Author Archives: johnrachel

Life In Japan: A Peek Inside a Japanese Elementary School (1st-Grade)

Posted on February 27, 2025 by johnrachel

Unbelievably charming and heartwarming short film about Japanese first-graders putting together a concert to welcome the new first-graders coming to their school. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: I Love Snow

Posted on February 8, 2025 by johnrachel

I grew up and lived the first half of my life in Michigan. There, over the entire three months of winter, there’s tons of snow! When it snowed it was SO BEAUTIFUL! Being out in a gentle snowfall is truly delightful. The snowflakes tumble and swirl, land on your skin and melt, and fill the entire air with a joy which is incomparable. Continue reading →

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Alisha Idlewild Performs “War Is Making Us Poor”

Posted on February 5, 2025 by johnrachel

How about some folk rock to make this a more peaceful world? Alisha Idlewild emerges from the cosmic white noise to sing “War Is Making Us Poor”! Continue reading →

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The Boll Weevil Bluegrass Band Performs “War Is Making Us Poor”

Posted on February 2, 2025 by johnrachel

Get out those straw hats! Bring on the moonshine! It’s time to sing along. Continue reading →

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Sarah Shipley Performs “War Is Making Us Poor”

Posted on January 30, 2025 by johnrachel

The lovely and talented Sarah Shipley sings out against war in this country version of my newest antiwar song. Thank you, Nashville for your excellent work! Continue reading →

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‘Meggie’ Taylor Performs “War Is Making Us Poor”

Posted on January 30, 2025 by johnrachel

Rapper Tyrone Megaton Taylor performs my new anti-war song, “War Is Making Us Poor”. Continue reading →

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Is it possible to rehinge the unhinged?

Posted on January 29, 2025 by johnrachel

Misinformation and disinformation is the new normal. Is there any way to remove the virus that infects people in the US with hatred of Russia and Putin? Continue reading →

Posted in Deconstruction, Nihilism, Political Analysis, Social Commentary, War and Peace | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

War is making us poor?

Posted on January 13, 2025 by johnrachel

‘Poor’ is a relative term. The US constantly trumpets itself as the richest country in the world, the richest country in history! And via carefully compiled spread sheets prepared by neoliberal economists, we can find strong evidence for the claim. However, facts on the ground for millions of American citizens, tell a different story. Continue reading →

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Happy New Year! (from Japan)

Posted on December 30, 2024 by johnrachel

This is a holiday song of fellowship and unity for 2025. Considering the horror show we have unleashed in the world this past year, maybe this seems too wholesome, too positive. But I believe, when things are at their worst is when we must envision ourselves at our best. Continue reading →

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Life In Japan: Christmas Season . . . Osaka

Posted on December 29, 2024 by johnrachel

Japan does Christmas in style. This year we went to Osaka and two floors of the huge Hankyu Department Store were Christmas themed. There was every holiday gift item from all over the world there. Continue reading →

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