This is the Insurgent Radio Kiosk for Tuesday, January 14th
Hightower Commentary
Action Calendar
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What car do billionaires ride in?
I’m guessing that being rich is a comfortable feeling – no money worries, you’re set for life!
But is it possible that too rich can be too much, even discombobulating? Imagine being Mark Zuckerberg, whose social media monopoly, Facebook, put another $27.3-billion in his pocket last year. Forget fundamental questions about whether he (or anyone) is worthy of such an excessive haul of the world’s wealth – how do you spend it? Mansions, yachts, jets, jewels, a Picasso painting, your personal island, and other trinkets barely dent your multibillionous windfall. And since the Trumpeteers drastically slashed your taxes, far less of your extraordinarily-good fortune is diverted to public need and America’s common good.
Thus, the bulk of your booty goes to making you even richer! You buy out other corporations and advanced technologies, and you dump billions into Wall Street, artificially jacking up the price of stocks you own. Your wealth expands exponentially, inequality spreads, and the egalitarian ideals that hold our huge, diverse society together are stretched to the breaking point.
Interestingly, more and more über-rich individuals are comprehending the ultimate consequences of such extreme selfishness, so they’re responding with extreme consumerism. Specifically, they’ve created a boom in the sale of maximum-security, James Bondish armored vehicles. Priced in the half-million-dollar range, these rolling fortresses can come with 700-horsepower engines, tailpipe-to-grille anti-blast protection, door handles that can electrocute intruders, roof-mounted gun turrets, and room for 10 fully-equipped bodyguards.
With names like Marauder and Black Shark, these armored beasts have become the preferred ride of gabillionaires – not to flaunt their fortunes, but to fend off the masses they’ve ripped off.
“This is how Facebook collects data on you even if you don’t have an account,” April 20, 2018.
“How Facebook makes money from your data, in Mark Zuckerberg’s words,” April 11, 2018.
“The market for bulletproof vehicles is skyrocketing,” Austin American Statesman, November 4, 2019.
“Market grows for bulletproof cars,” February 7, 2019.
“Exclusive: The World’s First Bulletproof Bentley SUV Includes Optional Smokescreen And Shocking Door Handles,” August 28, 2019.
“Best Armored Vehicles Money Can Buy,” January 17, 2019.
“A Revived Relic Hides the Wealthy From Prying Eyes,” The New York Times, December 25, 2019.
Hightower’s commentaries are brought to you by The Hightower Lowdown, the monthly newsletter with Hightower’s take on what Wall Street and Washington are up to. For information, visit hightowerlowdown.org.
It’s today’s Action Calendar!
A free session on establishing internet security will be offered this evening from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lakeview Library, 2845 North Sherman Avenue. Learn to protect your computer, personal information and financial accounts by recognizing common threats, utilizing effective security software and employing safe web-browsing and emailing practices. Phone 246-4547 to register.
A free mindfulness meditation session will be offered from noon to 12:45 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15th at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, One John Nolen Drive. Spending a few minutes in meditation can reconnect you with a sense of calm and inner peace. Anyone can practice meditation. The session will be led by Sarah Moore M.D., a mind-body practitioner, therapist and physician. Sponsored by SSM Health. For information, visit mononaterrace.com.
If you have found an injured, ill or orphaned wild animal you believe is in need of assistance, contact the Dane County Humane Society’s Wildlife Center at 287-3235 before intervening. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers are happy to talk you through the next steps and determine when help is truly needed. Learn more at giveshelter.org.
The Insurgent Radio Kiosk is a four minute pre-recorded segment featuring a commentary and a calendar of daily events. Events must be low cost or non-profit and of interest to people in and around the WORT listening area. Please submit announcements at least ten days before the event at wortfm.org/kiosk/announcements.
The Kiosk is available online at wortfm.org/kiosk.
This has been the Insurgent Radio Kiosk heard weekdays at 5:00, 6:30 and 9:00 AM and at 2:00 PM. With Engineer Alida, I’m Union Maid. Submit announcements at least ten days in advance of the event at wwortfm.org/kiosk/announcements.
