Opinion

To the editor:In his Dec. 22nd letter to the editor [?Homosexuality shouldn?t be condoned?], Ron Stearns argues that homosexuality is simply a matter of bad behavior which ought to be corrected. While his intentions seem pure and gentle, his message is a hurtful and alienating one ? emanating from a fundamental misconception of homosexuality.Mister Stearns begins by detesting abuse and promoting kindness, a ...

May 31, 2012Washington, Iowa To the Editor:After attending the forum in Kalona Thursday, I began to wonder if people really understand the job of a county supervisor.There is so much more to running a county than just the subjects of zoning and the Richmond septic system.We must remember the roads, public health, mental health, sheriff?s department, and communication center as just a few of the additional ...

With relief, I pulled the hook from inside the fish. I looked it over and it appeared all right. That was good because killing a fish really puts a damper on the catch-and-release idea I practice with students I take fishing.Now, right before I put the little bluegill back into the water, I asked if anyone wanted to kiss it first. I hadn?t had any takers yet, despite me telling them it will give them good luck ...

People are living longer. That?s a fact. According to the U.S. Census, the average life expectancy for females in 2012 is nearly 82 years; for males it is nearly 76. Way back in 1950, it was about 10 years younger for both: 71 years for females, and 65 for men.Can you believe it? Men were dying, on the average, at the age of 65 back in the ?50s. If you remember your history, that was how the federal government ...

To the editor:Why is Ron Paul the only choice for president?To understand one has to step back and look at his candidacy from an historical perspective. The American Revolution was perhaps the most enlightened moment in the evolution of political governance. Our country was blessed with an opportunity to throw off the yokes of tyrannical government, and start from scratch.The principles the founders ...

To the editor:I have no doubt that our country and the world are at a crossroads with the erosion of and attack on traditional family values. We must have the courage of our convictions to protect mankind and wisely use the earth and it?s resources.The first-in-the-nation Iowa Caucus will be held on Tuesday Jan. 3, at the Fairfield High School at 6:30 p.m. for Democrats and at 7 p.m. for Republicans. You ...

To the editor:I have received a number of solicitations to support Ron Paul. But when I cite my objections to his candidacy, these ideologues, like Paul himself, essentially say, ?don?t bother me with the facts, my mind?s made up.?But as a Ronald Reagan said, ?Facts are stubborn things.?The most recent egregious example was in early December when Congressman Paul said: ?Think of what happened after 9/11, ...

To the editor:My public relations friend Marc thought my letter of Sept. 22 [?Paul devoted to freedom of individual?] remained unclear regarding Ron Paul as a representative of natural law. I solved the problem by making clear how the nature of the mind itself calls for a freedom philosophy as follows.Every man is an island unto himself. Even if false spiritually, this is true mentally, because we cannot ...

To the editor:We would love a regular column devoted to gardening of veggies and flowers, etc. written by the local Master Gardeners. Our first question would be about taking care of a Vole, not Mole, problem. For years we have planted tulips only to have no bulbs appear because the voles had eaten them over the winter/spring time. Last year we read of putting mothballs on top of where you planted any spring ...

?What is that??I try not to look like I?m talking to myself in public as a way of avoiding strange looks from my fellow pedestrians. On May 26 I couldn?t help it. It just slipped out.Being the nice day it was, I decided to take a small road trip into Coralville. The sky was sunny and perfectly blue with only a few clouds as I was driving in. I made the obligatory stop at Barnes and Noble at the Coral Ridge ...

May 29, 2012Washington, Iowa To the Editor:Why is it that one landfill by law has to cover everything that is brought to it each day and another landfill doesn?t have to? I thought everyone was to be treated equal (unless you?re a politician). So my real question is, why does Semco landfill have to cover things and the ?looks like a landfill? at 1676 Highway 1, south of Kalona about six miles or north of ...

May 22, 2012Washington, Iowa To the Editor:Memorial Day weekend, please take the time to drive down South Iowa. Flags are put up and taken down by the Optimist Club, paid for by the local homeowners. Then drive through Elm Grove. Flags are put up and taken down by Marty and his crew from Jones Funeral Home, donated by families in honor of loved family members. Both are a beautiful sight; and if you have the ...