‘Cover Stories’ Archives
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF COMMUNITY NEWS IN PHILLIPS!
Vol. 1, No. 1 The year 1975 marks the conception of the alley newspaper. Volume 1, No. 1 went into production in the fall of 1975 with photography, writing, typing, and cutting and pasting, finally landing on Phillips’ doorsteps in January 1976. For a half century this humble neighborhood paper has been serving the community: focusing on serious issues, highlighting community members, announcing events, promoting local businesses, and so much more. Fifty years is mighty impressive for a paper largely run by volunteers and a miniscule paid staff, written by our neighbors and serving a community burdened with an array of inequities and challenges. The current miniscule paid staff and volunteers are rightfully very proud, as should be our readers (some of whom have read every single issue!), for what good is a newspaper without its readers??!! We also cannot forget our advertisers, who have played an important role in the longevity of the alley. It is a bittersweet trip down [...]
Efficiency Be Damned
from the series Peace House Community Journal Marti Maltby By Marti Maltby Like many people, I have watched Elon Musk’s dismantling of the federal government with everything from bemusement to unspeakable foreboding. The bemusement comes from Musk’s own claims that he is making the government more efficient. If that was the real intent of the Department of Government Efficiency, Musk would be the equivalent of the kid whose dad throws him into a deep lake to teach him to swim. He flails around a lot but doesn’t accomplish much, and eventually he sinks out of sight. Musk has made many claims about how much he is saving the government, but the claims are not believable in the slightest. Compare Musk’s approach to the investigation into Feeding Our Future, an organization that fraudulently billed the government for $250 million. The investigation required numerous investigators, working for years, to bring charges against hundreds of individuals. By contrast, Musk [...]
All Immigrants Have Left is to Defend Themselves and Resist
By MARCO DÁVILA Marco Dávila The force of the State is being brought down on immigrants, and a reactionary campaign of persecution and fear-mongering has begun. The Trump administration has already managed to normalize anti-immigrant hate speech to a certain extent, trying to put everyone in the same bag as “dangerous criminals.” Conservatism has continued to play its role as trickster from 2020 to 2024 (and beyond). In the latest election cycle, Trump and his party obtained more than 77 million votes, and they currently have a majority in the Senate and Congress. Trump may also have some level of sympathy within the military and police forces nationwide, as well as the support of neo-Nazi groups scattered throughout various parts of the United States. And yes, Trumpism must believe that it has a free path and the absolute power to do whatever it pleases for the next four years and, if possible, beyond. The current vandals in power must believe that the power they [...]
