FIRST STEP ACT | PRISON REFORM 2018/ 2019: Half Step is Better than NO STEP ... BUT Don't OVERRATE the Template ... The "Christmas Miracle?" Edition ... (INCARCERATED AMERICAN PT.34)- (HOW TO PRIVATIZE AMERICA PT.19)

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Word for Word: Pres.Trump Signs Criminal Justice Reform Bills Into Law ... Thanx to C-SPAN **** this was a "great historic masterpiece"? ... President Trump just suddenly made us/ America "safe"? ... heh, heh, heh, heh, heh {:-) ... this is silly {:-)



This posting will be Part 34 of the "Incarcerated American" series and Part 19 of the "How To Privatize America" series of this journal/ blog, with an opening video above. This is to look at the new prison reform package that President Trump just signed called the "First Step Act" (wikipedia), which I've browsed through what was available. This reform is being praised by just about everyone, it has received bipartisan support across the board, and was a landslide slam- dunk win ... House, Senate, and President. So many have worked on getting this through for months, the President been hot on it with his son- in- law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivanka (even though, he done not much of anything), celebrity influence such as Kim Kardashian West, hubby Kanye, and others, billionaire Koch brothers even played their part in drafting this over the months, as well as the 2 largest private prison corporations GEO Group and CoreCivic, and so many establishment politicians of Democrats and Republicans, and lobbyists. When I first heard this on the tele news right after it passed the Senate, I was impressed and surprised both of this being pushed by Republicans with enormous bipartisan support and praise to the President, etc. MSNBC which is considered liberal, called it a "bipartisan Christmas miracle" (YouTube), and praised the bipartisan support, saying bipartisanship is what the American people were voting for last midterm (I certainly didn't vote for bipartisanship this year for a reason). Fox News, which is considered conservative, were very excited, because this shows how much the President and Jared care about all these people of colour (YouTube) that have been victims of mass incarceration. Then I went to CNN, which is considered as neutral, or more bipartisan ... they were excited as little toddlers on Christmas morning getting their gifts, saying this is historic, great and beautiful, with everyone coming together (YouTube). So I guess that's it, eh? ... I mean, all the mainstream media, right, left and center got it covered, Democrats and Republicans are now texting buddies, prisoners nationwide cheering "free at last" etc. There should be a "little" credit here, because it is just that ... a "first step" that is decades past due, and many look at this as a sort of template to roll down to the states ... a trickle down type justice I guess, but this is deeper than what we are seeing here.

And when you have only corporations/ lobbies/ investors doing most of the draft legislation with minimal input from the public or even several so called lawmakers, you got to alwayz follow the money, and expect that it's all about such ... much of this, is just a corporate/ investor cash grab. Many of these folks that draft/ write these bills on issues that concern us, really don't even halfway understand what our problems are, they live in a bubble of sort, so you cannot expect them to know the real problems, unless they themselves lived it or been there. That is why we need to push them so hard, and hold them accountable some way, they are sort of blind to too much. I linked some pieces below out of several I reviewed looking for some straight talk, to look at the other side of this ... it was difficult getting past so much of the tearjerker broadcasting from professional journalism in this, even from some that are more progressive usually, I guess so many folks are desperate, and havent heard anything halfway decent come out of Washington in so long. And this isn't just a matter of "my" opinion why I chose these few below, this is a matter of reality, not opinion, so unfortunately, I can't put sugar coated nonsense on here, if I did, it would not be accurate or real ... just more fantasy nonsense. Probably one of the best pieces I read, short and to the point, had to be German Lopez at Vox. Karl's piece at OpenSecrets is very importante to look at the political and monetary/ profits angle to this ... which is also importante in understanding how this too, leads to more profit driven privatization and expansion of tax funded private investments into post- prison and other related services that serve our communities. I wanted to get The Real News piece in here, because I alwayz like to get Eddie Conway's view on these issues, since he been in the trenches and prison system for years ... and he's also executive producer of TRNN and host of "Rattling the Bars", and the imput of Dr.Natasha Pratt- Harris and Aajah Harris, being interviewed by TRNN's Marc Steiner, hear them out. I also wanted to add Damon K Jones to get a view from an activist who is also in the National Black Police Association and with the Westchester County (NY) Department of Corrections. At the bottom, I will add a little something to this.





