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When I suggest not stealing billions of dollars from Afghanistan, and thereby not causing mass starvation and death, otherwise intelligent and informed people tell me that human rights demands that theft. Starving people to death is a means of protecting their “human rights,” in fact. How else can you (or the U.S. government) stop Taliban executions?
When I respond that you (the U.S. government) could ban capital punishment, stop arming and funding the world’s top executioners from Saudi Arabia on down, join the world’s major human rights treaties, sign onto and support the International Criminal Court, and then — from a credible position — seek to impose the rule of law in Afghanistan, sometimes people think that over as if none of it had ever occurred to them, as if basic logical steps had been literally unthinkable, whereas starving millions of little kids to death for their human rights had somehow made sense.
Here’s a summary of the February 2022 Free Press Second Saturday Cyber-Salon that happened Saturday, February 12 at 7pm by Zoom.
Watch the video here.
Free Press Board member Mark Stansbery facilitated the salon on Zoom and streamed Live on Facebook.
The first guest speaker was Rev. Susan Smith, from Crazy Faith Ministries and the Poor People’s Campaign. She spoke about how the phrase “Christian nationalists” is a misnomer since Christians are supposed to follow the teachings of Jesus and typically “nationalists” do not. She pointed out how the Jesus of the nationalists is one who caters to capitalists.
Ohio House Bill 434 would have massive ramifications, creating a new Ohio government nuclear authority that would not be subject to public oversight. The bill would preclude public involvement or oversight of its funding or the use, transport, accidents, spills and radioactive waste from nuclear research and development. It is written by and for one small company, eGeneration of Cleveland. It is being heard now in the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
TAKE ACTION! Call Rep. Jason Stephens, chair of the committee, at (614) 466-1366 and tell him NO to House Bill 434. See the Ohio Nuclear Free Network’s 23 talking points against the bill here.
Saturday, February 12, 7-8:30pm, this event will be occurring via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83906590837
Meeting ID: 839 06
Since we aren't getting together in person, we can gather for a couple of hours on the second Saturday night.
This event will feature the following:
Adrienne Hood, activist,
Rev. Susan Smith, Ohio Poor People’s Campaign and Crazy Faith Ministries,
Micharl Aaron, Driving Park neighborhood activist,
and more!
A question-and-answer period will be included.
If you have any announcements for the progressive community, contact us at 614-253-2571 or at <colsfreepress@gmail.com>.
Just how many sensible Republicans are left in the state of Ohio? For Free Press fans it’s a cringe worthy question but during these times, well worth asking.
The upcoming GOP gubernatorial primary could further expose what many are so very worried about – is MAGA (Make America Great Again) in Ohio fading or is it growing?
If MAGA’s anger is intensifying, this isn’t good news for the mostly lefty island that is Columbus, considering the region is on the verge of becoming a legitimate tech hub such as Austin, Texas, and will need to attract skilled young professionals.
Yet unbeknownst to many Ohioans is how GOP candidate and Trump loyalist Jim Renacci could win the upcoming May 3 primary, defeating incumbent Mike DeWine, considered a RINO (Republican in Name Only) by many Ohio conservatives and whom Trump wants primaried.
Indeed, are DeWine’s days numbered, a la Hillary 2016?
Sometimes you need a reminder that human beings are capable of kindness. Come From Away—a touring production of which is now playing Columbus’s Ohio Theatre—is just such a reminder.
The Irene Sankoff/David Hein musical is a breezy and heartwarming account of what happened in Gander, Newfoundland, following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
When commercial airlines were ordered to land their planes out of fear that more could be commandeered and turned into flying bombs, the small Canadian community was forced to accept 38 or them. That nearly doubled its population and presented it with the sudden need to feed and house 7,000 strangers, many of whom didn’t even speak English.
As the musical reveals, the Newfoundlanders responded with ingenuity and generosity, providing food, shelter, clothes and other necessities. Even more importantly, they made the waylaid passengers feel safe and welcome in a world that suddenly seemed more dangerous than ever.
Community Festival (ComFest) has announced that ComFest will return live to its home in Goodale Park on June 24, 25 and 26, 2022.
Celebrating 50 years of community, social activism and education, ComFest will again feature live local music and other entertainment, workshops, street fair and much more.
Applications are now available for performers, workshops, speakers and more.
More information about ComFest 50 and applications may be found at www.comfest.com.
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ComFest is an independent, volunteer-driven celebration of creativity and activism in Columbus, OH. Founded in 1972, its purpose is to build bridges between progressive non-profit organizations, artists, activists and volunteers to raise awareness and promote change within our community.
Thursday, February 10, 2022, 7:00 PM
A major Wendy’s Boycott mobilization on April 2 will bring the fight for farmworkers’ fundamental human rights to Palm Beach, hometown of Wendy’s Board Chair Nelson Peltz and the company’s largest shareholder Trian Partners. RSVP here to learn more about how you can support the action!
By Dave Meserve, February 8, 2022
Here in Arcata, California, we are working to introduce and pass a ballot initiative ordinance that will require the City of Arcata to fly the Earth flag at the top of all city owned flagpoles, above the United States and the California flags.
Arcata is a city of about 18,000 people on the north coast of California. Home to Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt), Arcata is known as a very progressive community, with a long-time focus on the environment, peace, and social justice.
The Earth flag flies on the Arcata Plaza. That is good. Not many town squares include it.
But wait! The Plaza flagpole order is not logical. The American flag flies at the top, the California flag beneath it, and the Earth flag at the bottom.
Doesn’t the Earth encompass all nations and all states? Isn’t the well being of the Earth essential to all life? Aren’t global issues more important to our healthy survival than nationalism?
It’s time to recognize the primacy of the Earth over nations and states when we fly their symbols on our town squares. We cannot have a healthy nation without a healthy Earth.