The February 2023 meeting of our community’s school board offered both positive and negative examples of how to talk together.
Tag Archives: Angela Rigas
State rep too blinded by partisanship to show compassion over latest mass shooting
The title of this post is not my own creation. It was supplied by The Sun and News when this essay was printed in today’s edition in Letters from Our Readers. It accurately captures the central point. Again with the killings. Again, a person who under any sane regulatory system would not have been permittedContinue reading “State rep too blinded by partisanship to show compassion over latest mass shooting”
Encouraging better leadership
If our aim is to seek progress not breakdown, peace not civil war, unity not division, then in our public conversations we must avoid caricature, hyperbole, and name-calling.
Angela Rigas and the “God-given right” to possess and use guns with no restrictions whatsoever
So Angela Rigas, Michigan state representative for the district in which I live, considers red-flag laws (extreme-risk protection orders), universal background checks, and requirements for safe storage of guns to be violations of the Second Amendment. Most Americans do not. Americans (and Michiganians) have differing opinions on all sorts of things. On some questions relatingContinue reading “Angela Rigas and the “God-given right” to possess and use guns with no restrictions whatsoever”
Fears and hopes
These are the remarks that I read during public comment time at the Caledonia Community Schools board meeting this evening. First, to the three elected in November: congratulations. To the four continuing: you have served well. Thank you. Here is what I fear, and what I hope. First: what I fear. I am one ofContinue reading “Fears and hopes”
Propaganda and news: there’s a difference
Printing a disgruntled partisan politician’s one-sided press release as a news article? Five points off for the Sun and News (an excellent local newspaper).
January 6, Angela Rigas, and the way forward
Yale historian Timothy Snyder has posted a 15-fact summary of the January 6 committee’s report. You should stop now and read it if you have not already. I said yesterday (in a FaceBook post) that no one can be surprised by continuing revelations of Trump’s misdeeds. Anyone with clear moral vision knew what Trump was,Continue reading “January 6, Angela Rigas, and the way forward”
Why did the Caledonia Education Association endorse you?
Why did the CEA endorse you, Eric, and Mary Anne? The CEA gives its own reason in its own announcement: they regard us as pro–public education candidates. They are right. We are. My interpretation: This is not a trivial pronouncement, and it is not one that can be made by or about all candidates. IContinue reading “Why did the Caledonia Education Association endorse you?”
What’s most important in the school-board election?
Let Caledonia be a place where students learn not only how to make a living or go to college but also, especially, how to uphold life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, justice, the common good, equality, truth, diversity, popular sovereignty, and patriotism.
Acquiescence is complicity; love requires truthtelling
Until we have agreed that we will speak truthfully and respectfully to and about each other, and that we will not choose as our representatives people who are unable to do either, we cannot hope for progress on anything else.
Verba Sparsa 