Money and Values  
Once again the U.S. Congress is wringing its hands over the perennial “debt crisis.”  
Yet in spite of the wrangling of the two establishment parties, both Democrats and Republicans quickly made it clear that they won’t touch the sacred military budget, the primary vehicle for U.S. economic and political power in the world. This “bipartisan” support for ever increasing weapons spending is not an issue of money. Rather, a serious cut in military spending would force the US to interact differently with the rest of the world. It would require the US to commit to a multi-polar world.  

Most of all, it would make it difficult for the U.S. to act unilaterally as it has done in so many places like Vietnam, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Panama, etc. etc. The recent trend for the U.S. is instigate regime change or engage in proxy wars, the latest tactical shift in the U.S. empire project.  

Typically an arguable claim is made that someone else has done evil – Putin, Saddam Hussein, the Taliban, Gaddafi – and the U.S. public can then be led down the garden path that because they are evil (the Hitler of our times!), the U.S. is necessarily good: QED. This claim in turn justifies US use of military force in order bring “peace,” “democracy,” “women’s rights,” “stability” or whatever. It’s noteworthy that in the four cases noted above (and others) all of these noble ends were attained via the military power of NATO.  

Any possible deviation from this stroll down the garden path will not be a matter of tweaking numbers and budgets. It will require a dismantling of myths and illusions about the United States, which will require the active discussion and participation of every citizen and elected official from dog catcher on up. Another name for the process is democracy, and it can’t be brought about by the use of military force.  Bob Kosuth  
Duluth, Minnesota
 
Your vote is needed Feb. 21
On June 24, 2022 the U.S. Supreme Court threw out 50 years of precedent by repealing Roe vs. Wade. Their rationale for this shocking decision was that since abortion isn’t mentioned in the constitution every state can proceed with their own interpretation of abortion and women’s health care.
A dozen states, led by the great state of Minnesota, have guaranteed a woman’s right to choose. Many states have outlawed all abortions, which brings us to Wisconsin. In my home state, we have reverted back to a law passed in 1849 that bans all abortions unless the mother is in danger of dying. Yes, you read that correctly .  There are no exceptions for rape or incest. This puts Afghanistan and Wisconsin on equal footing and the Wisconsin gerrymandered legislature has indicated that this 1849 law is sufficient and fair for all its citizens.

But there is hope. On Febr. 21, there will be a primary election for an open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.  The winner will determine the future for Wisconsin women. There are four candidates running. Janet Protasiewicz and Everett Mitchell are both highly esteemed judges who believe women are intelligent enough to make their own health care decisions. The other two candidates want to keep the status quo and are satisfied that this pre-civil war law of 1849 is good enough for Wisconsin and its citizens. 

Those are our choices.  et’s hope Wisconsin responds like it's 2023 and women have a right to choose. Do it now. Register to vote, request an absentee ballot and Vote Feb 21!
Rick Arnold
Superior, Wisconsin

Our great north woods
Everyone has a story or memory about a favorite tree or forest. Whether climbing trees, jumping in leaf piles, touring fall colors, visiting forested campgrounds or making maple syrup, trees are a big part of our northern way of life. It turns out that trees are also a nature-based solution to help address climate change. Trees absorb carbon, an important greenhouse gas, and currently, U.S. forests take up 12% of our carbon pollution. We could increase that amount to 22% by 2030 by carefully managing existing forests and planting more trees.

These are great ideas, but one important issue needs consideration. Non-native forest pests and diseases interfere with the ability of forests to absorb carbon. Insects such as emerald ash borer beetles, spongy moths and oak wilt are already in Wisconsin and worsening. Researchers have found that trees impacted by insect pests sequester or trap 69% less carbon than healthy ones, while trees suffering from disease sequester 28% less carbon. The combined impacts of current insects and diseases in the U.S. reduce carbon capture potential by 50 million tons annually – the same as the emissions produced by an astonishing 10 million cars!

So, what can you do as an individual? Take care of the trees and forests on your property to prevent spread. Learn how to identify and prevent forest health issues, and what to do with any problems found. Support local, state and national efforts to maintain forest health with carbon sequestration as a goal. You can also support the Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL; citizensclimatelobby.org) and the new Healthy Forests policy initiative. CCL is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization promoting action to reduce greenhouse gases.

Peggy Burkman
Washburn, Wisconsin

Hard to fathom
It is hard to comrehend how such a large segment of the American electorate can continue to support a person for president who has committed several actionable criminal events, including the incitement of the Jan. 6 riots at te U.S. Capitol. I don't get it! Scary would be an understatement. Thoughts of the Chinese water torture come to mind. These whack jobs are just as dangerous as Trump himself.

Ken Bracken
Minnesota Veteran's Home
Minneapolis, Minnesota

The truth trasher
Trashing the truth has spread like wildfire and we are blindsided. One ex-malcontent, obsessed with winning at all costs, put in motion an infectious belief that the game show was rigged and vows the time for payback.
Gerald Norrgard
Duluth, Minnesota