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".
Dallas County Sheriff Lupe Valdez Announces Run For Governor ... Thanx to CBSDFW
First of all ... my heart and thoughts go out to those in SoCal, that are being hammered with these fires (CNN), this is one of the most beautiful areas of our country, at that ... and this Global Warming just adds to intensifying these fires! This posting is concerning local Texas politics, and will serve 3 series of this journal, as an introduction to now former Dallas County Sheriff for the last 12 years, Lupe Valdez ... some news video above. I been hoping that Valdez would run for governor, because I know she has been thinking about it for a couple years now, so congrats on that move! All states have their unique situations and issues, Texas is no exception. Another positive here in Texas, Democrats have fielded candidates for 90 of 150 Texas House seats (Texas Observer) ... so there is signs of progress showing, for a little more political diversity here in the Lone Star State. Our current Governor Abbott, has been declining to address critical issues we face here ... plus, Austin is way out of balance politically, considering all the needs and issues, and it's not a clear representational picture of Texas. Lupe Valdez has Texas, patriotism, and service written all over her, and a pretty solid record. She started from a Texas familia of migrant workers, busted ass, working her way through college, earning a bachelor's in business administration, and a master's in criminology and criminal justice. Valdez is a U.S. Army veteran Captain, federal agent for U.S. Customs and with the Department of Homeland Security, prior to becoming Dallas County top cop, she had 3 decades of law enforcement background, worked anti- terrorism, and in Central and South America, as well. But Valdez and Abbott got off on the wrong foot you could say, a couple years back, when Abbott made some monetary and political threats to her, concerning Valdez not honouring the way Abbott set up the sanctuary city penalty thing. Bottom line here is ... Valdez has a more common sense, and non radical way of dealing with illegal immigration issues. Valdez knows and worked the border, knows the people and the tricks of the trade ... Abbott does not, simple.
They say that Valdez will have an uphill battle ... which is fine, she has dealt with uphill battles her entire life. I know with the lineup of Democrat challengers we have now (and there is more to come), that Valdez is at the top of my list, I expect already to vote for her in the primaries (early voting late february 2018). I would like to see her get the nomination, but too, whoever the opponent of Abbott and the GOP is, I will be voting for them, and straight Democrat in the Texas 2018 elections, although I'm an independent. As far as the presidential 2020 election, I'm not sure how I will vote on that, I wont vote republican, but if democrats pull what they did in 2016, I wont vote for them either. Mostly all I hear here in Texas, is the money factor, with the tons of cash Abbott has, and this has been the culture too much we hear since 2010 across America ... money, money, money. But there is such a thing as upsets, and people voting their conscience, so it's not all about big bucks only. A key primary challenge for Valdez I noticed, will be investor Andrew White of Houston, who is riding mainly on the coattail of his dad, former Texas Governor, Mark White. I like candidate and Dallas businessman, Jeffrey Payne, more than White, Payne was an orphan, came to Dallas with $2000, and started 5 businesses. White is a self proclaimed "very conservative democrat" and "moderate republican", which is a popular label these dayz, whether in Washington or Texas. White never been clear on where he stands on women's choice issues, or many other social issues ... and listening to him, I doubt he ever will. White is simply just that ... an investor ... we are saturated these dayz with investors in politics, and folks who have no idea what is happening on Main St or our communities in America. It's also refreshing in 2017/ 2018, to actually see some candidates for political office, that have actually had to "work" to earn a paycheck at some point in life. Look at the U.S. Congress for example ... I would bet that half of them are millionaire investors only, and not much else ... I mean, they're like a dime a dozen up there. Also, I'm so sick of hearing the whining out of Democrats, that "they need to move more to the right" ... I mean ... why dont they ask more Republicans to move more to the left? We dont even have a fair balance for representation, and Washington is as bad as Texas on it ... if you do nothing over the years, but move to the right, there is no left anymore at all, to give any balance ... it's a one way street of neoliberalism. I myself years ago, was far more bipartisan, and even voted Republican, but because of neoliberalism, religious fanaticism, phony patriotism, and lack of rational conservative ideas by the GOP, I been forced to move far more left, even more left than Democrats.
Another Democrat challenger, is Tom Wakely ... I actually like Wakely too, but he is a Berniecrat, and you know, by the time they get done with him, both Democrats and Republicans, they will have all this fake media, that he was some shit like a former Soviet Union baby transplant, of old school eastern communism ... you know the talk these dayz ... "RUSSIA IS GOING TO GET US!", etc. Instead of blaming everything on, and worrying about, Russians, I suggest our politicians clean up their own damn house, and work on fixing their own corruption, incompetence, and neglect, first. They are also going to play the economy and jobs card, big time here ... talking about how great business is here in Texas under Abbott/ Republicans. Bottom line is, Texas has a very attractive business climate, and much else, and it been that way for decades, and will continue to, under Democrats or Republicans ... so you can toss that talk to the side. Same in Washington now, with all this hype on how the stock markets are exploding with confidence under Trump/ GOP. Bottom line, all this economic recovery came under 8 years of Obama, it took that long to recover, from the 08 mess it was in. But Obama sided more with Wall St, instead of Main St, and Obama gave more to Wall St, than even former President W. Bush. Obama came in office with a mess leftover from Bush/ Cheney and the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression ... Trump came into office with no financial mess to deal with ... it was all done for him, he didnt have to do anything, but take all the credit. And all this new activity in the markets, is just speculative chance, with a bloated overvalued market. Valdez is well known in Dallas, but not across Texas yet, so it's importante for her to work the state, and introduce herself to Texans. She done much to clean up the Dallas County jail and Sheriff's Department here in her 12 years, and the internal corruption, she has been active in the LGBT community, and stands more for working Texas families, the needy, small business, education, women's rights, and transportation improvement, as well as unifying law enforcement more in Dallas with the community, and looking out for her deputies more than the past Sheriff Bowles. I linked a couple pieces below, to read up more on Lupe Valdez.
