Thanks, Bob. I felt the same way when I read Chuck’s column, but just didn’t know how to respond to him. Your response was perfect. His referral to Legislators Green and Nordman as “eligible bachelors” and to their career possibilities take away from the seriousness of what is happening. It is condescending to the librarians and their supporters. The fact that Rep. Nordman called the library supporters liars is despicable. Naming all of this in light hearted fashion, like Chuck did, just negates this deadly serious issue. It is part and parcel of taking away democracy. I am all for civility, but we also can’t dismiss the peril of the moment. Thank you for lifting this up.
P.S. Focusing on libraries is just ridiculous. I see nothing entertaining about this spectacle. Haven’t these legislators any ideas about how to improve our state? Was their only reason for seeking office to shrink and paralyze government ?
If it gives you any comfort I know a lot of people are finally understanding what is happening but are too polite, fearful of losing status ,or upsetting family to talk about this manipulation to drive us back to the dark ages, but they are registered voters.
Uneducated people are easier to control. Defund quality education and then take away libraries and all that people will have to rely on is internet information which is filled with so much misinformation. I wish more people would realize how destructive this path is.
This reminds me of recent (R) efforts to eliminate requirements to publish local government notifications in newspapers because “everyone can go view them now on the internet.” I can forsee the same argument being made to simply close down local libraries.
Taking the legislators at their word...that they don’t care about library content....My question is why are they wanting city councils to rule the libraries? What exactly are they afraid of? Not as though government spending on libraries is running rampant!
The piece was long, so i didn't really go into it. I think they are interested in content. but it could also be associated with a broader effort to cut taxes to the bone, while demanding the same services or more, which makes government not work so well, so they can run on the "fact" the government doesn't work well. thanks for the comment, as always.
Pitch perfect. There's a difference between being respecfult of a person and enabling destructive behavior. Thank you for always being respectful AND willing to call out toxic, devisive, and destructive behavior. It's important to do both.
You’ve done it again Bob. Thank you for your commitment to make Iowa great again. We’ve got to keep fighting. Your words and analysis continue to feed my activism.
Thank you for this piece. I’m getting way too old to put up with puff- piece, softball writing about what’s happening. Chuck has been off my radar for awhile and remains off.
Despite all the accolades, going years back I have always questioned Offenburger's authenticity. When he wrote how he would support Haley over Biden, all my past doubts were solidified.
Thanks, Bob. I felt the same way when I read Chuck’s column, but just didn’t know how to respond to him. Your response was perfect. His referral to Legislators Green and Nordman as “eligible bachelors” and to their career possibilities take away from the seriousness of what is happening. It is condescending to the librarians and their supporters. The fact that Rep. Nordman called the library supporters liars is despicable. Naming all of this in light hearted fashion, like Chuck did, just negates this deadly serious issue. It is part and parcel of taking away democracy. I am all for civility, but we also can’t dismiss the peril of the moment. Thank you for lifting this up.
Thank you Virginia! I wasn't sure how to repond either, as I admire Chuck very much. Well put. I especially like "the peril of the moment."
P.S. Focusing on libraries is just ridiculous. I see nothing entertaining about this spectacle. Haven’t these legislators any ideas about how to improve our state? Was their only reason for seeking office to shrink and paralyze government ?
If it gives you any comfort I know a lot of people are finally understanding what is happening but are too polite, fearful of losing status ,or upsetting family to talk about this manipulation to drive us back to the dark ages, but they are registered voters.
Uneducated people are easier to control. Defund quality education and then take away libraries and all that people will have to rely on is internet information which is filled with so much misinformation. I wish more people would realize how destructive this path is.
This reminds me of recent (R) efforts to eliminate requirements to publish local government notifications in newspapers because “everyone can go view them now on the internet.” I can forsee the same argument being made to simply close down local libraries.
Taking the legislators at their word...that they don’t care about library content....My question is why are they wanting city councils to rule the libraries? What exactly are they afraid of? Not as though government spending on libraries is running rampant!
The piece was long, so i didn't really go into it. I think they are interested in content. but it could also be associated with a broader effort to cut taxes to the bone, while demanding the same services or more, which makes government not work so well, so they can run on the "fact" the government doesn't work well. thanks for the comment, as always.
Yes the tax cuts are setting us up for fiscal crisis down the road. Seems like an anarchist tactic.
Yes, a puff piece--Offenburger's softball journalism spins "Iowa nice" into something smarmy and evasive--a way to avoid facing real problems.
Pitch perfect. There's a difference between being respecfult of a person and enabling destructive behavior. Thank you for always being respectful AND willing to call out toxic, devisive, and destructive behavior. It's important to do both.
You’ve done it again Bob. Thank you for your commitment to make Iowa great again. We’ve got to keep fighting. Your words and analysis continue to feed my activism.
Thank you for this piece. I’m getting way too old to put up with puff- piece, softball writing about what’s happening. Chuck has been off my radar for awhile and remains off.
Despite all the accolades, going years back I have always questioned Offenburger's authenticity. When he wrote how he would support Haley over Biden, all my past doubts were solidified.