The Charlie Hebdo cartoons often disturb me. Now I am torn between which is more disgusting: political expression in cartoons or photography that is manipulated. The Israeli newspaper The Announcer (HaMevaser) featured a picture of Sunday’s Unity Rally in Paris. The march featured world leaders displaying their support for the 17 victims of the earlier terrorist shootings in Paris. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and EU foreign affairs and security chief Frederica Mogherini. Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt are conspicuous in the front row in the Before photo below by the Associated Press photographer Philippe Wojazer. When the edited version appeared in the Israeli newspaper all of the women were gone! Read more
FILM REVIEW
"Above and Beyond" is a documentary currently playing the film festivals, which helps us understand the historical context of the Zionist movement through the personal views of pilots, principally Jewish American pilots, who, returning from World War II, volunteered to rescue the fledgling state of Israel. The director, Nancy Spielberg, lets the pilots tell their own stories. They vary in how religious they are, but all repeat a united purpose – to save the newly formed state of Israel from certain destruction by far superior Arab armies and air power. Israel had no air force.
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When I was younger, maybe three or four years old, I used to lie awake with my eyes wide open from the time the lights went out until dawn. I was terrified that Hitler was coming and, as it eventually turned out, I understood it was because there were people who hate. I learned to hate it that there were people who hate. I still hate it and there are still people who hate. Then, I feared "The Nazi," and now we have "Terrorism." Then, just as now, someone stood in opposition to liberty. Then, just as now, somebody didn’t like the way we think. Since thinking becomes speech and other expression, I have respect for the freedom because, while I am not a cartoonist, I like to write. Read more
There is a brief opportunity to view for free an outstanding documentary. "The Breach" shows the grave danger to the last remaining wild salmon in the world. This film not only provides in depth information on the history of the destruction of wild salmon habitat and some attempts at recovery, but also is an artistic gem. Go to
the website. Enter the password: thebreach15. The film is available for viewing until January 12.
Watch for a full review article soon.
December 9, 2014 paid sick leave took a step closer to reality in a committee of the whole meeting of the Tacoma City Council, where Mayor Marilyn Strickland floated her proposal. The public was permitted to view the proceedings, but not comment on them. Each Council member had a unique point of view, but debate was civil, if contentious on a few occasions. The Mayor framed the initial discussion by introducing answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) and was roundly complimented by Council members for introducing a concrete proposal that could finally move the issue forward. In a nutshell, the proposal requires all businesses, small and large, to offer earned paid leave for illness of the employee or family member, to deal with domestic abuse and to attend medical appointments. The ordinance would go into effect one year after passage by the Council, giving time for training businesses in the law and time for the City to staff and budget for the administration of the ordinance. Read more
The death of Michael Brown August 9, 2014 was a tragedy. This killing and the subsequent developments in the case are cause for alarm and deep soul searching across the nation. Race and Pedagogy Initiative notes with deep sadness, first the killing of unarmed teenager Michael Brown on August 9, 2014 and then the decision of the grand jury not to indict Officer Darren Wilson for this act. While we respect the grand jury, we are outraged at the manipulation of the process by St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch to bring about this predictable result of no indictment.
Prosecutor McCullough acted in the name of justice, but the scales were clearly tipped in favor of Officer Wilson. Prosecutor McCulloch, who faced calls to recuse himself on account of his documented bias in favor of police officers as well as his personal history that cast doubt on his ability to be fair in this case, not only refused to recuse himself, but by his action in the proceedings he forever cast doubt on the fairness of the process. In order for us to continue in good faith to encourage respect for the decisions made by our courts, we must insist that they and our entire criminal justice system work in concert to ensure equal justice under law for all.
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Joining forces on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 the Associated Students of the Pierce College in Puyallup and the League of Women Voters of Tacoma – Pierce County enjoyed the support of the News Tribune in a Public Records Laws Forum. The program began with an amicable recap of the Washington State Public Records Act, RCW 42.56 or PRA. As the evening wore on tension in the room increased as the limitations of an act designed and enacted in the early 70s collided with technological developments that were only dreamed of when it was written. Read more
