Arnie Zaler – 1949 -2023, Former Colorado Zionist Federation head, convicted felon dies ..
Arnie Zaler in better days
Arnold “Arnie” Zaler died a few days ago. A short – very short – obituary appeared on-line saying virtually nothing about him and his life. I wondered about that. After a fifteen years hiatus a number of people have found the blog posts about Arnie, whose life included being a leader of the University of Colorado’s Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) in the late 1960s to executive director of the Colorado Zionist Federation to several stinks in a federal penitentiaries. Perhaps there will be more detailed obituaries that will appear in the local (or national) press.
In the past, I wrote a number of articles – blog pieces – of my “reminiscences” of Arnie which I will repost below. They were written at the time of his trial for fraud – his last trial that is – that resulted in his being sentenced to fifteen years in prison. I attended that trial as an observer. After that trial I lost track of him; nor have I made any effort to follow his broken life, and moved on. That said, I do think of him from time to time, mostly as a tragic, if not pathetic figure, but one all to common among post World War II Jews. And in spite of my negative feelings about him – detailed in the articles below, no need to go over them – I grew up in a similar milieu, if miles away in New York City and if not for certain accidents of my personal history, probably would have wound up not much different from him. I know that. Still …
Here are the old articles:
February 22, 2009 – Arnie’s Saga
February 23, 2009 – Arnie’s Saga – 2
March 1, 2009 – Human Rights Consequences of the Gaza Invasion; Arnie’s Saga Continues
November 7, 2009 – Arnie Zaler, Former Executive Director of the Colorado Zionist Federation Sentenced to Fifteen Years in a Federal Penitentiary for Wire and Mail Fraud
I reprint the last two paragraphs if the November 7, 2009 piece – sums up my thinking on Zaler.
“It’s embarrassing to Denver’s Jewish Community to have produced such graceless con artist and then to have been taken by him, not once, but repeatedly. Still, Zaler was not much different from a generation of young Denver professionals of the late 1960s and 1970s who were `on the move’, bright, bold and a little too `hungry’ to make it. A friend put it aptly and succinctly: “Zaler wasn’t much different than many others; only he got caught, probably because he didn’t do it on a large enough scale and wasn’t smooth enough” and I would add, that he hadn’t manage to become wealthy enough to buy the political influence necessary to get him off the hook as some others had.
Lacking that backing, Arnie Zaler got nailed big-time for his pathetic scams. Others using more or less the same methods, have gotten away with a lot more. In a certain sense, Arnie was trying to be like his buddies; to use progressive credentials of his youth as a spring board to wealth and power. Much has been made about how he milked and betrayed Denver’s Jewish Community, abused their trust and ruined lives by destroying their assets. This is of course true. The ones he broke, left financial and emotionally broken, were not so much his more wealthy ones, but middle and working class Jews, those who lost their retirement, in some cases their homes. They don’t have another ten million to fall back on.
Many of the people at the trial yesterday seemed to know each other; they formed a bond of solidarity with each other: Zaler’s victims. One of those in attendance, in response to a question, referred to me as `oh, he’s one of them who knew Arnie when he did his SDS shit back in the 60s’. That is, even if inelegantly put, essentially correct. I did know him when he `did his SDS shit’ – possibly the only time in his life he was concerned with the world beyond Arnie Zaler. These past years, it is not only Denver and Phoenix’s Jewish communities that Zaler betrayed. He also forgot the values of the 1960s student movement he was a part of – for an economically fairer world with more social justice.. Arnie lost his way along time ago. And he never came back, did he?
Who says there is no justice?”
“The Arab Spring Reconsidered Twelve Years On” A discussion: Ibrahim Kazerooni and Rob Prince. Tuesday, February 14, 2023 @ 8 pm Mountain States Time
Tunisian couscous
The Arab Spring was hailed at the time it burst forth and a wave of democracy sweeping the Middle East and North Africa, initiating a “new dawn”, a “new Middle East” as Condoleezza Rice called it. Yet a movement of social change triggered by growing economic and social disparity, repressive, corrupt and ineffectual governments never lived up to its earlier billing. It turns out that much of that uprising had the “made in Washington DC” label all over it, with NGOs and foundations like the National Endowment for Democracy, the Open Society Foundation in tandem with the then Bush Administration, pedaling what was essentially “all the change necessary to sustain the status quo”. Some of the more promising movements for social change, those in Tunisia and Egypt which undoubtedly involved mass movements involving hundreds of thousands of people – if not more – resulted in removing dictators but their original impulse was “hijacked” by religious movements, the Moslem Brotherhoods in particular. After the dictators were swept from power, these movements for change were hijacked by religious fundamentalists, their essence stripped of all content. In other countries, Libya, Syria, the initial movements for reform and accountability were quickly taken over by even more fanatical religious elements, backed by NATO, Washington and London. The uprisings there resulted in the “successful” partition of Libya and the near successful partition, but ultimate failure of that in Syria.