(left to right) Officers Nicole Firebaugh, Cosy Sexton, and Sgt. Nick Stevens of the Kaufman Police Department ... (unrelated photo from 2016)
This posting will serve the "Public Patriots" and "Poverty & Despair" series of this journal/ blog. It will be to honour and support the actions of Sgt. Nick Stevens of the Kaufman Texas Police Department, Kaufman is a small Dallas area town of about 7000 folks. Sgt. Stevens has been with Kaufman PD for 5 years, prior to that he served 9 years as a U.S.Marine. Sgt. Stevens has been suspended from duties, pending a department internal investigation for insubordination to his superior, for arguing with his superior over his actions, which he stands firm on ... despite the department commending him for his charitable act. A Walmart store had detained a young man who stole a turkey leg and bottle of Gatorade to eat, they called police to come and arrest and transport the man to jail, being they wanted to prosecute the shoplifter. Sgt. Stevens answered the call, arrived, talked to the suspect and store security, and decided to instead, give the suspect money to buy food and let him go, and Walmart complained of the officer's actions. The suspect when asked by Sgt. Stevens, explained that he had nothing to eat for 2 dayz and was hungry. The suspect didnt have a criminal history, and Sgt. Stevens, simply understood the situation, used common sense, helped the hungry man, and let it ride. I myself was put in a similar situation many years back when I worked as security in Uptown Dallas' nightclub/ entertainment district one night, as you can see in the last paragraph here, so I can understand what Sgt. Stevens felt. Sgt. Stevens was simply doing the right thing, and this kind of act is importante for other officers to look closely at. Sgt. Stevens is looking out for his community and people ... and questioning the bureaucracy, which is what a public servant in a democracy should be about.
The law sayz that the victim (which would be Walmart in this case), has a right to press charges, which is understandable, and it also worx the other way around, to where the state can bring charges, even if a victim refuses to prosecute, depending on the charge/ case, so it's a 2- way street. What I find odd about this case, and sort of hypocritical on the part of Walmart, is back in 2006, Walmart said it would not prosecute shoplifters for taking under $25 worth of merchandise from their stores (NY Times). This was decided by Walmart, because the waste of time and expense of the store, as well as too much strain on police departments for petty things, with calls to detain/ arrest and transport small offenders, even employees thought it was good. Walmart is a huge store chain that actually throws out dumpster size amounts of food and various goods on a daily basis. Walmart is the largest retailer in America, this is no skin off their ass ... so I dont understand why such a push to prosecute a hungry person for stealing a meal. And Walmart refusing to even comment to public media on this, while putting fault on this officer, is just more of America's corporate arrogance to me, in a time where corporations are even trying to dictate our morality these dayz. In a small town like Kaufman, like many other towns across America, Walmart has become more like a monopoly, almost impossible to even compete with. The official newsread below from WFAA/ Dallas, with video interview with Sgt. Stevens daughter, Kelsey Stevens ... and Thank You to Sgt. Stevens for his service to the community.
Taxpayers Foot The Bill For Sexual Harassers In Congress ... Thanx to The Ring of Fire
This posting will serve the "Political Corruption & Ethics", "Sexploitation Nation" and "Mo of Yo Money" series of this journal/ blog. I opened above with a short video from Farron Cousins of "The Ring of Fire", since Farron gets straight to the point. I wanted to do a posting on this, because it's importante to know where our tax dollars are going for one. And to also try to clean up our Congress through exposure and pressure, and putting their balls to the wall, which is past due. We have mid- term elections in 2018, so it's importante to also know who we are voting for, and who we should or should not continue to vote for. Right now, our President and the RNC is supporting Roy Moore of Alabama for the Senate (Washington Post), despite previously rejecting him. If we continue to be asked to support these folks by these parties for grabbing/ abusing women or whatever, and we keep stupidly doing so ... it will be just a matter of time, before we are asked to support child molesters as well, scaring us with the classic "lesser of 2 evil" rubbish. I had no idea that there was also a slush fund to cover the asses of these politicians, so this is new to me, although it does not surprise me, considering just how corrupt this cesspool is in Washington. These accused, are not mentally challenged with awful upbringing/ childhoods, many of these come from good backgrounds and families, well educated in good schools, not financially strapped, etc ... they, if anyone, should know better. I just added a couple links below from Politico to explain how this is done in secrecy, and also a piece on U.S. Congressman Blake Farenthold of Texas, and how much we had to shell out for this asshole. Also a link from ThinkProgress, that was interesting, with a list of corporations that support this "alleged" child abuser, Roy Moore ... just to show what our corporate controlled politics consist of in America. After, I will add some of my own thoughts on this below.
Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp & daughter Bear
First of all, it's equally disgusting to have to have fellow members of Congress have to ask their colleagues to resign ... we should have a system to where these folks are just fired, when there is solid evidence, and especially their own shady worded admission of guilt. It's sad enough that we have to subsidize and bailout everyone from CEO's to multinational corporations and banks, and their wars around the globe with tax dollars ... and they make us pay for this as well? They do all this through legislation, in fact, the people of this country have zero input on what they are legislating. And the only reason any of these in Washington are even talking about this, is to try to save their political careers and parties, otherwise they would have done something about this years ago, without waiting for this to come out. They say, they now want to set up counseling sessions or whatever? ... at where, some plush golf resort?, because that is the way these SOB's up there pamper each other ... you know ... fuck you, just resign. Many of these folks up there are millionaires, on top of it, and we pay these folks in the range of like $174,000 to about $224,000 a year in salaries, and better benefits than even any professional gets in the private sector. And these are not incidents that they indulge in on their free time off the job ... they are doing this on the job to their employees and colleagues. I can only imagine just how loose this culture is up there, and sadly as far as people working for some of these folks, some are even unpaid interns. There also needs to be public demand for disclosure of just what the Hell is going on up there on these things, we need to demand it, or vote against these people in the elections, regardless of how much we may be devoted to either of these parties ... these people are foul, and do not deserve our support or any respect, when they treat their employees and colleagues this way. And when these people are found to be doing this, they should be on their own, and have to pay out of their pocket, or even have to answer to criminal charges if any ... just like everyone else in the private sector ... you are NOT special. A person may just want to work without being constantly harassed or touched ... it's simple ... it's basic rules of any workplace. I also want to point out, that this $17 million paid out through this slush fund, is not necessarily ALL to victims of "sexual harassment" only. Which is another problem, because we need full disclosure of these cases and exactly who is paid what, and for what ... including transcripts of the negotiation process. Some may say that $17 million is a small price compared to the billions we shuffle around and waste ... but the point here is ... we shouldnt have to pay "17 cents" for any of these assholes faults up there.
A guy here in Dallas the other day, was telling me, that he is skeptical about this is going on to this extent with floodgates wide open, and questioning, if women are just following some sort of fad and coming out with false accusations. There is alwayz that chance that some are not straight up, and this is again reason that these cases should be in public, and all these people should be given a fair shake ... not this hiding behind closed doors crap and negotiating some secretive arbitration shit, and making these victims sign papers to legally hush them up. Just the fact that they are shelling out tens of thousands in the millions to these victims, and going through so much to cover it up, tells me there is compelling evidence on much of this. As I explained to this guy, Randy, I feel the reason why so many women are all the sudden coming out with this, is because it's been kept on the low for so long, some women are ashamed and shy to talk about it, some fear losing their jobs and being unofficially blacklisted. They needed to have other women to come out, so that they can feel more at ease to come out themselves ... so, much credit to these folks/ women that are exposing this, and giving public testimony on what they have to go through, and been through. I also believe that there are probably guys as well that are sexually harassed by colleagues or superiors too, maybe not as many as women though, that are harassed ... but as well, may feel pressured, that they too could lose their job, or face criticism. Congressman Farenthold, said that the "Congressional Accountability Act" prohibits him from confirming or denying ... shows you how they conveniently draft this shit up there, to keep everything quiet and to cover each others asses. Kind of reminds me of how the Catholic church hierarchy has all these retreats, counseling hangouts, and closed door arbitration shit, for sexual abuse of boys in the church by clergy ... same kind of cult fucken mentality. Make all this public and REAL accountability, and you can bet, you will clean up this shit overnight. This Farenthold character of Texas, actually fired his communications director, Lauren Greene, because she wouldnt play ball (or play with his balls you can say). Farenthold, who is basically a drunk slob, actually thinks that he is so sexually irresistible, that the women he worx with wanted a 3- way with him, this is a perfect example of how totally out of touch their thinking is. Whether you are attracted to another employee or not, are their boss, or have fantasies, or feel weak to control yourself, or how an employee may dress, is no reason to force yourself on them. This is a sign of weakness, and lack of self discipline, and you cant expect the weak to lead. We are paying them to do a job ... and if you cant do the job and keep your hands to yourself ... do what we are told to do in the private sector by y'all .... go find another job!
This posting and entry for this blog's 'music/ arts honour roll society' is a must, to honour and showcase the work of "Maid of Ace" out of Hastings, UK ... an interview linked above. This crew is in the 'excellence' category as far as raw UK Punk that has a classic UK Punk touch to it, MOA is just a class act period! MOA are all sisters (biologically), and started messing around on their instruments back in 2004 playing covers in their cramped attic at home, got their first gig 2005, in a local school they attended. Stuff they liked to cover and practice with that influenced them as kids, was classic old school punk and rock like X-Ray Spex, Joan Jett, L7, and The Distillers, to name a few. Besides a couple singles here and there and CD, they didnt put out their first full album "Maid Of Ace" till 2014, then their 2nd album "Maid In England" in 2016 ... both albums were self released (no label). While they were popular as a local band for gigs in Hastings, because they say that Hastings was kind of a boring town, they still had to work regular jobs. From what I gathered, they also got to do a short tour with "A Pretty Mess" crew out of LA, here in America, which amounted to only about a half dozen shows or so in California and Arizona only ... they also got to play at the "Rebellion Festival" in the UK. But this crew has a fast growing number of fans in UK, many new gigs lined up and been getting to do more work in France, Germany, Austria and Czech Republic, and they are looking forward to expanding that. I dont know if this crew was actually serious about making music on a professional level, besides just putting a bunch of YouTube vidz out, but then just started to make complete songs from bits and pieces of jam materials they had, put them together and pumped it out. No doubt that they didnt get into this to even make a living, and knew how poor most of their following was, and wasnt seeking a label. I dont even think this crew knows just how good they are at what they put out ... they were blown away, when Poly Styrene of X- Ray Spex in an interview named them on the airwaves as one of her favourite bands. I can clearly though, see why Poly being a veteran and one of the cornerstones of UK Punk liked them so much. They even have many old schoolers like myself that show up at their gigs because of their classic sound, and a growing new generation of fans as well. In my view, they would fit perfectly touring with another kick ass newcomer like "Svetlanas"! Another UK Punk icon for over 4 decades is U.K.Subs, great stuff!
