‘Commentary’ Archives
Dear MAGA
from the series Raise Your Voice... By PETER MOLENAAR Peter Molenaar Dear MAGA, why do the oceans now rise against our shores… and whence, the destruction of hurricanes? Do you not honor the one crucified in retribution for his rebuke of the capitalists who occupied the temple? (Note: Matthew 21:12-13) Dear MAGA, do we not all descend from communal peoples who, after foraging, returned to their villages to receive the honored sharing with those in need? (Note: The Origin of the Family, Private Property and the State, a book written by Friedrich Engels, can be purchased from May Day Books in the not-faraway land known as the Cedar-Riverside Neighborhood.) Yet, you call us “garbage” and “losers” when, cast in time, our collective labor is the source of value in your commodities! Moreover, feel free to cast light upon the spirit of the original beholders of the land we share, and note: our national parks are not for sale! Oh, dear MAGA, we now cry out: did you [...]
Part VI: Gallery of Loss and Light
By HARVEY WINJE “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty; Power is ever stealing from the many to the few!”-WENDELL PHILLIPS In one word: Imperialism. In two words: Manifest Destiny. Nations conquered, Dakota Land stolen, settler colonialism in Mpls before and after WWII, WWII, Messiah Congregation vs the American Indian Movement, betrayal of a Covenant in Phillips Community, institutional expansion, trust of leadership and neighbors, production of disguised military bombs locally, and institutional ruse-philanthropy; are all instances of power to the few and imperialism at different levels. “You are Lucky to be in the Belly of the Beast!” U.S. attacks Iran! Our losses in Phillips pale in comparison to the devastation, depravity, and negative impacts of innumerable assaults on humanity locally and internationally this last year! Imperialism happens in many ways. “Ah, the wars they will be fought againThe holy dove, she will be caught againBought and sold, [...]
Right Thing the Wrong Way
from the series Something I Said... By DWIGHT HOBBES Dwight Hobbes ICE is doing the right thing the wrong way. The 2024 wholesale deportation of Tren de Aragua gang members videotaped terrorizing apartment residents of Aurora, Colorado was a desperately needed rescue action. It began a practice, though, by which, instead of targeting violent parasites who prey on those leading productive lives, federal law enforcement is, itself, wantonly destructive. For going on two years, South Minneapolis has seen Mexican immigrants and Mexican American citizens live in fear to the point of hysteria, making what used to be a humorous quip frighteningly real: because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you. Accordingly, it’s quite sensible that in January the Minneapolis City Council asked Gov. Tim Walz to institute an eviction moratorium. You go to work, get arrested and deported, you’re unable to pay rent. You don’t get deported but are detained too long, [...]
