Congratulations on the new gazette.com page! I’m still becoming familiar with the new look and system, but I’m also hopeful that our online community will move on and prosper. Thanks to the Gazette staff for your hard work.
Overall I love the new website. I would however like it if the threading of posts was back in place in order to make it easier to tell who’s talking to whom.
I really like having real names attached to comments. Although I think a special exception should be made for the “Bruce Aune’s Mustache” guy from the old site. Best message board handle ever.
Wow. This new commenting system is kind of awful. Threading is terrible, we don’t get to see what readers think of peoples’ posts, and the admin is still intrusive.
I have to be more careful about what I say since my name is being used. But all my posts are backed with documentation so anyone who I name by name or title and wants to give me a hard time feel free. I am always ready with my two foot stack of documents.
I find it strange that since the Gazette and KCRG are both owned by the same parent company that KCRG did not also switch over to the new commenting system when the Gazette did but instead remains on the old one. Does KCRG have plans to switch to the same one the Gazette now uses sometime in the future?
“To take our country back” is an euphemism us whites use meaning “we want the Presidency back in a white person’s command”. Think back to the time when Jack Johnson became the 1st non-white to gain the World boxing crown. Racism is alive & well, especially when the detractors can’t comprehend the fact that our current President has diverted the US economy from the 2nd Great Depression.
(Regarding Dave Rasdal’s piece on Muckersville’s Obama’s Stimulus): I guess Dick Rockhill wouldn’t have liked Teddy Roosevelt’s strategy for the US economy when Roosevelt was President either. Dick Rockhill is aptly named.
How nice it is that a teenage rock band has taken up residence in a garage in our quiet little neighborhood along 1st Avenue in Marion. How nice it is that the Marion PD is apparently unwilling to do anything unless one of us steps forward and allows the cops to come into OUR homes and take a noise meter reading from there, instead of them just patrolling the area once an hour and checking the music with the meter from the street level. They’ve been made aware of the issue by several of us in the neighborhood, so what’s wrong with them doing random checks every night from about 4:30 to 10pm, to SEE how loud these kids play, instead of opening the neighbors up to possible retaliation by the kids if they find out who called the cops? And FYI to the cops? Just because the kids TOLD you that they shut down at 8pm doesn’t mean they actually DO. And when the actual band isn’t playing, the kid that lives there is out in the garage, drumming nearly non-stop, from the time he gets home from school until into the evening hours. Too bad the parents of these kids don’t chip in and rent them space somewhere that’s NOT in a residential area so they can play until their little hearts are content. Would be nice to be able to enjoy our peaceful neighborhood once more, but I guess it’s just too much to expect.
Really? Would you rather they be smoking pot in their basement? Or devising ways to vandalize your property or steal you things? I can’t believe you’re upset about teenagers using their time and excess energy constructively. I’ll switch neighbors with you – we have a rental next door and my dogs constantly get fleas from their outdoor cats, I’m pretty sure one of the guys that lives there is dealing drugs and beating his pregnant girlfriend, and we’re lucky if they mow the lawn once every two months. PUHLEASE.
Got an “Easy Peasy” voting postcard in the mail from the Democrats today. Do they really think it is a good idea for us to drop a postcard in the mail that displays our full name, address, birthdate, phone and either our DL# or the last four SS. I might as well just stake the info in our frontyard. I think I prefer voting in person, thanks.
So, after two years the Republican’s response as to how to best direct America back on track is to (trumpets blaring): Resort back to the levels of 2008?!?!?!?
Someone should remind them that 2008 was the year of the 2nd largest financial meltdown in US history. I guess in 2014 they’re again gonna offer an economically-challenged candidate (his own definition) for president and an equally tactless, blowhard quitter as his sidekick.
Good luck to the poor soul who logs onto kcrg.com expecting to get rational feedback from the online commenters. Most comments are crude and juvenile. Do we want to prove that Eastern Iowans are really that ignorant?
Does someone care to tell the users of this brand new, mostly spiffy web site if/how we can find the syndicated columnists and guest columnists in order to comment on their columns? It used to be under the opinion tab but so far it appears to be non existent. The sports coumnists, Jennifer Hemmingsen and Todd Dorman are easy to find but not so with the other usual columnists, syndicated or guest.
Also, where’s the link on the home page for this column? I only found my way here from a post on another user’s page. The path at the top suggests “What’s On Your Mind Today?” is found under “Local News” but if I go to that page it’s not there.
Interesting thoughts- no flood protection needed in Cedar Rapids- if you study the river elevations that occurred in the few days prior to the record crest of 6-13-2008 and recorded every 15 minutes by the City =the following could be observed: When the river level reach the 8th Ave bridge and the train derailed- the river rose four feet upstream within four hours. When the river level reach the bottom of the 2nd railroad bridge across from Tait Cummins Ball Park- which is a solid six foot high concrete structure with no flow through design which crosses completly across the main channel of the Cedar River- the river rose seven feet in six hours. This man-made occurance shows that the City may not have had flooding in the downtown area and in Czech Village as well as west of Ellis Blvd NW. Thus the City is already able to control a twenty four foot crest- and if the same 2008 occurance happend- it could have only been a twenty four foot rather than thirty one foot crest had the City mandated that the bridge near Tait Cummins not be allowed and also that no trains be allowed on a bridge that restricts flow for a river. Also the river dredging which occurred in the 1960′s/1970′s also help drop the elevation of the river. All these things that can occur right now-without a levy system and could be put into play. A study really needs to be done on what “actualy occurred” before simply trying to build a levy. Look at the data and decide how this happend- you will see this is a man-made disaster.
