tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-200500222024-03-12T20:15:32.465-06:00Weird Wally's WorldviewA fresh way of looking at the world. Original content by Weird Wally and friends. If it's news, it's news to us, and we're on it. And if the answers are unknowable, we’ll make something up. Contact us: zendance@aol.com Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger355125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-36342777994815011122018-06-23T11:31:00.000-06:002018-06-23T11:31:05.283-06:00Captivated!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8962C_KpYOIGOxm-CMfRsDo4rLlM2JvUWOsczE3GOlwE0srEGuIiT9JPYBNfQVGcOBNVULHdBfaavQO9CgD7xG8BWKNqGWEzDNfamcPpmNSGHemaHwY0f7auk0qIvn_eoLleW/s1600/The+Power.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8962C_KpYOIGOxm-CMfRsDo4rLlM2JvUWOsczE3GOlwE0srEGuIiT9JPYBNfQVGcOBNVULHdBfaavQO9CgD7xG8BWKNqGWEzDNfamcPpmNSGHemaHwY0f7auk0qIvn_eoLleW/s320/The+Power.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Captivating: Been feeling inundated by the flood of alpha
male testosterone gushing from Washington lately?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then you need to pick up a copy of, “The Power,”
by Naomi Alderman (Little Brown, 2016).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
single sentence on the book jacket describes it perfectly: “A fierce new power
has emerged----and only women have it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
that’s just the start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the ending
will surprise you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gem of a book is
a journey through an alternate universe that is vastly different from our own,
yet somehow exactly the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This book
is a Must Read!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walter Lide</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-82014079596123605332018-02-20T10:23:00.000-07:002018-02-20T10:41:48.559-07:00Will 2018 Be Canceled? You Can Bet On It!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijP8y3z6iAGwY-zNxeOHHXxqRO7vjWlQqxF-8fjqHZp744jLBfbpq_miIHJBXgtRc28LsI0FI_NIRCZ0XK1_3SZ7I4a2jXAt-Q2lga1KG0zGe6yc24JfIMDturq5XFRLvkih5X/s1600/Money+Bag.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="545" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijP8y3z6iAGwY-zNxeOHHXxqRO7vjWlQqxF-8fjqHZp744jLBfbpq_miIHJBXgtRc28LsI0FI_NIRCZ0XK1_3SZ7I4a2jXAt-Q2lga1KG0zGe6yc24JfIMDturq5XFRLvkih5X/s200/Money+Bag.png" width="151" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;">It's obvious to me that most politicians enter that carrier to either make money or to make more money. It's a sweet deal provided you have what it takes; a lot of narcissism and a little bit of sociopathy. Having said that, there must be someway to make lots of money from politics without having to become a politician.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: x-small;"> And a friend of mine has figured out a way. While most everyone else argues and bets on whether or not the Democrats will flip the House and impeach the president, my friend, Junebug, sees a whole different set of issue. "The Man be doing all kinds of weird shit and getting away with it," he told me. "And if the Democrats win the House, the president will be impeached and there will be all kinds of investigations and other shit hitting the fan. If that's the case, lot of rich white dudes gonna go to jail and become somebody's bitch. Now do you really think those other rich white dudes in Washington are gonna let that happen? And that's something I'm taking bets on." Granted, my friend Junebug may be a crazy, but he's crazy like a fox and thinks like a sociopath.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-8235708938196235492018-01-28T04:33:00.001-07:002018-01-28T04:39:15.578-07:00News From the Future<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Rumor Has It: If Robert Muller is fired as Special Counsel, the Department of Justice (DOJ) will replace him with Rudy Giuliani, former mayor of New York City, and an informal adviser on cyber security to the White House. Neither the Republican controlled House nor Senate plan on voicing any opposition. According to several DOJ sources, should Giuliani be unable to assume the position, the job will go to Devin Nunes, the current chair of the House Intelligence Committee. A high profile White House aide recently speculated to a group of reporters. "We're expecting full compliance from our people in congress."</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-45294084488083064212018-01-06T15:55:00.000-07:002018-01-10T05:44:15.884-07:00<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<h2>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Me, the President and Murphy's Law</span></span></h2>
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31XkQ6iiq-B2aJU0LxzOjj734WV73W9uPPNz6wuTRGWY-z-TTewBjQLaw87tPsqUiJZx2oYK2QgeGiNjlXzO_LcUaGpxoTLWjN-773iOHd_lYiZeq1sa9jezUHSYVnTdFc2Ok/s1600/Cowgirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31XkQ6iiq-B2aJU0LxzOjj734WV73W9uPPNz6wuTRGWY-z-TTewBjQLaw87tPsqUiJZx2oYK2QgeGiNjlXzO_LcUaGpxoTLWjN-773iOHd_lYiZeq1sa9jezUHSYVnTdFc2Ok/s1600/Cowgirls.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
