It's good to see you. Come on in, leave your shoes in the hallway, we've got fire on the stove preparing lunch for later. In the meantime, browse the bookshelves and plunk down on the sofa with one, or pick out some tunes from the music library or come in to the kitchen to help with the cooking. Our special blend of tea is steeping and will be right up.

Make yourself at home...

The deep tragedy last week in London of the horrific fire that totally engulfed the Grenfell Tower continues to haunt me. It encapsulates all the evilness unleashed by unbridled capitalism, i.e. government corruption, greed, status chasing, class war, self-interest and malfeasance.

I spent a bit of time mostly listening to folks on the ground, via the #GrenfellTower hashtag (though I must admit to being slightly skeptical of their "Top Trending" published algorithms, given how they manipulated many social uprisings's profile by diminishing such movement as OWS, Arab Spring and anti-Hillary tweets). I also asked a friend who grew up in a similar immigrant/minority tower project in London for her take on the situation.

During these kinds of "breaking news" events I think it's most important to hear from folks on the ground, first, before listening to any mainstream news reports. Twitter allows people to start their own conversation, although many times, it must be said, it is in the context of an MSM report or reacting to one. Nonetheless, the important bits will sometimes rise to the top because regular folks, especially those near to the scene and the majority who are deeply skeptical of the MSM, often times offer an unvarnished, birds-eye view that people want and that the MSM will either edit out or can (or will) not access themselves.

The voices to follow have struck me as credible, believable and honest. They're sharp, incisive and highly intelligent. It's the kind of refreshing dialogue and conversation sorely missing from stilted, sensationalizing punditry who dictate predictable narratives in service of the protecting the powerful.

Watch till the end. You probably wont see this interview again. Someone speaking the truth maybe? #GrenfellTower

pic.twitter.com/hwLYSt9lCD

— azy (@azymanzur) June 14, 2017

The council sent the firebrigade round on Saturday & the whole block is burnt to a crisp on Wednesday. Very strange. https://t.co/yrjQiYriit

— Lex Loopington (@lex_looper) June 14, 2017

David Collins of #GrenfellTower residents association gives a shocking account of the local councils refusal to heed residents safety fears. pic.twitter.com/cC47EWBUer

— EL4C (@EL4JC) June 14, 2017

The following video, of a brilliant man named Ishmail who lives in the vicinity of Glenfell, gave the kind of comprehensive synopsis you'll never hear from the likes of the Sky News (Rupert Murdoch's millionth media venture) reporter to whom he's talking. Further convincing me of this truism: that in any and all subjects being discussed by media pundits on the MSM at any time, there are far more cogent, intelligent and incisive minds to be found among everyday people in the 99%, who would run circles around the well-paid/coiffed, venal, empty husks with big-name degrees, diplomas and pedigree.

Yesterday I watched on the media whereby some government minister, Theresa May or somebody, stands up and tells me about, “lessons must be learned.” Do not dismiss or think you can bury this community in some hollow platitude, about “lessons will be learned”…

Do not dismiss this community as some ignorant, low IQ community. We're not going to be dismissed with hollow platitudes which you use to bury this, and give those who are responsible - you mitigate those who are responsible for those decisions.

This is not a case of negligence. This is a case of corporate manslaughter.

People should be held accountable. People should be in jail for this. But I very much doubt we will get that with this corrupt government.

You people are lucky there’s not an uprising in this country. If I had my way I wouldn’t be sitting out here talking - you'd be the one of the first places I’d be seizing.

You the media. You would be held hostage. You are the ones who facilitate this. You are the mouthpiece of this government. You are the people who make this possible. You are the ones who validate it. You are just as culpable as this government, holding it together since Thatcher and Reagan. You've monopolized and capitalized this country. It's not only about money. I had one guy from ITV Newsman say to my face, “oh well look at the real estate here in Nottingham.” Is that how you look at it? You see people's lives, you see people in ashes and you talk about real estate?

