The Weekly Watch

C99 Constitutional Convention

This afternoon is the Movement for a Peoples Party Convention. Jimmy Dore is streaming it on his channel if anyone is interested. But this morning I want to suggest a bigger project... redesigning the nation with a new constitution. This community well understands the failure of the US economic, political, and social systems...hurdling us (and other species) toward extinction, all for the greed of the oligarchs. Reinventing our systems might save us, but it would have to happen quickly. So climb on your unicorn, ride under the rainbow, and lets have fun re-imagining the way the country is organized.

convention.jpg

We already have the advantage over the 1787 gathering in that most of us are not slave owning oligarchs plus we are mixed genders and races. Given the nature of this thought experiment, we should get out of our boxes and think big. Make it a fun brainstorming exercise...at least that's what I've done. Please add your ideas in the comments below.

To my mind the goals of our hypothetical nation should be to:

  • promote peace and quell conflict
  • base our economy on conservation instead of consumption
  • create a cooperative rather than competitive culture
  • consider every person as valuable and important
  • focus on environmental restoration and minimize extraction

There would be no need for restructuring our system if we would do the right things. To me the low hanging fruit includes:

  • End the wars, bring the troops home to help with domestic projects, fire all the private contractors, and reinvest those trillions to help the citizenry.
  • Redirect our weapons manufacturing into green projects and infrastructure.
  • Provide free universal health care.
  • Break up the banks and start a public banking system in the post offices.
  • Create a jobs program with a basic minimum salary.
  • Redistribute the wealth with progressive taxes and tax corporations appropriately.
  • Hold a debt jubilee for all individuals.
  • Center communities around quality schools and develop local farms, coop businesses, bike paths, clean energy, and water systems according to the needs of each community.
  • Provide incentives to transition from corporate agriculture to regenerative production.
  • Plant forests wherever possible and have parks in every community.
  • Free quality education for all.
  • Establish an honest public news media not owned nor funded by corporations.

The current oligarchy controls all the levers, and I suggest we need direct democracy rather than a corporate captured representative system. The internet provides the means. If ordering goods over the internet is secure, then it shouldn't be too difficult to insure the safety of our votes. The weak link in this idea is that our populous is so ill informed, pointing to the need for a US version of RT. A government funded communication outlet with people like Chris Hedges, Max Blumenthal and the folks at the grayzone, Jimmy Dore, Cornel West, Krystal and Sagaar, and so on presenting a more realistic understanding of the issues.

Now I understand we don't all need to vote on every issue like naming buildings and such, but for all the big issues...ending the wars, taxing the wealthy, providing universal health care, a jobs program, transition to clean energy, mass transit projects, infrastructure programs, and so on we the people need to vote....at least that's the only vehicle to accomplish those types of objectives I can envision. State and local issues could be dealt with in the same manner...do you defund your local police, build a new school, repave that highway? Let the people decide. One person, one vote.

The legislative branch
I think we should keep the legacy of states, but use a fair algorithm to create districts rather than the corrupt gerrymandering in current use. I've often wondered if a random selection of representatives within each district might be more effective than the election of them. I know it would be cheaper. The senate is inherently unfair with all states, populous and thinly populated, each having two senators. I'm not sure how to handle that. Perhaps have the number of senators based on population too? Perhaps they should be elected rather than randomly selected? If they were elected then you need term limits. Do we need a senate? I once went to independence hall in Philly and saw our early house and senate...to me it seemed to emulate a house of lords and house of commons...perhaps we only need the common folk?

The executive branch needs to have more elected positions than just the President. Reorganizing and voting on the department heads makes sense to me. Similar to today's cabinet positions they could be re-organized into these departments:

  • peace and diplomacy overseeing foreign affairs.
  • ecology in charge of extraction, restoration, air and water quality.
  • labor and manufacturing creating worker owned coops, a jobs program, and promoting unions.
  • commerce and trade to market US goods and help procure imported supplies.
  • energy and conservation conducting the conversion to clean power.
  • housing focused on passive, affordable structures.
  • transportation designing clean mass transit, roads, trails and bike lanes.
  • agriculture encouraging market gardens and regenerative animal production.
  • education providing free quality schools pre-k through college.
  • health overseeing medicare for all, the CDC, and public hospitals
  • parks and recreation restoring our national parks and protected areas.
  • defense dedicated to keeping troops at home to serve and protect the people.
  • treasury and economics conducting an individual debt jubilee instead propping up the market, and creating a new currency based pegged to gold or perhaps a board foot of lumber.

So, I think rather than the president appointing these people we elect them and they could serve across many administrations not victim to the whims of the president.

Certain existing government entities must be broken up...the CIA, FBI, and NSA come to mind off the bat. These organizations exist to insure that things like social programs and direct democracy never happen, and to perpetuate endless conflict at home and abroad. Big banks need to be broken up too. The Fed needs to be reabsorbed back into the treasury.