Murphy's Law: We've all heard of it and most have experienced it at one time or another. But sometime round the mid-seventies I came across a life changing book by Tom Robbins, "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues." And it was a book written and published especially for the 70s.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
To make a long story short however, I experienced a reference in that book to Murphy’s Law, which I like to call, “The Robbins Addendum": “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong, and it can be used to your <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: inherit;">advantage provided, of course, things go wrong enough.” It's a good way of dealing with crazy, unreasonable work environments and/or bosses. Besides creating total chaos and distraction, it often mucks up the evil agenda of the powers that be, which can be both satisfying and entertaining. And if it's done with a little humor, honesty and sensitivity, it's usually fun, of little harm and may even shine a bit of light into the dark. But in 2018 I'm seeing how dark and harmful the Robbins Addendum can actually be. When done for narcissistic, vengeful and/or petty reasons, the Addendum can get very scary. But oh well, I've created my share of fun and entertaining chaos but now I am seeing its darker side and it isn't pretty. But what can I say? What goes around comes around.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-15852196385140824322018-01-06T15:47:00.000-07:002018-01-06T15:47:00.820-07:00Wile E. Coyote, Super Genius<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YIPr23xyoZg" width="459"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-67054644327943657852017-11-17T11:27:00.001-07:002017-11-17T11:27:16.677-07:00How tax breaks help the rich<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k1vE_LVBx4s" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-87829253676734352682017-06-20T13:59:00.001-06:002017-06-20T13:59:10.429-06:00Moby & The Void Pacific Choir - In This Cold Place (Official Video)<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vmi-MtP969M" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-45731768705389890732017-05-13T17:42:00.001-06:002017-05-13T17:42:05.620-06:00ZEMBLA - The dubious friends of Donald Trump: the Russians<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1bEdMuKq30I" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-52617171801718342652017-03-06T16:12:00.001-07:002017-03-06T16:12:54.708-07:00A Simple Survival Rule if Faced With Failure:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-_hSB3l5GoeKvrxdQt8PMIH-KUull9AVV5DX6NQik_FxaKiDllakedxIgympMXxAPQOlhrAX-1PO0KLtAkDIvkCpzkAaomyaKg5WUrey5TyW6fmRLmc1UP8cM_xF35K3kbkT/s1600/DonaldTrumpPoints.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-_hSB3l5GoeKvrxdQt8PMIH-KUull9AVV5DX6NQik_FxaKiDllakedxIgympMXxAPQOlhrAX-1PO0KLtAkDIvkCpzkAaomyaKg5WUrey5TyW6fmRLmc1UP8cM_xF35K3kbkT/s200/DonaldTrumpPoints.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></h2>
<h2>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEF84NEp063gmTCqdrYT0CVvCMkU62q72h8fdP1xZOrPyWilwdQrfXkcOZI7PhV42pKk590b6w2LPeG79JZagLNVqLouAHJmgwINuRuFpyvNDp8cqv_ysywhNGlCJqgDUaOi5/s1600/Obama+Smiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEF84NEp063gmTCqdrYT0CVvCMkU62q72h8fdP1xZOrPyWilwdQrfXkcOZI7PhV42pKk590b6w2LPeG79JZagLNVqLouAHJmgwINuRuFpyvNDp8cqv_ysywhNGlCJqgDUaOi5/s1600/Obama+Smiling.jpg" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Whenever possible, blame the black guy.</span></span></h2>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-83153700664605748932017-02-17T06:34:00.000-07:002017-02-17T06:34:04.430-07:00A Fine-Tuned Machine...<h2>
Weird Wally Sez: I’ve lived my life like a fine-tuned machine. Only problem is, I don’t know what the machine does, how to work it nor what to do with it.</h2>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-51341069644276638982017-01-07T15:01:00.002-07:002017-01-07T15:06:28.084-07:00Trump Fills the Vacuum<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the past eight years, a lot of good things happened because
of Obama’s economic policies. But since
he choose to remain low key about his achievements and nature abhors a vacuum,
the loud mouth showman waiting in the wings is already filling up the empty
space and saying, “Look what I’ve done, and I’m not even president yet.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Besides, is it really possible that a black guy could have
done all of that?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And many will choose to believe the showman.<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-1738160768391203702016-12-04T06:20:00.000-07:002016-12-04T08:19:26.192-07:00Feeling Like Crap Since 11/9/16?<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uEZZilVj-_h107jMi2Yf_h0vZUNzll4GsVzHXLQxWnmLESutvB33gBVU1CRGniFGVUKmRtVRNb1QRh-J2LWcpnUdrvxFNxEuMn16kOB6Lr_f16K9XSUwhcaDl2L2Wh0asCyw/s1600/Edith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uEZZilVj-_h107jMi2Yf_h0vZUNzll4GsVzHXLQxWnmLESutvB33gBVU1CRGniFGVUKmRtVRNb1QRh-J2LWcpnUdrvxFNxEuMn16kOB6Lr_f16K9XSUwhcaDl2L2Wh0asCyw/s320/Edith.jpg" width="212" /></a>Inheriting
Edith<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After
finding nothing in the thrillers, mysteries and trashy novels sections, I was
just about to leave the store when I chanced upon, “Inheriting Edith,” by Zoe
