GREENWASHING: DECEPTIVE Corporate BRAINWASHING Designs of The TIMES ... The "Unclean Green" Edition ... (GLOBAL WAR'N'ING PT.54)- (ADVERTISEMENT SATURATION PT.2)- (AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM PT.12)

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Positioning a Brand: The Clever Marketing Art of Greenwashing ... Thanx to Graeme Newell



This posting will be for the "Global War'n'ing", "Advertisement Saturation" & "American Exceptionalism" series of this journal/ blog. What inspires this posting partly, is a Guardian news link below, that I had linked in also to the previous posting concerning neoliberalism, and also because, although I talk about the phony "going green" thing in various parts of the "Global War'n'ing" series, I did not have a posting strictly on that subject. I havent done a posting for "Advertisement Saturation" in 8 years, so I just seen this as fitting. It's in the "American Exceptionalism" series, because no one on the globe, can manufacture, market, sell, and implement bullshit through such, as well as America ... we are the best of the best at it, and inspiration, especially with our neoliberalism influence, for all others around the globe. Some may wonder what "greenwashing" is?, such as those who may not keep up with environmental news/ info ... so a quick video above to open with a little run down on it. Some good reads below in the links to broaden the picture and enlighten, and a CBC video below from some folks that done a little investigative leg work, with ecoholic, Adria Vasil ... and uncovered some interesting facts. Even though this is a VERY serious subject, some of these reads/ vidz, had me laughing, because some is so ridiculously obvious, and brazenly dumb even by some folks selling this trash, it's almost unbelievable they actually get away with some, but do. Yet on a positive note, all this green ads/ marketing, brings so much more public awareness to the mainstream, and inspires consumers to question and make their demands heard, and makes manufacturers more aware of what they are selling. This green marketing is one of the top marketing trends exploding right now in 2018, everyone from dentists to petrol companies, banks, home products, vehicles/ cars, toys, cosmetics/ hygiene, diapers, pet care, agriculture to pharma companies, are designing and selling the "green pitch", and in much case, over 90% of it is bunk and unclean too ... and alot of greenbacks ($$$$) are being made off it. At the bottom of the posting, I will add some of my views.






***** CORPORATE ACCOUNTABILITY: Seeing through the corporate greenwashing of Earth Day ... (newsread)




***** HUFFPOST: Greenwashing Companies ... (newsread)




***** THE GUARDIAN | MARTIN LUKACS: Neoliberalism has conned us into fighting climate change as individuals | Environment ... (newsread)

Greenwashing: Busting "eco" labels (CBC Marketplace) ... Thanx to CBC News




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***** PD/ RCJ: "GLOBAL WAR'N'ING" ... PART'S 53 THRU 1



***** PD/ RCJ: "ADVERTISEMENT SATURATION" ... PART 1



***** PD/ RCJ: "AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM" ... PART'S 11 THRU 1


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Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp



One that does not personally know me, or read this blog before, may easily look at this 54 part global warming series, and think that I must be some hardcore environmentalist fanatic. I actually am far from it, to be honest. I myself dont try all these tips for going green that I read, or get emailed. I prefer to drive smaller cars, because of fuel efficiency and costs, and sometimes I use the rail/ transit, because of costs, parking fees and traffic. I been using fluorescent lights for years, not because I think I'm being more green, but because they work better and longer. I dont go shopping for the top green products, but try to be responsible in how I discard trash/ waste, concerned for my community ... nothing special. I like buying groceries at Trader Joe's, and they use paper bags, but even if they used plastic, or I had to use my pillow cases to sack my groceries, I would use them, because they have decent products, competitive prices with all the large chains, and good service, and even Trader Joe's uses the green marketing, and I'm sure some greenwashing too {:-) Like millions of other working class people, I live on a modest income, so I have to watch what I buy and spend. I post/ write so much concerning global warming, because I see it as such a serious issue, as we are all now witnessing from the intensified weather events all over the globe. When has been the last time that you havent heard about extreme weather from flooding, to fires burning thousands of acres of forests, to extreme winters and summers for a couple weeks at most? ... it dont happen, just turn on any major tele network, and the daily news is saturated with it, and no talk in any of it about global warming. The property, eco, health and financial damage is at all time highs ... and it impacts even so many of our major cities and industries, and everyone regardless of class, race or gender. What is it this week? (and this is an ongoing thing), 10's of millions being affected on the east coast due to flooding (NBC News) ... fires raging through the western U.S. currently, again (NY Times) ... the people being killed by wildfires outside Athens, Greece (NY Times) ... and week to week, coast to coast, country to country, this is repeating. Even the Antarctic Ice is melting at an accelerating rate, not anticipated (UNFCCC). Even scientists who been predicting this for years, are seeing that their assessments were not just accurate, but even modest, since it is even worse and accelerating faster than the experts thought.

The reason I questioned so much as far as how green we are truly going?, since the beginning of this journal/ blog in 2008 (and even before I started this blog), is because all I been seeing is a saturation of ads and greenwashing being done. While we are busting each other's chops and pocketbooks/ wallets over how green we can be on an individual basis over the years, the industries themselves that are most environmentally damaging, have done very little to clean their act up. Just in that last decade, the increased production, promotion, and dependency of fossil fuels has exploded as well because of these industries, as well as our government actually giving tax incentives for fossil fuel investing ... while these industries give us the trade off of how they are concerned and becoming green. While we spend out the ass as consumers to be as eco- conscious as possible in America, some other country allows for these industries to trash it more than ours ... we could all ride bicycles in America, yet the damage would still be tremendous all over the rest of the globe, because of what these industries are doing, and getting away with. The investments on the other hand into renewables has also exploded, and the reason why, is because they ALL know, that this is the future of energy, and even the big current fossil fuel investors in time, are going to pour billions into renewables ... yet in the meantime, they will extract through drilling and mining everything they can regardless if it's for energy or not, simply because of the value of these resources, and how much wealth can be made. And we now know, that we even have technologies to not only go full renewable transition much quicker ... but we even have the technology to do existing fossil fuels production and resource/ minerals mining extraction much cleaner. Even though production and profits are at all time highs, they are just being too cheap, while pinching and ratholing every dollar they can, and trying to lay the whole responsibility on the people/ consumer, for consuming the only thing they allow us to consume through pre- paid legislation. While they pay/ lobby the politicians to play along and do business as usual. When shit hits the fan, like the gulf oil spill, they created legislation through their lawyers/ lobbyists, so that we have to pay for most out of our tax revenues ... in BP's $20 billion settlement, the taxpayers had to pay $15.3 billion of that (Forbes), which is disgusting. All they had to do was replace some faulty valve for a few million, along with some general periodic maintenance and repairs ... and it would not have happened, this shows the depth of just how cheap they can be.

