The Positive Voices

  Welcome to our second edition of The Positive Voices, a new monthly paper dedicated to promoting social justice, civility, debate and honest di¬alogue. We are committed to discussing the positive roles government and organized labor can play in our society. Believing that a mutual respect between labor and management is the only way to effectively advance economic prosperity and justice, we will honor the positive contributions made by union and non-union workers, big and small businesses and all individuals dedicated to building a better community, state, and nation. The Positive Voices is part of WPRR Public Reality Radio and shares WPRR’s mission to bring to you intelligent and challenging features and commentary from many diverse points of view on subjects ranging from philosophy and science to politics and religion. That is the vision of our owner Bob Goodrich and something we will attempt to achieve every month. Bear in mind civility does not exclude the truth which can often be brutal and unsettling. Nor will we shy from satire, sarcasm or provoca¬tive and frank debate. We welcome response in kind. Our first edition suffered from some mistakes and we are grateful for the constructive criticism of our readers. We are working to make each issue better than the last. February is our smallest month, but there is no shortage of great mate¬rial in this month’s issue. We are pleased to have three Minuteman Media national columnists join us. Commentator Jim Hightower questions the viability and legiti¬macy of Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s government. Former mayor of Norwalk, Connecticut William A. Collins examines the ethical conse¬quences of politicizing our prison policies. While columnist Sarah An¬derson defends our feline friends from comparisons to greedy Wall Street executives as described in this month’s political cartoon by Minuteman Media cartoonist Bendib. Grand Rapids Police Officers Association President David Leonard gives us a frank assessment of pressures placed on the men and women protecting and serving us daily by dysfunctional polticians looking for scapegoats. Senator Carl Levin delivers the real scoop on free credit re¬ports. Rev. Charlotte Ellison of Heartside Ministry shares a compelling interview with Sarah Scott, Arts Coordinator at Heartside Ministry and Gallery. This is a perfect lead-in to our new series Art From The Heart, where we feature a new artist and their work each month from the Heart-side Neighborhood. Our inuagaral artist is Mr. Joe Lewis Glover. Our Positive Voices staff looks at the entries in the 29th District State Senate Race. Frank Lynn discusses community organizing. Peter Carlberg com¬ments on proposals to consolidate local governments and change Michi¬gan’s Constitution. Buck Geno of West Michigan Labor Speaks presents reasons to support The Employees Free Choice Act. Yours truly of Tuesdays With Tormala takes on the Senate Health Care bill along with proposed GR water and sewer system rate increases and the process for filling the opening on the Grand Rapids City Commission. They raised us, passed on their values, built the foundations of our economy and society, while creating the greatest nation the world has ever seen. They bought our freedom with their service, courage, blood, and sometimes their lives. Every month we dedicate a portion of our paper to seniors and veterans, their issues, events, and services they might need. This month we touch on the topics of weatherization and free prescription discount cards in our Seniors Corner and profile our columnist Michael Burri in our Vets Corner along with suggestions for helping residents of our Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. We hope you enjoy February’s issue and please let us know what you think. Input, letters, op-eds, and articles are welcome for submission. The Positive Voices wants to hear your voices. This is your paper and we want you readers to tell us what you want to hear about. Contact us at 616-6562619, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Soon we will be on the net with a Web version of The Positives Voices, blogs, and other ways for you to interact with us. - Rick Tormala, Publisher