Fishman. The back cover sounded mildly
interesting and since I was desperate for something to read, I took it to the
checkout counter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Turns out
it was a quick and uplifting read, delving into Alzheimer’s, suicide, adoption,
secrets, relationships between mothers and daughters and a whole lot more. So, if you woke up on the morning of November
9, 2016, feeling like crap and need a little bit of magic in your life,
Inheriting Edith might be just what the shaman ordered.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-34252689450530446762016-06-01T18:27:00.002-06:002016-06-01T18:27:30.457-06:00Money Matters<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lEV5AFFcZ-s" width="560"></iframe> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-70079270858357375582015-09-27T10:20:00.000-06:002015-09-27T15:51:18.624-06:00A Silly Question:But first, let me explain. I am not a religious kind of guy and haven’t attended Mass in decades. And that is not likely to change. On the other hand, during the past several days, I seem to have noticed a few subtle changes within myself and in the air.<br />
<br />
1. Has anyone felt an urge to forgive, hint of joy, or (for lack of a better term), a sense of oneness? Or maybe, even a whiff of Grace?<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-79861023850875267082015-02-15T16:35:00.001-07:002015-02-15T16:35:57.003-07:00The Water Thief: A Likely Future?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPcoGkMs0QxgHWUKB6cD-VPTgMHXwiGKu-T2VICItuI7MeBv-DvBYSZ1_tYw7uEmzdJgBgiGiRFB1nyWj9ymYpxSId7KuUg8OoGojPWcep-NsKvu0qHYraBd9Ket52bSKiLch/s1600/Waler+Thief.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPPcoGkMs0QxgHWUKB6cD-VPTgMHXwiGKu-T2VICItuI7MeBv-DvBYSZ1_tYw7uEmzdJgBgiGiRFB1nyWj9ymYpxSId7KuUg8OoGojPWcep-NsKvu0qHYraBd9Ket52bSKiLch/s1600/Waler+Thief.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although this book is said to have been around since 2012,
Wally first heard of it only a few days ago.
“I skimmed a review online and immediately placed an order.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Upon arrival, the first thing I noticed, it was self-published
and I almost gave it to Goodwill without a second thought. And no matter my feelings about the author, I’ve
never met a self-published novel that I actually liked. That is, until a few days ago,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
According to Wally, Nicholas Lamar Soutter’s, <i>The Water
Thief</i>, is way more than just a good read.
And should corporate manipulation and disinformation, along with citizen
apathy, continue on its current path, it’s a promise of things to come.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On a planet where unions have been crushed, education a
heresy and corporations in charge, the CEOs, Executive Class and top one
percent rule supreme, while the rest of us are literally, left to eat shit and
die. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that pretty much describes what life might become, in
the not too distant future, where everything is privatized and for profit. It is a
place where the sum total of one’s existence is objectively determined by your
worth to Human Resources.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is no right and no wrong. Criminal behavior is objective and measured
by damage to the corporation. And perception
is everything. Perception is truth! And whatever you may do, never ever set a bucket
out in the rain and attempt to steal the corporation’s water. “But that,” says Wally, “is a whole other
story and well worth a read.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1KnXWH_8Xylka-RGdE1VQRbGY6wmW1sj3qD6juzwcea4-FoiGA5xFDqXRwW5VbgxEHrQ0IN1PzeSAyEqjXE_ZRN8NMOh5FYId_Fe_PNPzs4rO2mbLbP-J_ZRLDdU5Lbb6msv/s1600/lunch+cartoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI1KnXWH_8Xylka-RGdE1VQRbGY6wmW1sj3qD6juzwcea4-FoiGA5xFDqXRwW5VbgxEHrQ0IN1PzeSAyEqjXE_ZRN8NMOh5FYId_Fe_PNPzs4rO2mbLbP-J_ZRLDdU5Lbb6msv/s1600/lunch+cartoon.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-87729782980121951182015-02-02T18:25:00.000-07:002015-02-02T18:41:09.291-07:00Why the Trans-Pacific Partnership Sucks!<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3O_Sbbeqfdw" width="480"></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-53550280223102998042015-01-02T15:33:00.000-07:002015-01-02T17:36:58.850-07:00Weird Wally’s Cognitive Dissonance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8n3GDuzS5tSbLr5aq9jlbQl9n3tQSsj5cHbCB7owE8REj2NKZniQuYgZAMmoZ0sbNINaTmLH5m89Wrz7BwtsUTyXUlllm7StRuFjQClpVeKKwRVq8aMZWwCHVxXowtV26aLDP/s1600/cognitive-dissonance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8n3GDuzS5tSbLr5aq9jlbQl9n3tQSsj5cHbCB7owE8REj2NKZniQuYgZAMmoZ0sbNINaTmLH5m89Wrz7BwtsUTyXUlllm7StRuFjQClpVeKKwRVq8aMZWwCHVxXowtV26aLDP/s1600/cognitive-dissonance.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s the day after New Year’s and Wally is still meditating
on last year. For him, it’s been a
confusing year. As a matter of fact it’s been more like total <a href="http://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive-dissonance.html">cognitive
dissonance</a> and it first started sometime around March of 2012, shortly
after the fatal shooting of an unarmed teenager by an angry white guy, either civilian
