Featured Editorials

AI and the Heart of Darkness

I'm not digitally oriented at all. Yesterday, I had trouble unlocking the gate to a storage facility I'm using because I couldn't get the "app" to work. I couldn't remember my password, had the bluetooth turned off, was using a later "smart phone" supposedly more advanced than the antique I had been using which had served me better for quite a while. So, I'm the proverbial elderly person that just can't keep up trying to adjust to all the changes.

Our pathetic nation-state and its forthcoming political party

I'm okay with bigthink.com . If I had any objection to it, it would be that it gives the impression that philosophy is some sort of "big think," whereas in real life philosophy is an activity on the order of rubbing your belly or going for a walk. Philosophy, then, like rubbing your belly or going for a walk, is a reaction to conditions.

The Weekly Watch

On the Brink of Peace or More War?

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No matter how you feel about Trump, you got to admit he keeps things interesting with his wake of chaos. One thing one day, the opposite the next, has led me to call him zig zag Trump. Perhaps it is all about keeping the blob off balance, or may be it is just Trump's nature. The big Trump news this week was his trip to western Asia. Sounds like he cut lots of business deals, and seems sincere in wanting a settlement with Iran. If Israel or the US start a conflict with Iran, I think it is WWIII, and the west will lose. Look how the Houthis stood us down, and now they want to take on Iran? Looks like he's getting lots of pressure from the Neocons to start that insane war.

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Album of the Week 5-17-25

Afternoon folks!

There's a mixture of interesting stuff for you all this week. Starting off we've got Chicago blues harmonica player Shakey Jake Harris with a fine album including songs from his repertoire backing Magic Sam. After that it's some Kansas City Blues with shouter Big Joe Turner supported by guitarist Pee Wee Crayton. After that, there's a compilation of John Lee Hooker recordings from the late 40's that he recorded as "Texas Slim." Following that it's on to an album of Dr. John with The Meters from the 70's and then it's guitarist Rory Gallagher's Beat Club (a German teevee show) performances. After that there's some serious rock and roll from Link Wray after which we mellow out in the diversity department with the Rowan Brothers and finish off with The Red Clay Ramblers.

Enjoy the tunes and have a great weekend!

Very Important Stuff, Really

BUT! First some holidays - Today IS, among things:

National River Cleanup Day
Culture Freedom Day
World Whisky Day
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

They sneaked river cleanup in, there's been so much static, chaos and bullshit in the airwaves that it has been drowned out. If it fits into schedules and such, consider pitching in.

The other 3 sort of go together.

Saturday Open Thread 5/17/25: Odds and ends

Good morning, good people! I hope you have a great weekend planned, or that something completely spontaneous makes it wonderful!

James Comey had no idea what 86 meant, much less 86 47 meant. He just thought those shells in the beach sand were just an act of nature worthy of posting on social media. Seriously.

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