The Weekly Watch

Fear Fuels Foolishness

Americans are easy to scare. In just the last couple of decades think about how TPTB used situations to take advantage of citizens. First 9/11 creates the opportunity to eliminate privacy with the Patriot Act and begin a Forever War OF Terror. Then the crash of '08, the US bailed out banks and foreclosed on homeowners, and used the emergency to provide cover for the murder by drone program as well as many more coups and regime change wars (thanks Obomber). And now COVID provides for the completion of corporate capture. We are buying corporate debt AND stocks of the very businesses which bought so much of their own stock that they are underwater. To top it off the US gets no say in the management of the very companies we are buying. We are being had, and most folks are happy they will receive a pittance of $1200 because most of them don't even have an extra $500 to handle emergencies. But...but...COVID is going to kill us! So we provide for the wholesale purchase of corporate America by the government? What a con.

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Rigging the Economy

The SARS-CoV-2 may be invisible to the naked eye, but it has laid bare how dysfunctional our system has become...from corporate buy outs, to no health coverage for the infected, to pandering to big pharma to insure they profit off the crisis, to promoting wars and coups amidst the on going horrors, and on and on under the cover of the pandemic. We have just witnessed a wholesale capture of the US government...a corporate coronation.

In a celebration of bipartisan unity, the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on Friday approved by voice vote an unprecedented $2.2 trillion bill to bail out the nation’s corporations and banks, while providing limited and temporary aid to workers hit by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/03/28/bill-m28.html

There were many excellent commentaries, so let's jump into the conversations. Much of the best insight came from the right. I can't help but agree with this analysis (25 min)

Jimmy also hosted an excellent conversation with a libertarian...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbTT_9ktn7o (21 min)

As well as a number of excellent interviews with a variety of folks...
Starting with two rounds speaking with Dylan Ratigan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NgOQn4Asa0 (16 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-7uro3A3qU (48 min)
Jimmy comments on the stimulus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXPjNLIJ3W4 (22 min)

Jimmy's interview with Matt Stoller has already been discussed here. He also appeared on The Rising, and Democracy Now (with text). Here's his article in the Guardian which generated so much interest. "America will be unrecognizable after this pandemic if big corporations walk away with trillions of dollars and no strings attached".
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/22/coronavirus-relief...

Another Financial Coup by Crisis Arrives | 2020 Bailout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlCdAnZL_Cc (12 min)

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More on our bankrupt nation from traders and economic players...
RICK RULE, GREG MANNARINO & JERRY ROBINSON

On the same day news is released 3.3 million are unemployed, it is the same day one of the largest gains on the Dow in history while the gold goes from a $22 gain for the day to zero.

(52 min)

Excellent rant from Greg Mannarino on the fed bailing out cities and states as well as corporations.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD7xWkztd-k (10 min)

Are we going to bankrupt the US government?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3Nu-SnuUeI (14 min)

Many are under the impression that this was a corporate bailout as the centerpiece of the proposal was the $400 billion + for the struggling industries stricken by a drop in demand. The language they have been using is carefully crafted as the true intentions for this money will put the US in a precarious position and had the people known what this money was for or what risk it entailed they probably would be mad. Corporate bailouts are bad enough especially when it is for industries who skirt paying taxes and reap enormous profits but the $450 billion is for the Federal Reserve (not a real federal institution) as they plan is to use this money to leverage 10X to backstop the feds unprecedented corporate bond-buying programs. Meaning the US treasury will be on the hook for 4.5 Trillion dollars in exchange for worthless corporate bonds. The quality of the assets the Fed has been purchasing is junk due to the fact that most of these companies are already on the edge of failure from a near-total shutdown in demand. In short, the Fed intends to double their balance sheet leaving the Taxpayers indebted for the Corporations which wasted their cash on stock buybacks. That's not the only anomaly in this relief package...

