Where do we go from here?

The causes of the Long Hot Summers of the 1960's went unacknowledged, and the highly negative social consequences were never meaningfully addressed. The particularly nasty results of the 1980 "Liberty City" (Miami) riots led to some measurable hand-wringing, especially among Liberals; but adequate and appropriate action to ameliorate the gaping socio-economic tears in the the national fabric was never taken. The cataclysmic Los Angeles riots of 1992 inspired an interesting series of ABC "Nightline" reports, but we still find ourselves, as a people, in much the same old bind. We can surely expect "more Fergusons" in the future. This country, it seems, will NEVER come to terms with the causes; it can only grapple stupidly and futilely with symptoms. And it grapples with those symptoms in just about the worst possible way. More armored personnel carriers - including the one Chief Koval appreciates so much. More lead and rubber bullets - more helicopters. Maddening. All of us who've been paying minimal attention know a wide range of racial disparities are even more pronounced in Madison than in Ferguson. I leave to your fertile imagination what sort of actions would really be required to mitigate the situation.

Ferguson Grand Jury's move was no surprise

There was not the slightest doubt in my mind the members of the grand jury would decline to indict "Officer" Wilson. They should have, of course, but we all knew the score in advance. Or rather, most of us knew there would be no indictment. And those who were shocked last night probably shouldn't have been. http://www.google.com/search?q=photos+of+police+cars+burning+in+Ferguson&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=J910VIf-EoLMoASPs4LIAw&ved=0CB8QsAQ&biw=1024&bih=537

Meanwhile, in Cleveland

This, on the eighth anniversary of the notorious Queens, NY Sean Bell overkill shooting. I'm willing to bet the truth about this latest police homicide will filter out, little by little over the coming months. And the picture painted won't be flattering for the Cleveland Police Department. Meanwhile, be careful if you buy or even just handle a pellet gun. Whatever you do, don't wave it around, for Gawd's sake. http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2014/11/tamir_rices_family_asks_city_o.html#incart_river

Some great chances lost in '68, '80

America, you had your big chance to Do The Right Thing on justice and equality back in 1968, when the Kerner Commission issued its (really pretty honest) report, blaming America's obstinate refusal to change. The commission laid the culpability where it rightly belonged. In a nutshell, the '67 riots were attributed to USA's "Two Societies, Black and White, Separate and Unequal." The massive conflagrations that hit Detroit, Newark and Milwaukee, to name just the three most lethal that year, should have been a call to action. Though there had already been a series of riotous "Long Hot Summers" beginning in 1964.... http://www.archive.org/stream/kernerreportrevi00asse/kernerreportrevi00asse_djvu.t And I remember following the lethal Miami rebellion on the idiot box in May 1980. In its aftermath, yet another chance to "empower the (politically) powerless" was lost. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXr2CDiqarc

Illegal Polish construction worker, anyone?

I don't need to tell you that I don't always agree with Mr. Obama. In fact, I usually believe he'll do the exact opposite, in effect, of what he says he has planned. All the more reason to listen to the POTUS. In addition, he always gives a good speech, especially compared to the Republican wart hog who preceded him. I was disgusted by the fact that as far as the puerile major networks were concerned, "nobody cares." I hear little or no outrage about Irish doctors and nurses or Polish construction workers who've crossed the US border illegally. http://www.theroot.com/blogs/journalisms/2014/11/local_stations_rebuff_networks_carry_president_obama_s_primetime_immigration.html

"Barack Obama: 'We are and always will be a nation of immigrants'"

What can you expect from a Kenyan like him? I'm surprised he didn't give the speech in Indonesian, or at least in Hawaiian! But seriously, the policy he announced last night could have been worse, as in "more punitive." We should all remember that "illegal aliens" are human beings worthy of humane treatment, too. http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/nov/20/obama-plan-shield-five-million-undocumented-migrants-deportation-speech

