caucus99percent

free-range politics, organic community

The Big, Beautiful Boondoggle and the Warfare State

Ain't it funny that there's always money for war, but we gotta cut medicaid and food stamps? It is worse in the UK, they're even cutting pensions to have more war. This week Larry Johnson said in a conversation with Nima, we revolted against a colonial power only to become one ourselves. The US could sure stand a little introspection. We so need to address our own hypocrisy. We better not hold our breath. I question the entire MAGA concept. When were we ever Great? We've been conned our whole lives with the nonsense of US superiority, liberty, and democracy...
Robin Williams portrays the American flag in "I Love Liberty,"

Afternoon folks!

There's some great stuff this week. Starting out, there's Albert Collins live in the early 90's followed by a guy who's not well known but wrote a blues standard and made some great records back in the day, Mr. Bo from Detroit. Following that is an album from The Valentinos, one of the best vocal groups of their time - on the album are a couple of their original hits that became hits for others, like All Over Now, which was a big hit for the Rolling Stones. The Valentinos were originally a family gospel group (the Womack family) and Sam Cooke convinced them to make secular music. Finishing up, we've got a zydeco treat from Beau Jocque, well worth a listen.

Enjoy the tunes and have a great weekend!

Good morning, good people!

I hope everyone had a fun Fourth of July! As of this writing, the RWNJ doomsdayers were wrong about unleashing bioweapons and sleeper cells blowing cities up while the fireworks exploded.

Peter Theil has been coming across my radar for several years. He is currently back on everyone's radar at this time, having given a government contract to sweep up all our personal data to see if we just might be terrorists, and after his interview with Douthat. Here are a couple of videos that critique that interview. I admit I haven't watched more of it than a clip here, a clip there, and appreciate these short videos that make listening to the creepy man for very long unnecessary.

The Corbett Report:

Happy Friday everyone. Welcome to Friday Night Photos your once a week escape from the day to day insanity of the world we live in. Post any photos, memes, music or whatever else you find of interest that helps tune out the madness.

Happy 4th. I hope everybody is enjoying the holiday.
Went by the Balboa Park rose garden last week with the macro lens. Just like when I was there last month the pick'ns were slim. I hope the lack of bugs is temporary and does not become a permanent condition. On the plus side, I found a Green Lynx spider. It's the first time in six years since I've found one in the garden.

The American Revolutionary War began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. That was 250 years ago. The main point of contention was tyranny imposed upon the Colonies most exemplified by taxation without representation. Are things that much more different today?

I was going to expand on that theme today but since I was up half the night doing site stuff I think I'll just leave it at that.

Today is also a special holiday in our household, it's on the cusp's and my anniversary. Yes, we both lost our independence on Independence Day. We had a problem finding someone to marry us on the Fourth of July, but fortunately otc's good friend, the County Judge, took some time away from his festivities to do us the honor. We paid him with a case of Shiner Bock which he seemed quite happy with.

Anyway, enjoy your Fourth of July and don't do anything that I wouldn't do. LOL!

Surely It Can't Get Any Weirder? 'Cluck Cluck'

Local news is getting weird, even as national news is climbing out of the hand basket of weirdness into insanity, or something like that. From Alligator Alcatraz to some dude killing firefighters perhaps because he once wanted to be one... to finding Travis Decker, who killed his three daughters and then disappeared into the forest. And no, they haven't found him yet. The news is just head shakingly insane. But the weirdness doesn't have to be all bad; here's something fun in local news, a T-Rex race!

Magenta, Columbia, and Riff Raff out and about yesterday!