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 the music/ arts honour roll society of this journal/ blog, is to showcase "Amyl And The Sniffers" out of Melbourne, Australia ... also, punk legend, and a favourite of mine, Brody Dalle of The Distillers, was also born and raised in Melbourne. A short video from the band above to introduce themselves ... and interviews linked in i-D Vice below it. Starting in 2016, they home recorded their first EP called "Giddy Up" in just 12 hrs ... their 2nd EP "Big Attraction" they had released in 2017. In 2018, Damaged Goods records in the UK, compiled and made a 12" vinyl of their 2 self made EPs. They had no big plans or intentions at the time, besides playing for fiends, maybe opening for some locals, and some pubs ... that's all they cared about, it was simply all in fun, with alot of humour and some beers. Rough Trade Records in the UK took an interest in them ... plus they been playing alot of gigs the whole time. They were invited to the UK, to sit down and talk to Rough Trade ... RT hooks them up with producer/ musician, Ross Orton, Ross comes in to work with them, and refine them, which they were grateful, because Ross showed them much, with tips to help them with development of their potential. This summer (2019), they managed to release their first self titled album/ LP. This crew has been moving fast, they would like a 2nd album in 2020 ... but they are touring so much, the time is tight, because they been touring Europe as well as the U.S., meeting many new folks in the industry too ... I know they also made it to Austin's SXSW Festival | Conference, here in Texas ... meeting several in the industry. They were quickly getting recognized by folks like Foo Fighters, and even film director John Waters ... which was surprising to them, after all, they were not expecting to do nothing more than get some local gigs and have fun. But there was no surprise to me at all ... because when I first heard their EP material, I was blown away by their sound. I mean, this crew was hitting all the right targets across the board. Frontwoman Amy Taylor really knows how to drive an audience, as if she's partying with them, and just there for the party. Bryce Wilson on drums and Gus Romer on bass really do great, and add that thunder and lightning ... I just love that blend of drums and bass on Gacked on Anger, too. Dec Martens on guitar just don't play the standard punk type repetitive chord riffs, and really has some classic sounding leads ... all stand out in this crew.
I seen alot of crews over the years, that love punk, try to play punk, and even have more flash than sound ... seen several, where something is missing, some get over produced, homogenized, or whatever ... this crew has the right sound and attitude from the heart, it's natural, and they love what they do. I noticed also, as others have ... Amy does remind me a bit of that Poly Styrene/ X-Ray Spex sound as far as vocals. The crew seems to like that older 70's style punk sound, and a couple videos relate to it, and the glam era ... and this is also a reason why they have sold out shows in places like UK ... it's their sound. There is also a hunger for this genre too, especially in clubs ... you have many that want that more raw rebellious sound, with power performance full of energy ... less of the generic stuff ... which is keeping them booked, year round. Amyl and The Sniffers, are one of the best I heard of many new groups of the 21st century, in this genre ... a couple others worth the listen in this genre, I recommend, would be "Maid of Ace" and "Svetlanas". For something a bit more eclectic, you have a new form of folk- punk with "Bridge City Sinners", which I recommend, incorporating elements of jazz, bluegrass, and swing. I have viewed and listened to all this crew has out ... I selected some below to highlight here, they're short, and straight to it ... wishing all the best, with much fun to these guyz ... great sound, great aesthetics, great chemistry! ... Enjoy!
Amyl and the Sniffers- Some Mutts (Can't Be Muzzled) ... Thanx to Amyl And the Sniffers
First up, congrats to the Dallas Cowboys 34- 0 shutout here in Arlington saturday night of the Houston Texans in NFL preseason, I wasn't ready for that! ... great job! Now, down to business. This posting will serve the "Global War'n'ing" and "Mo of Yo Money" series of this journal/ blog. The last week or 2, I heard alot of talk about President Trump trying to buy Greenland ... I first heard of it, when a guy brought it up to me here in Dallas a week or so ago, somehow I must have missed it on the news. I read and viewed quite a few pieces after, because when this guy told me this, it hit me like a red flag, but I was not as surprised as many. I know that I have wrote some critical stuff about Trump in this journal/ blog, but only because it's serious stuff we should be paying atencion to. I tried to keep an open mind when Trump started to run and when he first went into office, in fairness ... I am not one of these folks online, on a mission to attack or ridicule Trump, or think he's an evil monster or whatever ... if he does something that stands out, I'll post, whether it's funny or not. Most of the Tweet stuff on the daily news is worthless to listen to, just bitch- fight stuff. I never kept up with Trump before he was President, or knew much of anything about him, or watched his tele game show or whatever ... I don't keep up with trendy stuff, pop tele series, or even any of the generic type pop music (country, hip- hop, pop- rock). This is serious stuff ... and I'm straight up, what I write, I'm serious about, if I do a posting in humour, I will state "it's in humour" (such as HERE or HERE), or make humour obvious ... this is not humour. Much of what I heard, has been nonsense, on Trump being stupid or dumb on this, making jokes about him attempting to buy Greenland, etc. Don't be so quick to think this guy is stupid, or you/ we will get screwed for billions in tax revenues. It's more stupid to think that Trump is just dumb, and a place like Greenland is just a barren good for nothing island, not worth more than the cash in your wallet. Below, I chose a few links and video, out of several I reviewed, for a more non- politipop view ... at the bottom. I'll add a few things.
