...that we're now an oligarcy, where our voice doesn't mean a damned thing?
This link, from Al Jazeera, points to a study by Northwestern and Princeton Universities, which compares the comparative influence of the voters versus the influence of campaign cash. Initially, the researchers suspected that the people still had some influence....
Wrong.
We have nothing compared to the Kochs, Adelsons, and their ilk.
And the Democrats, who feed at the same cash trough as the Repubs, complain about the lack of enthusiasm that the voters have about the midterm elections, as manifest by the historically low turnouts in the off-year campaigns. This, combined with Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders being mentioned as possible alternatives to Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Dem nod, speaks volumes - especially considering how cozy Hillary is to Big Money.
Where do we go from here, now?
Stay tuned...
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Quibbles and Bits, Talk The Walk Edition
Two bits of bad news on the progressive radio front:
>Randi Rhodes’ last day as a radio talk show host is scheduled for May 16th. This day was coming, and she knew it since last year, but decided that now is the time to hang up the hand-held microphone. The reason she gave at the beginning of today’s podcast, if my paraphrasing is correct, is that she simply felt that now is the time to move on to something else, to continue to do positive for the people in a medium other than the electronic media. Later on, however, she seemed to voice a bit of frustration, at why we’re continuing to slip further and further into oligarchy no matter how much talking she and her cohorts do.
Perhaps she saw the law of decreasing benefit in action here. Perhaps she knew that she wasn’t really wanted at Premiere (who also syndicates the Pig Man and other Rightward Yakers). She may have also seen the writing on the wall as far as AM Radio is concerned: Pig Man is tanking and getting boycotted, and potential sponsors are no longer putting their dollars into talk radio of any stripe, in large part because of the controversy belched out by the likes of the Mount Rushbo and his wannabes.
Speaking of said wannabes and the Pig Man - have you heard/see the controversy about how their shows are really funded, now that Corporate America wants less and less to do with them? Forget selling products, it’s now political advocacy and candidates. This change in funding sources (Heritage Foundation, etc.) is leading some to consider if such funding is legally actionable. Stay tuned for this one…
>KRXA-540 in Monterey, a wonderful progressive station, has been sold. The original owners will take their programming completely online, at radiomonterey.com. You’ll still hear much of the local programming that gives KRXA its trademark quirkiness. But that’s exactly what good local radio should sound like - full of the local flavor and the quirks that go with it.
Yet another progressive beacon goes out or gets considerably dimmer. KTLK in Los Angeles is now right-wing. What used to be Green-960 still has a few progressive hosts, but morning drive is anchored by the Glen Beckie. Portland and Seattle have lost progressive stations, as have much of the other parts of the country. Our message is inconvenient to those that really own, and run, this country - hence the complete lack of support. Is it any wonder that a recent study came out that stated that the US is now much more of an oligarchy than a true democracy? We should not be surprised - the signals have been there for many years.
>Randi Rhodes’ last day as a radio talk show host is scheduled for May 16th. This day was coming, and she knew it since last year, but decided that now is the time to hang up the hand-held microphone. The reason she gave at the beginning of today’s podcast, if my paraphrasing is correct, is that she simply felt that now is the time to move on to something else, to continue to do positive for the people in a medium other than the electronic media. Later on, however, she seemed to voice a bit of frustration, at why we’re continuing to slip further and further into oligarchy no matter how much talking she and her cohorts do.
Perhaps she saw the law of decreasing benefit in action here. Perhaps she knew that she wasn’t really wanted at Premiere (who also syndicates the Pig Man and other Rightward Yakers). She may have also seen the writing on the wall as far as AM Radio is concerned: Pig Man is tanking and getting boycotted, and potential sponsors are no longer putting their dollars into talk radio of any stripe, in large part because of the controversy belched out by the likes of the Mount Rushbo and his wannabes.
