Right you are, Roger. I meant to say, "take back" but I was in a rush
to get the note off, and wrote, "take over".
My generator is needing servicing and the fellow can't get here before
Friday. I never know when the system will fault, and if I'm typing a
message, like right now, and the power goes off, Poof! There goes my
note.
Carl Jarvis
On 9/12/17, Roger Loran Bailey <rogerbailey81@xxxxxxx> wrote:
They had already taken over or else they would not be the ruling class.
But this illustrates a point that I have made so many times. When the
ruling class is forced into concessions it is well to remember that they
are only concessions. Whenever the ruling class deems it safe to do so
they will take those concessions back. For the last several years you
have been seeing those concessions rescinded. That is why more has to be
done than just reformism.
On 9/12/2017 1:21 AM, Carl Jarvis wrote:
Good observations, Miriam. Makes me homesick for those "good old
days". Actually, I feel that we stood at a crossroad during
Roosevelt's long administration. We had an opportunity to build on
the good, and discard much of the bad. But we were "one upped" by a
growing corporate Oligarchy. While the Working Class was busy
building a strong "middle class" and an international power, the
Ruling Class was busy figuring how to take over.
Carl Jarvis
On 9/10/17, Miriam Vieni <miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I'm back with Eleanor Roosevelt again, now in Volume 3, having taken a
rest
from the incredibly detailed and long book on Obama. Anyway, it's, I
think,
1938 and if you look at the basic issues, it could be 2017. Some things
have
changed like the public consensus on LGBT rights, racism, birth
control,
abortion, and the increase in the number of people of color who live
here.
But nothing has changed, attitudes on race, on poverty, on American
exceptionalism, on immigration, on the equality or lack thereof, of
women.
The King and Queen of England were visiting the Roosevelts and they all
made
a visit to Hyde Park. Eleanor brought along her staff from The White
House.
It was Eleanor who had hired an entirely African American staff for the
White House. The butler at Hyde Park chose to take his vacation during
the
royal visit because he disapproved of Negroes serving the royal family.
During this period of time, several ships filled with Jewish refugees
cruised from port to port, including along our shores, with no entrance
anywhere. Everyone knew what was happening to Jews in Germany but no one
would allow them in. FDR wouldn't fight for them for fear of displeasing
his
political opponents which would then endanger the passage of legislation
which he favored. There were powerful political leaders who considered
the
Roosevelts to be Communists. Bernard Baruch was attempting to find a
haven
for Jewish refugees. He didn't think that Palestine was a good
alternative
because he felt that if Jewish refugees were placed there, a Jewish
ghetto
would result. He favored The Democratic States of Africa, adjacent areas
in
several African countries which he considered to be unpopulated, with a
large swathe in the Congo. But the leader in the Congo didn't agree.
American Jews were not especially anxious to have all those refugees come
to
the US because they felt this would increase anti-Semitism here.
Interesting, all these white people trying to decide which area of the
world, inhabited by non white people, would be appropriate for dumping
large
numbers of Jewish refugees. The big difference, though, between then and
now
is that back then, no one was aware that their industry and way of live
would destroy our environment and back then, no one had yet invented
useable
nuclear weapons which could completely destroy life on earth. And back
then,
FDR was attempting to regulate Capitalism in order to save it. We hadn't
yet
attained a complete corporate takeover.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2017 12:45 PM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Wet and Wonderful
When a society places profit before people, there are no "safe havens"
to run to. Everything is done for profit under Capitalism, and if it
brings
a small profit, the challenge is to refine it until it brings a bigger
profit. A good example are the airplane seats. Once almost
comfortable,
the seats have been redesigned and the space around them reconfigured
until
only children sized people can find them acceptable. The last Spring
Training baseball game we attended, had newly designed seating that
enabled
me to get very well acquainted with the person on either side of me, as
well
as the hair on the head in my lap and the knees in my back. And for the
privilege of using such newly designed comforts, I get to pay extra.
But anyway, we read about how dangerous the world was a few centuries
back,
with Highwaymen and thieves at every bend in the road, and we overlook
the
fact that our world is even more dangerous. Toxic fumes belching, even
on a
good day, from the stacks of the big refineries, toxic water in our
lakes,
streams and even in our faucets. Even backyard gardens can be bearers
of
toxic vegetables from the chemicals left in the soil by toxic fallout.
When
I begin thinking that it would be highly dangerous living in a building
such
as Miriam described, I look about me and realize we are no better off, in
so
far as safety is concerned.
After such a long period without rain, our beautiful forest was ready to
explode at the touch of a match or lightning strike. This morning our
generator fired up as it is set to do, and then shut down after about
three
minutes. We are now running it on "Run" as opposed to "Auto". Sunday
is
not the day to try locating a repair person. We are out of the
congestion
of the big city, but if an emergency arises we are a long way from help.
