Why the name Ranch Chimp? it was in humour because, science says that humans have similar DNA to a chimpanzee,so I felt some way related biologically to a chimpanzee. 2nd, everytime I was out of Texas on a vacation or for whatever reason I’m always asked things like, do I live on a ranch?,or have cattle? so I commonly call Dallas the Ranch. "Politically Depressed" was also humour inspired by the 1993- 2002 Bill Maher TV/ tele show "Politically Incorrect".
Part 4 of the "America's Vote Boat" series will be to look at voting in America today and how votes are counted/ collected. Some of below may seem funny, but it should also be questioned like anything else of importance ... I mean, when we vote in these folks, it is a serious issue, especially with how this country has been on a decline with so many domestic issues we are up against. The GOP (Republicans) are alwayz saying that they are out to reduce voter fraud and make everything more straight and secure ... so this is something they especially should look into, especially Texas Republicans, being so patriotic and having so much "love" for their country and state, etc ... I mean ... isnt this what ya'll want? I have voted for 40 years like clockwork, probably for at least the last couple decades I been using these electronic voting machines, and I alwayz walk away from the booth wondering how do I know my vote went through and is it counted, or even correctly? I push a button or touch screen, it lights up and sayz my vote was counted/ cast, I have no way of finding out if it did though. When I asked folks working at the voting polls about verification or security, they tell me that those corporations who have the contracts for the voting machines, take care of everything ... wow!! ... I feel so relieved!, eh? (just kidding) ... boy oh boy ... nothing like putting my faith and trust in them!, in America it dont get any better eh? ... BUT IT SHOULD! Many voters dont even know much about the voting in this country or the companies involved for that matter, a buddy of mine who is a registered voter asked me a couple weeks ago if I could explain delegates and super-delegates to him, the 2 parties have some differences, as for myself, I like "1- vote" from each voter person instead ... a neighbour asked me yesterday who voted early (yes, we have early voting in Texas), if there is a way to tell if her vote actually counted? ... many folks have many questions. I wish it was like in the market when you're "asked" if you want paper or plastic bags for your groceries ... I prefer paper please, and many voters would also choose some verification and a tighter secured and solid method of voting.
The voting system to me in this country, like too much else ... is way too complex, and history shows when we make things too complicated, it widens the chance for errors. I like to make things more straight and simple, we know people dont have the damn time to spend hours researching this shit, anymore than we have hours to spend online shopping state to state for health insurance coverage that dont screw us. Some ideas that I have heard of are a start to get on the road, instead of just talk out of political mouth pieces. I'm first of all for at least a mandatory VVPAT (voter verified paper audit trail) for ALL states ... you know ... since we call ourselves "united states", people like to know and even have a paper receipt if anything of their vote. Making voter registration easier, perhaps to automatically register everyone who turns 18 to vote, or who go to get a drivers license/ or state, county official ID card. Figuring out a way to maybe even bring back the paper ballot in all states if that's what it takes to secure our voting and eliminating fraud chances even more ... although some politicians will say "it cant be done" or "we should be grateful with what we have". Dont tell us what the Hell we should be satisfied with or some sap- headed garbage like how grateful we should be ... as far as I'm concerned, ya'll can kiss Wall Street's ass all you want in your own time, but as long as you're getting a bloody damn paycheck from us with life long benefits, pensions and protections ... YOU WORK FOR US! Making a national voting holiday, so that everyone can be more patriotic, since that is what ya'll preach you like to see ... and enable all people who choose, to have the day off of work and focus their thoughts on who they want to see in whatever office. Making early voting easy and expanded all across the country, for those in positions/ careers such as law enforcement, medical emergency providers, etc, who cant devote a certain 24 hour period to the national day, are able to have time with less stress to be able to get their vote in, otherwise as far as OUR vote, will be simply more of this. As far as my thoughts otherwise on voting in America, I point out in parts 3, 2, &1 of this series. Below some video and read ... Word Out ....
