‘Raise Your Voice’ Archives
Right to Life
Raise Your Voice By Peter Molenaar In the space of this paper, many years ago, a “marine sergeant” opposed me with the declaration: “I will fight to the death in defense of the U.S. constitution.” My goodness… Given all the varied and contentious interpretations, should we commend the man for his commitment? Would he consider the words of John Locke, the philosopher precursor to the founding fathers? Locke spoke of the right to make revolution, i.e., the right of a revolutionary people to write their own constitution as needed. A side note: “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of property” became “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" as per Thomas Jefferson. But hey, Locke said “pursuit of property” as long as it is earned, whereas, most property in the modern U.S.A. is unearned! Now, regarding Roe v Wade, we must consider the establishment clause of the First Amendment… It was Jefferson who [...]
Peace Be With You
By PETER MOLENAAR Should you notice an anguished look in the eyes of our Somali neighbors, bear in mind that some 350,000 Somali-African children are presently at severe risk of starvation due to climate-change-induced-drought. Actually, in that part of the world, several million cling to life in a state of malnourishment. We might then agree that the perpetrators of global warming are guilty of mass murder of unprecedented scale. Moreover, I suggest the ominous trajectory will intensify, lest we put an end to war… and an end to the imperial capitalism which perpetuates war. Let us consider that one root of the Ukrainian crisis stems from the Wolfowitz Doctrine, the essence of which (in Kissinger’s words) intends to “break Russia''. Then, enter Victoria Nuland, Obama’s “point person” in the 2014 Washington engineered coup which toppled Ukraine’s elected government. (Regarding the mobilization of “ultra-nationalist” thugs, nobody should doubt the role of the [...]
Let’s get smart
Raise Your Voice By Peter Molenaar As it happened, I was assigned to do strike support work for the Anne Sullivan unit of the Minneapolis Federation of Teachers strike. ON STRIKE FOR LIVING WAGES, ON STRIKE FOR MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS, ON STRIKE FOR SAFE STABLE SCHOOLS… I would hold up these picket signs on behalf of those needing a break. 33rd and Lake Street was the site. The Sonora Grill was our sanctuary. Passing motorists registered their honks in support. From the standpoint of justice, our teachers are defending our schools from the threat of corporatization. Moreover, they demand adequate funding and respectful remuneration for mental health staffers. Why? Hey, our kids have been traumatized by a pandemic in combination with stark images of police brutality. Looking beyond… Harmoniously, it is the unionized sector of the nursing trades which advances MEDICARE FOR ALL. This program would eliminate the labor redundancies inherent in the regime of private [...]
