If you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door.
If you build a better cardboard box, the world will watch it on YouTube.
If you build a better cardboard box, the world will watch it on YouTube.
Showing posts with label the more things change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the more things change. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Okay, Now I'm Some Lefty Nutjob?
When I'm reading THE NATION, and thinking, "Yup, yup, that's right, yup," then something is messed up.
And what is messed up is...the police state we are becoming. I have claimed that the strange thing is the left won't face this.
Well, that article in the Nation faced it. Well done.
Two things need to happen.
1. The left needs to admit that the state=coercion, which can metastasize into violence, and does so metastasize.
2. Libertarians need to admit that Karl Marx was right about concentrated corporate power. It's every bit as dangerous, and in fact in most important ways it's no different from, the worst aspects of the state. So, ipso facto, concentrated corporate power=coercion (see above about metastasis).
We have all been complicit. It's tempting to want to support something. But the two state sponsored parties have hoodwinked us. The third term of the Bush Presidency going on under Mr. Obama is just a continuation of the same ghastly trends. Gitmo. Patrio Act abuses. Unlimited detention. State murder of American citizens without any kind of due process. Oi. All of a sudden I want to see if Alexander Cockburn wants to have lunch.
And what is messed up is...the police state we are becoming. I have claimed that the strange thing is the left won't face this.
Well, that article in the Nation faced it. Well done.
Two things need to happen.
1. The left needs to admit that the state=coercion, which can metastasize into violence, and does so metastasize.
2. Libertarians need to admit that Karl Marx was right about concentrated corporate power. It's every bit as dangerous, and in fact in most important ways it's no different from, the worst aspects of the state. So, ipso facto, concentrated corporate power=coercion (see above about metastasis).
We have all been complicit. It's tempting to want to support something. But the two state sponsored parties have hoodwinked us. The third term of the Bush Presidency going on under Mr. Obama is just a continuation of the same ghastly trends. Gitmo. Patrio Act abuses. Unlimited detention. State murder of American citizens without any kind of due process. Oi. All of a sudden I want to see if Alexander Cockburn wants to have lunch.
Lord Volt A More
Chevy Volt - Building a Better Tomorrow from Ben Howe on Vimeo.
(Nod to John-O Donato)
Monday, December 19, 2011
Same as it ever was
While we either resent or enjoy cheap Chinese imports, most of us think of them as a relatively recent phenomenon.
Check out this description of Chinese imports:
"much prettier articles than are made in XXXX and sometimes so cheap that I am ashamed to mention it" The trades "pursued by the XXXXers have all died out because people buy their clothes and shoes from the [Chinese]"
Hmmm, floods of cheap textiles and footwear that are killing domestic industries? Is XXXX the USA and 2011 the year?
No, XXXX is Spain and the time period is the 1580s!
The quotes are from Charles Mann's fascinating book 1493. (page 153)
At least the 16th century Chinese got paid in silver; their unlucky modern day disciples have to take green pieces of paper or electronic IOUs from Uncle Sam.
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