Las Vegas Caucus Ends Before Delegates Chosen, Chaos Erupts ... Thanx to THE YOUNG TURKS
Part 9 of the "Political Corruption & Ethics" series will be a piece wrote by Eliza A. Webb for "Truthout News", this was such a well done piece that I had to include it in this series, and importante that pieces like this continue to be spread around the internet, and Thank You to Eliza! Although when you read this, we are so desensitized to just how corrupt this country and system is, this will not surprise you. Right now we have elections going on and politicians are so desperate, they are lying so much and fast and breaking their previous records for such, that they cant even remember what they were for or against, or what is true or false even, looking like wide open fools in the eyes of a growing amount of Americans in their debates. They are so desperate to keep the establishment and status quo of these 2 parties going, because they see how more and more Americans by the day are getting fed up with it. They are even running out of lies to tell you, they have already tried just about everything there is, so they are alwayz trying to revive their old policies and repackage it, but it's the same old rubbish over and over people are seeing. The establishment Democrat and Republicans no doubt still control the majority, but they have been steadily losing ground, I started this journal sometime in 2008, and since that time, I am not surprised but impressed, on how vast the opposition has become. Thanx to so many independent groups and media this has been really an "Awakening" period of anger, education, retaliation and political reconstruction, which is why I started the "Awakening" series, because many small groups when first coming out like the "Occupy Movement" were laughed at ... that is why I was pointing out how their mission will grow and inspire the new splinters that will come and multiply. Today we see how even the 2 parties are divided almost evenly on both sides ... and it is growing. Thanx also to Senator Bernie Sanders, who was also laughed at ... for starting his "political revolution" movement, which will also continue to grow, especially if he is not the Democratic nominee, the younger generation is really going to embrace and expand on what he started, trust me, and he will be inspiring still long after these elections, just look when he went in to run for President several months ago what his poll numbers were, and going up against such a political power house of wealth and corporate, banking, media and establishment party backing as Clinton, and look at his poll and support numbers now! Enough from me, and on to Eliza Webb below ... Word Out ....
This posting will be to look at the efforts and work put forth by Curtis Ellis on enlightening American's on these toxic trade deals. I also wanted to include Curtis in the "Public Patriots" series of this journal because of his work ... he is mostly handling the conservative arena of American's, being that he is a conservative, although what he addresses is importante for ALL American's to know and question, Curtis is with Obamatrade and American Jobs Alliance. This posting is for the "Trans- Pacific Partnership" series of this journal as well, this series title will change now to the "American Trade" series, since it will cover various postings related to trade, not only TPP. Part of the title of this posting as far as "liberalism vs. stupidity" and "toxic trade" was inspired by Thom Hartmann, and I recommend his YouTube channel as well for quick non mainstream news briefs, of course with somewhat of a progressive liberal slant. Thom invites Curtis to frequent his channel for discussions too, which is how I found out about Curtis roughly a year ago. Below is video and links with Curtis and others, importante enough to take a look at, the first video from the Thom Hartmann show is an example as well of what many Americans have been facing as far as their jobs and production plants being shut down and moved to other countries. Incredibly at the same time, these huge companies like Carrier/ United Technologies ... I'm sure get plenty of government contracts as well, from our taxes and business along with other treats, and of course are booming in profits, this shows their appreciation and willingness to let their good fortune, which largely our people/ customers and government helped build, trickle down into the economy. This should also be reason enough for any American who has issues with this, to avoid any business possible with Carrier, whether you're a homeowner or small business ready to start up on choosing your HVAC needs, there are plenty of competitors out there price and quality wise to choose, and at the same time you're doing your country a favour ... remember, supply meets demand as well. Boycotting products/ business to signing petitions and pressuring our political representation is very importante too. It's also importante to know where a U.S.Supreme Court nominee stands on these issues of trade, campaign finance, Wall Street and the economy, not just social issues, when one gets nominated.
**** update 02/ 19/ 2016: Trump said last night the 18th in a CNN Town Hall, he will NOT do business with Carrier anymore, credit to him on that ... I would hope that he is sincere in that statement and sticks to it, due to the large amount of business he's done with them ... you could bet your ass, I would do the same if I was in Trump's position. Nothing against Mexico, but to send a message to these mega companies due to the times and condition.
Watch Workers' Outrage At Jobs Being Shipped Overseas ... Thanx to THOM HARTMANN
***** FOX59 NEWS/ INDIANAPOLIS: Union: Carrier said they will pay Mexican Workers $6 an hour (newsread/ video) **** this company has also received over $5 million in Federal stimulus, as well as a tax free ride and other continuous incentives from Indiana of tax payer dollars. The move is NOT to be competitive or for quality, or related bullshit ... bottom line is, it is to pay workers in Mexico a fraction of U.S. wages without the benefits, instead of paying folks in Indiana $20 dollars an hour and benefits. You can also bank on it, that their prices for products and services WILL NOT go down either, if anything they will probably go up.