With the wisdom of hindsight, Kazerooni and Prince discuss these uprisings and their results, twelve years on. Join us on Facebook or YouTube on February 14, 2023 @ 8 pm Mountain States Time. The interviews will remain available afterwards.
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In the long term, constitutional reform is required, ethnic federalism jettisoned, all regional militia disarmed, and a national debate around democratic participation and regional governance initiated. Nothing lasting can be achieved in the country without first peace; no prosperity, no social changes, no lasting democratic developments. These will not be created by gesture politics or flamboyant speeches, but through inclusive policies that encourage broad democratic participation; by building relationships based on respect and trust and creating a vibrant sense of national unity.
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BY GRAHAM PEEBLES – JANUARY 20, 2023
(published in Counterpunch)
Where there is division there will be conflict. In a country such as Ethiopia with dozens of ethnic/tribal groups, the need for tolerance, cooperation and unity is essential if there is to be peace and social harmony. Where these are absent, where differences and historic grievances are enflamed by ideologically ambitious individuals/groups, fear hate, and violence flourish.
Ethiopia is a large country divided into 11 regions. Covering over a third of the total land mass Oromia is the largest and, with an estimated 35% of the total population (approximately 122 million), the Oromo constitute the largest ethnic group, followed by the Amhara (28%).
Within Oromia and neighboring regions (Afar, Amhara, Benishangul-Gumuz), a targeted slaughter, that many believe constitutes genocide, is taking place — perpetrated by Oromo extremists against the Amhara people.
The Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) is the principle force behind the violence. During the recent war they allied themselves with the US-backed TPLF (Tigray People’s Liberation Front) terrorists, and have over the last four years carried out dozens of deadly incursions. Whole districts in western Oromia are being purged of Amhara people in a brutal campaign which, some fear, could trigger a civil war between the two largest ethnic groups.
The situation is complicated, contradictory narratives, denials and accusations abound; dis-misinformation is being propounded by the OLA through sympathetic media outlets such as the Oromo Media Network (OMN) and Kush Media Network (KMN). Spurious material which, according to Genocide Prevention in Ethiopia (GPE), an NGO collating data on the conflict, has previously “led to a massive campaign against Amharas across the entire Oromo Region”.
While the politics of the conflict, objectives and the line/s between tribal political alignments and terrorism may appear obscure, what is crystal clear is that the Ethiopian people, drained after two years of war with the TPLF (November 2020-November 2022), with many deeply traumatized, cannot withstand another bloody conflict. Read more…
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Victoria Nuland testifying at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing in late January:
“Like you, I am, and I think the Administration is, very gratified to know that Nord Stream 2 is now, as you like to say, a hunk of metal at the bottom of the sea.”
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Within twelve hours of President Joe Biden’s State of the Union speech, Seymour Hersh published an article claiming that it was the President that orchestrated a U.S. directed plan in close cooperation with Norway and to a lesser degree, Sweden and Denmark, to blow up the Nord Stream II pipeline … and then blame the Russians for doing it, which never made sense to anyone with even a quarter of a brain (but played well with a population fixated on the early stages of the U.S. football season). The German Prime Minister, Olaf Scholtz was also in on and at least aware of the plan to blow up the pipeline, which would have, and has had, serious consequences on Germany’s future economic prospects
Any of the few remaining possibilities of U.S.-Russian reconciliation, of a negotiated settlement to the Ukraine war (which I support) are that much more unlikely with the publication of Seymour Hersh’s blistering piece … “How America Took Out The Nord Stream Pipeline”.
I urge all friends to read the article – you can find it I am certain through a number of sources.
