Rant and Rave is provided as a place for our readers to express views and opinions. Full name, email addresses and phone number are required and may be used for verification, but the information will not be published. Selected rants may be chosen to run in the print edition. Keep comments brief, to the point and related to current news. Blatant advertising or endorsements will not be posted. Inappropriate, libelous or slanderous comments will be withheld or edited as we, and only we, see fit.

Current Topics & Comments

515 Alive Festival
I had a great time at 515 Alive Sat. night. But I'm bummed that I can't find a single review of the event. I truly hope the festival found a time in the Village. It seemed like a perfect fit and everyone looked like they were having a fab time.

Royal Mile/Red Monk
The happy hour at The Royal Mile on Saturdays and Sundays is one of the best in town. Great article and a great bar.

My favorite, Sarah Palin
I would definitely vote for Sarah Palin as President and Mike Pence as Vice President. These two teamed together will get the dang job done right. Everyone else is useless.

Healthcare Reform
Democrats, and Tom Harkin in particular, have been spreading the word that Republicans are trying to create "Mob" opposition, and other such statements to healthcare with scare tactics. Well, I have not had one letter, e-mail, or other form of communication from anyone, Republican or otherwise, asking me to attend anything. Well, that is, until today, I received an e-mail from Barack Obama suggesting I make a call to Grassley 's office to let him know I'm in favor of "insurance reform" (as opposed to healthcare reform??) and they'll be happy to provide any materials I need to make the call. Thanks, I may call on Senator Grassley...but it will be to thank him for trying to protect the good health care that Americans already have!

beer vs. wine
Really Cityview? this is a cover story? let me synopsize the content for the reader: Beer vs. Wine, who gives a shit.

Healthcare
Sen. Grassley's solution of getting heathcare to Americans is, "You need to get a job like mine." Watch and see how much he owes the insurance companies EVERYTHING, blood and skin included.

Ankeny Bond Issue
Vote No on September 8. The Ankeny School Board wants more money to build a new elementary school. What the board doesn't want you to know is that the one-cent levy provided enough money for the elementary school, but the board used the money irresponsibly when they decided to spend the money on a second high school. The board now has a history for promising to use earmarked money for projects they never intend to deliver. What will be the next "emergency" that will come up to divert these funds? If this bond issure passes, Ankeny will have maxed out its bond capacity and will quickly need to ask to raise property taxes. Let's all say "No" to the bond issue. Go to www.responsibleforankeny.com to learn more.

Civic Skinny
Regarding the Spanish translation of "Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge": How can the State of Iowa web page be linked to a translation service? Isn't Iowa an English-only state? [That is meant to be read in as snarky a tone as Civic Skinny is generally written.]

Draft Libby Jacobs for Governor
Instead of a Rants-Jacobs ticket, how about putting Libby Jacobs at the top o the ticket? She's smart, creative, well-connected and would attract independents and Democrats. Jacobs is the "Bob Ray Republican" moderates have been looking for. She's smarter than Culver and his the temperament for the governorship. Run Libby Run.

Civic Skinny
I really appreciate the Skinny every week. Thank you.

Casino gambling is increasingly entwined with issues of political power
The fervor for gambling is entering more pervasively into the fabric of our society. Casino gambling is increasingly entwined with issues of political power. Casino executives and their political action committees contributed well over $400,000 to legislative and state executive candidates in the previous two years (2007 and 2008). When state legislators or elected executives take generous contributions from the casino industry it serves one purpose: to encourage them to support and vote for their agendas. Sizable campaign contributions ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 have gone directly into the coffers of many state elected officials. Only the naive voter would believe that kind of contribution was due to a long lasting friendship or some type of mutual shared interest. ItÕs imperative that we put a limit on the size of campaign contributions for state legislators and elected executives during the next legislative session in 2010.

Casinos do not provide real economic growth
Destination casinos built by Dan Kehl (Riverside Casino & Golf Resort) create their own economies, luring their clientele with the prospects of big jackpots while providing all the creature comforts they need right on site. The new destination casinos provide hotel rooms, gourmet dining, spas, gift shops, convention centers, golf courses and other amenities designed to keep guests from leaving the premises, rather than visiting the local merchants. In addition, destination casinos drain host towns with the need for government services ranging from law enforcement and local water and sewer service to road maintenance. In reference to the $90 Million casino proposed in Lyon County, Dan Kehl was quoted in July, 2008 as saying, "This casino will be a true destination resort". New destination casinos built by Dan Kehl and other casino proprietors do not boost main street economic growth. They cannibalize local businesses.

New casinos would simply reallocate consumers and revenues
The zeal for gambling is entering more invasively into the fabric of our society. Iowa casinos do not generate high paying jobs and will not replace the good paying manufacturing jobs lost in the state over the last several years. With the economy in a severe recession, there is far less available in discretionary spending. We should not build new gambling venues merely to balance our local or state budgets. The construction of new casinos in Iowa would simply reallocate existing casino consumers and revenues. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission should oppose the further expansion of gambling in Iowa.

Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission should oppose the expansion of gambling
Has Iowa reached a saturation point in the number of gambling venues in the state? At present, the State of Iowa has 17 state licensed casinos plus three Native American casinos. The 20 gambling destinations have well over 21,000 slot machines, 600 table games and three live racing locations. In 2008, the 1-800-BETS-OFF helpline received over 8,600 calls for individuals, families and concerned persons affected by problem gambling. This is an increase of nearly 20% from 2007. Since 2003, the Bets Off helpline calls increased over 75 percent (4,900 ö 8,600). This summer, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will deliberate whether to approve new casino gambling licenses in five Iowa counties. It would be wise for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to oppose the expansion of gambling in Iowa and reinstate a moratorium rule on new gambling licenses.

Claims by the IowaÕs casino industry are false and misleading
The casino industry claims their gaming revenue would be driven down over 20% if Iowa casino gaming floors became smoke free. These claims by the Iowa Gaming Association and representatives of IowaÕs casino industry are false and misleading. The bordering states of Minnesota, Illinois and South Dakota currently have smoke free casinos. Nebraska is a smoke free state with no state licensed casinos. Wisconsin recently passed smoke free legislation on May 18, 2009, and all their state licensed casinos will become smoke free on July 5, 2010. Missouri is the only state bordering Iowa with state licensed casinos that has not enacted smoke free legislation. In addition, just one Missouri casino is located within 70 miles of the Iowa border. Smoking bans are hard to avoid, and Iowa casinos are the last bastions for public smoking. They are the Alamo of smokers. If Iowa legislators refuse to ban smoking on casino gaming floors, we must confront an industry so afraid of change it is willing to risk the health of its employees and patrons.

Civic Skinny (6/18) re Jackie Norris
John Norris's nom by Prez Obama to the Fed. Energy Regulatory Comm. was definately NOT a 'gimme' in trade for his wife being booted from the East Wing. No-no - if you want to slot it in that category, at least get the 'getter' right, and that would be MidAmerican Energy. See, John had only one job he was after in the new administration, and that was with FERC - a relatively cushy, M-F job with lots of meetings and home for dinner. After all, what better place to continue to carry water for his 'team', MidAmerican, for whom he had loyally tilted as many of the Iowa Energy Commission's decisions as he could when he ran it, a job he did get as a big 'gimme' from Vilsack, after Kerry lost in 2004. The USDA job was just a favor to Vilsack.

Wise Cityview
Thank you so much for giving space to John Hicks common sense column. It makes your choice of 2nd letter in a row from Jackie Fleming easier to choke on.

We must have a public examination of the impact of gambling
The fervor for gambling is entering more pervasively into the fabric of our society. We must remember the words of George Washington, our first President of the United States of America who said, "In a word, few gain by this abominable practice (gambling) while thousands are injured." Casino gambling is increasingly entwined with issues of political power. We must have a public examination of the impact of gambling upon society.

Contributions have brought direct access and influence into the halls of state government
Iowa casino executives, senior management, and their political action committees contributed over $350,000.00 to state legislative candidates and Governor Chet Culver in the previous two years (2007 & 2008). Their offerings have brought direct access and influence into the halls of state government. State legislators failed to act on proposed legislation during the last session that would have banned all smoking on gaming floors in IowaÕs 17 state licensed casinos. In addition, legislators failed to act on legislation imposing a moratorium on issuance of all new casino gaming licenses. Do our elected officials represent the citizens of Iowa or do they represent big money special interests like the gambling lobby?

Iowa Casino Industry has reached a saturation point
Has Iowa reached a saturation point in the number of gambling facilities in the state? At present, the state of Iowa has 17 state licensed casinos plus three Native American casinos. The 20 gambling destinations have well over 21,000 slot machines, 550 table games and three live racing venues (racehorses and greyhound dogs). In addition, gamblers purchased $250 million dollars in state lottery products (Powerball tickets, instant-scratch and pull-tab games) in fiscal year 2008. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will deliberate whether to approve new casino gambling licenses in five Iowa counties this summer (Lyon, Webster, Wapello, Franklin and Tama). It would be judicious for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to oppose the expansion of gambling in Iowa and reinstate a moratorium rule on new gambling licenses.

Iowans oppose the expansion of gambling
In 2004, Dallas, Warren and Madison Counties voted no on casino gambling. In 2006, state legislators overwhelming supported the ban of more than 6,500 lottery TouchPlay machines statewide. In the last three years, Buena Vista (2006), Cherokee (2007) and Jasper Counties (2008) overwhelmingly opposed casino gambling by wide margins (over 61 percent voting no). The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission should oppose the further expansion of gambling in Iowa and reinstate a moratorium rule on new gambling licenses.

The Faces of Gambling
Gambling is theft and deception. It's manipulative and it diminishes us all. How are the social misfortune and ruinous outcomes that casinos create worth the capital they pull in? I challenge our local politicians to take an outing to a casino and spend a couple of hours watching the faces, finding out about the lives behind the faces and then explain to me how any amount of money is worth that kind of predatory revenue raising.

KehlÕs false economic model
Dan KehlÕs slick, pro-gambling campaigns wagered in Webster and Washington County in 2004 and Lyon County in 2008 included bombarding local residents with glossy promotional materials and hiring armies of paid canvassers to press their friends and family members to support gambling referendums. In the 2004 Washington County gambling referendum, Dan Kehl violated state ethics rules that required a full accounting of expenditures and contributions five days prior to the election. The Iowa Ethics and Campaign Board later reprimanded the Kehl-backed group for a breach of ethics. After the referendum passed in Washington County, the next step was to determine how the casino would get its local water and sewer service. Casino representatives initially promised that there would be no cost to the city for such services. Then, the Kehl group wanted the city of Riverside to assume responsibility for a new $10 million water and sewer system required by the development. As a result, Washington County had to use its bonding capacity so that Riverside could borrow over $9 million needed for the project. Destination casinos like the one owned by Dan Kehl in Riverside provide hotel rooms, restaurants, a golf course and other amenities designed to keep guests from leaving the premises, rather than visiting the local downtown area. New casinos built by Dan Kehl and other casino proprietors do not boost small town economic growth but cannibalize local businesses. The more people lose, the more Dan Kehl and others like him make. That is the true economic model of Dan Kehl.

Wise Cityview
Thank you so much for giving space to John Hicks common sense column. It makes your choice of 2nd letter in a row from Jackie Fleming easier to choke on.

Civic Skinny
I have a feeling that the gender-balance bill may create problems in some rural areas, where finding enough people willing to serve on committees can be a real challenge. I hope I'm wrong. I'd be interested in a Civic Skinny review, in a couple of years, of how this new law is working out, not only in the Des Moines area but also in places like Decatur County.

Gil Cranberg's essay was a good one. Thanks for publishing it.
I am most willing to pay for good local news. There are many online sources for national and international news, but not local news, so I subscribe to my local paper. The REGISTER lost me (after 30 years of subscribing) when it became a Des Moines paper instead of a regional and state paper, and when Gannett turned it into what it has become. It might help if there were some easy way for readers to pay for only the kinds of news they want. I'd pay for good Statehouse coverage, for example, but not for touching human interest stories. And Cranberg is right - I'd like to know more about how newspapers spend their money.

Stop treating casino employees like second-class citizens
The health implications of second hand smoke in Iowa's 17 licensed casinos demand immediate action of our legislative leaders and Governor Chet Culver. It's imperative that we protect all employees from second hand smoke in their workplace. If casinos in Iowa refuse to ban smoking on casino gaming floors, the state should stand up and take immediate action. We must engage in battle with an industry so afraid of change it is willing to risk the health of its employees and patrons. Casino proprietors are on the wrong side of this issue and they know it. It's time for our elected leaders to choose the health of each and every worker over politics as usual. Let's stop treating casino employees like second-class citizens.

Iowa communities with casino gambling have seen bankruptcy rates soar
Fifteen Iowa counties with casino gambling have seen bankruptcy rates soar by 66 percent over the prior three years. Bankruptcy rates in Clarke, Clayton, Des Moines, Tama and Washington counties have increased by 100% or more in the preceding three years. In larger populated counties such as Polk, Woodbury and Pottawattamie and bankruptcy rates have increased from 69 - 73 percent during the same period.

I challenge our local politicians to examine the impact of gambling
The zeal for gambling is becoming more pervasive in our society. Casino gambling is increasingly entangled with issues of political power. The State of Iowa is in the midst of a severe economic recession. Iowa casinos do not create high paying jobs and will not replace the good paying manufacturing jobs lost in the state over the last several years. We should not build new gambling venues merely to balance our local or state budgets. I challenge our local politicians to examine the impact of gambling on those people who can least afford to throw away their hard earned money and on the political process itself.

Art Dude/Local artists
You've done a great job of telling the local story of these artists. You put it all together so others can tell it. Your a great service to the community and to the artists. I laud the Moberg's for investing in the Des Moines Art Community.

Iowa counties with casino gambling have seen bankruptcy rates increase
Fifteen Iowa counties with casino gambling have seen bankruptcy rates increase by 66 percent over the preceding three years (2006-2008). Bankruptcy rates in Clarke, Clayton, Des Moines and Washington counties have increased over 100% in the previous three years. Larger populated counties such as Polk, Woodbury and Pottawattamie have increased by 69 percent - 72 percent during the period reported.

We must have a public examination of the impact of gambling
The fervor for gambling is entering more pervasively into the fabric of our society. Casino gambling is increasingly entwined with issues of political power. We must have a public examination of the impact of gambling upon those people who can least afford to lose money and upon the political process itself.

Cityview Homes
The tips on page 59 for a lawn "that's good to the Earth" are good tips if one is going to have a lawn. But many lawns aren't much better than concrete when it comes to absorbing and cleaning water. There are good reasons why towns and cities are being urged by conservation agencies and organizations to use more native landscaping and rain gardens, not bigger lawns, to reduce water pollution and flooding. And the right kinds of native landscaping are also far better than lawns for water conservation in the summer, not to mention air quality if power equipment is used for lawn mowing and trimming. The Scotts Company may not want to hear it, but converting more lawn to native landscaping is one way of being "good to the Earth."

No surprise - Lyon County Casino?
comments: It's no surprise that GVA Marquette Advisors pointed to Lyon County as the only market where additional gaming seemed feasible. Why? Dan Kehl (CEO Riverside Casino) spent nearly $300,000.00 to pass a casino gambling referendum last September.

Applaud Mayor Cownie for opposing the expansion of gambling
I applaud Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie for opposing the expansion of gambling in Des Moines or central Iowa. I agree with Mayor Cownie that we should not use gambling dollars to balance local or state budgets. With the economy in a serious recession, there is far less in discretionary spending. The construction of a new casino in central Iowa would merely redistribute existing casino consumers, which would simply redistribute existing revenues.

New casinos would simply redistribute existing revenues
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission should oppose the further expansion of gambling in Iowa. With the economy in a serious recession, there is far less available in discretionary spending. Iowa casinos do not create high paying jobs and will not replace the good paying manufacturing jobs lost in the state over the last several years. The construction of a new casino in central Iowa would merely redistribute existing casino consumers, which would simply redistribute existing revenues.

Ashton Kutcher
Unbelievable....what DOES it take to help people see??? EVERY politician is bought and paid for. Even if it is only to the point of modifying your postion due to "party politics", which of course is always monry related as well. I consider myself an IA native having graduated from Sigourney HS and having recieved an undergrad degree from Iowa. From what Im seeing now, this country is no longer (if it ever really was) governed by law. Money is the governing substance, "the haves" have always known that (I am sure you do to). If Kutcher is to be of any use at all he has to stay AWAY from politics and move things from the outside.

MRSA: The other epidemic by Jim Duncan
"Don't Forget to Wash Those Hands!" Jim Duncan's recent, brilliant article on MRSA included terrifying and important information. Cudos to you for recognizing this and sharing it with your readership. As an RN, and 2 days out of a week's hospital stay with severe pneumonia and MRSA, I have been most interested in this fairly misunderstood bacteria. The most I was able to gather was that MRSA is transmitted by contact, not airborne, and that the "Universal Precaution" of hand washing remains best defense for most everything lurking out there. By the way, singing happy birthday to one's self (or others) is the ammount of time necessary to wash hands effectively.) One has to be quite ill in order to become ill from MRSA.

MRSA
Thanks for the article on MRSA. I know two people who had it and recovered, and it's frightening. I also talked with a doctor who said he's disturbed by how many of his elderly patients are getting it. More attention needs to be paid, and more research needs to be done.

Cityview Music Calendar
Please understand I am not absolving my responsibility as a grown-up, but when I have relied on the accuracy of the Cityview concert listings in the past, I was never misled. Twice in the past few months I have ventured out to a local venue, only to find it was not the artist I had seen advertised - my sole reason for heading to the venue. Yes, I should have contacted the venues to confirm, but here's my point - you were consistently accurate before and now you are not. PLEASE - Des Mones needs an accurate and up to date calendar listng for live music. Heaven knows The Datebook is not it and you have always been the standard-bearer. Please raise the bar back to the level you set for the community and your readers!

Positively Pork
I appreciate the honest look at the nature of modern pork's "enhanced" characteristic in our supermarkets. Today's lean pork is harder to cook without making the entree tough and dry. But pure pork does not have to be injected with "solution" in order to enhance the cookability of the meat. Consumers need to look at local farmer-owned companies like Eden Farms to find pork that cooks well and tastes even better than anything else on the market. Eden Farm's berkshire pork is raised naturally and it's 300 year old genetic traits result in a meat product with smaller muscle fibers that trap in natural moisture and make it easy to grill or bake without overcooking. My grill couldn't even ruin it! Ask your grocer to carry Eden Farms.

Civic Skinny
You guys rock with Skinny. Lobbists are the best democracy money can buy. Thanks for the enlightenment.

Kent Carlson
What exactly is the matter with Kent Carlson? Did he stroke out? His last commentary was absolute drivel. Yes, we should be upset with the gay marriage verdict and the legislators who vow to protect it because it will make our state the center of a media storm. Civil rights are stupid anyway, right Kent.

The horse racing industry has outlived its usefulness
The State of Iowa is in the midst of a severe economic recession. State and local tax revenues are appreciably down. Why should Prairie Meadows continue to subsidize the horse racing industry? Local charitable organizations could use the $23 million dollars paid out to the horse racing industry in 2008. Without slot operations at Prairie Meadows, the doors to the racetrack would have closed over ten years ago. The horse racing industry has outlived its usefulness and itÕs time for the horse owners and breeders to pack it in.

tea party
Idiots. Where were your protests when Bush sent our country from the black into the red red red with his military spending on an illegal war and his actions to further enrich the world's wealthiest corporate moguls? That's where your tax dollars flew.

"Thrilla in Manila"
There is something to consider and perhaps add some forgiveness to Frazier for his continued animosity towards Ali. During his 3+ year ban from boxing, the result of refusing induction into the Armed Sevices, Ali was nearly broke and in bad financial shape. Frazier was heavy weight champion at the time and helped Ali financially. Frazier's anger stems from more than words spoken in pre-fight bally-hoo. Frazier felt betrayed by someone he considered a friend.

Locker Room/Granny B'Ball
Great job, Matt Miller! I hadn't heard of this in Iowas. Thanks for telling this story!

city of apes
I think this is an irresponsible joke in entirely poor taste, especially given the recent incidents involving escapes that led to the tragic killing of several chimps. Naming the Great Ape Trust and claiming it has had escapes can have serious implications if it's not understood to be a joke, as some of the comments already show to be the case, especially when you make light of using lethal force on them. Considering that the apes of The Trust are among some of the most endangered species on the planet, and that they are involved in research that is working for the benefit of human beings, the last thing we need is to promote misunderstanding and encourage concerned citizens to start patrolling, guns loaded, in search of 'escaped' apes.[Editor's Note: The reports came from the Grape Ape Trust]

City of the Apes
Good job on the article! But lets wait for them to do this in California first. Heck Clyde makes more money then do! Good April Fools joke.

City of the Apes
Ouch! Before checking out the web site I told my entire family about this article. I believed the story and insisted that it was true. We all believed it. But seriously, Could this really happen? I believe anything is possible. It could be benificial is many ways. But in the the mean time, I just wait paciently here in my cage.

april fool
Hey CV, it really ruins the joke when you put "April Fools" at the end of the articles. As an independent newspaper, isnt it kinda your JOB to get people riled up?? Lame. Speaking of which, since you are obviously striving to be the underwhelming bastion of journalistic content that JUICE is, dont forget to list the age of people featured in the "nightlife" section. Seriously, did the Register buy you guys or what??!

April Fool issue
HAHAHA! Very funny, folks! When I saw "heals" instead of "heels" and "not" instead of "naught," I just knew you wild and crazy people were misusing the English language on purpose, just to be amusing. Right?

Drug users have my pity - March 26
I would like to revisit Steve PaytonÕs sanctimonious monologue (Drug users have my pity, March 26) about God and Country. Judeo-Christians donÕt own morality. Please do not convey to the rest of the world that we do. Your condemnation is very un-Christ like. WWJD? YHWH also doesnÕt approve of lying and pork and coveting and shellfish and piety. Your Òevil spiritÓ hypothesis is antithetic to countless cultures and civilizations. Some 16-yr old could turn a trick faster than breaking out a car window. LetÕs re-examine our priorities. Allah gave you a mind with infinite capacity for intellect; both emotional and spiritual. Pray we are all courageous enough to live up to His expectations. Who wants to discuss the following passage? ÒTruly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.Ó Ð Matthew 18:18

City of the Apes
Please tell me this story was an April Fools joke. Releasing apes into our society is the most rediculous thing I've ever heard. What "brilliant" person came up with this idea? Apes are not humans and if we try to treat them as such, we will just be asking for trouble.

Casino gambling impacts personal bankruptcy rates
Adding new casino gambling to a local economy results in increasing personal bankruptcy rates over time. Increasing density of casino gaming operations also impacts the rate of personal bankruptcy in a community. Has Iowa reached a saturation point in the number of gambling facilities in the state? At present, the state of Iowa has 17 state licensed casinos plus three Native American casinos. The 20 gambling destinations have well over 21,000 slot machines and three live racing venues. The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will deliberate whether to approve new casino gambling licenses in five Iowa counties this summer. According to a contemporary research study completed in 2005 by professors Ernie Goss and Edward Morse of Creighton University, there is a statistically significant and positive correlation between the introduction of legalized casinos in a county and individual bankruptcy rates. Based on recent casino gambling research coupled with the severe state economic recession it would be wise for the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission to reinstate a moratorium rule on new gambling licenses.

Mediacom
"Giving back to the community" Mediacom is preparing to delete the TV Channel from its Expanded and Family packages. I've concluded this is being done to force subscribers into upgrading to the more expensive digital package. Mediacom has suggested subscribers use their website and the newspaper to learn "what's on now". Sad alternatives. The Register's TV listings are abbreviated and uniformative. And not everyone has access to a computer. Mediacom has many subscribers who are disabled and/or maxxed-out financially. The TV Guide channel can't be that big of a drain on Mediacom's bottom line. Its sad that, during these tough economic times, they would remove something so vital for the comfort and convenience of many.

The New Age of Video Games
Mr. Miller forgot probably one of the best known consoles that in it's life sold 30 million units. As successful as the stand alone game of pong was Atari became more famous for the Atari 2600. The unit was released in 1977 and retired in 1992. With over 900 playable games this console revivals even the NES with close to 800.

I challenge our local politicians
Gambling is theft and deception. It's manipulative, itÕs acidic and it diminishes us all. How are the social misery and ruinous outcomes that casinos create worth the capital they pull in? I challenge our local politicians to take an excursion to a casino and spend a couple of hours watching the faces, finding out about the lives behind the faces and then explain to me how any amount of money is worth that kind of scornful revenue raising.

A Nation Going Down?
It's frightening to see what is happening to this great nation. Election after election, we encourage people to get out and vote. But it seems that this past year, we had way too many people voting who don't understand anything about our Nation and its Laws. We have a US Congress that has gone absolutely wild with spending... we're facing a $2 TRILLION debt this year for the Nation. In Iowa, our brilliant Gov. Culver has allowed spending to increase 20 percent, and they have a budget that has to be cut because of their planned spending. In the case of the US, who holds the debt? I.E. from whom do we borrow money? China, is the biggest carrier of our debt. When we're broke and can't pay the debt? Will China own us? Dumb voters!

Grassley
Grassleys comment on the AIG executives committing Sepuku is really funny, though it would deny the masses of entertainment. Gladiator games might be more fashionable, they could call it Dancing with the Gladiators.

hog smell/Iowa politics
The most amusing thing about Harkin's earmark for hog-smell research hasn't even been mentioned in the media. It's the way Harkin's heart-rending description of the horrors of hog odor directly contradicts the official line of both the Governor's office and most of the Iowa Legislature. Down at the State Capitol, there is general cheery agreement that current state hog regulations are working really well and changes aren't needed. Smell? What smell?

State of Cityview
When did Juice start doing a better job than Cityview? More importantly, when did they start doing the same job? Your paper is soooo bad anymore. You're trying to be Juice and actually doing a terrible job of it.

Open Letter to Young People
Thank you, Reed. Your life has value. Even all 'the years that the locust has eaten'. Each moment has value and is able to be redeemed. This letter, along with the work you did while in prison, is proof of that! Please keep writing.

Dangerous Used Car Dealer
Big Guy Auto Sales on SE 14th sold my son a car with busted breaks, broken distributor, and obvious flood damage. My son could've died or even killed others simply driving this dangerous car off the lot. They claimed they gave a great deal by deducting $200 off the price so we offered them to take it back for $200 less than we paid, they declined. LOL!

Smoking Ban
There was no reason to include bars in the ban. People make their own decisions on where they go and where they work. Apparently non-smoking employees of casinos aren't entitled to the same consideration as bar employees. What a colossal farce!

best of lunch under $5 tasty tacos
Ok Cityview, I guess I don't understand why the best lunch under $5 is Tasty Tacos. Yes, their flour tacos are pretty good but their chicken "burrito" is just cheese and those pre-cooked half processed peppery flavored chicken strips you can buy in a package at Hy-Vee in the Bologna section!! I promise you I could find a better lunch for under $5 in this city.

Reed Prior
Kudos to Reed Prior and his family. The average person who has been swallowed up by the drug world does not have a family or an attorney who cares enough to write relentless letters and pursue every avenue available requesting that the one time junkie return into their lives. Mr. Prior has indeed been blessed in many ways. Here's hoping that he will live up to the expectations of those who have fought so hard for his release. He has a strong important message that can help many who are willing to listen. Good Luck Reed Prior!!!

Smoking
The Republicans always comment about less government in peoples lives when it comes to the smoking ban. Then why do they turn around and want to intrude in the lives of people who want abortions or same-sex couples who want to marry? This double standard is ridiculous. As for the story, I live in a small town and it has not made a huge impact on our "culture". What it has done is made it tolerable to now eat in our town dining/bar. The owner of the bar (who is a smoker) is for this ban. Now we can enjoy eating or drinking without inhaling second hand smoke. People just need to accept this change and get over it. Things in life change- and in the long run this will be better for everyone.

reed prior
I knew Reed in High School, I was not a personal freind of his but his father was my high school football coach, I always admired him and his entire family, in my eyes they were truely blessed. When Reed was arrested, at first I was sad for him, then i was angry with him for what he did to his family, this event took its toll on them, then i was sad for him again, because Reed did throw his life away. With his talent, charm and brains he could have realy made a difference somewhere in the world. Reed now that your out, its not too late to take advantage of the second chance, I am so sorry your got delt such a harsh sentence but Meth has ruined many lives not just yours. It is good to have you home, i prey for you and your families happiness.

Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino 20th Anniversary
Gambling is theft and deception. It's manipulative, itÕs acidic and it diminishes us all. How are the social misery and ruinous outcomes that casinos create worth the capital they pull in? I challenge our local politicians to take an excursion to a casino and spend a couple of hours watching the faces, finding out about the lives behind the faces and then explain to me how any amount of money is worth that kind of scornful revenue raising.

Reed Prior
Reed Prior can write and has a lot to say from a very non-traditional point-of-view. One friend reading his story called it "the anti-Juice" meaning (I asked) that both his ethos and his style of delivery are devoid of the "me, me,me" angst that prevails at that other publication. There are a number of under 35 year old readers who care about something more than their personal relationships and where to party this weekend, and with whom. I think they would love to hear more of Prior's voice, perhaps CV can publish another Prior story after he's observed life on the outside for a few months.

words
Your writers are generally good, sometimes very good. But one of them needs to learn about "phase" and "faze." Two different meanings, two different spellings.

Transparency in Govt
Obama campaigned with promises of transparency. Yet, much of what he does is done without public discussion, knowledge, or participation. His current project of socializing this country is done quietly, but not with transparence. Likewise the democrats, now in control at the federal level, continue their work in the "dark". This past week a bill was introduced in the House to allow free travel to Cuba, and restricting the president from regulating such travel unless there is an armed conflict. Anyone hear public discussion of this Bill? Why no public discussion of this? When the Castro government is "fading"...is it a good time to give them the fuel to continue their communistic government? Where's the transparency?

President Bush
"President George W. Bush was not the worst president in history." Uh, yeah he was. He was the least intelligent,least pragmatic, and least curious man ever to hold this office. God forbid we raise any more of our children like that!!!

Bailout/Banks Antics
A recent issue of D.M. Daily Business Record reported that several banks, including Wells Fargo, Waschovia, Bank of America and a few others were being investigated for taking insurance out on some of their employees, and listing themselves as beneficiary. It didn't indicate in which cities these banks are located. But also reported is that Wells Fargo received $25 BILLION in bailout funds. Where are the ethics of our banks, insurance companies, and ot her large corporations. Wow...if I had a mom or dad working for one of those banks...and anything happened to them, I'd turn first to the bank uf there was any foul play and insist on an autopsy on the medical side of it.

winter weather editorial
Psssst! Here's a bizarre secret Ñ some of us Iowans actually LOVE our cold snowy winters and wouldn't mind at all if there were more cold and more snow. We don't talk about our mental aberration much, partly because we're frequently informed by many Iowa media people that the only good weather is 70 F and sunny, and that anything else is a reason to complain. But we winter-lovers are out there, whispering to each other about how beautiful the ice is, how much we enjoy seeing animal tracks in the snow, how much fun it is to feed visiting winter birds, etc. And some of us (GASP!) also like Iowa's hot humid summers. But I'll stop now, lest I blow your minds completely. Weird, eh?

Jackie Norris
What's so sad about this story is that Jackie Norris is actually one of the worst teachers that I have every had and that my high school had ever had. As a government teacher, Mrs. Norris never actually gave two sides of the story and would actually insult the students that didn't agree with her point of view. I feel terrible that she is apart of our government now, and it makes me dislike the Obama's that much more in running our country.

Commentary by Herb Strentz
If retirement did for everyone what it has done for Herb Strentz...I encourage more to retire! He just wrote his best column ever on the City Council of Des Moines. Couldn't be better. Des Moines is blessed with a Council that can't think further than "will I get re-elected" or "will I be able to afford to run again?" They don't think beyond themselves and their own self-interests. I think it's fair to blanket the entire DM Council thusly.

"The Real McCaughey's"
Civic Skinny poses the question: "Who's home in Norwalk with the kids?" while Kenny and Bobbi are in Dubuque lecturing on parenting skills. The answer is no one, of course! The McCaugheys live in Carlisle. I doubt very much if they would give up their $300,000 free home. As the British would say, "Bad form Skinny, do your research."

The Skinny
It is interesting to me that a reporter from the Register is given credit for a story he obviously missed the first time Janece Valentine was in the top three. To my knowledge, he was fed this story by an anonymous source. Valentine, also a Republican, would have been a great candidate for the judge position. If everyone in office were removed from their position for making a horrible mistake that they truly regret, we might see some empty seats. I would hope our Governor picked the best candidate and it had nothing to do with a story that only spoke of one night of a person's life and not a lifetime of dedication to a career. What she did was wrong and she paid the price. Now to be fair, get to know her, not a police report.

GoodBadUgly
I wish your staff had done a little investigating before deciding to target Dallas Academy for your satire. I'm not interested in sports, but I was interested when I saw a national TV news story about how Dallas Academy is for girls with academic and behavioral disabilities. Yes, they don't play well, but they try very hard, and on TV, they came across as nice kids. And the coach at Covenant, that private Christian school whose team ran up the score 100-0, has now been fired. There's an ugly in your story, but it's not Dallas Academy. If I were you, I'd apologize.

Register's furloughing employees
The Register is following the same rough road that Culver has taken, i.e., they have furloughed employees for one week, without pay. But Union employees are not included. This seems very discriminatory, and should not be permitted. Certainly leaves me with a bad taste so far as Unions are concerned. A bit un-American on their part to let other non-union employees be without pay, yet their people continue to work and be paid. Noticed in an article recently that a Rept. from California is asking for bailouts for newspapers. Lord help us if that comes about... Gannett will be one of the first in line with their collective hand out!

End of an Era
Here is to the last days of DUMB(Bush) and Mr. TRICKY(Cheney) Goodbye, good riddance, and I hope that someday you will be held accountable either here on earth or in hell where you belong. You talk about good and evil... look in the mirror fellas, you are evil.

Franken staff editorial
Please tell me your sorry excuse for an editorial on likely-Senator Al Franken was a sad attempt at satire. Franken proved himself a knowledgeable candidate who ran a serious, issue based challenge against an incumbent unable to win on an embarrassing record. He has written multiple books on American politics, hosted a political radio show and, yes, he was an accomplished comedian. Cityview faults Franken for quitting SNL when he became displeased with management and quitting AirAmerica when he decided to run for Senate. This hardly makes his political career "just another joke." Perhaps his opponent would have fared better had he quit following the poor decisions of the Bush administration and focused on serving his constituents when given the chance. Simply declaring Franken "a mess" and claiming "his staying power will fade quickly" before he serves one day in office, does not make him a failure. If you want a mess from Minnesota take a look at Michele Bachmann, who called Obama "very anti-American" and called for McCarthyistic witch-hunts to investigate other members of Congress and "find out if they are pro-America or anti-America." Cityview has shown an ugly right slant in there poorly crafted hit-job editorial against Franken.

Inauguration
It would be nice if Anderson Ericson Dairy would make a special Eggnoguration for our 44th President Elect. It could be made with Cinnamon and Scary Spice.

Civic Skinny article 1/14/09
If David Yepsen accepts the position as head of the Paul Simon Institute, it will be the Des Moines Register's loss and the Institute's gain.

GOP activists say party has identity crisis
The Register has finally come up with a birds eye view of the GOP. Way to go Clark!! Even the comments are amusing. Geesh what a bunch of knuckleheads.

CR kindergartens
In Cedar Rapids last week, and checked out the information on the kindergarten situation. They have ONLY ONE kindergarten that meets the specifications of an earlier writer.

GoodBadUgly
So would you folks be even happier if Iowa were growing as fast as Nevada, for example? Does Iowa have a better quality of life now than when we had 2,900,000 people? Better schools? Cleaner water? More people in jobs that they enjoy and that pay well? Even the REGISTER is no longer so quick to assert that population growth is good in and of itself.

Sarah Palins grandchild
Guess Bristol named her baby after her big adventure last summer. The Tripp...

Duffy
Nice to see you back Duffy. We missed you! The Register's loss is Cityview's gain.

the ugly
I respectfully disagree that "people are getting shot at as much as deer." Any injury is very unfortunate, but given the large number of deer hunters in Iowa, the number of reported injuries is not excessively high. The real "ugly" is the level of deer overpopulation in much of Iowa, which causes significant ecological damage as well as crop damage, residential landscape damage, and many serious car accidents. I'm not a hunter, but I hope deer hunters in Iowa will take lots of does this month, and I hope the DNR will issue more antlerless tags next year.

Duffy
It will be nice to see Duffy cartoons every week. Thank you, CITYVIEW.

schools
Why do Cedar Rapids high schools perform so much better than Des Moines high schools? One possibility is that students get off to a good start in CR with that town's unique kindergarten - which places all K students under one roof and makes everyone there, from the bus drivers to the nurses and counselors, a specialist in early child development. Starting school without older kids around creates an environment where it's easier to open up and development enthusiasm for school and learning. Urbandale (I think) has experiemented with this? I read about the CR K program in Cityview about 12 years ago. Those kids are now the ones who made CR high schools the best in Iowa. Comparing CR to DM would be more instructional than DM to Finland.

Good, Bad, and Ugly - Illinois Governor
Did you hear the latest joke about Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich? Seems he was fired from his part-time job as a department store Santa Claus. When a kid would sit on his lap and ask him for toys, the gov would reply, "What's in it for me?"

Iowa Blue - farwell to red
Loved the Iowa Blue narrative; except the single mother dig. Why hate on single mom's... it's the dead beats you should really hate on.

skinny
regarding the statement - "The project will result in a publication, thus contributing to the reputation of U. Iowa. There is also some hope that the simple but intuitive and catchy notion of a being of reason might become a household term that will be identified with its Iowa home." Is there some mistake? This guy is a Professor of Philosophy? Don't you mean "Fantasy"?????

Scene Scribe - Roxi Copland
"The integration of Hip-Hop and jazz is more commonplace in larger cities, though Copland is one of the first local musicians to tastefully and successfully combine them in Des Moines." I'd be interested to hear what Roxi would say about giving her credit as one of the road-pavers in the Jazz/hip hop hybrid scene. I have a hunch she might give the credit to the band she did the remix with... Since they've been doing it for 10 years.

Civic Skinnet article on College Sabbaticals
Gee! Those Universities sure know how to waist money. Perhaps if they did not have so many sabbiticals, they would not have to keep raising tuitions. In the interest of fairness, Skinney, I do not or care to play pool.

Guest Commentary
To Gil Cranberry's artcle (12/10/08) on the quality of today's newspapers, I say, "Affirmative!"

Availability of cityview
CV seems to be mia recently or so from the MU at ISU. I will go kick up some dust and see if there's anything under it.

Roxi Copland
I've been a big Roxi fan since the first time I heard her voice a couple of years ago. She is so passionate in her presentation and deserves all the publicity and good fortune that comes her way. Des Moines is lucky to have her, I Hope we can keep her. I can't wait to have the new CD so I can listen to her everyday.

Food Dude
Where can one find a good $10 dinner? Is it even possible? If not, how bout $12, or $15?

Civic Skinny - Patty Judge
Patty Judge as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture??! Just what I needed, more fodder for my nightmares. And I bet Iowa's progressive agriculture movement would react the same way. I hope she's deluded in thinking she has even a remote chance.

Woodside Park Apartments
I was not only a resident at Woodside Park I also was the Maintenace Director responsible for snow removal on that property. I know for a fact that myself and my guys worked very hard to keep the sidewalks clear of snow and ice. There was alot of money spent on ice melt and sand there and we also got above average snow fall last year to top that off. I know of this person falling and it was not because of the side walk it was because she was walking through the grass to the parking lot. I dont know of any place any where that clears snow off the grass for there residents. It was not our job but I also had my guys use snow blowers to clear out handicap spaces which was suppose to be done by our snow contractor. This lady is so wrong!!!!!!!!

An artist sounds off
Bill Hamilton's letter redefines the word "arrogance" for me. It takes a special kind of arrogance to assume the right to paint on someone else's property. Local buildings may be "vapid and drab," but the owners paid for them and have the right to decide what happens to them. At least the Maynard Reece Gallery pays for their own space. I'm grateful CITYVIEW allows anonymity, so Bill can't decide to spray paint my house in retaliation for this comment. Bill, buy or rent your OWN wall, and then paint whatever you want. Or offer to paint local buildings for free and wait til someone takes up your offer. Otherwise, keep your "raw expression" and driving dachshunds to yourself.

I think Cityview absolutely sucks.
The paper have no respect toward others whatsoever. Most of their editors and employees are illiterate. Get it right!

walter shotwell column on talk radio
Hey wow, what a great idea, more government involved in private industry. That's what we need. I know, how about we get rid of all these private media outlets and just have government run news outlets that can protect us from the poison spewing out of our radios and televisions. The difference between normal people and loony liberals is that when we hear something on the radio we don't like we turn the station, not cry to government to mandate private radio stations to give equal time to opinions of their liking. Hey I know a place you can go and fit right in. Communist China. This guy is truly off his rocker; in the same article he talks about media outlets being able to use their own judgment but also demands FCC intervention? As much as this guy annoys me I would never ask Cityview not to publish him because it's their choice what they want to put in their publication. Just like It's my choice if I feel the writers are so bad that I couldn't stand to open another issue of Cityview. But having the Government step in to tell businesses how they may operate is a dangerous path. Don't we have enough of that yet? The power to choose, the power of choice. Power to the people. Not the government.

Shotwell's Schizophrenia
Walt Shotwell's current column is either an example of schizophrenia or dementia. One minute he says a satisfying reward of the presidential election is how little influence was wielded by conservative talk-show hosts, the next he says the FCC should come down on them for their "misinformation." Meanwhile, Shotwell got it wrong when he claimed Obama's aunt lives in Chicago (its Boston). Thanks for the misinformation, Walt. Then Shotwell draws a truly bizarre conclusion that KCCI's excellent TELEVISION ratings are due to the fact that WHO RADIO has Limbaugh in their lineup. Huh??? How does he explain FOX's conservative format's success? He also whines about the Register publishing Cal Thomas. As Wikipedia correctly notes "Editorially, the Register has long supported the Democratic Party and liberal causes. This dates at least to the days of the Cowles' ownership; many family members held high posts in Democratic presidential administrations." Cal Thomas is the Republican equivalent of FOX's Alan Combs, so it's no wonder the Register's token conservative voice is Thomas. A study by the Project for Excellence in Journalism found that from June 9, when Clinton dropped out of the race, until Nov. 2, 66 percent of the campaign stories were about Obama compared with 53 percent for McCain; some stories featured both. The project also calculated that in that time, 57 percent of the stories were about the horse race and 13 percent were about issues. When the Washington Post ombudsman, examined the results of her paper's coverage she concluded "Obama deserved tougher scrutiny than he got, especially of his undergraduate years, his start in Chicago and his relationship with "Tony" Rezko, who was convicted this year of influence-peddling in Chicago. The Post did nothing on Obama's acknowledged drug use as a teenager." Apparently Demaosaurs, like Shotwell, who made a career working for one of the most liberal papers in the country, eventually believe their own BS. If he wants to clean up the media, he should start with his in own backyard.

possible story idea
Occasionally CITYVIEW wanders afield and does a small-town story. If that is contemplated again, I'd suggest looking at the proposed huge coal pile next to Nevada, Iowa, and how it has started a small local war. It's a classic tale of how small towns are sometimes targeted for LULUs (Locally Unwanted Land Uses), and how those towns sometimes aren't really set up to make orderly decisions.

Vilsack as ag secretary
Environmentalists helped elect Obama. And at a time when the environmental problems caused by big ag are growing, Vilsack's environmental record is mediocre at best. That probably suits the Farm Bureau just fine. But Obama had better compensate with a really good EPA appointment if he's going to put Vilsack in charge of Ag.

walt shotwells column
Shotwell cracks me up, he's all for freedom of speech, as long as said speech lines up with his views.

walter shotwell column on talk radio
Walter Shotwell, an outstanding newspaper reporter and columnist, has nailed one of the worst abuses of the news media during the past election. Namely, that demagogues such as Limbaugh, Inghram, and O'Reilly are given air space to spout poison without the stations who run their drivel being required to give time for factual responses. Shotwell described the media disfunction that drove my wife and I only to watch tv election news either on public television or on C-Span.

Choosing Sides
Win Some, Lose Some Our country and states have forged a new path away from racial bigotry of old. Granted it is a start, but the new trail has been established. Next are two even larger, deeply grained prejudices that need to be tanked. Religious and sexual discrimination. The notion of not mixing religion and politics is great. But, tell an admitted Republican you are a Democrat and you are labeled as a liberal, morally inept individual who loves socialism. Pick a female VP candidate and the biggest news makers are her wardrobe, glasses, "she's hot, and gets a little bitchy. Religious dogma has got to do - I think that that has to go first before the sexual one can. Monotheist religions inherently think men are better and women are "original sin". I will bawl with joy like Oprah if I live to see the day.

Iowa Blue
Dear Red States: We've decided we're leaving. We intend to form our own country, and we're taking the other Blue States with us. In case you aren't aware, that includes California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, and all the Northeast along with the District of Columbia. We will be generous and cede DC to you so you can keep it as your capital. We believe this split will be beneficial to the nation, and especially to the people of the new country of New California. To sum up briefly: You get Texas, Oklahoma and all the slave states. We get stem cell research and most of the best beaches. We get the Statue of Liberty. You get Dollywood. We get Intel and Microsoft. You get WorldCom. We get Harvard. You get Ole' Miss. We get 85 percent of America's venture capital and entrepreneurs. You get Alabama. We get two-thirds of federal tax revenue, you get to make the red states pay their fair share. Since our aggregate divorce rate is 22 percent lower than the Christian Coalition's, we get a bunch of happy families. You get a bunch of single moms. Please be aware that Nuevo California will be pro-choice and anti war, and we're going to want all our citizens back from Iraq at once. If you need people to fight, ask your evangelicals. They have kids they're apparently willing to send to their deaths for no purpose, and they don't care if you don't show pictures of their children's caskets coming home. We do wish you success in Iraq , and hope that the? WMDs turn up, but we're not willing to spend our resources in Bush's Quagmire. With the Blue States in hand, we will have firm control of 80 percent of the country's fresh water, more than 90 percent of the pineapple and lettuce, 92 percent of the nation's fresh fruit, 95 percent of America's quality wines, 90 percent of all cheese, 90 percent of the high tech industry, most of the U.S. low-sulfur coal, all living redwoods, sequoias and condors, all the Ivy and Seven Sister schools plus Stanford, Cal Tech and MIT. With the Red States, on the other hand, you will have to cope with 88 percent of all obese Americans (and their projected health care costs), 92 percent of all U.S. mosquitoes, nearly 100 percent of the tornadoes, 90 percent of the hurricanes, 99 percent of all Southern Baptists, virtually 100 percent of all televangelists, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Jones University and Clemson. We get Hollywood and Yosemite, thank you. Additionally, 38 percent of those in the Red states believe Jonah was actually swallowed by a whale, 62 percent believe life is sacred unless we're discussing the war, the death penalty or gun laws, 44 percent say that evolution is only a theory, 53 percent that Saddam was involved in 9/11 and 61 percent of you crazy bastards believe you are people with higher morals then we lefties. Finally, we're taking the good pot, too. You can have that dirt weed they grow in Mexico. Peace out, Blue States

Economy
Our nation depends on foreign capital to finance our consumption. The best way to restore the flow of foreign capital and kickstart our economy would be for the U.S. government to offer its full cooperattion with the World Court and other international institutions in the prosecution of George W. Bush for war crimes against the people of Iraq while simultaneously pursuing prosecution of Dick Cheney under U.S. law for jeopardizing national security regarding the Valerie Plame affair. The people of this country should send a strong signal to President-Elect Obama that a pardon of these war criminals and others in the current administration will be looked on as a breach of the public's faith in due process.

Relish
Good cover, Relish has always been about the love of good food. You finally got a cover photo that shows what the magazine is all about. Like the Good Steward a lot too, some wonderful trivia about presidents and the foods we love. I love Jefferson, but I love Mac & Cheese more. Now I love them at the same time. especially the Mac & Cheese at Django and Dish.

Kent Carlson
Every last bit of credibility you had slipped away when you decided to join the right wing echo machine in trying to spread hateful b.s. about Obama, none of which should matter to voters. You've established that you aren't interested in exploring the truth, and instead will just copy and paste whatever Drudge headline or Fox News alert pops up today. I never thought you were all that talented, but I figured you for a better journalist than that. I was mistaken.

Kent Carlson column
Gee, Kent, I sorta kinda sympathize with you. You seem to feel the way I felt four years ago when I realized that we were about to put Dubya back in office. Now, four years later, I think I have a LOT of company in saying "yup, electing him was a really bad idea." Maybe you'll be able to say the same in four years. Or not.

civic skinny
I know several former moderate Republicans who have left the party during the past fifteen years specifically because the Republican Party has become the "We Don't Care About The Environment Party." If the Rs are smart, their definition of "moderate" will include "doesn't regard caring about the environment as a socialist conspiracy." And when they are paring down their gubernatorial list, they'll cross off Doug Gross, who has shilled for both giant hoglots and fake lakes.

John McCain Food Choices
John McCain no doubt eats a variety of foods. I've personally never dined with him, nor have I ever seen confirmed footage of him eating any foodstuffs. Never the less I am sure he eats a cookie from time to time. I am also certian that the man has eaten corn. Had it ever crossed your mind that perhaps John McCain would eat some tunafish? This election will be 24.75 oz.

Jackie Fleming's latest
Last week Cityview printed a great feature, "Choosing Sides," in which six Des Moines area leaders were interviewed about their choice for president this election. Agree with them or not, each of the three Democrats and three Republicans endorsed (or did not endorse) a candidate based on thoughtful reflections. This is refreshing in the current climate of the 24-hour news cycle, where rumors count as much as substantive issues reporting. By way of contrast, the YourLetters section offered another Jackie Fleming missive drudging up old unsubstantiated criticisms of Obama, with weak praise for McCain. With the election a week away, I would like to address the assertions of Fleming, a seasoned GOP party activist. Here's my response to Fleming's guilt by association submissions: 1.Tony Rezko: time and again Obama has been found to have done no wrong, although he did make a deal that would haunt his political career. Obama's connection to Rezko is analogous to McCain's connection to Charles Keating. John McCain severed all personal ties with Keating once he learned that Lincoln Savings and Loan was in serious legal trouble. Both Rezko and Keating were convicted. Obama has been cleared over and over of any wrong doing; McCain was found guilty only of "poor judgment." 2.Bill Ayers: Ayers's past with the Weather Underground is not pretty and Obama has called his acts "despicable." Ayers turned himself over to the police in 1980 and justice was served. He has since built a respectable career as an english professor and has worked to advance educational issues. In 1995, Deborah Leff, then president of the Joyce foundation, recommended Barack Obama for position of chairman to the board of the Chicago Annenberg Foundation, who subsequently elected him. Obama's oversight was to award grants and raise matching funds. He and Ayers attended only six of the same board meetings over the course of six years. Other than that, Ayers held a meet and greet coffee for Obama when he was running for the Illinois State Senate. Too bad that this isn't the information you want, but those are the facts in a nutshell. Now I'll see you on Ayers and raise you with McCain's relationship with G. Gordon "G-man" Liddy. Back in a radio interview in November 2007 and recently in an interview with David Letterman, McCain said that he was proud of Liddy. Last November, McCain also opined that Liddy's program "adheres to principals and philosophies that keep our nation great." Senator, would you like to retract those comments? The G-man's record is pretty rough: as Head of the Nixon White House Plumbers, he was sentenced to 20 years for his involvement in Watergate; he served 5 years for burglary, illegal wiretapping, and conspiracy. He was quoted advising the Branch Davidian sect in Waco, that if the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms "insists on a firefight, give them a firefight. Just remember, they're wearing flak jackets and you're better off shooting for the head." Later Liddy amended this recommendation to shooting for the groin. Nice, no? 3.Saul Alinsky. You're kidding, right, Alinsky?? The founder of community organization in the U.S. and the person attributed with first saying "Think globally; act locally?" Even if you can find something nefarious on Alinsky, to imply there was some past connection between him and Barack Obama is ludicrous. Alinsky died in 1972, when Barack was 11 years old, living with his grandparents in the city of his birth, Honolulu, Hawaii. Salinsky's writing's on community activism no doubt influenced Obama when he worked as an organizer for church-based community action groups and tenants' rights organizations in some of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods. Thank you so much for offering up a clear positive for Obama. Perhaps you'll be joining the ranks of Republicans who have recently endorsed him: Michael Smerconish, Andrew Sullivan, Christopher Buckley, Colin Powell, and Scott McClellan, as well as Dick Luger's support of Obama's foreign policy. I write this not just to refute the tripe submitted against Obama; I wish for more reasoned dialogue from the political right. When Sarah Palin repeatedly said Obama "pals around with terrorists" and allowed quite audible responses of "Terrorist!" and "Kill him!" at the mention of Barck Obama's name; when Michelle Bachmann suggests that legislators should be investigated for un-American activities; when Jackie Fleming pulls the ever-so-bogus guilt by associations; this incredibly divisive discourse hurts America. The current banking and economic crisis, health care situation, and wars in the Middle East demand thoughtful if passionate debate, not fear mongering. For those who deep down are not "country first," please then consider that you are hurting the party that you represent. The GOP continues to tout itself as the party of Abraham Lincoln, but the flaming rhetoric characteristic of the neo-conservatives is more indicative of the party of Joseph McCarthy. Every candidate this election season has talked about bringing about change. The change can be lead by the power of example, but it must emanate from us: we, the people. Let the citizenry of our country work together, to contribute to bring our country back up economically, socially, and in world standing. P.S. I did want this to be a letter, but it's waaaay too long, even with paring down. Such is life. Also, it's great to see you all doing your one-upping simply by being better, not dragging down the Register. Corporate newspapers are dragging themselves down without any help. I truly hope that this trend continues.

what's inside
You can't possibly still believe in trickle down economics?

Choosing Sides
I can appreciate Maggie Moss being against guns. But then why is she voting for Barack Obama, who supports the 2nd Amendment?

"Choosing Sides"
In response to "Choosing Sides," the issue published on October 23 which picked the brains of six Des Moines leaders discussing the Presidential election, I'd like to respond to Bill Knapp and Gary Kirke's ideas on foreign oil and domestic drilling. It is true that for national security reasons we need to break our dependence on foreign oil, but we need to break all dependence on oil, foreign and domestic to move forward with our economy and global warming solutions. We don't have much oil domestically; it would probably make a 2 percent impact on our oil usage in 5-10 years and on top of that it costs $125 million per oil well we drill offshore! We could be using that money towards truly renewable energy like wind and solar that costs less and is definitely more dependable and does not emit global warming pollution. I hope Knapp and Kirk respond to that as well as the new President elect.