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It is QE infinity. What insanity... Is hyper-inflation the ultimate fate of the USD?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lJCR3W0mOs (25 min)

The Fed has a printing press (a computer really) and can conjure up whatever cash it needs. Nathan Tankus calls this an accounting gimmick, and if one-quarter of the total package is unnecessary, that should be news.
https://prospect.org/coronavirus/unsanitized-federal-reserve-loads-cannon/

Max Blumenthal has good insight on the empire and epidemic...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGfjUiCJrpI (36 min)

GPS Money has daily analysis of our economy which is often very informative. Here's yesterday's show...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upElsmUfC0A (13 min)

And before we wrap up the economic news we can't forget Max and Stacy who have seen this financial collapse coming for quite a while.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnt7-PcEsV8 (1st 15 min)

Max was also on George Galloway's show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Nrfz_HX4sw (26 min)

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Don't Be Scared, Be Prepared

Not to make light of COVID, after all many have died and many more will follow, but we can not lay down and accept our death as the outcome...on a personal nor national level. What scares me isn't dying of this infection but the total incompetence of our reactions and the ease with which TPTB can manipulate us. Stories like the following are reason to be angry about our ineptitude not scared of the coronavirus...
First an ER in NY (5 min)

...and now what's happening in Spain (5 min with subscript)

Here's a clip from over a year ago about how to make an inexpensive ventilator controlled by your smart phone...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgAR4yWDsg0 (4 min)
Kinda makes you realize how dysfunctional we've become.

These stories make it obvious that we do not want to have to go to the hospital. What can we do? We need to wear masks when we leave our homes... Here's why -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yN3BWaEH3tY (33 min)

Social distancing is key when you are out in the world...

I want to make two aspects of these distancing measures very clear and unambiguous. First, we are in the very infancy of this epidemic’s trajectory. That means that even with these measures in place, we will see cases and deaths continue to rise globally, nationally, and in our own communities....Second, although social distancing measures have been (at least temporarily) well received, there is an obvious-but-overlooked phenomenon when considering groups (i.e. households) in transmission dynamics. While social distancing decreases contact with members of society, it of course increases contact within a group (i.e. family). You should perceive your entire family to function as a single individual unit: if one person puts themselves at risk, everyone in the unit is at risk.

https://elemental.medium.com/hold-the-line-17231c48ff17

Earlier advice about gargling appears incorrect
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/gargling-eliminate-coronavirus/

How do you know if you've got the coronavirus or another infection?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjWut_NRZII (16 min)

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I know I sound like a broken record, but it is time to think about planting a garden. I think the biggest bang for the buck is lettuce. Watch this simple approach 2-3 min

I normally don't grow my own carrots. I can normally buy inexpensive organic ones at the grocery. However, last week there were no carrots so I'm thinking about starting some. Here's a couple of clips I found helpful. First and idea of how to avoid thinning...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua7s_Inj55s (13 min)
(another trick is to mix your seed with some garden soil before sowing to help avoid thinning)
Here's some container grown carrots if like me your soil isn't very carrot friendly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDPZwb5Xl9w (10 min)

Of course we need to minimize our trips out. We are only leaving once a week to run errands. I'm going early before folks get out and about. I'm wearing a bandana mask with a paper towel insert. I've also got an old pair of shoes that are my "town" shoes which do not come back in the house. I shower and wash my clothes upon return, and then hunker down for another week.

the coup.jpg

So as I wrap up this week I need to make one more observation about the pandemic providing cover for our ongoing Venezuelan coup and ginning up a war with Iran.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/world-hunkers-down-trump-moves-full-speed-aga...
I can't be more disgusted with US aggression and war mongering as these countries struggle to combat COVID-19. It speaks volumes to our barbaric, war and oil addicted, society. And much like the case with Julian (who was denied bail this week), the news is cheered by the press or ignored. Folks I think we're in for a wild ride over the next year or so. Be careful...be prepared, not scared!

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Comments

orlbucfan's picture

going down since Nixon slithered into office in 1968. Watergate was the last 'respite' We The People had. The craporate really took off with Raygun in 1981. It has been slow disintegration since then. I have to give the fringe FRighties credit. They were patient, and looked and planned for the long term. They also had plenty of historical blueprints to copy. There will be consequences as that is a part of Natural Law. And right now folks, it don't look pretty! Rec'd!!

