Culture
WISDOM FOR JUSTICE
Religion at its very best is universal. It knows no boundaries, transcends all divisions and labels, judges not, excludes none. It is the ancient and eternal quest for a decent humanity, for caring societies and communities, for seeking unity with others. It accepts. It knows the human acts of thinking, questioning, doubting, of fearlessly seeking the truth, as deeply moral endeavors. It moves convictions to actions.
The Wisconsin faith based organization known as Wisdom is the embodiment of religion at its best. A member of the international network known as the ...
The Rifle
Born in the late 40’s, I grew up in a family of hunters. Fair shots most of them, I remember standing next to my father when a spooked buck crossed our path at a dead run. Dad shot twice, hit twice, and the buck went down. It was near Hatfield, in central Wisconsin.
Dad’s rifle was an old, iron sight, pump action, 30 Remington. It has killed (we kill deer - corn and oats are harvested) a few deer since my father died in 94. My sons have used the rifle. It was never a popular caliber and bullets are no longer manufactured for it. I have about 35 left – should last ...
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, ...
Veterans Day Reality
On Veterans Day I am reminded of the many popular misconceptions about veterans. We have an almost cult hero worship of veterans and their “sacrifice” for “freedom.”
The truth is veterans are just people. They reflect a cross section of our society. They have the same mix of dedication, patriotism, and competence as other public employees. They also exhibit the same prejudices, character flaws, and foibles as the general population. The periodic scandals (rape, torture, killing of civilians, sexual harassment, cheating on competency tests) clearly illustrate ...
“The Test” – Wisconsin Values – A Progressive Balance
Many months back a group of concerned citizens developed “The Test.” It was centered on three simple words - - - Fairness, Respect and Community. These words were chosen because they embody values that virtually all Wisconsinites hold dear. “The Test” was originally written to give citizens a basis upon which to assess proposed legislation and regulation, but it can also be applied to candidates for public office. As we approach the fall elections it is critical that we ask ourselves - - - does a candidate and what they propose and stand for represent fairness, ...
The Soul of Wisconsin is a Sacred Thing
“The Soul of Wisconsin is a sacred thing” are the words of poet, Marijane Curry.
The “Soul of Wisconsin” has had a proud heritage of working together for the good of all citizens,
but it has been bruised and battered by a governor who planned a “divide and conquer” strategy with billionaire, Diane Hendricks, who donated $500,000 to Walker in 2011. The strategy was to pit good, hardworking families, friends, and neighbors against each other. Walker bragged about “dropping the bomb.” Let’s look at the results for 2014.
Jobs lost as estimated: ...
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 ...
Questions on Patriotism
Questions About Patriotism
Fourth of July celebrations get me thinking about patriotism and its role in our country. We are good at flag waving and platitudes. But our history shows we are not good at living up to our ideals. So patriotic holidays get me asking questions about what patriotism really means in America.
Why is patriotism considered the highest of virtues? Shouldn't we be more concerned about people? Shouldn't we love morality, justice, or tolerance more? Christ said we should love our neighbor, not our country.
Why is patriotism always expressed in ...
ON THE BOOKSHELVES… “Wisconsin Bucket List: 100 Ways to Have a Real Wisconsin Experience”
“In my opinion, it is entirely possible that America’s Dairyland was once a shooting star
that traveled from the Milky Way and landed in the heartland of our great nation.”
— Kelly Jo Stull, author of The Wisconsin Bucket List
Looking for a home-grown GRADUATION, RETIREMENT, or FATHER'S DAY GIFT to kick off the summer travel season?
Wisconsin Bucket List: 100 Ways to Have a Real Wisconsin Experience is a compendium of 100 iconic Wisconsin attractions that will warm your heart as you laugh and nod in recognition of your own childhood memories and musings...
World War I Centennial
Thousands of soldiers with bayoneted rifles going “over the top” of a barb-wired, rat infested trench. Ever onward, soldiers fall to the left, to the right, in front and back mowed down by enemy gunfire while crossing ever more trenches into “No man’s land.”
Hundreds of dead soldiers lying face down amidst the trees in a forest.
Row after row of hospital beds filled with wounded soldiers tended by Red Cross nurses.
Blackened corpses lying in a hastily dug grave. Soldiers in gas masks. The ghastly scenes of gas warfare.
Millions of ...
