by Kyle K. Mann
Gonzo Today Contributing Editor and Publisher
It’s not been an easy news period, since my last one of these monstrosities, so let’s start light. Yesterday, June 18, 2022 marked the 80th birthday of Sir Paul McCartney, an event noted around the world.
Since his ex-band mate Sir Ringo is older than Paul, it of course means that no living ex-Beatle is younger than 80, a staggering fact for the aging Baby Boomer generation who grew up with the Fab Four.
A few days previously McCartney had performed at MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey. Among the tunes he played was the very first Beatles single, “Love Me Do,” released in the United Kingdom nearly sixty years ago in October 1962, eventually becoming a number one chart hit in the USA.
October ‘62 was also the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis, when many Boomers thought the world was about to go Boom.
Has anything changed?
Not according to ex-President Trump, who warned on June 17 that the Biden Administration is “perhaps going to lead to World War III…”
So, nothing has changed except the crisis’ flashpoint.
At this point, let’s be clear about quoting Donald Trump. I didn’t vote for Trump, nor Biden. Nevertheless as an ex-president, Trump’s notable.
Of course Trump’s attacking Biden’s government management and the giving of vast sums of money, close to 60 billion bucks now, to fight a war right next to Russia. Trump, obviously, is a politician and likely to run for a non-consecutive second term, which has happened before in US history.
You ready for a Trump second term?
I’m not, but I don’t think a second Biden term would be any better. It might even be worse.
Inflation is raging and leading the charge are gasoline and diesel prices, which have nearly tripled here in California in just one year. Unsustainable!
Then there’s the stock market, according to CNBC down a whopping 4.8% for the week. Meanwhile the Federal Reserve raised the cost of borrowing money by three quarters of a percent. The USA is in a bear market and moving rapidly towards a recession.
Cryptocurrency is also sinking fast. If you don’t have it, or even understand it, you don’t care.
You can’t blame all this on Trump and Putin. Well, you can if you still buy that narrative. But if you believe the polls, it now appears a solid majority of US voters disapprove of Biden, says Yahoo News.
True, unemployment is low, but that’s because people are desperate to survive. Many are working two jobs.
Looking for a light at the end of the financial tunnel?
Look no further than Forbes, where one Clem Chambers, Forbes “Senior Contributor” talks up the idea of actually buying stocks in an article titled “S&P 500 Crash 2022: Here Comes the Bottom.”
Others disagree. I see forecasts of a 50% “drawdown.”
Ukraine fatigue? Move over for inflation/recession fatigue.
Ouch! How about trying to lighten up again? Hey, how about NASA commissioning a study on UFO’s?
“NASA Plans to Join U.F.O Research Efforts” says the New York Times. I try to read the article but their paywall blocks me. Arrgh, you creeps. I turn to WaPo, aka the Bezos Post. “NASA joins the hunt for UFOs” says the headline. “The scientific study follows separate efforts by the Pentagon and intelligence agencies.”
Like I believe anything these organizations release to the public. The Pentagon and “intelligence agencies” have been lying all my life.
The NASA-funded study will cost “no more than 100,000 dollars.” Right. Imagine what putting the billions of Ukraine War Aid dollars into a truly independent study might reveal.
Of course, the revelation that there is something humans can’t control, whatever it may be, could be catastrophic, resulting in a worldwide crisis mentality that would make the two year COVID response look tame. Let’s move on.
Julian Assange, still rotting in Bellmarsh Prison in the UK, is to be extradited to the USA, after approval by UK Home Secretary Priti Patel. Assange is not an American citizen, nor even a hacker. He’s a publisher of information deeply embarrassing to both U.S. political parties. As a publisher myself, if on a much lower level, I’m profoundly horrified.
“Can’t we just drone this guy?” Hillary Clinton reportedly said about Assange, whose disclosure of the Democratic National Committee emails famously dinged her reputation during the 2016 U.S. election. I believe it, myself, though she has said she “doesn’t remember” joking about killing Assange. HRC probably remembers, however, her well documented (CBS News) response to the murder of Qaddafi, “We came, we saw, he died.”
So, yeah.
Yarrgh! And in USA weather, ABC News says “Heat wave brings new round of dangerous temps to millions this week.” “Atlanta, Memphis and New Orleans to see temps near 100 degrees.”
Power failure, anyone? You can blame it on (fill in the blank… Putin, Biden, Trump, aliens…)
I sit laughing, then read Newsweek. “Texas GOP Declares Biden Illegitimate, Demands End to Abortion” which also makes me laugh. Down below the website says “Trump to Be Implicated in Fake Elector Plot: Adam Schiff.”
Right. Personally, I think the entire political, military and corporate power structure of the USA is composed of corrupt criminals who need to be investigated, indicted, tried and jailed.
“Most Americans Don’t Want Biden or Trump to Run Again: Poll.” The wild laughter returns. This is what happens if you read too much news. It’s like mad cow disease starts eating up your brain.
Back to Paul News, then. “Thanks for all the lovely greetings and warm wishes for my birthday – Paul” he Tweets. And “Have a great Father’s Day everyone, love to Dads everywhere – Paul”
Awww. Hey, that’s me! I used to be a stepdad… hardest thing I’ve ever done. Thanks, Paul.
OK let’s say it. Happy Father’s Day, Dads!
And That’s It for Gonzo News Update. Let’s see if I can get it posted before we get nuked.
Reporting from Topanga, California, this has been Kyle K. Mann