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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PALESSI | SANTA MONICA: Affluent Influencers of Fashion ... & The SHOES They CHOOSE ... The "Pay More or Payless" Edition ... (ADVERTISEMENT SATURATION PT.4)

This posting will be Part 4 of the "Advertisement Saturation" series, and really some great marketing and ad ideas here. This is in the town of Santa Monica (LA County), and no better trendy place to do this in America, with these fashionistas. I want to give credit here to Payless ShoeSource too ... I mean, they have bloggers like me blogging about this, and other social media, they are getting every major news network to cover it, plus they took this social experiment, and actually made it into an ad that the networks media are promoting unintentionally. This is clever budget conscious marketing at it's best ... and no better time to run this out, than a few weeks before Christmas! Millions of working class people are going to see these affluent types unknowingly promote these shoes and boots, and will want that much more to shop at Payless. And the only thing Payless had to pay these fashionistas, was the shoes they chose for free, the media runs it in prime time MSM for you ... great move! So for you image conscious ladies or guys looking for some shoes for that holiday party ... or you guys like me, just looking for some sexy shoes or boots for your gal with some silk stockings ... how bout payin Payless a visit this holiday {:-)


Word Out ....



Payless opens fake luxury shoe store as prank ... Thanx to ABC News






***** PD/ RCJ: "ADVERTISEMENT SATURATION" ... PART'S 3, 2 & 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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RAY HILL | HOUSTON HELLRAISER: Fighter for Truth, Justice, Equality, & The AMERICAN WAY ... The "Right 2 Fight State" Edition ... (PUBLIC PATRIOTS PT.59)- (INCARCERATED AMERICAN PT.33)- (TASTE OF TEXAS PT.32)

    

**** Ray Hill (wikipedia)

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Ray Hill known as champion for Houston's gay community ... Thanx to KHOU 11



This posting will be to highlight and honour a local Texas civil rights and LGBT rights advocate/ activist, Ray Hill, out of Houston. This posting will serve 3 series for this journal, "Public Patriots", "Incarcerated American", and "Taste of Texas" ... with a little opening news video above. Part of the posting's title was inspired by the old "Adventures of Superman" tele series I watched as a little kid, they would say something like "fighting for truth, justice, and the American way", which I thought was fitting. Superman of course was a fictional superhero, and Ray is a real life hero. Ray was considered as a type of trouble maker, Hellraiser, or radical by many in our semi- puritanical society establishment ... you know ... the kinds of folks I love to highlight in the "Public Patriots" series. But for LGBT folks that been hiding for decades, due to persecution, and victims of assault (sexual and physical), and even murder, looked at Ray as a friend and hero of sort. Ray came out as being gay back in 1958, when it was a tough time to come out, especially being the quarterback of his high school football team, but he was one that did not like hiding, and was ready at the drop of a hat to stand up against the grain if necessary. Ray even co- organized the first gay rights organization in 1967 Houston, doing things like this, even anywhere in the U.S. was bold, especially in Texas. Ray took that attitude to the streets back in the 1970's to Houston's Montrose gay community, and done so much in pushing the LGBT movement, involved in so many groups and starting groups and activism throughout the city, Texas, and involved nationwide, he got well known for it ... you need to talk, or got problems? ... call Ray. Ray was not only open about being gay, but willing to challenge anyone, even on the local community radio show on KPFT, a station that already had their transmitter bombed twice right after they first went on air in 1970. When anti- homo folks called in to give him death threats, he would give them directions on how to get to the station, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh {:-) ... you're my kind of guy, Ray! {:-) Ray meant so much and gave much strength and inspiration to so many young LGBT folks in Houston ... and even challenged local law enforcement, laws, and took his shit all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, he loved to utilize what rights we have as Americans, something all of us should do. I mean, we alwayz hear that we are a "right to work state", eh? ... we also are a "right to fight" state and country, never forget that.

