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The Fourth of July offers a grand teachable moment for educators, especially progressive ones. As an assignment for my summer sociology classes, I would typically have students read Frederick Douglas’ “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”; listen to Paul Robeson sing “Ballad for Americans”; and ask them to identify what a citizen’s duty is as explicitly mentioned in the Declaration of Independence. This assignment would likely get me reprimanded, if not fired, today. Yet the liberating truth revealed in these works is more vital today than ever.
Just about everyone is familiar with its opening statement about the self-evident truths that all men are created equal, that they are endowed … with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. But far too few pay attention to, let alone act upon, what follows: that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and institute new Government… Yet the 56 signers this revolutionary Declaration did not stop there, but amplified the urgency to confront tyranny by making it a call to duty:
The world-renowned Doo Dah Parade is returning to the streets of Columbus on July 4, 2025, Rain date July 3rd. The 42nd Annual celebration of Liberty and Lunacy Freedom of Speech through Humor will be satirizing the world LIVE from the Fabulous Short North starting at 1 p.m.
The world needs a good laugh or two. Doo Dah Parade Disorganizers are unplanning for a groups of marchers to wind their way through Victorian Village and along High Street in Short North. Overseeing it all will be Doo Dah Less-Than-Grand Marshal: NBC4 News Queen Colleen Marshall.
Disorganizers also emphasize that the best way to experience Doo Dah is to be IN the parade. Get your humor out and create a memorable entry! No registration is necessary; all you have to do is show up. Line up for parade participants begins at Noon on Park Street (Enter from Goodale.)
Friday, July 4, 12-4pm
Ohio Statehouse, Broad and High Streets, downtown Columbus
This Fourth of July, we're reclaiming America's promise; Freedom for all! Justice for all! NO KINGS! What started as a local protest is now a nationwide movement. This isn't about left vs. right; this is about the people vs. power unchecked. No more leaders above the law. No more silence when rights are stripped away. No more fear, manipulation, or false patriotism. From coast to coast, city streets to small towns, we're raising our voices: Against authoritarianism, corrupt leadership, racism, xenophobia, and injustice. For the rights of immigrants, workers, families, and everyday Americans For truth, transparency, and equality under the Constitution.
WHO'S INVITED? Everyone who believes in liberty - true liberty, not just the brand sold during election season.
This is for the silenced. The forgotten. The rising generation. This is for YOU.
WE ARE NOT BACKING DOWN! We are not celebrating freedom while people are still in cages. We are not pledging allegiance to leaders who want to rule rather than serve. We are not staying quiet when justice is on the line.
The devastation embedded in the Trump-Republicans big bad budget bill for lower income families has been a drum that I’ve been beating for weeks now, but as it nears the finish line additional impacts are becoming clear. This bill has become a “whose on first, what’s on second” house of horrors. Like many other initiatives of this administration, most of its consequences are intended when it comes to its war on the poor, minorities, women, and others, but some are even surprising its fanboys, like the former Trump BBF Elon Musk, and not at all because of deficits. Ideology, not common sense or basic prudence is now running the government.
US REP JAMIE RASKIN & THE ATTACK ON US DEMOCRACY & ECOLOGY
We begin GREEP Zoom #229 with citations for “The Choreography of War” by our Poet Laureate MIMI GERMAN, whose latest poem is compacted into a brilliant three lines.
Green Party Presidential nominee HOWIE HAWKINS discusses the nitty-gritties of Ranked Choice Voting & instant runoff.
The great MARIANNE WILLIAMSON gives us a brief hello & a promise to come visit us again soon.
Beyond Nuclear’s KEVIN KAMPS reminds us about how powerful is the rise of renewables worldwide along with the demise of nuke power.
Co-host MIKE HERSH gives us a stellar introduction for US REP JAMIE RASKIN.
Rep. Raskin provides a brief excursion into the dire damage being done to our electoral system through the widespread assault on the Voting Rights Act, emphasizing the powerful impact of the No Kings Day marches..
The great RAY MCCLENDON of the Georgia-based Communities United for Justice connects with Rep. Raskin, sharing concerns about the mass disenfranchisement being imposed on the national electorate.
Many factors explain the demise of earlier civilizations, but not one collapsed as a result of deliberate decisions by a top political leader who wanders about destroying the pillars of his country’s greatness. Donald J, Trump, however, does so—endangering not only the United States but also U,S. allies and others previously inspired by America’s example.
The United States has long suffered from many of the challenges that brought down earlier political systems—from Uruk in Mesopotamia to Mayan Chichén Itza to the USSR. These problems included myopic leadership, rich-poor enmity, widespread corruption; racial and religious conflict, environmental abuse, overextension and unnecessary warring—all made worse by inflation and deficit spending.
The U.S. Senate just passed their version of Donald Trump’s government spending megabill — and it’s a disaster for our climate and our communities.
Tax breaks for billionaires? Check.
Shredding the social safety net? Check.
Gutting climate and clean energy progress, while expanding fossil fuel extraction? Check, check, and check.
We can’t let this bad bill move another step. And there’s a chance it won’t — it barely squeaked by in the Senate in a 50-51 vote. We can stop it before it gets to Trump’s desk. But your House Representative needs to hear from you NOW, Suzanne.
Tell your House Rep.: Vote NO on the disastrous Trump megabill.
We’re reaching out with an urgent request to stand with Ohio libraries in protecting free and open access to information for all members of our community.
A new law passed in the state budget (House Bill 96) today includes a harmful, expensive and unnecessary requirement that public libraries move any materials related to sexual orientation or gender identity to areas not primarily visible to anyone under 18.
Why This Matters
Sunday, June 29, 2025, 4:00 PM
Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Avenue 43214. Free parking will be available on nearby streets and in lots owned by the North Broadway Methodist Church.
From the 1960’s into this New Millenium, Peter Paul and Mary used music to entertain, educate, inspire, and energize Americans to work for a better world. Three veteran Columbus musicians will pay tribute to PP & M’s legacy with songs, memories, and quips. Bill Cohen, Joanne Blum, and Joe Lambert will sing and strum the most beloved songs that PP & M seared into the hearts and minds of so many people for decades. Among them: If I Had a Hammer, Blowin’ in the Wind, Where Have All the Flowers Gone, Jet Plane, and Day is Done. Plus, the audience will be invited to sing along on tunes like Puff the Magic Dragon and the Times They Are a Changin’.
Devo’s 50th Anniversary Show at Promowest Pavilion opened with a 70’s looking stag movie called the Rod Rooter Video. The Rod Rooter Video depicts a cornball record industry’s climate which existed while Devo were burgeoning Northeast Ohio visionaries. Rod Rooter is a corny music executive who is lecturing Akron’s iconic art performers about marketing. Rod Rooter resembled an unlikable, uncouth predator in a porno movie.
Rod Rooter tells DEVO the Akron legends should aspire into being Kid Rock. While I doubt Kid Rock made music in 1977. Rod Rooter Video’s satire is mocking an embarrassing element from the 70’s and the music industry that still exists.
After this out of touch, and artless cornball lectures Devo, Devo took the stage with the relevant Don’t Shoot. Don’t Shoot reminded everyone Devo’s subversiveness was an Ohio cultural response after the National Guard killed people in Kent, Ohio during the Nixon 70s. We’re thinking about Trump’s disingenuous Ice Raids which compelled Trump into invading California with the National Guard.