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

Lookout's picture

@orlbucfan

In fact I had another graphic I couldn't fit in that makes the point...

continuity.jpg

We've been this way for quite a while and now with corporate media providing cover along with suppression of alternate voices in social media, we've become an easy to manipulate population.

Take care of yourself and be well!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

orlbucfan's picture

@Lookout Send some rain down here. East central FL is parched. Which means people suffering from asthma, allergies, hay fever, sinusitis, and more serious conditions like COPD have to stay vigilant to the respiratory symptoms of the c-virus. Sad Bum--mer!!

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4 users have voted.

Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

Azazello's picture

Jimmy & Stef have been going live every night now. They can't tour so they've got time on their hands. They had a good interview with Max B. last night, look for that to drop soon.
This is new from The Duran, looks like it might be good.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5p_jLZrksM width:500 height:300]

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We wanted decent healthcare, a living wage and free college.
The Democrats gave us Biden and war instead.

Lookout's picture

@Azazello

I caught the interview live with Max. It was good. After one of Jimmy's rants, Max simply said, I can't top that.

Jimmy has been on it all week. Been great.

The Grayzone crowd did a log term exchange 2.5 hours
The Grayzone live: Max Blumenthal, Aaron Maté, Anya Parampil, and Ben Norton discuss how the US empire and billionaire oligarchs are weaponizing the Covid-19 pandemic to push regime-change schemes, suffocating sanctions, and disaster capitalist reforms — advancing aggressive geopolitical interests and making huge profits while people are dying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8676Q93GW1k

Take care and stay well.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Not Henry Kissinger's picture

/snark

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The current working assumption appears to be that our Shroedinger's Cat system is still alive. But what if we all suspect it's not, and the real problem is we just can't bring ourselves to open the box?

Lookout's picture

@Not Henry Kissinger

The Matt Stoller conversation is interesting. Why is it we have to blame someone instead of focusing on fixing the problems?

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

mimi's picture

@Lookout @Lookout
Good Morning, Lookout,
on our side of the pond it's cool, sunny and windy. So far, people accept to stay home. But I expect lots of families to break up when all that is over. I felt sick for a couple of days and it shows. I want it all to be over with. Hope it is soon. I can't really believe in the measurements taken to 'flatten the curve'. Some flattening measurements for the cure seem worse than the infection.

Looking forward to your Weekly Watches every weekend. When my head doesn't hurt too much I read most of it.

Stay healthy. And oh yes, I definitely want so start a vegetable garden It's a lot of work. Hopefully it will get warmer soon. My son is gardening furiously over in HI. He has still a job, lucky him. Making disinfectants. Esseantial work nowadays.
Bye.

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edg's picture

@Lookout

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enhydra lutris's picture

@edg
around the narrative often enough, and fixed multiple elections too.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Lookout's picture

@enhydra lutris

So how can any of us believe in a demokrazy? I simply can't believe the dim primary results on stupid Tuesday. The rig was in. So what demockrazy do we have? It is none at all.

We live in a failed system. Powerful piece I mentioned to MA and suggest to all. Chris Hedges w/ XR
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FfkKkmCSu4]

Take care.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Not Henry Kissinger's picture

@Lookout

Why is it we have to blame someone instead of focusing on fixing the problems?

to help rationalize away their frustrations and miseries. Keeps them from having to face the truth about their own impotence at changing their lives for the better.

The PTB know this, and typically will try to deflect responsibility for their own failings by first blaming the complainer for the problem.

Same as it ever was. Just ask Socrates, Jesus, Snowball, etc., etc., etc....

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The current working assumption appears to be that our Shroedinger's Cat system is still alive. But what if we all suspect it's not, and the real problem is we just can't bring ourselves to open the box?

@Lookout And that blame is never focused on "real Americans" but always the other who are labeled Not Real Americans. Since inception this country has blamed anyone else they possibly can while never bothering to look in a mirror. The United States of Blame. Also projection works well, and I suppose at the root that is the same animal as blame, but it has always been the American Way as well - don't like what's happening at home, blame Mexico, Iran, RUSSIA, China, Vietnam, etc, etc, etc. It's really all we know how to do and while the rest of the world sees through it and always has, the American sheep keep on buying into it as the solution to all their problems. USA, USA, USA!!!!