Every current federal judge needs to stand for election. Once elected they would continue to serve unless majority of people (in their district) want to recall them. I think police should all have to reapply for their jobs passing muster from a citizen committee before being re-hired. Private prisons must be nationalized or closed, and all non-violent criminal convictions given suspended sentences and parole. Parole and probation officers should not be privatized profit oriented operations. Drugs should be legalized and decriminalized. We need to end our penal system as we know it and work on training and rehabilitation rather than punishment.

Well that's enough of that. I learned long ago you must develop a positive future image in order to make progress and set goals. I like to set big goals and have big visions. I'm not so naive that I consider these reforms realistic, but it is a good exercise to think about what might be. Sitting on the brink of ecosystem collapse we don't have time for incrementalism...we need massive change fast.

Consider attending this convention today to continue thinking about improving the US.

MPP convention.png

Chris Hedges explains why we need to break away from a two party system...(13 min)

YouTube isn't behaving this morning and won't embed so here's the link if it continues not to post. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXl3jJTV5CU

I caught a couple of excellent discussions about foreign policy this week...

Aaron Maté and Col. Lawrence Wilkerson, former chief of staff to Colin Powell, discuss the connections between the global US empire and the record US death toll during the coronavirus pandemic. "We're really not doing anything very well or right, and that's a consequence in part at least of our fascination with an attempt to maintain and even expand this empire that we've created since 1945," Wilkerson says. He also discusses the breakdown of US-Russia talks on expanding a key nuclear weapons treaty, and new revelations about the Bush administration's drive to invade Iraq.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XoTySFXt94 (26 min)

Anya Parampil talks to Danny Haiphong, a Contributor at the Black Agenda Report, about why some US leftwing media outlets repeat State Department talking points when it comes to China. Danny also dispels some of the most common talking points, including "China is capitalist" and "China has imperialist ambitions".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JTgnAKWmMA (49 min)

When it comes to China, in fact, the ever more virulent criticism never seems to stop.
https://scheerpost.com/2020/08/28/trump-is-losing-to-china-in-two-big-ways/

In my hypothetical restructuring above I suggest incentives for worker coops.
Richard Wolff looks at coop based economies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWnh1qMNp_c (10 min)

Our rigged economy is laughable. I like to listen to this trader's analysis of the farce. Here's his market wrap up from Friday...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zV4WpWG8Ts (17 min)

The 2020 election is taking place against the backdrop of the greatest social, economic and political crisis in the modern history of the United States.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has deeply destabilized American society. Over 185,000 people have been killed. Some 27 million people are unemployed. Food lines stretch for city blocks, and one fifth of mothers with young children say their families do not have enough to eat.

The ruling class’s efforts to force workers back on the job, despite a raging pandemic, have led to a wave of strikes and protests and seen millions of people demonstrate against police violence in thousands of cities and towns throughout the country.

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/08/29/pers-a29.html

Chris Hedges explains: Those who name and fight the corporate control of our society on behalf of the vulnerable see the judiciary, the press and the institutions of government unite to crucify them.
https://scheerpost.com/2020/08/25/how-corporate-tyranny-works/

As a retired teacher I found this description of teaching during COVID interesting
https://scheerpost.com/2020/08/25/will-public-schools-survive-covid-19/

COVID-19 outbreaks continue unabated at US schools, putting millions at risk
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/08/29/reop-a29.html

dream_0.jpg

Well there's lots more news from the week. Police shootings, protests, militia shootings, the RNC convention, hurricanes and fires, and more. I preferred to focus on redesigning the system rather than the horrors of it. How would you realign the US and create a better society and world? I think it is good to dream.

‘I Dreamed in a Dream’ by Walt Whitman

I dream’d in a dream, I saw a city invincible to the
attacks of the whole of the rest of the earth;
I dream’d that was the new City of Friends;
Nothing was greater there than the quality of robust
love—it led the rest;
It was seen every hour in the actions of the men of
that city,
And in all their looks and words.

Have a great day!

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Comments

mimi's picture

I have not read anything more, so far, because I am too tired to do so, but will somehow reading more after the nap.

We already have the advantage over the 1787 gathering in that most of us are not slave owning oligarchs plus we are mixed genders and races.

Believing that being an advantage, is in my mind, shortsighted. Not owning slaves, ok, somehow workers wages are so low that it feels like slave-labor. To believe that any gender or race is somewhat different from the other, is a beloved dream-hoax, we like to engage in. I could even say it is racist in iteself to think so.

No offense meant at all, it is just a knot in my brain that I can't disentangle. I would appreciate some help getting over that blockage in the way I think about it. Mercy.

I am going to take a break and then attempt to read the links.

Thanks always to all here for being persistant, stubborn, peace-loving, disciplined authors and researchers, all you folks. Respect and kudos. I am addicted to this site.

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Lookout's picture

@mimi
...have perspectives which are complimentary. The US constitution was written by men excluding women from voting till an amendment 100 years ago. If both men and women had participated that would not have been the case. My 2 cents anyway.

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9 users have voted.