Curtis Ellis of American Jobs Alliance: Stop TPP! ... Thanx to JohnFredericksShow **** (this video was changed out, due to first one removed from YouTube)
***** OBAMATRADE.COM ... this website has various pieces of read and video that are well worth the read and listen
***** WWW.AMERICANJOBSALLIANCE.COM ... more healthy food for thought with various pieces from this independent, non- partisan, non- profit group
Thomas Hudson Pickering aka "Ranch Chimp", "Commie Tommie" & "Skool" (short for old school) to kid's locally
What also inspires these postings is from those I've talked to here in Texas that I heard stories from ... related to their jobs/ careers, some students that have went to trade schools and borrowed money to do such, with lousy results when they went with their new trades into the workforce as far as wages, others with small businesses and finding themselves being squeezed, etc, and so many folks that know that there is some kind of problemo, but not exactly sure what is going on (?), and dont really have much time to spend researching these trade deals or whatever, the mainstream news doesnt cover much of this, and of course, you know why. Some people today dont get laid off/ dismissed from their company with notice, yet every company wants advance notice if you quit to go elsewhere, to have adequate time to adjust to your move ... today, they may just lock the doors to employees one morning and/ or send you an email. This morning for instance in mainstream media, the BIGGEST story was endless talk about little bitch fights between folks like Jeb Bush and Donald Trump, I'm not joking either, they actually have group panels set up on CNN for instance discussing petty fights between their families (he said/ she said related talk), even trying to analyze why Trump may seem hostile in language and use swear words, and are they acceptable to people in whatever state?, personally I dont give a shit what kind of language a candidate uses as long as they're straight to the point. But also speaking of politics/ elections this year, I dont really favour "Donald the Great" (Trump), but I will credit him here for at least speaking out about this trade as a front runner in the GOP. I have listened to him closely on trade and spending, and have some agreement with him and his views, for example ... instead of these large corporate designed trade deals, to slow down a tad, think, and try randomly picking and choosing individual countries to try to talk trade relations with. I think that Bernie Sanders as well is sincere about bucking this trade, as far as Hillary Clinton though, I have more reason than Trump to have reservations on her sincerity, even though she recently sayz she questions it ... which is great, but that is not good enough, this is another issue of many she has flip- flopped on, and her track record shows me that she will say any damn thing to get a vote while on camera.
Curtis also points out how these trade deals of this type been going on for decades, much longer than what some progressives even talk about as far as all this just popping up after President Ronald Reagan and "Reaganomics", and I believe this is the case, I also believe that President Obama was somewhat coached into this. For example, when former Presidents meet with a new President, such as when the former 2 Bush President's and Bill Clinton went to visit Obama for a private talk after Obama moves into the Oval Office over tea or whatever, they are not discussing things like women's, minorities, LGBT rights or humanitarian goals in Afghanistan, but coaching the "new" President and wanting somewhat of a reassurance that the new President will try best to sustain previous ongoing efforts such as these trade deals and large defense spending and foreign military occupation. The largest special interests with wealth, dont care about things like human rights, or sexual preference/ identity, race, class, labour rights or fair pay, or freeing women and gays from oppression in some place like Afghanistan and related issues that we are fighting for ... they care only about creating a reality and environment for the globe that they see fit. This is why it is also importante for us to be more politically diversified when challenging things like trade issues and align ourselves with those on these issues that are speaking in behalf our OUR interests, and to downgrade and dissolve these political dynasties such as the "Bush- Clinton Dynasty"/ Bush- Clinton Forever fantasies (a hilarious link, but to take serious as well, because America has enough saps to support shit like this on both sides), which is our stupidity and not liberalism, conservative or independent. Your largest special interests of wealth have to consolidate, merge, and buy out a good percentage of the lesser competition to preserve their stronghold only ... I mean, they all know that they are no longer needed in the 21st century as they were in the 20th century for example ... I mean, they are "realists", and we need to be as well, they know that only their wealth is keeping them from being devoured by our jaws, nothing else, because they have nothing to offer, or are even decent challengers in competition ... I mean, without their wealth, many are just basically good only as fertilizer or feed the way I view them.
