30 Comments

I loved the interview with the bus driver.

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It gave hope...thanks!

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So glad you took the time to interview the school bus driver, Robert. What a beautiful soul ❤️

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She is so kind and amazing!

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Imagine a world with more people like the school bus driver. We need that now more than ever.

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This event took place 1.5 mi from my house, and I find it frightening. That you for providing this description and your interpretation of these gatherings. It's certainly not what we got from local news coverage. As someone said earlier, I am worried for my children and grandchildren. What will their lives be like? Thank heavens for people like our school bus driver?

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Yes, you are very lucky the school bus driver lives in your community. We need many more people as brave as she is.

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I recently signed up, & just today heard you speak at the CCI clean water event at Pine Lake State Park--thanks.

As a religious historian, I'd quibble with your characterization of Trumpians as a Christian sect. My theology suggests a narrower definition of "Christian." Rastafarians and Shintoists may be closer in melding political leaders with religious messiahs.

(In response to one of your comments this afternoon,) Many years ago, as a political activist working against draft registration, I got a death threat over the phone. It does focus the mind.

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Thanks, Bill. I understand the quibbling. To my mind, they don't quite fit the definition of cult--more of a sect.Their misappropriation of Christianity has me calling it a "Christian" Sect. Thanks again, bob

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Thank you for putting yourself out there, Bob. I appreciate your perspective and clarity. I admire the brave bus driver. She is an example of what love looks like. ❤️

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Sherril, the bus driver was incredible. She told me a story about how those immigrant kids are treated that was heartbreaking, but asked me not to use it...

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Thank you again for addressing another political issue/ concern many of us have. So very grateful you found the bus driver and her positive, kind,accepting attitude and comments.

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It would have been an entirely different, very sad column without her. Thanks!

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She's as every bit as wonderful as she sounds ,she;s a breath of fresh air .

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It was an honor to speak with her. She made my day.

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The business of Iowa sending more troops to the Civil War than any other state per capita is something that can not be proved and is often quoted but no original source can be found.

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I took this up with Iowa PBS " Iowa Pathways", they checked it out and agreed with me. Here is the email I recieved:

Morgan, Tiffany <tiffany.morgan@iowapbs.org>

Mon, Jun 26, 4:02 PM

to me

Hi Steve

Thank you for your inquiry and for your patience while I conducted research regarding your question. I have reviewed the statement " In relation to its population, Iowa sent more soldiers to the Civil War than any other state." within the Iowa Pathway's page and based on that research I have removed that statement from the page.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I'm happy to help

Take care

Tiffany

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Thanks for the correction! I'll fix it.

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The saturation of belonging they feel... how sad that they like to wallow in such mean, spiteful muck. They must be miserable and scared to fall for such crap. These are not the Iowans I grew up knowing.

That brave bus driver! You go, girl.

This quote from the news article: “You'll have no smell of anything as you're doing the corn, and when you're doing all of the different things that you do with these tractors. What they've done with tractors are incredible," he said. "Computerizing. Incredible. But you won't be using them very long because you'll be looking for a charge."

What an Idiot.

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I feel the same way about Confederate flags being flown in Iowa. How did people get so turned around about Iowa history? I also find it a little disturbing when people drape political slgans , signs, T-shirts, etc on their children. I've seen parents put a shirt on their 8 year old that includes the F word. What are they thinking?

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I wish I knew.

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as Ringo says, Peace and Love!✌🏻

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I’m worried for my children and grandchildren and my beloved Iowa. As a 4 th generation Iowa, there currently 7 generations li ing here I can’t believe the lunacy exhibited by many of my fellow Iowans

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That bus driver is a treasure! I hope her community appreciates her. Thank you for that hopeful note. This was a most enlightening piece.

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Your analysis of Trump followers is scary! Is there no way to reason with them?

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We can keep trying...but it's hard to argue against emotion and community.

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