Who are we?

When I was 20 years old, I fell in love for a while with a man from Ethiopia. Despite, perhaps because of, our outward differences, we were amazed to find that our dreams for the world were identical. We were contemplating marriage until he told me of some of his traditions that were just too different for me to embrace. Social media enabled us to re-connect last year. He recently retired from his job as a sociology professor in Addis Ababa, and, like me, he has been happily married for more than fifty years. Three of his children live in the United States.

It seems to me that the more different our outsides, the more electricity we feel when we connect. Friendship is the sort of love this world needs now more than ever before, and here in the Copper Country, especially because of Michigan Tech, we have opportunities to befriend people from all around the world who have chosen to come here to develop their talents and realize their dreams. In my 45 years here, I have developed long-lasting friendships with people from, among other places, China, Taiwan, Iraq, and Nigeria, and I am grateful for them all.

The world is changing really fast, and we are all susceptible to fear of the unknowns ahead. When we are suspicious, we become vulnerable to influences that exaggerate our fears. It has been said that a lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on. We can learn to resist those who are paid to manipulate us by feeding our fears about our international neighbors. We can choose to see the blessings that our differences offer.

Americans are awake, and our democracy allows us to act on our beliefs. Participating in local, county, state, national, and world communities takes time and intention. We are influenced by people we trust, and we can choose to follow those who lead us in the direction of courage and honesty. Let us use our freedom of thought and speech to learn from each other, especially those who, at first glance, seem different from us.

Carolyn C. Peterson

Houghton

Thanks for the craft shows

Editor:

For some of us, the Copper Country Mall Craft Shows start the holiday season and is a reminder of the past when it was a busy place and so festive. We the crafters are able to sell what we have made, see people we might not have seen in a while, and m eet new individuals.

As KSNAG (Keweenaw Spay and Neuter Assistance Group) volunteers, we sell pet related items, visit with adopters, and sometimes get donations as well, when we are invited there.

None of this would be possible without the months of work put in by Yvonne Robillard, who has organized these events for years and is involved in each step of the process. Thank you to Yvonne and all who support our efforts.

Sincerely,

KSNAG

Are you nice?

Editor:

How pleasant it is to be with nice people.

A bevy of matronly women gushing over decorations on a well-lit Christmas tree is certainly nice. What’s even nicer are the same women making a fuss over a baby smiling his gummy, toothless smile while gurgling with delight, waving his little arms and kicking his chubby legs.

“Niceness” can take many forms and its outward manifestations can oft be quite unpredictable.

Two young men attending a substantially peopled church service sat spellbound listening to a spirited refrain of “Onward Christian Soldiers,” sung by the choir that was accompanied by an orchestra. One was a USAF pilot and the other an aspiring engineer. Who could possibly expect gentlemen with credentials such these to do nothing other than to sit respectfully while kept absorbed in the joyous refrains. But, oh no, these guys must have had something important lurking in bosoms awaiting release. Maybe something nice? They did not disappoint.

“I feel like marching,” one the fellows remarked to his companion.

“Go ahead and march,” his buddy encouraged.

And march he did — arising from his pew he tramped up the center aisle where he did a crisp about face at the front, and facing his audience coming back down the aisle, he marched in cadence with the orchestra, sporting a big happy smile. Not to be outdone, his buddy followed suit. No doubt others in the audience would have joined in the act but were denied when the orchestra sadly was done with “Onward”.

“The Lord moves in mysterious ways,” the minister announced to his delighted congregation, after which he invited the men to come back again. Which they did.

Let’s be nice. Although we may not desire to match what these fellows accomplished, let’s at least emulate the matronly women and admire decorations on a lit Christmas tree during this forthcoming season. Let the star atop the tree remind us of Bethlehem’s star and how it blessedly changed the world, and if we so choose, can change our own lives.

Let’s ooh and aah over bathed, powdered and smiling babies, kicking the air at wonderful things that may remind us of Bethlehem’s Babe kicking His Little Legs in that straw-laden manger.

Gail A. Wickstrom

Sebring, OH

Message to our Congressional members

Editor:

As a concerned citizen and voter from Ann Arbor, it is obvious that Trump is a tyrant, leading our nation into authoritarianism. I am concerned for the safety and wellbeing of the citizens, federal employees, military personnel, and veterans in our state. The Trump administration has proven time and time again that they do not respect the rule of law and are perfectly comfortable ignoring their oath to the constitution. Trump himself has repeatedly demonstrated that he is willing to bypass the authority of congress and to take their powers to use as his own. This is by definition tyranny, an impeachable offense.

Our state has 13 representatives and two senators. At this time only two representatives have vocalized support for impeachment, conviction, and removal; Rashida Tlaib and Shri Thanedar. I would like to call out the remaining representatives for the State of Michigan, Jack Bergmen, John Moolenaar, Hillary Scholten, Bill Huzenga, Tim Walberg, Debbie Dingell, Tom Barrett, Kristen McDonald-Rivet, Lisa McClain, John James, and Hailey Stevens. All of them have stated that they are not in support of articles of impeachment. Our senators, Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin, have not yet commented on whether they will support articles of impeachment or not. I personally am a voter from Debbie Dingell’s district. I spoke with Debbie Dingell’s office today and asked about support for articles of impeachment which are being reintroduced before the Christmas break. The response I received was that Representative Dingell already supported impeachment in 2019. I asked to speak to the scheduler to set up a meeting to discuss this issue and was told that they would have to get back to me. It is disconcerting to know that we cannot rely on our representatives to meet with us and hear our concerns.

Our congressional members appear to have forgotten their oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and to bear true faith and allegiance to the same. When our Constitution is being trampled on and our social safety nets are being stripped away by a tyrant, it is our congressional members’ responsibility to utilize the remedies outlined in the constitution to uphold that oath. It is time that we remind our senators and representatives of that.

Cassandra Stajich

Ann Arbor