Retired Des Moines Register journalist. Now works and advocates for gov't openness, accountability. I write a newspaper column weekly (and, sometimes, weakly).
Back in my opinion editors days, I traded emails periodically with Robert Reich when I wanted to publish one of his commentaries. The topics were important — but never as OMG! as the following column did. Be sure to read to the end. https://t.co/5hGCjjoWBw
New post: The Iowa we once knew is "Slip Slidin' Away." David Elbert catalogs the losses for our state's population, education, and more.
https://t.co/EJTy2cwCcA
The public-relations optics of the city’s position are problematic. If 100 random people show up to use Gray’s Lake trail, the city says “fine.” If you notify 100 friends you are going to run there at a certain time, the city says “pay up” or we are sending the cops. 😵💫 ⤵️
This @CBSNews exclusive — in which US soldiers dispute the Pentagon’s description of the deadly Iranian attack on an outpost in Kuwait — involves the 103rd Sustainment Command, a unit based in Des Moines.
https://t.co/SSmfySt20x
Where are members of Iowa’s delegation to Congress on this? Detaining a law-abiding wife of an Army staff sgt. is hardly ridding America of violent criminals. https://t.co/mOuwrqogeq
I have so many questions about the Iowa State Patrol's newest plane, including:
-why buy such a large plane instead of a 2nd smaller plane w/similar high-tech equipment?
-why has it taken several trips out of state?
-how often has Kim Reynolds used it?
https://t.co/vXqdstmiMy
State govt bringng Da Bears to Iowa? … Gee, once Iowa strikes out on this, why not try to recruit the Catholic Church to move the Vatican here? Dubuque would be a good place.
https://t.co/sbJ6ptw5mj
Federal prosecutors are having as much success in front of grand juries as I had at home plate back in Little League. Lots of strikeouts. ⤵️
https://t.co/aXzG1Gr65O
The Legislature should kill proposed language that would keep secret from the public when medical spas are found by state regulators to have violated health and safety regulations. Lawmakers should not forget their duty to the public. https://t.co/GWzpgttOoY
The Iowa angle: While media companies have caved to Trump’s lawsuits, lawyers for Des Moines Register, its Gannett parent company and pollster J. Ann Selzer will be in court on Jan. 30 continuing to fight Trump’s lawsuit over the last pre-election poll. https://t.co/Cdg56Br1P3
Your Iowa Angle for Today: The Sound of Music is a TV staple this time of year. The Lonely Goatherd puppet scene features the puppets and artistry of Bil Baird, who grew up in Mason City. The Goatherd puppets now reside at the MacNider Museum in Mason City.
cc: @ChuckGrassley@SenJoniErnst@RepAshleyHinson — The United States is killing alleged drug-runners, but here’s what the president is doing in the supposed war on drugs: Trump pardons major drug traffickers despite his anti-drug rhetoric
https://t.co/oFFJen60E5