Daily Archives: May 29, 2020

The Idaho Freedom Foundation has usurped the word freedom. It labels legislators who fail to adhere to its rigid, libertarian ideology as being anti-freedom, RINOs or worse: Democrats. Many voters are misled by IFFs glib explanations of how it measures freedom. Embracing a philosophy that celebrates freedom is seemingly easy. What could be wrong with that? Sadly, a lot.

The IFF consists of extremist ideologues bullying legislators into conforming to its ideology. That isnt freedom.

The IFF insists that its Freedom Index is an unbiased measure of each legislators commitment to freedom. Actually, it measures adherence to the IFF agenda. The IFF is against funding education, infrastructure, preschool, parks or almost anything that costs money. No nuance, no compromise. Except for legal fees. IFF has sued Idaho six times and lost five. The lawsuits were expensive for taxpayers to pay to defend. The IFF even sued to overturn a lawfully passed citizens initiative, calling it mob rule. I dont remember being asked if I valued frivolous lawsuits more than supporting health care, do you? How is that freedom?

The IFFs board has shown a willingness to manipulate its data to benefit its members. Rep. Bryan Zollinger (IFF darling) and Bryan Smith (board member) work at the same law firm that argues Medical Recovery Services cases, and this years Idaho Patient Act likely negatively impacts their profits. IFF manipulated the bills Freedom Index score in an unsuccessful effort to kill the legislation.

Who else benefits from Freedom Index scoring is unknown because IFF keeps its donors secret. The IFF claims to champion transparency but it doesnt practice it.

Wayne Hoffman, founder and president, signs IFFs tax returns and denies significant lobbying even though lobbying appears to be IFFs primary purpose.

IFF employs three registered lobbyists who write bills, attend committee meetings and mingle with legislators. Five additional employees engage in 501c3-defined grassroots lobbying--using social media and online newsfeeds to encourage citizens to take actions that influence legislators. Yet Hoffman reports zero grassroots lobbying and minimal lobbying overall.

A recent IRS complaint charges the IFF with excessive lobbying and encouraging illegal behavior in violation of its 501(3) tax status. These charges should be upheld. One glance at its Facebook page shows that the IFF has incited folks to break the law in the name of freedom, how it uses the Freedom Index to support candidates and the extent of its lobbying.

The IFF is more than a political organization that cheats on its taxes and spurs citizens to break the law. It is an extremist ideology that has infiltrated our local politics. Several Republican lawmakers have written editorials comparing the IFF to McCarthyism. They ought to know, theyre living it.

I am a Democrat, so you might ask why Im concerned about a Republican primary. Because it involves the future of Idaho. Voters, please vote carefully and be aware that the Freedom Index measures compliance to an ideology, not freedom.

Freedom beats in all our hearts, and we dont need an ideological organization to redefine it for us.

Jackie Stephens is a member of the Bonneville County Democratic Party Central Committee and Precinct 21 captain.

See the article here:

Idaho Freedom Foundation usurps the word 'freedom' - Post Register

As I look through the paper every day, I watch for anything written by Lois Collins. Arguably, she is the best youve got; and I have been enriched by her contributions for many years. She adds a thoughtful perspective and depth to any subject she is assigned.

I especially appreciated her article of May 25 (How COVID-19 affects the body). Most of the information was new to me, and it was really disturbing. She detailed the ravages the virus can and does create in multiple areas. Her thorough description of exactly how it makes its attacks and how our bodies respond was both fascinating and very sobering.

She said, As American reopens, she needs to know what shes dealing with and not drop her guard or become less vigilant(.) The pictures on TV of thousands frolicking in their new freedom have helped me remember which part of having choices is most important to me.

Having quarantined almost completely for 74 days, I am ready to go on if needed. As I go out, I am certainly willing and prepared to follow every caution related to masks, social distancing and sanitizing. I am grateful that we have these guidelines concerning these efforts, hard as they are. I want the freedom of going to sleep thankful for still another day of being well and with the assurance that I havent hurt anyone else.

Peter Marshall, chaplain of the United States Senate in the 1940s, said May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.

Sherry McMullin

Salt Lake City

See the original post here:

Letter: Freedom is the opportunity to do what is right - Deseret News

Editors note: in conjunction with the 200th celebration of the establishment of Sidney, the Sidney Daily News will be publishing a year long series about the citys history.

SIDNEY Known as the land of plenty, America offers freedom and opportunity to those who journey here. However, for the people brought to this country as slaves, the American dream was replaced by oppression, poverty and indignities. In 1803, Ohio became the first state carved out of the Northwest Territory where the ownership of slaves was not permitted, yet laws were passed in 1804 prohibiting blacks from serving on juries or testifying against whites. Blacks could not settle in Ohio without a certificate of freedom, and those here must register and pay 12 1/2 cents. In 1807, blacks had to post a $500 bond, significantly limiting migration. The first documented black man in Shelby County was in the early 1820s when William Roberts moved to Salem Township to grant his slaves their freedom. One chose to stay with the family and worked as a paid employee on their homestead.

