Tag Archives: Black Lives Matter

The New Abnormal

Normal – conforming to a standard; usual, typical, or expected.

Abnormal – deviating from what is normal or usual, typically in a way that is undesirable or worrying. 

As I write it’s the Summer Solstice. Here in Madison, Wisconsin, my home, it’s traditionally been celebrated, pagan-style, with bonfires and festivities marking the longest day of the year at Olbrich Park on Lake Monona. near my home.

“In northern European countries like Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland, Midsummer is a festive celebration. When the summer days are at their longest, and in the north, it is the time of the Midnight Sun, festivals generally celebrate the summer and the fertility of the Earth.” Continue reading

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A Book Is Not A Gun

“The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” — H. P. Lovecraft

A book is not a gun. The event that triggered this statement is still unfolding. Since Tuesday of this past week, the fatal shooting of Keith Lamont Scott by Charlotte, North Carolina police is still being investigated and cell phone videos recorded by Scott’s wife, Rayeiya, plus dash cam and officer body camera videos do not definitely prove that Scott was wielding a gun. His wife claimed that he wasn’t carrying a gun, but instead a book that he was reading while he waited for his son to be dropped off by the school bus. Police reported a book was not found on the scene, or in his car, and further allege that Scott did not follow commands to drop his gun. A book is not a gun.

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What a Week It Was

“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”  — Albert Einstein

It only seems appropriate that on this day, Pi Day, March 14, 2015, I begin this post with a quote from Albert Einstein. Today is also his birthday, and this year there is a special significance. Pi (π) is the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. This year, today’s date is the first five digits of π, 3-14-15.

Here in Madison, Wisconsin there is a more important significance to this day. It is the memorial service for a 19-year-old young man, Tony Robinson, who was fatally shot by a Madison police officer following his alleged erratic and abusive behavior which prompted his concerned friends and neighbors to call 911 for help.   Continue reading

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