Film ‘No Other Land’ to be shown in Arcata
When in the history of the Academy Awards was an Oscar-winning film not obtained by a U.S. distributor? Never until now. But according to Gordon and Tamar, that is just mere coincidence. I guess if you live in a Pro-Israel bubble and cannot see the immense connection between politics, power and the media, well, then maybe. But for those who are practical, AIPAC and the many other pro-Israel lobbying organizations, have an incredible amount of leverage over American politics, and in turn, the media. In 2023, AIPAC spent billions to out-seat progressive politicians in 14 districts, including unseating progressive lawmakers who called for a Gaza Ceasefire, Cory Bush and Jamal Bowman. In 2022, AIPAC successfully lobbied against a Jewish member of Congress’s bid for reelection who dared propose a bill for a “two-state solution” and call for an “end to Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian territories.” AIPAC donors like Paul Singer and Haim Saban, spent a total of $30.5 million, dwarfing all other Super PACS combined in 2022; $4 million targeting Levin. Joe Biden and Donald Trump accepted billions of dollars from Pro-Israel PACs. Biden is the number one Pro-Israel donee in U.S. history and Trump took $100 million from Israeli billionaire Miriam Adelson. Claiming that these facts have no connection to the censorship of film is a disingenuous misrepresentation of reality. Tamar and Gordon must wake up to reality and see this important film “No Other Land” at the Minor on Wednesdays, April 9th and 16th at 7 pm.
— Shannon Townsend-Bettis, Eureka
Standing up for the freedom of speech, press
Kopald’s letter on the importance of keeping the presses running is, in my book, our patriotic duty. Apart from a Carrington solar event frying the planet’s electronics and putting an end to Starlink, we now suffer a very serious threat to our First Amendment rights of free speech and free press. A Harvard research scientist who fled Russia for speaking out against Putin, came here for our protection of free speech only to be arrested by ICE for speaking out against the Ukraine war. Her detention, along with 300 student visas having been revoked, is part of Trump’s crackdown on our freedom. Trump threatened to cut $400 million from Columbia University “For harassment of Jewish students,” but the University is suing Trump for his “coercive tactic” which “not only undermines academic independence but stops vital scientific research that contributes to the health and prosperity of all Americans.” Trump is out to silence any and all opposition to his blatant oligarchic autocratic takeover of our nation. To cut funding to University research is suicide for America, It is that research that has made America the world leader in science, medicine, computer and other technologies. China is investing heavily in Universities for that reason. Trump wants to shut down PBS, AP, CBS, MSNBC and any person or entity who dares criticize him. Many seniors would love to get the paper tossed in their yard but can’t afford it, only to face SS cuts, which barely keeps them fed and housed.
— Larry DePuy, Eureka
The disgrace of ‘American exceptionalism’
As a part of savage cuts to cultural institutions, the Federal government defunded the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This act will impoverish, if not completely gut, our local museums and libraries: the Morris Graves, the Clark, other smaller museums, and all branches of our local libraries. The newly appointed Director of this service, Keith Sonderling, was quoted (recently) in the Eureka Times-Standard,
“We will revitalize the IMLS and restore focus on patriotism, promote American exceptionalism and cultivate love of country in future generations”.
Love of country is not cultivated by smashing culture, knowledge and understanding, the civic mission of libraries and museums. And the blatant championing of American exceptionalism by this new bureaucrat shames us all. Make America Great again is a lovely idea, but American exceptionalism is another matter. It equals “Deutchland Uber Alles,” Germany over all), the title of the German national anthem under Hitler.
Are the future generations referred to by Sonderling to be stripped of their culture, and simplified into war widgets? …because the military budget, Space Force, and communication systems are a significant destination for the money saved. Without any interference from Congress, the U.S. has decimated the cultures of many countries already during my lifetime. But the almost-completed genocide in Palestine, and the attacks on the Yemenis, who are honorably defending the victims by blockading arms shipments to Israel, only shame us further. As the patriotic daughter of a general in WWII, I feel this disgrace deeply.
— Ellen Taylor, Petrolia
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Travails are all around us here in our New Rome. Do I hear a fiddle being played?
This morning, a friend asked me what I think about the tragic state of democracy in America. Given the unrelenting daily news of assaults on sanity, I often fall into a stunned silence, not knowing what to say.
But there is much to say — and do.
In current American governance, the executive branch is in a state of spiraling catastrophic lunacy, and the Congressional branch has turned to stone. Thus: Will the Supreme Court justices finally speak? Assertively? And what will they say? If this third wheel of our reeling Republic’s tricycle fails us, what then?
We shall take to the streets in millions.
Such a prospect makes me want to cheer yet also makes me nervous. Americans have guns. And nonviolence is not easy.
But we must be seen and heard.
— Jere Bob Bowden, Ferndale
Why is Dan Walters in the paper more often?
It was bad enough having Dan Walters once a week, but now, twice?
He’s a closeted Republican whose abiding hatred of Newsom renders him biased in many ways. And will Matthew in the Middle ever return?
— Diana Ashley, Gasquet