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Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur

Lookout's picture

@mimi @edg @Not Henry Kissinger @lizzyh7

Yes, the question "why blame" was rhetorical. I guess I was trying to comment on our childish response to crisis. On the other hand crisis brings out our best and our worst. My concern has to do with supply lines especially food supply.

Thanks for all your comments.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Raggedy Ann's picture

I've been so busy watching the videos and controlling my anger that I hadn't taken the time to send my greetings. I especially want to thank you for continuing to educate me - all of us. Knowledge, anytime but especially now - is critical to survival.

It's been a wet spring, which has been nice for us. Our elevation is high enough that our trees have not yet leafed out, but they are swollen with buds. We have been watering a lot. The trees probably wonder what happened - why are they getting good drinks? Because we have water now! We drilled that well and got everything set up just in the nick of time. The bonus is that we put in a solar well.

Thanks for the tips you give about your shopping excursions and what you do when you return. Mr. RA is the one to go out the most and we have adopted many of your techniques.

Enjoy your Sunday, everyone and remain in the present! Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Lily O Lady's picture

@Raggedy Ann

outdoor spraying to kill Covid19 if UV light kills it. Some shaded areas maybe, but everywhere? You might not be the person to ask, but I’ll accept anyone’s explanation.

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"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"

Raggedy Ann's picture

@Lily O Lady
but I think it takes too many hours for the sun to completely kill it so spraying is immediate.

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2 users have voted.

"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

enhydra lutris's picture

@Lily O Lady
virus that is not also harmful to human skin, around 200 nm, is being used for that purpose in controlled environments like labs, but the units involved are pretty pricey. Also, generally, to get coverage they crank the wattage way up for relatively small areas and even there eye protection is sometimes needed. Sunlight just isn't going to cut it.

have a good one

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Lookout's picture

@Lily O Lady

along with other measures. I think that was a bleach mixture. Remember population density is quite high there. On our level it speaks to the use of bleach to clean outside materials.

Weird to adapt to this lifestyle isn't it?

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Lookout's picture

@Raggedy Ann

Called with an offer of potatoes to plant today. They had extra. Better half (wearing gloves) picked them up from the friend's mailbox. Didn't worry too much cause only possible vector was the mailbox. Upon we return we both remark how odd to go thru some sort of protocol every time you come home from the big world. Not much was required for that trip since getting out of the car wasn't necessary. Went thru the wash the gloves and hang them outside then wash hands as well as depositing seed potatoes on shady porch till we plant them tomorrow. Since going keto we normally don't eat Irish potatoes...now our homegrown sweet potatoes we eat at least a couple to three times a month. But with the possible food scarcity, we felt potatoes are so easy to grow and so productive we decided to put in a row this year. Nothing wrong with a little insurance.

So glad you got your new well going. Excellent timing! Hey to the family and y'all take care and continue to be productive.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

smiley7's picture

Cheers for the news and vids, especially the lettuce one.

Saw this last night and thought of you.

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Lily O Lady's picture

@smiley7

through my mind as I watched about the language of twins, the sweetness of the sound of a violin.

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"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"

Lookout's picture

@smiley7

My weekly session is with a pair of twins so I really enjoyed that. It is a bit different as the twins I play with are "the Elderly brothers". They hit 144 years old last month...gross isn't it?

Enjoy this beautiful spring my friend!

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5 users have voted.

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

ggersh's picture

but this is what we have leading leaderless the cult

https://thehobbledehoy.com/2019/03/08/british-writer-pens-the-best-descr...

Someone on Quora asked “Why do some British people not like Donald Trump?” Nate White, an articulate and witty writer from England wrote the following response:

A few things spring to mind.

Trump lacks certain qualities which the British traditionally esteem.
For instance, he has no class, no charm, no coolness, no credibility, no compassion, no wit, no warmth, no wisdom, no subtlety, no sensitivity, no self-awareness, no humility, no honour and no grace – all qualities, funnily enough, with which his predecessor Mr. Obama was generously blessed.
So for us, the stark contrast does rather throw Trump’s limitations into embarrassingly sharp relief.

