Neoliberalism Begets Neofeudalism

I came across three excellent reads that I thought were worth sharing.  Not much for me to add other than to express my wholehearted agreement with the ideas expressed in each of these articles.

1. Henry Blodgett It’s A Sad Comment On The State Of America That Words Like “Fair” And “Share” Are Now Insults

2. George Monbiot Break the grip of corporate power to secure our future

3. Umair Haque How to Fix Your Soul

Sunday Night Music Blogging: Society by Eddie Vedder

Tonight’s selection started out as a Friday night post, but I forgot to publish.  It seems serendipitous as today brings two starkly contrasted events which fit the song’s message. Today we suffered another horrifying attack as six people were killed at a Sikh temple outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Curiosity rover touched down safely on Mars and will now begin its quest for signs of life.

We have two paths laid out in front of us.  One leads us forward with science and progress.  The other is a descent I’d rather not consider.  It’s your call.

Where do we go from here?

Today’s selection is a solo effort from Pearl Jam front man Eddie Vedder.   The video is embedded below the lyrics.  Please enjoy, but also take a little time to chew on it.

Society  (From the “Into the Wild” soundtrack)

It’s a mystery to me

We have a greed

with which we have agreed

You think you have to want more than you need

Until you have it all you won’t be free
Society, you’re a crazy breed

I hope you’re not lonely without me
When you want more than you have

You think you need

And when you think more than you want

Your thoughts begin to bleed
I think I need to find a bigger place

‘Cause when you have more than you think

You need more space
Society, you’re a crazy breed

I hope you’re not lonely without me

Society, crazy and deep

I hope you’re not lonely without me
There’s those thinking more or less,

less is more

But if less is more how you’re keeping score?

Means for every point you make your level drops

Kinda like it’s starting from the top,

you can’t do that
Society, you’re a crazy breed

I hope you’re not lonely without me

Society, crazy and deep

I hope you’re not lonely without me
Society, have mercy on me

I hope you’re not angry if I disagree

Society, crazy and deep

I hope you’re not lonely without me

Stratified Beaches, Courtesy of BP?

We dug a hole at the beach today and found stratified layers of black matter between the sand. All of the dark layers were within 6 to 12 inches of the surface and we did not find any  similar discolorations  below that depth. (The hole went down at least 2 and 1/2 feet.) What do you think? Was this part of the gift that keeps on giving from BP’s Macondo Well? If so, what kind of dangers might this residue pose?
Dangers and damages aside, gulf residents still have gorgeous sunsets to enjoy, but at what cost? (Another distributive justice dilemma.)

Drop the SOPA

Nothing to see here today.  Is that what you want from the internet?

Image by: OUCHcharley

Lunch on a Budget

Having coffee at the end of a bike ride this afternoon, I overheard the following exchange between an older gentlemen and a cashier:

Image by: kayaker1204

McChicken and a McDouble today sir?

No. Just the McDouble today.

$1 and 8 cents, sir.

I can’t claim to know the motivations of the customer (Maybe this is the food he prefers and money doesn’t play into the decision.) but my intuition screams that I just witnessed a microcosm of the growing poverty in America.  So I have to ask, are these the kinds of choices you want to make in the future?  And, are you okay with people being forced to live this way?  The train is on the wrong track and those in position to change direction are instead throwing more fuel on the fire.  It’s time to reassess what’s important and start demanding better.  We need to get after it now, before it’s to late.

The clock is ticking.