Common Good Conversations
A few years ago brothers-in-law Nick Brock and Shawn Skinner started doing the unthinkable at family gatherings – talking about politics and faith at the dinner table. While at times tense and cautious those conversations were filled with curiosity, nuance, grace, and humor. Wanting to lean into that experience they decided to start a podcast. Common Good Conversations is a weekly opportunity for Nick and Shawn to talk about the politics and faith of West Michigan by being curious, nuanced, grace-filled, and humorous; perhaps they’ll learn something along the way.
Meet Common Good Candidate Abby Klomparens for State Representative (District 86)
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Meet an extraordinary-ordinary Michigander committed to the Common Good for West Michigan. Abby Klomparens for State Representative in District 86 includes the Greater Holland area and portions of Allegan County.
In this episode you'll learn how to properly pronounce another Dutch last-name (Klomp-ar-ens), why the election of former President Trump was a catalyst for Abby's political involvement, and why she's challenging Republican incumbent Nancy DeBoer.
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"After two years of far-right rule in a Michigan county, one chance to change it" - with The Washington Post
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Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Washington Post reporter Patrick Marley. Patrick writes about voting issues in the Upper Midwest and wrote a series of stories covering how divisive, Trump-style politics came to Ottawa County through Ottawa Impact.
In this episode you'll learn about the Washington Post's series called Democracy in America, how moderate Republicans and some Democrats mobilized against Ottawa Impact and fought back, and how eating BBQ is a form of patriotism.
To learn more about the Washington Post's coverage of Ottawa...
2024 Election Guide: What Happened to my Ottawa GOP?
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Over the previous year I've had the privilege of being in conversation with a handful of well established Republicans in Ottawa County to help me understand the state of local politics. The central question that I wanted to answer — and understand from their point of view — was:
What happened to my Ottawa GOP?
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Economics Guru Dr. Paul Isley talks about West Michigan's Economy
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Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Dr. Paul Isely the Associate Dean and Professor of Economics for the Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University. For nearly a decade Dr. Isley has become somewhat of an economics guru in West Michigan as employers have used his historically accurate economic findings to help guide their business decisions.
In this episode you'll learn about the cause of recent inflation, the power of consumer spending versus government spending, and how to grow West Michigan's economy.
Su...
Meet Common Good Candidate Doug Zylstra running for Ottawa County Board of Commissioners in District 3 (Holland)
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Doug Zylstra. Doug is the incumbent Ottawa County Board Commissioner representing District 3 (Holland) as a Democrat serving in his 3rd, 2-year term.
In this episode you'll learn why it was important for Doug to foster dialogue with the Ottawa Impact Commissioners, what it means to have a record-breaking 2 Democrats on the Board of Commissioners, and if Doug is a "woke" Democrat or not.
Show Notes:
Listen to episodes about What Happened to...
Live! with Common Good Candidate Chris Crothers for County Commissioner in District 4 (Zeeland)
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Chris Crothers. Chris is running for Ottawa County Commissioner in District 4 (Zeeland) as a Democrat.
In this final segment from our live podcast event in Holland you'll learn how Chris started as a home brewer then started his own brewery, why he's running for County Commissioner, and what it means to be a Common Good Candidate in Ottawa County.
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Live! Sarah Leach discusses her recent firing, Ottawa Impact, and the crisis of local journalism
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Sarah Leach. Sarah is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and previously the regional editor for Gannett Media leading The Holland Sentinel and 14 other Michigan papers.
During this second segment from our live podcast event in Holland you'll learn about dad-jokes, why Sarah was fired from the Holland Sentinel, the challenges of covering Ottawa Impact, and the crisis of local journalism.
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Live! Nick Brock and Doug Pagitt talk about their shared experience along the US-Mexico Border
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Doug Pagitt the executive director of Vote Common Good. Nick and Doug both went to the US-Mexico border in Arizona and Mexico and talk about their shared experience.
During this segment from our live event in Holland you'll learn about Nick and Doug's first impressions of the border wall from both sides of the wall, why families are seeking asylum and how coming to the US is a last resort, and what can be done in...
Meet Common Good Candidate Marcia Mansaray running for State Representative (85th District)
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Marcia Mansaray, the Democratic candidate running for State Representative in Michigan’s 85th District. Marcia was the Deputy Health Officer for Ottawa County’s Department of Public Health and emerged as a courageous voice for the community when she pushed back against efforts by Ottawa Impact to undermine and silence the Department of Public Health.
In this episode you'll learn why Marcia no longer identifies with the Republican Party, the burden of making Covid-19 related decisions duri...
Educating Voters about Michigan's Election Process, with the Kent County Clerk's Office
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Kent County Clerk Lisa Posthumus-Lyons and Chief Deputy Clerk Robert Macomber. The two, both Republicans, have been educating voters about Michigan's new election laws and helping them overcome obstacles to election misinformation.
