Absolute Zero: Shhh. They're Here.

Neoliberalism kills, the invaders walk among us, and other news from the front.

It’s been some time since I’ve published this (allegedly twice-weekly) newsletter. Some health problems limited my output for a few weeks. Sic transit morbus – we’re back, and hopefully hitting on all cylinders.

And speaking of health: If you read nothing else here, I urge you to read and study this report from the Lancet Commission on Public Policy and Health in the Trump Era. It concludes that nearly 40 percent of COVID-related deaths in this country could have been prevented if Trump had acted differently. What is equally important is the report’s conclusion that many of Trump’s destructive actions continued and/or ratcheted up the policies of previous administrations – Democratic, as well as Republican. In the Commission’s own words:

Although Trump’s actions were singularly damaging, many of them represent an aggressive acceleration of neoliberal policies that date back 40 years. These policies reversed New Deal and civil rights-era advances in economic and racial equality.

The report is a clarion call for universal healthcare, and for aggressive action against economic and racial inequality.

The Lancet also published a powerful report last May called “Health inequity during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cry for ethical global leadership,” and a report last February that called for entitled “No excuses and no time to lose” that sought to “(lay) the foundations for a new global movement for child health.”

They’re good people.

My writing:

I riffed on my own vaccination experience with a piece called, “Vaccines and the Deserted Amusement Park of the American Soul.”

I also wrote a piece for Common Dreams on the Democrats’ post-election argument that they may have said “$2000 checks,” but what they really meant was “$1400 checks.” Sorry. In this case, $600 + $1400 does not add up to $2,000.

I was preoccupied these last few weeks, so I forgot to tweet out something important on Valentine’s Day: I still claim my due as the inventor of the online playlist, and my 2008 romantic playlist was called “No Roses: Love Songs From Punk to Pashtun.” Hey, every day should be Valentine’s Day anyway. If you don’t love another person you can love a pet, a plant, or the people who are working to build a better world. In fact, why not love them all?

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The Zero Hour:

On the program, economist Richard Wolff and writer/publisher Nathan J. Robinson both discussed their experiences with (two very different forms of) censorship. Nathan and I also interviewed each other a little about the spirit of the 1960’s – he wrote about it, but the teenaged me was there. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed talked about his new book, "Medicare for All: A Citizens Guide."  

Historian, author, and former US Army Major Danny Sjursen talked about the new call to use counterinsurgency tactics on our own citizens. Matt Taibbi and I explored a topic neither one of us expected to embrace: is it time to bring back the ideal of ‘objective journalism’?

Historian Harvey J. Kaye helped me try to decode this bizarre historical moment. Vijay Prashad discussed “Washington Bullets,” his book on the history of American intervention in other counties. As we learned on January 6, right-wing coups are not a pleasant experience. (And that was just a mild taste, at worst.) Historian Keri Leigh Merritt discussed “White Myths, Lost Causes & True History.”

(There are more conversations on our YouTube page; check it out.)

Other news:

The rich ride in the front of the vehicle, which could mean they’ll reach hell before the rest of us. (“The Downside to Life in a Supertall Tower: Leaks, Creaks, Breaks.”) JG Ballard, please pick up the white courtesy telephone.

A heartrending cry from one of the many victims of our ongoing misadventure in the Middle East. (“I’m a prisoner at Guantanamo Bay and I have a message for President Biden.”)

The truth is out there. (“How to spot an alien megastructure: The new search for Dyson spheres.”)  Dyson spheres have always struck me as the galactic equivalent of strip-mining.

Speaking of alien structures: Why does every tech company – Apple, Salesforce, now Amazon – build offices that look like imperial outposts built by inhuman and emotionless invaders? (“Amazon Unveils Outdoorsy New HQ2, Renewing Its Commitment to Offices.”) Never mind. I think I know why.

Here on Earth, the runaway experiment in terra-deforming known as climate change continues to kill our fellow humans – and continues to be under-reported. (“Scores feared dead as glacier causes dams to burst in north India.”) We could say the same thing about earth-killing invaders the song says about clowns: No matter, they’re here.

That’s it for this week. As always, thanks for all you do –

Richard (RJ) Eskow

Managing Editor, Host/The Zero Hour

This is the newsletter for my writing, and for The Zero Hour program, available via cable and satellite television on Free Speech TV and syndicated nationally on broadcast radio. (It's also a podcast, available here.)