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Greetings!
This newsletter shares information on the recent US incursion against Venezuela. As members of a community committed to social justice and inclusivity, it is imperative that we reflect on the implications of such political maneuvers and remain vigilant in our advocacy for progressive policies. We encourage you to stay informed and engage in discussions that will influence the future of our governance and societal norms.
This newsletter offers a reminder of three events this week which may be of interest. We also want to take a moment to acknowledge the previous newsletter, which shared a link to video which was deleted by YouTube because of a CBS copyright issue. Ironically, the video in question was the 60 Minutes episode which was deleted by CBS. This newsletter shares a video from Adam Kinzinger explaining the dangers of media censorship.
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On Saturday, January 3, President Donald Trump delivered a concerning and disjointed speech in which he announced the invasion of Venezuela and the abduction of the nation's President and his wife. Flanked by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of War (previously Secretary of Defense) Pete Hegseth, Trump’s declarations raise significant alarms about the state of international relations and the potential consequences for human rights and democracy. Trump declared that "We're going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition. So we don't want to be involved with, uh, having somebody else get in and we have the same situation that we had for the last long period of years. So we are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper, and judicious transition."
He went on to declare, "We'll run it properly, we'll run it professionally. We'll have the greatest oil companies in the world going and invest billions and billions of dollars, and take out money, use that money in Venezuela, and the biggest beneficiary are gonna be the people of Venezuela, and also, I can't stress this strongly enough, the people that got thrown out of Venezuela that are now in the United States."
This action and alarming rhetoric not only reflects an imperialistic approach to foreign policy but also serves as a stark reminder of the importance of civic engagement and the role we play in shaping our nation's values and actions on the global stage. All are encouraged to stay informed and speak out on the blatant assault on the sovereign country of Venezuela.
| Veterans For Peace Condemns Trump's Illegal War on Venezuela | Veterans demand the withdrawal of US armada from the Caribbean and call on military personnel to refuse illegal orders. | | | | Our friends, the Oregon Area Progressives, will host a conversation with Chris Taylor, candidate for Wisconsin Supreme Court, this Friday, January 9. All are invited to attend. Click HERE to RSVP. | | A REMINDER OF THIS SUNDAY'S EVENTS | | |
SWWAP EVENT WITH AUTHOR
DICK CATES
WHEN: SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 6 PM
WHERE: BRIX CIDER 🍎 119 S.SECOND STREET
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Every farm is a story, but rarely is the story told as it is here with such depth, honesty, emotion, and inspiration. Presented is the remarkable journey of the Cates Family Farm and the people who have learned through the lessons of experience to live in harmony with their landscape and in gratitude for the gifts it brings. You will not want to miss this chance to hear Dick Cates speak on rural issues and his book A Creek Runs Through This Driftless Land. Opening the event will be a rural musical tribute by local troubadour Denny Egstad.
A Creek Runs Through This Driftless Land gives a comprehensive look at the prehistory, history, and present use of a particular piece of land and the peoples and species that have lived there and continue to do so.
"The story of the Cates Family Farm can serve as a paradigm for those with an interest in a more restorative, regenerative, perennialized agriculture and an ethical relationship with “place.” It illustrates the movement away from industrialized, chemically dependent, minimally diversified farming to one that more closely mimics nature’s wisdom—an approach to a viable farm business that honors the legacies of the past inhabitants of the landscape and looks ahead to the health and well-being of the generations to come. It is a story of long and hard work, as well as listening. It is the story of a journey toward a land ethic, gratitude, and hope."
- Don Greenwood, former chair, Lower Wisconsin Riverway Board; retired editor, weekly Home News, Spring Green
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Cates Farm is the beef supplier for Brix Cider, a Mount Horeb farm to table restaurant.
Cates' family farm have won accolades for their conservation efforts? A few conservation awards and recognitions are:
- WI Leopold Conservation Award, Sand County Foundation and WI Farm Bureau Federation
- Land Legacy Award, Gathering Waters, Wisconsin’s Alliance for Land Trusts
- Water Quality Leadership Award, Iowa County Land Conservation Department
- Bur Oak Award, Blue Mounds Area Project
- Water Quality Leadership Award, Iowa County Land Conservation Department
- Wisconsin Soil and Water Conservation Achievement Award, Soil and Water Conservation Society of America
- Tree Farmer of the Year Award, Iowa County Land Conservation Department
| | EARLIER IN THE DAY ON JANUARY 11 | | Gather at Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County Road M, Middleton, WI, on Sunday, January 11, 11 am, for conversation on resisting Christian Nationalism, featuring Rev. Dr. Kerri Parker, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches. Learn more and register HERE. | | THE DANGERS OF CENSORING JOURNALISM | | |
The SWWAP newsletter shared a link to a video which was deleted by YouTube because CBS claimed a copyright issue. Ironically, the video in question was the 60 Minutes episode which was deleted by CBS for its news content. Check out Adam Kinzinger's response to the dangers of censoring the free press.
The video is still up, for now, at https://www.thereset.news/p/breaking-heres-the-60-minutes-segment
| | The following post is by author/activist Mike McCabe. On February 15, at 6 pm, SWWAP will host Mike who will be speaking on current state affairs as well as his recent novel, Miracles on County Q. Mark your calendars. This event will be at Brix Cider 🍎 119 S. Second Street. | |
We call it one thing when it's most likely another | | | |
The Trauma Immigration Raids Leave in Classrooms | NEA | 'Are they coming to take us away?' asked kindergarteners in Minnesota. | | | | |
In December 1950, Woody Guthrie signed a lease at the Beach Haven apartment complex owned and operated by Fred Trump, father of Donald Trump in Gravesend, Brooklyn. There are several handwritten drafts of song lyrics with titles such as "Beach Haven Race Hate" and "Beach Haven Ain't My Home". In these lyrics, Guthrie expresses his dissatisfaction with Trump and the "color line" he had drawn in his Brooklyn neighborhood. Skip ahead 75 years, the son of the rich continues his father's racist legacy.
The Following Video written and performed by Tim Grimm, is a modern day sendup of Old Man Trump.
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Ballots, tax returns and other important mail may not get postmarked the day you turn it in, Postal Service warns | The changes at the Postal Service – and the potential impact on mail ballots – come against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s drive to sharply curtail mail-in voting. He has railed against the practice as rife with fraud, despite no evidence of widespread wrongdoing. | | | |
Say, you look as if you could use some good news. | It's not all doom and gloom. Find the good and praise it. | | | | Contributions to SWWAP are appreciated but not tax deductible. | | | | |