The largest entities of wealth and their corporate/ banking monopoly affiliates/ flunkies (political and private), know that the globe has many problems, many problems we ourselves are going to have to deal with, whether it's immigration, food supply, global warming, population increases, medicine/ healthcare, energy needs and on. They also know that we are going to grow more globally closer and dependent on each other to a degree, all they are doing is trying to rush it, to get head start on their endeavors to working sooner since they are alwayz 2 steps ahead of us in planning and have a stronger edge to run the show is all. They feel that they are the most qualified to solve the issues over any governments ... and who knows business better than them? Their vision and reality they want to create is to eventually have a cease to all war/ conflict ... although they use war and conflict to clear out what they dont want in the meantime, and to be able to supply all the needs of those in the upper level who service them and make the world economies work, and at the same time to have better control/ track of everyone ... to make a standard average worker pay scale across the globe, with standard global cost and quality of living for the masses of the lower level as a whole ... I guess in an odd way, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh {:-) ... they are for EQUAL PAY in that respect. They envision a type of Utopia combined with a Puritan society type control over it, with better control of the population and better control over everything, of course to their advantage. But even if you're a low end millionaire to moderate middle class and think that this is freedom, free market, true capitalism or robust and healthy global trade, you need to re- evaluate your thinking, no doubt we all have the same challenges, but there are more than one way to deal with issues, this is more enslavement than freedom and less healthy for good flow of business or capitalism. It is most importante for us in America and other countries in this time, to look out for our own countries, environments and economies, to strengthen our own domestic economies, infrastructure and production, to take more charge of our goals and creating a reality that best suits us, and to spend less time worrying about trying to raise wages for those in some place like Vietnam, Afghanistan or wherever, and focus more on our decline and those lowering our standards of living and expectations, with less concern to appease a bunch that dont give a shit about us any way you slice it, but only to take anything from us ... that were stupid enough to give them.
This posting for the music/ arts honour roll society of this journal is to honour and showcase some of the work of David Bowie out of Brixton/ London, which I been intending to get into this journal for awhile ... one of the industry's most well known artists as well, also, my condolences to his wife Iman, children and familia. David is not just an artist, but a piece of art in himself, I mean ... his entire life is art, period. I'm glad that I waited to posting David, because of the 2016 release of "Blackstar" ... I thought was an excellent and beautiful piece of work I'm happy to include in this posting. It doesnt matter what for this artist, he is in the best of the best category and worx his ass off to make sure his fan's get the best of the best in whatever his mind and hands are into. Since a child it has been nothing but one long ride through music, dance, playing a variety of instruments, his unique trade mark vocals, producing, writing, acting, his personal painting work, and working with so many in the industry. For decades alwayz keeping it fresh and exploring various genres, creating a new image and character at every chance with new themes and various musicians/ crews, inspiring countless people up and coming in the industry to veterans of the industry ... more about that in the links. I have went through so much on YouTube reviewing so many pieces, choosing which pieces of his to include here was a toss up ... there are several pieces that are very popular too, but decided to keep it simple and just post some of my favourites of his from over the decades, and I loved his cover of the classic Jonathan Richman/ The Modern Lovers "Pablo Picasso". Enough from me and Thank You to David for all the great work ... Enjoy!