After sifting through much on YouTube, looking for the best audio and visual available, I selected 5 to showcase here. Much credit also to Mark Richards, who they known for a long time, he does all the filming and directing for their music vidz, and he really done some good work on that end. I wanted to open below with "Bone Deth", because of how much I like how Abby rips the shit out of the song on that basic drum kit. Some of Abby's drum work, such as on "Made In England" takes me back to the dayz of drummer Keith Moon, of The Who ... Abby kicks ass. Some really good blending of guitar work in this stuff from Alison and Anna. Alison, Anna and Amy really have some good vocal harmony they mix in well. The heavy thunderous bass work of Amy, and the style in which she rolls, reminds me so much of Gary Thain back in 1973 with Uriah Heep. I closed with the official video for "Made In England", which to me is the type of composition that can easily become a future classic covered by others ... similar to how "Anarchy in the UK" of the Sex Pistols is a popular covered classic today by crews. Looking forward to them putting out that album No#3, and getting more work in many more countries to pay the bills ... and hope they continue to have as much fun doing it to come as they did starting, and best of luck .... Enjoy!
MAID OF ACE- BONE DETH (BBC INTRODUCING) ... Thanx to Mark Richards
Maid Of Ace- Dickhead (Promo Video) HD ... Thanx to Mark Richards
MAID OF ACE- Dirty Girl, Live @ WONKFEST. HD ... Thanx to Mark Richards
This posting will be for the "Abby Martin", "American Exceptionalism", and "Public Patriots" series of this journal/ blog. I wanted to include Abby in the "Public Patriots" series for awhile, because of her hard work and staying in the trenches in America and even foreign countries, to give us news that many corporations would not allow on the mega media giants they own. Abby supplies information/ media to thousands of people per day. I been tuning in to Abby for several years myself. Folks like Abby are labeled as radical extremists, conspiracy theorists, troublemakers and much else, because she points out what is not politically correct or fashionable. Thanx to Abby for the title of this posting, and Thank You to Jimmy Dore for sitting down with Abby, one on one. She is someone to be heard out, regardless if you may agree with everything or not, she been straight up ... I dont agree with everything, but much I do. Videos below total about 48 minutes combined, but well worth the listen. After below, I will write my part.
Abby Martin Exposes Untold History of U.S. Empire ... Thanx to The Jimmy Dore Show
Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp & wife Rosalie
I really like the info that Abby compiles and her views, have for awhile ... and no, Abby is not currently working for RT either. But as far as media is concerned, I go to various sources for mine, I go to mainstream, non- mainstream, left and right both, and even controversial types. I do think mainstream though does a pretty good job, especially locally ... but again, I realize that there is so much that they are not allowed to cover too, for various reasons, whether it's from the corporate owners, or because they have only so much that they can print/ tape, so of course, even without corporate control, they have to prioritize ... but they all have their slants, just like flavours. The great thing today, is the abundance of sources that are easily accessible to the average Joe/ Jane ... and much investigative journalism ... but too, with such an abundance and so many slants, including fake shit, you have to read between the lines, and just not take it all as gospel truth, dont even take any gospel as truth ... finding evidence is importante. On the other hand, if it wasnt for alternative media, we would be in worse shape, as far as what news we do get, especially in these times. These top journalists in mainstream are mainly in fear of losing their jobs, money is a key issue that holds so many hostage. I'm happy when I see folks like Ed Schultz and others able to go to a place like RT and get work, or go indie. This doesnt mean that I fully trust Russian state sponsored news, any more than I would trust Putin. And I view Putin as a strong leader, not that I agree with him, but he has shown to be strong and determined. I dont view Trump as a strong leader, because all I seen so far, is a hustler and celebrity, that talks alot of shit and tweets shit online only for a bunch of blind followers. As I was telling a guy here in Dallas the other day that is new to RT, RT is giving these journalists a spot to cover any damn thing they want, as long as they dont bad mouth Russia ... to me, that is worth taking advantage of. But U.S. also wants to put alot more pressure now on folks like RT, so I have to support RT's media too, because I'm also a sort of constitutionalist.
As far as the popular talk about Russia being the cause of all our problems ... I see the U.S. as the cause of our problems, I mean, we made our own bed through our actions. In my view currently, if push came to shove in the next decade or 2, I feel China would be much more of a challenge than Russia to the U.S. ... economically, technologically, and militarily ... I look at China as a sleeping giant. The U.S. is working on expanding their power, while trying to preserve as best their existing powers. Countries like Russia, or even China, knows what the American agenda is (to transform their governments, to be more corporate owned like ours, and they already have India long ago where they want them) ... those countries also want to expand their power, so I see this as just the repeating history of empires in competition to sustain and expand powers. We helped make Russia and China of today, with our style of capitalism, we asked Russia to "tear down that wall", and join us for business in the 80's, we been giving business galore to China for decades as well. We spent plenty even after WW2 investing in Europe and rebuilding. We created good jobs in America throughout the industrialization period, and created a huge consumer pool market of Americans, that money rolled over to build up others countries to expand, we made the business, we made the trade deals. Whether it is China, Russia or even Saudi Arabia, U.S./ western corporate and finance played a major role in making them the wealth and military powers they are today, so this has been the formula for the transformation of our economies, societies, sciences and technologies for the last century. What we commonly call democracy and free trade today, is basically another old school 19th century idea called "neoliberalism". This has been in the making for years, as far as what we have today, and so many countries have freely participated, and many new player countries, but also, have many questions on how everything is working, and who will come out ahead in the long term. When we do oil and defense business with Saudi Arabia for instance, it is just for us to expand our territory as well. Not just the U.S. empire, but any empire, including Russia or China as examples (I choose to use the word 'empire'), dont have any issues with human rights violations, as the people of these countries do, their objective is to gain ground and power. None actually care about womens rights, LGBT rights, workers rights or whatever rights of people. And neoliberalism is here to stay for awhile, all these leaders know this. This is why it is the peoples responsibility in whichever country, just like any other time throughout history, to make sure that we have a say so in molding that future and transformation, as far as any rights, regulations and rules, sovereignty, trade, etc. And it's not only individual countries and people that have questions on this neoliberal expansion, even the IMF has concerns, as you can see in the "Fortune" link below. IMO, neoliberalism in its current form without heavy revisions, oversight, regulations and so forth, can destroy itself easily, in a short time ... and right now it's on steroids.