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

mimi's picture

@Lookout @Lookout
I had forgotten about it. Considering how long it took to fight for equal voting rights for men and women, is almost scary. I apologize for having been in your faces provocative and forgetful at the same time.

To think that nowadays some of us want to vote for President Nobody, is the ultimate irony or disaster or proof of something I don't know yet what it is.

Again, my apologies.

add-on: the question you ask with your essay, my son asks me everyday. And I have no answer, because the inequality that exists de facto, I don't know how to change. So, for me the answers which will be posted here, are really important. Because I am tired of my son not getting over all of it. And in my desperation to have no answer, I came to the conclusion that even if we are all diverse and different, we are all the same, but do incrementally small different laws to prevent the existing inequality to harm too much in different countries, cultures and regions.

Sigh.

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Lookout's picture

@mimi

we are all diverse and different, we are all the same

Fellow humans on a blue marble hurdling through space. I would add no better than a tree or a mushroom or a lizard or any other life form. Merely a part of the whole. The shame of the matter is the way we have destroyed our paradise.

Part of what I'm suggesting here is that there are ways to do better, but fighting the greed of the oligarchs is indeed a challenge.

Your son, like us all, must find his path in this mess. At least he's in a beautiful place. All the best!

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13 users have voted.

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

mimi's picture

@Lookout
Hawaii is a beautiful place, but I realize that dirt looks dirtier in the more beautiful places. The contrasts are more visible.

Have a good Sunday evening. Stay put, go on going on.

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mimi's picture

@Lookout @Lookout
And if he doesn't? How are we going to live with it?

PS It is 9/11 today. More mess and more bad memories. More trauma. WtF.

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@mimi

To believe that any gender or race is somewhat different from the other, is a beloved dream-hoax, we like to engage in. I could even say it is racist in iteself to think so.
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7 users have voted.

I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

mimi's picture

@The Voice In the Wilderness

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2 users have voted.

@mimi
I am agreeing with you, specifically the quoted part.

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4 users have voted.

I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

mimi's picture

@The Voice In the Wilderness

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earthling1's picture

@mimi
Debt peonage, wage slavery, whatever you call it.
Combined with our now nonexistant Constitution, disappearing healthcare, and violent police state, this ain't "Freedum".
And women continue to make 70 cents on the dollar to a man for the same job.
But the C99 Constitutional Convention should go on.

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10 users have voted.

Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

Raggedy Ann's picture

You are on the right track - a new government! - count me in!! It’s the only way to move forward. We must create a more humanitarian/humane system of government. Capitalism is a killer.

I’ll need to go back and read and listen ~ thanks for being the great teacher you are by continuing to educate us.

Live in the present ~ be grateful for everything ~ act out of love for all.

Enjoy the day! 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

Lookout's picture

@Raggedy Ann

just walk away from the existing structure and do better as individuals. But I like to dream of changing the system and ask myself, how to change it.

We need a systemic change, I just can't see how it happens. Looking forward to the "convention" this pm just to hear other dreamers. It was 57 years ago that we were told of MLK's dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of "interposition" and "nullification" -- one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today!

worth the read https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

Always good to "see" you.

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

ggersh's picture

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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

Lookout's picture

@ggersh

I'm wondering about voting this year. We have a DINO running for senate - Doug Jones. He voted for all of Trumps war budgets, and as far as I can tell only voted with the dims against the Brett Kavanaugh's nomination. He is likely to lose to Auburn's ex-football coach Tommy Tuberville https://tommyforsenate.com/home/ . Hey, it's Alabama where football is king.

So can't see much reason to vote. Trumpolini will definitely win Alabama.

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11 users have voted.

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

@Lookout
Blue Presidents for thirty years. https://www.270towin.com/states/Illinois
But look at the (R) Presidents that IL has voted for post-1929, Eisenhower, Nixon, Reagan, Bush I.
Country Club Republicans, not a rabble-rousing fascist like Trump. Yes, Reagan was far Right, but he ran as a populist. Reagan was someone suburbanites could see at one of their dinner parties. Not a huckster like Trump. (I know. I know. But he had the facade.)

In 2016, Hillary Clinton easily beat Donald Trump 56% to 39%.

No way is Trump going to win IL even with massive unemployment.
So, feel free to vote for Biden, Hawkins, Trump, Yehudi. It won't matter for you either.
I deliberately did not look at Alabama's record. Disclosure, It's legendary up here. Ok, going to look now.

Yep. as I had guessed, only Jimmy Carter made the grade. https://www.270towin.com/states/Alabama

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4 users have voted.

I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

earthling1's picture

We need a brake on wealth, one that is increasingly more powerful as wealth rises. Certainly, a progressive tax system has worked well in the past, and the estate tax should be returned to its former level.
But what I want to speak to is the cruel system where some black man who is caught stealing a loaf of bread and gets a year in jail, vs a bankster who steals ten million dollars gets probation.
A progressive sentencing system pegged to the amount of wealth stolen would discourage greed.
Steal a loaf of bread = a day in jail.
Steal a car = get year.
Steal $100,000 = get 10 years.
Steal $1,000,000 = get 25 years.
Steal $1,000,000,000 = capital punishment.
IMHO

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11 users have voted.

Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

Lookout's picture

@earthling1

A progressive sentencing system pegged to the amount of wealth stolen would discourage greed.

A maximum wage isn't a bad idea either. The idea that Bezos made several billion this week is absolutely obscene. No system should allow for that in a country where people are homeless and hungry.

Greed is indeed the heart of our problem. Thanks for the ideas!

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

lotlizard's picture

@earthling1  
for a first-time non-violent drug offense.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8675065/Donald-Trump-grants-par...

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Lookout's picture

@lotlizard

...but none the less a great move...now only needs to pardon 1000's more. Not holding my breath. Too bad he won't support the legalization of at least pot.

Thanks for the story!

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12 users have voted.

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

earthling1's picture

@Lookout
Bernie Madoff got big time in the big house because he stole from the rich.

up
13 users have voted.

Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

Lookout's picture

@earthling1
Epstein was executed while in prison, but nothing to see here...move along.

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11 users have voted.

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

lotlizard's picture

@earthling1  
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2012/oct/22/goldman-sachs-muppets-g...

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Lookout's picture

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-9ceMZ6DpE (70 min)

she discusses her teaching career and the current school situation. Nice to hear her. She and Jimmy are treasures.

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10 users have voted.

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

Azazello's picture

@Lookout
the dreams of many young men when she was teaching H.S.

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7 users have voted.

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

Lookout's picture

@Azazello

Bet she was a good teacher too.

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8 users have voted.

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

WoodsDweller's picture

I'm not sure that States serve any legitimate function that needs to be preserved. Rather than looking at a Senate which represents interests by State, I would instead argue that this should be where the peoples' interests are represented by party.
Each eligible party submits a slate of 100 names, each qualified to become a Senator. The seats they win in the election must be filled from that list.
Each Senate seat is allocated as a result of national popular vote by party. If the Greens get 3% of the national popular vote, they get 3 seats in the Senate. Rather than electing 1/3 of the body every 2 years for a 6 year term, elect the entire body (the current 100 members is a manageable size) every 4 years, in the middle of the President's term.

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6 users have voted.

"The greatest shortcoming of the human race is our inability to understand the exponential function." -- Albert Bartlett
"A species that is hurtling toward extinction has no business promoting slow incremental change." -- Caitlin Johnstone

Lookout's picture

@WoodsDweller

Here's what I was saying about the difference at independence hall.
Here's the representatives chamber
house.jpg
vs the senate chamber
senate.jpg

The senators were originally appointed by the state (usually the governor) and they picked oligarchs. It really is a visage of the oligarchy.

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14 users have voted.

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

Granma's picture

That means water, sewer, power; anything everyone needs and uses.

And we desperately need anti-trust laws that are enforced.

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Lookout's picture

@Granma

My power is from TVA...government electricity, but it is bought by my local rural electric coop.

You idea is excellent. Water is a major issue here and around the world. It really isn't that difficult to clean and filter, but we lack the will and kids in Flint and many other US cities still are drinking poisonous water.

Where is Teddy when you need him?

The Roosevelt administration sued successfully to break up such monopolies as John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Co. and J.P. Morgan’s Northern Securities Co., a railroad conglomerate that the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, dissolved.

“There is a widespread conviction in the minds of the American people that the great corporations known as trusts are in certain of their features and tendencies hurtful to the general welfare,” Roosevelt wrote in his first message as president, following McKinley’s assassination.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/12/03/this-day-in-politics-december-...

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16 users have voted.

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

@Lookout

Huey Long when you need him?

Our Plundering Government (Radio address Feb 10. 1935)

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Dawn's Meta's picture

@Granma @Granma I would like to abolish the 'Defense Department'. Too much temptation. National Guard is closer to home and usually people from the community. More like the Swiss model.

Peace and Diplomacy instead and no more.

As Granma said, all utilities public: water, power, internet, roads, trains, planes, ports. Privatizing these important public needs will help keep greed going. The parks, green spaces, wilderness, beaches, rivers, forests would give us pride.

The postal banks exist in Europe and one state either Nebraska or one of the Dakotas.

Solar and wind can be utility based, but let's get them on peoples' roofs and give them the independence it would mean.

Will think more on this. Please keep bringing it up. Thank you.

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A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Allegedly Greek, but more possibly fairly modern quote.

Consider helping by donating using the button in the upper left hand corner. Thank you.

Lookout's picture

@Dawn's Meta

We don't have a dept of defense, we have a dept of offense...which I find offensive!

Take care and be well!

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3 users have voted.

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

@Lookout

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3 users have voted.

Hi Lookout, thank you for everything. Richard Anuszkiewicz passed away in May this year. I dug out the serigraphs and they are waiting to be mailed out. Maybe tomorrow I can make it to the USPS. Tomorrow will be better I just know it will. You can trade them for an avocado or make a drink coaster or something. Be creative. Smile I will pm the details.

