Gaza Absurdity

“If the Nuremberg laws were applied, then every post-war American president would have been hanged.” Noam Chomsky In this statement, Professor Chomsky (author, political activist and social critic) was referring to the legal principles used to prosecute the Nazi war criminals after WW2. This statement certainly is appropriate for the Biden administration's support for the genocide in Gaza. Biden's shameful and illegal funding, supplying and enabling of Israel's war crimes in Gaza are the most egregious of the many war crimes committed by our country. Donald ...

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COOPERATION 106

cooperation [ koh-op-uh-rey-shuhn ] an act or instance of working or acting together for a common purpose or benefit mutually beneficial interaction among organisms [nations] living in a limited area [planet Earth]   It was back in November of 2024 that I wrote COOPERATION 105 in this series. There has been so much turmoil in the ensuing 3 months that it has been hard to imagine any sort of cooperation in the U.S. or globally. Yet the urgency for cooperation has only grown – in the U.S. and globally.   Donald Trump, of course, moved into the ...

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America Celebrates Presidents’ Day

Our US Constitution establishes three co-equal branches in our federal government, legislative, executive, and judicial, and specifies each branch’s role and responsibilities under our country’s rule of law. More than 220 years ago, in Marbury v. Madison, our US Supreme Court determined that our independent judiciary is the final arbiter of the law.   Performing their responsibilities in that role, several federal judges issued temporary restraining orders and injunctions pausing some of President Trump’s recent executive actions while lawsuits challeng...

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Realigning the U.S. Towards Dictatorships is Dangerous

The new administration is realigning US foreign policy in a dangerous direction.  Instead of traditional alliances with democratic countries, current leadership has expressed admiration for, and aligned interests, with dictatorial leaders.  Principle among these countries is Putin’s Russia.  Russia, is basically a failed state.  Putin’s leadership has handed power to an billionaire class (oligarchs), who he has given license to to exploit the wealth of the state as long as they remain loyal to him.  Education and research have declined.  Life expectancy is years ...

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Destroying America

“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.” President Abraham Lincoln “If President Trump wants to change our nation’s laws, he has the right to ask Congress to change them. He does not have the right to violate the United States Constitution. He is not a king.” Senator Bernie Sanders. Our country is in crisis. Our government has been seized by a dictator wannabee and a cabal of super-wealthy, authoritarian extremists who want to destroy all the social progress of the last ...

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Building the Resistance

The 24-Hour Economic Blackout Back in December I wrote about using our power as consumers to oppose the Trump wrecking crew. (“Now what? Tactics for resistance,” The Duluth Reader, Thursday December 5, 2024). In that article I suggested taking the fight to the wealthy Trump supporters by reducing our spending and not buying from companies that supported him. I am not the only one pushing this tactic. I recently got an email saying that comedian Jon Stewart has been calling for Friday, February 28 to be a “24-hour Economic Blackout.” I have not found Jon's ...

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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY (Susan Crawford Rally) Saturday, March 8 RIGHTS, EQUALITY, EMPOWERMENT On March 8, at 10:30 AM, join us to celebrate International Women's Day under the theme, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” And I add, also the men who support them. This year's theme calls for action that can unlock equal rights,power and opportunities for all and a feminist future where no one is left behind. We only have a few weeks left before the election and I can’t shout it loudly enough how important this election ...

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Green Plastic and Cow Burps

This article discusses two environmental topics. Both are examples of how we refuse to do even simple, reasonable things to deal with our garbage or take action on environmental problems. These stories illustrate our propensity to both believe in scientific solutions – technology will save us – while being woefully ignorant of basic science and unwilling to accept the warnings of scientists. The Myth of Green Plastics In recent articles I have discussed the environmental problems with plastics and plastic waste. The myth of “green” plastics is more of the ...

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MADISON DAY OF ACTION WITH NAOMI

Are you upset with the state of affairs in our state and nation! Come join us for an exciting day at WISDOM’S Madison Action Day, Thursday, April 10, 2025! WISDOM is a state-wide network of people looking for the common good. WISDOM is committed to just change that brings health and stability for the second, third and seventh generations to come. NAOMI is one of 12 Affiliates in the state. Join with all the Affiliates for a dynamic day of advocacy, learning, and action with an opportunity to engage directly with your elected Representatives and Senators. Connect with ...

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AMENDMENT OVERVIEW

Wisconsin voters will be asked one question to amend (change) the constitution on their April ballot. This amendment, the sixth proposed by the legislature in the last year, is another example of the legislature attempting to bypass the authority of the executive and judicial branches through the constitutional amendment process, while denying voters the ability to propose their own citizen-led ballot initiatives. Whether you love it or hate it, Wisconsin already has a strict voter ID law on the books. This constitutional amendment seeks to enshrine Wisconsin’s voter ...

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