World Press Freedom Day Rally/Sinclair Propaganda Protest

Thursday, May 3, 5pm
WSYX-TV, 1261 Dublin Rd.
World Press Freedom Day is the perfect day to protest Sinclair Broadcasting’s mandated political propaganda. What do we do when the freedom of the press is under attack? Stand up! Fight back!

Comics should leave superheroes to the movies

Movie poster filled with superheroes and the word Avengers

This year, Marvel Studios marks the 10th anniversary of the release of its first movie, Iron Man, and it does so with a movie that would have seemed like a crazy dream back then: Avengers: Infinity War, in which too many heroes to list fight a big guy with a giant purple chin and bejeweled golden glove and actually make it seem not totally ridiculous. Filmmaking has come so far that one of the biggest, gaudiest comic events of the early 90s can be adapted for the screen into a massive, critically-acclaimed blockbuster.

Portrait of Israeli society piles on the metaphors

Two young white men in military uniforms sitting dejectedly on a bench

When the mother of an Israeli soldier finds dour-faced people in uniforms at her door, she doesn’t have to be told why they’re there. Her grief is immediate—and immediately quashed. The visitors plunge a hypo into the woman’s leg and send her into a coma-like slumber.

Thus begins Samuel Maoz’s Foxtrot, a three-part tale set in a country that has spent most of its seven decades in something resembling a state of war.

The first part focuses on Michael Feldmann (Lior Ashkenazi), father of a young soldier who reportedly was killed in the line of duty. Though Michael reacts to the news with more control than wife Daphna (Sarah Adler), his outer calm only masks a growing sense of panic and outrage.  

Due to a plot twist and a shift in time, the second (and most effective) part of the film takes us to the outpost where the Feldmanns’ son, Jonathan (Yonatan Shiray), guards a remote road along with three comrades. The young soldiers’ days consist of long stretches of boredom relieved by tense exchanges with Palestinian motorists waiting to be approved for passage.

What do Charles Manson, Dennis Wilson, Bill Clinton, Bill Cosby and Harvey Weinstein have in common?

Black and white photo of white man in a suit pointing to a picture of himself in his hand

They love to do the dog all night long!

And from everything in the good and the bad books and magazines I have read--anytime of day. How 'bout that?

This may come as no surprise to you. In fact, it is biblically and scientifically important that the entirety of humanity desires to do and indeed does go at it all night long--or there would be no more humanity. What is hidden in this is how often sex is and isn't the driving force in human behavior. Predators beware, we're getting hip to your trip.

Should Vaccines be Mandatory for Children in the US?

The question in the title of this week’s column was the title of the Duluth News-Tribune’s Opinion Page PRO/CON feature that was published yesterday, April 30, 2018.

Comfest News

Black circle with designs inside like a mandala

Advance copies of ComFest Program Guidewill be available in many local businesses in early June. It can also be accessed online in June and in print at the festival, June 22-24.

The ComFest Annual Meeting is on May 10, 7pmat Goodale Park Shelter House and is open to the public. Come meet the new Grants recipients and enjoy a meal with fellow ComFesters.

ComFest Logo Contest Winner for 2018 islocal artist Laura Bova for her entry "UNITY." The image will grace the Program Guide cover, ComFest beer mugs and volunteer tee shirts. The contest is a local tradition. All designs are original by local artists and chosen by public voting and the general planning committee. Thanks to all who entered this year, and congratulations to Laura! 

The Real Curse of the Bosox was Racism---Not the Bambino

 

The Boston Red Sox have finally decided to atone for two of the most racist, self-destructive snubs in sports history. Like so many other bigoted decisions, the team – and the town – paid a fearsome price.

And it did NOT come from the infamous “Curse of the Bambino.”

That one happened in 1920, when my dad was a two-year-old living in the shadow of Fenway Park. It was about money, not race.

That year the shady Bosox owner sold the great Babe Ruth to the hated Yankees for $125,000. He used the cash to fund a musical.

Soon Ruth led New York to more championships than we can bear to count. We wouldn’t win again until 2004, a “Cursed” wait of 86 years.

But selling the Bambino was NOT the dumbest thing the club ever did.

Just after World War II, the team shunned not one but TWO players as great as Ruth. And it happened not just from stupidity, but also from explicitly stated racism.

Who’s in the middle of the gunfight?

Drawing of a schoolhouse with two large guns on each side aimed at it

Two years after a 14-year-old boy brought a gun and shot two of his classmates in their district, the Ohio Madison Local School District board has voted “unanimously” that their school employees are now able to “defend and protect students” with the use of a weapon. Any staff member who wants to carry a firearm to work can do so if they have a concealed carry permit, take active shooter training, get re-certified each year and get written permission from the school superintendent. Parents are divided regarding this decision. 

This is the same school district that punished students for participating in the nationwide school walkouts protesting gun violence in schools, including, punishing a student, Cooper Caffrey, who is a victim of a school shooting. The board hasn’t said when they will start training and arming their teachers, but, they do plan to carry out this mission of defending and protecting their students from gun violence. Apparently, they feel that arming their teachers to be ready to “shoot to kill” is more effective than having students peacefully protest gun violence in their schools.

Bob Bites Back: Columbus Dispatch leads neo-con imperialist propaganda campaign against Kucinich

White man with black hair with his mouth open yelling into a mic and the words Bob Bites Back

As you read this, the Columbus Dispatch is engaged in one of the most despicable character assassination series of articles against populist Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dennis Kucinich that I’ve ever seen. In the Dispatch’s latest smear piece, they claim “Kucinich ‘has a track record of helping to spread … disinformation.’” Ironically the Dispatch, while accusing Kucinich of doing it, has been busy spreading disinformation about him.

Socially Just Dining: Berry Vegan Delights

Berry Vegan Delights is a local vegan chocolatier startup that launched in January 2018. Founder, Jonna Owens, offers gourmet, artisan, chocolate covered strawberries to those seeking a chocolate decadent treat in white, semi-sweet and dark chocolates. What a creative and exciting addition to the Columbus market for vegan dessert options! These are great gifts for all types of occasions and would be a great addition to any restaurant or hospitality group to offer their guests interested in vegan options. You can find her at various vegan pop-ups events or order online.

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