en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/784897 Comments by saj88 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/07/23/plan-calls-for-cedar-rapids-dogs-cats-to-be-licensed#IDComment88156785 I'm sure you didn't intend the "buck" to be funny, but that made me giggle. :) *buck-buck-bukaw!* Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:47:15 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/07/23/plan-calls-for-cedar-rapids-dogs-cats-to-be-licensed#IDComment88156785 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/07/15/cedar-rapids-ranked-as-best-place-for-affordable-homes#IDComment86859838 It's ONE of the best. CNN has a feature called "Best Place", and consequently Cedar Rapids is considered a CNNmoney 'Best Place'. Way to take something extremely out of proportion and showcase your extreme negativity. Yikes. Thu, 15 Jul 2010 22:16:10 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/07/15/cedar-rapids-ranked-as-best-place-for-affordable-homes#IDComment86859838 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/07/13/windows-shattered-at-cedar-rapids-mosque-by-vandals#IDComment86540975 Just because a handful of Muslims do bad things does not mean all Muslims do bad things. It is bigoted to assume that being Muslim makes your odds of initiating terrorism better. Can we then also assume, based on another person's heritage and the residual stigma remaining from a historic event, that all Germans are Nazis, for example? It's the same thing: utilizing a negative stereotype about a group of people. There is plenty of historical data to prove terrorism (definition: The deliberate commission of an act of violence to create an emotional response through the suffering of the victims in the furtherance of a political or social agenda) by any fundamentalist religious or political group. You cannot let some people define an entire group of people. Such over-generalization is unbecoming and obtuse. Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:14:48 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/07/13/windows-shattered-at-cedar-rapids-mosque-by-vandals#IDComment86540975 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/07/13/windows-shattered-at-cedar-rapids-mosque-by-vandals#IDComment86512077 Being Muslim does not make a person a terrorist. Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:22:41 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/07/13/windows-shattered-at-cedar-rapids-mosque-by-vandals#IDComment86512077 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/07/05/10-month-old-baby-escapes-injury-during-bellevue-parade#IDComment85138467 The quote is in reference to that particular family; she is saying that other families have injured children and they are happy that their child is unscathed. She would rather take the injury than have her child harmed. The quote is in no way discounting the death from this accident. Tue, 6 Jul 2010 14:47:32 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/07/05/10-month-old-baby-escapes-injury-during-bellevue-parade#IDComment85138467 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/06/23/truenorth-to-relocate-to-old-library-site#IDComment81604350 Yeah, I readily admit it's all pretty shady (like a lot of projects going on in town these days). I'm just glad everything is finally out in the open and we can all move on! Wed, 23 Jun 2010 05:53:36 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/06/23/truenorth-to-relocate-to-old-library-site#IDComment81604350 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/06/23/truenorth-to-relocate-to-old-library-site#IDComment81562203 At least it's over and done with, as far as use of the old library is concerned. The city doesn't have to waste more money maintaining an empty building and more jobs will be created with the expansion of TrueNorth. There isn't really a problem here; it should be a relief. Wed, 23 Jun 2010 03:33:33 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/06/23/truenorth-to-relocate-to-old-library-site#IDComment81562203 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/31/opposition-to-substation-in-new-bohemia-taking-form-in-petition#IDComment78453233 A brownfield area, once cleaned up, can be used for anything including parks and recreation, residence, or commercial space. Fri, 4 Jun 2010 03:27:05 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/31/opposition-to-substation-in-new-bohemia-taking-form-in-petition#IDComment78453233 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/31/opposition-to-substation-in-new-bohemia-taking-form-in-petition#IDComment78452757 If Alliant is so worried about the substation flooding, why don't they place it somewhere else instead of building it upon a raised foundation? They plan on building it higher up so it doesn't flood. There are plenty of other places in the city that are above the flood plain. Fri, 4 Jun 2010 03:22:45 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/31/opposition-to-substation-in-new-bohemia-taking-form-in-petition#IDComment78452757 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/05/28/iowa-math-teacher-fired-for-not-believing-in-god#IDComment77995363 Wow, that's a hell of a good example...kudos to you for that! Puts a lot into perspective. However, as far as this case is concerned, it does say in the article that the school knew she was not Catholic when the hired her. That could mean a variety of beliefs; I don't claim to know any more detail than that, but it seems that, at the time of hire, this particular piece of information was not pursued further. If a teacher at a religious school was found to have quiet personal beliefs seemingly contrary to the school, then other factors such as her ability to teach and her actions and words in regards to facilitating school activities and discussion of her own beliefs should be analyzed. Her own beliefs were not affecting her ability to teach math, and she was doing her duties as an educator...she just had differing personal beliefs. She didn't drive them to school, to reference your story. Tue, 1 Jun 2010 07:14:03 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/05/28/iowa-math-teacher-fired-for-not-believing-in-god#IDComment77995363 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/31/opposition-to-substation-in-new-bohemia-taking-form-in-petition#IDComment77994452 Are you acquainted with the "usual suspects"? Tue, 1 Jun 2010 07:01:34 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/31/opposition-to-substation-in-new-bohemia-taking-form-in-petition#IDComment77994452 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/31/opposition-to-substation-in-new-bohemia-taking-form-in-petition#IDComment77994060 The New Bohemia Group has been working on building up that neighborhood since before the flood, and has done a phenomenal job bringing it back afterward. That entire neighborhood has been titled an Arts and Culture District by the City of Cedar Rapids, and is an historic landmark. Per the article, I take works "in the pipeline" to mean that there are plans for improvement in the works for this and other areas of the neighborhood. Improvement here does not mean adding a hazardous substation to a blooming arts district; we have so little culture and so few pedestrian-friendly areas in our city, and installing this would dampen what we do have. This is an area where