What kind of community do we want to live in? How do we want to be treated by the people around us? What do we need to do to be able to treat others with complete respect? How can we be civil when we're not being listened to or treated well?

Extremely dangerous legislation is quickly working its way through the Ohio Statehouse. House Bill 133/Senate Bill 108 will open all state-controlled land to hydrofracking. Worse yet, the leasing commission, which only requires a vote of three to authorize sealed bids, is made up of two members of the gas industry plus the chief of the state Division of Geological Survey, a stated supporter of fracking. (Chief Wikstrom stated in the Athens Messenger [4/3/11] that environmental concerns "are misguided.") A fourth member of the commission, chief of the state Division of Mineral Resources, will also be no check on approvals.

"CEOs of fossil energy companies know what they are doing and are aware of long-term consequences of continued business as usual. In my opinion, these CEOs should be tried for high crimes against humanity and nature." world-renowned climate expert Dr. James Hansen, testifying before Congress

 "Crime against humanity: An atrocity that is directed especially against an entire population or part of a population on specious grounds and without regard to individual guilt or responsibility even on such grounds" definition according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary

During budget debate March 30, U.S. Republican senators were pressing for steep cuts to Head Start programs for children, home-heating assistance for the poor, and food for low-income women and their children through WIC. Allegedly these reductions are necessary to reduce the federal deficit, but they are really being pushed to satisfy the GOP social conservative agenda.

Days after America continued its fascination in dissecting LeBron James' "Decision," a young sergeant conducted a routine patrol in Kandahar Province. But, of course, no patrol is routine.

The White House launched an Interfaith and Community Service Challenge on March 17, 2011. President Obama's address challenged college students and administrators to promote religious pluralism through interfaith service projects on their campuses. The president cited Ohio University's interfaith campaign to combat water pollution as an example of work already happening at universities, which he hopes to replicate next year at other universities across the country.

Overlooked in the furor over Governor Kasich’s efforts to take away rights and benefits from Ohio’s public employees is the question of what life would really be like if he is successful.

We have indeed become a two-class society but not private vs. public-sector workers as some would have you believe.

In response to Dean Bruckner’s letter of March 3, let me, as former grant-writer at the Seattle affiliate, provide context for Planned Parenthood’s position on reproductive health and rights.

The Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 5 on March 2 with a one-vote margin, 17 votes in favor (all Republican) and 16 votes opposed (10 Democrats and six Republicans).