Thank you, HCOA

On Saturday, March 14, we attended the amazing musical performance of Bon DeBarras at the Homer Mariner Theater. My deepest gratitude to the Homer Council on the Arts for hosting this unique trio from Quebec. I’m sure it is not easy to take a chance on inviting an unknown act, but HCOA often does just that, bringing us new and exciting performers. 

This time it was a trio of French-Canadian musicians who (in the words of the playbill) “unite the worlds of music, dance and poetry,” to which I would add “humor.” With guitars, banjo, a stunning fiddle, vigorous body percussion and step dancing, these three musicians created a magical, joyful, event. But beyond their musicianship, I was deeply touched by their heart centered energy. The evening started with Veronique inviting us all to take a deep breath to “land in our boots” together, in this moment. They sang in French, interspersing it with short stories or explanations in English. So, even though I did not understand all the lyrics, I could catch the humor, and especially the joyful exuberance they emanated.

This was the most uplifting performance I have attended in a long time. I hope HCOA will invite them back with time for community interactions, which I understand they love to do. Our contra dancing community would find they “speak the same language,” our many fiddlers would love sharing and learning; I can see kids learning to do the foot percussion and beat box… so many possibilities. 

Thank you, Bon Debarras. Thank you HCOA

Lolita Brache

Hegseth’s Priorities

In September, Hegseth’s Pentagon prioritized spending 9 million taxpayer dollars on Alaska king crab and Maine lobster tails. He also spent $7.4 million on lobster tails across the months of March, May, June and October in addition to purchasing $15.1 million of ribeye steaks.

He also prioritized dismantling the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence created in 2023 to minimize attacks on civilians. This Pentagon unit at its peak numbered 200 personnel and it has now been reduced by over 90% under Hegseth’s direction. This new priority has now resulted in the deaths of approximately 170 children and teachers at the Karimian Elementary School in Iran. Apparently targets that carry a high risk of killing civilians have now become fair game. 

He has vowed to restore a “warrior ethos” with no room for “stupid rules of engagement.” This harkens  back to the Vietnam War ethos: “Let’s kill them all and let God sort them out.” Hegseth’s  new changes have ended what many saw as a worthy effort to apply morality to the messiness of war. To  ignore accidental civilian deaths is to lock America into generations of conflict, but it’s good to know that the Seafood Towers and ribeyes at the Pentagon are now up to snuff.

Michael A. LeMay

Veterans for Peace