More school is the only way to compete globally

Gov. Tom Vilsack's idea to have an expanded school year is big thinking at its best. It should be his swan song. And although he has no idea what a so-called longer year might look like, says it's up to legislators to take the ball and run with it and says he doesn't have all the answers, he's sure asked one hell of a question: How are our children going to compete globally when nations around the world are promoting educational systems that make ours inferior? >> more

Successful meth bill 'everyone's' idea

The anti-meth bill that Gov. Tom Vilsack signed was part of his administration's policy on dealing with what was slowly but surely becoming Iowa's biggest health issue. Yet, despite the amount of infighting that took place this past winter at the statehouse over how the bill would look, it seems like everyone and their mother is taking credit for Iowa's overnight-success story when it comes to battling the scourge. "The best one is Chris Rants," said a top Democrat, who helped law enforcement and Attorney General Tom Miller help Vilsack with the push for the tightest restrictions in the country. "He sent out his newsletter that read, 'Our anti-meth bill was a common-sense solution that punished those in society who wish to harm others and themselves with this awful, disgusting drug.' Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the same guy who fought the governor on limiting the amount of pseudoephedrine you can buy because he's such a huge allergy sufferer (Rants also has had his share of large checks from pseudoephedrine manufacturers and grocery store and convenience stores)? Just goes to show you, a really good idea belongs to everybody." >> more

By Jim Duncan
CVFDude@aol.com

It's tempting to describe the closing of Younkers Tea Room with Margaret Mitchell clichŽs: the end of an era; the passing of a way of life; etc. Frankly though, Joni Mitchell better explains the last days of the grand old downtown ballroom: "Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you got till it's gone?" >> more

By Michael Swanger
michael@dmcityview.com

Next to stuffing our face with fried foods and watching the parade of circus freaks along the Midway, we Iowans like to take in a free concert or two at the Iowa State Fair. It appeals to our frugal nature, you might say. But as many of you already know, free music isn't always quality music. So before you invest a few hours of your time listening to some has-been or never-was plod his or her way through another hair-pulling rendition of "I Will Always Love You" or "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll," we thought we'd give you the lowdown on which acts you may or may not want to see. >>more