Why the name Ranch Chimp? it was in humour because, science says that humans have similar DNA to a chimpanzee,so I felt some way related biologically to a chimpanzee. 2nd, everytime I was out of Texas on a vacation or for whatever reason I’m always asked things like, do I live on a ranch?,or have cattle? so I commonly call Dallas the Ranch. "Politically Depressed" was also humour inspired by the 1993- 2002 Bill Maher TV/ tele show "Politically Incorrect".
This entry into this journal's music/ arts honour roll society will be to feature the Omar Rodriguez Lopez Group (wikipedia). This is one of the various projects of Omar, he is well known for his work with The Mars Volta, which you can see the excellence in the composition, and his exceptional guitar work too. I say exceptional guitar work, because he has been now recognized more for his work in guitar circles, because Omar never looked at himself as a guitar great, in fact, he stresses how he strives for simplicity ... but he is certainly unique, and his compositions are pretty complex, pretty genius work though, in my view. This is why I posted the first video below of Omar being interviewed back when on tour in 2011 with Mars Volta, explaining how simple his guitar actually was, and the reason. Omar's specialty I would say, is utilizing a large pedals effects board that he used, below in the opening video, he explains how he drastically reduced it's size by over half, to try to simplify that for him and his tech ... he points out that he is using a single pickup, one knob guitar ... I'll also note that he loves Ibanez guitars and Orange amps. Omar is self made- self styled guitarist ... he admits that he is ignorant of music theory too, he is also a "leftee" and don't pay much mind to conventional guitar playing techniques, he actually started music on his own as a kid with bass, piano, and drums. In recording sessions he has been known to have others running their parts through songs only listening to themselves, and not other members, so not much about Omar is conventional ... and everything he puts together is "by ear" and from within, and on feeling only, not written. Omar works on various projects, and from what I read, I assume he has so much as well that never been published, with so many musicians, in various parts of the world ... this guy just puts out a ton of stuff. Even though the music falls into several genres of music today ... I find an element of older progressive rock and jazz incorporated.
Below the interview, I selected a few pieces to showcase here from an LA show of past ... really some excellent stuff. I wanted this in particular too, to showcase some of the drum/ percussions from Deantoni Park (wikipedia), Park is another that is top of the chain as far as his work ... he is excellent! Also featured below on vocals is Mexican singer/ songwriter/ actor Ximena Sarinana Rivera (wikipedia), Omar even uses effects on her vocal work, which blends it for the mood perfectly. Wishing Omar and associates a fun journey and much more to come ... this is just some great stuff! ... Enjoy!
Rig Rundown- The Mars Volta's Omar Rodriguez- Lopez ... Thanx to Premier Guitar
This posting will serve as Part 57 of the "Global War'n'ing" series of this journal/ blog, and to focus locally on Texas energy, and also Part 12 of the "American Jobs" series. The posting was inspired by a recent article I read below in the Houston Chronicle ... and this will serve as an update on the "Texas Wind Farms" posting I done back in 2012. This posting will be to look at the business end a little more, since I alwayz try to point out business advantages in green energy throughout this series. The first video below is down in Georgetown, a small Texas city of 70,000+ folks, that is powered on most days with 100% renewable power. Below that, the first news link from the Houston Chronicle, will show how coal is basically becoming obsolete, it has a new competitor in Texas ... which is cleaner, better, and cheaper. The next article from 1 Solar Solution, is to show more business, investment, and environmental advantages of wind and solar ... which basically amounts to better business all the way around. The last closing video, is to look at the jobs market in this new industry. Below at the bottom, I'll toss in a few words of my own.