On the Alliant raise. They slod the DAE plant, then the transmition lines and had a huge resort that costed too much. They want more money from us to waste! I think not. That’s a no brainer for the utilites board.
On “thegazette.com” do you think it would be possible to have more NEWS on the front page? The home page is nearly 70% sports, and this time of the year that means 70% Hawkeyes. Ugh. Can I please have news back on the front page instead of having to hunt for it?
I would LOVE to see a political debate between Fox’s Bill O’Reilly & Glenn Beck on one side and Rachel Maddow & Keith Obermann on the other. Now THAT would be worth watching !!!!!!
Did the Gazette make changes again to its new site? For the last four days I’ve seen no comments I’ve made appear on my user page. They appear under the story or letter they’re posted to but not on my page. I’ve noticed this for other users as well so its not just me. This makes it very hard to remember where I’ve commented in the past to be able to go back and check for replies or to follow others. If the Gazette has changed this feature it really needs to explain this and the reason for the change to the users of this site. If it’s a problem they haven’t been able to fix yet then please also make that apparent to users so they know the Gazette is working on fixing this problem. I’ve emailed the pertinent persons regarding this but so far have gotten no response back.
On today’s article about traffic cameras and your credit. I thought the cameras were not about the money! If that is the case than going after someones credit rating should not even be considered. The cameras were put in in the name of “PUBLIC SAFETY”. Shame on you Cedar Rapids City Council,there must be a better way of generating income.
TP/GOP = the Family values party. I LOL. they are maybe the party of the sopranos (NY Gov candidate) or the Osbournes (O’Donnell, Angle, Paul, etc). Definitely not the party of flag, apple pie and baseball.
if the 3 judges are willing, Culver should reappoint them to the Court. therre is nothing that says they cannot be reappointed. then the TP?GOP can shell out more of their millions od $.
Isn’t it great that Minnesota Vikings name a new interim coach and NO MEDIUM reported his ethnicity as a major factor (like they usually do with minorities)? Ah, “Progress”…. it’s a beautiful thing!!!!
Diana Nollen & I agree, “Mary Poppins national touring production is a delight”. However – sorry Diana, my parrot-head umbrella purchased after a London performance won’t, try as I may, fly me anywhere.
I can’t believe that the poor woman who was attacked by 2 dogs cannot get some compensation for what she went through! What is wrong with the prosecutor’s office? There should have been someone assigned to take over for the one that couldn’t show up.
Right now I am wondering about the State of our legal system. A male judge and male lawyers just told a friend of mine she has to send her 2 children to her ex for a month OR she could choose they go for 10 days and she can do jail for 10 days. Only problem- she has the 2 kids in daycare and gets state assistance. So judge, let me explain.. that means she has to pay to hold the spot for 2 kids OR loose the spots. Dad isn’t paying so Mom will have to. Why make her lose her daycare only to have to find another one for 2 kids. At the very least, Dad should be paying. Being on State Assistance makes it more difficult.. and the kids have to readjust to another daycare. For WHAT?? I told her to get herself a female lawyer and go back to court.
I wonder if Norm Parker saw the great defensive play that Palamalu made, that turned a Pittsburg defeat into a win with about 2 minutes left in the game. It is called a “Blitz”.
Loved today’s article on Peanuts’ 60th anniversary. Now if the Gazette would wise up and start reprinting old Peanuts comic strips instead of some of what pas ses for comics today. A lot of comics readers are young enough to have mis sed out on the first 20-30 years of Peanuts strips in newspapers to make this a viable option the Gazette should consider.
The UConn womens’ basketball team is now 89-0 after beating Florida St, breaking John Wooden’s old UCLA record. Who says womens’ basketball isn’t worth watching or writing about?
about chihuahua shot by arrow – Will he start shooting at people next? Many serial killers start with animals. Maybe an appropriate punishment would be assigning him to an animal shelter to help take care of the animals.
about chihuahua shot by arrow – Will he start shooting at people next? Maybe an appropriate punishment would be assigning him to an animal shelter to help take care of the animals.
If you notice, all the posts on here that don’t disappear have a “real” name Jan, so that might be it. Maybe if you use a “last name” as well maybe your posts will stay up as welll. It doesn’t have to be your “real” last name. Just a thought.
About the Derrell Johnson-Koulianos plea deal – Didn’t they stop a bit short in reducing the charges? Couldn’t they have totally exonerated him, held a parade, and given him a medal and the keys to the city?