John Randolph and His Slaves

Virginian John Randolph was a wealthy politician who left three wills, two of which freed his slaves, I give and bequeath to all my slaves their freedom, heartily regretting that I have ever been the owner of one. He left $8,000 for transporting/settling his slaves and those over the age of 40 would receive 10 acres of land.

Claiming that John was insane, his brother contested the will and 13 years passed before the courts would honor it. Randolphs cousin, William Leigh, then traveled to Mercer County where he bought 3,200 acres for $6,000. In June 1846, 383 former Randolph slaves and wagon master Cardwell loaded 16 wagons heading 500 miles to Ohio. Their ages ranged from that of an infant to 100 year old Granny Hannah.

Their certificate of freedom stated, A true list and description of the emancipated slavesmade out from the general book of registers of free Negroes and Mulatoes (sic). The document listed all their names and according to Piqua historian Helen Gilmore, They examined them from head to toe and wrote down any marks you had on youmade you feel like you was cattle or pigs. Every slave had a number. Included on the 12 page list was No. 514 Shadrach, who would take White as a surname (later known as Buddie Shang) and No. 421 Carter a man of black complexion, aged 33 years, 5 9 . (A slave did not have a last name until freed and would often take the name of his/her master, residence or of some famous person).

Randolph Slaves Arrive in Ohio

The slaves boarded Miami & Erie Canal barges in Cincinnati heading to Mercer County. A Dayton newspaper reported, Some of them regretted being compelled to leave Virginiaa great deal of opposition has been manifested by the Mercer County citizens, and resolutions were passed to prevent these Negroes from coming.

In Piqua, the travelers were not allowed access to water and the barges moved into Shelby County, passing through the Lockington locks, on to Berlin/Fort Loramie where they were not allowed to land, and New Bremen/Mercer County. They were greeted by an armed mob of whites, Resolved, we will not live among Negroes; as we have settled here first we will resist the settlement of blacks and mulattoes in this county to the full extent of our means.

The blacks left on canal boats, disembarking in Miami County (Rossville) where whites brought them food. They would later locate in Sidney, Troy and other communities. Sidney newspaper, Aurora condemned the selling of land and pocketing a large amount of money for provisions not two weeks before the arrival of the poor creatures whom they so unjustly treated.

Some headed for Sidney/Shelby County said a Piqua newspaper, last week an effort was made to settle them in Shelby County, but like the attempt in Mercer it faileddriven away by threatened violence. Former slave Clem Clay told how local citizens eventually decided to allow a number of them to stay in Sidney: A good class of white people took some on the farm and some to houses

In 1900, the Randolph Ex-Slaves Association was formed and 62 of the original Old Dominions (born into Virginia slavery and transported to Ohio) were present. (The Buckeyes were born in Ohio). Up to 300 people attended reunions in Piqua, Troy and at the Shelby County Fairgrounds.

Plunkett, a man trusted to represent the slaves, sold the unclaimed land in the 1840s for $7,700. In 1907, approximately 170 of the former Randolph slaves unsuccessfully filed 27 cases to recover the land willed to them, or its $38,000 value. The cases lasted a decade and went all the way to the United States Supreme Court.

The Underground Railroad

Ohios Underground Railroad was a network of routes and stations/safe houses where blacks could stay while traveling north. Two trails entered Shelby County from the south, one split following the Miami & Erie Canal while a third trail passed through Sidney to the east and west.

Mount Vernon Baptist Church

Gospel songs indicated how escapes would occur on the Underground Railroad. Follow the Drinking Gourd referred to the North Star/Big Dipper. The Mt. Vernon Baptist Church began in the homes of two Randolph slaves in 1846 Roger Lee and Frank Brown. A circuit rider minister assisted in creating a new church and the first building was constructed on a lot now occupied by the Monarch Community Center.

Education

An 1853 state law established schools for colored children. A separate school was built for them in 1878 and abandoned in 1895 as the Black Laws had been repealed. There are sixteen schools in allone colored school. The 1885 Sidney Journal reported, Teacher of the Negro school is sick no school.

The Civil War (1861-1865)

In 1863, President Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation led Sidneys Elias Artis and Hezekiah Stewart to join the 54th Massachusetts Black Volunteer Infantry. Although many died in battle, both men are thought to have survived the Civil War and their names are listed, among 324 veterans, on the tablets in Sidneys Monumental Building.

World War I (1914-1918)

Almost 400,000 blacks served in the militarys segregated units and a 1918 Sidney Daily News article featured five men, the colored people of the county had turned out to wish the boys God speed in their answer to their countrys call. As the men came out of the Court House they formed lines honoring the boys as they passed through. The colored people, then proceeded by the Sidney band, marched to the B. & O. stationAn immense crowd (white and black) was at the station

1930s 1960s

The plight of blacks was captured in the Depression-era slogan, Last Hired and First Fired. In 1948, President Truman desegregated the nations armed forces. Court rulings addressed education and housing where discrimination and segregation still festered. Jim Crow signs were posted in the 50s/60s segregating blacks from whites. These laws were based on the Supreme Courts 1896 decision ruling blacks accept separate accommodations as long as they were equal. For White Only signs appeared in businesses across the nation.

