It’s the phrase “border security” that freezes my soul every time I hear it uttered, every time I see it in print — so simplistically obvious, the equivalent of keeping your door locked. Did you ever have your cellphone swiped? If you’re careless about this, you’ll pay the price.
“Investigators on research teams should discontinue the research if, in their judgement, the outcome of the research might turn out to be harmful to the individual.” --- An interpretation of the Declaration of Helsinki: Recommendations for Conduct of Clinical Research
"It is not an acceptable excuse to say: 'I was just following my superior's orders.'" – Principle IV of the Nuremburg Principles
“When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. In this context the proponent of an activity, rather than the public, should bear the burden of proof. The process of applying the precautionary principle must be open, informed and democratic and must include potentially-affected parties. It must also involve an examination of the full range of alternatives, including no action.” – Wingspread Statement on the Precautionary Principle, Jan. 1998
While it is now very late in the life cycle of homo sapiens, with extinction now due to consign us to Earth’s fossil record – see ‘Will humans be extinct by 2026?’ – I would like to make a belated pitch for the importance of the human individual and why nurturing each individual’s uniqueness is so important even if it is now probably too late.
‘Why are you writing about this?’ you might ask, adding that many people accept that each one of us is unique, important and deserves the opportunities and support necessary to live a fulfilling life according to our own culture and choices. It is just the sexists, racists, bigots (religious and otherwise), upper class, governments, corporations, members of the global elite, and some other categories of people, as well as many organizations, particularly those that are violent, that do not.
Toledo, OH: At a meeting held on Monday, December 10, to certify the Lake Erie Bill of Rights (LEBOR) to the special election ballot in February, the Lucas County Board of Elections instead received a written protest which will be the subject of a contested hearing on December 20. A Columbus law firm filed the challenge on behalf of Josh Abernathy of 247 Plymouth Street, Toledo, to keep the LEBOR off the ballot. The Columbus firm, McTigue and Colombo LLC has represented corporate, labor and governmental clients in other cities, including Columbus and Bowling Green, in attempts to keep citizen initiatives off ballots.
The basis for the protest is that the Board of Elections and Ohio Supreme Court already decided this matter and the BOE cannot vote on it a second time. However both the BOE and the Ohio Supreme Court decided that another Toledo citizen initiative, “Keep the Jail Downtown”, could not go on the ballot, but Toledo City Council ordered that measure to be placed on the ballot for the February special election, and faced no ballot protest.
n the Trumputin world of organized crime, Michael Cohen has committed the ultimate betrayal: he’s helped Robert Mueller prove beyond doubt that don Putin in the Kremlin put his very own bagman into the White House.
Cohen is the ultimate mobster nightmare, the inside attorney who flips. Many a consigliere has died at Mafia hands for far less.
Nixon’s lawyer, John Dean, called Watergate a “cancer on the presidency.” Cohen has confirmed that the “conspiracy theories” about Trump colluding with Putin are an epic understatement.
Wednesday, December 12, 11am
Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St., downtown Columbus
Come fight for our rights in front of the statehouse with us!
Co-sponsored by
International Socialist Organization - Columbus
Democratic Socialists of America - Columbus
Socialist Alternative- Columbus
Tues, Dec 11, 6-8pm
The Hills Market Downtown, 95 N. Grant
Benefiting the Ohio Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. This group blesses abortion clinics and elevates the moral power of religious communities to ensure reproductive freedom through education, advocacy, and counseling. Donate $5 at the door to get a complimentary drink ticket for wine, draft beer, cocktails (Pro-Choice Punch or a Morning After Margarita!), or non-alcoholic beverages. CASH & CARD are accepted at this event. As always, feel free to donate more:)
Mon Dec 10, 7-9pm
First Congregational Church, 444 E. Broad St.
2018 theme: Help stop human rights violations against women worldwide! Recognizing Columbus’ Human Rights champions. Light refreshments will be provided. Amnesty International’s revitalized Columbus chapter (Group #87) will provide letters and cards to be signed to help stop human rights violations against women worldwide. Free and open to the public.
When I popped open the old laptop, the Geek Squad guy said maybe I should dust it off.
He slid a canister of Endust toward me. “Spray the cloth,” he said, “not the machine.”
I started choking on my sense of humiliation. This poor baby was covered with dust. How could I be so careless and lackadaisical toward the technology at the center of my life? And I hadn’t even realized the extent of my indifferent maintenance until the computer crashed and I had to rush it to the tech doctor.
I had been in the process of writing a column. I was researching the Central American refugees recently tear-gassed as they struggled toward the U.S. border. They were fleeing the violence and hopelessness in their countries, traversing 1,000 miles or more on foot, often with small children in tow, to find … something better.
n the Trumputin world of organized crime, Michael Cohen has committed the ultimate betrayal: 