Winners & Losers
You are right that a a lot of people lost when those Dallas County hoglots were approved. But the correct term is "environmental measures," not "ecological measures." A giant hoglot with some trees and grasses around it doesn't even begin to resemble an ecosystem.

Civic Skinny
Nice article. Only problem is that Latham is in the 4th District and Boswell is in the 3rd. You got it backwards.

Prairie Woods not the only place with mold.
Thank you for your comment anonymous I would like to see the list of items checked when the inspector had his walk through. I don't think that is asking too much. It is not just a mold issue. There are other issues as well. Like the shoe molding that was ripped up in pieces in the kitchen an the bathroom and not even stapled or nailed back professionally. The frame and the door that was ripped apart and still has not been properly taken care of. Mr Schwarc the last time he visited my apartment said the door to the hot water heater was suppose to have been fixed and that was last year. I was standing right there when he told maintenance. The person that came to paint the door left the dang key in the door so when I came home from work there was the key left in the door. When my apartment flooded where there was wood furniture it left nice wood stains on the carpet. I would like to know what you think the black/grey around the edge of the carpet is if it is not mold. Especially in the closet door to the bedroom. I would love your expert advise. You mentioned me inviting the public to see how bad my apartment conditions really are. I will get my pictures together and post them so the public can see them. I hear you replace other tenants carpets and paint. I am just curious why you won't do the same for me since I have been a long time resident. I believe this is a personal issue you have with me. YOU NEED TO GET OVER IT! I have a right to fight for what I feel is right. Just think about how you treat me when I come to the office and you have the nerve to tell me about the Golden Rule...LOL I will have an update to where the public can view the pictures. I would think if you had any common sense you would call me and make an arrangement to resolve this issue like a professional. All I am asking for is new carpet, my walls painted and the shoe molding replaced professionally and painted as well. I would love to place a retraction in cityview stating all of my issues have been resolved. I am also curious if I am the only tenant that has an addendum to their lease with extra fees for late rent or NSF and is it legal. Please contact me regarding my valid issues. I can't contact you since you want to remain anonymous. Thanks again for your comment!

Kent Carlson column
Being as how I only get six TV channels, I sometimes sort of watch network procedurals while working in the kitchen. Network procedurals have three basic kinds of characters, older men, younger men, and young women. I almost never see women over fifty except briefly, as relatives of the victim or perp. And yet there are so many of us Boomer-and-older women in real life, with our wrinkles and sags and graying hair. I guess network TV execs want viewers to be able to escape from the sight of us during primetime. Sorry, Mr. Carlson, but I say that older women are the ones who are disproportionately absent from primetime network TV. And I bet statistics would bear me out.

Praire Woods not the only place with mold.
One would wonder why the city inspector would not see Kathy Forbes on her issues. Any one with common sense would know there isn't a mold issue in her apartment since WELLINGTON APARTMENTS DID PASS THE INSPECTION, WHICH INCLUDED YOUR APARTMENT. Don't pass judgment on something you have no knowledge of. Please, invite the public in to view just how horrible living conditions you live in! Golden Rule Kathy, treat others as you want others to treat you!

Drinking/Driving
Like many other Iowans, I lost a friend to a drunk driver. I've always wondered what kind of incredible egotist would repeatedly decide that DUI laws only apply to other drivers. "Ben" is just about what I expected. My charitable side hopes he will get help before he kills someone. My uncharitable side hopes that the only person he eventually kills will be himself.

The Manchurian Candidate 2008
I agree with a previous comment regarding this subject. If there ever was a 'Manchurian Candidate,' Obama fits the bill to a tee. Here's an Afro-American young man who rises from total obscurity, makes his way from the heartland of America to the most prestigious universities in the country, has opportunities in education and politics most of us could never afford, represents [as an attorney] many questionable organizations, and ends up a few short years later as a junior member of congress. Turn the clock ahead a few short years and he's [according to the liberal pundits] the top contender for the most influential political position in the world. Too good to be true? This would be a great script for a blockbuster thriller at the movies. This should concern all of us, Republican, Independent or Democrat. Where is the money coming from? He admits his in-laws were of 'modest means.' Follow the money trail. Who is really behind him? His political ties are very questionable. What is his real agenda? This is a real example of a 'Manchurian Candidate'. This man is a 'puppet' for something that does not seem to be in our country's best interest. Putting aside all of the media hype, you owe it to yourself to dig deeper before you vote, if you really give a damn about the future of America. Here's an Afro-American young man who rises from total obscurity, makes his way from the heartland of America to the most prestigious universities in the country, has opportunities in education and politics most of us could never afford, represents [as an attorney] many questionable organizations, and ends up a few short years later as a junior member of congress. Turn the clock ahead a few years and he's [according to the liberal pundits] the top contendor for the most influential political position in the world.

The Manchurian Candidate
The author has the premise right but the wrong man. Obama is the Manchurian Candidate. With no merits of his own, questionable lineage, citizenship, scholarship and associations. He is a pawn of the Bill Ayers, Rev Wright Marxist left. He is truly a sleeping time bomb.

Rule of Law
To the previous poster....get a life and start worrying about things that matter. For God's sake, there are real problems in this world and you are focusing on this? What a damn shame. You are an embarrassment.

Rule of Law
Recently at the World Food Festival, I noticed my flag was hung backwards. It was easy to see since it was first in line. The Register was a sponsor, and they have been allowed to print "We strive for accuracy;" though in reality, often times their employees just do not care. I also drove past the police station to see our flag at half staff, though the Federal Government did not give them that authority. It is disturbing to see people who take my tax money, then ignore the rule of law.

Project Censored: Ten Stories The U.S. News Media Missed
First of all, I would like to thank your team for making such important information available to the public. Far too often, the average citizens of America are deliberately or carelessly left in the dark when it comes to vital issues involving our nation. It is absolutely vital for those "in the know" to distribute such information to the masses. As a matter of fact, I would argue that it is a civic responsibility of a news agency to always expose such stories. Alas, it isn't so even though we live in a nation that claims to be the beacon of freedom throughout the World. Now, with that concern stated, I would like to point out that the 'Project Censored' article in your publication may have come about as a result of plagiarism. You have credited the article to a 'San Francisco Bay Guardian' journalist named 'Amanda Witherell', but the same article appears online at http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=10411 and there is absolutely no mention of an Amanda Witherell. Furthermore, the same story is presented at http://www.sfbg.com/38/49/cover_censored.html and it is credited there to a Camille T. Taiara. On the other hand, the story is, indeed, credited to Amanda Witherell at http://www.syracusenewtimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2467&Itemid=147. So, in summation, I wanted to thank you for presenting this information to the public of Iowa, and I also wanted to express my concern regarding the true authorship of the article. It is important to give credit where it is truly due. That is all. Thank You and keep up the good work.

buffalo fish
Is that big bone buffalo fish in the photo? Looks like breaded country style ribs too but I think it is the fish. Do you have a recipe? Do you cut them on the spine and bread them with flour and cook them in hot oil like the catfish at J&J? They are so cheap at the market I'd like to make them at home.

Obsession
A rant and raver complains about the tape Obsession. The recommendation os the Huffington report as a better source is ridiculous. Huffington Report has little reliability. He/She should see reports of the Muslims marching the street of Lond in the 'RELIGION OF PEACE DEMONSTRATION' carrying signs that read "Behead those who insult Islam," "Europe is the Cancer, Islam is the Answer," "Exterminate those who slander Islam," "Be Prepared for the Real Holocaust" and so on. A book by Brigette Gabriel, "They Must be Stopped" would provide a total picture needed to truly understand the aims and mission of the radical Islamists.

Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West
These people claim to be tax free501 c(3) non-profit company. I hope that the cityview will be able to connect the dots as to the registers delivery of this hate tape. If you need a little help go to the Huffington report. Unless you want to have CityView linked to this paid attempt at character assassination.

Sept 18th Cover photo! hot!
Your September 18th cover had the best set of female legs I think I've ever seen! Perfect! What a babe! Great way to snag readers with some good visuals!

food dude archives
Despite all the Register's full page ads for metromix, or whatever they call it, and their pages of increased "coverage" of the food scene in Juice and Datebook and the paper itself - despite all that, it's always Cityview where we learn about anything new and truly significant in the food world. Your Old Castle review is just the latest case in point, whole sheep on a custom made rotisserie? Wow, if Juice or Datebook had written about this place, the writer would probably have just said, "Lamb was on the menu but I think that sheep have cute faces and my date was trying to act sensitive to my feelings, so neither of us ordered any." My point though is this, why not give Cityview's food page, and it's entire archives, a web presence of its own, so it's easier to find when Googled? That would be a service to all diners in Central Iowa and to visitors to Central Iowa. I would think it would draw ads to Cityview's web presence too. When all internet readers can find on a web search is the Register's childish, egotistical observations about the scene, it discredits the whole scene, and all of us who work in it.

A Matter of Honor
Dear Mr. Narcisse, Have you ever considered your delivery method may be at the root of all your troubles w/ the Board? Creating controversy only adds fuel to the fire and detracts from your real mission, which is to serve the students of DMPS. If you truly want to serve the best interests of the students, stop slinging mud and get to business. May I also suggest you find a copy of PTO Today and read a letter sent to a grisled PTO Veteran from a PTO Newbie, might be insightful for you as well as other members of the DMPS Board. I'm not saying it'll be all sunshine and roses, but at some point, all of you need to grow up, be accountable and start acting like responsible board members, this is nothing more than a really bad case of Hills Drama 101!

Harkin Steak Fry
Before making comments about how Congressman Boswell was NOT at the Harkin Steak Fry you better get your facts straight. Not only was he setting right in front of the stage (directly between former Senator John Judge and Congressman Bruce Braley) but he even gave a speech! Get it straight!

Keeping the Peace, by Matt Miller
Excellent Cover Story Matt! Well researched, thought out and written. Keep up the good work.

news of the weird
Why the hell would you quite running this? It's one of the few things left in your paper that is still readable. How long before you quit publishing all together. It's probably for the best. And I couldn't help but notice Juice was two times as big as Cityview this week. Will the last person to quit reading this paper please turn out the lights.

Shotwell's advice to Obama
Walt Shotwell suggests Obama should offer "Breakfast with Barack" to media members. I'd bet Obama's grandmother and at least one brother might appreciate a decent breakfast once in a while. Better yet, how about some cabinet positions for them? Grandma Sarah Hussein Obama as Secretary for Aging? And maybe brother George Hussein Onyango Obama as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development? They certainly have first-hand knowledge in their areas of expertise.

old castle
Been looking for good lamb for ages. Been driving to Chicago for it. Hallelujah and thanks for the word.

Todd Buffington's Response
Todd Buffington needs to read more closely. After having read the article of a democrat senator suing Obama and a few others because of "fraudulent candidacy" (his words, not mine), my request of the media is to research his claims. It has been established by some of the media that indeed, there is a Hawaii birth certificate, but Senator Philip Berg, a former deputy attorney general of Pennyslvania has filed the lawsuit. My thought is that a deputy attorney general just might know the laws governing citizenship than the general public, including Todd Buffington. Check it out for yourself. www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.printable&pageId=73214

Sarah Palin
If Sarah Palin is so great as a hockey mom and Vice President wannabe why didn't she make sure that her daughter had more knowlege than to hold a puck between her knees for birth control. McCain should have picked Christine Whitman.

Iowa Cubs
For the few people who've never attended an I-Cubs baseball game, you're really missing something. As the I-Cubs head into the Pacific Coast League Play-offs tonight, I thought it appropriate to applaud the team and the organization behind the team. My 4 year old grandson and I have missed very few opportunities to sit behind the I-Cubs bullpen and cheer on the team. The I-Cubs organization is a class act from top to bottom. The I-Cubs players never walk by my grandson without a high-five before heading to the dug-out. This group of young men known as the I-Cubs Baseball Team are definitely engaged with the young kids in the stands who aspire to one day play baseball. I've been to many National League games over the years and I can tell you that none of those experiences comes close to all the unforgettable games we've attended this summer. We'll be there in the front row in Section B cheering on 'our team' during the play-offs this week and our hope is that the I-Cubs season never ends.

Labor Day Parade
According to the Federal Flag Code, signed into Law in 1942 by then President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Section 4(c), "The flag of should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free". For years I and others have asked these non-union people to not do this disrepectful act in our parade. Gannet employees were co-operative enough to put pictures of this criminal activity into print. Hopefully this paper will do a story about oranized workers instead of glorifying those who disdain our written law.

US Flag
Tonight at the DNC, an Iowan will lead the "Pleadge of Allegiance". When she comes back, it would be nice if she as a student, would school her "friends" at WHO-TV about the proper display of OUR flag. Contrary to Bill Gates, it should not be displayed below another nations flag.

fake rainforest
For anyone interested in the current status of Earthpark, a.k.a. the fake rain forest, this is pretty interesting: http://fromdc2iowa.blogspot.com/2008/08/earthpark-editorials-and-beating-dead.html

Cranberg on School Board Election
There is a substantial difference in my opinion of public school curriculum vs private (and/or religious school) education. Tenets and creeds do not belong in the public school education except in the limited concepts as it effects our history, and decisions made by our founding fathers. But Cranberg suggests that some of the candidates are encouraging the study of intelligent design. Why should students be denied at least being acquainted with that theory as well as the theory of evolution? That makes no sense to me, and results in an incomplete education. Our schools seem to have been using the process as a social study of how minds can be molded and not all of us want our children's minds molded in the biased format that too often is being used. And this may be cutting off my nose to spite my face, but I long ago decided that any candidate that appears on the 4-7 pm radio talk show of WHO will never get my "X" on the ballot. That host is one who castigates anyone who does not mirror his own beliefs about being a Christian...yet he shows few signs, other than lots of verbiage, of even having a slight understanding of the real truths of Christianity. Berating another's Christian faith is NOT Christian behavior.

Hormones always win
While it's easy to see that human nature often gets the better of us, it's bothersome to see a dozen or two examples of infidelity or sexual promiscuity listed under the headline "the hormones always win." There are thousands, tens of thousands, if not millions of examples of people throughout history who have exerted self-control, who have remained faithful, and at least thousands of those have been political leaders. The spin put on this article and its title encourages people to believe that you can't control yourself and that you can't expect politicians to control themselves, either. Neither of which is true, as manifestly obvious by the large numbers of people who HAVE utilized their innate ability to discipline themselves to accomplish about any goal they set their minds to. (As shown by recent Olympic Games!) I hope more writers will take seriously the power of the pen and their responsibility to society to encourage people to live in a societally responsible way.

We The People
A very good article on the global warming campaign. Thank you for publishing it. As a side note, when publishing short blurbs about workshops, please tell who's hosting the workshop or provide a website or phone number. Some workshops are hosted by non-profits or gov't agencies, and others by private companies looking to make money. Thank you.

Go Vo-Tech
As a Career and Technical Education Consultant with the Iowa Department of Education, I applaud this article. (The degrees in Vo-Tech, have been called Career & Technical Education for more than a decade.) Unfortunately, too many people still believe that in high school, you either prepare to go to a four year university or prepare to work at a low paying job upon graduation. The graducation rates of students that attend postsecondary institutions are shockingly low. While, too often the career goal is to "go to college", some students leave college with decreased self esteem: no degree and and ample college debt. Career Planning is the key. Students need to determine what career they want to pursue, then take the courses they need to get their. "If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there." Anecdotally, many students have told me that they dropped out of college because of all the classes that did not seem "real world" to them. (In reality, not many careers require calculus. So wouldn't it be easier to teach students to be analytical "problem solvers" if they could take career and technical education courses that solve "real world problems".) Some plumbers earn more than doctors.

Thelens' Hormones
Thelen obviously had a great time chronicling the sex lives of past and present politicians, tho he missed a few hundred, I'm sure. But for all of his "studies" he had to include the oft-repeated charge that the Supreme Court gave the presidency to George Bush even though he had not won the popular vote. With a bit more honesty than hormones, he would have pointed out that the popular vote is NOT the way a president is elected. If it were, it wouldn't matter much of Iowans ever voted. Our next president may win both, but if only the popular vote, that won't necessarily make him our next president.

Civic Skinny/party platforms
Per the comparison of the party platforms Ñ the Republican Party, as far as I can tell, gave no specific recommendations about the pheasant population except a vague hope that the pheasant population will go up, presumably with no expenditure of public funds. Fat chance. As I pointed out earlier, lack of habitat is the main problem for pheasants, and habitat costs money. Whereas the Democrats offered a specific measure (inspecting septic tanks before property sale) that will definitely help Iowa water quality. What puzzles me is that I seem to recall that the Iowa Legislature finally did the right thing just this past year and mandated that kind of inspection, which they should have done years ago, but better late than never.

State Fair Fashion
I would like to express how thouroughly disgusted I am at the City View for it's downright rude comments and tackiness that was shown in the most recent "state fair" issue. I think that the individuality and obvious outgoing attitude expressed by the teen on the cover far outweighs YOUR idea of what is and is not a fashion faux pas. I am IRATE that you instructed readers (specifically Cubs fans) to "pummell name of individual*" for his "horrendous outfit." Not only are his plaid shorts "in style" (you should really check out the mall before you judge what is and isn't "in") but he clearly has a wonderful and zestful attitude that could only make people smile. His is BY FAR a more tactful and genuinely good person than anyone at this publication that allowed those words to be published. I hope that your words do not deter his outlook on individuality and not always going with mainstream society. At least he is covered up, in comparison to the many cracks and crevices that I saw at the state fair that I shouldn't have... where was that on the front cover???

Civic Skinny 8.14
I wondered about the "ebbed upward" line as well. Nice catch. I hope (against hope?) that I don't have to dock a students' speech a point or two for using this inane phrase.

Pheasants
Per the previous comment, I know several wildlife biologists, and bobcats are not a significant problem for pheasants. (There still aren't many bobcats in Iowa, for one thing.) Foxes are significant pheasant predators, and so are cats and the small mammals that like eggs (skunks, possums, etc.) What fascinates me is how Iowa Republicans propose to increase pheasant populations without (gasp!) spending money, since by far the biggest problem is lack of habitat. Habitat costs money. Either you buy land and make it public habitat, or you pay landowners to create private habitat. Most pheasant habitat created by Iowa landowners exists because of money paid by the Conservation Reserve Program, which would no longer exist if the Iowa Republican dream came true and the USDA were abolished. So maybe Republicans are hoping that more landowners will just create habitat out of the goodness of their hearts. With rowcrop prices so high, don't count on it. I'm a rarity as an Iowa landowner. I've created and restored about 180 acres of pheasant habitat on my land using my own money, not CRP. But the Iowa Republican Party had nothing whatsoever to do with it. To put it mildly. Given the rest of the platform, maybe the plan is to pray for more pheasants. That should work well.

The pheasant crisis
I've been told fox and bobcat are eating the pheasants eggs. As their populations have grown the pheasant and quail populations has declined. So if you see your legislator in a fox coat or a bobcat hat you know they are hard at work making Iowa a better place.

High Steaks
Honestly everytime I open a Cityview or Juice all there is to read about is crappy choices of places to eat. Being a chef myself I am not thrilled to read about Mojos on 86th st. All the time having been there and know I would never go back knowing their food is the crappiest food I have ever tasted. Not only do they have a small selection but since they have come back into play from the remodel from the flood damage I was very surprised that they opened back up with the same old tired menu they had before. They got a new menu having fired their old executive chef who stole his food ideas from another chef. Everyone rants and raves about how unique the corn flake and almond breaded chicken fingers are when that recipie was stollen from another chef. I would like to hear more articles like "The way we eat". It was refreshing to hear how some unknown people in des moines are trying to make something of themselves by cutting the middle man. Or trying something new. Also other notable steak houses? I thought jesse's embers was closed you dont hear anything about them. Splash no idea who they are, then you have ohonas who may be owned by one man but is considered a chain to the general public. When most people know how you dont like writing about anything but local places it very surprising how many chain restaraunts sneak into your lists. Like Flemmings steak house who is owned by the same man who owns P.F Changs. Flemmings also may be the best steak ever to the comman man but to a chef we have no place to go besides our own kitchen. Flemmings is to over priced for crappy cut steaks (that taste like my mothers roast beef) and a la cart side items. The general public wants to know about the small business in des moines. The small time chefs making something out of nothing and being the best at what they do. But no one whould know because you keep hearing about the same old crappy chefs at Mojos. Like their food is unheard of. They say they use locally grown products when we chefs not that is a total lie, their vendor may be local but the food sure isnt. Its not unique and it taste like crap. Try seeking out a diffrent variety of food, besides crappy steak houses.

Emil Lueth Story
Having known Emil in his school days and after school days (my husband played golf with him in the 1st.years of his suspected drug days) he was one of the nicest guys you would have ever known,but of course that all changed, as he got in deeper. Really enjoyed the article since we really had lost track of when his release was to be.His Mother had some tough years after that and some of it was from her FRIENDS she thought were her friends. She was a very nice and Generous person, and not monetarily but helping the sick and people in need. Most people forget the good in people and dwell on the faults. We are all guilty of doing some things for our kids that maybe weren't good decisions. No name please.Please let us know if you hear from him.

cutting the middle men
It's really hard to get my brain around the concept that Wal-Mart is an agent for positive change in the food system, but this story makes a compelling case. Cheap food, strong dollars and cheap petroleum may be gone, but the fourth variable that perpetuated the industrial system, mentioned in the ediorial, is the most interesting and the one still in play - consumers willing to eat food that isn't really fresh. The ability to taste good food, fresh food, real food, has been dumbed down for so long that I don't know if it can be relearned by meaningful numbers of people.

Deb McMahon disgusts me.
Not only does she, like most critics of Jonathan Narcisse, fail to make a single factual criticism of Narcisse's many comments. With all the things Mr. Narcisse has said, one would think his critics would have an easy time refuting something. Instead, they impugn his general nature, period. What really bugs me is she goes on to judge that two candidates for the Des Moines School Board should be disregarded because they do not have kids in the Des Moines public school system. People such as myself, who pay property and sales tax but do not have kids in public school, both pay her salaray and subsidize the cost of her and other kids' public education. She should show us the respect we are due. I wish more people without kids in the system were willing to put up with what goes on at the Board and run for office. We all suffer for the Board's failures, which are both fiscal and professional.

US Flag
According to the US flag code, it not such a great idea to display other flags above ours as the Gannet rag and local T.V. stations have done, talking about our education. Yes, let us increase our education, but let it include Social Studies of respect for other countries.

I Phone story
Way funny! Could work in a stand up comedy routine.

515 Alive
I moved to Des Moines from Minneapolis about half a year ago now for work, and up until now I have been very disappointed with the dining, nightclubs, and arts scene here, and have been pretty bored finding things to do. That all changed when I went to the 515 Alive music festival over the weekend. It was the first redeeming experience I've had in Des Moines so far. It was like nothing I've ever experienced in any city. It was packed, it was like an outdoor nightclub downtown. In a larger city, I'm afraid there would have been a riot. It was incredible! If I move away, it's an event I would consider traveling back here for just to experience it again.

Earthpark update
How about an update on Earthpark? The Wikipedia entry on Earthpark says "the project is presently DOA." Is the project really dead?

BEST THAI FOOD
I think the best Thai food in the area is The King and I in Clive!

Rap Sheet
I would like to thank Cityview for being just as naive as the wonderful Des Moines Register. Your featured section Rap Sheet this week is a total joke. Mr. Cozad never exposed himself to anyone on the night in question. I was there I would know. This alleged exposure was made up by a drunk lady who should have never been speaking with Mr. Cozad in the first place. Mr. Cozad also never grabbed any officers leg during his arrest as he was brutally thrown to the ground, punched in the head and also maced in the face. How can you grab a leg when the officers are grabbing your arms and you can't even see??? Basically this whole story is a total fabrication by a drunk woman and the Des Moines police. Thank you Cityview for posting this on your website and printing this story in your paper just like your big brother TDMR. Now all the really nice people who love to judge others they don't even know can have a field day. Might as well convict Mr. Cozad before he is even tried.

WHO Radio adding more "FOX"
Read where WHO Radio (a long-time favorite, til recently) will be eliminating some employees and become "totally FOX". Is it possible that this would mean the elimination of the late afternoon show that is introduced with something that sounds like someone passing gas, calling someone butthead and other typical sophomoric offerings? Here's a guy that has brought down the respect for WHO that many once held. Over the 3-hour period, he has to remind his audience that he's a Christian, several times. (Most Christians donÕt have to advertise it, they show it by their behavior!) The so-called "host" of this program is so obnoxious to the adult listener, a replacement will be warmly welcomed!

What's Inside
Can this column sound any more ridiculous every week? It's pretty freaking terrible. This guy doesn't know what the hell he's talking about half the time, and I see I'm not alone in this sentiment.

website Archives
Please correct the misspelling in the Archives, where one can view an "online publication in it's (sic) entirety."

Re: Out to Pasture
That "Out to Pasture" person doesn't know anything about TV. Analog channels need to be discontinued in order to free up tons of valuable public spectrum that can be bid on by providers and used to provide valuable services like 3G phone networks. Now if only the cable companies would dump their analog broadcasts as well, maybe we'd have as many HD channels as the satellite subscribers do. Who owns 7 black and white TVs, anyway?

dogs runnng loose
I hope Deb Wilbers will be unsuccessful. Roaming dogs owned by irresponsible people are a big problem, especially in rural Iowa. Just catching them in the act is often a challenge, let alone figuring out who owns them. I wouldn't shoot a trespassing dog, but I don't blame people who do. It's the dog owner's responsibility to keep the dog on his/her own property. People whose pets and livestock are maimed or killed by roaming dogs shouldn't have to try to track down the dog owners and explain what responsible pet ownership means.

gateway park
Oldenburg's Crusoe Umbrella used to look like the Arc de Triomphe during the Nazi Occupation. It seriously bothered a lot of art lovers that CNN particularly abused it as if they were an army of occupation during the Caucus season. In retrospect, that was just part of the Umbrella's rep, as the swastikas of evil were part of the Arc's, great public monuments create and experience history and their greatness grows for the lore of it all. The Papajohn sculptures are not great, and have no chance of becoming great if they are to be treated as if they can't co-exist with real park life. The truly great public art works of Central Park (that's on New York City, not on Lincoln Place Drive south of Grand) get climpbed upon reguarly by tourists. The Gateway Park sculpture needs to be given a chance, not protected from becoming a part of the city's emergence in the 21 st century.

Woody's Smoke Shack
This review was incongruous. It talks about championship BBQ, but a quick review of Woody's website indicates he hasn't won anything at all in over three years, most of the four contests where he won were four or five years ago, and most of the things he won were little contests where he was up against limited competition. A quick google search shows he's been losing by wide margins for the last three years! And now he admits he sold out his "championship recipes" to serve ribs that fall of the bone? That means they are overcooked! So he brags about his award winning BBQ and then won't serve it in his restaurant? Doesn't sound like he's a champ to me, sounds like he's just trying to make a quick buck with misleading advertising. Too many better places to eat to waste time with this place!

Out to Pasture
I"M VERY ANGRY: We have nine antenna TVs in a three bedroom house including one for the kitchen, bath and our moble home. All but two were black and white, purchased used. I'll use the coupons to purchase two boxes, then dump the other seven TVs. I don't care how nice the new digital is my quality of life will not be as good as it is now. Why can't we have both analog and digital and make our own choices. This is a scam to force us purchase more expensive TVs or get cable. There are millions of people in American who can't afford either. To say nothing of all those TVs in the landfill (I won't spend the gas money to haul them to a recycling location).

A loss in the Family
Why should the taxpaying citizens of Iowa be subjected to irresposible pet owners? I don't understand why people think it is their right to have their dog attack other people's animals without provocation. What if it was the neighbor's favorite pet chicken? Why should they have to let their animals die on several occasions instead of just one. Next time lock your dog up better, and take responsibility for your irresponsibility.

Iowa Chops
Oh my god, what the hell were they thinking? That is the stupidest name I have ever heard of. Why not call them the pissed off porkers, the Iowaham's, The Ham Hocks.

Bigamy
The bigamy charge is one that you do not often see and as you can imagine, someone that runs from one state to another and marries different woman must have something to hide. I can only assume this man is a con artist and has most likely turned his 2nd wifes life upside down. I feel sorry for her and wish her the best. I did see this story elsewhere and it is to my understanding that there is more then 2 wives.

Article about incarcerated children support group.
You quote Melissa Nelson extensively in the article, but do not mention under what auspices she is involved. It is a really good idea, but what is Nelson's role and interest in a group like this?

Wright's letter to editor, previous comment
Yep, if we just drill every possible acre we can drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and offshore, gas prices will go back to $2.50 a gallon and our energy problems will be solved. And I'm the Queen of Romania.

FISA VOTE
The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) initially was fought by most democrats because they didn't feel that American telecommunication companies should be shielded from lawsuits resulting from the Govt. warrantless eavesdropping. That was a hard one to understand their reasoning. But, Wait! Late June they were able to get the Bill approved because democrats such as our own Leonard Boswell was given a $10,000 contribution to his race, which apparently changed his mind. An average of $9,659 to each member of the House voting "YES" (105 Dems; 188 Reps); and $4810 to each member of the House voting "NO" (128 Dems; 1 Rep). 83 Dems receiving contributions ranging from $29,500 to $1000 changed their votes. Remember the adage, Follow the Money!

Wright's letter to editor
Someone needs to remind Raymond Wright that when the democrats took over Congress, gas was under $2.50 a gallon. It is now over $4 on average. It's the idiocy of the democrats in Congress that causes the increase in gas prices because they're influenced by enviros money and preventing drilling in off-shore areas, the ANWR, and in places in the USA that are known to have more oil than Saudi Arabia! Even the threat of drilling will start the downward slope in gas prices.

WinnersLoosers
I think we should all take a moment and remember that we as Americans live in a republic and not a democracy. It is the politicians and the people that print their money that want us to think we live in a democracy. I know independence had something to do with our becomming a republic.

Seriously
Where the hell did rant and rave go? I think Cityview is afraid of a little dialog?

Rant and rave
Where the hell did all the rant and raves from the past year go? Did that Goodman guy take them down?

John McCain AWOL on GI Bill
Republican presidential nominee, Senator John McCain, was AWOL from the U.S. Senate on June 26, 2008 for voting on a new GI Bill that would provide improved education benefits for veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. Prior to the most recent vote on the GI Bill, McCain was absent for the initial vote on the bill on May 23, 2008. Democratic presidential nominee, Senator Barack Obama, left the campaign trail to cast his vote for the bill on both occasions. The bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. McCain refused to co-sponsor the GI Bill and opposed the bill when it was being debated earlier this year. The new GI Bill, which President Bush initially threatened to veto, would pay tuition at a four-year public university for anyone who has served at least three years active duty since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. There are many issues that lend themselves to partisan bravado, but giving our military veterans the chance to go to college should not be one of them. Our nation's men and women in uniform deserve a GI Bill that rewards their service and invests in their future.

flood
Calling this year's flooding a "natural" disaster is dubious. There are many ways in which human activity contributed to the water heights, ranging from tilling and tiling most of the state of Iowa to the flood-increasing impacts of certain Army Corps Mississippi River structures, about which the Corps was warned by researchers just a few months ago. (The Corps just blew them off, of course, what do academics know?) From here on in, blaming Mother Nature for weather in general will be dubious. There are billions of us humans, and we are changing our climate and our weather. And not for the better.

KC BBQ
I recently tried out this restaurant hoping it to be great place to eat. My wife recently ate here for lunch and had their BBQ Beef Sandwich on a bun. Said it was terrific. I decided to try out their BBQ Chicken and got the same sandwich for my wife. Had it for take out. When I got home, the chicken tasted nasty and the BBQ sauce also tasted awful. My wife's sandwich was not on a bun as requested but on soaky bread. I will never come back to this place!

Des Moines sharpens its edge
As a previous letter here notes, I did call Frank Hansen the Country Western star of the local art scene. As to you rquestion "So, who is the rap star? The opera diva? And the pop star?," I submit Jean Marie Salem somewhere. That sculptress is now performing at Cafe Su - her repertoire is hard to classify though, lots of Bob Dylan stuff. Our rap star was the late Mo Dana, she free-versed a whole new identity for the art scene here. I'll have to think long and hard about the diva, Iowans aren't raised to be divas. Art Pimp

McCain offers little support for returning veterans
Not only did John McCain miss the vote on Webb's new GI bill (one of only two U.S. Senators not present for the vote on June 26, 2008), but he also actively opposed the bill as overly generous. Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton voted for H.R. 2642 and were co-sponsors of the bill in the U.S. Senate. President George Bush and Senator John McCain were not supportive of the new GI bill: bipartisan legislation that would greatly expand educational benefits for members of the military returning home from the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Other co-sponsors of the bill included Republican Senators John Warner of Virginia and Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, both veterans and past beneficiaries of the GI bill. We owe our veterans something for their honorable service in the time of war. The people who bore the most anguish and suffering are the people who could use these benefits.

Scantly clad women in your mag!!
You need to print more pics of area gals in your mag. Cuz the guys out there in Dm need to see WHATS OUT THERE IN THE WORLD OF WOMEN FOLK.

Guest Commentary - Kent Carlson
Absolutely superb analysis of recent pandering by many elected officials. Glad to see Stowe receive well deserved and well earned props! He is the real deal. I wish he were in southern Iowa city.

Best of 2008
How come no BEST Grooming Salon/Spa category? You used to have one in years past.

django
Thanks to your tip, I had a Sazerac at Django. I have waited decades to enjoy this legendary cocktail, never dreamed my wish would be granted in Des Moines. The restaurant is the kind of place I would take clients I wanted to impress, and it's also the kind of place I would gladly go eat alone at the bar without worrying about spending too much. It's simply a great restaurant, with a great bar.

What's Inside
To the last rant and raver (probably Shane Goodman's mother) Uhhhhh, he can write whatever he wants, that doesn't mean it isn't terrible. The fact that he rarely has any idea what he's talking about makes the whole paper look bad. If he does own the paper, he should take some pride in it and try to make it as good as it can be, which means he should have very little to do with it on any level. It always sounds like he writes it off the top of his head in five minutes. So, my advice to Shane continues to be: Stop it. You are not good.

What's Inside
To the idiot who wrote about Shane Goodman's column. Uhhhhh, it says he is the publisher and I think he owns the paper so I would assume that means he can write whatever he wants. You, on the other hand, really need to get a clue. Your motivation and your identity are too obvious. Get a job or at least try to work for a living instead of ripping on others who do.

Stop trading access for big money
You can't change Washington without eliminating the influence of the special interests. John McCain received over $650,000 from federal lobbyists and over $700,000 from executives in the oil and gas industry. The McCain campaign has received nearly $1,000,000 from political action committees (PACs). Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign has refused to accept contributions from special interest lobbyists and PACs since the beginning of the campaign. Nearly 50 percent of John McCain's donors contributed $2,300 or more to his presidential campaign in comparison to less than 30 percent of Barack Obama's donors. Nearly 50 percent of Barack ObamaÕs donors contributed $200 or less in comparison to less than 25 percent of John McCainÕs. When it comes to the Washington power game, we need to stop trading access for big money. If you defend the system that defeats change, you can't be the person who will, in fact, bring change. (The information provided above was from candidate reports filed by John McCain and Barack Obama as of April 30, 2008 and made available by the Federal Election Commission to the public after May 20, 2008).

The Next "War President"
John McCain wants very much to be the next "War President." He is a man who was cultured in the art of war from his childhood up until now. A son and grandson of four-star Navy Admirals, a Navy veteran and POW of the Vietnam War, he is now a stalwart supporter of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. John McCain has a disturbing fever for war. McCain has made troubling comments on the campaign trail concerning the war in Iraq. According to him, we will fight the war in Iraq for 100 years. His ill witted comments about bombing Iran indicate his strong desire to engage in military conflict with that country. Older men like John McCain declare war, but it is the youth of America that must fight and die for the actions of old men. We must not forget the young soldiers who have suffered the scars of wars and the son and daughters of those honored veterans.

McCain's Political Gain?
I'm outraged that Senator John McCain would disregard the request of Governor Chet Culver to not visit Iowa amid a massive flood recovery effort in the state. It is unfortunate that John McCain couldn't resist the opportunity to exploit this tragedy for political gain. In 2007, John McCain opposed federal legislation that included funding for flood control in Des Moines. Iowa's congressional delegation supported the Water Resources Development Act of 2007. President George Bush later vetoed the bill. In 2006, McCain voted against appropriating supplemental emergency funding, including hurricane relief for New Orleans. I applaud Senator Barack Obama, who canceled his scheduled visit to eastern Iowa last week at the request of state officials. John McCain chose his own political gain over the welfare and safety of the citizens of Iowa.

des moines sharpens its edge
Nice to see Greg Wattier get due recognition. He has truly contributed as much as anyone toward making Des Moines a more exciting place. Nice to see architecture included on the art beat. But, is edginess what you really mean when you talk about Warhol-style events? Isn't that like SO 1960's? Even if it takes place in a retro building outfitted for the 00's? Or is this tongue in cheek waying of saying that Des Moines' edge is half a century late with the hone? I like the "rock star of local artists" thing with Lee Ann. I think that you previously called frank Hansen the "country western star" of that scene. So, who is the rap star? The opera diva? And the pop star?

Civic Skinny
"rumor: Steve King, the likable but wacky Congressman" NO, not likeable but yes to the wacky, please add not too bright.

John McCain should reject contributions from lobbyists
We can't change Washington without eliminating the influence of the special interests. Lobbyists are people who are paid specifically to turn money into access and to disproportionately influence our elected officials in Congress. Lobbyists manipulate our elected officials and, in some cases, write laws. Lobbyist money is equivalent to institutionalized corruption. John McCain should reject contributions from lobbyists and political action committees. We have lost what our forefathers fought so gallantly for. We no longer have government by the people and for the people.

John McCain Food Choices
John McCain no doubt eats a variety of foods. I've personally never dined with him, nor have I ever seen confirmed footage of him eating any foodstuffs. Never the less I am sure he eats a cookie from time to time. I am also certian that the man has eaten corn. Had it ever crossed your mind that perhaps John McCain would eat some tunafish? This election will be 24.75 oz.

Dallas County Supervisors taking away your rights
On June 24th at 9:30 am the Dallas County Board of Supervisors will meet at the Adel City Hall, 301 S. 10th Street Adel, IA 50003, to discuss an ordinance limiting bikers access to County Roads. It is imperative that we have as many people as possible to attend the meeting and speak to the Board. If this passes in Dallas it is on to the next County. This is not a Dallas vs Polk vs Warren County issue, this is an Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC) vs Bicyclist issue! If this ordinance passes it is coming to your county next, with the intent that Cities will enact the next level of blocking your rights. The highlights of the ordinance: Based on discussion with county engineer, the number of riders participating could be as low as 10-20, that means any group ride of 10-20 cyclist would require a $1,000,000 insurance rider listing Dallas County as additional insured. One of the criteria is if the event is advertised, the language includes internet, that means if it is posted on Bike Iowa, that would be considered advertising, therefore about any ride in Dallas County would be included. The ordinance includes all County Roads, but on the trails you must cross County Roads, therefore even a trail ride would include this insurance requirement. Reasons this is wrong: What difference does it make how many riders there are, 1 rider can hit a pothole and become injured, why would 15, 20, or 5,000 make any difference? The policy does not solve the Counties perceived problem. The Crawford County issue was so much more than a simple bike accident that the insurance required would have provided no protection from the accident. The County had negligence, therefore the lawsuit was legally valid, and that is why they paid, not because of road design, but because of negligence by the County in its actions. It is unfortunate that this did not go to court and sort out the real issues at hand! Iowa state law protect the rights of riders to the level that we have the same rules and rights to the road. How can the county set aside State law? The County does not require the same insurance for other group events such as tractor rides or classic car rally's, thus preventing equal access. Roads not designed for bikes, this is too long of a subject to address in this email. I can argue this with two hands tied behind my back. This would require many small fundraising rides to not happen due to the cost of. Other problems: The Iowa Association of Counties is pushing all counties in Iowa to pass this ordinance. Yet with all of the problems with the ordinance they think this is a good move. If an ordinance is bad, it should not pass, after a ordinance is drafted that makes sences, then lets debate the merit of the item being considered, but to debate poor language and badly written law, that is a waste of the time of all of us. I will warn you, the Bob Ockerman denied me the right to speak in a public session at the last meeting, as the newest member of the Dallas County Board of Supervisors he is doing a fine job of keeping the people in the process. As a former elected official, while not required by law, I always allowed the public to speak. I was amazed that after seeing me sit in a meeting for two hours he would not allow any comments that would help the board make an educated decision. I hope he is more open minded on June 14th. From the Iowa Bicycle Coalition: This ordinance is unnecessary. There is no legal precedent since the Crawford County case was settled out of court. There has only been one bicycle lawsuit of this nature in 36 years. This is not a frequent legal problem for the counties. A wayward Illinois Supreme Court decision that produced a uniquely increased liability situation has produce no additional lawsuits or increases in insurance rates over the past 10 years. Counties have legal protection under Iowa law in common law. Bicyclists are required to keep a proper lookout to avoid hazards. With the bicycles lower speed and higher maneuverability bicycles can easily avoid hazards. Counties must foresee the issue that could cause damage and have time to act. Bicycle facilities are protected from negligence under 670.4(14) and (15). This ordinance could infringe on freedoms protected in the Iowa Constitution. Iowans have the right to freely travel. Iowans have the right to associate. Iowans have the right to assemble. As gas our price rises, as our climate warms, and as our children are suffering from obesity related diabetes and high blood pressure, we need to make sure exercise and physical activity are freely allowed in our communities. We need to make sure our transportation system has options for those who cannot afford to travel by car. We need to make sure people may ride their bicycles and not be excluded.

John McCain - When is enough, enough?
First was the pursuit of Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan. Next was the pursuit of the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. And last but not least, the pursuit of the nuclear weapon facilities in Iran. What words do we believe? Do we believe the threats of bombing Iran or the threats of fighting a war in Iraq for over one hundred years? Do we entrust John McCain with our already overextended armed forces in the enduring wars in Afghanistan and Iraq? Recently, when McCain was asked if he knew when American troops could start to return home, he responded: "No, but that's not too important." The cost remains too high: over 4,100 American military men and women killed in combat in Iraq, over 30,000 soldiers wounded and over 40,000 veterans of the war in Iraq and Afghanistan diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. When is enough enough? John McCain and George Bush need to stop gambling with the lives of our brave American fighting men and women.

It all began in Iowa 6 long months ago
Our grandchildren will read stories of how Iowa chose the first great leader of the free world in nearly 50 years. They will read stories about how this leader challenged citizens to accomplish great deeds. They will know the greatest deed of all for this new leader was the accomplishment of true world peace, a peace that elevated America to a new Renaissance of hope and opportunity. On Jan. 3, 2008, Iowans changed the course of America's political landscape and caucused for the next great leader of the free world, Barack Obama.

Flood, Wayne Ford
Here we go again, Wayne Ford jumping around in front of the camera talking about a scam and the lack of money for his voters. Wayne's problem is two fold. He looks and acts like a clown with no clue, second his public speaking skills are formed inbroken english. Wayne can complain all he wants about the city's so called improper response but I've yet to see his fat self out there on the sand bag line.

Civil Union's for non gays
As a single straight woman I'm reluctant to marry because marriage in the conventional sense turns me off. There are three reasons I'm turned off by marriage. 1) Wedding ceremonies frequently maintain symbolic diatribes suggestive of a time when girls were a father's property until he bequeathed his daughter to another man. It makes me sick!! 2) In most brethrens 'the wife' is very unpopular among men. Moreover, there are just too many 'roles' associated with the title 'wife' that lend to gendered household chores. 3) I have trouble with the idea of being contractually tied to someone for life. A lot of things can happen between 'I do' and death which is evident in divorce rates. Conversely, I'm very attracted to the idea of civil unions because in this contract I'd be considered a spouse rather than 'the wife'. Moreover, if civil unions offered renewable contracts I think more heteros would buy in. The long or short of my narrative is this; I wonder what would happen if straight folks roundly embraced civil unions in favor of marriage? Keeping in mind that 'marriage' is a construct of religion; while civil unions are a construct of civil law. Nonetheless, I say give the gays marriage and give the non-gays civil unions.

John McCain, Stop the revolving door culture in Washington
John McCain's presidential campaign is being run by Washington lobbyists and paid for with their money. It's hypocritical of John McCain to denounce the influence of lobbyists when his two closest aidesÑCharlie Black and Rick Davis were top tier lobbyists in Washington until just recently. Rick Davis, his campaign manager, is on leave from his lobbying firm (managing partner of the very partisan Davis, Manafort and Freedman, Inc., a lobbying firm based in Arlington, Virginia). The current head of John McCain's Senate office in Washington, Mark Buse, spent six years lobbying pharmaceutical firms, telecoms, oil and gas interests, and other corporate clients. Over the last month, several senior advisors and staff were fired or forced to resign from McCain's presidential campaign due to lobbying efforts on behalf of foreign countries such as Burmese (military junta), Saudi Arabia and Nigeria (run by General Sani Abacha, a ruthless and corrupt dictator). Many current and former McCain staffers or lobbyist have practiced Washington's "business as usual" even as their boss was condemning it. John McCain vows that, if he's elected, he'll change the revolving door culture in Washington. But if he can't do so in his own campaign or U.S. Senate office, how can he do so if elected president?

John McCain Ð Ethics 101
John McCain was one of five United States Senators known as the Keating Five who were accused of corruption in 1989, igniting a major political scandal as part of the Savings and Loan crisis of the late 1980's and early 1990's. McCain, along with the other Senators, was accused of improperly aiding Charles Keating Jr., chairman of the failed Lincoln Savings and Loan Association, which was the target of an investigation by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board. In 1987, McCain was one of five Senators whom Keating contacted in order to prevent the government's seizure of Lincoln Savings and Loan Association. By 1987, John McCain had received more than 110,000 dollars in campaign contributions from Charles Keating and associates of the Lincoln Savings and Loan Association, more than any other member of the U.S. Senate at that time. In October of 1989, The Arizona Republic reported that, in addition to campaign contributions, McCain's wife and her father had invested 360,000 in a Keating shopping center in 1986, a year before John McCain met with the federal regulators to discuss the government's investigation of Lincoln. The paper also reported that the McCains had made at least nine trips at Keating's expense on his private jet, a violation of congressional ethics rules. After a lengthy investigation, the U.S. Senate Ethics Committee testimony revealed that John McCain acted improperly. In addition, the Senate Ethics Committee reprimanded McCain and the other Senators for "questionable conduct." When it comes to the Washington power game, we need to stop trading access for big money. We can't change Washington without breaking the influence of the special interests.

High Gas Prices
Our Congress, on both sides of the aisle, is failing the Nation. They no longer represent us, they have only themselves in mind. Our own Jr. Senator refuses to help on the gas situation by allowing drilling in ANWR. Much of his financial support comes from the California tree-hugger enviros (aka Tinseltown) so money is not a problem to them. Much of Harkin's personal income has come from oil company investments plus the fact his wife has been a long time employee of oil companies. It's been a very long time since Tom Harkin had any interest in Iowans. He lives in a home in the Bahamas, shields his income off shore, and has lost complete contact with Iowa and its problems. Even the farm bill which he played a part in was long delayed because he had to get all his earmarks in and those of others in the Senate so they would give their vote in return. This is shameful behavior. Recently it has been documented and exposed on TV that some of the elected officials are putting earmarks in Bills that in turn get into the hands of their own families. It's time for taxpayers and voters to vote these bums out! We need to be able to drill for oil and not depend on the crooks in OPEC!

Swingtown
I have become aware of CBS's new series "Swingtown," and am writing to express my displeasure with your paper's decision to promote it. Its themes of sexual experimentation and casual drug use are not appropriate for audiences of any age. As a member of the Center for Moral Clarity, a national Christian grassroots organization, I am concerned with the values presented on network television. "Swingtown" seems to endorse values that are not worthy of glorifying, even in the context of a remembrance of the 1970s. I won't be watching "Swingtown," and I'll be urging my family and friends to avoid it as well. Please consider viewing alternate programming during this time period.

What's Inside
Is this guy serious? I read your paper every week and am amazed at how ridiculous he sounds in his column. Shouldn't someone who has some idea what they are talking about write such a prominent column instead of Shane "Stream of Conscious" Goodman? Cityview, please, I'm begging you, talk to him and convince him he has no talent as a writer and would be better served doing practically anything else. He's making your fine reporting look really, really stupid.

Abundance EcoVillage
Thank you, Cityview, for treating this topic seriously and not filing it under the tired old "comedy in the cornfield" headline. The rest of Iowa can learn much from Fairfield, not only about how to live more harmoniously with nature, but with the world. Fairfield is a microcosm for Iowans to emulate as they embrace diversity in their own communities and learn to respect, not tolerate, or merely put up with (as a wise woman in Fairfield once counseled me) differences in others.

Drew Miller
Drew said semi-publicly in 2006 when he was working on the Dem coordinated campaign in Ames he registered Republican to get the literature.

John McCain no fan of rural Iowa
John McCain put very little effort in the Iowa Caucuses in 2007. McCain refused to participate in the Iowa Republican Party Straw Poll in Ames last August and only put a half hearted effort in Iowa's first in the nation caucus on January 3rd, placing a weak 4th place behind Fred Thompson last January. During John McCain's recent visit to Iowa on May 6th he slammed the Farm Bill and said he'd veto the legislation at the time of his visit. The Farm Bill passed overwhelmingly through both chambers of Congress (81-15) on May 15, 2008 with bipartisan support (both Iowa Senators Tom Harkin and Chuck Grassley supported the Farm Bill). In addition, McCain has repeatedly stated over the last year that he opposes Ethanol subsidies. It's hard to believe that rural voters in Iowa would be supportive of his cadency. You can't trash ethanol and oppose the Farm Bill and expect to win in Iowa.

Letter to John McCain
We can't change Washington without eliminating the influence of the special interests. Lobbyists are people who are paid specifically to turn money into access and to disproportionately influence our elected officials in Congress. Elections are strongly influenced by funds from special interests. Lobbyists influence our elected officials and, in some cases, write laws. Lobbyist money is equivalent to institutionalized corruption. John McCain should reject contributions from lobbyists and political action committees. We have lost what our forefathers fought so gallantly for. We no longer have government by the people and for the people.

Civic Skinny on Drew Miller
I've known Drew Miller for years and although he may be registered as Republican, he's very much a Democrat at heart. In 2004, he caucused for Howard Dean! People change their registrations at different times for various, completely benign reasons. Any "concerns" about him working for the IDP are ill-founded. The man is as trustworthy as they come, and I don't know why we need him pulled into an invented controversy.

Vaudeville Mews Closing?
Wow, thats a surprise. I would think they would have enough money to buy the whole damn block, considering they pay their bands in belly lint and oyster crackers.

Fallon/Boswell "Slingin' Mud"
Interesting article. Tried to show both sides of opponants, but was a little disjointed. Would have liked to see more quotes from candidates. Really would like to see a debate. It should be a requirement that there be at least one debate amoung all cadidates for all offices. There is a certain dynamic about seeing and hearing folks in person.

Farm Bill
Thanks for the environmental reporting on the Farm Bill and on manure-spreading. It's appreciated. There's one aspect of the Farm Bill that has gotten little attention except from environmental groups, and it bodes very ill for our nation's remaining virgin prairies. The Environmental Defense Fund says it well, "Worse, the conference report includes a new 'permanent disaster' fund that will accelerate the conversion of grassland to intensive crop production by further decreasing production risks associated with farming drought-prone, environmentally sensitive lands, particularly in the Great Plains. The decision to include this provision while failing to include a strong "Sodsaver" provision could prove devastating to the nation's remaining native grasslands." Make that "will prove devastating." Not only will the prairie-plowing be horrible for water, soil, and biodiversity, but it will send a lot of new CO2 into the atmosphere, and we taxpayers will help to subsidize the destruction. No wonder Harkin and Grassley aren't talking about this one-two punch to prairies. And in Iowa, Culver will have to decide whether to enact Sodsaver in the (limited) prairie pothole region of the state. It will be interesting to see if he does.

Marriage and Divorce in Beaverdale, He is a fool
By the "grace of God go I." Nobody has any right to call you a fool, however, anyone who wants to rush into a marriage that quick would be suspect. But on the other hand, women and men who are "on the make" know how to con and manipulate, so don't stop kicking yourself so hard. I wish you the best in the future. I guess the moral of the story is that there are worse things than being alone or lonely!

Marriage and Divorce in Beaverdale - He is a fool
I met a woman in 11/2006, who was a friend prior to that for several years. We started dating that November and she asked me to marry her on 12/26/2006. She of course did not want me to tell anyone she was the one to ask. I accepted thinking it would be forever. She pushed for a date to marry and we were looking at March or May. A week into 01/2007, she requested we get married as soon as possible. Vegas here we went. Right before leaving for Vegas she needed money to pay a mortgage payment and I helped out under the understanding she would pay this back. Married in Vegas and back in town, the next month was another mortgage payment for her house. I helped her out with the payments only on the terms that she was to pay me back, because I had my own mortgage and she insisted on paying me back; because her pride would not allow her to accept money unless she had to pay me back. The next month was a thug from a supply place she owed 5000 to for supplies for her company and she asked if I could help on the same terms she could and would pay me back. The next month was a 15,000 credit card bill and another bill and another bill. All in all she has taken me for well over 50 grand in a 7 month period and asked me for a divorce once her bills were paid off or consolidated under my name and not hers. I already know I was an idiot and a sucker, but that is what foolish love can do to lonely people. She also, tells her associates that she made her mind up in April to divorce me, but waited until the end of 2007. She said she would sign paper work to pay me back all of the money that was used from my resources to cover here debt, but of course that never happened and now she is hoping Iowa law will allow her to stick me with her debt that was hers prior to marriage and for her to keep another 20 grand in items I purchased and paid for. The marriage was less than 7 months, but I am reminded weekly that I met a winner, because I have additional money each check taken out for a wife who is not and was never a wife, to have medical insurance and that will remain until the courts give me a divorce decree. And she has not offered to cover that expense either. So even know we are separated, she is still living off me. Is it right or fair for her to not need to assume her debt, because it is not in her name and it is in mine and I was a fool? IÕm not looking for an answer. I understand the moral of this story. I only hope others know it before experiencing it.