or law enforcement. And although he didn’t realize it at the time,
it was only the first of many.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Up to that point,” he posted on a progressive website, “I
had no problem with white people and doubted that would ever change.” But what Wally seldom considered, until very
recently, was the fact that a lot of white people have a problem with him. And it’s not because he does anything to
offend them. They seem to take offense
at the very fact that he lives and breathes and is a citizen of these United
States. “Add a black president to that
already explosive situation,” he said, “and you get a lot of heads exploding
with rage.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And now that he’s learned so many white people have a
problem with him, Wally is realizing that he now has a problem with white
people. And with the exception of
longtime friends and some family members, he has noticed that he has avoided
most whites and made neither a new white friend nor acquaintance in the past
couple of years. Worse yet, the few he’d
met and seemed to click with, he’d started avoiding. “Things that were important to me weren’t
important to them and they didn’t really want to talk about important shit and
the many things we had in common were far overshadowed by the things
we didn’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I even started avoiding a few good white friends over this
and was surprised to find out how many of them believe that if a cop arrested
you, you were doing something wrong. And
if he actually shot you, then you were doing something wrong and threatened the
cop’s life. I know that’s bullshit, but
how do I explain to someone else that their opinion is wrong if they’ve never
experienced what is normal for me and, can’t even conceive of the possibility
in the first damn place.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With local law enforcement killing an unarmed black teenager
or young adult on an average of more than once a week and usually getting away
with it, Wally also finds himself avoiding the police, both black and white,
even more than he avoids most whites whom he doesn’t know, and a few whom he
does. “So how do I communicate with
someone who totally discounts my experiences simply because my experience can
never happen to him?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And like most all people, when confronted with cognitive dissonance,
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognitive_dissonance">Wally is choosing
to decrease his stress by totally avoiding these conflicts of dualities. </a> And although he knows nothing is resolved by
his avoidance, he also knows that even cognitive dissonance is impermanent and that
it too shall pass. “Meanwhile,” he
said. “It is what it is.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/02/1355256/-Weird-Wally-s-Cognitive-Dissonance#comments" target="_blank">Click here for additional comments which appear in Daily Kos</a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-4416394702738705482014-12-30T12:25:00.000-07:002014-12-31T13:21:04.041-07:00Democratic Ennui<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDPFLQUOiTdf0_nNsvhNjYO65dmWe9es-XCWcqdyy7RBdryHxHfKp-5tjkzkQ4PIgHSSUB91fUOVuHQ2wUzDeTlRv7c7cUGGyFLUcAWfohpeTdvf6rehchQpWfp8X8w8DpmhM/s1600/Permanence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDPFLQUOiTdf0_nNsvhNjYO65dmWe9es-XCWcqdyy7RBdryHxHfKp-5tjkzkQ4PIgHSSUB91fUOVuHQ2wUzDeTlRv7c7cUGGyFLUcAWfohpeTdvf6rehchQpWfp8X8w8DpmhM/s1600/Permanence.jpg" height="320" width="270" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although Wally is getting over a cold that knocked him on
his ass for several days, he still feels listless. “It’s like walking through syrup,” he
recently told friends over lunch. But he
was not alone. Others expressed similar
feelings of vague dissatisfaction. No
one present, however, could define the vagueness nor cause for the subtle weariness
that had overtaken them for the past year or so.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it wasn’t until Barb, a retired social worker who’d been
fingering her iPhone for the past several minutes, loudly exclaimed, “<a href="http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-ennui.htm">We got ennui, that’s what we
got</a>.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Consisting mostly of retired progressive Democrats, it was only
naturel that they figured the root of their malaise lay in their disappointment
and neglect by the very people whom they had voted for and counted on to lead
the way out of the doom and darkness of the Bush/Cheney Years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the path out of political doom and darkness was becoming
circular, “and we seem to be heading back in the same direction from which we came,”
Wally asserted. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Wally, you really need to get a life,” a retired air force sergeant
argued. “It ain’t all about rollbacks of
financial and environmental reforms. You
gotta realize that this too shall pass.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end, however, Wally had to admit that the sergeant
was right. But right now, America is in
search of its soul. And for Wally, that means
only one thing. Now that the Christmas
commercials are over, the political ones are already on their way and will be
