it will unfold over time with ever increasing costs in blood and treasure. Remember money drives the train. As long as there is financial benefit, expect more of the same denial of reality. Wall Street Consultant? That alone does not make him wrong, but I suspect his ideas are tied one way or another to his pay. I'm not a geologist. I don't know when oil will run out. But I know it will. The Earth is not making more. No amount of fancy charts and rosy projections can change this. Fracking, tar sands and super-deep sea drilling tell me something is rotten in Denmark. It is not getting any easier. It can only get more difficult and costly with the passage of time. The longer we pretend business as usual is fine, the harder and more costly the transition to a post oil world will be. Our current system of casino capitalism does not allow for long-term solutions that may run contrary to today's bottom line or shareholder expectations.

It may be worth reminding you governments are no longer independent (not sure they ever were) keeping your best interests at heart. Even the so-called democracies, are bought, and paid for with corporate cash. Corporations, by design, have only one goal-- maximizing profits. Anything that gets in the way of that goal is crushed; regulations, climate change science, and even people. The drive for profit is short-term, and relentless. Anything or anyone that questions capitalism or the profit motive, faces ridicule here in the west, and death in too many other parts of the world.Think "dirty" hippies in the Occupy Wall Street Movement and consider our unilateral policy of "regime change" when someone dares to not go along with Uncle Sam (read oil interests) as manifestations of those who ask uncomfortable questions. No, better check out The Seahawks or Justin Bieber to stay safe. The fix is in. The game is rigged. I don't think the current system is fixable. The tiny hand full of politicians who do have everyday people's interest at heart are too few and far between. The funny or perhaps scary part is, we all know it. I write about it here on this blog. People may bring it up after a few too many drinks. I don't know of anyone who likes to think too deeply past their own time here on Earth. It's too damn scary. What do parents think? "Oh, it will work out some way or another. The kids will be fine." I hope there are not many that really feel this way. That's some sad shit. I've listened to people say, "It's harder to rock the boat with kids." Personally, I cannot think of a more important reason to rock the boat. Tip that fucker over, and teach the kids to swim. They'll thank you in the long run. Do more than bitch!

I write and try to educate both myself and others. I try to play the game as little as possible. I drive a small car that's really good on gas to and from work. It's close. My car barely has time to warm up in the winter. No, it is not enough. Far from it. But if we each take a step, the outcome can be different. We don't have to passively watch the nightmare of ever deepening and growing conflict over oil unfold. Make noise! Raise hell! We are not alone. If enough people take action, the path to a world with much little to no oil can be less violent. A lot of people will disagree with me on this one but I say don't vote. Voting is only an illusion of a democratic process as long as corporations fund the elections. The only way to beat a rigged game is stop playing. Who would listen to a congress that only could muster a 2% turn out? Everybody would know that's bullshit. I'd say there's an outside chance this can be done peacefully. Violence is a big part of the rigged game already in place. Keeping things peaceful also is a game changer. Even the darkest regimes have a tough time killing off peaceful demonstrators. The do from time to time but there is a high cost that goes along with it. Ask Mubarak. Oh! He's dead. No, just unavailable for comment. Governments do violence-- people don't. Change the game. Make government play by our rules. Rule number one- Non-Violence. Remember you're not alone!  Check out the following:

Occupy Wall St Yes, they are still around. 

Idle No More Follow the link. Check them out. 

Americans Against Fracking You got it! 

Greenpeace Hell Raisers. But for the right reasons.  

Amnesty International Human Rights. 

Green Party If You still want to vote, consider Green. I'll vote for them as well. 

A Little American History

Lynchings of Black Women

Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. 

Worth a look

Check out these two blogs...

Archdruid Report

and 

Club Orlov

Revolution

Good Summary on Revolutions Link. 

Looks there will not be one coming to a town near you in the near term, my USA friends.But when the ponzi scheme breaks down for good, what a fine mess we will have on our gun-toting hands. How far off is this? Probably not as far as we may think.   

A Story Never Told

Remember who runs our media.

Chain saws? Fucking chain saws.

Here's a "Free Trade" story that will NOT be coming to a network near you. It's also an important reminder for me why I don't support The Democratic Party.

But let's all watch the Super Bowl!

   

Peaceful Revolution

Drastic changes are coming soon. Great inequality leads to great unrest.Our track record on dealing with big changes is pretty bad. When inequality spirals out of control, like it is now, people revolt. It gets ugly, very ugly. I don't see why the powers that be are ignoring all the warning signs. If I was a card carrying member of the elite, I'd want people's basic needs to be met in order to maintain the status quo and my comfy place in the scheme of things. I'm still a powerful rich dude, and people are basically happy, or at least content. It seems like whoever runs things is very reckless, selfish and short-sighted. Austerity, lack of healthcare, high youth unemployment, decreasing wages all to make the filthy rich even richer will not end well. It never does. It always ends badly for the blind elite. They seem to be blinded by their own narratives of superiority. Talk about a bunch of entitled feeling people, enough to make the most savvy welfare queen blush. After all, they see themselves as "job creators." Hint, it has more to do with demand. They ignore science to make money. They fail to see the unnecessary suffering of others, countless others. (yeah, they may stroke a sizable check from time to time while leaving existing structural violence firmly in place.) I will not venture a guess on how they see the rest of humanity or how they sleep. If history counts for anything, we are on a bad track.  

People are starting to respond. There are revolutionary movements popping up here and there. Despite starting off peaceful, a number of these have turned to violence. I think Syria has been violent all along. Here in the USA, things seem pretty stable. But unless there's a major change in Washington, this will soon no longer be the case. It cannot. If enough people are forced into poverty and destitution, rebelling will become the only means of survival that no amount of crumbs (cutting Food stamps??) and circus (NFL, NHL NBA and never-ending TV) can stop. Add to this mix all the guns here. That's a huge pucker factor, even for Mad Max. We need the kind of change that the current corporate financed duopoly is incapable of. Make no mistake my friends, the Democrats are brought to you by the same people who bring you the Republicans. BOTH parties are puppets of the Neoliberal System we have been living under for the last few decades. If you are unfamiliar with Neoliberalism, follow the link and google it yourself. Yeah, yeah "soon" is subjective. I broke my crystal ball right after the NFC championship. I don't think one is needed to see what we are in for. History has plenty of examples. And this guy is getting nervous. It's too bad he misses the point of Occupy, and other movements.    

Can change be brought about through peaceful means? Yes. Will it? Probably not. We'll save this for next time. 

visualization of Global Warming

Have A Look

People still deny. Has something to do with their wallets? 

Money as speech in action

More Climate Denial

What else would we expect from the finest Democracy money can buy?