***** What I write below may seem impossible, as someone in the spotlight, such as a President, being able to do things indirectly for his/ her benefit, financial gain, etc, it's even common practice for politicians in Congress to pass legislation that may benefit them and personal investments. Understand, that people with wealth, especially one like Trump, who skimmed and scammed his entire life, know how to make money. It's common, especially today, for the wealth class to manipulate legislation, having more control in making laws, that enable their class to break laws. And to piece by piece, with the right positions and influence in government, being able to amend the Constitution, to putting their selection of judges in the highest of courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. They also increasingly make sure that whatever they fail at business- wise, tax legislation and taxpayers will cover them, and most of all the new wealth to the top, is simply generated by the masses at the bottom ... only the masses and governments stay in debt. Many of these oligarchs and their ilk, along with their political and religious puppetry, who destroy our liberty and democracy while robbing us, in my opinion, deserve nothing less than imprisonment, at minimal, or better yet, to be exterminated/ put to death (of course, given a fair trial first, by the people, for crimes against humanity, war crimes, etc). And NO, that's not wrong, irrational, evil, or barbaric ... they're responsible for deaths, and persecution of innocent people everyday, on a global level, they're a disease to humanity, progress, and the environment ... it's self- defense and self- preservation. I was listening to a wealthy investor once, in a discussion with colleagues, who actually said, that climate change disasters are great for the GDP, it creates business, reconstruction, jobs, etc. He's right, because in a capitalism on steroids environment and culture, that's all that counts to those types ... the same as ones in defense contracting love war, because it's good for business. Everything is on the table, from minimal gain to big gains, whether it's natural resources, war/ intervention, healthcare, insurance, labour, to wrongful imprisonment, etc.
*****************************************************************************
Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp
When I first started this "Global War'n'ing" series 10 years ago, It was called the "Global Warming" series, I changed it, because I figured that the "warming" should be a "warning". I have particularly had my eye on the arctic region, even though my first posting was on Greenland, I was interested in the entire region over a decade ago, which serves the interest of Denmark, Norway, Canada, U.S., and Russia. Because looking at the actions of industry, I figured that every mining, drilling, fracking investments could not wait for the ice to melt there, even though it would take centuries. Any melting, which accelerates faster and faster as melting continues, excites corporations and investors, it's like finding a buried treasure to them. And all this demand and continuation of fossil fuel usage, has contributed to climate change. Oil companies are still going to extract all oil possible, even if we're all using renewable energy, electric transport, etc ... they still want all oil reserves on Earth, because oil is just not for fuel, it's for just about everything that we use as humans, daily, and economies depend on it, at this point in time. Much of the money used, is not just private investors money in this, but tax incentives that cut into our tax revenues and government to cover it. It's common for government to incentivize and cover business, but what we see today is a bit overboard. Yes, while political mouthpieces in Washington are telling us about how green we're going, or the harm some of these industries do environmentally ... they're writing legislation to reward through tax incentives, to even drill, mine, and frack more, and at historic levels ... which is why I have this also in the "Mo of Yo Money" series. As soon as the melting was in high gear, before it was even melting as much as today, years ago, you had icebreaker ships in the Arctic, paving way for military, and new oil exploration and transport, serving the strategic and money interests of Russia, U.S., and others. You have so many that want to try in any way possible, including breaking up ice, to even accelerate the ice melting. The guy who first told me about Trump wanting to buy Greenland, thought it was a joke, but I explained to him later, that this is more than what meets the eye. I mean, this is why so many people thinking folks like Trump are just totally dumb, are people that probably stay in endless debt, while these mother fuckers like Trump get so damn rich, eh?
As far as Trump being angry, offended, or whatever, that his offer got turned down by a woman ... this is nonsense, he had offers accepted and turned down more times than you can count ... you can bet, he expected to get turned down ... but hoped they were dumb enough to go for the bait. People like Trump make and break deals their entire life, he's a hustler ... what would bother Trump more than getting turned down or rejected, is him knowing that he didn't try. Even floating an idea like that to Trump a year or so ago ... he can't resist, a good hustler never lets opportunity pass him/ her by, without at least trying ... and he may try again, with new game. To a person like Trump, better Greenland owned by U.S. than Denmark/ Greenland, easier and more "opportunity", than having to deal with Denmark/ Greenland. Trump is watched with a microscope on whatever he does, as any President, but I'm sure Trump and his associates, can find wayz to indirectly make money off certain moves and decisions. I think former VP Cheney's associates made a nice bundle off the Iraq war, too. As far as Trump's scientific illiteracy, sure, he don't hold a master's degree in climatology or related ... but you can bet, that he believes in global warming, by his moves, in fact, he banks on it. He wants a sea wall for is Ireland golf resort, to protect it from rising waters, then he sees Greenland's ice melt, and wants it ... then tells the public global warming is a hoax ... you can bet a "happy hoax" for folks like him. Sure Greenland is good for the U.S. strategically/ economically, but this nonsense he spouts about doing Greenland/ Denmark a favour, since Denmark is shelling out $700 million or so annually, is nonsense, or that this is only about helping the U.S., or whatever ... Denmark/ Greenland made him and the bite/ scam quick ... credit to them. This is about Trump wanting investment, through and for associates and family, so it's about his/ their future, more than ours or Greenland. And you can bet, that since in office, he's been losing money somewhere, because he can't stay on top of his business, like when he's in private life. And you can also bet, that he's been making up for it, by making money elsewhere in U.S. and around the globe, by using his position as U.S. President. And he's going to take advantage of this presidency ... looking at it like having access to a blank check ... because alot of the moves, that lead to profit and loss in private, including deals that led to bankruptcy, he can get the U.S. government to invest/ cover for him, while he deals his hand, that he would otherwise have to cover himself, or with other investors funds, that he sells his pitch to.
