caucus99percent

free-range politics, organic community

Some American Songs

Coming up on 4th of July! I have been listening to some 'old' songs (we all know them, and were young when they were released) which really speak to me about America, and have all my life. This first one, The River, by Bruce Springsteen... well, it basically speaks about the life I was lucky enough to escape. And, boy, did I learn what he was singing about when I made my first trip across the USA from Santa Clara, CA to Philadelphia, PA in the 1980s. I was listening to this song, and others from Bruce's album, The River, as I did that long drive. And as I got closer and closer to the East Coast, to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Philly, New Jersey, and as I lived in Philly for years, everything Bruce wrote about became clear and understandable to me - a West Coast descendant of working class truckers and electricians, who has had a different life because of the early and continued support of her mother and father, and the brilliance and luck of her father.

The River:

Link to video on Youtube.

I'm interested in these religious organizations and their "ministers" or whatever they call themselves. It's not surprising the influence these church leaders have over their followings. A few days ago, a major cult figure was arrested and jailed June 24 for campaign election law violations in South Korea. Lee Man-hee is the "Chairman" of the Sincheonji (new heaven and earth) Church.

I'm a little light on substance this morning. Have had several days of cloudy/rainy weather, a couple of tornado warnings, and all around busy time.
Harvested my first potatoes yesterday. They were all volunteers from last season. But I had to make way for my late season corn, which needed to be planted.

Sitting on a Powder Keg

Things are very tenuous around the world, and there are two major hot spots. Western Asia remains volatile with with back and forth firing between Iran and the US...both claiming the other is breaking the ceasefire. Israel continues to occupy Lebanon and attack Hezbollah. The US and Israeli puppets that run the Lebanese government signed away their sovereignty. I don't think Hezbollah will comply, Israel sure isn't. The Ukraine proxy war accelerates with drone strikes targeting Russia with a focus on Crimea. Russian troops are steadily advancing toward the Dnieper. The question remains, will Russia target the drone manufacturing facilities in Europe? Meanwhile the entire world faces an economic disaster with the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Afternoon folks!

There's some great stuff this afternoon! Starting off, we've got New Orleans piano professor Champion Jack Dupree with material from a bunch of albums he recorded for the Blue Horizon indie label in Britain. After that, we've got a fine acoustic performance from Buddy Guy and Junior Wells live at Guy's club in Chicago. We go back to New Orleans for some funk from The Meters and then we go next door for some serious electric delta blues from the Jelly Roll Kings. Finishing up is a solo album from the Grateful Dead's keyboardist and backup vocalist, Keith and Donna Godchaux.

Enjoy the tunes and have a great weekend!