Here in my little corner of suburban America businesses are folding and closing up shop in an ever-increasing rate and the retail landscape is beginning to look like a moonscape.
The recent announcement that Subway was thinning their Washington state footprint has meant no more Vancouver stores and Oregon stores are few and far between.

Hope, Despair, Ambivalence?

Thankfully the election is over with results so overwhelming that no one seems to be challenging the outcome. That was my hope. Prior to the election there were all kinds of predictions of violence, riots, and protests which fortunately didn't come to fruition. So now we wait to see how the administration evolves. Many are hopeful. Some are in despair. Others are simply ambivalent. Is it possible for the nation to heal the divide? Vivek thinks we can? (1.2 min)

Afternoon folks!

This week, as seems appropriate, we have some serious blues. Starting off, there's a really great live album from Etta James, followed by a compilation from New Orleans blues artist Tommy Ridgely. After that is an album of fancy pickin' instrumentals from the Rev. Gary Davis. Moving into blues-rock, we've got John Hammond's early 60's second album, followed by an album of some hard-to-peg music from Old Crow Medicine Show. Little Feat follows that and then there's some 70's blues/jazz/rock fusion from Mandrill (remember them?) Finishing up is an album from Malo a latin jazz/rock band.

Enjoy the tunes and have a great weekend!

Well, it was a fairly odd week, imho. The country did not erupt in riots. The losing candidate conceded like a grown up. The immigrants didn't come through for Harris. The DNC isn't as good as cheating as they once were. The propaganda we were battered with is revealed for what it is.

Oddly, the pols and MSM are back to the grind, into their usual and customary routines, as though, in the end, it really never mattered anyway. They had two Plan "A"s, no need for a Plan "B".

What we 99%ers never get is any significant positive changes to our lives.

We can get it with a song.

Well, it's over. For now.

What we witnessed in this 2024 election was a master class in voter manipulation. I often wonder how they do it. How they can produce an almost cult like following for two of the most flawed politicians in recent memory. How is it that so many voters can be lead by their noses to the voting booth in a fevered pitch of anxiety?

In my opinion it is done by instilling fear in the minds of the voters. Fear of the other, fear of what the opposition party may have in store if elected, fear of civil war, riots, detention camps. Fear, fear, fear. It was a constant barrage of fear, to make one yearn for a savior that will lead one to the electoral promised land.

Fear is the arrow, and the media is the bow. Those that benefit from our fear are the archers and our minds are the target.

If so, then why does fear work so well on so many people?