Ku Klux Klan

The KKK, a group of white secret societies, traces its roots to a group of Confederate veterans organized to oppose minorities. With concealed identities, they often beat and murdered, burning crosses to intimidate blacks.

Sidney Daily News April 28, 1923: We have waited a week in regard to the demonstration of the KKK in our village (Anna). The citizens are pretty much wrought up over the affair. About 95 per cent against such demonstrations. On May 16, 1923, a cross was burned in East Sidney (Brooklyn Avenue).

Harry Miller worked as a conductor and brakeman for the Western Ohio Traction Company from 1917 to 1929. He recounted for the local paper how he worked the Ku Klux Klan car which made trips from Sidney to the St. Marys/Celina area in the 1920s.

NAACP

NAACP, a national civil rights organization that works to end discrimination against blacks and minority groups, was founded in 1909. Major successes included the Civil Rights Acts of 1957/1964, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Consulting with black and white residents, Frank OLeary created a Sidney chapter of the NAACP in 1965. Fifty members were required and the founders included Carl King, Rufus Sims, Harrison Brown, James Daniel and Lucille King. The organizations initial mission was workplace discrimination that existed within some Shelby County industries. In 1971, the chapter became the Ohio Tri-County NAACP serving Shelby, Miami, and Logan counties.

James P. Humphrey First Black Mayor of Sidney

A descendent of the Randolph Slaves, Sidneys first black mayor, James (Jim) Humphrey was a lifelong resident that gave significant amounts of time trying to preserve the tragic saga of the Randolph slaves. Born in 1921, Jim was a World War II veteran and served in city government as councilman-at large, vice mayor and mayor (1981-1987). He was a deacon of the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church for over 40 years and involved in community organizations such as the Salvation Army, NAACP and the Sunset Kiwanis. He was included in Whos Who Among Black Americans and honored in 1987 with the establishment of a scholarship fund in his name. Scholarships are awarded each year to black Shelby County students as incentives for achievement and has provided over $246,000 to 172 Sidney/Shelby County graduates. The funds are awarded in recognition of Humphreys commitment to excellence in education, black history, community service and his deep dedication to religious beliefs. He earned countless honors, including Black Mayor of the Year for Ohio, Sidneys Black Achiever of the Year, Man of the Year, Outstanding Senior Citizen in Shelby County, etc. Jim was a tremendous advocate for black history and talked passionately of the struggles that he and others suffered during earlier years.

On Jan. 17, 1890, former Randolph slave Buddie Shang stood in the courtroom of the Shelby County Courthouse accused of killing a white Lacyburg resident, (a shantytown behind Sidneys Graceland Cemetery). His attorney claimed self-defense to the all-white jury that took three minutes to render a not guilty verdict.

President Ronald Reagan spoke in Sidney, Ohio, on a Whistle Stop Tour on Oct. 12, 1984. He arrived on U.S. Car One a famous train car used by former president Harry Truman. Mayor James Humphrey was on the podium with the president as he gave an introduction and official welcome on behalf of the City of Sidney. The Ronald Reagan library has posted videos of the presidents journey through Ohio and the Sidney visit can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV9ObAlfNwM. A unique app was developed by the SMS Group for the Shelby County/Sidney Bicentennial which lists points of interest throughout Shelby County, including this stop at 400-416 North Street in Sidney. The app is free and can be downloaded to your smartphone/device.

A naturalized American citizen, David Lodge was born and raised in Manchester, England, serving in the Royal Air Force prior to coming to the U.S. He is a former City of Sidney Council member who served with Sidneys first black mayor and a long-time community volunteer. The Lodge Soccer Fields in Tawawa Park were named in his honor for bringing the sport of soccer to this area. He has authored three Teachers Guides as well as numerous articles on local history. Retired, he writes a column for Linns Stamp News, a philatelic publication of Amos Media.

Read this article:

Finding freedom in Ohio and Shelby County - sidneydailynews.com

FridayMay29,2020at12:44AM

I consider it a shame that some of the letters you print are for the sole purpose of gratifying the ego of the letter writer so he can see his name in print rather than to add any knowledge to our collective consciousness. It is ironic that a letter writer from Freedom is calling on you to censor your op-ed page because he can't accept any opinion that differs from his own. How small-minded and ignorant is that?

It is too bad that he doesn't read the other columns you print, rather than just looking for his own name. He should have noted Diane Nine's excellent article about the former White House press reporter Helen Thomas. She was someone who understood the necessary function of a "free press." Like Ms. Thomas, I agree that the freedom of the press" should be part of the First Amendment, because of how important it is to protect our democracy.

Trump and his faithful minions hate the free press, and label every question and criticism as fake news. That is the first step on the road to fascism, and a free press exposing all of their lies is what protects our way of life as a representative democracy. Although lately, I see little in the way of representation when Republicans are too scared of offending Trump to actually represent their constituency and do what will benefit them.

And how much of a democracy is left, when those in power have the money to tell lies, run negative ads, enforce voter suppression and buy their way into another term. It is another delusion to think Trump will be elected unanimously most of the people in this country aren't that simple-minded. At least I hope not. I think the press should do a better job of "comforting the afflicted, and afflicting the comfortable." They have a thankless job. More censorship is not necessary unless you actually favor fascism over democracy.

