en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/716534 Comments by slumcamper http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/WATCH-LIVE-Branstad-Meets-With-Editorial-Board-104288598.html#IDComment102343225 After listening to that, I feel like I just plunged through an abysmal portal in the space-time continuum---and landed back in 1985. HELP! Mon, 4 Oct 2010 19:35:48 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/WATCH-LIVE-Branstad-Meets-With-Editorial-Board-104288598.html#IDComment102343225 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/09/15/video-veterans-return-from-honor-flight-world-war-ii-memorial#IDComment98922101 Way to go, guys! We'll never forget your service or determined effort and support of those on the home front. Thank you all for a job well done. And thanks to all, from top to bottom, who had a role in making this experience possible for these heroes. Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:21:12 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/09/15/video-veterans-return-from-honor-flight-world-war-ii-memorial#IDComment98922101 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/09/13/crash-blocking-lane-of-highway-30-in-benton-county#IDComment98552710 “It’s hard enough to see the vehicle in front of you, let alone make out brake lights,” said Smith, who was pulling an empty trailer to Cedar Rapids. Okay...point taken. May I suggest investing in a pair of sunglasses? Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:46:48 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/2010/09/13/crash-blocking-lane-of-highway-30-in-benton-county#IDComment98552710 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Voters-Will-Toss-Out-Judges-Over-Same-Sex-Marriage-Vander-Plaats-Predicts-102638444.html#IDComment98065829 Precisely--and let's ensure that our VOTE preserves the sanctity of justice and equal protection under the law while negating VP's radical and bigoted social conservative agenda. Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:24:24 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Iowa-Voters-Will-Toss-Out-Judges-Over-Same-Sex-Marriage-Vander-Plaats-Predicts-102638444.html#IDComment98065829 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/10/waterloo-police-charge-three-with-prostitution#IDComment98055297 Clearly, some stare into the face of poverty, despair, and desperation and see humor, but are blind to the pain. Such an embarrassing deficit of human compassion and empathy! Fri, 10 Sep 2010 18:04:02 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/10/waterloo-police-charge-three-with-prostitution#IDComment98055297 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/government/2010/09/08/survey-iowa-businesses-skeptical-about-health-reform-law#IDComment97637267 NOTE at the bottom: "The survey did not examine the knowledge of the surveyed businesses about the long and complex bill." It's not unusual that people who know little or nothing about something (or who have been intentionally deceived by false claims and mischaracterizations) would be skeptical of something they don't understand. Perhaps less focus on naysayers and more on what the bill will do is warranted, e.g. "Provisions of the law will provide the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history, help make insurance available to Americans with preexisting conditions, and reduce cost-shifting to insured Americans by increasing the percentage of Americans covered by insurance. The law is also expected to eliminate the Medicare donut hole coverage gap." Those are fundamental improvements, and this reform was LONG overdue. Wed, 8 Sep 2010 16:34:28 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/government/2010/09/08/survey-iowa-businesses-skeptical-about-health-reform-law#IDComment97637267 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/06/overheated-fan-cited-in-coralville-fire-that-displaces-six#IDComment97359327 "Overheated fan..." Geesh, for a moment I thought an angry Eastern Illinois fan went on an arson binge! Glad the smoke detectors worked and everyone got out! Mon, 6 Sep 2010 22:56:50 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/public-safety/2010/09/06/overheated-fan-cited-in-coralville-fire-that-displaces-six#IDComment97359327 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/07/26/floods-knocks-out-historic-jones-county-bridge#IDComment96893647 Such typical conservative tripe. I know it when I see it: (1) attempt to ridicule, belittle, or otherwise denigrate the oppositional perspective with mean-spirited assertions and veiled accusations; (2) enshrine yourself in self-righteous proclamations in an effort to elevate self-grandiosity, (3) obfuscate your unprincipled and otherwise untenable stance relative to the topic by shrouding realityt in deception. Karl Rove, Dick Armey, Andrew Breitbart, Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Sarah Palin, Sharon Angell, Michelle Bachman, Mitch O'Connell, or John Boehner, and others of low character and dim intellect have taught you well....but you're still transparent chameleon in the eyes of those who are on to your game. My terse advice to you is (1) cease the deceptions and (2) get a Thesarus, and (3) have a great life. Sat, 4 Sep 2010 04:03:57 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/07/26/floods-knocks-out-historic-jones-county-bridge#IDComment96893647 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/07/26/floods-knocks-out-historic-jones-county-bridge#IDComment96798096 Certainly, the matter is debatable, but shrinking from and guilt or sense of responsibility implies a corollary tendency to abuse the earth at will. Such a careless, mindless ecological position! You may not care if you foul your own nest, but that gives you no right to pollute mine. And while you persist in archaic ways relative to your transaction with the environment, a part of you better hope I'm wrong--for we have everything to lose if I'm not. Fri, 3 Sep 2010 19:18:36 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/07/26/floods-knocks-out-historic-jones-county-bridge#IDComment96798096 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/09/03/survey-majority-of-working-americans-doubt-theyll-be-able-to-retire#IDComment96787609 Unfortunately, given the additional trillions that also piled up in the 8 years before the last few years, coupled with the contraction of public revenue in the form of politically expedient tax cuts. Could it be possible that it takes a steady and robust stream of revenue to operate a modern nation? Fri, 3 Sep 2010 17:58:19 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/09/03/survey-majority-of-working-americans-doubt-theyll-be-able-to-retire#IDComment96787609 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Man-Arrested-After-Attempting-To-Flee-From-Iowa-City-Police-100529944.html#IDComment92545606 Another fellow human being in distress, in desperate need of help, and hopefully the public system will now provide it. Given the mean spirited tenor of the trash talk and ridicule exhibited here, it is clear that many in society have little or no capacity to exhibit compassion or care for those in need. Woe be unto you when you, a family member, or a friend is in similar need. Is it really that difficult to be kind? Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:29:20 +0000 http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Man-Arrested-After-Attempting-To-Flee-From-Iowa-City-Police-100529944.html#IDComment92545606 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/08/11/vander-plaats-touts-campaign-to-oust-iowa-justices#IDComment92401933 Look closely at the mugshot of this person and emblazon it upon your mind, for it is the face of hatred and self-righteous ill intent. We've been forewarned that "when fascism comes to America, it will be draped in the flag and carrying a cross." Be aware..you're looking at it. Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:01:00 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/08/11/vander-plaats-touts-campaign-to-oust-iowa-justices#IDComment92401933 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/08/09/sinclair-demo-cost-now-expected-to-reach-15-3-million#IDComment91818874 Re-open bids. Mon, 9 Aug 2010 20:29:51 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/08/09/sinclair-demo-cost-now-expected-to-reach-15-3-million#IDComment91818874 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/08/09/sinclair-demo-cost-now-expected-to-reach-15-3-million#IDComment91778265 This illustrates how the private sector fleeces the public. Another in "a long line of usurpations." Ordnance specialists with the Iowa National Guard would have likely done a controlled implosion of this eyesore for far less, and in the process gained knowledge that, potentially, would have been very useful...especially given the fact that we're fighting two wars in which ground-based explosives are a key feature. Mon, 9 Aug 2010 17:11:42 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/government/2010/08/09/sinclair-demo-cost-now-expected-to-reach-15-3-million#IDComment91778265 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/08/08/education-is-key-difference-in-gov-race#IDComment91580597 Jefferson articulated the importance of an educated populace to the maintenance of democracy and asserted the role of publicly-funded education. It's the American way. Additionally, facilitating social and economic mobility has been a historic mission and function of public education since the inception of the publicly-funded common school system in the 1840s. It's the American way--and it's an essential lever in the attainment of the American dream. Is it any less important in the 21st century? Branstad's Neanderthalic position is irresponsible, mean-spirited and inconstent with the American way and Iowa's traditions of educational excellence. Apparently he and those who stand to profit and otherwise benefit from the status quo of economic inequality see an advantage in denying children an essential opportunity for mobility; perhaps it is politically advantageous to nurture a culture of redneck intellectual backwardness among the poor and least powerful? The ability to think critically in progressive terms is the chief enemy of Republican ideology. Sun, 8 Aug 2010 15:33:49 +0000 http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/statewide-news/2010/08/08/education-is-key-difference-in-gov-race#IDComment91580597 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/featured-local-news/2010/08/09/iowa-city-couple-to-wed-in-junior-high-where-they-met#IDComment91313880 Fantastic story, and congratulation to Karen and Mike. Here's wishing you endless bliss! : ) Sat, 7 Aug 2010 01:49:06 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/local-news/featured-local-news/2010/08/09/iowa-city-couple-to-wed-in-junior-high-where-they-met#IDComment91313880 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/covering-iowa-politics/2010/08/06/vander-plaats-nixes-independent-bid-wants-justices-ousted#IDComment91234861 V-plaats and his supporters might as well state what is obvious: in their minds, equality or equal protection do not apply to all citizens. These are the nutcases who, if they had their way, would repeal the 14th Amendment, reinstate Jim Crow, and turn a blind prosecutorial eye toward the perpetrators of hate crimes against all minorities (not to mention encourage armed revolt and secessation). Nice folks? Hmmm... I think not. Fri, 6 Aug 2010 17:58:42 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/covering-iowa-politics/2010/08/06/vander-plaats-nixes-independent-bid-wants-justices-ousted#IDComment91234861 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/covering-iowa-politics/2010/08/06/vander-plaats-nixes-independent-bid-wants-justices-ousted#IDComment91231392 Just what doesn't this guy and his minions understand about the meaning of the principles of "equality" or "equal protection under the law"? Is his mind so utterly cluttered with the subjective baggage of fear, hatred, and insecurity that he cannot comprehend a higher objective meaning or truth relative to these fundamental principles? Fri, 6 Aug 2010 17:34:09 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/covering-iowa-politics/2010/08/06/vander-plaats-nixes-independent-bid-wants-justices-ousted#IDComment91231392 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/covering-iowa-politics/2010/07/29/socialist-workers-party-fields-iowa-candidates#IDComment89651162 You'll be laughing out the other side of your mouth when you're standing in the unemployment line. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:35:59 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/covering-iowa-politics/2010/07/29/socialist-workers-party-fields-iowa-candidates#IDComment89651162 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/covering-iowa-politics/2010/07/29/socialist-has-nothing-in-common-with-obama#IDComment89649552 This article seems to sow confusion...intentionally? Let me be clear: Obama is as far away from being a socialist as I am from the Sun. Through policies that sustain a failed economic system (our mixed market-based capitalist system), he is seeking to convince workers that they have a personal economic stake in it--even though it is imploding beneath our feet. This is a classic ploy to maintain "false consciousness." As such, it is a tool of capitalists--NOT socialists. Obama is clearly a capitalist who is striving to maintain that system as it fails. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:25:18 +0000 http://oldgo.gazlab.com.php5-15.dfw1-1.websitetestlink.com/blogs/covering-iowa-politics/2010/07/29/socialist-has-nothing-in-common-with-obama#IDComment89649552