Seeing the Gov. wants to treat public employees like the private sector perhaps we could sell the Gov. mansion and save all the money it takes to upkeep. He could commute, move or even rent an apt. and go home on the week-ends. Or maybe we could give him a voucher towards his expense. Why should we keep him. After all he applied for the job and got it and he does get a salary. Lets treat him like the private sector.
Please, please, please someone tell me that the issue of blowing innocent mourning doves out of the skies is not taking up valuable Legislature time this session. Surely the Legislature can find more pressing needs to earn the paychecks that the taxpayers provide for them
I totally disagree with the Supreme Court decision regarding freedom of speech! Specifically the sick,sick people protesting at military funerals. These individuals obviously need mental help.And seeing on TV one of them kicking the American flag along in the grass,and another wearing the flag over his shoe walking on it, has got to be desecrating.I feel so sad for these military families,that America has allowed this to continue.
Gotta love the hype of the GOP being the party of fiscal responsibility. All you have to do is read the “Votes in Congress” section in the Sunday paper to reveal their real priorities. This week, our Republican representatives in the Capitol voted to continue funding the “Bridge to Nowhere” in Alaska…A half billion fiasco. And then they voted unanimously to continue providing $40 billion dollars to the fat cat oil companies who are in the midst of record profits, at our expense. Meanwhile, their proposed budget includes huge cuts in the funds to educate our children and care for the health and well being of children and woman in this country. I think their intentions are readily apparent. All you have to do is read this section every week to see whose side this party is truly representing.
I just love how some people on here only seem to have negative things to say about the city of Cedar Rapids. It doesn’t matter who was in charge, what they did or how they did it, these people never seem happy. Get over it. If this city is ever going to recover from the floods and move forward we need to see progress and development, and complaining about every proposal that’s put forth isn’t going to get the city anywhere. If people don’t like what’s happening then express that dissatisfaction the next election by voting people they don’t see as helping out of office. That’s what elections are for.
It is starting to show some signs of spring, one thing about Iowa winters, the new coming to life of stuff is invigorating. Even the first Robbins gives one a lift. So cheer up Lori, even some of our opinions that seem ” Negative ” to you, might spring a ray of positive enlightenment.
Let’s see…it says on the op ed page in today’s print edition there are more letters online, yet not even all the letters in the print edition are posted online.
Get real about taxes for roads…..rather than put GPS on all vehicles ,at what and who’s expense ….why not just raise the tax….this is just away for the government to keep better tabs on the citizens of this country….first it was the red light and speed cameras …..now it’s gps on all vehicles …..commercial vehicles already report their miles to each and every state in the form of fuel / milage reports every quarter I prefer to pay at the pump….not another bunch of paper work…..
WOW….front page of Gazette shows Troy Cooper of Wall-tech of Madison, WI busy working at the Linn County Juvenile Justice Center sawing metal WITH NO SAFETY GLASSES!!! OSHA would have a fit and so should Linn County and his employer.
Mary, I had the same exact thought. You would of thought someone in the chain of command to print would of caught this. However, this gentleman is from out-of-state and there is still this unresolved think called a “Local Labor Agreement” that is not resolved, You Think ?
Why is the police satellite office in Cedar Rapids called Community Connections and the one in Iowa City called Police Station. ??
On Your Mind
A House File exists to prohibit prisioners from using cell phones. Do we need to enact a state law for that? Why can’t the Warden rule what they can do or not do?
Because prisons are the most dangerous place to reside (violence, rape, drugs, and homemade weapons), all prisoners should be required to have and use cell phones with cameras. This would deter the state sponsored and prisoner created violence that goes on in these mismanaged institutions. When the prisoners time is up they might return to the community as productive citizens instead of the predatory animals our unjust penal system creates.
The print edition of the Gazette includes a page or two of national and international news, but none of those articles seem to be included in the online edition. Why not?
Likely because one can find those same stories on various websites, and the Gazette gets many of the national stories found in their print edition from the wire services.
What happens to the sales tax revenue if we don’t get the necessary matching funds? What are the contingency plans if everything doesn’t go as expected? When was the last time everything went as expected? One more question: Since we’re going to protect all our citizens, when did Rompot secede from the city?
Okay no voters–you won last Tuesday. Now stop posturing and get busy readying YOUR suggestions as to how you’d help this city move forward, and how you’d suggest the city pay for it. Then present THAT to the city council. You won the war, now it’s time to take responsibility and tell the city WHY you refused the extension and what you’d do instead. If the yes vote had won the extension, I’ll bet you’d have told them to explain exactly how they’d make sure the extra funds went to where they were meant to go. Works both ways.
I’ll say it again since the constant whiners don’t seem to get it:
To all the constant whiners who show up whenever Cedar Rapids decides to do something to move forward:
Either grow up and realize that some of your tax dollars will always be spent on something you disagree with or pick up and move somewhere else. Those of us who want this city to move forward, and are more than wiling to help pay for it, are sick and tired of your incessant whining.
why should the Senate negotiate with the House on the budget bill when B will line item veto the Senate parts. B must put in writing that he will not line item veto the bill when it comes to him.
