From Pine View Farm

Mammon category archive

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The Portland Press-Herald’s Victoria Hugo-Vidal has a question:

The death of UnitedHealthcare’s Brian Thompson is rightly considered murder, but why isn’t denying a cancer patient payment for chemotherapy?

Follow the link for her thoughts on the answer.

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The Crypto Con 0

Paul Krugman asks, “Crypto! What is it good for?”*

Here’s a tiny excerpt from his piece.

Maybe asking “what are the legitimate use cases for this stuff” is the wrong question. What about the illegitimate uses, ranging from tax evasion to blackmail to money laundering? Maybe crypto isn’t digital gold, but digital Benjamins — the $100 bills that play a huge role in illegal activity around the world.

Via C&L.

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*With apologies to Edwin Starr.

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A Tune for the Times 0

Via C&L.

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Artificial? Yes. Intelligent? Not So Much. 0

Completely lacking in character? Despite what its name may indicate, most definitely.

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“History Does Not Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes”* 0

Michael in Norfolk hears a chilling rhyme.

__________________

*Mark Twain.

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All the News that Fits 0

Newsman:  Our top story this hour--the man who allegedly shot an insurance company C. E. O. on the street in cold blood is in custody.  Newswoman:  It's certainly a top story, Biff.  Newsman:  That it is, Wanda.  And if we were so inclined, we could use this horrific incident as a springboard to example multiple, seemingly intractable problems facing contemporary American society.  After all, this is story when the casual prevalence of gun violence intersects with our completely broken health insurance system, all within the context of an increasingly dysfunctional socioeconomic structure which prioritizes billionaires and corporate profits over basic human necessities.  (Pause)  I'm kidding!  Obviously we're not talking about any of that!  Newswoman:  Ha!  You had me worried for a moment there.  Newsman:  Next--can we somehow blame this shooting on video games?  Newswoman:  We can certainly try.

Click to view the original image.

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The Privatization Scam 0

The Arizona Republic’s E. J. Montini makes a strong case that, in Arizona, the privatization scam just got scammier.

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She Is Accused of a “Terroristic Threat” 0

Thom wanders, where’s the threat?

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The Snaring Economy 0

The artful dodger.

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Health Care Schmealth Care, Reprise 0

More evidence that it’s all about the Benjamins: Elisabeth Rosenthal dissects the relabeling scam.

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A Tune for the Times 0

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Health Care Schmealth Care 0

Michael in Norfolk argues that, in the United States, the health care “system” is all about the Benjamins, not about health nor care.

Methinks he makes some valid points.

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The Entitlement Society 0

Title:  Unelected Billionaire Broligarchy.  Image:  Elon Muxh and Vivek Ramaswamy hug Donald Trump.  Musk says,

Via Job’s Anger.

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The Crypto Con 0

Sam and the crew talk with Jacob Silverman, author of Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud, about the crypto con and how the crypto con artists are infiltrating politics courtesy of Donald Trump and the Trumpettes.

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This New Gilded Age, Reprise 0

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This New Gilded Age 0

It would seem that I am not alone in thinking that’s where we are today.

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Can You Spot the One that Doesn’t Belong? 0

Caption:  Spiritual and Mental Health Test.  Which of these is revered as a voice of freedom, truth, and wisdom by working class Americans in 2024.  Image:  Pictures of Jesus, Woody (Guthrie), Elon (wearing a Trump 2024 tee shirt).

Via Job’s Anger.

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A Tune for the Times 0

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Responsible Fiscals 0

Some Republican Congresspersons want to go all in on the Crypto Con.

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The Cryto Con 0

Grung_e_Gene sees a parallel with the Galt and the Lamers. Here’s a bit from his article, which was inspired by the reaction to the short-lived (about 15 minutes) “Hawk Tuah” meme coin.

The cries and recriminations of Fraud and various allegations of a Pump & Dump or “Rug Pull” by Welch and a small cadre of accounts who apparently drained all the value and bankrupted “investors” have resounded across Social Media these past few days.

But, it’s staggeringly amazing to me the Crypto Community has immediately called for investigations and “legal action” by Government and Regulatory Bodies on their purposefully Unregulated, Untied to Government Scam Coins. The whole purpose of every crypto was to uncouple it from Government to have a truly free monetary system unburdened by inflationary fiat currency and the over-bearing hand of government.

Although, this is no different than Libertarians demanding a Government Military exist to keep their Slaves in Line but, not put the odious boot of Law & Order on their neck as the scheme and swindle and attempt to create the Randian Utopian.

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