“I give myself very good advice, but I very seldom follow it.” That’s the opening line of a song sung by Alice in the musical about her Wonderland adventures. It resonates with me because, a generation ago, our daughter Tamra was Alice in the Valerius Elementary School (Urbandale) production of
Read More →Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller called Tuesday to express his dissatisfaction with our editorial from Sept. 13 suggesting that he should retire. We expressed the opinion that, after 28 years in office, it is time for Miller to move on and make way for a successor with the fire and
Read More →Jimmy Carter came out of Georgia in the political campaign season of 1975 to run for president. This unknown (to Iowans) Georgia governor could relate to Iowa farmers, being one himself. He swept the Democratic caucuses, the first ever held, and was propelled into the White House. Iowa has ever
Read More →My most vivid memories of my paternal grandmother date from my childhood, when my family and I visited Grandma and Grandpa Kirsch at their home in Fairmont, Minn. I remember Grandma hugging me and asking me how I was and generally making a big deal out of me. I pretended
Read More →Yes, the Iowa precinct caucuses for the 2016 presidential election are still some 30 months away — January 2016. But the zaniness of the caucus process and zealotry of the religious/political right in Iowa is in full flower — with all the quirks and folly that made the 2012 caucuses
Read More →Des Moines leaders have shown great foresight when it comes to downtown. One in particular is John Forsyth, the chief executive officer of Wellmark. It’s been great to watch the improvements and development in downtown over the past decade, including, among other things: The Iowa Events Center and Veterans Auditorium;
Read More →The New York Times is at it again, just as it should be. David Leonhardt wrote a column entitled “Why abortion is not like other issues” (July 14). Seemingly, both Republicans and Democrats “can make a strong case that the other party has an extreme view.” It’s life vs. choice,
Read More →“Iowans don’t want a governor and Branstad is as close as they can get.” That characterization of Gov. Terry Branstad was offered decades ago by then Des Moines Register columnist Donald Kaul. Now, after Branstad is back in office after a 12-year hiatus, an update would be: “Branstad likes being
Read More →With all the great races enjoyed by the folks who journeyed to Drake Stadium for the USA Track and Field championships, maybe it’s to be expected that they should have to endure one troubling, one vastly disappointing performance at the vaunted “blue oval.” And the weather — you know, so-called
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Oh where, oh where has my watchdog gone?
Jubilation and consternation went hand-in-hand with the news of the settlement of Michael Gartner’s lawsuits against the Iowa Public Radio Board. He successfully sued the Board for two blatant violations of the state open meetings law when it fired the IPR executive director. While the case ended without a trial,
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