Greenland is a bundle of wealth ready for the taking, a new, and one of the last frontiers for prospectors on Earth, and many are hungry, many prospectors for rubies, diamonds, and gold ... and so much else. As the arctic warms, it also opens other doors, and most Greenlanders want to build their economy ... they will even invite tourism if they can, I mean, they figure if Iceland can do it, why not them. And it also becomes more habitable, and attractive, with time, including agriculture. Environmentally it becomes another waste can, despite the environmentalist segment in Greenland, because industry will start to muscle them, if necessary, as well as Denmark ... you know, like they do to us in the U.S. and Canada, with fossil fuel industries. Even though there is big progress in renewables, you are also seeing an explosion of mining, drilling, and fracking ... and will continue to, as long as governments don't stand up to it, besides a dash of minimal regulation here and there. China already has big investments there ... but China is smart too. The same reason we're in Afghanistan, although political mouthpieces in Washington, will tell you it's for humanitarian or terrorism reasons, while helping the Saudis with their other hand, slaughter thousands of Yemenis. Soviets/ Russia, and the U.S., spent a fortune in defense spending, and loss of military lives trying to control Afghanistan ... but not China (not yet), China much less militarily, and only to protect Chinese territory for most part ... they're smart, they let U.S. and Russians do the harder part ... and then they just come in and start doing business (TRT World). China is already investing big in Greenland, and have big plans ... this is China's gig, as far as how they roll, they have money to toss around loosely, they will come into a country, instead of militarily invading it, they invest in them, such as badly needed infrastructure ... and it plays as good public relations. Importante here, because they can come into Greenland, and make the infrastructure needed, possible, and quickly, without public scrutiny, like here ... such as needed roads to connect towns, transportation, and airport infrastructure, they will bid and spend at the drop of a hat ... and U.S. knows this.
Back to Trump ... I first caught his game in his campaign run, not knowing much of anything about him previously. While the DNC was strapped on cash in the 2016 election, partly due to vendors and consultants ripping them off in last election runs ... Hillary Clinton had to fund much for DNC, out of her own pocket in 2016. Trump was able to hustle all this free advertising, just saying outrageous things on the campaign trail ... getting a free ride in MSM. After in office awhile, all the quick hiring and firing of folks he put in key positions, I started to see that he was treating his Presidency like a fly by night franchise of sort. The tax cuts for the wealthy of $1.4 trillion or so, seen some boost in the economy and market confidence, naturally ... but not much being investments, as much as being ratholed and stock buybacks. Then the tax scam pitch on the working class of various kinds I highlighted in this journal, such as this scam/ sales pitch ... to justify giving the rich all. We also spend quite a bit on securing his properties, as well as his trips to his resorts, etc. He goes to the G7 the other day, and what does he do? ... he hustles a sales pitch like an infomercial, to hold the 2020 G7 summit at his Doral/ Miami resort (CNN), speaking of all the accommodations/ amenities that he/ it offers, too bad his homeboy, Jeffrey Epstein, isn't around to supply the young ladies, eh? (just kidding) ... no, he would find a way to supply that too. His trade negotiations and tariffs are not working as planned, and his spending and gambles he takes is too far off, he's playing with OUR money on this, while we are being cut, slashed, and scrimping to pay for our needs as a country. If we have this President another 4 years, there's a good chance of an economic crisis of some sort, if not before ... of course, the wealthy will do fine, but we as a country will suffer. If he gets another 4 years, he will milk our tax revenues for every nickel he can squeeze, because we don't have 3rd terms, so he'll have to play all he can in a last term. This guy is a hustler, and he plays a heavy hand, and for big bucks ... his expenditures will increase as time goes on, with his sort of luxury spending sprees, bets, and bids with our money. And as far as regulations and the environment, he will take us further into a hole. He belongs back in the private sector.
When President Trump was asked about this on camera in mainstream news ... he said it was a "real estate" investment, and to help Denmark. We don't even have enough money to take care of our own domestic needs ... since when the fuck do a majority of American people, want a foreign real estate investment with our tax money? ... an investment, that would not do the majority of this country, not one bit of good. All we hear out of people like Trump, is how we need to make cuts to our public needs ... yet, we have enough money to give out $1.4 trillion in tax cuts to the top wealth circle. Trump has been also talking about further tax cuts for the richest and multinationals, he been staying on the low about it recently, because of the 2020 election. You can bet, if he won another term, he will give even more of our money away to the richest, and squander even more on all kinds of pet projects, that will not do the majority of this country one bloody damn bit of good. This border wall shit is another waste of money, and now it's all politically driven, and it will not stop illegal aliens from getting in the country, it will only make it a little harder, and it will widen the black market of human smuggling, and be a boost to their profits ... that's it. I don't want him to invest in nothing much, that does not help the majority of Americans ... and I actually like the gridlock. The last thing we need, and I'm speaking as a registered voting Democrat ... is for bipartisanship with this President and the Republican Party ... and approving some of his reckless spending ... and it's a disgrace to call this President or his party "deficit hawks", and pure politipop stupidity. And I hope that Democrats will stand firm on these things, and Democrats need to stand to this stuff, or else they'll lose credibility with their voters, in time ... fuck all that "reach across the aisle" shit! ... President Obama reached out, and was a sort of centrist Democrat, as bipartisan as you can get, it didn't do him any good, or the country, there is no reason to keep kissing ass.
