en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/673207 Comments by cure4pain http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2009/11/13/chetchase-2010-the-week-8#IDComment43219101 I agree, public, tax-payer funded schools certainly must strictly stick to instructing in the factual necessities for which they were instituted, such as reading, writing, math, & more recently science & history. Public, tax-payer funded, schools absolutely should not deal with beliefs, morals, theology, opinions, etc. However, Mr. Hurley’s quote appears to criticize government forced teaching of sodomy as acceptable rather than wanting schools to teach what is acceptable/unacceptable. So, it seems you & I concur with Mr. Hurley in this regard. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:31:33 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/blogs/24-hour-dorman/2009/11/13/chetchase-2010-the-week-8#IDComment43219101 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2009/11/13/four-injured-in-accident-on-interstate-380#IDComment43217619 No kidding. Thankfully the accident resulted in non-life threatening injuries. But, how could the vehicle shown not have resulted in more serious injuries? It appears to have been a miracle. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:05:37 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2009/11/13/four-injured-in-accident-on-interstate-380#IDComment43217619 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/iowa-prep-sports/2009/11/13/live-coverage-harrison-barnes-signing-3-p-m#IDComment43217188 Roy Williams deserves credit. He’s smart, works hard, & has a knack for pulling potentially great NCAA players out of Iowa. While many of us would have liked to see him play for ISU & it is an honor for the Cyclones to be considered with UNC, Duke, Oklahoma, UCLA, & Kansas, you can’t blame a talented player for wanting to experience a different community & environment or being attracted to the prestige of a scholarship from one of the top 5 programs in the country. For a variety of reasons from demographics, resources, & media to climate, culture, & tradition, colleges in Iowa will have an uphill battle consistently competing for highly sought-after recruits. As a result, we should appreciate & savor winning seasons, NCAA tournament berths, & possibly an occasional run at the “sweet 16” or “elite 8.” While they need to aim for the perfection of conference championships & NCAA championship, A.D.’s or coaches that promise more would be fooling themselves & create unnecessary fan disappointment. Hopefully we Iowans wish this fellow Iowan the best & take pleasure in his future success. Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:59:00 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/sports/iowa-prep-sports/2009/11/13/live-coverage-harrison-barnes-signing-3-p-m#IDComment43217188 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/linn-county-crossroads/2009/11/13/theisens-to-open-store-at-old-econofoods#IDComment43113776 There’s another missed opportunity by government elected indecision. The old Econofoods store is good enough for a taxpayer. Too bad it wasn’t good enough for the tax-takers. It would have been a good option with better accessibility to county citizens that others considered & likely lower cost than building new. Maybe the county supervisors can make-up their minds more quickly now that this seemingly logical possibility is gone. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:03:57 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/linn-county-crossroads/2009/11/13/theisens-to-open-store-at-old-econofoods#IDComment43113776 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/education/2009/11/09/cedar-rapids-school-district-offices-moving-to-new-location#IDComment42773162 We don’t need a new administrative service building. Yes, the old one was flooded. Yes, an alternative needs to be established. But, the administration exists for the purpose of educating our children & works for us as taxpayers of the district. It seems illogical for the administration to have nicer, newer offices, hallways, restrooms, meeting rooms, parking, etc. than the students, some of whom are stuck in permanently temporary modular units. It seems outrageous that the decision would be to spend so much at times like these. I would like to have shiny, new things too, but don’t need them. So, I use something called restrain & discipline. Can anyone that lives off of the taxpayer say no to spending these days? There has got to be a better solution. Speaking of modular units, maybe the administration should just buy & stay in the current modular units. By the way, those public forums were a rail road job. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:02:07 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/education/2009/11/09/cedar-rapids-school-district-offices-moving-to-new-location#IDComment42773162 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/11/10/linn-county-auditor-wants-to-sell-land-to-put-property-back-on-tax-rolls#IDComment42771818 Now there is a great idea coming from an elected official for once. Good thinking Auditor Miller! Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:43:02 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/11/10/linn-county-auditor-wants-to-sell-land-to-put-property-back-on-tax-rolls#IDComment42771818 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/11/10/linn-health-plans-could-be-model-for-rest-of-iowa#IDComment42771511 Agreed, I’m so glad the nannies at Linn Co. Public Health exist to think for US. We certainly couldn’t do that on our own. How much is this going to cost Linn Co. citizens? By the way, burning firewood to heat your home or branches due to wind or ice is dangerous too. GOVERNMENT, GET OUT OF OUR WAY! Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:38:12 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/11/10/linn-health-plans-could-be-model-for-rest-of-iowa#IDComment42771511 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/11/07/area-muslim-leaders-say-shootings-not-motivated-by-religion#IDComment42341151 It is beyond time for an end to political correctness and coddling. Islam is a cult. The very theme of islam is that allah is the sole creator of everything on heaven and earth and muslims are his only legitimate and righteous people. Anyone else, Jews, Christians, hindus, etc. are simply infidels and hated by allah. Devout muslims believe that life's all solutions are contained in the “Holy Quran”, that the quran is the immutable divine words of allah, infallible-unchangeable-eternal book of allah, and they must follow this word by word without any question. Muslims believe that anyone who does not agree with them is an enemy of islam. A muslim must oppose his enemy and kill them by any means whenever the opportunity arises. That does not mean they are bad or evil people. They are just extremely gullible and horribly misguided. At the same time, their actions and beliefs are evil. As people, they are to be loved, but not to be