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FEBRUARY 2022 ISSUE



EDITORIAL: OVER A CUP OF TEA



Uncertainties of tomorrow: My take


BY HEIDI M. PASCUAL

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought immeasurable pain and sorrow to the world since its birth. While we have now learned that it was “discovered” in Wuhan, China the last quarter of 2019, we in the Philippines actually imbibed its deadly character only during the early months of 2020. The daily news of death in many countries started to sow fear among Filipinos, especially when the national government announced the start of local checkpoints and lockdowns, including closures of establishments and mandatory stay-at-home policy that prevented many people from going to their jobs, except law enforcers and health-related workers.


In March of that year, my high school batch of 1968 was supposed to have a reunion -- our 52nd anniversary -- in the new home (in our province of Laguna) of one of our former classmates, an American citizen and retired nurse from L.A., California, who was in town to host it. Everyone in our batch was preparing for it already. We planned to have a “fiesta” of good native food and a full day of fun activities, with dancing, singing, and games. I was assigned to collect contributions to cover expenses, which we estimated to be about $1,500 or so. All our plans went to naught, as expected, and we -- the ‘68 Batch of Pedro Guevara Memorial High School -- for the first time tasted one of the bitter effects of Covid-19. We’re not sure whether or not we’d be able to hold another reunion. The uncertainty of it is certain.

​READ MORE


​Photo on the right: Author's Grotto of Mama Mary in her garden.


our STORIES AND FEATURES





Christians Have a Role To Play in Defending U.S. Democracy


By Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons


How should Christians engage in politics? That’s a difficult question to answer in 2022, as white Christian nationalists are garnering so much attention in society and the media. But there are positive roles for Christians to play in defending U.S. democracy and building a just, inclusive society. The Center for American Progress interviewed one of the country’s most influential Christian leaders, the Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, in December 2021 via email in an effort to understand more about Christian political engagement at this moment in history—and find inspiration from influential historical leaders such as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE


The China Difference in the U.S.-South Korea Alliance


By Tobias Harris, Abigail Bard, and Haneul Lee

The Biden and Moon administrations do not see eye to eye on the best way to manage China’s growing economic, military, and diplomatic power. This gap is becoming increasingly apparent as the United States engages its allies and partners to address the challenges posed by Beijing’s agenda and the Moon administration strategically avoids taking sides. While the U.S.-South Korea alliance has historically been focused on staving off threats from North Korea, there is growing desire among U.S. policymakers to collaborate with Seoul as part of U.S. China policy. For the U.S.-South Korea alliance to remain sustainable, the United States must remain cognizant of constraints on South Korea’s ability to join with partners to counter China, while also creating mechanisms that would allow South Korea to take greater risks in resisting China.. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE


Iowa Lawmakers Must Strengthen Gun Laws To Lower Rising Rates of Violence



By Marissa Edmund & Mark Sinovic


In 2018, the Center for American Progress and Progress Iowa wrote an issue brief warning that, while gun violence in Iowa remained relatively low compared with other states, efforts in the Legislature to weaken the state’s gun laws threatened the safety of Iowa communities. Unfortunately, Iowa lawmakers did not heed this warning and in 2021 continued to undermine gun safety in the state by repealing two crucial measures that have helped keep gun violence in Iowa at comparatively low levels: 1) the law requiring a permit, and therefore a background check, prior to every handgun sale and 2) the law requiring a permit to carry loaded, concealed handguns in the community.. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE


Tri-Caucus Chairs Joint Statement on the Anniversary of January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol


From CAPAC


Jan.6--WASHINGTON, DC – Today, on the first anniversary of the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol, the Chairs of the Congressional Tri-Caucus – composed of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) – released the following joint statement: “One year ago today, a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The insurrectionists included far-right militants and white supremacists groups fueled by racist and xenophobic beliefs and displaying symbols of white supremacy and hate as they vandalized the Capitol.

: -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE


Refreshing the U.S. Strategy To End the Pandemic


By Emily Gee & Jill Rosenthal


As winter arrives and the ominous omicron variant takes hold in most states, infection and hospitalization rates are rising universities are closing before final exams theaters and sports arenas are closing or postponing events and employers are delaying return-to-office policies. The United States has surpassed 800,000 deaths from COVID-19, which is now the third-leading cause of death among Americans 65 and older, after heart disease and cancer. -- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE​


APIAVote Joins Michelle Obama, When We All Vote and 30 More Organizations in Fight For Our Vote Pledge Ahead of Midterms


From APIAVote


Dozens of the country’s most prominent civil and voting rights organizations are banding together to organize and turn out voters in the 2022 midterm elections and fight against voter suppression. APIAVote joined When We All Vote in bringing together 31 organizations representing millions of Americans to pledge to recruit and train 100,000 volunteers, register more than one million new voters, organize at least 100,000 Americans to contact their Senators to fight for federal voting rights legislation and more. .-- CLICK STORY TO READ MORE


Dane County Executive Parisi, Madison Mayor Rhodes-Conway Announce Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award Honorees





Today, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi and City of Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway announced Will Green, Vanessa McDowell, and Michael Johnson as this year’s recipients of the combined City-County Humanitarian Awards honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The award winners were selected by the City-County Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission and are community members who reflect the values of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


“Will, Vanessa, and Michael have all dedicated themselves to serving our community and honor the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” said County Executive Parisi. “Whether it be Will’s commitment to mentor local youth, Vanessa’s work to support women and social justice, or Michael’s efforts to champion youth and their families, each recipient has worked hard to strengthen our community. Congratulations to each of them for receiving this honor and working to lift our community during these challenging times.” “This is an outstanding group of awardees, and each of them is doing critical work in our community. Through their work across Madison, they are supporting families, providing needed services, and challenging us to be a better, more equitable city,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway.


“I am honored to present a 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award to Will Green, who has supported youth through sports, urban agriculture and entrepreneurship, particularly in the Darbo Worthington neighborhood. He is a visionary who works every day to make his vision a reality.”


The City and County will present the awards at the annual City-County Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance on Monday, January 17. The program will run from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will be held virtually. More information and instructions to access the observance will be posted at http://mlkingcoalition.org. -- READ MORE


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