Judas Priest- You've Got Another Thing Comin ... Thanx to Judas Priest **** I wanted to close with a video/ song, and one of my favourites, where the lyrics of this song are exactly the way Trump looks at things ... because if you think he'll sit around, and not take advantage of this presidential opportunity, you've got another thing coming. This is from the 1982 "Screaming for Vengeance" album and tour, I also attended this tour, Rob Halford is one of my favourite power vocalists, with his wide range. This will also be included in the "RCJ MUSIC/ ARTS HONOUR ROLL SOCIETY".
This posting will serve 3 series of this journal/ blog ... "From The FOXHOLE with Bernie", "Incarcerated American", and "Aggressive Progressive" ... I also linked a couple related series below ... "Citation Violation Nation", and "Police Brutality". This will focus on Senator Bernie Sanders new criminal justice reform plan, which is a must read, it is a drastic overhaul of the so called "Criminal Justice System". Bernie is also again running for President, and one of the 3 candidates I choose, that have shown to be most progressive and aggressive out of the list that are running, the other 2 are Elizabeth Warren and Tulsi Gabbard. A system long past due for repair, a system where a significant percentage of those in it, or been through it, are not criminals, or even a threat to our society. A system that created a private prison industry and market, that kicked off around 1984, and a decade later was enhanced through a 1994 crime bill that was devastating to so many Americans of colour, immigrants, youth, and the poor ... and has escalated in damage and misery up to this current day. A system that has destroyed millions of lives, directly and indirectly, financially and socially, as well as incarcerated so many that only violated laws designed by corporate lobbyists, investors, and banks, through their pre- paid politicians, to profit from. This proposal and blueprint seems bold, and needs to be, because again, in these times and circumstances, you must have a full plate, because after any of it is negotiated due to the lobby money influence in Washington, you will only get a fraction of it, but any is a plus.
This is another issue that Americans have been asking to fix for too long anywayz, and for decades have not been given a fair amount of consideration. Instead, administration after administration, both democrats and republicans, has only tiptoed around it, and giving Americans a few dog biscuits, out of political fear of backlash from big money interests. This plan doesn't ask, but takes an axe to the whole bloody damn system top to bottom. This is the only reasonable and sane way to approach this, we have tried so much else and failed ... because what you have in our current criminal justice system, is clearly an organized racket of crime in itself ... an organized crime ring. When we're dealing with a corrupted criminal justice system like this one, you have to take also various methods in trying to get some justice ... even if it takes civil disobedience in the streets, disruption of business in any way possible, etc ... take some lessons from the French here, and the reasons you/ we should fight ... or here in Hong Kong (CNN). We need to listen less, to this candy- ass politipop- neoliberal shit, that civil disobedience/ violence is not the answer, that you should be peaceful at all times ... hope, pray, reach across the isle, hold hands, give out olive branches, etc. All types of resistance are justified, in courts, petition, legislatively, business disruption, strikes, and physical resistance ... many of these politicians in Washington sitting on their asses, make this legislation to brutalize the American people on a daily basis, in more wayz than one, too.
Below, you have Bernie's "Justice and Safety for All" plan, which is a great piece of work. I also included his video below it, where he discusses it and gets input from locals, as well as a man, Donald, who been in the system, and some input from the audience. This meeting is in the Greenview Neighbourhood of Columbia, South Carolina ... and more of a one on one type intimate setting with the people, which is very importante, because you are sitting down with people and asking for their input and grievances, that is the best way to deal with issues in a democracy, and especially a campaign. I suggest to hear these men out that are the panelists, they sum it up straight. I never even realized, until after listening to these panelists, just how bad the system is in South Carolina, or even in Florida ... but all states have their unique circumstances. I started the video after 15 minutes into it, because the first 15 minutes was just a sort of intro. Below that, I included some links and video of importance, to look further into the problem. The last video below, I wanted to add, to be open about Bernie and his record ... because Bernie also voted for the 1994 crime bill. But before he voted for it, he argued and questioned it tooth and claw, and was very accurate, as far as predicting what this bill would do, back in 1994, as you can see today, the results of it.
The way he got sucked into voting for it, appears to only be, because he was so strong for supporting the part to protect women from violence, and that's the way they pull opposition to their bills into voting for them, they add one little piece or clause, that gets the opposition to vote for it. It's like a marketing gimmick and trick, no different ... companies do it all the time, when they want to sell you tech/ tele/ communications bundles/ packages you don't need, by offering one thing you "do need" in the package, eh? I remember a CNN video news clip, when Hillary was running for President, and her husband, former President Bill Clinton, who was campaigning for her, took heat from angry folks in the audience, concerning his 1994 crime bill ... and Bill Clinton responded to the audience, by blaming the bill on Joe Biden directing it, and the black community pressuring him to sign it (CNN YouTube). But, Bill Clinton has reason to put part blame on Joe Biden, according to this article (Vox News), and other documentation/ articles/ videos I read and viewed, Joe Biden's policies on the drug war and pushing for mass incarceration, were more draconian than Clinton, Bush, and Reagan combined ... even President Reagan and some Republicans rejected Biden's proposals back in the day. I knew none of this previously about Biden, because I never looked into his background. I'm sure that Bernie will own up to what he did though, and why ... when he is confronted again, for voting for the 1994 crime bill. After, at the bottom, I will add a few more of my own views.