The Gazette devoting an entire page to the Zombie Pub Crawl…seriously? I am sure there could have been more newsworthy stories available rather than people dressed up as zombies and drinking their way through Cedar Rapids. Is that what our town has come to?
I’m trying to understand the logic regarding the story about the sexual assaults at the Anamosa Care Facility.
Initially, comments were allowed. I, along with several others, posted comments. Then the comments were turned off and the posted comments deleted. Its possible inappropriate posts started showing up between those times and I just missed them. But I thought the idea behind the new system was that the people responsible for those posts would be admonished/banned, not the entire discussion.
I’m asking about this because I’m seeing “Comments are closed” more and more frequently, and at this point it almost seems to be semi-random. For example, stories regarding arrests for various crimes seem to have a higher likelihood of having comments disabled, but some do and some don’t.
I don’t mind playing by the Gazette’s rules (that’s only right), I just wish I had a better idea of what the rules were sometimes.
Today gas is $3.64 in North Liberty and $3.39 in Des Moines. Both Caseys stores. It’s like “The Hunger Games”: the Capital gets the best of everything while the rest of us struggle. I filled up my backseat before driving back to North Liberty.
Did I miss it . . . or did the editorial staff omit opportunity for public comment concerning the glowing report it gave to Cedar Rapids’ Police Chief?
I wonder why the Gazette disables commenting on all but the most mundane articles. At least KCRG tells what circumstances will cause comments to be disabled. There doesn’t seem to be a method the the Gazette’s madness.
Either I wasn’t clear in my question or I completely missed what I’m looking for in your links…
This is from KCRG’s website: Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.
I’m wondering if the Gazette has a similar policy posted for the public to view. I can’t find one and that’s why I said there doesn’t seem to be a method to the madness.
I apologize, we have not publicly posted it, but yes, our policy and KCRG’s policy are similar. I talked to our editor, Lyle Muller, and we will look to post this permanently on the site to lessen confusion. Here is a part of our internal directions though:
Stories that take comment: • Public issues • Developments involving public policy, and the people who make that policy • Trends about which people care • Events in which the public can participate • Sports • General features about people who normally aren’t in the public eye
What stories don’t take comment? • Violent and sex-related crime stories
The rules of engagement cover all of these things, including insensitive comments, and we reserve the right to disable comments on any type of story.
Gazette staff: A recommendation; Have you ever considered, during a pre-election time, dedicating a special temporary section of the paper to articles and comments related to the process, rather than having those pieces scattered throughout each edition. You could perhaps provide a dedicated political section as source for us to read?
oops, post election items as well. If possible a search engine for the section, to recall items related to; authors , subject matter, or candidates? I realize it would be a fairly large project to establish a new section.
Gazette reports 1st Ave & Collins roadwork is soon to be completed. Prime combination of bad design, very poor workmanship and lack of quality control. If funded with non-public money, I doubt many (if any) private entities would find the project acceptable. Where’s a Streets Commissioner, when needed? Oh, yeah . . . I remember now . . . this is supposed to be more “efficient, effective and responsive”.
President Obama says Warren Buffet pays a lower tax rate than his secretary. Who is he trying to fool? He pays a capital gains rate and she pays an earned income rate. Of course he pays less!
Great event happening this weekend in Central City, IA! 100th Anniversary Boy Scout Camporee – 1,200 people will be in attendance
Congratulations on the new gazette.com page! I’m still becoming familiar with the new look and system, but I’m also hopeful that our online community will move on and prosper. Thanks to the Gazette staff for your hard work.
I’m still trying to find stuff. Could take a while.
Two major bummers so far.
The automatic filter is worse than ever. The word d-o-w-n was removed from one of my posts and replaced with asterisks.
Threading is gone? Maybe its my browser or settings, but all posts are now one, long list so you can’t tell what replies go with which posts.
Just checking to see what happens if I want to write about downtown Cedar Rapids. Will it be ****town Cedar Rapids?
Let me try this again since I switched to Google Chrome:
My replies do show up under the person I’m replying to but without the indent it’s hard to see and will take some getting used to.
Let me try this again since I switched to Google Chrome:
My replies do show up under the person I’m replying to but without the indent it’s hard to see and will take some getting used to.
Switched to Google Chrome:
My replies do show up under the person I’m replying to but without the indent it’s hard to see and will take some getting used to.
Okay switched browsers:
My replies show up under the person I’m sending it to but it’s hard to see so will take some getting used to.
I have noticed my replies have gone under the person to whom I’m replying but it is hard to see that. Will take some getting used to.
I don’t think a supposed news site should be trying to do what social media sites already do, but better.
Overall I love the new website. I would however like it if the threading of posts was back in place in order to make it easier to tell who’s talking to whom.
I really like having real names attached to comments. Although I think a special exception should be made for the “Bruce Aune’s Mustache” guy from the old site. Best message board handle ever.
Wow. This new commenting system is kind of awful. Threading is terrible, we don’t get to see what readers think of peoples’ posts, and the admin is still intrusive.