Thomas M. Finch, Aliquippa

More:

Letter to the Editor: Freedom of press protects our democracy - The Times

CHARLESTON, W.Va. U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., are part of a group of senators asking President Donald Trump to award a West Virginia native the Medal of Freedom.

The senators, alongside Republicans Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, wrote a letter Wednesday detailing their support for awarding Hershel Woody Williams the honor recognizing his advocacy on behalf of Gold Star families.

The Medal of Freedom is the countrys highest civilian honor.

Williams, a Harrison County native, is one of the last two living Medal of Honor recipients from World War II. He took part in the Battle of Iwo Jima, in which his efforts earned him the Medal of Honor.

Williams, through his foundation, has pushed for monuments recognizing families whose loved ones have died while serving. Sixty such monuments currently exist with plans for more than 70 additional memorials in place.

These achievements and many more illustrate a legacy that warrants recognition at the highest level. We sincerely appreciate your consideration of Woody Williams legacy, the senators said.

The state Capitol grounds will be the location of a future Gold Star Families Monument. The projects completion has been delayed because of difficulties securing materials and the coronavirus pandemic.

Excerpt from:

Manchin, Capito push for Williams to receive Medal of Freedom - WV MetroNews - West Virginia MetroNews

Liberty divorced from our obligations to each other is nothing more than selfishness.

As Ryan Lizza and Daniel Lippman suggested a few weeks ago, wearing a mask during the coronavirus crisis has become a part of our so-called culture wars.

Views on how to respond to the coronavirus pandemic have become increasingly polarized, yet another political issue that for many culture war combatants is filtered through an ideological lens. The left has been almost uniformly and loudly in favor of sacrificing many personal liberties in exchange for containing the virus spread. The right has been divided, but the vocal activist wing of conservatism that has enormous influence on social media and Fox News, has been far more willing to attack the various infringements on where people can go and what they have to wear.

The mask has become the ultimate symbol of this new cultural and political divide.

That divide was captured by this pair of photographs from Memorial Day.

In my home state of Minnesota, the clash took on a whole new level of confrontation when a local reporter showed up wearing a mask to interview people protesting the states restrictions.

No longer content to simply refuse to wear masks themselves, those protesters harassed the reporter with chants of take it off. While they insist that requirements to follow public health guidelines during a pandemic pose a challenge to their own constitutional freedoms, they demonstrated that they were also intent on controlling the behavior of that reporter. You wont find a better example of what freedom actually means to conservative right wingers. It is all about the freedom to impose their will on others.

The conservative obsession with freedom feeds into an argument that began with our founding fathers when John Adams warned about the perils of true democracy, proclaiming that they want equality more than they want liberty. In modern times, that cause of placing freedom over equality has been taken up by (primarily white) Republicans.

During Jared Kushners attempt to turn the Republican Party platform into a public relations document, the conservative emphasis on freedom came up.

Two sources said they recalled Kushner making a more sweeping point that they should rethink using the word freedom altogether in the GOP platform because polling showed it doesnt appeal to African Americans.

I have no idea what polls Kushner had seen that led him to that assumption, but he clearly has no sense of the history of that word in the African American community.

What Kushner was probably reacting to was the fact that African Americans are smart enough to reject the kind of freedom for me, but not for thee that has been the hallmark of this countrys denial of equality.

The rugged individualism that is often championed as freedom has long been one of the challenges we face in a democracy that requires us to come together to solve the challenges we face. But it takes a toll on a more personal level as well. One of my all-time favorite songs is Desperado, written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey. It includes this wonderful line in the third verse:

And freedom, oh freedomWell thats just some people talkingYour prison is walking through this world all alone

Many of those protesters who are claiming that their their freedom is compromised by wearing masks are the same ones Vivek Murthy wrote about in his book, Together, in which he identifies loneliness as a major public health issue.

As Murthy details, the leading researcher on the health impact of loneliness has shown that people with weak social connections are 50 percent more likely to die prematurely than people with strong connections. Stunningly, the health outcomes of social disconnection are akin to the impact of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

While Martin Luther King, Jr. spent his life advocating for freedom for all Americans, he understood that none of us can go it on our own.

In a real sense all life is inter-related. All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to beThis is the inter-related structure of reality.

A freedom that is disengaged from the responsibilities we have to each other is not only destructive to our humanity, it becomes a pathway to anarchy. Here is what Barack Obama said about that in 2012.

We honor the strivers, the dreamers, the risk- takers, the entrepreneurs who have always been the driving force behind our free enterprise system, the greatest engine of growth and prosperity that the worlds ever known.

But we also believe in something called citizenship citizenship, a word at the very heart of our founding, a word at the very essence of our democracy, the idea that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations

We, the people recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which asks only, whats in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty or patriotism, is unworthy of our founding ideals, and those who died in their defense.

As Americans, we should always cherish our freedom. But divorced from commitments to equality and citizenship, it rings hollow as nothing more than selfishness.