You're lucky you never get lynched.
(bolding mine)

At the end of this clip, the hapless and in-over-his-head reporter seemed to want to bait him, as is the wont of his job requirement, with a typical RW instigative question of a person emotionally charged by a tragedy, in order to get a gotcha moment. Instead, he receives a full frontal blast from a guy who totally gets the whole thing, from top to bottom:

What do I want to happen? I want there to be a revolution in this country. I say fuck the media, fuck the mainstream. You don't deserve to be there. We should be campaigning not to government, but to the BBC, who act as mouthpieces for this corrupt government. People need a revolution in this country - nothing short of that. And if it was any other country they'd done a bit of revolution.

We've seen how you, the mainstream media, have responded and reacted. For two years you've hounded and demonized Jeremy Corbyn. You said he was unelectable, "there's no possibility of this man being elected."

You created that narrative, and people actually believed your bullshit - for a while.

But what this the election has done is shown that people are immune. They're in bulletproof vests to you and the other billionaires sort of media owners, and Rupert Murdoch and all those other motherfuckers. They're immune to that shit there. And that is a vote of confidence; not in terms of Jeremy Corbyn, but it dismisses May. But it also stands up to you as the mainstream media. It identifies the mainstream media as motherfuckers. You are a bunch of motherfuckers.

His whole amazing rant is worth seeing:

These clips give me a lot of faith that Neoliberalism and its Conservative counterpart are on its last legs. The jig is up. People on the streets get it, completely. They're not going to be divided and conquered by politics for long.

In the reportage that follows there's a scene of frustrated and angry folks who stormed the local city council office to (it's so rare to see MSM show clips of the righteous indignation of a mob, editorially fearful of their corporate stockholders coming down on them for possibly conflagrating the masses).

Russell Brand captured with poetic eloquence the roiling anger and frustration the public finds itself in at this moment (video here), "Austerity Is Not Frugality, It Is Brutality. It Is Violence."

Sometimes there is a news story that has a power that reaches beyond the material facts, even if those facts are in themselves potent. Hillsborough was one. The drowned Syrian toddler another. The discernible reality alludes to a deeper truth and invites us to consider the real meaning...

We already know that residents had organised to protest about the dangerous conditions of their homes. We know that the building was masked by a deadly facade that likely hastened the conflagration. We know that the conglomerate that owned the building had been negligent. We know that we have a government that refused to responsibly regulate housing for the poor. We know that we live at a time where poor people are being continually maligned by austerity.

This is the end result of the "fiscal responsibility," RW/bootstrap-pulling Libertarian philosophy held by politicians who hide behind and campaign on it, and are then cheered on by their lemming followers who are duped into holding resentment for those less fortunate (instead of for their puppet masters).

We know that firefighters have long been saying they are not sufficiently funded to adequately do their job. We know that public services are being deliberately eroded and we are beginning to understand that for many years power and wealth has been seditiously syphoned upward. It began in its contemporary form with Thatcher and has continued with successive governments, under a variety of banners ever since.

They lied about Hillsborough, they lied for decades but the truth was revealed. Ineptitude, prejudice and corruption killed the 96.

His conclusion:

If it proves true that the edifice applied to conceal the decay of the building and improve the vista of newly erected luxury apartments exacerbated the fire then we can succinctly decode the dreadful meaning of this awful event.

The Grenfell residents were sacrificed for greed and comfort. This burning tower and the screams of its residents are an urgent call for change.

When I first saw the image, like a well trained citizen, I thought 'terrorists'. And of course, in a way, it was. Surely for the occupants it felt like terror. Like a horrific assault that they could do nothing about in spite of trying to prevent it. I don't imagine that as they were immolated they thought "Well at least this fire was caused by corrupt landlords and a complicit government".

These terrorists can only be beaten by defiance, disobedience and solidarity. By direct involvement in politics and by supporting progressive leaders that want real change and are willing to confront the powerful. Perhaps then this tragedy may have a meaning beyond corruption and neglect, it could be a chance to tear down the facade and face up to the world we are living in.
(bolding mine)

There is a unifying sense of outrage, defiance and solidarity around this horrific tragedy. The reaction on the street attests to it. The pundits are bullshit; they've been dismissed by the People. The People are together on this.

