Some years ago a Christian friend asked me what “the religious experience” is. He had visited various churches and worship groups and was puzzled by what he found. Practice seemed disconnected from theology, and even the practice didn’t seem consistent.…
Reflections From The Clergy | Be That Helping Hand In Society
In order for society to function, we as a community need to work together in all facets of life. Having the ability to be that helping hand for one and all brings balance and stability to a community and its…
Peoria Area World Affairs Council: Upcoming schedule
The Peoria Area World Affairs Council, a not-for-profit affiliated with the World Affairs Councils of America, hosts programming and educational outreach on global issues of national and international importance. Programs are open to the public. Upcoming presentations scheduled on Zoom…
Heat Waves — In Red and Black | Paul Hawken’s Drawdown Fellows and the 80 Ways to Cut Your Carbon
My last three columns highlighted a federal, dividend-based carbon tax. This policy would often amplify complementary local, state and international policies. State governments, for example, can capitalize on a dividend-based carbon tax by expanding renewable energy production, electrifying transportation, increasing…
Labor Roundup | March 2021
President Biden on Feb. 3 demanded resignations from all 10 Trump appointees to the Federal Service Impasses Panel, a major victory for federal unions. Eight members resigned, and two were fired after refusing to step down. Trump’s appointees –– partisan…
Serendipity | Finding Inspiration
List making, note taking, journaling, card sending, and frequent reading of profound sayings or devotions are enjoyable for me. List making has become an absolute necessity. I can sing multiple verses of songs from the ’60s, but if I need…
Science Briefs | March 2021
Paper Coca-Cola Bottles: A Danish startup company is working on paper bottles to replace plastic bottles. The paper bottle will be completely recyclable and production avoids the carbon footprint of manufacturing plastic from fossil fuels. The company hopes its product…
Camp Dallas: From a life lost to lives saved
“Getting corrected in the (prison) system is overrated. Get corrected here,” Carl Cannon told a dozen adolescents in the ELITE program as they stood looking out over Sankoty Lakes Resort glistening in cold January sun. “Today you’re being exposed to…
Post-COVID-19, public finances are grim — but …
Globally, the International Monetary Fund said spending to fight the coronavirus and its financial effects was bursting government budgets. With $11.7 trillion committed by fall, and more needed, cumulative public debt was close to 100% of global gross domestic product…
Avoid mythologizing Native American history
BY LIBBY TRONNES For all of you who have been missing local trivia nights, here are some puzzlers. How old was Pocahontas when John Smith arrived in Virginia? How many federally recognized tribes are there in the United States today?…
The Lion’s Den | Is this America?
Following the siege at the nation’s Capitol, many were left to ponder the question, is this America? For many, their race, ethnicity, culture and political beliefs determined the answer. America has always been a tale of two countries. There has…
Straight Talk | Bad judgment
A dispute between Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood and the Peoria Fire Department became a public debate, and it was entirely unnecessary. News releases from Harwood and the Fire Department described a garage fire at 1928 S. Stanley that claimed…
Bill Knight | Carl Cannon pushes himself
The longtime weightlifter, soldier, policeman, family man and mentor also pushes others – to bear life’s burdens and condition themselves to meet future challenges. In Full Cannon, published late last year, the 61-year-old Peoria who founded programs such as ELITE…
Editorial | When American democracy is assaulted
BY ANGELA WECK Editor’s Note: This message was written Jan. 7, the day after pro-Trump rioters attempted an insurrection and invaded the U.S. Capitol. Yesterday was a day that should have represented the highest achievement of our republic. This day…
Editorial | We need every member of Congress to acknowledge there was no election fraud; anything short of that stokes more violence
There is no credible evidence the election of Joe Biden was fraudulent. A New York Times editorial: “Republican lawmakers who objected to the electoral vote results on the grounds of mythical election fraud should immediately and publicly apologize, repudiate their…
Letter to the Editor | Glad to read UnityPoint increases minimum wage
Your January 2021 Issue of the Community Word carried the good news that UnityPoint Health will be raising minimum hourly pay to $15. I am happy to know that this hospital nonprofit corporation has taken this step that will improve…
Letter to the Editor | Journalists already in danger
One day after the attack on the Capitol in Washington, USAToday posted on Twitter that the newspaper “needs help identifying the people who broke into the U.S. Capitol,” then implored readers to follow a link to view the photos and…
Letter to the Editor | Even after 58 years, MLK’s nonviolent, direct action still best
I have been reading my library of MLK and borrowing his books from the Peoria NAACP community center library. It has been some time since I did this, and as a Quaker who does not have the Baptist Christian faith,…
Letter to the Editor | Condemn violence
The Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago strongly condemns the glaring acts of violence and civic disorder committed in our nation’s capital on Jan. 6. Breeching security perimeters, bashing locked doors and assaulting Capitol Police officers are criminal acts…
OpEd | History of Originalism, Part 2
BY BILL FEIPEL Originalism became a household word with the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in October 2020. Originalism: it sounds reliable, stable, comforting. Ms. Barrett identifies its guiding principles as ”First, the meaning of the…
The Watch | Council discusses restaurants and COVID-19
If you don’t like what you saw in Washington, D.C. last month, start change by paying attention to elected officials here at home. For example, here are some highlights gathered by the League of Women Voters of Greater Peoria: In…
Real Talk | This is who we are
We watched in horror on Jan. 6, as the nation’s Capitol was breached by white terrorists on the behest of the president of the United States of America. These terrorists broke down doors, attacked Capitol Police, killing one officer by…