But Ray done much more than just rattling the gay bars in Houston back in the 1970's, the gay bars back then, Ray describes as a sort of church or sanctuary for LGBT Houstonians, it was about the only place to congregate and organize to take action. Ray was also rattling the bars as well in the Texas prison system (TDCJ) back in the 1970's. Ray served a little over 4 years in prison, he was sentenced to 160 years in prison, and appealed the sentence, having it reduced to 8 years, got early release for good behaviour after 4. He won the appeal deal for reduction of the original sentence, appealing it on the grounds that it was so severe of a sentence for a non- violent crime, although, he was guilty, and admitted his guilt. You see, Ray got 8 consecutive 20 year sentences back to back, he was convicted of multiple cases. I know a little about Ray's case ... when Ray was young and working jobs that paid not enough to live the way he wanted, he started to do theft. But Ray was not the type that would go out and rob folks, he was more into high end commercial burglaries, and merchandise that was insured ... jewelry, electronics, antiques, etc. Instead of trying to fence it for say 10/ 20/ 30 points on a buck/ dollar for example, he had a space/ shop he rented out of state, to turn much. Well, since Ray was an activist at heart, he also took that activism for prison reform, and helping prisoners, and making it so that many incarcerated were able to talk to their families via his radio show, called "The Prison Show". I think what really hit Ray, when he was incarcerated, was seeing how so many folks were locked up, for non- violent crimes such as petty drug charges, etc. Ray himself understood that he actually done what he was locked up for, but many should not have been in there. I understand what he may feel on this, and I feel the same way ... I mean, when I was locked up, I actually deserved to be locked up, and actually committed a crime, but met many inmates, who committed no crime against anyone or business, such as petty drug offenses. Ray fully understands the privatized prison industry in this country and how that works too, as far as profiteering, he is in YouTube videos speaking out on it. Ray done much work in helping inmates and their families too! Ray recommends to those who want to understand how our prison system worx in America, to read Michelle Alexander's book called "The New Jim Crow", I also recommend it. I would also recommend watching Ava DuVernay's documentary called "13th".

The many, many injustices against LGBT people have historically been enormous in this country, and worldwide, which makes no sense, even denied basic rights that are supposed to be for them and every other American. My wife and I have had gay friends for years, and attended social gatherings they invited us to. My daughter attended a performing arts school for 4 years, for dance, theatre, and music, so she had several gay friends involved in the arts, and still has gay friends and clients in her professional career as an adult, as well as her husband. These folks lived just like the rest of so called "normal people" living "normal lives", work hard, contribute to their communities, and pay their taxes like anyone else ... what justifies so many years of persecution? Below, there are some links and video about Ray I chose to highlight here. I also wanted to close out at the bottom with a song to dedicate to Ray, from Houston's "ZZ Top" band, called "Beer Drinkers & Hellraisers", it was a favourite of mine for many years, and I found it fitting to dedicate to Ray! Thank You for all you contributed to so many over the years, Ray.


Word Out ....





***** OUTSMART MAGAZINE | HOUSTON: Legendary Gay Activist Ray Hill Has Died ... (newsread)




"The Trouble with Ray" ... Thanx to Margo Williams







***** HOUSTON CHRONICLE: Ray Hill, a Houston icon and civil rights activist, dies at 78 ... (newsread/ video)




The Prison Show KPFT Houston ... Thanx to Chris Flakus






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***** PD/ RCJ: "PUBLIC PATRIOTS" ... PART'S 58 THRU 1


***** PD/ RCJ: "INCARCERATED AMERICAN" ... PART'S 32 THRU 1


***** PD/ RCJ: "TASTE OF TEXAS" ... PART'S 31 THRU 1


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ZZ Top- Beer Drinkers & Hellraisers (Live 1980- Rockapalast TV- Germany) ... Thanx to frederiquenen




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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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GIVING THANX 4 POLITICAL GRIDLOCK 2018: Jerky Turkeys and the Blessing on the Dressing ... The "American Apple Pie Lie" Edition ... (Portrait of a DYSFUNCTIONAL GVMNT PT.10)

