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Dear Mayor of Chicago: An Open Letter…

The Honorable Brandon Johnson Mayor of Chicago City Hall, Room 507 121 N LaSalle St Chicago, IL 60602 Dear Mayor Johnson, I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits as you continue your work for the City of Chicago. I am writing to express my concerns regarding the creation of a Vice Mayor position at an annual salary of $400,000. While I understand the importance of delegating responsibilities in a city as dynamic and complex as Chicago, this move raises significant questions about priorities, fiscal responsibility and the philosophy underpinning public service. Public officials historically served in voluntary or minimally compensated roles, motivated by a commitment to the common good rather than financial reward. This principle was central to the foundation of public service…
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Future Proofing Quality Of Life

Editorial: Future-Proofing Quality of Life in an Age of Gig Work and Automation In today’s rapidly evolving economy, the rise of gig work and paycheck-to-paycheck living has become a sobering reality for many. While gig platforms offer convenience and flexibility, they often blur the lines between what is a stopgap measure and what constitutes a fulfilling career. At the same time, advancements in automation continue to promise increased productivity but deliver disproportionate benefits to corporate entities and those orchestrating layoffs. These dynamics demand a reevaluation of how progress can genuinely enhance the quality of life for all—not just a privileged few. The Gig Economy vs. Career Fulfillment Gig work has surged as an economic model, with platforms like Uber, DoorDash and Upwork offering individuals opportunities to generate income.…
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From Ancient Texts to Modern Science: Understanding Maturity, Accountability and Societal Health

I recently revisited Quran 65:4 to better understand its interpretation vs a meme going around that frames Islam as mistakenly encouraging pre-pubescent sex by way of that passage. The passage references the idea of a woman being “fruitful” or ready for childbirth upon reaching maturity—often interpreted as “menstruation” or the onset of reproductive cycles, depending on the translation. This aligns with interpretations from other religious texts like the Bible or Old Testament, which similarly state that a woman becomes able to bear children after puberty. However, this perspective raises complex modern issues. Consider the impact of puberty blockers and the pervasive “forever plastics” in our environment, which interfere with endocrine function and natural development. These substances, as extensively studied and documented by researchers such as Dr. Shanna Swan,…
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Peter Gabriel’s “The Court” as a Mirror of Compromise…

Peter Gabriel’s “The Court” resonates deeply with my observations into the dark-side of societal influences with alarming headlines that people read and watch in the last couple decades; often stories of investigations that get mention without followup. The song serves as both a poetic exploration and a stark reflection of the hidden mechanisms of power and control in our world. Inspired by Gabriel’s knack for addressing justice and systemic accountability, I interpret the song as a metaphor for the corrupted dynamics that thrive in influential circles—those sectors where perversions, secrets and blackmail become tools of control in service of a global agenda. The Idea Behind the Message: Gabriel has often drawn inspiration from universal themes of truth, justice and humanity’s struggle to reconcile with its own flaws. For…
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Priorities in Voting for the Less Cunning, amid Greater Conspiracies Exposed….

The media has perpetuated many misconceptions, with distortions of truth coming from both ends of the political spectrum. However, over the last four to eight years, these distortions have intensified, particularly from left-leaning outlets. Donald Trump has become an inconvenient antidote to many real conspiracies. That said, I acknowledge he is not without serious flaws, some of which challenge commonly held narratives. Regarding claims of racism attributed to Trump, I have yet to see substantial evidence of this in practice. During the looting incidents, for instance, it was the racist police of that time who distributed bricks across cities, and looters complied without questioning their source. Because racist people, police or in other positions of public support Trump does not implicate Trump’s support in them. Support for Trump…
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Civic Duty Begins, Not Ends After Election Night…

This election has challenged us to see beyond the traditional notion of voting for the lesser evil. Some voted to break from the familiar narrative, exploring ideas once considered fringe. Others voted based on feelings and media-driven assertions. Many felt caught in the middle, divided by uncertainties. Like them, I navigated relationships with people from all backgrounds and political beliefs, each shaped by perspectives—true or false in the eyes of others—that fuel this continuum of confusion. I’ve sought guidance from God and, though I avoid television, trust my gut as that assimilates our experiences more than what our brain cannot, as the stomach has been studied to be understood as our second brain. There’s a sense that administration after administration has been steered by a controlled narrative leading…
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Navigating Legal and Custody Battles: A Personal Story of Housing Struggles and Family Hardships

[PDF] After knowing Carmilla and Michael for over 10 years, I was inspired by my aunt’s work with Art for the Homeless that raises funds for shelters, to write about their struggles, that many homeless folks face echoed by Carmilla & Michael’s story. So many people fall through the cracks of social support systems— they simply don’t fit the mold for assistance. In the complex landscape of public housing and public assistance, many families face daunting challenges beyond simply finding a place to live. Amid the legal intricacies, unsympathetic landlords and systemic issues combined to create a cycle of hardship that has tested Carmilla and Michael in more ways than one. Their story involves not just struggles with Section 8 housing but also legal battles over custody of…