Good morning 99percenters, I slept in this morning!
Morning news dump and music by Ten Years After

Exposed: Big Brother Targets Black Lives
Government spying can be an 'effective way to chill protest movements,' warns Center for Constutitonal Rights

Good morning 99percenters!
Morning news dump and music by John Lennon

Social Security Has Enough Money To Expand Benefits Now, Trustee's Report Shows
Billions are available now and in the near-future.

The Social Security Board of Trustees has just released its annual report to Congress. The most important takeaways are that Social Security has a large and growing surplus, and its future cost is fully affordable.

Monday day morning poem:

Good morning 99percenters!
Morning news dump and music by The Eagles.

Hacking Team and Boeing Subsidiary Envisioned Drones Deploying Spyware

There are lots of ways that government spies can attack your computer, but a U.S. drone company is scheming to offer them one more. Boeing subsidiary Insitu would like to be able to deliver spyware via drone.

Good morning 99percenters!
Morning news dump and music by Martha and the Vandellas.

Prime Minister Tsipras’ Bailout Reform Package: An Act of Treason against the Greek People

After having launched a Referendum to refute and refuse the debt bailout agreement put together by the Troika, Prime Minister Tsipras together with his newly instated Finance Minister, comes up four days latter with an austerity package broadly similar to the one which was turned down by the Greek government in June.

In today's Open Thread, I thought that I would give you a peek at behind the scenes of a Tour de France and the logistics involved to bring this event live to approximately 180 countries worldwide. It is really an amazing undertaking.

Here are some mind boggling statistics from the 2014 Tour to show just how large an event the Tour de France is:

Monday morning poetry:

Seeing the sunrise

if only I could always see it shine
could call it mine
be of humankind
meeting brilliant minds
gathering resources from the caves
painted before recorded time

ocar

mixing light
confusing truth
and the youth

brushing by
brushing by
brushing by

Good morning 99percenters!
Morning news dump and music by Poco.

International Scientists Issue Call for Climate Action Now: 'Commit to Our Common Future'
'Window for economically feasible solutions' is closing, statement says

Time is running out to deal with the "defining challenge of the 21st century," a group of leading scientists said Friday at the close of a climate conference, and added that this must be the year of bold action like taxing carbon to rein in greenhouse gases.

Good morning fine folks of C99. I have been on a mission to fight off the blues.

First I must apologize to everyone here at caucus99percent for missing my normal Open Thread post yesterday. I have been immersed in watching the Tour de France via my on line subscription and simply forgot what day of the week it was. I am very grateful to JtC for covering for me at the last minute. He is truly JtC the magnificent!