here soon. And things will surely get
ugly.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Sometimes,” he posted to a friend, later that day, “this
constant and never changing impermanence really sucks. You never really know what’s coming next.”<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/30/1354769/-Democratic-Ennui" target="_blank"><b>Click here for additional comments appearing on Daily Kos</b></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-90668423455109233572014-12-18T17:46:00.001-07:002014-12-18T17:46:24.101-07:00The Death Panel is Coming!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2dCZsWpv-aWcEJXKE7UR3ZPeFOd5lneIqS_NXE8ookXU8mcDuq7cMnthMmYesxqBa6WkC3luM4VzxUYX8vkqkK99D0u_LVBSgOSn7DzkRBFKVBcGTwUiPcGx5rDwlIG3jErm/s1600/SCOTUS+DEATH+PANEL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2dCZsWpv-aWcEJXKE7UR3ZPeFOd5lneIqS_NXE8ookXU8mcDuq7cMnthMmYesxqBa6WkC3luM4VzxUYX8vkqkK99D0u_LVBSgOSn7DzkRBFKVBcGTwUiPcGx5rDwlIG3jErm/s1600/SCOTUS+DEATH+PANEL.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-89962587078651878432014-12-17T19:26:00.001-07:002014-12-18T09:06:43.528-07:00An Open Letter to Hillary Clinton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmD9x-NvhEDKDXMzBl64K2WvPqoml75ceyzIUFr7xiLUHB23nV944nO3rOSquEMibzNnJc_KJblD4S15G20ksSqHr-0gQ66kjZwidMmKC-Qap67bLia2njzgta73mLnfz2oUV/s1600/paper_with_pen_115516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmD9x-NvhEDKDXMzBl64K2WvPqoml75ceyzIUFr7xiLUHB23nV944nO3rOSquEMibzNnJc_KJblD4S15G20ksSqHr-0gQ66kjZwidMmKC-Qap67bLia2njzgta73mLnfz2oUV/s1600/paper_with_pen_115516.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>FYI: Wally is still insisting
that he is ready for Hillary, but the real question: Is Hillary ready for him
and those like him?</i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear Hillary,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m a lifelong Democrat, but of late, have been feeling
betrayed by my leaders. The hope and change I was looking for recently
got snuffed out with the passage of a budget (<a href="http://www.vox.com/2014/12/13/7385253/what-is-cromnibus">CRominbus</a>)
through both houses of congress. And it
looks like the high testosterone folks on Wall Street and the financial services
sector won again. Granted, it cost them
a lot of money but this upfront investment is what will make their <a href="http://www.salon.com/2014/12/16/inside_wall_streets_new_heist_how_big_banks_exploited_a_broken_democratic_caucus/">long
con work</a>, and the fact that, unless we get a congress or administration
both willing and able to stop to it, this is the kind of con that can go on
until the end of time. And although
able, neither a Democratic Senate nor President were willing to stop it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They did, however, express sincere distress and dismay over
their decision to do nothing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite it all, I’m pretty happy with what President Obama
has accomplished, so far, during his time in office. Being African-American and all, I really
appreciate what he and the Attorney General have done as far as the killing of
unarmed black men by police, civil rights, voter suppression and immigration
are concerned. And let’s not forget our
recovering economy, unemployment, LGBT rights, a change in relations with Cuba
and so much more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the other hand, Obama and other Democrats have allowed cuts in programs for the middle class and decreased pensions for workers, while cutting
taxes for the top one percent and allowing speculators on Wall Street to
continue making dangerous bets without fear of consequences. If they win they keep all of their nearly
tax free profits. But if their gamble
goes south, we cover Wall Street with our FDIC tax money. Heads, Wall Street wins. Tails, the rest of us loose. This is one reason why folks on Wall Street
always think of themselves as winners.
Wonder what they think of the rest of us?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And that, dear Hillary is the question. What do you and your high end donors, think
of the rest of us? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Were you Madam President, would you have been in favor of
that piece of crap, so full of special interest riders, the bill had to be
edited in secret without anyone knowing its final contents. What a victory for political transparency. Would you have sat back and let that bill
poison bill float through congress? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And what about the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP)? As I recall, Bill Clinton was total freak for
free trade agreements. Those free market
commerce arrangements killed both American unions and jobs. And instead of less financial regulation,
consider holding the top one percent more accountable for what their greedy and
destructive behavior wreaks upon the world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hillary, I am at a loss.
In so many ways I believe you’d make a great president. More to the point, I truly believe in
you. You’ve got the experience and won’t
make many of the mistakes Obama has made and continues to make. It took Obama several years to realize how
ruthless and deceptive his enemies really are.