Of course the Biden Administration denies the validity of it. That is there standard response, nothing unusual and it can be expected that Hersh is about to come under a Julian Assange-like fire with efforts to suppress the piece wherever it pops up. But I have little doubt that whatever the Administration and the mainstream media does to repress the article that it will be a kin to “Hersh’s shot heard round the world”.
There will be no way to stop its circulation.
My mind, for some reason, -wonder why – goes back to the assassination of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard leader Soleimani, one consequence of which, poorly reported in the main stream media here, is the targeting of U.S. military bases in the Middle East that continues to this day. Think there will not be consequences, a Russian response, to the blowing up of Nord Stream II … well, as the saying goes, there is a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell you … I don’t know what they will be of course. And I wonder what the fall out will be in to German Prime Minister Olaf Scholtz who was, according to Hersh, told about the operation well before it happened and gave his OK? Norway, Sweden and Denmark were complicit with Norway being up to its neck in this operation
Eaglefest at Barr Lake State Park – Saturday, February 4, 2023
1.
An article in “Out There Colorado” , an online magazine greeted me this morning.. Before getting to the article readers are forced to look at a big boobed woman for five seconds, long enough, five full seconds, to make one wonder if the magazine simply uses an article about eagles to sell soft porn or the contrary, it senses that a soft porn photo is the passport to an article on eagles. As at my age (and actually long before), I am far more interested in eagles than soft porn, I find such advertising both invasive and annoying. Furthermore, the article itself is pretty skimpy. Even the Denver Post, a newspaper owned by a financial gazillionaire with $$$ to burn. Even the Post’s stories on eagles in Colorado have been better than this.Here is the piece in its entirety; not much here:
An eagle migration combined with frigid weather has greatly increased the likelihood that Coloradans will be able to spot bald eagles over the next couple weeks – if they know where to look. Each year, from November to March, more than 1,000 bald eagles migrate to the state, joining Colorado’s roughly 200 nesting pairs. Not only does this mean that there are many more eagles to see during the winter months, weather-related factors can also make them easier to spot.
Yes, the eagles are back in Colorado, not in numbers anywhere near what are found along the Atlantic, Pacific coasts and along the course of the Mississippi River from its headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico, but still in ample numbers. Globally, Audubon estimates the worldwide population of bald eagles to be about 200,000. However this figure is hardly accurate as it is admitted that the actually range of bald eagle numbers varies from 50,000 to 500,000, another way of saying that professional birders actually have no idea of the actual number other than it is a lot.
The estimated number given for Colorado balds is about 1000 this time of year but there have been some suggestions that the number this year is lower as a result of avian flue which has hit the raptor population hard. As elsewhere, in the Rocky Mountain state, eagles huddle along rivers, creeks and ponds that tumble down from the mountains, especially along the S. Platte River north of Denver that flows in a northeasterly direction. It is along this corridor that over the more than half century living in Colorado that I have seen eagles. Barr Lake, where I’m headed this morning to meet Molly, one of our daughters, to attend Barr Lake’s “Eaglefest”.
2.
Eaglefest was a great success. Don’t know the numbers but wouldn’t be surprised if hundreds, if not a few thousands of people stopped by Barr Lake this morning. Whole families, plenty of people with cameras and golf cart with cars attached for those who preferred to ride, or who couldn’t walk, the 1.3 miles to the gazebo on the south end of Barr Lake. It sticks out into the lake several hundred feet and from there the view of the birdlife – mostly ducks and eagles – is usually spectacular. But Barr Lake is still mostly frozen and both the ducks and their raptor predators are more likely found on the creeks feeding into the South Platte River and on the river itself. Still, quite the view from the gazebo with majestic Long’s Peak erupting in the background. Dramatic. In the small area about 200 yards into the lake from the gazebo Canada Geese and ducks in the hundreds sit quietly. A lone female Northern Harrier watches the ducks for signs of weakness, feebleness. With a good pair of binoculars an eagle is spotted off in the distance, at least a half mile away, looking out at the mountains.