Like with pharma drugs, healthcare, banking or whatever they control, they ONLY allow us to purchase and choose what they want, by paying off our Congress, clear bribery ... this is why we need to change Washington, and we actually can, we have the tools. Look at the positives in this greenwashing for example, it is consumer outrage and demand, that actually made these people put forth an effort, to try to make things more environmentally friendly, I mean, they spent millions to try to promote green products as companies individually ... kind of odd to invest so much, if you're as tight fisted as they are, right? ... that is because they get frightened when the public makes demands too, because they know, that the power of the consumer can shut them down. Collectively, these industries, if they just used a little common sense and basic math, could save from wasting billions in trying to create schemes, and do a better job than they do, have less disasters and accidents because of their actions and neglect ... if they took the money they waste, and used it to improve their industries, update equipment and infrastructure. But they become intoxicated by the almighty dollar as well, and brainwash themselves to the point, where they miss the simple solutions, that many cant even stop and think straight, while depending on us to fix everything and pay for everything they fuck up. This is why they need stricter regulation and oversight, because they too, are capable of being destructive on a large scale ... the consumer/ public, can push that as well. It was consumer demand that pushed for renewables to be expanded, for emissions to be slashed, for products to be more under watch and scrutinized. Even though these industries take whatever the consumer wants into consideration and figures out a way to make a buck off it, like in greenwashing ... the bottom line, is that they listen to the consumer, because that is their bread and butter, and even their pre- paid politicians cant change that. Bottom line, we have more power and influence to bring change more than we may realize, it's just a matter of informing people, and organizing mass movements with solidarity and applying pressure. It is the consumer, the scientists, and engineers, that is the cornerstone in making innovation work ... the investors, boards and CEO's just simply manage what consumers, scientists, and engineers could manage better themselves. Stop praising those who do not deserve so much praise, and demand what we want and need! ... what in Hell do we need them for? ... and we call them "elite"?


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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NEOLIBERALISM REFORM 2018: Reinventing Your Societies ... While CONQUERING the FLAWED IDEOLOGIES & The ECONOMIC ABSURDITY ... The "Bootstrap & Stopgap" Edition ... (THE AWAKENING PT.51)- (NEOLIBERALISM CRISIS PT.3)- (CORPORATCOMMUNAZICA PT.17)

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Neoliberalism is dead: we need a new political story- George Monbiot ... Thanx to Verso Books



This posting will be for 3 series of this journal ... "The Awakening", "Neoliberalism Crisis" & "Corporatcommunazica". I wanted to compile some informative reads and video out of many I reviewed, to look at what neoliberalism is, the problems, and solutions. Still many people dont understand the term "neoliberal", 95% of the folks that I brought it up to over the last decade, think it means something like "ultra- liberal" or whatever. Yet at the same time over the last decade, awareness of the flaws in this system and the resistance to it, has been growing as much as neoliberalism itself, which was inevitable, since the majority feels the effects. Actually, it's kind of a misleading and deceptive word/ term, like most of the other deceptive crap, advertising, and propaganda the top wealth has designed by their high paid experts and lawyers ... then peddled by their rent- a- scientists down to their pre- paid politicians, to their religious and advanced education institutions. It hasnt much of a damn thing to do with liberalism at all, it was designed for economics basically, a get rich quick design, and took decades to implement, to get to the level it is now. U.S. and U.K. has this shit in high gear, but you find it on every continent implemented today (not so much on Antarctica ... at least, yet). It is even difficult to ever hear the word used in any mainstream media ... it's politically incorrect {:-) I could picture a prime time news anchor like David Muir (ABC), using a term like "neoliberalism" or even "global warming", or it's sugar coated name "climate change", when he is reporting the economy, political trash and extreme weather, which he has to cover almost exclusively daily ... he would be out the door in a New York minute, and lose his $5 million annual salary ... he would be looking for work at RT America or elsewhere after that! ... heh, heh, heh, heh, heh {:-) But before I go on ... I'll let George Monbiot open above with a vid, George been in the trenches hammering this for years. The Guardian piece is so importante, as far as how we're told to fight climate change individually, while these mega industries, rip apart our environment ... bottom line, not a damn thing getting done ... and yes, you can do things much "cleaner" than we are, they're just being too cheap, that's where force, regulation, and oversight comes in. Some more below that, and the first video below is very informative too ... at the bottom I'll add some of my own views.




This Is Neoliberalism > Introducing the Invisible Ideology (Part 1) ... Thanx to BarakalypseNow






***** THE GUARDIAN | MARTIN LUKACS: Neoliberalism has conned us into fighting climate change as individuals | Environment ... (newsread)




***** OPENDEMOCRACY | LAURIE LAYBOURN- LANGTON: The movement to replace neoliberalism is on the ascendency- where should it go next? - New thinking for the British economy ... (newsread)




George Monbiot on replacing neoliberalism ... Thanx to openDemocracy





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***** PD/ RCJ: "THE AWAKENING" ... PART'S 50 THRU 1


***** PD/ RCJ: "NEOLIBERALISM CRISIS" ... PART'S 2 & 1


**** PD/ RCJ: "CORPORATCOMMUNAZICA" ... PART'S 16 THRU 1


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Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp



There are some positives to this neoliberal plan too, looking at the design also, it rapidly expanded growth and wealth, it has created many new millionaires, so much development, trade, etc. If everything went well as far as all it helped create, and it actually trickled down more, which you can not do without some regulation, and letting a government play their part as well ... you should have eliminated poverty totally, although there would still be various levels of income and wealth, just not the dirt bottom poverty that we have. I dont believe that in a neoliberal capitalist system or a mixed economy democratic system, that you need poverty, especially extreme poverty to exist and be functional. Nor do I feel that everyone should be at the same income level and live all the same, in these types of capitalist systems ... you can have various levels of income and wealth, according to your contributions and accomplishments ... I mean, I support reward on merit, at least in the system, condition and society of now/ today. I myself am very conservative, been my whole life, when it comes to budget and spending, but I see those who have too much money, recklessly and wastefully spending everyone else's money, that doesnt even belong to them. I also consider, giving out food stamps and social programmes to the less fortunate, as good business and economically wise ... as much as I support a FAIR amount of monetary incentives to be given to investors, such as tax breaks or other forms. I just dont support any one size fits all or one way street, like in neoliberalism, where the top wealth and investors control what democracy we have left, all the tax revenues, and everything in between. Yes, I feel that a reasonable amount of taxation is healthy for everyone's benefit ... and that regulations are healthy for business especially. To paint it simple, I am both left, right, and independent in my thoughts about these things ... for me, in such a diverse arena, mixed economies proven to work best ... so I feel that socialism is healthy in capitalism, and capitalism is healthy in socialism. I feel democracy and representation is healthy for everyone, from the lower levels of society to the top levels of society. The problems we have in these systems, is not the system as much as human nature, so this is why I'm strongly for regulation and oversight ... which is good for business/ economy, social stability, as well as the environment.

