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The environmental cost of computers

2 weeks ago | duluthreader.com | Phil Anderson

There is an old saying, "Whenever you light a candle you also cast a shadow." There are always downsides to any choices, changes or innovations. Computer chip technology, computers and the Internet have transformed everything and improved many things. But are we looking at the inevitable shadows? The Minnesota Center for Environment Advocacy (MCEA) recently had a webinar on the environmental impact of data centers which run the online world.
Your tax receipt

3 weeks ago | duluthreader.com | Phil Anderson

People like to complain about taxes. Polls tell us most people think the tax system is unfair and they pay too much. But what most people think is rarely reality. There are many false beliefs about who pays, how much we pay and where it all goes. "Most conservative criticisms about the ill effects of taxes are exaggerated or untrue. Taxes are in fact good - they are dues we pay to enjoy the numerous vital benefits that government provides for our society" This quote is from Dr. Douglas J.
April 15 'efficiency'

1 month ago | duluthreader.com | Phil Anderson

April 15 is the deadline for submitting our tax returns and hoping those taxes will be wisely spent for the common good. The purpose of government is to do collectively all the things we can't do individually that are essential for a decent society. Taxes are the dues we pay for civilization. The current administration is slashing all those essential public goods and services in the name of efficiency and cutting waste and fraud.
Stories of collateral damage

1 month ago | duluthreader.com | Phil Anderson

"The more the middle class thrives, the better the economy is for everyone, even rich people like me." Nick Hanauer, a wealthy venture capitalistThis article tells stories - some real and some just realistic - that illustrate how the current administration's actions will hurt people, our communities and the economy. Tariffs hurt farmers: John has been a Wisconsin farmer for 25 years. He has firsthand experience with the harm Trump's tariff wars with China can inflict on farmers.
Another Trump creep shows his true colors, and he's from Minnesota

1 month ago | duluthreader.com | Pam Dowell

Faster than you can say President Donald Trump has been convicted of 47 felonies for concealing hush money paid to adult porn star Stormy McDaniels, came the fall out across Minnesota last week as (former) District 6 GOP Senator Justin David Eichorn, age 40, married with four children, from Grand Rapids, resigned under a cloud of shame afrter being caught in a police sting while soliciting an underage minor for prostitution.
Costs of foolishness

1 month ago | duluthreader.com | Phil Anderson

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." Bertrand Russell (1872 -1970), British philosopher The fools and fanatics currently in control of our country have no understanding of what government is about, how it operates or the importance it has for people and society. But they are "certain of themselves" and their anti-government ideology.
The loons of Lake Jocassee

1 month ago | duluthreader.com | Emily Stone

The loons of Lake Jocassee don't look like the Common Loons we know from summer in the Northwoods because they are in the middle of molting from winter brown to their snazzy summer tuxedoes. However, this particular loon was captured on Lake Jocassee in the winter, and outfitted with colored leg bands. Then he was spotted again last summer in Minnesota! Long-term research on the behavior of individual loons has been essential in advancing our understanding of their lives and conservation needs.
Not an April Fool's joke

1 month ago | duluthreader.com | Phil Anderson

The Wisconsin election happening on Tuesday, April 1, has three important items on the ballot. A Supreme Court justice will be elected (which I talked about last week). Another is a constitutional amendment - this one on voting rights. Voters will also choose a Secretary for the Department of Public Instruction. I suggested last week that this election has an element of deja vu because the issues and impact on Wisconsinites are a repeat of other recent elections.
Gaza absurdity

2 months ago | duluthreader.com | Phil Anderson

"If the Nuremberg laws were applied, then every post-war American president would have been hanged." - Noam ChomskyIn this statement, Professor Chomsky (author, political activist and social critic) was referring to the legal principles used to prosecute the Nazi war criminals after WW2. This statement certainly is appropriate for the Biden administration's support for the genocide in Gaza.
Building the resistance

2 months ago | duluthreader.com | Phil Anderson

This article highlights two actions we all can get behind to defend democracy and oppose what has been happening in our country since Jan. 20. The 24-Hour Economic BlackoutBack in December I wrote about using our power as consumers to oppose the Trump wrecking crew. ("Now what? Tactics for resistance," The Reader, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024). In that article I suggested taking the fight to the wealthy Trump supporters by reducing our spending and not buying from companies that supported him.