OMNI Blog

Pilgrims Progress for century 21

 in Current Events

I’m not sure how many people still remember the ancient story of Pilgrims Progress. It’s so old it was one of the early books printed on a Gutenberg printing press in the 1670s. It’s one of history’s best-selling books and has never been out of print. It’s been published in more than 200 languages and at least 1,500 editions. It’s an allegory of life that has resonance for our times, even though the language is very different from our modern tongue. The entire human race is working its way through a pilgrimage from who and what we think we are, […]

Important Citizens First Event Tonight

 in Current Events

Wednesday May 27 – 6:00 pm – Crisis Brewing 210 Nelson Hackett Blvd, Fayetteville If you’ve ever been curious about who Citizens First Congress is (I hope you have been), and what they’re doing for the state of Arkansas (it’s a pretty amazing story), tonight is your chance. CFC Executive Director Bill Kopsky will be here to give an overview on the two ballot measures (for Education and Ballot Measure Rights) the Arkansas legislature is trying to strip away from citizens. You may have already signed a petition about these, but still have questions about just why they’re so important […]

CLIMATE EMERGENCY ANTHOLOGY #3, MAY 25, 2026

 in Climate / Dick's Newsletter 2026

Compiled by Dick Bennett for a Culture of Peace, Justice,  Ecology, and Democracy https://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/2026/05/omni-climate-emergency-anthology-3-may.html What’s at Stake:   OMNI’S CLIMATE BOOK FORUMS ON CLIMATE CHANGE began in 2006 late in the story. (Prof. James Hansen had warned Congress in 1988 of the dangers that could arise from rising temperatures.   The UN created the IPCC in 1999.)  From its beginning we enjoyed the advice of three climatologists:   Dr. Robert McAfee (Ph.D in Climatology from U. of Melbourne), Prof. Malcolm Cleveland (Geology Dept, UAF), and Prof. Art Hobson (Physics Dept., UAF); and the participation of more than a dozen concerned citizens (including Lolly […]

CUBA and US IMPERIALISM ANTHOLOGY #14, May 24, 2026

 in Cuba / Dick's Newsletter 2026

Compiled by Dick Bennett https://jamesrichardbennett.blogspot.com/2026/05/omni-cuba-and-us-imperialism-anthology.htmlhttps://omnicenter.org/donate What’s at Stake:  Sixty years ago the people of Cuba overthrew the Batista dictatorship and its capitalism and replaced it with a plan for democratic socialism.  For sixty years the US has done everything it could legally and illegally, against established principles of international law and the UN Charter, including a land invasion (which failed), to undermine that revolution.   Steadily the US has illegally tightened its squeeze on the Cuban economy, include a blockade of many essential materials and commodities.    All along a few nations like Mexico tried to assist Cuba, and they too were […]

City Council embraces war drones. What will they lure here next?

 in Current Events

What have we done to ourselves? City Council embraces war drones. What will they lure here next? Only time will tell what the full outcome of this drone-sized rent torn in the fabric of our community life may mean for Fayetteville. The economic development coordinator threatens that if we don’t allow Swarm Aero, no companies will feel safe applying for “defense” grants in Fayetteville. Isn’t that too bad? If only it were true. But instead we’ve voted to welcome in “defense” grants. Thank you so much to the three city counselors who bravely stood up to all the economic badgering […]

Steve Womack sells out Fayetteville to the war drone industry

 in Current Events

At the town hall May 13, Swarm, Aero CEO Peter Kalogiannis reluctantly admitted that the reason Swarm Aero chose Fayetteville was because Steve Womack encouraged them.Thanks No Thanks, Steve.If you’d like to mention your opinions to Steve, here’s his contact:Rep. Steve Womack, 3rd District (That’s all of Northwest Arkansas) Republican 1119 Longworth Office Building, New Jersey and Independence Avenues SE, Washington 20515 Phone: (202) 225-4301Arkansas offices: Rogers: (479) 464-0446 Harrison: (870) 741-7741 Fort Smith: (479) 424-1146 Website: www.womack.house.gov

Fayetteville City Council MUST hear from their people!

 in Current Events

Tuesday’s City Council meeting will decide the fate of Fayetteville! Can Swarm Aero be stopped? Will we continue to be the caring community who’s the beacon on the hill we’ve always seen ourselves as? Or will we be dragged into the dystopian future of industrial warfare by fulfilling the wet dream s of Steve Womack and Ron Maloney? They seem to have started this whole steamroll. This is one of those moments when your voice totally matters. Please call your city council persons. You have two, listed below, and they both need to hear that you do NOT want a […]