David Bowie- Ziggy Stardust, taken from 'Ziggy Stardust The Motion Picture' ... Thanx to DAVID BOWIE
Thomas Hudson Pickering aka "Ranch Chimp" & "Commie Tommie" (the car is a 2013 ZL1 Chevy Camaro convertible, with a LSA 6.2 liter supercharged V8 and 580 horsepower engine ... it dont fuck around (half- step), and neither do I : )
This posting to serve 3 series of this journal ... "Incarcerated American", "Hillary Clinton", and a new series called "Michelle Alexander" ... and much credit to Michelle for the piece she wrote in "The Nation" concerning the Clinton's, Bernie Sanders and the entire establishment of the Democratic Party, a party that even Sanders must embrace as an independent, just to be a serious Presidential contender. You can bank on it, that we are also in a political transition period, where the new generations like my/ our children and grandchildren are going to bury this outdated lesser of 2 evils political duopoly rubbish. There can never be enough posted online about these issues, because they are quickly dismissed by a few words by much of the mainstream media and both political parties that dominate. The media this morning is heavily saturated with this New Hampshire Primary, so much I had to turn off my tele news when I woke this morning. I can clearly understand how Michelle Alexander feels when she is in shock today on how the African American communities can give so much support to the Clinton's, but ... we forget every damn thing too quick in America ... we already forgot even all the promises made by President Obama when he first came to office in only 7 years, only because we are told to and given a new concern or challenge to deal with by media and politics, so we get turned on and off like a light switch basically or wind up dolls. This posting is about this so called "crackdown" or "toughness" on serious violent crime as well, cracking down on serious crime is one thing, but pushing laws/ legislation that are targeting innocent people based on race, quality of life, income level or related is another, while your friends make billions in profits from the incarceration of them, and milk the tax payers more to pay for it. At the same time, they're pushing laws through so that their wealthy friends/ donors can get away with crime and rob/ jack anyone they want with no punishment when they're caught ... then they come around a couple decades later and say they made a mistake, only after people throw in their faces of the reality created and ignored for years. If this was their friends or children being victimized in their upper class communities they would be outraged. The people of this country should push to make "3 strikes out" laws for politicians as well, instead of just supporting these ingrates for decades while pampering and forgiving them.
My issues with Hillary Clinton have mainly been because how she changes face on so much, I mean ... I cant really tell what she is for or against, because of how she changes up from one speech to another, so it's difficult for me to believe in anything she sayz. But I also have many questions as you can see in the other 2 parts of her in this series on her ties to Wall Street, defense companies, private prison industry and her obligations to many who dont serve the best interests of our people. I mean ... when you have billionaires and large international corporations/ banks just flooding you with millions of dollars, you must wonder why, eh? ... do they NOT expect a favour in return?, does NOT the person receiving the financial generosity feel an obligation to them of some degree? Hillary sayz she wants to crack down on them who give her all this money ... perhaps they're masochists and gluttons for punishment, eh? On the other hand with her husband President Bill Clinton, it's different, because I have had issues with policies that he pushed and signed looking back at his Presidency, whether it's on this and the new mass prison population, with the "3 strikes out laws" that he pounded and signed simply because he wanted to show he can be tougher than Republicans on crime ... yes ... a type of political ego thing actually, or trade deals like NAFTA, or the repeal of "Glass- Steagall" ... a "mass incarceration system", that has made billions off of incarcerating people for no good reason of the tax payers money, etc ... so I have different views/ opinions on Hillary and her husband. When I look at Bill Clinton these dayz, I see him only as an extension of his predecessor President George H.W. Bush. President Bill Clinton now apologizes for the bill he pushed through over 2 decades ago, admitting that it caused so many problems for people and communities across the nation, and the majority being non- whites, a bill that even Bernie Sanders voted in favour of it with many other Democrats and Republicans, but Bernie also asked for it to be trashed and rewritten at the time (video of Bernie Sanders 1994 on the floor of the House warning Congress of what this crime bill as written could do to communities across America, and Hillary's response to it 1996), which Clinton or others wouldnt change/ revise, and Hillary Clinton supported it 110% as is, even though she did not have any official input in it.
Hillary in recent months cut off her money and ties from the private prison industry after being questioned or exposed you can say ... which is also a plus, yet, not much loss to her money- wise due to the millions that is fed into her from other corporate/ banking sources. Today, Secretary Hillary Clinton in her Presidential campaign is now talking about all the wrong, corruption, income inequality or whatever else that Senator Bernie Sanders been pushing, she is on a type of mission she sayz to finally bring "justice for all" or whatever, even to kill the bills of her husband Bill, and all she has a lengthy record of supporting. The thing is ... if it was not for Bernie Sanders bringing many concerns up, or folks like Black Lives Matter demanding answers to the systemic racism and unfair and unjustified violence from law enforcement towards many black Americans, or people like Michelle Alexander, civil rights activists and a list of others ... not a damn word about any of this would be in any spotlight during this 2016 elections, nor would have Bill Clinton made a public apology. Both of the mainstream establishment of the 2 political parties dont even want this to come up ... mainstream media has their hands tied on certain issues that they only are allowed to cover in depth if it is okayed by their corporate ownership, alot of great journalists in MSM, and great coverage ... but on what they are allowed to cover unfortunately only. Thousands upon thousands of lives in just a generation have been damaged and even destroyed for life, many have even been killed in their communities by militarized police units, and for no justifiable reason all because of the "actions" of folks like President Bill Clinton and other politicians. Millions of people and mostly of colour have criminal records for life, that were never even real criminals. Despite supposed intentions that the 3 strikes out laws being for only violent repeat offenders, it trickled down to everybody, even for offenses as petty marijuana joint possession or cocaine "residue" only (without actual quantity), to urinating in public or whatever else in many states across the country. Thousands of a majority of single black mothers being incarcerated for petty violations and taken from their children and families, millions are not able to get a job because of this, or when they do get a job, to have to work for below average wages and benefits, while being subject to many violations against them, with fines and penalties escalating to warrants on simply citations for even traffic violations and jail/ prison sentences.