More here:

How Mask Protestors Distort the True Meaning of Freedom - Washington Monthly

Today U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) urged President Trump to award Hershel Woody Williams, Marine Veteran, West Virginia native, and Medal of Honor recipient, the Medal of Freedom for his incredible work through the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation advocating for Gold Star families while educating and inspiring many generations of young Americans.

The Senators said in part,We are honored to write to you on behalf of all generations of patriotic Americans to recommend Hershel Woodrow Woody Williams for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This great distinction is reserved for Americans who have made an especially meritorious contribution to the United States. We believe Woody Williams, who has dedicated his entire life to service to our country, is eminently deserving of this honor. The example that he set during and after the military is truly deserving of our nations highest civilian honor.

We have the distinct honor of being led as a family and as a foundation by a true servant leader, Woody Williams. Even now at 96 years young, he continues to make service to others his mission and purpose in life. His commitment to bettering the lives of his fellow Americans exemplifies the true spirit of our Nation and serves as an example to all of us. We are so grateful to those who support bestowing such a tremendous honor upon Woody, it is truly well-deserved. He is our patriarch, our friend, and our hero,said Chad Graham, President and CEO of the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation and Grandson of Woody Williams.

Hats off to the Senators from the great states of West Virginia and Mississippi for their outstanding efforts and initiative to have Woody Williams considered for the Presidential Medal of Freedom to recognize his 75 years of selfless service. Thank you also to the Marine Corps Veterans Association for their help and support along with Marines Top Hazlett (Ret), Mike Francis (Ret), and Clifton Addison of Mississippi,said Bernie Lyons, Marine Corps Veterans advocate and Vienna, West Virginia native.

The letter can be read in full below or viewedhere.

Dear President Trump,

We are honored to write to you on behalf of all generations of patriotic Americans to recommend Hershel Woodrow Woody Williams for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This great distinction is reserved for Americans who have made an especially meritorious contribution to the United States. We believe Woody Williams, who has dedicated his entire life to service to our country, is eminently deserving of this honor. The example that he set during and after the military is truly deserving of our nations highest civilian honor.

Woody Williams is one of only two remaining Medal of Honor recipients from World War II. As a young Marine in the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division, Woodys heroic act of storming four enemy pillboxes under tremendous fire, and continuing to fight through the entire five-week campaign on Iwo Jima earned him the Medal of Honor. His stories of service during and after the military have inspired future generations to serve our country and underscore why we call his generation the Greatest Generation.

Like many of the Greatest Generation, Woody came home from war to West Virginia and dedicated the rest of his life to service to others. For the last 75 years, Woody has committed himself to Veterans and their families and created the Hershel Woody Williams Medal of Honor Foundation. Through his foundation, Woody advocates for and recognizes the sacrifice of Gold Star families who have lost loved ones in the military. To date, Woody and his foundation are responsible for establishing 60 Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments across the United States with more than 70 additional monuments underway in nearly every state.

Woodys unending energy and passion have been an inspiration to generations of young Americans across the country. He has spoken to numerous schools, universities, community events, and Veterans receptions promoting patriotism and the ideals of service above self. The West Virginia Legislature included Woody in the West Virginia Hall of Fame and named him a Distinguished West Virginian in 1980 and in 2013.

These achievements and many more illustrate a legacy that warrants recognition at the highest level. We sincerely appreciate your consideration of Woody Williams legacy.

Press Release

5/28/2020

Excerpt from:

Manchin, Wicker, Hyde-Smith, Capito urge President Trump to award medal of freedom to Hershel "Woody" Williams - Yall Politics

Steve Shaw reports on Beijings new national security law, approved today, to bring Hong Kong further under its control.

It was once known for its vibrant neon-drenched streets, bustling markets and unique merging of western values with Chinese culture. But walk down the streets of Hong Kong today and what stands out is the sense of fear and hopelessness that has taken hold of many of its residents.

Scrawled across towering concrete apartment blocks and sprawling office buildings are slogans that plead to the world for help against Beijings authoritarian rule. Others declare this the revolution of our time and quote British author Alan Moore, whose famous graphic novel V for Vendetta centres around a freedom fighter battling against a totalitarian government in futuristic London.

One such quote reads: People shouldnt be afraid of their Government. Governments should be afraid of their people.

But, after nearly a year of protests which have seen many of the citys streets stained with the blood of demonstrators and the air filled with tear gas, many believe that the time of resistance is over thanks to a new national security law thrust upon the city by lawmakers in Beijing who have lost their patience.

People might simply say that the Government is bad and then be arrested like in mainland China when they said it, I was shocked, I felt suicidal thoughts erupting like a volcano.

It will forbid secessionist and subversive activity, as well as foreign interference and terrorism a term many officials have used to describe the protests. It will also allow intelligence agencies from the mainland to set up on Hong Kong soil and block foreign judges from handling national security trials, despite there being 15 on the 23-person Court of Final Appeal, the citys highest court. Law-makers in the city are also debating a separate bill that would make it a criminal offence to insult the Chinese national anthem.

We are told that any protest against the national security law necessitates the national security law, said James, a man in his early 20s who lives in the city. All the protests in Hong Kong and the hope that the citys Government would listen to our demands pretty much scattered when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) stepped in. The whole Hong Kong Government is not only without spine, they have no brain to act independently at all.

