~a column by Colleen O’Brien A neighbor kid I knew in the 1980s, youngest of four boys and friend of my kids, grew up to earn a doctorate in psychology and become a nationally certified counselor and a marriage and family counselor. Steve, now Dr. Steven W. Nicholas, recently wrote a book on how to deal with suicides, writing in…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Our goal: becoming good ancestors
a column by Colleen O’Brien A nonprofit group called Our Children’s Trust was notified in mid-May that its case, Juliana v. U.S., would be heard on June 25, 2021. This case, brought to the courts under three administrations – in 2015, 2017 and now 2021 – claims that the U.S. Constitution protects the fundamental right to a climate system capable…
Read MoreA good – no, a great – idea gone awry
a column by Colleen O’Brien The point of war? Now and throughout history, the purpose of war has been to break the harsh rule of an invading power or of a capturing power or of a colonial power (these are the same thing). Humans have gone to war to stop a grasping power – think Hitler. Often, leaders go to…
Read MoreDear Anonymous
~a column by Colleen O’Brien The following email was sent via anonymousemail to the editor of this news source: “Dear Ms. O’Brien, “I voted tor Trump. You think you know people like me and what motivates us, but you don’t have a clue nor do you care to understand. You have your reality and nothing’s ever gonna change your mind.…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Ces Brunow in support of Early Learning Center
Dear Editor, It’s no surprise that good things continue to happen in Jefferson! Please join me and many others in support of “Growth Happens Here”, a fundraising campaign for the construction of a 9,484 square foot center dedicated to early childhood care and education. As the only nonprofit childcare program in Jefferson, the Greene County Early Learning Center has achieved…
Read MoreThe lies are killing us
~a column by Colleen O’Brien One of my favorite quotes is from Winston Churchill – “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” Many times in a long life, I’ve done this, at the time not realizing I was doing anything extraordinary, but only so much later – now, in fact – realizing that I was never giving up, I was…
Read MoreThe Capitol Roundup
~by State Sen Jesse Green May 14, 2021 Greetings friends and neighbors, I would like to start doing something different once in a while and highlight some special people I’ve had the opportunity to meet and work with. This week I am going to introduce you to a young man you’ll meet if you visit the Capitol, Sam Sampson. Sam…
Read MoreCucumber knowledge
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Years ago, I invented a salad made of cottage cheese, cucumbers and green olives. My sister named it “cuke-olive salad,” and for years it was my go-to for an afternoon snack. Growing up, my sisters and I spent late summer afternoons gathering veggies from the garden for supper. At Mom’s direction, we’d harvest: 3 tomatoes,…
Read MoreCelebrate 529 Day with state treasurer Fitzgerald
~Guest editorial from State Treasurer Michael L. Fitzgerald As the national 529 Day celebration quickly approaches on May 29, it has me reflecting on my 20-plus years as administrator of the Iowa Education Savings Plan Trust. In 1998, I launched the College Savings Iowa 529 plan to offer Iowans a tax-advantaged way to save for the growing costs of education…
Read MoreThe Capitol Roundup
~by State Sen Jesse Green May 7, 2021 Greetings friends and neighbors. We are now in overtime! Normally session would have wrapped up about a week ago. To some it is surprising we have not. All I can say is that we are at a historical time in Iowa’s history. This is the largest Republican trifecta since 1973. I do…
Read MoreThe Capitol Roundup
~by State Senator Jesse Green April 30, 2021 It is hard to believe that we are in week 16 already. It is sad that this first session is almost over. The last day for the Senate clerks at the Capitol was Thursday. It was a particularly somber moment to give my clerk Sue one last hug before we parted ways…
Read MoreHas it come to this, or has it always been this?
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Being oneself, being human, can be so wearying. The sun shines. Somewhere near, a mockingbird is pretending to be a cardinal. Good signs, happy signs. But across the way on a snag tree is an osprey screeing mournfully for her lover, and I turn sad. I’m with ya, girl. Where did he go? My Audubon…
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