Texas at forefront of renewable energy ... Thanx to CBS This Morning
Texas is a fast growing state, and with that comes alot more traffic, construction, industries, etc ... if you're a Texan, you're probably familiar with the beauty as well around different parts of the state, and support the "Don't Mess With Texas" campaign, and the strict penalization/ issuing citations for littering along our roadways. The pollution that comes with growth as well, should be just as strict as far as trying to reduce it, it is strongly needed and the state of the State. Look all we have to shell out for oil spill accidents and the economic ripple effect on consumers and taxpayers, healthcare due to air quality and the rest. What Mayor Ross talks about also in the first video is just common sense, as far as what would you prefer to buy ... dirty energy at $25 bucks a megawatt, or clean energy at $18 bucks a megawatt? ... it's a win- win any way you slice it. It's sad, that we even have to prove how much of a win this is to some, because any good product should be able to sell itself ... which is the reason I point out the business benefits throughout this series as well, and pointing out the mega business this will grow into. It isn't just the coal lobby spending on politicians to keep coal or any fossil fuel industry in use, you can blame it on politicians that simply don't have any sales skills. In any business where you have a winning product that can sell itself, and a consumer demand for, there shouldn't be any problem for a legislator to sell it, and to make legislation to incentivize investment, so politics is one of our biggest problems ... we just have some folks in politics that are worthless for much of anything. In Texas, we had a conservative governor, Rick Perry, who was basically even a slacker, good only for a few goods jokes here and there ... who took action for the state to invest billions in this, and it's paying off ... so that tells me there are too many others on both sides, NOT trying to do a damn thing.
The jobs part of this should even sell itself ... since so many politicians talk about jobs, jobs, jobs ... and make it a prime campaign issue, there is more jobs being created here than the fossil fuel jobs ... more should be talking about green jobs, both Democrats as well as Republicans. You can see above how some of these folks feel about their new energy jobs ... it's more sustainable employment, and you have to have techs to maintain wind turbines too, and you get to go home after your shift. It's a Hell of alot less hazardous working conditions than being out on the oil rig platform, and way cleaner and safer environment than the oil fields and refinery plants. Those folks working the fields, are also spending more money at local restaurants and stores in their towns, which leads to more business ... as well as all the logistics that's needed. At the same time, look at the possibilities for economic clean development that it will bring to so many rural areas in all the Great Plains states, not just Texas ... in areas that may be struggling economically, and areas that are heavy with conservatives, that felt abandoned by Washington. These areas would not just be expanding their economies and creating new economic advantages, but also providing a great service to larger surrounding towns and the country ... great for your community and great for America! On a global scale, something like a massive energy infrastructure plan, would be a shining example to other countries in the world, and put America in a positive spotlight, and puts us in a leading role position. It opens more competition, free market and investments opportunity and diversity. This is NOT attacking fossil fuel industries either, they have every reason, opportunity and capital to be players in this ... it's change, a new deal, and opportunity for so many. And when conflicts break out in some other oil, gas, and coal rich parts of the world, it won't send our economy into the level of unpredictability and worry as much as it currently does when these things happen.
This posting will serve 3 series of this journal/ blog ... "American Jobs", "Government Shutdown & Countdown" and "The Awakening" series. I believe we are at Day 27 now of this latest government shutdown 2019, both sides in Washington are sticking to their guns, Federal workers and contractors are feeling the pinch. As far as I last read, there doesn't seem to be an end right now. I was browsing some of this online, and looking for a more sensible approach, and importantly one that has input from the workers, since they are the ones getting shit on the most. I ran across the NY Times piece below, Thanx to Democracy Now, and a video below that with Barbara who co- wrote the piece in the Times. At the bottom, I'll toss in a few views of my own.
So far, just one friend told me he and is wife are getting affected by this, when he told me the other day that he was thinking about selling his bikes. He has these really nice Harley Davidson bikes/ motorcycles that he put much money and work into customizing, and are beautiful ... but his wife is the worker hit, and the major breadwinner I guess. I can't tell the man who is 45 what to do, but I told him I would try to hold off a little longer, if it was me ... and hope that something will give, hate to see him lose his bikes. A couple other guys were asking me about this, although their jobs are not affected, yet. One guy figuring they can draw unemployment, another guy said the government is guaranteeing back pay for folks, but how do they pay bills in the meantime? Folks are dipping into their retirement accounts, in food banks, trying to get food stamps, it's turned into a confusing mess for sure. I'm guessing I'll hear from others soon who are affected by this, because as this goes on, it will expand. Sadly this is simply over a border wall, which I view as another spending waste, I know a little about how the illegal immigrant market worx down here, as well as the illegal drug business ... a wall is not going to stop these thriving businesses, I'll leave it at that. But the whole thing is simply political, and many in Washington don't even know a thing about what goes on down here, never even come down here, etc. And telling folks to walk dogs and babysit or other wayz to earn a few extra bucks, show how out of touch many in Washington are. I mean, I can't tell if they're just really that ignorant, or really that full of shit, or a little of both. What I do know, is that we just can't keep listening to their nonsense and expect to get anything straight out of them soon at the pace this has been going. So all these folks protesting and raising Hell is importante. I put this in the Awakening series, because every time we get shafted on things like this, it brings even more awareness, and hopefully in time, people will start to even reject this bullshit more. There should be legislation of some kind to prevent this from happening among themselves up there, since they have all kinds of legislation on what we can or can't do ... at least to where the government can't shutdown over something like this.