***** VOX | GERMAN LOPEZ: First Step Act: the criminal justice reform bill is not an "overhaul" ... (newsread)




***** OPEN SECRETS.ORG | KARL EVERS- HILLSTROM: For- profit prisons strongly approve of bipartisan criminal justice reform bill ... (newsread)




***** THE REAL NEWS: Trump's Criminal Justice Reform Act Is a Meaningless Smoke Screen ... (video/ transcript)




***** BLACKS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT OF AMERICA | DAMON K JONES: The First Step Act: Lesser Federal Sentencing Compromise for Big Bucks to Corporate Prisons ... (newsread)



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***** PD/ RCJ: "INCARCERATED AMERICAN" ... PART'S 33 THRU 1


***** PD/ RCJ: "HOW TO PRIVATIZE AMERICA" ... PART'S 18 THRU 1




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Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp



First of all, credit to all those who are actually pushing for prison and sentencing reform changes, without them, this would not even be on most politicians tongues. Coming into this, Democrats who jumped on board with this, were some of the same ones earlier in the year who opposed much of it, because it was not significant enough to sell to those who want reform, because it fell way too short of what is needed. Republicans at the same time, never would even touch this issue with a 10'ft pole over the years, they just totally ignored it, and now all of the sudden they're in favour as a majority? ... go figure. Democrats are now in a spot where they have to go with it as is, if they don't, or whoever don't on either of these sides, will be painted as uncompassionate to these inmates and so many of colour, poverty, and detained immigrants ... so in that sense, it's hilarious, because both sides are looking to improve their public image, looking for something to hold against their opponent in the 2020 election ... so, much of that is nothing but political, as usual. There is a low public approval rating for most in Washington, even on both sides, and both sides know this ... today, many folks just vote against what they hate "most", and are losing confidence in these political institutions, just like many religious institutions. Both of these sides looking at the last 40 years under neoliberalism wealth control, have contributed to this mass, now corporate, incarceration. Kushner's dad had to do a short stretch of fed time, for illegal campaign contributions, tax evasion, witness tampering ... he got gravy time for all he done, and fed is "easy time", not like state or county time. I read of a lady recently, I believe in Texas, that voted when she was not supposed to, and she gets like 5 years or so, Kushner's dad should have got what everyday people get every day for doing much less harm or criminal ... bottom line.

Right now, you even have several of Trump's buddies and others related to corporations and government officials being investigating, charged/ tried, and even pending almost certain convictions, all of which will fall into sentencing to federal guidelines, facilities and supervision, this bill importantly also makes it so judges (many in the pockets of those with wealth through financial support) have more flexibility to act more favourably on certain cases, where a judge can weaken charges and sentencing guidelines for those at the top. This bill/ law/ act will benefit those the most, that are big players with money, that do far more foul shit at destroying the integrity of our government, and stealing from the majority of people in this country, to crushing peoples rights, and trampling on our constitution, along with basically making a mockery with their corrupt wayz, of our justice system. So there was also consideration when making this (especially from Republicans) to protect and allow room for judicial leniency for those at the top and big player criminals of white collar, they will in turn release a few thousand regular folks, and only in fed facilities, it's a trade, price of business, etc ... like if a major bank were to intentionally rip off a billion in some scam, they're ready and eager to pay several million in fines "IF" they get caught. This does nothing "as is", for the vast majority of people all over America, doing time in state, private and county confinement/ corrections institutions. If you're the average swinging dick doing a little couple years down in state/ county/ private on some trumped up bullshit dope possession case where you felt pressured to plea deal on, or some petty parole/ probation violation like not filing your change of address on time, or related nonsense ... don't yet jump for joy, homeboy. And YES, all these prison work strikes that pop up from time to time are needed and justified, don't keep respecting that which has no respect for you.

The private prison industry right now been planning on broadening their business/ services, they have so many contracted in right now for investors in institutional detainment services, plus it makes them look better, since the private institutions have a shitty record for the abuses and neglect in their facilities. They have also many small contractors peddling medical/ health, clothes, food, phone/ video services, finance/ credit services, etc, to inmates and their families, all to milk a few more bucks off of folks miseries, their families and taxpayers. They want to expand that into post- prison services ... all the halfway houses are good investments for those in these industries, because you get to house the ex- inmate, after also getting tax funded money out of prisons for some bullshit job training, for minimal wage jobs out in the world, many of which would be in major corporations, which will also drive regular employees wages down over time, because of pay competition. I know a gal for instance, who received a culinary certificate from a private ran state facility she was doing a 2 year dope conviction plea deal at, she was involved in their inmate training programme, she earned it cooking 2000+ pancakes every morning starting at like 4am for the inmates (so they don't have to hire actual cooks from the private sector, in fact, most institutions are totally self reliant as far as any needs), no other training, many places she applies for employment won't honour her certificate?, because it's not accredited/ legit, I told her when she questioned me ... if they do, it will be for a dirt low wage, and having her do 2- 3 other jobs with it. What I mean is, the inmate gets out, is locked down in another way to a halfway house, has some mediocre job, you collect fees from taxes for housing, and also get a rent fee from the person being housed, petty extra fines and fees, along with more fees from the state and ex- inmate, for drug/ alcohol testing and counseling, ankle/ electronic monitoring, administrative fees, and probation/ parole type fees. Plus, the ex- inmates want to earn good time, with programmes for them to do all the maintenance work at the house/ facilities in their so called "free world" post release, along with community services. And they will eventually want to also privatize the parole/ probation offices that states/ counties now control.

