On February 26, Senior Airman Aaron Bushnell, 25, a cyber defense operations specialist with the 531st Intelligence Support Squadron reportedly died from injuries sustained in a brutal and unusual way. Most Americans mourn the death of any service member. I hope he is mourned as well. He made a tragic sacrifice for a higher ideal.... Continue Reading →
Reflections on Two Storms
Like many people in the Pacific Northwest, my wife and I were hit pretty hard by the recent ice storm. We live on a patch of woodland just outside of Newport. We lost power and cable early and (since we are on a well) that meant no water. We were offline for almost six days.... Continue Reading →
Netanyahu’s Latest Poison Pill
Gaza in Ruins Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu recently posted an op-ed laying out his three prerequisites for “peace.” I place the word peace in quotes because his plan is basically a poison pill to avoid any serious move towards a just peace which acknowledges the rightful aspirations of the Palestinian people. It is, like many... Continue Reading →
Attrition / Genocide
Another Empty Desk Children learn their numbers best when they can count how many homes and schools were destroyed, how many mothers and fathers were wounded or thrown into jail. -Mosab Abu Toha As a teacher, as a human, I was appalledWhen I first saw the aftermath of an Israeli attack on Gaza A... Continue Reading →
Gaza Ghetto: Lessons from History
Ghaza Ghetto, Gilbert Schramm It is hard for many people to get their heads around what is happening in Gaza today. Whatever “side” you are on, the sheer brutality is hard to bear. Israel seems bent on amplifying a strategy that has never worked before. There are certain points on which reference to history really... Continue Reading →
What Ukraine and Palestine Have in Common
Shireen Abu Aqla and the national flower of Palestine, the Faqqua Iris Written in honor of Shireen Abu Aqla and Nakba Day I thought I would take some time to share my recent reflections on two continuing conflicts that trouble the world (or should). These are the ongoing aggressions in Ukraine and Palestine. The brutal,... Continue Reading →