Local
Former president Donald Trump popularized the phrase “fake news” as one of his terms of universal condemnation for any reporting—or stated facts—with which he disagreed, regardless of their accuracy. It became one of his rhetorical trademarks to the delight of his followers and the disgust of the legitimate press and all others.
As it scrambles to fill their pages in the absence of Trump’s daily outrageous statements or behavior, the press fears that it lacks the kinds of attention-grabbing breaking news that attracts readers, and is repeated across the multiple outlets of the social media sphere. In repeated exaggerations and repetition of dishonest messages from right-wing provocateurs and media, the legitimate press recreates the phenomenon of “fake news” that they so loudly condemned.
Several dynamics intersect in this startling development. First is the decline financially and journalistically of the daily local and national newspapers. As more and more go out of business, reduce their staffs and reporting, become parts of large for-profit networks, and face intense pressure to survive, both reporters and reporting decline.
Sunday, December 19, 2021, 5:00 - 7:00 PM
We collect, pack, and send books to Ohio prisoners every 1st and 3rd Sunday. Location: Thirdhand Bike Coop, 979 East 5th Ave, Columbus. Please wear a mask, and please don't park in front of the building.
As Ohio Republican Senate candidates Bernie Moreno and JD Vance malign, misrepresent, and demonize hard working Ohioans from immigrant backgrounds, the Ohio Immigrant Alliance urges all people of faith and good conscience to denounce these attacks.
Bernie Moreno, a car salesman (some used) from Cleveland, entered the crowded GOP primary race for Sen. Rob Portman’s seat earlier this year and the vote is scheduled for May 2022. Moreno (pictured above) was born in Bogotá, Colombia, moved to the US at age five and became a citizen at 18.
A self-proclaimed “pro-Trump legal immigrant,” the 54-year-old Moreno believes Democrats allow immigrants to cross the Mexican border for their vote, which is a myth.
Nonetheless, this so-called Democrat plot Moreno rails against also suggests he believes in the “White Extinction theory.” Now he’s spending $4 million on an ad campaign running this month and into January attacking those immigrants who sought Ohio for its plethora of low-paying servicesector jobs.
Friday, December 17, 11pm
Studio 35, 3055 Indianola Ave.
Support Free Press writer Travis Irvine in his new film showing!
A Very Special Holiday
Dec. 22-30, 2021, 6:30 PM-9:00 PM
MadLab Theatre 227 N. 3rd St. Cols. OH 43215 (Doors open 6:00 PM)
TICKET LINKS:
https://ci.ovationtix.com/35811/production/1085336
or
madlab.net/tickets
The Secret Life of Santa & Mrs. Claus
By Lynnix Marie Price
Santa and Mrs. Claus take a vacation in Hawaii and trouble follows.
Quey’s Stuffy Puppy Nose Day!
By Julie Whitney-Scott
A young boy learns the responsibilities of taking care of a pet and his close friend learns that it’s possible to have more than one friend that you love.(Based on children's book by Quentin Edwards)
That Special Joy
By Julie Whitney-Scott
Three foster group home teens are forced to host a Christmas party for three seniors and one of them doesn’t want to attend. What lessons will they all learn about loss, grief, and love?
THE REASON FOR M4GP
World BEYOND War, December 15, 2021
Whether or not you’re familiar (as everyone should be) with Peter Ackerman’s book and film “A Force More Powerful” about successful nonviolent activism campaigns, or his other books and films on the same theme, if you have any interest in changing the world for the better you’ll probably want to check out his short new book, The Checklist to End Tyranny. A webinar on this book would have accomplished radically more than the recent Joe Biden Democracy Summit.
The book does not address the criticism that powerful nonviolent tactics have been used to undesirable ends by the U.S. government, coopting local movements for desired overthrows. Nor does it apologize for its dubious origins in the Atlantic Council. But, obviously enough, getting hung up on this shortcoming reveals primarily the lack of seriousness in those getting hung up. A powerful tool is a powerful tool, no matter who uses it for what good or evil or unclear purposes. And nonviolent activism is the most powerful array of tools we’ve got. So, let’s use these tools for the best possible purposes!
The contrast between being in touch with our better angels and being in the grip of the devil is never more pronounced than during the holidays. In that "spirit" for my year-ending column, I offer up several news items followed by an angelic response and a devilish reaction.
Item: The last four Columbus Dispatch editors held a roundtable discussion.
Angel: What great civic-minded leaders. Medals for all of them.
Devil: One saint, two political hacks, and one lame-duck liquidator.
Item: The legislature passed a convoluted sports betting plan for Ohio that won't start for a year.
Angel: Print up lots of bet slips for Ohioans (mostly men) who follow sports more as a gambling opportunity than for the joy of watching athletic competition. It means more money for schools, too.
Devil: Ohio's plan is a sham, a greasy compromise that likely extracted big donations for Republican legislators to use to retain their seats. Not to mention that slimy provision that lets private schools get their hands on more tax money.
I’m sure you’ve heard about the devastating tornadoes that hit the South and Midwest. 60 tornadoes hit 9 states—there were 333 wind damage reports and 24 large hail reports. One tornado was on the ground for more than 220 miles. It is the greatest destruction I have seen since World War II:
https://youtu.be/BPw3KTS-nmE
These areas certainly need our help. I have compiled some links that will enable you to make donations.
This link will contribute to 17 agencies:
It seems like whenever you open the newspaper these days, either the city of Columbus, State of Ohio or Jobs Ohio is giving in to developers, major corporations and institutions that are swimming in cash to help fatten their profit margins. And at a time when our city income revenue is at a premium, yet another local entity with political influence, power and money is asking for charity. It’s bad enough that this City Council has given away millions in city income tax revenues, revenues that make up nearly 80% of our general funds budget to the likes of Ohio Health, Root Insurance, CoverMyMeds, Nationwide Insurance, Huntington Bank, The OSU Wexner Medical Center, Nationwide Children’s Hospital and U.S. Bank.