As far as cutting down the recidivism of folks in the revolving door system we have now ... all these private prison players bank on and want recidivism, don't believe this nonsense that they don't, or are thinking about our communities, their love for us or related trash talk. Unless you change so much as far as what qualifies as a release conditions violation, you will have high recidivism rates, many Texas parole violator facilities are already privatized even, where offenders do 3- 6 months to maybe 2 years max, equivalent to state privatized jail places as far as how long sentences are. We take people on bullshit charges, incarcerate them, make money off it, send them back into the same community they violated in, they are back in the same rut and around the same crowds, marked and tagged by every cop in the community that needs a quick bust to make his/ her quota, the person on parole/ probation has a list of 100 things they can be violated on, so have more pressure on them, than when they first got arrested when they went in ... why do you think so many folks ask to do the time instead of being put on probation? ... because of how hard it is to make it out in the world on paper (probation). The cops base promotions and points on quotas nowadayz, bonding agencies make a bundle, assistant prosecutors get convictions galore in their portfolio, judges use them to campaign on, low scale attorneyz make a bundle off bundling groups of cases in one hearing, court appointed attorneys work with the prosecution in most cases, to lock up or "lock in" those charged to a probationary deal/ plan, the charges are jacked up and excessive. Many major corporations even depend on prison labour (Global Research), and private investors depend on prisoners for profits ... private prisons are manipulating even state legislation (ACLU), not just federal, some private prison companies require "lockup quotas", or threaten to sue states for not enough prisoners (Prison Legal News) ... this IS THE REALITY of America. So as far as changing any of this, you can't even touch it, without changing all the dependence we have on locking up people for petty things, that are no harm to anyone.

Neither is the war on drugs halfway working, again, just a bunch of folks/ investors making a bundle off it. We need to start treating drug addiction for what it truly is, it is an illness, like alcoholism. Today, the pharmaceutical industry is as much a problem as the major illegal drug cartels. Even much of the rehabilitation is falling short of what it should produce as results, in the meantime as awful as this may sound to folks, or out of the question, radical, etc ... we need to find wayz for existing drug addicts to legally and safely use their drugs in designated areas. This also cuts down on scattered street use and distribution, use of many vacant properties, including black market dealing in public/ parking lots/ properties, if we can supply/ subsidize drugs as well as drug paraphernalia/ supplies, until those can get help, this also cuts petty crimes such as stealing ... this is safer for communities as far as crime, even for health and sanitation, disrupts illegal trafficking, it can be monitored, and is a substantial savings to the taxpayer. I know how awful that may sound, or hard to swallow ... but we have a serious issue, that cannot get stabilized the way we do things ... we have failed across the board on making any progress. Most people addicted don't really like being addicted, deep down ... and some need to hit rock bottom or come close to death before they can make that decision, and it's a hard fight mentally and physically ... much of our incarceration is related to this. We also do not give communities the tools they need to do the needed work in their communities changing things, these communities percentage- wise even pay more taxes collectively than many of the wealthy or their corporations, they deserve more money for tools. And frankly, regardless of all the crocodile tears in Washington, many of them don't give a shit, except what they can use for political or monetary gain, we live in a predator and prey semi- puritanical society, regardless of what we may fantasize it is, or think how liberated we are. All this talk right now about how this will trickle down to states, or how President Trump will go down in history as the compassionate reformer or related talk, is just jumping the gun. Sure, a half step is better than no step, BUT ... don't overrate the template. Other than that, try to have a fun and enjoyable New Year's Eve.


That's the Reality ... Word Out ....




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***** RANCH CHIMP JOURNAL "WELCOME" POST


***** RCJ MUSIC/ ART'S HONOUR ROLL SOCIETY (my hand- selected music/ arts picks)

***** "THE RESISTANCE | PERILS OF THE POWER POSSE" ... ( a 2 part futuristic Ranch Chimp Journal dream to dream on )


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WAR ON "MEDICARE FOR ALL" 2019- 2020: Corporate SCAM RAN PLAN to CAN Medicare for All Plan ... The "Sense & Sanity" Edition ... (HEALTH CARE REFORM: ... another "FORM" of "REFORM" PT.14)

**** Campaign for Guaranteed Health Care


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Huge Majority Of Americans Say They Want Medicare For All ... Thanx to The Ring of Fire



