Money and/or violence solve all of the world’s problems. 

Don’t like what a news organization is saying about you? Pay them to politely portray you in a positive light. Don’t like what someone on the other side of the aisle is saying? Just have him killed—that will shut him up. 

Except, this just isn’t true. Money and violence solve only one problem. And it’s not a problem that the world has, it’s a problem that Trump has: that is how to advance his agenda.

Money and violence fundamentally divide us. Money creates social distinction which leads to further separation by what you wear and what you do in your free time. Violence divides us in ways nothing does. A response to both money and violence is to seek comfort in the people and places we agree and align with.

This alienates us. This prevents us from seeing the point the guy on the other side of the aisle is making. When we’re divided, Trump wins. Dialogue is not achieved between parties and no healthy compromise is reached; Trump continues his agenda. Trump’s success relies on his ability to pit groups against one another. Conservatives against liberals, pro-life against pro-choice, science deniers against scientists. This fighting motivates each base to go out and fight, and his careful alignment with certain groups gives him leverage in his executive authority.

In recent events, the assassination of Charlie Kirk has shed light on this issue of unity. Responses to the killing involved finger pointing and criticisms of both conservatives and liberals. Yet, underscoring this bickering was the idea that we need to work together, not against one another (Donald Trump himself even called upon the issue of dialogue between parties, whether you want to believe his words or not).

Charlie Kirk was a guy that did politics right. He engaged in political discussion with people who had opposing views (whether he admitted to being wrong is another story). He stood up and talked with the guy on the other side of the aisle.

To solve the climate crisis, or any crisis for that matter, requires talking across the aisle. It’s saying, “Hey, here’s what I want. What do you want?” When humans talk, great things happen. Treaties are signed, rocket ships are launched, institutions are erected. 

We must talk across the aisle.

~ Seamus Haney

*on the left of this scale is .1 gallon and on the right is 1 gallon

The answer to this question is actually about half a gallon. This was calculated based on using information from this website and information regarding the battery size of an iPhone 14.

Why?

It seems to be a common thread that biking is simply inconvenient. It’s not convenient to show up to work all sweaty anymore than it is a wedding. Another common thread is distance to work. These are all very valid reasons.

Thank you for participating in this Tell Us Tuesday. I loved hearing back from you all.

This issue was shorter from previous issues because of a lack of time (and organization if I’m being honest) in the past month. I just arrived to college and it’s been a wild and fun transition, but I haven’t found a lot of time to sit down and work…yet.

Thank you for reading this issue of The Leaflet.

The Leaflet is not affiliated with any organization or school.

Newsletter produced primarily by Seamus Haney with the help of some friends.