87 results for author: Virginia Kirsch
ON THE BOOKSHELF…TOUCHING SPIRIT: THE LETTERS OF MINOMINIKE
I am honored to review this marvelous book by James C. Washburn, a retired teacher living in Marshfield. This book has reached #4 on the Amazon Best Seller list for Spirituality.
A white infant is orphaned in northern Canada and is adopted by a childless Ojibwa/Inuit couple. The young boy enjoys the beautiful environment and is lovingly raised with full awareness of the Spirit Within. He goes south for seminary and becomes a pastor where he loses touch with the Spirit.
When his father dies, he returns to his childhood home and finds letters written by his grandfather, Minominike. His education and vocation are challenged by the truth in his ...
ON THE BOOKSHELVES . . . . . THE OTHER WES MOORE
One Name, Two Fates….”The chilling truth is that his story could have been mine.
The tragedy is that my story could have been his.”
This wonderful book by author Wes Moore must be included in conversations about disparity, race and poverty.
Two young African-American boys grow up within city blocks of each other in Baltimore. Each is named Wes Moore. One is currently serving life-imprisonment for murder. The other grew up to be a Rhodes Scholar, decorated combat veteran of Afghanistan, White House Fellow and business leader.
Author Wes Moore was a speaker at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, was named one of Ebony magazin...
ON THE BOOKSHELVES . . . . . BADGER STATE OF MIND
The Beauty of Wisconsin Through Photos and Stories
This wonderful book by author and photographer Kelly Maddern tells about our beautiful state and features agriculture, recreation, wildlife, weather and small business. There is a special section for Northwoods, Southwest and Southeast Wisconsin. It is a book for all seasons, for browsing through on long winter days, or for trip-planning in summer.
Maddern loves to hop in the car and drive until she gets lost. This brings her to some hidden treasures in Wisconsin. She and her family traveled throughout the state, taking photos and talking to lots of people.
Kelly shares her wonderful discov...
ON THE BOOKSHELVES….BLUE JEANS IN HIGH PLACES – The Coming Makeover of American Politics
The best book to read this post-election is BLUE JEANS IN HIGH PLACES, The Coming Makeover of American Politics by Mike McCabe.
In this book, McCabe offers a plan to re-invent our political system to represent the people. For the past 15 years, Mike, Director and founder of Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, has been following the money in American politics. He writes from experience and with sound evidence. His writing (like his speeches) is refreshing and encouraging.
We the people are not as hopelessly divided as we think. However, we are numb when it comes to the moral decay of our democracy. McCabe does a very good job of explaining our present ...
ON THE BOOKSHELVES…“A FIGHTING CHANCE” by Elizabeth Warren
“This is a story about what’s worth fighting for, and how sometimes, even when we fight against powerful opponents, we can win.”
- Elizabeth Warren, author of A Fighting Chance
Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts has told us again and again that the system is fixed. The banking system is fixed to benefit the wealthy and the powerful. The economic system is rigged to benefit the rich. The rich have many loopholes by which to evade paying taxes.
Senator Warren also has said, “What are you going to do about the fixed system? Either you can whimper and whine…or you can fight. I choose to fight.”
That is the essence ...
Move to Amend
This article was previously published in the Wausau Daily Herald
Would you like to sign a petition to get Big Money out of politics?
We must stop Citizens United (the Supreme Court decision in 2010 that says that corporations are people and that money is speech and is protected by the First Amendment).
Move to Amend is the organization that has been working across the country toward a 28th amendment to overturn Citizens United. During the month of July, MTA is working in Wausau. I am one of fifty local volunteers.
Why am I doing this?
Recently I heard a story about a couple that moved to a new town. They were looking for a church to ...
Whose Freedom are we Celebrating?
WHOSE FREEDOM ARE WE CELEBRATING?
On our beautiful 4th of July weekend of parades, picnics and watermelon, I wondered what kind of freedom we were celebrating. There are two versions of freedom operating in our nation. One is the progressive view and the other is the conservative view. Each side thinks he is right and that the other will destroy our nation. For further reading on this subject, check out Bill Bishop’s THE BIG SORT.
I will refer to George Lakoff’s THE LITTLE BLUE BOOK, for the following insights:
Freedom, to the conservative, is based on a strict family model. The strict father is responsible for providing for himself and his ...
Concerns of Wisconsin Veterans
CONCERNS OF WISCONSIN VETERANS
Mary Burke (gubernatorial candidate) held a listening session in Wausau for Wisconsin veterans. This is what she heard.
The Director of DAV (Disabled American Veterans) spoke first. DAV works for high quality lives for veterans through advocacy. They meet with leaders at the state level as well as at the national level. They also give free assistance to vets. Last year, 25,000 rides were given to Wisconsin vets. DAV plans to hold a gubernatorial forum this fall and asked if Mary Burke would attend.
Janice, a veteran, spoke of the long waiting time for appointments at the Tomah VA Center. She also said she has ...
Move To Amend Comes To Wausau
Volunteers are knocking on doors this month in Wausau, asking people if they wish to sign a petition to bring a nonbinding resolution to the November 4 ballot. This resolution will call for a constitutional amendment stating that money is not speech.
Move to Amend seeks a 28th Amendment saying that corporations are not people and that money is not speech. In 2010 the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of Citizens United which allows corporations to give unlimited amounts of money to politicians. This has made our democracy available to the highest bidder.
People across the political spectrum agree that money should not be protected as free speech. ...
The Dangers Of Tar Sands Oil – In Wisconsin
Tar Sands Oil is coming to Wisconsin. Last Thursday the state DNR approved an air permit to triple the capacity of the pipeline between Superior and the Illinois state line.
Construction could start as soon as Friday on three new storage tanks near Superior.
Environmentalists are not happy with this decision. The DNR received 200 written comments and 3400 e-mails asking for a complete environmental review of the project. However, the DNR decided not to do the complete review.
This pipeline has been used since 2009 and now carries 400,000 barrels of oil a day. By the year 2016 Enbridge (operator of the pipeline) would like to ship three times ...