Posted December 16, 2024in Stray Thoughts
A public policy dispute over plans for about 1,000 miles of carbon dioxide pipeline across Iowa took a concerning turn last week. The pipeline company’s latest tactic demonstrates why Iowa should finally pass an anti-SLAPP statute that has been floating around the Legislature for a few years. Iowa Capital Dispatch
Read More →
Posted December 09, 2024in Stray Thoughts
When and why did the United States turn into such a cesspool of hatred? Some people may disagree with that characterization. But events last week have or should put those questions front and center because the kind of cold-hearted reaction we have witnessed is disgusting. See what you think: About
Read More →
Posted December 03, 2024in Stray Thoughts
Many people would rather get their teeth drilled than discuss economics. If you are one of them, dial up your dentist, because today’s topic probably will make you uncomfortable. Some politicians like to talk about other countries “stealing” the jobs of American workers. The politicians would have us believe these
Read More →
Posted November 18, 2024in Stray Thoughts
I was asked to speak last week at the annual conference of the National Freedom of Information Coalition. My remarks boiled down to a simple message: The public needs more information *about* their governments, not more secrecy *from* their governments. I explained a troubling trend I see worming its way
Read More →
Posted November 13, 2024in Stray Thoughts
Last week, I bumped into an Appanoose County woman I have known for several years. She thanked me and the nonprofit organization I manage for shining the spotlight on the actions of Centerville Community School District leaders. This mother told me I was responsible for her spending part of a
Read More →
Posted October 28, 2024in Stray Thoughts
It’s a challenge, but not impossible, to find topics on which Republicans and Democrats share the same view these days. Here’s one: Election Day means we can all celebrate the end of those infernal television commercials. My tolerance for these ads has never been high. One reason is the way
Read More →
Posted October 14, 2024in Stray Thoughts
A family acquaintance was on Vice President Dick Cheney’s Secret Service detail during George W. Bush’s presidency. His Christmas photo one year was a portrait of him, his wife and Cheney together at a White House reception. Back then, the agent entertained us with stories of people lining the streets
Read More →
Posted September 30, 2024in Stray Thoughts
Talk about lousy optics — and I am not referring to out-of-style eyeglasses. Public perception is the topic for today. There were a couple of recent news nuggets that illustrate in different ways an uncomfortable fact of life in Iowa — that too many state and local government officials are
Read More →
Posted September 23, 2024in Stray Thoughts
Thirty-three years ago on a snowy Friday in November, the nightmare of mass school shootings shocked Iowa like it has never been shocked before. It was 3:40 p.m. A former University of Iowa graduate student with a brilliant scientific mind, and a .38-caliber revolver, walked into a conference room in
Read More →
Posted September 09, 2024in Stray Thoughts
I have fielded a bunch of emails, text messages and phone calls in the days since the school shooting in Winder, Georgia. Each one is from Perry, Iowa. Each one had the same question for me and the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. Each one came from a parent, teacher
Read More →
