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John Murtari John

John Murtari John

Finger Lakes Times

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MURT'S MINUTE: Our banana republic: protecting democracy

Time to talk politics. One column can’t do it justice in a critical election year. A series is best. A theme is important to tie things together,...

23.04.2024 10

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: Learn love for Easter: Choose life!

Easter is Sunday. Years ago I recall looking for greeting cards for my parents. The stores had plenty of risen Christ and “Happy Easter” cards;...

26.03.2024 5

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: School boards: Let’s get engaged!

I hope you, or friends or family you know, will consider running for school board. In New York State, school elections will be May 21; the ballot...

12.03.2024 5

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: Dissolution: one less tax bill

I’ve followed the possible dissolution of the Village of Wolcott with interest. Let me speak from experience as a member of a citizens’ group in...

27.02.2024 3

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: Super Bowl Sunday: My essay

This is what I did yesterday in 500 words or less. (This appears Monday and went to the paper last Friday.) Again, this calls for a future prediction....

12.02.2024 6

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: Looking at the alleged Clyde-Savannah sexual assault in another way

We’ve seen the stories. Alleged sexual assault by football players against a teammate. I’m shocked by the conduct of those involved. What’s...

29.01.2024 7

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: The Buffalo Bills — Team of destiny!

Here I go! Buffalo will win the Super Bowl! Which means they beat Pittsburgh when they play on Sunday. Sunday is my future as I write. It’s your...

15.01.2024 4

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: School test scores: How do we do better?


We’ve heard our schools are doing worse than their European and Asian counterparts. We have federally mandated tests for English and math to give...

02.01.2024 20

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: Jesus of Nazareth – a tough childhood!


Christmas is a week away! For some adults, me included, it’s easy to be cynical and dismiss Nativity stories. Skeptics in your family? Maybe...

19.12.2023 4

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: If God exists, why does He allow …


We’re in the month of December and Christmas is coming! I can’t help but ponder reasons I’ve heard for no belief in a loving God. Theoretically,...

04.12.2023 10

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: Iran hates us … for good reasons?


Some things last a long time. We don’t ask why or how, they just are. It’s no stretch to say some in Iran hate our guts. If you’re under the age...

21.11.2023 10

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: Israel-Hamas war: What action is next?


We’ve seen Hamas intentionally target individual Israeli civilians, the very definition of terrorism and an act of war by the government of Gaza....

06.11.2023 3

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: Schools and parents: no dialogue?


Democracy needs a free flow of information and ideas. We promote DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) when it comes to people. Let’s embrace DEI...

23.10.2023 4

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: Learning to fly

“Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; “Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling...

09.10.2023 7

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: Clyde-Savannah book ban, AI, and ‘People Kill People’


School books in the Clyde-Savannah school district don’t kill people. People kill people. And, at least for now, artificial intelligence doesn’t...

25.09.2023 10

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

MURT'S MINUTE: School transgender policies – who represents families?


The topic mentioned in the headline has become a public concern. Visit bit.ly/460alBq (or fltimes.com) to see New York state policy that asks schools...

11.09.2023 2

Finger Lakes Times

John Murtari John

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