~a column by Mary Weaver “That doesn’t seem fair!” “That’s not right!” “He or she wasn’t dealt a good hand.” There are times when unfair things happen. Rain doesn’t fall, the wind blows too hard. A nail is in the road, resulting in a flat tire. Sometimes we just must accept life events. When purposeful decisions are made or actions…
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Figuring it all out, not for the first time
~ a column by Colleen O’Brien The best thing about being alive — at least right now at this age when I’ve lost beloveds, friends, acquaintances, movie stars, authors, columnists — is when I have something to look forward to. It comes to this: I’m happy to learn it, eager to employ it . . . that life doesn’t have…
Read MoreHard choices and high hopes
~a column by Colleen O’Brien The July release of the controversial movie “Sound of Freedom” tells a tough story – children stolen from their lives and put to work as sex slaves. As sickening as the movie is, it is hopeful in that it tells the world that’s willing to watch it that the issue is not something we can…
Read MoreHow about a cookie?
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Wonder of wonders, the Pentagon, of all entities governmental, is releasing to the great unwashed of America some very secret secrets they’ve been keeping for decades. The secrets are interesting, titillating, really, and I am now hoping that this unusual generosity of sharing will wash over onto politicians as much as it has with the…
Read MoreView from my window
Meeting place reflections ~by Mary Weaver Does Rippey have an Uber service? Is there a bar in town? What is that tall white round building? Where is the water filling station? Those were just a few of the numerous questions posed to “local” volunteers on Tuesday, July 25, as RAGBRAI® riders came into the smallest MEETING PLACE town on the…
Read MoreSBA’s fast fraud, made to order
~by US Senator Joni Ernst, R-Iowa The Small Business Administration (SBA) is running a drive-thru for fraudsters, serving up tax dollars from COVID-19 assistance programs to career crooks, violent criminals, and even felons still behind bars to grab-and-go. The agency cut billions of dollars of checks to almost anyone who asked, in any amount requested, without even doing simple background checks…
Read More“Iowa, Freedom to Flourish” – J. Brunow
To the editor, The recently announced Iowa slogan is a BAD joke following the 2023 legislative session. In 2023 the Republican legislature and Republican governor took away Iowans’ freedoms. Here are three examples: Womens’ ability to be free to make their own health decisions. HF 732 Parents’ ability to choose how to help their children manage health decisions. SF 482 Victims’ ability to…
Read MoreView from my window
Carrie Chapman Catt, Iowa’s suffragist ~a column by Mary Weaver Yes, I was sorry the vote regarding the outcome for lack of abortion availability for Iowa women, but I was not surprised. I completed my civic responsibilities by informing my legislator, Representative Thompson (remember my physical address is in Boone County) and Senator Green of my opinion. I will not…
Read MoreOne farmer’s view of solar – A vote yes for National Grid Renewables
To the board of adjustment, In May, at the first NGR hearing, we heard from several people who said, “We just shouldn’t take good farmland out of production”. Others complained that the energy produced might be exported to other states – or that their own view and their quality of life might be harmed. I’ve thought a lot about that…
Read MoreProtect our liberties
To the editor, When Iowans look at our state flag we see the motto, “Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain”. This is something every Iowan has seen, read, and heard from the time they were in elementary school until adulthood. But it seems that the Iowa GOP has forgotten what this means. MAGA Republicans in our…
Read MoreThe view from my window
Crisis: Long term care facilities ~a column by Mary Weaver I was alarmed this week when my longtime friend who resides in a nursing home in eastern Iowa called and told me there were no nurse’s aides at the facility. There was an older (above age 80) registered nurse and an LPN to care for 32 residents. My friend is…
Read MoreIn support of NGR’s Grand Junction Solar project
Note: The following letter was submitted for consideration by the county board of adjustment in advance of the July 6 public hearing on a conditional use permit that would allow construction of a utility-scale solar electric power generation facility south of Grand Junction. The letter is a public document and posted here with the permission of the writer, Tom Wind.…
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