This video by Xiangyu is quite worthwhile. His comparison to the Korean colonial experience is insightful. Was the memory of the brutal Japanese colonization of Taiwan lost? It prompted a number of reflections on Korean history of my own depicted below the video.

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,"

Friends, the saddest moment I have experienced in decades was when the Ogden Police Dept. officer and I spoke today for the second time.
Snoopy last posted on June 20th. On June 27th, Socialprogressive texted her and received no response. On June 30th, I contacted the police to do a welfare check on her. They discovered her body in her home on July 1st.
Next Saturday, I will be speaking again with the officer for more details which cannot be disclosed until investigations and reports are completed. At that time, I will give you all an update. That will also give me time to compose an obituary befitting our friend. I need some time to process this grief. I am not in good enough shape emotionally right now.
At the moment, we are making plans to adopt Sam. I do want to stress to any site member who wishes to make her part of your family to let us know. She is up for adoption currently, but the shelter is closed until Monday afternoon. Snoopy wanted to have me be in charge of Sam and I told her to get a lawyer to draw up documents and compose her will. It will be a while before documents can be located, if they even exist. But Sam can't wait. For all I know, she could have been adopted yesterday afternoon.
Folks, I need to step away for a moment and will leave it here for now.

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!