I have to be more careful about what I say since my name is being used. But all my posts are backed with documentation so anyone who I name by name or title and wants to give me a hard time feel free. I am always ready with my two foot stack of documents.
I find it strange that since the Gazette and KCRG are both owned by the same parent company that KCRG did not also switch over to the new commenting system when the Gazette did but instead remains on the old one. Does KCRG have plans to switch to the same one the Gazette now uses sometime in the future?
Congrats on the new site … Works much better on my phone!
The Hawks may have lost, but what a great game!
“To take our country back” is an euphemism us whites use meaning “we want the Presidency back in a white person’s command”. Think back to the time when Jack Johnson became the 1st non-white to gain the World boxing crown. Racism is alive & well, especially when the detractors can’t comprehend the fact that our current President has diverted the US economy from the 2nd Great Depression.
(Regarding Dave Rasdal’s piece on Muckersville’s Obama’s Stimulus): I guess Dick Rockhill wouldn’t have liked Teddy Roosevelt’s strategy for the US economy when Roosevelt was President either. Dick Rockhill is aptly named.
How nice it is that a teenage rock band has taken up residence in a garage in our quiet little neighborhood along 1st Avenue in Marion. How nice it is that the Marion PD is apparently unwilling to do anything unless one of us steps forward and allows the cops to come into OUR homes and take a noise meter reading from there, instead of them just patrolling the area once an hour and checking the music with the meter from the street level. They’ve been made aware of the issue by several of us in the neighborhood, so what’s wrong with them doing random checks every night from about 4:30 to 10pm, to SEE how loud these kids play, instead of opening the neighbors up to possible retaliation by the kids if they find out who called the cops? And FYI to the cops? Just because the kids TOLD you that they shut down at 8pm doesn’t mean they actually DO. And when the actual band isn’t playing, the kid that lives there is out in the garage, drumming nearly non-stop, from the time he gets home from school until into the evening hours. Too bad the parents of these kids don’t chip in and rent them space somewhere that’s NOT in a residential area so they can play until their little hearts are content. Would be nice to be able to enjoy our peaceful neighborhood once more, but I guess it’s just too much to expect.
Really? Would you rather they be smoking pot in their basement? Or devising ways to vandalize your property or steal you things? I can’t believe you’re upset about teenagers using their time and excess energy constructively. I’ll switch neighbors with you – we have a rental next door and my dogs constantly get fleas from their outdoor cats, I’m pretty sure one of the guys that lives there is dealing drugs and beating his pregnant girlfriend, and we’re lucky if they mow the lawn once every two months. PUHLEASE.
The “Downtown District” gang would fiddle while the westside of CR floats down the Cedar.
Got an “Easy Peasy” voting postcard in the mail from the Democrats today. Do they really think it is a good idea for us to drop a postcard in the mail that displays our full name, address, birthdate, phone and either our DL# or the last four SS. I might as well just stake the info in our frontyard. I think I prefer voting in person, thanks.
So, after two years the Republican’s response as to how to best direct America back on track is to (trumpets blaring): Resort back to the levels of 2008?!?!?!?
Someone should remind them that 2008 was the year of the 2nd largest financial meltdown in US history. I guess in 2014 they’re again gonna offer an economically-challenged candidate (his own definition) for president and an equally tactless, blowhard quitter as his sidekick.
God help the USA.
Good luck to the poor soul who logs onto kcrg.com expecting to get rational feedback from the online commenters. Most comments are crude and juvenile. Do we want to prove that Eastern Iowans are really that ignorant?
Does someone care to tell the users of this brand new, mostly spiffy web site if/how we can find the syndicated columnists and guest columnists in order to comment on their columns? It used to be under the opinion tab but so far it appears to be non existent. The sports coumnists, Jennifer Hemmingsen and Todd Dorman are easy to find but not so with the other usual columnists, syndicated or guest.
Also, where’s the link on the home page for this column? I only found my way here from a post on another user’s page. The path at the top suggests “What’s On Your Mind Today?” is found under “Local News” but if I go to that page it’s not there.
Interesting thoughts- no flood protection needed in Cedar Rapids- if you study the river elevations that occurred in the few days prior to the record crest of 6-13-2008 and recorded every 15 minutes by the City =the following could be observed: When the river level reach the 8th Ave bridge and the train derailed- the river rose four feet upstream within four hours. When the river level reach the bottom of the 2nd railroad bridge across from Tait Cummins Ball Park- which is a solid six foot high concrete structure with no flow through design which crosses completly across the main channel of the Cedar River- the river rose seven feet in six hours. This man-made occurance shows that the City may not have had flooding in the downtown area and in Czech Village as well as west of Ellis Blvd NW. Thus the City is already able to control a twenty four foot crest- and if the same 2008 occurance happend- it could have only been a twenty four foot rather than thirty one foot crest had the City mandated that the bridge near Tait Cummins not be allowed and also that no trains be allowed on a bridge that restricts flow for a river. Also the river dredging which occurred in the 1960′s/1970′s also help drop the elevation of the river. All these things that can occur right now-without a levy system and could be put into play. A study really needs to be done on what “actualy occurred” before simply trying to build a levy. Look at the data and decide how this happend- you will see this is a man-made disaster.