But yes, this is an opportunity for workers to raise their voices even more to be heard. They say that they can't strike, that the President can force them to work or whatever. So you're saying that folks can be ordered to work for nothing, right? ... yet the rest of the time, they will tell us, if you don't like your job, just quit. What are y'all going to do? ... fire everybody? ... fine or confine everybody? ... how much more do we need to bow down to these people? How many more scare tactics will they throw at folks every time they don't get their way? Yes, I think a strike will actually motivate others to stand up, maybe even for others to join in and support them and start to strike in other sectors. You can bet on it ... if the workers strike on this, it will really hurt business, and like Barbara said above, they will start to get pressured into working something out ... the people/ workers are in a position to force them into resolving this, right here and now. My buddy told me, that if TSA folks strike it would be chaotic for business, due to all the business travel, etc ... and it would hurt everyone. That's the whole damn point though ... you can't get through to these folks unless you hit them where it really hurts, the pocketbook and the shareholders. We will hurt? ... Hell man ... folks are already hurting, you can't expect anything to be fixed or even to get anywhere on rights, pay, fairness, or a damn thing without some pain. The more you keep letting these folks scare you, the more they will scare you, and with increased intensity as it goes on ... history shows you they will not stop. You keep working for free, they will keep expecting you to work for free, over and over ... and the top wealth will find more wayz to even squeeze you more, till you are drained dry. This passive way of thinking does not work well, and as Albert Einstein said, similar wording (No proof that Einstein said this, but the quote is commonly credited to him) ... it's insanity to keep doing the same shit over and over and expect different results. The masses of workers and consumers are what makes it all work ... I don't think we realize at times, how much power we actually have, if we just utilize it. What is happening is disgraceful and insulting to the worker and consumer, and it will only get worse if you continue to bow to these pressures. My modest advice? ... make a final reasonable request, and if they play games ... strike, and fuck what they think about it.
Left 2.0: Wagenknecht launches 'Stand Up' movement against German establishment ... Thanx to RT
This posting will be for the same 3 series as the last on neoliberalism ... "Neoliberalism Crisis", "The Awakening", and "Public Patriots" ... an opening video above. This is more good news, and will take a look at "Aufstehen" (wikipedia) out of Germany, and Sahra Wagenknecht, which founded this movement with others last summer (2018), and of course, I like Sahra and view her and the movement as public patriots. Being myself unfamiliar with politics in these other countries, this is also educational/ enlightening/ inspirational for working class Americans like me. And Aufstehen are being inspired by folks in neighbouring France like the Gilets Jaunes (BBC), still strong in their 9th round of protests, and folks like Jeremy Corbyn (wikipedia) in the UK ... and even folks across the Atlantic like Bernie Sanders in the US, and others. And when you start a movement and 170,000 folks immediately jump on board ... you are doing something right and good for the public, because this neoliberalism has been attacking folks, bottom line, without any consideration or fair negotiation for anything but profit driven corporate communism ... the people need input, not just banks and corporations only. Again, it's not just the US, they been playing and coming down on our EU friends hard. And this new far right wing even in politics, have made it so there is no balance no more ... you need a strong left, in order to even have any left, not this phony half- assed centrist left or whatever they call this shit. Look at our own country (US) and how everything had to shift to the right, thanx to neoliberalism, they even moved our Democratic Party further and further to the right, year after year, saturated with corporate and religious institutional type nationalism (that isn't even anything close to actual nationalism) ... and come up with some new excuse or title to call it ... who the fuck do you think is orchestrating this austerity and this latest wave of neoliberal policies? ... sure as Hell ain't the majority of people on the left or the right. And you knew this was coming, if you looked at this years back. I started this Awakening series years back, to record this growing movement, it was obviously needed and inevitable, that folks around the globe would rise up and resist, country to country, back to back in waves ... folks in all the so called "free democracies" were going to stop and think for themselves at some point ... and even folks in "less free" countries, regardless of all the bullshit they're fed ... folks know when they're getting screwed. Aufstehen like Gilets Jaunes are not just some prepaid political group, or care to be pigeonholed into the current status quo political arena dictated by big money only ... they are for the peoples interests and welcome all, which is needed, as I point out in related postings.
