Viewpoints

To the Editor:

The following is in response to numerous accusations and attacks that WMT radio has been waging against me and my office on multiple media and social media platforms.

WMT Radio out of Cedar Rapids sponsors and hosts an annual “Tractorcade” event. WMT (branch of iHeart Media Incorporated out of New York, NY) is a large, private, for-profit business. The $150 entry fee plus additional costs, that go directly to the coffers of WMT/iHeart Media, is charged to each participant wishing to participate. Furthermore, there are multiple businesses and corporations that sponsor the event and that WMT profits from.

WMT has been sponsoring this event for many years. During this time, they have successfully been able to get publicly-funded law enforcement agencies to go along with providing private security functions, such as shutting down highways and busy intersections to motorists, for their private event and subsequent personal profit.

To the Editor:

According to the Midwest Farm Report of May 31, 2023, “Iowa State University economists estimate pork producers lost $49.47 per market hog sold in April, making it the sixth consecutive month of losses. Market hog prices are at their lowest level since January 2021.”

Farm markets do fluctuate. U.S. hog producers were hoping for large pork exports to China, but this is unlikely to happen since China now plans to prioritize their own pork production within their country.

Add to this concerns about hog diseases that can wipe out an entire livestock facility, and industrial-size hog production is becoming a more dangerous proposition. Is it wise for farmers to seek risky financial expansions into the CAFO industrial model at this time?

To the Editor:

When I was married to my first husband, he did not want any more children. We had three at the time. I became pregnant again with the fourth child.

It was the year they passed the law that it was legal, in 1973, to kill babies. He said I had better get an abortion.

I was so young at the time, and he was extremely violent. There were no advocates at the time, when families were threatened, to go to for safety.

I begged him to “let me have this baby,” and if he did I would get my tubes tied. I did, and I am so grateful I had the baby.

Today, it is no big deal to murder babies. It also includes selling baby parts to various agencies after a torturous murder. They also call a baby fetus a glob of tissue.

God created baby human beings between one man and one woman. It starts at conception. So, why do we think we have the right to murder God’s creation?

To the Editor:

June 15, 2023 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging is proud to join communities in the USA and all over the world to help raise awareness of this systemic social challenge.

As Americans, we believe in justice for all. Yet we fail to live up to this promise when we allow older members of our society to be abused or neglected. Older people are vital contributing members of American society, and their maltreatment diminishes all of us. Just as we have confronted and addressed the social issues of child abuse and domestic violence, so too can we find solutions to address issues like elder abuse, which also threatens the well-being of our community.

To the Editor:

During the last few years there has been an amazing shift in the world of mental health. People have begun to understand that the mental health issues that someone may struggle with do not define them, and that they need support and love from their family and peers.

The stigma that once hung over depression, anxiety and other mental disorders is lifting, making it easier for people to come to terms with their illnesses and seek the help they need to heal. An extremely beneficial way to combat mental illness is to attend peer support groups for mental health. Here is a list from clinical psychologist David Susman, PhD of six reasons a support group could best serve your needs.

To the Editor:

Trump and his supporters in attendance exhibited a new low at the New Hampshire town hall telecast by CNN this past week.  Trump was found guilty of sexual abuse and defamation by a New York district judge and jury of his peers, per the requirements of the U.S. Constitution. Trump lied to millions of people on the telecast stating he didn’t know E. Jean Carroll, called her a “wack job”, the verdict a disgrace and a continuing “witch hunt”.

To the Editor:

Recently my wife and I went to Waukon to renew our drivers licenses. I had heard appointments were no longer needed. Not true in Waukon. We were told we couldn’t be served without an appointment, and they are going to keep it that way.

To me, it feels like more power over the people. I thought our county officials were there to serve the people. In my opinion, the time spent taking phone reservations and keeping a log could be better spent just doing the job.

I called the Elkader drivers license office and they said welcome, walk right in. They were the nicest people and the service was quick. We left feeling great. The Elkader office is on Gunder Road in the Supervisors building across from the Elkader Golf Course.

Leigh Rekow
Postville
 

To the Editor:

The saying “old is often considered obsolete” bears little fruit and is not only costly to the environment but also to the taxpayer. A prime example of contradicting that saying was an excellent event and showcase of young people in action in the production of the classic musical “Grease” held in the old Waterville High School gym a couple weekends ago.

It not only was entertaining with great, enthusiastic energy and drive, but it was performed under the same roof as the famed Waterville High School girls basketball team played under 60-70 years ago. This was an excellent example of how repurposing is supposed to work.

The old Waterville School District, the mayor, the city council and involved area residents should all be commended and applauded for their work and foresight in preserving and repurposing such a fine, solid rural facility. This may well be another hidden gem in the driftless area of tourist attractions.

To the Editor:
In the Word for Word column in the May 3 edition of The Standard, Pastor Laura Gentry talks about how it is growing season, both in our gardens and in our spiritual lives. She discusses the deep concept of how to grow spiritually by mentioning four simple steps: dive into the word, sing the songs, live the life, and tell the story.

Sometimes we tend to make our spiritual journey too complicated as we seek to draw nearer to God. We can put the burden on ourselves and be bound down by legalism, or in our self-righteousness we can cause others to feel bad about themselves.

Religious people have been heard to say, “I don’t smoke, drink, chew, or go with those who do.” That is fine for those who have conquered such habits, but what about those who are still bound by these habits; how does such a self-righteous comment make those people feel?

To the Editor:
Iowans are good people with common sense and compassion who care about one another. They value their public schools which are the hub of rural communities. They want to drink clean water and they want a government which works for them.

When Iowans voted, did they ask for their public schools to be starved and weakened?

Did they want to make it harder for the hungry to be fed?

Did they ask for  books to be banned and the teaching of Black and Native American history suppressed?

Did they want facts about Iowa’s dirty, polluted water to be hidden and ignored?

Did they want the governor, who favors corporations and wealthy donors,  to have more power?

Did they ask for waste, fraud and abuse of public money to be concealed?

The Iowans I know would answer “no” to each of these questions.