A fancy free floozy and a womanizing schmuck

I admit I'm not the mildest commentator around here. But then again, fuzzy-wuzzy little kitty cats and cutesy-wootsie puppies get MORE than enough play on Farcebook, day after furry day. It's the Human Condition that captivates me - and we all know how distressing that condition really is. I dare each and every one of youse, regardless of your race, your gender, your colour or your creed - to get MORE CONTROVERSIAL. No doubt most are skittish, but the rewards are exquisite. I deeply admire any womanizing schmuck or fancy-free floozy who displays a particularly militant and uncompromising attitude. Those who are not actually employed in some horrible job at which their every key-stroke is monitored ought to get seriously contentious. Extremism in the defense of cage-rattling is no vice, and mass complacency is no virtue!

Mr. Cosby is falsely accused and Los Angeles is made out of cotton candy

Nah. A swell rich guy and national icon like Cosby would never do a thing like that. He's every bit as innocent as Michael Jackson was! Ya think!? Seriously, I never liked this censorious hypocrite anyway. Well, at least not since before his 1965 "I Spy" period. And the "Cosby Show?" YECCCCHHH! But it's true: even a self-obsessed creep like Bill Cosby deserves the presumption of innocence. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/20/bill-cosby-acused-sexual-assault-seventh-woman#comment-43933787

It's a filthy, morbid, scumbag Republican Party

Apart from that... the GOP really isn't all that bad. So yes, yes, yes. You filthy, morbid, congressional "Republican" fans of national and global suicide go right ahead and shut down the Gub'mint. Yet again. Maybe then the damn fools who keep voting for you sorry criminal bastards will SUFFER as a result of their own formidable stupidity. Perhaps the GOP-leaning electorate will FINALLY realize the awful truth at last: the Republican Party is a quasi-treasonous organization worthy only of abolition. Unfortunately, the Democrats are barely any better. http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/jeff-sessions-government-funding-immigration

Hospitalization would cost you an arm and a leg.

"Woman taken to 'wrong' hospital faces bankruptcy" http://www.channel3000.com/news/woman-taken-to-wrong-hospital-faces-bankruptcy/29648000 One positive development, in terms of the effect propaganda may have, as opposed to the wretched reality which some of the "unsophisticated" STILL insist on seeing, stands out. I believe progressively fewer Americans are mindlessly touting the "virtues" of our "rugged, individualistic" society. I believe a significant minority now understands the importance of doing certain things - like providing high-quality health care for all - collectively. Especially in this country, where health care counts for 17% of US GDP. We as a people can't realistically, reasonably expect everyone to be "responsible." The majority of us are just too "un-wealthy" to ba able to afford the extravagant cost of hospitalization. Most outrageous of all, perhaps: Our sick and sickening political "leadership" understands very well this is an area of our national life that is SO vital, SO indispensable.

Awake

Woke up this morning, indifferent, then angry. Without even having a good reason to be pissed. Thousand Thanks to ancient Mr. Winter for arriving on time and vastly improving my mood!!!!!

Reverence

Posting, with a deep sense of reverence. I'm dead serious, as I say this inner-directed, satisfying chant to myself almost every day. However, I do decline the generous offer to smack meself with the Holy Bible. Ouch, Lord, that HURT. To be sure, main-line "official Protestantism" is a malignant mental disease that should be voluntarily eradicated, along with the Vatican and its hierarchy. And I won't forget the obligatory condemnation of Judaism, as it's practiced and promulgated by various venal rabbis. Oh crap, I forgot it's Sunday:) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgYEuJ5u1K0

Hate is a thing to have

I certainly don't agree with every claim posited on this page, but I've been wondering about the "answer" to this "question" for a long, half-Jewish time. Yes, wondering, and I've learned much from a cursory study of European History, especially. But History obviously doesn't explain the whole, very rich and expressive range of Jew-hating. I want to know the deeper, less talked-about "reasons." Maybe this can be of some assistance to the object I have in mind.... http://listovative.com/top-10-major-reasons-why-people-hate-jews/

