Viewpoints

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that an article in the summer issue of lowaNow, the publication which goes out to The University of Iowa alumni and friends, deals with the destruction of the Quadrangle dormitory, or residence hall, as it is now called.

I had read of those plans elsewhere and it does not surprise me, because it was outdated as far as modern living quarters are concerned.

It was built in 1919-1920, and was first used as a barracks for military recruits after WWI. It exceeded military requirements because the university hoped to later use it as a dorm for students. That lasted until WWII, when the Navy then rented it for cadets in training. Among them: Nile Kinnick, Heisman football trophy winner, and astronaut John Glenn.

To the Editor:

As a human animal, and a cancer patient, just letting go is a life sentence. That’s my reality. I have begun to notice that I have to ask folks more often to please not steal my reality.

You know what would really be interesting? I know it is not going to happen in my lifetime, but how about ‘just’ accepting, instead of stealing, the reality of others?

How could it be all that difficult? We could start by actually listening to what our fellow humans are actually saying and not interrupting them with (pointing to the head), “What the heck are you thinking?” Or the famous (with a hand over the mouth), “You shouldn’t say that.” Of course, there’s the ever popular (waving hands in the air), “You just need to let it go.”

To the Editor:

Saturday, August 20 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank will hold the very first shred event in Waukon. Anyone that has old personal documents stacked up is invited to dig them out and bring them to the bank’s upper parking lot to have them shredded. We have procured a shred truck which will gobble them up on site.

This event is free and open to anyone in the community that has old documents that need to be destroyed in a safe and secure manner. You do not need to be a Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank customer to take advantage of this opportunity. We would love to be really busy.   If we can fill the truck all the better.

All you need to do is box them up or put them in a garbage bag. You will need to help us out by sorting through the documents first before you bring them for shredding. You do not need to remove staples or paper, or black, or metal clips, and the truck will shred manila folders.

To the Editor:

We often hear our elected officials in Washington refer to our Armed Forces as our nation’s “Finest, Brightest, and Youngest  Americans.” Wouldn’t it be nice if our military thought they could return the compliment!

Respectfully,

Carl Christianson
Waukon

To the Editor:

Over half a million Americans died during the Civil War. Of those casualties, 13,000 were Iowans. In fact, Iowa had a higher percentage of its male population serve in the military during the course of the war than any other state.

Nearly half a million Americans also lost their lives during World War II, the deadliest military conflict in history. Over 3,000 of those Americans were Iowans.
Why then, when I drive around Waukon, do I see Confederate and even Nazi flags being flown? Have we no respect for our war dead?

Cate St. Clair
Waukon

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that my fears of rioting at the Republican convention were not realized, possibly because there were more cops than protesters in the streets. As I write this, the Democrat convention is starting, and it sounds as if protests may threaten there, too.

Oddly enough, on this weekend between the two conventions, I finished reading Golleen McCullough’s book, Bittersweet. She writes about Australia, with her most famous work The Thorn Birds, a great book, being made into a very good movie some years ago.

Bittersweet deals in part with politics, around the 1930s, and indicates things were not much different “down under” than they are in the United States. The book was published by Simon & Schuster in 2014. There, unlike the GOP candidate’s wife, I cannot be accused of plagiarism!

To the Editor:

The other day I was in a local diner and I observed a fellow diner eating alone. When he finished he continued to remain at his table and periodically make noises. There was only one waitress on duty and she was busy tending her many customers. When she passed him, he called out in a loud gruff voice and complained that she hadn’t talked to him. She apologized and explained that she had quite a few customers to take care of but she was here now. He further (loudly) complained that he wanted the price for his meal. She explained the usual procedure for payment by the cash register. He was more agitated as he again complained that she hadn’t talked to him. She continued to make him feel comfortable and cared for as she sat down across from him and told him she was his friend and to show him this was so, there was no charge for his meal. The other diners burst into applause.

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that as I start this column, the Republican National Convention is within a few hours of starting.

A week from today, the Democrat convention starts.

Given recent events, I fear violence, particularly at the GOP convention.

I suspect there may be some inside agitation at both, with the “never Trump” folks this week, and some who still Bern for Bernie next week.

To the Editor:

Now that we have been nearly locked up (or is that locked down?) by election year politics, let’s think about what’s being stolen from us. Every political sound bite targets opponents and sites more potential threats.

Even among our local candidates there are people that we think are trustworthy walking a very fine line between what is ethical and/or legal. However, in the next few months all the candidates will be walking around among us at numerous benefits, humanitarian events, religious gatherings, making speeches, strutting down parade routes, knocking on doors, etc.

As a concerned voter and advocate for our disabled and disenfranchised Iowans, I am not able to just stand aside and watch folks in need of health care handcuffed, sentenced or adjudicated because of Governor Branstad’s decision to privatize health care. Now our Governor wants to close the two remaining Iowa state extended care mental health hospitals?

To the Editor:

I truly appreciate the people of Waukon for their generous support of the Memory Garden in the Waukon City Park. It is remarkable that 68 trees have been planted in memory of groups, family members and individuals. I also wish to express my gratitude to those people who have helped plant trees and landscape around them.

While working at the Memory Garden, I find it peaceful and serene. Hopefully, this is a place of beauty for the community of Waukon.

We are about to embark on another project that we hope you will support. This new project is the parking lot area and retaining walls. More information will be published in The Standard as it becomes available.

Wayne H. Burk
Waukon