We know what Democratic boilerplate is going to look like: "The economy is great and don't you dare vote third party or RFK Jr.!

Constantly Escalating?

More war, more indictments, more sanctions, more currency creation, more accusations, more coups...we're caught in an expanding aggressive cycle and all we seem able to do is double down on stupid. What goes up, must come down, and the bigger they are, the harder they fall...and an eventual fall is inevitable. My hope is we don't take the biosphere down with the empire's collapse. Notice how mention of nuclear weapons is becoming more common? Naturally we project the use of nuclear weapons on the Russians and Chinese, but not ourselves? My memory is that the US is the only nation to have used atomic bombs in war.

I'm not sure how much credibility to put into this, but a former CIA advisor says that U.S. dollar hegemony has only weeks left. I'd give more credibility to an economist.

Afternoon folks!

I've got a bunch of blues and blues-rock for you this week. Pinetop Perkins leads off, followed by Jimmy Dawkins and some mid-70's B.B. King. After that we've got John Mayall, a solo album from Harvey Mandel (Canned Heat) and a live album from Washington D.C.'s Nighthawks. We finish off with David Bromberg and some British folk-rock from Steeleye Span.

Well, there ya go - have a great weekend and enjoy!

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

The wide variety of personal knowledge and experience shared in the diaries and comments at C99 has enriched my understanding of events shaping our present. Seven years ago if asked if Kennedy assassination or Vietnam had much direct influence on my life - would have said no.

Happy Friday everyone. I hope everybody is doing well. As always, post any photos, memes, or music you like.

I woke up yesterday and realized I didn't have any photos ready for tonights FNP. It brought back memories from school days when you remember, Oh shit, I have a test tomorrow and I haven't studied all week. So I grabbed the camera and headed to the zoo to do a little cramming on the subject of reptiles.

Gray's Monitor Lizard

Is we learning yet?

Occasionally while surfing the internet I'll run across this hair on fire exclamation: "I'll see you in the re-education camp". Re-education? I thought that's what schools were for? Take that as you may, or not. I believe there is an effort afoot to thoughtscape your mind for you, as though you aren't intelligent enough to think for yourself.

To my mind, there's no need for a re-education camp, the camp has already been built, it's all around us. Like an ubiquitous schoolmarm, everywhere and nowhere at the same time. Like an insidious rehabilitation program, not of the physical world, but of the mental realm. Fences built around the mind are as effective as a barrier of razor edged concertina wire, maybe more so, because once the fences are accepted then there's no need for escape.

USA In Decline

Recently I read an article on Consortium News by Michael Brenner, Professor Emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh. The article, 'The New 'New World'' (with this subheading: 'What happens when reality hits delusion? U.S. mythology and fantasy will remain resilient. Denial, doubling-down, scapegoating, recrimination and more audacious adventures are the instinctive responses') is very good, and made me really think.

I've been wrestling with posting this article, because of a couple reasons: 1. It's depressing and scary 2. It's way too damned long and repeats itself, but then, the writer's a professor, so, of course, it is and, of course, it does. 3. I agree with his points in the article, but I don't agree with them as well, at least as they pertain to me and those closest to me and, I think, as they pertain to most of the people on Caucus99% too. On the other hand, the writer, Brenner, is insightful and argues his points well. I wanna know what you think about the article, so here's the beginning of it:

Americans discount the past. They live in the present and imagine the future. Events are assimilated into a mythologized pageant of progress that leads to an ever fuller realization of a more perfect union — liberty and justice at home, goodwill and good works abroad.