This posting will serve as Part 14 of the "Health Care Reform" series of this journal/ blog. I wanted to first include a opening video above with Farron Cousins of "The Ring of Fire", which was from august this year, Farron alwayz gets straight to the point. But once again, and this is an old familiar tune by now ... we have corporations waging another war on the American people, this war through a political and media sneak attack ... is on their/ your health care. What mainly inspired this posting is the first link below from Politico, it's an interesting read, as far as this group called "Partnership for America's Health Care Future", and their plans to destroy any kind of progress as far as getting "Medicare for All", and to suppress even the talk or thought of it among the public. I mean, this is really deep and well calculated, and will hit the Democratic Party hardest, being most pressure will be on them ... but I'll let you read it for yourself. The next link from The Intercept, is to get a little more in depth detail on strategies, detailing just how deep this gets, from politics to social media to prime time network propaganda, and the various fear methods of such. I also wanted to include the Truthout article, because this contains economic research concerning Medicare for All, and even the savings, from Robert Pollin, who is a Professor of Economics at University of Massachusetts Amherst and co- director of the Political Economic Research Institute (PERI) ... Professor Pollin should be heard out, this guy simplifies the analyses from research by him and his colleagues. An article from The Hill, to take a look at the growing support for Medicare for All, and not just from the Democrats, but even Republicans. And then a video at the bottom from progressive Mike Figueredo of "The Humanist Report", Mike gives his view on this Politico article after about 3 minutes into the video. But it's good to see the growing momentum here in the U.S. ... especially if you support some kind of health care reform and costs improvements. The whole point here is to try to make some sense and bring some sanity to this issue, because it's just been nonsense year after year, as far as what we been getting in our health care plans and at what cost, with enough fine print to confuse it all, and twisted to the point of insanity. At the bottom, I will close out with my part.





***** POLITICO | ADAM CANCRYN: Establishment looks to crush liberals on Medicare for All ... (newsread/ audio)




***** THE INTERCEPT | LEE FANG & NICK SURGEY: Lobbyist Documents Reveal Health Care Industry Battle Plan Against "Medicare for All" ... (newsread)




***** TRUTHOUT | JAKE JOHNSON: "Easy to Pay for Something That Costs less": New Study Shows Medicare for All Would Save US $5.1 Trillion Over Ten Years ... (newsread/ video)




***** THE HILL | MEGAN KELLER: Seventy percent of Americans support 'Medicare for all' in new poll ... (newsread/ video)




War Between Progressives & Corporatists Over Medicare for All is Coming ... Thanx to The Humanist Report





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***** PD/ RCJ: HEALTH CARE REFORM: ... another "FORM" of "REFORM" ... PART'S 13 THRU 1

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Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp as Ranch Santa with Charlie (dog), Xmas 2012



It's pretty clear here what is going on ... because of the growing concern of Americans and their over- priced health care, these corporations are very concerned, I mean, they know they are getting "made" from every angle, and so many Americans are informing others who are not informed as much, as to what's going on. What's been going on is a clear scam, this same group (Partnership for America's Health Care Future) with this campaign to change and shut- out what is becoming a movement, are willing to shell out 10's of millions to do this at the drop of a hat, I'm sure they have much covered as well in tax loopholes too. I mean, this is what these folks do, they use our taxes in various wayz, to control us through legislation they draft, where they can direct us on everything we do and choose, from voting to our finances and everything in between ... and been doing this for years, to now where it is in high gear. I expect the ads and news clips, rigged research, etc, will start pouring out in 2019 ... they want to lock in the politicians early as well, to see which ones to spend money on ... and which ones to spend money at destroying for 2020. The positive, is there are a number of new Democrats that are entering Congress 2019, some progressives, that refused to take corporate money such as Justice Democrats ... and I think they can push a growing trend for others to reject corporate financing as well, with the help of public pressure. And these corporations will not be satisfied with just handling parts or selling supplements ... they want it all. They do not even want any expansion at all of Medicare, such as even lowering the age to 50 or 55 to start getting it ... their goal is to incrementally dissolve it entirely if they can, to have total control over every single bit of health care in America. In the meantime, the so called "incremental" changes to repair the ACA (ObamaCare, which frankly hasn't a damn thing to do with Obama, besides him just being the President when it started, because it was not his proposal, and was just a repackaging of RomneyCare) ... they want to milk the ACA for everything they can. ACA would have been great if they actually set some laws and controls on pricing/ costs, neither side wanted that, because their donors didnt, and their corporate donors ordered them to do what they want, to basically milk Medicaid as well for all they can. And this in the U.S. is also being used as a model, to expand as much as they can to other countries, such as in Europe ... it's even tied in with the biggest banks, and the austerity measures and debt, force countries to privatize even health care, as well as anything else they can grab.

