NOTES FROM 21ST STREET: The U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security is located at 310 E Knapp St. in Milwaukee. This is where people come or are taken to for permission to stay in the U.S. There are monthly vigils for the people who are being sent back to a country from which they are fleeing. There are many demonstrations held in this location opposing the immigration policies of the U.S. government. It was at one of the demonstrations that I noticed a plaque put on the corner of the building. This is exactly what was written on this plaque. “The American dream became a reality on this site in 1914 as a group of intrepid hard-working Greek immigrants built Wisconsin’s First Annunciation Greek Orthodox church. Proud of their heritage, they were strangers in a strange land but, like so many before them, they found this country a melting pot, a place to adapt and assimilate.” I can-not comprehend the irony of this plaque attached to a building where the occupants do the exact opposite of what was done years ago. I truly pray we again welcome people who want to create a new life for themselves in the U.S. May it happen soon. They will enrich our whole society. Peace, Roberta
There are so many families in need of basic items like furniture, beds, appliances, etc. We need people who will help with furniture and food pickups. For years, Jim and Chris have been working hard to keep up with the number of pick ups, and both are not getting any younger. If you can help, please call Don at 414-807-0190 or Jim at 414-552-8128. Also, if you see a city dumpster in our area, please let us know. The city dump is now charging money for us to bring our garbage to the city dump.
DON’S JOKES
What time is it when little white flakes fall past the classroom window. Snow and Tell. A lady opened her re-frigerator and saw a rabbit inside. She said, “What are you doing in here? The rabbit replied, “This is a West-inghouse, isn’t it? Well, I’m westing.” I used to be addicted to soap, but I’m clean now. Which reindeer usually cleans the sink? Comet My friend married someone for his money. She was not subtle about it. She kept calling her fiancé her financier. Turning vegan would be a big missed steak. Jesus is coming. Hopefully before the next election. Church sign: We are still open between Christmas and Easter. What day of the week do eggs fear? Friday. Unbeknown to most theologians, there was a fourth Maji. He was rejected be-cause he brought fruitcake. How do you avoid falling hair? Jump out of the way. Boy: “Mom, Dad just backed the car over my bike.” Mother: “Serves you right son, for leaving it on the front lawn.” I told the dentist to put a tooth in that matches my other tooth. So he put in a tooth with 4 cavities. I told my psychiatrist that I think everyone says I am ugly. The psychiatrist had me lie on the couch facedown. I was on the beach, and I couldn’t find my parents. I told the security guard that I lost my parents. He said, “Yes, I know. There are so many places they could hide.” 1st Turkey: “As the days get shorter, I’m feeling more and more nerv-ous.” 2nd Turkey: “Not me! Every time the farmer walks by I just say “Mooo.”
INTERESTING FACTS
Trump wants to open 1.5 million acres of Alaskan Refuge for oil drilling by end of the year. Plastic byproducts were found in 97 percent of blood and urine samples from 2,500 children tested between 2014 and 2017, according to a study by the German Environment Ministry and the Robert Koch Institute.---EcoWatch
In Virginia, English colonization sparked dramatic population declines among Native American communities. While Virginia Indians numbered about 50,000 in 1607, by the early twentieth century, only a little over 2,000 remained. Most Americans don’t like to think about genocide as a foundational part of US history, while the English certainly don’t view their forebears as capable of perpetrating the mass killing of indigenous people. However, historian Jeffrey Ostler writes in his book, Surviving Genocide, how genocide is woven into the fabric of North American history. Colonial officials initiated a plan to “drive” the remaining “savages” from the land. The violence directed against the Kikotan people in July 1610 became known as the Kikotan massacre. ---History News Network
A whopping $49 billion has been recently been spent in the US on propping up 15 aging reactors through subsidies and building two new -- and still incomplete -- ones. Despite what others say, nuclear power is not a cost-saver in any cli-mate plan. An obscene $1 trillion is what the world's nuclear armed countries plan to spend on nuclear weapons over the next 10 years.---Beyond Nuclear
Responding to Migrants and Refugees: Catholic leaders from Pope Francis to the US Bishops to our own Wisconsin Confer-ence of Bishops has called on Catholics to reject hateful or inaccurate portrayals of immigrants and work for compassion-ate, humane immigration policies. A group has just formed in the Archdiocese to be in solidarity with those who’ve fled their homelands and advocate for immigration policies that reflect Christian values. For more information about the Catholic Coalition for Migrants and Refugees, contact Mark Peters at 414-427-4273.
There are still 41 people detained at Guantanamo Bay who have not been charged with any crime. Only one has been found guilty of anything, and had no lawyer for legal representation. They may never be released. ---- TruthOut
President Trump has been expanding CIA drone use and reportedly has established a new drone base in Niger, Africa at a cost of $100 million. —Understanding Drones
Ten of the top executives of the Illinois-based non-profit, Dairy Management Inc. are paid with Wisconsin dairy farmers’ milk checks to promote daily products. These executives are paid an average of $800,000 a year. ---Milwaukee Journal
Julian Assange and WikiLeaks have performed an historic public service by giving millions of people facts on why and how their governments deceive them, secretly and often illegally: why they invade countries, and why they send a warning to every journalist and every publisher, the kind of warning that has no place in a democracy. On the Sydney Criminal Lawyers website, journalist Paul Gregoire discussed Assange's declining health with his father, John Shipton, who said: 'His health is not good. He's lost about 15 kilos in weight now – five since I last saw him. And he's in solitary confinement for 22 hours a day, in the hospital ward of the jail. -----Media Lens
Rank of Canada among countries resettling the most refugees in 2019: 1 Minimum number of years which the U.S. previously held that distinction: 59.
Number of the 15 hottest U.S. states that lack universal air-conditioning in their prisons: 13 Percentage of state prisoners who are incarcerated for violating parole or probation: 45. ---Harpers Index
In St. Louis, innocent people awaiting trial have to wear electronic monitoring bracelets which cost them $300 up front, $10 per day, plus a $50 installation fee. People often have to start second jobs, sell TVs and laptops, or take kids out of childcare to pay these fees. Over 200 people in St. Louis were forced to wear these bracelets last year.-----Color of Change
This past spring when Iran was submerged under water. What did the U.S. do? It waged economic sanctions on the country so it could not get outside help and threatened it with military attacks. ---Women Against Military Madness This is no way to create friendships!
Thurs., Oct. 3 ---Jericho Walk at 9 am, in front of ICE at Knapp & Broadway to protest the separation of families and detention of undocumented people. The same day, at n Noon we will have a prayer vigil for the same reason. Please bring signs if you have them. Thanks.
Sat. Oct. 11 ----March on the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Please check their website for details.
Thurs. Oct. 17 ----No ROTC on a Christian Campus Vigil at Noon in front of the Marquette U. Library, 14th & Wisconsin
Thurs. Oct. 24 ---Vigil to Protest Use of Firearms at Noon in front of Brew City Shooters Supply on 43rd & Lincoln.