American philosopher and gender studies scholar Judith Butler was recently interviewed by The Intercept’s Jeremy Scahill and Murtaza Hussain. In this interview, Butler shares her perspective on the growing protests taking place on U.S. college campuses and universities against the Israeli government’s ongoing genocidal violence against the Palestinian people in Gaza. Butler also shares her thoughts on the meaning of academic freedom. I find it to be a very worthwhile interview; perhaps you will too. Following is an excerpt. ______________________ Very often when it comes to Israel–Palestin ..read more

I arrived two days ago from spring in Minnesota to autumn in my homeland of Australia. I’ll be in the Great South Land for a month, and as it’s been over a year since I was last in my first home, I’m very much looking forward to reconnecting with family and friends. Although in leaving Minnesota at this time of year I will be missing the literal blossoming of spring – one of my favorite natural occurences of the year, I’m already enjoying the autumn colours of Australia as, with my American frind Kate, I’m currently in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. Above: Ay American frie ..read more

I leave later today for my homeland of Australia. I’ll be gone for a month, and as it’s been over a year since I was last in my first home, I’m very much looking forward to reconnecting with family and friends. It’s been on my mind that in leaving Minnesota at this time of year I will be missing the literal blossoming of spring – one of my favorite natural occurences of the year. But then just yesterday the pear tree in the backyard burst forth in all its color and fragrance. What a wonderful send-off! In the past few weeks – I guess since Easter, really – I’ve been making the most of ..read more

See also the previous Wild Reed posts: • Urbanscapes – 6/28/23 • Urbanscapes – 11/20/22 • Spring Light in Skylight • “Smoke Plume” in Minneapolis • Storm Clouds Over Minneapolis • Moon Over Minneapolis • High-Rise in Afternoon Light • Photo of the Day – June 28, 2022 • Photo of the Day – May 20, 2022 • Photo of the Day – February 2, 2020 • Photo of the Day – October 14, 2014 • Photo of the Day – September 1, 2012 • Photo of the Day – December 20, 2010 • Photo of the Day – July 27, 2010 • Photo of the Day – May 8, 2010 • Sydney Sojourn • A Visit to Melbourne • Europe 2005: Lond ..read more

The following 6-minute video is an excerpt from a much lengthier interview that Yanis Varoufakis conducted with author Naomi Klein this past Friday, April 19, 2024. As one Facebook viewer notes: “Naomi Klein's analysis is indispensable [and] thorough, it heals you at the same time as it informs you. She crystallizes history.” (NOTE: To view the full interview, click here.) Related Off-site Links: The Memory of the Holocaust Is Abused by Zionists as a “Weapon”: An Interview with Norman Finkelstein – TRT World (April 19, 2024). Nicaragua Takes Germany to the World Court for Facilitating I ..read more

See also the previous Wild Reed posts: • Let the Greening Begin • Welcoming the Return of Spring • April Vignettes • Spring: “Truly the Season for Joy and Hope” • A Visiting Spring Breeze • Spring Rain • Spring Skies • Spring . . . Within and Beyond (2022) • Spring . . . Within and Beyond (2021) • In the Footsteps of Spring: Introduction | Part I | II | III | IV | V Image: Michael J. Bayly ..read more

I am an 83-year-old American Jew. Whole swaths of my family were wiped out in the Holocaust. When Israel was born, my community celebrated. Israel was a source of pride and elation for many years. Slowly this glow began to dim, as facts came to light about the historic and ongoing Israeli mistreatment of the Palestinians who shared that land. And now, Israel has turned the savage Oct. 7 terrorist attack by Hamas into an excuse to rain unimaginable destruction on the Gaza Strip. I feel outrage and despair. How can a people who have known so much pain throughout history turn around and infli ..read more

I’m on the mailing list of author, philosopher and all-round visionary thinker Jean Houston. Earlier today I received the following message from her. It resonates with me; perhaps it will resonate with you too. April 8th, was a day unlike any before it. Millions of people looked towards the heavens to discover what many called a spiritual experience. For in the dance between light and dark, we had come together as citizens of a powerful and humbling cosmos. All that had divided us, was subsumed by a rare and precious sense of belonging to an extraordinary home of land, sea and stars. We wer ..read more

See also the previous Wild Reed posts: • In This In-Between Time • March Vignettes • Spring Light in Skyway • Welcoming the Return of Spring • Spring: “Truly the Season for Joy and Hope” • A Visiting Spring Breeze • Spring Rain • Spring . . . Within and Beyond (2022) • Spring . . . Within and Beyond (2021) • Bde Maka Ska Skies • Pacific Skies • In the Footsteps of Spring: Introduction | Part I | II | III | IV | V Images: Michael J. Bayly ..read more

Earlier today author and activist Marianne Williamson joined the We the 66 podcast to discuss her experience as an outsider presidential candidate in the Democratic Party. It will be one of her last interviews as a candidate, as her campaign winds down in unison with the final state primaries taking place in the next few days. In her appearance this morning on We the 66 (a reference to the 66% of Americans who do not trust the corporate mainstream news), Marianne shares her thoughts and insights on a range of topics, including why the Democratic Party establishment is so hostile towards her ..read more