Moral Monday: Enough is Enough

Time is Now
 “Enough is enough.  She’s innocent.  She didn’t bother nobody” as yet another innocent girl’s life hangs in the balance after being shot in the crossfire of gunmen while on the playground at Clarke Street Elementary School in Milwaukee on May 21st. The father, Onjaun Guyton, says, “Enough is enough” and holds the sobbing mother of 10 year old, Sierra Guyton. “Think about that:  A 10-year old shot on her school playground.  What kind of world allows that to happen?” Another father, Richard Martinezs, pleads on national television to please ...

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The Global Fast Food Workers Strike

Wausau Strike
As many are aware, the global fast food workers strike took place this past May 15th. There were participants all over America. Citizens of all ages and backgrounds took part, and these were some of the comments from the courageous individuals who marched in Wausau: “What 15 & a union means to me: Protection from wage theft and income inequality. As a worker, I’ve seen wage theft happen first hand. Whether it’s not getting paid during training, taking out the trash on breaks, or even counting registers off of the clock, these are all forms of wage theft ...

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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 ...

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The Best Way to Stop Climate Change

Earth from Space
Many of us are well aware of climate change, so we use LED light bulbs, plant trees, recycle, and lower our thermostats in the winter. As we do all this, however, we realize that fossil fuel companies are receiving billions of dollars in federal subsidies and that global warming and climate change continue to increase. Is there anything you can do that would have a significant impact on global warming? Yes, there is! You can contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives and urge them to pass a revenue-neutral carbon tax. Climate scientists and economist agree ...

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On a Green Diet: UW-Stout Claims State Recycling Crown

UW Stout Recycling
Less than two years after going on a strict trash diet, University of Wisconsin-Stout has weighed in. The results are impressive: the university has cut tons of waste, is producing more compost than trash and has earned a state title. During the 2013-14 academic year, UW-Stout so far has reduced its total amount of waste going to the landfill by 43 tons — more than 86,000 pounds — compared to the previous year. That figure played a big part in the recently completed national Recyclemania contest. UW-Stout, for the first time, led all competing colleges in Wisconsin ...

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Moral Monday: The Birthday Party

Birthday cake
Family members decided to do something different for the child’s birthday this year.  Instead of having a party for a few children, they decided to have a birthday party for all  26 children in the first grade classroom.  The family purchased: a meat and cheese platter, a fruit platter, a veggie platter, wholesome buns and crackers.  Each of the  children in the classroom and the teacher received a gift.    The mom and child read Happy Birthday to You by Dr. Seuss to the class. The children in the classroom come from diverse backgrounds.  This school district ...

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Honor the Fallen by Working for Peace

Honoring the fallen
On Memorial Day we remember our military dead and honor their sacrifice. But we do not honor veterans by lying to ourselves about why they died. Many Americans believe we are “free” because of the military and the sacrifice of our troops. “Got freedom? Thank a Vet!” This is a nice sound bite, but it is not true. This slogan only blinds us to the real causes of war. It promotes the next war. It justifies the war industry and maintains recruiting. It is misleading because it assumes that only veterans have protected our freedoms. And it assumes our numerous ...

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Moral Monday: Discovering the Penokees

Penokees
EDITORS' NOTE: "Moral Mondays" is a movement founded by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II to identify interconnected social and moral issues, and the people, movements, and organizations working to address these problems. "Moral Monday" is a weekly feature in Middle Wisconsin. Moral Monday in the Penokees By Joyce Luedke An Open Letter to Senator Jerry Petrowski After reading the book Discovering the Penokees by Joel Austin, Joyce sent a copy of the book and this letter to Senator Jerry Petrowski. Dear Senator Petrowski: Please share this book, Discovering the ...

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Contraceptive Coverage & the Supreme Court

justice
The stately Lady Justice sits beneath the Supreme Court inscription: “EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER LAW.” Advocates at the national family planning conference visited our elected officials this week. As I passed Lady Justice, I thought about the pending case on contraceptive insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Much of the public is weary of this tedious and endless debate on women’s health and women’s rights.  But if the court’s motto is not to become an epitaph for equality for women, individual constitutional rights in these most intimate and ...

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Why Women Should Support Women (written by a MAN!)

Women Supporting Women
It's amazing that in 2014 we're still fighting over equality for WOMEN. Equal pay for women is an example. This seems like a simple issue of fairness and family values. Women do make less than men for the same work. Women are the primary breadwinners in many families. Yet Gov. Walker ended the state equal pay law. This week the Republicans in the U.S. Senate blocked DEBATE on the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would have helped women fight unequal pay. But it doesn't stop with pay. Opposition to health care reform impacts women more than men. So do attacks on voting ...

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