Speaking of said wannabes and the Pig Man - have you heard/see the controversy about how their shows are really funded, now that Corporate America wants less and less to do with them? Forget selling products, it’s now political advocacy and candidates. This change in funding sources (Heritage Foundation, etc.) is leading some to consider if such funding is legally actionable. Stay tuned for this one…
>KRXA-540 in Monterey, a wonderful progressive station, has been sold. The original owners will take their programming completely online, at radiomonterey.com. You’ll still hear much of the local programming that gives KRXA its trademark quirkiness. But that’s exactly what good local radio should sound like - full of the local flavor and the quirks that go with it.
Yet another progressive beacon goes out or gets considerably dimmer. KTLK in Los Angeles is now right-wing. What used to be Green-960 still has a few progressive hosts, but morning drive is anchored by the Glen Beckie. Portland and Seattle have lost progressive stations, as have much of the other parts of the country. Our message is inconvenient to those that really own, and run, this country - hence the complete lack of support. Is it any wonder that a recent study came out that stated that the US is now much more of an oligarchy than a true democracy? We should not be surprised - the signals have been there for many years.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Michael C. Ruppert - 1951-2014
I can't say that I'm completely surprised by the suicide of Mike Ruppert.
He told the truth at a very high personal cost: his health, his ability to earn a living, his peace of mind, and now ultimately, his life. He has been doing this for the better part of four decades. He was responsible for some of the best investigative journalism this country has produced (specifically, the From The Wilderness newsletter, Crossing The Rubicon, and others), and he did not sell out his convictions. He left tools for us to use in the continuing struggle against rampant corporatism and consumerism that is destroying our planet as I write this. He left a positive mark on me, and I'm sure millions of others like me who see what's coming, in large part because of his work.
And it wasn't for personal profit, save for his need to make a living like the rest of us. He could have sold out. He could have given it all up for the security of a nice, middle-class life in Los Angeles. He knew, or at least had a very good idea about, the personal cost associated with telling the truth in a nation (and world) that can't handle The Truth. But he was cursed with a conscience that would not let him turn a blind eye to the evils around him.
He was stuck with all of the labels - "conspiracy theorist" (even with his reputation for well-researched and documented fact), "9-11 Truther", and so on. Hell, I wear the Truther label like a badge - anybody with a three-digit IQ could read through the 9-11 Commission Report and know that it was pure, whitewashed bullshit. Thus, he was marginalized, this process assisted by dilettantes like David Corn.
It's sad, but it seems like the world is running out of room for people like Mike Ruppert. We simply don't have the will to take a good look at ourselves in the mirror, as a society - which is in large part what Ruppert spent his career and life doing.
I wish I would have had the opportunity to meet him. Now that I no longer have that chance, I can only say in absentia:
Thank you, Michael C. Ruppert. For Everything.
And Rest in Eternal Peace.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Quibbles and Bits, Money Talks (and Sings and Dances in Certain Towns) Edition
How much more naked does the corruption get? (Check out the Young Turks website).
Also, Nobel-Prize winner Robert Reich may never be confused with Picasso, but he nails it on what the Repubs real agenda has been for at least the last 30 years...
The 1% don't want us "dependent" on government. They want us dependent on THEM. Keep the people desperate, and you control them.
Sounds like neo-Feudalism to me.
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Applying Tar with a Feather Brush...
This link details a story about the recent spate of graffiti afflicting the upper-crust enclave of Atherton, CA. This is no ordinary graffiti, either - it's graffiti directed at the 1% who live there, and that has the local denizens quaking in their Uggs. The very theme of the graffiti has local law enforcement involving the FBI - after all, Occupy Wall Street might be rearing it's ugly head (to nearly quote from the article).
Note how the author already implicates Occupy, without any conclusive proof that they had any involvement. Note the dismissive tone given to the 99-percenters, and the two linked articles telling the same to "stop bellyaching", and how the 1 percent feels unloved.
This should be expected from CNBC - an outlet of rich people talking to other rich people. But I can't help but be irritated at the arrogance of the "job creators", and to grin somewhat about the fact that Occupy has gotten into these people's heads. This is what happens when we lose our middle class - the tony classes are seeing the plebs at the gates, literally.