As far as all this intervention we are involved in with our defense/ military ... that too, in my view, is way out of order, and mainly dictated by those who ratholed all the wealth, and are pushing the neoliberal global agenda. The increase in defense spending is ridiculous, and a waste of good money ... were shelling out too much. Plus on top of it, we have to cover losses with our intake revenues from taxes, half the bloody damn $4 trillion a year we take in, in taxes and fees goes to this militarization shit ... and whether defense, corporate or investors, our taxes have to cover losses and subsidies. Just like, if Wall Street takes a hit, we shell out, if big oil has a spill/ disaster, we shell out, if CEO's need more money, we shell out, etc, etc. We got a $20 trillion debt (MarketWatch), and maxed out our credit cards basically, and you know damn well, that we will have another financial crisis, in time. How hard that next crisis is, depends on how we manage our spending priorities, and just letting Wall Street run amok and decide all the strategies will burn us all. I mean, this is for the markets "good" as well, as far as regulations ... you give a pound of heroin to a junkie/ addict and put them in a room to manage their usage, they will be dead in a short time. This is why I'm opposed, in these times in our current circumstance, to even any further tax breaks, besides maybe 'some' for the middle and working classes, which will feed our nations economy ... but that too, to be limited. I'm pro- taxation ... but much more careful oversight of how them taxes are used. We have created a culture of overspending and waste. Our defense priorities should not be so much carpet bombing areas abroad to knock off some group of ragtag rebels, as much as it should be to upgrade our cyber defense. And building more nukes is a waste of money as well, we have adequate defense as it is to take on any country in the world that may try to attack us. And like Abby said, those next generations that we bombed their families accidentally or intentionally that are innocent, will come back and bite us in the ass, in time ... folks will avenge the deaths, and resist our muscling in their affairs and taking all their wealth and resources. None of the top wealth gives a shit about this, any more than they give a shit about the environment ... again, it is our responsibility to counter this, and pressure our leaders. And if we cant do it peacefully at the legislative end, we need to take to the streets ourselves and use force, civil disobedience, labour strikes, boycotting, etc. Critical needs spending is needed more here in infrastructure, and "public" investing by government, replacing outdated infrastructure, and also planning for the extreme weather from global warming events that will damage and paralyze our major coastal towns and put us in a deeper financial mess at the same time. More needs to be spent here on renewable energy infrastructure, since this will be bigger than ever as far as usage and business in the near future. We are also leaving too much defense equipment in these other countries that we invade or occupy, we are also arming too many, that we dont know what they may use those arms for, or even against us or allies.
The economy right now is in boom mode, the markets are doing great, profits are at record highs, we have also created a new generation of wealth and entrepreneurship, and a new middle class in the techs, science, finance, etc, we have the fastest economic growth in 3 years at 3%, and a vast amount of private investment/ development going now coast to coast ... and this all came without NO NEW tax cuts for the wealthiest, who are already doing extremely well. There is not enough reason to believe that these proposed tax cuts will all just miraculously be invested in America, or jack up pay scales much in the type of global economy we currently have ... 50 years ago, it may have done so, but now is a different ballgame. A tax cut plan that locks in the corporate to be permanent, and the individual cuts for 8 years, at that. So ... why would hundreds of millionaires and billionaires, as in the above Washington Post link, say they dont care about another tax break? They dont want to exacerbate inequality any more than we have, because that is bad for business and the economy ... forget the $1.3 trillion or whatever addition to the debt, which usually ends up much greater historically than these so called preliminary estimates, so look at them figures as bullshit as well! At $20 trillion, that isnt going to matter much anyway, that's already in the shitter. What does matter is keeping social order and folks producing and spending, especially here at home ... that is good for business, good for people and consumers, and good for those investing. In my view, now is also not the time to cut social services either, just so those small percentage at the top can have more money/ assets in their pockets and offshore. I alwayz supported capitalism, as a tool as well for reducing poverty and hunger, and improving our quality of life on every level. To me, things like food stamps distribution, especially now with all this new wealth, is also healthy for business ... it creates jobs and gives a stimulus to struggling smaller businesses, reduces petty crime, and gives the masses more confidence and security. Medicare/ Medicaid expansion, the same thing with me ... it's a plus for domestic business too. There is plenty of new jobs, but also, people are struggling to make ends meet and many paycheck to paycheck, helping these folks is healthy for our society, both financially and psychologically. When we invest in these people, the money stayz here and generates more business here, it doesnt end up all offshore in foreign countries, except on the trade end, but has a positive impact in our country. And the rich dont lose a thing over it, and they even can sleep better, not having to worry about disorder and disruptions, strikes and whatever else in business ... everyone benefits. Many investors in real estate are building new homes/ condos/ apartments for high dollar leasing/ sales, this is where we need to expand our public investment to give incentive for a new boom in affordable housing as well. You may not alwayz be able to sell/ lease million buck housing, but there will alwayz be a high and much larger demand for affordable housing. Massive affordable housing private investment with government subsidizing is a winning investment for future growth, stability, productivity, social order, and to reduce homelessness. There also needs to be better oversight, auditing, and prosecution where necessary, of contractors and private investors while doing this, due to the amount of fraud by investors/ banks/ developers currently under the existing housing tax credit private/ public partnership, including politicians who are taking kickbacks, and the shell companies offshore that those marked up/ scammed funds are diverted to.