And finally with respect to this, as CStS has often reminded, when people invoke Bernie or Corbyn in conjunction with situations like these, it is simply a shorthand: a nod to demanding honest discussion and appraisal, an acknowledgment that Power & Money rule over our politics and write these draconian austerity policies, as well as it being a representation of the vocal public support for rare, honest brokers who are unafraid to speak directly. Bernie and Corbyn refuse to engage in mealymouthed, Revolving Door political-speak designed to not ruffle any feathers, so the politician can eventually cash in on the boondoggle of post-government positions as lobbyist/consultant/think tank salesman - they can speak truthfully about the corruptive influence of Money In Politics and unbridled Capitalism, which as it happens is the fundamental reason for such a tragedy as the Glenfell Towers.

So when people show up at the country's highest elected official's office to chant the name of the opposition, it's not so much about the personalities of Bernie or Corbyn - they are saying unequivocally that Conservative and Neoliberal policies are over.

Demonstrators chanting 'O Jeremy Corbyn' outside 10 Downing Street! Can #TheresaMay really survive this? #maymustgo pic.twitter.com/439tuvyteY

— WeThePeople (@gaurangmorjaria) June 17, 2017

If you are looking for the most Tory thing you will see today, this is it. pic.twitter.com/V2pF900NfX

— Andy (@RedLeftAndy) June 17, 2017

On the same day last week, a gunman asks a congressman if the team practicing on the field is Republican or Democrat, then shoots up the blatant RWers (as opposed to the more subtle ones on the other side). Politically motivated? Sure. Personally effected by policies? Didn't hear much of anything about that being discussed. But what we did get was another disgraceful, irresponsible media frenzy ensuing in the MSM, with charges levied that he was a Bernie supporter, as if that alone could explain a lot. The Neoliberal henchmen on the payroll seized the opportunity to please their masters by attempting to further marginalize and malign Bernie, whose campaign threatened the Duopoly. Didn't work. As far as I know, the Democratic Socialist from Vermont still is, far and away, the most trusted and liked politician in America. Something about honesty, believability, genuineness. It's a twisted, weird vortex we're in politically now.

Alas, there was also another shooting only a few hours later in San Fransisco at a UPS depot, by one of its overworked employees. That story seemed to get buried, though three people were killed. Initially it was reported that he had lodged complaints about the excessive overtime he was constantly being asked to take on. Why are these stories always given short shrift? Well, we know why. And so do most folks on the street. No matter if it's in the UK or the US or Uzbekistan, folks on the street understand the subtext for all these stories: Neoliberal and Conservative economics have driven people to despair and are killing them. Most importantly they are increasingly distrusting of what the MSM tells them is the real story.

I was unaware of these stories Thursday morning of last week as I was going about my business, when I happened to be strolling the Boy in the carriage down the main street of my community. There I saw ahead of us, a procession of folks in what looked like a small parade. Two cop cars straddled a major intersection so that traffic was halted while this brigade made its way through.

As we got closer it was indeed a little parade going on, with tons of American flags and little kids holding them. My internal red fIag went up. So I asked the commanding cop, "Who called for the street to be shut down, what's this all about?" He tells me it's a parade honoring 35 years of crossing guards in the community. Innocuous enough, but the trappings put me off. "What do American flags have to do with that? Who signs off on this? So, let me ask you, if I wanted to have a parade honoring activists who dedicated their lives to making the world a better place, could we do that?" He looked confused and said I should ask the Community Affairs people, who I could get in touch with at the police department. "Right," I'm thinking.

So, I'm not happy this is taking place in my community and follow the procession to its conclusion. Where is that? In the front yard of the local Catholic School! There is a congregation of grade school kids and their parents, with the assembled all receiving yet more American flags, which are being handed out for all to hold. there appears to be school administrators, a priest and a bunch of fair-skinned white mother's, some wearing 911 shirts. They then gather to view the proceedings, which are in front of what looks like a parish house of some sort or school annex. There's a cross on it. The big presentation appears to be the hoisting of the flag, and the assemblage in a semi-circle with their backs to it, includes kids holding more flags, ranging from the Marines and the Army to more American flags.

