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Navigation – in these uncertain times, A Book of Poetry by Michael Eckhardt Sr., just released by the Free Press/CICJ Books, is a compilation of free verse and haiku that will move and inspire the Free Press reader. Many of Michael’s poems frankly express Michael’s avowed radical political views on war and society’s numerous flaws including police brutality, injustice, apathy and much more.

The sentiments in this poem detail horrors that could describe any war, but are particularly relevant to the Gaza conflict today, titled “odds are.”

odd, the bombs which fall
are ordered, built and dropped
by those, once children
they have lived lives to date
with complete absence of contrition
the same odds and laws of probabilities
apply to those children about to hit
but their choices cut short
no chance to decide
how to live or which course to take

who can figure such odds.

Tariffs Fail to Charge Confidence in Battery Prices

Recent tariff actions by the Trump administration have caused a sharp increase in battery prices according to the Q2 storage pricing insights report from ANSA, a solar and storage company.

This battery price spike is the sharpest single jump in battery energy storage prices since 2021, including the time period of the post-pandemic supply chain disruptions.

As of 2024, China currently accounts for approximately 60 percent of the world's lithium ion battery exports that are used in electric vehicles, as well as stationary battery storage systems.

In 2018, the first Trump administration imposed tariffs on batteries from China, In January of 2020, those tariffs on lithium ion batteries rose from 7.5 percent to 15 percent. In May of 2024, they increased to 25 percent.

April of this year, Trump announced a 125 percent additional tariff on products from China, which raised the tariff on batteries imported from that nation to about 150 percent.

Thursday, June 12, 2025, 5:30 PM
Bob Crane Community Center, 3200 Tremont Rd, Upper Arlington, OH 43221
Join Upper Arlington Progressive Action for a FREE talk by Brian Rothenberg and David Pepper covering Project 2025 actions taken by our maladministration already and what further horrors we may expect and what we may want to do about it.

Let's not put our heads in the sand and be prepared to take action to protect ourselves and the vulnerable among us. And that seems to include almost everyone! 

Wednesday, June 11, 2025, 8:00 – 10:00 PM
The Go Go, 987 N. Fourth Street, Columbus 43201
Go Go and Not Ur Grandmas Bingo is hosting a benefit event to raise money for RESULTS Ohio and also helping a fellow entertainer, Ty Blaq Fenix Diggs raise money for Physical Therapy.
We will have performances, raffles, and we are splitting all proceeds. We have raffle items of Designer Handbags, Autographed Merchandise from Carnie Wilson of Wilson Phillips and much more!
RESULTS is a movement of passionate, committed people who advocate that our legislators move to build a more just and equitable world. We envision a world beyond poverty and the oppression that causes it.  
Bingo is always free to play!
(P.S.: This is for adults, and it is really fun!)

What can a community do when the democratic process itself has been outlawed? 

That’s the question facing residents of Ohio. In 2019, the State legislature prohibited communities from enacting “rights of nature” laws after Toledo residents overwhelmingly voted for a law, the Lake Erie Bill of Rights. The budget bill passed on July 17th of that year established that “nature… does not have standing to participate in or bring an action in any court.”

I would swear on the graves of my parents and four grandparents that this is the most common question from white people when a race-related incident occurs or the subject of race comes up. It is often asked with an exasperated tone of voice, accompanied by an oh-here-we-go-again eye roll, and followed by an explanation from the white person about how they cannot possibly be racist because they have a Black son-in-law or frequently go to lunch with a Black co-worker or root for whatever team LeBron James is playing on. (Many years ago a manager in a now defunct women’s store I used to patronize told me “I should be a Black person because I love soul music so much” when a song by a Black recording artist began playing on the Muzak system.) Being thought of as racist is insulting and scary for many white people. It immediately puts them on the defensive.           

Episcopal Church Immigration Updates
Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 1:00 – 1:30 PM
Due to the number of executive orders, immigration raids, and other policy changes, Episcopal Migration Ministries is scheduling weekly immigration calls. EMM will share updates and resources and will be joined by the Office of Government Relations and the Chief Legal Officer. Spanish interpretation will be available.  
Register here.

What if we all took a new pledge?

For you. For me. For the people and for the country that deep down — in spite of its MAGA-heads, in spite of its insanity — we’ve decided to fight for its survival, holding onto a belief that we can make it better, that we can fix it, that we can end the madness and create a true Democracy for which it stands.

I’ve taken the liberty of writing one for us on this day:

I would love to speak these words each morning with all of you!

And then — WE ACT!

We do not have a minute to spare.

Turnstile’s Never Enough record is a fun musical listen.

Turnstile calls Columbus, Ohio home during the Baltimore band’s sold-out Columbus shows. Turnstile’s bassist Franz Lyons is from Columbus.

Franz skateboarded with Embassy Boardshop. Franz played at the DIY Hardcore house Legion of Doom. Franz frequented Sole Classics which is owned by OSU legend Pepper Johnson’s son, Buckeye Dionte Johnson. Sole Classics brought Kendrick Lamar into town for Kendrick’s first Columbus show.

Franz kicked it at Cafe Bourbon Street’s So What Wednesdays with Ahmed Gallab of Sinkane. Turnstile’s Columbus shows feel like large versions of the Columbus Franz is from. Kids are moshing with PMA everywhere.

Turnstile’s Never Enough album is releasing after Turnstile toured the entire globe. Turnstile played Lollapolloozas in several continents.  Turnstile rocked Dodger Stadium with Tyler, The Creator’s festival. Turnstile followed their sold-out homecoming Columbus show with arena tours with My Chemical Romance, and Blink 182.

Never Enough is Turnstile’s 2025 release.