If
a big snow blows in, the county's few plows take care of the paved roads
before turning to the gravel county lanes. Trees can suddenly crash down
in
a wind storm, blocking any hope of escape. No, in each case we must
weigh
the pros and cons and decide which risks we can accept, or which ones we
can
afford.
Isn't it time we clever folks designed a better System for All the
People,
instead of simply pampering the wealthy?
Carl Jarvis
On 9/10/17, Miriam Vieni <miriamvieni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Reading this interchange between Carl and Bonnie is like looking
through a window into a totally different world. Well, maybe there are
some folks way out east on Long Island who deal with similar issues.
And of course, I do remember having to replace a roof in one of my
houses a long time ago. And at one point, maybe 13 or 14 years ago, I
think we bought a half cord of wood for the fireplace, but it was for
the luxury of having a wood fire in the evenings. And I don't remember
the
cost, maybe $100? Maybe only $50.
But it lasted all winter. Here in the suburbs, people pay lots and
lots of money each month for a protected lifestyle within the system.
After Fred died and I was not accountable to anyone for how much money
I spent, and a hurricane had me without electric power for a week, I
bought a generator for the house. It was the kind that goes on
automatically when there's an electrical outage because I knew I
wouldn't be wandering outside in a high wind or a snow storm to pull a
cord in order to turn the thing on. It covered a good many things in
the house, but not the whole house and back then, maybe 1988, it cost
$10,000. And I paid an annual fee of $200 for maintenance. Now I'm in
an apartment building where everything depends on electricity except
for the hot water and there's no generator. Nothing works when the
power goes out. That's why Hurricane Sandy was such a nightmare for me.
Miriam
-----Original Message-----
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Carl Jarvis
Sent: Sunday, September 10, 2017 10:29 AM
To: blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [blind-democracy] Re: Wet and Wonderful
Good Sunday morning, Bonnie.
I'm sure that in your work you've also seen the "quick fix" roof
patches.
The Blue Tarp business must be booming. And of course, if you can't
afford to have the roofer out, you can count on the price of a simple
Blue Tarp rising quickly. I was shocked the last time we bought
several. We use the tarps to cover our supply of cord wood.
But first, back to that once inexpensive roof repair. A number of
years ago, Cathy and I were preparing to head to Arizona for a couple
of
weeks.
This was the first of March, and a wild wind came up the valley and
tore about one third of our roof off. We were fortunate to find a
roofer who could squeeze us into his schedule, and for $2,200 he
replaced the damaged shingles. Our insurance deductible is $2,000.
We paid the entire bill. Later, an entire roof had to be put in
place. The builder had screwed up the original roof to the point that
it had to be taken off completely(including the part we'd had replaced
only five years
earlier) to the tune of $10,500. The insurance people told me that
they did not cover replacement due to original improper construction.
Frankly, if it were not a requirement in order to take a building
loan, I'd save the money in an account, and pay any damage to the
house...what am I saying? We already have to do that!
At least we've had better cooperation when it came to vehicle damage
and windshield replacements. But we'll take our chances on such
things as earthquake insurance, etc. because they all are nothing more
than money makers for the insurance companies. Folks who believe they
are paying for that sort of coverage ought to take a look at the small
print, especially any payment ceiling that protects the insurance
companies.
Back to that cord wood. When we first had our house build, in 1994, I
could clamber up the hill and drag out downed trees, and buck them up
for firewood. For many years we kept the propane cost down to a
minimum in this way. But, while aging is good for fire wood, it is
not so good on old bones. I finally had to hang up my four foot drag
saw
and buy cord wood.
We get a "real good deal" from a fellow out beyond Port Angeles. $500
for three cords of dry wood, delivered but not stacked. When he
quoted the price the first time, I had to sit down and put my head
between
my legs.
The biggest problem is that my memory is still too clear. I recall
when I was 19 and 20, working for a fellow who removed trees around
Seattle. We hit a bonanza when my boss contracted with several folks
in the Seattle Highlands, North of the city. We worked clearing Alder
and fire damaged Fir trees on several huge estates, for two years.
After a days hard labor, my buddy and I cut up the scrap Alder and
sold it for firewood. $19 per cord, and for $2 more we would stack
it. Since the boss was paying us
$1 per hour, we made far more by selling the cord wood. I actually
felt as if we were cheating folks when we told them how much we
charged. But we never had a single complaint. I remember during the
Second World War, a propaganda film that showed a German fellow headed
to the bakery to buy a loaf of bread. He was pushing a wheelbarrow
full of Marks, to cover the price. I am keeping my wheelbarrow at the
ready.
Carl Jarvis
On 9/10/17, Bonnie L. Sherrell <blslarner@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I've been glorying in it, too, Carl. Except I have to get the
roofers here soon.... Finally looks as if I'll have the money, but
the weather is finally!
changing!
Bonnie L. Sherrell
Teacher at Large
"Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even
the very wise cannot see all ends." LOTR
"Don't go where I can't follow."
We gave the Goblin King control of our nation!