People in droves are present. I am glad to see them, like me, simply there to enjoy whatever is to be seen. There are days when I have seen far more – actually dozens of – eagles here. Today a few fly by, there appears to be two or three way off in the distance parched on distant trees. Still, a lovely day to be out enjoying what nature has to offer. There is a couple next to me, I am guessing about my age. The male of the two has a good eye and seems to see an eagle way off in the distance towards the mountains that I had missed. Yep, he nailed it (photo below). and we talk. The couple live in Sugar Loaf above Boulder; he owned a fleet of small busses that make 18-19 trips a day from Boulder to the airport, just sold the business and now hikes, rides horses and skis in retirement. We strike up a conversation. At the gazebo, a man who I would guess is about my age (late 70s) approaches me. He does ‘social media” and wants to interview me because I “look like someone who comes out here [to Barr Lake] often.’ I agree to the interview that consisted of a few general questions of why I come out to Barr Lake (to get off my butt and away from this computer) with the kicker question about Climate Change. I wonder why it is I “look like I come out to Barr Lake often”? .. But answer his questions and then move on. We’ll see if he publishes the interview and if so, I’ll post it.
Molly broke her ankle a few months ago and today has laryngitis. She make the mile and a third walk to the gazebo walkway and sits on a bench. It’s the longest walk she’s done since her accident. She seemed fine, other than, as a result of laryngitis the poor woman has to listen to me pontificate on various subjects to which she can only give a thumbs up or down. Still very pleasant day.
If you look carefully, there is a bald eagle, very small but clearly there in the photo
Russophobia Up Close – Some Recent Comments
A number of recent examples of the depth of Russophobia … Latent anti-communism (in a country no longer communist!)
- As if he were being truly “open minded” at an amateur classical music production a week ago, the master of ceremonies felt a need to “justify” playing a piece by Russian composer Prokofiev, even though it is “controversial” these days because the Russian composer really “wasn’t a communist” was critical of the Russian Revolution of 1917. The audience, almost to a person, shook their head in solemn agreement.
- At a potluck brunch of Denver “old timers’, a friend emphasized that she had bought the delicious (and they were) sausages from a Polish, not a Russian delicatessen – her own personal boycott of Russia in Ukraine and of Putin himself! Stay away from Russian sausages to help Zelensky! The burning question: Is boycotting Russian sausage the modern version of the UFW grape boycott?
- A discussion with a long-time friend who insists that US/NATO expansion into Eastern Europe, the militarization of Ukraine fueled in great measure by US funds, the war that the Kiev government has launched against its Russian speaking population are all IRRELEVANT and that Russia invaded Ukraine unprovoked.
All that in the past few days in situations where, frankly, there was no relevant context to bring up Ukraine. Oh yes, I would add, all “good people”.
On the other side of the political ledger, countering these russophobic winds blowing across the High Plains, a retired trade unionist friend on his own personal jihad against those prevailing winds:
- He expresses his personal opposition to Russophobia iby reading 19th century classic Russian authors (Puskin, Turgenev and the like) but then he went a step further, very importantly, to find out which liquor stores in the Denver metro area still have Russian (not Latvian) vodka on their shelves. He could find only one that sells a Russian brand, “Zir” I believe it is called, at a Total Liquor in Westminster. Other local area liquor stores have, in a move of patriotic ardor as stupid as it is cowardly, removed all Russian products from the shelves. But are they drinking it in the back room?
They are, of course, all petty incidents, and yet indicative of the broader trends of sowing hatred against Russia and the ongoing intense vilification of Putin
For those in power – Democrat or Republican – this Russophobia has political consequences. It has become nothing less than a mechanism to make dialogue with Russia on issues like climate change or reversing the nuclear arms race impossible. This permits Washington to discard restraints implicit in the relevant international agreements which were thrown into the garbage can during the Trump Years and to go ahead full steam with increased use of fossil fuels and proceed with a reckless reignition of Washington’s nuclear (and other) weapons program unimpeded.
In a wonderful – if lengthy – article – The NY Times is Orwell’s Ministry of Truth – Edward Curtin notes the following untruths or major exaggerations that the Times, a newspaper that boasts it prints “all the news that’s fit to print” shares with its readers:
- Ukraine is winning on the battlefield.
- “Russia faces decades of economic stagnation and regression even if the war ends soon.”
- That on Jan.14, as part of its cruel attacks on civilian targets, a Russian missile struck an apartment building in Dnipro, killing many.
- Only one man can stop this war – Vladimir Putin – because he started it.
- Until now, the U.S. and its allies were reluctant to deploy heavy weapons to Ukraine “for fear of escalating this conflict into an all-in East-West war.”
- Russia is desperate as Putin pursues “his delusions.”
- Putin is “isolated from anyone who would dare to speak truth to his power.”