New neighbor Riley has an NRA sticker on the back of his pickup truck window, not the National Recovery Act one the other one. It's there to balance the Confederate flag flying in the garage to my right I suppose. Here I am stuck in the middle. Totally protected.

Yesterday Always Talking Man screamed at me from his little bike "F-bomb You N-Word!" You have to use your imagination I guess he thinks I'm black now. Quality of life is so great when people have psychotic breaks right out in public, right in my face. Just great. I should stop burdening you guys with my own fine tortured mind, that's how I feel about now. meh

Smoke Madness
Small grass fire in Geyserville leads to arson arrest

Wesley James Bergman, 37, who the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said is a transient, is accused of arson and causing a fire to forestland, both felonies.

A sheriff’s deputy was driving north on the highway near the Lytton Springs Road onramp just after 6:50 p.m. Friday when he spotted a small grass fire on Geyserville Avenue and saw Bergman walking in the area, Sheriff’s Lt. Juan Valencia said.

“It’s pretty straightforward,” Valencia said. “He admits to setting the field on fire because he was having a bad day.”

Yawn. Nothing to see here, move along. At least they didn't kill him right there on the spot. Where do you go when there's nowhere to go? Nowhere. Just great.

We are still on lock-down in Sonoma County by the way, to finish off what's left of the little guys I guess. Downtown is half gone already.
Sonoma County expected to keep tightest business restrictions in place for another month or more

The high degree of coronavirus transmission and potential for more new infections resulting from wildfire evacuations are the key reasons it’s unlikely the county will soon begin to reopen more businesses and public activities, said county Health Officer Dr. Sundari Mase said.

“My sense is, especially with the fire evacuations and the fact that our cases are high, I don’t see us coming to the next tier for at least a month or longer,” said Mase, who was referring to keeping the virus in check enough to make progress and ease some limitations.

That means across Sonoma County, restaurants, wineries and places of worship, among other venues, will continue to be limited to outdoor service, while bars, breweries and distilleries where no meals are served will remain closed, according the the state’s new reopening plan.

Newsom has a new color coded system? I don't know 'cause I shut down over colored threat levels. I'd rather catch a fatal dose at this point. Just kill me now.

The watershed is dead. Long live the watershed.
Walbridge fire damages half of prime salmon, steelhead spawning grounds, experts say
But in the little scrolling picture box along the top it says this before it's clicked upon:
clickbox.jpg
Both true but which one gets the most clicks? Journalistic integrity. Just great.

How about we get rid of the surplus 600k pink food tubes and tear down that disgusting dam? I'd vote for that. How on earth is it that "we" are still fighting PacificCorp here in California? omfg Democrats so useless against Republican skullduggery. LOL. I am echoing the Useful Idiots show with that vocabulary.

https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2020/aug/17/monuments-colonialism-klamath-d...

The hopes of seeing those dams removed, hopes that burned so bright four years ago when hundreds gathered in Requa near the river’s mouth to announce a new removal agreement, have dimmed considerably since a July 16 ruling by the Federal Energy Regulatory Corporation. The ruling left the dam’s owner, PacifiCorp, threatening to walk away from the agreements and all other parties scrambling to keep them at the table. And late last week, North Coast Congressman Jared Huffman announced that the Water, Oceans and Wildlife Congressional Subcommittee he chairs will hold an emergency forum tomorrow examining the dams’ impacts on tribes, fisheries, the environment and downstream stakeholders.

Another emergency forum examining the dams' impacts is not a sane path forward if you ask me. I know governance is basically all meetings but c'mon man. Anything is better than now. Good luck.

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12 users have voted.
Lookout's picture

@eyo

NRA and confederate flags common here...along with Trump 2020 flags. Saw an ironic sign the other day - Pro-Trump, Pro-gun, Pro-life. So let's see how do guns and life align?

Here in the boonies we're spread out enough to not step on each others toes. After the 2018 election of Ilhan Omar I hear a fellow at trade day say how can a Muslim serve in congress. They don't know nor understand the constitution. Ignorance reigns supreme. They really are not bad people just so under exposed and poorly educated. If you had a flat tire they will stop and help you.

Whatta world. Whatta world.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aopdD9Cu-So]

Take care of yourself. Don't let the insanity get to you. Hope a rain soon cleans the smoke out of your air!

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10 users have voted.

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

@Lookout
"Madness is rare in individuals,but in groups, States, and Societies it is the norm"

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4 users have voted.

When we get to the other side of the collapse of the American Empire, I think the most important single consideration is to make sure it does not return. The best way to ensure that we "return" to peace as our way of life is to break up the Unite States into a Federation of Regional States:

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Pacifica: Hawaii, Alaska, plus the western portions of Oregon and Washington

California: Minus everything east of the Sierras, the Imperial Desert and San Diego

Montana: Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, plus the eastern parts of Washington, Oregon and Northern California

Aridia: Arizona and New Mexico, plus the Imperial Desert and San Diego of California; the western part of Texas

The Plains: The Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Iowa and Missouri

West Gulf: Arkansas and Louisiana, plus the Eastern part of Texas

East Gulf: Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida

Great Lakes: Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio

Appalachia: Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia minus the DC metro area

Atlantica: Maryland, Deleware and New Jersey plus the NY and DC metro areas

New England: Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine plus all but the NY Metro areas of Connecticut and New York.

