Weekend Reading
So, you know how Alex Jones begs for money on his radio show? Maybe you don’t because you, like me, don’t listen. But, there are people who get paid to listen and then talk about it.
Huffington Post, of all places, found some information that caused me to gasp. Me. I mean, you gotta jump over some alligator pits surrounded by fire to make me gasp because I thought I had pretty much seen it all.
Nope. I had not.
Despite his pleas for money, Infowars’ store ― where Jones sells an amalgamation of dietary supplements and survival gear ― made $165 million in sales from September 2015 to the end of 2018, according to court filings related to a lawsuit Jones recently lost over his lies about the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre.
That means this guy, who made his name off Sandy Hook, brought in $165 million off the horrific death of children and teachers.
God only knows how much he’s made once he got popular. I would imagine he’s bringing in that much yearly now.
And you can see from 2015 – 2018 for yourself right here.
It appears there’s a lot of money to be made as a mucky creepy sumbitch.
I hope that the IRS is taking a very long look at whether he is paying his taxes on his blood money.
1Nice stash of cash you have there, Alex. Too bad it’s all money owed to the people who sued you, their attorney costs and court costs. Let us not hear a whimper out of you and your attorneys. Pay up and shut up.
2In cases like this, one’s religion must be karma……surely he will have even more defeats like the one your son handed him. It makes me gag to even have to think of alex jones.
3While jones is bad enough, imo he is just another symptom of a greater evil; ie, those who gave him the money and, hence, the power. If or when he is held to account in this life, these people will skate to do this with another “jones”.
4While stopping donations and other types of support for political participation can’t be stopped but maybe better controlled via ultimate identification of the person who has the ultimate authority to initiate the donation within 30-60 days of the donation per a Fed law?
Why can’t this approach also apply to religious institutions; after all, what do they have to hide?
Yes, I’m aware this ain’t gonna happen as long as the repubs, et al, retain enough control.
Bigger question: is this empire on its way to the dust bin of history just like every other one past and present?
“Who could doubt the secret hid
5Under Cheops’ pyramid.
Was that the contractor did
Pharaoh out of several million?”
-Rudyard Kipling, Ballad of Ways and Means.
A sad bellwether of just how many malevolent and idiotic MAGAot vermin currently infest our nation, when an utterly vile piece of shit like mr. Jones can sell dreck worth $50million plus per year to them, and they beg for more.
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Apart from President Biden’s speech yesterday, and the Congressional January 6 remembrance [FYI, apparently the ONLY Republicans present were Liz and Dick Cheney—
JFCWTF??…], the PBS program “Amanpour & Co.” yesterday was outstanding.
It had some really thought provoking interviews on the topic of the day, well worth watching [link below].
I’ve been raving for decades about how the Rethuglikan Party has been devolving into a fascist totalitarian cult capable of destroying our nation, via an internal civil war and/or by external world powers.
It’s kind of amazing to now see that this evil massive movement is today being recognized for what it is by so many influential people, who are finally speaking out [and actually getting air time]. Such as fmr Republican Sen. and SecDef William Cohen.
“About the Program
6PBS and WNET, in collaboration with CNN, launched the new one-hour late-night public affairs series Amanpour and Company on Monday, September 10 on PBS”
2022 January 6 episode :
https://www.pbs.org/wnet/amanpour-and-company/video/january-6-2021-4fnrsk/
“Rep. Rosa DeLauro remembers her experience of the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
Former Defense Secretary William Cohen explains the warning signs he noticed leading up to the insurrection. “How Fascism Works” author Jason Stanley reflects on the state of democracy in the U.S.”
Unfortunately, “mucky, creepy sumbitches” are right in style, since the “presidency” of the muckiest, creepiest sumbitch of them all. “Owning the libs” at the expense of the country is a real money-maker for both those sumbitches.
7Knowing Jones’ lack of character, he’ll try to hide the money and end up in even more trouble.
8And that doesn’t even count donation he got from nuts like the Publix heiress. This is the GOP consequence free lifestyle!
9There’s a lot of money to be made in dubious vitimans, 5 gallon buckets of survival food and masculine butt wipes.