- Putin began trying to change Ukraine’s borders by force in 2014.
- During the last 11 months Ukraine has won repeated and decisive victories against Russian forces …. The war is at a stalemate.”
- The Russian people are being subjected to the Kremlin’s propaganda machinery “churning out false narratives.”
Referring, accurately to my way of thinking, everything in the article from which this list is found as disingenuous, Curtin notes perceptively:
“This is expert opinion for dummies. A vast tapestry of lies, as Harold Pinter said in his Nobel Prize address. The war escalation the editorial writers are promoting is in their words, “this time pitting Western arms against a desperate Russia,” as if the U.S./NATO does not have CIA and special forces in Ukraine, just weapons, and as if “this time” means it wasn’t so for the past nine years at least as the U.S. was building Ukraine’s military and arms for this very fight.”
A way out of the mess*:
Stop US/NATO Wars and Sanctions
Stop Washington’s war moves toward Russia and China!
Stop endless wars: Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Palestine, Yemen…. everywhere!
No to NATO!
Money for human needs, not war!
No Weapons, No Money for the war in Ukraine!
(* – Demands of the emerging peace coalition – United National Antiwar Coalition – )
More on the Avian Flu among Colorado birds.
Female Mallard. Wheat Ridge Green Belt. January 19, 2023. Looks like a pretty healthy duck
Next week there is a “Snow Geese Festival” in Southeastern Colorado, the High Plains Snow Geese Festival which goes from February 3-5. “In spring, waves of bright white snow geese against an endless blue sky fly into southeastern Colorado. They roost on the scattered lakes on the prairie and feed in the surrounding fields, making the area a favorite rest stop on their annual migration.” In February, when the fields and reservoirs of Southeastern Colorado turn white—not from snow but from the large white geese arriving by the thousands during their traditional migration to their winter roosts—it’s time, once again, for the annual High Plains Snow Goose Festival, one of the largest birding festivals in Colorado.
I had intended to go but with the avian flu outbreak in Colorado and nationwide I have decided otherwise. So many birds coming together in close quarters is a perfect Petri dish for spreading the disease. Besides, the flu continues to ravage birdlife in the state and beyond. A recent article in the Boulder Daily Camera gives some of the latest info on avian flu in the county (Boulder County) where the numbers of dead birds continue to mount. For example:
The USDA has recorded avian flu infections in 110 mammals since May 2022, including raccoons, foxes and skunks. Although the disease affects both domesticated birds and those in the wild, it can jump to humans although the numbers of humans that have caught the disease is rather small at this point.
- In Boulder County, the University of Colorado Boulder this week reported finding dead geese on campus, including 17 at the pond at 28th Street and Colorado Avenue, and two at the pond near the Kittredge residence halls.
- According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, more than 2,000 snow geese near the towns of Brush and Fort Morgan in Morgan County have died since Nov. 20 because of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Smaller numbers of birds also have died in locations around the state, including a larger outbreak in southeastern Colorado, while outbreaks in wild birds and poultry continue to rise nationally.
It’s not just birds that have been effected.
The USDA has recorded avian flu infections in 110 mammals since May 2022, including raccoons, foxes and skunks. Although the disease affects both domesticated birds and those in the wild, it can jump to humans although the numbers of humans that have caught the disease is rather small at this point. A recent report in the New York Times notes that three Montana Grizzly Bears euthanized last fall tested positive for the disease. The bears were disoriented, had begun to go blind and were euthanized as a result of their poor condition, this according to the state’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks division.
The largest outbreak of kind, ornithologists have noted that while bird viruses have been known before, they note that this is the worst bird epidemic of its kind in North America and is far from having run its course. Again, according to the Times, It has infected nearly 60 million commercial and backyard flocks of birds in 47 states, and its near ubiquity has driven up poultry prices and caused egg shortages in supermarkets across the country, as consumers jostle for cartons topping $7 or more. To date, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in all four North American migration flyways. The disease is expected to persist through spring migrations.
People are urged to handle dead birds with great care and to be careful to avoid geese droppings that litter trails and areas near ponds. People are also warned to watch their pets and to the degree possible keep them from stepping these droppings.