Note how the author already implicates Occupy, without any conclusive proof that they had any involvement. Note the dismissive tone given to the 99-percenters, and the two linked articles telling the same to "stop bellyaching", and how the 1 percent feels unloved.
This should be expected from CNBC - an outlet of rich people talking to other rich people. But I can't help but be irritated at the arrogance of the "job creators", and to grin somewhat about the fact that Occupy has gotten into these people's heads. This is what happens when we lose our middle class - the tony classes are seeing the plebs at the gates, literally.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Quibbles and Bits, Hearts and Bones edition
More semi-random flavored morsels for your eat-ification.
>>For your viewing pleasure, I submit this sentiment from one of our military veterans, made a veteran in large part because of our country's insatiable thirst for fossil fuels of all kinds:
To me, this stands as one of nearly limitless examples of why my problems have never been with the armed forces themselves, or those who volunteer to serve (and get screamed at by the professional assholes known as drill seargents and COs) - my problem is with the elected civilians who put them in areas where they don't belong, and for reasons most directly related to the profit margins of a select few. Who are they fighting for, anyway?
>>Here's another one:
...and these are the same people who complain about welfare for the rest of us. The bottom line is - they don't want us dependent on government - they want us dependent upon them.
This is why Reagan and his worshippers like to talk about the "inherent ineptitude" of "government". Make it irrelevant in the eyes of the people, so we go running to Peter Schiff, Kevin O'Leary, and the rest of their buddies on Wall Street. Great racket - nice work too, if you can get it.
>> I'm not paying much attention to the Sochi Olympiad - to me, it's just another advertising opportunity for oligarchy (American, Russian, and elsewhere) to separate us from our cash. I will say, however, that I find the "kill joy" talk being perpetrated by the American press rather amusing - since it's another example of how in the pocket the American press is to Corporate America, the banks, and their subsidiary, the US Government. We don't like it when world leaders stand up to us, like Putin (not a boy scout, but he was right about "American Exceptionalism"). And, of course, there's the controversy about Russia's anti-gay legislation (pure bigotry, wrapped in the mistaken belief that it will address the declining population crisis).
More quibbles and bits later.
>>For your viewing pleasure, I submit this sentiment from one of our military veterans, made a veteran in large part because of our country's insatiable thirst for fossil fuels of all kinds:
To me, this stands as one of nearly limitless examples of why my problems have never been with the armed forces themselves, or those who volunteer to serve (and get screamed at by the professional assholes known as drill seargents and COs) - my problem is with the elected civilians who put them in areas where they don't belong, and for reasons most directly related to the profit margins of a select few. Who are they fighting for, anyway?
>>Here's another one:
...and these are the same people who complain about welfare for the rest of us. The bottom line is - they don't want us dependent on government - they want us dependent upon them.
...This is why Reagan and his worshippers like to talk about the "inherent ineptitude" of "government". Make it irrelevant in the eyes of the people, so we go running to Peter Schiff, Kevin O'Leary, and the rest of their buddies on Wall Street. Great racket - nice work too, if you can get it.
>> I'm not paying much attention to the Sochi Olympiad - to me, it's just another advertising opportunity for oligarchy (American, Russian, and elsewhere) to separate us from our cash. I will say, however, that I find the "kill joy" talk being perpetrated by the American press rather amusing - since it's another example of how in the pocket the American press is to Corporate America, the banks, and their subsidiary, the US Government. We don't like it when world leaders stand up to us, like Putin (not a boy scout, but he was right about "American Exceptionalism"). And, of course, there's the controversy about Russia's anti-gay legislation (pure bigotry, wrapped in the mistaken belief that it will address the declining population crisis).
More quibbles and bits later.
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Quibbles and Bits, Picturing the Truth and the Consequences Edition
>> Cold, hard truth about the illusion of "freedom", courtesy of the late, great Frank Zappa:
He was certainly not the only one saying this. Others knew that what we call "freedom" in the US is nothing more than an illusion, and since his passing, they have come forward: Peter Joseph and Chris Hedges in a direct fashion, Mike Ruppert and others in a more indirect way. Being in show business, Zappa knew an illusion when he saw it.
