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The Republicans’ systematic attempt to put an end to majority rule

At this country’s founding, members of the ruling class in most states granted the vote only to property-owning white men—- themselves. A right to vote was expanded during the nineteenth century, first to include all white men, then black men (although that right was obliterated by the end of the…

In Norway, an egalitarian social democracy is thriving

At the beginning of last year, Donald Trump lamented the lack of immigrants to the US “from places like Norway.” This excerpt from a Nation magazine interview with Ann Jones about her stay in that country explains why.

El Epicentro del COVID–19 en America del Sur

Guayaquil es un puerto fluvial, ubicado en la desembocadura del río Guayas en el Océano Pacífico; junto con Quito son las dos ciudades más importantes del Ecuador, económica y políticamente.

Small Kindnesses

I’ve been thinking about the way, when you walk down a crowded aisle, people pull in their legs to let you by -- Poetry

Workers are essential, CEOs are not

Low-wage workers are on the front line in the battle against coronavirus. While many workers have started telecommuting — and many others have unfortunately been laid off — low-wage workers are busy cleaning our streets, making sure we have enough to eat, and, of course, nursing us back to health…

The bugs are in the system

Governments around the globe have had since December to prepare for the novel coronavirus. And while some countries have done better than others with their response, here in the U.S. the for-profit medical industry is practically ensuring that more people catch the virus and more die from it.

Urban Shaman rap

Bodhisattva vow: living to help others. We are all Sisters and Brothers. -- Poetry

Dear Vice President Joe Biden,

We write to you as leaders from a diverse array of organizations building political power for young people in the United States. We are all deeply committed to ending a presidency that has set the clock back on all of the issues that impact our lives. While you are now…

It’s about the money

Around 2007 federal officials decided to ensure that the US medical stockpile would have the ventilators needed in a predictable epidemic. They wrote specifications for an easy-to-use device that would cost $3000 each. I

Deep River by Karl Marlantes

Deep River is a story rich with historical detail spanning the decades of the early 20th century in America and told through the eyes of three siblings, immigrants from Finland, who settle in a logging community in southern Washington....

I’m not asking why

I’m not asking why but I’m asking what now and what next? -- Poetry

Rethinking everything – Lesson #10: Another world

In Cuba, health care is considered a human right for all citizens and is therefore a national priority. Cuba’s health policy emphasizes prevention, primary care, services in the community, and the active participation of citizens.

The bigger picture behind the virus

Things often look the way they do because someone claiming authority tells us they look that way. If that sounds too cynical, pause for a moment and reflect on what seemed most important to you just a year ago, or even a few weeks ago.

Coalition to Abolish Nuclear Weapons will meet online in May

The Olympia Coalition to Abolish Nuclear Weapons will meet online during the Coronavirus quarantine. Productive meetings hosted by Glen Anderson are held the 3rd Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm. Participants for the Thursday, May 21 meeting will need a link to join. Contact Glen Anderson at 360.491.9093 or…

You write to WIP

Hello President, I just want to tell you that I don’t think very much of you as president. You are destroying this country.

When a 13% return isn’t enough

The City Council offers exemptions from property taxes for developers who build “market rate” housing downtown. According to their Downtown Strategy (DTS), market conditions present a few years ago would produce a return of [only] 13%, while “entrepreneurial developers” wanted at least 15%. The 8-year exemption from tax on residential…

Then This Happened — April 2020

Then this happened… WIP covered freight derailments in February, and this month, Washington legislators sent Governor Inslee a bill that requires freight and passenger trains to run with a minimum of two crew members. —climate activists were acquitted of criminal trespass by a Portland jury based on a defense that…

Activists arrested in Trident submarine blockade at Kitsap-Bangor Naval Base

On March 2, thirteen nuclear abolitionists blocked traffic leading into Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Washington as part of a public protest of Trident nuclear-missile-launching submarines based there. The direct action came at the conclusion of the annual gathering of the Pacific Life Community, a network of spiritually motivated activists from the…

What about those who can’t stay home?

Washington’s Governor Inslee issued an order on March 23 prohibiting people from leaving home except for essential activities at least through April 6. The order exempted “individuals experiencing homelessness.” So if you’re homeless, you’re not illegal, just on your own. The order said nothing about people locked up — either…

Strengthen and build immunity to give your body a fighting chance

Sheltering in place, washing hands often, not touching the face and using a mask when encountering outsiders are all good ways to “flatten the curve” and stop the spread of N-Covid-19. But don’t stop there—consider the advice of nutritionists, naturopaths and medical doctors who recommend additional ways to boost your…