Hillary Clinton's mission to reverse all the damage that has been done and recent acknowledgement of just how contaminated, unfair and corrupt the system is ... and one that she and her husband helped create is a great mission, and a couple decades past due. My question is, how sincere is she about it? ... or can it be done without her going against the same mega entities that she is so in debt to and in bed with? ... I mean ... while she sayz "yes we can" ... on another note, when Bernie Sanders brings up how we must make changes to give the people of this nation what is rightfully theirs ... she sayz "no we cant", or it's too radical, along with her husband, daughter and establishment Democrats ... I mean ... which is it, eh?, can we or cant we? I could be wrong about Hillary Clinton, maybe she would be one of the greatest leaders of all time, she certainly has the experience, qualifications, connections and support to get action in the House and Senate ... and maybe she has made a complete turn around like someone "born again" or whatever and devoted to cleaning up this system (yes, people can change, especially with good advisors and inspiration around them) ... but I clearly have reason to question her ... and so should many others. Of course as far as Presidential choices though in mainstream politics of these 2 sides, I would rather have her as President than any of the Republican candidates ... but still, what kind of REAL change or choice is even that? The politics in this nation that are fed to us, are more like "penal politics" ... a sort of punishment politics more than anything else, so saturated with bullshit, and doing the same thing over and over with the same people headlining the shows, reinventing themselves every 4 years or less for decade after decade, I'm 60 years old and been voting for 40 years, so I seen it first hand. Below I linked some read and video from "Democracy Now" and "The Stranger", with the activist/ author Michelle Alexander piece in "The Nation", Darnell Moore of "Black Lives Matter", former Vermont Governor Madeleine Kunin and former NAACP President Benjamin Jealous ... Word Out ....
Death- Politicians In My Eyes ... Thanx to ELVILLE **** a song/ video here from "Death" that was recorded in 1974 ... an African American rock band, often referred to as punk or hard rock, that formed in the early 1970's Detroit, and still around, as well as one of the first black bands of these genres in the world considering when they formed ... a great sounding crew and piece I wanted to add, the lyrics HERE ... which are fitting for the posting too. This will also be included in the RCJ MUSIC/ ARTS HONOUR ROLL SOCIETY
This posting will be to highlight Lady Gaga at yesterdayz SuperBowl 50 in Santa Clara (SF Bay Area) opening the game with her cover of the National Anthem ... and Congratulations to the Denver Broncos on their victory, who I was pulling for, Peyton Manning is one of my all time favourite quarterbacks. But as I pointed out in past postings of Lady Gaga about her talent, she can fit into just about any genre of music ... not just a pop musician, she is multi talented in the performing arts as well across the board, and hands on in the trenches of every bit of her work, she is also one of the best dressed when it comes to her wide range of unique fashions she loves to wear. A short interview HERE with the NFL Network she done before her performance, where she talks about how Whitney Houston as well inspired her wanting to cover this, when Whitney done it at SuperBowl 25 in 1991. I also wanted to use this posting to place Lady Gaga in the "Beautiful Girlz" series of this journal for her talent and beauty. But below, the National Anthem ... this is how it's done, plain and simple! .... Enjoy!
Lady Gaga- National Anthem- Super 2016 ... Thanx to LadyGagaNewz **** you will have to click on video to watch on YouTube because it contains NFL content
