LETTERS: UWO campus closure puts community facilities in jeopardy, DEI promotes fairness
I'm writing to express my concern about the closure of the UW-Oshkosh, Fox Valley campus in June and what it might mean to the communities it serves.
The future of many popular facilities on the campus are in doubt. These include the Barlow Planetarium; the Communication Arts Center that provides space for art exhibits, theatrical and musical performances, fundraisers and public events, to name a few; the Weis Earth Science Museum; the Children's Center and the Community Garden. All of the moveable equipment in all of those facities belongs to UW-Oshkosh and could be removed. The endowment set up by the Weis' could shift to the Weis Ecology Center in New Jersey. Much of the museum's collection could be taken away. It's important to remember that the Barlow and the Weis work closely together.
I've personally enjoyed many of these facilities over the years and would hate to see them go. We once had a guided tour of the planets out on the lawn through high definition telescopes. Our grandchildren were mesmerized and I was thrilled to see Saturn's rings.
Please visit the Save the Fox Campus's website at savethefoxcampus.com to find out the details and how you can help.
Margaret Kroll,
Appleton
The Appleton Area National Organization for Women chapter whole-heartedly endorses Judge Susan Crawford for Wisconsin Supreme Court on April 1. Judge Crawford has the best experience and has repeatedly demonstrated her ability to be fair, independent, and impartial in her rulings.
Prior to her current judgeship on the Dane County Circuit Court, Crawford fought on both sides of the courtroom, both as a prosecutor taking on tough criminal cases and enforcing our laws, and as a private practice attorney defending voting, workers' rights, and access to reproductive health care. We endorse Judge Crawford because we expect her to bring her knowledge, experience, and wisdom to make the best decisions to keep our communities safe, healthy, and functional in the uncertain future that lies ahead.
In contrast, her opponent clearly opposes women's rights, trying to limit access to contraception and abortion when he was attorney general of Wisconsin. He also worked to maintain the state's voting maps when a three-judge panel ruled that they are an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander. He has further blights on his record related to his unethical conduct as a judge both during the COVID-19 pandemic and later as Circuit Court judge in Waukesha County, prominently participating in partisan events.
Judge Susan Crawford believes in doing the right thing for Wisconsin, applying Wisconsin values to protect our rights and freedoms. Electing Susan Crawford is a vote for safeguarding reproductive rights and ensuring justice for generations to come: Our state's future depends on it.
Irene Strohbeen,
Menasha,
President, Appleton Area NOW
Nobody's insurance rates are safe from climate change.
It's not just California and Florida. Everywhere is susceptible to climate damages, and the nature of insurance is that it pools risks such that we pay for damages even if our own properties aren't directly affected. Ashville, North Carolina, is a stark reminder that nowhere is safe from climate-worsened extreme weather risks.
A recent Senate Budget Committee report concluded that extreme weather is 'destabilizing insurance markets.' And the problem extends beyond insurance policy costs.
If home values fall, governments take in less tax revenue. That means less money for schools and police. Climate change can wreck communities by something as seemingly mundane and even boring as insurance.
Ultimately the solution must involve prevention: reaching net zero global climate pollution to stop global warming so that these extreme weather events cease to worsen.
In the face of such a challenge, climate advocates like us have an important role to play. We can remind our Legislators that we want them to act to reduce pollution. The sooner they do, the more stability and security we will have.
Kate Hancock-Cooke,
Neenah
When I heard the shocked and appalled pearl-clutching following Bishop Mariann Budde's post-inauguration sermon, I wondered what could've provoked such strong reactions from the President, Vice President, and other pastors who participated in the inauguration.
Listening to the sermon, I was surprised at how ordinary it was. I could even agree with President Trump that it was boring. However, that doesn't make it less truthful. One only needs to flip through a Bible to find calls for unity, concern for widows, orphans, and immigrants, and examples of pleas to those in power to show mercy. Go to any mainline church, and you will likely find a similar message. So why a need to attack the Bishop as partisan and divisive when she is clearly faithful and biblical?
