Viewpoints

Every new year some people make “resolutions”. Maybe it is to change a behavior or habit, possibly to learn a new hobby, to exercise more. Too often we fail because we do not consider taking small steps toward personal change. This is true for our spiritual lives as well; we don’t think about how challenging it can be to create and sustain new, grace-filled habits.

To the Editor:

As we move into the New Year, I find myself giving thanks for living in Iowa and for having Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) and their entire staff serving us.

December 1 I suffered a serious accident while working in the woods with my son, Jonathon. We were working recovering firewood from a steep hillside on my farm and I was struck by a falling tree. The blow from the tree fractured my right femur and destroyed the artificial knee which had been implanted 21 years ago.

The Harpers Ferry Fire Department Rescue Squad brought me out of the woods and delivered me to VMH where they diagnosed the full extent of my injuries. Once the full extent of my injuries was known, the hospital staff began the search for anyplace to do the repairs required. It took all day to find a surgical team that does the type of work needed and that turned out to be University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.

To the Editor:

There is a form of slavery taking place in Iowa right now. It’s called human trafficking, and it occurs when men, women or children are forced to perform labor services or sexual acts.

This horrific crime affects thousands of people across the U.S., and it can happen to anyone. The State of Iowa is taking steps to raise awareness about human trafficking and put an end to this danger, but we need your help.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This is an opportune time for Iowans to learn how to recognize the signs of human trafficking, stand with survivors, and inform them of available resources.

The Christmas Tree

Have you ever wondered why we put up Christmas trees? Most people love Christmas trees. However, very few know its history or the purpose behind Christmas trees. And so, I thought I would share some information with you so that you may learn to understand and appreciate your Christmas tree a little more.

For many, a “good Christmas” means just getting through the holidays with minimal conflict. Clenched teeth make it hard to sing most holiday carols, so now is no time for confrontation.

Yet, John the Baptist stands as the Gospel’s necessary Advent precursor - God’s go-to man whose precise charge confronts us and bring us into conflict with ourselves.

“By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace,” declares John’s father, Zechariah.

His lyric song in Luke 1 provides a kind of pause, an interruption, in the narrative flow. Turn the page, and what’s next is the most-famous version of the Christmas story! That’s what we’re all so eager to get to this month. Who doesn’t want to jump straight into Luke 2 and once again see that manger, that baby, those exhausted young parents, those angels dancing in the night sky?

To the Editor:

As a connoisseur of music of all genres, I can easily equate music titles to what’s happening in downtown Waukon. According to a favorite song by Cher, “If I Could Turn Back Time,” in the 1990s and early 2000s, Waukon boasted 20-plus restaurant (food serving) and liquor establishments within the city limits (Yes, I can name them). Combined, they all created a thriving day and night life (especially night) with downtown streets often left without available parking.

This led to Waukon becoming a destination town with the culmination being on St. Patrick’s Day. Young and old came from far and surrounding areas to eat, drink and be entertained.

To the Editor:

This should have been part of my last letter, but it got too long. RINO (Republican in Name Only) Mike Pence is not telling the truth, he knows Trump would never approve a riot. I think and believe it was a few bad Democrats that ignited the riot.

The January 6 trial is a fiasco, as was the Russian collusion. The Democrats spent two million dollars producing the fake document, and the disgusting FBI and CIA lied about it. Congress spent millions of our tax dollars on the January 6 Kangaroo Court. No wonder the approval of Congress is near 10%, and that’s sad.

Donald J. Trump is a proven, get-things-done person who did more good in four years, and he will do it again. RINOs Pence and Cheney will disappear, and good riddance. If Gov. DeSantis would help Trump, we would have a red swing.

We sure need better management in Washington. We are 30 trillion dollars in debt. That is very bad management on both sides. I really despise RINOs.

2 Samuel 5:1-3
Collosians 1:12-20
Luke 23:35-43

Today we celebrate a feast in honor of a King, Christ the King. No ordinary, run-of-the-mill king, this one. He’s the one they whipped and beat half to death. And then some smart-alek idiots presented him with a crown, a crown of thorns. They jammed that down on his head and then they put a cloak on him, a royal purple cloak, and then they mocked him, laughed at him, and called him King.

OK now, that is Our King. Do you like your king?

Or would you prefer a king who sits on an expensive throne in an expensive mansion, who rides around in a chauffeured Rolls-Royce, who robs his people blind so that he can live a life of ridiculous affluence?

To the Editor:

Today we are in a crisis of character, a crisis of integrity. We need men and women who have perseverance and stick-to-it gumption, not like people like Pence, Romney, McConnell, Ryan, Cheney and other “Rinos”. We need a better school system that turns out better citizens, not flag burning and historical statue destroyers but good, honest citizens that are ready to serve our country if needed. In other words, we need patriots.

I would like to congratulate Iowa and Florida on great victories for the Republican Party. Have you noticed how the states that have Republican governors are doing so well and the states that have Democratic governors are deeply in debt and have severe criminal problems? Today, if I had a chance to choose between Gov. Reynolds or Desantis, I would pick Reynolds, big time. Under her leadership, Iowa is truly God’s Country.

To the Editor:

Yes, I am encouraged, joyful and thankful to my fellow Iowans who voted for candidates who honored God, country and our state of Iowa, our freedoms, and the right to life - which includes protecting the life of the helpless and innocent unborn. True science reveals that each of our lives began at conception and continued to grow through stages of development within our mother’s womb (which should be the safest room in our world for the unborn) until our birth. That baby - that same individual person - continues to grow and develop on this journey of life.

I am grateful to the voters who brought forth a red tsunami in Iowa. Having met and/or heard many of these victorious candidates, from our governor and on through local winners, I am convinced and confident that we have elected truly qualified, competent, hard-working and honorable leaders for Iowa.