“Arkansas Traveler” is an old-time song of folk humor that tells of a well-heeled dandy who gets lost while travelling across the Ozark Mountains. He comes upon a backwoods farmer and shouts out: “Hey farmer, where does this road go?” Not missing a beat, the farmer says: “I’ve lived here all my life, stranger, and it ain’t gone nowhere, yet.”

I made a few New Year’s resolutions this week – not for me, but as self-improvement ideas for some of the people running our country. No need for them to thank me – happy to help. I drafted one for the GOP’s whole ultra-rightist gaggle of lawmakers who keep blocking passage of health coverage for poor people. “Resolved: We will forego the gold-plated socialized health care we now take from taxpayers, because it’s only right that we be in the same leaky boat as our constituents.”

When we asked you for your suggestions for organizations that deserve Lowdowners’ donations and support, you didn’t hold back! We’re so grateful to see how generous and mindful this community is—whenever we ask for your help and ideas, you jump right in. It makes us, and our work, feel that much more connected to the America beyond our devices and screens.

Vangunu, one of the Solomon Islands, is home to a giant species of rodent called Vika. Astonishingly, this rare and very large rat has jaws so powerful it can bite through a coconut shell! That made me think of Rep. Jim Jordan, the GOP’s rattiest, far-right-wing congress critter. There is no documented proof that this extremist partisan was raised on Vangunu, but he sure keeps gnawing on Joe and Hunter Biden, desperately trying to crack open a scandal that simply doesn’t exist. Vikas are powerful, but they’ve not been accused of being smart.

“OK, Boomer.” That’s a snarky phrase currently some use to mock 60-and-70-year-olds they consider to be cluelessly out-of-touch. Recently, however, teenagers and 20-somethings have turned that snide sentiment into a positive challenge directed at doomsayers of all ages who claim nothing can be done to stop runaway global warming: “

Merry happy, everyone! We’re preparing for our holiday weekend, and we got to thinking: What organizations are our readers supporting this year? We’d like to do a roundup post next week of different causes, groups, candidates and more that you’d like our community to know about or support through donations. Each subscriber gets just

Let’s all sing the holiday classic: “All I want for Christmas… Is Something Not Made of Plastic.” Easier sung than done. Plastic is now ubiquitous in toys, electronics, tools, air, water… and us. And don’t forget the plastic Baby Jesus in Christmas tableaus.

Our friends over at The People’s History in Texas recently shared this great bit of holiday history, when the Department of Agriculture, helmed by Hightower at the time, promoted buying local Christmas trees as a way to support Texas farmers. Enjoy!

Mike Johnson, bless his heart, says he doesn’t “wanna get too spooky on you,” but it was God who made him the new Speaker of the US House. He’s not asserting the fairly common belief, held by many Christians, that the Almighty plays a direct role in shaping people’s lives. No, no – Mike’s claim of divine selection is more singular, grandiose… and spooky.

Groovin’ on into our weekend with your submissions for political and protest songs from the 1970s! (If you’re new to our community, we asked for your favorites last month, and boy, did you deliver.) We’re still collecting submissions for favorites from the 1980s and beyond, as well as early 20th century jams that get you riled and ready to fight the Powers That Be. We’re full up on 1960s and 1970s— in case you missed it,