The attempts to silence Bishop Budde are consistent with ongoing efforts to intimidate four-star generals, accusing civil servants of partisanship, even after they worked under both parties and targeting former staff who refuse to demonstrate the requisite loyalty to President Trump.
As a preacher, I can tell you it's one thing to call a sermon boring; that happens. However, this will never happen: those of us, like the Bishop, prioritizing the gospel over falling into line, will never bow down to bullies who demand silence when they can't dominate with fear. 'Jesus is Lord' is a political statement meaning nothing and no one else will have our ultimate allegiance. Pleas for mercy from those in power are both patriotic and faithful.
Rev. Dr. Michael J. Goodwin,
Memorial Presbyterian Church, Appleton
Here are my ideas on making our country great. I would love more support on these ideas, to me they create win-win outcomes for all of us.
The poor state of medical coverage in our country – other nations have national insurance which covers everyone, is this one of the ways we will become greater?
The learning loss and state of education in our country – will we get year round school calendars and lower class sizes in order to make our future leaders more capable of the needs that our society presents?
The use of the death penalty, as people want to honor God, why does our country still use it, I thought that only God can affect life and death?
The fact of so much homelessness, our country is the richest in the world, why are so many with out a place to live?
The cost of rent and a home these days, should not we each pay 30 % of our wages for the roof over our head?
Let us all work on these great needs of ours.
John Gosling,
Appleton
'Liberty and Justice for All', 'All men are created equal' and 'E Pluribus Unum' are all values upon which our country was founded. These values were then codified into the Constitution, the Fourteenth Amendment, the Civil Rights Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and various other amendments and laws.
New on the block is the phrase 'Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion' which means basically the same thing as 'Liberty and Justice for ALL.' Put simply, DEI is an anti-discrimination program advocating for the fair treatment of all people. DEI programs promote fairness and equal opportunity, core values of our country and of my faith.
There is a lot of gaslighting going on about DEI and merit-based hiring. Some in the political world have demonized DEI falsely claiming it is a form of discrimination and results in the promotion of unqualified people. In fact, it is just the opposite. DEI programs advocate for fairness and opportunities that help people reach their potential. Unfortunately, the stigmatizing of DEI may lead to legalized discrimination and the hiring of privileged people in spite of their questionable qualifications. That is what is happening today. Perhaps it is the intended outcome of the gaslighting.
Regardless of which phrase is used, 'Liberty and Justice for All,' 'All men are created equal,' 'E Pluribus Unum' or 'DEI,' we must stay true to our American values.
Carol Lenz,
Appleton
The last fiscal year ended with a state budget surplus or $4.5 billion. I can imagine our Republican legislators saying, 'Whoo-hoo! Look at how frugal we are and, hey, it's your money anyway so we're gonna figure out ways to get it back to you.'
Is that the best response to having extra funds on hand? Returning dollars that don't deserve to be sitting around doing nothing? Or is it a misguided dislike for any government action that takes money out of peoples' pockets?
Nobody likes paying taxes, but they are not inherently evil. Oliver Wendell Holmes said, 'I like paying taxes. With them I buy civilization.' FDR called taxes the dues we pay for the privilege of membership in an organized society.
Being good financial stewards is one thing, but withholding funds that could be responsibly used to address glaring state needs is not only irresponsible; it is wrong. Kristen Brey's recent Post-Crescent editorial spotlighted the state's financial stranglehold on public education, higher education, child care, environmental safety, outdated prisons and struggling care facilities.
Our legislators aren't blind. Ignoring and underfunding have been conscious choices. 'Too much government interference in peoples' lives. They'll become too dependent on government handouts and won't do enough for themselves.' No.
Let's have state officials do what they were elected to do – provide for the public safety, health, fiscal stability and overall well-being of all Wisconsinites. Do that and we'll be glad to make the investment.
Jeff Zdrale,
Neenah
Letters must include your first and last name, address and phone number. Only your name and community will be published. Letters have a 250-word limit. One letter per person in a 30-day time period. To submit letters, email pcletters@postcrescent.com, visit postcrescent.com or mail to P.O. Box 59, Appleton, WI 54912.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: LETTERS: Readers share thoughts on UWO closure, DEI, paying taxes
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