Great Iowa Treasure Hunt?
comments: I received a letter from the Iowa Treasurer's Office several months ago telling me about some "unclaimed property" in the name of my daughter who is a minor. It was a some kind of a refund from Mercy Medical Center. I filled out the claim form the State Treasurer sent me and about 4 weeks later I received a notice telling me they received the claim form and also letting me know it would be some weeks before I would receive the "unclaimed property." I sent in copies of my driver's license and social security cards for both myself and my daughter as requested. Today I received the claim form and my documentation back from the State Treasurer along with ANOTHER REQUEST for my daughter(if she's under 18) to sign the form and provide her driver's license. The correspondence said if "she's under the age of 18" I should send in a copy of her birth certificate. I just got done sending State Treasurer Mike Fitzgerald and some of his staff an e-mail telling them I plan to have that office investigated for their practices related to the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt. Does the State Treasurer make all potential claimants "jump through hoops" to the point that "unclaimed funds" are NEVER CLAIMED? Why else would they go through ALL THIS for a sum total of $71 in my case??? Manpower, postage etc. to release that paltry sum? My daughter is a minor and is unable to actually claim this herself and for some reason they don't believe I'm HER MOTHER?? I would like to know if others have experienced the same?

Treatment of disabled vets and Clergymen in the skywalk
For the disabled vet/clergeyman. I feel as though I should appoligize to you for your treatment by a member of my profession. Evidently this person was not a "Security Professional". As a security professional, I understand human dignity. Regardless of station in life, every individual is intitled to respect. I want to personally thank you for your service and great sacrifice to this great nation and all those living here. I grew up during the Viet Nam era and felt great shame as an American for the way our service men were treated when they returned home. The proud and the brave answer the call to arms while the weak and the cowards stay behind and condem. Continue to be proud. Not only for what you gave this great country, but for what you are still giving. Thank you again for my freedom and safety.

The Sun (previous Civic Skinny)
As a Story County resident who now gets The Sun, I am underwhelmed by the content. Your term "soft feature stories" is very generous, so far, the news is so soft it's squishy. I'll give it another week or two and then start tossing it directly into the recycling box. But it does make me appreciate the Ames TRIB.

Children's Eye Care Being Ignored?
Matt McCoy should get a job as a "nanny!" Wait a minute, isn't he one of the many self-appointed "nannies" at the Iowa Legislature? Hey Matt, how about you allow us to parent our children as we see fit instead of you sticking your nose into our lives? Just because you developed a problem with your eye as a young child does not mean we need more legislation to mandate vision screenings for all children in Iowa. I guess you're trying to get as much of your agenda passed before November when you get kicked to the curb huh?

Capitalism is good, remember?
Oil companies only made an 8% profit last year. That is about a third of what Milk companies make in profit. Yes, gas is expensive, but go bitch to the Libs who's bogus environmental concerns keep us from using the resources under our own soil.

Postville Raid and Arrest of 300
Let me see. The last raid in Iowa was on December 12, 2006. Now Postville on May 12. What Hispanic holiday did ICE desicrate this time?? If we have thousands of illegal aliens in Iowa how long will it take for us to rid Iowa of them at this rate? I suggest ICE have monthly raids. How about restaurants in Des Moines? I know of one on the west side that employees illegals on a regular basis. Over 70 percent of the staff is illegal.

wakonda
I am pleased to see Wakonda attempting to join the 21st century. Perhaps they would be better served to just farm the whole course out to suburban development. They obviously are looking at things progressively; just install some pretty pictures in the clubhouse with a virtual reality course. While they are at it I think Mr. Taylor should advocate Dutch Elm. Who needed Grand Ave. in its Grandeur?

Wakonda Club
Thanks for your entertainingly sarcastic report on the proposed old-oak massacre at the Wakonda Club. The golf industry keeps trying to repaint itself as "green," but this proposal is a good reminder of the very brown priorities at many golf courses. If the oaks do get cut, I hope there will be photos and more bad publicity.

From the Publisher
Your column is interesting and to the point. As a reader, my main question is: where will people get good local news in the future? I can get national and international news online, no problem, and I can get reviews of movies, restaurants, etc., from CITYVIEW. Sometimes I get good news articles in CITYVIEW also. But much of the time, recently, CITYVIEW has had "soft" stories about Elvis imitators and wrestlers and such like on the cover. Nothing wrong with that, but when I want to find out what's regularly going on in Des Moines in regard to local land use, politics, education, etc., I still usually need to turn to the REG. If the REG goes under, who will cover those stories? No one? Would people just have to depend on (shudder) local TV journalism? A model I find more cheery is THE DAILY TRIBUNE in Ames, which seems to be doing pretty well and serves as a functioning community forum and information center. I don't always agree with TRIB editorial positions, but that's fine, the paper provides a very useful community service not provided elsewhere. As an Ames area resident, I appreciate the TRIB and am happy to pay to help keep it going. Apparently many other Ames area residents feel the same way. Apparently many Des Moines area residents don't feel that way about the REG, and the REG had better figure out why. I just hope the TRIB won't catch REG disease.

Wakonda
Wakonda is "shoddy?" Hmm, seems your article is "shiddy" if you ask me. Let's see, two different types of grass for different greens? Terrible idea, you must not play golf. What high end country club would ever do that? None. You would be laughed at for considering that idea. There are numerous reasons why this project should happen. I don't see those in your biased article. This project will help increase membership (because the best club in the state finally has updated technology on the greens) and will make the true golfing members of the club happy that they have a great putting surface to play on. I don't see why the public cares about a private clubs issues. Oh, there have been over 250 trees planted over the last 8 years with more planting on the way. The trees have/will be planted in areas that will not affect the grass on the greens. So, in 40 years, this issue will not be revisited. One persons "logical" thinking is good for them. Let the realistic thinkers take care of the big issues. It seems to me that this article was written with ones head up their, umm, shaddy area.

EXXON OIL PROFITS
Exxon's first quarter profit was $10.9 BILLION, following their record 4th quarter PROFIT at the end of 2007 of $11.7 BILLION. This is a total of $22,600,000,000 in six months. If this profit level does not increase and stays the same for the next six months, it will become $45,200,000,000 for the year. There are approximately 300 million people in the US, or about 90 million families with approximately 3.3 people per family. This means Exxon profits for just one year would be about $151 for every man, woman and child in the entire USA, or about $500 for every family in the US. Remember, this is PROFIT for just ONE oil company for ONE year. While the price of cruide oil from middle east is extreme at $120 per barrel, our own oil companies are also gouging the US consumer and allowing us to place all the blame on the middle east countries. I'd be in favor of opening ANWR as well as all the fields that have been capped in the US from producing, but I'm not sure it would reduce our costs at all because EXXON has proved otherwise.

Tax Incentives and Metro Governance
Recently we have see a large number of layoffs in Iowa. Many of those companies have been prior recipients of millions of dollars in tax increment financing and other tax incentives. Allied is closing a facility in Urbandale with the possible loss of 75 jobs, has received huge sums in TIF. Wells Fargo who just saw fit to give the chairman a $6.2 million pay package is also a recipient of a minimum of $50 million to TIF. TIF was designed to help blighted areas. Does Wells Fargo have a blighted chairman, or just delighted? Does anyone know if these companies have refunded to the cities when they have received TIF but eliminated jobs? A letter to editor in The Register asks us to once again go for metro-governance, in order to gain more revenue sharing. That's short for increasing the avenues of tax incentives for wealthy developers, and taking government a step further from the people.

Gov. Dauber
In 2 years amidst economic turmoil Gov. Dauber found it suitable to increase the budget by 20 percent. The more than all of Vilsacks years combined. This guy is the worst Gov in America he does not deserve this cup cake piece from Cityview. Granted they tried to interview detractors. Just go anywhere in IA were it is not hard to find Dem's that are discusted with this guy. I suspect he will have to win a primary before November 2010.

State government
Our intrepid governor is out of the state for all or part of 34 of the first 95 days of the legislative session and is rewarded with a 9 percent pay raise. Go figure!

Cullver
Culver is the worst one term govenor in the U.S., almost as bad as Jerry the Hut (the Windsor Heights mayor) and the W.H. police force locally nicknamed Barney Fife, KKK and Pillsbury. May the farce be with you with these characters!

Bill elevates Culver's pay 9.7 percent
Wow, the governor is to receive a 9.7 percent raise and several of our elected officials are to get raises of up to 23 percent. That raise would place Governor Culver the 12th highest paid governor in the nation. Since Iowa is so average in everything else I think he needs a 6 thousand dollar pay cut. Gas prices are outrageous and food prices are on the rise daily. I thought we were enjoying a recession!

odor study
Quite an excellent example of our legislature, bought and paid for by special interests that puts CIETEC to shame. An audit of check-off funds would do well to create a national scandal to take our attention away from the crumbs of CIETEC and odor study! All of it stinks! Study done and now where is my millions?

The Radish
I was very surprised to read your review of the Radish. I wouldn't refer anyone there after my latest experience. My wife and I recently moved to the Grimes area and love dining out and trying new places. We had been referred to The Radish so we decided to give it a try. The first five times we went were during the week and we had good meals, decent service, etc. The last time we went was on a Friday night. We walked in at 5:50 pm where we were greeted at the door by the owner. We gave him our name and were told it would be 10 minutes until we would be seated. There was nobody else waiting at the time so this seemed to be ok. Shortly after a group of 4 people in their 70s walked in without reservations. After 15 minutes or so they were seated while we continued to wait patiently. Next a group of 5 people came in without reservations and were seated in approximately 20 minutes while we had now waited 45 minutes. On a couple of occasions the owner came over to us to tell us it would be 5 minutes. After waiting 50 minutes and seeing two groups come in after us and get seated before us without reservations I approached the owner to tell him someone else could have our table. I also told him I didn't agree with his handling of the seating list. He told me the other two groups had reservations. This was a blatant lie as we had talked to the groups while they waited with us. I would have been ok if he would have told us that he seats people based on age, size of party, etc. However he didn't tell us this and proceeded to lie to me as I approached him before leaving his place of business. I am very disappointed to mark The Radish off of my list of places to eat as Grimes could really use a good dining venue. Unfortunately, The Radish will never be a destination for us or the many others we enjoy going out with.

Civic Skinny
Hey, wait a minute! You folks finally provide an update on the fake rainforest, which I've been really hoping you would, but your update is unclear. Do you mean that Ted Townsend is thinking about trying to find a new outside-of-Iowa location for this looney project, after all the brouhaha over finally getting it sited in Pella? Or do you mean that he's still trolling for out-of-state donors, which he's been doing unsuccessfully for years? Thanks for the inside info, which is much appreciated, but please clarify. Enquiring minds want to know!

House tax hike
I applaud the Iowa House for the deceptively clever way in which they voted to increase sales taxes this week. In case you missed it, hidden between the much publicized smoking ban bill and the opening of the CIETC trial, the house voted to change the local option sales taxes in Iowa to a permanent state sales tax. I don't know about the other 98 counties, but in Polk County, the local option tax is set to expire in 2010, so in effect, this would be a tax increase. Perhaps they thought no one would care or that we've been paying the additional tax for so long that we wouldn't even notice. You'd have thought they would've seen the Project Destiny meltdown as a bellweather and realized this is the last thing Iowans want or that with the higher costs of living, this is the last thing Iowans need. Surely the fine governor, who throughout his campaign and several debates made it very clear the only tax he was going to raise was on cigarettes, will veto this bill when it reaches his desk. But you never know. Maybe he needs the money to fund his (also recently) proposed $25 million child welfare, er, healthcare plan. Maybe he'll decide he doesn't need to keep his campaign promises, after all, he already pissed off democrats and union workers by not signing the fair share bill, maybe he's decided that it's now time to piss off republicans and Iowans who expected their local option taxes to be used locally and only for a limited time.

Smokers arrogance
Iowa is so special and all-concerning as to ban cigarette smoking in public venues. Shame on you businesses. You are bringing us down. This is a great place to raise kids, and smokers perpetuate the decline of socioeconomic civility in our great state. But wait, Polk County is different. Why? We have the ultimate cash cow (currently named Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino) that is not to be concerned with the newly passed law of NON-SMOKING IN PUBLIC VENUES IN THE STATE OF IOWA. Dang, that's just convenient. If your name is Joe Smith with a bar and grill, if you own a retail/wholesale business with an open warehouse, if your construction workers are in the shop due to inclement weather, and you wanna grab a smoke, CONSIDER YOURSELVES ILLEGAL. Last I knew, discrination (even due to the use of a LEGAL substance) is unconstitutional. Let's get back to the basics of our country's foundation, and quit whining about nothingness. How about those foster kids aging out of the system? How about improved public transportation to the suburbs to off-set gosoline prices; how about changes in the social system so as to facilitate those IN the system more economically; how about talking about real issues in this great state?

comida mexicana
i was bummed to see the shotz and grill cordoba write up because i recently have been to "el chisme" taqueria and pizzaria, (twice) at merle hay and urbandale ave. and was hoping you'd plug it to bring them a little more business. i know you can't focus on one type of food but it's good, best i've found on the west side. haven't tried the pizza yet. now i've got to get over to shotz and grill to try them out. chile rellenos twang my buds. i guess it's a good problem to have

Outback Restaurant in Puyallup
A big rave to the Outback restaurant on Puyallups south hill for making a special persons birthday a surprise from us after a quick phone call. A big thank you!

Nation For Change Rally
A nationwide rally of Obama supporters The Nation For Change Rallies will be held in all 50 states on April 19th Participants will attend the rally to show their support for Senator Barack Obama in advance of the upcoming primaries (Pennsylvania on April 22nd and North Carolina & Indiana on May 6th) and the Iowa District Conventions scheduled for April 26th. The Nation for Change Rally is sponsored by grassroots supporters of Senator Barack Obama. Saturday, April 19th 2:30-3:30 PM, West Side of Iowa State Capitol Building, E. 10th & E. Grand Ave.

Consumer fraud
Great politics watch this week. Cityview is quickly becoming THE source of political news. The fact that the legislature took a pass on voting on this law that would protect consumers was completely ignored by other local media, which is a shame.

MLK
MLK was 38 when he was shot dead. It's been longer since that moment than he lived. And still, no one has connected the dots between James Earl Ray and his South African passport and Canadian travel agency itinerary that took this provincial red neck through the world capitols of racism. For all the conspiracy theories about JFK assasination, there are exponentially more reasons to be suspcious of the MLK assassination. Yet years go by and no one bothers. Why do you suppose?

THe following comes from the newsletter THIS is TRUE: 30 March 2008 Copyright http://www.thisistrue.com
It was sourced by the Tacoma News Tribune In what will probably become the iconic TV ad of the 2008 presidential campaign, a little girl is shown sleeping as the "phone rings at 3:00 a.m. in the White House." The spot, for Hillary Clinton,is meant to convey that she is "ready on day one" to handle crises and imply opponent Barack Obama isn't. The little girl featured in the ad is now 17; the footage had been sold to a stock house, and was used by the Clinton campaign without bothering to learn who it was. It was Casey Knowles of Bonney Lake, Wash. She turns 18 well before the election, and she has already been working for a presidential campaign: Barack Obama's. (Tacoma News Tribune) When called to comment on this crisis, Hillary refused to answer the phone.

Polk county GOP
If folks need to discover the demented state of the Polk County GOP you just have to wander over to "The Real Sporer" website. The authors rants and predictions remind me of the final days of the Third Reich when Hitler manuvered ghost armies around the map to halt the Allies Assault. This week he accused socialist government in Sweden of "liberals puking up hatred on demand." his concern centers around an Absolute Vodka ad campaign; he sings praise to the our state embarrasment Rep. Steve King; and he promotes "a comprehensive political website" which is a poorly done MYSPACE account with a donate button. here is the main blurb on the website then my comment. Sanger for State Rep's Blurbs About me: The name's Chris Sanger. I am running for the State Representative position in [Iowa] District 62 also known as the South Side [Des Moines]. I was raised outside of Dallas Center by a wonderful Mother and Father. Mom and Dad both used to work in Washington D.C. and for the State of Iowa. Mom works at Homecare Services, Inc.; Dad works at Wells Fargo and Co. I work at Wells Fargo and I am a business owner. I live on the South Side, of course. I believe that all people have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and the people agree. I am running because I hear the people and I will stand strong for the people. Check out my blog and become politically active if you aren't already. Who I'd like to meet: You! DONATE button Yes, I want vote for a 23 year old with no life experience whose parents lived in DC, is not a native south sider and whose dad got his son a job at Wells Fargo. Anybody can be a business owner but let's have him use the term successful business owner like Brad Zaun used until his business went broke! The website is a My space account and not a campaign site for goodness sake. Notice these specific political points: "I believe that all people have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and the people agree." "I am running because I hear the people and I will stand strong for the people." So all you South siders here is the GOP premier candidate who loves non specifics so that he never has to have a backbone. Sanger, come back and run when you can actually contribute to life liberty and pursuit of happiness. Maybe join the Army and see Iraq. You were one of those pro war young retpublicans! Here is your chance to show how you can lead! or is that too specific for your moral compass? Looks like General GOP Ted Sporer is throwing more cannon fodder at a lost cause. it is not that Sanger is evil, He is just too much of a rethuglican for me!

Ingersoll's drug culture
Multiple businesses operating along Ingersoll Avenue are little more than thinly veiled cocaine dens. This is nothing new. Nor is it all that shocking. (Anyone who has spent even a minimal amount of time in any Des Moines bar would know this.) If such knowledge is so common, that the names of multiple businesses have become synonymous with cocaine, how is it possible that these businesses stay open? Every city deserves to have a seedy underbelly, I'm just curious how law enforcement goes about ignoring the issue. Maybe it is just that they are that inept. All of which could be good. Seedy underbelly. Inept police. This could move Des Moines up at least a couple notches on some sort of bullshit "American Cities" list. We should get the word out. Start combating the whole hick farmer thing.

Steven King and the Border Patrol
Why did this only surface in the Cityview. Is this really true? How great that would be if he stepped down.

Cyber-Bullying
The good old Des Moines Register is proving the "Peter Principle" in regards to the "moderating" or should I say "no moderation" of their Online Discussion Forums? Our "friends" Mike Corey, Chris Snider and the rest of DMR's "motley crew" are ASLEEP AT THE SWITCH! They should be sued for Libel by the many individuals who are regularly tormented by anonymous cyber-bullies online, which appears to be sanctioned by the Des Moines Register Management. I'm fighting back in any way I possibly can, against this "organized stalking and harassment" in order to prove that the DMR has played an active role in it. The "discovery" process in a Libel Action can be so enlightening!

April Fool's money
Regarding Get Money out of Politics PAC' 5,000 dontation to Fallon, is that irony or what? A PAC organized to donate money to eliminate PACs. America is a great country!

Wilco
Playing catch up with my stack of magazines and papers, I came across your great cover page/article on Wilco. Being a huge Wilco fan, it was great to see them grace the cover of a Des Moines based paper. The fellow who wrote the article asked a few questions that I was glad to see brought to Jeff Tweedy, that I had not seen before or questions that I would have not asked had I been in the room. I was able to actually see the show at the Val Air, the week after the article was run in your paper, wish I would have seen it prior, but it does not take anything away from the great job done by Cityview by writing a great article by one of the best bands of our time. Thanks again for doing a great job of covering the music scene in Des Moines.

April Fool's
I LOVED this weeks issue. I always do. In fact I forwarded the Karaoke Ban on to our Entertainment Coordinator and he went crazy. He couldn't believe it and wanted to start calling our lobbyists. I still haven't told him.

Dream Lake
I hope that CITYVIEW is not so naive as to think that the would-be developers of Dream Lake are going to give up. They are moving ahead, and are still determined to destroy a beautiful river area in the name of "green development," a misuse of the term that makes real conservationists gag. With a planned $700 million profit just from lot sales, these guys don't plan to let a few burial mounds stop them. How about reporting on what they're up to? The REGISTER left out some of the best parts, like their belief that they are being guided by God. Please, take a break from the fun stuff (wrestling, Elvis) and cover a story that really needs to be covered.

Puppy Mills
Because of this blog about Channel 13, the "cover" of a woman that has spent her life resucuing dogs from horrible puppy mills, has been blown. She will now be faced with harrassment from puppy mill owners who have lost business due to her bravery and loyalty to animals. Her name should NEVER have been published.

chris vance
chris vance rocks. the energy at his opening was amazing. i think des moines really does have an art scene. something is happening here and you don't know what it is, do you, mr. jones?

Wilco
Wilco on the cover of Cityview! How cool was that? Also enjoyed the online concert review and photos. Thanks for caring enough about good music to give it the kind of coverage it deserves.

Treatment of disabled Vets and Clergymen in the skywalk.
In a society that claims to be patriotic and religious, I have met some ungrateful people in this community. I am a disabled Vet and an ordained minister. My associate and I walk the skywalk all the time helping people who may need it in any form. We go to Churches Homeless shelter and talk with people there also. We walk past the Nationwide building almost everyday and never been approached. Until yesterday (March 13). When I was verbally assaulted by the security guards employed by this company. Tell my associate and I that people like us are not welcome in the skywalks at all, that we are intimadating and that we are frightening the employees who walk the sky walk and that we are not allowed in the sky walk. Now if disabled Vets and ordained ministers are not allowed to walk the sky walks would that not be a form of discremination? Just walking around enjoying life and talking to people and smiling and saying "Hi" to total stangers is not a crime in this country the last time I checked. But if it is, then no one should be talking in public to each other. But then my Marine Corps buddies who did not make it back died for no reason and we are not the nation I thought I lived in. This is the USA! We are allowed to be kind to each other and help and laugh together! But Nationwide seems to have an issue with Vetrans and religion. I don't know about you, but this highly aggrevates me!

a certain type of green Mayor Cownie is fighting for
The Des Moines Register again reminds us of Mayor CownieÕs dedication to the environment ("City Will Purchase 38 Replacement Vehicles," Feb. 16). ItÕs indeed commendable that the council has set a goal to make Des Moines a sustainable "green" community. Earlier in the week, he maintained this same stance by voting against the proposed new DahlÕs store on Ingersoll Avenue when plans failed green standards. Oddly, the Mayor ignored citizens in Beaverdale when asked to respect and preserve their neighborhoodÕs "natural capital." He supports the dense mixed use development of Rice Field despite knowledge that the recreational green space resides in an area of the city where parkland is severely lacking by national guidelines. The mayorÕs approval is inconsistent with smart urban planning and proper guardianship of the land. Responsible planning increases the intensity of nature before increasing the density of development in a community. Is our mayor really an environmental advocate? The inconvenient truth would suggest that his concern is most eminent only when it impacts his own neighborhood, promotes his own political ambitions and/or does not interfere with the lucrative endeavors of developers, political supporters and friends.

daddio's
Gas Station Food? Who'd a thunk it? I had no idea either Baker's Food and Fuel or the Phillips 66 on 141 had good food. I drive by both places all the time in my work. Now I stop and eat, especially at Baker's. Thanks for the tip, I can't imagine the Datebook Diner ever investigating gas station food, but she's missing something uniquely Iowan. You're right about pork tenderloins - they are a state icon and the legislature should make it the official state sandwich, when they aren't too busy safeguarding the power of hog confinement owners to inflict stink and disease on their neighbors.

Non-Smokers
Remember, when all the non-smokers wanted was a few seats in the front of the plane?

Larry Norman
I read in last week's Cityview ["Scene Scribe," March 6] the brief mention of the passing of the father of Christian rock music, Larry Norman. I just wanted to say thank you for putting this in your paper. I don't always appreciate the contents (or language) of your paper but I read through it each week. What a pleasant surprise to read the comments about Larry. I was privileged to spend an afternoon with Larry back in the mid-seventies when he performed in Marshalltown. My close friend, Lou Good (now deceased), sponsored Larry in a concert. Larry knew Lou and came to town early to spend the day. He wanted to shop for jeans. Good old fashioned country jeans that could stand up by themselves. I guess they didn't have those in Hollywood where Larry resided. Lou had me drive the long-haired rocker around Marshalltown looking for the jeans he wanted. While Larry was rather quiet and I was a bit intimidated or star-struck we did enjoy some nice conversation. But it was his concert that left a real impact in my life. He was so humble, wise and funny. I learned a lot from Larry and he has always held a special place in my heart. I was saddened to see he had passed away. Again, thanks for the mention of his death.

Wilco
I just wanted to note that I really liked this week's wilco article. Tweedy is one interesting dude. I liked the questions/topics you brought out. Fun read!

What's Inside
Is this guy 100 years old? I'm getting tired of week after week turning to what's supposed to be the hip, edgy alternative paper in town and instead finding his ramblings. He adds no value to the paper. In fact, he drags it down and completely ruins Cityview's credibility. Please, please, please make it stop.

Snafu
This is the best CD I've heard in a long time. Andy Anderson is AMAZING!

Butt Out
I hope I'm not overstepping by speaking out for the 82 percent of Iowans who are non-smokers. Restraunteers and bar owners are claiming that they will lose business if the smoking ban goes into effect. What am I missing here? Are smokers the only people who eat out or go to bars? What about the majority of us who would choose to go out more if we could do so in a smoke-free environment? My wife and I love going to Blues on Grand, and I appreciate everything that Jeff has done to make it non-smoker friendly, but getting headaches from the smoke and smelling like smoke after being there is a major deterrant why we don't go more often. California, Delaware, New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington currently ban smoking in bars and restaurants, and I have not heard that they are going out of business as a result. I don't favor creating laws that control peoples' lives and limit commerce, but I don't understand how such a small percentage of the population can have such a grip on the hospitality and entertainment industry.

Thank you to the staff at Liars Club
I turned 32 today. We went to Liars Club to start off the celebration. Not sure if you all know but the Thursday on the week of your Birthday Liars Club has a MADE A Wish Foundation night. To make a long story short you get to pick ANYTHING you want up to a certain amount of money and they will grant your wish if you win. They draw two names out the bucket and if your name is drawn you win whatever you put on your sheet. Most people put items from an IPod, TV, or even a down payment on a car. I myself don't see the point of only thinking about yourself so I put on my sheet that I wanted 300 dollars to go towards my charity which is the JDRF and a digital camera, which I have always wanted. It came time to draw the names and my name was not drawn. I was really upset but at the same time really happy for the two names drawn. About 10 minutes later I hear my name being called over the microphone to come up to the DJ booth. As I go up there I think to myself what the heck is going on or who did my friends piss off now. To my surprise they saw my request and wanted to grant it. They wrote a check out to the JDRF in the amount of 100 dollars. I was speechless!! It really made my whole Birthday! Sure I didn't win a digital camera but this donation meant more to me then anything. I ask you all to PLEASE support Liars Club and to please thank them when you go in there. This really made for a Birthday that I will NEVER forget!

Smoke On
I hate smoke, I love Freedom. I told the smokers that they stink. They told me tough shit. I have the right to breathe clean air. Go outside, light up and shut up. Stink all you want to just do it outside.

butt out
The Iowa Senate deserves applause for its version of the bill. The House version stinks of hypocrisy by exempting casinos, one of which is owned by a governmental body. What are the House Representatives afraid of, that by curbing one dangerous obsessive compulsive beahavior they might slow the growth of a second dangerous obsessive compulsive behavior? Of course the answer is "yes" because of smoking is believed to encourage irrational gambling habits and the legislature is addicted to the income it gets from gambling revenues. You can't expect them to take an action that might reduce cigarette tax revenues AND gambling juice too. It's time we sent all the reps who voted for the casino exemption to rehab for their gambling money addiction.

Butt Out!
I am a business man and a student of history. I certainly know a business opportunity when I see one. Do you think I could advertise a smoking speak easy on your site?? Thanks again Iowa for making business harder to do here!

Smoking Ban
I just moved to Des Moines from Minneapolis, and was appalled to find that smoking is still allowed in bars and restaurants here. We just banned it in Minneapolis a few years ago, and statewide not long ago. I thought secondhand smoke was a plight I was finally through with. For me coming here is like taking a step backward in time. I can only hope that a law barring smoking from bars, clubs and restaurants is passed and put into effect ASAP.

Best band. Final Mix, Jason Brown?
To the person who listed Final Mix and Jason Brown as best band and artist. I noticed that their fans didn't vote for them in the recent Best Of. But fans did pick a couple of real winners that are overlooked on the scene, One Nite Stand and Matt Woods. One Nite Stand does rhythm and blues better then Final Mix and tackles jazz that Final Mix is afraid to touch. And blues, Matt Woods is one of the finest this town has to offer. Jason Brown is a cutey, but Matt is cute AND young. Check it out for yourself.

iowa's most venerable presences
Thank you for the context, the covert "teddy boy" analogy ("keying" a car), the payment of due respect and particulalry for taking a stand. Too many so called art writers/critics cover all things equally these days. You once wrote about a major newspaper's front page story that lumped Vladimir Horowitz and Staff Sgt Barry Sadler into the same obituary. Such non-judgemental crap does no one justice and betrays the medium and particularly the critic's responsibility. Cornelis Ruhtenbrg towers over other Iowa painters and that does not insult me, it inspires me. She is an undervalued state asset. "They don't make em like her anymore" and it's clear they don't make public areans like the DM Civic Center anymore either. In the latter case, it's because the powers that be, those who choose architects for a public works - have stopped caring about the people who pass through the buildings, unless they lease suites and use valet service. The state wrestling meet has lost all its unique charm since being moved out of The Barn. That event in that venue was the opposite of "apartheid" design, it allowed an intimate, dynamic contact between competitors and audience. In Wells Fargo Arena, it's just another show on the arena floor. The move from the old building to the new one has diminished the event. I hope it's possible to consider moving back.

Kingpin
Angst, to say the least, is farthest from what you have caused your "family." The words destruction, devastation, and selfishness sure seem to come to mind when dredging up this matter once again. The audacity to bring this matter up, when your family has worked so hard to over come this stigma, for the past 23 years, is BEYOND words. Especially, when your family is obviously dealing with a much, much bigger issues even more recently. How dare you Mr. Kingpin! How dare you Cityview for supporting this man?

What the?
What the middle class people don't understand is we need to squeeze them just a bit tighter because there still breathing.

we are what we dare to eat
On Lincoln's birthday, it's time to give Napoleon his share of credit for ending slavery. Soon as the deeds, cited in the previous letter on this subject, led to economically feasible sugar from beets, manufacturers began advertising Slave Free Sugar. Napoleon's sugar beet incentives had more to do with the emancipation of slaves in Caribbean colonies of France, England and the Netherlands than all the work of all the abolitionists in Europe. Cane sugar exploited over 90 percent of all African slaves, when the industry lost its economic edge, it became less defensible. Only in the USA did we need to fight a war to achieve the sweet ending.

we are what we dare to eat
marvelous commentary, but you are not quite right about sugar beets. Andreas Marggraf discovered how to extract sugar from beets in 1747. It remained impractical until Napoleon offered incentives that you mention. In 1812, Benjamin Delessert built a factory that produced crystalized sugar. When Napoleon heard, he rushed there to taste the sugar and was so pleased with its quality he tore a gold medallion off his own neck and pinned it on Delessert. The following day Napoleon announced a major new discovery in French commerce.

The Kingpin
Amel Lueth is a man who takes no responsibility for his actions. You allowed him space to complained that his rights were taken away because the snitch who told on him was deemed unreliable. You allowed him to whine about the family farm being taken away when it was his drugs that got it taken away. Was this supposed to be a human interest story? Are we supposed to feel sorry for Amel Lueth? Did I miss something? I think it's really sad that you gave this man any publicity at all. Why would you want to run a story about a man who takes no responsibility for his actions other than to point out that he takes no responsibilty? Shame on you cityview for giving this guy anything but a spot in your Losers column. He put his own mother in harms way. It doesn't get much more loser worthy than that.

Irina's Restaurant and Bar
I really like theirs new beers, Russian and Uk, great atmosphere, a lot of fun always. I think this is one of the best spots to go but not that many peaple know about this place, check it out.

CCI
Thanks for the excellent coverage of the CCI rally day. CCI provides an excellent voice for those of us concerned about these issues. You are helping raise the awareness of others of the need for clean air and water, local control and clean elections.

Tax Rebate Checks
If a recent internet news article is correct from CNN and the 600 dollar rebate check is not a government gift, but a loan on next year's tax return, I would like to ask those in congress just how stupid do you think the American people are? Borrowing from next year's potential income may be the way of the government, but it is definitely not the way to help us. It is just going to create more problems for us next year.

The Kingpin
Another victim in the War on Drugs, Amel Lueth has a valuable story to tell. The government is was so eager to get a big name bust they didn't care that they trampled on the Bill of Rights. Another war we can't win, and its a war against our own people. Thank you, Cityview for making sure this story was told.

The Kingpin
Great story about a man whose rights have obviously been stolen from him. Whether you believe being involved in the drug trade is evil or not, I personally think it is, everyone is guaranteed rights in the Constitution. Like Mr. Lueth said, even murderers get a fair trial.

Raw Food
I have been to a few of Sheree's classes. I was skeptical at first too, but it really is good. It's the most guilt free meal you can have. Sheree is a great coach and makes her classes very fun and educational. I highly recommend her classes and going to her Meet Up group.

Food
My husband and I went to Mojos Thursday night and were saddened to learn Chef Robert Beasly and his crew have left. Needless to say the food is not the same and although it was good, it was missing the flare and the love we were expecting from Mojos. Please, we have to find out where chef Beasley is. We will follow him for more of his unique cuisine.

It's embarrassing to know this
I'm pretty sure that weird Channel 8 Sexual Predators promo being shown for Sweeps Month is a ripoff of an insurance commercial that used to air on Channel 23. I think I recognize that footage of children playing and the opening narration.

Liar's Club Rant
There are Liar's Clubs in Alpine, CA, Milwaukee, WI, and Newport, KY. There are probably a dozen more around the world. And that makes a difference how ???

Sunny Days
Cold weather is depressing, so West Des Moines is spreading the word that AMayZing days are ahead, and we want everyone to be apart of it. Amayzing Days will be a month long celebration all over West Des Moines with constant events. Specific schedules to come. For more info check out myspace.com or become our friend on facebook by searching in Des Moines for Amayzing Days.

food
glad food dude is back in the sneak preview, forgot how much i liked it. The points about diversified diets were really apt, the following statistics were just released by a California think tank I follow. 1. There are 1,462 recorded species of edible insects in the world. 2. An estimated 7,000 plant species have been commonly eaten by human societies throughout history. Today, a mere 20 species provide 90 percent of the world's food. 3. Of the 463 varieties of radishes known to exist in the 20th century, 436 are now extinct. Please keep reminding people to save seeds and to eat more different foods, it really is a matter of decline or fall for civilizations.

Local Bands
More needs to be done so these local bands can be seen, opening up the city parks for them to play in would be a great start.

Civic Skinny
"Private college presidents, students, and their parents are saddened and shocked that the Governor failed to recognize the importance of this grant to their students' debt load and their ability to pursue a college degree in the State of Iowa," John Reynders, president of Morningside and chairman of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. Every fucking Boomer with a PhD attached to his or her name thinks he should be a millionaire just because he or she spends 90 percent of his time sucking up to other Boomers with who have an MBA hanging out their ass. Never once do any of these overpaid, underworked college and university presidents ever look at their compensation and say, "Gee, maybe I'm making too fucking much money!" As for the Boomer MBAs, they should be picking up more of the tab for higher education, because universities and colleges in this country are nothing but trade shcools for industries of dubious worth to society! Apparel merchandising, business process management, computer information systems, entrepreneurship, informatics, hotel/motel management and on and on it goes. Crap for which students and their parents are forking out hard-earned dough that should be taught on the job! C'mon, Corportate America, if you want monkeys ready and trained to step right into such and such position you pay for 'em!

Liars club
Maybe these idiots should have mentioned that there already is a Liar's Club in Chicago that has been open since 1995 and still kicking. Bunch of plagiarist morons.

Growing Up Wired
The book LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS points out that children who play outdoors benefit in many ways that range from better social skills to better school performance and longer attention spans. Some research indicates that outdoor play also helps to lessen the symptoms of ADHD. It's not just that children are growing up wired, many kids are spending their time wired indoors instead of playing outdoors. That's not good for their development.

homeless?
What makes people think that the delusional guy in the "not about homeless" (Jan. 24) is actually homeless? He probably is living in an apartment or a house that is run by an agency that takes care of people with special needs or some place like the YMCA. You should spend some around the smoking area of the YMCA and you will see some unusual people who look like they are homeless. Many of them goes to the library on a regular basis. Think about it, what kind of delusional person could be out in negative 10 degree weather (before wind chill) and still survive. A delusional person wouldn't have a tent or even blankets. They would die in Des Moines. They are the kind of people who climb in dumpsters and get killed. Just because somebody looks homeless doesn't mean that's true.

Growing Up Wired
Interesting topic, would have liked to hear more about cyber-bullying and the like. But, I'm more curious about what sources were checked for the following quote, "Every year in the U.S. about 15,000 kids are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I'm no medical doctor, but "kids" have always been getting Type 1 diabetes since it is (usually) a juvenile onset type. I think, but am not sure, that what you meant was Type 2 diabetes, or insulin resistant (the type related to obesity), has been increasing in frequency among younger populations. Please be sure to thoroughly check your facts. Thanks!

bands and artists comment
I just read someone say Final Mix is the best band in town and Jason Brown the best artist. Final Mix is good and I have not heard Mr. Brown, but I must also say for anyone reading this who has NOT heard a young woman in town by the name of Bonne Finken you are missing out. I have heard her three times now and she truly is the gem of the Des Moines music scene and is sadly not out in public much while she records a cd. Trust me if you get a chance, hear her! She does sing for a cover band When in Groovia, also.

Uncle Wendell's Barbeque
Uncle Wendell's rocks. His beef brisket is fabulous with a crusty outer edge and sweet tender smoked meet inside. The pulled pork is awesome too (but the beef brisket is my favorite). The sandwiches are huge and while you know you shouldn't eat the whole thing, they are just too good not too. His baked beans are also great, and may be the best I have ever had. Tons of pork in with the beans make them a meal by themselves. It is a true family restaurant where Wendell, his wife Pam and sometimes even his mother can be found behind the counter, putting the family honor on the line with every great meal. He also has some of his subperb farmer's market baked goods there year round, including Dutch Letters and Almond Bread. If you haven't been there yet, make sure to go soon, you'll love it!

Civic Skinny
What's happening to Earthpark? I have faith that Civic Skinny will be one of the first to hear any interesting rumors. Please share them.

best bands or artist
the best group in the city of DES MOINES is Final Mix, they are fantastic, and the best artist is Jason Brown he is Iowas best in country, give them both a try and you will see I'm right.

Angling for Legislation
If Iowa catfish could talk, they'd be telling us to forget the "official state fish" designation and just clean up the water they have to live in. Which is the same water we drink, fish and recreate in, so its current foul condition doesn't say much for our collective smarts. One indication that we Iowans aren't too bright regarding water is that those clean water TV ads, the ones produced by the Iowa Farm Bureau, aren't getting laughed at. Reed canarygrass is an invasive species that natural resource agencies and conservationists are trying to get rid of, so boasting about farmers' stream conservation work and then showing streams lined with solid reed canarygrass is kind of like boasting about dental hygiene and then showing a mouth with no remaining teeth. And that pond in one ad has steep cut banks and mowed grass right to the edge, which is NOT recommended for good water quality. Pathetic.

6th Avenue
I'm writing to address the people verse car problem on 6th Ave. in Des Moines. This is right around University Ave. I recently had the terrible luck of being a part of this problem just a few weeks ago. A very intoxicated male stepped out in front of my car in rush hour traffic. I was lucky enough to stop in time to just bump him and not run him over. As the ambulance came for him I witnessed several other people running across the street weaving through cars. Did I mention this was not at all close to a crosswalk. Also there were atleast 8 people just loitering outside of the plasma building (everyday occurance), not 2 feet from all the traffic. I just heard this morning that someone in my family had a similar thing happen to them just last week. A pedestrian stepped in front of his vehicle and this time almost got hit. So is it illegal to jay walk in Des Moines? Is there a reason for crosswalks on 6th ave? With all the loitering going on in that area and all the traffic one would hope there would be a solution. Maybe enforce the use of crosswalks. Write a few tickets for loitering. Write a few tickets for all the drunks just hanging out stepping in front of cars. Is that considered public intoxication? Im sure if I was drunk stepping in front of cars in Urbandale I would be in the slammer in minutes. Ok or dead. The fact that this happened to two people in the same family in one month tells me that there may be others who encounter this. Maybe Im wrong and people should be allowed to just step in front of cars if they want. Heck if they don't have insurance why does it matter to them. They aren't paying my 500 dollar deductible.

Republican Caucus
I attended Johnston 3 caucus, which is the largest Republican precinct in the state of Iowa. 635 people showed up, so we didn't get started until 8:00 p.m., but it was worth it! Tricia nixon Cox and husband Ed Cox showed up to speak fpr John McCain, Mitt Romney's eldest son and family spoke for him. A senator from Arkansas spoke for Huckabee, a physician from Johnston who was an intern in NYC during Guliani's NYC tenure spoke for him, a pretty well spoken local spoke for Ron Paul and no one was there for Thompson and we were disappointed. HOWEVER, no one was disappointed when presidential candidate Alan Keyes stepped up to speak for himself. It was a once in a lifetime experience. He is such a passionate, well educated, dynamic person. He began with a question, "How many of you think the most important thing we need to do in this election is keep Hillary Clinton out of the White House?" All 635 loyal Republicans clapped yelled, and made it clear that they felt exactly that way. Then, Alan Keyes proceeded to eloquently detail how our precious America is slipping away from us. How we tolerate abortion, not seeing it as exactly the same kind of "terrorism" and killing of innocents, and the Islamo-Facists in our "War on Terror." He spoke of how run away liberal courts are debasing the duties of our legislatures by creating "law" using pinko liberal judgements. The "Republic" of Lincoln is in serious danger. He is the ONLY candidate who will actually abolish the tax mess we now have, there is no "fixing" it. He is the only candidate who could possibly lead us back to the foundation of our Constitution. Keyes has a PhD from Harvard. He helped Reagan bring down the Berlin Wall, and the Soviet Union. He has represented us in the United Nations. He has MORE foreign policy experience than all the other candidates of both parties put together. He stands for the moral, physical and economic sovereignty of all Americans. He is a diamond among a batch of rhinestone candidates. Oh, and at the end of his speech, he again asked the same question about what was really important to us in this election, if it was keeping Hillary out, this time, you could hear a pin drop. He turned and walked to the side of the stage and listened to the deafening applause of the gathered Republicans, by FAR, the best reception of the evening. I was undecided when I went to my caucus. I voted for Keyes. Only 13 other Johnston 3 folks did the same. What a shame. We'll be sorry if he's not on the ticket and by this time next year, it will be too late. You've been warned.

Caucus rant
FYI I have lived in Iowa my entire life. I've survived the winters and the caucuses, and if I live through this one, 13 presidential election cycles. Unlike Mother Nature's occasional outbursts, the caucuses are a man made disaster. I've attended caucuses and found them as intellectually valuable as a high school pep rally. Like real estate abstracts and butter cows, the caucus system is uniquely Iowan. The other 49 states are also comprised of "true Americans." They just haven't resorted to the truly archaic caucus system. It's about Iowa's 15 minutes, not how "American" Iowan's are. Kent Carlson

Barack Obama, the next president
Barack is not eye candy. He is not a celebrity. He is a true leader who is already bringing this country together. If you caucused last night, you saw Democrats, Republicans and Indepedents stand behind Obama and start talking about how to move this country forward, together. Regarding the nonsense from the person who hinted that Obama will introduce an era of bowing to the East and hailing Allah, calm down and educate yourself, please (and learn how spell the name of our next president).

Barrack Obama
What in the world are you people in Iowa thinking? You vote a man in who doesn't even have enough respect for the American flag to put his hand on his heart during the pledge of allegiance (see www.Snopes.com for pictures and verification). Read about him for yourself on www.Snopes.com. Do you honestly think he is for the American people? When you have to start bowing to the east and hail Allah then it will be too late to turn back. This is not a good thing. We have to take America back and having a non-Muslim as our president is not going to do it! Yes, he is "eye candy" but as the old saying goes, "wolves come in sheeps clothing." Please, think about it!!! Don't help sell America down the gutter!!

Charlie Wilson's War
If I wanted the true story with every detail, I'd watch a documentary on the subject. Hanks, Roberts and to a major extent Hoffman, present you with a wonderful piece of entertainment, held together with the type of dialogue only Aaron Sorkin could put together. Go see it and enjoy it, but don't take it too seriously.

Iowa Caucus
After reading Kent Carlson's slanted commentary about the Iowa Caucus, I would invite him here. But your narrow mind and your unforsight would never survie our cold weather, ice and snow. People like him sit in the warm weather drinking ice tea shooting down the true Americans, only small people would ever write what he did and insult everyone.

Hillary
As a nurse for 27 years, a mother and wife who has worked hard all my life to get ahead, I applaud you Hillary Clinton!! There is NOT one politician that is perfect in all of our history, but if there is anyone who WILL defend us middle class hard working people, it is Hillary Clinton! I've done my research for a very long time and obtained the facts and without a doubt, our great country is going to see history take place in November 2008! For the first time we are going to see a woman President! And its not just because she is a woman, it is because of what she represents to us all. Stop looking at the past, because the Clintons own personal lives where their own. Face it, everyone has a skeleton in their closet in some way, shape or form. The Clinton did their job well before and they will do an even better job in the future. Do your research on the facts before you make judgement.

Huckabee's Immigration Plan Is Deceiving
Mike Huckabee says his 9 point immigration plan will solve the problem of illegal immigration. The last part of that plan gives the millions of illegal aliens in this country the option to leave the country and come in the legal way. However, he's been quoted and recorded saying this process would only take a day or so. That's not doing it the legal way. This is amnesty, pure and simple. This plan is no different than the amnesty bill Senators Kennedy and Kyl tried to shove down our throats last summer. We cannot afford another George Bush type in the White House, and I strongly recommend to anyone considering voting for Mike Huckabee to check out his record on illegal immigration.

hillary's experience
Hillary said yesterday that she would cut off aid to Pakistan. Somehow that sounds more like the pronoucement of someone who never had security clearance in her 8 years in the White House than it sounds like the 35 year leader her minions keep telling us she is. Of course, she also said last week that OPEC would reduce the price of oil if she were elected, so maybe it doesn't matter if she her leadership credentials are earned. She's magic.

Beware of Huckabee
I think Mike Huckabee will be remembered as a flip flopper and a liar. An example is him lying in front of milllions of people about having a theology degree when he does not. I found this article and am sharing it. FREELAND The founder of a Hazleton based anti illegal immigration group left for Iowa on Wednesday to join other activists to discredit GOP presidential contender Mike Huckabee before the Iowa caucus. "We're going to expose to Iowa voters that Mike Huckabee, who is currently leading in the Iowa polls, is a fraud, and his record speaks volumes. He does not care about immigration reform, and basically, we need to go out there and get the word out," Dan Smeriglio, president and founder of Voice of the People USA, said Wednesday at a press conference at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Freeland. Smeriglio will join William Gheen, president of Americans for Legal Immigration Political Action Committee, and Peter Gadiel, of 9 11 Families for a Secure America, to "warn Republican voters" in Iowa about Huckabee's "touchback amnesty plan" in anticipation of the Jan. 3 Iowa caucus. Caucuses are meetings at which members of political parties gather to make policy decisions, elect leaders and select candidates. In a few states, they serve as an alternative to primary elections. Since 1972, the Iowa caucus has been the first major electoral event of the presidential nominating process and has served as an early indicator for which presidential candidate might win his or her party's nomination at the party's national convention. After setting up a command center Wednesday night, the leaders of the three anti illegal immigration groups plan over the next four days to conduct media interviews, initiate a phone campaign to as many as 42,000 registered Republican Iowan voters and go door to door to spread their message about Huckabee, Smeriglio said. Gheen, of ALIPAC, said the activists will warn voters that Huckabee and fellow GOP presidential contenders Rudy Giuliani and Sen. John McCain have "pro amnesty" stances. On his Web site mikehuckabee.com, Huckabee details a nine-point "strategy for immigration enforcement and border security" that includes rejecting policies that promote or tolerate amnesty. Under the amnesty provision, Huckabee proposes to provide all illegal immigrants 120 days to register with the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and leave the country. Those who register and return to their home country will face no penalty if they later apply to immigrate or visit; those who do not return home will be, when caught, will be barred from future re entry for a period of 10 years, according to the Web site. But Gheen said Huckabee "is trying to deceive voters with a tough immigration stance on his Web site that excludes his comments to FOX News on Dec. 9 where he says illegal aliens can return within days."

Im writing this in response to your recent article on "people making a difference".
Namely the person who was mentioned first...a certain outreach worker. let me give u some inside information. In the two years i have been homeless in Des Moines, i have witnessed time and again, just how uncompassionate this man is...including throwing a man out of a homeless shelter for trying to get a hungry person some food. I have seen time and time again, how this man truley does not care about the people he deals with. the number of times i have seen this person near a homeless camp, i can count on one hand. his uncaring treatment of the homeless people of Des moines is not something that we should celebrate. It should be considered as just another reason why homeless people can not get off the streets. His malicious attacks on the homeless people of this city are borderline criminal including several times, while not only threating a homeless man, i have seen him rejoice in the fact he can throw a man out into the cold. this person should not be celebrated.he should be chastised for his actions, attitude and treatment of the poor of Des moines. In closing let me add this... say what u like about the poor of Des moines, but its a sad day, when a person who is to care for them, finds joy in threating and harrasing them. threatening to put a person out into the cold, for what u ask? asking for food? or how about asking for just a lil respect?

Sculpture at Ponderosa
In response to "what's the deal with the Ponderosa sculture commissions? I haven't read a thing, every media outlet in town has over reported every pappajohn and bucksbaum art donation but nothing about commissions for living local artists, rather than tax breaks for the filthy rich, might be interesting." Expect to see a sequence of press begining in February.

best of 2007
The Register did a Best of Dining, can't ever remember them picking the best new restaurant before. Their two critics picked two different restaurants than you picked. How the hell do you choose? Did one really stand out for you? Also, thanks for acknowledging George Formaro, he's a great talent and Des Moines is so lucky to have him. I think he doesn't usually get the due acclaim because he isn't an academy boy like most hot chefs these days.

Best of 2007
I recently checked out the Best of 2007 article because I had received another forwarded email from the annoying Melrose girls to vote for them Best of 2008. It is in my high hopes that the best of 2008 article comes out more innovative. I cannot decide if the Best of 2007 article shines light on bad shopping, or bad writers? To name Von Maur because of the "dressy" clothing, than go on to name Lucky brand jeans? Anyone that is aware of retailers would know that Lucky brand jeans are not a hot commodity. The writer should have gone on to discuss the exclusivity that Von Maur brings to Des Moines (Burberry, Kooba, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Juicy Couture, True Religion brand jeans, ect.) plus the wonderful customer service experienced at the store. It is also kind of contradictory to name Yonkers the best "casual" retailer and than list it as a runner up to the best "dressy" retailer. There are so many categories that Cityview included in this list that Des Moines simply does not have enough variety to vote on. "Best Shopping District?" There are only three in the area (all of which made the list as top or runner up). Why don't you include some innovative categories like "Best Boutique," "Best overall retailer," "Best department store," "Best bargain store." At least this way the "list" can see some competition. Just food for thought.

A new renaissance of hope
Our grandchildren will read stories of how Iowa chose the first great leader of the free world in nearly 50 years. Our grandchildren will read stories of how Iowa chose a leader with true vision and hope. They will read stories about how this leader challenged its citizens to accomplish great deeds. They will know the greatest deed of all for this new leader was the accomplishment of true world peace, A peace that elevated America to a new renaissance of hope and opportunity. On January 3rd, Iowa will have that opportunity to change the course of America and elect the next great leader of the free world, Barack Obama.

best & worst
what's the deal with the Ponderosa sculture commissions? I haven't read a thing, every media outlet in town has over reported every piece of art the pappajohns and bucksbaums give the river walk and gateway park to death, but commissions for living local artists, rather than tax breaks for the filthy rich, might be interesting. No?

letters to the editor/former rant
I see you edited my rant when you turned it into a letter to the editor. Unfortunately, you took out the part that made the last line make sense, the part that bothers me more than their calling, that these calls are making me so angry that I get nasty about them. Still, I've managed to curb some of that nastiness since that rant; I cut the last caller off and told them I was voting for Severus Snape, then hung up. Not completely polite, but better than telling them to shove off. And definitely more fun.

Granny Basketball
It is that time of year when grannies (women over age 50) are untying their aprons, lacing up their tennis shoes and heading to the gym to play Granny Basketball. Granny Basketball is a gentle sport for the mature women. It involves no running or jumping, but hurrying is encouraged. There are currently two established teams in the Des Moines area and three more getting started (WDM, Ankeny and Indianola). These grannies love to play basketball and are searching for groups who need new ideas for fundraisers. There is never a charge to the organization and everyone has a great time. For more information or to set up a game, visit grannybasketball.com.

Best & Worst 2007
Knowing 2 out of the 3 volunteer winners: Mary Muller & Don Dunagan made those choices personal for me. Their contributions and friendships with those they serve are as beautiful as the art these artists produce.

best & worst of 2007
I think I remember your Art Pimp calling for a Living Treasures program in Iowa. If not him, someone else writing in the local press did several years ago. The Japanese designate Living Treasures and Revered Presences to honor their unique cultural assets. Other countries, a couple states and several USA cities have done the same thing. (Santa Fe's Living Treasures include a former Des Moines lady, Mary Lou Cook.) Iowa should begin such and Bill Luchsinger & Karen Strohbeen should be charter members. They are Iowa art incarnate, and in reproduction.

"of a nice grandma..."
Wow, I just wanted to make sure this comment from a previous Rant & Raver didn't get lost in the length of his rant. "the reason the Register endorsed Hilary Clinton and John McCain, is to generate an onslaught of online traffic. Since the endorsement, 1025 comments (and counting) have been posted after the news story about that endorsement. That translates to more dollars for the Register's bottom line related to online advertising dollars."

Beechwood Lounge
Beechwood is a great bar! Although it is very nice estabilishment, very far from a dive bar like explained in the article. Overall great story and even better bar.

The Sins of my Church
The Catholic Church should be disbanded for having the audacity to: Pay for the defense of a priest convicted of molesting an innocent child and then coming to their congregation(s) for money to pay for said defense. Ask any of its members for money when the Vatican is sitting on untold millions and perhaps billions of dollars. Elect a Pope who was a NAZI. Come up with a Ten Commandments for driving (Don't believe me? It is true, just google it). Preach forgiveness, understanding, and tolerance while (in the same breath) judging and condemning those who remain true to who god made them. Not allow women to serve in a more prominent role when women play quite a healthy role in the bible, the book which we are told is 'The Truth.' Not apologize sooner to the victims of the Holocaust and their families and for failing to take action sooner. Allow people to buy their way into heaven many century's ago. And for still allowing people to do it today under the guise of tithing. I could go on but as a Recovering Catholicª, I have to let go sometime.