Plus, we like a laugh. And while Trump may be laughable, he has never once said anything wry, witty or even faintly amusing – not once, ever.
I don’t say that rhetorically, I mean it quite literally: not once, not ever. And that fact is particularly disturbing to the British sensibility – for us, to lack humour is almost inhuman.

and it only gets better

Cheers everyone, stay safe!

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10 users have voted.

I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

@ggersh A personal quality that tends to be low or missing in most Republican votes, particularly the fundies, but is also low in neoliberalcons.

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@ggersh

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Lily O Lady's picture

@Marie

his daily shit shows are working as designed. I think the Dems have finally decided to counter with Cuomo’s recent press conferences complaining about what a crap job Trump is doing. Unfortunately, Cuomo’s past record on austerity doesn’t bode well for him. I don’t think that’ll stop the Dems from pushing him over Bernie, but we can dream.

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"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"

Lookout's picture

@Lily O Lady

What a failed party!

Hope all is well down your way. Hear Atlanta area is a hotbed. Stay safe. Glad to read the hubby is now home and well.

All the best!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Lily O Lady's picture

@Lookout

three deaths. My crazy neighbors bought up all the GD toilet paper and preceded to socialize all over the place. So what’s the point of the TP?

I can’t really get any news about what is going on in our hospital. Before all this started, they were working on luxury hospital suites for all the Hollywood types from Pinewood Studios. I have no idea if they are near capacity or what. I’m staying home so I don’t have to worry about things like that.

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"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"

Lookout's picture

@Marie

ginning up a new cold war and piling on with an absurd impeachment...all of which boosted Trump's ratings? And now shoving Jomentia down our throats. They are not worth supporting.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Lookout's picture

@ggersh

Thanks for the link to the funny rant. Whatta buffoon. He sure has put the ugly face on what we've become.

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

magiamma's picture

I have a question about the CrossTalk video.

At 16:03 The guy says this was also published on Zero Hedge.

Does anyone have a link to the Zero Hedge article?

There is little nerd from silicon valley who put together the data using WHO reports, using Stanford etymology reports, using other doctor reports and other Israeli Nobel Laurette Winners’ reports. Who just pointed out that a lot of the pandemic report was more panic than plague. That there are manageable ways to treat it. Well, and he just put it up on his Medium page, not a political guy at all. The post went viral because people were shocked to see this dissident information they had not seen from the mainstream press. What happened within a day Medium had taken down his article. 0 Hedge ran it and twitter put up a warning that said, if you look at this, this is fake news that might actually steal your data and information. They libeled the guy.

We are raining again here. We need the rain but it's late and I can see that the trees are struggling for lack of deep water. This impacts everything. Still the flowers are blooming like crazy and so life goes.

Take good care and stay safe. Have a good one.

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

Lookout's picture

@magiamma

Care is needed when listening to the RW, but their skepticism about the situation is worth consideration...not because as one commentator in the clip mentioned that they can't go to church, but because of the general erosion of our civil liberties. - Right to gather, right to protest, and so on.

Featured that clip because many of us reject the RW on principle, but many of their views are valid. One of the best friends I made in college was a John Bircher - he had come to homesteading from the right and I from the left, but we were allies in learning and promoting self reliance on small farms. Most of ag school is geared toward argibuz large scale production.

Glad for your rain. We had a 0.1" shower last night and more due tomorrow night. We're over 10" above "normal". Made for a beautiful spring.

Have a good one my friend!

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Lookout's picture

@magiamma

surprised to find this. I learned lots about Chris and his perspective on this mess.

A little long at 1.4 hours but very interesting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FfkKkmCSu4

and for fans of Chris...a conversation about Izzy Stone
Chris Hedges talks to D. D. Guttenplan, editor of The Nation, about the great investigative journalist, I. F. Stone. Guttenplan’s biography of Stone is entitled, "American Radical: The Life and Times of I. F. Stone."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQkq3Rzf1nA (27 min)

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

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