We have gone into the lunatic spending range already ... we are shelling out $3.5 trillion annually in health care overall, which comes to about $10,739 per person, about to exceed 18% of the GDP. We still have roughly 28 million uninsured, and 30% of folks insured are under- insured, and half of Americans had to go untreated last year, because they could not even afford their co- parts ... this has turned into a serious issue. Even with private insurance, it does NOT have to be this way ... I tell younger folks what insurance was like just back only 35 years ago, which was MUCH better, what happened to it today is insane ... and is nothing short of what would be normally defined as "organized crime". It has gotten so bad, and so far away from free market, that they even told us, that we can NOT negotiate drug or services prices, of our own money, services and system at that ... this is how out of control this has got. Even combine that with all the wasted expenditures and administrative costs. With such a lack of oversight, people that are given unnecessary treatments, tests, and drugs that are even inflated beyond what an illegal drug cartel of the underground would even put up with. What we have in health care, is clearly corporate communism, and being showcased through expensive ads as free market, choice or other nonsense. And if you say you want more choice, more sayso and control of your health care and expenditures ... they say that you are an extremist and promoting communism. No matter who you talk to, left or right, they like their Medicare and would hate to lose it. I had a neighbour one day who is 91 years old, she still gets around good, and still drives, she is a life long Republican ... and told me that Social Security and Medicare were 2 of the best things that ever happened in this country ... I agree. I think there are many options and experts with many ideas of how to make health care work better. I do think personally that expanding Medicare does sound like a good start, only because it is already established ... so you already have a model that been in effect and working for a half century. Even with a Medicare for All plan, or just an expanded coverage, you will still have private insurers selling supplements, and so much else out there to insure besides health care, they have just got way too greedy and want the whole pie instead of their fair slice. They will also push the job loss card, but there is also job expansion needed in it. You can also make it partial and/ or voluntary, there are so many ideas floating out there, and those companies who wish to stay in the market, will have to learn to exercise what they preach, and be competitive. They on one hand say they're the best providers of health care, yet want a monopoly ... I say, prove it, show us what you can do in a truly competitive free market ... and let consumer demand have real choice.

As far as this political pressure from these giant industries and their strong- arm finance tactics ... I hope to see a growing trend of new folks entering the political arena, that start to promote a trend politically, like those who refuse corporate money, that will inspire others to stand firm against this. And many are going to pressure their fellow Washington colleagues to negotiate ... it can be done, and with the public support and pressure, it's bound to have some impact, because so many will lose the public confidence and support as this grows, and they will be ousted, no matter how many millions some lobby throws on them. The law and SCOTUS sayz they can flood you with money ... but there are no laws forcing you to accept it ... and I'm confident, there are a significant amount that won't take the money, once it spreads as a trend. Once you start refusing money from some of these folks, or take the money at first and do what the people want instead, they will get a clear message, that maybe they're wasting too much time and money on folks that are not going to bend over for them. You can still be a very successful politician, and actually do something that you can be proud of, and that will follow you and your business post political career. And you will gain so much more folks to support you in more wayz than one, including their small financial support in the millions during campaigns, when you show them you care about them and your country, trust me, they will support you ... and you most likely will live a much happier life. The bottom line here as well, is the consumer, which are the bread and butter of any business ... they are wanting other options, they are sick and tired of getting milked to the point of bankruptcy and receiving less than what they are paying for on insurance, coverage, and prescription drug prices. And YES, insurance companies will still exist even with some kind of option or Medicare for All, so this nonsense, when political mouth pieces and lobbies say that the industry would be wiped out in 5 years, and we would all go to the poor house or whatever is pure nonsense, they just won't get the free ride and revenues that they get now, as well as pharma companies, they too, will still exist. But enough from me ... and to the reader of this ... wishing you a satisfying Christmas and New Year during this solstice season.


Word Out ....



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***** RANCH CHIMP JOURNAL "WELCOME" POST


***** RCJ MUSIC/ ART'S HONOUR ROLL SOCIETY (my hand- selected music/ arts picks)

***** "THE RESISTANCE | PERILS OF THE POWER POSSE" ... ( a 2 part futuristic Ranch Chimp Journal dream to dream on )


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FRENCH NEOLIBERAL RESISTANCE 2018: French Give Lesson for DEMOCRACY in AUSTERITY ... For the BEST in the WEST ... The "Gilets Jaunes Dawn" Edition ... (NEOLIBERALISM CRISIS PT.5)- (THE AWAKENING PT.52)- (PUBLIC PATRIOTS PT.60)

"Place de la Republique" square, Paris, France 08 december 2018


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The French Resistance (World War II) ... Thanx to Simple History