Even now, he seems to have trouble believing what he sees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Meanwhile, you’ll hit the ground running and already knowing
how and whom to fight. Better yet, you’ll
be a quick study of foreign and security issues. Question is, what are you going to do about
the rip offs perpetrated by Wall Street, big banks and the continuation of
economic inequality?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You, like Obama, seem very much tied to the culture of Wall
Street and the financial sector. And
that is my main, if not only, reason to even think about a third party or look
at alternative Democratic candidates. Thus
far, I would really like you to be my next president. But if you’re strongly aligned with the <a href="http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/12/clinical-psychologist-explains-how-ayn-rand-helped-turn-the-us-into-a-selfish-and-greedy-nation/">Wall
Street culture</a>, then I need to start considering other options. Where are you on economic inequality?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please Madam Secretary, talk to us. Tell us about your vision and let us know
who you are. We already know who
Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders are.
And now it’s your turn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wally <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<b>For additional comments on this post, go to <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/17/1352615/-An-Open-Letter-to-Hillary-Clinton#comments" target="_blank">Daily Kos</a>.</b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-71970756860863946252014-12-15T17:44:00.001-07:002014-12-15T17:50:05.424-07:00What Would Hillary Do (WWHD)?<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGJDMKNIpfuYO2DyOSjmlnFeXMvyBTlpa8KMCRVXy9jcUp7S3oxknQqBbmXdPpAnpKqGuvKucEkqjIFvAV8yW6MVtBZKUK_xIXd81UYZ5LJFMGqotiJ0qBYAX-NPRAUo2Sgou/s1600/rich-boy-cartoon-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGJDMKNIpfuYO2DyOSjmlnFeXMvyBTlpa8KMCRVXy9jcUp7S3oxknQqBbmXdPpAnpKqGuvKucEkqjIFvAV8yW6MVtBZKUK_xIXd81UYZ5LJFMGqotiJ0qBYAX-NPRAUo2Sgou/s1600/rich-boy-cartoon-300x300.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">https://buelahman.wordpress.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wally says that he doesn’t get it. “They just gave Wall Street a gift that will
keep on costing the givers. And it’ll be
like, never have so many done so much for so few, all over again. Wall Street will throw a party, not invite
the rest of us, but leave us with the bill.
Just like in 2008.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is a lot wrong with that budget bill that recently
passed both houses of congress, but one thing seems certain, with the roll-back
of regulations governing derivatives trading on Wall Street, it’ll keep
happening until it becomes illegal and someone finally goes to jail.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But to make sure they can keep passing legislation which
totally benefit the top one percent, the same unknown person, or persons, also
slipped in a little something that increases the cap on political campaign contributions
from $32,400 to $777,600 a year. During
a two year cycle, for instance, a single rich person can give up to $1,555,200
or $3,110,400 for couples. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So that’s how it works.
Rich people buy politicians via political contributions, who then pass legislation
which voters don’t like, so that the rich can easier rip off the rest of
us. Once the laws are in place for continued
rip offs, the rich then make it possible for them to give more, and the more that rich are able to give, the less relevant the rest of us become.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And both Democrats and Republicans are voting to
screw us. Democrats are saying how they
don’t like the new laws but have to vote for them in order to get concessions
from the other side. Republicans, so
far, haven't had to say much of anything. And although Democrats never quite explain
what the rest of us got in exchange for their betrayal of us, we all know that we'll eventually pay. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What’s next for Democrats?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Obama didn’t bring the change we were looking for and it’s
unlikely that Hillary is even up for it.
According to Wally, “When it comes to Wall Street regulations and campaign
contributions, she’ll let the rich people continue writing the rules and the
only difference between her administration and a Jeb Bush Administration, for instance,
is that Hillary will use K-Y Jelly when slipping it to us. Shit.
She may even kiss us first.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Meanwhile, I’m changing my voter registration from Democrat
to Independent and if Democratic politicians keep ignoring Elizabeth Warren and
Bernie Sanders,” Wally finally concluded, “I’ll be looking around for a third
party by the time 2016 rolls around.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-31136367672315613112014-12-11T14:00:00.000-07:002014-12-11T15:11:39.754-07:00With Liberty and Justice for All?<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkGbI_EghYZctWL_E6WTdtDf1opLOBWJf3e_ebRRw2hV0k9Wug_Jhg1566WX-60VMSQohiQrLFmjUfJIfGaWZaPLJTlQ2VdovEl9Gxdld6zwgEJ4xRhQ2dq5NPRsc5sw1p0mf/s1600/1+Breathe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwkGbI_EghYZctWL_E6WTdtDf1opLOBWJf3e_ebRRw2hV0k9Wug_Jhg1566WX-60VMSQohiQrLFmjUfJIfGaWZaPLJTlQ2VdovEl9Gxdld6zwgEJ4xRhQ2dq5NPRsc5sw1p0mf/s1600/1+Breathe.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>And if you’re growing up black in America, would that headline be true or false?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wally will be turning seventy in a few weeks and he is still
confused about that part of the Pledge of Allegiance that says, “With liberty
and justice for all.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I was in the third grade when I first thought about that
phrase,” he said. “Even back then, I
knew that it didn’t apply to me. And it
was a very unsettling thing for a third grader to suddenly realize.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As it turned out, Wally wasn’t the only kid on his block to
wonder why such an untrue phrase was included in something as important as the
Pledge of Allegiance, and he and his friends talked of it often.