10OT but a little justice in a state full of racism. The Ahmaud Arbery murderers got life, 2 of them with no chance of parole. Racists be on notice!
11Anyone remember Bartcop from bartcop.com? He called this the all-important ditto-monkey dollar.
12When Van Heldorf asks: “Why can’t this approach also apply to religious institutions; after all, what do they have to hide?” I must say that in the case of my own church I would welcome such with open arms. We could use the free publicity.
13With talking heads, media figures, and preachers (particularly the preachers) it is always about the money. (If the preacher is vehemently anti-gay odds are he is also getting his luggage lifted.)
I used to be on various “Prepper” forums back in the 80s.
The good:
Every state has regular disasters. Planning ahead and preparing can make a huge difference in comfort and outcomes. Everyone should have the basics like contact numbers, addresses and hard copies of important papers stored in a waterproof container. You should have a few hand tools, a reliable flashlight and a radio. You need a few days of food and water. All of this should be packed and ready to go. Think things through. Staying can sometimes be better than leaving.
There is a lot of good advice and things to think about. It doesn’t have to occupy every waking hour or cost a fortune. A decent kit, one that might save your life, can be assembled for $50.
The bad:
Guns are the answer to everything. The minorities/ liberals/ immigrants/ government are going to rob you blind so buy more ammunition. And Bibles. You can’t have too much ammunition or too many Bibles. You need a place waaaay out in the woods. Buy gold. Or crypto. Buy buckets of my special slop. You know it’s good because it is very expensive. Buy my sure-to-cure-you vitamins and herbs, and coloidal silver. Listen to me, and only me.
Just my experience.
So it goes.
14There’s always been a lot of money to be made as a mucky creepy sumbitch. That’s how we got so damn many of them, most wrapped in preacher robes and flags (usually confederate ones).
15Another good read for the weekend. Plus in jest we promised the Nick of the WMDBS that yes indeedy there was also another Nick who could be equally wordy and still worth reading.
“Before I go any further let me offer an embarrassing confession. It wasn’t long ago that I was defending Greenwald to anyone I could. What is Greenwald’s appeal? Now that I’m revolted by him as most healthy people are, I have to say that I must have forgotten even what I liked about him in the first place, and his allure remains a mystery.
One thing I will never forget is 1/6. Liberal corporate media is telling me to never forget 1/6. Conservative corporate media like Greenwald tell me to forget quickly. The coverage is strikingly similar to 9/11. Fox News correspondent Glenn Greenwald is having a field day with that. But I’m skeptical. Is the new war on terror really on the American right, as Greenwald claims?”
read further with the other Nick, Nick Pemberton:
https://www.counterpunch.org/2022/01/07/1-6-9-11-and-glenn-greenwald/
16Imagine that. A comment on an allegedly liberal blog was “declined.” Surmising the ‘offense’ was asking WHY the for profit insurance company industry which has not been shy about jacking all of our rates is loath to cancel the anti-vaxxers who have driven medical costs through the roof ergo cutting into their profits.
1. Expect the Insurance companies to keep our rates at this new profitable high.
2. Expect them to apply for government handouts which we will all pay the freight.
Many of you have been denied coverage for worse reasons or required to pay for a larger than expected portion of what should have been covered procedures.
Seriously. Why are the insurance companies coddling anti-vaxxers for unnecessary hospitalizations and radical treatment, when two shots of a vaccine and a booster work?
17Jane and PKM- simple, cuz they can and see $$$$$$$$$$$$$’s
18Steve from Beaverton @18, so the question remains how do we park the crazy train express aka the QOP? We need big wins in 2022 for a start. A solid Congressional majority committed to scratching our way back to the 20th century where FDR left off with the vision to lead us into the 21st century. Maybe some adequate FCC rules where clowns like Alex Jones cannot enrich themselves selling fear and conspiracy theories. Maybe educate our kids and adults, too, to fill the voids in our healthcare system. Gun safety? Jane and I are not 100% positive we want to enroll our boys in school even post-pandemic. The only thing worse for a child’s psyche than an active shooter drill is an active shooter at their school. We’d prefer the lads do better than survive; we’d like for them to thrive without the drama and trauma. And, we want what we want for our kids for all kids. Is that asking too much?
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