In this episode you'll learn about the technical term for a cow's udder, Michigan's new election laws, election integrity, if Michigan's Qualified Voter File is bloated and problematic, and debunking the local voting narrative about undocumented immigrants.
Enjoy!
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Meet Josh Brugger of Grand Haven (District 10) running to return Ottawa County to "boring, reliable and predictable" governance
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Josh Brugger “the man running to fill Roger Bergman's shoes in Ottawa County. Brugger is running as a Republican for the District 10 seat on the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners after several controversial decisions were made by Ottawa Impact. Josh believes that “now is the time for those of us "in the middle" to stand up to politicians on the fringes and declare, "Enough is enough."
In this episode you'll learn that Brugger wants to return Otta...
Meet Sarah Matwiejczyk running for Ottawa County Prosecutor
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Hey Everybody!
Nick had the privilege of being in conversation with Sarah Matwiejczyk. Sarah is Ottawa County’s Chief Assistant Prosecutor and is running for Ottawa County Prosecutor as a Republican.
In this episode you'll learn how to pronounce Sarah's last name (Ma-toy-sic!), her opinion on what's happened with the Ottawa GOP, what it means to be a "vetted" Republican juxtaposed against Ottawa Impact, and why she want's to represent all people - no matter political affiliation - as Ottawa County's Prosecutor.
Enjoy!
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Meet Common Good Candidate Phil Kuyers of Grand Haven Twp. (District 9) running to defeat Ottawa Impact
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick had the privilege of being in conversation with Phil Kuyers the former Ottawa County Commissioner who was first elected to the commission in 2000 and served as board chair for three years. Phil, a Republican, is running again for the District 9 seat (Grand Haven Twp.), which he represented for more than two decades before losing to Ottawa Impact Republican Roger Belknap in 2022 who is also running for re-election in the August 6th primary election.
In this episode you'll learn about the stupidity of Ottawa Impact, what happened t...
How to Defend Democracy from its Christian Enemies, with Christian Ethicist David Gushee
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick had the privilege of being in conversation with David Gushee the author of a new book called Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies. The Rev. Prof. Dr. David Gushee is Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University and is one of America's leading Christian ethicists.
In this episode you'll learn why Christians should support democracy, why so many are open to authoritarian and reactionary political trends that threaten democracy, and why responsible Christians need to recommit to democracy that fit with the convictions of...
Meet Common Good Candidate, Becky Patrick, of District 8 (Allendale Twp.) running to defeat Ottawa Impact
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Hey, West Michigan!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Becky Patrick of Allendale Twp. Becky is running to defeat Ottawa Commissioner / Vice-Chairperson and co-founder of Ottawa Impact, Sylvia Rhodea, in District 8 during the August 6th primary.
In this episode you'll learn why Becky was one one of the most civically engaged citizens in Ottawa County in 2023, why she wants a return to reason, fiscal responsibility and good governance to the Ottawa County BOC, and why she has committed to being a Common Good Candidate...
Satan enters the chat (again) after giving the invocation at the OCBOC meeting
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Hey, West Michigan!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with lifelong resident of Ottawa County Reverend Luis Cypher, a minister of Satan and co-head of the Satanic Temple of West Michigan. Reverend Cypher gave the invocation at the April 23rd Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting.
In this episode we learn that the Satanic Temple of West Michigan does not worship Satan (nor promote evil), how Ottawa County Commissioner Rebekah Curran protested the invocation, and how evangelical Christians turned public comment into a bully pulpit...
Meet Jordan Jorritsma the Republican Commissioner candidate in District 2 (Holland)
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Hey, West Michigan!
Shawn and I had the privilege of being in conversation with Jordan Jorritsma the Republican candidate running for Ottawa County Commissioner in District 2 (Holland). Jordan is running to defeat Ottawa Impact Commissioner Lucy Ebel in the August primary election if she wins her May 7th Recall Election.
In this episode we'll lean into our theme of What Happened to my Ottawa GOP?, why Jordan signed on as a co-plaintiff for a lawsuit against Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, and why he's running against Ottawa Impact. Oh...
Is the U.S./Mexico border as dangerous and chaotic as its made out to be?
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Hey, West Michigan!
Shawn and I had the privilege of being in conversation with Doug Pagitt, Executive Director of Vote Common Good.
In 2021 Doug traveled 3,000 miles along the U.S./Mexico border with his bicycle and experienced first-hand that the border was not as dangerous nor chaotic as its made out to be. Wanting people to experience this for themselves he is encouraging people to join him at border towns on foot and talk with the people who actually live there.
In this episode you’ll learn wha...