***** BERNIE SANDERS: Justice and Safety for All ... (reform blueprint for broken criminal justice system)
Bernie Sanders Unveils Justice and Safety for All Plan ... Thanx to Bernie Sanders
***** PD/ RCJ: "CITATION VIOLATION NATION" ... PART'S 14 THRU 1 (a related series) **** the first link here, is very importante, as far as being pulled over or stopped by police in the U.S.
***** PD/ RCJ: "POLICE BRUTALITY" ... PART'S 32 THRU 1 (a related series)
*****************************************************************************
Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp
First of all ... as far as sentencing, crime bills and the rest ... much of this results from drugs, basically. Focus on this issue started to intensify 1971, as the "war on drugs" with President Nixon, expanded by Reagan VP and Pres. George H.W. Bush in the 80's, as far as trying to do something about what was seen as a growing drug epidemic, and the drug problem goes back way before that. Running (IV/ needle) morphine goes back to the Civil War, from treating soldiers that became addicts. Later you had so many addicts when they started selling over the counter heroin for all kinds of ailments into the early 20th century, even for children ... millions of American's addicted. Later you had a big street market, which I heard about from old timers of the Great Depression era, in towns like New York and Chicago (I lived in both towns for a period years ago). I had an older second cousin, late 1960's (RIP), got back from Nam (Vietnam/ US Army), stone cold dope fiend, his addiction was maxed out, his arm's vein trax were in such bad shape, he had to start running dope in leg veins too. He made decent money too, he ran a gypsy cab (not licensed or legal) out of the airport, all cash, damn near all his money, besides rent, went to the boy/ heroin. Seeing this as a kid, him getting dope sick, and skitzing to get well/ fix, is what made me refrain from IV/ needle ... although, when I did do opium, I smoked. But the so called drug epidemic, goes back over a century, and is all connected in large part, as well, to capitalism.
Damn near all over New York in the late 60's/ early 70's, nickel bags of boy/ skag (heroin) could be bought openly on the street corner, as easy as a hot dog, or big pretzel from a corner cart ... and every major city across the U.S. had sales. Early to mid 1980's, the discovery of crack (cocaine cooked with baking soda and additive, expanded and rocked solid), hit the cities in U.S. ... a most easily produced/ manufactured, and lucrative drug in years ... because of the quick rush from one hit/ puff/ toke/ bump. This is when urban gangs started becoming more organized, and domineering territorial wise. In Dallas for example, the 1970's/ 1980's gangs locally of Dallasites, were less organized and younger high schooler types, than the long generational gangs of towns like New York and LA ... NY/ LA gangs seen Texas cities as a fresh open market for drug business. Well established street gangs moved into Dallas from LA, as well as other established gangs moved into Dallas from NY, at the same time. NY and LA gangs started fighting each other on Dallas turf, while also fighting to take over the less organized local gangs of Dallas ... this resulted in alot of bloodshed, while trying to run out Dallas gangs and local dealers of product ... after it stabilized over the years, it balanced out between various gangs and new territories started and alliances, and it became much more organized. It was harder for LA/ NY gangs to move into Chicago for instance, because it was more organized and generational, and Chicago gangs controlled much of that, with an iron fist.
The reason I point all this out above, is to show much of why, for the escalation in new crime task force implementation, being drugs ... which led to increased gang wars and other crimes, too. Today you have meth/ ice to add to the list, plus a huge black market of pharma opioids and synthetics ... meth, as far as criminal charges can carry stiffer penalties, because it's ALL chemically made, so simple possession in some states, can fall into "manufacturing/ distribution" category, and viewed different by courts (like the powder or crack/ rock cocaine controversy, as far as criminal charges), unlike heroin (opium) or cocaine (coca), that are from a natural plant ... this can strongly differentiate offense and penalty. With the increase of addiction starting in the 1980's crack epidemic, also came an increase in crime, mostly petty crimes, stealing to sell or trade stolen items or materials, such as copper wiring for drugs, in urban areas across the country ... those with jobs, and good jobs, support their habits off their incomes, of course. It also led to a rise in trafficking of girls and prostitution, because of the addiction factor, common guys became overnight wannabe macks/ pimps with no finesse, and a new wave of young gangs, some that also went into selling young prostitutes, as well as drugs. Many girls/ women got strung out, and had to support their habit, some sought out these guys for supply and protection ... some went solo, yet still, addiction played a big role. This also is why many street prostitutes of today, are unsafe, unclean, unbathed, and physically ran down, to where they look very bad ... because the addiction is their life source and priority of the day, to these harder drugs.
