Politics


Jalisco and the Refugee Crisis

  Jalisco state in Mexico rings in the ears with mariachi music and brightly dressed dancers twirling, while onlookers toast glasses of tequila.  Both this iconic music and the even more iconic drink fermented and distilled from the blue agave are said to have been born there.  Nat King Cole and Elvis sang the praises of Guadalajara, Jalisco's capital, and the beaches of Puerto Vallarata will undoubtedly tickle the memory circuits of many folks from Central Wisconsin.  Colorful and inspiring, Jalisco is also home to one of Mexico's  brutal drug cartels and ...

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A Need for Empathy

What is empathy? It is the capacity to “walk in another’s shoes.” To walk in another’s shoes means to understand, feel, and identify as an other. It is different from compassion, which is when one in a superior position feels sorry for a less fortunate other. Empathy is a two-way street. The feeling of understanding for the unfortunate must go the other way as well. It involves understanding as well as being understood, and trust and respect that go both ways. I must understand who I am in my shoes, before I can walk in those of another. Empathy is a feeling of ...

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A WAR CORESPONDENT

Those of us born in the 1940’s and 50’s well remember the Cuban missile crisis when the Soviet Union placed missiles in Cuba that were minutes from destroying Washington DC and other major US cities. And we all remember President Kennedy’s speech to the American people telling us that the Soviet Union meant no harm and was just defending itself from American aggression and that Cuba was a sovereign nation and had every right to allow Russia to place missiles on its soil. There was nothing to worry about.   Of course, we all know exactly the opposite ...

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The Candle Signal


INDIVISIBLE Hands Off Rally April 5

  Northcentral Wisconsin INDIVISIBLE Fights back! Saturday, April 5 at noon Rib Mountain Drive (sidewalk between Michael’s Crafts and Hobby Lobby) Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. We are fighting back! They're taking everything they can get their hands on—our health care, our data, our jobs, our services—and daring the world to stop them. This is a crisis, and the time to act is now. 🚨 On Saturday, April 5th, we're taking to the streets to fight back with a clear message: Hands off! 🚨 This mass ...

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Where’s Tom Tiffany

Where: Thursday, March 20, noon at 2620 Stewart Avenue, public sidewalk.  LAST SEEN: Ducking in and out and avoiding his constituents. Yet sadly,  he is invited as the special guest to an anti-trans event featuring Riley Gaines at the Hilton Garden Inn  Rib Mountain, March 18 at noon by Mom’s for Liberty and can back that whole heartedly. Obviously he does not represent everyone in his community. WHERE HE IS NOT: Not standing up for Veterans, Farmers, or Seniors. (Who needs them when you have billionaire donors). PROBABLY: Somewhere helping Trump and Musk ...

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Costs of Foolishness

“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.” Bertrand Russell (1872 –1970), British philosopher The fools and fanatics currently in control of our country have no understanding of what government is about, how it operates, or the importance it has for people and society. But they are “certain of themselves” and their anti-government ideology. Many people are going to be hurt, and many will literally die from their ignorant, mean spirited, shortsighted actions. John Adams ...

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RETURN OF THE ROBBER BARRONS 2.0

Cartoon from North Dakota Non-Partisan Leader 01/07/1918 The Non-Partisan League was formed by the farmers of N.D. because neither the Republicans nor the Democrats of that time were serving their interests. The League would go on to establish the public Bank of North Dakota in 1919 which serves the people of N.D. to this day. https://digitalhorizonsonline.org/digital/collection/ppf/id/24648/rec/2 Most Americans are becoming alarmed and shocked by the current assault on various long-established Federal Programs by the Trump Administration and the so-called ...

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Modern Abolitionists – All

I remember trout fishing in the mountains just east of Salt Lake City when we lived there in the '60s.  Beautiful, clear, achingly cold streams in mountain valleys so picturesque you almost didn't care if you caught any fish at all.  The prize might well have been just breathing in the view along with the cool, clean air.  One hot afternoon I followed a small feeder stream away from the river I had been fishing.  About a hundred yards or so up the ravine the small stream literally disappeared under a dark, thick wall of shrubs and scrub oak.  I spread some branches ...

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Bernie

We've got some exciting news to share: Bernie’s coming to Altoona on Saturday, March 8, and you’re invited! He’ll be speaking about how our movement can come together to take on the Oligarchy and demand a government that works for all of us, not just the wealthy few. This is going to be a great event, and we’d love to see you there. So, can you make it? Here’s everything you need to know: Fighting Oligarchy: Where We Go From Here with Bernie Sanders in Altoona Saturday, March 8 10:30am Doors Open 11:30am Speaking Program Starts Altoona High ...

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