Your Opinion - Ebel should participate in voter forum so constituents have all the facts
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"On May 7, voters in District 2 will have the opportunity to vote in the special recall election for their county commissioner. I am running against Ottawa Impact-affiliated commissioner Lucy Ebel. Recently, Commissioner Ebel distributed literature within the district containing several false claims and misrepresentations." - read by Common Good Candidate, Chris Kleinjans
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Meet Common Good Candidate Mark Northrup of District 5 running to defeat Ottawa Impact
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Mayor Mark Northrup of Hudsonville. Mark is running to defeat Commissioner Board Chair and leader of Ottawa Impact Joe Moss in District 5 during the August 6th primary. And if you know anything about Ottawa County politics the primary election is where more often than not local elections are decided.
In this episode you'll learn about the finer things in life such as bourbon, cigars, and crunchy peanut butter. You'll also learn about what's going on with t...
LIVE! with Common Good Candidate Chris Kleinjans of Holland
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Check out this clip we pulled from our LIVE! event in Holland. Chris Kleinjans is a Democrat running against Ottawa Impact Commissioner Lucy Ebel during a special Recall Election occurring on Tuesday, May 7. Chris is also a Common Good Candidate.
- Learn more about our Common Good Candidate platform
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"Your Opinion" with Mayor Mark Northrup of Hudsonville
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Check out this 20-minute clip we pulled from our LIVE! event in Holland.
Mayor Mark Northrup discusses why Joe Moss' leadership with Ottawa Impact has led to a train wreck in Ottawa County.
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Common Good Conversations LIVE!
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Hey Everybody!
Get ready for an episode packed with laughs and learning...
Nick and Shawn had a great time with a live audience where they laughed about their father in-law wanting to try nasal irrigation, debating the correct way to pronounce the grocery store name "Meijer", and Nick testing for a red belt in karate. Kia!
Nick and Shawn also learned about Democratic and Republican points of view while being in conversation with two candidates running for Ottawa County Commissioner against Ottawa Impact:
Upcoming Event: Join Common Good Conversations LIVE in 1 week!
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*This is a shortened promo from our previous promo episode
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A few years ago brothers-in-law Nick and Shawn started doing the unthinkable at family gatherings – talking about politics and faith at the dinner table. While at times tense and cautious those conversations were filled with curiosity, nuance, grace, and humor. Wanting to lean into that experience they decided to start a podcast. Common Good Conversations is a weekly opportunity for Nick and Shawn to talk about the politics and faith of West Michigan by being curious, nuanced, grace-filled, and humorous; pe...
Special Episode: The Soul of Politics, co-sponsored by VCG-WM
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*A live event recorded at Port 393 in Holland on March 10.
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How can we move from a politics of fear to a politics of faith? A discussion with local panelists
Moderator
Stan Green, Leadership ConsultantCo-Sponsoring Organizations
Vote Common Good-West MichiganStill ProcessingCo-Sponsoring Churches
Holland UCC, Douglas Congregational, Hope Church Justice and Reconciliation Ministry, First United Methodist...Upcoming Event: The Soul of Politics, Sunday March 10, with Rev. Bryan Berghoef
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Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with the Rev. Bryan Berghoef pastor at Holland UCC to discuss an upcoming event called The Soul of Politics happening March 10 at Port 393 in Holland at 3pm. The event will feature a panel discussion with Dr. Fred Johnson from Hope College, Sarah Leach from the Holland Sentinel, Christy Berghoef, Communication Consultant, and Rev. Dr. Jared Cramer, St. John's Episcopal Church. Stan Greene will be moderating. The conversation will help people discover how to move from the politics of fear to the politics of f...
Upcoming Event: Join Common Good Conversations LIVE! March 24 in Holland
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A few years ago brothers-in-law Nick and Shawn started doing the unthinkable at family gatherings – talking about politics and faith at the dinner table. While at times tense and cautious those conversations were filled with curiosity, nuance, grace, and humor. Wanting to lean into that experience they decided to start a podcast. Common Good Conversations is a weekly opportunity for Nick and Shawn to talk about the politics and faith of West Michigan by being curious, nuanced, grace-filled, and humorous; perhaps they’ll learn something along the way.
Special Guest, Chris...Your Opinion - "The Common Good"
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Written and read by Lynn Smith of Holland.
"It’s not bad luck that we’re living through the greatest threat to American democracy since the Civil War. Rather, it’s a privilege to live during a time when our actions have immense consequences and we have a unique opportunity to display American common good … not only in our country, but throughout the world. The moral fiber of our society has been weakened by cowardly and amoral leaders, but it has not yet been destroyed."
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The national and local realties of immigration
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with David Lee and Bill Trenary from Lighthouse Immigration Advocates in Holland. Lighthouse provides direct immigration legal services to thousands of immigrants and refugees and advocates on behalf of immigrants and refugees on the local, state, and federal levels.