There are heavy flaws in neoliberalism, that even economists to the IMF are examining and questioning it, because it's becoming dysfunctional ... so it's not just poor people in the streets or students, everyone is feeling the pinch somehow. When you deregulate everything, which is the path that this been on, it is damaging to not just the mass of society, but especially the environment. When there are no more regulations, or just much less, no accountability, liability, and a culture that runs rampant on this ... it will most likely self destruct. A guy was telling me a few months back, that it is too late, the damage is done, and there is nothing that can stop it, etc. I have to disagree ... instead of looking at this as just an ideology ... look at it as an economic model, I told this guy. These models are plentiful throughout capitalism, they come and go ... I like to take what worx and utilize and expand it, and trash what dont work ... this economic model, clearly is not working the way it should. And with the fast changes due to technologies, we cant let something with this amount of flaws continue as is ... it needs drastic reform. The top wealth sayz that those at the bottom, need to simply jump on board and participate in the market system, and everything will be fine for them ... pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, etc, etc ... this is just a pipe dream looking at the whole picture, a pipe dream created by minds strictly intoxicated with greed and profit, and like any hardcore addict, are out of control ... even the most brilliant minds can drive themselves insane. Sure, we need to pull on our bootstraps, and have a stopgap intervention immediately, and block everything we can, until we fix things to work better. Most cant even participate in this market, and get meaningful success the way it is working, and it's causing too much misery for too many that are essential to the economic engine, such as the mass of consumers. Most would work themselves till they're blue in the face, and not accomplish a damn thing, no matter how hard they try, those neoliberals who say they will, are either lying, or so far out of tune with the condition. We have folks who spend their entire life, just trying to play catch up in a ratrace that only can pay off with odds the same as playing a lottery.

The top wealth also sayz that we need to reinvent ourselves to compete in the arena of today ... of course, the one they created and control in the present. I agree also with that, we do need to reinvent ourselves, societies, and priorities ... and a good start would be conquering these flawed ideologies and systems, and economic absurdity. History shows that we can fight this, and we can also have our voice and part in shaping whatever new model comes in place, these systems could not function to begin with, without the majority of workers and especially consumers. As George above and others will point out, we simply have not created a narrative yet, and something solid as solutions, but a majority can and will. Over the last decade since the 08 recession, awareness of the systemic flaws has exploded, it is even hitting mainstream media ... maybe not calling it neoliberalism, but so many are questioning and feeling the pinch and pain ... these majority of people, are the bread and butter of the economic growth, even more than the investor. At the same time, economic growth has been exploding, and profits are at unprecedented levels for a handful. Look at Jeff Bezos for example ... his worth in the last year alone increased by $50 billion ... do you know that with his amount of money, he could clean up extreme poverty worldwide, and still be one of the richest few on the planet. And I admire his innovative thinking and what he created, as far as Amazon ... but even he became so intoxicated and obsessed with his wealth. But, I can not admire his vision to monopolize so much, and shortchanging his workforce ... after all, he made his wealth being free of monopoly control. They alwayz say they need to be larger, because they cant compete otherwise ... more bullshit and delusional thinking ... we need to put limits on how much some of these types can control and takeover. We cant outspend them in elections obviously, but we can sure put a dent in their business, and they know it. Which is exactly why they want everybody under them to think only as individually, and not have any solidarity, and stay divided ... because when common interests form alliances, movements, unionize, etc ... those at the top will see a reality that they wont like too much, and THEY will feel the pinch. We can organize for a common cause, and still be individuals, with our individual qualities and dreams ... like them ... we can be a "Citizens United" of our own.


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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RODNEY DANGERFIELD | PT.3: ... the most "DISRESPECTED" man in America ....

**** www.rodney.com



This posting will be Part 3 of "Rodney Dangerfield" for the music/ arts honour roll society of this journal/ blog. After all these years, I still love hearing Rodney and alwayz will. June of 2017, the official Rodney Dangerfield YouTube channel was set up ... so I grabbed some more classic pieces from it to post here ... Enjoy!





Rodney Dangerfield at the Top of His Game (1980) ... Thanx to Rodney Dangerfield





Carson Can't Keep Up with Rodney Dangerfield's Non- Stop One- Liners (1974) ... Thanx to  Rodney Dangerfield





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***** PD/ RCJ: "RODNEY DANGERFIELD" ... PART'S 2 & 1


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Rodney Dangerfield Goes to Camp (1983) ... Thanx to  Rodney Dangerfield





Rodney Dangerfield Finds True Love (1985) ... Thanx to  Rodney Dangerfield





Bill Murray as Rodney Dangerfield's Psychiatrist ... Thanx to  Rodney Dangerfield

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***** "RCJ MUSIC/ ART'S HONOUR ROLL SOCIETY" A THRU M


***** "RCJ MUSIC/ ART'S HONOUR ROLL SOCIETY" N THRU Z

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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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ALEXANDRIA OCASIO- CORTEZ | PT.1 2018: Breaking the SILENCE ... PRIORITIES of The MAJORITIES ... The "Platform Reform" Edition ... (AGGRESSIVE PROGRESSIVE PT.2)

   