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There would be no permanent "national" government and each state would be sovereign -- but part of this project is also to redefine what sovereign means.

For us ever to experience democracy, the operational unit of government will have to be much smaller than these European sized polities that I toss out here. But, so long as trillions of bucks pile up somewhere, there will always be sharpies who can figure out how to hijack the geetus. Keep the Government's income in the mere billions, and maybe we can have a modicum of honesty in the affairs of state. Why not dream big?

I suggest that this absolutely necessary reform can resonate with both the far right and the far left.

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On Edit -- Thanks for pointing out the auto-spell/lazy-typist error of geography in the original version.

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10 users have voted.

I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.

@fire with fire should go with Montreal. What I really mean is Montreal should go with New Orleans. Now we just have to convince Canada to give it up.

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Lookout's picture

@randtntx

Cajuns are a French speaking social group who became expatriates from Canada as a result of the French and Indian War. An exodus from Nova Scotia would end up in south Louisiana, mingling with the other populace and ergo, voila, Cajuns.
https://www.quora.com/How-did-the-Cajuns-arrive-in-Louisiana?share=1

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11 users have voted.

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

@Lookout the interesting mishmash of cultures. The jambalaya that is New Orleans. Thnx for the link.

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@Lookout

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travelerxxx's picture

@Blue Republic

Working along the Gulf coast for decades, and often in Louisiana, I thought I'd heard every Boudreaux and Thibodeaux joke there ever was. But not that one. Good!

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@travelerxxx

down that way I have barely scratched the surface compared to you - appreciate the vibe, though. Pretty tough folks, if anyone survives the woke war on humor it will likely be them.

Cheers,

BR

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@randtntx Whenever I get all wonky, I screw up like this. Oh, well -- I fixed the geographical error. Thanks.

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3 users have voted.

I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.

@fire with fire you really meant to include Montreal in the New England group. I thought it was a good idea. I would love Montreal to be closer to me though....in the vicinity of New Orleans would be good...I've always thought it would be so fun to ice-skate to work. Smile

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Lookout's picture

@fire with fire

but I want to be in Appalachia and western Carolina would too. Lookout mountain is part of the chain. Do you envision an EU style alliance with a common currency?

Deconstruction and smaller states is a better more efficient model.

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7 users have voted.

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

@Lookout

makes it seem like a more democratic way of existing
the fed has little control over state law as it is
consolidated geographic conditions can say
to hell with the fed, we will work together for the
local good. no more isreal war shit, africon or nato warmongering
first step is to change the war based economy
then we can feed the poor, focus on housing and health

a free spirit can dream of a better future without domination

thanks lookout!

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8 users have voted.
Lookout's picture

@QMS

One of my favorite Bucky quotes.

Acting local is easier than creating change on a large scale. I suggest using schools as a means to organize locally. The larger the region the more difficult the change.

Hope all is well, looks like y'all might have some rain....good for the garden!

Take care and be well.

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8 users have voted.

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

@Lookout I have no rooting interest for, or any idea about, how these Regional States would relate to each other, so long as they don't use "collective security" as a way of reasserting the imperial project.

The ambition behind this kind of proposal is to move decision making closer to the populace. This particular scheme would reduce the size of The State by roughly 90% on average. I see this as a first step toward a fully decentralized culture. The alternative is the dystopian nightmare of globalized "power" that we are living through now.

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5 users have voted.

I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.

@fire with fire @fire with fire

Thinking outside the box means not limiting the discussion to how to
better organize as a single entity but to also consider the options for
its replacement with multiple sovereign ones.

Devolution - back to confederacy basics.

Too big and too centralized will lead right back to empire again.

US and Canada as a half dozen or more confederations.

Channel Switzerland - especially the part about no (or at least minimal)
standing army...

Target Switzerland: Swiss Armed Neutrality In World War II

Closer to home: State of Jefferson SOJ51.org

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except they don't. There is a long tradition in literature of Utopian texts. Utopian doesn't mean pie-in-the sky, or ponies and unicorns. It just means ideas and proposals about how to construct a better society. Plato, Thomas More, Francis Bacon, Rabelais, Cervantes, Montaigne, all wrote their versions of a Utopia.

I think it is a great tradition.

It looks as if we have no choice but to tackle this problem (of fixing our society) to the very best of our abilities otherwise we are truly up the proverbial creek. Even though, as many have pointed out, it may be too late. To me, being too late is irrelevant.

You pose a giant problem, which entails an enormous amount of work. However, many hands make light work.

