en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/744854 Comments by UncleSac http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Group-Says--115924029.html#IDComment133918529 Here's a concept for everyone: Your rights END where the rights of others BEGIN. Simple as that. Imaginary sky daddy's rules do not apply to this conversation. You want them to apply to you? FINE, impose more rules on yourself and your club, just leave the rest of us out of it. Easy cheesy. Get over it and move on. Thu, 10 Mar 2011 19:47:23 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Group-Says--115924029.html#IDComment133918529 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Cedar-Rapids-to-Convert-Piece-of-Third-Avenue-SE-to-Two-Way-as-City-Readies-for-PCI-116761019.html#IDComment130223276 As many times as I have looked at these plans for the new PC of Iowa, I still can't wrap my mind around why they couldn't build around the existing streets using the skywalk concept. Just look at the artists concept drawing above. A two story building is shown. Gee, d'yathink they could have built a third floor since they will be having elevators anyway? Leave the PEOPLES streets alone! Choking off downtown is underway. Not just choking traffic, but further choking commerce and the peoples desire to go downtown for any reason. If I were invested in downtown commerce, I'd be raising a stink over this and other projects choking the already anemic traffic flow downtown. And while I am at it, help me understand why the new federal building couldn't have been built in one of the old industrial areas a few blocks southeast, or even in the parking lot just across the street to the south instead of blocking first street SE. Do any of these people have any common sense? Maximizing expense, public impact, and minimizing return all at once. Thu, 24 Feb 2011 02:10:22 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Cedar-Rapids-to-Convert-Piece-of-Third-Avenue-SE-to-Two-Way-as-City-Readies-for-PCI-116761019.html#IDComment130223276 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Train-Clips-Snow-Plow-Near-Alburnett-No-One-Hurt-115734124.html#IDComment127201669 I hate to nitpick, but it's "grader". Oh, and here's YOUR sign... :D Thu, 10 Feb 2011 21:54:52 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Train-Clips-Snow-Plow-Near-Alburnett-No-One-Hurt-115734124.html#IDComment127201669 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Interviews-For-New-Supreme-Court-Justices-Start-Today-114477659.html#IDComment123699503 Nobody was asking you to change your opinion. Those proposing this law were simply asking gays to be treated the same as everyone else under the law. They were not asking to be allowed to marry in any specific church, or for anyone to like it, or attend, send a card, or a gift. They were simply asking to be allowed the right to be married under the law. I spent years of my life serving in our military in an effort to preserve the liberties we have, and expand liberties to those who do not have them. I have been in harms way numerous times in this endeavor. Sad to think there are those who choose to work against those ideals right here among us. This country is a work in progress. In the last century "we the people" have worked hard against similar resistance to bring about equality for many oppressed groups. African Americans, Women, and disabled people to name a few. This is simply one more group of oppressed people asking to be included in our society. I am not gay, but I stand with them in their endeavor. Someone must, and I am willing. ...And justice for ALL Not just a select few as some would have it. Tue, 25 Jan 2011 17:47:22 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Interviews-For-New-Supreme-Court-Justices-Start-Today-114477659.html#IDComment123699503 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Interviews-For-New-Supreme-Court-Justices-Start-Today-114477659.html#IDComment123483239 Actually, I completely agree with the right of voters to voice their opinions. And I agree with the system that is in place allowing voters to choose justices. But, with that RIGHT to vote comes a RESPONSIBILITY to protect the rights of ALL. Some cannot or will not see that concept. It is with those self centered fools that I take issue . Allow me to clarify: If you voted the justices out simply to get new blood in to our government because you feel our government isn't working the way it should, then I am on your side. Thanks for voting. But if you voted the justices out because of narrow minded beliefs, then I submit that you are on the wrong side of history. You know, the opposite side of liberty, justice, and the pursuit of happiness. The same side with Theocracies, slavery, religious persecution, witch hunts, etc. The side that opposed the rights of women to vote, and killed millions in the Holocaust. Only those who voted can know the reasons for the vote they cast. But alas, the whole of society must live with the consequences. Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:50:53 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Interviews-For-New-Supreme-Court-Justices-Start-Today-114477659.html#IDComment123483239 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Interviews-For-New-Supreme-Court-Justices-Start-Today-114477659.html#IDComment123454658 Great. (some) voters are getting exactly what they asked for. They voted out justices for upholding their oath of office in determining that a same sex marriage ban is unconsititutional. They were voted out because they DID THEIR JOB. Nice job, voters! Score one for the obsessed few who wish to impose their warped will on the rest of humanity. I weep for Liberty, Justice, Freedom and the true values of America. We are one step closer to creating a Christian version of Iran. Soon our Anthem will be "O'er the land of the free...so long as they believe as I do!" Consider this poem: "In Germany they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up." -- by Martin Niemöller, theologian and Lutheran Pastor Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:52:57 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Interviews-For-New-Supreme-Court-Justices-Start-Today-114477659.html#IDComment123454658 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Skepticism-on-Highway-30-Roundabouts-Reigns-at-Public-Hearing-114145219.html#IDComment122307668 I am familiar with the traffic pattern of roundabouts. I am speaking of a semi needing to swing wide as he/she navigates the roundabout. My point isn't if roundabouts in general are workable, but rather if they are workable at those two intersections without needing more land than the right of way can currently provide. Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:24:22 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Skepticism-on-Highway-30-Roundabouts-Reigns-at-Public-Hearing-114145219.html#IDComment122307668 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Skepticism-on-Highway-30-Roundabouts-Reigns-at-Public-Hearing-114145219.html#IDComment122128263 My concern with roundabouts in this situation is the mingling of semis and autos. Look at the photo above and imagine trying to work your way in with an 18 wheeler trying to make a left turn from northbound highway 1 to westbound hwy 30. It seems to me that the circle would need to be greatly enlarged to allow a decent and safe flow of such traffic. This means nabbing up more private land on arguably the most valuable intersections in Mt. Vernon in terms of retailer opportunity. I think they are fine in a suburban neighborhood where you have mostly cars and light trucks, but not an ideal solution where you have heavy agricultural truck traffic such as on highway 30. Tue, 18 Jan 2011 19:04:54 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Skepticism-on-Highway-30-Roundabouts-Reigns-at-Public-Hearing-114145219.html#IDComment122128263 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Study-Finds-Video-Game-Addiction-Increasing-Causing-Mental-Health-Problems-113969794.html#IDComment122083061 Me: Yeah, those video games will make you crazy. In my day we just did something wholesome like watch TV after school. My Father: Yeah, my son used to let the TV rot his brain, and the commercials brainwashed him. In my day we played baseball and walked around town in the evening. My grandfather: Yeah, my kids used to waste their day playing baseball and letting the Coca-Cola ads brainwash them into spending their allowance on sodas. And they'd get into trouble uptown all the time. When I was a young lad, we'd just get together at the swimming hole or maybe go see a picture show... you know, wholesome stuff. My great grandfather: My kids and the local boys would hang out learning swear words and looking at girlie magazines. Buncha troublemakers! In my day, we'd go to the circus and see the side show! You know, wholesome stuff.... Tue, 18 Jan 2011 14:26:38 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Study-Finds-Video-Game-Addiction-Increasing-Causing-Mental-Health-Problems-113969794.html#IDComment122083061 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/More-Than-300-Ash-Trees-to-Come-Down-in-Cedar-Rapids-112872714.html#IDComment119497429 Removing the trees is logical because the insects both feed on and lay eggs in the sick or declining trees. If we limit the number of trees in poor health, we can (somewhat) limit the spread of the invasive species. To be sure, it is a losing battle, but one which must be fought. One thing we do have going for us is that Iowa has several small prairie towns that may not ever see an EAB infestation because they are so far from other groves of trees. This can act as a kind of ark to allow the species of trees to outlive the plague of the insect. This is what saved the American Elm trees from extinction. And 300 trees is a drop in the bucket. I am guessing at LEAST 10% of the trees in this area are Ash. Probably millions of trees, and taking 300 is small potatoes. The sad part is that Ash wood makes beautiful lumber for furniture and Architectural work, but for some reason people would rather import Oak from Mexico than use Ash...even though the layman cannot tell the difference. Regards, UncleSac Tue, 4 Jan 2011 18:00:43 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/More-Than-300-Ash-Trees-to-Come-Down-in-Cedar-Rapids-112872714.html#IDComment119497429 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/80346677.html#IDComment49625912 The state--not an individual county-- should adopt a "responsible for your actions" approach instead of an "impose on your lifestyle" approach. Create a law (if one doesn't already exist) that allows a court to subpoena the cell phone/text records of the driver of a motor vehicle who is involved in an accident involving other vehicles or property. If the records show the person was on the phone, then they should be held accountable for the damage they have caused and fined a suitable amount to deter people from doing so in the future. Penalties in such cases ought to be similar to drunk driving offenses. Further, no specific new laws need be created involving cell phone use while driving. If a law enforcement officer sees fit, he/ she may issue a citation for reckless driving, or distracted driving (or whatever existing law applies) regardless of what device the person was using. Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:42:23 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/80346677.html#IDComment49625912