en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/628608 Comments by FreeCountry http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/09/cedar-rapids-man-pleads-guilty-in-2008-bever-park-duck-stoning#IDComment97909989 I'm almost as angry now at the idiots who let this nutjob plead to a lesser charge -- anyone who has worked in the judicial system/law enforcement for longer than 30minutes know these two wackjobs need to do some time (and at a minimum a psych eval to confirm the sociopathism involved). Unsupervised probation? Are you kidding me? Might as well just give the first guy another rock or hammer or whatever and let him loose with the kiddies.....because that's what's next. PS -- the fine should've been $625 PER ANIMAL. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 00:01:47 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/09/cedar-rapids-man-pleads-guilty-in-2008-bever-park-duck-stoning#IDComment97909989 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/07/quasqueton-man-kills-family-cat-after-argument#IDComment97512419 I wish the fine/penalty was a LOT higher. These 'people' are very dangerous. If they'll kill/abuse an animal that did nothing to them, I can guarantee you (worked in field of psychiatry and saw way too much of this) they will also do it to humans (adult or child). I hope whoever he was having the domestic dispute with got a no contact order against this nut. And preferably a gun for self-protection as well. Tue, 7 Sep 2010 21:25:40 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/07/quasqueton-man-kills-family-cat-after-argument#IDComment97512419 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/08/30/fema-says-%e2%80%98no%e2%80%99-to-solid-waste-agency-to-the-tune-of-2-1-million#IDComment96081465 I always have to laugh when I read stories like these....until I realize it's happening in my own city.......our local government is only doing what the Feds already have been: spending money they. don't. have. yet. If I ran my household budget like govts did, I'd have been broke multiple times. But I don't get that luxury. Tue, 31 Aug 2010 02:50:17 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/08/30/fema-says-%e2%80%98no%e2%80%99-to-solid-waste-agency-to-the-tune-of-2-1-million#IDComment96081465 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/08/29/two-cedar-rapids-churches-cross-paths-after-the-2008-floods#IDComment95974751 You would be incorrect on both counts. I was at the service and neither person was the pastor of their respective churches. Franklyearnest has a valid point -- do not take the audio transcript from KCRG video footage and assume it doesn't need editing for text format. Am glad that the article was done, however. This is a TREMENDOUS example of two churches working closely together. I wish both congregations God's richest blessings in their respective outreach areas. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 14:38:20 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/08/29/two-cedar-rapids-churches-cross-paths-after-the-2008-floods#IDComment95974751 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/08/06/new-cedar-rapids-library-could-be-named-after-you-%e2%80%94-for-23-million#IDComment91119000 How about this......warning, novel idea coming......what if it was just named 'The Cedar Rapids Library' and anyone who donated, did so because they wanted their $$ to go to the city library.......for the good of the city itself........ I'll go take my antipsychotics now and it'll all be better. Fri, 6 Aug 2010 03:45:17 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/08/06/new-cedar-rapids-library-could-be-named-after-you-%e2%80%94-for-23-million#IDComment91119000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/07/23/plan-calls-for-cedar-rapids-dogs-cats-to-be-licensed#IDComment88062532 So, do snakes, rabbits, house birds, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc also have to be licensed? My cats never go outside either. Frankly, from some of the kids I see running around, I'd like to require parents to license THEM -- some of them seem more rabid/dangerous than any dog/cat I've met lately. Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:35:28 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/07/23/plan-calls-for-cedar-rapids-dogs-cats-to-be-licensed#IDComment88062532 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/07/15/woman-loses-job-as-a-linn-county-prosecutor-after-confrontation-with-police#IDComment86568205 I understand the tinted windows law, for the sheer fact it's extremely dangerous for police (or anyone for that matter) not to be able to see in a car to see if someone is drawing a weapon. I've wanted that law enacted for years and I'm glad they're enforcing it. Apart from that, this woman just disgraced her race, not to mention her profession. I find it interesting that no one really would've been able to tell initially what race she was, from this video, until she brought it up herself. Way to go, lady (term used loosely). The spectacle and total a - - she made of herself reminds me again of what police face (and lots of people in the emergency professions). I do