I'm steaming at what I can't dismiss as the kind of outright fascist bullshit masquerading as good ole American patriotism makes me sick. In their conditioned minds they're just serving up the usual summer fanfare, alongside the proverbial big oversized slice of apple pie. The only thing missing is the stars and stripes emblazoned on the cross. I start mouthing off because I'm disgusted. People seem perplexed, and a woman cop comes over to tell me to move along. I say no way, it's my right to be here. "This is a fascist display, combining church and state. Do you know your history?"

I then tell the paternalistic Catholic flunky, who is proudly ready to hoist the American flag, that he should consider raising a World Peace Flag instead. No one has a clue there. I'm a complete pariah. Here they are, all proud to be American, totally unaware of the imperialism and melding of church and state the the country was founded upon, not to mention the police endorsing and protecting it all. Good, little, obedient, God-fearing children inculcated to fight for God and Country, and stand proudly at baseball stadiums reciting "patriotic" hymns on command. Pass the apple pie, Mom. "Did you say your prayers?"

Made me think of another genius comedic bit by the Great Sage. Let's let St. George shine a little light on the fraudulence and danger of faux patriotism:

Here's another slogan you run into all the time, God Bless America. Once again respectfully I say to myself, "what the fuck does that mean, god bless America?"

Is that a request? Is that a demand? Is that a suggestion?

Politicians say it at the end of every speech as if it was some sort of verbal tic that they can't get rid of...

Let me tell you a little secret about God, folks: God does not give a flying fuck about America, okay.
He doesn't care, he never cared about this country; never has he never will. He doesn't care about this country anymore than he cares about Mongolia, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Suez Canal or the North Pole. He simply doesn't care, okay. He doesn't care.

Hey, there are over 200 countries in the world now. Do these people honestly think that
God is sitting around picking out his favorites? Why would it do that why would God have a favorite countr,y and why would it be America, out of all the countries? Because we have the most money? Because he likes our national anthem? Maybe it's because he heard we have 18 delicious flavors of classic Rice-a-Roni.

It's delusional thinking.

And Americans are not alone with these sort of delusions. Military cemeteries around the world are packed with brainwashed dead soldiers, who were convinced God was on their side.

Strong anti-nationalist notions, similar to those to be found in an essay called "The War Prayer," by the man whose name is borne on the nation's highest comedy award, The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the honor of which George Carlin was a recipient. Though in rich irony I doubt many of his scathing political essays are even known to the broad American public who revere Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer...

So I'm informed after I get home and tell my story that it's Flag Day. As George might say, "once again I say respectfully, what the fucking fuck is Flag fucking Day anyway?"

How about Union Day, Black Lives Matter Day, Grow Your Own Food Day, Recycle/Reuse/Re-appropriate Day, Eat No Animals Day, Farmers Day, Hug A Stranger Day, Public Service Day, Feed The Homeless Day, Visit An Adult Home Day, Clean Your Community's Litter Day, - one could go on and on and on. Do you see what I mean?

"Flag" fucking Day? How empty. Just like the crass consumer culture that dominates American society, which always seems it has place ahead of critical thinking and social responsibility.

Why not just call it what it is then? Fascism Day! Where is your Loyalty Oath card? Papers, please...

It's in moments like these that one recalls the words of Hermann Goering at the Nuremberg Trials .

Why of course, the people don't want war.
Why should some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally the common people don't want war neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood.

But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship.

Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders.

That is easy.

All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

Fascism will come to America, as it has in every country before, carrying the flag and the cross.

So, what's going on with you...

Back in the kitchen we're listening to:
"The Who By Numbers"

Reading/Browsing List:
H.L Mencken "Treatise on the Gods"
John Perkins "Confessions of an Economic Hitman"
Jack London "People of the The Abyss"

Heatwave Smoothie
Place frozen mango chunks, watermelon pieces and chunks of pineapple in a blender, with a few ice cubes.

Puree until smooth.

Enjoy...

Lemongrass Chai Blend

heaping scoop of dried Thai lemongrass
shards of cinnamon bark
a few cardamom pods
a few black peppercorns
A few cloves
fresh chopped ginger