If we think about it, "freedom" is nothing more than a convenient weasel word - it can mean anything that the speaker wants it to mean. Freedom of what? Speech? Commerce? Press? Polluting a watershed because it's less profitable to dispose of your chemical waste in a less sensitive area and fashion? And, Freedom from what? "Tyranny" (another weasel word)? The sights of the homeless and less fortunate around us? A jackboot to the throat of a peaceful protester?
If you ask me, we're at the point where the scenery is being dismantled. We're seeing the brick at the back of the theater, obstructed only by the thinning, high-school-quality scenery in front.
>> Here's another bit from the Maestro:
"Real Estate" can be a metaphor for a lot of things besides land: material wealth in general, political clout, etc., which goes hand-in-hand with the ownership of real estate. The examples are out there: the ornateness of Vatican City and the wealth contained within, all of the Catholic Parishes around the world, the Christian megachurches in this country, the Mormon empire, and so on. These denominations are considered "mainstream", in large part because of their largess.
There seems to be an incongruity between their largess and their purporting to be "Christian" organizations. Remember what Christ had to say about rich people and the eye of a needle?
What are your thoughts?
He was certainly not the only one saying this. Others knew that what we call "freedom" in the US is nothing more than an illusion, and since his passing, they have come forward: Peter Joseph and Chris Hedges in a direct fashion, Mike Ruppert and others in a more indirect way. Being in show business, Zappa knew an illusion when he saw it.
If we think about it, "freedom" is nothing more than a convenient weasel word - it can mean anything that the speaker wants it to mean. Freedom of what? Speech? Commerce? Press? Polluting a watershed because it's less profitable to dispose of your chemical waste in a less sensitive area and fashion? And, Freedom from what? "Tyranny" (another weasel word)? The sights of the homeless and less fortunate around us? A jackboot to the throat of a peaceful protester?
If you ask me, we're at the point where the scenery is being dismantled. We're seeing the brick at the back of the theater, obstructed only by the thinning, high-school-quality scenery in front.
>> Here's another bit from the Maestro:
"Real Estate" can be a metaphor for a lot of things besides land: material wealth in general, political clout, etc., which goes hand-in-hand with the ownership of real estate. The examples are out there: the ornateness of Vatican City and the wealth contained within, all of the Catholic Parishes around the world, the Christian megachurches in this country, the Mormon empire, and so on. These denominations are considered "mainstream", in large part because of their largess.
There seems to be an incongruity between their largess and their purporting to be "Christian" organizations. Remember what Christ had to say about rich people and the eye of a needle?
What are your thoughts?
Friday, January 31, 2014
The price of life...
This post contains The Majority Report's take on the CEO of Bayer Pharmaceutical's statement that a new cancer drug was not intended for "Indians" - it was for westerners who could afford it.
I'm almost speechless about the racism and callousness of the Bayer CEO. But this seems to be evidence of a bigger trend - the 1% is no longer even bothering to try to be "politically correct", or show the slightest bit of compassion - even if it's for show. They're showing themselves as who they are - which scares me because they do not fear any pushback.
I'm almost speechless about the racism and callousness of the Bayer CEO. But this seems to be evidence of a bigger trend - the 1% is no longer even bothering to try to be "politically correct", or show the slightest bit of compassion - even if it's for show. They're showing themselves as who they are - which scares me because they do not fear any pushback.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Splinters on an Elephant's Caboose...
Joan Walsh, in Salon, details the problems that the Repubs are having right now in fielding a candidate that could potentially take on Hillary Clinton. Cruz is a nutcase, McDonnell is a court case, and Christie is a head case (soon to be a court case). Then there's the Pauls - Rand and Ryan - who both have a boatload of baggage (owing in part to their devotion to all things Ayn). Finally, there's Jeb - son of a Bush and brother of a Shrub.
