caucus99percent

free-range politics, organic community

Waiting for War

I think we're in WWIII...the Western imperialists vs. BRICS+. One question is will the US and Israel resume the attacks on Iran? I suspect so. Will Russia finally attack NATO countries aiding Ukraine's drone bombing of their oil infrastructure? Lavrov suggests they might. What about the US true desire to stifle China? Can they really suppress this rising power? I think not. And perhaps the key question, will the global economy collapse with the on set of these hot wars? All this and more below the fold...

Afternoon folks!

Unsurprisingly, there's some blues here for you. Starting off is the bonus disc of a later release of Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live with a whole bunch of material that was not in my vinyl rip of the original album. Following that is a compilation album of T-Bone Walker tunes and an album from a fine but lesser-known Texas blues guitarist in the T-Bone tradition, Long John Hunter. After that, it's on to a classic album from John Mayall's Blues Breakers in the Eric Clapton period followed by New Orleans Meters. We finish up with some rock and roll from British guitarist Chris Spedding who has likely performed as a session musician on or produced stuff you might have heard.

Enjoy the tunes and have a great weekend!

Okay, this diary needed a preface, an explanation for why I am saying this. I think it's Trump. The guy obviously needs to go, like Biden needed to go. The Democrats kept him, Biden, around because they secretly wanted a second term of Trump, and so they got their second term of Trump, and he served his purpose. But they keep him around! It's got to be the big mystery of today's news, of why this guy is still there.

Over the last few years, my email box has been the destination for dozens and dozens of personalized messages from a dozen or so Big Shots in Trumpland -- Trump Himself, Senators, cabinet members. They almost all address me generically as "friend," while asserting a long-term relationship between "me" and Trumpism. I quit reposting them a few months ago as they ceased to have much substance other than SEND MONEY.

Here is this morning's call for my personal attention.

Good morning, good people!

As of yesterday, it is official that when I stare at old people, or mingle with old people, I am exactly what they are staring at and mingling with.

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.

Another week of mostly sunny skies and temps in the 70's.
The price of gas where I fill up went up 10¢ a gal. this week to $5.69 . Haven't seen anywhere that's less, but many where it's more, as much as $5.99 a gal. Glad I gave up the gas guzzler (16mpg) four years ago for a hybrid (43mpg).

I played around with a couple of these in photoshop for a little change of pace. #1 I used a filter called dry brush. #6 I used an effect called traditional oil. #11 I used an effect called glow.

Morning

Mayday always brings to mind annual morning celebration in elementary school with singing, lawn games including sack races and the May pole dance. Surprise flower bouquets hanging on the front door. Happiness of spring.

We love the King or do we? And American Music
I’m not much of a Kings’ person, so I’ve been ignoring the King’s stuff, although I guess his address to Congress was pretty good (5 Takeaways from the King’s Historic Address to Congress). Ohh and this is the British King, not the wannabe American one (Hi, Prez!).

I’m not sure that the Beeb’s take on this is entirely correct - ‘Smiles and wonder: How the US reacted to King Charles’, but who knows. Here’s a bit:

The United States declared independence from the British crown 250 years ago - but this week, it could not get enough of it.

From the minute King Charles and Queen Camilla stepped onto the White House South Lawn, US networks dumped their standard diet of political warfare and breaking news for something rare: pure pageantry.

In a country that seems to agree on almost nothing, the British royals managed something close to a clean sweep - drawing warm receptions from both sides of a political spectrum where neutral ground is rare.

The visit came at a fraught time in US-British relations, with the White House and Downing Street at odds over the war in Iran, straining a relationship both governments insist remains unshakeable.

The reviews following the King's appearances at the White House, in Congress and in New York were warm across the political divide.