Consider: in 1928 the richest 1 percent of Americans received 23.9 percent of the nation’s total income. After that, the share going to the richest 1 percent steadily declined. New Deal reforms, followed by World War II, the GI Bill and the Great Society expanded the circle of prosperity. By the late 1970s the top 1 percent raked in only 8 to 9 percent of America’s total annual income. But after that, inequality began to widen again, and income reconcentrated at the top. By 2007 the richest 1 percent were back to where they were in 1928—with 23.5 percent of the total. More at Truthout.
Category Archives: news of the world
*sigh*
“BP has shown that it lacks the capability to stop this massive leak, and the federal government is waiting and watching” said Miyoko Sakashita, oceans director for the Center for Biological Diversity. “The Clean Water Act provides for citizen enforcement when the polluter and government fail to act, and we intend to seek the maximum penalty possible against BP.” Consumerist
I’m rather pleased about this. Of course, it’s not the best solution, actually solving the oil spill would be the best solution, but at least someone’s stepping up and doing *something* — which is depressing, but it’s better than nothing. I’m a bit concerned this is going to turn into another Centralia.
What About Superman?
This is a bit of a shame. Some of the characters are really nice people, this is how they’ve made their living for quite a while, and the tourists really do seem to like it… (Though I admit that, honestly, I will not be sorry to see the ones with dirty, torn costumes gone. I realize that times are hard, but they were a bit of an embarrassment.)
Alas…
Frank Frazetta died a few days ago. I rarely admit it, but I’ve always loved his women. They’re strong and they look real, most of them have names, and even when they’re being carried off by giant monsters, they look like they could hold their own. The nudity always seemed to be incidental, even though obviously that was the point. Frazetta, overly sensational and pointlessly dramatic to the end.
I Love California…
The City of Oakland is set once again to declare the lack of legal cannabis available in the city to be a “local public health emergency” and, while this effectively does nothing, seeing as medical marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, it provides a good reason for local law enforcement to shrug off cannabis offenses and to leave dispensaries alone. This is a good thing for just about everyone involved.
Los Angeles, on the other hand, is “cleaning up” dispensaries. Ah well, so long as they leave the reputable places alone, and they continue with the generous possession allowance for medicinal users (it’s still a misdemeanor for non-medicinal users, and unlike just about everything else they’re not pressing unreasonable dealing charges on recreational users), I’m alright with PR-based “clean up” efforts.
VIKINGS!
So, add the Up Helly Aa festival to the list of things I seriously want to attend and participate in at least once in my life. Vikings, giant bonfires? I’m in!
It’s still technically Earth Day…
Here’s a website of gorgeous panoramic photography. Above, Santa Monica pier at sunrise.