On the Alliant raise. They slod the DAE plant, then the transmition lines and had a huge resort that costed too much. They want more money from us to waste! I think not. That’s a no brainer for the utilites board.
On “thegazette.com” do you think it would be possible to have more NEWS on the front page? The home page is nearly 70% sports, and this time of the year that means 70% Hawkeyes. Ugh. Can I please have news back on the front page instead of having to hunt for it?
114 Tickets, 25 arrests and NO ONE tazered !!!! The countdown has begun for the SECOND buffoon to gain this dubious “award”.
I would LOVE to see a political debate between Fox’s Bill O’Reilly & Glenn Beck on one side and Rachel Maddow & Keith Obermann on the other. Now THAT would be worth watching !!!!!!
Did the Gazette make changes again to its new site? For the last four days I’ve seen no comments I’ve made appear on my user page. They appear under the story or letter they’re posted to but not on my page. I’ve noticed this for other users as well so its not just me. This makes it very hard to remember where I’ve commented in the past to be able to go back and check for replies or to follow others. If the Gazette has changed this feature it really needs to explain this and the reason for the change to the users of this site. If it’s a problem they haven’t been able to fix yet then please also make that apparent to users so they know the Gazette is working on fixing this problem. I’ve emailed the pertinent persons regarding this but so far have gotten no response back.
On today’s article about traffic cameras and your credit. I thought the cameras were not about the money! If that is the case than going after someones credit rating should not even be considered. The cameras were put in in the name of “PUBLIC SAFETY”. Shame on you Cedar Rapids City Council,there must be a better way of generating income.
Can I change my real name to Jeff Klinzman? The Gazette really likes his soundbites. Maybe I can get an autograph? *wink*
TP/GOP = the Family values party. I LOL. they are maybe the party of the sopranos (NY Gov candidate) or the Osbournes (O’Donnell, Angle, Paul, etc). Definitely not the party of flag, apple pie and baseball.
The bush tax cuts have been in effect for TEN YEARS. My question is ‘WHERE ARE THE JOBS?’
if the 3 judges are willing, Culver should reappoint them to the Court. therre is nothing that says they cannot be reappointed. then the TP?GOP can shell out more of their millions od $.
Isn’t it great that Minnesota Vikings name a new interim coach and NO MEDIUM reported his ethnicity as a major factor (like they usually do with minorities)? Ah, “Progress”…. it’s a beautiful thing!!!!
Enough Wegher! He abandoned the team by choice! Where’s the update on Paki O’Meara?! He’s still a part of Iowa Football, at last we knew.
Diana Nollen & I agree, “Mary Poppins national touring production is a delight”. However – sorry Diana, my parrot-head umbrella purchased after a London performance won’t, try as I may, fly me anywhere.
I can’t believe that the poor woman who was attacked by 2 dogs cannot get some compensation for what she went through! What is wrong with the prosecutor’s office? There should have been someone assigned to take over for the one that couldn’t show up.
Right now I am wondering about the State of our legal system. A male judge and male lawyers just told a friend of mine she has to send her 2 children to her ex for a month OR she could choose they go for 10 days and she can do jail for 10 days. Only problem- she has the 2 kids in daycare and gets state assistance. So judge, let me explain.. that means she has to pay to hold the spot for 2 kids OR loose the spots. Dad isn’t paying so Mom will have to. Why make her lose her daycare only to have to find another one for 2 kids. At the very least, Dad should be paying. Being on State Assistance makes it more difficult.. and the kids have to readjust to another daycare. For WHAT?? I told her to get herself a female lawyer and go back to court.
I wonder if Norm Parker saw the great defensive play that Palamalu made, that turned a Pittsburg defeat into a win with about 2 minutes left in the game. It is called a “Blitz”.
Loved today’s article on Peanuts’ 60th anniversary. Now if the Gazette would wise up and start reprinting old Peanuts comic strips instead of some of what pas ses for comics today. A lot of comics readers are young enough to have mis sed out on the first 20-30 years of Peanuts strips in newspapers to make this a viable option the Gazette should consider.
In reply to Iowa Hawkeye’s comment regarding the Xmas display–I say “Bah Humbug” to you and your relatives on Valley View Drive!!
Wow, the USA’s deficit is going to be unnecessarily increased & not a single Tea Party protest to be seen. These Teabaggers are so hypocritical!!!!
The UConn womens’ basketball team is now 89-0 after beating Florida St, breaking John Wooden’s old UCLA record. Who says womens’ basketball isn’t worth watching or writing about?
about chihuahua shot by arrow – Will he start shooting at people next? Many serial killers start with animals. Maybe an appropriate punishment would be assigning him to an animal shelter to help take care of the animals.
cinderella38
about chihuahua shot by arrow – Will he start shooting at people next? Maybe an appropriate punishment would be assigning him to an animal shelter to help take care of the animals.
Why aren’t my posts showing up?
Maybe I should ask why they are being deleted and others’ are being left on.
