ON THE BOOKSHELF – “Devil in the Grove”

ON THE BOOKSHELF By Steve Grillo Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America. By Gilbert King Our storied history, wrought with racial injustice and racial strife, is one which has left an indelible mark on a democracy which was built on the foundation of principles heavily rooted in equality and justice. Understanding that history and how its complexities are interwoven into our daily lives today is paramount to being able to effect the lasting change so many strived for throughout our struggle to end racial injustice. It is in our quest for knowledge that we can better understand the struggles and ...

Save the Date: Education, Inc. Documentary: “Follow the Money Corrupting Our Schools”

Save the Date: Education, Inc. Documentary: "Follow the Money Corrupting Our Schools" Friday Aug. 14, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. AND Tues. Aug. 18, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Marathon County Public Library 300 N. 1st Street Wausau, WI 54403 3rd Floor Mtg. Rm (use elevator) Please be aware of the 2-hour parking limit in the Library's main lot, we ask that you utilize the nearby parking ramps instead. This documentary explores the hidden corporate and political interests attempting to take over American public education across the country. Our very own Wisconsin educational researchers, Dr. Julie Mead and ...

A Monumental Shift in Ideology with Respect to Religious Freedoms

The current Supreme Court session came to a climatic end this past week with decisions on religious freedom. These decisions come on the heels of a contentious shift within the Supreme Court on First Amendment issues over the past few years. The central issue coming out of these recent cases centers on finding an intricate balance between religious freedoms and protecting the interests of individuals. The decision handed down by the Supreme Court in Burwell, Secretary of Health and Human Services, et al v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc., et al. changes the landscape with regards to how the Court views religious freedom within the corporate sphere. ...

The Struggle between Freedom and Safety

The recent tragedy near Santa Barbara, California, where a lone gunman killed six innocent individuals, has ignited yet another firestorm of commentary regarding the growing divide between those who value our unalienable rights and those who place a value on public safety. This constant struggle between both sides can often times leave more questions than answers. Whose viewpoints are right? Which takes precedence over the other? The answer to that question lies at the very bedrock of who we are as a society, and ultimately, who we want to be. A middle-ground between both sides is necessary if any action is ever to be successful. On ...

Lewis, Anthony. (2007). Freedom for the Thought that We Hate, A Biography of the First Amendment . . . a Book Review

The viability of any democracy depends upon a system of laws which serve to protect the fundamental rights of its citizens. One of those fundamental rights, found here in the United States and championed in many other parts of the world, can be found in the First Amendment. The storied history of the First Amendment lends not only to its continued relevance in our democracy, but also to the numerous challenges it has faced throughout our history. Understanding the importance of the First Amendment within the framework of its evolution within our society can not only deepen our understanding of it, but also serve to strengthen our resolve to ...