I had hoped to be in DC today, but here's the next best thing. Our bus broke down before it arrived for us to load up. Of course that's much better than breaking down on the way...or the way back. Perhaps I saw more of the event from home online. It lasts three hours hours. I know that's too long for most folks. Just catch Rev. Barbers speech at 1 hour 20 minutes to get the gist. I'm curious if you think this is the movement we've been hoping for. It inspires me.

Internet Freedom Status

The clock has ticked down on net neutrality, and its guarantee of internet freedom. We won that freedom in 2015, after internet users sent four million comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC then classified all internet service providers (ISPs) as common carriers, which, by definition, must treat all communications equally regardless of who it comes from, who it goes to, or what it contains. But last fall the new Trump Republican majority on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to take our hard-won freedom, and give total control of your internet connection to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), be it AT&T, Verizon, Spectrum, or any other. The FCC net neutrality kill order officially took effect June 11, 2018.

But the people's love of internet freedom endures. In a recent poll, 86% of persons stood against the FCC net neutrality kill order. That number includes 82% of Republicans and 90% of Democrats. That broad public support should brighten the outlook for internet freedom, as the fight continues on several fronts.

It was only a couple of heavily outnumbered protesters, but at least it was something.

"Warmongers not welcome" a couple of chants against Hillary Clinton are quickly drowned out by applause. pic.twitter.com/fvxlgOCr40

(Or: how many sadistic sociopaths can dance on the head of a pin?)

From Patrick Martin at wsws.org June 22: ‘US court documents reveal Immigrant children tied down, hooded, beaten, stripped and drugged’

“Court documents made public in Virginia and Texas give a glimpse of the systematic brutality being meted out to immigrant children in both public and private jails. Children are strapped down, hooded and beaten, or drugged by force, as part of the everyday procedure in what can only be called the American Gulag.

With all the dire news this week, I took a quick turn through sepia Lothlorien....

I would add the requisite Fred shot, but he's on strike.... (kibble issues).

So, a cloud shot from a few days ago instead.

If you too wish to leave Trumpistan posthaste,........ good luck!

Make mine a double.

CA Democrats just slammed through a bill that creates the worst gutting of Net Neutrality in the country -- all for their buddies the ISPs (Comcast, et al). Yes, you heard that right - the freakin' Democrats.

- ISPs can charge websites and small businesses "access fees" to reach customers, blocking any website that does not pay.

I have just finished a long article in Truthdig by Chris Hedges that explains what has happened to our politics and nation. It is an older article so I include the link here:

https://www.truthdig.com/articles/sheldon-wolin-and-inverted-totalitaria...