This posting will serve 3 series of this journal/ blog, which is to look at the tensions and resistance to neoliberal policies in France, that been going on since november, so it's fitting for the "Neoliberalism Crisis" series. And what they're trying to push in France (and all western Europe), is the privatization of everything, from healthcare to education, retirement, or whatever can make a profit for big investors, they want to make it all like America/ U.S., and for the French Parliament to be controlled by only corporate lobbyists ... and many Europeans are not too excited about trying to be like us, who can blame them either? But a little history in the above video on France to open with. This is not like the Nazi occupation of past ... but this is what I would consider an occupation by neoliberalism of today, similar product, different packaging, whether it be fascists or oligarchs, as alwayz. I really admire the way the French people have a history of getting involved politically, speaking out and questioning, I feel we can learn a lesson from them on this ... I consider these folks as patriotic and fitting for the "Public Patriots" series. I don't know much about the French politics though, being a working class American and focused mostly on America. And because their political parties seem to be different, as far as what is left, right, or center there ... it seems to be far more diversified and broader than here. Here in the U.S. for example, what is considered as "liberal" or even "left" is laughable to me, I see U.S. even as a semi- puritanical society, sorry American liberals {:-) In the U.S., if you are for something as basic as healthcare for all, through the government, such as I am, you are an "extreme" leftist radical and borderline communist, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh {:-) ... I'm serious too, even some liberal Democrat politicians here, will say it's a radical idea {:-) It goes into "The Awakening" series, because since I started this series and journal years ago, being to record various resistances that I wrote about, that will come in waves globally over the years, as people become more aware and informed of what is going on in this new wave of forced globalization. Nothing wrong with globalization, and it's alwayz been a great thing for trade, immigration, learning and sharing, but we naturally become more global anywayz as we evolve. This globalization of today is force- fed, not to benefit the majorities in our countries, but to benefit those with the most money, and to allow them to take more control over our governments, and so they with the wealth can be more free to do what they want wherever, without being accountable to any government, people, or laws of any. I added some links and videos below, which I wanted to start off with Diana Johnstone's article, because of how straight up it was. Then I will add a little more of my views on this below.




***** CONSORTIUM NEWS | DIANA JOHNSTONE: Yellow Vests Rise Against Neo- Liberal 'King' Macron ... (newsread)

Reporters: What do France's 'Yellow Vests' protesters want? ... Thanx to FRANCE 24 English







***** THE GUARDIAN | KIM WILLSHER: Macron bows to protesters' demands and says: I know I have hurt some of you ... (newsread/ video)




***** THE LOCAL | FRANCE (Ben McPartland): 'Yellow Vests' slam Macron's speech as 'charade' and vow to go back into battle ... (newsread/ video)




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***** PD/ RCJ: "NEOLIBERALISM CRISIS" ... PART'S 4 THRU 1


***** PD/ RCJ: "THE AWAKENING" ... PART'S 51 THRU 1


***** PD/ RCJ: "PUBLIC PATRIOTS" ... PART'S 59 THRU 1


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Valerie, who worx full time nights 9pm to 5am in a sock factory, finds time to work the front lines of the resistance (La Croix)





High School students forced to kneel in mud with hands behind head, by armed police, at Mantes- la- Jolie outside Paris (France24)



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Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp



When this first started and I briefly heard the first news coverage, which was small in America ... much talk was that you had a bunch of right wing nationalist types in France, protesting a fuel tax that is supposed to be for the environment, etc. But I suspected more to it, and further reading, I found that as somewhat misleading, and anything connected to the word "nationalists" brings negative thoughts, because of how we are programmed, especially in America. A certain amount of nationalism is healthy in any country, it's simply patriotism of sort, I myself, consider myself as a sort of nationalist. President Trump calls himself a nationalist, but I don't believe he is, any more than I believe his talk about bringing all these jobs back to America, when people of his class, especially him and his daughter, do all their job creation in countries such as Indonesia or China, where wages are rock bottom. If Trump was concerned about this, he would bring his jobs to moderate wage places that need jobs here, such as Arkansas, West Virginia, or Mississippi for example. If he was all about national pride and making America great, he would have all his stuff made here, in America, plain and simple, no damn excuses. President Macron is commonly labeled in France, as the "President of the Rich", you won't hear much about that in mainstream America though, America is more sugar coated and politically correct ... and because we adore the rich here, oligarchic political puppetry in the U.S. is not "fascism" here though, it's more like "fashionism" ... heh, heh, heh, heh, heh {:-) Macron won by a landslide, but I think many in France even suspected he was one, especially in his campaign talk about the economy, expected that he may embrace some neoliberal policies. But who were they choosing from? ... you had him, and this sort of "nationalist", I guess, Marine Le Pen (I actually like some of what Le Pen stands on, I like her more than Trump) ... we had the same thing in the U.S., the choice between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump ... I chose Clinton, although she had neoliberalism wrote all over her, because I knew only one of these 2 would be President. These type political choices these dayz, are getting big money support in every major country of economic importance it seems, these prepaid political picks come a dime a dozen. I mean, I knew Macron would embrace the neoliberal policies, reading up on him, as much as I know Trudeau of Canada will on much, and as President Obama did. I voted for Obama because he was more bipartisan and a sort of Constitutionalist, and figured it to be a plus, but did not expect him to embrace neoliberalism as much as he did, plus it was only 2008 here, and the polarization was less, and it was before the disastrous "Citizens United" ruling by the SCOTUS (wikipedia), and neoliberalism was not as strong out front as it is today.

