History of Tattoos

 The history of tattoos is a fascinating journey that spans thousands of years and encompasses various cultures worldwide. Here is a brief overview of the evolution of tattoos:

1. **Ancient Beginnings:**

   - The art of tattooing dates back to ancient times. Archaeological evidence suggests that tattoos existed in ancient Egypt around 2000 BC.

   - Otzi the Iceman, a naturally mummified man from around 3300 BC, was discovered with tattoos on his body, making him one of the earliest known tattooed individuals.

2. **Polynesia and the Pacific Islands:**

   - Polynesians have a rich tradition of tattooing, with intricate designs that hold cultural and social significance. These tattoos, known as "tatau" in Samoa and "tatau" or "tatu" in other Polynesian languages, were often applied using traditional hand-tapping methods.

3. **Asia:**

   - Tattooing has deep roots in Asian cultures. In Japan, irezumi, traditional Japanese tattoos, have a long history and were associated with the yakuza (organized crime syndicates) but have also been appreciated as an art form.

   - In Southeast Asia, various indigenous tribes have practiced tattooing for centuries, using it as a rite of passage or for spiritual and cultural purposes.

4. **Ancient Americas:**

   - Native American tribes utilized tattoos for spiritual and medicinal purposes. Different tribes had unique tattooing traditions, and tattoos often held personal or tribal significance.

5. **European and Western History:**

   - In ancient Greece and Rome, tattoos were associated with slaves. However, during the Roman Empire, soldiers and mercenaries often got tattoos to mark their achievements.

   - Tattoos fell out of favor in Europe during the Middle Ages but experienced a revival during the Age of Exploration as sailors brought back tattooing traditions from their travels.

6. **Modern Era:**

   - In the 19th and early 20th centuries, tattoos gained popularity in Western societies, often associated with counterculture and rebellion.

   - The art form continued to evolve, with the development of electric tattoo machines in the late 19th century and the establishment of tattoo shops in the early 20th century.

7. **Contemporary Culture:**

   - Today, tattoos are widely accepted and have become a mainstream form of self-expression and art. Tattoo artists experiment with various styles and techniques, and people get tattoos for personal, cultural, or purely aesthetic reasons.

The history of tattoos is a diverse tapestry that reflects the cultural, social, and individual aspects of human civilization across different time periods and regions.

The Pursuit of Economic Justice: Bridging the Divide for Inclusive Prosperity

 Title: The Pursuit of Economic Justice: Bridging the Divide for Inclusive Prosperity

Introduction:

Economic justice stands as a cornerstone of a fair and equitable society, reflecting the fundamental principle that all individuals should have equal opportunities to access and benefit from a nation's economic resources. Rooted in ethical considerations and the belief in shared prosperity, the concept of economic justice addresses disparities in wealth, income, and opportunities. In this essay, we explore the importance of economic justice, the challenges hindering its realization, and potential solutions to bridge the gap and foster inclusive prosperity.

The Foundations of Economic Justice:

At its core, economic justice emphasizes the fair distribution of wealth and resources, ensuring that everyone has the means to meet their basic needs and participate in the economic life of a society. This principle goes beyond the notion of equal outcomes, recognizing that diverse talents, efforts, and contributions should be acknowledged and rewarded. It calls for a society where economic systems do not perpetuate or exacerbate existing inequalities but actively work towards narrowing the gap between the affluent and the marginalized.

Challenges to Economic Justice:

Income Inequality:

Persistent income inequality is a significant challenge to economic justice. Disparities in wages and earnings can limit access to education, healthcare, and other essential services, creating a cycle of disadvantage that is difficult to break.

Structural Barriers:

Systemic issues, such as discriminatory practices in hiring, lending, and housing, can hinder the economic progress of marginalized communities. Addressing these structural barriers is crucial to achieving economic justice.