Northern Flicker. Wheat Ridge Green Belt. January 19, 2023
Hiroshima, 1987. Buddhists praying for “No More Hiroshimas” (R, Prince photo)
(Note – I originally read this article in French from the website “France-Iraq Actualite” on January 22, 2023 published by Gilles Munier. The article, in French, was translated from the original Italian which appeared at the website byoblu. Rather than go through two translation cycles – from Italian to French to English – I have decided to translate – via “Google Translate – from the Italian directly into English. The resulting machine translation is at times a little awkward, but rather than mess with it to tighten up the English, I prefer to leave it as is as the essence comes through clearly enough. This is an important article that should be more widely circulated here in the USA. RJP).
The Federation of American Scientists confirmed in January the news given by Wide angle in December 2022 on the basis of a document from the US Air Force: the C-17A Globemaster aircraft was authorized to transport US B61- 12 nuclear bombs to Italy and other European countries. Since Biden administration officials had announced that the B61-12 would be brought forward to December, we believe that the new US nuclear bombs are already arriving in Europe to be deployed against Russia.
The US and NATO are pouring huge quantities of ammunition for the heavy artillery supplied to the Kiev armed forces into Ukraine. The United States – according to official data – has so far sent over a million rounds of 155mm howitzer ammunition to Ukraine, plus tens of thousands of missiles. About 300,000 shells come from US military depots in Israel. The shipment of arms is managed by an international network, in which Camp Darby plays a central role, the largest US arsenal outside the mother country, connected to the port of Livorno and the military airport of Pisa. Great Britain, France, Poland and Finland are supplying tanks to Kiev, and Poland is buying Abrams tanks from the USA, a part of which can be destined for Ukraine.
At the same time, the USA and NATO are strengthening the deployment of their forces in Europe, increasingly close to Russia. In Romania, NATO has deployed AWACS aircraft, equipped with the most sophisticated electronic equipment, kept constantly in flight in Russian airspace. Also in Romania, the Pentagon has deployed the 101st Airborne Division, which is being deployed to Europe for the first time since World War II.
NATO and EU set up “a task force on resilience and critical infrastructure”. “NATO – declares the Council of the European Union – remains the foundation of our collective defence. We recognize the value of a stronger European defence, which contributes to transatlantic security and is complementary and interoperable with NATO”.
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Florence Merriam Bailey
Female Kingfisher. Clear Creek, Jefferson County, Colorado January 19, 2023
When Florence Merriam Bailey was born in 1863, birds were more often seen ornamenting women’s hats than they were in the wild! In fact, on one walk through Manhattan in 1886, she counted 40 different species, stuffed and mounted for fashion. The pioneering ornithologist wanted to stop this trend, which killed an estimated five million birds a year. Her solution was to encourage people to go out and admire living birds through bird watching. “We won’t say too much about the hats,” she declared. “We’ll take the girls afield, and let them get acquainted with the birds. Then of inborn necessity, they will wear feathers never more.”
Warren Hern, founder of the Boulder Abortion’s Clinic, to give a public talk on his new book, Homo Ecophagus. (Details below)
Women’s March, January 20, 2018. Denver, Colorado. Estimates are that half a million people showed up in support for women’s rights, including the right to abortion
Yesterday I spent some time with two friends, both of whom, among the other things they do, volunteer to accompany women coming to the Boulder Abortion Clinic to get abortions. These women are often intimidated by the usual group of right wing Christian fundamentalist thugs. My friends make the emotional journey to the Boulder Women’s Clinic a bit more bearable. Women come to Boulder from all over the United States to get abortions at the Boulder Women’s Clinic, not just from Boulder County or Colorado in general, such is its reputation for professionalism and quality service for women’s health in general, and for abortion in particular.
The founder – or one of the key founders of the Boulder Abortion’s Clinic is Warren Hern. As I understand it, he continues to guide the clinic’s work Hern has been rewarded for his contribution to quality women’s health with a half century of harassment, death threats and the like. One must recognize the principle and the emotional strength it takes to carry on as he has. In any case, Hern has written a book “Homo Ecophagus: A Deep Diagnosis To Save The Earth” which has just appeared. He will be discussing the book’s subject matter at a public presentation on Wednesday, January 25th at 6:30pm, at the St. Julien Hotel. Tickets for this event are $10 (plus a small processing fee) and are available on Eventbrite. As the online ad for the talk notes:
Home Ecophagus by Warren M. Hern is a wide-ranging look at the major problems for the survival of not just the human species, but all other species on Earth due to human activities over the past tens of thousands years. The title of the book indicates Hern’s new name for the human species: The man who devours the ecosystem
A link to get a ticket for this event can be found here.