So who else do they have, you ask?
My advice - don't take any of these characters lightly. There are still over 2 1/2 years to go to Election 2016. We have a corporate press that doesn't take well to progressive messages - hence we're served bank-and-business-friendly, so-called "liberals" like Clinton and Obama. Many within the banking and business community have openly stated their admiration and/or support for Chris Christie (the most dangerous of this bunch, despite his problems). The Repubs are well-funded and well-backed, and you better believe that the Brothers Koch will be opening their treasuries (never mind their wallets) in an all-out push to get their guy in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - especially if the 2014 elections mean that the Repubs take over the Senate.
It's too early in the game to take eyes off of the ball. The Repubs are by no means out of this, and Hillary is by no means guaranteed the Oval Office.
So who else do they have, you ask?
My advice - don't take any of these characters lightly. There are still over 2 1/2 years to go to Election 2016. We have a corporate press that doesn't take well to progressive messages - hence we're served bank-and-business-friendly, so-called "liberals" like Clinton and Obama. Many within the banking and business community have openly stated their admiration and/or support for Chris Christie (the most dangerous of this bunch, despite his problems). The Repubs are well-funded and well-backed, and you better believe that the Brothers Koch will be opening their treasuries (never mind their wallets) in an all-out push to get their guy in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - especially if the 2014 elections mean that the Repubs take over the Senate.
It's too early in the game to take eyes off of the ball. The Repubs are by no means out of this, and Hillary is by no means guaranteed the Oval Office.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Quibbles and Bits, Picture This Edition
I can't take credit for this one, but for your edification and amusement, I submit:
My impression is that when you strip away all of the nationalism, jingoism, racism, and pick-your-ism, what you are left with is what the picture describes.
Who draws those lines, anyway?
And "Criminal gangs", indeed.
What's your take?
Who draws those lines, anyway?
And "Criminal gangs", indeed.
What's your take?
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Quibbles and Bits, And So This is New Years…and What Have We Done? Edition
More mental morsels and other chewy bits, enough to get us
through the Same Old Laying and Signing brought on by the previous night’s
Festivities:
>> The Great Jobless Benefit Run-Out
The House’s
inaction on extending jobless benefits (or at the least, using it as a
political hostage as they are so apt to do), strikes me a bit as odd coming
from the Republicans, since one of their chief strategies is based in the
infamous Jude Winewsky “Two Santa Claus” article in the mid-70s. Thom Hartmann riffs on this frequently –
only this time, the Repubs can’t blame the Dems for “killing Santa Claus” in
the minds of the voters insofar as the social safety net is concerned. Sounds like bad electoral strategy – but
many of the recent midterm polls are actually favoring the Repubs. Stay tuned on this one…
>> Wither Senator Warren?
Look for some interesting goings-on in 2014
between Elizabeth Warren and her wing of the Dem party, and the Third Way (read:
Clinton) camp. Warren has already said
she won’t run, but she carries a thought virus with her (known as economic populism
and an itch to regulate the god-damned banks) which the Third Way crowd want’s
to quarantine. Here’s the article in Daily Kos, containing links to the Third-Way Op-Ed condemning her and the lovely
list of the Third Way supporters. Think
that the fact that the vast majority of those folks are investment
bankers just happens to be a coincidence? Hmmmmm...
>>Chris Hedges’ Days
of Destruction, Days of Revolt
This book should be required reading
in any institution of learning at any level.
He, along with illustrator Joe Sacco, visit and describe several of the
US’ most egregious economic “sacrifice zones”, among them Pine Ridge, South
Dakots, The Appalacians and the moonscape that Big Coal created there, and
Camden, New Jersey. His writing style
is customarily direct and non-academic, and Sacco’s illustrations lend a
certain quality of humanity to the words that photographs can’t match. In short, the book describes the economic
conditions and crises that lead ultimately to the Occupy movement, where the
book ends. Read it.
And weep, for what we’ve become as a nation.
More later.
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