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Historic peace boat in Wisconsin promotes nuclear disarmament
A small sailboat with a huge mission — to end the existential threat of nuclear weapons — entered Wisconsin’s waters of Lake Michigan this week, nearing the end of an 11,000 mile voyage for peace. It will dock in Sheboygan, Milwaukee and Racine for public events. The Golden Rule is the original peace boat that […]
On Earth Day, consider how militarism affects our environment
Everything is connected to everything else, as environmentalists have said for centuries. Barry Commoner called it the first law of ecology. That’s true of nature and the ecosystem, but it also applies to humans, who don’t operate independently from the world around us. Earth Day is a time to reflect on the impact humans have […]
Wisconsin’s leading gun control advocate stays motivated
Jeri Bonavia was an unlikely candidate to become a leading advocate for gun control. But her 5-year-old daughter changed her life. “So many kids are being killed with guns,” young Jenna told her mother. “Fix it, Mommy.” “I wasn’t an activist, wasn’t political. I’m an introvert. It wasn’t a natural fit,” says Bonavia, the mother […]
New nukes? No thanks
More than 50 years since the last Wisconsin nuclear power reactor began operation, is there new nuclear power in the state’s future? Two utilities serving Wisconsin customers are exploring that possibility, hoping that new technology and smaller reactors will overcome the problems that have plagued the industry since its inception. It sounds like pie in […]
Happy Armistice Day
While the nation officially observes Veterans Day today, there is a growing movement to reclaim November 11 as Armistice Day, a day to celebrate peace, not militarism. Veterans For Peace, a national organization of veterans who have experienced the horrors of war, has been the leading voice to remind people of the origin of the […]
Who should we remember on Memorial Day?
Our government says today is a day to remember the men and women who died in wars while serving in the U.S. armed forces. That is why, I suppose, as a Vietnam veteran, my thoughts turn to fellow Marines who lost their lives — and always to one in particular. Bob’s name was Robert Nelson […]
For gun advocates enough is never enough
In a begrudging or perverse sort of way, you have to give some credit to Wisconsin worshipers of the Second Amendment for their determination to keep this country’s status as the gun capital of the world. Enough is never enough for those who appear to value gun ownership more than human lives. No amount of […]
Memorial Day: Time to reflect on the true costs of war
Today is a subdued Memorial Day, with virtual ceremonies and fewer, smaller gatherings. Perhaps the pandemic will give Americans some extra time for reflection and help add some perspective to the observance. It is appropriate that we honor and remember those who died while serving the United States in wartime. But the Memorial Day celebration […]
Trump’s license to kill
Donald Trump hasn’t yet killed anyone on Fifth Avenue, as he famously boasted he could do and get away with it. But he appears to have gotten away scot-free with committing murder in Baghdad. Trump killed Qasem Soleimani, the Iranian general, the easy way. He simply gave the order and didn’t have to pull the […]