Also much credit to all the high school students who got involved, plus, last I read, you still had 70% of the French people in support, although, because of the strain on business mostly, you have over half that want the blocking and trouble at roundabouts to stop. Here's the bottom line though, it is ONLY because of the aggressive action of the people, why even Macron made these new concessions ... what had he done for the last few weeks ... hide? I thought his address he gave from his office was decent, at least ... I mean, it is a better response than anything I would expect out of an American President in my country (U.S.). Violent protests of course are not the only way to get things done, but, it happens from time to time, violence is used against the people too. Depending how willing the government will be to negotiate, the less willing, the more action you give them. The other bottom line here, is that you DID get Macron to move ... if you just held up protest signs at roundabouts, in peaceful chants, and holding hands or praying ... how would he have responded, if any, eh? The economy of France is already in a pinch, and the banks that orchestrate this austerity shit know this, they offer only one way out, which I point out plenty throughout this journal ... the bottom line? ... keep the masses in debt, to assure servitude. This is going on worldwide because of neoliberalism too, whether it is France, Greece, Italy, or in the America's and U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America or North. You see the same tactics orchestrated by the same groups of wealth/ assets doing this globally. And what Diana Johnstone talks about covers so much of the reality, the same here in the U.S., forcing us to have to further privatization, and to especially sell off all of our national treasures and land, just to try to play a game of "catch up", where you will NEVER be able to catch up, because of the way it is rigged. Bucking this shit tooth and claw, you have nothing to lose that you are not going to lose anywayz, without a fight! This talk that the fuel tax was for the environment? ... I would have to see it to believe it, most of these taxes today are going to help the rich get richer, do you think that will just go to green infrastructure? Lesson, never trust these types in our politics today, any further than you could throw them, until they show something of substance. As far as France's healthcare, that 15% or so supplement type coverage you buy (called "mutuelle/ mutual") ... I'm an American and know well, because of what they done here ... if you let these insurers, pharma and such gain too much ground, they will weasel their way deeper and deeper, until they have the majority of your healthcare privatized for profit, and the deeper it gets, the harder to get out, this also impacts the GDP getting too deep. Before you know it, they will have more lobbyists than you can shake a stick at muscling politicians, healthcare and rights, as they do in America, and they don't care if working class die, many welcome it, the only importance to them is profit ... never forget that.

Neoliberalism in political policy and economics is already here, and is not going anywhere soon, they been implementing this newest model in the west as the 21st century design since the 1970's, piece by piece. But my heart also goes out to France, because they are under pressure to improve their economy, and fixing that, is not only up to banks or Germany, the people of France need to be part of it too. The positive the top see in neoliberalism, that it will expand wealth, industries and development of all kind, many new millionaires will come out of it, and it will build new middle classes based in science/ medicine, finance/ banking, engineering, software, or whatever is developed. But at the same time, because of our getting away from past needed labour, and the inflation, as you can already see growing, it will create early on, a much larger wealth gap and poverty. Only because of the current design though ... this is why it is importante to hammer it from every angle, in the streets there will need to be violence and disruption of business from time to time, in waves, and careful better planning of strategies to make them listen to your voice, view it as a matter of life and death. Once you are no longer needed for labour, which will become eradicated as technology expands, they expect millions to die off of the poorest classes, one way or another ... the objective is to have a future society of individual wealth at various levels, with no poor, if that makes sense. Even without oligarch pressure though, people will also stop populating the way we have for thousands of years anywayz, and you won't need medical care as today, because much of our ailments and health issues can be eradicated at first life. Just because you have a neoliberal model now, that we are knee deep in, doesn't mean it's all over either. Populism can play big in future politics and many adjustments and modifications can be made in the new economic model, anything new needs testing, ironing out, and modifications, even most economists see the problems in this current design. Populism can change politics as well, again, pressure. Even those with much wealth who are mainly profit driven, can see the massive flaws of too much deregulation in all industries, and know how self- destructive things can get ... there are way too many interests and players involved to have any one conspiracy or agenda going on. When others join folks like the Gilets Jaunes, maybe a little solidarity, it's a positive ... sometimes we need to join others for common goals, and fight together for common liberties. I'm what may be considered as a progressive leaning liberal here in America (even though, I consider myself an independent, that is both liberal and conservative, depending on the issue), but I have friends that are libertarians, a couple I known for years ... despite our differences on taxation, politics, economics or whatever ... I alwayz reach out to let them know that we can come to some common interests, as we alwayz do, no matter who I meet that is totally opposite from me, the oligarchy is our worst enemy, not our next door neighbours with a different opinion.