Of a nice grandma, the scribbling race and human pi–atas
The number of paid subscribers to the Des Moines Register is dwindling and for good reason. The day I cancelled my subscription was the day I opened my paper and read printed comments from "Bubba" underneath one of the news stories. "Bubba" is one of the cast of characters posting comments at the Register's Online Forums. His "claim to fame" is downloading another forum user's Juvenile Court Record from Iowa Courts Online and posting it in the forums as a means to humiliate and embarass a 20 year old college student. The ensuing "flame war" resulted in the Register banning me "permanently from posting comments.... ONLY me, not "Bubba." Ironically, I was one of the few people who was "invited" to try out the Register's Beta Site before they went "live" with it in November. At the time I received the invitation, I was banned from posting comments. On the new "site" the Register is unable to actually ban anyone from posting comments. Their software DOES allow them to completely pull the profile of a forum user without notifying them they're being yanked. Then that person sets up a new profile, which the Register eventually yanks and so on and so on...... Apparently the San Francisco Chronicle uses the same software because I read about some online forum users who are questioning the software. Here's how it works. The Register yanks the complete profile of the forum user which means ALL of the comments posted are removed, not just the offensive ones. Here's the "big secret"...if that forum user is "logged in" they will "see their comments" but nobody else will. So for a time, they won't know their profile's been yanked. If they log in, the comments are there, but if they happen to go to the Discussion Forums or the News Stories, without logging in, they will "discover" the "dirty secret." What's the point of this you might ask? The POINT is that the Register continues to generate online traffic from the user profile as opposed to just getting rid of the profile completely. This is outrageous! During the past several weeks, I have subjected to another forum user who has directed the following to me: "You look like Bob Barker in Drag" and followed it with a photo of Bob Barker, "You're a douchebag," "Yeah the woman is a real nut case who needs professional help, just keep using the report post button on her posts every time," "crackpot, crank, cuckoo, demoniac, ding-a-ling, flake, freak, fruitcake, goof, harebrain, kook, lamebrain, loon, loony, madman, maniac, neurotic, ninny, nut, nutcase, paranoid, psychopath, psychotic, scatterbrain, schizo, screwball, section 8, sicko, whacko, and yo-yo. You are not wanted or welcome around here. By ANYONE! Get a clue and leave us alone. What is your major malfuntion?!?!" and "One down 63 personalities to go. ;)" This same poster posted this a few days ago: "I like boobies :)" This forum user has NEVER been banned, or had his profile yanked, the Register has banned me for using the terms, "moron" & "slumlord." I have written about my Polycystic Kidney Disease and my suffering from ADHD at the Register's Discussion Forums on several occasions, yet the Register continues to publish vicious personal attacks that include name-calling related to my "bunk kidneys" and the above deragatory references my being mentally ill. I have sent the Register numerous e-mails containing the deragatory personal attacks, some of which they've removed. The forum user who has been the biggest offender has been warned time and again to stop but he posted the above 30 references to my supposed mental state yesterday, without penalty. I have no doubt that I'm being targetted by the Register for stands I've taken against Hilary Clinton, and others of what they consider "off limits." This is what the Register considers "free speech." One of the topics on the Discussion Forums this week was "Moustache Rides" where the users posting comments either promise a "ride" or ask for one. That is the kind of filth the Register is passing off as news. "Bubba" always appears to "add a log" to the latest "flame war." Yesterday, there was a thread devoted to the promotion of "Car Surfing" a practice where kids ride on the hood of a moving car. Kids have been killed doing this but some of the forum users were promoting it as an alternative to "kids shooting each other." Now, if a kid reads that, and decides that since supposed adults are sanctioning it, and he gets killed, is the Register responsible for allowing the promotion of it on their website? If the Register isn't legally liable, then at the very least, they have some moral obligation not to promote something via their Discussion Forums, that has been shown to cause the death of kids? The Register allows a "mob" of forum users to "gang up" on other forums users...a kind of "sacrificial lamb" so to speak, in order to generate more online traffic. That's the "beauty" of their new software that allows them to yank a user profile, but then the "offender" can go right back with a new profile and continue posting. When the user writes something the Register doesn't like or agree with, they can then yank that user profile. It's my opinion that the reason the Register endorsed Hilary Clinton and John McCain, is to generate an onslaught of online traffic. Since the endorsement, 1025 comments(and counting) have been posted after the news story about that endorsement. That translates to more dollars for the Register's bottom line related to online advertising dollars. I will NEVER purchase a subscription to the Des Moines Register... in fact if the Register offered to deliver the "paper" free of charge to my front door, I would refuse it. In order to defend myself, I have communicated with the United States Department of Justice, with a complaint that the Register is refusing to recognize me as being part of a Protected Class of Persons, related to my now 20+ year diagnosis of 2 legitimate disabilities, both of which are considered permanent. In spite of receiving a copy of a letter to the Justice Department, the Register is continuing to allow the ongoing personal attacks against me without allowing equal access to defend myself in that same venue. This is not Free Speech, it's propaganda, yellow journalism (not quite libel) discrimination and censorship. One thing is certain, this is definite not news reporting. The "Star Magazine" provides more hard news than the "rag" otherwise known as the Des Moines Register.

Des Moines Register endorse H.C. is a mistake
If you are concerned that you may be electing an unindicted criminal, then you should agree with the Des Moines Reg. decision. There are grand juries who have met to go forward with an investigation of Hillary's involvement with "clearing the playing field" in 1999. Here's a quote from Tom Flocco.com "the long-time Special Forces and Division 4 (FBI)... classified final report naming former presidents Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush, Pres. Bush and Sen. Hillary Clinton among others as being involved in orchestrating the assassination of John F. Kennedy Jr... Div 4 has investigated other major crimes as shown on the Discovery channel in the 'The Hunt for the Serpent' - a serial killer as well as "a chase thru the Hudson Valley" capturing the Green Valley Killer." Del, team leader of this of this special investigative FBI arm felt that in good conscience he could not keep this secret any longer - and so granted an interview with Tom Flocco.com and later the 20 page report which Tom had posted on Stewwebb.com. Why did they do it? Because of leaked plans that HC would be beaten by jfk if he decided to run against her for NY Senator. Poppy Buch was afraid of jfk's possible bypassing of the senate race and going for prez - his son would have no chance - if that was what John K. decided to do. The plot involved airplane sabotage and a remote (or barometric) charge going off. Weather was good, plane was in good shape and in all likelihood there was a flight instructor on board who jk used on nite flites (later covered up) because it refutes "Pilot Error." Complicit in this outrage is the NTSB who help suspend the search for the aircraft for 15 hours - when they knew all along - from radar - where the aircraft impacted after falling some 188 feet!

iron wok
I had no idea there was an independent restaurant out there in Jordan Creek so thanks for the tip. Went there and was charmed by the owners, what an oasis in the franchise food desert.

grandma's
Well said sir. In its decisions about blog-to-paper fluidity, the Gannett Outlet Store on Locust has abdiacted its responsibility as a gatekeeper of standards, of ethics and of fairness. Ten years ago, I was complaining about the mistakes and bad grammar that slipped by the paper's "copy editors." On this slippery slope, that led to far more troubling things - 1.) Professional travel writing and now film reviewing have been done away with, in order to publish "show & tell time for grown-ups" in which the paper strokes egos by publishing "My Family Vacation" photos and anecdotes in exchange for cost free filler. 2.) Blogs being manipulated by rivals to undermine competitor restaurants with lies or inaccuracies, which can go uncorrected for weeks. 3.) Solicitation for free research - as in "Send us comments about your experience with ... for a story we are planning."

Who will you vote for??
Talk about funny calls, I got one Tuesday that asked me who I was going to vote for in the Republican primary. Being a two party house hold that stuff happens. Naturally, I politely told them no thank you. The call was from out of state, so I Googled the number... 603-232-9296. An escort company in New Hampshire?? Gimme a break!

Political Phone Calls
Received 4 calls over two days from the "Robo-Voice" pushing Ron Paul from a blocked out of area phone number on the caller ID. Contacted the national Ron Paul organization and asked them to stop the insanity and told them I wanted the name of the company making the calls. They took my name and number but refused to identify the company hired to pester Iowan's with that kind of crap. So much for Ron Paul's advocating open government and public's right to know.

The Art of Giving Back
A great article that truly shows the benefit of Project Based Learning and how it relates to real world learning experiences.

Candidates' phone calls
4 calls a night is nothing. Heck, I receive 3 calls within 5 minutes of each other from Clinton alone. And not on just one night. This continues. I, too, am tired of them. One can not watch a TV show in the evening without getting at least a couple of calls per show. The only vote I am going to make off a phone call is a NO. And you can bet Clinton is at the top of my NO list!

phone calls from candidates' offices/polls
I have just received my 4th call today regarding the upcoming caucuses - plus one last night (a Sunday) at 8p while watching holiday films with my kids. I have also just shocked myself by telling one of those callers to "stick it." I try hard not to be rude to people who call, no matter the reason. After all, they are just doing their job. But I've had enough. I have received at least one call every other day for a month. It's now one or more a day. It's time they realize that they are annoying people so much that they are going to LOSE votes. I realize it is a privilege to live in Iowa, where we get to meet candidates and express our views... but it's also a curse. And this from someone who used to enjoy being politically active! I'm seriously considering moving before the next major election - or become a seriously nasty person.

Is Iowa going crazy
jackie fleming is a paid GOP hack who only complains about democrats. The Move On. org is part of free speech the senate resolution was was pointless. Does Jackie ever complain of the blatant lies of Rush or Deace? Does jacklyn ever complain about rudy's pandering and philandering and using public funds to drive his mistress? Does Jackie report on Grassleys 50 million dollar earmark to ted Townsend? Does jackie complain about Huckabees release of a rapist/killer who immediately raped and killed upon release? Of course not as she isn't interested in truth or justice just her propoganda that spews from her corrupt party. Jackie is the GOP that broke that they have to rely on your fake letters of outrage to promote their agenda of hate and fear? In your next letter you should admit upfront of your bias!

Rice Field
The Des Moines School Board first turned down upto an additional $100,000 for the Rice property at a time when we are cash strapped. This issue is actually addressed in the State Auditor's Report on the Des Moines School District and some of its improper activities. Beyond that the contract signed by the School District with the Boesen Group was an "as is" contract. So we not only didn't accept the most money for the property we ignored our contract and added $130,000 to the deal. At a time when trust has all but been destroyed between the Des Moines School District and the taxpayers of this community because of the way the local option tax projects have been handled will can ill afford additional rifts between us and the public. When the local option tax was passed in 1999 it came with three district promises. The first was that we would spend the money only on projects we said we would. The second was that we would spend on needs first and wants second. The third was that we would not have excessive managment or bureaucracy associated with the effort. Now the day the tax passed we projected $352 million in revenue but $426 million in projects. So we started off $74 million short. Then we spent on projects not in the promise like the $10 million plus Central Kitchen. We pursued wish list projects instead of taking care of identified needs first. Finally we signed an upto $24 million management contract with a company. Currently the principal officer of that company bills us $19 grand monthly even though we have no written performance evaluations on his work for us and he's failed to appear at a single Tuesday Board meeting this year despite 60% of our meetings to date have dealt with local option tax project concerns. On June 30, 2010 the local option tax is scheduled to be renewed. After the thumping Project Destiny took as further evidence trust is gone when it comes to our current civic leadership do we really believe the voters of this district will renew the tax? Can we pass bonds votes currently to fund much needed projects in Des Moines? The tragedy is we can't conduct business like a normal school district. Instead we have to make really tough choices following really bad choices. Because of that we need to be transparent and fully engaged with our partner, the public. In the movie 3:10 to Yuma Dan Evans tells his wife he didn't consult her about a key decision because she would have made the same decision. He completely misses the point. They promised to make decisions together. Right now the public, our partner in local education, feels excluded. We hear it again and again but ignore the constant raised concern. Instead decisions are too often made outside the public view, even outside the view of some of us board members, and then when we are ready for ratification then, and only then, do we have a public conversation. Unfortunately it's too late by then. In the case of the Rice Property our one and only hearing on awarding the $130,000 became a Board chastisement of the concerned citizenry. I am still stunned as I think about people like former State Sen. Jack Holveck and John Norris being told if they don't like the Board's decision run for the Board. As a Board we completely missed the point. A complication that could have been avoided by not rushing to judgement. Regardless, transparency and accountability are two pillars that must be added to the upholding of the future of this district. Without them we will continue our collapse under the weight of our arrogant and antagonistic governance.

Promises sent Down the Drain
Thanks Cityview for your continued efforts to bring to light the nepotism, cronyism, and corruption in the misuse of public funds in and around Des Moines.

Down the drain
Hear ye! Hear Ye! Hear ye! May it once and forever be proclaimed throughout the land that Beaverdale's Rice Field DOESN'T have a storm sewer problem after all! How shocking! Can it be? Let the TRUTH resonate throughout the land! The justifications being made by our school board and city council to use taxpayers' dollars to help pay for new storm sewer costs on the property are improper and make our public officials look FOOLISH, ILL-ADVISED, MISINFORMED, DISHONEST or all of the above. The only reason Rice Field needs extensive storm sewer work is because the school board, city council, developers and their friends/associates are bent on developing it. Besides, the neighbors alerted officials to the fact that storm water run-off would be a major concern with a development on Rice Field months ago, so...WHY is everyone acting so surprised about it? Public Works Director Mr. Stowe referred to the space as a "big green sponge" as he addressed storm sewer concerns when speaking before the school board. The fact of the matter is that the undisturbed green space has no need for a storm sewer and would continue to take care of itself quite nicely if left alone. It's the massive amount of proposed concrete and rooftop surfaces that will cover the space that have created the storm sewer problem. No development...no problem. The developers are creating this problem (not to mention the general discord and unhappiness in their own neighborhood as they go against the wishes of the majority of their neighbors)so let THEM pay for it. Curious, isn't it that Parks and Recreation officials were involved in both the Rice Field and Ankeny wetlands land acquisitions. And that's just the tip of the iceberg! Look a little closer, dig a little deeper, and we may find that there are other similarities, as well. Stay on it, Cityview! PUBLIC MONEY IS BEING MISUSED!

David Yepsen's Severe Lack of Tack
My God when will the reign of terror end? Des Moines gets its one shining moment in the NY Times sun and David Yepsen drags us back into the dark ages with his embarrassing quote. Idiot! Ref: http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/12/02/travel/02journeys.html

Winners and Loser
In Re: WDM $1,000 party fine: And yet, there's no fine for people who let people get drunk at their house, beat each other up and then call the police out to break it up "whether the person knows or should reasonably know (what exactly does that mean anyway Ñ should reasonably know? what's the loophole there?)that an idiot loser has consumed alcohol." It seems that the serving minors law covers this "problem" already. Since it seems they're scraping the bottom of the "what can we do to make WDM better" pile, it really must be a nirvana west of 63rd street. If so, where do I sign up?

Rice Field Shenanigans
Beaverdale's Rice School neighbors were promised that their elementary school would not be torn down if the one cent sales tax passed. Then, after the building was demolished,they were promised that the land would never be sold. Speaking at the October 17, 2006, school board meeting, at-large councilman Chris Coleman made comments regarding the proposed Rice Field development, "This has been talked about and planned for since just before the Rice building was torn down." This should shed some light on why citizens have chosen not to remain silent on the numerous questionable practices surrounding the land deal. It seems a lot of people were scheming and planning for quite some time without public knowledge.

Foreclosure
David Horak, the President of the Iowa Mortgage Association "knows how it feels to lose a home?" Who believes that bogus crap? The Iowa Mediation Service hasn't done "diddly" for ANYONE facing foreclosure... to the best of knowledge. What could we expect for a little less than $5,000, which is amount of money the AG's Office provided to the Iowa Mediation Service? They answer the phone but that's as far as it gets! I'm disappointed that the Cityview did this "puff piece" without doing any investigation. Assistant Attorney General Patrick Madigan....has this "Mortgage Foreclosure Hotline" actually stopped any foreclosures. I attempted to refer consumers facing foreclosures to the "hotline" which is when I discovered how bogus this really is. I would appreciate it if Cityview would look into what the "Mortgage Foreclosure Hotline" has actually done in terms of numbers of foreclosures that have been stopped as a result of this program? I think you'll find out the number is 0 to none!!!

Tipping
Why don't minorities tip? You want to come to America, the land of the free and capitalism, and yet you are actually hindering our culture.

The Witches Among Us
Great article! Many don't understand the Wiccan/Pagan belief system. I think it is human nature to lash out or crucify those things that aren't understood. I only wish more people would take the time to learn about things before "branding" or "stereotyping" them. Kudos!

Democrat Nominee Race
The media is not giving John Edwards the fair amount of coverage as Clinton and Obama. Thus far the only candidate that is willing to go into depth about the issues the will affect the lives of each and every voter would be John Edwards. Both Clinton and Obama are playing the DC insider game. Hillary has admitted to holding onto her ties with the lobbyist networks that continue to foster a corrupt system. There might be a group of lobbyists that do good for the nation, but the bad apples need to be extracted. For example, the war contractors the continue to lavish the Congressmen/women with incentives to continue the war in the middle-east. The interest of economic health has fallen on the corporate side of politics for too long. There needs to be balance. What the media is not allowing Edwards air-time for is, the explaination as to how he is going to bring about the balance. These concepts of most foreign to the other two candidates favored by the media. Be the HOPE... get the word out about John Edwards. The media is going to shut him out, but we can pass the word along, ourselves.

Broken Promises/Steve Klein
If the reporter had done the appropriate homework and checked the Polk County Assessor's website, they would have discovered that Steve Klein was not donating the land, he SOLD it for nearly a quarter million... sounds like sour grapes for his little theme park next door.

Grassley probe of televangelists
Here's a little sidelight on one televangelist and it has an Iowa angle: www.trinityfi.org/press/tuft/060830-HangTuft.html

Des Moines Register new website
You folks have no obligation to cover the REG, of course, but I'd be interested in your review of their new website. Yes, I'm rural and am stuck with dialup, but I don't think that's the whole problem. For me, their new website is even more difficult to use than the old one, which was no picnic either. And there's also an unpleasant new element of suspense. Sometimes I can click and get to where I want to go, and sometimes I click and nothing happens. Your website, by contrast, is easy and user-friendly, dialup or not. Also, REG, I have news for you, so to speak Ñ a lot of us not only don't want to write our own blogs on your site, but we don't want to read other readers' blogs either. If I want to read random blogs by other people who are no more qualified or knowledgeable than me, I can go to ten million other places on the Internet.

Civic Skinny
The Roosevelt High School story is interesting. I heard about a Des Moines high school student who was so severely bullied, physically and emotionally, that she dropped out and obtained a GED. The gang of girls who did the bullying did the worst things away from the school and after school hours, so the school reportedly disclaimed responsibility. But dropping out of school finally solved the problem for the victim. Pretty sad, and this story makes me wonder how common that is.

The New Democratic Generation
What do Americans really want right now? Change. Senator Barack Obama represents that change. Obama is the only candidate running for the presidency that can move us forward from the piercing partisanship of the last 20 years. He will bring us to a new age of confident engagement. Obama believes that America must lead the world, by deed and example. In Bill Clinton's 1996 acceptance address he said, "We can only build our bridge to the twenty-first century if we build it together, and if we are willing to walk arm and arm across that bridge together." We may in fact have finally found that bridge to the twenty-first century; it is Barack Obama.

Best of Des Moines 2007
Best service is at Latin King? They must have been truly off their game last Valentine's Day, which is the day that left me so unimpressed, that I may never venture there again. Normally, speedy is a good thing, but prepared to have a nice long dining experience, our appetizer arrived with our salads and before our drinks and we discovered a short time later that the appetizers were still cold in the middle. When the waitress arrived again a minute later, it was to deliver our drinks and our meals before we'd had a chance to barely take a bite of salad. The waitress dropped off the check without asking if we wanted dessert, asked how everything was but darted off before we could swallow and answer the question. We finished eating, I paid, leaving no tip, and we left. Our whole dining experience took about half an hour. It's been long enough ago that I don't recall specifically what we ate, I believe the steak deburgo was good but the pasta dish had the blandest marinara sauce. We actually ended up going home and making popcorn. I'm sure if we went another night we may actually experience this "Best in Des Moines" service, but I doubt that will ever happen.

Winners/Losers
Please continue to follow the story of Dr. Paul Armbrecht, the vet who was paid to testify that suspending hogs in the air so they'll strangle to death over the course of several minutes doesn't constitute cruelty to animals. I think this gentlemen deserves a lot more media attention than he has apparently gotten so far.

Broken Promises
Oh yes indeedy, good ol' boy politics have nothing to do with land-use decisions in Polk County. And babies are found under cabbage leaves, the Tooth Fairy leaves money under pillows and Santa flies all around the world in a single night. Here's a helpful hint, little children everywhere. When local elected officials go against the advice of their professional planning staff, odds are good that politics and/or money and/or good-buddyhood are involved. And that goes double when it comes to developing on wetlands and floodplains. Thanks, Danielle Wirth, for saying what some others would say if they didn't fear for their jobs.

Broken Promises
"The Board of Supervisors knew the developer, they knew the representative of the soccer league, it was all very 'good old boy' politics," he said. "ThatÕs just how things seem to go in Polk County."(AND IN CITY POLITICS AS WELL.) That couldn't be further from the truth, Hockensmith said. The board always looks at zoning changes with an open mind, and for the supervisors to go against the recommendation of the planning and zoning commission, the developer had to make adjustments to improve the project. (COMPARE WITH DM COUNCIL OF THE RICE FIELD SALE AND DEVELOPMENT, WHEREIN A NEIGHBORHOOD GOT SCREWED.) The president of the soccer league at the time of the re-zoning, Douglas Romig, could not be reached for comment ... (A PERSON NAMED DOUG ROMIG IS ASSISTANT TOP DOG AT THE DM PARKS AND REC DEPT.)

arming the campus cops
have to laugh at Mikey Gartner. Ive noticed when moneys transferred at Principal park in DM, the cops accompanying the Cubs employees are armed. Of course, Mikeys money is more important to him than the safety of the kids on the campuses in Iowa...

Fall Books Issue
It meant a lot to me, naturally, to have my new novel singled out for praise among your Fall Books. Still, I must return the favor. The issue was a real contribution to the community, a long-needed celebration of the canny and spirited scene for readers and writers in and around Des Moines. Those who love books, in this town, have had to grope for each other through fog and in silence, far too often. My deeper gratitude to Cityview, then, has nothing much to do with the small stroking my own work got, and everything to do with the far more significant benefit the issue accomplished, getting out the word about The Word. More, please, and as soon as you can.

Article about indoor playgrounds
The person who responded to the article about indoor playgrounds stated the following... [My pride and joy is now a happy, well adjusted 20 year old lesbian.] I'm confused. Isn't that an oxymoron?

bumper corn crop
Two crop agriculture has been practical since the Dust Bowl days, as rotation replenishes soil. The Corn Bubble created by ethanol subsidies is encouraging industrial agriculturalists to plant corn over and over instead of rotating. The encouragments to do this are being increased, by continued subsidies, by the disappearance from the land of owner-stewards, who are replaced by investment groups who care less about the land long term and more about short term profits.

Civic Skinny
[Your] article [Civic Skinny, Sept. 20] assumes that all other things being equal, everyone would rather be downtown when the vast majority probably just wants an easy commute to and from work. For some that means they prefer downtown, others WDM. So it really depends on if you commute from Ankeny or Grimes.

The insurance and drug companies know how to stop Clinton
I heard someone once say that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Well, if that's true, the Democrats must be nuts. At a time when 47 million Americans are uninsured, they're considering nominating Hillary Clinton, the one candidate whose failed attempt set back efforts to get universal health care by at least a decade. With all due respect, Clinton's experience doesn't mean she'll know how to manipulate the system better this time, it just means the insurance and drug companies, who have given her campaign millions, will know exactly how to stop her.

The Principal and DART
A friend of mine, who is an employee of Principal, informed me that beginning Oct. 1, any employee of Principal can ride DART buses for free. I'd like to applaud Principal for its green employee incentive and green community investment. Moreover, as a regular DART patron I'd like to see Wells Fargo (my employer) do the same.

Why DSM's Oktoberfest Is Lame!
Thank God CityView did not make the mistake of sponsoring the Des Moines Oktoberfest. Both my wife and I thought it was the biggest rip-off ever; you pay 8 bucks to get in and you still had to pay 4 bucks for beer and 4 bucks for brats. I guess the 8 dollar cover charge entitled you to a plastic mug and the opportunity to watch a bunch of people sit around, drink beer and listen to polka. Next year I will save a fortune and celebrate Oktoberfest elsewhere.

To the Editor
Imagine my shock at seeing that some dribbling idiot (I wont use her name, Ms. Twit from Johnston will do nicely) wrote to complain that my letter a few weeks ago about those germ filed play grounds at malls was "ridiculous." While not being a petty, mean spirited person who always has to have the last word, I feel forced, forced I say, to respond. First of all, Ms. Twit, I do have an offspring. My pride and joy is now a happy, well adjusted 20 year old lesbian. She is in great shape, always has been. And I never ONCE took her to an indoor bowl of puss! I took her to parks, the back yard, bike riding, tennis, karate. All the things you fat lazy mall rat parents seem incapable of. Second, while you concede that these "play pens" are full of germs, you point out other germ hazards. Ah, my silly Ms. Twit, life is full of germs, but not concentrated into a giant flu incubator in the middle of a shopping area! Third and finally, the noise from these infernal romper-rooms is on the par of a bachlorette party. (Alright, I admit that the kids are less germy and better behaved) So, bite me, Ms. Twit. I may be an grumpy old (48, but damn good looking) man. But I know a health threat when I see one!

Party like a rock star
Some one should have requested the Indianola police dept and Warren Co sheriff's dept direct traffic. The food was better than in past years. Dennis Kucinich wasn't there. He says he wasn't invited, but his Web site also said he and his hot, young wife were enroute from Hawaii to Cleveland that day, so I don't know what to believe.

Winners/Losers
You folks say that the bumper corn crop this year is good news for Iowa farmers, the Iowa economy and 52 countries that buy corn from Iowa. I won't argue. But how about covering the other side of the story, the way you used to do? I go to soil conservation meetings and what I hear over and over is that more corn means more soil erosion and more water pollution in Iowa, and neither the feds nor the state are doing nearly enough to prevent that outcome. To put it mildly. And the NRCS was already underfunded for what it's expected to do and is now eliminating staff positions in Iowa because of budget cuts. I do see good reporting on the natural resource consequences of ethanol and increased corn, but as far as I can tell, most of that good reporting is happening outside Iowa. Pretty sad.

Props for local music coverage
Thanks for all you do to support the local music scene.

Clinton's Experience or Monarchy?
Hillary Clinton has only been in the U.S. Senate for six years, a few more years than Senator Barack Obama has. Obama served in the Illinois State Senate for seven years prior to his election to the U.S. Senate. He was elected to the State Senate in 1996 and was reelected in 1998 and 2002. He won a landslide election to the U.S. Senate in November 2004, receiving 70 percent of the general election vote. Hillary has never served in any elective office prior to 2001. The idea that spouses gain qualifications through their partners' jobs is a radically new concept in this country. We don't name Chief Executive Officer spouses the next head of the company when their partner steps down. There's a word for a spousal co-presidency in the English language, it's called a "monarchy."

Barack Obama has offered the most far-reaching plan
Senator Barack Obama has offered the most far-reaching plan yet to winding down the war in Iraq. Senator Obama would pull out all combat brigades by the end of 2008. I agree with Obama's statement "The best way to pressure Iraq's leaders to resolve their civil war is to immediately begin to remove our combat troops." Most opinion polls strongly support a phased withdrawal of Americana troops in Iraq as Senator Obama has proposed. America must turn the page to so that we can bring back our unity of purpose at home.

We must turn the page in Iraq
I applaud Senators Barrack Obama's recent statements on the war in Iraq "President Bush was wrong when he took us to war, he was wrong when he escalated this war in January, and he is wrong to stay the course now." Obama opposed the war from the start. He introduced federal legislation in January 2007 that would have started bringing our combat troops back in May. I agree with Senator Obama that as Americans we must turn the page in Iraq so that we can recapture our unity of purpose at home and our leadership around the world.

No military solution to the war in Iraq
I agree with Senator Barack Obama that there is no military solution to the war in Iraq. We should immediately begin a withdrawal of American combat troops in Iraq. Obama opposed the war before it started in 2002. Senator Obama introduced legislation last January calling for withdrawal to start on May 1 and for all combat brigades to be pulled out by March 31, 2008.

Clinton's China Connection
In 1996 the re-election campaign of President Bill Clinton received $300,000 in illegal campaign contributions from the scandalous Johnny Chung. Mr. Chung, former Chinese government bagman, eventually pleaded guilty to bank fraud, tax evasion, and two counts of conspiring to violate election laws in December 1998. Time to flip forward to August 2007, presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton is caught in her own campaign fundraising scandal with former fugitive and one of her top fund-raisers Norman Hsu, who is under federal investigation for allegedly violating election laws. Clinton was the top recipient of campaign handouts from Mr. Hsu and his dubious associates since 2004. He was a leading money bundler for Clinton, earning the title of HillRaiser for his efforts. The scandal forced Ms. Clinton's campaign to return $850,000 to 260 contributors linked to Hsu. In 1991 Hsu swindled investors of $1 million in a bogus investment scam (a Chinese latex gloves deal). He was sentenced to three years in prison when he skipped town before his sentencing in 1992. He finally surrendered to an arrest warrant on August 31, 2007. The latest installment from the mysterious Mr. Hsu are allegations he recently swindled $40 million from a New York capital venture firm, headed by Joel Rosenman (one of the original Woodstock creators). He reportedly told investors the funds would be used to manufacture apparel in China for top fashion designers. When it comes to the Washington power game, we need to stop trading access for big money. If you defend the system that defeats change, you canÕt be the leader who will in fact bring change.

Walter Shotwell column on Getting out of Iraq
Walter Shotwell, once a great reporter and columnist fot the Des Moines Register has not lost his touch. His plan on how Americans can train Iraquis one-on-one and then leave is brilliant. It comes from common sense and having had experience in the military-experience avoided by virtually all of our Washington official elected in the past few decades. Chuck Grassley or Tom Harkin should grab the Shotwell plan and run with it.

fake lakes
How about a fake lake update? You folks had a great cover article on 6/22/06 about the very interesting political maneuvering behind proposed new fake lakes in several Iowa counties and how the eminent domain law fit in. What has happened since?

Johnny Cash Tribute
Wow, what a touching story about Tommy Cash. I just read it online, makes one misty-eyed!

ISU
After this 2nd loss for ISU they ought to get rid of this bible thumping fool, hire a lowly young "local" coach, pay him 100 grand only and let him make a name for himself. Save us all some big bucks and allow some unknown the opportunity to PROVE themselves. Let the life coach get on a rug and point him east.

Back to School
I am a 17-year-old senior at Roosevelt High School and Central Academy. After reading your latest feature story, "Back to School" I felt compelled to write in, correct a few bold claims, and offer my thoughts. First off, interviewing anyone but seniors does not result in knowledgeable answers. As a senior, I have over three full years of experience to draw from. Underclassmen do not have this advantage, and this was evident in the quotes. The students (besides Forest Cochran) interviewed were all either lying, ignorant, or enforced teenager stereotypes. The "problems" covered in the story are jokes to any high school student who pays any amount of attention to their surroundings. The statistic stating that "75 to 98 percent of students have admitted to cheating at some time in their academic careers" is highly amusing because of the keyword "admitted." I can unequivocally state that 100% of students cheat, and that the reason the study didn't show 100% is because not everyone will admit to it. School security definitely does not belong on a list of problems regarding Des Moines schools. I feel completely safe walking into school each day despite the infrequent incidents. Physical bullying is relatively rare, and the stereotypical gossiping and rumor spreading is to be expected. No one honestly cares about intellectually condescending comments, but the article counts that as "bullying." The article cites a statistic relating to how many bully incidents occur without adult intervention. Here is why students don't report it: If someone punches you in the face and you choose not to fight back, you get in as much trouble as the aggressor. Des Moines Public Schools say that one cannot plead self-defense. The consequence for you and the aggressor are the same regardless or your response, so why fight back? Onlookers do not want to intervene because if they get involved, they also receive the same consequence. This is why we refuse to report anything. It is obvious to the students that this policy does nothing but perpetuate more violence, but for years the Des Moines school board has ignored the issue. The students who gave quotes involving sex at schools are severely misinformed. No one has sex in Roosevelt (or Central Campus) bathrooms or anywhere else on school grounds. The claim is absurd (barring some sporadic cases). People would simply skip a class and go home, as you could get caught very quickly if you tried doing anything at school. Not to mention, the atmosphere in a Roosevelt bathroom is far from sensuous. The media would rather report on "interesting" yet fake issues that reaffirm what most believe to be actual teen issues than discuss real issues, such as staff apathy for education and overzealous and draconian district policies.

Beaverdale Parkland
Why is a florist/developer willing to play Russian Roulette with beautiful Beaverdale when there is way too much development going on and there is no attention to green space for future tenants of the dense housing going up?

Parkland in Beaverdale
At the City Council and hearing on Rice Field, a former candidat for governor who lives in Beaverdale advocated development at Rice Field. He mentioned that his grown children had used Rice Field... It might not be of use to his adult children, but what about our kids who would like to keep playing on Rice Field?

The Inexplicable Mr. Hsu & Hillary Rodham Clinton
Democratic presidential candidate Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton recently announced she would give away to charity the $23,000 in contributions she received from fugitive campaign fundraiser Norman Hsu. Mr. Hsu is wanted in California for skipping out on a 3-year prison sentence, following his conviction on defrauding investors of $1 million in a bogus investment scam in 1991. Senator Clinton was the top recipient of campaign handouts from Norman Hsu since 2004. Clintons campaign designated Hsu a "HillRaiser", a title given to top Clinton donors. Hsu donated to ClintonÕs political action committee, HillPac, her 2006 U.S. Senate re-election campaign and 2008 presidential campaign. The American people are tired of a Washington that's only open to those with the most cash and the right connections. We must do away with the influence of lobbyists and political action committees. We need a candidate who is not beholding to special interest and will fight against the status quo in Washington.

More Parkland for NW Des Moines
Public Works Director Bill Stowe said it very well when addressing the Des Moines School Board regarding storm sewer issues at Rice Field when he referred to the site as a "big green sponge." Rice Field takes care of itself quite nicely without the need for extensive and expensive storm sewer intervention. When will we learn that it's best not to mess with mother nature? Save the green as parkland! How much of the earth must we cover with roofs and concrete before we recognize our mistakes?

Northwest Parkland
We heard about Parks Director Don Tripp earlier this year when the media reported his failure to use alloted funds in a timely manner to post warnings for boaters near the river dam in downtown Des Moines. Now we learn that his negligence is threatening an entire community. Mr. Tripp should present a public apology to the community at an upcoming City Council meeting. At the same time, he can present accurate information regarding parkland in the northwest section of Des Moines and make the recommendation that Rice Field be preserved for current and future generations. Perhaps he is having a difficult time recognizing a shortage in parkland since he lives in one of the areas of the city where parkland is abundant.

Parkland in Northwest Des Moines
I do not understand why this Rice Field development hasn't been dropped yet. Ms. Buckley has exposed so much apparent corruption that it totally shocks me that the citizens of Des Moines have not yet flooded the council's mailboxes to shape up or ship out. Maybe it is time to hold the next council meeting in a local cemetery or riverbank to see what a lovely greenspace they are alloting for the families of the northwest.

Rice Field Park
Some of the people of the East Coast and West Coast of this great country think that Iowa is only corn fields, some think we grow potatoes.. We who live here know better. It's nice that Iowa can prosper but it shouldnt be at the expense of our parks. All is good with green space, health and welfare of our citizens should be considered in this case. We need space to breathe, think about how much fun it is just to have a Sunday afternoon out doors, a picnic, or run through the green grass.Lets not let the concrete cover our park space.

47 Million Uninsured Americans
I applaud the efforts of Senator Barack Obama in his fight against special interest in Washington. The rising cost of health care is directly due to the profiteering of the pharmaceutical and health insurance special interest and their lobbyists in Washington. President Bush and the Republican leadership in Congress can take credit for the over 47 million Americans who are uninsured. It's imperative that we take care of the health care needs of our seniors, children and our wounded military veterans in America.

Cathy Buckley's guest commentary
I feel STRONGLY that a great injustice has been committed against the residents of Beaverdale in regard to the former Rice School grounds. It was sold and rezoned over the objections of a huge percentage of Beaverdale residents who wanted to keep it as a green space so neighborhood children could continue to play and enjoy the trees and green space. If Mr. Tripp didn't have "his ducks in a row", then he should be replaced by someone who does know what he's talking about. As you look back on this whole process or even as it was taking place, one had to wonder why Mr. Tripp could make such an error??? Also why didn't the school board keep the property for future school developement (busing students is not only costly but buses use what could one day be a scarce commodity and if it had to be sold, the city should have purchased it-instead the Des Moines City Council went against the City's Plan and Zoning Board's recommendation not to rezone it. Why did they do this? One can only wonder why? I think Beaverdale residents and residents of Des Moines as a whole should think about this when they vote for the Des Moines School Board and City Council members.

Supports Iowa being first in the nation
Senator Barack Obama has campaigned aggressively in Iowa since his announcement in February. Obama has invested significant resources in a statewide grassroots effort in Iowa. Senator Barack Obama supports Iowa being first in the nation.

Stand by your lobbyist
How many lobbyists represent the 47 million uninsured in America today? How many lobbyists represent the homeless and poor in America today? How many lobbyists represent the families of the 3,800 American soldiers killed in Iraq? Hillary, how many lobbyists donated to your campaign?

We should not compromise with special interest
I agree with Senator Barack Obama that we should not compromise with special interest lobbyists in Washington. Senator Obama has led the effort in the U.S. Senate for ethics and campaign finance reform. Barack Obama has refused to accept campaign contributions from lobbyists and political action committees. Senator Barack Obama will fight against the status quo in Washington.

Northwest Parkland
I find it interesting that one Des Moines developer tries to create the "Beaverdale feel" on the southern edge of town, while the Boesen development group works to take it away by developing Rice Field. Reminds me of the lyrics to a song that is once again gaining a resurgence in popularity, "Don't it always seem to go, that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. They paved paradise and put in a parking lot." I hope Cathy Buckley and the neighbors will succeed in stopping this development and securing the greenspace for their community. We all should hope for this and support them in any way that we can by contacting city leaders and decision makers and rallying around the neighborhood activists.

Northwest Area deserves more parks
Thank you, Cityview, for exposing the truth which raises questions (and eyebrows!) regarding the proposed Rice Field development in Beaverdale. The Des Moines Register has done an inadequate job of telling the whole story, and the neighbors must be relieved to know that at least one member of the media family is willing to expose the dirty little secret of abuse that has been taking place in this community. Give the citizens the park they deserve. Meanwhile, we all should want to know... "Who else was/is involved in bringing about this awful mess?"

Northwest Area/Rice Field preservation
Kudos to Cathy Buckley for her excellent article exposing the inequities in parkland that appear to be endorsed by our city leaders. First we read about (eco) Mayor Cownie and now about Parks Director Don Tripp. Both men should be ashamed of themselves for the role they have played in supporting inappropriate development on much needed greenspace. We can add to the list of players Councilman Vlassis who does not see fit to look out for the best interests of his own constituents and every other Council member for not taking the time and care to really hear the neighbors and to do the necessary research that could have prevented this inexcusable error in judgement. These same "leaders" need to step up to the plate and correct this injustice. Buckley did ALL of the citizens of Des Moines a great service by exposing the truth.

Parkland in Northwest
After reading Buckley's article, it is obvious that Des Moines needs a Park Director who believes in the mission of preserving parkland not one who gives the bulldozer a helpful push for development.

Northwest Des Moines Lacks Parkland
comments: Further proof that Northwest Des Moines is severely lacking in parkland for its youth was made vividly clear by Councilman Coleman at the City Council meeting on August 20, 2007. Coleman refused to acknowledge the lack of parkland in Northwest Des Moines by noting that additional green space does exist for the residents in cemeteries and along the river. However, implying that youth play soccer in the graveyards and children run along the riverbanks is an inappropriate and dangerous approach to providing needed parkland for Beaverdale's youth. Des Moines leaders must take action to correct this grave injustice.

Northwest Des Moines deserves more parks
Cathy Buckley's article is one that should cause citizens to sit up and take notice for she is surely right on target regarding the need to preserve greenspace. The story of developers'ongoing exploitation of the land is not unique to Beaverdale or Des Moines. Numerous articles have shown that this is an issue that is currently nagging many communities. Developers are laughing all the way to the bank while destroying every bit of greenspace that they can. We were reminded of this recently when a Des Moines Register supplemental magazine insert included elaborate footage celebrating the acreages and party barns of some of the areas greatest developers/movers and shakers. A rowhouse with a slab of concrete and a sapling growing out of a mound of rocks is good enough for the other guy, but you can be sure that the developers are going to find their own extensive greenspace areas to enjoy at the community's expense. The Rice Field story is especially heartwrenching when one understands the sadness that destruction of the field will bring to the community. What makes it even more devastating is the knowledge that the Rice Partners developers, a Boesen Land Company, is willing to do this to their own neighbors.

Lack of Parkland in Northwest Des Moines
I applaud Cathy Buckley and all of the neighbors who have been working so hard to preserve Rice Field. Why is it that the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association has not advocated on behalf of the neighbors, where in the world is the area's councilman and how can city leaders think of doing such an awful thing to the community? Buckley makes a good point when she suggests citizens be vigilant regarding the Moore, Woodlawn and Cowles school sites. One can already begin to see the writing on the wall. If the school district is foolish and corrupt enough to sell off public land, the parks director and city leaders should be standing by ready to seize the opportunity to acquire the properties for parkland. The citizens of Northwest Des Moines deserve better than they are getting.

Northwest Des Moines deserves more parks
Parks Director rejects parkland? Isn't that an oxymoron?!!! It's pretty obvious that city leaders are in cahoots with the developers. Why else would the Parks Director reject parkland in an area in which it is sorely lacking. It's time to stop gratifying the developers and start caring about the young people and families in our communities. City leaders can stop talking about "quality of life" issues until they are ready to address them in our communities. Greenspace and neighborhood schools are basic elements contributing to quality of life in neighborhoods. Let the Rice Partners developers, a Boesen Land Development Company, find another piece of property to destroy.

Northwest Parkland Article
Mrs. Buckley's article is so compelling. I watched the City Council meeting August 20th,2007 when she presented her parks research to the City Council and brought to their attention the shortage in northwest Des Moiines. Councilman Chris Coleman said he had seen her statistics before and chastised her for not including cemeteries and the green belt along the river. Nice observation, Mr. Coleman. I don't know about you but I sure don't want my children playing in cemeteries or along the river! So, Des Moines tax payers, you decide for yourself, what do you think the City council thinks is appropriate for our kids? Northwest Des Moines needs as much safe park land as the rest of the City does.

Northwest Des Moines deserves more parks
comments: The Rice Field saga is absolutely unbelievable. Great cities do not destroy park land. Great community men do not take park land away. Des Moines complains about businesses and citizens leaving the city for the suburbs and then when residents actually do fight for their community instead of moving, Des Moines leaders treats them rudely. Compliments to those residents that are exposing the truths. Shame on the city for not doing what they know is right. Save the field for park land. If Des Moines leaders are so determine to have that development, put it somewhere thatÕs not already a park. Yes, Rice Field is a park! Everyone knows it's a park; maybe not officially but in every other way. Besides, that development does not belong in Beaverdale. It is cheap-looking and is so out of character even a grade school child notices. It has the look of structures around Jordon Creek. How about putting it there? Have those residents pay their taxes to build the development and then support it when it fails because the developers refuse to do more than the minimum required. Oh right, those leaders probably would insist on quality instead of worrying about the developer's bottom line. It is a pity that Des Moines taxpayers are going to pay a lot of money financing a sub-quality, out-of-character project on park land because Des Moines leaders are more interested in supporting their friends than their citizens. Kudos to Ms. Buckley for exposing this.

Rice Field Future in Beaverdale
To lose the public school in Beaverdale was wrong. To forfeit a residential zone to commercial development is wrong. To sale Rice Field to a famly member on the school board is wrong. To give up recreational space in Beaverdale is wrong. To give tax money to a developer who is a limited liability corporation is wrong. Too many wrongs don't make it right for Beaverdale.

Ms. Buckley's guest column about Rice Field
Instead of placing scarce parkland on the butchering block of development in Beaverdale, imagine the reflief and beauty Rice Field will offer to offset all of the development planned for Beaverdale. Kudos to Ms. Buckley for exposing the truth in Beaverdale!

Ms. Buckley's comments on Rice Field, Northwest Parks deserve more space
While I enjoy reading the cityview articles, I cannot believe that the city council would not or will not address the lack of park space in the Beaverdale area. I can remember attending soccer events in the area when my kids were playing. My son's team practiced in the Merle Hay parking lot because we could not find park space. From what I have read on this topic, it sounds like Ms. Buckley and her committee has done the research and the city council has a real no-brainer decision to maintain Rice Field as a park. Does Des Moines really need another strip mall or would the city benefit more by green space? Think about what is in the best interests of the children now and the city in the future. Will the additional tax revenue from the improvements really make a difference or will the citizen's have to pick up the tab? This often is the case with any new development and tax concessions.

caucus
Democracy will be tested if the Iowa Caucusses move to the Holiday season. Imagine the caucus is the same night as a Hawkeye bowl game. Turnout will be smaller than in other years. The TV spending per person who actually participates in the process will be in seven figures. The whole process will die of shame.

Northwest park land
I am suprised at the uneven amount of parkland aloted to the northwest section of Des Moines. Due to the heavy population they really do need more consideration. Who would have guessed they were so short changed.

Northwest Des Moines Needs More Parks
Ms. Buckley's article is right on! I wonder why the City is not addressing this lack of parkland for us, the tax payers. The City of Des Moines should be able to provide adaquate parkland in the Northwest section for older youths, and not rely on our high school athletic fields to cary out the City's responsibility! Older youths and teens are the most at risk. I read a comment just recently, it said... great men give land for the public good, small men take it away. City of Des Moines, are you a great man or a small man? Will the City of Des Moines step up to this issue or will they shrink away?

Rice field and park space
Mrs. Buckley is absolutely correct about the lack of adeuquate open/green space in NW Des Moines and specifically Beaverdale. Sports clubs of all types are falling all over each other to compete for space to play and practice their sports, Youth sports clubs such as baseball, football, soccer clubs already crowd Tower field (officially in the Meryl Hay area) beyond it's ability to accomadate them and efforts to replace Rice (renovated Meredith field) are already overwhelmed.

Northwest Des Moines Deserves More Parks
I couldn't agree with this article by Mrs. Buckley more. The city is pushing development in Beaverdale way too hard, eliminating park space, driving out residents and businesses with a proposed Hy-Vee and 3 other major mixed use developments along an 8/10 mile stretch along Beaver Ave. Why? There are many other areas of Des Moines that need this type of development - areas of Des Moines that are really run down and blighted. Beaverdale doesn't need development overkill. It is going to ruin the character of the neighborhood and bring along with it more troubles. Eliminating park space and cutting down mature trees is not the answer. Fix up the existing business buildings and let developers develop on their own land - not public land.

Cityview, in general
I find it funny how Cityview spends so much time bitching about The Des Moines Register and it's various publications. Cityview itself seems to be reduced to nothing more than a whiney child. Nice work.

Mrs. Basu of the Des Moines Register
Mrs. Basu contacted IowaFathers.com and we're discussing the issues at hand. I truly believe a study of the Polk County courts is both justified and long over due. The Polk County courts are no better or worse than any in the country and as such will provide a glimpse into the larger problem. I commend Rekha Basu for responding to us and eagerly anticipate our investigative findings.

Rekha Basu of the DSM Register
Register Civil Rights Reporter Rekha Basu invited "Angry White Men" to respond why they're upset with feminists. I'm sure here real motive was to somehow help Hillary Clinton since a recent column about Hillary was the underlying theme of the column. Since Rekha has yet to respond to any "Angry White Males" or even the minority women, Democrats, Muslims, and others who don't nicely fit into her characterization of those upset with over the top feminism - I've offered her a challenge. I challenge Rekha Basu pull the records on every Polk County divorce over the last four months (broken down by judge as well as the overall score) and report the following: 1. Total divorces granted 2. Primary Physical Custody awards by gender 3. Joint Physical Custody awards (equal physical custody) 4. How many were by bench trial vs. consent 5. How many involved claims of abuse 6. Claims of abuse resulted in the claimant winning custody 7. Gender of party if forced to pay other party's attorney bill 8. Average amount $ of award by gender 9. Average Alimony $ of award by gender Thank God for City View sinc the DSM Register has, thus far, shown no interest in the truth when it contradicts feminism.

The Fair Tax Act
In response to the letter headlined "Thank you, John Edwards" submitted by Greg Lee of Des Moines, I would like to respond. Mr. Lee, have you not heard of the Fair Tax Act? If so, you would know that this act would replace the federal income tax code with a national consumption tax that would apply to everyone in the country, individuals, corporation, criminals, illegal immigrants, etc. You would know there would be absolutely no discussion of tax evasion, loopholes, poor vs. rich, since everyone pays the same. Please check into this and use your resources to initiate change instead of just ranting about it. Check out fairtax.org and become outraged and empowered!

Way to drop the balance beam
Curiously, the Register dispatched staff Sports Columnist Nancy Clark to San Jose last week to cover the US Gymnastics championships. The budget-cutting Register doesn't splurge on such expenses unless there's a local angle that needs attention. Then it usually sends Mark Hansen, the paper's all star columnist, who transcended the sports pages long ago and has several Olympiads under his belt. Gymnastics fans here thought the choice of Clark disparaged the significance of West Des Moines' Shawn Johnson becoming the national champion and a possible threat to win the world championship next week in Germany. So it was Clark's big moment as much as Johnson's, except that Clark did the writer's equivalence of falling completely off the balance beam, on her butt. Her achievement might have been more amazing than the 15 year old Valley students' - Clark managed to sneak a non-word in the lead part of her routine, a made-up word that somehow got past her own software spell checking system and her copy editors. Assuming anyone even bothers to edit the Register anymore. Clark wrote, and the Register printed: She is the new national all-around champion, CORONATED Saturday night before a crowd of 10,293 at HP Pavilion after a performance that raised the sport to a new level with a stunning synergy of precision, athleticism and unabashed confidence."

Careless for authorizing the war in Iraq
Senator Hillary Clinton is careless for authorizing the war in Iraq without an exit plan. Senator Clinton is too willing to compromise with President Bush in regard to the war in Iraq. Hillary Clinton voted for the war in Iraq in 2002 and is regretting it today. Clinton needs to clearly understand that their are no do overs in the war in Iraq.

Clinton's Bush-Cheney Approach
I agree with Senator Barack Obama that Hillary Clinton's vote to authorize the Iraq war in 2002 was irresponsible and naive. Senator Obama opposed the war in Iraq from the start and introduced legislation earlier this year for the phased withdrawal of American troops in Iraq. Hillary Clinton comments remind us of the Bush-Cheney approach to diplomacy in the Iraq.

Why did Hillary support the war in Iraq?
Senator Hillary Clinton was irresponsible and naive to have authorized the war in Iraq without an exit plan. Hillary has been unwilling to apologize for vote she cast authorizing the war in 2002. Why did she support the war in Iraq without asking the tough questions? Senator Barack Obama opposed the war in Iraq from the start. Senator Obama introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate in January 2007 to begin a phased withdrawal of American troops by last May. Do we want more of the same or do we want real change?

Civic Skinny
The Brilliance Group filed paper work to become a domestic limited liability company on Aug. 16 with the Secretary of State's office. You should do some investigative work before you put stuff into print, as this error makes me doubt your entire report.

Obama - bona fide winner
In the recent ABC Democratic debate at Drake University Senator Barack Obama was the bona fide winner. Senator Obama demonstrated in depth knowledgeable in regard to the war in Iraq and challenging the status quo in Washington. Senator Obama has opposed the war in Iraq from the start. Senator Hillary Clinton and John Edwards voted to authorize the war in Iraq without an exit plan. Barack Obama is the real candidate of change that will confront partisan gridlock in Washington.

Barack Obama is a class act
I agree with Senator Barack Obama that we can't compromise with special interest lobbyist in Washington. Senator Obama has led the effort in the U.S. Senate for campaign and ethic reform. Barack Obama has refused to accept campaign contributions from federal lobbyist and political action committees. Barack Obama is a class act that will fight against the status quo in Washington.

fair food comment
Interesting idea about Missouri. It sure seems like an inordinate number of Iowa murders have been committed by Missourians, including the last state fair vendor murders.

Ron Paul article
Thanks for a great story on Ron Paul. He is attracting enthusiastic supporters across the nation because he is a different kind of politician - someone committed to principle and the good of the country, not the politically popular idea of the day.

Zero Tolerance in the work place
As a firm believer that Zero Tolerance is necessary to stifle those who choose to offer unwanted advances in physical, verbal or ???? form. Everyone needs to be protected from people who may be considered, unstable. Now in the local federal agency I worked at management choose to decide one persons human rights are more important than anothers. Mine were side slapped and blasted like a suicide bomber. It did not matter that the other person (me) was more creditable. Yet, they listen to her talk continuously over a period of months without ever asking the other party any questions. In turn, this eventually ruins the long term employees career. The other who had been their two years is thriving and gaining power from this group of chiefs. I submit that I gave in and gave up because all of my dedicated and loyal years (23) meant little to this local federal agency. I advise everyone to beware of those who do not want to work at their jobs, to treat everyone as a human being with rights, use Zero Tolerance as an excuse to take a vacation on our tax dollars to destroy a persons right to have rights. Using and abusing power.

state fair food
The "psychotic redneck theory" finally explains state fair food concessions. I would add that it's an hostile act of war for southerners who still have not heard the General Lee sureendered. We Yankees need to fight back or our children will be lost at the battle of Obesitysburg. I also want to add something to the discussion that Food Dude missed - beer on a stick. This could be key to our retaliation strategies. Also, I want to suggest that the Iowa Legislature consider ceeding the southern tier of Iowa counties to redneck Missouri for the humanitarian purpose of raising the collective IQ of both Iowa and Missouri.

gourmet burgers
I don't know whether to curse you or bless you, but you made me go out and eat burgers, after three years of strict vegetarianism.

media matters
Just out of curiosity, is Des Moines really so far out in the media boonies that competent technical help can't be found when the regular staffers take summer vacation? I've seen and heard some major bloopers on radio stations and network TV in the past few weeks. Special advice to Channel 23, even late at night, it's not good to run an entire half-hour program with no sound and mangled visuals. If your interns can't cope, it's more professional to put up a "Technical Difficulties" screen, unless they can't manage that either.