**** ocasio2018.com



This posting will serve as Part 2 of the "Aggressive Progressive" series of this blog/ journal. This will take a look at the progressive candidate, Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez, who won against Congressman Joe Crowley (NYC 14th congressional district/ Bronx & Queens). This has been all over every mainstream news, I think Alex has been too busy just trying to keep up with all the appearances on so many shows, she's like a celebrity all of the sudden. Even folks like Hannity/ FOX News, been all over her ... painting her as a radical scary person (Esquire), heh, heh, heh, heh, heh {:-). The reason why she is so radical and scary oddly, is because she is supporting what a majority of the American people want, not just her district, and of course, it is frightening to imagine life without corporations, establishment politicians, big pharma and banks NOT dictating our politics and how to live our lives, and spend our dollars, I guess {:-) They say, both the left and right establishment, that we should be frightened of folks that have radical ideas like, securing our social security, making affordable healthcare for all, and take some of the burden off our county hospitals and tax dollars. It's a scary idea, to invest in affordable housing for our poor and working class, which is the highest consumer demand in housing ... all of who are consumers and feed this economy. It's scary to have criminal justice reform, so that minor offenders of petty drug possession laws and such, are not locked up for years, so that the Wall Street prison investment circles can't milk our local state governments for millions in taxes. It's scary, to have someone that supports our rights as consumers to be able to have a "real free market", and to be able to shop and negotiate true market competition on our prescription drug costs. It's scary for America, to once again, bring back and extend public education, which made this country's middle class explode with good jobs, good production/ manufacturing, economies and education for a majority years back ... which contributed to making our country great. It's scary not to allow Wall Street to gamble all our retirement money away. It's scary to support the rights of all citizens of our country, including women, LGBT, and seniors. It's scary to imagine trying to clean up our environment and advance to cleaner energy infrastructure, and to repair our public utilities. It's scary for our politicians to not accept money and be bribed by billionaire entities, and continue to keep our political cesspool doing business as usual. It's scary to create good fair paying federal jobs, over some of the crummy jobs, hours and wages that are being created by some in the private sector, with no labour rights, unpaid overtime, and work for free internships, etc. So you can see why we should be frightened of what Alexandria stands for, as well as a majority of Americans.

Much credit to all those people in north Queens and east Bronx (NYC), especially the first time young voters that came out in support ... doing this not only supports your communities, but supports the majority of our country, and the spirit of democracy. Others may think, this is only one member of congress, and not to get too excited. Once again let me point out ... that what makes this importante, is because these folks went against the grain of the establishment and succeeded ... without the support of major corporations and billion dollar entities. We are programmed to believe that without billions of dollars to fight for us, that we are nothing, or without kissing the asses of these entities of wealth 24/ 7/ 365, we cant achieve anything. Congressman Joe Crowley's campaign spent over $3 million dollars in campaign costs, Alexandria's spent $300,000 .... who ran a better budget, and more efficiently? No disrespect meant to Congressman Crowley either, but who done best at connecting with the peoples needs? I read that Crowley was not just a top democratic leader, but also done some good on other things over his 20 years too. The question will be, will the Democratic Party accept people like Alex? I see Alex and other Justice Democrats, Brand New Congress, even Senator Bernie Sanders, as a sort of blessing in disguise for their party. The only thing I see in the Democrat Party is, pointing out how they are better than Republicans ... duuuhh {:-) which is not hard to see or be ... Trump and republicans do a great job at showing their colours ... or pushing to impeach President Trump, besides recently being able to try to get some justice for immigration. As far as actually addressing the so many issues that most Americans are talking about, and their concerns ... not much has been done. I mean, that has to be up to the establishment of the Democratic Party ... the progressives are already holding out the olive branch. They can of course, toss them to the side, like in the past, and call them kids that live in their parents basement, hippie types, pot smokers, losers, or whatever other names ... but understand, that this is a growing force and resistance to the establishment way of doing things. Whether the Democratic Party realizes it or not ... it is best to welcome these people and their ideas, many are the future of our country, our kids and grandkids ... listen to them for a change, these people are your constituents as well, not just the corporations/ banks. Be grateful that they're at least reaching out, and trying to deal with you ... as this force and resistance grows, their patience may run out, and they may eventually start a party of their own, that will gain momentum and strength ... in time.

I linked a recent mainstream news piece from CNN below, to be current ... because MSM is so excited, as if they havent seen this amount of honesty in years, you know ... gives them something to really get pumped up over, and it gives great free positive publicity to the Democratic Party. I think the Democratic Party can learn a thing or two, by hearing out these folks, and perhaps, make some reform in their platform as well. It is healthy as democrats to discuss these things and break the silence ... be open, and folks will listen. But below that, I put a video in, that is more intimate, in a laid back atmosphere, of Alex with Glenn Greenwald for The Intercept, that was 2 weeks prior to the election, before all the spotlights and celebritydom corporate media got a hold of it. Whether you think she is scary, radical, or in support of what she stands for ... she sums up very well, what the people in our communities are concerned about, and how to stand up and challenge it ... just give her a listen. Thank You to Alex, and the best to her running in this 2018 election. And have a good 4th of July Holiday!


Word Out ....





***** CNN: Ocasio- Cortez's victory signals the power of a big vision (opinion) ... (newsread/ video)




Alexandria Ocasio- Cortez Talks to Glenn Greenwald About the Democratic Party and 2018 Midterms ... Thanx to The Intercept





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***** PD/ RCJ: "AGGRESSIVE PROGRESSIVE" ... PART 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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UN POVERTY REPORT | U.S. 2018: Coming Clean on the World's INHUMANE REGIMES ... The "Encampment Americramp" Edition ... (POVERTY & DESPAIR PT.8)- (NEOLIBERALISM CRISIS PT.2)- (AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM PT.11)

**** The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of DIRE DISTRESS in instances of EXTREME DANGER to LIFE or PROPERTY ....



Homeless camp near downtown Los Angeles Financial District


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USA: US withdraws from UN Human Rights Council ... Thanx to Ruptly **** This clip is U.S. Ambassador Haley's announcement withdrawing from the UN Human Rights Council, for the full 14 minute announcement, with Secretary of State Pompeo opening, you can click HERE



