As soon as Moscow received an American response to its security demands in Ukraine, it answered indirectly by announcing greater military integration between it and three South American countries, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Cuba.

Washington's response, on January 26, to Russia’s demands of withdrawing NATO forces from Eastern Europe and ending talks about a possible Kyiv membership in the US-led alliance, was noncommittal.

Sometimes you need a reminder that human beings are capable of kindness. Come From Away—a touring production of which is now playing Columbus’s Ohio Theatre—is just such a reminder.

The Irene Sankoff/David Hein musical is a breezy and heartwarming account of what happened in Gander, Newfoundland, following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

When commercial airlines were ordered to land their planes out of fear that more could be commandeered and turned into flying bombs, the small Canadian community was forced to accept 38 or them. That nearly doubled its population and presented it with the sudden need to feed and house 7,000 strangers, many of whom didn’t even speak English.

As the musical reveals, the Newfoundlanders responded with ingenuity and generosity, providing food, shelter, clothes and other necessities. Even more importantly, they made the waylaid passengers feel safe and welcome in a world that suddenly seemed more dangerous than ever.

Thursday, February 10, 2022, 7:00 PM
A major Wendy’s Boycott mobilization on April 2 will bring the fight for farmworkers’ fundamental human rights to Palm Beach, hometown of Wendy’s Board Chair Nelson Peltz and the company’s largest shareholder Trian Partners.  RSVP here to learn more about how you can support the action!

By Dave Meserve, February 8, 2022

Here in Arcata, California, we are working to introduce and pass a ballot initiative ordinance that will require the City of Arcata to fly the Earth flag at the top of all city owned flagpoles, above the United States and the California flags.

Arcata is a city of about 18,000 people on the north coast of California. Home to Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt), Arcata is known as a very progressive community, with a long-time focus on the environment, peace, and social justice.

The Earth flag flies on the Arcata Plaza. That is good. Not many town squares include it.

But wait! The Plaza flagpole order is not logical. The American flag flies at the top, the California flag beneath it, and the Earth flag at the bottom.

Doesn’t the Earth encompass all nations and all states? Isn’t the well being of the Earth essential to all life? Aren’t global issues more important to our healthy survival than nationalism?

It’s time to recognize the primacy of the Earth over nations and states when we fly their symbols on our town squares. We cannot have a healthy nation without a healthy Earth.