Opinion

There are many things about our calendar and ways of keeping time that leave you scratching your head. We have seven months of 31-days and yet we shortchange February by giving it a measly 28 days (and 29 every once in awhile). The calendar most of the Western world uses is the Gregorian Calendar, which is named after Pope Gregory VIII who introduced it in 1582. At the time of its introduction much of the Western ...

In case you haven?t heard, one of the University of Iowa?s sorta famous writer/professors has written a scathing attack on Iowa, published in ?The Atlantic,? questioning why Iowa is first in the nation with the political caucuses. Good question. And it?s a question a lot of Iowans are asking, although we definitely enjoy the notoriety, not to mention the money it brings into the state. The problem is, it?s OK for ...

To the editor:Our country is in tough financial shape ? no doubt about it. As a nation, we need to cut spending and learn to live within our means. It amazes and saddens me that President Obama is willing to cut funding for Medicare, Medicaid, and even our military ~ but will NOT cut even one penny of the 349.6 million dollars that annually goes to Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood makes enough money, ...

To the editor:As I suspected, Gov. Branstad has vetoed legislation that would have kept local Workforce Development offices open. Now is not a good time to cut back on employment services that we need. If people don?t like what the governor has done, then they should contact the state Legislators and ask them to pass a legislative override. ? Alan Laird, Ollie

To the editor:?If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.? (II Chron. 7:14)We would like to invite people from Van Buren County and surrounding areas to join us in prayer for our nation Saturday, August 6 at Heritage Baptist Church, 22401 ...

To the editor:I would like to address some of the concerns that have arisen regarding the proposed dog park in the field at the entrance to the Lamson Woods wetlands.Although the dog park will be utilized by many people, it has been shown in many other area dog parks that only two or three people and their dogs are likely to utilize the park at any given time throughout the day. Contrary to what some ...

With Christmas fast approaching (the time of giving), here?s an impressive story of benevolence and sacrifice.Ninety-year-old Robert Henry (Bob) Mapes, formerly of Fort Madison, now of West Point, lived a varied and interesting life of farming, laying railroad track, military service, mechanics and raising champion Suffolk sheep. He was always a big proponent of education, so it wasn?t all that unusual that ...

In this article, I will address three different topics related to the school district. First I will discuss the upcoming legislative session and the key topics related to education. Second I will give you an update of what is happening with the school facilities and give a timeline in terms of what will be done when. Finally, I will address the topic of anonymous letters and phone calls and why I can?t and won?t ...

The lyrics of ?Santa Claus is Coming to Town? in this day and age comes with a new understanding of what it means to be seen ?when you?re sleeping? and ?when you?re awake.? Santa?s companion, ?The Elf on the Shelf,? also has kids under surveillance 24-7. I haven?t read ?The Elf on the Shelf,? but my granddaughters have and so they know at least two entities are watching them be naughty or nice.A few weeks ago, ...

At the GOP presidential debate in Iowa last week, Mitt Romney made headlines when he challenged Rick Perry to a $10,000 bet. Perry had accused Romney of deleting a line in his book ?No Apology? between hardback and softcover editions that he claimed showed that Romney wanted to expand Massachusetts? health care plan to the nation. Romney denied the accusation and bet $10,000 that Perry could not prove the charge. ...

To the editor:As part of negotiations for an increase in the debt ceiling, some in Congress have advocated cutting $14 billion dollars in Medicare that supports rural hospitals. Such drastic cuts would completely decimate the rural health care system and harm rural seniors? ability to access care.These cuts would greatly affect the Jefferson County Health Center. We need to tell our U.S. Senators Chuck ...

To the editor:I read with confusion and concern [?Ban on edible landscapes in right-of-way adopted,? July 13] that our city council felt it necessary to go beyond the traffic abeyance and traffic obstruction resolutions already in effect to specifically legislate against ornamental and green efforts within this community. As I read the Ledger report it includes growth above 24 inches in the city right of way. ...