Hong Kong people have never had the right to decide for themselves, historically we have been manipulated by Britain and China constantly. I am disappointed to see we have never gotten out of this tragic fate, despite the fact we have proven we are capable of bringing a future and hope to the city.

The death of Hong Kong is destined when people with social status, political power and wealth dont resist at all. Instead they point the finger at the younger generations and blame them for causing the problems. I am disappointed many of those people have not stood up for justice and human dignity and instead are willingly allowing this to happen. They are the reason Hong Kong never got what it deserved, because they kneel to whomever gives them the most benefits.

China is attempting to force the national security law onto Hong Kong by September, despite it being a clear breach of the one country, two systems agreement that came into force when the city re-joined China in 1997.

Under that agreement, which is set to expire in 2047, the UK helped guarantee that Hong Kong would retain a degree of autonomy, including a separate legislature and judicial system, as well as some civil liberties. Hong Kongs mini-constitution created at the time, known as Basic Law, also states that the territory is required to implement a national security law but that it must do so on its own. Beijing does not have the authority to do it unilaterally.

In terms of the law, it is really ridiculous and we dont have any say on the issue, said Maria, a journalism student in the city. Hong Kong and China have different judiciary and legislative systems. This is why we are special. Chinas National Peoples Congress cannot just make this decision for us. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Chinese Governments keep trying to impose evil laws in Hong Kong. First it was an extradition bill, then an anti-mask law and now the national security law. Mass protests in 2003 had already shown strong objections to national security legislation but clearly the Governments havent learnt from that. These undemocratically elected officials dont listen to their people at all.

But Beijings lack of respect for one country, two systems and the CCPs willingness to violate it has come after years of the UK Government failing to properly stand up for it, often because its priority has been trade relationships, particularly after Brexit. In one instance in 2017, Chinas foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that the Sino-British declaration was a historical document that no longer has any realistic meaning. He went on to say Britain has no sovereignty, no governing power and no supervising power over Hong Kong. Around the same time, the then UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said that the principle of one country, two systems was functioning well.

Ben Rogers, chair and founder of Hong Kong Watch, told Byline Times that it is time the UK takes a stronger stance: The UK should speak out very robustly and clearly, build an international coalition of like-minded Governments to do the same, and explore ways of legal redress for violation of an international treaty, perhaps via the International Court of Justice.

He added that he believes the threat of the national security law is a grave violation of one country, two systems which undermines the autonomy given to the city.

Meanwhile, Chinese state media has defended the move, claiming that it is the only way to guarantee the one country, two systems principle can function normally and for Hong Kong to enjoy a high degree of autonomy.

Global Times, a newspaper overseen by the CCP, said that the National Peoples Congress needs to shoulder the responsibility of introducing the law and help a lost Hong Kong find its position as a special administrative region of China.

As the political wrangling continues over who should have the ability to control one of the biggest financial centres in the world, it is the citys residents caught in the middle who are paying the price.

A study, organised by Hong Kongs Mental Health Month Organising Committee, found that the mental health of people over the age of 15 has deteriorated to its worst level in years, with 41% of survey respondents saying that their mental health had been negatively affected by social disputes. Multiple suicides have also been linked to the protests.

John, a 23-year-old struggling with depression, told Byline Times that Beijings interference in the city and his fears of living in a totalitarian society have caused him to regularly contemplate suicide.

Historically we have been manipulated by Britain and China constantly. I am disappointed to see we have never gotten out of this tragic fate.

I feel hopeless, like there is no way things will return to the way they used to be and no matter what we do, I feel like the CCP is going to take control of Hong Kong, he said. It is just a matter of time. Around late July or early August, I started having thoughts about suicide.

I, along with many Hong Kongers, have been trying so hard to stand up for ourselves but the Government keeps implementing tactics that are ridiculous as if they want things to get worse. This national security law is a turning point for Hong Kong. There are no boundaries for the way in which it can be applied.

People might simply say that the Government is bad and then be arrested like in mainland China. I feel like this has been the strongest move from the Government and when they said it, I was shocked, I felt suicidal thoughts erupting like a volcano.

Freedom and democracy are basically the two main things in a civilised country. I dont want someone else trying to control what I say, when I say it, where I say it and what I do. I also dont want to be isolated from the rest of the world with websites blocked and our culture and Cantonese language erased. What would be the point in living?

Byline Times asked the UKs Foreign Office to explain what specific measures are being taken over the potential breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration, as well as whether any meetings have been called with Beijing to discuss the situation.

A spokesman provided a link to a joint statement from the UK, Australia and Canada which simply admitted that the national security law undermines the one country, two systems principle and states that the three countries are deeply concerned.

The spokesman added that concerns have been raised with the Chinese Government in Beijing, the Chinese Ambassador in London and the acting Chief Executive in Hong Kong. He did not address whether a meeting with the Chinese Government has been arranged.

Since the 1997 handover, the UK Government has published six-monthly reports on the implementation of the joint declaration and has not missed a single one so far, except for the period of June 2019 to December 2019 the height of the protests. Byline Times asked the Foreign Office why this had not been published and was told it would be in due course.

