We are misery-making machines! Homo sapiens has perfected the art of causing suffering. Pain is humankind's collective GDP.

I mean Black Flag happened. I was lucky. I don't think I could have put together something with one percent of that oomph on my own.

Texas is a hotbed of insanely good bands and musicians.

Citizens United didn't work. Hey, Koch brothers, Karl Rove, Shellgame Adelson: Democracy trumps money sometimes.

I am afforded a bit of easy wonderment in relative comfort as to how humans have lasted so long. Climate- and geography-wise, the planet seems to have little use for us.

Never once have I thought that Social Security would be something that would ever be available to me.

I urge you to read the Occupy Manifesto, written by the New York City General Assembly. It is unavoidably clear. This is not directionless action. If it were, the media would have moved on.