This posting will be for 3 series of this journal/ blog ... "Poverty & Despair", "Neoliberalism Crisis", and "American Exceptionalism". The focus here will be on the current state of the homelessness problem in America, the wealth distribution gap, and poverty. While I was reading up on the military defense spending increase the other day in The Washington Post, there was a link concerning the recent UN report on poverty in the U.S., I thought it be interesting to make a posting on, at least, a picture of what is going on 2018. But the media focus over the last week was mainly just on the immigration issue, with political highsiding and political party crocodile tears all over it, with hardly anything about this military defense budget that was slipped through on the sly with bipartisan support (both republicans and democrats), of $716 billion, which is on the path to a trillion, after all said and done ... they even gave Trump more than he even asked for, imagine that! I opened above with a short clip of U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, as she announced the withdrawal of the U.S. from the UN Human Rights Council, which also inspired part of the posting's title as far as her talking about "inhumane regimes". Ambassador Haley, also says that it's "patently ridiculous for the United Nations to examine poverty in America" (HuffPost) ... should the U.S. be "exempt" from examination and criticism by our partners?, that's not acting as a team player, and in my view, is undemocratic. Below, the Washington Post link newsread on the UN report on poverty in America ... and yes, some is extreme, especially considering our enormous wealth and reckless spending and waste. Then a video below that with UN special rapporteur for human rights and extreme poverty, Prof. Philip Alston, concerning America's poverty and homelessness, a 27 minute video, but I recommend hearing the man out, he covers the problem very well, concerning what he seen and found in the U.S. ... sometimes it takes an outside view to show us what some of us miss, or became too desensitized to. Below that, a couple links with solutions I picked up ... at the bottom I will add some input of my own.






***** THE WASHINGTON POST: An explosive U.N. report shows America's safety net was failing before Trump's election ... (newsread)





Global Ethics Forum: Extreme Poverty in the United States, with the UN's Philip Alston ... Thanx to Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs





                                              **** SOLUTIONS ****



***** HUFFPOST: 4 Simple Ways to End Homelessness ... (newsread)




***** INTERNATIONAL POLICY DIGEST: Homeless in America: What Will It Take for the Crisis to Abate? ... (newsread)




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Brooklyn/ New York City

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***** PD/ RCJ: "POVERTY & DESPAIR" ... PART'S 7 THRU 1



***** PD/ RCJ: "NEOLIBERALISM CRISIS" ... PART 1



***** PD/ RCJ: "AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM" ... PART'S 10 THRU 1


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Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp



The upside down flag at the heading is very appropriate, because the U.S. is in dire distress, and the threat of extreme danger to life and property for sure. All we hear is how great the markets are doing on Wall Street daily, how many jobs are created, how much new wealth is being generated, etc. As I write this, more fires are ravishing the west, properties being burnt to the ground (LA Times), flooding and heat waves around the U.S. in other parts (US News), and all the rest that has become so normal these dayz due to global warming (aka climate change). Even the winters are extreme ... even in generally moderate winter places like Portland, OR, homeless dying from extreme winter conditions ... coastal areas along the east coast and gulf coast flooding. The global warming is also going to have a severe economic impact on all of us, not just poor or homeless people, and causing many folks to have to relocate as it is, plus you have all the damage that our tax revenues will have to subsidize, and much that insurance companies will not cover. We are also creating new generations of homeless people, that are now in working class circles and families, the wages are going down, automation and technology is replacing many jobs, while making profits for investors rise, workers rights and organizing is being stomped on and slowly eradicated, government and the political gridlock has been unable to make any significant change, and the wealth gap is growing, regardless of how many bullshit jobs are created. Sure, we are creating a new sort of middle class, much in finance, healthcare, and technologies ... but that is not covering the mass of population enough, nor is it long term sustainable guaranteed, because of how fast we are changing due to technologies ... the distribution of generated wealth is in haywire mode, and way out of balance, even by a capitalist's standards. Between the gentrification and the rise in homeless encampments in our most populated areas, we are being cramped by this new wave of neoliberal capitalism on steroids. The poor and homeless, cant feel they have any dignity alongside these folks, and those professionals and hipsters who do make well financially, cant stand to have to live around those with so little, the contrast is socially disturbing for all. These conditions are being bred and exacerbated in the most importante economic development centers across our country ... being the well being and quality of life in the communities, is taking us socially, and even economically in a direction that cant work well, without some government intervention, some kind of control.


***** THE WASHINGTON POST: U.S. military budget inches closer to $1 trillion mark, as concerns over federal deficit grows ... (newsread)


As far as the new military spending, this is also out of control, although they are also looking at global dominance in this race we are in against China and the east it seems. The Republican Tax Bill alone, is going to even drain us more trillions, after all said and done (CleanTechnica), and I would bet even more than the estimated $1.4 trillion or whatever. We have needs as a country and society, even if you just cut back a small fraction of the billions we spend on defense and corporations, we could do much for our infrastructure, education, poverty and much else, just a fraction of it ... none of these in the top class will lose a thing, they will still thrive and do well. Even from a staunch capitalist and business perspective, it is healthy to do, for society as well as business. Also, who's currency is going to dominate the globe too ... the Yuan or the Dollar? Who's military will be supreme boss, the east or the west? The banks and corporations of the west and America, had no problem pushing us into this race over the last half century, they drafted the trade, they pushed the east to do business like us, and manipulated all our business and trade, while draining our capital/ assets. They love doing business in a place like China too, and we love the cheap prices to over- consume ... yet when they go in to China to do business, the Chinese government makes sure they have some ownership in the majority of business too ... while our government, takes the pure neoliberal route and lets most of the same investors and corporations own all here. As a result, China has not only made a great bundle, but being the People's Republic, focused long ago on their infrastructure, even bringing 800 million of their people out of extreme poverty, which is historic (Business Standard News) ... while the U.S. apparently is doing just the opposite, eh? ... and China is a communist country at that. The tax giveaway we just pushed through here in America, will just even put us deeper in a hole financially, and America's credit card is already maxed out, looking at how much we owe, we cant even make a damn past due payment, and they pull this tax stunt in our Congress? ... with the deficit hawk Republicans leading the charge? None of these corporations care about what happens to our country, as long as they get their wish, when we have nothing left, they will walk. The corporations and oligarchs that control us, want to make China like us, bottom line ... they like China where they have them now, but wont be happy until they control them totally. Now we hear that we need to worry about China? ... these corporations, including our legislative branch, made China the power they are. No, our worst enemy are those who are controlling our government with a different form of communism ... corporate communism.