I have not yet read Homo Ecophagus which has just come out, but have ordered it. Nancy and I hope to attend Hern’s talk. Hope those of you in Colorado will do so as well.
Women’s March, January 20, 2018. Denver, Colorado. Estimates are that half a million people showed up in support for women’s rights, including the right to abortion
Dearborn Michigan. Palestinian Solidarity Demonstration. May 17, 2021
This morning (Friday, January 13, 2023) long time commentator and former KGNU news director Joel Edelstein interviewed Hala Zahalka – a Palestinian sister from Nablus on a Fulbright scholarship at the University of Idaho; Sergio Atallah – Colombian-Palestinian brother, math teacher and long-time colleague and friend; …. and me. The interview centered on the state of relations between the Israeli government and the Palestinians living under Occupation.
Petition: Call on our Congressional delegation to support a cease-fire and negotiations to end the war in Ukraine
Petition
We the undersigned call on our Congressional delegation to support a cease-fire and negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. The best way for the US to support Ukraine is by supporting negotiations..
By feeding a war that cannot be won by either side with weapons only prolongs the war, escalates its intensity and increases the death, destruction and suffering. Worse still there is a risk of a wider war and direct confrontation between the United States or a NATO country and Russia, which can lead to a much higher risk of a nuclear exchange.
It is clear that the U.S. and NATO have a great deal of influence over, if not defacto control of, this conflict as they are providing all the weapons and funding. The U.S. has been avoiding negotiations in hopes for a stingier hand, but it’s clear that is not going to happen. It’s time to end this thing while there still is a Ukraine and more productively direct our treasury toward the long-neglected needs of Americans.
Name ___________________________ Email _________________________
Avian Flu Along Colorado’s Front Range – “The Stuff of Bad Dreams” for Wildlife Watchers and Chicken Farmers
Northern Harrier picking over the remains of dead duck. Saturday, January 7, 2023 along S. Platte River Trail in Thornton, Colorado, in an area where avian flu is rampant. Was the duck a victim of this epidemic?
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Nationwide, 57.8 million birds in 47 states have either died or been culled due to the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The previous record was set in 2015 when the avian flu outbreak killed off 50.5 million birds in 21 states.
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Covid-19 among human populations, avian flu among birds, domestic and wild.
On Saturday (January 7, 2023), out for my weekly 3-4 mile walk to photograph birds along the South Platte River ten-fifteen miles north of Denver, I came across a dead duck on the walkway near the confluence of the South Platte and Clear Creek. Its beak suggested to me that it was more than likely a Northern Shoveler – a male, given the coloring of the remaining feathers. I stopped for a few minutes, wondering about the cause of death. A coyote? an eagle or big hawk? It was only much later that the idea that it might have died of avian flu – the formal name of which is Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) came to mind.
After talking to a man walking his dog, I turned back to note that a hawk was pecking away at the ducks remains; as it was concentrating on its meal and not on me, I was able to get some good shots of it; it was easily identified as a female Northern Harrier. I posted a photo of the Harrier standing over its meal on social media. Above, another shot from the same series. Read more…
R. Prince – Letter to the Editor Denver Post. “Feeding a war that cannot be won” (on Ukraine). January 8.2023
The Denver Post published a letter to the editor today (Sunday, January 8, 2023) that I submitted. Surprised and pleased to see it in print.
Abbie, Molly, Nancy. Caribou Ranch (near Netherland) like, September 2014
So… over the years a number of old friends have urged me or “us” (Nancy and me) to write personal memoirs given the unusual trajectory of our lives. Won’t happen for a number of reasons but, that being the case, several people have asked us for interviews. Here is one by our friend Arnie Carter. Arnie participates in the Romero Troupe, the same “organic theater” group that Molly works with when she has time.
Little more than a sketch, but still…something
The interview was done in our living room on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 in the afternoon.
Arnie Carter’s Interview with Nancy Fey and Rob Prince
From Suomenlinna to Helsinki over the ice on a Sunday in February, 1987. As I recall temperature that day was somewhere between -30 and -40. Nancy, Abbie on the sled, Molly walking alongside.
View from the Left Bank: Rob Prince's Blog 