The politics in this country is really in the shitter too, and everyone is feeling the pinch on that. Some Republicans are even worried, that if they dont get through this tax plan, that their campaign funding will take a hit come 2018 and 2020. There is also alot of conflict in their party, just like with Democrats, and an all time low in public confidence with both parties. They have sex scandals/ misconduct, corruption and collusion investigations, etc, against them too. Both parties depend on and embrace a neoliberal ideology, to me it's like having a far right wing party (republicans), and a moderate right wing party (democrats), and frankly as far as the majority population's needs in this country, collectively they have been about as worthless as tits on a bull. The Democrats through the DNC, are taking a hit because of their own inner conflict ... when Donna Brazile came out with her book "Hacks", talking about a rigged 2016 campaign/ primary (POLITICO Magazine), the Democrats wanted to sugarcoat and forget it, but it is something that needs to be discussed and addressed amongst Democrats, I also voted straight Democrat in 2016, but of course like many others suspecting some scamming and not staying neutral. Some of the more left progressive people, are blaming this on Hillary Clinton, I do not blame Hillary Clinton on this one ... I blame the entire incompetence of the DNC, including Schultz and Brazile, where the fuck did they pick up Wasserman Schultz, at a yard sale? Especially the spending, management, and organizing, I seen people on food stamps manage a budget better and more organized. After all, Hillary had to actually bankroll these dumb asses and bail them out, they were broke, mismanaged spending in the last election, were getting ripped off by consulting fees, etc. Hillary in turn wanted to organize it her way, and because of what she had to shell out of her own money, needed to have most incoming donations going to her campaign to be able to have enough to finance and challenge the GOP as far as money. This made states like mine have to take a hit and shortchanging us on distribution funds ... I live in a red state, our metro areas in Texas are blue, but the surrounding state is red, and saturated with gerrymandering and Republican rigging. We have a sitting governor (Abbott) running for re- election with $40 million already to burn on his campaign, and more to come in ... we have our own campaign funding challenges here as it is, we dont need Washington's DNC fucking it up more for us. And both these parties are in fear and held hostage by their donors, even the Democrats got threatened the other day about being cut off if they even lean at all more left, from donor Stephen Cloobeck, as you can see above in the Newsweek link. This all clearly shows how the money in politics is tearing us apart, and there is no better time than now, for campaign finance reform. Since the SCOTUS ruling of "Citizens United" (wikipedia) of 2010, our politicians and parties have been too much focused on being able to outspend each other, this whole damn campaign finance thing is in desperate need of reform, and not just people are sick of it, but even many politicians are growing sick of it.
Word Out ....
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**** ABBY MARTIN ART
This posting will be a Veterans Day posting, and serve as Part 48 of the "Veterans Spotlight" series of this journal/ blog. Our veterans are a reflection of the diversity of this country, from different backgrounds, different endeavors and goals in life, and even different reasons they wanted to enlist. But they all took that oath to protect and defend the U.S. and Constitution, and all enjoy what liberties we do have. These are the folks that when push comes to shove, because of that commitment and oath, willingly are ready to put their lives on the line to cover our back if called to. We civilians dont alwayz agree with some of the missions or wars abroad that our country is involved in, and we have that freedom to speak out about what we disagree with. The soldier/ veteran doesnt get the luxury of deciding where we should be or not, that is decided by those in Washington ... but that soldier is ready to deploy if and when that call comes, regardless if they may disagree or not. To make that kind of commitment, knowing that you are offering your life if necessary is a big thing (some would never do that). The discipline, strength and integrity that they embrace in that service, many carry throughout their lives, even years later ... it's a commitment, and sticks with many. The rest of us as civilians should alwayz have their backs as well, and do our part in making sure to ... either through contacting and petitioning our legislative branch of government, voting, and supporting those veterans. I selected some videos of veterans below, out of many that I viewed, to showcase the diversity of veterans and Americans. Thank You for your service, and wishing the best for their Veterans Day.
Word Out ....
Tulsi Gabbard 2016 Veterans Day Speech ... Thanx to Our Amazing World
Money Stolen From My Car! You Won't Believe What This Homeless Veteran Does! ... Thanx to HammyTV
This posting just for a little fun on this grey and misty Dallas morning ... and first off, Congratulations to the Houston Astros on their World Series Champions title defeating the LA Dodgers! This posting will serve the "Ladies a Lil on the Hot & Spicy side" and "The End Must Be Near" series of this journal/ blog. It's to view some of the recent hype concerning the Department of Defense electromagnetic pulse drill/ test, that is actually necessary, and done frequently. However, Thanx to Shareene Poole and her sister Shantelle McBride, of Muskegon, MI on Facebook ... there was a viral ripple reaction online, and of course, many questions as to why it is being done the same time Antifa will protest, although there is no actual proof it appears, that Antifa will protest. How will we survive it all without our phones, computers, and other gadgets, etc ... and all the death, chaos and anarchy that will come? And as I write this, millions are waiting for their new iPhone X, some camping out at stores and stuffing their mouths with junk food during the wait. Even if phones and internet, tele and such did get momentarily shut off ... trust me, you would live, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh {:-) The human species has actually survived thousands of years before any of the electronic computerized trinkets came along. Also for some added fun .... some on the far right are expecting a civil war to start this weekend from Refuse Fascism activists who are supportive of Antifa (The Guardian News).