Globalization and Technological Displacement:

The rapid pace of globalization and technological advancements has led to job displacement and economic dislocation for certain segments of the population. Economic justice requires proactive measures to help individuals adapt to these changes and ensure that the benefits are broadly shared.

Access to Education and Training:

Unequal access to quality education and training opportunities perpetuates economic disparities. Economic justice demands policies that level the playing field, providing individuals with the tools and skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.

Promoting Economic Justice:

Progressive Taxation:

Implementing progressive tax policies that place a heavier burden on the wealthy can help redistribute wealth and fund social programs. This ensures that the economic benefits of a society are shared more equitably.

Social Safety Nets:

Robust social safety nets, including universal healthcare, unemployment benefits, and affordable housing initiatives, can provide a safety net for those facing economic hardships. These measures contribute to a more just and compassionate society.

Investing in Education and Workforce Development:

Prioritizing education and workforce development programs, particularly in underserved communities, can empower individuals to break the cycle of poverty and contribute meaningfully to the economy.

Addressing Discrimination:

Tackling discrimination in all its forms is essential for economic justice. This includes addressing racial, gender, and other biases in hiring practices, promoting diversity and inclusion, and ensuring equal opportunities for all.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the pursuit of economic justice is a multifaceted endeavor that requires collective effort and commitment. It involves challenging entrenched inequalities, dismantling systemic barriers, and fostering an economic system that prioritizes inclusivity and shared prosperity. By implementing policies that promote fairness, investing in education and social safety nets, and addressing discrimination, societies can move closer to the realization of economic justice. Ultimately, the quest for economic justice is not just an ethical imperative but a pragmatic necessity for building resilient, sustainable, and harmonious communities.

Minneapolis Lessons

One cannot watch the video of the Minneapolis Police Department’s, slow, deliberate, torturous murder of George Floyd and not be outraged if you have any pretension at all of being a decent human being.  It was murder.  Three officers sit on a man, one with his knee on the neck.  Their justification, the man wouldn’t get into the police car.  How is a facedown man in handcuffs being held down by three officers supposed to comply with that order?  He repeatedly said he would comply, they continued to demand he get in as they prevented him from doing so.  None of them has been arrested, or the fourth cop who watched it happen.  Who did the Minneapolis Police manage to arrest today?  A Black CNN reporter who was there documenting them.  Yet the other CNN team just yards away, with the White CNN reporter, was left utterly unmolested.

  These reporters were exercising their Constitutional right completely lawfully.  They were reporting from where they had been told to report by the police.  When confronted they repeatedly asked where the police would prefer them to be before they were arrested.  There is only one reason you remove reporters from the scene like this.  They are about to do something they don’t want to be seen.  

  Fascism stalks our streets openly right now.  Yet people are upset about a Target getting looted?  The police are and have been for generations, hunting Black people for sport, and rarely if ever face even the most minor of consequences.  Colin Kaepernick peacefully protested this and was vilified.  Denied employment.  Had the President of the United States repeatedly attack and urge violence against him.  Now you demand to know why people won’t protest peacefully?  “A riot is the language of the unheard.”  It was true when Dr. King said it in 1968, and it remains true today.

 Further, in our current late-stage capitalist society we have commoditized everything.  Government officials are actually openly saying it is okay for three to five percent of our school children to die to get the economy going again.  They are advocating killing off the elderly by ending medical care and forcing them to work high-risk jobs for the same reason.  Given that even the lives of our children and parents are so commodified, how can you not understand that looting is a legitimate form of protest?  Looting directly strikes at the heart of the system that says THINGS, and MONEY are more important than LIFE.  These corporations like Target, Wendy’s, and Auto Zone buy our politicians.  They support the racist status quo.  They are in military parlance, legitimate targets.

