Kansas City Chiefs kicker, Harrison Butker, gave a college commencement address where he said: “I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you. Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you…
Murder at the Black Hawk Hotel
CEDAR FALLS — Gary Kroeger has a mind for murder. The veteran performer has created several original murder mystery events and one set in the 1920s will unfold Saturday at the Black Hawk Hotel, 115 Main St. “I’m a huge mystery fan and I’ve attended a few murder mystery evenings in recent years. I’ve thought…
The Spirit of Rebirth
Easter is a time to look back while also looking forward. For me it is the time of year when I am reminded as to why I chose to live in this community. There is a collective understanding that we are in a place where we can be friends even if we hold differing views.…
A State Of Deep Concern
The use of binary thinking does not presuppose that someone is simple and certainly not stupid. Binary thinking is the natural inclination to simplify in order to protect and explain ourselves. Religion is a binary system in that you either accept one specific set of beliefs or suffer the consequences of being wrong according to…
There Will Be Blood
It’s time to dispel the myth that one political party is the party of true, constitution-loving, patriots. Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama) in her kitchen table bedtime story underscored the idea that has been a primary talking point for Republicans – that they are the ones “steeped in the blood of patriots who overthrew the most…
Words Between The Lines Of Age; where “The Daily Show” got it wrong
First of all, I don’t consider Jon Stewart one of the best political commentators of our time. I consider him thee best political commentator of our time. His mind is uniquely suited to frame complex issues with logical deductions from a common sense perspective and bring into focus the shortcomings and hypocrisies of policies and politicians.…
Give me my binky!
Domestic violence is on the rise. So is bullying. So is murder in schools. The Centers for Disease Control cites several factors including “cultural norms that support aggression, anger, and lack of non-violent social problem solving skills.” It is easy to look around in our micro and macro worlds and see increased aggression. In my…
Between Comedy and a Cause
As a writer it can be difficult to walk the line between providing information and from being simply a promotion. Providing information to enlighten a segment of society to something worth paying attention to, for the benefit of many, or being an advertisement for it, thereby, becoming less journalistic, is the path I walk here. You…
Where The Tall Corn Grows
There was no surprise last night when Trump won 98 of 99 counties in Iowa. That result was carved by the proverbial winds of populism for years already. Trump’s popularity is the result of decades of rhetoric that has taken attention away from the real threats in American lives and turned it toward made up…
A Christmas Story
I’d like to share a Christmas story. When my eldest son, Chris, was only 3, his mother and I were moving our family from Los Angeles to Iowa when we stopped by a restaurant, owned by a friend, on our way out of town. I had lost touch with Seth, the owner, for several years…