Living in Society
Politics mostly social commentary.
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LOWDEN, Iowa — Iowans are paying attention to government in a way they didn’t before 2017. Planning for the growing season is well underway in Iowa, yet we always make time for politics while the legislature is in session. On Saturday a couple of farm friends and I attended a legislative listening post with State… Read more
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I was predisposed to like David Shorr’s latest book. Shorr and I met in 2009 when I persuaded him to write an opinion piece for the Des Moines Register advocating for Senate ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. He willingly did so with co-author Tom Tully. It ran Dec. 15, 2009, titled, The… Read more
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This week has been tough in politics and it’s only Thursday. The Republican majority in the Iowa State House powered up their chainsaws to clear cut a forest of progressive initiatives. Governor Branstad has been waiting his whole career to change Chapter 20 of the Iowa Code relating to collective bargaining of public employees. That’s… Read more
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In several ways, 2017 will be my final season as a working person. That’s not to say I won’t continue to work hard in life. According to the Social Security Administration I have a lot of life to live —19.2 years on average. Longevity’s secret is no secret: as long as life holds, engage in it… Read more
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Like almost anyone of age in the U.S. I am aware Donald J. Trump is our president. I wrote “our” because unlike many of my friends and acquaintances who say, “Not my president,” I believe when the Congress certified the results of the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6 the subject was closed. We’ll find… Read more
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Dear Iowa community organizers, In these challenging times, we urge Iowans to come together and speak out against the recent bigotry and hate towards immigrants and refugees. Organizing in support of these groups ensures we are a more united and unified country. You are invited to the “Solidarity Rally” this Sunday, February 5th. The rally… Read more
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Since the general election I’ve been laying low, listening to people talk — in person — about the new administration and what President Donald J. Trump means to them. It was about jobs. Most supporters found a lot of what the president said and stands for to be objectionable, yet voted for him because of… Read more
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Most of my reading has been on line since September, but no more. Instead of picking up my mobile device when I wake, I read at least 25 pages in a book. It is a positive development, born of new habits, in the land of apparent madness Iowa has become since the general election. I’m… Read more
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Last Saturday began with a car trip through fog to visit Mother. Rising from the Cedar River Valley at reduced speed, when I hit Walcott the sun came out. It was clear this morning. Geese honked overhead, flying to open water where they landed. The weather is warm and weird. It’s human nature to leverage… Read more
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I’ve been sleeping soundly since the 45th President of the United States was inaugurated Jan. 20. It’s not for reassurances from the new administration chosen by millions of Americans. Quite the opposite. The stress I felt after the election got to be unbearable, stymieing almost every activity. Resolution came from talking with scores of people… Read more
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