Monday, October 12, 2026

Banks Struggle to Digest the Mounting Debt Driving the AI Boom

Whether called “artifiical intelligence” or “super intelligence” the biggest players in the industry need massive capital infusions.

Links 10/12/2026

European Nationalism in Service of the Empire: Rubio Urges Europe to Embrace Civilizational Struggle—and Sacrifice Itself 

‘The recurring hero of the ancient Greek world was the man who was willing to pay any cost for a cause worthy of his loyalty.’

Big Money, Party Politics, and Congressional Leadership in the 2026 Election: From the Rockies to the Himalayas

In the 2026 midterms, congressional leaders of both parties are drawing very big money from megadonors, while small donors barely register.

Why ‘Vertical Farming’ Is Not a Fix for Our Food System

Technological and material investments are being mobilized to preserve the expectation that a particular version of the present can be sustained into an increasingly unstable future.

Links 10/11/2026

The Sunday Morning Movie Presents: Kiseye Berendj AKA Bag Of Rice (1998) Run Time: 1H 20M Plus Bonuses!

Dear readers, The site from which I get the majority of my films, rarefilmm.com, is in danger of shutting down. Apparently, donations to the site have dropped considerably over the last few months. Rarefilms.com is a -treasure trove- of rare and obscure films. There are nearly 4000 movies available there! Please, please consider donating to […]

Iran War: Saudi Airports and Oil Facilities Blasted Again and Again

Yemen’s Ansar Allah pounded Saudi Arabia Saturday, injuring hundreds at the Riyadh airport but also halting flights at King Fahd airport in Dammam while rumors of hits on Saudi oil facilities ran rampant. Iran was active in the Strait again.

When Will Politicians Turn to MMT?

Richard Murphy makes the case for MMT in the aftermath of one of several looming crises.

Links 10/10/2026

Iran War: IRGC and Ansar Allah Fire Away At Tankers, Oil Facilities, Airports

The IRGC hit at least one more tanker in the Strait Friday, while Ansar Allah hit more Saudi oil facilities and airlines cancelled flights. Combat raged in Yemen with with both sides claiming territorial gans.

Michael Hudson on the Oil Markets

Michael Hudson gives an immediate and longer-term take on the state of the oil market.

Coffee Break: Reflections on Science During Nobel Prize Week

At this writing three Nobel Prizes of 2026 have been awarded, so this is a good time to think about those who did not win a Nobel Prize but should have.  Science has done this in Six biology breakthroughs that should have won a Nobel Prize – but didn’t (archived link).  The list of misses […]

The UN at the Breaking Point and What Could Come Next

The UN is a dead man walking, yet BRICS members unrealistically hope for reform. What organizations could be models for moving forward?

Links 10/9/2026