As a published author of scholarly and popular writing for more than 50 years, I expect criticism. I’ve received my fair share. But never have my words been described as “trash,” and never have I been criticized with so much disingenuousness, misrepresentation, illogic, and ignorance of the issues at stake. Nowhere do Downing and Oliphint acknowledge that they are throwing stones at a 600-word opinion essay that is by definition limited. No one but Downing and I know that July 26 began with a cordial exchange of emails that were complimentary and, I thought, constructive. I was initiating a conversation with him and other media to promote more responsible, constructive criticism of Columbus and its institutions. I was completely surprised when this rant arrived in my inbox several hours later. 

Sunday, November 7, 5pm, The Boat House Restaurant at Confluence Park, 679 W. Spring St.

Please join us for an inspirational evening with elected officials, interfaith and community leaders, and our youth leaders, as we gather to support and celebrate Columbus youth and families.

During the last seven years, MY Project USA has become a mainstream Muslim social services and civic engagement organization. We are working hand in hand with our interfaith and social justice partners to bring prosperity and hope to the under-served communities in Columbus. At our annual banquet, we will celebrate our accomplishments. We will also re-energize our base and will raise money to continue and grow our work to the next level. Please join us and bring your family and friends with you.

The proceeds of this dinner:

• will be used to protect and empower Columbus needy and under-served families,

• will help launch and grow initiatives to address hunger, poverty, family violence, drugs, gangs, human trafficking, and many other issues that need our urgent attention,

One day after Ohio Republicans introduced the nation’s most restrictive abortion bill, progressive Senate candidate, Morgan Harper, spoke at a press conference on Friday in the shadow of Ohio’s Statehouse. “We are hanging by a thread here,” she urged, as the dozen or so onlookers stood bundled on a cold November morning. “We can’t let them win, the stakes are too high.”

The international uproar in response to Israel’s approval of a massive expansion of its illegal settlement enterprise in the occupied Palestinian West Bank may give the impression that such a reaction could, in theory, force Israel to abandon its plans. Alas, it will not, because the statements of ‘concern,’ ‘regrets’, ‘disappointment’ and even outright condemnation are rarely followed by meaningful action. 

True, the international community has a political, and even legal, frame of reference regarding its position on the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Unfortunately, however, it has no genuine political mandate, or the inclination to act individually or collectively, to bring this occupation to an end.