On this day, 25 August 1921, the Battle of Blair Mountain began: the largest armed rebellion in the US since the civil war. For five days in late August and early September, 1921 in Logan County, West Virginia, 10,000 striking coal miners battled with armed strikebreakers and deputies following the killing of miners and their supporters in Welch and Sharples. Faced with the overwhelming firepower of US federal troops and even the air force, the miners eventually surrendered or returned to their homes. More info in our podcast episode on the West Virginia mine wars: https://workingclasshistory.com/2018/06/09/wch-e7-the-west-virginia-mine-wars-1902-1922/https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/1195982067253608/?type=3
Milk Crate Garden: Grow A Lot Of Veggies In A Little Space
A milk crate garden is a great way to grow a lot of produce in a small space. Gardening in a milk crate is pretty much the same idea as square foot gardening. It’s kind of amazing what you can grow in these happy little plastic boxes. Plantable, stackable and cute, repurposed milk crates grow great gardens. A milk crate garden is such a clever way to grow a productive garden in a small space. Instead of growing vegetables, herbs and flowers inexpensive flower pots, grow them in stackable, repurposed, plastic milk crates. You can often find these crates on Craig’s List or freecycle.org, or at garage sales, thrift shops and other inexpensive (or free!) sources.
I teach my 7th graders about the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide.
I bring in a graduated cylinder of it and we talk about how it’s used in nuclear power plants and gmo crops. How inhaling even the small amount I’m holding can lead to suffocation or even death. It’s found in vaccines and cancer cells, but also in infant formula and pet food. It is a huge component of acid rain, can cause severe burns, and has been found in places that were thought to be the most pristine and unpolluted locations on earth.
We talk about how there are little to no regulations on this chemical. No bans, no warning labels, and most manufacturers don’t even have to disclose their use of it in their products.
My students are outraged. We talk about what we can do. Create posters and flyers to spread awareness. Contact our senators with petitions to ban DHMO. Spread this information all over social media.
Then I explain that the real problem with dihydrogen monoxide is that….when I am thirsty…there is just nothing else as refreshing, and then I watch their looks of absolute shock and horror as I drink the entire vial down.
The Federal Communications Commission is proposing to launch a new three-digit hotline for people who are feeling suicidal or are going through any other mental health crisis. It recommends making 988 the new national number to call for help, replacing the current 10-digit number.
The agency presented the idea to Congress in a report earlier this month and is expected to release more information and seek public comment about the proposal in the coming months.
Mental health advocates are excited about the proposal. They say it will make it easier for people in crisis to seek help, but caution that effective implementation could be costly, as the move could increase the need for staff to answer calls.
“This is a great idea,” says Madelyn Gould, a psychiatrist at Columbia University and an expert on suicide prevention.
The current National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number — 1-800-273-TALK or 1-800-273-8255 — can be difficult for people to remember it in the midst of a crisis, she says.