But as third graders, they had no
understanding of <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/poetic+license">poetic
license</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin_(public_relations)">spin</a>. For them, liberty and justice for all, was
either true or it wasn’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“The things we remember are probably very different from
what most white people remember,” Wally wrote in an email to an old friend. “Back then, lynching’s and police dog attacks
were what we paid attention to. And now,
black kids are probably thinking about being shot by a scared and angry cop.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later that same day, Wally found himself discussing the
recent police shootings with a white friend from his college days in
Minneapolis, “I know what liberty and justice for all, means to me”, he said. “But what does it mean to you?”</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-49318466522793677192014-12-06T21:21:00.001-07:002014-12-06T21:21:28.634-07:00Learn to Think Like a One Percenter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-N_yS9EuenaG4QE1xHZbqnTHUj0jrfWmjOzrcvGQdAHqE3R1qmNMVc8FwrRpsDuxmXh4-beGCTmD_J5-vM1LwqmyIVbwgLTRFnBKRgFx4ZYYYtHY1tKM4jc1q0meo_Vv60fPB/s1600/too+rich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-N_yS9EuenaG4QE1xHZbqnTHUj0jrfWmjOzrcvGQdAHqE3R1qmNMVc8FwrRpsDuxmXh4-beGCTmD_J5-vM1LwqmyIVbwgLTRFnBKRgFx4ZYYYtHY1tKM4jc1q0meo_Vv60fPB/s1600/too+rich.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A rising tide lifts all boats, “But,” according to Wally, “if
you’re among the very competitive top one percent, the less boats crowding the
water, the more enjoyable and expansive your view.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“And fishing will always be fun.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One percenters have a totally different view of the world
than the rest of us. And while the
rising tide theory may make sense to the rest of us, the very wealthy have a
different take. “Not only is more for me
better, less for others also works.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’d laugh in the face of Keynesian Economics,” Wally declared
to friends, “and proudly let people know that my boats’ are already afloat and
then ask, ‘and I should care about your boat because…?’” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For toppers, economic inequality is a good
thing. More for them and less for the
rest of us means that what they have is worth even more, simply because the
rest of us have so much less. Although things may eventually return to
balance, it will be a while before that happens. Meanwhile, the more inequality there is, the
more vulnerable politicians become and more open to immense campaign contributions. And the more politicians that toppers control,
the more the laws, legislation and regulations will go their way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“These days, were I in the top one percent,” Wally recently told
fellow attendees at a Denver Inequality Teach-in, “my job wouldn’t be to create
wealth like in the old days. My job now
days would be to snatch as much wealth as I can from people less clever than
myself. And that would mean most
everybody else.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wally went on to explain to the horrified group how lifting
all boats is probably a silly idea to a one percenter. “Their idea is to keep as many boats as
possible stuck in the mud and out of lake,” he said. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another attendee, having heard enough of Wally’s craziness,
challenged him with, “Good thing you ain’t rich because you’d be a real dick.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“To be in the top one percent, I’d have to be a sociopath,”
Wally shot back.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ok.” the other attendee asked calmly, “suppose you actually
had to look some of those people you fucked over in the eye. What would you say to them?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Have a nice day and thanks for all the fish.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-40227127682293082852014-12-04T14:50:00.002-07:002014-12-04T14:50:49.742-07:00Cops, Big Banks, Wall Street and the Rest of Us<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RKS9PD7RjWVUGD4C_T58AZxmR3y0JgCKAZp2RcMmkQW_YQqPhXCNIDLD0Bla6CuPgwCk-f5OdNCbLCNsGK-hRMq9_sercQla8AM93hZvOntx4urrRFS4U4lZGgrYpuxAd3qN/s1600/fish_Bailout3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RKS9PD7RjWVUGD4C_T58AZxmR3y0JgCKAZp2RcMmkQW_YQqPhXCNIDLD0Bla6CuPgwCk-f5OdNCbLCNsGK-hRMq9_sercQla8AM93hZvOntx4urrRFS4U4lZGgrYpuxAd3qN/s1600/fish_Bailout3.jpg" height="276" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what do cops, big banks and Wall Street have in common?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“All three,” according to Wally, “can get away with most
anything and never go to jail.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cops are, after all, our last best defense against total
breakdown and chaos while big banks and Wall Street are the only things
standing between us and total breakdown and chaos. And because of their special status as our
protectors and preservers, we tend to treat them like gods and allow them
special favors and dispensations. “In
theory, that might be all well and good,” Wally recently texted to a friend, “but
in reality, it is bullshit.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because their social roles are so important, we also tend to
endow them with a kind of super human sense of wisdom and integrity. But that is seldom the case. Specifically, cops are charged with making
our lives safe by going after the “bad guys” as they define them. More often than not, being young and black
is enough to make anyone a bad guy. And,
as we all know, bad guys get whatever they deserve. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it a cop’s job, as they may see it, is to deal out righteous
justice to bad guys. The bankers and
Wall Street traders, meanwhile, see their jobs as making a lot of money and to
deal out righteous Karma to the rest of us non sociopaths who aren’t clever
enough to make it big in the financial services sector. In other words, they are rich, can hire lobbyist
and lawyers and don’t have to give a shit.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“But the point is,” Wally said, during a recent indie TED
event in Denver, “as long as the protectors and preservers are never held accountable for the
pain and suffering they cause, there is no reason for them to stop.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People who have lost homes and savings and ended up declaring
bankruptcy know how corrupt that system is.