festivals and community events take place, where more local shops are starting to crop up, and where residents are finally starting to re-inhabit the area. This is a bit of a stretch, but would Iowa City place a sub-station near the ped-mall? I believe the New Bohemia District is gearing toward a similar atmosphere, and it simply cannot be achieved by placing a noisy behemoth next to the Cherry Building, a growing center for the arts. It will be a repellent for artists and community events, going against everything New Bohemia stands for. Yes, a new substation will be a requirement, but it should be placed somewhere more appropriate. Tue, 1 Jun 2010 06:56:09 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/05/31/opposition-to-substation-in-new-bohemia-taking-form-in-petition#IDComment77994060 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/05/29/three-car-accident-on-highway-30-near-mount-vernon#IDComment77713424 Agreed; very little in this article makes sense. A rewrite would be appreciated. I sometimes wonder how some journalists make the cut... Sun, 30 May 2010 06:40:19 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/05/29/three-car-accident-on-highway-30-near-mount-vernon#IDComment77713424 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/05/29/three-car-accident-on-highway-30-near-mount-vernon#IDComment77713338 They likely scanned both of their licenses, as is customary, and the charges showed up on their records. Sun, 30 May 2010 06:39:06 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/05/29/three-car-accident-on-highway-30-near-mount-vernon#IDComment77713338 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/05/28/iowa-math-teacher-fired-for-not-believing-in-god#IDComment77595891 It looks to me as though she was doing just as she was supposed to at the school: attending mass with the students, facilitating prayer, teaching her subject, and fully respecting their religion. The only thing she did wrong was say a thing or two on Facebook about her personal spiritual views. Just because she is not Catholic and does not believe in God does not mean that she is teaching atheism in her classroom. She clearly was enjoying her job and was interested in learning about Catholicism and other religions/beliefs. If she had been teaching the students to rebel against their school or their religion, there would be a problem here; but clearly she was doing her job as respectfully as possible and not forcing her beliefs on anyone. This is such a silly reason to fire someone; like I said, if she had been slandering the school or the religion, there would be a serious issue and she would deserve to be fired. But to be fired just because you are a spiritually open-minded individual? She respects the traditions of others and happily takes part in them, according to this article...there really is no problem here. It's outrageous. Sat, 29 May 2010 06:03:33 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/05/28/iowa-math-teacher-fired-for-not-believing-in-god#IDComment77595891 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/05/27/historic-building-to-be-demolished-to-make-way-for-medical-district#IDComment77419986 I also agree. As someone who has an affinity for all things historical, I am a proponent of demolishing the smokestack and keeping historically significant buildings in our community. If the Sinclair Meatpacking property had been intact and they were able to do something useful with the space after a preservation process, then perhaps the smokestack would make sense. A smokestack alone is of no use whatsoever and it is really just an eyesore. Saving interesting homes that have been well-cared for and may be habitable by business or by family would be a much better use of funding. A medical district would be convenient and welcome, but at the price of historical Cedar Rapids? Pathetic. Fri, 28 May 2010 03:29:17 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/05/27/historic-building-to-be-demolished-to-make-way-for-medical-district#IDComment77419986 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/education/2010/05/26/iowa-regents-universities-seeing-big-increase-in-out-of-state-students#IDComment77217933 Thanks for finally posting the real article, and removing the copy/paste about Waterloo school dress code! Wed, 26 May 2010 17:25:40 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/education/2010/05/26/iowa-regents-universities-seeing-big-increase-in-out-of-state-students#IDComment77217933 http://gazetteonline.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2010/05/26/suspect%e2%80%99s-pain-is-being-projected-onto-society#IDComment77213753 This is true; everyone is responsible for their own actions. Regardless of past, everyone makes conscious choices to act every day. Wed, 26 May 2010 17:06:14 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2010/05/26/suspect%e2%80%99s-pain-is-being-projected-onto-society#IDComment77213753 http://gazetteonline.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2010/05/26/suspect%e2%80%99s-pain-is-being-projected-onto-society#IDComment77211692 I don't think she is necessarily saying he is a victim in this crime. She is acknowledging that her brother committed a criminal act and apologizing on behalf of her family. She is also saying that something like this could have been prevented if the professionals in Keith's life (doctors, judges, etc. as listed by TheRealObserver) had recognized the obvious behavioral pattern he presents. It is very easy to take a list of factors from someone's childhood, note their thinking and behavior, and predict whether or not they will be a societal deviant. It's pure psychology. His sister is merely saying that she is sorry nobody saw the signs in Keith, because if they had, this might not have happened. That's where society comes in; that's how his social surroundings have let him down and, in turn, let down Amanda. Her letter is not some epic plea to have pity for her brother, but rather a resigned apology and a warning to others to help troubled children before they reach adulthood and end up like Keith: a criminal, abuser, tortured soul; somebody with a lot of bottled anger. It's not healthy or safe, and we should keep a watchful eye to prevent our own children from following in the footsteps of someone with such mental illness. Wed, 26 May 2010 16:47:04 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/2010/05/26/suspect%e2%80%99s-pain-is-being-projected-onto-society#IDComment77211692 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/education/2010/05/25/waterloo-students-face-stricter-dress-code#IDComment77153398 I agree. And just because they have certain restrictions doesn't mean they don't have some freedom of choice; it looks as though they can choose any shirt colors, almost any closed-toe shoes, and have their choice of a variety of different bottoms to wear. They're pretty simple rules, and seem aimed at regulating propriety in schools. So many girls try to express their sexuality in their clothing choices, and some guys wear their pants so low they have to hold their crotches to keep them up. Dress code will help them see one another for who they are, not for what they are wearing. Wed, 26 May 2010 06:05:11 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/education/2010/05/25/waterloo-students-face-stricter-dress-code#IDComment77153398