This will be a Thanksgiving Day posting, and it will serve as Part 10 of the "Portrait of a Dysfunctional Gvmnt" series for this journal/ blog. I wanted to also do a political posting, because there is all kinds of talk, tips, and suggestions out there online, on how to avoid political talk during Thanksgiving dinner ... because it can cause arguments/ conflict, but for me, these election results is something that we can all, left and right, pat ourselves on the back for and enjoy this Thanksgiving from a political point of view. I mean, despite some of the jerk turkeys we vote for on both sides, and the apple pie lies they feed to us, this for the people is like a blessing with our dressing for a change. What inspires the posting in part, is a political programme I was watching on the tele a few dayz after the midterm election, can't recall which programme, I think it was on PBS though. But these political experts were sitting around the discussion table, discussing what the outcome of this election means for Washington and the American people, etc, etc. They were saying how there may be gridlock galore, how dems will start investigations on Trump, how the Democratic majority Congress will buck the President tooth and claw, how the Republican majority Senate will buck the Congress, and how nothing may get done, etc. Some of them sounded sad, as if we the people will get shortchanged on our representation ... I actually got a laugh out of it ... while thinking to myself ... sad for y'all on the show with your 6 and 7 figure salaries, and their corporate sponsors ... but good for the American people. I actually was hoping for EXACTLY that when I voted myself, being what we are up against ... so I was actually a happy camper with the election results. I mean, in these times 2018, you are better off if nothing gets done up there, and there is constant gridlock, confusion, and disorder ... the more of such, the less we get fucked. I like bipartisanship myself, but NOT under the current circumstances we have.

So, why should we be happy this Thanksgiving for political results or even gridlock? ... I mean, I myself years ago would not have wanted gridlock. It's because most of what they get done up there is cutting away at everything the American people want, is why. Even if you have Republicans short of votes for some devastating legislation they're pushing, whether tax reform, cutting our amenities, social services, austerity, disrupting our rights or whatever has to do with the neoliberal corporate agenda up there, they will have a small handful of so called right leaning Democrats, that will miraculously jump on board with republicans to push it through, as long as it's something that favours corporate/ banking interests. Then we hear how each party blames the other for how fucked up it all is up there, or they blame the Russians, Chinese, Iran, or some foreign government who is chosen as the scapegoat of the month. All the money we wasted subsidizing billionaires and on over- bloated defense spending, is not Russia or China's fault, it's because of our own corporate owned legislative government. The fact that we can't get healthcare reform that the majority of Americans want, or better insurance costs, coverage or out- of- pocket, co- pays, or any reduction in our outrageous phama drug costs, or the right to negotiate prices, is NOT Russia or China's fault, it's because of corporate controlled Washington. We can't get prison reform, and to stop locking up citizens simply because they are in poverty, petty drug possession, and a whole slew of non- violent, non- criminal acts that people are incarcerated for, because of the private prison industry's profit goals, is NOT because of Russia or China, it's because of Washington. We have corporations and banks draining us dry financially, can't get infrastructure that is needed, and having to privatize everything to get anything, or the so called P3's (public private partnerships) scam, where we have to fund investors with our local taxes, is NOT Russia or China's fault, it's Washington's fault.

So from one American to another, try to enjoy this Thanksgiving, and be grateful that we can't get shit done up there, if nothing gets done ... I mean, we deserve it for a change, for what some of these pieces of shit have put us through up there. Happy Thanksgiving to the reader of this post, and I added a closing video below for some family Thanksgiving entertainment.


Word Out ....




