When the hijacked planes hit the twin towers of the World Trade Center, pierced the Pentagon and buried into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, most of our thoughts were about the cruel, horrific shattering of family bonds, the forever severing of deep friendships, the senseless destruction of human life.  More than that America was under threat and fear prevailed.

The never-ending heartache of loss was on display in photos with messages that ringed the fence of a church near ground zero in New York:  “Have you seen him?”  “Please, any information, call…”  “Please help us find our wife and mother.”   

Hundreds of messages. No responses.

I was in New York a few days after 9/11 and witnessed the devastation.  I traveled to the site where Flight 93 impacted.  And I had heard the plane hit the Pentagon, as I joined hundreds evacuating the Congressional House Office Buildings in Washington, D.C.    

The personalization of immense loss compounded our anger and despair.  We identified with the victims.  We identified with the families.  We mourned with them.  We united in our grief.

Thursday, March 23, 7pm

Register to Attend
Buckeye Environmental Network and Ohio Brine Task Force

Moderated by Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason, hear from experts Dr. Julie Weatherington-Rice and Fire Battalion Chief Silverio Caggiano about the hidden dangers of oil and gas waste. We will explore the radioactive and toxic properties of oil & gas waste, how it is widely spread throughout most of Ohio's counties, and it's effects on the body.

Today, Starbucks workers across the country went on a one day strike. The union Starbucks Workers United are demanding an end to the company’s union-busting campaign. 

Starbucks has launched a brutal campaign against unionization efforts in their stores. Raises were withheld from union organizers, union organizers were fired, and Starbucks locations where unions were established were illegally shut down.

But in recent months, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has ruled in favor of workers. A judge from the NLRB recently ruled that Starbucks has to re-hire fired baristas and re-open closed locations, finding the company guilty of violating labor laws “hundreds of times.” But Starbucks has nonetheless continued their union-busting campaign.

March 21, 2-23

Good afternoon everyone. Thank you for joining me.

Andy Ginther just finished presenting yet another of his state of the city addresses. He repeatedly proclaims advancements in nearly every aspect of what impacts the lives of neighborhoods, individuals and working families both socially and economically. He once again paints a picture of neighborhood improvements across the city. He continues to make promises that Columbus’ great economic growth leads directly to well-paying jobs that are plentiful to everyone.

Andy Ginther’s regular refrain that never has any credible evidence-is, “he believes in doing the right thing, and not what’s easy or politically expedient” and “investing in roads and sidewalks that connect our community.”