Names of residents have been changed to protect their identity

More here:

'Without Freedom and Democracy What's the Point in Living?' The New Law Presenting a Grave Threat to Hong Kong - Byline Times

Legendary, multi-grammy award-winning trumpeter, composer, record producer, artist, sculptor and philanthropist Herb Alpert speaks with WBGO's Doug Doyle about giving back during the coronavirus pandemic

Iconic trumpeter, A&M Records co-founder, painter, sculptor, philanthropist and past recipient of WBGO's Champions of Jazz Gala Award continues to give back during the coronavirus pandemic.

Speaking to WBGO's News Director Doug Doyle from his California home, Alpert talked about jazz, his foundation, the renovation of the Harlem School of the Arts and the 26th annual Herb Alpert Award in the Arts recipients.

Alpert says he and his wife Grammy-award-winning vocalist Lani Hall had to postpone their extensive tour schedule because of the pandemic. They haven't ventured out past his property for quite some time.

"You know I'm in that category where they scare you to death. If you're over 80 watch out, if it gets you, you're a goner. I'm afraid to go out of the house. I'm a lucky guy, married to an angel and my life has been a charmed life. I feel a little guilty. I'm doing what I would be doing last year at this time when nothing was going on with this virus. So here I am painting, sculpting, making music and being an introvert. I'm fine doing that. I'm in heaven. I can do my stuff. There are a lot of people out there that don't have that same situation. I feel sorry for the jam, the mess we're into right now. I hope it resolves nicely. It's a very frightening time for everybody. I think we're all wondering what the heck is going to happen in the futue. It's hard to predict what happens next month, next year or next week. We're just kind of hoping for the best."

Earlier this month, The Herb Alpert Foundation and the California Institute of the Arts held its 26th annual Herb Alpert Award in the Arts in the categories of Dance, Film/Video, Music. Theatre and Visual Arts. Five unrestricted $75,000 grants were presented to exceptional mid-career artists. The recipients were honored during a vitual ceremony hosted by Alpert and his wife on Friday, May 22.

"It turns out there were hundreds of people watching this ceremony. It was very real. The artists that won the awards were chiming in with sensitive and beautiful stories. You know there's something about when you're in a room, a chat room or a zoom room with people that are artists or respecting the arts there's a different energy."

The 2020 Herb Alpert Award in the Arts recipients are Karen Sherman - Dance, Sky Hopinka - Film/Video, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah - Music, Phil Soltanoff - Theatre and Firelei Baez -Visual Arts.

"I've always loved the artists that travel the road less traveled, those are the artists that touch me."

Trumpeter Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah is the nephew of legenadary jazz saxophonist Donald Harrison.

"He had a really interesting horn, kind of a take-off of Dizzy Gillespie's trumpet. It's beautiful. He's a sensitive, wonderful giving musician."

Alpert, who stressed he is not involved in the selection of the winners of the highly competitive awards, was asked about his thoughts on jazz.

"I think music in general is the heartbeat and soul of our country and I think we need that. Jazz is about freedom. I think what's the interesting part of these five art forms are that they're all the same for the most part. It's all about freedom of expression and imagination and being totally honest with what you say or do and we need more of that. I think that's why jazz kind of points the way. I think we're all looking for freedom in the United States and around the world. It's the one thread that binds us all."

When the creative trumpeter became a sensation in the 1960's with Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, he decided he wanted to make visual music. He wants to make music that takes you someplace.

"I think all they really good artists that appealed to me through the years, let's talk about jazz. Miles Davis had that ability. That Kind of Blue album that still sells to this day and the enormous amount of records that were sold, he was a major jazz artist, but he touched, he had something. He knew a good song. He knew who to present it. He understood the art form probably better than most other great jazz musicians."

What does Herb Alpert think about when he playing his trumpet on his upcoming album.

"I think about all the people I've spoken to, all the great jazz musicians I've run across. Stan Getz was a dear friend of mine. He was like my brother for the last four years of his life. I'd ask Stan that question. He always told me if you're playing a great song make sure you do justice to the melody of the song. And before you start improvising and turning it into something that it didn't want to be."

Alpert, 2006 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and nine-time Grammy Award winner, came to the rescue when the Harlem School of the Arts was in desperate need of funds to survive. The result became The Renaissane Project, a 9.5 million dollar renovation of the school. Alpert says the project's completion has been pushed back because of the coronavirus crisis, but he anticipates the groundbreaking will now take place in the spring of 2021.

"We just felt it needed to be upgraded. I got involved in 2010. I saw this article in the paper that it was about to close. They were out of funds and they were not being supported."

With the 2020 tour of hold because of the pandemic, Alpert has been painting and sculpting at an elevated pace. He says he can barely move in his arts studio because there are so many paintings. One of his works, a painting, has been inspired by the current situation. He calls it Corona City.

"My wife was not crazy about that title, but when it came out that's what it looked like to me. It's in the abstract. It looks like city but not a city you could every recognize. This is one of the things I like about the mystery of art, you really can't indentify it. There's no way to actually put words on something that you feel."

