Local

Project 2025, labeled the Presidential Transition Project, is the 920-page Republican Party plan to be implemented after (not if) they “win” the presidential and congressional elections in November. It describes how Trump and his allies intend to destroy America’s democracy and create something like a monarchy or fascist political order. Independently of the 2025 Project, Trump believes he will win the election and then become the absolute leader. The federal government will then be under his control, obviating the need for elections and the rule of law. The rich and powerful will be the chief beneficiaries.

According Project 2025, opponents of Trump will be imprisoned or deported, as will millions of undocumented workers residing in the country. Thousands of Trump loyalists will be appointed to executive branch jobs. And a full-blown right-wing agenda will be instituted, involving lowered taxes on the rich, deregulation, and privatization of critical public institutions. The social safety net will be eviscerated. The production and consumption of fossil fuels will be maximized and global warming will increase.

This article first appeared on Reel Time with Richard.

Kneecap is a movie about Irish rappers who deliver their rhymes in their native Irish. As such, it can be a lot for American viewers to absorb, especially since it unfolds at a take-no-prisoners pace.

Once you get your bearings, though, writer/director Rich Peppiatt’s debut flick is a blast and a hoot.

The title refers to an actual Northern Ireland hip-hop band that took its name from the painful punishment often meted out by republican enforcers during the period of upheaval known as “The Troubles.” Set in 2019 or so, long after relative peace has arrived, the film purports to be the band’s origin story.

I say “purports” because Peppiatt’s clever script no doubt takes massive liberties with reality. If the story still has an air of authenticity, it’s partly because the band members all play themselves, and they do so with panache and conviction.

Columbus Campaign for Arms Control Peace Concert
August 6, 2024 @ 7:00PM
University Baptist Church, 50 W Lane Ave, Columbus Ohio

The Hiroshima for Peace Concert is an annual memorial concert which commemorates the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasoki, and advocates for nuclear de-proliferation and disarmament. The series of memorial gatherings and peaceful protests were founded by Mark Stansbery and Yoshie Furuhashi in 2010, and composer Rocco Di Pietro began collaborating with Mark on a series of peace concerts in 2014.

Performers: Justin T. Swain, Paul Strawser, Alex Burgoyne, Leigha Schumaker, David Tomasacci, Jaryn Danz

Composers: Rocco Di Pietro, Anthony Vine, Eunseok Park, David Tomasacci

On Friday, July 19, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion requested in 2022 by the UN General Assembly to address the legality of Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territories seized in 1967. 

Confirming everything that legal scholars, human rights activists, and people of conscience have been saying for decades, the court found that Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is illegal.  Israel is under obligation to end settlement expansion, evacuate all settlers, and remove parts of the apartheid wall that are situated on Palestinian territory.  Israel must provide full reparation for the damage caused by the wrongful acts, including the return of land and assets seized and must allow all Palestinians displaced during the occupation to return to their original location of residence. And important to U.S. policy, under the ruling, the international community and organizations have an obligation “not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by” the occupation.”

Deadly strikes across the Middle East have set an already volatile situation on edge, Friend.

One thing could stand between this distressing uptick in violence and a new war in the Middle East: The Biden administration.

There are no military solutions to this crisis, only diplomatic ones. The U.S. government will need to use every ounce of its influence to pull the parties away from the catastrophic path they’re on. Today, we need the president to know we support these efforts to de-escalate, but we need him to go further.

Right now, our job is nothing short of saving lives. Sign now to urge President Biden: De-escalate this crisis immediately with a ceasefire that stops the bombing of Gaza, brings the remaining hostages home to their families, and creates the political space necessary to build a pathway to peace for people in Israel, Palestine, and beyond.

Friday, August 2, 2024, 6:00 PM
Gazebo, Goodale Park, 120 W. Goodale St., Columbus

August 2nd will mark 301 days of the ongoing genocide in Gaza. We have witnessed a relentless series of massacres perpetrated by the Zionist colonial regime, operating with complete impunity and without any accountability.

The death toll has now surpassed 186,000 martyrs. The livelihood of Palestinians have been systematically dismantled—families torn apart, and already horrific conditions worsened by starvation, skin diseases, and preventable diseases like polio, all while the IOF continues to destroy vital water resources.  This genocide is not just a crime; it is a deliberate, systematic atrocity that our own government has endorsed, supported, and perpetuated. Yet, we, the people, repeatedly say no. We refuse to let these barbarous war crimes go uncontested.

We must continue protesting. We need to rejuvenate our fight and continue showing up for Gaza. We cannot allow the ruling class to prosper while our brothers and sisters in Palestine are senselessly slaughtered day after day. 

KAREN GREENBERG & JULIAN ZELIZER, authors of Our Nation at Risk, open this powerful discussion on the integrity of our elections.

Maryland state legislator LINDA FOLEY speaks to the need for a massive margin to guarantee the defeat of Donald Trump.

PRESIDENT CHRISTIAN NUNES of the National Organization for Women tells us what her legendary cohorts will be doing in 2024 to protect our democracy.

MIKE HERSH emphasizes the stellar credentials of our honored guests.

Radio host LYNN FEINERMAN, chimes in with her emphasis on the rights and opportunities this election offers for democracy.

Poet DENNIS BERNSTEIN, host of KPFA’s Flashpoints, reads us his poetry, including “The Nuts & Bolts of Brotherhood,” and later of his sainted mother.

Host “SLUGGO” WASSERMAN chimes in with one about Woodstock2 and another about a visit to the park with his youngest daughter.

TATANKA BRICCA talks with his drum of “perfect love” and more...

RON LEONARD then chimes in to celebrate Woodstock2 and the myths that were, in fact, very real.

A coalition of civil rights groups including the Ohio NAACP, the Ohio Unity Coalition, the Ohio State Conference of the NAACP and the Ohio Organizing Collaborative today responded to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s statements on the Citizens Not Politicians ballot measure. They released the following statement:

"This amendment is incredibly important because Ohio is still one of the 10 most gerrymandered states in our nation,” said Petee Talley, executive director of the Ohio Unity Coalition. “In 2022, residents in several communities were gerrymandered into districts to dilute their voting power. One such gerrymandered in Toledo, Ohio, resulted in roughly 38,000 black citizens in SD11 in Lucas County being disenfranchised. The best way to make the districting process fairer is to get politicians out of it, so they can’t stack the deck in their favor just to gain and keep power.”

Tuesday, June 30, Franklin County agreed to a historic  $7 million settlement with the family of Casey Goodson Jr., resolving the civil claims arising from the  tragic events of December 4, 2020. This settlement marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for  Casey and his loved ones. 

Since that fateful day, Casey's family has endured immense pain and hardship, navigating a long and challenging journey toward justice. Over three years have passed since Casey was senselessly murdered  by former Sheriff's Deputy Michael Jason Meade. Throughout this period, the family has remained  steadfast in their fight for accountability and reform. 

The settlement allows Casey's family to resolve their civil claims against Franklin County, enabling them  to concentrate fully on the upcoming murder retrial of Michael Jason Meade. While no amount of money  can ever compensate for the loss of Casey, this settlement is a crucial acknowledgment of the profound  impact his death has had on his family and the broader community. 

After two years and over $3 million later, Ginther and City Council once again showed their true colors and genuflected to those who have historically continued to control development policies in Columbus: the developers and the development community. And after all the bragging about how many people sent in comments, attended public meetings, and the creation of the Zone In propaganda gallery, that there were virtually no changes made to the city’s initial Zone In policy. Yes, a two-year dog and pony show that resulted in ignoring public comment.