BACKWARDS THANKSGIVING ... Thanx to Animation Domination High- Def




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***** PD/ RCJ: "PORTRAIT OF A DYSFUNCTIONAL GVMNT" ... PART'S 9 THRU 1


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..... This is what you get in 2018 without political gridlock

    

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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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SOCIAL ENGINEERING & CORPORATE DOMINEERING: The Modification of Behavioural Manipulation ... The "Digitized & Monopolized Lock & Key" Edition ... (CORPORATCOMMUNAZICA PT.19)- (End to Privacy? ... NONSENSE ... NOTHING in the PUBLIC has ever been PRIVATE PT.7)- (ADVERTISEMENT SATURATION PT.3)

This posting will serve 3 series of this journal/ blog. The posting is inspired by several pieces I been reading and viewing, so I selected some to give an update of what the current condition is, and what it's gradually slipping into. So it's just another awareness posting is all ... this should not worry folks, but enlighten folks instead. But some may look at these things as doom and gloom, or feel pressured, obligated, dependent or whatever ... never let yourself get to that point, because that can be psychologically self- destructive ... and that is the pressure and stress that some of the ruling classes want you to feel. Being consumers and people ourselves that make this engine operate, means like with any other right or issue, we need to demand our input on these plans, and use whatever tools and means necessary to get our concerns addressed. Much of what these entities are doing, are not giving us more freedom or related nonsense, but electronically putting us under lock and key, and a type of imprisonment. Social Engineering is a term that many use today, as if it's something that popped up over the last couple centuries, and more in neoliberalism. I myself see social engineering as something that has went on in some form by these ruling classes for thousands of years, whether in ancient Greece, ancient Rome, or modern America ... I dont see any of this as new to these times. It's in the "Corporatcommunazica" series, because corporate control of our behaviour serves as like a privatized government and enforcement tool for them ... yet, corporations have been getting increasingly domineering and their behaviour has been getting worse, as far as telling us and our own government what we can or can't do, eh? It's in the "End to Privacy?" series, because we may slip too much on thinking for ourselves ... and when we do things online or loosely agree to too much before thinking it out, expecting that we are supposed to have privacy. Many of us fail to see that much of what we voluntarily do online is actually "public" ... and the real kicker to it all, that have these entities laughing all the way to the bank ... is that they have us paying for it all. Much online or the workplace is privately owned, so our Constitution and Rights are being challenged without adequate legislation to keep up and serve the times and condition. It's in the "Advertisement Saturation" series, because that is a major tool for these entities in manipulating thought, behaviour, and habit, to make you more dependent, and importantly, addicted ... and they are increasingly suffocating us in advertisements. Some read and video below ... then at the bottom I will add some of my views.





***** THE GUARDIAN | BRETT SCOTT: The cashless society is a con- and big finance is behind it ... (newsread)




***** MINTPRESS | MARK KERNAN: With New Patents Facebook Brings Us One Step Close to a Dystopian Future ... (newsread)




***** THE GUARDIAN | JULIA KOLLEWE: Alarm over talks to implant UK employees with microchips ... (newsread)




Is Your Phone Listening To You? ... Thanx to AsapSCIENCE





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***** PD/ RCJ: "CORPORATCOMMUNAZICA" ... PART'S 18 THRU 1


***** PD/ RCJ: "END TO PRIVACY?" ... PART'S 6 THRU 1


***** PD/ RCJ: "ADVERTISEMENT SATURATION" ... PART'S 2 & 1


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Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp



