The Good
Iowans should get used to the term “monoslope building,” as it may be the future of Iowa cattle feeding. The construction of the confinements, which are being built statewide, will provide open ventilation and protect livestock and manure from the rain. Cattle raisers like the idea because it limits environmental problems such as preventing run off when it rains. As a result, manure can be used for fertilizer more efficiently, and shit may no longer flow downhill.
Meet George Jetson. If the world doesn’t end in 2012, scientists say we should be able to visit outer space on vacation. The newest trend in traveling should involve zero gravity and all the Tang you can drink. The latest generation of spacecrafts — designed by private firms like Virgin Galactic, Orbital Sciences Corp., and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. — plan on transporting adventure-seeking civilians into low-Earth orbit. Travelers will be able to see the sun rise several times a day, and experience the curve of planet Earth that only NASA astronauts have encountered. If vacationers want to extend their trip, they can check in at the solar system’s first orbiting hotel, The Galactic Space Suite Hotel, set to open in three years.
The Bad
Marshall County could be putting a stop to cell phone use in their part of the state within the next year, according to officials. The county, which also passed the first in Iowa ban on stores use of non-degradable shopping bags, wants to put an end to drivers talking, texting or sending e-mails while behind the wheel. The goal is to vote by Dec. 31, but supervisors need to wait and see if the Marshalltown City Council will vote to endorse the idea. Texting while driving is a problem, but why would Marshall County want to isolate itself? Less traffic through the county means less money, and Marshall County has bigger problems to worry about than cell phones.
Some fans may speculate that Iowa’s luck ran out. Some might believe it was the Sports Illustrated jinx. One thing is for sure: the Hawkeyes came up short last weekend in a 17-10 loss to the Northwestern Wildcats. The loss dropped the Hawkeyes (9-1, 5-1) from No. 4 to No. 10 in the latest BCS rankings. Iowa also lost Ricki Stanzi to a severe ankle sprain, and redshirt quarterback James Vandenburg most likely will be under center this weekend when Iowa travels to Columbus, Ohio, to take on the No. 11 Buckeyes. With a trip to the Rose Bowl on the line, Hawkeye fans are crossing their fingers for a warm New Year’s Day celebration.
The Ugly
Way to keep your word, Mr. Governor. First Chet Culver gets called out for allegedly knowing about the film office crisis a month before he admitted he did. Now the Big Lug’s hiring freeze seems a little less than legit. Records show that during Gov. Culver’s 11-month hiring freeze, more than 750 people were newly employed, which was close to the number of state workers announced for layoffs in the Governor’s 10 percent across-the-board budget cut. Records also show that the eight highest-paid new employees make more than his $130,000 salary. Looks like certain state employees are more important than others.
A military base turned deadly last weekend when Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan allegedly opened fire at Fort Hood, Texas. Hasan fatally shot 13 and wounded 29, including Sgt. Joy Clark, a Des Moines native and 1999 Roosevelt High School alumna. Officials say that Hasan, 39, was scheduled to be deployed to Iraq and that may have played a role in the attack. Hasan is in stable condition in the intensive care unit at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. Officials are now saying that Hasan had attended the same Virginia mosque as two Sept. 11 hijackers in 2001, leaving Americans to wonder how this could happen.CV
