Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Mark Curnutte (left) recently joined RED! publisher and editor Jeffrey Hillard in a literature course called “Cincinnati Authors” at the College of Mount St. Joseph, which Jeff has been teaching periodically since 1993. Mr. Curnutte visited the class to talk about his new book, A Promise in Haiti: A Reporter’s Notes on Families and Daily Lives. The book of journalism involves Mr. Curnutte’s sequence of trips to the island of Haiti over several years, as he immersed himself in several homes of families in the Haitian city of Gonaives.
Take This Cup – by Karyn B. Alexander
The words, “Father take this cup!”
This is the famous line from the Garden of Gethsemane; a man is asking his Father in heaven to take his burden and to spare his life from impending death.
God did not take his cup away.
The man died. He not only died, but he died a horrific death. His body was spit upon, beaten, and then hung on a wooden cross. He was a religious criminal. Guilty, they said, and “crucify him,” they shouted, Why didn’t God take the cup and save the man?
It seems to be one of the most widely asked questions even today. “Why did God allow …this thing in my life? Why doesn’t God intervene? Why doesn’t He take my cup?” I know you have asked this same question. I have, many, many times. And many times, God has not taken my cup, while other times He intervenes.
When something we consider bad or fearful happens, we immediately call out to God the Father to take our cup. We know that a loving God wants the best for us, so surely He cannot mean this impending nightmare to fully descend on us. We hear of accidents, death of the young, sickness that decays, and we always assume it is for someone else. It’s universal to think, “That will never happen to me or my loved ones.” But it does.
If you live long enough, you know that death, illness, accidents, and pain happen. We assume God loves us and can, at any moment, send a fleet of angels, impart divine inspiration, cure illness and raise the dead; He can take the cup.
So, why would He choose not to help solve our problems?
The answer lies in the providence of God. He sees all and knows all, so He only intervenes when it falls in line with His providence, or grand design. Meaning, there is a plan that may not look like our plan. The plan for the man who was accused of blasphemy was brutal in its end, but God had the bigger picture in mind. We all know the bigger picture is stated in the scriptures where it says, “Unless a kernel of wheat die and fall to the ground, it cannot live again.”
So it was for the man on the cross: He must die to give life.
It is brilliant in concept.
We see it in nature. It is seen in the fields and flowers as they dry and crumble to become seed for new plants. We see human death making way for the next generation. Spiritually speaking, we can plant spiritual seedlings, but they cannot grow unless there is death; death of our sin and own personal will. Jesus of Nazareth was the man on the cross who provided the spiritual seed to die and live again. He claimed to be God in the flesh, and was crucified for saying so. Rising from the dead. Crazy trick, but only possible if you are “The” real God.
Interview – Greg Flannery, Editor of Article 25 Street Paper
Interview with Greg Flannery, Editor of ARTICLE 25
By Michelle Gilbert
RED! – Can you please tell me about yourself? Do you have a family; where you went to college, give me a mini-biography?
Greg Flannery: After graduating from Covington Latin School, in 1974, I attended St. Gregory Seminary for three semesters. In 1980 I was hired by the Mount Washington Press to handle debt collection. When the editor found out I liked to write, he gave me an assignment and then hired me as a reporter. I have worked in journalism ever since. My recent work includes serving as editor of Streetvibes for two years and news editor of CityBeat for eight years. In 2009, at a ceremony in Bergen, Norway, I had the honor of receiving the Best Feature Story Award from the International Network of Street Papers.
My wife, Mary Alice, and I have been married 31 years. We have four adult children, all feisty and disinclined to let anyone tell them what to do.
RED! – How did Article #25 become a purpose in your life?
Greg Flannery: As a member of the board of directors of the North American Street Newspaper Association, I have witnessed the growth of street papers around the world while “mainstream” corporate newspapers founder. I wanted to start Article 25 because I believe democracy requires a vibrant free press and because street papers offer a meaningful opportunity for disenfranchised people to earn a living. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which forms the foundation of our editorial policy, is an inspiring yet largely overlooked testament to every person’s right to liberty.
RED! – Can you share with us a success story that has come about from Article #25?
Greg Flannery: Because Article 25 began publishing June1, I’ll tell you instead what I have seen at other street papers. People who are homeless or addicted or dealing with mental illness not only earn a small income buy distributing street papers but, with the right assistance, connect with human services that enable them to improve their lives. Street-paper distributors help their customers to overcome stereotypes about poor people and regain a sense of their own dignity and ability to decide their future. Equally important, street papers tell the stories that the corporate media ignore. In the case of Article 25, our goal is to report local news and issues relevant to the theme of human rights – the defining issue of our times.
RED! – Human Rights is undoable an important aspect in everyone’s life, what is one way that a person can change in their day to day lifestyle, that might build awareness to the Human Right Issue?
Greg Flannery: Think about what you’re buying and where it comes from. Is the chocolate you’re eating the result of forced labor in Africa? Are your cheap appliances made affordable because workers in Asia make substandard wages? Is your landscaper forced to live in hiding because he doesn’t possess immigration documents? We are responsible for making sure our comfort and privilege as Americans don’t come at the expense of other people’s human rights.
RED! – If you can leave us with a quote, mantra, or belief that gives you strength on a daily basis, what is that saying?
Greg Flannery: “When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible. But in the end, they always fall. Think of it always.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
The Other Life: on Frank Hyle’s Novel – by Angela Derrick
If I could replace food with books, I would be so happy! I’d start the day with a serving of Alice Hoffman (Practical Magic), have a midmorning snack of Grisham (Skipping Christmas, in keeping with the whole Christmas-in-July theme), luncheon with Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat, Pray, Love) , and dine with a King (Stephen, the novelist and short-story writer of Full Dark, No Stars).
Just imagine the calories I would save! Wouldn’t it be a grand thing? I could say such things as: recently, for dinner, I attended a book discussion/signing. I was so full when I left. It was such a great feeling; I was satisfied but not stuffed (like after Thanksgiving dinner when you have to unbutton the top button).
Seriously, I just attended a book signing and discussion at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Cincinnati, Ohio, of the recently published novel Caesura by author and practicing attorney Frank Hyle.
It is always a treat to hear authors speak in person about their writing and the process. It is even more so when I happen to know the author, as is the case with Mr. Hyle as I have had the pleasure of being one of his students.
A “caesura” (pronounced ‘say-zur-a’) is a brief, silent pause occurring in music, poetry and sometimes life, in which time is not counted (Hyle, 2010).
The novel evolved out of recollections of Mr. Hyle’s mother, who during the last stage of her life, experienced dementia. The story is written with compassion and hope and illuminates the unexpected but frequent shift that often occurs between parent and child as roles are reversed. I believe that many readers will be able to relate to it, as I had the pleasure of doing, having experienced the death of my Aunt Jenny to Alzheimer’s disease.
If we are called to minister to those who raised us, I can think of nothing better than to look to stories such as Frank Hyle’s Caesura for affirmation and reassurance. Even if you are not experiencing this particular situation, I recommend Caesura. It is about family coming together in support of one another and we all need that.
Frank Hyle has been practicing law for more than thirty years. He is currently working on his third novel.
Youth Uprising Center – Oakland, California 2011
Youth Uprising Center is one of the most unique and innovative centers for youth in the entire country. It’s executive director, Olis Simmons, along with staff, has recently completed the addition of several new programs. RED! will bring you news of these programs in the coming weeks.
RED! published a beautiful Slide Show on Youth Uprising Center in 2009. Check it out.