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Lookout's picture

@randtntx

To create a positive future IMO. While in Athens, GA I gained lots of insight from Paul Torrance.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FALLING IN LOVE WITH SOMETHING
E. Paul Torrance

My experience and research have increasingly made me aware of the dreadful importance of falling in love with “something” –a dream, an image of the future. I am convinced that the driving force behind future accomplishments is the image of the future of people. Positive images of the future are a powerful and magnetic force. These images of the future draw us on and energize us. Giving us the courage and will to take important initiatives and move forward to new solutions and achievements. To dream and to plan, to be curious about the future and to wonder how much it can be influenced by our efforts are important aspects of our being human. In fact, life’s most energizing and exciting moments occur in those split seconds when our struggling and searching are suddenly transformed into the dazzling aura of the profoundly new, an image of the future.

https://scottbarrykaufman.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Torrance-fallin...

Good to "see" you this Sunday. Hope all is well in your world.

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9 users have voted.

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

@Lookout collaboration is essential. Simple respect for other people and the differences we all have is also essential along with the recognition of basic things that we all require for survival. The basics are clean air, clean water, clean live soil, sustainable environments, safekeeping of our resources.

A local form of Democracy would be a starting point along the lines of the old New England town hall meetings. I've been to town hall meetings that erupt in disarray so I have no idealized notion of them. But in those instances, the disruption was intentional and the goal was to prevent good government. The first step is that people come to the realization that they need good government and the government should be "of the people".

I read the Torrance essay and copied the 4 summarizing points at the end to pass along to some youngsters I know who I hope will be receptive. It's very common-sense but also inspirational. These are the sorts of things we kind-of know or have a feeling about, but then we forget them for a whole variety of reasons. Thanks Lookout, I enjoyed the essay and am keeping a copy for myself.

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Lookout's picture

@randtntx

Another great mentor at UGA was Gene Odum
https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/geography-environment/eugen...
Who was focused on agroecology when I was there, that drew us together.

Glad you liked the Torrance essay. Take care and be well.

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2 users have voted.

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

Lookout's picture

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6u5xPJaW2s

It has been great . Currently it is the break. Back soon with Nina, Jimmy, Cornel and more. So far, two thumbs up from me.

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11 users have voted.

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

ggersh's picture

@Lookout All the speakers known or not have been terrific

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9 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

magiamma's picture

Interesting point from John Pilger's video you posted last week, The Coming War on China...

In China there are a lot of problems, but at the moment, the Chinese, the party these days has proven an extraordinary ability to change. I make the joke, in America you can change political parties but you can't change policies. In China you cannot change the party but you can change policies. So in the 65 or 66 years, China has been run by one single party, yet the political changes that have taken place in China this past 66 years have been wider and broader and greater than probably any other major country in modern memory.

So in that time China has ceased to be communist. Is that what you are saying?

China is a market economy, it is not a capitalist country. Here's why. There's no way a group of billionaires could control the politburo as billionaires control American policy making.

So in China you have a vibrant market economy, but capital does not arise above political authority. Capital does not have enshrined rights. In America the interest of capital or capital itself has risen above the American nation. The political authority cannot check the power of capital. That's why America is a capitalist country. But China is not.

[video:https://youtu.be/vAfeYMONj9E?t=3462]

A new definition of *not capitalism*.

All well here, bioswale going in tomorrow. Think good thoughts. Take good care.

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8 users have voted.

Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

@magiamma thanks for re-posting it magi. Bikini islanders, Okinawa too, all over the Pacific. Get US out of the world! And clean-up on Aisle 9 from now until the end of eternity, whenever that is. Sheesh. Maybe Abe (may his health improve) resignation will have an impact for Okinawa, maybe the next leader will boot US off the islands. HOPE

Good luck

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6 users have voted.
Lookout's picture

@magiamma

...like build hospitals in a week or two. We have to debate for weeks and then spend years doing anything. The only real industry in the US is our war machine. As you say we need to turn on a dime. The people's convention was one of the most hopeful things I've seen since Bernie's 2016 campaign.

The whole thing is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6u5xPJaW2s
Various piece are here https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=peoples+convention

Take care and good luck with your swale!

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4 users have voted.

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

enhydra lutris's picture

the comments. The whole thread got me thinking of many things, but especially questions of how revolutionary should things be, do we wish more of less things as now but with coops and communes and redesigned and redefined agencies, or even something beyond that and while ruminating upon that I found myself endlessly returning to this one critical consideration:
The Devil is in the details, in all things, now and forever. Also, "government exists to do for the populace that which it can't do better for itself. This is predominantly infrastructure, but not entirely by any means. And those things, whatever they are, should not be allowed to be privatized. Necessities should be provided for all, at least at some base level. So, water, clean water, clean air, energy, internet, telecommunications and more. Now, details- in many a serious catastrophe, for many persons, a landline is a lifeline. We've been moving away from landlines, but a couple of cell towers go down and a large swath of area surrounding me is without communications except via internet, if it is functioning and not overloaded, and ye old landline. When emergency services puts out warnings locally, they call on the landlines first.