  The corporations, our government, and our government’s street gangs understand two things alone.  Money, and force.  They have used theirs for generations to keep people of color down.  They made peaceful change impossible.  As President Kennedy said, “Those that make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable.”  So, the answer is to use force back and to strike at their money.  They don't care how many Black and Brown children are murdered, but they are outraged if one of their televisions is stolen off the shelf.  Steal them all, burn the stores.  I won't condemn you for it.  A twelve-year-old kid gets murdered by the police playing in the park, and you take out two cops in retaliation. I can’t argue with that equation.  

  We have made this inevitable, and righteous by our actions and our inactions.  We stole this land, we built it on the backs of slaves.  All the while spouting the most soaring rhetoric about equality and freedom.  The bill is finally coming due.  America, you are now beginning to reap what you have sowed.  We deserve it.

Ezra Klein Talks of Conventions and Normality

Ezra Klein talks about how diffeent the RNC convention was from the norm. Worth a watch.  Hit link.


http://www.vox.com/2016/7/28/12281222/trump-clinton-conventions

Election 2016 - Libertarian Party

  Now that we have the major players, and for the most part every party has selected their nominee, it is time to start discussing the election here.

  There are things I like about the Libertarian Party, but other things I do not.  I do think nobody would argue thought that it is the most credible of the so called third parties.  Given the fact that so many detest the major party nominees, I am going to start with the other parties in order of their credibility (in my admittedly subjective opinion) and mathematical chances of election.


  Libertarian Party

Presidential Candidate:  Gary Johnson
VP  Candidate:               William Weld


 While I like the fact that on most civil issues the Libertarians are for increased personal liberty and as long as you are harming nobody else, leaving you alone.  I support their call for full legalization of marijuana, wending the drug war, and getting rid of private prisons.  all have done vast damage to our society in myriad ways.  Sadly though the party leaves the realm of reality in other ways and offers up a platform with things in it so vile and dangerous I cannot support them

 Sorry but I cannot get behind a party who has an official position says child labor laws are immoral and need to be immediately repealed because it places an unfair burden on business to not be able to force 6 year old kids into coal mines for 3 cents a day, because hey a minimum wage is unfair too. Oh yes and giving that 6 year old a breather mask so he doesn't die of black lung before he grows hair on his willy is also an unfair burden, tell the kid not to breathe to deeply.

More importantly even than those is their stand on environmental laws. This is a battle I lived through. The official Libertarian position is that all these laws need to go. Business should be able to spew anything they want anywhere they want. That if some harm comes from this it is not the role of government to do anything about it, that we as individual citizens have to take on huge corporations in court and prove that we were harmed, exactly to what monetary value that harm was, and that this corporation was responsible and no other. Do you really think that you have the resources to make a fair court battle with Dow Chemical or the Ford Motor Company?

Many of you are too young to remember the things I have seen.

Standing on the bank of the Clinton River in Mt. Clemens MI watching it burn for 3 days becasue it was so polluted a passing car that a cigarette butt had been tossed out of on a bridge cause it to explode.

The Cuyahoga River in Cleveland burning even longer in similar circumstances when I was younger.

Driving to Chicago and seeing a dark mass on the horizon for more than half an hour as we approached Ft. Wayne Indiana, and driving through it on a Sunday, near noon, on a cloudless day and having to have the windows up and the headlights on because the air pollution was so bad you could barely see a bright spot n the gloom where the sun was.

I lived through that, and know that it too represents a clear and present danger to our future. Both types of law took decades, and hundreds of deaths to enact, and that was before corporations were allowed unlimited buying power in elections. If we loose them, we loose them forever and our nation will go further down the road to a dystopian hellhole where we all slave for rich corporate masters until our increasingly birth defected children (from the pollution) can no longer even breed and we die out.

The Libertarians, like Trump, represent an existential threat to our liberty and indeed the very survival of the human race. I cannot vote for them. I cannot recommend anyone else vote for them. In fact I openly call on all people to NOT vote for them.

  A little musical interlude, a song from the era when we were trying to enact Clean Air and Clean Water legislation.

Dad gets to play make-up artist.

Dad gets a makeover.