If you notice, all the posts on here that don’t disappear have a “real” name Jan, so that might be it. Maybe if you use a “last name” as well maybe your posts will stay up as welll. It doesn’t have to be your “real” last name. Just a thought.
About the Derrell Johnson-Koulianos plea deal – Didn’t they stop a bit short in reducing the charges? Couldn’t they have totally exonerated him, held a parade, and given him a medal and the keys to the city?
Tea Partys can be great political events. But, please keep in mind the other side of Tea Partys. The Egyptain Tea Party of last week is an example.
Seeing the Gov. wants to treat public employees like the private sector perhaps we could sell the Gov. mansion and save all the money it takes to upkeep. He could commute, move or even rent an apt. and go home on the week-ends. Or maybe we could give him a voucher towards his expense. Why should we keep him. After all he applied for the job and got it and he does get a salary. Lets treat him like the private sector.
Please, please, please someone tell me that the issue of blowing innocent mourning doves out of the skies is not taking up valuable Legislature time this session. Surely the Legislature can find more pressing needs to earn the paychecks that the taxpayers provide for them
Not loving the redo of the Gazette site.
And would someone one PLEASE bring back the posting of comments to our user pages!?
I totally disagree with the Supreme Court decision regarding freedom of speech! Specifically the sick,sick people protesting at military funerals. These individuals obviously need mental help.And seeing on TV one of them kicking the American flag along in the grass,and another wearing the flag over his shoe walking on it, has got to be desecrating.I feel so sad for these military families,that America has allowed this to continue.
Gotta love the hype of the GOP being the party of fiscal responsibility. All you have to do is read the “Votes in Congress” section in the Sunday paper to reveal their real priorities. This week, our Republican representatives in the Capitol voted to continue funding the “Bridge to Nowhere” in Alaska…A half billion fiasco. And then they voted unanimously to continue providing $40 billion dollars to the fat cat oil companies who are in the midst of record profits, at our expense. Meanwhile, their proposed budget includes huge cuts in the funds to educate our children and care for the health and well being of children and woman in this country. I think their intentions are readily apparent. All you have to do is read this section every week to see whose side this party is truly representing.
I just love how some people on here only seem to have negative things to say about the city of Cedar Rapids. It doesn’t matter who was in charge, what they did or how they did it, these people never seem happy. Get over it. If this city is ever going to recover from the floods and move forward we need to see progress and development, and complaining about every proposal that’s put forth isn’t going to get the city anywhere. If people don’t like what’s happening then express that dissatisfaction the next election by voting people they don’t see as helping out of office. That’s what elections are for.
Lori, for once we are in agreement on something.
What happened to Monday’s Letters to the Editor on this site? Today’s finally went up but yesterday’s are missing.
It is starting to show some signs of spring, one thing about Iowa winters, the new coming to life of stuff is invigorating. Even the first Robbins gives one a lift.
So cheer up Lori, even some of our opinions that seem ” Negative ” to you, might spring a ray of positive enlightenment.
Merle, I don’t need cheering up, I was pointing out a fact.
Let’s see…it says on the op ed page in today’s print edition there are more letters online, yet not even all the letters in the print edition are posted online.
Plug in problems again?
Get real about taxes for roads…..rather than put GPS on all vehicles ,at what and who’s expense ….why not just raise the tax….this is just away for the government to keep better tabs on the citizens of this country….first it was the red light and speed cameras …..now it’s gps on all vehicles …..commercial vehicles already report their miles to each and every state in the form of fuel / milage reports every quarter I prefer to pay at the pump….not another bunch of paper work…..
WOW….front page of Gazette shows Troy Cooper of Wall-tech of Madison, WI busy working at the Linn County Juvenile Justice Center sawing metal WITH NO SAFETY GLASSES!!! OSHA would have a fit and so should Linn County and his employer.
Mary, I had the same exact thought. You would of thought someone in the chain of command to print would of caught this. However, this gentleman is from out-of-state and there is still this unresolved think called a “Local Labor Agreement” that is not resolved, You Think ?
On Your Mind
Why is the police satellite office in Cedar Rapids called Community Connections and the one in Iowa City called Police Station. ??
On Your Mind
A House File exists to prohibit prisioners from using cell phones. Do we need to enact a state law for that? Why can’t the Warden rule what they can do or not do?
Andy D. Anderson
Cedar Rapids
Because prisons are the most dangerous place to reside (violence, rape, drugs, and homemade weapons), all prisoners should be required to have and use cell phones with cameras. This would deter the state sponsored and prisoner created violence that goes on in these mismanaged institutions. When the prisoners time is up they might return to the community as productive citizens instead of the predatory animals our unjust penal system creates.
Why was my avatar suppressed when I tried to comment about Bachmann’s politics in the online Gazette page? Obama’s “Hope” poster is fair game for those disappointed in his leadership. Just see how Colbert treated the iconic symbol last night: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/381282/april-11-2011/pap-smears-at-walgreens
Is the Gazette open to all fair comments and criticisms, or just a few approved points of dissent?