Of course, the reason Ambassador Haley announced the U.S. decision to pull out of the UN Human Rights Council, is because of the hypocrisy, and all the violators of human rights that are on the council. Secretary of State Pompeo made a nice little opening intro as well, about how the U.S. leads the world as far as being humane and human rights, etc. I dont think that they see some of the hypocrisy in what they say though ... I mean, let's come clean for a change. Sure, some of these countries are horrible, and I agree with much, and they should not be considered as supporters of human rights ... maybe that is why they were invited on the council, in the hope that they will be inspired to change. But listening to Pompeo and Haley can almost bring tears of stars and stripes to your eyes ... sounding like we (U.S.) are the pinnacle of humane love, human rights, freedom, etc, of the globe. Are they just full of shit on purpose, or do they really not see what their policies are doing to this country, along with others in our Congress? Professor Alston above in the video sums up the cycle of creating generational poverty this country promotes perfectly. What are we doing about making affordable housing and health care? What are we doing about the endless cycle of incarceration, and penalizing and criminalizing those that are poor as a result of our policies and neglect? After all, all from the emergency rooms to prisons that Prof. Alston talks about is created to keep the poor in the cycle and make them a commodity of sort, to make profits for the top, off the lowest classes and underprivileged in our society. As Alston said, this can be cleaned up fast and simple, it's just a matter of government doing what they should be doing, and the costs savings while cleaning this up would be substantial. I, like Alston, believe that capitalism worx to an extent, but it must have socialism included to maximize the benefits to the wealth as well as the lower populations of society ... and it is good for business, any way you slice it. I think the younger generations are getting the picture well, and look forward to a change of thought to come, with them leading the way. It is remarkable how many in poverty and despair in our country, living in dire conditions and encampments, still hold on to the American flag and fly it, and it does belong to the people (all). Yet, so many of those corporate/ banking entities ratholing all the wealth, disrespect what our flag stands for and trample on our Constitution, while making a bloody damn mockery of our legislative and judicial branches ... some of which in my view, should be criminally charged/ indicted, tried, and imprisoned.


Word Out ....



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Homeless encampment along Santa Ana River Trail, Orange County, CA


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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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PUBLIC BANKING PROGRESS 2018: Breaking from the INSANITY & DESPERATION that can Financially DRAIN our NATION ... The "Free Market Target" Edition ... (TOO BIG TO FAIL BA(N)KERY PT.6)- (MO of YO MONEY PT.15)

**** PUBLIC BANKING INSTITUTE: Essential Reading on What Wall Street Costs America


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What is a Public Bank? ... Thanx to Ellen Brown



This posting will serve the "Too Big To Fail Ba(n)kery" and "Mo of Yo Money" series of this journal/ blog. It's in the "Mo of Yo Money" series, because all this is our money that is being played with, casino style ... our pensions/ retirement, investments, savings, taxes, etc ... draining the individual worker, to the small business owner, taxpayer, and squeezing our states and cities. It's in the "Too Big To Fail Ba(n)kery" series, because since the last financial crisis, these reckless institutions have become much larger. These institutions now, with support from this current administration and congress, have even pushed for more deregulation. I been following the "Public Banking" movement for several years ... well, actually since after the 08 financial crisis. Public Banking is nothing new, in fact, it was common in the U.S. years ago, and was key player in our economy/ business, infrastructure and industrialization, and other countries to this day ... even the USPS done banking at a time (1911 to 1967). So this is to look at some of the progress of this current public banking movement to date, and look at the growing awareness, and finding solutions to our banking dilemma. A short opening video above to explain why public banking is sensible, and a couple links below on how this idea has been spreading across the country, why, and the need for diversifying our public money more efficiently, and how we are getting railroaded and milked dry. Also a link to Ellen Brown's blog, Ellen been on this for years, and has covered this thoroughly. The Laura Flanders video below, will also explain what is happening, and those that are taking action to make change, New York City's problem ... and how to make that change. At the bottom of this posting, I will add some of my views. And much credit to these folks in New York City, as well as the California Public Banking Alliance, and especially how Portland (OR) put their foot down with these folks, and all who are divesting from these mega institutions. Because these folks have no incentive to change a thing, the only alternative is for the consumer/ public to put a foot in their ass, and limit them on the amount of our money they can play with.





***** THE PROGRESSIVE: A Movement for Public Banking Gains Momentum ... (newsread)




***** NONPROFIT QUARTERLY: Public Banking Movement Gains Ground in Cities and States across the US ... (newsread)




***** WEB OF DEBT BLOG/ ELLEN BROWN: The Public Bank Solution ...




A Public Bank for Public Good! ... Thanx to The Laura Flanders Show





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***** PD/ RCJ: "TOO BIG TO FAIL BA(N)KERY" ... PART'S 5 THRU 1


***** PD/ RCJ: "MO of YO MONEY" ... PART'S 14 THRU 1


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Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp



I guess the popular talk would be ... "what banking dilemma?", after all, the big banks are doing great at record profits and growth, strong economy, etc. You'd be doing great too, if you had congress on the payroll, and in the pocket, and your lawyers drafted all the legislation ... giving you a free ride with unlimited access to every dollar of workers savings, all retirement accounts, mortgages, city/ state money ... with hardly any accountability required or oversight and input of where most is invested, and for what. Look at New York City, and what they shell out just to manage their funds. The majority of Americans can budget and spend better than they can, because the majority of Americans have to feel consequences, unlike freeloader Wall Street. Look at the high speed trading, short selling, stock buybacks, mergers, the volatility, where much money is invested abroad, conflicts abroad, and for what, your return, and the stock market roller coaster, etc. There is alot to look at today ... do we want all our eggs in one basket?, most under the control of a small handful of investment bankers? ... the same entities that played the same way when we had the 08 crisis? We do this out of desperation? or because were told we need to worry about China or whoever? ... and I actually agree with President Trump on the trade deficit with China, and glad someone pointed it out, but it's not China's fault, it's ours ... who made the trade deals, eh? I agree with him as well on the AT&T/ Time Warner merger ... I mean, the ink isnt even dry on that, and AT&T already has more acquisitions lined up. This mega merger also opened the flood gates for a long line of others waiting their turn to use this as precedent. How are things like that going to impact markets, jobs, customer satisfaction, products, services, prices? The mega banks and corporations is what's driving this desperation, to the point of insanity, putting us all in a squirrel cage financially and mentally, with unprecedented debt, as they all receive unprecedented wealth, eh? These are the same folks who pushed for the end of Glass- Steagall, and pushing for everything public to be turned over to their exclusive ownership ... a form of corporatized communism. Breaking away from this deadbeat thinking, is key to change, because they are not going to change a damn thing themselves, and listening to these assholes about how tough they have it, is pointless. It's our job to push for things like public banking, and looking out for our cities, states, families and selves, as a nation, that embrace our democracy and free choice.


