Joe Shelly is the Democratic candidate seeking election for his first two-year term serving the people of Iowa in House District 47 which includes parts of Dallas, Guthrie, and Greene Counties. If elected, Shelly promises to listen to constituents because his basic commitment is to do all he can to ensure that any legislation passed reflects the wishes of the…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
In support of Greg Ruth for county supervisor
To the editor, We would like to take this opportunity to tell you why we are supporting Greg Ruth for Supervisor District 1. We were classmates of Greg in high school; we’ve known him all our lives. When you vote for Greg, you will get the “real deal”. Greg has been door knocking several nights a week and speaking at…
Read MoreIn support of Riley for supervisor
Letter to the editor: We want you to join us in voting for Victoria “Tori” Riley to be the Greene County District 4 county supervisor. Tori has reported news of our county for 28 years – including covering the meetings of the board of supervisors. She has taken notes, listened carefully, and asked serious and thoughtful questions over these nearly…
Read MoreWe haven’t much time
~a column by Colleen O’Brien News announcers, such as Joe Scarborough on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” are interviewing many anti-Trump guests now, two weeks before the general election. They talk about Trump as a fascist, as a Hitler lover, as friend of the major despots of the world, as a dictator his first day in office, as a president who will…
Read MoreTo the editor: In support of Margaret Liston
To the editor, State Senator candidate Margaret Liston is a force. She is the person who is a quiet leader through action and deed. You know her, she comes to an event, asks what is needed, and pitches in to make things happen. Her pursuit of an education for herself tells you much about how she values it. Her steps were…
Read MoreTo the editor – In support of Margaret Liston, Joe Shelly
Dear Editor, I am writing to endorse Margaret Liston for Senate 24, who is running against Jesse Green, and to endorse Joe Shelly who is running against Carter Nordam for House District 47. We need representatives to improve the quality of life for rural Iowa families. Iowa’s government needs elected officials who care about the lack of access for women’s…
Read MoreName-calling
~ column by Cauliflower Ear, aka Colleen O’Brien Trump is getting on my nerves, and I’ve been through two hurricanes recently, so I’m in no mood to put up with bad behavior, especially his. I’m ready to put him down like he puts everyone else down – well, not exactly. I won’t be lying, I’ll be using his own words,…
Read MoreGetting tired of political ads? Try this….
We’re approaching the finish line in the campaign season and the news and political ads are getting tiresome. Here’s a challenge to make them interesting again. Following is a list of 15 logical fallacies. As you consume “news” over the next month, see if you can find examples of all of them. Some will be easy to spot; others, not…
Read MoreView from my window: Oaths and pledges
We have all been reading and hearing about protecting and defending the United States Constitution in the current political ads. I recently had an evening mealtime discussion with my husband about the oath he took when he was sworn into the Army and comparing that oath to the one administered to the President. My exploration led to a rabbit hole…
Read MoreAn update on our dear Colleen
Dear readers, Colleen O’Brien is a conjurer of images. This weekend she shared with us the damage Hurricane Helene did to her idyllic home in Punta Gorda, FL. Now, less than two weeks later, Hurricane Milton has Punta Gorda square in his sights. Colleen shared with me in a Sunday email that her home is “a goner.” She and her…
Read MoreA little house on a little river meets Helene
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I live in a house on a river in Florida. No. I used to live in a house on a river in Florida. My little place sits on the banks of Alligator Creek. The 1,000-square foot house has been there since 1972, suffering little or no damage over the years of hurricanes that hit maybe…
Read MoreView from my window: Indigenous Peoples Day, Oct. 14
Iowans will not receive mail and banks will be closed on Oct. 14, as it is a federal holiday, but Iowa is one of 10 states that recognize it not as Columbus Day, but rather, Indigenous Peoples Day. Remember….“Columbus sailed the ocean blue, in fourteen hundred and ninety-two.” In 1992, 500 years post-Columbus coming to America, Indigenous Peoples Day was…
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