Hillary Clinton a special friend of special interest
During the recent Yearly Kos presidential forum Senator Hillary Clinton ineptly defended the role of lobbyist in her presidential campaign. She has accepted over $400,000 in contributions from federal lobbyist in Washington during the first six months of 2007. Lobbyists have an agenda and contribute to candidates because they have a narrow interest. Lobbyists do not represent real Americans. It is a corrupt practice. We need a candidate who is not beholding to special interest and will fight against the status quo in Washington. We need a candidate that can inspire hope and change. That candidate is Senator Barack Obama.

For Hillary, Doctors' Money and Big Tobacco is the Best Medicine
Hillary Clinton raised nearly $700,000 from doctors and health care professionals in the first six months of 2007. As first lady, she led a failed effort by her husband's administration in the early 1990s to overhaul the nations health system. In Michael Moore's new documentary "SICKO" Moore stated "Ms. Clinton, sold out over the years between her 1994 efforts to create universal health care as first lady and her current status as Congress's second-largest recipient of health care lobbyist donations." Clinton received $200,000 from the pharmaceutical industry and big tobacco during the first two quarters of 2007. Mark Penn, Clinton's chief strategist represents tobacco and drug company clients. Hillary Clinton received $4,600 from Kevin Sharer, chief executive officer and president of Amgen, a California-based pharmaceutical company. Senator Barack Obama and John Edwards have offered detailed health care plans that aim to provide universal insurance. Clinton has yet to provide specifics for her health care initiative. For Hillary Clinton, doctors' money and big tobacco is the best medicine.

ROLLER DERBY ARTICLE
I loved to see this article and it was very informative. My favorite Roller Derby gal is Gertie Growler (Nicole Hiller), but then again she is my granddaughter.

Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994
Let's not forget that President Bill Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994. NAFTA has hurt American workers and small business. Future administrations need guarantees on the environment and labor conditions in Mexico. Do we really need another eight years of Bill and Hillary Clinton?

Pharmaceutical and Big Tobacco
Senator Hillary Clinton received over $200,000 from the pharmaceutical industry and big tobacco during the first six months of 2007. Mark Penn, Clinton's chief strategist represents tobacco and drug company clients. Hillary Clinton received $4,600 from Kevin Sharer, chief executive officer and president of Amgen, a California-based pharmaceutical company.

Crediting History or Smilin' Jack Hatch cashes in
Let me see, Smiling Jack Hatch, state senator and real estate developer, buys two derelict buildings for remodeling in the now fashionable Western Gateway Park. And according to the story by reporter Sean Miller, the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs hands out tax credits to said real estate developers for the rehabilitation of old, rundown dumps if it's discovered they have some sort of historical significance. One of Smiling Jack's purchases, the Chamberlain building, qualifies. Now as I understand it, tax credits are intended to lighten the income tax burden of working poor families. And I guess they've been a huge success. Well, what's sauce for the poor goose is better sauce for the rich gander. Now state and local governments are tripping all over themselves awarding tax credits to those what don't need'em. It still sticks in my craw that a couple of year back Smiling Jack sheparded a $17 million tax credit through the Iowa Senate so MidAmerican Energy, a struggling little energy company, could comply with the Renewable Energy mandate of 1997. I'm sure MidAmerican's major stockholder, humanitarian Warren Buffett, approved the measure. Meanwhile, Smiling Jack's other purchase, the Kruidenier building, has no historical value, fit only for the wreckingball and therefore no tax credits. So Smiling Jack's doing the right business thing and attempting to unload the dump on some unsuspecting moke. What a guy.

I applaud Barack
I applaud Senator Barack Obama willingness to meet with leaders worldwide during his first year in office. We need a president who is not fearful to sit down with world leaders, including ones that we may disagree with. Hillary Clinton was hypocritical to criticize Senator Barack Obama during the recent "YouTube" debate. Back in January she held the same position as Senator Obama. Senator Clinton said she would immediately reach out to leaders in hostile nations, including Syria and Iran. Sounds like she took that right out of the Mitt Romney playbook.

Doctors' Money is the Best Medicine
Hillary Clinton raised nearly $700,000 from doctors and health care professionals in the first six months of 2007. As first lady, she led a failed effort by her husband's administration in the early 1990s to overhaul the nations health system. In Michael MooreÕs new documentary "SICKO" Moore stated "Ms. Clinton, sold out over the years between her 1994 efforts to create universal health care as first lady and her current status as Congress's second-largest recipient of health care lobbyist donations."

Rice Field
I'm inclined to support the development of the Rice Field site for tax revenue purposes, but I do NOT support commercial development of the property. Beaverdale already has a business district that could use more revitalization. What's more the traffic and parking logistic are poor for commercial development at the property. Although I do support multi-family residential development I oppose any structure that is not in keeping w/ the Beaverdale motif. I sincerely hope that the developer(s) strongly consider the style of the current multi-family dwellings located at 2827 43rd, 2823 43rd, 2817 43rd and 4201 Urbandale Ave as a baseline for their design. I'd also like to see a percentage of green space be allocated for a neighborhood coop garden or perhaps a smaller scale farm similar to the Turtle Farm coop located north of the metro, atedesco.home.att.net/AboutPage.htm. This would give families and residents the opportunity to grow their own produce while preserving much of the nature characteristics of the original landscape. Just imagine the fun lessons metro kids would learn from growing their own food. What a wonderful legacy for a former academic site.

The Register does it again, of course
Why is it that every time the people at The Register try to do something, they manage to mess it up? The Register has been promoting their "Oh Say Can You Sing" competition. They have videotaped about 100 people singing the national anthem at various locations and have the recordings posted on their Web site. The public is now supposed to vote for their favorite singer and the winner will have the honor of singing the national anthem at the opening ceremonies for the Iowa State Fair. Well, voting has begun! Yea! Except that The Register has not checked their website for glitches. Surprised? I think not. The site is miscalculating the votes. It apparently was working before 9 a.m. this morning, but has since been hacked or something! I just tried to vote for Jeremy Jorgenson, yet when I did, my vote went to someone else. I asked someone at work to vote for him and the same thing happened. When I talked to Jeremy he stated that he had personally seen five different people try to vote, with the same outcome. So, I started asking around. Over 20 votes had been submitted in his name, and none of them had been calculated! I called Kyle Munson at The Register. He apologized for the problem and said he'd look into it. It's been four hours and nothing has been done. They have not stopped the voting. You'd think they'd stop allowing people to vote until the site was fixed. Hmm. Maybe this vote is fixed? Let's send a little love to The Register. Or something.

The President of DMACC/Fight for the DMACC Drama Department/William Johnson
These are the letter from those who are rallying behind Bill Johnson, the head of the theater at the DMACC Ankeny Campus. I have compiled them because everyone should know what people think. These are the people, the students, the audience, the future and the past. Their voices should be heard. Read them, understand what we are willing to do to be part of the amazing opportunity Bill is providing us! It's hard to silence the hard workers, the determined, and the down right angry, especially when they're all fighting for the same cause. DMACC has drawn it's battle lines, as have we. We will not give up quietly.

Watch Your Barack, America
Obama is charismatic, engaging, and intelligent. He is also a good, ol'-fashioned socialist. Please, for the sake our freedom, liberty, sovereignty, and children's well being... wake up people!!.

Ms. Buckley Is Right
I do not live in Iowa or do I necessary care about Rice Field. However, from what I have read it sure looks like the city, and school board are trying to pull a fast one. What ever happen to ethics and do what is in the best interest of students. I would think a park would benefit them more than buildings.

Pac Man Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton ranked first amongst all Democratic presidential candidates to receive campaign contributions from lobbyist, pharmaceuticals, health care professionals and oil & gas. Contributions from the selected industries included contributions through political action committees (PACs) and from individuals giving more than $200 in the 2008 election cycle ending June 30, 2007.

Environmental leader Cownie
In addition to Mayor Cownie's failing to demonstrate his "ain't nature grand?" posturing, another council member, Chris Coleman, deserves defeat in the election this fall for having distributed crude maps that deceived officials and city residents in general by greatly exaggerated the amount of park space in his colleague Tom Vlassis's Beaverdale ward. Buckley sums it up: Rice Field is needed because Beaverdale has one-third the minimum guideline for parkland in a city. Ward 1 contains only 82 acres of parks, while citizens in each of the other three wards in Des Moines enjoy more than 500 acres of parkland. Coleman would have enjoy the outdoors on the grounds of Veterans Hospital and in Westchester Park, which is north of Hoover High and almost in Johnston.

Romney Flapjack
Romney should serve flapjacks (pancakes) at the Ames straw poll in August. This would be a good example of his recent flip-flopping on the sex education issue. Romney accused Senator Barack Obama of wanting to teach sex education to kindergarteners. Romney's assertion were misleading and cheap partisan politics. Romney himself had held the same position on sex education in 2002. As a candidate for governor that year, Romney had checked a box on a Planned Parenthood questionnaire saying he supported age-appropriate sex education in public schools. I believe Romney has been snorting too much baking powder as of late. Governor Romney continue flipping the pancakes and Governor Dean please pass the maple syrup.

Bold New Leadership
Senator Barack Obama would demonstrate bold new leadership if elected to President of the United States. The politics and diplomacy by the Bush-Cheney administration in dealing with the conflict around the world has not worked. The world is not a safer place today. We need fundamental change because this election is about real change. The electorate wants bolder methods and initiatives than the previous administrations have offered in the last 15 years. This election is about fundamental change in Washington D.C. and how we communicate with friends and foes around the world.

ClintonÕs Bush-Cheney Cowboy Approach
I agree with Senator Barack Obama that Hillary Clinton's vote to authorize the Iraq war in 2002 was irresponsible and naive. Senator Obama opposed the war in Iraq from the start and introduced legislation earlier this year for the phased withdrawal of American troops in Iraq. Hillary Clinton comments remind us of the Bush-Cheney Cowboy approach to diplomacy in the Middle East.

Turn The Page
I agree with Senator Barack Obama's statement "We want something new. We want to turn the page." The American electorate are tired of the old style politicians like Hillary Clinton and George W. Bush. It's time for change. Do we really need eight more years of Bill and Hillary?

Irresponsible for authorizing the war in Iraq
Hillary Clinton is irresponsible for authorizing the war in Iraq without an exit plan. Mrs. Clinton is too willing to compromise with President Bush in regard to the conflicts in the Middle East. Hillary Clinton voted for the war in Iraq in 2002 and is regretting it today. She needs to clearly understand their are no do overs in the war in Iraq.

Bush-Cheney Light
Hillary Clinton's new diplomacy doctrine is not to talk with adversaries of the United States. I applaud Senator Obama willingness to meet with leaders worldwide during his first year in office. The conflict in the Middle East has exploded over the previous six years. We need a president who is not fearful to sit down with world leaders, including ones that we may disagree with, and "look them in the eyes and say what needs to be said." A central part of the Bush doctrine is not to talk with foreign countries that we disagree with. I agree with Senator Barack Obama "I don't want Bush-Cheney Light."

Media Matters-WHO ratings
So the owners of WHO believe their station is leading in the ratings game. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholdeer I guess.

CNN You Tube Debate
Glad to see politics come into the 21st century. What a great forum!

larger than something resembling life
How typical of the DM Register. They call us racist (see today's headlines)every chance they get, yet they enshrine the most significant racist jerk in sports history in their hall of fame. love Gannett hypocrisy, didn't Tom Wolff describe them in Radical Chic - liberal up to the point of personal inconvenience. They have been on the DM cops like flies on crap for decades about race. Now they write the story about prison numbers per capita WITHOUT one single logical explanation - that Iowa is most likely to rank high because 1.) Huge percentages of inmates are from OUT OF STATE, they commit crimes on the road. 2.) Iowa is at crossroads of two major interstate highways. 3) Iowa has small per capita number of blacks, which inflates the index. The Register is the paper Iowa depends upon, at least the Marshalltown white racist part of Iowa.

Charles Grassley
Our esteemed Republican Senator from Iowa, Charles Grassley was quoted in an Associated Press article today as saying, 'I hope they understand it takes 60 votes to get anything done in the United States Senate," said Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa.' Does he think that's a good thing? That means the minority rules. That is not Democracy! Time for Grassley to go!.

Register RAGBRAI coverage?
Why blame the DM Register for so much coverage of RAGBRAI? Do ya have any idea how much money that event pulls into our state? As an avid cyclist who has participated in many rides across the country, RAGBRAI is well respected as the largest event of it's kind. It draws a whole lot of people from all over the globe... And we should spend a lot of news time on that. It's something to be proud of!.

Eateries
I cannot believe that you omitted La Mie from your list of eateries. La Mie is one of the best kept secrets for eating in Des Moines.

New Relish
One of the best Relish editions ever. I love Mister, We Could Use a Man like Mike Dukakis again. We are actually going to make the presidential recipes for a party next week. What a find. Thanks for another wonderful contribution to Food Iowa..

What's the Diff
Unfortunately, the Legislative soft spot for drunken boaters surprises me not at all. Illegal OHV riders also get sympathy in the Leg. One might assume that since illegal riding damages both public and private land, and since the only Iowans who have to pay the penalties are those who break the law, raising the ridiculously-low penalties for illegal riding in Iowa would be a no-brainer. But as Herb Strentz points out, "no-brainer" is not just a figure of speech when applied to some legislators. The penalties were raised, finally, but not nearly enough, and only after many months of pleading. Compared to other states, "A great state to ride illegally" remains a valid Iowa motto..

Dale Watson
What a great concept, Dale Watson doing a dark Johnny Cash homage. Can't wait to hear it. Dale is the last pure country songman and I am so glad he messed up his suicide and came back to give us more songs. thanks for the review.

Ankeny is pimping 16 yr old girls
I thought that Ankeny was more progressive than to host a glorified beauty pageant for 16 year old girls. What's next amateur night like the strip clubs? Or better yet, how about judging 16 year old boys based on how a photogenic they are . I doubt people would care to see boys pimped out like girls are.

Ankeny Summerfest is selling out
As the mother of a teenage girl, it makes me sick to see that Ankeny Summerfest is sponsoring a miss sixteen contest. Meanwhile, people wonder why self deprivation and eating disorders are rampant among girls and women...well it's not rocket science people. Young girls should only be competing academically and/or athletically...same as boys. Ankeny Summerfest is selling out.

Bistro Montage
I ran out to Bistro Montage after reading the review. wow. I had no idea this place was so delightfully classical from the charcuterrie to the Dacquoise, it's something the city chould be proud of. I am going back to try the burgers, meant to this time, but got distracted by the classics. Thanks for the heads up.

Paternity Fraud still exists!
I feel that a woman knows who the father of her children are, and if she doesn't shame on her, I find it hard to beleive a mother would allow her child to know a man as her father, while all along the mother knows the true paternity of her child, I ask why a mother would do something like this to her child, being a mother myself, I would fear my child hating me for lying to her. I feel this is child abuse, and identity fraud allowing the child to beleive a lie just to collect support, if the mother lies she should have to pay back the man she fraudulently claimed was the father of her child, and held accountable for her actions, what has this world come too!!

DHS
The Iowa Department of Human Services in DSM IA sucks...They could care less about the headachs they cause people...They take their sweet ass time to do anything, and by god dont let a person be one day late with anything but you can wait on them for weeks upon weeks....Why cant we have a system that actually works for the people and not for the people that our taxes help pay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Media Matters
Dude, thanks for drawing a distinction between a blog and a forum. I was pretty sure I was an idiot, but now I can clearly define why! In the old days it was a lot easier. My English teacher told me I was an idiot and I never gave it a second thought...though I probably should have.

Media Matters
To the person who commented on Andy Fales leaving Channel 13 for another job in Kansas City. What was your point trying to be? News, Weather, and Sports casters leave and go to other stations all the time. Half of KDSM is the old staff at WHO. A few members of the KCCI team are from other local stations. Being in the media is no different then any other job. The only difference is the fact people watch you everyday and know you are switching jobs. You should be proud of him for moving up the ladder.

What's Inside
Unfortunately, bottled water has a down side too. "Obsession with bottled water harming environment, Ôunethical'" 24 April, 2007 A number of organisations connected with environment, social justice and religion have come down heavily upon AmericaÕs obsession with drinking the costly, bottled ÔnaturalÕ water, instead of consuming water from the tap, since the practice adds to global warming, besides being Ôunethical.Õ http://www.dancewithshadows.com/society/bottled-water-environment.asp

Winners/Losers
You folks pointed out that the leaching of nitrogen fertilizer due to wet weather was bad news for "farmers, and perhaps, consumers." Why did you stop there? Do you think the leached nitrogen disappears because it's touched by the magic wand of the Clean Water Fairy? Not exactly. Here's where a lot of it goes, in order: tile lines, creeks, rivers, the Mississippi, the Gulf Dead Zone.

Dude, it's not a "blog"
Wasn't the letter writer a female?

Banned at the Register
Dude, it's not a "blog" at the DMR, it is a forum. A forum is where a bunch of idiots, myself included, get together and circle jerk over the same issues day after day. A blog is when there is only one self involved idiot typing away, hoping soem lonely internet type will find his tripe and read it.

Is Senator Gronstal Pro Family??
Senator Gronstal is the majority leader of the Iowa Senate. Nothing comes to the senate floor for a vote without Gronstal's approval. The question is, is the Senator pro family? Let's look at the Senator's agenda this past session. First he passed a raise in the minimum wage, which in effect was a backdoor tax increase. Fair share was defeated and this piece of legislation would have helped those union families by by forcing non union workers to help pay for those benefits that they receive as a result of union workers paying their dues. Third, Gronstal allowed a bill to be signed into law that allowed attorneys to collect fees from the "loser" in a custody case. This is without regard to whether the "loser" brought their case in good faith. This will be used to recoup state attorney expenses as DHS brings a good many cases to court on behalf of FIP recipients. Under Gronstal, a law was passed that now allows the government to bypass your due process rights and enter a child support order without you ever stepping into a courtroom. You will then have to fight the order after the fact and there is no provision in the law currently to deal with cases in which child support was wrongly laid upon someone. Gronstal also opposes joint physical care in cases where two parents are capable of raising their children, and Gronstal does not support election reform. So is Gronstal for the family?? I don't think so. It's time to call for Gronstal to step up to the plate for Iowa's families and do what is right. If he doesn't do that this coming session, then it is the hope of this author that Gronstol be removed from office during the next election cycle. It's time to put Iowa's families first! Contact Mike and let him know that you're concerned about Iowa's families and expect him to represent our families this next session and that you want him to quit blocking common sense family law reform. Michael E. Gronstal State Senator Senate District 50 Democrat State Capitol Des Moines, IA 50319 E-mail: michael.gronstal@legis.state.ia.us Home Address: 220 Bennett Ave, Council Bluffs, IA, 51503 Home Telephone: 712-328-2808 Business Telephone: 515-281-4610 Business Fax: 515-281-3361

Integrity, or lack thereof
Why would any legislator oppose a bill allowing children equal access to both parents? The answer is simple when you understand that divorce breeds a host of societal ills for government to solve. Virtually every major social pathology, from violent crime to drug abuse to truancy, is directly attributable to family breakdown and fatherless homes more than any single factor, even surpassing race and poverty. This fills state and local government coffers with federal money for all kinds of social programs to help solve these divorce-related social problems. Also, you must consider the fact that trial lawyers are contributing financially to Sen. Gronstal's political campaign. This gives him a monetary reason to block such legislation. ItÕs no wonder Sen. Gronstal got upset and used profanity during a VOICE Rally at the Capitol this past legislative session. Unfortunately, this is only the tip of the iceberg. For more information, please visit IowaFathers.com.

boswell - local control
There was a time when Democrats defended the rights of minorities, period. Boswell's bill sells out all local jurisdictions to the dubious authority of the USDA and FDA. Those two agencies make lots of mistakes and do lots of things that certain counties, states and regions need to be able to protect themselves from. Plus an agency's aegis is more easily won by bribery than state legislature's. Boswell would forfeit our protection. If his bill became law, no area on the continent would be safe from USDA-approved GMO's, even the ones that the FDA denies approval. It's bad legislation, betrayal of his constituency. What does his being helpful to vets have to do with it?

Civic Skinny
I was surprised to learn that Story County is considered part of the DES MOINES REGISTER "designated market." I would never have guessed that from the small amount of coverage that Story County gets. I took the hint and subscribed to the Ames TRIBUNE. For almost thirty years, I subscribed to both the REG and the TRIB. Then, this spring, I took a cold hard look at what I was getting out of each paper, and also considered the fact that most of the REG content that I did care about was available online for free. I ended up dropping the REG and keeping the TRIB. I feel kind of bad about it, but not bad enough to resubscribe. What it would take to get me back, I'm not sure. So far, the REG hasn't even tried. And one of the problems is that I don't just think of it as the REG anymore. I think of it as Gannett. Yuck.

Non-Custodial Parents
This past week I found myself interested enough to go to the IowaFathers.com website. I had conversed with one of the Board Members on the Register's Forum regarding an article that Rekha Basu had written. I was interested from the perspective that our children need fathers. Infact, our children need both parents.I wanted to see what this organization was about, and more importantly I wanted to see how they were putting their message across. I found some disturbing cases that some parents were experiencing through the courts and throudh DHS. None of it surprised me, some of it saddened me. The biggest message I receive is that parents need to put their children before their own needs. Children need two emotionally stable parents that are willing to share the responsibilities of loving and nurturing their children by making good choices that lessen the impact of divorce and separation. We, as adults, must remember that our children rely on us to make good choices. They have no power to determine their own lives. Perhaps shared custody would work, perhaps not. Many of us are operating from an emotional level that responds to past hurts and trangressions from our own families of origins. How do you fix an imperfect system, with flawed individuals operating within it? How do we work toward ensuring that the future generations of this country are the best that they can be with the love and support of two parents. Please parents, do it for your children.

Boswell good for vets
comments: I like Boswell and he has personally assisted me with my Security Clearance issue when it lapsed while I was working as a contractor in Iraq. Boswell is not a "Liberal" and seeks to serve Iowans rather than agendas. He does make mistakes and he is not perfect by any measure. I wasn't aware of any promise regarding term limits on his part. If he made that promise he should've kept it to be sure as should all politicians who make that promise. I support term limits and it will probably take a law to make it happen for all.

Food Dude
Re the earlier comment about phony farmers -- the Ames farmer's market has the same problem, and it has split the market organizers. I agree with the earlier comment. I maybe wouldn't go quite so far as to use tar and feathers, but in both Ames and Des Moines, I'd like to see two farmers markets. One can be for the phony farmers (at least one of whom, in Ames, reportedly sells apples that he buys at the local supermarket). The second can be for the real farmers. People who don't really care what they eat can go to the first market, and the rest of us can enjoy the second.

Food Dude
I cannot believe that West Des Moines is still given the name "Valley Junction". I wonder how They like that. Valley Junction is what we called it back in the 40s.

Education
Our family moved from Des Moines to Memphis before busing/Johnson ! My four children laid back about two to three months, before the Public School system here was "up" to the point of their learning capabilities. That is to show the comparison of how far behind the 'south' is to that of the excellent education of the North. This became my children's asset in gaining in their learning. I'm thankful I had my education in Des Moines, Iowa.

Boswell Loser
Leonard has now not only reneged on his promise about term limits, he's reneged on being a true Democrat. This is a total sell out of his progressive constituencies betraying the small farmer, the environmentalist, the consumer, the health of the people and of animals. It is no coincidence that the only beneficiaries of his shameless pimping are Big Pig, Big Cattle, Big Chicken and Big Dairy. Leonard has consumed too many artificial bovine growth hormones - he's forgotten who elected him.

Boswell's Loser Award
The provision Boswell received his loser award about, Section 123 of Title I, was quietly inserted in the House bill several weeks ago by the Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry Subcommittee that Boswell chairs. According to the Consumers Union, this could prevent a local health inspector at a supermarket from condemning rodent-contaminated meat or poultry that has begun to go bad. At a time when we have seen repeated food safety failures at FDA and USDA, we need more food safety protection, not less. If Boswell wasn't aware of what this language would do, hopefully Cityview's loser award will wake him up to realize that his constituents want safe food. Call his office in DC at (202) 225-3806 Before the food on our plates becomes even more questionable.

Stefen Vigil
For your information Stefen is not the stupidist kid at east..You are for judging that way...He made a mistake..sat on the hood of a car.. and almost lost his life.. i am thankful to have my son..to the idiot who wrote my son was the stupidist kid at east...

art pimp
you have to be gullible. 200,000 visitors at Art Fest? That equates to more than 330 battalions, or half-again the number of troops stationed in Iraq. If there really were near that many, the Fest would rank a lot higher in sales.

art pimp
you have to be gullible. 200,000 visitors at Art Fest? That equates to more than 330 battalions, or half-again the number of troops stationed in Iraq. If there really were near that many, the Fest would rank a lot higher in sales.

Food Dude
Nothing irks me more than phony farmers. They should be driven out of downtown with tar and feathers and so should the idiots who encourage them to become vendors without having raised the foods they sell. They make the Downtown FM a joke to real foodies and itÕs a shame because there ARE SOME farmers there with superb product. ItÕs time for them to leave the chaos of the big tent and find a place for JUST real farmers to sell on Saturday mornings.

Triathlon
Memo to Hy-Vee: Who ever thought this up should be promoted. What a superior use of your marketing resources! For the price of an unknown minor league senior women's golf tourney, you can promote the biggest single event in an up-and-coming sport, with much younger demographics. But one thing - all the money in the world can't buy the marketing clout of good name. You will always be "Another Triathlon of note" until you have a name that resonates like The Ironman. Think about "The (Hy-Vee)Yeoman" - it suggests power, strength and the Iowa of yore.

Fake Rainforest Column/Blake Arney
Blake Arney's column was very entertaining, and I certainly agree with him that there are far better ways to spend $50 million in Iowa than building Earthpark. Arney does seem to assume, however, that the project will actually be built. That's by no means assured at this point. Unless the project backers come up with $50 million by the end of 2007, the federal $50 million will have to be given back to the feds. So where is that $50 million going to come from, let alone the rest of the funding? Those of us who have followed the history of this project from the beginning (and I bet many Pella supporters have not) know that Dave Oman & Co. have been trolling for private donors for ten years, with frequent predictions of imminent success. But the mysterious major private donors have never appeared. Maybe they'll show up in the next six months. Or not. It would be interesting to know whether Senator Grassley, who obtained the federal $50 million, has now backed off or is working behind the scenes to try to make sure the money won't have to be returned. I know that some of us who called Grassley's office years ago to politely ask him not to give $50 million to the project, and provided reasons, were given the brushoff. Grassley was warned, and if he ends up being embarrassed by the project going down in flames, he has only himself to blame. For anyone who wants the latest word from the person who has probably done more than anyone else to look at this project thoroughly and objectively, see the link below: http://fromdc2iowa.blogspot.com/2007/06/ui-held-hostage-day-499-caveat-emptor.html

NSPD-51
President Bush signed into law a bill that would effectively allow him to stop the elections. It says in the most loosely defined terms that during an emergency he has a right to assume governance over the entire country. I have already written Senator Harkin about this matter and hope to see him impeached soon. I had the ability to see this was going to happen when he got elected the first time so it is not that big of a surprise, but just because of that you should not feel it is normal. We must stop the madness now and impeach this man and get our damn country back! P.S. I think Bush should grow a Hitler mustache, it would make sense after all!

Project Destiny and the Register
Since the Des Moines Register can do nothing but print glowing articles of support for Project Destiny on a daily basis instead of writing stories that tell both sides, I was wondering why City View couldn't put out some stories that speak from the regular taxpayer's point of view. I am getting really tired of reading about how this tax increase is supposed to be so great for us all. I have yet to find one person or smaller business in the tri-county area that supports this. Just read any of the online reader comments following any DMR story about Prject Destiny and you will see what I mean. How much more onesided could that Register be?

Sen. Obama will not raise taxes
No, he will not raise taxes, as he will not be President. Also, repealing a tax cut IS a tax increase. That's like saying that a spending increase that is less than proponents had wished for, or less than the increase of the previous year, is a spending cut.

OPEC is fearful of BIOFUELS
This morning I heard on NPR that OPEC threatens that investing in biofuels could push oil prices higher. Try as I might, I could not find another US new media reference to this story, so I resorted to the BBC. The headline reads 'The chief of the Opec oil cartel has warned that investing in biofuels could push oil prices "through the roof", the Financial Times has reported.' http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6725407.stm Given this admission by OPEC's secretary general, I'd conclude that biofuels are feasible and scare the crap out of OPEC and OPEC investors, e.g. Bush and Company. Despite the Administration recent promises regarding alternative energy initiative, I believe Bush is just blowing carbon smoke, to pacify advocates of the 'Green Movement'. Nevertheless, I welcome...even challenge OPEC to raise oil prices. Perhaps additional price hicks will inspire indifferent consumers to make consciences choices with their dollars.

Voted for candidates who opposed the war in Iraq
The majority of Americans who voted last November voted for candidates who opposed the war in Iraq. The American electorate voted for a prompt withdrawal of American troops in Iraq. Over 65% of the American public want our troops out of Iraq. Over 3,500 American soldiers have lost their lives in Iraq since the start of the war. Nearly 125 solders lost their lives last month in the war. We have spent over 4 years and 100s of billions of dollars in the war in Iraq. Senator Barack Obama opposed the war before it started. Senator Obama supports timetables and benchmarks for troop withdrawals.

Senator Obama will not raise taxes
Senator Obama will not raise taxes. He will repeal President George Bush's tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans making over $250,000 a year. Obama's health care plan is not mandatory for all Americans but would give you the opportunity to participate in the same quality health care plan that all federal workers participate in.

Let's Take Our Country BACK!
I couldn't have said it better than Darren Cron, from Binghamton, NY: "This country truly needs to return to the constitutional principles of personal liberty and government limited by the rule of law. These are the principles that made our country great. "We have an opportunity in the 2008 presidential election to elect a man that will lead us in that direction. That man is Rep. Ron Paul. Rep. Paul, who is currently serving his 10th term, has a consistent record of voting according to the Constitution of the United States of America. "Paul has brought a refreshing perspective to the 2008 presidential campaign. With Ron Paul in the race, voters do not have to choose between the 'lesser of two evils' again. "With the election of Ron Paul, the voters of this country will send a message to the special interest groups that we are taking our country back."

National Health Care & John Edwards
If we had National Health Care when Hillary pushed it we'd never have John Edwards as he made his millions suing hospitals. Nationalized health care will prevent most lawsuits in conjunction with lowering our care. No county with socialized medicine continues to medically advance.

Unify people around a politics of purpose
Senator Barack Obama has attracted overwhelming interest in his campaign in the last four months because of his connection with the common individual. Senator Obama believes in the ability to unify people around a politics of purpose, a politics that puts solving the challenges of everyday Americans ahead of partisan computation and political gain. No other candidate can match his connection with the common folk from Iowa to New Hampshire. Senator Obama will fight for open and trustworthy government and against special interest and the culture of vice in Washington.

Affordable and comprehensive health care coverage
An estimated 45 million Americans are uninsured today. Senator Barack Obama believes that we need to provide affordable and comprehensive health care coverage for every American. Senator Obama will make available a new national health care plan which will give all Americans the choice to buy affordable coverage that is similar to the plan available to federal employees.

Fighting Against Special Interest
I applaud the efforts of Senator Barack Obama in his fight against special interest in Washington. The rising cost of health care for our elderly is directly due to the profiteering of the drug and insurance companies. President Bush and the Republican leadership in Congress can take credit for the 45 million Americans who are uninsured. It's imperative that we take care of the health care needs of our seniors and children in America.

Romneynocare
Why does Mitt Romney oppose the Democratic national health care plans? It's easy to criticize others when you don't have a supplement health care plan to promote of your own. Romney or Romneynocare even won't promote his own state health care plan that he pushed through in Massachusetts. Mitt tries to blame the national health care problem on single adult males during his visit to Des Moines on May 30th. How easy it is to blame the problem on others when you have a net worth of well over $400,000,000.

senate study bill 1091
Mr Gronstal has me absolutely dumbfounded as to why he would shoot down SF 507 and the presumption of shared custody in divorces. Many studies have shown that children benefit from equal parenting. Regardless what the feminist movement and their lobbyists have to say. This piece of legislation was a step in the right direction for Iowa's families and children. But Iowa's families and children aren't even on the radar of his selfish, priorities. He seems to be more interested in lining the pockets of lawyers, judges and himself at the expense of hard working fathers, their children and the U.S. constitution. As well as keeping the broken family court system, the child stealing INDUSTRY and the execution of the Iowa family in full swing. Why else would he support SSB 1091. I am absolutely APPALLED at Mr. Gronstal's lack of integrity. Sincerely, Loving father, husband and Iowa voter.

"What BUSH should say"
Yep, that definitely sounds like something Bush should say. I especially love the part about how we should drill every piece of land that will hold still long enough and let global warming continue unabated because only a few polar bears and a little beachfront property will be affected. (Poor people of Bangladesh, you and millions of others living in low-lying areas all over the globe are of no concern to this administration, as if you didn't know that already.) And the total lack of insight regarding Iraq -- that the war has been an enormous gift to terrorists trying to recruit new terrorists -- that's classic Bush as well. Nice work!

No timetables, No benchmarks = No vote on Iraq war spending bill
I support Senator Barack Obama in his opposition to the Iraq war-spending bill. I agree with Senator Obama that the war in Iraq is a misguided and that we need to begin phased redeployment of our troops immediately. Senator Barack Obama opposed the $150 billion war-funding bill because there were no timetables or benchmarks. The cost - nearly 3,500 American soldiers killed since the start of the war in Iraq. Over 110 American soldiers were killed in May, which marks the third highest monthly American death total since the outbreak of the war.

Obama doesn't care about fathers
Obama is still playing liberal games and in direct contradiction to his statements that he would not support keeping money from the troops he did that. He doesn't care for fathers either as his solutions actually make the situation in our family far worse than now. He wants to close an imaginary wage gap (laws to charge men more) and finds nothing wrong with the fact 93% of custody cases go to the mother with many fathers denied visitation. Obama is a big disappointment.

Senator Barack Obama has bested Hillary Clinton
Senator Barack Obama has bested Hillary Clinton in the two most recent Iowa Democratic Polls. According to first quarter campaign fundraising totals Senator Obama out raised Hillary Clinton 2-1 in contributions received from Iowans. The Obama campaign has by far out organized Clinton in Iowa over the previous three months. The Obama campaign has organized candidate rallies throughout Iowa in excess of 2,000+ attendees from all corners of the state since the Senators official announcement in February.

No timetables or benchmarks
Senator Barack Obama opposed the $150 billion war-funding bill because there were no timetables or benchmarks. The cost - nearly 3,500 American soldiers killed since the start of the war in Iraq and over 100 American soldiers killed in May.

Barack Obama opposition to the Iraq war-spending bill
I applaud Senator Barack Obama in his opposition to the Iraq war-spending bill. I agree with Senator Obama that the war in Iraq is a misguided and that we need to begin redeployment of our troops immediately. Senator Obama has the fortitude to oppose the status quo in Washington and Iraq.

validatingSenator Obama voted against President Bush's failed policies
Senator Obama voted against validating President Bush's failed policies in the war in Iraq that has caused the lives of nearly 3,500 American soldiers. The $120 billion war-funding bill imposed no timetables or benchmarks that are enforceable. I agree with Senator Barack Obama that itÕs time to end this war and immediately begin the redeployment of our American troops.

60 Minutes
The 60 Minutes piece on the Iowa Guard brought tears to my eyes. I am very proud to be an Iowan. Though I disagree with those who follow Bush with blind faith, they are "free" to have their own opinions. Thinking that they will bring that freedom to others is NEVER going to happen. Sadly the money spent on guns would have been better spent on educating these simple minded folks. Of course Bush had an expensive education and that hasn't helped either. Damn that little chest beating war monger and all that follow him.

Media Matters - Andy Fales leaving WHO-TV 13
I've seen a lot of articles in both Cityview and the Register about Andy Fales leaving Channel 13 for KMBC in Kansas City. But none of these people seems to have noticed that KMBC just happens to be owned by Hearst-Argyle Television. Moreover, Hearst-Argyle, as fate would have it, just happens to be the same company which owns KCCI Channel 8. Coincidence?

What BUSH should say
The speech George W. Bush SHOULD give: Normally, I start these things out by saying "My Fellow Americans," not doing it this time. If the polls are any indication, I don't know who more than half of you are anymore. I do know something terrible has happened, and that you're really not fellow Americans any longer. I'll cut right to the chase here: I quit. Now before anyone gets all in a lather about me quitting to avoid impeachment, or to avoid prosecution or something, let me assure you, there's been no breaking of laws or impeachable offenses in this office. The reason I'm quitting is simple. I'm fed up with you people. I'm fed up because you have no understanding of what's really going on in the world. Or of what's going on in this once-great nation of ours. And the majority of you are too damned lazy to do your homework and figure it out. Let's start local. You've been sold a bill of goods by politicians and the news media. Polls show that the majority of you think the economy is in the tank. And that's despite record numbers of homeowners including record numbers of MINORITY homeowners. And while we're mentioning minorities, I'll point out that minority business ownership is at an all-time high. Our unemployment rate is as low as it ever was during the Clinton Administration. I've mentioned all those things before, but it doesn't seem to have sunk in. Despite the shock to our economy of 9/11, the stock market has rebounded to record levels and more Americans than ever are participating in these markets. Meanwhile, all you can do is whine about gas prices, and most of you are too damn stupid to realize that gas prices are high because there's increased demand in other parts of the world, and because a small handful of noisy idiots are more worried about polar bears and beachfront property than your economic security. We face real threats in the world. Don't give me this "blood for oil" thing. If I was trading blood for oil I would've already seized Iraq's oil fields and let the rest of the country go to hell. And don't give me this 'Bush Lied People Died' crap either. If I was the liar you morons take me for, I could've easily had chemical weapons planted in Iraq so they could be 'discovered.' Instead, I owned up to the fact that the intelligence was faulty. Let me remind you that the rest of the world thought Saddam had the goods, same as me. Let me also remind you that regime change in Iraq was official US policy before I came into office. Some guy named 'Clinton' established that policy. Bet you didn't know that, did you? You idiots need to understand that we face a unique enemy. Back during the cold war, there were two major competing political and economic models squaring off. We won that war, but we did so because fundamentally, the Communists wanted to survive, just as we do. We were simply able to outspend and out-tech them. That's not the case this time. The soldiers of our new enemy don't care if they survive. In fact, they want to die. That'd be fine, as long as they weren't also committed to taking as many of you with them as they can. But they are. They want to kill you. And the bastards are all over the globe. You should be grateful that they haven't gotten any more of us here in the United States since September 11. But you're not. That's because you've got no idea how hard a small number of intelligence, military, law enforcement and homeland security people have worked to make sure of that. When this whole mess started, I warned you that this would be a long and difficult fight. I'm disappointed how many of you people think a long and difficult fight amounts to a single season of 'Survivor'. Instead, you've grown impatient. You're incapable of seeing things through the long lens of history, the way our enemies do. You think that wars should last a few months, a few years, tops. Making matters worse, you actively support those who help the enemy. Every time you buy the New York Times, every time you send a donation to a cut-and-run Democrat's political campaign, well, dammit, you might just as well Fedex a grenade launcher to a Jihadist. It amounts to the same thing. In this day and age, it's easy enough to find the truth. It's all over the Internet. It just isn't on the pages of the New York Times or on NBC News. But even if it were, I doubt you'd be any smarter. Most of you would rather watch American Idol. I could say more about your expectations that the government will always be there to bail you out, even if you're too stupid to leave a city that's below sea level and has a hurricane approaching. I could say more about your insane belief that government, not your own wallet, is where the money comes from. But I've come to the conclusion that were I to do so, it would sail right over your heads. So I quit. I'm going back to Crawford. I've got an energy-efficient house down there (Al Gore could only dream) and the capability to be fully self- sufficient. No one ever heard of Crawford before I got elected, and as soon as I'm done here pretty much no one will ever hear of it again. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to die of old age before the last pillars of America fall. Oh, and by the way, Cheney's quitting too. That means Pelosi is your new President . You asked for it. Watch what she does carefully, because I still have a glimmer of hope that there're just enough of you remaining who are smart enough to turn this thing around in 2008. So that's it. God bless what's left of America. Some of you know what I mean.

The OPEC War Plan
I recently heard about the legislation being proposed that would allow the government to sue OPEC. Of course the ÔadministrationÕ aka Ôoil gate keeperÕ is opposed. Recently I re-watched Fahrenheit 9/11 by Michael Moore to confirm what IÕd been hypothesizing. I believe that D.Cheney is the real puppet master of the administration. Moreover, Bush Jr is just a minion, regarding himself as a cowboy rather than a statesman. Meanwhile Cheney and Bush Sr. share a long time brethren involving Oil and Halliburton interests. My theory is that the administration has already positioned itself in such a way that if Bush Jr. is ever impeached, the real mastermind will rise to the occasion unbeknownst to the American public. Win/win for the administration. In addition V.Gonzalez is merely their pawn. Frightening!! I would also like to express my disappointment in the baby boomer generation who toutÕs themselves as having protested the Vietnam War. Where are all those glorified war protestors and activists that IÕve only heard or read about. Have they all become Ôthe manÕ or worst yet yuppieÕs; concerned only w/ their yellow SUVÕs and four car garages. While it could be argued that the protests during the Vietnam War were largely fueled by an unethical draft, whereby drawing a conclusion of apathy for today massacre in the Middle East. I argue that w/ age comes wisdom. Moreover, I pray that greed has not replaced the spirit or conviction of peace. I challenge the baby boomer generation to set the example by taking down their bikes or taking up the bus so that the voice of America is heardÉNO THX OPEC!! LetÕs end this drama for American soldiers in the Middle East and get off the OPEC plan. LetÕs reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and advocate alternatives that grow our own economy, e.g. renewable energy sources. LetÕs make sure that the world understands that Bush and company no longer represent America or her people.

Obama's Family
Barak was abandoned by his father and then his mother sent him to live with his grandparents. His views on family are that parents abandone their children forcing them to live off of society. This candidate will do nothing but hurt the current status of family in America.

Barak Obama
Barak Obama is better than Hillary and Edwards but that is not saying much. He still regards fathers as important except he blames them for abandoning their children rather than deal with the fact most "married" fathers were thrown out of their children's lives by the mother. Dads are not just paychecks but Obama doesn't care.....

Senator Barack Obama has opposed the war from the start
It's wrong for former President Bill Clinton to state that Senator Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have the same positions in regard to the war in Iraq. Senator Barack Obama has opposed the war from the start and Hillary Clinton voted to allow military action in 2002. Before the war in Iraq ever started, Senator Obama said that it was wrong in its conception. Senator Obama introduced legislation in January to offer a responsible alternative to President Bush's failed escalation policy. The legislation commences redeployment of U.S. forces no later than May 1, 2007 with the goal of removing all combat brigades from Iraq by March 31, 2008 -- a date consistent with the bipartisan Iraq Study Group's expectations.

immigration - TV 13
WHO-TV 13 deserves praise for Keri Kavanaugh's series on displaced victims of the terrible Swift sword of government immigration raids. When the raids came down in Marshalltown, all local TV news channels backed off from initially sympathetic (of immigrant victims) coverage. One news director even admitted being blown away by the avalanche of anti-immigrant calls and mail that followed. Sadly, doing the right thing isn't always possible when ratings dictate ad rates. So, TV-13 was brave to air Kavanaugh's heartbreaking reports - they were well done and they were shown during sweeps week. The latter probably acocunts for why the reporter was shown dangling her long, bare legs in front of the Mexican manchild she interviewed, but the substance of her report was untainted by any pandering.

I Applaud Senator Barack Obama
It's time to pass legislation in the U.S. Senate to set a timeline and bring our soldiers back from the war in Iraq. The vast majority of Americans and Iowans are opposed to the civil war in Iraq. I applaud Senator Barack Obama who introduced legislation in January to offer a responsible alternative to President Bush's failed escalation policy. The legislation commences redeployment of U.S. forces no later than May 1, 2007 with the goal of removing all combat brigades from Iraq by March 31, 2008 -- a date consistent with the bipartisan Iraq Study Group's expectations.

There is always the exception to the rule
Kristine, I cannot account for every contingency and there are some who refuse to pay under the best of circumstances. Again, I don't the specifics of your case but I do know the vast majority of "Dead Beat Dads" are really "Beat Down Dads" who have no real say in their children's lives with excessive child support awards. Men don't have any effective mechanism to counter mothers who alienate their children or deny visitation as the remedies all center on child support collection. As to your case I want to point out your ex must be self employed or hiding his income as he cannot work a legitimate job without paying child support given current laws. Furthermore, he can't get a tax return nor own a passport or professional license as all they are automatically taken once a man is significantly behind. If he is willing to live a life without credit, regular pay, and never desires to leave the country he can evade for awhile. He also risks imprisonment as Maja Rater did to her husband. What else can the government do to break a man? Perhaps Joint Physical Care is the best answer since it removes a lot of the money from the equation. The rest of the world, outside America and Europe, doesn't have state sponsored welfare or child support. They stay married longer and the children benefit all the more. And when they do separate or divorce, the separated parent is far more likely to contribute huge amounts to keep his or her children safe and in school.

Kristine Burnett Wanted Answers
It's Kristine again. What you state is NOT what is happening with my case. My ex had liberal visitation and chose not to exercise it. His support was set $500 UNDER the guidelines and he still chooses not to pay it. He has the means, the ability and the intelligence to know that what he is doing is hurting his children, yet he chooses to ignore it all. Our system is what I am asking about. I have been in courts for years, doing what I have to do in the legal sense, my case is at CSRU, it also qualifies for Federal prosecution. Yet none of these things have been done. There are warrents for his arrest in Warren county, these also are being ignored. My question was where do I go next, when the system we currently have in place is broken? There are plenty of laws out there that cover my situation, the problem is THEY ARE NOT BEING ENFORCED. Everyone keeps running around the issue, instead of looking straight at it. Once again I state, if the system is broken (for every single one of us, whether custodial or non-custodial) why is our government that we ELECT not doing anything about fixing it? Why are the two groups not coming together and letting their voices be heard about a system that is broken for each parent, instead of viciously attacking each other?

Kristine Burnett wanted answers
I am not getting into specific cases as I don't have the case or the father's version of it to compare agasinst Kristina's. What I can say is that 70% of men, who have regular visitation with their children, not only pay all their child support without ever being behind at all. The lesson for many single mothers is to drop the excuses used to deny viisitation and to promote as much visitation as possible. Statistically only 4% of those making over $40,000 a year get behind in their child support so the myth of the "Dead Beat" Playboy Millionaire is likewise invalid. The majority of fathers who get behind in child support do so because of unreasonably child support orders set at a much higher level than they can earn. Such fathers tend to be owners of handiman style businesses who went underepresented into court only to have the judge "guess" his income based on his ex-wife's estimate. Such estimates are wildly overstated and when coupled with denied visitations these men go into "Scorched Earth" mode. Ultimately, divorced men have the same motivations as married men which is to provide for their families. If a divorced man is prevented from seeing his children while at the same time being raped by excessive child support the results are not all the more predictable don't you think? If Kristine wants child support she should consider liberal visitation and setting her ex's child support at a reasonable level.

Non-Custodial Parents
cwc, For the most part, I agree with everything that you've stated although it does have a slant towards supporting women specifically. I would conclude this is most likely due to your personal situation as well as the majority of parents you work with at DHS. My biggest concern is that most are categorizing people into different groups and not listening to the actual situations. Some are just flat out frustrated with the entire system and categorically dismiss it all as corrupt. Those people, in turn, make for an easy target in categorizing the other half as whiners, deadbeats, etc. I'm sure you've seen it all. I've always commended HS workers for doing a stressful job with little commendation or compensation. Follow that up with someone complaining about a possible mistake in judgement and it has to make you want to stay home some days. The issue I have with the current DHS process is there doesn't seem to be a way in which a HS worker can re-review a situation with additional eyes in a manner that allows them to save face. We all want to do a good job and providing a means to chase any doubts you may have at any point in the process should be part of the process. Having said this, I have for the second time been accused of sexually abusing my daughter. Why? I can only speculate. I do know that my ex's father moved away when she was young and she still has not forgiven him for it. And, my ex told her mother that she was sexually abused as a kid by the boyfried to which mom responded that he wouldn't do anything like that. Like I said, I can only guess that she is misplacing childhood anger into the situation and from where I'm sitting, I've yet to see the opportunity to express this to DHS. I'm working my tail off to maintain joint physical care and am considering my daughter's welfare in deciding to file for removal from her mother's care which I feel to be emotionally abusive. So, to pull this full circle, my ex is a mother but clearly does not know how important a father in a daughter's rearing, and two, I'm a vocal father who is iterating many of the same claims as other fathers only my situation is in the now. Does that make me a whiner? Or merely a concerned parent who sees a perilous juncture coming in regards to our daughter's emotional well being?

Answers for Kristine/wanted Answers
I have to respond. Victimology? Excuse me? I have spent years! and tons of money myself in the COURT system you are saying is there to do the job. The courts say CSRU is there to ENFORCE the laws and sentencing that they hand down. Most of my letter to the editor was taken out, but I fulled described that I had a personal attorney, that I have been fighting this MYSELF. As to the comment about my ex's support being set to high?? Excuse me but the support is set $500 BENEATH the guidelines of what he is supposed to pay! Not over, BUT UNDER! As for visitation rights, he had those and NEVER chose to exercise them. I can control his irresponsiblity to his children. That is what the courts are for, and I have been in those courts with my own personal attorney. None of the statements you are presenting are an adequate portrayal of what took place in my case. Unfortunately, all of my letter was not printed which went into full details about your comments. Once again, I had a personal lawyer, I took him to court myself because he went YEARS without payment, he chose not to take his responsibility to his children, either finally, emotionally or physically serious. As for taking the "Welfare" mentality, excuse me? I am being told by the courts that it is CSRU job to enforce the orders that I went to court for! Don't drop this in the laps of single mothers, if the system is broken, then maybe members of our government need to take a serious look and try fixing it. I am following the law to the letter in every single step I have taken!

Answer for Kristine
comments: Kristine Burnette also answered her own question when she asked where does a custodial parent go when not getting child support. She has all the resources of the state at her disposal and no shortage of "woo is me" types to feed her victimology. The real answer for Kristine and all other custodial parents who want their "child support" is to grant visitation to the custodial parent since that is the only correlation known to work as long as the child support is not beyond his ability to earn let alone pay.

Kristine Burnett wanted answers
Kristine Burnett asked for a response so here it is. Notice her "case" only proves my point that women basically get custody while many men get hit with extreme child support orders well beyond their ability to pay. Her letter also indicates her ex attempted to pay and then fell behind. She takes the "Welfare" mentality a bit when she asks Child Support Recovery to go after her ex as she could've brought suit with a private attorney at any point without waiting. But why wait when you can have someone else pay for it??? As to why her ex fell behind I can guess his child support was set well above his income and I can also bet he doesn't get visitation. Where does a man go to get visitation when being denied? An interesting side note is the fact men with regular visitation have a record of paying all their child support at 70%. I am sure class status and a good job contribute but the main point a person should remember is a married father maintains stable work to keep income for the same reasons a divorced father works, which is to be part of his children's lives. If you remove his access to his children why would he break himself at a grinding job when the going gets tough? He doesn't get his paycheck anyway so follow the logic.

Obama - Connection with the common folk
Senator Barack Obama has attracted overwhelming interest in his campaign over the last four months because of his connection with the common folk. Senator Obama believes in the ability to unite people around a politics of purpose. A politics that puts solving the challenges of everyday Americans ahead of partisan calculation and political gain. Senator Obama has attracted overflowing crowds at his campaign rallies since his announcement in February (20,000 in Atlanta, Georgia on April 21st and 10,000 in Iowa City on April 22nd). No other candidate can match his connection with the common folk from Iowa to New Hampshire. Senator Obama will fight for open and honest government and against special interest and the culture of corruption in Washington.

Barak Obama
Obama doesn't care about non-custodial parents given his response on Feb 22 in DSM to a question I posed. He dodged the Civil Rights aspect of courts granting mother custody 93% of the time as a "state issue." Ten minutes later he detailed all the "Federal" ways he would fix the "Wage Gap" to include firing officials in the Justice Dept yada yada yada. Interestingly, the DSM Register published an article yesterday refuting the "Wage Gap." Obama plays to very liberal constituencies and his rush to pal around with Al Sharpton should be a strong warning he is not a moderate.

Fighting Special Interest
I applaud the efforts of Senator Barack Obama in his fight with special interest in Washington. The rising cost of health care for our elderly is directly due to the profiteering of the drug and insurance companies. President Bush and the Republican leadership in Congress can take credit for the millions of Americans who remain uninsured. It's imperative that we take care of the health care needs of our seniors and children in America.

Chuck Grassley needs to be "senatorial"
Is it wrong to oppose a war that has taken over 3,300 American lives and countless thousands of honorable soldiers wounded in battle? Senator Barack Obama has the fortitude to speak out against the Republican minority in the Senate who blindly support the war in Iraq. It's time to pass legislation in the U.S. Senate to set a timeline and bring our soldiers back. Chuck Grassley needs to be "senatorial" and listen to the majority of Iowans who oppose the war in Iraq. Senator Grassley needs to understand the most basic legislative process - you are a representative of the people.

paid for by taxpayers
Cityview reported on the County's lack of insurance in the 'It's your money' page in March. Here's a link http://dmcityview.com/archives/2007/03mar/03-01-07/money.shtml

Media Matters Rebuttal
For the Juice reader who took Cityview to task about Spanish-language newspapers. Cityview provides a newspaper for folks with IQs numerically higher than a cool, Spring day. Sure beats the Chamber of Commerce sycophants and Iowa Ministry of Tourism lackies at the Dumb-Oyne Register! BTW: What are 'actual facts'? How do they differ from 'inactual facts'? If a fact is 'actual' is it more factual than just a fact? Actually, I don't care.

paid for bby taxpayers
If the taxpayer is on hook for body shop repairs to County vehicles, I assume the county does not buy insurance. Does anyone know if that means the taxpayer is also on the hook for liability if Paul Houston were to run over a kid on a trycycle instead of just his neighbor's mailbox???