Did the musician and composer know he had the ability to create art before he picked up the trumpet?

"I didn't. Little by little I started making sense out of the trumpet and people were responding to the way I was playing. That's the first time I got a glimpse that maybe I'm okay. I had this wonderful Russian teacher who was the 1st player with the San Francisco Symphony. One lesson I was 12 or 13 years old. I played this tune and when finished and he had tears running down his cheek. He said 'that was beautiful'. This was a guy who really didn' show his emotions. So I felt like maybe I do have something"

Alpert would then go onto make his first album that he released on A&M Records calledThe Lonely Bullin 1962. In all, Alpert has 15 Gold Albums, 14 Platinum albums and over 72 million records sold.

Click above to hear the entire conversation between Herb Alpert and Doug Doyle.

Link:

Herb Alpert: "Jazz is All About Freedom and Points the Way" - wbgo.org

CADILLAC Judging from the feedback he's received so far, Derek Anderson believes that not only is there enough support in the community to hold the Cadillac Freedom Festival, but given that most other summer festivals have been cancelled, it may be even more important this year that the event happens.

Anderson who is one of the two main organizers of the annual Independence Day celebration said they recently made a post on social media that announced their intention to go ahead with the festival if at all possible. Within hours of the post being made, Anderson said it had spread to thousands of people; as of Monday, Anderson said around 26,000 people had seen it.

Subsequently, Anderson said they made a post asking for donations to help pay for the fireworks and a day later, a number of donors already had contributed about $600 to the event. And it wasn't just individual donors who stepped up: several vendors and other businesses contacted him and offered to donate a portion of their revenues back to the festival.

"It was unbelievable," Anderson said. "The community wants, needs this to happen. They want to help us make this happen."

Anderson said that considering it's a Fourth of July celebration, he thinks it's even more imperative that it be held at a time when so many personal liberties and freedoms are being curtailed to control the spread of the coronavirus.

Of course, whether or not they'll be able to hold the event isn't something they alone can decide; Anderson said they'll still need approval from the state in order to host a large public gathering such as the Freedom Festival something that may or may not happen.

"We don't know what the situation will look like," Anderson said.

If they are able to hold the festival, Anderson said it will look a little different this year.

Due to complications surrounding booking, insurance costs, and other factors, several events held in past years of the festival likely won't happen, including carnival rides (although they still plan to have inflatables), beer and wine tasting and the BBQ rib contest.

Depending on how things stack up, Anderson said they may end up holding the event over the course of two days instead of three.

There should be food vendors at the festival but Anderson said even this aspect of the event is in question, since there are a number of professional vendors that travel from city to city during the summer months that may not be able to attend this year.

At this point, Anderson said they're still tentatively planning to hold the Thunder on the Lakeshore motorcycle show, kids movie at the Rotary Performing Arts Pavilion, Fire on Water tribute to veterans, 5K run, flea market, parade through downtown and fireworks to cap it all off.Anderson said they've also booked two bands to perform during the festival 44 North and Dc True.

During a typical year, Anderson said they would have started their fundraising efforts several weeks ago but due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, they're getting a late start, which means they need to raise around $10,000 between now and July.

Anderson said donations are even more important this year because they won't be able to make any advertising promises to sponsors, since they're not sure if the state will allow the event to happen.

If for some reason they're unable to hold the event in July, Anderson said the money they collect may go to next year's festival or they may decide to shoot off fireworks later in the year, perhaps to complement Christmas-time festivities going on in the city.

They've set up a PayPal account to collect donations toward the festival. To donate through the PayPal account, go to cadillacfreedomfestival.com. Donations can also be mailed to the Cadillac Freedom Festival, PO Box 853, Cadillac, MI, 49601.

Tentative schedule of events

Friday, July 3

10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Carnival, vendors, food

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free Kids Activities

4 to 5 p.m. Landing Dance Academy

6 to 8 p.m. "Splash Dance"

5:45 to 6:30 p.m. 5K Registration

7 to 8 p.m. "Freedom 5K Run"

9 p.m. "Fire on Water" Tribute presented by Honor Guard

10 p.m. Community Movie at the Rotary Pavilion

Saturday, July 4

9 a.m. to 7 Flea Market

10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Carnival, vendors, food

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. "Thunder on the Lakeshore" Motorcycle Show

Noon to 1 p.m. Irish Dancers at the Rotary Pavilion

1 to 2 p.m. "Freedom Festival Parade" (Downtown Cadillac)

2 to 3 p.m. Watermelon Eating Contest

6 to 10 p.m. Live Music.

Note: Cold beverages will be served at the Beer Tent from 5 to 10 p.m.

Sunday, July 5

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Flea Market

10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Carnival, vendors, food

11 a.m. to noon Community Church Service at the Rotary Pavilion

5 to 6 p.m. Clark the Juggler

7 to 10 p.m. Live Music

10 p.m. Fireworks.

Note: Cold beverages will be served at the Beer Tent from 5 to 10 p.m.

Follow this link:

Organizers of Cadillac Freedom Festival plan to go ahead with event July 3-5 - Cadillac News