“We shall go on to the end, we shall resist throughout the world,
we shall resist on the seas and oceans,
we shall resist with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our rights whatever the cost may be, (more…)
June 4, 2012
NOT June 4, 1940
May 20, 2012
Fran (and Paul) and Earth Quaker Action Team (EQAT) walk to Pittsburgh.
PNC bank funds mountain top coal mining that destroys the environment. This includes poisoning rivers and streams, and one result of this is a documented increase in disease and birth defects in the immediate vicinity of this work. But what can you do (more…)
April 19, 2012
What role for civil disobedience and arrest in our work for justice?
Meaningful and focused civil disobedience resulting in arrest can be a significant part of peaceful action for justice, but there is no reason for arrest to become the activists’ Red Badge of Courage. (more…)
April 6, 2012
Fran – my partner in crime (?) at Lockheed-Martin
On Good Friday of 2012, Fran and I attended the annual Brandywine Good Friday observance at Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest military manufacturer and war profiteer. On this occasion, Fran chose to enter the grounds of Lockheed Martin (more…)
March 25, 2012
Those in power write the history to suit their purpose.
Back from a hike with Fran through Valley Forge. As an historical symbol, Valley Forge has always been a bit of a stretch for me, comparable to using a cracked Quaker bell to represent the Declaration of Independence. It was Washington’s winter quarters for one winter of the war, with the greatest loss of life arising from disease in the warmer spring weather due to unsanitary conditions at the encampment (there were no battle casualties). I noticed that the story of Valley Forge has changed from what I once was told. (more…)
March 15, 2012
Paul enters the political foray with a letter published in the Philadelphia Bulletin during the Vietnam War.
One of my first forays into the public arena in support of truth and justice was my Letter to the Editor published in the Philadelphia Bulletin. My letter called for a Court Martial of General Curtis LeMay, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, for wanton disobeying of orders. (more…)
My life and education under the National Defense Education Act of 1958.
About half a century ago, the U.S. government began to impose its will on education, big time. And I was a student unknowingly in the midst of it. (The following quotes are from hi-lited links) “The National Defense Education Act of 1958 was the most important federal bill related to higher education since the 1862 Morrill Act” “By 1958 the Soviet threat grew more immediate; (more…)
Grand theft capitalism — Record fuel prices coincide with record fuel stocks and refining capacity.
Current record fuel costs are an obvious tactic to raise prices so as to get approval for short-term profit opportunities by owners of the energy industry. Think of the power politics of the Keystone pipeline, fracking, and off-shore drilling – all pose enormous long-term risks for the environment and our health. Corporations want to make megabucks by selling more gas temporarily, while our children will pay (and pay and pay) for the mess later.
In return for enough money, we’ll name a building or program after you or your family.
I have an issue with these feel good ceremonies for naming buildings and programs after wonderful wealthy donors. I’d be okay to name buildings and academic chairs after truly exceptional people, as role models. But giving a large sum of money does not put you in that category, even when you are a very nice person (more…)
Is the problem not enough medicine or too much medicine?
The NYTimes identified overdiagnosis as a flaw in our health care. We don’t usually think about this issue, but the easiest medical response to any general complaint (I’m tired, achy, run down or the like) is to run a test (profit-making) and follow a standard procedure (profit-making) in response to test results. (more…)