But believe it or not, a lot of those barely legal and, in some cases,
totally illegal financial schemes got started in black neighborhoods right
after World War II. <a href="http://prospect.org/article/sub-prime-black-catastrophe">Once perfected,
spun and semi legalized, these schemes left the ghettos and are now are now feeding
the fat financial and real estate sectors. </a> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
But much like drugs, jazz and rock and roll, a lot of stuff
makes it out of the ghetto and into the mainstream. And since cops are getting away with cold
blooded murder of black citizens now, might these unavenged behaviors escape
the ghetto and become a scary part of your everyday life? “It might sound a little crazy,” Wally said
at the above mentioned event. “But in a
land where corporations can become people overnight, anything is possible.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20050022.post-62025323359602537652014-12-02T15:49:00.000-07:002014-12-03T13:13:59.810-07:00The St. Louis County Grand Jury: Once More with Feeling!<div class="MsoNormal">
Wally vowed to neither write about nor discuss the St. Louis
County Grand Jury’s decision not to indict Darren Wilson in the cold blooded
killing of Michael Brown. “It’s a waste
of time,” he said. “And if you disagree
with me you’re likely to piss me off.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Emotions are running high and, if truth be told, there is no
real objective truth. After listening
to Bob McCulloch, the St. Louis County District Attorney, it was clear that, in
his mind, the lack of an indictment is proof of Wilson’s innocence. A few
days later, <a href="http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/01/the-st-louis-rams-enter-the-ferguson-fray.html">five
members of the Rams</a>, ran onto the stadium with their hands up, as in “Hands Up,
Don’t Shoot,” and expressed their opinion of the district attorney’s
opinion. “And although McCulloch has a
right to his opinion,” said Wally, “it just goes to show that opinions are like
assholes, everybody has one.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdW3RX-_IqmrFqTRrCOKhr7AahOB4OqjvZ1HBd_rf_f-vo_k7GsDpalDFSupMSbRu484rqVUvQLWLrMmN2TkpCJeXvQekNNhyitgqTDTqcFSYOWW3PEKOzQb2bzzj759zoe60/s1600/Rams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdW3RX-_IqmrFqTRrCOKhr7AahOB4OqjvZ1HBd_rf_f-vo_k7GsDpalDFSupMSbRu484rqVUvQLWLrMmN2TkpCJeXvQekNNhyitgqTDTqcFSYOWW3PEKOzQb2bzzj759zoe60/s1600/Rams.jpg" height="200" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 15.3600006103516px; text-align: right;">Jeff Curry/USA Today Sports, via Reuters</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then, the local police union, St Louis Police Officers
Association (SLPOA), demanded an apology from either the NFL or the Rams. At some point, someone believed that the Rams
had apologized, but the team’s management <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/02/us/ferguson-nfl-st-louis-rams/">denied that
they ever apologized.</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But if a recent post by <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2014/12/02/3598082/one-woman-could-appoint-a-special-prosecutor-and-bring-justice-to-ferguson/">Think
Progress</a> has any truth to it, then the truth may yet be knowable. Or maybe
something close. Seems there is an obscure provision of
Missouri Law which might bring some clarity to all the confusion. According to a recent post on their <a href="http://thinkprogress.org/">website</a>:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">“There is
a provision of Missouri Law —<a href="http://law.justia.com/codes/missouri/2012/titlevi/chapter56/section56110" target="_blank"><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; padding: 0in;">MO Rev Stat § 56.110</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>— that empowers “the court having
criminal jurisdiction” to “appoint some other attorney to prosecute” if the
prosecuting attorney “be interested.” (The term “be interested” is an awkward
legal way to refer to conflict-of-interest or bias. The statute dates from the
turn of the 20th century.)</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The court
with jurisdiction over Darren Wilson’s case is the 21st Judicial Circuit Court
of Missouri. That means the power to appoint a special prosecutor is held by<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; padding: 0in;"><a href="http://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=1908" target="_blank">Maura McShane</a>, the Presiding Judge of the 21st Circuit</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">.”</span></span></i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white; line-height: 19.2pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; line-height: 19.2pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>The only question now is, Will the Presiding Judge of the 21<sup>st</sup>
Circuit, appoint a Special Prosecutor and create a real grand jury? “Or,” Wally asks, “Will she let the bullshit
continue?”</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</blockquote>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0