We should be thanking folks like Gilets Jaunes, Aufstehen and others for their movements, even if they are not American, they are an inspiration for us as well, there needs to be a counterpunch of some kind, because the bottom 99% of folks are getting the shit beaten out of them on things like wages and rights too. Neoliberalism is here, and it will not be challenged in the least without action, such as any economic model and situation in history, you must stand your ground to get any results that benefit you, like alwayz, you are dealing with tyrants. I was talking to some guys over the weekend here in the Dallas area, little younger than myself and seen less ... they were concerned about some folks using violence, being, you know, not cool ... and violence should always be a last resort. But I think we sometimes confuse what violence is with self defense, when you are defending yourself against violence and oppression that has no consideration or respect for your needs, I call retaliation in ANY form, simply "self defense". Again, there is all kinds of tools to resist, it isn't all violent, or all peaceful, or all one way only ... you want results, and sometimes you can't just ask these folks nicely. Aufstehen will be taking to the streets of Germany this year, and have plans for many protests ... Sahra and founding associates do not advocate or like violence, but she is sympathetic towards those defending their rights and standing their ground who resort to such, which is understandable. Not everyone on the left will agree with Sahra of course, an anti- fascist activist with "pies for misanthropes" threw a chocolate cake/ pie in her face, because of her changing her stand on immigration. It is popular thought, that only those on the right want to limit immigration ... but there are others on the left who see the way immigration policies are set up, are working against many of the working and middle classes in some wayz, which is why I wanted to add the link to David Adler's Nation piece below. Simply wanting some control of immigration is not anti- humanitarian or whatever, if you are at a point where you can't afford it, do you think the oligarchs will bail you out or help? I look at every country as having their own unique circumstances, it's NOT a bloody damn one size fits all solution, especially when everyone's economic situation is different, and todayz capitalism is a different model from that of over a half century ago, eh? Bottom line, is our so called peoples governments, whether in UK, US, or Germany, are not working in the peoples interests, only in the interests of multinational banks and corporations ... and Germany itself, should not be dictating their corporate agenda to other European countries ... nor should the US corporate agenda be dictating European policies.
But speaking of immigration policies, like Sahra's recent stand, I also support some limits on immigration, especially due to this latest model of neoliberalism. I don't support this "Wall" on the US/ Mexico border though, only because I know a little about how the illegal immigrant business worx down here. You are going to have people getting around it as long as there is money to be made, plus it's an eyesore and damaging to property values on the border, when property/ homeowners on the border have to look at a 30'ft wall, instead of a view. This push for it and controversy is strictly political, and politicians playing with the lives of people as usual ... all this talk about the humanitarian crisis, or thousands of suspected terrorists are crossing, love for the children and women or related nonsense is shameful, because many of these politicians could give a shit less about any of that. Germany, France, the UK and others in Europe, has their own unique problems as well, as far as immigration, and like the US, their policies in government are being dictated by the same inconsiderate trash with big money that dictates US. The big banks and corporations want open borders when it serves their best interests only, they NEED more open immigration policies for when they go into some of these piss poor countries to extract their resources, covertly starting wars, corrupting their governments even more, and enslaving their people. The reason is because when they do, people try to flee their native countries, not because they want to, many miss their countries ... but they are being crushed so hard, they try to flee to save their families and selves in the hope of a better life. In turn, the big money also is able to drive down wages and standards of living in those more prosperous and more democratic countries immigrants flee to, and dictate for their governments to impose more austerity in the freer countries, while financially draining them and putting them more in debt. There is plenty more on this in these series of this journal/ blog. Below is recent news from The Guardian, which is an introduction to this new movement. And I wanted to add in fairness, the piece in The Nation, to try to get a better look at the pros and cons historically of immigration policies, and because every country and generation is unique as far as the benefits or downside of such. I also wanted to add video of Sahra speaking a few years back, in particular to Merkel, who I made years ago, and never really cared much for Merkel myself. Another video added of an interview with her at DW English. Some of what Sahra sayz is criticism to the US too, but understand that Sahra is not attacking our people, she is pointing out some of our government's policies and actions ... which we as Americans should also be concerned with. A closing music video at the bottom dedicated to Aufstehen.
