THE HEADLINES

World leaders attending the G8 Summit meeting at Camp David. (Illustration by DokeyHotey -- Flickr)

FIGHT AT THE SUMMIT: IN THIS CORNER ANGELA MERKEL; THE DARK ANGEL OF DRACONIAN AUSTERITY MEASURES—IN THE RED TRUNKS  FRANCOIS HOLLANDE; THE SOCIALIST PRESIDENT OF FRANCE.  AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RING THE U.S.A.; BATTERED ON ALL SIDES BY A STRING OF NEVER-ENDING DISASTERS FROM ITS VAIN IMPERIAL ASPIRATIONS

(Counterpunch)

This how Gabriel Kolko “calls” the struggle today for international power. The U.S. in particular is caught in an endless series of disastrous military confrontations from which it never emerges with clear victories and which is a perpetual drain on its resources for dealing with domestic problems.

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NOTE TO PARENTS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN A PARK: KEEP AN EYE ON THEM IN THE SANDBOX BUT KEEP YOUR BUTT ON THE PARK BENCH.

(Toronto Star)

Toronto psychologist urges parents to drop the “worry ball” about their children of all ages and let the kids worry about the things (like the construction of a proper sand castle) that are their worries and not those of adults.  Parental micro-management practices the likes of keeping a calendar of “play dates” for their children are counter-productive for the mental health of either adults or children.  Call encouragement and be available for skinned knees and other emergencies but do it from the symbolic distance of a “park bench.”

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PUTTING A MINORITY RIGHTS ISSUE TO A MAJORITY VOTE.

(Omaha World Herald)

This is the complaint of a city council member in Lincoln, Nebraska after the city by unanimous vote passed a non-discrimination ordinance for full civil rights of gays and lesbians.  Local clergy launch a petition campaign to have the action referred to the voters for ballot approval or disapproval.  Since (perhaps) a majority of Lincoln residents are opposed to non-discrimination legislation where homosexuals are concerned there is the real possibility that a local majority may vote against the legal rights of a local minority.

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WHAT IF SYSIPHUS HAD  “TURNED HIS PUNISHMENT AND DRUDGERY INTO POSSIBILITIES AND FREEDOM?”

(In These Times)

This is the premise of a theatre professor’s new play Labor Rites being enacted by students at Northwestern University. The “myth” is often seen as a metaphor for the futility of human efforts as Sysiphus is condemned to roll the same stone forever to the top of a hill down which it rolls forever.  In reviewing the history of labor strife and triumph in its many battles the play is able to result in this inspiring message of the awesome power of labor solidarity.

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FLORIDA’S STATE PARKS ARE NOW OPEN (LITERALLY) FOR “BUSINESS” (CARTOON)

(Florida Today)

New law signed by the Governor allows Parks division to sell advertisements for commercial products on the grounds of the parks.  A cartoonist wonders whether a state ranger’s uniform is going to look like the outfit of a NASCAR driver.

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Quote of the day…

There’s been a lot of talk about homosexual “practices.” The practices are the same, whether you’re heterosexual or homosexual. You love your loved ones. You buy your house. You mow your lawn. You go to work.

J. Eileen Durgin-Clinchard, the first president of Lincoln Nebraska chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, as controversy about a city ordinace forbidding discrimination based on gender orientation erupts.

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