***** INVESTOPEDIA: Should commercial and investment banks be legally separated?


We dont need these entities to manage our money any more than we need mega insurance giants to manage our damn broken health care system ... and we can save a bundle and substantial amount in debt increase by doing more ourselves. There is no better time than now, to tighten up our banking, and look at owning our own banking system ... which is also, the entrepreneurial capitalist spirit. Since everyone loves the term "free market" today, in our progammed pop culture economics on steroids ... that is what our target goal should be ... making our free market freer, and having choice. Too much of our hard earned money is being wasted on subsidizing and breast feeding these entities, with not enough being invested here in our own country on our needs. What does the new housing market look like coast to coast that is booming now? ... where is any of it affordable to working classes and moderate middle classes? ... we need affordable housing development, and that is a good market investment, because there is more demand ... we need to do it ourselves, in our towns ... since they are not. Most of what is loaned out here, is not even going to fair deals on infrastructure and utility needs, we are getting double and triple dipped on what we do get. These entities with their commercials and mega advertising costs, also subsidized, talking about their love for us and families, dont even give a shit about our health or well being. Back in April, Goldman Sachs said curing patients, illnesses, like Hepatitis C or whatever, is not a sustainable business model (CNBC) ... at least they're honest on their goals ... they want us sick, desperate, and in need of them, they dont want cures ... and they want to take higher risks with our money, and have more control over it too? ... you know, like "fuck them", eh? And our other sweetheart, Wells Fargo, are under a new investigation, again, for more underhanded shit, on folks retirement and investments (USA TODAY) ... I mean, the ink hasnt even dried on their last offense. We need more options when it comes to our money, and be more diversified on how we spend and save for our future well being, we already have our cell phones thinking for us, we dont need them thinking for us too. For me, I have no problem with what they do with "their" investments, play all you want, with who you want, gamble at your own risk, not ours ... after all, that is their own philosophy ... why should we give them more than we already have?, would they do the same for us?, of course not ... it's insanity.


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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JUSTIN JOHNSON: "Malaguena | Rockabilly Surf Version", "Bootleg Turn", "3- String Funk", "New Orleans Heavy Swamp Blues" & "Cemetery Blues"

**** Justin Johnson Official Website | Justin Johnson Music- Guitar Music & Lessons



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***** WILMINGTON STAR NEWS | NC: Nashville guitarist Justin Johnson got start in Brunswick County ... (newsread)



***** ARTS ILLUSTRATED: Arts Illustrated's interview with Musician Justin Johnson ... (interview)


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This selection and entry to this journal's music/ arts honour society section, is to honour and sample some of the work of Justin Johnson. I put an interview and newsread link above to open. Justin, originally out of Southport, NC, is now homebased in Nashville, and founder of "Roots Music School" in Nashville. Justin is a specialty type guitarist, recognized by guitar builders worldwide, and musicians from country to funk/ soul, rock to blues ... known to some as "The Wizard". He is a strings master, whether mandolin, banjo, guitar, or a number of antique vintage strings. His genre he considers as roots music and Americana. He is into custom building guitars, special modifications, custom slides, custom tuning methods, an instructor of music, theory, techniques, history and guitar, with educational books and instructional DVD's, many tips even on his YouTube channel ... Justin is top of the chain. Justin has 4 full albums, his debut album "Smoke & Mirrors" was released in 2014, which was a celebration and tribute to the art, history, and traditions. It featured 18 modern built roots instruments from around the world, loaned out from "International Cigar Box Guitar Museum", some dating back to the 1800's. Some really nice blues work too ... is why I wanted to also close out with "Cemetery Blues" ... this stuff could raise Robert Johnson from the grave! I opened below with his rockabilly surf style version of "Malaguena", which was a unique piece with a combination of genre, and a few other favourites of mine. Enough out of my mouth though ... and Thanx to Justin for all he contributes to music and the restoration and preservation too ... have fun doing much more! ... Enjoy!



MALAGUENA | Rockabilly Surf Version by Justin Johnson ... Thanx to Justin Johnson





"Bootleg Turn" Original Rockabilly by Justin Johnson ... Thanx to Justin Johnson





** 3- STRING FUNK! ** ... Thanx to Justin Johnson





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***** "RCJ MUSIC/ ART'S HONOUR ROLL SOCIETY" A THRU M


***** "RCJ MUSIC/ ART'S HONOUR ROLL SOCIETY" N THRU Z

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NEW ORLEANS HEAVY SWAMP BLUES ON FRETLESS 6- STRING ... Thanx to  Justin Johnson

CEMETERY BLUES | by Justin Johnson- Custom Les Paul by Big D Guitars ... Thanx to Justin Johnson

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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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ALICE MARIE JOHNSON & JACK JOHNSON 2018: President Trump's Commutation and Pardons ... Stardom and The BARGAIN of the PARDON ... The "Johnson and Johnson" Edition ... (INCARCERATED AMERICAN PT.32)- (JACK JOHNSON PT.2)

     

Alice Marie Johnson                               Jack Johnson





Mic Opinions Alice Marie ... Thanx to Google account (Mic Opinions)



This posting will be for the "Incarcerated American" series, and Part 2 of "Jack Johnson" for this journal/ blog. To take a look at 2 recent cases all over mainstream media concerning the Pardon by President Trump of ex- heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson, and the commutation the President also signed for Alice Johnson (wikipedia). Also to point out the difference here between commutation and pardon, because I talked to a couple folks locally, who were saying that Alice was pardoned. Jack was pardoned, meaning slate clean, off the books, no conviction, no crime, etc ... Alice's sentence was commuted, so she still has a criminal record, and she publicly admits to be guilty of what she been convicted of (to an extent). Alice pulled alot of time on her case, over 2 decades, she been a model inmate ... and considering the time served, past due for commutation. Thousands should be out on these convictions, that are even much lesser than Alice's, but most will not be so lucky, without drastic reform. Jack's case is simple, cut and dry ... Alice's case is more complex than it looks ... you have to somewhat understand how the court system worx, and how the drug business worx, which I will elaborate on later. I opened the post above, with Alice in prison, talking about her case and life, to hear her out in fairness. Below I added some newsread and videos. After, I will add my part the bottom.