"Takin It To The Streets"- The Doobie Brothers 1982, ( Live, Santa Barbara, CA) ... Thanx to WestLAGuy ... I wanted to dedicate this song to Aufstehen, the lyrics HERE fit well for this new movement. The Doobie Brothers are out of San Jose, CA. When I seen this crew sometime in the early 1980's in a circular arena, they closed all seats on the sides of the stage and back, which they could have sold, because it was a sellout, but done it so that everyone had a front stage view. They also done at least a 1.5 hour long music set in 2- 45 minute parts with a 30 minute intermission between the 2, about the longest music set I seen of any crew ever, and really great sound. This will also be included in the "RCJ Music/ Arts Honour Roll Society".
Elizabeth Warren Launches Exploratory Committee for President ... Thanx to Elizabeth Warren
I will start off 2019 in this journal/ blog with some refreshing news I caught New Year's Eve, when Senator Elizabeth Warren announced that she will start her run for President 2020, this will serve as Part 18 of the "Elizabeth Warren" series ... a little opening video above. I had my eye on Warren for years, as you can see in this series, and been hoping she would run for President ... so Congratulations and Thank You to Senator Warren on this action ... it's about goddamn time, Senator {:-) I look for talent ... like exceptionalism, strength, accuracy, and outstanding performance in those folks that I highlight for their qualities in this journal, like a talent scout does ... just like I do in the music/ arts series here. One of the things I look for in a political candidate, whether it is for the House, Senate, President or locally ... is a record with integrity, job performance, and action on issues that concern the majority, and for balance, Elizabeth is very qualified for President, probably one of the best qualified and considerate that I seen in a few decades ... and in these times, she is a real treat and breath of fresh air, from the stench we have. She is the first Democratic contender to come out, and there will be many more, some even more popular as far as mainstream media and the political establishment, so she hasn't had any Senators talking about endorsing her yet, and it's still in the exploratory phase ... but good enough for me. I felt it was good though that she announces this early on, some don't ... the reason why, is because it gives her time to introduce herself to the people ... because I have talked to folks, that don't know about her ... many folks just don't have time to examine politics closely. Senator Warren want's this to be a grassroots type campaign, so this is not about trying to raise millions from special corporate interests, Super PACs or whatever ... she prefers average Americans to give small donations. If someone from the Wall Street crowd wants to donate ... you can give your personal modest donation equally like any other American would, is the way I see it ... after all, y'all like calling yourselves "united citizens" (Citizens United), eh? ... here is your chance. For those who feel unheard across America ... there is a need to enhance our fight to make sure we do get heard.
The vast majority of Americans know how importante the economy is, so much of our lives are focused on trying to make enough money to live, and so many of us know and felt what it is like to get cheated and shortchanged. One of the most considerate things of many for Americans that came out of Elizabeth was the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ... that is responsible for recovering $12 billion for nearly 30 million folks across the country that been burned in some way since established in 2011 ... which many Americans fall prey to, even many more cases that are not reported. Elizabeth has background in knowing banking, bankruptcy law, and the economy, she understands not only the average American making ends meet, but importantly understands how the financial system worx, and the importance of them abiding by basic rules, as most Americans have to. We seem to forget at times that America is supposed to be a Democracy (representative democracy, not direct), and forget some of the rough times historically that this country has went through when we don't have enforcement to watch some of the big predators, many that have ruined our economy time and again out of arrogance, greed, irresponsibility, and lousy management ... so this is more than just the wants of an oligarchy, the American people and workforce is what make this machine work, and allow so many of these predators to do exceptionally well at our expense. Much of what Elizabeth done is to help folks that like a fair deal, work hard and play by the rules. If you're in middle America or the southwest like myself in Texas, or Oklahoma where she grew up, whether Democrat, Republican or Independent politically, and you have a smaller company that serves your community's needs, or the average wage worker, what she been doing for years, is looking out for your interests especially. I recommend her book "A Fighting Chance" (goodreads) to read, to get to know her and some of the challenges we have better as well ... she understands those working folks on the right too, and fights for them as well, understanding fiscal responsibility, after all, like myself she is a former Republican, but seen how the party lost much values. If you go through previous postings in this series, you will also see her in action. A video below of Elizabeth making her announcement and answering questions below in her neighbourhood in front of her house ... you certainly have my endorsement, Senator!
Word Out ....
Elizabeth Warren speaks to reporters after announcing possible 2020 run ... Thanx to Washington Post