Maja Rater
I have personaly read Maja Rater's web page about her personal story. Maja willingly admitts on her home page that she did not work for over thirty years, and that she felt it was wrong for her to be forced to work (since she was recieving welfare) by the state of Iowa. Maja also admitts that she left her husband and not the other way around, and that she felt he should be the sole financial provider for her children. She also claims that she is opposed to people not paying thier debts, but in addition to Maja not paying her debt to Drake University, Maja also refused to pay back the state of Iowa for the welfare she recieved, after she had been given child support from her ex-husband, the state garnished her tax refund. Maja has one mission create a welfare state for all women and force all men or Non custodial parents, to foot the bill for their luxury. I said it once I'll say it again, I want to see Maja Raters face on a pizza box. " Wanted: Maja Rater, for systematicaly destroying parental rights, segregating goog parents, alienating children, and illegal imprisonment of good people."

Media Matters
You are aware that there are already several spanish-language newspapers in the Des Moines area, right? Or do you just not care about reporting actual facts?

Maja Rater
Maja ~ I continue to see your comments/remarks in the media, and it is becoming quite disturbing. I fully support the stance of fathers providing for their children; however, parenthood is a 50/50 partnership. You claim that the main goal of father advocacy groups is too reduce the amount of child support ordered. In contrast, the reality is that the main goal of father advocacy groups is to promote changes in legislation to ensure that parenthood is a 50/50 partnership, thus our promotion of Joint Physical Custody. One example of the bias in our current court system is the presumption that Non-Custodial Parents (mainly fathers) must provide health insurance. It would be the goal of father advocacy groups to remove this order to read that both the Noncustodial Parent (mainly fathers) and the Cusodial Parent (mainly mothers)will both provide 1/2 of the costs associated with providing health insurance. Doing so would once again promote this 50/50 partnership. It is time that you came to grips with the fact that the current system is broke and it is not putting the best interests of our children first. Father's groups are not against child support, but we are against the current child support system. Our goal is not to eliminate child support, but rather change the way child support is calculated. A Custodial Parent (mainly mothers) should not be afforded the luxery being able to provide for our children soley on the income recieved from Child Support. It is the goal of Father's Groups to change legislation so that our children are afforded the opportunity to be supported by both of their parents in a 50/50 partnership.

Maja Rater's Letter to Editor
Maja Rater actually profits from the child support industry through her organization ÒAssociation for Children for Enforcement of Support.Ó This is alarming since she sits on IowaÕs Child Support Advisory Committee which allows her to increase child support guidelines and enforcement. Maja claims men owe $107 Billion dollars in child support but the fact is this number is an inflated debt since the Urban Institute www.urban.org published a study showing only 1 in 20 non-custodial parents who sought a reduction were granted one upon unemployment. Consider the US Office of Child Support Enforcement shows two-thirds of those behind in child support live in poverty themselves with only 4% earning over $40,000 a year. Take a look at recent campaigns to get the top ten child support evaders in various states: Ohio seeks three roofers, two construction workers, a musician and four men without an occupation all of whom lack an education. Texas seeks a plumber as the remaining top ten had no job. Virginia seeks a laborer, a carnival hired hand, and a construction worker who collectively owe over $250,000. Arizona seeks a roofer owing $240,000 all by himself! I guess you can factor in illegal immigrants and migrant workers and inflate all Aid to Dependent Children and come up with some pretty good numbers to throw around but they arenÕt real and locking up every dad who gets charged an excessive child support order isnÕt the answer. The answer is to stop a runaway, for profit, divorce industry that tells women they will be taken care of for life if they just get rid of their husbands. As long as we give custody to women 90% of the time while at the same time treating men as distant paychecks without rights or a parental role we will continue to have problems. IowaÕs Democratic Governor and Legislature passed every bill Maja Rater supported such as HF199 which makes the man pay for both attorneys in all matters regarding custody, modifications, paternity, and visitation. They also passed HF780 granting immediate increases in child support during a modification process while awaiting trial. Keep in mind the previous bill means the longer the court process the higher the bill for the man so why would he fight it in the first place?

Republican debate
At a time when we need a scientifically literate president more than ever before in history, three Republican candidates "don't believe in" evolution, one of the most fundamental biological theories. Of course they don't know what a scientific theory is, either. And not believing in evolution, in this country, isn't even much of a political handicap. To top it off, schools across the country are now afraid to even teach students about evolution. In the decades ahead, other countries that teach science well are very likely going to eat our economic lunch. Foreign students make up a larger percentage of science grad students in this country every year. I'm all in favor of scientific literacy around the world, but I'd like the U.S. to be included. Those three Republican presidential candidates are symbolic of our possible downhill future, and it's scary.

Republican debate
Three of the 10 Republicans running for President say they don't believe in evolution. That's a higher percentage than one finds among even self-described "conservative Republicans." So, what's really going on here? Are the presidential primaries becoming the new Boston Marathon? -a resume builder in which the point is just to run, with no hope in Hell of winning? Or are politicans now more drastically polarized in their ideology than even the most far right and far left constutuencies? Or is it just a case of bad business sense - like all the taverns that chase the 18 percent of the population who smoke instead of the 82 per cent who do not?

Drake Family Law Professor
Andrea Charlow, a Drake University professor and expert on family law stated "there are no studies that indicate judges favor mothers" and she followed that with an affirmation that men have an equal chance at custody. Let me just ask one question to this "expert." Are you living on the same planet as the rest of us? How is it possible that 90% of child support is paid by men if things are equal? Just because men don't fight for custody doesn't mean they don't want it simply acknowledges the futility of that struggle in the biased courts of our nation. Her rediculous statements are both offensive and without merit. It is unfortunate we have so many feminists in the judiciary going to great lengths to justify and hide obvious reverse discrimination!

art pimp- Anita Walker
No surprise, Cityview was the only media ooutlet that put a perspective on Chet Culver's incredible oversight at the Dept of Cultural Affairs. Iowa dumps Anita Walker and Massachusetts quickly hires her. It's as if the I-Cubs dropped a shortstop who was then signed by the Boston Red Sox. Literally. It's also the worst job Culver has done with key appointments, you just can't dump star talent simply because she's seen as a threat to Patti Judge, that's why Iowa deserves all the backwater stereotypes the Coasts lay on us. Chet is a big lug, but he told us that.

The Real Culture of Corruption!
So much for Republican lapses wait till you hear about Diane Feinstein and this is precisely why Democrats get away with this stuff - NOBODY REPORTS IT. But when a Republican is even suspected or just accused Democrats use a receptive media to drive home a lie! Case in point, the US Attorney firings, Bill Clinton fired 93 while Bush fired 8 using the same logic. I almost fall over laughing when I hear Democrats claiming Republicans are the party of corruption. But hey, if you live life with blinders on and have very little independent thought it sometimes pays to be a Democrat. There is always welfare right? Enough of this, read about Diane Feinstein (D) of California. California Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) chairs the Senate Rules Committee and may have directed more than $1 billion to companies controlled by her husband. The problems stem from her subcommittee activities from 2001 to late 2005, when she quit. During that period the public record suggests she knowingly took part in decisions that eventually put millions of dollars into her husbandÕs pocket. Melanie Sloan, the executive director of Citizens for Responsible Ethics in Washington, or CREW, usually focuses on the ethical lapses of Republicans and conservatives, but even she is appalled at the way Sen. Feinstein has abused her position. Sloan told a California reporter earlier this month that whileÓthere are a number of members of Congress with conflicts of interest É because of the amount of money involved, FeinsteinÕs conflict of interest is an order of magnitude greater than those conflicts.Ó

Culture of Corruption?
#1 - Congressman Jordan (D) was found with $90,000 in marked bills in his freezer right after being filmed taking a bribe. #2 - Obama is better than Hillary but that is sorta like being the most powerful Pro Football team in Alaska as things go. #3 - Obama cozing up to Al Sharpton and playing the race card against Don Imus while not giving one iota about the Duke LaCrosse false accusations speaks volumes as to his racial feelings. If Obama is to be a uniter he must stop his march to the Democratic left and get away from racial divide and conquer issues. We already have way too many protected classes in this country and the real producers/tax payers of this country are tired of being the target for everything the Democrats spew. Obama better realize we are not after a better looking version of Al Sharpton! I predict he will flame out since he will keep shooting to the left and that will kill him even if he beats Hillary.

Unite people around a politics of purpose
Senator Barack Obama has attracted overwhelming interest in his campaign over the last three months because of his connection with the common folk. Senator Obama believes in the ability to unite people around a politics of purpose Ð Òa politics that puts solving the challenges of everyday Americans ahead of partisan calculation and political gain.Ó LetÕs not forget that Senator Obama has consistently ranked near the top in all national polling since his announcement in February. LetÕs not forget that Barack Obama has more individual contributors (over 105,000) and has raised more in campaign contributions targeted for the 2008 primaries ($25 Million) than any candidate in the race, Democrat or Republican. Ninety percent of his contributors are small donors (contributing $100 or less). LetÕs not forget the overflowing crowds attending Senator ObamaÕs rallies since his announcement in February (20,000 in Atlanta, Georgia on April 21st and 10,000 in Iowa City on April 22nd). No other candidate can match his connection with the common folk from Iowa to New Hampshire. Senator Obama will fight for open and honest government and against special interest and the culture of corruption in Washington.

What The?
This is how Nancy Pelosi feels on daily basis.

Hostage conditions at courthouse
Hostages, errr jurors, at the courthouse are being forced to listen to judicial horror stories intended to create the momentum needed to build a new courthouse. My wife, a released hostage, was forced to listen to a jury judge as he detailed the horrors of his working conditions. The judge itemized "restrooms that frequently malfunction" and "rat and roach infestations" (My wife says she saw several examples wearing business suits.) The judge's sad tale brought poor Tiny Tim to her mind. Perhaps, on a still night, you can hear him clomping from courtroom to courtroom on his little crutch? Your Honor...jury 'duty' is bad enough without using jurors as involuntary shills to promote a new courthouse. Judges need to be told the same thing as other Iowa employees. Don't like your working conditions? Get a different job.

Please sir, may we keep any of our earnings?
Now (trumpet fanfair)...a 'per wheel tax'? The possibility was raised by DM city manager, Rick Clark. The possible tax was discussed at a central library 'coffee'. To appease local Mohawks, it was not called a 'tea'. Golly, Mr. Clark, the taxing possibilities are endless...a penis tax for men and a breast tax for women (the latter may apply for a 50% equilization credit...the former tax could be given a catchy name rhyming with 'Rick'). Think of the ruling class entertainments you could provide with that kind of loot! Who are you going to tax when the peasants have fled? Words of warning: Don't loiter in the roads leading out of town.

DSM REGISTER
I think you guys rock!!! You're alot more interesting than the DSM Register. I love the rap sheet it's hilarious! How do you guys find this stuff out?!?!?!? Keep up the good work!!!!

Vilsack
You neglected to add to the end of your Civic Skinny article that Tom Vilsack has said that he will not accept Hillary's offer to pay his campaign debt. He has stated publicly that he alone will pay back the personal loans he took to pay out campaign staff salaries and other expenses.

DSM Register & Rekha Basu Part 1
Since the DSM Register protects its own I thought I would comment from a newspaper that hasn't sold itself out to the Devil and still considers truthfulness worth reporting. City View has been my favorite DSM Newspaper for years and my only complaint is you guys don't take over the Register's market share!

DSM Register & Rekha Basu Part 2
The DSM Register's Civil Right's Reporter would never miss a chance to say we all practice wage discrimination against women and something must be done to fix the problem. Yet, she never addressed the fact this latest study has not been released and all previous studies have been quickly debunked once others tried to replicate the study. Common errors such as comparing an office worker to an office manager are part of the problem as is the FACT all of these studies consider the person who PAYS child support to have that money as income and the person who RECIEVES child support to not have that money as income. Wow, that alone would about explain things since women get custody 90% of the time even in Polk County! I guess Rekha isn't concerned about EQUALITY OF OUTCOME with that little bit of discrimination is she? Furthermore, Rekha fails to find a single example of a woman who has been discriminated against in that manner. You would think we would have a few examples but, like her study, facts are best when glossed and not revealed.

Iowa Speedway
I sure hope the $80k plus that the city has had to pay on interest from the revenue bonds to date, is not a true indicator of the tracks future success!

Open and honest government
Throughout his political career, Barack Obama has fought for open and honest government. As a U.S. Senator, he has spearheaded the effort to clean up Washington in the wake of the Jack Abramoff scandal. Barack Obama has refused to accepted contributions from federal lobbyist and political action committees. Over 90% of Senator Obama's 100,000 donors contributed $100 or less. It's an honor to support Senator Barack Obama in his bid for the democratic nomination in 2008. Senator Obama will challenge the status quo in Washington.

art pimp
Why wouldn't Chet Culver want to keep Anita Walker on board? Let's see: Walker was aggressive, charming, good looking and unafraid to do the right thing for the people she represented. In other words, she had charisma, making her the political Anti-Judge, as Culver's running mate was none of those things. Just maybe, it was Patty, not Chet, who felt threatened by her.

Still Burning
It is very sad that the religious freedoms that this country was founded on won't stand up in a court of law. It just goes to show that God has been pushed out of the judicial system! Don't we still swear on a BIBLE?? We here at Green Earth Ministries are looking forward to the day that Brother Carl can "do what comes naturally"!!!

Winners/Losers
I agree that schools that encourage fruit and veggie consumption are doing a good thing for their kids. But there's no substitute for good parenting when it comes to food. A recent study of some first graders showed that they became more overweight during the summer than during the school year. Too many kids are sitting on their butts in front of the TV instead of playing outside. And it amazes me that some parents, instead of limiting TV to a few hours a week like my parents did, lament the amount of TV their kids watch as if they were helpless to do anything about it.

noncustodial parents
Here's a flip of the coin for you all...........I'm the Dad. I have custody. My wife, the loving mother all judges seem to think have an extra-proportional right to child rearing, left me after 17 years of marriage and left her daughter at age seven, to live on a sailboat in San Diego with a younger guy.... Let me set this up for you and I hope some of the judges are reading, too. My wife, an aggressive corporate climber, was News director at one of DSM's TV stations(WHO)when we lived there. When she decided she wanted a child in her late thirties, she decided to quit working and become a mother. Pregnancy and Motherhood didn't agree with her after a while. She decided her Mother would move in with us and be the Nanny. MNL had a heart attack during the last trimester and died. Because she didn't want to be a fulltime mother anymore, and she made more money than me. I quit a pretty decent job (60K a year) to become Mr. Mom., and for 7 years I raised the kid, cleaned the house, cooked and all the other things involved with that side of the marriage. When she left, she left. Then during the court proceedings, she, or her lawyer, began to notice the judge leaning toward that familiar path of "the kid is always better off with the Mother", and began to contest the custody. To make a long story short, I basically purchased my daughter by signing away any claim to savings accounts, 401k's, or any accumulated properties of our twenty year relationship. The judge then awarded me only joint-custodial status instead of full custody, telling me he wasn't ready to give a Dad that kind of power. My wife has since seen her daughter three times in two and a half years. She was ordered to pay $910 a month in child support(much less than the new condo in SCal) a year ago when the divorce became final. She has paid $1700 to date. We had moved to Cleveland before all this happened where she was working for another TV station. I had an accident which caused me to be on crutches just before she was transferred to Atlanta. My daughter and I spent another year by ourselves in Cleveland with me in and out of the hospital. After 12 major surgeries, my left leg was amputated just below the knee. I challenge anyone reading this to cut off his leg, admit on a job application that you quit your 60k a year job in management to stay home and raise a child at age 46 for the next ten years!! I've had managers interviewing me excuse themselves(probably to go in another room and laugh until the tears start), and then send someone else back into the interview room to tell me, "they'll be in touch". 30 something year old kids have my old job. They have the knowledge of the technological advances made in the past ten years. They're better and cheaper, and more cost effective on the insurance side of the corporate ledger than a 55 year old, one-legged, single father. Now, think of this for a minute... I am a News Director of a TV station in Atlanta making nearly a quarter of a million dollars a year. I took the transfer and left my wife, who had quit her $60,000 a year job 7 years ago to have a child I begged her to have. I left her after an accident had left her waiting on crutches for her third round of major leg surgery to take the job. I stayed away when her leg became infected because of my job. I told her the best thing to do was stay there and put the kid back into school. After a visit home at Christmas and another at Easter. I came back, cleaned out the checking account, cancelled her credit cards, closed the savings account, and refused to pay the mortgage anymore. My only reason being...I didn't love her anymore. I had fallen out of love with her. I'd met some one new, 12 years younger than her. I was moving to California with her to live on her sailboat. Goodbye!!! CAN YOU IMAGINE THE JUDGE'S REACTION TO THAT STORY IN DIVORCE COURT????? I would be paying child support, alimony, mortgage payments, car notes, and the judge would still be looking for things he could attach to me. Divorce judges have been way too lenient, and have created a very unlevel playing field, with the man at the low end for too long. WAKE UP!!! All mothers are not saints, and all fathers are not bastards. Thank you for taking the time to read and think about my stuff............peace

Gun control
I was at the main post office yesterday and saw a car parked on the sidewalk. It was next to a sign that reads "Possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons on postal property is prohibited by law." The car contained dangerous weapons. There were several empty parking spots he could have parked in. Ironically, he told others they would have to move their cars.Sensible Priorities made a good point.

the full monty
thanks for the nice review andrew! it is a show in which all of the people involved get along superbly and have a wonderful time. it's good to know that it comes off on stage. i also wanted to make mention that it was very nice of you to mention my son brandon in the review. he got a real kick out of that. thanks again. gina gedler

Prince to purchase hoyt. play 30 shows
I was just wondering when is prince supposed to be in iowa or in des moines period please get back to me as soon as possible before prince leaves town

unjust men in our country
Why are the PEOPLE;afraid of those in our country who would rule by the hand of lie's,and fears': IF are system is based upon rights',and justice for ALL,then why do the people not stand up for all the vets',widows,and homeless oppressed by the media,lawyers,law-makers who will not listen to the people with out a boy'cot. So people lets stand and boy'cot all of these new powers who believe they are god's.each state should call in on monday's:not shop at large companys'ie Wal-mart'.buy less gas,there are thousands of things you could end when you unite as "unions"Do you all realize that they are speaking evil of good;and praising evil over good.. Wake up! If the child cries does the god of heaven here? YES.for you who think your self above GOD.I tell you true he has heard their and our cries'and has ordered his angel to deliever his might: Enough already DO THE JOB YOU WERE HIRED TO DO, AND QUIT PASSING THE BUCK.take care of the people Remember we are as strong as a nation as our weekest links(other wise you who think that they are wise take note please stop the rule over justice with the dollar's.the lier's,the anti american who preaches fear over rights and justness.Those who take your voice,take your little childs' as well.If they take mine today :Will they take your's tomorrow ? YES.In the words of Ester think not that the oppression will not be at your door next..fair warning. YES THE CHOICE IS YOURS(RING THE PHONE'S OFF THE WALL'S TO YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: vote then out,big money and attorney's need not to be in our making of our just lawmaking,Vote them out.YOU WANT A KING,? RIGHT NOW THAT IS THE WAY YOU ARE HEADED..open your minds,get out of the comfort zone,take a stand and remove this EVIL that is stealing your child's future.

Mike Gronstal must go
Mike Gronstal decided to deny SF507 (Joint Custody) an up or down vote after it cleared the judiciary committee 16-0. IowaFathers.com has already purchased the autodialer that will start calling everyone in his district within the two weeks and not stop until he has been defeated in 2008. Oh, did I forget to mention Senator Gronstal promised Bryan Iehl of Iowafathers.com that we would get an up or down vote? So, add to our anger the fact that Mike Gronstal is a liar.

Gronstal most powerful in legislature
He should be considering he lies while smiling and has money to burn for reelection. Mike raised $152,719.70 for his 2004 reelection campaign when most campaigns require about 1/3 that amount.

Winners & Losers
Sticking up for Joe Six Pack, huh? Such bullshit. You know and I know that most of the pickups and SUVs in this state are owned by suburban ass-polishers who loaf in every office cubicle in the tri-county area. And you also know that cigarette smoking is a noxious, stupid and dangerous-to-one's-health habit. We both know that the owner of this rag, who also owns our local nine, bans the filthy habit at the open-air Sec Tayl...er..Pricipal Park Triple-A baseball diamond. And as for the freeloading scabs. I don't think any of you twenty-to-thirty-something tendsetters would know a union member if he came up and bit you on the ass! Hypocrites!

Winston's
I really enjoyed reading your review of Winston's in the skywalk! Though not a destination, Winston's really is a bright spot for those needing an after-work pick-me-up! I only hope now that it won't be inundated with even more working slags looking for a long island! Great job!

Car-surfing stunt
Does anybody think that young Mr. Stefen Vigil is about the stupidest kid at East High School for his car-surfing stunt last Friday! His mother's defending his actions by saying her little darling couldn't run or walk to the front door of East High School. Wow! I don't know who's stupider. The dumb kid for riding on the hood of his buddy's car or the mother for defending his extremely stupid and dangerous action. Hey, though, I hope he comes out of this O.K. And I hope he learns something.

Flavors of Fairfield Bicycle Ride
Saturday May 5, 2007 Ñ A day of cycling Ð paved back roads or limestone trails. Specials at 20 participating restaurants Live music by the Suits, contests and prizes Discover what makes Fairfield the Great Place youÕve never heard of Enjoy the bounty of our local Farmers Market growers & bakers Visit the artists and galleries at the 1st Fridays Art Walk (May 4th) Nothing makes good food taste even better than a good appetite. The most enjoyable way to build an appetite is to pedal the scenic byways of Jefferson County. Our Flavors Ride offers opportunities for cycling at all levels. The Jefferson County Trail System offers 12 miles of smooth limestone trail encircling Fairfield and winding through parks, meadows, lakesides and wetlands--perfect for families, bird watching and a more leisurely pace. For those wanting more challenge and more miles, we offer several hundred miles of gently rolling, lightly traveled, and paved farm-to-market roads past fertile farmland, ancient prairies and woodlands. There are numerous loop tours--from 8 to 53 miles--that begin and end in Fairfield. Do a loop and enjoy food and drink at one of 20 restaurants rolling out the red carpet for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Repeat. Ride at your own pace. Challenge yourself or enjoy yourself. All levels of cyclists welcome Ð this is not a race nor is it a weight loss ride. The ride is not weather dependent so dress for the weather. Camping is available in Jefferson County Park. Those wishing to stay overnight have a variety of choices in hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts. See http://www.travelfairfieldiowa.com/accommodations Did we mention food? If you like slow food, fast food, organic food, soul food, comfort food, international food or local food, weÕve got you covered! Made-here European chocolates, wood fired pizza, locally roasted coffee and heavenly home baked goodies. Good weather is possible, a good time is likely and good company is assured. Whether you ÔRide to eatÕ or ÔEat to rideÕ, you will leave with a smile on your face and song in your heart. Join us! Event SponsorsÑAbundance EcoVillage, AJÕs Bicycle Shop, Central Park Futon, Chocolate CafŽ, EverybodyÕs, Hy-Vee, CafŽ Paradiso, RevelationÕs, Top of the Rock Restaurant/Red Rock Tavern, TasoÕs, YummyÕs Bakery.

Prince will ROCK the HSP
As a long time Prince fan, that just saw him in Vegas, and a native of Des Moines, now living in Europe on the French/German boarder, this MADE MY DAY...even 5,000 miles away from the DSM. I laughed my ass off. Great job, awesome story. That was the BEST. I'm still laughing. You were killing me with Silky Johnson, Morris Days 2nd cousin. I sent this to friends of mine all over the US from Atlanta, New York and Phoenix that grew up in and around Des Moines, all Price fans, and some of them fell for it. Bravo. It may have taken a few days to reach me in Germany, but let it be said; you made an Iowan in Saarbrucken, Germany LOL. IÕm homesick and will be home this summer for a visit and a B-Bops burger and a Tasty Taco and IÕll make sure to keep reading your paperÉ..And IÕll make sure I catch PrinceÕs gig at the HSP.

Caught On Film (Namaycush)
Please don't say its just an April Fools gag! I know you just put "April Fool's) at the end just to cover your butt. I'm from Missouri, home of "Mo.Mo" and I want to believe it really bad! I now live not far from Gray's Lake (rented paddle boat 1ce) but have not had the pleasure of checking out Mama Mo.Mo's hairy boobs. You can bet I'll be tryin' to sniff her out of the bushes. I know she's gotta be a sweet heart!

cityview prank
Urban City Legend in tone and illustration (I wish), your City View April fools addition was just the delightful thing to have read at Flannigans as we were having our catalytic converter (painfully pricey anywhere)replaced at Midas Muffler just across the street. Thanks for the creativity, the wonderment and the laughs. Hoyt Sherman Place turned into a purple graffiti covered, Branson for former artists who formerly were, indeed. I think Namaycush should enjoy equal rights and protections under the law just like any other American, too. Then they could be disenfranchised, oppressed and ignored by the boob in the White House, just like the rest of us. Oh,to be a Namaycush.

non custodial parents
It is unfortunate that some children are used as pawns by spiteful parents. You sound incredibly bitter and I can't say that I wouldn't be as well, if I were in what you say your situation is. You just need to make sure that your anger isn't influencing what you say about your son's mother when he is around. If what you say is true, it sounds as though you had poor legal representation. I work for DHS and if a parent is saying that she is separated but really living with that person and collecting benefits, then she could be in a world of hurt, and courts look at the morality of the home that children are living in, so with proper counsel you may be able to gain custody. Obviously, you would need proof. Good luck with that, children need fathers that care. ~cwc

the creature at grays lake
The other night while walking around grays lake my friend john my sister becca and i came across two animals similar to a german shepard/wolf/ape. we were so scared and confused that we just walked away quickly. the next day cityview came out with this article. Its clear to me that there is something we dont know about living in the wooded area near the path that leads to downtown. unfortunetly, it was dark and i was not about to stay and figure out what this creature was, but i say this is worth an investigation by the DNR or animal experts of some kind.

Non Custodial Parents
You can be the "every other weekend dad or just a father by check" it is up to you to change that. So, basically, this woman is saying that the only choice we have is to be a father by paycheck or an every other weekend dad? Those are the only two roles she sees fathers playing in their children's lives? What a winch! Take the time to get to know your children? I would if my ex would allow me more than 4 days a month, if she wouldn't have fought me 'tooth and nail' to prevent me having more time with my son, while at the same time encouraging her 'estranged' husband to secure custody of his children from a previous marriage. These moms tick me off so bad! They claim that we don't want to take the time to get to know our kids. They claim we are too busy to care what they are doing. They accuse us of not caring about their well-being and say that if we don't like the way things are to go to court and change them. BUT, as soon as we try to do that they stand in front of the judge and spew excuse after excuse and lie after lie as to why we shouldn't have more time with our kids. Give me a break! They know the courts will just accept their crap and rule against us because 'mother of the year' said it so it must be true! My stupid judge wouldn't give me an extra day when my son is not in school. He wouldn't award his birthday to me EVER, wouldn't allow me a health insurance deduction... in short he wouldn't award me what was best for my son... MORE time with me!!! His father!!! His male role model!!! I have recently seen a lot of non custodial parents whining and complaining about paying child support and it is not far. How is that not far supporting your children. How is it not fair to support your children? Let's see, let me rephrase that question for you... How is it FAIR that CP's DON'T HAVE TO SUPPORT their children? How is it fair that you can have 2 children from different dads with one paying support and one not paying support?? How is it fair that both your children are in school full time but you can sit on your butt and collect food stamps, housing, medical, utilities, etc. while DAD is paying for your internet, cell phone, vehicle gas and cable bill? How is it fair that my child has to grow up with f**cked up morals and values and believe that you don't have to work for anything and that screwing people is a way of life and that no matter what, the world owes him something so he doesn't have to work for anything? How is it fair that you can be remarried and 'legally separated' for financial benefit and the system just takes your word for it, yet the spouse you are separated from doesn't pay child support while the one you divorced gives you one paycheck out of four every month? How is it fair that my child has to live in a home where his brother is favored over him and he has to suffer from that every day? How is it fair that my child has to wear clothes that are 3 sizes too big, have holes and tears and basically look like crap while his brother always dresses nice? Why is it fair that my son is being alienated against me at the age of 6 to believe that I don't have to have a role in his life when he is older, that the choice is up to him? You wanna talk about fair???? Let's talk about fair! All I ever wanted was to have my son be a part of my life, to have my son share his life with both of us. All I ever wanted was to know that if the judge wouldn't allow me to share him with you, that you would take care of him, and teach him strong values and morals and the importance of truthfulness, respect and education... and to have you love him unconditionally!! That's what I want! I love my son! My son loves me! Why does that threaten you so?

Non Custodial Parents
It is not the same mother wanting the childrens' dad out of their lives and wanting them to spend more time with them, if the father is a good father with the children's best interest at heart the mother wants him involved, if he is an alcoholic, an abuser, a cheater, etc, the mother doesn't want him in the childrens' lives. Mothers are aware that it is best for the children to have both parents. Mothers are aware that there are not substitutes for the father, uncles, Grandpas, etc don't quite fill in that gap, and the #1 abuser of children are the mother's new boyfriend. We want our children to have the benefit of their father. I disagree that the money doesn't make it to the children, the money goes into the household that is raising the children, the only way that you can fairly make that assumption is to really sit down and tally the cost involved in raising a child. I agree, I see a number of single mothers palming children off so they can go out, but I also see a lot that are struggling and working and doing the best they can, and most don't want to involve the courts, they want to work it out with the fathers and get to a place where they can amicably deal with each other for the children's sake. But just like with any other relationship, there are always hard feelings when money is involved. ~cwc

Mean mothers and Parental Allienation
So on one hand mothers want dads out of the lives of their children and on the other they complain dads don't spend enough time with the kids. On one hand mom's suffer terribly financially so much so that only 95% of them end up with custody and despite all the money given (which too often does not get to the children) mothers are financially disadvantaged. Let's get some fairness and I refuse to listen to another mother claiming they have it bad when they get custody and even their attorney bills paid for by the very unfortunate father. The facts are the facts and I will listen to women (on this subject) when they support fathers having just as much visitation/custody as mothers. The silence is deafening!

Non Custodial Parents
Its very telling that the only way this "dad" gets appreciated is if his hand is out with money in it. I make more money than my kids' dad, he gets them every week, he usually doesn't have money to do things with the children other than hang, and sometimes I give them money to go to the movie or something, but they love him and respect him and appreciate him greatly. I feel sorry for Mr. Miss the Point, that he won't have a relationship with his children until he stops paying child support so that he can buy his children's affection! ~cw

Non Custodial Parents
Gee, I'm crushed that I am not coming across nicely here, my main goal is to become your friend. If you are a father to your children and you make ten times what their mother makes then your children should be living the lifestyle that your income can provide for them. This is exactly my point, your ex wife, the mother of those children, is the one that is raising them, she is the one that is there most of the time, what is her time worth? Would you be making ten times as much as her if you had the children at home? Would your cost of living be as low if you had to provide the main home that they live in? You are complaining because you make more money so you have to pay more child support? This proves my point. You are making it about the mom when it is about the children. Fathers don't want to "give money to the ex wife" when it is actually for the CHILDREN! DUH! You really do fail to see the point. I just can't figure out if it's deliberate or if you really are that stupid. ~cwc

Non Custodial Parents
My ex pays his child support, yet he tells me that I take all his money. Let me see when you take half your yearly income and put it back into your "job" and say you only make a little over 10,000 a year so you don't have to pay much support how is that far? I do make more then him even with him putting money back into his "job". All I am asking is if you notice the clothes your child has one have a hole due to playing hard pick up a new article of clothing. I don't care if it comes from Kmart or Von Maur, just take replace it! Telling your child that their mom "takes all your money" is not right. Children need to be kids and not be subject to either parents complaining.

Non Custodial Parents
For the "nice mother" commenting about cool aid's correct spelling I guess I missed your correction and I fail to see the significance to the issues at hand. Regardless, I make ten times what she makes and I don't sit at home looking for somebody else to bump me up in pay (child support raises) - instead I went out and earned! When children are out of the mother's home and child support ends it seems many monthers suddenly become quite poor! I sit back and laugh because on the other hand many guys suddenly become flush with cash and the children find out if they need help who to go to - DAD! Dads give money freely and finally get appreciated. Hateful women are the main problem with our society and any man in his right mind should avoid that 20% of the female population. Lord help you if his children are being raised by such a monster as the long term effects are well documented.

Nammycush at Gray's Lake
How STUPID are you people? It's DEFINATELY a fake and a hoax! Apparently Cityview is going down the drain and so you have to make up stories to get people to read it! Also, your paper seems to be piling up in trash cans a lot lately and THAT'S WHERE IT BELONGS--if you have to make up stories to get people to read it!

Specialty Grocery
You should have Graziano Bros. Grocery on your Specialty Grocery list. Everyone know about their sausage. It's everywhere in town. It doesn't get any better than that.

Non Custodial Parents
Non Custodial Parents I know for a fact that most child support money is more than enough to pay for most expenses. I agree, most women take advantage of this. It's their way of getting back for a failed marriage/relationship.

prince
That is pretty pathetic that you people have nothing else to report on or should i say to make up. That you make up a story just to get readers attention....you just as well change the name to fictional view. Even though it is a joke..what do think is going to happen when the people who don't have the internet to look up and call your bs on topics like this. It also brings up the ? of how acurate are all your articles..i'm almost ashamed to say I will probably not read to many more of your made up-newspapers and im gonna let everyone I know that the city view is the biggest joke of a organization or newspaper.. thanks for your time. sincerly, No longer reading

Non Custodial Parents
I am not selling cool aid (sic), and at least I know how to spell it. I do not need to defend single mothers. Our society is designed in such a way that we, as single mothers, are constantly having to "think things through". For example, my ex was sick yesterday, and my gut reaction was to say "that's alright, leave the children with me", but you don't get to call in sick to being a parent, when I'm sick, the children are with me. I am the one that makes sure they get to school everyday, I am the one that makes sure they have supper every night, I am the one making sure that they have their football gear and their swimming gear and their musical instruments and their doctor's appointments. I am the one that is stretching the money that I make and the measley amount of child support that I receive for these children to make sure that they have what they need, I do this 5 days a week, their father has them two days a week. I am tired of father's acting like mothers are trying to take advantage of them. The truth of the matter is, most men would not be able to handle it, and most men know this. So they need to stop jumping on the "poor me" bandwagon, and do what they CAN do, and stop whining about it. And for the record, I know plenty of single moms, none of whom have drug addicted children, and I can't tell you the last time I was in a bar. So, go flip your burgers, pay your $40 a week child support and whine about the fact that your ex has a boyfriend and money to go to a bar. ~cwc

Non Custodial Parents
It is so nice that fathers like to trash talk the ex wife's life style and it is ok to do that. Many fathers have trash for new girlfriends and like to attend the bars to find them. I see why mothers push fathers away as they do.

Non Custodial Parents
The cool aid this mother is selling is the same tired excuses they always use for raising drug addicted children - that they are working two jobs blah blah blah... That is crazy as my ex's second job seems to be her jobless boyfriend and the neighborhood bar.

The Incredibles
As Governor of my home state of Iowa, has Mr Culver been approached as to how much he thinks his new role might BOOST the state's morale - position? IOWA - does it really NEED a boost? OR a new position? My children were educated the majority of their lives in TN., but upon moving here, all they had to do is sit back, sigh a 'ho hum' and wait for this city of Memphis to catch up with them. Iowa, my Iowa !

WinnersLosers -- Des Moines
This week's "WinnersLosers" column is another reminder that our economic system is fundamentally insane, based as it is on the same ultimately-suicidal principle as cancer -- growth for growth's sake. If Des Moines is a "winner" because of its growing population, and growth is automatically "good news," does that make fast-growing Las Vegas, which is about to further extend its sucking of all the groundwater for hundreds of miles around (and it still won't have enough water for long), a "super winner"? Anyone who wants to see a different point of view can go to: www.steadystate.org

Non Custodial Parents
Actually, "modern society filled with drug addicted children, teen pregnancy and uneducated children" only goes to prove my point, that single mothers aren't home with their children collecting welfare, they are usually gone, working two jobs so that they can pay the bills associated with being the sole provider and caretaker of their children. Maybe if more fathers were trustworthy and interested things would be different. I'd like some statistics from your "movement" about how many fathers really want to have their children every weekend? Any that I've heard about don't want to give up their free time. The women that I talk to DAILY about fell off their chairs laughing at that one! My guess is that even your "movement" is all based on the bottom line. ~cwc

Non Custodial Parents
I dont know of one parent that is living off of her child support and staying at home. You are complaining because 50% of your income is taken to help raise your child(ren) why dont you figure out the % that the custodial parent is paying? As you stated, they have the child(ren) the rest of the month, you think it's expensive for only four?? Get a grip! Most single mothers I know are struggling to make ends meet, why dont you start asking around? Really take a look at what you are spouting off about, and then put in an entry that is actually justified! ~cwc

Non Custodial Parents
Ok you group of "Mad Dads". Get off the we need people to feel sorry for us train and open your eyes. NOT ALL MOTHERS ARE THE WAY YOU ARE POINTING THEM OUT TO BE. Everyone has an opinion on how there divorce or break ended. Everyone and I mean everyone needs to do right by their children. Doing right mean not to talk crap about the other, financialy support them and give them lots of love. It is the fathers that keep bring up that they are just weekend dad's and a pay check. NOT all mothers are the way you make them out to be. My ex hubby makes me out to be the worst parent in the world, yet he has the regular everyother weekend with out children and when he calls he normally gets extra time with them. I don't see him as an extra pay check, but I see it as he is helping out taking care of his children. He thinks he pays to much for child support, but every fathers see it that way. Yes I get angry at the fact he took a lesser paying job and only works part time, but that is for him to do with his life. I work hard, put clothes on them, I carry the medical insurance and pay all the medical bills. So over all yes I do a lot. But the children have a father that loves them and does what he thinks is best. Now get over it and as the other person said do right by your children. Focus on them and not other peoples problems. Remember your children will thank you later for being there and not making a mountain out of a mole hill.

Non custodial parents
Yes Virginia, there really are good daddies out there. In reading the comment from an angry mother about us fathers complaining about money, I felt compelled to set the record straight, because to let her misinformation stand without telling the truth, would serve a grave disjustice to many a tax paying Iowan. Long has been held the notion that all non-custodial parents are fathers. Not true. Many mothers are non-custodial parents. Then there is the misconception that all non-custodial parents are bad parents. Wrong. The way that the system is set up today, the courts generally find that they prefer to set the child to live with one parent. What does this mean for a child with two good and capable parents? It means that one parent becomes the winner, and one becomes a loser. In Iowa, under the current system, being the loser has a terrible fate. Yes, you are charged with child support. Complaining about child support is different than complaining about the cable bill. You can turn the cable off. Child support is set upon a formula that takes a large, and I mean large portion of your wages. Then, you are told that you have to carry health insurance if it is available to you. Many employers health plans are not that cheap, and the child is on title XIX to boot. This makes non-custodial parents pay nearly 50% of their wages out for their child. On top of that, the NCP has to provide themselves a home, a home not only for themselves, but for the child that visits them 4 days out of the month, and still has to buy groceries and all to boot. The winner in this case, the custodial parent, isn't forced to work. In many cases, they live off of welfare and get the child support money tax free. They don't have to supply health insurance, rather they generally have the child on title XIX, which you and I pay for. As far as time spent with the children. Most NCP's would love to spend more time with their children. Many have to work extra jobs just in order to survive. Also, the time they get to spend with the child is determined by the courts, and generally 4 days out of the month, with an afternoon here or there. Many CP's are reluctant to give more time to their exes because to do so would allow the ex to request a reduction in child support. Most custodial parents don't want to give up their gravy train. I suggest that if the angry mother is so upset and thinks the father has it so great, that she let her ex raise the child while she goes out and pays child support. No? I guess that tells you who has it bad and who doesn't. Please visit www.iowafathers.com for further, truthful information on this matter.

Non Custodial Parents whining about money?
When looking at this week's Cityview online edition I discovered an Angry Mother had written about our movement. Her letter illustrates what the other side is saying about us. They view us as whining fathers really upset about money issues and not at all concerned about our children. The part that strikes me is her initial statement regarding fathers complaining about their child support which is funny because the radio ads, auto dialer, and every letter I've seen published fail to say one word about paying child support. What we say is we are more than paychecks and visitation should not be limited to every other weekend if we are in the same community. Since she claims she wants fathers to be more involved is she willing to accept full joint physical custody? My guess is NO WAY! She likes those big fat checks and likes the power he maintains over her ex and their children. Plus, Parental Alienation is much harder to maintain when the children see their father as much as their mother. So her position is basically an attack position, without merit, and contrary to the good of the children based on study after study. Modern society filled with drug addicted children, teen pregnancy and uneducated children speaks volumes of mother only custody for the last forty years.

winners/losers
Flying J isn't such a loser if you consider that they only had to pay a $6,000 fine the last time they polluted. Big whoop -- no wonder they failed to maintain their pollution control system and didn't bother telling the City of Clive about this latest "release." Fine them at least $20,000 this time. Or don't bother and just plan to clean up their future spills.

mc coy endictment
Just because a businessman is also a state senator doesn't mean he can't negotiate his own best business deals. Or, we'd only have spineless losers in office and they'd never get anything done. Even the prosecutor admits McCoy didn't DO anything, he just laid out the possibilities of what all could happen. It sounds like the one being extorted is mc coy. as far as I know, the only time it's illegal to leverage a deal with the prospect of becoming new competition is when you are restricted by non-competition clauses. I didn't read about one of those in this case. So the endictment looks petty at best, vindictive on the surface and certainly opportunistic for a US Attorney seeking to make a name.

JDSM Register fails to report non liberal issues- May that is because you sound like a loon
The reason for not getting published is maybe do to your rambling on and on about stuff that is can't be changed. You have the freedom to write and speak as you please, but they have the right not to publish your thoughts.

state tournaments
What ever happened to the pep bands at the state tournament? It's supposed to be about the high school students, not the DJ who plays the same redundant rap and rock cuts you have to listen to at every hockey game, every baseball game, every ArenaBall game, every pro wrestling extravaganza, etc. Getting rid of the high school bands stinks. Replacing them with DJ crap stinks worse. Return the high school games to the high schoolers.

Non Custodial Parents
I have recently seen a lot of non custodial parents whining and complaining about paying child support and it is not far. How is that not far supporting your children. You fathers make it sound like all mothers are out there doing wrong to the child/children. Also you fathers are whining and complaining about not enough time with your children. While from my watching and listening and my dealing with these issues, you are not spending that time with your children. Spending time with them is more then picking them up and droping them off at someone elses house. I see this and it is the truth about a lot of fathers. You whine and complain and talk so much talk and you are not stoping to think of your children. Take the time to get to know your children and not sitting on the computer looking up stats on how children are doing "so bad" without their fathers. Step up to the plate and do right for your children. You can be the "every other weekend dad or just a father by check" it is up to you to change that. Get off the bandwagon of all these wannabe fathers rights websites and we will change the world for all fathers and get out and spend this time with your children. Stop thinking of you the father and think of your children.

Rant & Rave picture
I think that picture of Hillary is pretty appropriate for this section. She's a total lunatic. God help this country if a bumbling fool like that gets elected president.

JDSM Register fails to report non liberal issues
The Des Moines Register is a biased newspaper unwilling to deal fairly with Republicans or "Non-Politically Correct" which is to say "Non-Liberal" issues. Since Iowa's only statewide (but declining readership) newspaper fails to ever print anything I have written I took it upon myself to pay for radio advertisements on a local radio to highlight the unfair treatment fathers get in Iowa courtrooms. I am glad we other options in Des Moines such as Cityview since the Des Moines Register fails to afford opinions contrary to their own.

Jim Duncan's/Sandy Hatfield Clubb
Jim what a tremendous article, pointing out the positive changes that have occurred since Sandy has been AD at Drake. She has brought enthusiasm, positive attitudes,outgoing personality and tremendous caring for individuals who love Drake University. EX: Sam Siegel that you brought out in your article. Sandy is not only as asset to Drake University, but to the Greater Des Moines Community. Thank again for your great article.

Events Center Hotel scam
The city and county leaders who tricked us into financing their Events Center spending (by using dirty lawyer skills to keep us from voting on it) are now trying to sell indulgences for hotel developers. Public-financed hotel development is a great idea with a proven track record - in the United Arab Emirates. There is only one small flaw, Des Moines is not Abu Dabai. I am a low income senior citizen who sacrifices something basic every year in order to pay my increased property taxes. They increase every year too. I am typical of Des Moines. We are not a rich enough place to build high-end hotels on the tax payersÕ backs. You leaders, and most of you are still in office, sold your Events Center palace, with all its elitist trappings (luxury suites, private club, valet service) as a ÒBuild It and They Will ComeÓ primer. Well guys, the They in They Will Come means the private sector developers. Of course They will come if you pay Them appearance fees, but we canÕt afford it. Hotels should never be a public sector priority in America, not without a taxpayer referendum that carries a majority. There comes a time when every tax-and-spend politician realizes they are throwing good money at failed schemes. This is your time.

Winners/Losers
In the "Loser" item about the Master Matrix, there seems to be an implication that someone at CITYVIEW (or in Environment Iowa) thinks that 50% of 44 is 13. I hope and assume that's not the case. I'm not great at arithmetic myself, but geez.

True Blue - Sandy Hatfield-Clubb
Sandy has been a terrific addition to Drake and to Des Moines. The changes at the basketball games make the Knapp Center THE place to be on game nights. Welcome, Sandy!

cigarette tax
Its the harms of smoking that unfairly burden lower-income Iowans. It is this population that suffers disproportionately from smoking related disease, disability and death and it is this population who is least likely to have access to quality affordable health care. Increasing Iowa's cigarette tax by $1 per pack will reduce smoking especially among lower income persons. According to the CDC they are four times as likely to quit because of a price increase than those with higher incomes. As an added bonus, the revenue from the tax increase will provide Iowa with an opportunity to fund programs to prevent kids from starting and to help current users quit as well as provide access to quality health care for many more Iowans..

ISLLC
As an employee of ISL I may be a bit biased, however this article clearly fails to give both points of view. Iowa Student Loan is a non-profit company, every dollar the company brings in is given back to the community whether through their generous pay, services like the College Planning Center where area students can go for free help with preparing for college, and even loan forgiveness programs that give millions in loan forgiveness to teachers in Iowa. There is no story here.

Broadlawns
Another worthless board member in polk county, what else is new.

Music You've Never Heard
The official bootleg from Jeff Beck's 2006 U.S. tour is one of the best albums never released.

art pimp rant
I apologize to Monopoly gamespersons who were offended by the insensitive thing I wrote. Though I know it in no way excuses my thoughtless words, I hope you can understand that it was written out of ignorance, not malice o prejudice. I had no idea that Competitive Monopoly was a serious adult sport fully ready to take its place alongside such other newly arrived arts and sports as Texas hold 'em, Domino construction, bumper riding and tournament Clue. I will be entering Parker Brothers Sensitivity Awareness Clinic - on Ventnor Avenue, as soon as I can use my "get Out of jail free card" and buy a ticket on the Reading RR. JSD

Civic skinny
I don't like being called a fossil just because I still read the Des Moines Register. I know it has become less than great, but where else can I get my comic fix! I even worked there when it was a great paper. Alas, we got bought out by Gannett.

Broadlawns Trustee
You would think that all the coverage of the CITEC board would serve notice to all boards to straighten up and go in the right direction....Now we have Ms. Gray from the Broadlawns board who claims that "If the other members are there I can take the time off!" Excuse me Ms. Gray but you ran for that office and were elected to assume and perform all the duties of the office. Your position is not at your leisure or when you feel like it. Good God Almighty, in the last 18 months you've missed over 50% of the board meetings and have attended only one of 18 Finance meetings. How can you vote on anything to do with Finance when you don't get all the details and information provided at committee meetings? Do you just show up once in a while and vote yes on everything without having any knowledge of what your voting for? My husband served on a city board for two years and he had to attend the committee meetings to be able to have the information he needed to cast a responsible vote. I showed him the article in City View and he just shook his head in disgust. Ms. Gray, take a moment to think over you're pesonal situation. It's obviously more important the Broadlawns and rightly so. Your duty to Broadlawns was given to you by the good people of Polk County and they deserve someone who can devote the required time to the position. Please show us that you have Broadlawns best interest at heart and make the choice to resign from the board. You will be showing everyone that you have the desire to handle things in a proper fashion.

Kicking and Screaming
I think Ms. Lindsay Hoeppner, the writer of this article, should have more thoroughly investigated the FACTS before writing this article and taken the time to interview a few of the other more qualified and professional promoters in the Des Moines area and the state of Iowa. It is very clearly written taking into account the comments of only two partnering promoters. If Lindsay is going to use comments such as "the only fighting company in Iowa that provides it's fighters with insurance" then again, she needs to double check her facts before making such comments. I hate to point out another very obvious inaccuracy in the article, but 2000-2500 will NOT make The Battle at the Barn the "largest" professional MMA event in history. MCC is already getting over 3000 spectators at their events at the Bucs Arena. There are so many inaccurate comments within this article that I seriously suggest Ms. Hoeppner take more then a couple of minutes to research her subject and provide a more thorough and complete story. I would love to see the follow up. It comes off looking as if she was pushing to get the article done by deadline and didnt have the time to research her facts since many are no big secret to other promoters, fans, and fighters. Instead of printing what could have been a very good article, on the MMA world in Des Moines, she instead published an article that makes her appear totally clueless.

Civic Skinny
I'm glad the DNR license plates are the most popular among the specialty plates. Natural resource funding in this state is abysmal, and every bird plate helps a little. And by the way, where is your MOTHER EARTH column these days?

michelangelo's fastball
Though I appreciate a good curve ball in the arts too, I am disturbed by your lack of respect for the great art & sport of Monopoly. Competitive Monopoly is a highly skilled game-art. Calling it a "kiddy toy" shows arrogance and ignorance more befitting an afficinado of artless brutalities like Russian Roulette, than of a man who appreciates baseball.

Wow! You guys are great, now!
It's become evident that the new Cityview is getting stronger and stronger. Even, recarving their place in Des Moines' publishing landscape. The look of the paper is OUTSTANDING and has never looked better.

Tinis
This is a great place to go and relax and have a nice drink. I am not one to go to bars but this is my new and only hang out!!!! 100% RECOMMEND it!!!!!

Illegal immigration
Illegal immigration is something neither major political party will do anything about. The Democratic Party because it is clueless, especially the corporationist DLC wing, and the Republica Party because, like so many other "cultural" issues that will never be resolved, it is something to stir up and rally the ignorant, ill-informed and bigoted.

Winners/losers
I agree that Pheasant Fest 2007 was a winner, and not just because it helped the local economy. Hunters are shelling out license money and donations that pay for much of the public wildlife habitat being acquired and managed in Iowa these days. I am not a hunter, but the dollar breakdown is pretty clear. I wish the state of Iowa were supporting conservation and wildlife habitat at the level of most other states, instead of being at the national bottom of the barrel. Our unwillingness to fund natural resource protection is not only stupid, but embarrassing. Until that changes, any Iowan who likes wildlife has extra reason to be grateful to hunters. And when making donations, please consider conservation groups. In Iowa, they need all the help they can get.

Best of 2006
I think a re-count is in order for the "Best Radio Station" catagory. The winner is listed as "The Bus 106.3"; however, the Bus made the move to 100.3 in 2006. 106.3 is now home to The Capital, which I believe to be the best radio station. At least if you are to declare The Bus as the winner, print it with its correct frequency.

Why we don't need to build more prisons
One of the first recommendations made by the Durant Group was that we design a new assessment instrument to determine the classification of people coming into the Iowa prison system. The one being used is 25 years old and very inaccurate. It doesn't even evaluate people for substance abuse and mental illness. So we don't really know the security risk of the people we have in our prisons and yet we are planning to add prison beds based on this faulty information. Many people have a dual diagnosis: substance abuse and mental illness and yet DOC staff have no training or understanding of what this is and how to treat it. Why should they? The system is designed to deal with people who have broken the law, not people who are sick. Community based corrections are very successful and that's where we should be putting our money, but we keep talking about adding prison beds. It makes no sense. Let's talk about sentencing reform, treatment for the mentally ill,snd for those who are drug addicted. Let's talk about money for re-entry programs, and strengthening family connections. In other words, let's talk about doing what works instead of what fails! Jean Basinger.

Builders, Developers, Casinos & Brian Meyer
It's unfortunate the Des Moines Register did not cover in detail who contributed to candidates for recent Des Moines City Council Ward 4 race. Brian Meyer accepted several thousand dollars from local builders and developers in his election against Vince Scavo. Mr. Meyer accepted $4,300 in contributions from the Master Builders of Iowa and an additional $2,200 in contributions from the Oaks Development Company (Iowa's largest land developer) and investors of Vision Fuels LLC ethanol company. Other contributions of interest include Gerald Kirke ($1,000), owner of two Iowa casinos boats and the largest contributor to Jim Nussle (R) for Governor ($150,000 contributed in Nussle's 2006 gubernatorial bid). What does Brian Meyer have in common with Gerald Kirke or for that fact the Master Builders of Iowa?

Corporate Special Interest
The voters of Des Moines southeast side were unfairly influenced by the wealth of corporate special interest. Why is it acceptable for a candidate to raise thousands of dollars from outside of Ward 4 from wealthy builders and developers? The voters of Ward 4 need to ask the tough questions of their newly elected city councilman Brian Meyer. Will the nearly $35,000 raised primary from wealthy builders and developers influence his vote on the Des Moines City Council?

we work for applause
Okay nice try. But I think that you left out some VERY noteworthy theater milestones - Charlie's and The Purple Cow Players. Charlie's was before my move to Des Moines so I can't tell the history of Charlie's but I can recount numerous actors and shows that Charles Carnes was responsible for. He paid the actors "gas money" and meals for over 25 years. He gave us all a chance to "work for the applause". The small payment we got for shows just ensured that we could all go out together as a cast and afford it. We rearranged school/work schedules, waited tables, tended bar to get on stage for the applause. We worked for kid's we worked for adults. Applause is applause the audience is the same no matter the show. You also left out a director/actor talent DJ Horrigan that has now begun working with a children's theater in Altoona ensuring that there will be more us "working for the applause". John Thompson and Jack Mischler are two subjects worthy of noting on the Des Moines theater scene both have done hundreds of shows "for the applause". There are also the Urbandale Community Theater, the Ankeny Community Theater, the Prairie City Playhouse (well we had until it burned). You did not get the whole/right story the first time. There is SOOO much more to Des Moines theater history than you choose to report. I'm one those who "worked for the applause" and I'm so proud of it and my fellow actors....