not in any way condone police violence or brutality, but I can understand how some of them snap after dealing with this crap day after day. Ms Jones-Hall: do yourself and your clients at Legal Aid a favor: review the LAW, review what it means to have CIVILITY, review your rights to dispute something IN COURT, and get over yourself and your race. I don't care if you were chartreuse color with green stripes, it doesn't give you or anyone the right to act like a twit. PS -- the Linn Co Pros Ofc called it very well on this one. Kudos. Wed, 14 Jul 2010 01:28:18 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/07/15/woman-loses-job-as-a-linn-county-prosecutor-after-confrontation-with-police#IDComment86568205 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/04/13/beckers-rely-on-faith-and-hope-that-mark-is-finally-getting-help#IDComment67976752 I hope you never have any of your family members develop a mental illness or you could be facing what this woman is. She's saying he needs to face justice, she's not denying what he did, she's accepting of the sentence. Step out of whatever hole you live in for a minute and think about someone else. Oh, and if you want to blame someone for what happened, besides Mark, maybe blame a mental health system that's so broken it couldn't provide treatment to someone who needed it and who was too ill to get it voluntarily. To the Beckers: I have the utmost respect for you. I cannot imagine the living nightmare you've been in, both before and after the shooting. I am praying that with the right treatment, Mark can make a difference in prison for himself and others. You are all in my prayers. Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:43:08 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/04/13/beckers-rely-on-faith-and-hope-that-mark-is-finally-getting-help#IDComment67976752 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/19/police-save-man-from-jumping-from-cedar-rapids-bridge#IDComment62986180 He can't make his own decisions competently if he's mentally ill/incapacitated. What if it was your family member? Kudos to the CRPD officers. Thank you. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:52:21 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/03/19/police-save-man-from-jumping-from-cedar-rapids-bridge#IDComment62986180 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/flood-recovery/2010/03/04/key-flood-consultant-and-city-council-part-ways#IDComment59756961 "Greg Eyerly, the city’s flood-recovery director, did note that Levy had come to “rub” the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the wrong way — so much so that city staff would “scrub” Levy’s input and present it to FEMA themselves. Eyerly also said Levy’s cost for construction management services, for now, was coming in at a higher rate than that set out by FEMA standards". Looks like our city staff are already having to take on Levy's work.....and I don't see him handing back any cash for what we had to edit for him. If he's truly worked with FEMA to the extent he said he has, he should know how to talk their talk. I'm glad he's getting out. At least we can look for someone new *if* we truly need someone still. Thu, 4 Mar 2010 16:38:18 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/flood-recovery/2010/03/04/key-flood-consultant-and-city-council-part-ways#IDComment59756961 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/01/22/burlington-woman-charged-with-attempting-to-kill-fetus#IDComment53443596 I'm not sure I'm understanding this.....the woman is charged with trying to kill her baby/in effect have an abortion.......why is she charged and a woman who wants the same outcome and goes to an abortion clinic is not charged? Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:00:00 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/01/22/burlington-woman-charged-with-attempting-to-kill-fetus#IDComment53443596 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/12/04/incoming-city-council-could-work-with-a-five-person-majority#IDComment45855529 Tom -- a word of advice: if you want to at least give the appearance of staying relevant, you might try avoiding slamming people who haven't even joined the council yet. Your comment about getting rid of the police department was immature to say the least, whether you were joking or not. If you're feeling so insecure as to make childish potshots at people who haven't even had a chance to do anything yet (oh wait -- Corbett *is* already managing to make time to listen to people/flood victims), maybe you should resign now. Fri, 4 Dec 2009 22:53:46 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/12/04/incoming-city-council-could-work-with-a-five-person-majority#IDComment45855529 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/11/17/police-investigate-robbery-at-quiznos#IDComment43604165 Agreed, Dostoevsky. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:16:15 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/11/17/police-investigate-robbery-at-quiznos#IDComment43604165 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/11/17/mail-carrier-found-drunk-inside-marion-home#IDComment43603759 Not sure how it's funny -- someone has a chemical addiction severe enough to impact a job. Sad, not funny. Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:14:45 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/11/17/mail-carrier-found-drunk-inside-marion-home#IDComment43603759 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/11/13/should-flood-rebuilding-include-public-art#IDComment43099894 I think this idea is indicative of the incompetence of the particular supervisor who proposed it and the Board in general. While sickening in its stupidity, it does not surprise me. As if any one in this city, county, state, or country has excess $$ to throw at what usually amounts to (admittedly in my opinion only) usually weird art.....we're missing jobs, houses, functioning streets (i.e. where potholes don't derail our car alignments), etc.....and yet we have $$ to throw at art? Spare me. And before someone says "well, the feds will pay for it", newsflash: the feds ONLY get their money from US the TAXPAYERS and nowhere else. The money isn't going to come from Tinkerbell the money fairy. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:16:21 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/11/13/should-flood-rebuilding-include-public-art#IDComment43099894 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/10/07/three-linn-supes-overstep-open-meetings-line#IDComment37724482 Oleson had every right to be angry, shaking or otherwise. He seems to be the only one on that current Board that has a clue, and he's probably fighting a losing battle trying to not have things done w/o his or the public's input. I don't trust Hauser, Barron or Langston any further than I can throw a semi truck, after some of the antics they've pulled over the past several months, so I for one fully support Oleson trying to keep things legitimate. The other Supervisors should be that conscientious. Wed, 7 Oct 2009 20:26:13 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/10/07/three-linn-supes-overstep-open-meetings-line#IDComment37724482 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/01/friends-of-sholom-ad-aggravates-agriprocessors-trial-judge#IDComment36742545 I love Judge Reade. I had the pleasure of (almost) serving on a jury on a case over which she presided. I admired how she handled everything those two days of jury selection, and she is one of those rare judge picks where a promotion to federal level was very appropriate. I have no idea how she tolerates some of the crap the 'counselors' try to pull, but I for one am so glad she's one of our Fed judges. Gives me a small glimmer of hope during the day. GO JUDGE READE! :-) Thu, 1 Oct 2009 17:20:45 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/01/friends-of-sholom-ad-aggravates-agriprocessors-trial-judge#IDComment36742545 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/09/28/state-looks-to-close-one-of-four-mental-health-institutions-in-iowa#IDComment36491500 I'm all for re-evalutating programs etc, and maximum efficiency, but even thinking about closing one of these types of facilities is insanity in itself. There are a multitude of places our beloved state governor and legislature could cut costs from, if they chose, that do not impact people's and society's mental health and safety. It beyond angers me that mental health is always the first place many people look to cut, and then a few weeks/months later scream "why did XYZ act of violence" take place (homicide, suicide, whatever). Mental health is no less important than physical health and we see the evidence every day of that, in society. Iowa is in a critical shortage of mental health providers, especially in the rural areas. What our goofus government SHOULD be doing is looking how to ramp up recruitment into the field, retain providers already trained, etc. I am so glad that so many people turned out to express their views on this. Bless them. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:51:52 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/09/28/state-looks-to-close-one-of-four-mental-health-institutions-in-iowa#IDComment36491500 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/08/30/ramblin-food-cart-caters-to-man%e2%80%99s-dream#IDComment32681772 I knew Chad's family growing up, and I wish I worked downtown, because I would be a *very* regular customer! I get hungry just thinking about the food.....great article and great initiative Chad! This made my day :-) Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:11:43 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/08/30/ramblin-food-cart-caters-to-man%e2%80%99s-dream#IDComment32681772 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2009/08/24/computer-overload-complicates-last-day-of-clunkers-program#IDComment31862743 Better the public sees it now (sorry for the car dealers who had the misguided trust in the govt) than after the healthcare boondoggle goes through......personally, I am surprised by none of this. Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:34:05 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2009/08/24/computer-overload-complicates-last-day-of-clunkers-program#IDComment31862743