caucus99percent

free-range politics, organic community

In this diary, I laid out a brief argument: neoliberalism is a real term describing a real thing. The diary was a rejection of people who argue in the fashion of "well I don't use the word 'neoliberalism' because (insert excuse here)." Can you imagine people discussing "the way things are" without using words like "sociology" and without referencing the work of sociologists? It's on that level.

I’ve decided to tackle the Great Jimmy Dore Controversy piecemeal, since when I try to analyze the entire thing, I feel like I’ve eaten tainted hamburger.

About 30 years ago when I was first getting involved in politics I came across an old 60's activist who offered me some advice. This advice I didn't want to hear.
He told me that some people on the left simply don't want power. That they are much more comfortable outside the system, raging against injustice, but in no position to actually accomplish anything.
I was young and idealistic, so I rejected his observation.

Here's the headline: Pelosi narrowly reelected speaker, faces difficult two years.

Edit: Read snoopydog's essay if you like some meat with your essays. Good job snoop!

I haven't seen (or gone looking for) much more than this reprint from CNN in Cuenca High Life: British judge rejects U.S. request to extradite Julian Assange to face espionage charges.

Mick Wallace MEP Condemns EU Complicity in War Crimes (2:16)

I’d first been introduced to him at the Tehran Times while searching for updates just ahead of the first anniversary of the Jan. 3, 2020 US assassination of Iranian Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani.

‘We love human rights when we can Kick China, Iran’s, says MEP’, December 22, 2020, (w/ video 1:28)

Wealth Not Health

The US health system operates for profit. As a result, the US COVID response has been an utter failure. The goal has been ever more profit, not preventing the spread of the virus and protecting people. From selling and exporting record amounts PPE last winter while telling citizens they don't need masks to insisting on developing our own test (for big pharmas sake) delaying testing in the US for months. By contrast Thailand ginned up their tests within hours, and now have a rapid test. US lockdowns were started too late to be really effective and the rapid re-opening once profits were impacted expanded the spread. However, what bothers me the most is the lack of simple preventative recommendations like taking vitamin D.