I think it's a little unfair as well, to try to clump all these things like social media, AI, robotics, automation ... and even "social engineering" for that matter in the evil category. I see much benefit to these things as well. When I look at social engineering, I see it as having positives to it too, I think it helps civilize and better organize society and government. As for automation, robotics and AI, very positive things can and have come from all ... so I look at both sides of the coin or even all six sides of the block, eh? I dont see artificial intelligence itself for example as the problem, but those human's that control it all, and what some want to use it for. Nor do I feel that AI's self taught mission will be to destroy or enslave humans, I look at that as the actions and desires of humans themselves. It is exciting to try new technologies and keep getting further advanced, and making things easier for ourselves, whether it is work related, or for leisure. I myself do not use much, or do much online, but not because I think it's evil or negative. I use a flip phone which is rare to even see today, it takes photos if I need, or video, I get texts and calls, etc ... it worx well for me and is inexpensive, compared to my daughter's thousand dollar phone and her phone bill for example. I was told I can get free phones, I guess because I was signed up automatically with AARP or whatever back in my 50's ... NO, I dont want a free phone, I'll pay ... but NOT what some do ... nor do I want to get on my family's group plan or whatever ... this worx great for me. My televisions at home are not smart, or do I use verbal command, voice recognition or whatever, I have basic cable, Roku. I also have a home landline phone. I don't use those robot floor vacuum cleaners, I simply use a regular vacuum cleaner and broom. I have a basic desktop computer, and I find no problem having to use a keyboard, etc ... you get the picture. However, if I needed for some reason to use or buy all these services, I certainly would ... say for instance if I was handicapped physically or speech- wise or whatever, I would need these things. I dont have a job where I need it either. My daughter for example has every new tech that comes out, and she needs it for her business. She has everything for her home, and all devices hooked in, for the tele, phones, pad, laptop or whatever. She has her car with all, so she can not miss a client, have conference calls on the speakers with clients or whatever she needs to keep business in check, the latest phone, etc ... wears her Apple watch for running or in the gym. Folks like her, would be at a disadvantage business wise without it all. Her husband, a very solid corporate man, the same for him.

I really loved Brett Scott's piece in The Guardian, because it was so straight up and calling this for what it truly is, as far as creating a cashless society. Because most that I have read otherwise, is just promoting it, and leaving too many questions out. I understand the change folks want, and the convenience as well ... years back we went from gold and silver to paper notes, and cheaper metals for coinage. There are concerns with this, regardless of how easy and attractive it may seem. This model also makes it so that every dollar you spend or move, is all tracked and monitored, and everything you buy. What happens if your phone or card goes down?, or a newly corporate controlled government decides they want to limit your spending or transactions, while increasing fees on automated services, or just shut your account down ... until further review and notice? ... I could go on and on with questions. Some countries are ahead of us on becoming cashless. I myself dont use credit cards any more, between late 1980's and early 1990's, I was almost entirely cashless, used direct deposit on pay, charged mostly everything using cards, etc ... it was much easier for me to spend and "overspend", when I did all on cards, I acquired alot of credit debt, took years to clear it up, today I use debit and cash. I may want to go to my bank, withdraw some cash money, put it in my pocket and hit the markets and streets. I may want to go to the barrio, haggle prices with an individual, make a cash transaction with an individual at a street stand, yard sale or whatever, I don't care to have anyone know what I spend on what, it's my money, eh? I may want to bet on a football game, or get numbers on a pot for a game, some pots on games may be between $1000 to $10,000 pots you buy numbers on, when you hit, you want your cash in hand, it's not anyone's business or need for monitoring every single dollar someone spends on what, it harms no one. I may want to tip a waiter/ waitress individually with cash, without it going on a debit card, because some establishments are screwing their staff/ waiters collecting tips, on how they distribute them. A guy came up to me a few months back in the hood for example, he said something like ... "I'm hurting man, I'm $4 short of getting a bump (of dope)", his sincerity/ honesty won me over, I gave the guy a $10 spot. Another guy standing by sayz to me something like ... "you shouldn't do that, you should have bought him food", I told him ... "the man was honest, and he is hurting for dope, that is his only temporary escape from this reality he lives in ... and nobody tells me what the fuck to spend my money on ... ya hear what I'm sayin?". This happened to me before too, when I bought a homeless guy some beer. It's bad enough having corporations dictate our spending, let alone having some PC mother fucker on the street telling me some lame shit like that.

