UNBELIEVABLY FOREBODING UNEMPLOYMENT STATS FROM SPAIN.

We are pretty much doing everything we can to avoid talking about the debates last night, or any debates right now as too much of even a GOOD thing is too much-let alone this circus sideshow crap-ola. BTW-any more debates and Crabtree rock-a-byes the bunny. That being said, we like to 'think ahead of the curve,' while also realizing outside of America people could really give a half shit about us. They need us-but they are starting to collapse on their own. Like dominoes at this point.

We have traveled to Europe several times, and recommend everyone experience the journey at least once. However, we didn't notice how accurately observant we were being during our last few trips {first in 2002-last July 2010}, where, even in London, we noticed more sketchy people {foreign and domestic}, and what looked like an increasing feeling of desperation among the local population. America as a nation is still a baby compared with these long-established nations. America earned independence from Britain. However, if you did your homework, or more reading than was expected, you remember that Italy {Rome}and Greece {Athens} were the grandfathers of 'new civilization, culture and enlightenment.' In later years, in addition to England, the navies of Spain, France and the Dutch allowed them to not only prosper at home-but to colonize an empire...along with it's precious raw resources {from food products, to oil to the human slave trade}. 

If you really paid attention during 2011, all these once dominant nations are, well, they are all fucked up financially. Italy and Greece have fallen first, perhaps because they had already been falling longer, however, Spain just announced a new unemployment rate of approximately 23%. Think about that for a second. America is genuinely busting apart at the seams because of a 9% unemployment rate. AITC would also argue if you measure those that have dropped out of the 'official' unemployment lines, or measured as 'under-employed,' our own statistics may be already that close.

Spain is a nation we did not visit-we were going to San Fermin, but then the Dutch made a run at the World Cup of futbol. YADA YADA YADA-we are OK with the decision we ultimately made. We envision Spain, though, as also a bit like portions of America; where farmers used to be prosperous, and craftsmanship was local. To hear that so many proud, wonderful, overseas nations are suffering breaks the heart. Possibly more importantly, our micro economies are now globally connected whether it is liked or not. If we haven't gotten our long term bleeding under control {what, still just a month more before we have to do the whole debt ceiling pissing contest again??}, we have to start paying attention to the fact that while we gridlock/sabotage each other in the face of pending elections, we may ultimately end up in a really really bad place ourselves as a nation. Yes....even worse than 2008..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-16754600 

  

This impromptu jam is filmed canal-side in Amsterdam..and no, we didn't notice your B string was a bit out of tune, JF!! :)