Social Commentary
Historical category no longer used.
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When I say post-consumer, I mean the one percent of richest people in the world have extracted what they can of what we have. Something’s now got to give. Yes, I’ll buy at the grocery store, gas station and drug stores, but a budget like ours can’t afford much extra. If shoes and clothing wear… Read more
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The coronavirus pandemic is changing us. Changes are just beginning. We’re not ready, change is likely permanent, and there’s no going back. Attempts at social distancing push us to stay home and make constructive use of time. I don’t like what I see in this new awareness. I’m not talking about our home with a… Read more
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When I started this blog there was no intention to write daily about a pandemic. Isolation, quarantine, social distancing, shelter in place, self-quarantine, and more are words to describe our behavior in response to the coronavirus. As a writer and blogger I understand the concepts. Who knew it would feel important to write so much… Read more
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Estimates of how long the coronavirus pandemic will last vary from a couple of weeks to several months. The best guess is we’ll have a better idea once the number of contagious incidents reaches its peak. Two and a half months after the virus emerged in China the government is beginning to lift the draconian… Read more
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Remarks delivered on a community panel “Citizen Involvement in Local Government.” Community Leadership Program City Hall, Coralville, Iowa. December 9, 2011 I believe a person makes a choice in life, to be part of society and influence what the future will be, or to be a citizen centered on making our way in a challenging… Read more
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By last Friday traffic in bars, coffee shops and restaurants had slowed considerably. It was hard to determine whether it was because of the coronavirus, spring break at the university, or something else. It made being a guest at the establishments a positive experience with little perceived danger of the virus being transmitted. Our county… Read more
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When it comes to “social distancing” Iowans know what to do. We tweak our normal behavior. Many of us are not socially close by nature so it’s not a big step. Epidemiologists are using the term “social distancing” to refer to a conscious effort to reduce close contact between people and hopefully slow community transmission… Read more
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Because of the coronavirus, people are stocking up on food and sundries in case they are quarantined. Local retail business is up compared to last year. The wholesale club has been rationing specific items. The retail outlet where I work twice a week has a large table in the employee break room where we pass… Read more
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We have a Costco Wholesale Club near the home, farm and auto supply store where I work two days per week. Wednesday is my day to pick up provisions there on the way home after work. Costco sells a lot of what we use in our kitchen but especially organic frozen vegetables, milk, butter, cheese,… Read more
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This weekend was unsettling beginning with Friday’s news that OPEC couldn’t reach consensus on reducing crude oil supply. Russia dissented. In response, Saudi Arabia decided to slash prices and increase production by as many as 2 million barrels per day. “This OPEC summit was among the worst meetings I have ever seen during the history… Read more
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