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Remarks on September 19, 2022 for online event at https://peaceweek.org
Powerpoint here.

Thank you for including us. After I speak, World BEYOND War Education Director Phill Gittins will discuss the educational work that can move us away from war, and World BEYOND War Canada Organizer Maya Garfinkel will discuss the nonviolent activism that can do the same. This way, I can talk just about the easy part, which is why we should abolish war.

Some great news for a change: the United States hit a record low rate of poverty with a decrease from 9.2% at that level to 7.8%, according to the Supplemental Poverty Measure that pretty much counts everything from all governmental aid to wages and so forth. Additionally, child poverty was only 5.2%, a drop of 4.5 percentage points from 2020.

How did it happen? Simply put, low-income families were given more money by the federal government. For a change, the money went directly to families through various benefits, special guaranteed family allotments for children, and unemployment benefits increases. By directly, I mean that for the most part the states, red or blue, were not able to prevent families and workers from receiving the benefits by diverting the money or requiring burdensome tests and disqualifications. There’s no question that it cost big money for the Biden administration to make this happen and a huge pandemic-level crisis to force the hand of Congress, but it confirms what National Welfare Rights Organization leaders just to say repeatedly: money is what ends poverty. Period.   Full-stop.

Some great news for a change:  the United States hit a record low rate of poverty with a decrease from 9.2% at that level to 7.8%, according to the Supplemental Poverty Measure that pretty much counts everything from all governmental aid to wages and so forth.  Additionally, child poverty was only 5.2%, a drop of 4.5 percentage points from 2020.

How did it happen?  Simply put, low-income families were given more money by the federal government.  For a change, the money went directly to families through various benefits, special guaranteed family allotments for children, and unemployment benefits increases.  By directly, I mean that for the most part the states, red or blue, were not able to prevent families and workers from receiving the benefits by diverting the money or requiring burdensome tests and disqualifications.  There’s no question that it cost big money for the Biden administration to make this happen and a huge pandemic-level crisis to force the hand of Congress, but it confirms what National Welfare Rights Organization leaders just to say repeatedly:  money is what ends poverty.  Period.  Full-stop.

Sunday, September 18, 2pm, Mees Hall [Capitol University campus], north side of E. Mound St. between College Ave. and Pleasant Ridge Ave., Bexley, Ohio

This September, Green Bexley is exploring the most impactful actions that we can take to be more sustainable. Inspired by Project Drawdown and sponsored by the Bexley Community Foundation, Capital University, and Simply Living, we’re excited to learn alongside you and take action towards a more sustainable future!

Ambitious action is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to keep the increase in average global temperature below 2 — but preferably 1.5 — degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Unfortunately, we’ve already raised the temperature by over 1 degree since 1880. The actions must be big, and they must be implemented on a large-scale, worldwide.

Not all actions are equal, and not all actions are applicable. This month, we’re exploring the most impactful actions that can be taken by Bexleyites, and hope you’ll join us!

Find more information about “Sustainable September” at greenbexley.org/sustainableseptember.

Sunday, September 18, 2pm, Mees Hall [Capitol University campus], north side of E. Mound St. between College Ave. and Pleasant Ridge Ave., Bexley, Ohio

This September, Green Bexley is exploring the most impactful actions that we can take to be more sustainable. Inspired by Project Drawdown and sponsored by the Bexley Community Foundation, Capital University, and Simply Living, we’re excited to learn alongside you and take action towards a more sustainable future!

Ambitious action is required to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to keep the increase in average global temperature below 2 — but preferably 1.5 — degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Unfortunately, we’ve already raised the temperature by over 1 degree since 1880. The actions must be big, and they must be implemented on a large-scale, worldwide.

Not all actions are equal, and not all actions are applicable. This month, we’re exploring the most impactful actions that can be taken by Bexleyites, and hope you’ll join us!

Find more information about “Sustainable September” at greenbexley.org/sustainableseptember.

Saturday, September 17, 12noon, Ohio Statehouse

Join us at the intersection of honest education and democracy! ​​

The future of Ohio education is on the ballot in the 2022 General Election. ​

Your Vote Is Power To:

• Protect students, families, educators, and democracy

• Stop elected leaders from gerrymandering Ohio education

​• Stop elected leaders from censoring honest education

• Stop elected leaders from weaponizing race and identity

• Stop elected leaders from targeting LGBTQ+ students

• Stop elected leaders from infusing extremist political agendas into the State Board of Education and local school districts

​​On the 2022 November Ballot:

• State leaders sanctioning unconstitutional, gerrymandered elections

• Sponsors of “Divisive Concept” and censorship bills

• Sponsors of anti-LGBTQ+ bills​​

• State Board of Education members who repealed Ohio’s antiracism and equity resolution

• Leaders who support anti-honesty resolutions in schools​

On the Westside of Columbus, Kroger employee “Saundra” arrives at her store at 4am to push an oversized cart as she shops during the next eight hours for others in the community. Since the pandemic, Kroger’s “ClickList” – for those who don’t want to go inside and shop – is booming. “Saundra” makes $14-an-hour with benefits, but benefits that have become more expensive.

“They thought an extra $.15 cents would be enough, but everyone in my store was like “no way,’” said Saundra (not her real name).

For the past three days, Kroger’s United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) 1059 members voted a third time on a new three-year deal. Each contract was endorsed by their own union (UFCW 1059), but the 12,500 Kroger members of 1059 voted “No” each time.

During the third vote, UFCW 1059 added another vote – one to “authorize a strike” – and that passed as well.

If Kroger corporate does not come back to the bargaining table with more, members have told the Free Press they will press UFCW 1059 leadership to greenlight a strike.

Readers of my Columbus Free Press essays, especially those who live far from the city, ask me why I remain in a city without history, identity, city services, or democratic government; in a neighborhood whose decline is fostered by the City and the adjacent mega-university; and in association with the large mismanaged and disorganized university. After 18 years, I first reacted with surprise. Our daily lives are mostly comfortable, especially outside the weekend rumbles of OSU undergraduates. We are settled as retired professionals who planned responsibly. But direct questions from long-time friends give me pause.

Friday, September 16, 7:30-9pm, Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Ave.

Peace is Possible. Help us make Peace Flags for the United Nations International Peace Day in Times Square.

Machai St. Rain, the Peace Peddler, who walked over 10,000 miles for peace, will be in Columbus on her way to New York City for the U.N. International Peace Day Events. We will have music, community, refreshments, and all of the materials for making Peace Flags.

Help Us Make Peace Flags for the 9-21-2022 U.N. International Peace Day Event at Times Square and then watch live on September 21 to see your flag.

• Machai St. Rain, The Peace Peddler

• 10,000+ miles for Peace

• Music, Community, Refreshments, and Making Peace Flags.

Use this link to learn additional information about this event.

Hosted by Machai’s International Peace Day Tour.