US thugs' latest excuse for operating military weapons: hypothetical violent attacks by combat veterans.

US combat veterans received horrible treatment while dishing out horrible treatment to the inhabitants of some other country. Some of them are psychologically wounded, but only a handful have expressed this in the sort of violence that the thugs imagine an excuse. The US could handle that problem with perhaps 6 regional SWAT teams, all of which would spend most of their time waiting for a call.

A Green Party candidate and community organizer in the US is facing felony charges that seem to be fabricated by political opponents.

A new scheme for voting on levels resource usage encourages people to vote what they think is good for society.

It is superfluous for right-wing politicians to tell the unemployed to feel ashamed of being unemployed, because they do so anyway.

I can't understand why anyone is ashamed to be poor or unemployed, unless it is that person's own fault. For instance, if it is the fault of a system that inflicts poverty on many, why be ashamed of that? It's the culprits who ought to feel shame. Don't feel ashamed, organize!

Fortunately for me, I have never felt the slightest need to base my self-esteem on being seen to spend money. I don't care if I can treat people to drinks, return a financial favor, or give a "suitable gift" to meet a silly social obligation. I reject the holidays that businesses have converted into occasions when one is supposed to give gifts. When I have a birthday party, I ask people to bring food and desserts for all to enjoy, not gifts for me.

I suggest that poor people feel equally unashamed, so they can organize instead.

While around 16% of Americans were poor when surveyed in 2012, most of them are poor for periods of months, not for years.

Almost 1/3 of Americans were poor for a period of months in the last few years.

We ought to provide the help needed by those who are temporarily poor, and also help for those who are poor for years.