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U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley says we need to amend the Constitution to make Congress fiscally responsible. He took to our opinion pages Sunday to argue for a balanced-budget amendment. It’s an election year, so I understand why Braley, a Democrat, would seek some inoculation from that old tax-and-spend label. Whichever Republican wins the right [...]
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Without a miracle, First Christian Church is seeing its last Sunday morning. The nearly 100-year-old church at 840 Third Ave. SE is probably coming down this week. The building and land are owned by St. Luke’s Hospital, where its affiliate, Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa, is building a new medical pavilion. The church property is [...]
continue »Years ago, Waylon and Willie strongly urged mamas to not let their babies grow up to be cowboys. If I could sing, and boy can’t I, I’d urge mamas to also avoid allowing their progeny to become governors who make outlandish job creation promises that will eventually make them look silly. They’ll end up all [...]
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Before the 2012 Iowa Legislature’s session ended last week, lawmakers approved far-reaching, landmark legislation allowing bars and restaurants to create infused liquor blends for use in cocktails. Maybe you disagree with “landmark,” but I bet you’ve never tasted bacon-infused bourbon. Neither have I, but it is now possible, thanks to our adventurous, thirsty legislators. [...]
continue »My scribbling on the president’s I do to gay marriage prompted a few dissents. One reader suggests I switch sides: I read most of your articles and Im disturbed that you favor same sex marriage since you claim to be a Christian. Do you think God accepts same sex marriage? If you read the bible [...]
continue »So, welcome to the fight, Mr. President: “I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think [...]
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It seems education “reform” is on its way to the governor. So, can we call this a good first step? Rep. Cecil Dolecheck, R-Mt. Ayr, wouldn’t even concede that the bill represented a step forward. Rather, he said during the closing debate on the House floor, it was more like the uncertain tottering of a child [...]
continue »The full history of the “pink slime” saga has yet to be written, but already, it’s being revised. In the wake of plant closings announced this week by BPI, manufacturer of Lean Finely Textured Beef, aka pink slime, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley points the finger of blame at the USDA and FDA: Grassley says the [...]
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So last week’s “historic” property tax deal is this week’s absolute mess. There’s now trouble in the Senate, where the Register says a Cedar Rapids Democrat is breaking ranks on a property tax plan backed by his party leadership: Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, voted against the bill in a committee meeting this afternoon saying [...]
continue »So our ousted Iowa Supreme Court justices officially became “Profiles in Courage” on Monday. David Baker, Michael Streit and Marsha Ternus came to Boston to receive awards from Caroline Kennedy at the presidential library named for her father. Speeches were given and many photos were snapped. I watched it online. A nice ceremony. “I was [...]
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