Occupation of Independence

When I moved into my current campsite I was surprised by the neighborhood megalith.   It won't compete against Stonehenge as a tourist draw, but I like the way it looms outside my kitchen window.  It makes the trailer feel so small and light. Wikipedia has an interesting article on megaliths.  I had no idea of how many structures of this type are found all over the world.   Megaliths are photogenic, so the article was more interesting than the usual jargon-filled, Wikipedia article.  I wish that it said more about why people built megaliths at such great effort to themselves, and with so little utilitarian benefit. Of course my megalith was built by Mother Nature.  It still serves some purpose to the human mind.  In order to appreciate it fully, perhaps I should rewatch the end of the movie version of Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the D'Urbervilles."  And then let the imagination go 'free range.'

  Words are important.  I appreciated Putin's description of Washington DC and NATO as an Empire of Lies.  "Mainstream media" is a useful term, but not quite adequate.  Similarly with "corporate media." How about "state-supported media?"  The implication there is that financial support does not automatically make something subservient. What is the best phrase for the propaganda arm of the Swamp or Empire of Lies?  By chance I ran into something yesterday that I really liked: "regime media."  Short, accurate, and the right amount of criticism.

  How much coverage has there been in the state-corporate media in the West about the protests in Paris?  Not much, I suppose.  But I run across the story in the alternative-media. My initial reaction is pure disgust when watching militarized police -- with every conceivable layer of protection -- bashing unarmed protestors with their clubs.  Of course I don't know how heavy and hard those clubs are.  Hopefully somebody designed them to hurt and bruise, but not to break bones.   Still, what do those goons think of themselves when they go home at night?  "Did you have a good day at the office, Dear?" their wife asks.  "Well not too bad.  But I did have trouble with this one white-haired grandma.  So I took her down with one perfect smash to her face." There is an irony to the French culture of street protests and the overly-armed police goons.  The French usually get credit for being a well-organized state.  Don't the French yearn for a lifetime of government

  Maybe it is a waste of time to follow the economic/business news.  These days you hear about pickup trucks 'trying' to be sold for over $100,000.  I keep expecting to see signs in my own life in the backcountry that Americans are falling out of love with pickup trucks.  But I don't see it, yet.  Of course statistical changes are gradual and therefore hard to perceive.  But still! I can see the utility of pickup trucks for certain tradesmen, as well as people who live a truly rural lifestyle.  But what about all the urban cowboys, henpecked husbands, and cubicle rats who work in an office in the big city?  It seems like they would benefit from, say, an all-wheel-drive Subaru with a good rack on it.  But these guys don't want a mommie-mobile anymore than they want to be seen walking a little white fluffy malti-poo, as opposed to a husky. So, over the next couple years, we'll see if they can borrow $100,000  -- at the higher interest rates. Wouldn't it be great t