Jim Bauman, Author at Brain Dumping in Retirement

The Cult of Coal

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Opinions and EditorialsCoal country, Environment, Good jobs argument, Out-of-state interests, Republican policy

Coal has long occupied a special place in the economy of West Virginia, a place that today's energy market is fast relegating to history.. However, coal still carries a lot of political weight in the state, wielded mainly by Republicans. If that weight isn't lifted, it will stall the progress communities across the state need to make to recover from the dirt, mess, disease, environmental destruction and poverty coal mining has left in its wake.

For the Many, Not for the Few

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Opinions and EditorialsCorporate commitment to community, COVID pandemic, WV Congressional election, WV health picture, WV jobs

This article is an endorsement of the 2020 Democratic candidate for Congress, Cathy Kunkel. Kunkel lost the election to Alex Mooney. The phrase "For the many, not for the few" was Kunkel's campaign slogan, an appeal to voters to consider Mooney's overwhelming support from out-of-state money as evidence that his interests were not those of the people.

My Hero and Me

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Opinions and EditorialsTrump

Some speculations about whether Trumps character flaws extend to his voters too. If and when the light dawns will his voters experience any remorse or will they rationalize their veneration of him somehow?

The Left, the Right and the Center

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Opinions and EditorialsConservatism, Democrats, Politics, Progressivism, Republicans, Socialism, Trump

We're a politically polarized country and, with the exception of a relatively small number of centrists, people align themselves with the political left or the political right. This article plants itself squarely on the left and presents that side of the issue. Feel free to disagree.

A More Perfect Union

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Opinions and EditorialsConservatism, Constitution, Progressivism, Trickle-down economics

The More Perfect Union we're promised in the Constitution is a work in progress. It's been on-going for more than two centuries and we're still not done yet. Making some progress maybe, but it's like two steps forward, one step back. This is the argument for progressive thinking in government and society.

The Hate Card

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Opinions and EditorialsChristians on LGBTQ, LGBTQ hate

Matthew Franck, director of the Simon Center on Religion and the Constitution, argued when the Supreme Court was deliberating on the constitutionality of gay marriage in 2010 that advocates for gay marriage were overplaying the "hate card," that is, regarding religious opposition to gay marriage as evidence of hate toward homosexuals. This was my response.

Reaction to Florida School Shooting

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Opinions and Editorials2nd Amendment, Gun control, School shootings, WV gun laws

In 2018, the WV legislature was eager to loosen gun laws in college campuses, all but ignoring the increasing number of gun shootings in schools, the latest at that time being the Parkland school shooting in Florida. These legislators were advocating for guns over children's safety.

Realigning the Middle

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Opinions and EditorialsConservatism, Identify politics, Polarization, Political discourse, Progressivism

This column was a reaction piece to the nastiness of political discourse, but also a defense of so-called identify politics when the current political atmosphere is so disregarding of the rights and welfare of certain groups.

Senior Social Services in Jefferson County

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Neighborhood WatchCouncil on Aging, Financing retirement, Government program for seniors, Ranson, SAIL, Senior services, Shepherd University

Most seniors go into retirement on fixed incomes, which can raise the threat of poverty. To alleviate that threat government funded and volunteer organizations provide many elective services for seniors.

Seniors SAILing Along

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Neighborhood WatchAge-Friendly city, Psychology of aging, SAIL, Senior advocacy, Senior organizations, Senior population growth, Shepherd University, Village-to-Village Network

Jefferson County is aging and this article describes the forces at play in making this happen and the community response to accommodate our seniors. One volunteer organization -- Shepherdstown Area Independent Living (SAIL) is highlighted.

The 1886 Lynching of Joe Burns

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Neighborhood WatchBlack history, Equal Justice Initiative, Lynching

A white mob lynched Joe Burns in 1886 before he had the chance to defend himself in court. This article speculates on what could have been brought up in his defense.

Real-life Stories of Housing Struggles in Jefferson County

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Neighborhood WatchHousing affordability, Section 8 housing, Shepherdstown

When a community aspires to raising its standard of living, it can put the housing needs of people who fall below that standard in jeopardy. They can find it hard to locate affordable housing. This is beginning to happen in several communities in Jefferson County, affecting particularly young people.

Food and Social Security in Jefferson County

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Neighborhood WatchFood pantry, JC Community Ministries, Poverty, Shepherdstown, Shepherdstown Shares, Social Security Program, Substance abuse

Poverty and food insecurity in Jefferson County is less than in other parts of West Virginia, but it persists. Several food services have been set up by social service organization to address the need.

Housing as the Lynchpin of a Social Safety Net

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Neighborhood WatchAmerican Community Survey, Charles Town, Coalition to End Homelessness, Housing affordability, JC Community Ministries

Jefferson County has a problem in making housing affordable for residents who are cost burdened by the ACS definition. Housing in the county is more expensive than elsewhere in the state and low-income people are being priced out. This article considers a plan the city of Charles Town produced to address the problem.

Local Ordinances Welcoming LGBTQ People

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Neighborhood WatchBolivar WV, Fairness West Virginia, LGBTQ hate, LGBTQ rights, Nondiscrimination laws

Under the leadership of Fairness West Virginia, four cities and towns in Jefferson County have passed nondiscrimination ordinances that include LGBTQ people. This article looks at the legacy and promise of these ordinances.

Sparking Imaginations Through Storytelling

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Neighborhood WatchAppalachian Studies, Read Aloud WV, Shepherd University, Speak Story, StoryCorp, Storytelling

Storytelling is a volunteer and a professional activity for various individuals in Jefferson County. The pros are mainly associated with the storytelling activities as part of the Shepherd University Appalachian Studies department and the Speak program. The volunteers are with groups such as the Read Aloud program.

Deep History Connections: Mike Tolbert’s Research Project Covers 861 Years to Explain the Civil War

By Jim Bauman December 31, 2022Neighborhood WatchCivil War origins, Michael Tolbert, Slavery history

Mike Tolbert is taking a different lens to the connection between slavery and the Civil War. He sees slavery itself as long lodged in human history and slavery in the States as predating their forced arrival here in 1619. This story reports on a presentation he gave about his theories.