Government
Balloons, Secrecy and Paranoia
The news last week was the Chinese invasion of the country with a balloon. As the apparently harmless balloon floated across the country it sparked a great deal of angst, speculation, misinformation and plain stupidity.
One wonders if anyone, our government leaders, the news media or the American people ever stop to think before overreacting. The Chinese spy balloon saga and the ongoing classified documents scandals are examples. Critical thinking skills are in short supply but paranoia is abundant.
Of course, the balloon was immediately branded as a “spy ...
FROM DREAM TO NIGHTMARE REALITY
I had the strangest dream last night. I dreamed that Russia and China had placed nuclear missiles and troops all along America’s northern and southern borders. Russia had armaments on the Canadian front that, should America show aggression and begin a war against Canada, in 5-7 minutes could incinerate Seattle, St. Louis, Minneapolis/St Paul, Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, and Washington DC.
China had placed arms along the Mexican border and in 5-7 minutes could level San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, ...
The Social in Political/Economic Society
One of the dominate themes in American society is that of rugged individualism. Individualism is a key to American society, but it exists within social perimeters. We exist in a social environment in thought, property ownership, economy, and innovation. We are not isolated individuals carving out our lives on our own intelligence, talent, and initiative. Instead, we exist, and operate in, a functioning society. A functioning society means a legal framework, social investments, and a knowledge base that allows people and businesses to operate within consistent, and predic...
DEAR LEGISLATORS
“Unchecked militarism is the fatal disease of empires.” - Historian Arnold Toynbee
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed. This world in arms is not spending money alone. It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children. The cost of one modern heavy bomber is this: a modern brick school in more than 30 cities. It is two electric power plants, each serving a town ...
BALLOONS AND CIRCUS CLOWNS
Grab your cell phone. Go to google maps. Click on satellite view. Search for Beijing, China. Zoom in. Want to sit on the roof of the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong? Zero in – you’re there. How about the Beijing Marriott Hotel? Not a problem. Wander around Tianamen Square? Go for it. Check out the curving roof ridges on the buildings in the Forbidden City? It’s all yours. Hungry? Head for Hongrongyuan Dumpling or Wankelai Beefsteak Hotpot. Heard they’re great!
Ah, but let’s head back to America. Do a search for the White House, Pennsylvania Ave. Wander around the ...
Democracy and Political Violence
“The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his book “Strength to Love.”
Driving to Green Bay recently I noticed a number of billboards that said “Thank a cop.” That part of Wisconsin being staunchly right wing, one would assume this message was a reaction to Black Lives Matter protests and efforts to make police more accountable for excessive use of force against minorities.
We were driving through a snow storm and it occurred to me that ...
TECTONIC SHIFTS
History matters. As World War II came to an end in 1944, Europe and Japan were in ruins while the U.S. had become the world’s economic powerhouse. At a historic meeting in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, forty-four countries agreed to fix their currencies to the U.S. dollar and the dollar was made convertible to gold at $35 per ounce. Thereafter countries would settle their international trade in dollars, and the dollar became the world’s reserve currency.
As one might expect, having the dollar as the world’s reserve currency proved enormously beneficial to America. ...
Crime and Too Little Punishment
“Some men rob you with a six-gun – others rob you with a fountain pen.” Woody Guthrie
“Do the math. Far from a deterrent, multi-million dollar fines are a minuscule cost of doing business...million dollar fines on billion dollar profiteering won't deter it...” Jim Hightower on fines for illegal behavior in the meat packing industry.
Last week I wrote about corporate crime and how it is more prevalent, more costly, and more harmful to society than ordinary street crime (like murder, assault, robbery or rape). This week we look at ...
BIGGER THAN ROE WAUSAU
BIGGER THAN ROE WAUSAU
SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, NOON-2 PM
400 BLOCK, WAUSAU
BRING YOUR SIGNS
We will have information available on how to register to vote, how to obtain an absentee ballot, and how to become involved in the Supreme Court primary on February 21. Do you know which candidates hold your values? We can help. We will have half sheets on the Progressive candidates. Women's March members know that when we come together we can achieve change. And, the more people that come along to these kind of events, the more our movement will grow.
All of us are BORN ...
Corporate Crime
“The irony is that the nation I live in, once a beacon of democracy for my parents, is now dominated by corporations that value profit over people, safety and well-being,” Marta Tellado, CEO of Consumer Reports. Her parents fled Cuba in 1961.
Crime was a major issue in the recent election. According to the Republicans “crime is skyrocketing” and honest citizens are living in fear of widespread violent crime. “Criminals are “wreaking havoc on American cities” said Rep. Tom Tiffany despite his mostly rural northern Wisconsin congressional district having ...