All of these things, and the use of semi- auto weapons growing by gangs, to protect territories, product, and properties (including human property), also intensified these crime bills and task forces ... so it's much more deep than the surface. When Bill Clinton said that communities of colour were coming to them, and asking for help to deal with the high crime rates, it's true, this was going on all over America's inner cities. Here in the South Central Dallas area back in the late 1980's, which is primarily a black lower income working class community, people were so fed up with the gang violence, they had to start community militias and crime watch type groups, just to try to protect their community, because the police and City Hall, basically didn't protect them, or other low income communities, regardless of race. Everything was based on class, as far as who got priority atencion, services, protection. Gang violence was on the increase, and common everyday kids and innocent people were sometimes caught in the crossfire, many killed ... like this 9 yr old girl the other day in East Dallas (CBS DFW). Thus, they were asking for more police protection ... as gangs and criminals grew more sophisticated, and the weaponry, police had to beef up their arsenal and methods too. This also led to communities being now policed by cops, that knew nothing about the community, or ever been there, fresh out of college, maybe white, and didn't have proper training in race relations or understanding the communities, some becoming alienated and rogue.
This fell strongly on urban poor communities, and anyone who was poor, including poor whites ... there was just higher amounts of poverty among people of colour in urban areas, and systemic racism contributed to that. Where so many young people are caught in a cycle, and some feel hopeless, as far as trying to make a good living and becoming successful, these communities strongly lack resources, that other more well off communities get. Monetary and material success today, is also strongly commercialized, and greed, glorified, through media, and even some arts, and if you don't achieve what some others have, they make you feel like losers ... the extreme capitalism goal and mindset contributes to this psychologically. Some that feel lost and behind, start to look up to and follow those they see that are making money hand over fist illegally ... the whole mindset can be self- destructive. Add the urban blight, lack of opportunity, lack of proper public funding that other more higher income communities and areas of better opportunity get, deepens the cycle. This is why help in these communities that are getting poorer by the year is importante, instead of all help/ revenue going to communities that are not lacking any, with much better public amenities, housing, and incomes. And it's why these poor communities are targeted by so many predatory businesses, because they see, a majority of the outside population don't care about them, they're easy targets.
At the same time, as you intensify these penalties, fines, and petty laws, at the direction and request of corporate lobbyists, with hardly any regulation or oversight, it adds to the abuse, and out of control predation on these people that are most vulnerable, and this should be realized first and foremost by lawmakers from cities to Washington ... since the history of such shows that this happens every time. When Bernie Sanders back in 1994, pointed out what can happen from this crime bill as is ... he didn't have any special insight, or some sort of crystal ball, he was pointing out what history shown us time and again ... it doesn't fail to happen. Yet many politicians turn their head to it, for political campaign funding reasons, or some kind of personal gain, even though they know what can happen. The initial purpose of the bill, with parts like 3 strikes laws, was to go after the most violent offenders ... however, investors/ companies over the years (because of lack of oversight, and lobby money), seen opportunity to make big bucks from state to state, and started going after everyone for anything, to increase revenues. You can't tell me that you cannot make a crime bill that has protections in it, to clean up much of our problems ... many of these politicians are the ones who are letting these predatory companies and industries draft this legislation. Now, we allow these businesses, like so many others, to get so large, and the profit intake ... that our markets and GDP become dependent on it, and all these crooks at the top that operate not much different than criminal gangs themselves, design this, know this ... they want us not to have protection or government, or even taxation for ourselves, so they can control all aspects of our lives, and to make us more dependent on their corrupt and inferior wayz.
This criminal justice reform plan of Bernie's is a broad view of a whole range of issues that need reform ... you can make many modifications, there is alwayz room for improvement on anything, without going hogwild, and getting everyone's panties in a bind. It's so serious, even corporate MSM is covering it more, which is another plus. And on an issue like this, probably get some significant bipartisan support. Of course, the lobby groups will fight much of this tooth and claw ... and many fear that it would hurt business, rolling down to markets, banks, etc. But it's a full plate, and an excellent blueprint to dissect, and study piece by piece ... and push to get as much as possible, because these are the actual problems. And of course many politicians will fight against much ... but the positive to this ... is that it's all available to the public eye to examine, which educates and inspires people and groups to organize and act. Meaning, this also inspires importantly our younger generations, as far as what needs changing, and how to do it ... they will be the ones increasingly running for political positions from City Hall to Capitol Hill ... many will make new waves to change things. This moves people to look more closely at where their retirement accounts are being invested too, and by who ... and where we are spending our taxes, and for what. This movement also shows prisoners, that prison labour strikes are in order as well, over conditions and pay ... as well as consumers boycotting businesses/ products, taking it to the streets, and walkouts themselves, periodically ... so those at the top, who know nothing about the impact on us, get a taste.