trusted. Moreover, their deeds, mission, and beliefs must be made clear for what they really are and fought. Sat, 7 Nov 2009 14:38:40 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/11/07/area-muslim-leaders-say-shootings-not-motivated-by-religion#IDComment42341151 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/11/07/area-muslim-leaders-say-shootings-not-motivated-by-religion#IDComment42334373 "The Arabic phrase 'Allahu Akbar', shouted by the Fort Hood killer Major Nidal Malik Hasan before he opened fire... Translated as 'God is great', it can be used to express delight and euphoria or as a war cry during battles. " according to Telegraph.co.uk. There is only one true God who created the world and provides a way for our eternal life. He certainly does not encourage slaughtering innocent, unarmed people. The one true God is not the one that Nidal Malik Hasan was worshipping with this deliberate, despicable, heinous act. Sat, 7 Nov 2009 13:03:23 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/11/07/area-muslim-leaders-say-shootings-not-motivated-by-religion#IDComment42334373 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/02/culver-announces-funding-for-flood-buyouts#IDComment36939501 I’m glad the governor was finally in Washington making a case for the huge needs. I’m especially pleased that at least some with overwhelming financial needs will finally get some relief. However, this is another example of Culver showboating & exploiting. Again, he is clearly playing politics with critical matters for victims & our community. Now, if we only had a wise, intelligent, rational, statesman to provide a viable gubernatorial candidate from any or no party affiliation. Sat, 3 Oct 2009 03:53:52 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/02/culver-announces-funding-for-flood-buyouts#IDComment36939501 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/02/film-program-may-be-scrapped-unless-benefits-proven-iowa-lawmaker-says#IDComment36934806 I appreciate your opinion & observation about revenue in other states. At what cost did that revenue come? Let's make the government accountable for this & every local, state, & federal expediture of your & my & our grandkids' future money. Look at the cost-benefit or return on investment. Governments have essential roles for citizens. Beyond those essential roles, governments need to get out of the way, lower tax & regulation, & let revenue be generated by the citizens. I believe films will be made where natural resouces exist for filming just like corn will grow most effectively where resources exist for corn growth. It seems inappropriate to waste money attempting to establish a false economy where less than $1 is yielded by $1 spent. Sat, 3 Oct 2009 03:42:27 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/02/film-program-may-be-scrapped-unless-benefits-proven-iowa-lawmaker-says#IDComment36934806 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/02/film-program-may-be-scrapped-unless-benefits-proven-iowa-lawmaker-says#IDComment36921149 This was an ill-conceived concoction by people with distorted priorities & values. These people glamorize, adore, revere, & exalt actors, directors, producers, TV personalities, professional musicians, professional athletes, etc. so much that they would do anything for them. Shut down this boondoggle for good. Sat, 3 Oct 2009 02:51:45 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2009/10/02/film-program-may-be-scrapped-unless-benefits-proven-iowa-lawmaker-says#IDComment36921149 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/09/30/ground-broken-for-human-services-campus#IDComment36668205 Nothing against the organizations that benefit from this specific project & kudos to those who contributed. Businesses, their owners, & their employees pay for government & non-profits. Businesses, people, & foundations are free & encouraged to contribute as they please. Instead of raining money done on select projects throughout the state through I-nonJOBS, how about a 20% tax credit for Iowa tax payers on contributions to disaster recovery & other things billed as potential beneficiaries of I-nonJOBS. That's 2/5 of what was allowed for out-of-state based film endeavors. Who is watching the I-nonJOBS, some of the same types of people keeping an eye on the film tax credit? Do you trust the government with your money?! Does going into I-nonJOBS debt solve a financial problem of not enough revenue in the state?! Does creating I-nonJOBS debt without a repayment plan make sense?! It is beyond time to work to remove the governor & legislators that voted us into an unstable & dangerous situation & undermining our state’s long-term financial viability. If you think I am overly critical of I-nonJOBS directed a local project with some merit like this, guess what I think of the other projects. Thu, 1 Oct 2009 01:34:44 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/09/30/ground-broken-for-human-services-campus#IDComment36668205 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/09/30/ground-broken-for-human-services-campus#IDComment36667808 Great to see building occur in CR. Great for contractors & organizations that will benefit from it. Good for CR property tax base, unless this is a government owned building. Hats off to Mr. Dummermuth, a "businessman", Hall Perrine Foundation, AEGON Transamerica Foundation, Rockwell Collins, United Fire and McIntyre Foundation (all funded by successful businesses) for their generosity again. But, what about the taxpayers that pay for I-nonJOBS projects (plus interest in the future with an aging workforce & shrinking population) & won't benefit from them? What about the organizations that are left out because so much was allocated to a few, no doubt worthy organizations? Who owns the building & is the direct beneficiary of your I-nonJOBS funds? Does the space for lease in this building compete with for-profit, non-subsidized, tax-paying, job creating builders, developers, & landlords? What about the for-profit organizations impacted by the flood & economy, but neglected by resources allocated to non-profits & municipalities? Thu, 1 Oct 2009 01:29:34 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2009/09/30/ground-broken-for-human-services-campus#IDComment36667808 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2009/09/28/i-jobs-job-count-may-be-lower-than-estimates#IDComment36541651 This is nothing new. On 5/15/09 ISU economics professor David Swenson told the Des Moines Register the program will only create about 4,050 jobs – not the 30,000 as Culver has wildly claimed. Professor Swenson also reported the program is creating construction jobs that will be temporary. I-Jobs is a scam taking money from all citizens to benefit a few. As our local Rep. Paulsen suggests, unfortunately for Iowas, those "jobs" will be long gone before we & our kids finish paying off the massive, unprecedented debt. Tue, 29 Sep 2009 22:43:45 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2009/09/28/i-jobs-job-count-may-be-lower-than-estimates#IDComment36541651