Sign of the times

The "Don't Tread On Me" image that goes all the way back to the American War of Independence has been co-opted for profit and political symbolism by all kinds people. I find this sad.  The coiled snake symbol was a favorite of mine for years. Now people see it and think of the Tea Party or some other right-wing kookball outfit. Other apolitical opportunists have rushed to print the coiled snake symbol on hats, tees, hoodies, buttons and such and sell them to all comers on the Internet. They want to cash in and don't care about the history or symbolism of the image. And so I say: A pox on both your houses Motherfuckers!


And here's one related image nobody has co-opted courtesy of Dullhawk. I hope Kent has copyrighted the damn thing. I'd hate see anyone but him make money off of it.

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Michigan Tea Party has links to Democrats - Detroit Free Press

Not that this news comes as a surprise by now but it is about time that the dead-tree media acknowledge it, given their view of themselves as the premier font of truth, wisdom, and right here in Michigan. Snark aside, I'm still glad they finally are drilling down into the muck about this obvious false-flag operation.

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UM professors say Asian Carp crisis overblown, no threat to the Great Lakes - Ann Arbor Observer

I hope they're right, but I have my doubts.

Michigan Tea Party candidacy filings under suspicion - Detroit Free Press

It's looking more and more like the MTP is actually a false-flag operation of some Democratic Party activists.

Museum displays the 'bling bling' weaponry captured from Mexican crime cartels - Daily Mail Online

Union Boycotts LA Times Over Teacher Evaluation Disclosure - Slashdot

From the comments: "Teacher's Unions are the biggest problem with the US educational system. They are more concerned with teachers' benefits than they are about students. Of course, that is their job, but they give campaign contributions and students don't, they've become a bit too good at it."

Sign of the times...

"Tea Party" political group gains line on Michigan's 2010 ballot - Detroit News

Persons unknown put together the time, money and effort to put the "Michigan Tea Party" on the ballot for 2010. Local tea partiers say they have no idea who these people are. Some have speculated that wealthy Democratic Party sympathizers put up the money, reputedly around $100,000, to obtain the 59,400 signatures required and pay for the legal work that the Michigan Board of Canvassers requires of independent groups seeking ballot access. The Democratic Party denies all this of course.

But as the old saying goes: Who benefits? Anybody pulling the Michigan Tea Party lever this fall would probably otherwise vote Republican and so every vote the MTP gets will be one less for the GOP. In a close race (like say Michigan's 7th congressional district) those "lost" GOP votes might be enough to give freshman U.S. Representative Mark Schauer another term. "Who benefits" indeed?

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How feds manufacture anti-government activity, so they can claim credit for crushing it -Lewrockwell.com (Will Grigg)

"When the stranger materialized a few years ago, nobody really knew much about him. He seemed like a suitably sympathetic figure and quickly ingratiated himself by offering whatever help he could. No task was too menial for him, and he had a way of finding just what the group needed right when it was required."

Why economists have gained in prestige and influence in recent decades while historians have become less influential - Harvard Business Review (via Brainiac)

A list of wasteful uses to which student fee money is put to in California - LA Times

Funny, but ah...I wouldn't think so if I had to pay it.