We are alwayz these dayz hearing about preppers waiting and prepping for SHTF day ... and this posting will focus on the women preppers of America. There is not going to be any shut down though of a thing, I would bet on it, without the government or news having to even inform me. Why? ... because the day after Thanksgiving you have Black Friday retail sales, which also expanded to Thanksgiving Day sales all night as well with many retailers. All the holiday travel and hospitality business ... you have a President saying that you are going to get all this money in tax cuts next year, to make you go out and spend more now for the holidayz, etc. Too much money involved to shut down a damn thing, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh {:-) ... rich folks still have use for you, so dont worry {:-) Besides, how would the top wealth keep track and control over the increasingly angry masses?, as far as where you are, what you spend, what you're doing, social groups, etc, etc ... if they were to shut down our phones or computers? Whenever you are not using your phone, credit/ debit cards, computers or related devices, they have a harder time trying to control you. Plus, this technology also makes it so they have more wealth than ever, and the masses are in more debt than ever, and how they have an unbalanced advantage in the stock markets, etc ... all this technology the wealth use as a tool, they sure as Hell dont want it to shut it down, they would hurt the most.
Below, I wanted to feature first up, Shareene, who is fired up and looking good ... you go grrrrl!, and credit to Shareene for inspiring this latest wave of fury. Then some voice and opinion from Jeannie Hardesty, who is ready to go at the drop of a hat in her recliner. Last at the bottom, we have Lisa Haven, who is someone I frequent her channel, who is alwayz ready and hungry for action. A link I also included from Lisa above her video, for a sale offer on her "prep/ SHTF/ doomsday" kit ... regular $117.00, on sale now for $67.00, and she accepts all plastic cards ... just charge it, don't worry, the corporations and their politicians are going to give you tax money next year! {:-) A link below Lisa from FOX News Milwaukee on what is really going down with this drill. This posting was NOT to insult preppers either, I know a couple in this part of the country, and they are good people. And to those folks that are going to demonstrate against fascism and this neoliberal corporate communism this weekend ... GET OUT THERE AND RAISE HELL!! ... that's what Democracy is all about! {:-)
Word Out ....
Women go to Facebook Live to Warn about Department of Defense EMP Drill ... Thanx to MI Headlines Media
URGENT WARNING: PREPARE FOR EMP ATTACK, DOD "DRILL" ON NOV. 4- 6 ... Thanx to Jeannie Hardesty
This posting will be for the "Dia de los Muertos", "Halloween" and "Taste of Texas" series of this journal/ blog. Dia de los Muertos is another big celebration in America today, although it's a celebration of Mexico. Today it's even become commercialized in the States, everyone from Walmart to Disney to the mom and pop business is cashing in ... they even made a special series of Lottery tickets for it in Texas, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh {:-) ... anything to make a buck in America, eh? But what's cool about it, is you can create your own costumes and makeup without having to go through the big corporations and have a good time. It's also like an added extension to the Halloween holiday, so if you're into partying, you can party for a few dayz straight. I myself alwayz enjoyed the pageantry and music of it, so it's alot of fun too. So ... you can honour the dead and leave a basket for their casket, as well as living life in remembrance of them and for them, so it's symbolic and cultural too. My first Dia de los Muertos celebration I went to was in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, who a friend, Isabella Rivera (RIP), took me to way back when I was fairly new to Texas, and a private ceremony after, out in a remote area south of Nuevo Laredo. I guess I was 19 at the time, and Isabella would have been 29 ... but it was fun and enlightening for me, because I never experienced this culture. Quite a difference for me, since I came to Texas from the north, and stayed in Montreal, Quebec (Canada) for awhile before coming here, in Montreal I stayed in the eastern part, which is the french language/ culture part (Saint Laurent Blvd in Montreal separates the french from the english). Below, I just wanted to highlight some of Dia de los Muertos here around Texas, from El Paso, Dallas, Terlingua, Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. I also included a link right below from USA Today, that I thought was pretty good as far as understanding the difference between Dia de la Muertos and Halloween, since many here in the states are just catching on to this holiday. Today's high temp in Dallas only made it in the 50's, and light rain throughout the day and night, so not the best night in Dallas for outdoor parties or Trick- or- Treating ... be careful and have fun. This will also be included in the "RCJ Music/ Arts Honour Roll Society" of this journal/ blog. Enjoy ....