That's just an example of the details that need to be brainstormed by those defining or implementing whatever it is that will come. Also shit like: once we get a lot of clean power, do we really wish to rely on river traffic to move goods (and people) at the cost of Dams, Canals, channelized rivers, locks and all that fol-de-rol, or maybe let the rivers do their thing (including re-establishing floodplains and such)? What types and categories of base level housing should be provided to all comers? How much should rail supplant cars and trucks (except at the termini) and what sorts of terminal infrastructure need to be provided?

One key, recurring question is: What is the proper degree of centralization or decentralization and distribution.

You mentioned money, but do we really need it, and how should it be earned, by whom and for what? Should workers make more than managers, or under what circumstances should that be the case? Tying it to anything tangible simply creates more extraction and extractive pressure. Tying it to anything fictional leads to temptation to manipulate.

I've gotta run, but we really all need to revisit this often.

be well and have a good one.

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10 users have voted.

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

money is such a difficult thing to wrap your head around. The more I thought about the idea of basing the dollar on a standing board foot of lumber the better I like it. I hink it would encourage the massive tree planting the world needs.

I highly recommend the convention
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=peoples+convention

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4 users have voted.

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

That rules out private wealth based capitalism and large wealth and income disparity. Interest on loans and return on economic rent is capped.

Outlaw political parties.

Maximise opportunity for every citizen. That implies universal access to education and capital.

Every organized entity serves to compete with the primary goals, therefore they can only exist to further those goals. As any corporation becomes larger it must allocate a greater and greater percentage of seats on the board to representatives of the public interest.

The government must listen to the needs and desires of the people. Occasional checks like a representative government where elections are financed by wealth is completely out of the question. The government must use scientific polling to influence policy. Where elections are used to generate a representative government, the rule of one person one vote may never be abridged.

Making war when there is no immediate and real threat to the physical security of the country is strictly prohibited and is the only offense to carry the death penalty, for both those in the civilian government and those in the military. Permanent military installations outside of US territory are prohibited.

The government must act to preserve the health of the global environment. Those activities which are harmful to the global environment must be phased out.

The entire legal system, criminal and civil, must be entirely redesigned and must allow the individual fair and quick recourse without paying for the services of a lawyer. If one party in a civil case elects to not use a lawyer then the other party may not use a lawyer. All judicial decisions are automatically reviewed.

The right to privacy must be restored. The government may not delegate any rights to any individual or group, of which those rights are denied to the government itself. Privacy rights must be expanded to include the internet, texting, email and other apps.

The bill of rights includes the right to health care, an education, and a livable income. All public educational facilities must be evenly funded.

The public interest must be adequately balanced against private interests.

Discrimination in any public activity, private or governmental, for any reason whatsoever is strictly prohibited.

Voting must be by marked paper ballot. Every citizen of age has the right to vote.

No governmental organization may in any way influence the publication of information from private media of any form. Intelligence organizations may have no contact whatsoever with private organizations in the common business of media of any form.

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8 users have voted.

Capitalism has always been the rule of the people by the oligarchs. You only have two choices, eliminate them or restrict their power.

Lookout's picture

@The Wizard

I agree with all your points. Excellent!

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2 users have voted.

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

Hi all, sorry I missed most of the days discussions and stuff. Broken collarbone totally screwed up my normal sleep disorder and I'm trying to adjust to a new thing. Sleeping a solid 7 is what counts in my book and I am getting a lot of good winks in lately so yay. Healing proceeds apace.

By chance I had just looked up and bookmarked joe shikpspak's compiled list of demands the other day, it is from 2017.

https://caucus99percent.com/content/what-are-your-demands

General principles.

From time to time, a people creates a government to perform functions that no other institution is able to. It is vested by the people with significant powers to promote their common interests and the people retain the right to have that government respond without favoritism to the governed. A government should be judged by the quality of life that all of the governed experience, especially those at the bottom of the economic order. Government officials should be ashamed to find that there are citizens that are hungry, homeless, poorly-educated, without means to support themselves, lacking access to healthcare or other necessities of life - and such a government and its officials should be held accountable. Such conditions in a wealthy country are inexcusable.

and then 12 steps to a better world follows under Demands, and then some comments. Mine was "Thank you for making number 1 number 1. LOL. About this:

Here are the steps forward.

1) Create a consensus list of medium-term achievable demands that reflect the popular will of the 99% - one that cuts across party lines.

Chop chop! Ha ha. It's a great exercise in civic duty to have these conversations, I think it should be done often to get more perfect. Like every four years. LOL. Oh fuck I am so screwed all I can do is laugh. Eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow we will die.

go in peace

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Lookout's picture

@eyo

Somehow I missed it. Sleep well my friend!

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2 users have voted.

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

Dawn's Meta's picture

@eyo [video:https://youtu.be/DX42_3ZKv8c]

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3 users have voted.

A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they know they shall never sit. Allegedly Greek, but more possibly fairly modern quote.

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