News
Help Reduce to Homelessness in Wausau
Individuals without housing are a part of many communities across the country. Unhoused people face challenges that are varied and not easily addressed. As long as their housing and other individual needs remain unmet, some collisions with the interests of the broader community are likely.
Won’t our city and county benefit most if we don’t simplify this complex issue and instead explore multiple perspectives and approaches? Aren’t we best served by moderating differences to craft reasonable problem-solving plans and implementation measures?
Compromise, as ...
WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN CONCERNS IN 2024
Recently, I asked family members and friends: What are your main concerns in 2024?
The responses centered around: climate change and the environment; unions; supporting public schools with additional funds to counter the taxpayer money going to unaccountable private schools; gerrymandering and redistricting; the slaughter of children by high-powered rifles; Social Security and Medicare; raising the minimum wage; increase the number of charging stations for vehicles; use money from the military budget for people programs—education, healthcare, childcare; as our local ...
We Share the Blame…
“Is it for freedom or our comfort and convenience?
Is it to profit for big business we pledge our allegiance?
Are we prisoners in the land of the brave and the bold?
Held by indifference, our hearts grown hard and cold?
From Sara Thomsen's song “Is It For Freedom.”
As a nation, our hearts have become hard and cold to the killing of innocent people all over the world. We are so accustomed to our government constantly bombing someone, somewhere that we can not see the humanity of the victims. Claiming to be defending freedom, democracy or ...
Say Their Names…Tell Their Stories
“'I hope that we’ll stay alive, not because I want life, but because I want to tell our stories, the stories of our people,' says 21-year-old Tala Herzallah, a student in Gaza.” From the Time magazine article listed below.
The death toll in Gaza is now over 22,000. One in every 100 residents has been killed. In November the United Nations said two thirds of the dead were women and children. Other sources say about 9000 of the deaths have been children.
Who are the dead in Gaza? Were they terrorists? Did they hate Jews or want to destroy Israel? Or are they ...
Headline News
It is not a revelation that quality journalism is on the decline. Online “news” feeds are full of gossip, speculation, fake news and inaccurate crap. We are misinformed by the 24/7 mainstream and social media. So, staying informed can be a challenge.
In this article I share news stories that recently caught my attention. These may seem insignificant, but they illustrate larger issues.
I begin with a story from National Public Radio. Even this reputable news source can be misleading with incomplete reporting. The story was about Venezuela, their dire economic ...
UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
It was to be the “American Century.” Ordained by the Universe and God Himself. America, the “exceptional nation,” was destined to rule the world. At long last, Mackinder’s Heartland, Ukraine, would be brought into the American orbit. Russia would fall, be broken into pieces, its resources opened for plunder. China would be next – Taiwan the sacrificial puppet. It was to be the “American Century.” It would also be the greatest moment of imperial hubris in human history.
Rather than allowing Ukraine and Western Europe to live peacefully, with mutually ...
WALK WITH OUR ANCESTORS
Respecting - Honoring - Acknowledging – Remembering
Certain persons of Menominee Indian Heritage, the Coalition to Save the Menominee River, private area landowners and others, joined in a Peaceful Awareness Walk amongst the Ancestors of the Menominee people. The location was Sixty Islands on the Menominee River west of Stephenson, Michigan.
The day began at sunrise with a water ceremony. The sunrise teachings help to deepen connections with the earth and strengthen the work of all. The ceremony was followed by opening words from area ...