Political Outsider? NO
It's wrong for the Des Moines Register to call newly elected city councilman Brian Meyer a political novice. Brian Meyer is not a political outsider as he was quoted in the Des Moines Register article on December 12, 2006. Brain Meyer's campaign finance disclosure report is filled with local insiders from the State Attorney Generals office to the Polk County Attorneys office. You have contributions from wealthy land developers throughout Polk County - William Knapp, James Conlin, John Kline, Randall Walters, Gary Kirke (Casino boat owner Gary Kirke) and Jim Cownie. Brain Meyer is the perfect example of a candidate beholding to special interest.

Theater in Des Moines
Suspects Supper Club is trying to bring the murder mystery dinner theater to the Des Moines area with shows one weekend per month. The theater started with professional actors from the St Louis area that were trained and experienced in the improv comedy of the mystery dinner theater. If the business takes off, we will be switching to Iowa actors. We have a very limited budget to promote advertising and have been further limited by low participation. We have practically been ignored by the media in promoting this new form of entertainment in the Des Moines area.

Mediacom-Sinclair
As a day-one Mediacom subscriber, I set up the A-B switch and dog ear antenna that Mediacom provided to me, for free, when Sinclair Broadcasting Group pulled channel 17 off the cable line-up. After learning that channel 17 sometimes comes in only on 68, I had access to all the channels I had before the squabble. My personal revelations are different than those of most people I hear interviewed.

1.) Channel 17 is a free signal, no one is depriving Mediacom subscribers of this programming, not within channel 17's viewing range. It's simply a matter of convenience. If I want to see that channel, I have to stand up and walk to the A/B switch. That reduces the entire squabble to a limitation of what my remote control can do, but it's being falsely spun as a deprivation of programming. We have become so incredibly lazy that getting up to change the channel is considered "going without." With very rare exceptions, I now choose to go without channel 17. Who does that hurt?

2.) Mediacom is stupid not to inform customers that they might need to try channel 68 to receive 17.

3.) Seeing how well dog ears work, I am more tempted to do without any pay tv at all, than to switch from cable to satellite.

Archie's Appointment
Let's don't let our readers forget that Archie Brooks appointed Brian Meyer to the City of Des Moines Planning and Zoning Commission in 2005.

zoo expansion
I don't know why my incomplete comment was suddenly scooped up and sent, but apologies. I'll try again. I hope that CITYVIEW will consider doing what I bet the REGISTER won't, and that's give credit for political courage to the Polk County Conservation Board for daring to stand up to the powerful monied interests pushing for the handover of half a county park to the Blank Park Zoo. I suspect such a request to essentially donate a lot of land to a private organization wouldn't even be made to the Des Moines School Board. Instead of just rolling over, the PCCB is insisting that the issue at least be examined very carefully. Good for them, especially since they risk political revenge from Polk County monied bigwigs who expect that when they say "jump," the only question will be "how high."

The Oracle in the Cupola Session # 1, Eighty-Second General Assembly Governor Vilsack's Last Condition of the State Address, 1/13/07
The Governor always gives his Condition of the State address on the second day of the legislative session. There is a great deal of formality involved. Committees are formed to invite the Senate into joint session in the House chamber. Another committee is formed to invite the Governor to speak. The Executive Council arrives and is seated. The justices of the Supreme Court parade in wearing their gowns. All of the House secretaries are sent to computer training. That frees up 100 seats so the Senators have places to sit. The Governor's wife and family are seated. This is the first time that both of Tom Vilsack's sons were not in attendance. The oldest one was there with his fiancée. The younger one is in law school at the University of Colorado and could not attend. How many readers of this missive even know that Governor and Mrs. Vilsack have two sons? Unlike the Branstad children who got into trouble with deadly accidents, drugs and pyromania (his youngest son nearly burned down Terrace Hill), the Vilsack children have been seen once a year and not heard from after that! They are ideal political children!

With Tom Vilsack, what you see is what you get! He seldom speaks from a prepared text. His speaking style is so intense, honest and enthralling that you think you are listening to Jesus talk on the mount! His concern for the welfare of Iowa and its people is sincere like no other politician I have seen. He would make an excellent President of the United States. His wife, Christy, complements him perfectly.

Both political parties frequently go to caucus where they discuss policies and strategies. The majority party gets the best room. In past years, the Republicans have been caucusing in the old Supreme Court Chamber. The Democrats had to go to the Legislative Dining Room. That is now reversed and the Democrats are loving it! In what I thought was an unusual move, about an hour before the Governor's speech, the Republicans went to caucus. I found out why during the speech. When the Governor brought up topics not in keeping with the Republican position, they did not applaud nor did they stand. (My boss boss once told me: "When I clap, you clap. When I stand, you stand.") That happened three times. They remained impassive when the Governor spoke of the need for an anti-bullying bill, an increase in the minimum wage and the importance of ending the war in Iraq.

Governor Vilsack finished by listing his accomplishments as Governor. Later Senator Mary Lundby, Republican minority leader of the Senate, pointed out that he achieved those things with the help of the Republican Legislature. Actually, I think he succeeded in spite of the Republican Legislature. He is an excellent negotiator and that's what politics is all about! Tom and Christy, Iowa will miss you! Good luck in Washington if you get there!

Vince Scavo - An Honorable Candidate
It was an honor to support Vincent Scavo for Des Moines City Council. Vince Scavo ran a clean campaign free of special interest involvement from outside of Ward 4. Mr. Scavo worked hard for every vote he received. His votes were not bought by special interest money. Local elections need to be free of special interest contributions.

Brian Meyer OK With Special Interest
It's unfortunate the Des Moines Register did not cover in detail who contributed to candidates for Des Moines City Council Ward 4 race. Brian Meyer accepted several thousand dollars from local builders and developers in his election against Vince Scavo. Mr. Meyer accepted $3,800 in contributions from the Master Builders of Iowa and an additional $2,600 in contributions from the Oaks Development Company (Iowa's largest land developer) and investors of Vision Fuels LLC ethanol company. Other contributions of interest include Gerald Kirke ($1,000), owner of two Iowa casinos and the largest contributor to Republican Jim Nussle for Governor (over $125,000 contributed in Nussle's 2006 gubernatorial bid). What does Brian Meyer have in common with Gerald Kirke?

Is Google evil?
Good article until the last line. As a nation, we have to trust our President and you should leave your liberal bias out of a supposedly neutral article. It ruins your credibility. It is easy to stand back and criticize without offering any real solutions. You are apparently one of those short sighted types who does not realize America is the best country in the world! Show some respect for the office (regardless of you party affiliation), it's the hardest job in the world.

Food Dude and/or Metrosexual
Linguistic history suggests that "Metrosexual" is nothing more than a modern synonym for "Dude" a word which most likely evolved from the satirical British song "Yankee Doodle Dandy" and meant the same thing as "dandy" except that it was applied to colonials, not Brits. Before John Wayne dealt with Dean Martin's drunken "Dude," American culture saw the word used to suggest that there was much more to a "Dude" than first impressions: "Some Dudes Can Fight" (1898)was an early silent film set in the Bowery of NYC and "The Dude Bandit," is a 1933 Western in which Tod 'Ace' Carter (Hoot Gibson) plays the title role with both macho stoicism and sartorial aplomb. The Food Dude

The Best-Worst Movies of 200-
Good Article, to bad the writter did not take the time to do any fact checking, 3 out of the 4 directors he mentions on his article as "the next generation of great filmmakers" are Mexican and not Spanish as he claims. From those listed below only Almodovar is Spanish. Spanish filmmakers Pedro Almodovar ("Volver"), Alfonso Cuarón ("Children of Men"), Alejandro González Inarritu ("Babel") and Guillermo Del Toro ("Pan's Labyrinth") made an enormous impact on world cinema with a group of indelible films that are immediate classics. We have seen the next generation of great filmmakers, and they are Spanish.

Bar breakdowns
It would be nice to have a bar category for the "best bars for over 30s or even over 40's bars" This is a difficult age group for Des Moines and folfs of this age don't really know where to congregate.

FDude best of 2006
How could you omit the Swift raids from the top food stories of the year? They became a hugely significant story when the racist, isolationist, red neck reaction overwhelmed the progressive instincts of our Governor, who failed to respond like a man of vision, and even our media, who quickly decided there wasn't enough sympathy for these poor souls to keep sending a reporter all the way to Marshalltown. Sigh.

swift rebuttal
Actually, not everybody felt sympathy for Katrina victims, starting with the Ultimate Compassionate Conservative his durn self. The difference is that it wasn't PC to express the much held opinion that "those people" got what they deserved and, because of some very unjust immigration laws, it IS OK to express similar, often similarly racist, opinions about those whose lives were destroyed by lightening of His terrible Swift raid. In fact, a lot of the same ugly hatred that racists had to corral within their clotted hearts during Katrina was given a "Get Out of PC Jail free" card by the immigration hurricane. You can't say you hate poor black Americans who don't have enough money to leave a hurricane zone, but you CAN hate "illegal Hispanics" who might just be getting benefits they don't deserve cause they weren't born here like Billy Bob and J. Dub.

the year in review
December has brought another minor but interesting development. Vilsack has withdrawn, with prejudice, his support for the fake rain forest, a.k.a. C.H.I.L.D., a.k.a. the Iowa Environmental Project, a.k.a. Earthpark.

Vilsack's anti-fake-rainforest statement was reported in the CEDAR RAPIDS GAZETTE, but not, to my knowledge, in the REGISTER. Thus continues the long tradition of eastern Iowa getting much better reporting about this project (read: analysis of the numerous large problems) than we've been getting in central Iowa.

Maybe that has something to do with the high honchos at the REGISTER thinking the fake rainforest is a really nifty idea. Ya think?

Leave out the special interest
It's unfortunate a candidate such as Brian Meyer can buy his way into the general election for Des Moines City Council Ward 4. Why should the voters of Ward 4 let a candidate like Brian Meyer buy a seat on the Des Moines City Council? A candidate who is bought by special interest will represent that interest when elected to the council. Voters beware.

vilsack
There is a Spanish word I learned from fellow workers in the HEB warehouse in Corpus Christi - "ocasion." It translates as "opportunity" or "chance," but there is both danger and risk implied. If Vilsack was a man of destiny, he would have seized his "ocasion" in Marshalltown, but instead, he faltered in self absorption. He could have seized a national spotlight by walking the streets and shelters of Marshalltown claiming that the America he loved did not rip families apart when the only "wrong" that had been done was that of the victimless crime of dreaming the American Dream and seizing "l'ocasion" to turn that dream into hard work, work too hard for the white people of Marshalltown to do. Had Vilsack comforted the crying children, had he demanded the state he governs put every system of welfare-improvement at their disposal, he would have attracted the cameras of CNN and Fox News and the networks, instead of those of insignificant late nite second string TV hosts. If he had the gumption to do the right thing, he would now be known as "the Governor who went toe-to-toe with Bill O'Reilly over immigration raids, and came out looking the winner" instead of "the also-ran candidate whose name sounds like a duck quacking, the one who's looking for his birth mom." He could be the candidate they are talking about now all over California and Florida and Texas and Arizona. Instead, his Presidential strategy seems to be centered on waiting for Oprah to call him - to chat about his orphanage experiences. In the end, he did in his own campaign, by thinking too much about himself instead of about leading, about compassion for others and about restoring the American Dream.

A Clear Choice for the Citizens of Ward 4
Vincent Scavo is the clear choice for the citizens of Ward 4. Mr. Scavo is a life long resident of Ward 4 (over 40 years). Vincent Scavo is an active member of Des Moines southside community. He understands the struggles of the small business community. Vincent Scavo has lived and worked on Des Moines southside his entire life. I will proudly vote for Vince Scavo on January 9th.

Rant & Rave: Food Dude
The comments on Cityview food columnist Jim Duncan and the term "dude" posted here recently reek of something, I'm just not sure what. Either the poster is a subliterate trog unable to make his satire clear (best case), or the poster is a misguided stereotyping bigot (worst case).

In either event, I'd never stoop to refute or defend anyone from perceived aspersions, when a. that person is in no need of defence; b. the "aspersions" are not pejorative other than in a bigoted mind; c. that person is more than capable of doing any reply he chooses to do himself, with his typical elan and wit.

However I do want to say that the poster ought to give up his vainglorious war of misguided nomenclature, and think about how lucky this newspaper and our region are to have one of the most erudite, witty, informed, and incisive writers about food (and art and politics) in the nation. I have often said that the Food Dude is about ten times too hip for the room, and one hundred times what we deserve, given our relative size and isolation. Count your blessings, and keep your limp humour and implicit judgements from ruining your enjoyment of the column in question. It's wizard.

swift (the comment below)
The difference between the Swift raids and Katrina is that most people felt sorry for Katrina victims. That's not nearly so true regarding the Swift raids. I skimmed some of the comments on the REGISTER website and most were very hostile to the arrested immigrants. Letters to the editor indicated the same. Polls show that Americans are very divided on this issue, and it's clear that Iowans are too. Vilsack is trying to indicate that he's compassionate while also trying not to alienate the many voters who think the raids were a good idea. The result will probably be that he'll satisfy no one.

Food Dude
It's time to change the name of the food column. Jim Duncan might be a foodie, but he is no dude. Dudes do not need to take still their hearts when they experience Proustian moments tasting dosas. Dudes do not even know what Proustian moments are. Dudes eat barbecue, fast food, pizza and frozen TV dinners. They do not care if their burger came from a cow who roamed a free range, unless of course, they spent some trail time on the same cattle drive. Dudes do not care about caterers and they do not ever eat things like lamb chop lollipops. No, calling Duncan a dude is an insult to all people who grew up listening to John Wayne pronounce the word, contemptuously but with respect. Duncan is more like the Food Metrosexual.

anti carlson rant
I don't know what Tony is so angry about, I hope it's not the fact that someone can envision better uses for ISU's budget than the massive amounts of money new athletic director Jamie Pollard now needs to justify axing three good men and replacing them with three "hopeful" but totally unproven commodities - with lavish price tags and no track record at their high level of their new job. I understand football is important to fund raising, but why need it cost so much to hire an associate assistant coach who has never made a fraction of his new salary? I hope the anger is not for questioning whether a university of higher learning needs to pay millions to buy out good men who no longer represent the "hope" an ego-driven new athletic director wants to peddle? Pollard has proven so far only that he can't live anywhere near his budget and that he doesn't mind firing good people, particularly if they are black. As an ISU donor, that perplexes and bothers me.

The 6,750.000 Man
I am glad that you pointed out that you didn't know the first thing about sports. I only wish you had done it in your first paragraph so that I would not have wasted any more time reading one of the most ridiculous and misinformed articles about sports that I believe I have ever read. Perhaps you figured since it was the holiday season you could get away with mailing it in early so you could finish up your shopping quicker. We would have been better served by your publication if they would have given you the entire week off instead of inciting every sports fan in America to take the time to harass you and dispute every incorrect point you make which. But I don't have the time or patience to ridicule every paragraph..

Granted my investigative journalism skills are weak, but I am confident that Division 1A College Football is the biggest source of revenue for each and every Division 1A College Program and the revenue from Football pays for all the other college sports combined. Mr. Carlson, Divison 1A means the big schools by the way. Winning football teams help promote Alumni relations which in turn increases financial support. And of course generates more jobs, etc.. More money for colleges has to be a good thing doesn't it? We want everyone to have the opportunity for a first class education just like the one you earned correct? I am so mad right now that I'm an having trouble composing my thoughts. I initially wanted to lambast you for your lack of knowledge and uderstanding of how important sports and sporting events are in our society. In the right setting, sports promote everything that is good about America. It is part of the fabric that makes Americans America. Dads spending time with their kids to teach them about sports and sportsmanship. Family outings at the little league park. Learning the value of teamwork and the idea that with dedication and hardwork people can acheive goals. Granted there have to be winners and losers, but if people are taught to understand the importance of good sportsmanship, winning and losing is not nearly as important as is just competing and putting fourth your best effort.. Clearly this article was not your best effort and I suspect that you will be hearing about it from sports everywhere. "Rezoned" and Generation Renovation" should never appear in the same article as "Psyched about the Super Bowl".

Tony King, DSM South Side

swift
The Swift raids were Tom Vilsack's Katrina - a god-given tragedy begging for compassionate leadership. And they were Vilsack's "Brownie Moment" - an absoulte failure of leadership. He could have seized a spotlight, something that also-running candidates desperately seek. Instead, he dillied around and even canceled an appearance in Marshalltown, the eye of the storm. He betrayed these hard-working dreamers of the American Dream, the breast-feeding mothers of babes being ripped away from the teat of that dream. For what? He went instead to work on his duck jokes for secondary late night TV shows. Then he responded a week late, with a letter to Homeland Security. Brownie, you're doin a hell of a job. Viva la Pata.

people making a difference
Thanks for your list of people making a difference, and thank you to all the honorees for their good work. I know from personal experience that Danielle Wirth deserves the recognition. She is passionate, dedicated, and very effective. Thanks again!

best of 2006
The McCleod Center has been neglected by the Iowa media. The Register (Sean Keeler) even ragged on it for being too cozy, which suggests that the media is spoiled rotten by the privilege of their credentials - Sean Keeler never sits in anything but the best seats, which he doesn't even have to pay for. So of course, such media thinks like a fat cat. What the McCleod does, and I think what your award acknowldeges and praises, is to give the people a public building that belongs to all the people of Iowa - there are no BAD seats, no seats where one feels cheapened. Have the fat cats at the Register noticed that those upper deck seats at their beloved Wells Fargo Arena of Apartheid, are never filled? In fact, they usually have a curtain draped over them. No one wants to sit there cause they make you feel crappy. Public Architecture in Iowa should never cater to the fat cats of the luxury suites and press boxes. Iowa is a populist, egalitarian state and Rob Whitehead and his team at HLKB deserve praise for daring to return the power of public architecture to the people. Art Pimp is the first person in any form of Iowa media to even acknowledge this architect. That is absurd and shows how out of touch the Register and the TV stations are with the spirit of the state.

Food Dude Taste To go
The Sisters at Taste To Go "rock" everything I have ever tasted is always amazing. I have the utmost respect for both of them. Congrats you two it is always great to see people who love what they do to make a career out of it.

Vote Scavo
Vincent Scavo has lived in Ward 4 for over 40 years. Mr. Scavo has deep roots on the Des Moines southside. His opponent Brian Meyer has lived in Ward 4 for three years. Vincent Scavo is a true political novice. His opponent Brian Meyer has worked on several state wide and local campaigns over the past 8 years (Chet Culver for Secretary of State 1998, Joe Libermann for President 2003, etc.) and worked as a lobbyist for the gambling industry in 2000 & 2002 and now with the State Attorney Generals Office. Vincent Scavo is not supported by outside special interest. Brian Meyer has accepted $11,000 from special interest living outside of the Ward 4. His top 10 contributors have donated $11,000 to his election bid in the previous four months (contributors ranging from $500 - $5,000). Vincent Scavo has accepted one contribution over $150 and no contributions from PAC's or outside of Iowa.

Minimum Wage
This past summer a worker who was earning a bit over $6.50 per hour was asked what his wages were. The reply was given and the response was that this was unbelievably small wage. The worker stated that he had a secret to tell. "Don't tell anybody but we can work as many hours as we want!" The passerby walked away shaking his head probably not understanding how anybody would accept low wages or that the worker was devoting unconscionable hours to his employer just to attempt to earn enough to cover the cost of his lunch and gasoline for transportation.

10 Fallacies of the Iraq War
So who was fed the bigger bill of goods the American people or the President himself?

iowa
why is iowa always the last to get everything.im talking fashion wise music wise and socially.i swear this place hates its young.

Rapsheet
Under "Docket Diving," someone is described as living in "Burnett County." I'm almost certain there is no such county in Iowa. Ruh?

Civic Skinny -- Media Matters
One sad thing about the big REG website push is that so few people bother to post on the REGISTER's comment areas. That leads me to suspect that not many people read the site, period. I do sympathize with the remaining good reporters within the REG, and hope they'll keep fighting. Now that so many newspapers in the U.S. are sliding downhill, I'm curious about how people in other developed countries get their news. Are their TV news outlets better than ours (they would almost have to be), are their newspapers still full of that old-fashioned informational material called "text," do they have online news sites that aren't full of right-wing ranting and drunken-pop-tart gossip, or what?

immigrants
I hope Vilsack realizes this is his moment, his chance to distinguish himself. And to redeem himself for reneging on (first campaign for Governor) promises about supporting these dreamers of the American dream. He doesn't have to appease the nativist rednecks of Iowa anymore, he has to step up and support what's right.

Pedestrian crosswalks
There are several crossing sites in town that are marked with a pedestrian advance warning symbol. That is different than a pedestrian crosswalk symbol. Councilman Coleman chose to not answer my e-mail, so please post this so people of Des Moines can see how their tax money has been spent. I live in the 4th ward, and he said he would represent us.

Iowans for Medical Marijuana
When mentioning the story of the 120 year old woman from New Delhi, India, who claims using cannabis daily along with drinking (palm win not mentioned in #10) are her secret to a long life.(pg. 13 12/14/06). So another shattered myth, right ? not so fast...... Turn to page 50.......................third column classified, second ad. this is so wrong in so many ways, I can only begin to count them.............

NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA ALTERNATIVE !Pass any drug test. 100% LEGAL. Same effects as T.H.C.Aleviate Pain! No prescription needed. Send $29.95+2.95 S/H to:T.H.C. Direct, 5859 W. Saginaw,#175 , Lansing MI 48917 517-242-3485

Now doubt I will call this person and find out exactly wht kind of snake oil salesman is behind this. On top of it all, Michigan is currently debating a revision of all cannabis laws(medical/decrim), and someone from Michigan is already preying on Iowans with a legitimate medical condition and zero street smarts to send their SSI money for medicine that is probably nothing more than gensing/ibuprofen.

Working on The Minimum Wage
Interesting article with good arguments from both sides. Glad to see Qwest mentioned since they DO pay Health care ( which most restaurants wouldn't). Also , surprising that Ms Summy states that restaurants only make 3-5% .I think everyone will want to work at Greenbriar and forget the minimum wage.

Jim Shaw - sucks to be you
I'm glad he pled guilty. Regardless of being mayor of someplace in South Dakota, it doesn't make him above the law or does he being from S. Dakota make him any better than the rest of us here's what they've been saying about us: http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/politicalblog/?p=1549

Rice Field - BNA "Boesen Neighborhood Association
Judging by the signs along Beaver Ave, Wallace Lane, and Adams Ave, apparently the residents most effected by the Rice Development Partners proposal for development did not get the memo that the Boesen Neighborhood Association was seeking their opinion on a massive, high density, development project. With Tom Boesen (head of the Boesen Business Coalition) and lead developer spearheading the project, his sister in law Connie Boesen on the school board, his buddy Chris Coleman on the city council directing the BNA toward development(Tom Boesen was the biggest financial supporter and head of Coleman's council campaign)and Tom Vlassis a Coleman battle for development partner - did the residents surrounding the Rice School Site have a chance at anything other than getting jammed with a development effecting their lives, property, and safety? These actions make the south siders sit up, take notice, and make notes.

10 Fallacies on the Iraq War
Dear Cityview: I have watched with shock and awe as the Bush administration has conducted it's bull in a china shop foreign policy with an amazing combination of arrogance, greed and incredible bad judgement ever since the sad day now known as 911. True justice would have Karl Rove, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Bush find themselves in a Twilight Zone type of hell, in which they'd spend eternity living in the Iraq they've created. I think it is important, however, not to give a pass to the Democrats such as Kerry, Hillary, Edwards and Harkin who cynically put their finger in the political winds and voted to allow such a thing. How sad it is now to see the Islamic/ethnic bloodbath we have predictably triggered. Combined with the ingnorance and lack of compassion displayed by the post 911 American public and we, as a nation, have alot to answer for to the rest of the world. A human life is a precious thing, be it American, Iraqi or otherwise.

Condo and Loft Guide
Seems to me a serious ommission not including the new Ponderosa development in west des moines that'll have a ton of cool lofts.

What the
Either you are not getting vey many entries or someone at Cityview has had their sence of humor surgically removed and can't pick a winner. The captions have not been funny for quite some time!!!

John Tirman article on Iraq
I doubt if this will get posted but I will state my opinion anyway. John Tirman should be tried as a traitor. Disgusting commentary and analogies. Cityview should be ashamed to publish crap like that. Sounding more like the NY Times and the Des Moines Register every issue.

Pay to Play -- BMI
BMI does distribute to songwriters the revenue from clubs such as Blues on Grand, if BOG were currently paying the fees. These fees are known as General Licensing revenue, which supplements the radio royalties paid to songwriters. BMI's operating expenses come to about 13% of revenue, regardless of the source of that revenue. The rest is paid out to songwriters and publishers. Songwriters no longer receive a certain number of pennies from each spin on radio; instead, they receive a share of the total revenue collected, according to the number of performances their songs receive. BMI surveys include 5 million hours of radio airplay, including college and public stations, and 10.2 million local TV and network TV program hours. In addition, BMI includes reports from commercial music services, electronic jukeboxes, and the top 200 grossing concert tours in the U.S. All of this data goes into determining what share of the royalty pie is distributed to each songwriter. Simply affiliating with BMI or any similar organization will not earn a songwriter a single dime; only those songwriters whose works are performed for substantial audiences can expect to receive significant payment. BMI is audited. The organization does not earn a profit, and nothing is left after royalties are paid out. I began covering BMI in 1972 as a reporter for Nashville's morning paper, and observed the organization through the years before becoming a BMI employee eight years ago. BMI isn't perfect, but it's a good, honest company.

BMI 'revenue enhancement'
Thank you for your recent article on BMI's enforcement practices. I've been a working musician for nearly 40 years, and a composer-affiliate of BMI for 25. I've been fortunate enough to receive a few small royalty checks, and am, in general, supportive of composers getting paid!

When I joined BMI, I did so primarily because, in the early 80s, it was ASCAP, the other primary performance-rights society, who were engaged in the practice of harassing live-music venues over licensing fees. One can imagine my dismay now that it's BMI who are the primary bully-boys.

I'd like to correct one point made in your article, that being the statement that fees being collected from live-music venues are being distributed to the member composers.

Unless things have changed a lot since I joined, this isn't so. In the agreement I received from BMI when I joined, deep in the fine-print, is a statement that, due to the prohibitive difficulty in breaking down 'non-broadcast revenue', NO royalties will be paid based on said revenue. In other words, if you're fortunate enough to be played on the radio, you will receive your royalties (currently, I believe, six cents per airplay, minus administrative costs). However, the money collected by BMI from these 'non-broadcast revenues' is going to (wait for it) ...BMI!

While I imagine that this money is defraying administrative costs and allowing more of the 'broadcast' revenue to be distributed to composers, there is no direct connection, and, sadly, no possibility of audit.

While I feel that users of music should pay SOMETHING for the work of the composers, the current fee schedules, and the tactics used to enforce them, are unsupportable. Should I ever get another check from BMI, I'll probably take it to Blues on Grand and sign it over to Jeff.

BMI
Have you wondered why other merchants aren't jumping on this issue. It is common knowledge that when you run a club you pay BMI and ASAP. This goes back to the 1920's. As a former club owner, I didn't like to pay licensing fees. I didn't like to pay the water bill either. I'm financially a little tight this month. Thinking about having a fund raiser for myself.

Condo & Loft Guide
Umm... excuse me, but why is this called a 'guide' It seems more like an excerpt from a guide - The ADVERTISEMENT part of the guide.

Media Matters
You report that Channel Q is the first FM to offer audio streaming over the Internet, yet I've been listening to Lite 104.1 at work over the Internet for several months now. Hmmm....

Registers
Thanks for ripping on the Register. That paper Sucks!!!

Clean Elections
This election was a Reality Check for all legislators, State and National, who vote for Special Interests until election time. Then, our phones ring off the wall, suddenly they need us and want our help and our money. Disgusted voter.

skinny -- soy & corn
The previous commentor has it right. Good luck to the soils, waters, and wildlife of Iowa. The biofuels boom is likely to further degrade the Iowa landscape, even if the future focus is switchgrass, which, contrary to Farm Bureau propaganda, is lousy wildlife habitat. Of course the future could be very different if those in charge in Iowa (in both parties) were environmentally literate and made decisions accordingly. To dreeeeeam the impossible dreeeeeam...

skinny - soy & corn
King Corn is back with a new vision for Iowa all right. This time it would transform Des Moines into the next Houston, or at least the next Midland-Odessa or Baytown-West Orange. The only difference will be that Iowa's pollution belching bio-chemical industrial plants will be surrounded by fields of corn stalk instead of tumbelweeds. At least until the soil is so depleted by one-crop industrialization that anything but tumbleweeds grows here. The scariest part of the King Corn vision is that it seems, in light of the Iowa election results (Northey wins despite Dem landslide), the one vision that both Iowa Democrats and Republicans share. As the great American novel "Lonesome Dove" concludes, "Yeah, Hell of a vision."

Election Results
Hey, what's Story County, chopped liver? If we're good enough to have CITYVIEW distributed in several locations in Ames, we're good enough to have at least some of our election results listed along with other Central Iowa results. Please remember us next time.

801 and Only
Wow, as if Churchill, Falstaff and Dickens weren't enough, Food Dude adds on comparisons to Kipling, Hamlet and Lord Buddha!! Is there no end to which liberal journalists (interestingly, a subject in your cover story) will go to enshrine a liberal icon? Makes me wonder, if R.W. Apple had been a conservative, what comparisons would you make in an obit? More likely to Iago, Goebbels, Macchiavelli and Gordon Geckle. Still, I shall be happy to toast Apple the grand bon vivant, if not the manipulator of public opinion.

Hold For Swank info
I just wanted to clear up a few minor things in the Scene Scribe column featuring all of the fun Hold For Swank information. We are far, far, far from embarking on any sort of national tour. We were going to play Chicago, but that show fell through. The only way we'll be playing New York is if we win the YouTube contest (so vote for us), and now we have two shows lined up in Wisconsin on one weekend. Not quite national, but at least we can put a pushpin in another state of the union on the map. That aside, thanks for the press! It's more than we ever could have asked for.

Longest marriage that lead to divorce
I can beat that 37 years. I know of a couple married 48 years that ended in divorce this year.

EDeal or No Deal?
TouchPlay machines at every major street corner in the State of Iowa? Is that the deal Chet Culver made with the TouchPlay lobby? When is enough - enough Chet Culver? Vote NO on Chet Culver on November 7th.

Bush
Yeah Dave Lamberti glad ole whathisname is on your side. Nussle was too much of a chicken s@#$ to show up... AMAZING.

Civic Skinny
Enjoyed the bit about who reads the newspapers. However credit should be given. This is nearly directly quoted from the BBC show "Yes, Prime Minister" from the 1980s. Only the Anglo newspapers have been changed to reflect American publications. The original punch line in the show was "what about the readers of The Sun?" The answer was that The Sun readers don't really care so long as she has big tits." The Sun prints a picture of a topless woman on page three of every edition.

A wonderful show that many politicos still enjoy in repeats. Maggie Thatcher always claimed she never missed an episode because of its accuracy of bureaucracy. So let's give credit where credit is due. Like Milton Berle, someone stole a joke.

Happings - Sat 28th
Driving while Stupid was the band that started Skalloween in Des Moines 5 years ago, Not Slaughter house 6. You left out Driving While Stupid from the show. Also Slaughter House 6 isnt the only ska band in DSM.

Give Me the Money - Chet Culver
The Revenues for Main Street Iowa Pac, the TouchPlay Coalition political action committee which includes TouchPlay operators, distributors and manufactures, has raised $77,000 in the previous 3 months and contributed $54,000 to democratic candidates including $11,000 to Chet Culver. The remaining $43,000 spent was contributed entirely to democratic candidates in the house and state senate ($17,500 to Kevin McCarthy and $7,500 to Pat Murphy).

TouchPlay Lobby
Why is Chet Culver taking over $100,000 from the TouchPlay Lobby? We need serious campaign finance reform to prevent someone like Chet Culver buying the election with special interest money. Why do we need to revisit the TouchPlay debate again? Vote no on Chet Culver on November 7th.

Wild Mustangs
Here's a quote from the well-researched article on wild horses in the current issue of AUDUBON MAGAZINE.

"Since the BLM is the primary caregiver for feral equids, I asked (biologist Erick)Campbell how they affect native ecosystems. He conceded that cows do more damage because there are lots more of them, but he pointed out that cattle provide food and livelihoods. Feral equids are just out there perpetuating a myth, and when it comes to habitat destruction, what they lack in numbers they make up for in efficiency. "They're worse than cows," he says. "They do incredible damage. When the grass between the shrubs is gone a cow is out of luck, but a horse or burro will stomp that plant to death to get that one last blade. When cows run out of forage the cowboys move them or take them home, but horses and burros are out there all year. They're not fenced; they can go anywhere. BLM exacerbates the problem by hauling water to them. Instead of just letting them die, we keep them going. There are even horses in Las Vegas, which is obscene. In the desert! The horse groups have tremendous power with Congress. They only care about horses; they couldn't give a damn about all the wildlife that's adversely affected."

Wild Mustangs
I was browsing through google and found this sight. I read through a few comments on the Wild Mustangs. Both I saw were negative. Now let me say this,Wild Horses are not bad for the enviroment. Scientists have proved that the horses are good for the habitat. They actually do a good job at spreading grasses, and they way they graze doesn't hurt the grass. Believe me I know, I have a horse and she doesn't rip out the roots or anything. She bites the top off. This means the grass can grow back easily and quickly.They aren't the reason for the overgrazing in that area,(in fact cattle outnumber horses 100-1).There is also a false story going around that wild horses are starving, straggly, unhealthy creatures. This is so ridiculous it makes me want to laugh. This is a silly myth! The horses are healthy and fit. Now you would think the U.S. would get a nice amount of money for taking the horses off and selling them for human consumption. But actually the money goes to foreign countries as well as the horse meat. They suffer terrifying deaths. The last thought they have in their minds? I bet 100%...terror, fear, unconceivable dread....they are wild...what would it be like to be caught...thrown in small enclosements...and slaughtered? There are only around 20,000 horses remain on the range wild and free. There used to be 2 million. We are quickly losing them and getting NO PROFIT out of it. They are a national treasure, and they have so much to do with America's history. You could compare them to buffalo, except they have perhaps more a part to play than that! Are we going to let these horses go to the dogs? We don't get anything from it, and we lose a wild and wonderful beauty, that unfortunately, NEVER...never can be got again. And all that will be left of the hores?...their pounding hooves fading away in the dreams of America. My heart is with the horses, Anna.

TouchPlay - Adult Adventures of Chet Culver
Stop the expansion of gambling in Iowa. Our state legislatures overwhelming banned TouchPlay last March during the legislative session. Chet Culver just say "No" to TouchPlay.

Back by unpopular demand
Just when you thought we terminated the TouchPlay - It's back. It's like the Terminator Part IV. Chet Culver could play the role of the Krispy Kremenator. Let's terminate the Kremenator and the machine once and for all on November 7th.

Ghost Hunters
Its about time Iowa has a free service... Those guys seem like they really want to help folks not rip em off... I saw the website i think they are cool!!

letter (rant) titled "Food for Thought"
Your point is on the mark. A number of people I talked to for this story would not go on the record. Some of them explained it was because the Vilsack administration backs controversially uses of Bt and GMO and that public criticism of that could compromise their effectiveness within the Democratic Party. One annonymous source said "Somehow we ended up sitting on the Republican side of this fence. Denise's upset ought to wake the party up to the fact that it is the wrong side of fence for Democrats. Period."

-Jim Duncan

Logan's Law -- We The People
Before I became a rural resident, I didn't understand the problem of dogs roaming loose. Now that I've lived in the country for twenty years, I understand it all too well. I don't have livestock, but my land is designed and protected to benefit wildlife, and I DON'T appreciate other peoples' dogs running around on my property scaring up nesting birds and mammals to entertain themselves. I would never shoot a dog (and don't own a gun), but the idea that only livestock owners have reason to be concerned about stray dogs really bothers me. I shouldn't have to fence my land (which would interfere with wildlife movement)just because a lot of irresponsible rural residents let their dogs run loose and don't care where they go. And "call county animal control" sounds great, but by the time they arrive, the dogs are gone, only to return the next day. I know the dogs are not to blame, but I sure do understand the frustration of landowners who are tired of dealing with dogs on their land again and again.

Chet Culver - The Truth about TouchPlay
What is it with Chet Culver? The expansion of gambling at what cost? Why do we have to revisit the TouchPlay debate during the next legislative session (if Chet Culver is elected governor and the democrats capture the house and state senate). During the last legislative session legislatures in the house and state senate overwhelmingly voted to ban all TouchPlay machines (80% in the house & senate). Governor Vilsack signed the bill into law on March 21st.

Gubernatorial candidate Chet Culver is meeting with the members of the TouchPlay Coalition since the end of the legislative session last May. Mr. Culver has accepted over $30,000 in contributions from the TouchPlay lobby in the last year. Culver refused to answer the question on TouchPlay at the Brown/Black forum. Chet Culver is more concerned with the contributions he will receive from the TouchPlay coalition and with his close relationships TouchPlay operators and distributors such as Terry Moss and William Krause.

What about our children? What about our community? What about the compulsive gambler? I guess it's OK if it's in the name of funding a democratic agenda like public education or pay bonuses for state appointed department heads.

Tell the truth Chet Culver. The State of Iowa has no business to be involved in a vice like gambling.

Food for Thought
Thank you, Jim Duncan and CITYVIEW, for once again saying what needs to be said. And thank you especially for your description of the irreplaceable and beautiful Cerrado. I'm still recovering from the REGISTER editorial that described the Cerrado as "barren." I've read about the Cerrado and seen images of its incredible wildlife. The only thing "barren" about the Cerrado is the way millions of acres of it are now being paved with industrial-agriculture soybeans. What's really needed is a World Earth Prize for those who are successfully working to sustain the life and life support systems of this planet for the next century. We cannot keep on doing what we are doing if we want our great-great-grandchildren to be happy here. Or even survive.

Food for Thought
Sustainable Ag is more than a romantic anachronism. It's at the heart & soul of the Democratic Party and it's the reason Denise O'Brien is the party candidate for Secretary of Ag rather than Vilsack's hand-picked flunky. The true Democrat understands that Big Business is good for Big Business, not for Iowa and that the future of a state whose greatest natural resource is its fertile soil, should be using that resource to put more people on the land in the pursuit of growing wondrous things to eat, not depopulating the land so that ADM, Tyson and Monsanto can maximize profits for shareholders far from Iowa. The true pity is that Democrats bought into the Bt, GMO euphoria, they should have left that for Republicans. If they had, outsider Democrats like Denise and Ed Fallon would never have become significant. They are the little voices who dare say the emperor's new technology is invisible to those whose eyes are open enough to see what really is of value to Iowa.

Food for thought - Feeding the Debate by Jim Duncan
While the architects of the Green Revolution dutifully recite the oft-trumpeted claims to success in raising agricultural yields, there is little understanding of its colossal failure: it did not eliminate hunger. In some cases hunger actually increased with the introduction of the Green Revolution's hybrids. True, the Indian sub-continent went from being a chronic food importer to a massive grain exporter, but this did not keep poor people from starving to death during the 1960 famines, nor did it keep 200 million Indians from going hungry in 1995 while the country exported $625 million worth of wheat and flour and 5 million metric tons of rice. Even as recently as 2001, starvation deaths were reported in more than a dozen Indians states, despite the fact that India ranks near the top of agricultural exporters in the global south. India's current 38 million-ton grain surplus could easily feed its 320 million hungry people, but does not. Why? Because starving villagers are too poor to buy the food produced in their own countryside.

In both Mexico and India studies revealed that the Green Revolution's expensive seed, fertilizer, pesticide and irrigation "packages" favored a minority of economically privileged farmers. These same packages ended up indebting the smallholder majority, many of whom were eventually pushed into landlessness and poverty. According to the Indian government, between 1993 and 2003, over 100,000 bankrupt Indian farmers committed suicide. Since India has averaged 16,000 farmer suicides a year-usually by drinking Green Revolution pesticides. In the Punjab, the Green Revolution "showcase", the government admits to over 2,000 farmer suicides. It's not that these farmers missed out on the Green Revolution. On the contrary, their destitution and desperation are the result of the Green Revolution.

On the environmental side, the costs of the well-documented litany of "externalities"; polluted rivers, streams and water tables, widespread soil degradation, loss of biodiversity, occupational pesticide poisoning and-yes-global warming, are somehow never counted in the Green Revolution's productive. The Rockefeller Foundation's notion that small rural shopkeepers will provide farmers with the agronomic technical assistance needed to maintain soil fertility is ludicrous. At best, they will do what they have always done: assist a handful of foreign companies to increase sales of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Given the end of Big Oil, and the inevitable explosion of fertilizer costs, what kind of future does the Green Revolution really offer to poor farmers?

Agricultural improvement with smallholders-who make up the majority of the world's poor-so they can feed themselves and produce a small surplus is a necessary step in combating hunger. But sustainable rural development is not just about increasing yields and economic growth. The failures of the Green Revolution have taught us that rural development requires the redistribution of land and resources, a fair and stable market, and sound agroecological management in order to be sustainable. This is especially true for sub-Saharan Africa where, despite the fact that in countries like Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and Mali, the area of unused good quality farmland is many times greater than the area actually farmed, average land holdings are less than an acre.

Winners & Losers -- Earthpork
Your lukewarm Winner classification for Earthpork was entirely appropriate. Last I heard, the official story on how the backers and Pella plan to match the federal $50 million was vague at best. Even if they manage to grab $20 million in state tax money, which is fortunately unlikely, they won't have nearly enough to get this thing built and keep it operating. Pella may end up adopting a new town motto: "Be careful what you wish for."

Fighting for Equality
Thank you for the article on these civil rights heroes. I am disappointed that the article did not mention the Des Moines Choral Society's civil rights concert in February 2005, entitled Liberty & Justice For All, which told the story of Iowa's important but largely unknown role in the historical civil rights struggle. This concert included the stories of several Iowa civil rights pioneers, through song and spoken word. Additional details about the Choral Soceity can be found on the website at www.dmchoral.org

Ban the slaughter of wild horses
I don't know all the facts about the slaughterhouses, so I defer on that. The Winners/Losers column said that the bill was trying to "ban the slaughter of wild horses for food," and that's what I was responding to. Many of the western desert areas now suffering from wild horse damage had few or no bison historically. And in the places where bison existed, the native plants co-evolved to survive grazing by bison, not horses, which graze very differently. And yes, cattle are not native either. But as was pointed out, cattle are usually pulled off when ranges are in really poor condition, whereas wild horses remain. And wild horses are harder on native vegetation than cattle, again because they eat differently than cattle.Wild horses cause ecological damage for the same reason that damage is caused by kudzu, garlic mustard, nutria, zebra mussels, and many other exotic species that were brought to North America from other parts of the world and now have no natural checks or balances here.Human beings are one species the whole world over, and we can consciously decide how to interact with our environment. Wild horses and other problem imported animals and plants can't make that choice. Among other problems, wild horses are trashing ephemeral pools that are vital to the survival of rare native plant and animal species that don't exist anywhere else on earth. We have a responsibility to try to ensure those species will still be there for our grandchildren, at least on public land, and one necessary way to do that is to reduce wild horse populations where serious damage is being done.

Simple Voting Guide
Before you vote this November please ask yourself these two questions. If the terrorist could contribute to a political party which one would get their money? Why would you vote for anyone in that party?

Recent review, Lucca by Jim Duncan
Wonderful review on Lucca-- you caught it. But their "attitude" is gone, and their winelist one of the best in town. I recently suggested to Marcus (who I loved at Sage) that they add a nice, reasonably priced bottle of Vouvray to their by-the-glass list, and it's being done! Where but here in DSM could that happen? I love the food, reasonably-sized portion, and scene. A great addition to the DSM dining scene.

Horse Slaughter
Horses going to slaughter are not all being rounded up in the wild west. About 40% of them are stolen and the other 60% are horses whose owners aren't responsible enough to either sell them to another owner, continue to care for them or humanely euthanize them. Even KY Derby winners sometimes end up at the slaughter house. I don't own a horse or even ride a horse. But I do want to respond when I see a distortion of the facts. Doesn't it seem odd that 100,000's, if not millions, of buffalo could roam the range and not destroy it. But a few thousand horses are now charged with "destroying" it. The slaughter houses are foreign owned, make millions, pay next to nothing in taxes and pollute the air and water. The town of Kaufman, TX has been trying to get theirs shut down for a long time but a federal judge says it's interstate commerce and only Congress can do that. It passed the House (HR503) and they're trying to get it thru the Senate (S1915), but it's an uphill struggle, particularly when there are so many inaccurate "facts" given out and most Americans don't really know what is going on with this--even horse people. By the way, cows are not indigenous to America either. Oh, yeah, I guess unless you are native American or Eskimo, we came from some place else, too.

Censored
I've been dismayed for a long time on what I've seen as the "dumbing down" of the news media. (And I just can't "wrap myself around" the idea of terminally perky Katie Couric sitting at Walter Cronkite's desk.) On reading your 10 Censored Stories piece, I see it as something more sinsiter than nation's penchant for "infotainment". It would appear that it is a deliberate "managing" of the news . . . in an attempt to keep the voting public "blissfully ignorant". Where are the "higher ups" in our national media who KNOW BETTER.

Censored
The top list of only the first ten, the next 15 is listed on your weeb site. Dose that mean that you have not listed them for censored your list. OR did some one make a mistake.Please the next 15, Please!

SceneScribe - Music fans speak out . . .
If the folks described in the article are so hot to get underage fans in establishments for late night shows then an alcohol and smoking ban should accompany the new ordinance. If the kids want to be there for the music only and if the venue owners want the same, this should be no problem.

Making fun of death is pretty cool at Cityview
While I realize most of the things on your "List" are supposed to be tongue-in-cheek, I was pretty disgusted by the entire commentary on Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin (#2 on the List for Sept 14th). Everything from the title to the body was just done in poor taste. "Crocodile Hunter Finally Kicks." Nice. I read that as "Thank god he's dead, I thought it would NEVER happen." Finally kicks? I realize death can be funny sometimes... oh wait, not really. And it may have been funny to say that he was so "damned annoying" that the animal kingdom had to kill him, I doubt his family or friends would feel the same way. And as much as Cityview is trying to be an independent, in your face, "screw you" type publication, I think mocking a human being's death is shameful, even if the deceased DID have a "freakish career" as it was so eloquently stated. I guess I can only be thankful that the people who do the List aren't responsible for writing up obituarites.

Mega-Churches
Very well written.

Religion, super-sized
History tends to judge churches by how they respond to the great ethical issues of their day. By that standard, Christian churches have had mixed records in regard to issues like slavery, women's rights, racial equality, and fascism. The great ethical issues of today include poverty, global warming, and gay civil rights. I suspect that history will not look kindly on the responses of most fundamentalist megachurches to any of the above. I've noticed that certain developers who ruthlessly destroy natural areas, and profit handsomely thereby, are members of fundamentalist megachurches. That alone ensures that I'll never join one.

Wild horses -- Winners and Losers
It pains me to say it, but for once, I suspect that Steve King is on the right side in regard to the wild horse bill, though for the wrong reasons. The real reason that wild horses need to be culled is because they are doing incredible ecological damage to Western land, including a lot of public land, and are trashing the habitat of rare and endangered species.

Yes, cattle are also destructive, but wild horses are far more destructive because of the way they move and eat. Also, cattle are generally taken off the range when the vegetation is really trashed, but wild horses are allowed to remain and trash it further.

Wild horse policy in the U.S. is driven by the "Horse Mafia," consisting of activists who don't care how much ecological damage is done as long as wild horses aren't killed. (And they claim wild horses are native to this country and are a unique historic breed, both of which claims are demonstrably false.)

Australia, which is also suffering ecological havoc caused by wild horses, is more practical and more humane. Wild horses there are shot, instead of being subjected to a complicated adoption process that often results in prolonged horse suffering and death. And if the horses need to be killed, is it really better for them to be buried than sold for food?

There's a very good article on this subject in the current issue of AUDUBON MAGAZINE. I recommend that CITYVIEW skim it. Please also note, CITYVIEW, that almost all the land inhabited by wild horses is marginal rangeland, not cropland. Much of the public land is desert, where the horses do even more damage than on grassland. And just because the wild horse bill is popular doesn't mean it's a good idea. As CITYVIEW has pointed out before, even popular bills can be seriously misguided.

Mega Churches
Everyone has there own particular tastes and preferences. Need evidence? Try to count how many different denominations of Christainity there are to date. The important thing is not the decor of the building, whether there is a rock band or an organ, or whether you the common dress is jeans and flip flops, or shirt and tie. What is important are the questions "Is the truth taught?" "Are the leaders of the church an extention of Christ's influence." The church is not steeples, stain glass, or altars. The church is the living, breathing people who are actively and passionately allowing God to live through them. They gather together to grow from each other's passionionate influence, to heal each others wounds, and to sharpen each other, like one piece of steel sharpens another. This can not be done with a worship service of a hundred to a thousand people one hour a week on Sunday. It is those gatherings of 5-6 people in close fellowship, close friends, fellow believers, commrades in the stuggle of life and allies against the forces that oppose. That is the real goal of the church community, no matter what size: small, medium, large or mega.

The path to 9/11
When the dems and clinton use there power to get control of the media and threatin to have ABC's FCC licenes revoked. We should all be screaming at the top of our lungs just like they do first amendment and we can say any thing we want. I the dems and clinton did everything right and Bush did everything wrong then the dems and clinton have nothing to worry about.

Bad Luck City
Bad Luck City is going to Memphis!! Congratulations to the drummer and guitarist.

maid-rite is maid wrong
maid-rites are made right again! I don't think anybody released that in fall 2004 the "new owner" gave up on his quest to change the cooking methods of the famous maid-rite meat. The whole state of Iowa was up in arms over this and he listened thank God! He stayed with the original way of doing things to preserve the maid-rite. No, we cannot butcher our own cow, but we cook fresh ground beef to the perfection that everybody is used to. Yummmmm! The circular/square counter design that promotes community isn't "out" in fact we want to bring it back in a few locations depending on the building set up because we love the legendary marshalltown maid-rite.I personally am into preserving the maid-rite in every historical way I can. I am doing everything I can to keep it the way it is "supposed" to be, with tasteful updates of course (ya gotta stay current in this day & age!) I am a private owner, not the owner of the whole franchise. He has come to realize this too in the past 2 years from people in the state of Iowa. Thank you Iowa! We have Maid-Rite, made right!

Speaking in Defense of Abdul-Samad
Akil pointed out that Ako has been in his life since he was born and therefore he knows the truth. I agree and think he brings out some interesting points. Most noteworthy is the six years Akil spent in the Iowa Prisons and Correction Facilities - another success story for the lifelong mentoring provided by Ako. But Akil misrepresented some of the truths in his defense of Ako. The fact is that it was the American Taxpayers who bought him clothes, tools and gave him gas money when he got out of prison and needed help finding a job - not Ako. It was the American Taxpayers who fund Creative Visions, and if not for the mismanagement by Ako, many more like Akil would be helped. And Akil if Cason is assaulted by whites or anyone else - I expect him to call the police.

Singer Bonnie
I read online back where someone asked about a singer in town, Bonnie, and I do know she is going to start to sing around town again in Sept with a new band, but I can not remember the full name of the band, although I think the name has the word "groove" in it. Hopefully just knowing she will be around again will help them out - if they read this! Start looking for new bands and she'll be with one of them!

Civic Skinny: Archie Brooks
Civic Skinny aludes to unnamed "friends" of former Des Moines City Councilman Archie Brooks. Understanding that this is a local politics "gossip" column, quoting anonymous "friends of Archie" in this case is too coy indeed. This is the United States, after all, there will be no reprisals for being a "friend of Archie." True "friends of Archie" shouldn't be unashamed of past association with said councilmember, so there's no reason to hide behind the "unnamed sources" ploy.Inquirering minds want to know: Are "Archie's friends" local Democrats or Republicans?

Reverend Ted Brancheau and end times
I read Rev. Brancheau's article on end times and he didn't say anything about "destroy the environment, max out the nation's credit cards and piss off enough countries that we could end up in a nuclear war". He also didn't say that Christians hope "that Armageddon is nigh, and that their 144,000 born-again souls will ride the Big Escalator to the Sky while the rest of us fry for eternity." What he did, is alert everyone to what the Bible says and what many Bible scholars believe is going to happen. The Bible says very clearly we are to watch for the return of Jesus Christ and that we won't know the exact day, but we can know the season by what is going on around us. That is what Rev. Brancheau is doing in his article. You did get one thing right though and that is calling Rev. Brancheau a "Man of God" and if you read your Bible carefully you will see it is not wise to come against a "Man of God". Check out what happened to a man named Korah and all of those who even stood close to him. Please print all of the article you are referring to so your readers can make an informed decision for themselves and not simply go by a few lines of the article and your opinion.

Winners & Losers
Yikes!!! I read the article in the Dallas County paper where Rev. Brancheau talked about the turmoil in the middle east and I must not have been reading very carefully because I don't remember the part where he said that it is "OK to destroy the environment, max out the nation's credit cards and piss off enough countries that we could end up in a nuclear war". I must have skimmed over that part. Maybe I am confused and was not as attentive as other people had been, but I happen to know that Ted Brancheau believes in being debt free and not "maxing out the nations credit cards", he is environmentally sounds and does not want to start a war with any one. I can understand disagreeing with something, but to call some one a "loser", simply on the basis that you don't agree, is a bit much. In the bible, the young men that made fun of the man of God were attacked eaten by bears...hope you guys fair better than they did.

Spot Show at Mars Cafe this Tuesday, August 22
Thank you so much for the write up about Spot, Michael. This really means so much to me. I basically grew up with Husker Du, Bob Mould and Mike Watt and the Minutemen in my headphones, so for me, this is personal. I could say that he indirectly influenced me to start playing guitar and bass (however poorly) and got me thinking about hip hop (another conversation entirely). I wanted to thank him for his help with this music by bringing a big crowd, which is why I've been spreading the word about this so diligently. That people are going to show up now so means a great deal to me.

Cheers, Phil James, Mars Cafe

Stress from war
I am a veteran of both Korea and Vietnam. We never heard of post dr syndrome. How about the real heroes, the WW2 veterans. You don't hear them whining about their experiences and not fitting in after they returned.