'Go back to Mexico': One woman's racist rant towards neighbor's landscaper ... Thanx to Washington Post
First of all, kudos/ credit to the people of Hong Kong, in their recent opposition to injustice by the Chinese government (CNN) ... great job in shutting down business too! Also credit to the people who fought back on the island of Puerto Rico recently, and the support from mainland U.S. they received (NBC) ... nice work! This posting will serve as Part 29 of "Human Morality" and Part 15 of "American Exceptionalism" series of this journal/ blog. What inspires the posting, is all that is recently going on from the treatment of Latino immigrants, some of which are citizens being illegally detained, to the latest inspiration for mass shootings ... in the El Paso case, specifically targeting Hispanics (CNN), with the sort of pep rally pump and jump hate rhetoric out of President Trump, and just an overall view of where America was in the past, and where it is today, and to look at some of the hypocrisy. Mexico borders U.S., just as Canada, and like Canadians and U.S. Americans, embrace the same western American values and lifestyles. The photo at the top of the posting, was the most fitting and appropriate photo I found for this posting ... the 8 words on the protest sign, sum up America perfectly, and the condition of past as well as present ... it's the same old trash in new packaging. I opened above with a short video clip, as an example of some of the whiny shit American's deal with daily. I call this the ununited shackles of America, because the system that we have, love, and embrace of this model of capitalism, is the same system that has bred racism, slavery, human trafficking, and exploitation of immigrants, and is today more entwined with classism ... today they try to criminalize poverty in America. In a way, anyone who is not very rich, are all in debt to the system, and bound in economic shackles and enslaved economically. The name of United States of America, was just a name for a new idea for democracy and some sort of freedom from the church and oligarchs.
This country, due to the system we actually have today, is getting more divided, instead of united, and going backwards by design and pre- paid legislation from oligarchs, corporations, banks. And one would have to be blind, or politically brainwashed, to not see the problems and hypocrisy with what they promote ... and yet, will say, this is the best we can do. Then you have the usual bunch in Washington and cities of their pre- paid flunkies/ political mouthpieces, that when people question and retaliate, they will give you "hope and prayers" ... tell them to take their "hope and prayers" and shove them up their ass. And as far as politics, both political parties are responsible for molding this system we have, and have molded years ago through their inaction to change, a system that created a President like Donald Trump, a billionaire game show celebrity, and systemic racism. And the establishment of both parties are in bed together when it comes to catering to most of the biggest money interests. I do vote for and am a registered Democrat, but only because it's the only strongest party we have now, to buck against the Republicans and President Trump, and their democratically inferior policies and agenda, which is influenced by big money, multinational corporations/ investment banks, and large establishment religious cults/ churches, without a fair amount of input from the majority of taxpayers, workers, military members/ families, and consumers. This vile culture and neoliberal policies, which needs many revisions and reforms, is dictated by the same money that promotes this now globally, with America as a sort of home base and template, after all, this is the Capitol of capital. I chose a couple links for good reads and video below, out of several I reviewed. This is my journal/ blog, so I have my own slant, and am sure, some disagree with me, and/ or may view me as anti- American ... but more from me at the bottom.
*****************************************************************************
Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp (1982 photo)
First of all, concerning President Trump, and is he racist or not? ... what he talks about in his speeches, does fan the flames of racism, I mean, he knows that there's that element of society, and he capitalizes on it ... it may be hard to prove in a court of law that he's racist and intentional, but he does it, and folks react to it, and it makes racist's feel more empowered, and to come out in the open with their attacks on people that they were basically taught/ programmed to attack. We're talking about a U.S. President, not some common blogger online that trashes people, in many cases anonymously hiding. He has millions of followers, and is supposed to try to unite folks, be flexible and understanding, and importantly represent some sort of democracy, and a very diverse population ... he does not do his job in an acceptable way. And frankly, I wouldn't have said this 2 or 3 years ago, only in fairness to give him the benefit of doubt ... but the way he acts and what he pushes, historically leads to becoming a fascist dictator, no doubt in my mind about it now, it's obviously clear from his actions over the last few years. Adolf Hitler is one of the most well known racists and fascist dictators of recent history ... look at his background and how it all started in Germany to become the Nazi Empire, and the type of racist rhetoric of the times, and how Hitler used the failures of the economy to push his agenda. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to say Trump is like Hitler, at all ... Hitler comes from a much more common background, even was poor, and a war hero ... Trump was born with wealth at his finger tips and was a military draft dodger.
But the methods Trump uses to gain popularity are similar, and could easily lead to becoming a dictator, instead of a President, and promote fascism, which neoliberalism of today helps too. The President is also a compulsive liar, and will say anything for political power, on top of the power he also has in the private sector. And like some other pre- paid politicians in our system, past and present, cater to the demands of the richest people only. I'm sure the President has friends/ associates of colour, and you can bet, none of them are average working class people, and they are all financially well off. Many politicians who talk about the "American people" in their talk, don't even have any clear idea of the experiences and hardships of most Americans, and are so out of touch with everything ... which makes it that much more importante for the majority of American people to keep pressure on them. But none of Trump's talk is politically exclusive to this President, he's just openly saying things, that some other politicians may have thought/ think in part ... America is racist by design, it's not accidental. Racism itself is not natural or accidental in my view, it is specifically designed to be used when it serves the interest of those with the most money and power ... or by other nefarious groups with a variety of interests/ agendas. This is all an attack, and to use people of colour or poverty, as a type scapegoat to cover our own incompetence, by leaders and big money interests, to justify/ support the private immigration detentions, to privatized mass incarceration ... and the way to challenge it, is to attack back. For those whites that talk about reverse racism or discrimination, when those of colour fight back ... who started and sustained our racist system?, and for what reason? Folks of colour didn't come to America and enslave and persecute whites.