Word Out ....



Ministry- Thieves (live) ... Thanx to Giovan Hell **** I chose this song, in the spirit of protest, to dedicate to our French allies, by the Ministry ... the LYRICS HERE say it all, which is fitting, as far as the people losing trust in these liars and thieves. I attended the first 1989/ 1990 tour of this, which was excellent as far as their sound engineering and show, my buddy Turner, who is also a guitarist, worked for the Ministry for a year on their tour as a roadie. I know 2 guys that worked for Al Jourgensen (vocals/ songwriter), who described him as one of the most generous and warm people in the industry to work for. This will also be included in the "RCJ Music/ Arts Honour Roll Society".




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***** RANCH CHIMP JOURNAL "WELCOME" POST


***** "THE RESISTANCE | PERILS OF THE POWER POSSE" ... ( a 2 part futuristic Ranch Chimp Journal dream to dream on )


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BREAKFAST WITH SANTA CLAUS & THE LAWS: The GRINCH who got PINCHED Trying to LYNCH Santa ... The "Don't Mess With Santa" Edition ... (BATTLE OF THE DOLLS PT.14)

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Man Arrested For Trespassing After Telling Kids Santa Isn't Real At Cleburne Church ... Thanx to CBSDFW



This posting will serve as Part 14 of the "Battle Of The Dolls" series of this journal/ blog ... with a little intro video above. Christmas season is certainly one of the best times of the year to find chaos between religious groups and individuals, it's also a fun time for witnessing chaos in your favourite large retail stores, the stress and pressure of trying to outspend each other, the political correctness, the ass-kissing for corporate approval etc, etc. It's just a great time in America to witness chaos, then in the start of the new year when you get your banking and credit card statements, more stress sets in, wondering how you can pay for it all, and keep up with the rat race, and get ready for your politicians, job, or insurance provider to try to screw you out of something else, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh {:-) Aaron Urbanski the other day, was pinched by the cops for trespassing at a Cleburne church, because he was on their property yelling at parents and kids, saying that Santa is not real, and they should be focusing on Jesus, since it's a church, I guess. Cleburne is a small town of only about 30,000, and about 30 miles south of Fort Worth, the "Breakfast with Santa" event is just to celebrate Christmas with the children, and charity for those kids less fortunate ... a local thing, many towns across America do this. Despite all the stress, pressure, and chaos you have to experience at this time of year, from all the above ... the last thing you need is some asshole fundamoralist like Aaron, to fuck up you and your kids day ... at your own church at that! Probably the most hilarious part of this, is that you had a church call the cops on a Christian fundamoralist and press charges, this should show this asshole how acceptable and welcome his views are. I was trying to find a more moderate solution to this fighting over Jesus and Santa, and just found what looks to be an exciting game for these type folks to enjoy. It's a table card game that the whole family can enjoy, regardless if they're Christian, Pagan, Atheist, or whatever ... and no one gets hurt or put in jail, it's "Santa VS Jesus- The Epic Party Card Game". Below some newsread on this, and the first video below, these gents will give some instructions on the card game, and a little closing video below that on the subject. Other than that, try to enjoy the Holiday Season at least a little bit, regardless of which group or cult you may embrace ... and try to at least, just for a week or 2, try to spread some of that peace and goodwill y'all talk about like a broken record.


Word Out ....




***** CLEBURNE TIMES- REVIEW: Santa protester out on bail ... (newsread)




Santa VS. Jesus Instruction Video- The epic card ... davemcgtv





South Park SOOEO2 The Spirit of Christmas Jesus vs Santa ... Thanx to Pedro Dutra





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***** PD/ RCJ: "BATTLE OF THE DOLLS" ... PART'S 13 THRU 1


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***** RANCH CHIMP JOURNAL "WELCOME" POST


***** RCJ MUSIC/ ART'S HONOUR ROLL SOCIETY (my hand- selected music/ arts picks)

***** "THE RESISTANCE | PERILS OF THE POWER POSSE" ... ( a 2 part futuristic Ranch Chimp Journal dream to dream on )


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