World-wide good news, in fact ~a column by Colleen O’Brien Australia’s influential labor party leader Anthony Albanese (known as Albo) won an almost 100 percent victory over his right wing adversary for a second term as Prime Minister of Australia on May 3. In his acceptance speech, he was happy to credit his winning to Donald J. Trump. For…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Letter to the editor – Do not allow eminent domain for CO2 pipelines
To the editor, A couple weeks ago I had a chance to read a Summit Carbon Solutions (SCS) easement contract offer. WOW!! Ready to sign away your property rights “forever”? As written, it appears the contract would be applicable to ALL real estate residential, industrial, businesses, agriculture, wherever. Last year the Iowa Utility Commission (IUC) gave SCS eminent domain powers…
Read MoreHere we are we
~a column by Colleen O’Brien As the kids used to say, “Where we are we, Mom?” I was relieved when I could answer“Here we are we,” as I finally pulled into our intended destination. And now, I’m the one asking, “Where we are we?” hoping for an answer. After reading the first three pages of a really good book, Abundance,…
Read MoreThe apostrophe and me
~by Denise O’Brien Van I’ve lived with apostrophes all my life (see writer’s name.) And a recent friendly discussion about whether to write 1900 or 1900’s got me thinking about when and how to use that airborne punctuation mark. Overuse and underuse of the flying comma are everywhere. We’ve all seen the signs: Open Sunday’s Were open today No bicycle’s…
Read MoreNow what?
~a column by Colleen O’Brien It’s not difficult to dislike a bully. The one we have in White Resort Mar A Lago has always been a mean, show-off guy, making fun of women who are “bleeding” (Megan Kelly); or imitating reporter Serge Kovaleski who has a neurological disease that causes erratic movements; or accusing MIAs of being suckers. But he…
Read MoreView from my window – Bootleg dentristry
I am having a dilemma. Really, an ethical dilemma involving my friend who resides in a nursing home in eastern Iowa. It is causing me anger along with great frustration. For many reasons all the persons involved in this writing shall remain nameless. My friend has lived in a nursing home in Maquoketa for five years beginning in 2020. Last…
Read MoreThe Capitol Roundup
April 18, 2025 Greetings from the Golden Dome! Spring is here and everyone is excited to get corn in the ground and enjoy the weather. The change of seasons also means a change of pace for our legislative session. We are now entering budget negotiation time which means we are getting close to done, but there are still some policy…
Read MoreKeeping up with the times and oneself
~a column by Colleen O’Brien A friend sent me an amusing thought – the trouble with humanity is people. I agree. Another good one along these lines is that the most rampant disease among humans is stupidity. These are cynical thoughts, cynicism being one of those human traits that is negative but often fun enough to make us laugh. I…
Read MoreI have to protest forever
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I can remember my dad talking – blustering – at the dinner table about President Eisenhower. From what I could understand in my 9-year-old mind, he said the president didn’t talk well, did not have a command of the language. I gathered that speaking the language well was necessary to becoming a president. I realized…
Read MoreView from my window – Recycling soil
Many atrocities are occurring in the United States today. Loss of individual rights, loss of jobs, shrinking of government services, and numerous other anxiety producing issues. BUT what if something worse might be occurring that will impact our long-term agricultural future? I want to share a serious situation that is happening not only in our immediate agricultural family, but also…
Read MorePositivity wins
~a column by Colleen O’Brien How happy can I get? This president who received so few — but just enough — votes is gagging me. He’s gagging friends and strangers. People are afraid. Listing a few good things never hurts in the face of fear. Hoi polloi (“the many”) — common people, not wealthy: us! — are lining the curbs…
Read MoreThe lurking frights
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I’ve had four scary events in my life. Pure fright. All of them pre-adulthood except the last one: –The first one was jumping off a 30-foot ladder at the age of 10 and running home. –The second was seeing the movie “Psycho” at the age of 16. –The third was driving to the hotel after…
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