What Mark Kernan talks about in the MintPress article is very importante, and not only about Facebook, but much else in these platforms, that are basically corporate controlled data harvesters that are supposed to be "ours" ... because without us, they could not exist. It's even more importante to make our kids and grandkids more aware of how they may be being "played", and of course as Mark Kernan points out, profits are the big motivating deal in this. But it is also used to keep our political thoughts and correctness in alignment with the establishment's needs and controlling thought, and to keep us pigeonholed into categories they fixed for us. I also do not think that Mark Zuckerberg is the nefarious villain as some paint him, I have read up on him and watched his interviews and testimony in Washington. But, I do believe that he is not on top of things as a CEO should be ... and there are so many interests influencing what he does, and as a result, Facebook has some serious problems, and users are growing impatient. And this talk I been reading about Mark Zuckerberg for President ... to me, the last thing we need, is another billionaire for President, we already had that, and you see what the fuck we have out of Trump ... or this talk about other billionaire celebs like Oprah Winfrey. We dont even know where folks like these stand on issues, and they never been in the political arena, so therefore have no track record ... just because Trump is so lousy, dont allow desperation to bite you in the ass, eh? Even when out shopping in your big name retailers, they are recording (not your phone) your eye movement and facial expressions to whatever products, this is so they know how to arrange items in the store, and what to attract shoppers with ... again, the money. I love the internet for information gathering, and I alwayz am looking for products/ items and getting prices, and of course, I too, get bombarded with advertisements. I use that to get ideas on pricing, just as I would check how certain stocks are doing on losses or gains, but instead of using the info I gather to shop online, I am using it to negotiate prices offline or on the street. I may look at guns for example online, and check various prices top to bottom ... take that info, go in a small shop, or to an individual and work a price deal ... not to buy online, if that makes any sense. Facebook also has some serious censorship issues, as far as what it allows people to say ... I understand as far as Russian interference or whoever, and others that have ill intentions, politically or otherwise, but many corporations that Facebook does business with also should be questioned, and even investigated. And users/ customers demanding it, are in order.

I chose Julia Kollewe's recent article in The Guardian, because I have noticed that this has also been a growing corporate trend starting to be implemented as well here in the U.S., and all these things are also on the same track to box in and control too much of our jobs with these patents. Amazon here in the U.S. is moving in this direction with another device using a wristband to monitor employees (NY Times), which as technologies expand, will expand deeper and wider with acceptance as you see with implants. They start on higher levels of employees with some companies to set an example for lower levels, as you can see in the previous Part 6 posting of the "End To Privacy?" series linked above, as far as "behavioral analytics" is concerned in the workplace, and the devices/ badges they use for that. As these techs become cheaper, more advanced and common with acceptance, it imprisons the employee in a sense. This is importante to question and make demands too, regardless of how much it may hurt you as far as going against the grain ... if we have mass walkouts or strikes, it is needed. All these things are to make workers more efficient they say, and so that management can have a closer relationship or whatever other loving nonsense they present it as. Bottom line again, is to maximize profits, squeeze every last drop out of the employee, and have excuses to come up with wayz to decrease wages or benefits, and apply pressure to employees to be in fear of their employers, and in time, as this evolves, will apply to the most menial positions/ jobs. Don't feed us this "love for us" nonsense, or to "protect workers", when workers know otherwise ... just like this stupidity they spread through their mouthpieces, to tell us that replacing employees with contractors is to make it so that employees are their own boss ... NO, they are NOT their own bosses! ... this talk is to use and screw workers out of their fair piece of the pie. I never was a union man, and alwayz negotiated my pay and benefits myself, even without interference from government ... but I have never seen a better time and need than today/ 2018 to start more organized labour movements and unions, this is not 30- 40 years ago, it's a new shaft and corporate culture they are shoving up our asses today. You know ... the workplace is ONE part of your life, you do NOT need to have devices implanted in you, that also have the capability to monitor every other goddamn aspect of your life and leisure. When you are not on the job, whatever you are doing on your time, is your business ... and dont feed us other stupid garbage that it's to monitor our health, eating habits and related nonsense for our good. They already monitor too damn much as it is, we need to keep better track of these corporations and their constituents who are trying to fuck us, and perhaps put some tracking/ monitoring implants in them!


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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