Alice Johnson Free After Trump Commutes Sentence ... Thanx to seattletimesdotcom

***** HUFFPOST: Alice Marie Johnson Granted Clemency By Trump After Kim Kardashian Push ... (newsread)




***** HUFFPOST: Trump Posthumously Pardons Boxer Jack Johnson ... (newsread/ video)





Ex- heavyweight champion Jack Johnson pardoned by President Donald Trump for 1913 conviction | ESPN ... Thanx to ESPN 





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***** PD/ RCJ: "INCARCERATED AMERICAN" ... PART'S 31 THRU 1



***** PD/ RCJ: "JACK JOHNSON" ... PART 1


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Thomas Hudson Pickering/ Ranch Chimp



I also want to give credit here to Kim Kardashian West, and Sylvester Stallone for working to push this ... it does make a difference when you have folks with stardom like them getting involved and having your back ... I dont know too much about either, because I dont follow their careers, or reality shows, or various other popular socialites, media and programming. Much credit as well, to all those many folks behind the scenes in the trenches, who are not famous/ popular or have any wealth ... but work so damn hard for justice in this country, bringing awareness, standing up and defending their fellow Americans. I also want to give credit to President Trump for doing this ... I have so many issues with this President, from appointments he has made to key positions in government and judicial areas, to labour/ trade, privatization, domestic social cuts, tax plans, the environment, liberties, etc ... but I must give him credit on this, because if I didnt, I wouldnt be fair. At the same time, I have to be straight on how I view this, and the political intentions. I have no reason to believe that the President is sincere about this, and how he feels, and think that this is simply a bargain he makes with high profile celebrities, to boost his ratings ... this guy is a player, and damn good at it. I feel it is politically motivated because of upcoming elections too, as well as so many in his circles, that he would like to pardon. Trump is a player, he will play any card he has, to see what can and cannot work, and to his advantage ... he's a hustler that "deals", and better than many politicians at it. There has been also alot of popular talk that Trump is a racist, I have no reason to believe that he is racist either, but this will help him on that issue. I credit his son in law Jared as well, for his push for prison reform ... but I also believe this is to change the mindset of folks ... Jared is a key player in the Trump family, especially when it comes to international business, and some of what he does, to me, is legally questionable ... and all part of expanding the Trump empire and wealth/ assets. I also have no reason to think that there will just miraculously be significant prison reform, especially with Trump's open views on even wanting to give death penalties to certain drug dealers. Despite any differences between Trump and Atty General Jeff Sessions, I have no reason to believe that they are not in bed together on their criminal justice views, drug policies, mandatory sentencing, and incarceration ... show me evidence otherwise, and I'll believe it. Also understand just how deep the prison business lobby is in this country, from housing to vendors, to products/ services sold to prisoners, to free labour ... most progress will come from grassroots levels, pressuring the political arena.

Jack Johnson's pardon is long past due, I couldnt even understand on his case, how previous Presidents overlooked this. President Obama, I thought would, but I also understand that President Obama had hundreds of cases he had to personally look at, he gave many pardons, plus you have to look at who is recommending what in a President's circle. Jack's case was concerning the Mann Act (wikipedia), was clearly racially motivated, and there was no criminal acts or intent, Jack was a public hero and celebrity, and broke racial barriers, before there was civil rights movements or the rest. On the other hand, in Alice's case, so many said the court/ judge was hard on her, sentencing, etc ... again, until you get significant reform, the courts will continue. Understand that during Alice's court case, it was smack dab in the middle of the war on drugs, it was also at a height of what's called the crack epidemic already over a decade in swing, mandatory sentencing, etc. Alice had over a dozen co- defendants in her case, many talked, some even lied ... prosecutions cut deals to save time, expense, and get at least some conviction of significance. This is how a prosecution worx, they are looking for the most conviction, they will cut a deal with anyone who can make this happen, including people they know are guilty of worse. Also understand that the drug wars of cartels and gangs were in full swing in 1990's, especially in Texas/ Mexico/ California, lots of tension, lots of bodies ... new territorial claims were getting ironed out. The organization Alice worked with, were dealing in significant amounts of product/ cocaine, thousands of pounds. Keys of cocaine wholesale today in the U.S., probably go for about (rough estimate) $17,000 to $34,000 per kilo (2.2 lbs), depending on quality, quantity, transport/ delivery routes and methods, area demand and economy, and other factors. By the time it gets to ounces and street distribution with cuts, it quadruples in value from the wholesale lot, when that is broken into ounces and grams (28 grams per ounce), and what's manufactured into crack, again it doubles the quantity, they get 2 for 1 on their smaller investment ... it's lucrative to them. When they deal in this product on a wholesale level, they have to have weaponry and security ... they are not just avoiding law enforcement, but they can get targeted by other rivals and thieves to take them down and even rob them if they let down their guard, because they know they cant go to law enforcement for help, you even have cops that will burn them, shake them down, or take cuts.

I find it difficult to believe, in my view, such as any prosecution, DEA/ law enforcement would ... that this was just an isolated case where Alice got busted right after she started ... I am just pointing out the way prosecution/ courts and law agencies think from case experience, as well as those in the trade. They in law and courts, are looking at the deaths, ripple effect of crime and addiction, quantities, sophisticated large operations, investigative costs, etc ... so they are harder on it. First up, in an operation dealing product of this much, this case being the Texas Colombian supplier ... they do not just go out looking for folks who lost their job to offer them a job like this, especially dealing with folks hundreds of miles away ... and no one worx with them on that level without inside reference and screening, they deal in drugs, they are not dumb. Alice had access to large amounts of cash, being $1 million plus even, and worked as a phone contact ... setting up deliveries/ transactions/ contacts, etc ... my guess is that she has done this more than just that time. You can not get into that level of an operation of that size, without some confidence of those you work for, and just come out of nowhere dumb as a doorknob ... you have to know something or someone. No distributor with half a brain on that level, just gives that amount of responsibility and insider contacts and access to operations to a beginner. Not even the top supplier would even want to deal with a distributor who is that loose, they have their product, worth millions on the line, and that distributor would not last a couple months, either taken down by law enforcement, ripped off by a rival, or end up dead/ missing. These are very well ran operations, especially a Colombian organization. It takes DEA and other agents months or even over a year, just to even get half that way into an operation like that, and they actually have technologies and insider info, with phony public records made up and fictional ID's. But I believe that Alice is sincere, and really regrets what she got into, she has helped so many, she done more than her fair share of time, and probably wouldnt have done that much, if she played a better hand with prosecution, as some of her co- defendants done ... and offered to turn on them... but she paid her debt, no doubt, and then some. Alice should be a good advocate as well for the future of drug laws and prison reform, and a mentor to others ... I wish her and her family well.


Word Out ....



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**** Justice Action Network- We must reform our justice system



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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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