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Note from the Editors

Economic Darwinism, aka capitalism, continues to thrive across the globe with bankruptcies spreading from individuals to entire cities and even countries, while leaders of flailing businesses garner over-valued salaries and political leaders feign "values" while ignoring the needs of the masses. Gilles d'Aymery gives some examples, also sharing some fallout from his objective stance on the French presidential and parliamentary elections. Meanwhile, Manuel García, Jr. lists the Ten Commandments of American capitalism to help make sense of it all. This week saw the US Supreme Court's upholding of President Obama's health care reform -- one small step for consumers; one giant leap for the insurance companies. In honor, we are republishing Jan Baughman's 2009 cartoon on (r)evolutionary health care reform. And for those 50-some-million Americans still lacking health insurance, Bo Keeley offers an affordable option: vacation for an operation -- an excellent value in both cost and quality, and you can see a bit of the world, too.

From fanatical reality, we turn to fantasy, with Part II of Michael Barker's introduction to the magical world of Madame Blavatsky's Theosophical Society. On the literary front, Paul Buhle reviews A New Notion: Two Works By C.L.R. James: Every Cook Can Govern and The Invading Socialist Society. Raju Peddada shares a story of how a baby squirrel changed his family's life and extinguished their spring; while Harvey Whitney, Jr. considers the impact of digital technology as an object of worship by modern society. Peter Byrne looks at Peter Brook at 87, concluding that it's dangerous to play devil's advocate when it comes to his lifetime of accomplishments. Finally, Guido Monte and Claudine Giovannoni describe an infinite blending dream of vanity and death, and we close with your letters on the Golden Gate Bridge and other world spots for the fatal leap; exception to Raju Peddada's glorification of Swami Vivekananda; the Republicans' crashing of the US economy has been done before -- and it backfired; and war and the walking time bombs among us.

Congratulations to Spain for their much-deserved win in the UEFA Euro 2012 final! Now it's time to turn our attention to the Tour de France, Wimbledon, and of course, the next edition of Swans.



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Tidbits Flying Across the Martian Desk

Gilles d'Aymery:  Blips #126

A few selected issues that landed on the Editor's desk, from overpaid CEOs, undervalued leaders, and bankrupt cities and countries; to the fallout from not taking sides on the recent French elections, and more.   More...

 

 
America: Myths & Realities

Manuel García, Jr.:  The Rules Of The Game USA

The ten commandments of political economy embedded in the American psyche, based on some thoughts about the human stories observed daily in this highly lack-of-equality or lack-of-opportunity USA.   More...

 

Jan Baughman:  (R)evolutionary Health Care Reform

Editorial cartoon originally published on September 21, 2009 that depicts the state of the US health care system.   More...

 

Bo Keeley:  Vacation For An Operation

As US health care costs continue to rise, the lure of medical tourism is growing and may ultimately lower the bloated cost of insurance and care.   More...

 

 
Patterns Which Connect

Michael Barker:  The Roots Of Theosophy (Part II)

Part II of an introduction to the magical world of Madame Blavatsky's Theosophical Society.   More...

 

 
Hungry Man, Reach For The Book

Paul Buhle:  The Unending (C.L.R. James) Saga

A review of A New Notion: Two Works By C.L.R. James: Every Cook Can Govern and The Invading Socialist Society.   More...

 

 
Arts & Culture

Raju Peddada:  Our Spring Is Extinguished

How a baby squirrel changed our life and extinguished our spring.   More...

 

Harvey E. Whitney, Jr.:  Screen Distractions: Old Story

The author considers the impact of digital technology as an object of worship by modern society.   More...

 

Peter Byrne:  The Boy Wonder Peter Brook Is 87

Peter Brook at 87: it's dangerous to play the devil's advocate when it comes to his lifetime of accomplishments.   More...

 

 
Multilingual Poetry

Guido Monte & Claudine Giovannoni:  Infinite Blending Dream

Guido Monte and Claudine Giovannoni try to describe an infinite blending dream of vanity and death.   More...

 

 
Letters to the Editor

Letters

On the Golden Gate Bridge and other world spots for the fatal leap; exception to Raju Peddada's glorification of Swami Vivekananda; the Republicans crashing of the US economy has been done before -- and it backfired; and war and the walking time bombs among us.   More...

 

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THE COMPANION OF THINKING PEOPLE

SWANS - ISSN: 1554-4915
URL: http://www.swans.com/library/past_issues/2012/120702.html
Created: July 2, 2012