In this episode you'll learn how to best refer to your significant other in a podcast, what it means to be an illegal and legal immigrant in the U.S., and how immigration plays out in Ottawa County.
Third time's a charm for funding the Patmos Library
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Tricia Kryda and Carrie Irwin of Jamestown Township. Tricia and Carrie are passionate advocates for the Patmos Library and helped to pass a funding millage for it after being twice defunded.
In this episode you'll learn about some all-time favorite books, what compromise in a community looks like, and how it feels to finally have the Patmos Library fully funded.
Enjoy.
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A priest's religious discrimination lawsuit and the creation of a Christian coalition in Ottawa County
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Rev. Jared Cramer a priest in the Episcopal Church currently serving as Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church in Grand Haven, MI. Jared also sits on the Steering Committee of the Ottawa Coalition of Unifying Christians (OCUC), a coalition of congregations and clergy, who believe that God calls Christians to take a public stand on issues that impact the common good of all Ottawa County residents.
In this episode you'll learn why the Detroit Lions did...
Why did a Satanist "enter the chat" about Ottawa Impact?
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Bender Bones an ordained minister from the Satanic Temple of West Michigan. Bender gained attention last year for his public comments at an Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting to address Ottawa Impact's Resolution to become a so-called Constitutional County.
In this episode you'll learn about the 7 tenets of Satanism, why Bender wanted to pushback against Ottawa Impact on religious freedom, and yule goats on the state capitol grounds.
"Hail you guys...
Your Opinion: "Ottawa County Fiasco Almost Beyond Disbelief"
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Dale Wyngarden, a resident of Holland, shares his opinion on why the fiasco between the Ottawa County Commission and Administration is almost beyond belief.
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Do you live in the Zeeland area and want to get politically involved?
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Chris Tanner from the Zeeland Area Action Committee. ZAAC! is a group of non-partisan citizens educating and informing the Zeeland Area about local politics and Ottawa Impact.
In this episode you'll learn about being a Star Wars nerd, the positive influence of Ottawa Impact, what responsible governance looks like, and disagreeing within a mixed political community.
May the Force be with you.
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Meet Christian Kleinjans the candidate running to replace Ottawa Impact Commissioner Lucy Ebel
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Christian Kleinjans the Democrat running against Ottawa Impact Commissioner Lucy Ebel in Ottawa County's District 2. This recall election will take place on Tuesday, May 7.
In this episode you'll learn what a recall election is, why Christian is running for office, how he would work with Ottawa Impact Commissioners, and the struggles of wi-fi during a podcast interview.
Enjoy.
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Ottawa County District 2
Chris Kleinjans for County Commissioner
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Do you live in Grand Haven, Ferrysburg or Spring Lake Township and want to get politically involved?
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Hey, Everybody!
Nick and Shawn had the privilege of being in conversation with Karen Obits and Cindy Spielmaker from the Ottawa North Tri-Cities Action Committee. ONTRAC is a nonpartisan, grassroots political action committee dedicated to promoting responsible governance, ethical conduct, fiscal responsibility, transparency, and inclusivity in Ottawa County's 10th District.
In this episode you'll learn how Karen and Cindy are responding to the controversial and reckless leadership of Ottawa Impact with grass-roots political activism and supporting the notion of "multi-partisan".
Enjoy.
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Ottawa...
You Could Run for Office! Seriously...You Can Do It.
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Nick talks with political campaign expert Robb Ryerse about his new online training course called You Could Run for Office. Nick and Rob discuss how ordinary and extraordinary people can - and should! - run for office. They also discuss the proper role of chips on sandwiches and the biblical theology of smooth and crunchy peanut butter.
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Considering running for Ottawa County Commissioner? Send an email to Nick at votecommongood.wm@gmail.com
Click on the link to learn more about You Could Run for Office
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What does 16th century Christian Resistance and Rebellion have to do with 21st century politics?
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Nick talks with Glenn Moots, Professor and Department Chair of Political Science and Philosophy at Northwood University, about Christian resistance and rebellion through the lens of the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates, and how to properly understand it so as to not cause undue strife in the community.
Show Note:
Resistance and Rebellion by Glenn Moots
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Why is a 16th century document inspiring Ottawa Impact?
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Nick talks with Anna Rosensweig, associate professor of French and the Director of the Graduate Program in Visual and Cultural Studies at the University of Rochester, about why a 16th-century tradition called the Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates is attracting activists on the Christian right - including Ottawa Impact.
Show note:
Why is a 16th-century tradition attracting activists on the Christian right? by News Center, Rochester University
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Your Opinion: "Ottawa Impact: Do the politics matter if the county is left broke?"
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Cassandra Lybrink pragmatically explains the political situation regarding Ottawa Impact and how it effects the entire county.
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