Living in Society
Politics mostly social commentary.
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JOHNSON COUNTY, Iowa — Democratic delegates met in all 99 Iowa counties on Saturday, March 12. The day was overcast, but hopeful. A bellwether was the fact I didn’t recognize many of the hundreds of people at the Tiffin High School auditorium where our county convention was held. Old timers are giving way to a… Read more
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The family-owned home, farm and auto supply store put me on a Monday through Friday schedule this year. It created something rare — a regular weekend off. As winter ends, work at home and at the farm returns to center stage. It was possible to feel I got something done this weekend. I did — indoors and… Read more
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BIG GROVE TOWNSHIP, Iowa — This headline in this morning’s Boston Globe says it well, “Clinton and Trump are now the presumptive nominees. Get used to it.” Author James Pindell attributes the appellation to math. “They have accumulated more delegates than any other candidates in their parties for the national conventions,” he wrote. “Both won… Read more
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This week, former Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and former Lieutenant Governor Patty Judge said she is considering a run in the June 7 primary to be the Democratic candidate to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley. The filing period begins Monday and ends March 18. If Judge enters the race, that would make four contenders,… Read more
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Driving out of Flint, Mich. on Bristol Road wasn’t in the plans. I interviewed some 30 people, all but one male, for truck driving jobs at the Days Inn across from the GM plant. Tired and ready for sleep, I went to the van to get my overnight bag and found all four tires had… Read more
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Lettuce and basil germinated in the tray planted last week, reminding me of why I garden. It is a chance to witness life as cold sets in for one last spell. Soon winter will turn to spring. I can’t wait. For now, suffice it that the seedlings rise to face the sun through a bedroom… Read more
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Last night I attended a local food exhibition at Montgomery Hall on the Johnson County Fairgrounds, hosted by the county supervisors. Lots of people I know were there, including some mentioned in my last post. It was an hour to catch up, caesura after the intense final week of working on turnout and planning for… Read more
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Iowa Democrats did their job at the Feb. 1 first in the nation political caucuses. The field was winnowed from six candidates (Chafee, Clinton, Lessig, O’Malley, Sanders and Webb) to two (Clinton and Sanders), giving Hillary Clinton a narrow, historic victory. Our precinct played a role, and not an insignificant one, in producing that victory.… Read more
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There is plenty of time to think about things when door knocking a rural precinct. Houses are spread out, and typically there is a long walk from the road to the dwelling. Sometimes you can’t even find where people live on a farmstead, or the family moved away. I had a finger wave and waved… Read more
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