WATCH: Speaker Ryan, House GOP leaders hold news conference ... Thanx to PBS NewsHour
This will be Part 16 of the "How To Privatize America" series. This is very boring, because it has to do with taxation, although it is something that Americans should be concerned about, and not get too excited over the hype and sales pitch of this. I mean, it's not as popular or showcased in media as former President George H. W. Bush, Harvey Weinstein, or Bill O'Reilly groping and raping women. I'm not an economist or a tax accountant, but have alot of questions when I view these things, or whenever someone is trying to sell me something, that looks too good to be true. I actually posted the video above for humour, because of how funny it was, listening to the "American people and workers" pitch this is cloaked in, either they are a little slow in the head, or they think the people are. When these people have corporate/ banking attorney drafted legislation to do anything, and they say, that they are doing it for you, or their love for country, etc ... that there should make you stop and think ... I mean, why, in the type of dog eat dog economies we live in, would these folks suddenly love us? What did we do as the American majority to deserve such generosity from these types? Are they humanitarians, philanthropists? Actions speak louder than words they say ... the history of actions by some of these folks have been clear, as to their agenda. We should call this tax plan what it truly is, not the Trump plan, it should be called more like a Goldman Sachs or Koch Industries tax plan, a Wall Street stimulus plan or whatever. The 'tax filing postcard' I put in the heading, and that they are flashing in their talk, is what really made me laugh. Just look at it closely ... a postcard with 14 simple lines, just fill it in, drop it in the mailbox, eh? ... all your financial/ earnings info is exposed to anyone ... no social security number?, what about your name and address?, etc ... the President himself wouldnt use it, he wont even make his tax filings public as it is. I mean, it looks simple and appealing of course, but can we really simplify our complex tax system with a couple pages overnight like this? Even if we all did our own taxes, we would still have to go through the new tax book every year, to refer to charts, revisions, qualifications, etc. I would bet the tax preparation lobbyists must be furious when they see this, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh {:-) ... can you imagine how much money/ business that would put them back? They say this is to compete in the global arena as far as corporate taxation, why?, so that we can try to outdo each other internationally to see who can get to the bottom first and eliminate all taxation and representative government?
I'm sure many folks in the working classes can get excited looking at getting a few hundred or a thousand bucks in their pocket every year. But the idea, that this will make folks run out and buy new cars, homes, take cruise vacations or whatever, is a bit silly. Get a thousand bucks that year ... you would be lucky to get a month of child day care with it. The whole reason we get excited when peanuts are thrown to us, is because they have us lowering our expectations year to year, and constantly squeezing us for a few more bucks ... and basically, so they can give it out to some of these fucken fruit loops on Wall Street ... while we should be sending them to get counseling for gambling addiction instead. The idea for economic stimulus they present to us, is that, when we give out these massive breaks to the top wealth, they will no longer use all their international or U.S. state havens and shell companies to divert earnings, profits, so we can close these loopholes ... and miraculously they will decide to bring all their money back home (U.S.). In turn, they say that these people will invest here and create millions of jobs, etc, etc. What is the incentive in this global arena of today, that would make one of them choose to hire an American here at home for $10 bucks an hour for example, over paying someone in China or wherever a buck ($1) an hour? Would small businesses just hire on many more folks without reason or business to? Would President Trump bring his investments and business in China and elsewhere here to America? Would his daughter Ivanka do it, with all her business in these poverty wage countries? As I was explaining to some guys here in Dallas the other day ... let us just say that this goes through (even though I think it may run into obstacles in the Senate), and all of the sudden we pay less tax and are in 'Prosperity Heaven' psychologically, corporations are getting even more of a free ride, and the top of the top, etc ... what about the tax revenues that we annually depend on for our public services and needs across the board ... what happens to them? Where is the money going to come from to take care of our country's needs and to balance the costs of this? This is where the 'privatization' part expands itself. Who has all the money now? ... the public/ government certainly dont, so we have to again, ask for the mercy and help of the top wealth to financially take care of everything we once done for ourselves. We will need to depend on them (the top wealth we handed over all our money to) for everything from schools, to police, fire, public parks and libraries, etc, etc ... to invest their money in, making it now, not the peoples/ citizens, but their exclusive ownership, and all profit driven by their shareholders. They already have a monopoly on so much including our health care ... they would have to privatize everything to the top wealth ownership ... and boom, there goes more of our voice, democracy, liberties ... as well as our capital/ assets.
These GOP politicians are so intoxicated like on happy pills, in their mental state of euphoria listening to them above, maybe we should call them 'dreamers', because I cannot find the math in anything I been reviewing, to even say this can work, and that our country as a whole would benefit economically. And it's nonsense having to listen to this talk about how high the taxes are ... sure, on paper/ law it looks high, but that's not the reality with all the loopholes, many dont pay squat in taxes. Right now, the markets are doing great, most on Wall Street are pumped up, profits at the top have broken records, etc. So why are so many people still living paycheck to paycheck, eh? Where are the tens of thousands of new jobs from all these new pipelines? The top wealth is NOT spending the money we have all collectively blessed them with ... instead, they are sitting on it and ratholing every buck they can. Many are just getting and stashing all they can, waiting for the next crash/ downturn, so they can all run to their algorithm controlled market slave computers, to short sell and whatever, to capitalize on the next downturn ... after all, even in a crash, while most lose ... those other few make off like bandits ... money doesnt disappear, it changes hands, eh? They dont need anymore breaks, they are over their limit, and we should be voting these people out of office that cater to these SOB's, we should be signing petitions, raising Hell, jamming their phone lines in Congress, etc. This last monday, I was first in line on first day of early voting in Dallas County, voting on every goddamn budget/ spending proposal and state amendment. With all the changes coming with AI/ robotics/ automation, we should be focusing more on tightening our giveaways to Wall Street, focusing more on our needs to come. I was talking with my son- in- law the other day, a corporate guy, who does his business in North and South American countries mostly ... they/ he been focusing on India now ... I asked "why India"? (even though I presumed why), he talked about their (India) new market and growing middle class, that everyone wants a piece of, that may surpass China even. That's the whole point here ... all this wealth knows this as well, they dont plan on doing jack shit for this country, they have their eyes elsewhere ... it's business, eh? The bottom line, is we need to look out for ourselves, instead of looking out for and feeding the top more ... they're doing great as it is. Below are some reads and videos, to take a closer look at this, from experts and their view. I even included David Stockman, who served in the Reagan Administration as Director of Office of Management and Budget, listen to what he has to say about this crap, while Reagan lover FOX News talking heads try to gang up on him, while kissing up to this garbage.
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