The reason I say that racism is not natural, and is programmed and taught to people, usually by adults to children, is from my experience. I first experienced racism, without knowing the word or what it meant, at a young age. This is before I came to Texas, I lived in Buffalo and Brooklyn/ NYC for some time as a kid ... many neighbourhoods were very segregated, blue collar neighbourhoods where the white people/ property owners would not even rent to blacks or hispanics, and they would tell you straight up they wouldn't, period. I also first started noticing at a young age the friction between whites and folks of colour in these 2 particular New York cities, as well as police violence on people of colour, it really stood out. So the idea that only the south was racist and segregated, and the north was all liberated and desegregated, is all false, it was very racist and segregated in the state of New York. What first opened my eyes to it, was at around age 12, when I became buddies with a kid in school named Leroy, who was black, I noticed how folks in the neighbourhood felt uncomfortable about me bringing this kid around, the neighbourhood was basically white, and blue collar type for the most part ... and many from immigrant family backgrounds, such as, Irish, Italian, Jewish, Polish, German ... quite a bit of Italian and Jewish culture and language too. I mean, Leroy and I were just kids and buddies, we got along fine, he was into boxing training, to be a boxer like his dad, and even taught me how to box, after I took an asswhipping in a after school fight me and this other kid had, Leroy telling me my jabs and swings were all wrong. It was some others I noticed, that were uncomfortable with us being friends, and those "others" were white folks ... which made me wonder, what in Hell is wrong?
I was one of them kids that had a few troubles, being locked up in detention centers and stuff, a little on the edge, the kind of kid that parents and teachers worry about. I left home and school at around 14, so I had to become an adult kind of quick running the streets, and couldn't wait to turn 16, so I could brag that I was an adult {:-) I also ran across this with a kid I befriended from the South Bronx/ NYC, but born in Puerto Rico, his name was Angel ... I mean, some folks acted weird, when you had friends of colour, I couldn't help noticing this, after it happened time and again, even without any knowledge of what racism really was. Also experiencing these things and attitudes from one of the first girls I dated, who was a Puerto Rican girl named Mary ... again, the same vibes and sneers, that start to become frequent. For example, when I dated a blonde girl from a white family, Cookie, there was no reaction whatsoever. Then a bit later as a street kid, and in trouble with the law, it was a black man, probably 40-ish (?), named Harmon Loft (folks on the street called him "Red"), out of Harlem, that had a billiards/ pool hall, and front for an illegal gambling business, he helped me out after shining his shoes one day, allowing me to set up a stand in his pool hall to shine shoes (wiseguys/ gangsters, macks/ pimps were your best tippers) ... the guy (Harmon) just seen a kid in trouble, and decided to help me out. If blacks and latinos were so against white folks, like some people would tell you in white neighbourhoods as a kid ... why are all these folks of colour so good to me? ... so as you can see, I had many questions about who is actually racist?
The hypocrisy over the so called illegal immigration is so blown out of whack ... "illegal"? ... why are all these Americans, especially white American business owners hiring them?, I mean, you can barely even supply the demand for them ... go figure. Historically, they alwayz looked for those immigrant workers, even back in the old dayz with the white European immigrants, many illegals too, look at the Irish immigrants back then, for example, and the slave wages and labour they had. And this model of capitalism and dirt cheap immigrant labour, is promoted and used the same, in all of our other so called developed industrialized countries around the globe, including our closest foreign business allies ... again, it's capitalism that drives it. Despite all the good that came from capitalism, you can't fix it, without acknowledging the problems in it as is ... that is also why I support a strong people's government, as well as expanding social programmes, such as SNAP/ food stamps, for low income workers and the poor, and for good reason here ... and it's good for business ... don't tell me that it's freeloading ... these goddamn over- profited corporations freeload out the ass, and are our largest welfare recipients. In the City of Dallas, and some of the surburban cities that are considered politically conservative, they actually have city/ town (unofficially, not in written law) approved day labour pick up sites, for business owners, and homeowners that make good incomes, to shop and select illegals/ immigrants for work in their businesses, and to clean their yards, rain gutters, pools, gardens, or whatever service you need, and it's on a cash basis ... and police are told to not interfere.
When the immigration crackdown word hit the street in Dallas, all your entertainment and dining districts panicked, because they depend on immigrant workers to serve the high- spending yuppies and hipsters in areas they like to frequent. As far as the latinos taking over the country, taking away our white privileges or whatever ... we all are servants to this establishment, regardless of race, it's us vs. them, the rich vs. the wage earners. I live in Northwest Dallas, it has a large amount of latinos, many immigrants. My particular neighbourhood and complex, is probably 75% latino, I been here for 21 years, when I first moved in this complex, it was probably 75% white, and several Eastern European immigrants. It's a working class community, it's not a poverty stricken community, some even own their units (you can buy or lease our units). I have never felt like I was being targeted with racism by them, or had any of my privileges or space jeopardized. Someone was on my patio knocking on my door when I was out, my neighbour, Bill, who was born in Puerto Rico and raised in South Bronx/ NYC, called me to tell me with description. One neighbour, Jose, from Mexico, called me one night to tell me I left a window down on my vehicle, I can go on and on about how many of my latino and immigrant neighbours looked out for me time and again, as I would for them ... even bringing me homemade tamales during the Christmas/ New Years season, which is tradition with them. I also know folks in various parts of the city that I frequent weekly, some areas are all black, or all latino, or a mix, some poverty stricken, and the same stands are far as relations. So, as you can see, I have many questions, concerning all the negative rhetoric I hear about them.