And Again, Education

This movie is similar to the one I just posted above, with a horrid fixation on vicious retribution and violence. In fact I prefer to skip the most disgusting and disturbing scenes - no doubt I'd witnessed 30,000 televised murders already by the age of fifteen. Gets old after a while, at least I HOPE it does. But there's an interesting subtext - and it directs itself to the question of - you guessed it - EDUCATION. American Society is conflicted about the matter of learning and academic achievement. On the one hand, millions are busy scapegoating the Teachers of America. On the other hand, there's an ever-increasing, very plain recognition that at the heart of our societal distress and dysfunction lies the matter of an undereducated populace. Grossly, blatantly undereducated, I should add. (That goes for ME, too, in some respects.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXkOO1cKpbY

education

I like focusing on Education and learning as it involves the historic times we inhabit. Fact: even in an age of multi-billion dollar cuts to public education; in an age when pitiable, inferior "Charter Schools," proliferate in strip malls across the subtropical Sun Belt; (Some misguided Floridians are actually opening charter schools in former auto dealerships down there).... Yes, even in this day and age.... learning is something that's valued Universally. "Universally" meaning Valued by Blacks, by Whites by Hispanics, by Native Americans, by Asian-Americans ALIKE. By people across the contemporary socio-economic spectrum. Examples abound, even in our over-bloated and offensive popular entertainment environment. A movie like the one I'll post here, filled with positively grotesque representations of mindless, highly glorified VIOLENCE, nonetheless contains at least two or three notable scenes wherein adults actually take some time off from murderous gunplay. The "grown-ups" do so, between fusillades, to try and enlighten the up-and-comers, the Children of the World, who so desperately CRAVE enlightenment, no? NOTE delivery of the computers, a real service to the community.... Note the young girl, studying on the (household?) computer at about 1:44-45, as the two main characters enter the "Mexican Gang" household. Education as a Universal value, true to form! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaxi36gv77s

Go psycho

Hands down, the longest best, most enjoyable "psychopath test" I've located for free online so far. I scored 22 out of 30, so to speak. A score of 30 or higher would indicate psychopathology, supposedly. This test is just for fun and is endorsed by neither major political party. Yet. http://vistriai.com/psychopathtest/

Some questionable advice

Let's keep "advising" with "advisors." So far the USA, having bombed and strafed the men, women and children, has also ADVISED Iraq nearly to the point of national death. As a close friend wrote recently: "Be good to America - or we'll set up a Democracy in YOUR country."

For Lenny

Remembering my Brooklyn cousin Leonard Joseph Goldstein today, on what would have been his 48th birthday. It was always great to have a REAL friend in NYC. I remember running along the beach, throwing sand and small rocks, and causing other minor disturbances. And other incidents, perhaps not so minor. Later on, as we grew toward "maturity," we shared a smoke sometimes. Lenny was the one who introduced me to "The Message:" I ended up listening to it as habitually as he did. I still miss you, Cuz. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4o8TeqKhgY

Alison Lundergan Grimes

Been following the Kentucky race very closely - hope Alison Grimes prevails. I love the Bluegrass State - at least the land, the famous horses and so forth. I've often thought, however, that the majority of Kentucky's voters must be counted among the most intellectually and politically dysfunctional anywhere in USA. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/10/31/1340740/-Grimes-Files-for-Injunction-Against-McConnell-for-Illegal-Voter-Suppression-Intimidation#

Wendy Davis

Best of luck to Wendy Davis. She'll need it, considering the long-standing endemic corruption in Austin that always seems to benefit Republicans. Not to mention the pro-GOP redistricting that's been a feature of Texas politics for SO long, and the Lone Star State's unconstitutional Voter ID law, among the most restrictive in the country. It WOULD be exhilarating to see a Democrat seize the governor's office down there, but Texans may have to wait a long time to accomplish that elusive goal. http://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/scotus-fails-stop-discriminatory-tx-photo-id-law-upcoming-elections http://www.politico.com/story/2014/11/wendy-davis-battleground-texas-elections-112402.html