People
I would just like to say a few things about people in general:

1.) I would like to provide everyone in Iowa with a gallon of blinker fluid for your car. Obviously it's low.

2.) Red means STOP. It does not mean 2 or 3 more can go while i have to wait for your gas guzzling SUV to get to the next stoplight 10 seconds quicker.

3.) I will say Merry Christmas to whoever i want. If you don't like it too bad. It is such a controversy now. You want me to recognize your beliefs on hanukkah, kwanzaa, or whatever. But i am supposed to put christmas on the back burner so you can ignore it. I don't think so.

4.) While in a store shopping please show some respect for others. regardless of how important you think you are, you are no better than anyone else.

5.) This is for everyone that thinks they are something special. You may think you are something else, and that is true, but it is NOT the something else you think it is.

and finally #6:

This whole idea of people being called African american, asian american,etc. Why do you insist on calling caucasians WHITE. maybe we should be given the title of European american. After all we aren't entirely native to this land either. our ancestors came over here from other countries as well.

If any of this offends you get over it. anything that is said to anyone anymore offends someone to a degree. grow up and get over yourself. if we can't get along with each other then why do we remain here. is it just to piss people off?

Great story on Project Destiny
Thanks for the wonderful story on Project Destiny. The word has to get out that sales taxes burden most those who can afford them least.

Keep Bashing The Register
Who exactly are these people who think Cityview should stop being the watchdog for the Des Moines Register? Would someone tell the Register staffers to quit posting here? Sure, you blowhards at Cityview toot your own horn a bit much, but in this world of "our super doppler is bigger than your super doppler," I have come to expect that. In the meantime keep telling us when the Register screws up. The way I see it that's your job. To use your own words from a recent paper, "Who else will?"

Quit bashing The Register
I used to be a regular Cityview reader, all through high school and college, but now I can barely stand your paper. It seems hardly an issue comes out that doesn't, at least once, bag on Juice or the Register. We get it, you don't like them, you don't like alternative view points. It's 'light' news and doesn't give 'fair' reporting. Sounds like you're the editorial version of Fox News...fair and balanced. The 24-35 demo that likes to have fun is below you, ignore them, they're not good enough for your insightful and wise reporting. Move on. How many times do I need to hear that these other publications are shades below yours before it becomes annoying. This is exactly why I don't vvote for candidates that mudsling. It demeans the insulter. It sure doesn't seem like Juice or the Register cares what you think because you never see them even mention you.

Publisher's Note: You are right. We do poke fun at the daily each week, and we apologize to you for the entire nine inches (.00365%) of space that we dedicated to it this past week that apparently offended you. We regret that you somehow missed the other 2455 inches (99.99635%) that we published on other items.

4 wheelers - Aug 2006
You published a well thought out and poignant article on 4 wheelers ruining Iowa's already fragile environment. Since I cross-country ski, kayak and sail, you can be assured that I have no time for 4 wheelers. They should be banned (along with snowmobiles and jetskis) on general principle. Except for use for emergency vehicles and for landowners (most farmers don't care about ruining their land anyway, so what is more blight that they cause?) You will find people driving these environment destroyers as fat, lazy, usually stupid people who have never had the guts to get off their dead asses and see Mother Nature on her own terms.Given that a total ban is a utopia and won't happen, then these machines should be severely restricted to well-controlled areas.

Construction Caveman
So everyday, like thousands of central Iowans I brave the streets of I-235. It seems everyday the lanes get more narrow and everything eventually bottlenecks into one lane, moving 60 MPH. I understand construction crews are working as fast as possible, and they are doing a great job. except for one guy. one guy that makes me say to myself. "this is where my tax dollars are going"!?

Everyday I get on I235 heading west from the 7th street bridge. Several weeks ago I start to get on 235 and I notice a construction worker holding an orange "SLOW" sign, I understand what he is doing, trying to make us be a little safer for his guys as well as everyone else on the road, no big deal.

The next day the same guy must have found a road cone, stuck the sign in the cone, and is now just standing there. Still, not really that big of a deal, we all have had our lazy days at work.

The next day, same guy must have found a bucket, because now he is sitting on the bucket with the sign in the road cone, he is literally doing nothing. He is like a caveman quickly progressing in life. A couple days go by and not many changes, same guy, same bucket, same cone, same sign. Eventually, he found something else. an umbrella and a cigarette. He is still sitting there, under and umbrella, smoking, still doing absolutely nothing!

I was actually hoping the next day he would have a lemonade stand set up. no luck, instead, he found a car. Granted the door was open, but only so he could attach the umbrella to the window, and you know what, I think he was sleeping. but we all know how important sleep is on a Monday morning at 10AM.

As of today, the car was the latest find for this construction worker. One day he will realize just sitting there is no fun, maybe he will "find" a portable tv, maybe even a playstation portable. who knows. From now on when I use this onramp im going to honk and wave and I urge you to do the same. You wont have to worry about waking him up, afterall, its your tax dollars, youre the one paying him to have a lazy day at work.

Media Matters/REGISTER
My vote is for continued coverage and analysis of the REGISTER and other local media. I sure don't find that kind of information elsewhere, and I appreciate it. Picking up the OMAHA WORLD-HERALD on a trip west last week was a welcome reminder that Gannett hasn't taken over the entire daily newspaper industry. Yet.

Creating a politically safe path to peace
Your story by Brenda Fullick prompted me to ask about your follow-up article featuring the 'rest of the story'. When are we going to see that article? Is there going to be coverage of the truth in your paper, or are we to take your side of the story as another leftist marketing tool? How disgusting. Do you think the majority of real Americans are as naive as Ms. Fullick's article would have us believe?

Responding to another reader's criticism
Responding to another reader's criticism, you appended this Publisher's note: "Are you reading Cityview? You made reference to an editorial page, which we don't have. And you said we "include a swear every other sentence," which simply is not true. We won't purposely back away from any language, but we won't purposely add it unless we feel it brings meaning to the message. I do regret that this may offend you. Meanwhile, 94% of our papers are being picked up and read each week, with our average reader being a 25-to-44-year-old college graduate earning between $50-75,000 annually. Your points are well taken, but you exaggerate." To be fair, in terms of content Cityview is almost entirely editorial, since your articles routinely express an opinion rather than remain journalistically neutral. And the author's contention that you "include a swear every other sentence," was clearly hyperbole, meant to emphasize the amount of swearing that Cityview actually does contain. You chastised, "Your points are well taken, but you exaggerate," when said exaggeration appears to be entirely purposeful. In either instance, you're splitting hairs.As to the statistical relevance of Cityview, absent your survey methodology I remain skeptical. If I may continue the practice of splitting hairs, how do you know the same 94% being picked up are being read? How many are being used simply to wrap fish, line bird cages, or wipe dog poo from an unfortunate penny loafer? Are your reader demographics self-reported, or do you have clipboard-bearing monitors at every multi-titled newspaper rack in the greater Des Moines agglomeration?In nit-picking the writer's objections, you completely ignored valid criticism concerning Cityview's quality of content and journalistic integrity. The perception that Cityview relies on provocation and titillation -- rather than on insightful, incisive writing and topical relevance -- won't be so blithely disregarded.

Register
Why do I have to read about the DSM register in every issue. You might want to stop putting down the DM Register and lead the way with good stories instead of telling us how bad they are. I already know they are bad. That is why I am reading your paper.If this continues I will have to read something else. I don't want to hear how bad your competitor is. I want to read good stories.

Gannett papers
Great column, LONG OVERDUE!!! We cannot have a free press that is Gannett owned and operated!

Nepotism, Cronyism & Mauroism
South side Democrats keep on giving (John Mauro, Michael Mauro, John Sarcone, Archie Brooks and Matt McCoy). When will the voters of Des Moines and Polk County wake up? It's time to throw the bums out. None will admit to their wrongs or apologize for their actions. Voters need to speak loudly this November and vote them out (Archie Brooks will be up for re-election in November 2007). Voters need to understand that Mr. Sarcone will take no actions against his south side democratic brothers. We voted out Archie Brooks in 1995 and John Mauro in 1998. Now it is time to do that again - permanently.

The Center of the CIETC Scandal
Why is Michael Mauro left out of much of the CIETC discussion over the previous four months? John Mauro (former CIETC board member) is the brother of Michael Mauro; Steve Mauro (son of Michael Mauro) is employed at CIETC and received a $10,000 bonus from Romona Cunningham in January; Ruth Shepard, daughter of Romona Cunningham, is employed by the Polk County Election Office - Michael Mauro is the Polk County Commissioner of Elections; Victor Scaglione (worked for the Polk County Election Office with Michael Mauro prior to be employed at CIETC) received a $5,000 bonus in January by Romona Cunningham. And the list goes on. When does this all stop? Can't the citizens of Polk County see what is going on? Vote out the machine in November.

Cartoon
The political "cartoon" on page 8 of the July 27 issue of Cityview is an embarrassment. The cartoon appears to be making the point that Israelis cynically "use" the Holocaust whenever they want to extract money from the Bush administration. What a depraved view of the world (not a view typical of people who have actually experienced genocide). The Israelis are not beyond criticism and freedom of speech is obviously an important right (although a right not in existence in much of the Middle East). But depicting genocide as nothing more than a "tool" that Israelis use to rationalize their behavior is despicable. The Israelis have, from the moment they have existed, fought war after war against multiple enemies sworn to destroy them. And they make mistakes, apologize, and remain an ethical and democratic friend of the United States. They can use all the help they can get, but obviously won't be getting any from Mr Tedrall or Rall (or whatever his name is), who appears to have learned his world-view at the Mel Gibson School of World Politics. Does Cityview subscribe to the same thinking?

Creative Campaign Disclosure
Citizens for Ako Abdul-Samad violated multiple Iowa campaign disclosure laws in the previous six months: 1) Accepted a PAC contribution during legislative session (Qwest IPAC - 1/15/06); 2) Accepted a lobbyist contribution during legislative session (John Campbell, lobbyist for United Steelworkers of America - 3/16/06); 3) Late filing of campaign disclosure reports (Late filing January and July disclosure reports).

Child Porn at Central Library
I received a big shocking slap in my face while browsing on the computer at the library. Chris, 23, tapped me on the shoulder and directed my attention towards a man looking up child pornography in the next row. After my disgust was slightly settled,( if it ever could be) I preceded to the librarian's counter where I specifically stated, "I'm extremely fucking disgusted. There is a man looking up child porn over there. If you don't do something about it, I will." I walked back to the computer, informed the people next to me what I did, then just stared into space. In my mind, I thought the police would be there, so I wouldn't have to punch him in the throat. The pedophile had his computer shutdown. Startled by the new situation being evolved, he walked out the library with his hands in his pockets, and his face hidden by the red baseball cap tilting down. With a sudden urge to smoke, I walked out of the library, not before stopping to ask the librarian what she did about the situation at hand. She just shut down his computer, and his internet account, and wrote down his description, in case he came back. I don't know who I'm more pissed off at: the pedophile, or Central Library for not even calling the police. I was prepared to chase him myself, but hesitated at the notion the police coming. Do I dare mention the case of an attempted child molesting at another Des Moines Public Library not too long ago?

Civic Skinny - Illegal Gambling
Jerry Watters was one of ten defendants charged in an illegal sports betting gambling ring in 2003 along with Kurt Rasmussen (son of Jim Rasmussen). Both happen to be contributors to Johnny Mauro's reelection campaign for Polk County Supervisor (former CIETC board member). And lets not forget the over $4,100 contributed by the Skinner clan to Johnny Mauro in the last year.

The Quality of Your Writing
It is very sad when a newspaper, fed up with the overwhelming control of the central Iowa market by a large media corporation, has to resort to the lowest common denominator when writing its stories. You can report on the news without casually throwing about sophomoric, crass insults founded on little else but hearsay and the frenzy created by local television stations. Articles do not need to include a swear every other sentence. Please don't misevaluate me; I'm certainly no censor. I just firmly believe that so many of your articles would be better received as strong writing if you practiced a little self-restraint on the keyboard: yes, it IS fun to see a curse word in a newspaper, but when the bulk of the editorial page is littered with "shits" and "fucks", it seriously detracts from the driving point of the story. You may think that lobbing cuss-laden acusations at embarassed public figures will generate more readership; if this rings true, then I pity the audience to which you are trying to aggresively market your content. Central Iowa DOES need an alternative newspaper - the DMR certainly lacks in a number of departments when it comes to covering the news. Your stories, by contrast, are topical and thought-provoking, but they require a serious style overhaul if you are to rise above the perception of a "trashy" publication, as many educated readers hold you in regard. You pitch yourself as "Central Iowa's ONLY Alternative", but I ask you: "Alternative" to what? Journalistic integrity?

Campaign Finance Reform
"PAC Man" Matt McCoy - The Real McCoy. It's unfortunate that we have state legislators like Senator Matt McCoy, the representative of special interest. It's hypocritical that we have democratic legislators like Matt McCoy who say they support campaign finance reform but receive obscene amounts of campaign contributions from special interest. Senator McCoy received 75 PAC contributions from 45 PAC's for a total of nearly $45,000 in the last year. Where is Ed Fallon when you need him? We need legislative candidates who will refuse contributions from PAC's and paid lobbyist. Senator "PAC Man" McCoy will buy this election with help of PAC's, paid lobbyist and out of state individual contributors. Who will Matt McCoy represent during the next meeting of the general assembly, not the little man in his south side Des Moines District.

OurSpace
Just a quick correction to the last paragraph of the OurSpace article in the 7/20/06 edition. Show specific Myspace pages and the friends invitation feature have been used for event promotion in Central Iowa for nearly a year. Please refer to myspace.com/skalloween or myspace.com/xmasxtravaganza. These pages were the first in the Des Moines area to use the flexibility and reach of Myspace to create awareness of coming shows.

CIETC
The local media (WHO TV 13) is finally starting to report the misappropriation of funds targeted to help those needing to find jobs in our community. I find it very difficult to believe that Ako Samad was unaware of federal money not received by his nonprofit agency (Creative Visions). Ako has sat on the board of directors of CIETC for 3 years and serves as the CEO of Creative Visions. Not aware of the missing money is not a good excuse. Federal investigators need to dig deeper into the financial matters between CIETC and Creative Visions. The state auditor needs to audit all Creative Visions books.

Juice Blogs
Recently, I’ve been logging in to read some juice blogs. There’s one in there today by Romelle Slaughter in regards to your article about the Des Moines Register and Juice. I am cracking up. I had missed that article, but he posted it, and ha! So right you are. Mainly I log in to see what ridiculous blog either Laurie, Sarah or Corrie has for the day. And it does read like a 9 year old’s diary! LOL. And I like to count how many times Corrie can type the word FUCK in hers. I mean, come on. Does she think it makes her look cool? Honestly, I stopped buying the Des Moines Register long ago and get most of my news online now. And I think Juice just makes the Register appear raunchy.

OurSpace
As a "blazed hipster," (albeit an aging one), I really enjoyed Kate Conlow's informative cover story on bands using MySpace for marketing and booking. Now I know to check MySpace first before lacing up my (aging) Converse for a night out on the town. Thanks.

SUCKS TO BE YOU
In your City View Dated July 20,2006 you had a caption over photo of Troy Bresley stating "sucks to be you" well I think your paper SUCKS BIG *********. You know that nobody knows what happened but Troy and Tracie. Well she isn't here and he isn't talking. He did not "pose" for the photo it's a mug shot and he is not the monster that people make him out to be. He was a kindest most gentle man toward all the children he was around and would not do anything at all to hurt ANYONE. We don't know what happened to make him SNAP THAT NIGHT but SOMETHING DID. As for the DEVOTED MOTHER why in the **** did she keep dropping them off to someone she claims was unstable who was living at the A-1 Motel. Those of us who got to know and love him while he and the kids stayed here think that the whole coverage of this story has SUCKED only one way the whole time. Those of us who got to know and love him know him as Bo and we just want to say Bo we love ya and hang in we are thinking of you. I hope that you have the courage to put this in the paper.

Bobbi Krivolavy and everyone else here at the A-1.

Ako Samad
Good job Pete. Now Mr. Rose needs to start a petition drive to remove Ako Samad from the Des Moines School Board. It appears that state investigators are finally starting to look into the relationship between Creative Visions and CIETC. Ako needs to do the right thing along with the rest of the former Des Moines and Polk County representatives on the CIETC Board - resign from elective office.

Urban astrology
It seems to me that ignorance is in fact the leading cause of death in the world today, causing more pain and suffering than cancer, heart disease, and car crashes combined. Ignorance makes people gullible and causes them to ignore reality in favor of wishful thinking. It leads people to hurt themselves and others without even realizing that they've done it. But reality has this disturbing tendency to correct false beliefs in very palpable, unpleasant, often painful ways. People who intentionally promote ignorance really are no better than people who intentionally promote smoking or bigotry - they are just harder to identify.

With that in mind, I have to ask the editors of CityView a question: Why did you publish Brenda Fullick's article on urban astrology? In the third paragraph the author asks, "...is the whole idea of astrology just a bunch of impractical, superstitious nonsense?" The only rational answer to that question is "YES". Astrology appeals to emotions in order to justify itself, rejects the rules and methods of science, and violates everything we know about the laws of physics. Does Brenda Fullick mention any of this? No. Instead, she credulously accepts every word the astrologer says, gushing over how much "deeper information" can be gleaned from this "complex science."

The astrologer, Lenore Hamill, dispenses her sage advice in the form of vague, flattering generalities that apply equally well to almost everybody. Iowans are "conservative, practical, down-to-earth and conscientious." Residents of Des Moines are "confident and sunny, with open generosity and a special fondness for children." Windsor Heights leadership has "at its forefront, concern for the land, for the elderly, for good-quality family life." Tell me, how many sane Iowans out there wouldn't want to be described using those terms? Hamill spends five pages telling people what she knows they want to hear. She could say the exact same things to every person who walks into her store and each one would walk out thinking "wow, that sure does apply to me."

So what exactly is wrong with indulging in a little wishful thinking? One example comes to mind. Imagine two entrepreneurs who decide to start their own businesses. One writes his business plan based on solid market research and his knowledgeof the industry. The other writes his business plan based upon his sun sign and the fact that his birthday makes him a Leo. Which of these do you suppose is more likely to succeed in the real world and which one is going to loose his shirt?

This article encourages the readers of CityView to accept astrology without considering the evidence and logic - or lack thereof. In doing so, you've made it just a little more likely that some people out there will respond that way again. Next time though, the result may not be quite so harmless. Ignorance shortens our lives, hurts our loved ones, threatens our democracy, makes con men rich and demagogues powerful. Shame on you, CityView, for adding to this in your own small way.

Recent movie reviews
I find your critics hard to trust when they obviously haven't even seen or remember a movie they comment on. In the "Pirates" sequel review, the reviewer comments that the original was a brisk 100 minutes. A quick lookup of the movie shows the runtime well over two hours -- which was the main compalint of some critics when the movie was released. Do your writers even watch the movies they review, or are they just pulling from other critics/sources? If you want to continue to include movie reviews in CItyview, get some real reviewers who know what they are doing.

Gay as hell
Get yourself out there and vote for the candidates that reflect your views. That's how the religious right have been doing it and will continue to do so.

Winners/Losers, U.S.Department of Education
I find it unfortunate that an 'Independent' newspaper would give in to some politicians' anti-public school propaganda. Schools are harder than they have ever been and teachers are held to high standards. It was blatantly clear that the writer of the column was ignorant of current 'quality checks' for education majors. I assume the reason why the Iowa Department of Education is "kicking up a fuss" about making the Praxis II test mandatory for education majors is because Iowa colleges already have exams that test education candidates (ex. C-Base, Praxis I, etc.). Also, all teachers who graduate from an accredited college are given a temporary license. Under the two-year temporary license teachers have to yet again prove their competence and skill. Finally, to keep a standard teaching license one has to continue taking classes (at the teacher's own expense). If any of the staff at Iowa's 'Independent' paper want a true view of what education really looks like in today's schools, I challenge you to spend a day in my 6th grade classroom. In response to the reference to No Child Left Behind and the statement "If members of the teacher's union sincerely care about the welfare of Iowa's children, surely they'll see the wisdom of baseline academic standards for their peers", here are some facts from the State Board of Education's web page:

According to officials at Iowa Testing Programs, nine out of ten Iowa students score above the national median on achievement tests. Specific examples from the National Education Association include:

. Iowa ranks 6th in the nation in the proportion of 4th graders with high scores in reading.

. Iowa ranks 8th in the proportion of 4th graders scoring at the highest two levels in math, and this has increased by 27% between 1996 and 2000.

. The proportion of schools offering AP courses has increased by 51% since 1996, and our AP students are among the highest scoring on AP exams with the 6th highest scores in the nation.

. Iowa is one of the top 6 states in the nation in the percentage of high school students taking upper level science courses.

. Iowa students are among the best prepared for college based on college entrance exams. Our students have for the past decade scored in the top five nationally on both the SAT and ACT tests.

. Iowa is one of the nine best states in proportion of high school graduates who go immediately on to college.

. Iowa leads the nation in the size and scope of its gifted and talented program. It is the #1 state in the nation in the percentage of public primary schools with a gifted and talented program and one of the top three states in the nation in the percentage of public secondary schools with a gifted and talented program.

Instead of insulting the competence of Iowa's teachers, maybe Cityview should report on an actual threat to Iowa's children; in 1999 almost one-half of education graduates took jobs in other (higher paying) states.

Gay as hell and not going to take it letter
I find it comically ironic that, posted in bold on the Letters page, just above this tootsie roll queen's rediculous comments, are the words 'Repent in Hell'. Was this just a coincidence or is there a higher power at work here?

Gaskell
Gaskell has always been a flake. It's great that his obnoxious presence is finally gone from City View. Looking forward to a brighter future without that big fat liar. Also, please drop the "If I were Abby" thing. It's tacky and lame.

What happened to Tiffany?
Where is Tiffany Odonnell? She is gone without a trace? No longer on the KDSM staff page.

Gaskell departs
Wow! Even Gaskell's email address is dead. Well, I hope he didn't let the CityView office doors catch'em in the ass on his way out. And I do hope, Jon takes a bit of his own advice: Get Out Of Town!

Steve Lueder: Guilty or a victim of the times
I don't know Kent Carslson, who wrote the commentary on the over reaction to the incident discribed....but i'm sure I'd like him !!!! The sad part of it is, that there is no method to undo such ineptness....it seems there is no way any member of the bureaucracy can say "we were wrong" or react to injustice in any way other than to cover each others asses. The times....are sad indeed.

singer of 3AM
I read the rant referring to the old singer of 3AM, Caleigh, but have no real comment on that in particular. I am a fan of Bonnie, the singer who just left 3AM, and I have been trying to find out who she is singing with now with no luck. I don't know if I can use this Rant/Rave section as a posting, but if anyone knows who Bonnie is singing with now and could have it published that would be great!

fake rainforest
Back in late May, your Winners/Losers column indicated that at least a few of you CITYVIEW folks thought that the fake rainforest was a good idea after all. Now yet another month has passed with no town getting the nod and no major funding falling from the sky. Even Chuck "Let's Throw Fifty Million At It" Grassley now seems to have doubts. Are you folks ever going to admit that this project is a bow-wow?

Boy Eats Drum Machine
Thanks for the kind show review --- we had a great time at GT. The people of Des Moines treated us well, and we look forward to coming back! - Jonny, Boy Eats Drum Machine, Portland, OR

Farmer's Markets
My wife Janette R. Gerdes and I went to both the Valley Junction and Des Moines farmers' markets this week. We've gone often in the five or six years since we moved to this area, and to some others, as well. What we noticed this year, and to our dismay, this was an extension of what we'd begun to note last year, in Valley Junction, was the transmogrification of their market from one with a modest but reasonable number of produce vendors to what amounts to a little street fair/midway type event, with more crappy crafts, off beat products, and prepared foods, than farm products.Now, I've nothing against that description per se; but I do note that the event we attended is called a farmers' market. THERE, we expect to find an assortment of nice product, perhaps baked goods, and for those who are not, as we are, vegetarian, of course meats (working to change that globally, but...). Last year, and now this year, we see a deep decline in that base aspect of the V.J. venue.Downtown was still not terrible, despite the proliferation of non-local, non-fresh goods recently (not everywhere, but enough to worry), but it might be interesting to do one of those periodic (every few years) overviews of the local/regional farmers' markets. I know as a reader, I'd like to see it.But really, we love the idea of farmers' markets, and don't want them to degenerate into just one more little street party--those are fine, but not what we wanted here.I could mention that art shows have often degenerated into craft fairs, as well, perhaps more related, but nonetheless, to use a quote I like that Albert Finney used to Audrey Hepburn, "if you wanna be a duchess, be a duchess; if you wanna make love, hats off." I want these events to cleave to the role they've chosen. Or if they must/wish to/happen to morph, then let them change the name to reflect same.Bee in my bonnet, or worthy of public discussion? If enough readers write here, and to the various farmers' market venues, perhaps we can restore the markets to a better representation of locally produced, wholesome, healthy foods. Thank you for your consideration.

winners and losers
In regards to your disdain for state bureaucrats getting bonuses. If I can recall Mike Blouin's bonus was widely reported when he was hired as his state salary was much lower than his position that he left. When you examine the total bonuses given to state workers that a physician bonus made up over 10% of total bonuses. The state employees that I know that have received bonuses received them because they assumed extra duties due to other employees leaving. Are City Views editors such corporate sell outs that they believe that state employees should not receive extra work for extra pay? In addition CIETC is not a state agency but a non profit corporation governed by a policy board. It is the board that is ultimately responsible for the oversight of the agency's actions. It was career state employees that exposed the problems and it was appointed administrators who ignored their workers concerns. I suggest that the CV neocon editors examine that contract state employees voted to receive no raises during the first year of their contract and a less than 3 percent raise the second year in order to control the state budget. When the contract was ratified the Legislative Assembly raised their salary and the Governors by 27%. When the CV editors start basing their views on facts that they gather instead of what they heard reported by John Bachmann or Tiffany O'Donnell then maybe they will be offered jobs in a real newspaper.

(Fine) Dine and Dash
Centro is a chic East Village Eatery? I've not lived here very long, so correct me if I'm wrong, but the East Village is East of the river isn't it? I think a correction might be warranted.

Editor's Note: You are right. We took the information from the police report and did not catch the error in proofing. Centro is located at 1011 Locust in the renovated Temple for Performing Arts in downtown Des Moines. Thanks for the catch.

Strange Bedfellows/fake lakes
A masterful follow-on by Brenda Fullick to her earlier story on Doug Gross' lakeside machinations. And it conjures such a warm, familial image: little Tommie and little Dougie nursing blissfully in the same bosom...

Strange Bedfellows (and fake lakes)
Wow, you folks rock, with special applause to Brenda Fullick! THANK YOU for pulling aside the curtain and connecting the political dots. You have left the REGISTER in the dust. (Which I say with no joy, since I'd like to live in a region with several good newspapers.) Great story. The only small addition I'd make would be about the handy little Doug-Gross-funded economic study that purported to show that fake lakes are to local economies what big juicy donations are to political campaigns. Unfortunately for fake-lake fans, the study is full of holes, statistically speaking, but it was seized upon and used by people who should have known better. However, after your story, I'm thinking maybe they did know better. When it comes to fake lakes, money doesn't talk, it screams.

Soapbox Prophets Article (Coming to Caliegh's defense)
I have to start off saying I love a real cat fight, especially when it comes to women who think they're better then the next. For the lady ( I'll call her a lady which I'm sure she's not) commenting on how much better of a singer she is then your article stated towards the soapbox whatevers made me laugh. I'm sure we all know who sent the comment in and if it's who I think it is she has no business to talk. I've heard her sing, and if you call singing the blues of songs nobody has ever heard before. It's the most boring thing I've ever seen. She stands there and trys to belt out songs but hon really nobody cares. Thats why your still at the bottom of the pile and other bands who feature female singers are at the top, like Caliegh. At least Caliegh made the decision when she was with the 3 am band to go on her own and perform her own original songs. Thats better then singing the same ole blues songs you've been singing for the last 7 years.At least she's made a name of herself..Have you? I'm sure your dad is proud of you commenting on other singers. So next time you land that big gig and make maybe 50.00-75.00 for a night just think, you can make that next trailer payment. S A L U T E !!!!

Belly Up
Thanks for the excellent and entertaining write-up on Drinking Liberally!

Iowa Nature Conservancy and Monsanto
I'm not crazy about Monsanto. But if the Big M wants to donate to the Nature Conservancy, I say cash the check and run. Iowa's natural areas need all the help they can get, and the Iowa Legislature's almost-legendary distaste for funding conservation programs (which has earned us pity from conservationists in other states) means that we need money from wherever it can be grabbed. And the Newspaper Iowa Used To Depend Upon is so obsessed with economic development these days that conservation hardly even gets covered unless it has dollar figures attached. So thank you, Monsanto, and please give til it hurts. You sell a lot of product in this state, to put it mildly, and at least this way, some of the moolah will help save places that badly need saving.

The article subtitled: Senate Members employing family members in fiscal year '05
My name is Erin Kreiman, daughter of Senator Keith Kreiman, and I was interested in the article featured in Cityview regarding cronyism. My dad is a senator from Southeastern Iowa, and my sister and I were mentioned in the article because we have been employed by the State of Iowa. More specifically, we were employed as legislative assistants. I worked for Representative Dennis Cohoon, who is from the Burlington area, and my sister worked for Senator Amanda Ragan, who is from the Mason City area. In the article, you reported that my sister worked for my father, however, that is not correct. She in fact, worked for the Senator Ragan.

Sweet Binney's
My introduction to Sweet Binney's was one of their butter croisants at Zanzibars. Now that they have retail my post coronary bypass diet is in real danger. I tried to covince them that they were spelling their name wrong.

War On Drugs
I just saw the latest propaganda piece in the war on drugs which depicts some pimply-faced kid standing in a room allowing anyone else to dress him and alter his hair in a variety of ways.The tag-line here was; “When you allow others to decide for you, you take away what makes you, YOU.” Surely I cannot be the only person who sees the hypocrisy in this ad.OK, then, Mr. Fed--LET US DECIDE FOR OURSELVES.The thing that really cheeses me about this campaign is that it’s funded by MY TAX DOLLARS, and I feel it violates MY right to free speech. Where is the air-time for MY point of view going to come from?

THawk Radio Screws winner over
I have a friend Crystal Ruth that won the contest to have her Volley Ball League team fees paid for at Volley ball this summer at Volley World. Because she had already paid her teams fees they disquilified her for the contest. But according to the rules you had to register your team by May 31 in order to be in the league. Because she was following the rules of the league she was disquilfied for the contest. They did not advertise the contest this way! I feel they should have honored the contest and paid Crystal's teams fees! I feel this is very Wrong!

Dave Oman
The real "winner" is Dave Oman, who has suckered in yet another publication. Geez, I thought you CITYVIEW folks prided yourselves on being realists. Congratulations, Dave -- your weird public-fund-sucking experiment is yet more proof that when pretty images are waved in front of journalists, too many are happy to ignore unpleasantly realistic numbers and projections. For an example of what can result, check out what happened to Colorado's Ocean Journey.

Winners/Losers
"Simply put, the Register bought its ankle-biting competitor and then squashed it between its thumb and forefinger, to the dismay of thousands who counted on it." Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought this is the same thing Pointblank did with Cityview. Buy their competition and then veil themselves under the competitions name.

What The ...
The winner should be the No. 3 winner. No. 1 is just a tired cliche ... so it's no surprise Cityview picked it, I guess. Who does pick these? Someone with his head, um, in his pants? Pete DeVries - "Hey girls, I'm a Democrat just like Bill Clinton." Runners-up: Chad VerHoef - "Building a 'Better America' starts with you, right here." Clint Fuller - "Employing a new Democratic speech strategy, John Edwards will now end every sentence with a hand gesture and the phrase 'In my pants.'"

Soapbox Prophets Article
First of all before I start this rant I would like to send my respect and congrats to James and Deb! Love those 2 players, fantastic people. Now my rant here isn't attacking the lead singer, just making a statement. As a lead singer of a band that has been playing in Des Moines for 6 years, the statement saying that she "leaves other local female rockers in the dust." is disrespectful to the other female singers here in Des Moines. Honestly I think that her vocals are depressing, as well as speaking to her. There isn't a personallity there. What I want to say is simple, you don't say that you are the best unless you are, I think there are other singers that blow her out of the water, me being one of them. This is more of an attack on whoever wrote the article and not her personally. I realize that you are just trying to get the readers interested in her, but lets be honest, you also said that Caliegh from 3AM was the best singer in Des Moines, and that was a big stretch considering that she can only sing Karoke!! I am upset that this is the way that people have to be, bad mouthing other vocalist to make themselves look better, really how desparate. That's all she wrote folks!

Granny Snatchers
As a human services professional who assists elderly Iowans on a daily basis I find your title for this article not only offensive but so far from the truth. I am not an employee of the Iowa Department of Human Services but I do have extensive knowledge about Iowa's Dependent Adult Abuse laws and what DHS can and cannot do.

The program I coordinate emphasizes and insists that those we assist have total freedom of choice as to accepting our services and to which services they wish to accept to assist them to maintain their independence. During the past 4 years I have directly assisted nearly 400 elderly persons in four rural counties. In only 3 cases have I found it necessary to seek assistance via the courts to protect adults from themselves or a caretaker. This is not the picture that is presented to the casual reader of this article.

Where is your publication's (as well as other's) multi page article when an elderly person or dependent adult is killed, exploited or otherwise mistreated? If it was a child it would be splashed all over your pages day after day, week after week. This type of journalism only promotes the ageism which already exists. Billions are spent annually in the United States on failed programs for children while only about 3% of what our nation spends on abuse prevention and intervention is earmarked for adults; and in Iowa we are fortunate to have an elder abuse program which has demonstrated year after year its successes. Unfortunately, this programs is only available in 19 Iowa counties because of the short-sightedness of our law makers; while at the same time they ear marked in excess of 8 million dollars for bricks and mortar for a new school at the Iowa Juvenile Home -- a school for about 100 children who are probably there because of other failed child abuse programs.

Perhaps you should visit wiht professionals who work "in the trenches" on daily basis before taking one isolated incident and with a single article title suggest we are, "Granny Snatchers".

I.D. Please
A week ago I turned 21, and since then I've purchased alcoholic beverages from several establishments, including a sporting event and a liquor store. I was even surprised to the fact that when I went to the liquor store, there was a Police Officer standing in the corner of the store, keeping an eye on me, and the clerk still didn't I.D. me.. Turning 21 is suppose to be sort of fun to get I.D.'ed, so you can "show" the world you're of age. The one time I've been I.D.'ed was when I went to Prairie Meadows. I think its pathetic that some people are more concerned about letting someone gamble, than selling them alcohol.

People Making A Difference Article
Really surprised to see 'Paul Trostle' on the "People Making A Difference" list. As a former employee, this guy is number one on my list of TRUE PUNKS. Treating people and employees as his own personal floormat.. Why? Because he has money and a mouth???

Exit ramp scammers
I am still stunned from what I witnessed this morning as I sit here writing this. On my way to Johnston, (going under Interstate 80) I noticed 2 people at the exit ramps with signs. One, a female proclaimed to be homeless on her sign, and on the opposite ramp, a male whose sign stated he was stranded. My first reaction to these people is a mixture of empathy, ( years ago, I was stranded coming back from the west coast, and if not for the generosity of strangers, I am not sure where I may have ended up) and one of contempt, ( the possibility that they may be scammers )which usually makes me feel guilty. After passing these individuals, I stopped at Perkins for lunch, and on leaving, I encountered the 2 people I had seen on the exit ramps with 2 more getting out of a newer truck. While crossing the parking lot, the male I had seen was counting their take for the day, and I heard him comment that they had enough today that they were done working. This again, was as they were going into Perkins to eat!! I am now officially jaded enough to never give someone money at an exit ramp again. I am asking anyone who has given money to these predators to seriously reconsider how best to help people in desperate situations. Take the time to find a shelter, a soup kitchen, church, or some other organization, and give them that money instead. By not doing this, not only are you condoning the behavior of these people without a conscience, you are hurting those organizations that truly do help those in such need.

Jarod Fleck Snow Removal
I noticed in your "It's Your Money" section that Jarod Fleck Snow Removal charged the city $5,625 for snow removal on Feb 8, Feb 16 and Mar 21, billed at $100 / hr. That means young Jarod worked almost 19 hours a day for three days to remove snow from a cul-de-sac . . . . We had less than 2 inches worth of snow on Feb 8 . . . and it took 19 hours to remove??? Keep up the great work Jarod !! You make Ramona Cunningham proud ! -- Josh D Des Moines

Mother in-laws
I just wanted to know if anyone has a problem with in-laws? I have a mother in-laws from __! She has no respect for me and said to my father in-law I'm a bad mother. Anyone to join in, please feel free! I can use it :)

How Bush has blown it again and again
You have got to be kidding me! Can anyone tell which side of the fence this Dem [Jonathan Wilson]is straddling? How stinking obvious can he be? So, what he's telling us is that the Dems have NO SAY in any of the policy on Capitol Hill? Everything that has happened is the President's fault? And he thinks his statement ..... President Bush's track record in the Oval Office, across the board, is abysmal and embarrassing. In fact, it makes me nostalgic for the day when the only thing being blown in the Oval Office was the President himself..... is supposed to make the Dems look capable of running this country? Give me a break!

Hospital Acquired Infections
Quote: [The only way to ensure accurate reporting would be for some regulatory/accrediting/licensing agency to make surprise spot checks.] I don't see why they [hospitals] couldn't hire inspectors to be on duty in every hospital. They do it for the meat industry. But that would give the medical industry one more reason to raise fees.

Bad Road Signs
Yesterday I hit a deer. It seems like everyday I almost hit one. The deer propulation appears to be out of control. I hit my deer next to a deer crossing sign. I have noticed that a lot of deer get hit near these deer crossing signs. It seems to me that the county is picking poor places for the signs. Why would they tell deer to cross at the most hazardous places? I know that deer are not that smart but for the county to intentionally put up signs that lead them to their deaths is irresponsible. Let's get them fixed to prevent accidents.

Hospital Acquired Infections
My family watched my mother die within 24 hours of an infection being diagnosed...the source of the infection was her I.V. site. We have filed a lawsuit and yes, it is truly an uphill battle, but so many basic procedures were violated that we hope to seek justice for my mother. I wholeheartedly support the bill requiring hospitals to report; however, having worked in the healthcare field for over 30 years, I know that "bodies" will be buried and reporting will probably not be accurate. The only way to ensure accurate reporting would be for some regulatory/accrediting/licensing agency to make surprise spot checks.

If the curtains don't match the rug, you're a sell out!
Regarding the East Village niche. This kind of venue would likely attract more professional single women to DSM's. The kind of women that buy downtown studio apartments and lofts. Moreover this could provide professional metro men of DSM w/ an entirely new demographic of datable women. Not the usual needy, under educated, under achievers that crawl through DSM bars looking for a daddy. Down w/ blonde 'Stupid Girls'. If the curtains don't match the rug, you're a sell out!

Bring Minneapolis to East Village
Des Moines' formerly 'gay' district, now commonly know as East Village, is currently attempting to revitalize itself. Unfortunately, East Village has not yet found it's niche among the bars, bridal shops, music stores, restaurants, clothing stores, art galleries, etc. Collectively, this area could be a very bohemian area w/ it's vintage warehouses and buildings. However, the risk is that if East Village's original gay community doesn't define itself the area could become very commercial. Check out this place...this is the kind of business that East Village needs. The Gay '90s 408 Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55401 (612) 333-7755 http://www.gay90s.com/ In Short, this place has it all: drag shows, leather, three dance floors, two restaurants, seven bars, male strippers and straight chicks from the suburbs. The drinks are like the bouncers: big and strong. There are daily drink and meal specials, including all-you-can eat chicken dinners, 2-for-1 drinks and a soul food weekend brunch. The dance floor is low-key on weekdays, but a mix of gays and straights pack the place on weekends.

East Village Niche
I noticed that Blazing Saddle provides entertainment for gay men and indirectly straight women. As a 35 year old straight woman, I've been to a LOT of lame bridal showers and tame bachelorette parties in DSM. Many adult women choose to throw there bachelorette parties either out of state in cities w/ markets that service the straight adult women. This is often pricey, but something that professional women are willing to budget for, i.e. flights, hotel rooms, etc. Low budget bachelorette parties end up in gay bars anyway. My question to the gay community is why not capitalize on progressive bridal showers/bachelorette parties. On any given Friday or Saturday night, I see 3-5 bachelorette parties disrupting local bars and restaurants for lack of a venue. Several bars are already marketing themselves as a spot to host bachelorette parties and capitalizing themselves. It seems to me that gay men love to dress brides, cater events and dance. Straight women love to be brides,throw events and watch hot men dance. It's the perfect marriage of cultures for the East Village. I see lots of marketing cross sell opportunities in the way of hotel rooms, limo's, catering, florists, bridal shops, etc. I also see merchandising opportunities for places like Dr. John's and Romatix. I think this event concept would be win/win for the East Village and the gay community. While satisfying a need for straight ADULT women of DSM. Another problem that I've see is that bridal showers and bachelorette parties are typically held separately, due to matronly relatives and straight male family members. By hosting bridals shower (w/ beautiful cater waiters) that transitions into a bachelorette parties; matronly relatives and straight male relatives have the opportunity to leave before the show begins. During this transition 'Meet and Greet' period, the bar could be opened to the public whereby casual friends and colleagues can pay a cover to party and see the show. Following the show would be a dance club scene. Another untapped market is the 'Desperate Wives' demographic. These women might be interested in seeing an erotic performance of hot young men. Husbands could take comfort in the fact that the entertainers are gay.

Adult entertainment for women in DSM...where is it?????
It was recently brought to my attention that at one time, The Foxy Lady and Pandora's Box featured male strippers. Unfortunately, these shows were either not marketed well or marketed incorrectly to straight adult women. Nonetheless, I never had the opportunity to enjoy these hotties. So, I'm curious as to why this entertainment was discontinued? Surely, not for lack of a market given on any Friday or Saturday night in DSM, 3-5 bachelorette parties are disrupting local bars and restaurants for lack of a venue. To add insult to my disappointment, when I watch 'My Sweet Sixteen' on MTV, I see 16 year old girls interviewing dancers for their parties. As a 30 something woman, this makes me jealous that in more progressive parts of this country, girls younger than I have adult entertainment available to them. Yet in DSM, where are no less than 5 strip clubs that cater to straight men, there is no entertainment for me and my peers. Moreover, several bars in DSM have already targeted the bachelorette market and are currently marketing themselves as a spot to host (lame/tame) parties. I'm curious as to why more DSM strip clubs don't capitalize on bachelorette parties too. I see lots of marketing cross sell and merchandising opportunities in the way of limo's, Dr. John's, Romatix, etc. Another market to explore is the 'Desperate Wives' demographic. For these women I'd suggest a monthly amateur night featuring hot men competing for a cash prize. Let's hope that someday DSM will give ups it's redneck mentality so that straight women can have a little something to look at too.

Local Artists
I saw some artistic painting by Andrea, don't remember last name, at the "Deck of Cards" art show last Winder. Does anyone know how I can get a hold of her? I'd like to commission some paintings.

Immigration Law Protesters
It is reported that the illegals and their supporters, the so-called millions who marched across the country, are now planning a national work boycot for one day to bring this country to it's knees. Amazingly, when these same illegals and their dominions of supporters marched, the country went on that day with business as usual without as much as a sliver of notice, of which was mainly provided only by the national leftist media. So a work boycot will be any more noticeable?

Top Ten List
Hilarious! Ret's Spend The Night Together. Love it! What songs from famous Chinese musicians are we banning? Oops, there are none.

In His Own Words
If mr. Brooks is so innocent all the time why is his name constantly coming up in connection with scandals and wrong doing? I for one remember the Water or no emergency radio during the Flood of 93. The southside needs to raise their voice or their IQ and get rid of this man.

Top Ten List
I sincerely hope that was a typo and not a cheap racist joke when you wrote "Ret's Spend the Night Together" (regarding the Stones playing China). And if it WAS a racist joke, not only am I highly offended, but I should point out it was an ignorant racist joke because it is the Japanese -- not the Chinese -- that do not have the letter "L" in their language and instead use "R." In any case, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

Civic Skinny
Where's the coverage of the StewStorm at the Capitol? Civic Skinny wrote Lundby off last summer and had her buried (literally.) Apparently this has been brewing for a few weeks and you didn't hear anything about it?

CIETC scandal
This is why it isn't OK for elected officials to lie, under oath or not, about whose sandbox their sperm plays in. Despite what Tom Harkin (can he claim he had a minor stroke too, or did ARchie use up that defense?) said repeatedely during the blue dress fiasco, it "ain't not nobody's business" when elected officials shag the secretary and lie about it -- because elected officials, even on Archie's level, have huge power - to leverage the secretary into abject submissiveness and-or to reward her-him with the taxpayer's money. Harkin was the most public defender of his President when he lied under oath about his sperm's attraction to trailer trash. So now, Harkin's lost memory just makes inquiring minds think he's been boinking her too.I'm taking a poll does Ramona have KCCI anchorwoman potential, or not?

ISU basketball
There may be a problem. One never knows.However, the source clearly has no idea what he/she is talking about. A $50K check doesn't leave the athletics department without somebody knowing about it? If the source had read any of the stories, he/she would know that the athletics director reviewed the agreement and approved it before it was executed. Whatever happened, there is not a bit of evidence at this point that anybody was trying to do anything in secret or cover up anything later.

winners-losers
You guys missed the point. Skyler Bartels was Marc Hansen's April Fool's joke and it was better than any of yours because it sucked everyone in, even the big media boys. Plus, it demonstrated that the Gannett Outlet Store IS TOO relavant. It showed that they have real power -- they can make an idiot doing nothing significant into a major news story. So, why not collect advertising fees for front page stories? If Skyler is a front page story, what on earth is sacredly non-commercial about it?

Regularly Irregular
I read this article (on the throne, of course) and wondered, has all the controversy left the planet and this is all you have to write about? If I want to read crap (pun intended) I can pick up the Register. Sadly, this article confirms what I have known since I moved to Iowa: people here are ANAL.

Dsm Register
The Register always prints some neocon comparison of Bush to Lincoln, Ghandi, Reagan or Jesus but would they print this letter? No. Dear Editors: To those conservatives who compare Bush to Abraham Lincoln, I would like to make a more apt comparison between Warren G Harding and George W Bush. Both were governors from major states.Both are seen as extremely likable but without much intellect. Both appointed cronies to high level cabinet posts that proceeded to auction off the nations natural resources. Both owed their elections to Big Oil and both allowed them to reap massive profits through illegal means. Both were professed Christians who out of the public eye did not practice what they professed. Both encouraged an unregulated business culture and unregulated federal spending that resulted in economic chaos after office. Neither were self made men. Both had a republican controlled congress that abdicated their authority. Harding's popularity was in a downward spiral due to multiple scandals just as Mr. Bush. Harding didn't start a war because he died under mysterious circumstances in his third year. The GOP of today bears no resemblance to the beliefs of Abraham Lincoln or Theodore Roosevelt. In the future, the GOP will invoke the Bush name about as much as they do Warren G Harding. Sincerely Carl Kulczyk

Constipation
At first I held my nose! But, as I read it got funnier and funnier. At last I was laughing hysterically. It was well written, maintaining its satirical tone throughout.

Constipation
Hilarious! I bust a gut laughing. And my friends loved it too. Pure genius.

Lesbos Envy
Too funny! You almost had us.

prejudice gender/orientation bias
Why doesn't Lazer 103.3 or another DSM Radio Group station promote 'Rock Bois' in conjunction w/ 'Rock Girls'? It seems to me that this station is contributing to a prejudice gender/orientation bias that is pervasive in this culture and especially this city. I'd like to see hot boys paraded around in bars and restaurants promoting Lazer or some other DSM RDG station.

Lazer already promotes an armature night once a month that is marketed as a straightmans sporting event. In keeping w/ fairness, I suggest that Lazer or another DSM Radio Group station promote a bachelorette and/or Boi's night featuring 'Rock Boi's or local male dancers. I also suggest that they provide more fund raising contests (e.g. AIDS, breast cancer), where local girl/boi's can volunteer as entertainers. I think my suggestions would lend to a better local image for Lazer and help eliminate gender pragmatist. Perhaps DSM Radio Group would like to make The Garden, Blazing Saddles and/or The Frathouse business partners. Nonetheless, if they are unwilling to work w/ the gay community to elevate biases, then I propose that the DSM Radio Group leverage there existing business partner a.k.a. The Lumber Yard to provide more well rounded adult entertainment.

I've reviewed the Saga Communications, Inc. statement to investor relations. One paragraph is worth noting. It reads" In operating its stations, Saga concentrates on the development of strong decentralized local management, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the stations in their market area and is compensated based on their financial performance as well as other performance factors that are deemed to effect the long-term ability of the stations to achieve financial objectives."

NOTE:"compensated based on their financial performance as well as other performance factors"¦ I wonder if the board of directors of Saga Communications would qualify marketing relationships w/ local adult entertainments club(s) as an appropriate means of reaching Saga's financial goals. If so, I think that a publicly held company should enforce equal opportunity entertainment regardless of orientation.

Immigration Law Protesters
Half a million people protesting in California over proposed strengthening of immigration laws. What a perfect opportunity it would have been to surround them all with the U.S. Army and march them back to Mexico where they belong.

TouchPlay
No on Setback of TouchPlay Ban.
I applaud the overwhelming support by our state legislators to ban the Iowa Lottery TouchPlay machines and the removal of all machines by the designated May 4th deadline. I encourage our state senators to vote no on House File 2747 which would setback the ban an additional four months until September 1st.

During the recent TouchPlay debate in the Senate and the House chambers, very little discussion was spent on the economic impact to the compulsive gambler - the thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars lost by one problem gambler in the last year. What economic assistance will be offered to the compulsive gambler? What will be the social impact on the children of the addicted gambler? What assistance will be offered if any?

Iowa values can't be gambled with. I urge our legislators to vote no on House File 2747.

TouchPlay
Senators - Do the Right Thing.
What about the good-faith partnerships with the citizens of the state of Iowa? The state should protect its citizens from the predatory practices of the TouchPlay industry. The Des Moines Register recently reported many of the TouchPlay retailers were located in lower to working class neighborhoods: the citizenry who can least afford the "entertainment value" of the TouchPlay. The Lottery itself should be held responsible for its reckless behavior. The Iowa Lottery Authority developed and solicited these video slot machines without full disclosure to its citizens or, for that fact, the Iowa legislature. The people of Iowa want these machines removed now, not September 1st or thereafter.

Iowa Values Can't Be Gambled With
I applaud the overwhelming support by our state legislators in the ban of the Iowa Lottery's TouchPlay machines. State Senator Larry McKibben and Representative Danny Carroll should be praised for their leadership on this issue.

I agree with Senator McKibben's assessment that the machines will cause adverse social problems in our communities if allowed to remain. Representative Danny Carroll is correct in his statement 'The people of Iowa don't want these regulated. They want them eliminated.'

Thank you Senator McKibben and State Representative Carroll for stopping the expansion of gambling in our neighborhoods. I cannot thank each of you enough for all of your hard work and perseverance. It's true that Iowa values can't be gambled with.

You and the party have made it crystal clear that the only reason you value Fallon is because he keeps a State Leg seat warm in a reliably Democratic district.

So go for it - get out the pitchforks and torches and get rid of the liberals. Have yourself a good ol' purge - if you dare.

Blouin's team needs Fallon out of the race more than Culver does. They don't want the money and support Fallon currently enjoys going to Culver should Fallon quit - Fallon supporters could mostly make the transition and support Culver because he's less visibily entrenched to money intrests, less GOP-lite, and is reliably pro-choice. They want the liberals that make up the party support to go home and stay home because if Culver has them in his camp, Blouin is dead at the primary and he and his campaign know it.

From McCoy's point-of-view, if the liberals go independent and get their asses kicked in the general and are pushed back into the party because of the dynamics of the two-party system, all the better. It'll make them more supportive of the party in the future.

Christianity,religion, capitalism
Why does capitalism and Christianity(religion in general) get credit for all the good in the world but none of the bad? Frankly, both have caused more deaths and ill-will in the world than about any other cause. The Christian god is supposedly loving but if he is the author of all things he has killed more babies than all of the abortionists throughout history through childhood diseases and birth defects. If any of the kids survive it is called a miracle but isn't he the source of their misery or illness? It is my understanding that our species has been around for over 100,000 years. Organized religions, such as the Jewish and Christian faiths, had their origins no more than 4,000 years ago. Our species got along without organized religion for better that 90 percent of the time we have been on the planet. Isn't it about time we disavowed our belief in such irrelevant and dangerous ideas? Both the Koran and Bible have passages that demand that their adherents strike down heretics, apostates and unbelievers. Moderates ignore or didn't bother reading those sections of those "holy" texts that promote and demand intolerance. It is the fundamentalists of both religions who have throughly read those texts that advocate violence. If the moderates can't rein in the wingnuts and disavow the sections of those texts that advocate violence then it is time to get tough with religion and advocate that we can no longer tolerate religion because it threatens our survival as a species.

The same is true of capitalism. If capitalism so great why does only a small group benefit from it? Here in the USA 1 percent of the population has nearly 40% of all the nations assets or wealth. Yet the wealthiest seek to get the tax burden on themselves reduced even when this government protects their interests and has given them the lion's share of all the benefits. My thinking is that most of us will never benefit substantially from capitalism so why shouldn't the wealthy pay all the federal income taxes? The top 20 percent already pays 82% of the federal taxes. It doesn't seem to have prevented them from buying multiple luxury homes, cars and yachts so they should be able to handle the other 18 percent as well.

In addition, according to the recent Des Moines Register Iowa Poll, 68% of Iowans support prohibiting the installation of new TouchPlay machines. Only 7% of Iowans believe there are not enough gambling opportunities in Iowa.

Let's not forget the words of Ed Stanek when recently being questioned by Iowa lawmakers " They look like and appear to operate the same (as slot machines)". If the TouchPlay machines walk like ducks and talk like ducks - it's a Iowa Lottery slot machine.

The current 5,600 TouchPlay machines and additional 4,900 orders waiting in the wings of greed are a serious threat to the welfare of our local communities. When is enough - enough? Why do we need TouchPlay machines in every local convenience store, neighborhood grocery store, bowling alley, laundry mat, etc.? It's time to stop Ed Stanek and the Iowa Lottery dead in their tracks. Let's stop robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The only thing you have going is your "paper" is at at least college publication level, while Juice is at a high school level.

Publisher's note: Read closely. It's not our Best Of list. It's our readers' Best Of list.