Watch — and discuss — the movie ‘Oppenheimer’

I went to the movie “Oppenheimer“ and wondered if “young folk” care about history? The generations before us worried. My mom told me her fear during World War II was that they would lose America if the war ended wrong. I flash back to my high school years, Vietnam and fighting in the streets. What was “patriotic” versus how “we needed to bring our boys back home alive.”

Watch this movie and discuss it. Can we stay out of war? When is it too much to see other countries suffering? If we don’t trust our own neighbors, how do we trust other governments? Educate yourself.

Wealth and greed come from conflict. Commerce between countries helps keep us stable. We have to elect people who stop dividing us with name calling. We are tired of it. We need solutions.

I listen to all the hate ads as people spread fear to get elected. We need candidates who face real problems — like climate change and education. If you hear only name calling, turn the channel! Mute that hate.

Get to know your neighbors even if they look different than you or have a different faith than you. “Oppenheimer” was about science and then jealousy and greed. We need you to get registered to vote this fall to elect school board and city council members. Voting can be done by absentee ballots. Get informed. It’s your turn now. Share with your friends on social media.

Debbie Koopman

Cedar Rapids