The print edition of the Gazette includes a page or two of national and international news, but none of those articles seem to be included in the online edition. Why not?
Likely because one can find those same stories on various websites, and the Gazette gets many of the national stories found in their print edition from the wire services.
What happens to the sales tax revenue if we don’t get the necessary matching funds? What are the contingency plans if everything doesn’t go as expected? When was the last time everything went as expected? One more question: Since we’re going to protect all our citizens, when did Rompot secede from the city?
Okay no voters–you won last Tuesday. Now stop posturing and get busy readying YOUR suggestions as to how you’d help this city move forward, and how you’d suggest the city pay for it. Then present THAT to the city council. You won the war, now it’s time to take responsibility and tell the city WHY you refused the extension and what you’d do instead. If the yes vote had won the extension, I’ll bet you’d have told them to explain exactly how they’d make sure the extra funds went to where they were meant to go. Works both ways.
I’ll say it again since the constant whiners don’t seem to get it:
To all the constant whiners who show up whenever Cedar Rapids decides to do something to move forward:
Either grow up and realize that some of your tax dollars will always be spent on something you disagree with or pick up and move somewhere else. Those of us who want this city to move forward, and are more than wiling to help pay for it, are sick and tired of your incessant whining.
why should the Senate negotiate with the House on the budget bill when B will line item veto the Senate parts. B must put in writing that he will not line item veto the bill when it comes to him.
The Gazette devoting an entire page to the Zombie Pub Crawl…seriously? I am sure there could have been more newsworthy stories available rather than people dressed up as zombies and drinking their way through Cedar Rapids. Is that what our town has come to?
I’m trying to understand the logic regarding the story about the sexual assaults at the Anamosa Care Facility.
Initially, comments were allowed. I, along with several others, posted comments. Then the comments were turned off and the posted comments deleted. Its possible inappropriate posts started showing up between those times and I just missed them. But I thought the idea behind the new system was that the people responsible for those posts would be admonished/banned, not the entire discussion.
I’m asking about this because I’m seeing “Comments are closed” more and more frequently, and at this point it almost seems to be semi-random. For example, stories regarding arrests for various crimes seem to have a higher likelihood of having comments disabled, but some do and some don’t.
I don’t mind playing by the Gazette’s rules (that’s only right), I just wish I had a better idea of what the rules were sometimes.
Today gas is $3.64 in North Liberty and $3.39 in Des Moines. Both Caseys stores. It’s like “The Hunger Games”: the Capital gets the best of everything while the rest of us struggle. I filled up my backseat before driving back to North Liberty.
Did I miss it . . . or did the editorial staff omit opportunity for public comment concerning the glowing report it gave to Cedar Rapids’ Police Chief?
I wonder why the Gazette disables commenting on all but the most mundane articles. At least KCRG tells what circumstances will cause comments to be disabled. There doesn’t seem to be a method the the Gazette’s madness.
You can read our article commenting policy here: http://thegazette.com/policies/. You may also read a column where our editor discussed our policy here: http://thegazette.com/2011/06/24/redefined-gazette-com-commenting-policy-launched/
Either I wasn’t clear in my question or I completely missed what I’m looking for in your links…
This is from KCRG’s website: Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.
I’m wondering if the Gazette has a similar policy posted for the public to view. I can’t find one and that’s why I said there doesn’t seem to be a method to the madness.
I apologize, we have not publicly posted it, but yes, our policy and KCRG’s policy are similar. I talked to our editor, Lyle Muller, and we will look to post this permanently on the site to lessen confusion. Here is a part of our internal directions though:
Stories that take comment:
• Public issues
• Developments involving public policy, and the people who make that policy
• Trends about which people care
• Events in which the public can participate
• Sports
• General features about people who normally aren’t in the public eye
What stories don’t take comment?
• Violent and sex-related crime stories
The rules of engagement cover all of these things, including insensitive comments, and we reserve the right to disable comments on any type of story.
Gazette staff:
A recommendation; Have you ever considered, during a pre-election time, dedicating a special temporary section of the paper to articles and comments related to the process, rather than having those pieces scattered throughout each edition. You could perhaps provide a dedicated political section as source for us to read?
oops, post election items as well.
If possible a search engine for the section, to recall items related to; authors , subject matter, or candidates?
I realize it would be a fairly large project to establish a new section.
Gazette reports 1st Ave & Collins roadwork is soon to be completed. Prime combination of bad design, very poor workmanship and lack of quality control. If funded with non-public money, I doubt many (if any) private entities would find the project acceptable. Where’s a Streets Commissioner, when needed? Oh, yeah . . . I remember now . . . this is supposed to be more “efficient, effective and responsive”.
I am in favor of giving Penford the skateboard park in exchange for building a new skateboard on the newly created green spaces along the river.
If Penford wants to close 12 avenue so they can build on it; not so much in favor.
Tax Magic
President Obama says Warren Buffet pays a lower tax rate than his secretary. Who is he trying to fool? He pays a capital gains rate and she pays an earned income rate. Of course he pays less!
Andy D. Anderson