Florida Springs

Most people think "Beach" when they hear Florida Vacation, but the Florida Springs were the first tourist attractions. Even Ponce de León, the first European to visit Florida was said to be in search of the fountain of youth. I don't know if Florida springs make you younger, but they sure cool you off in summer with their year round 72F degree waters. Last week, with a group of musicians and friends, we gathered at Rainbow springs about 1.5 hours north of Tampa. Let's look at Rainbow and several other Florida springs I've visited over the years as well as the Florida spring system below the fold...

MAGA Schism amid Global Chaos

It's been a busy week for me personally, and for all of us domestically and globally. Much of Trump's base is unhappy with him for the Epstein denial and the pledge to send more arms to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Israel's Palestinian genocide continues unabated, plus this week Israel bombed Damascus. Erdogon pledges payback for the Damascus bombing. China plans to intervene. Every week looks more like WWIII. Let's skim through the highlights below the fold...

The Erosion of the Evil Empire

Nothing to See Here...Move Along

“How did you go bankrupt?” Bill asked.
“Two ways,” Mike said. “Gradually and then suddenly.”
The dialogue above is from Ernest Hemingway’s 1926 novel, The Sun Also Rises.
Nations go bankrupt in the same way. Banking collapses occur in the same way. Currency crises strike in the same way. They all happen gradually... and then suddenly. Sometimes overnight.
There are so many signs of the degradation of the US empire. This week the Epstein Saga is indicative of the decline...hence the subtitle, 'nothing to see here...move along.' First, the idea of entrapping the elite on tape with underage girls in order to control them points to the sickness of our society. Then all the shenanigans and lies about his suicide...I mean come on. Many Trumpeteers were calling for the release of the files. Now they deny there are any files. Do they really think anyone believes that story? None the less that's what they're pushing.
Then there's the on again off again weapons for Ukraine from the US, and our continued support of the Gaza and West Bank genocide...literally starving people and using food to attract Palestinians in order to shoot them...including US mercenaries.

The Big, Beautiful Boondoggle and the Warfare State

Ain't it funny that there's always money for war, but we gotta cut medicaid and food stamps? It is worse in the UK, they're even cutting pensions to have more war. This week Larry Johnson said in a conversation with Nima, we revolted against a colonial power only to become one ourselves. The US could sure stand a little introspection. We so need to address our own hypocrisy. We better not hold our breath. I question the entire MAGA concept. When were we ever Great? We've been conned our whole lives with the nonsense of US superiority, liberty, and democracy...
Robin Williams portrays the American flag in "I Love Liberty,"

It is interesting to me that there's no discussion of the illegal nature of the strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, but instead the argument is about the degree to which the strike degraded Iran's nuclear program. Oddly enough, I'm hoping Trump's false narrative of "Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Have Been Obliterated" holds. If that becomes the accepted position then there's no reason to strike Iran again. However, the Neocons aren't having it. They finally achieved their "Bomb, Bomb Iran" moment and they want more. Meanwhile the Ukraine proxy war has faded from the news cycle...in part because Ukraine is losing.

Trump the warmonger lifts his ugly head and illegally bombs Iran following Israel's lead.

President Trump addressed the nation at 2200ET and said that with “massive precision strikes”, Iran’s nuclear facilities have “been completely and totally obliterated” in a “spectacular military success.” He warned Iran (“the bully of the Middle East”) that if they do not come to peace then there are many other targets: “There will be either peace; or tragedy for Iran worse than the likes of which we have seen over the last eight days.” “If peace does not come quickly,” we will go after the rest of the nation with “speed and skill. ” He ended the speech by saying “God bless The Middle East, Gold bless Israel, and God bless The United States.”

The Post Truth Era

Perhaps we've always been in a post truth era, but what brought the idea to mind is the spin on Israel's Iran attack as a "pre-emptive strike". The real headline should be, "Israel Starts Another Illegal War", but the Zionist control our media and our politicians. Meanwhile we have protests/riots around the country. Does this remind anyone else of the BLM events? At the same time Ukraine is on its last leg militarily with almost no reporting on the coming disaster there.

Enabling War While Talking Peace

This season's political kabuki theater is a farce. If peace was the goal, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza would be over. Simply stop giving them arms and intel...it is that simple. But that doesn't play well to those eager for political intrigue. So war continues, death continues, and profit accrues. Follow the money to understand US aggression. More below the fold...

Crazy is as Crazy does

I've not kept up well with the news cycle over the last couple of weeks, however the items that caught my interest this week, was first, Trump calling Putin crazy...that seems like the pot calling the kettle black to me. And secondly, the possible Hamas Israeli deal for hostages for a 60 day cease fire. Let's look at both of these stories below the fold.

Folk Festival Weekend

I've been going to the Florida Folk Festival for about 35 years. So I won't be around today. Over the years I've posted several columns about it. Last year the topic was Pete Seeger. The year before I featured the town of White Spring and the Suwannee River where the festival is held. A few years ago I introduced some of the Florida songwriters I admire. This year I want to feature film maker, David Hoffman, who has been recording folk musicians for decades. He also makes documentaries on other topics. So here's a taste of his films...

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