When will Demo elected officials and party leaders start talking about Iowa becoming a THIRD rate state? Will our 2026 potential candidates for statewide office start this conversation? Will our leaders put the trans issue in context?
I wrote legislators asking them to spend time on the most important issues affecting the greatest number of Iowans. 800,000 Iowans are on Medicaid---- at risk of losing benefits. Iowa risks closure of rural hospitals.
There were more cases of elderly abuse than trans athletes (8600 reports last year) I believe. (In Iowa approximately 10 athletes in K-12, are openly transgender.
Iowa is now a THIRD rate state. Threat. Hate. Intolerancer Racism. Discrimination. This acronym now applies for these 5 reasons. Less than 1% of Iowa youth identify as trans.. About 10-15% binge drink. About 20% gamble. 6000 Iowans died from cancer last year.
I don't know anyone who captures a moment better than Leonard. He puts you in the scene. And you feel it. He captured the pain and the intensity of belonging. If you've ever had a moment of clarity about creation, you know exactly where Jesus was at the Capitol this week.
Thank you for showing up and for confronting the lies and hatred that are so blatant and disturbing. Thank you for presenting your perspective to the administrator of a "Christian" school. Sadly, he likely cannot hear the truth. No, I take that back because it is not a matter of can't or can. It is a matter of will. You also never know when your words may change someone's heart. So we must keep on trying. I am so proud to follow your writing and that I am represented by Tony Bisignano.
Surely, thinking has deteriorated. It seemed a bad taste joke when that yahoo legislator advocated “buying” part of Minnesota. There is suggestion he was serious, as if Minnesotans had offered themselves for sale. I have been astonished to realized that Republican “leaders” actually believe persons are clamoring to join their right wingnut “utopia” of decaying public education, 2nd in the nation and rising cancer rates, misogynist shredding of women’s rights, especially to standard of care reproductive health care, and relegating women to status of chattel and brood sows, of hog manure and field chemical runoff into lakes, streams and rivers, obliterating civil rights of anyone not right wing or mutant judgmental religion, rejecting food for children for political theater, and governing in secret while preventing review and audit.
I suppose they might attract the kind of people who define best quality of life as being able to shirk the citizenship obligation and duty to pay their fair and just share of taxes to support services all must have. Something for anyone but themselves does rankle them. If that is their definition of a good life, then Iowa is beckoning.
If, indeed, the best and brightest have left—or escaped— is Iowa thus left with the worst and dimmest? As this legislature ignores any actual developing problems while underfunding public education, seeking to disrupt the universities, and only adding more discrimination and hate to Iowa laws, I am pretty sure all intellect has eroded. If I think of the two state house delegates from my area, then, well, “Yup.”
Only 10-15 years ago Iowans had an image of highly educated, warm, embracing, rational, decent, and simply trustworthy people. No one anywhere now has that image. We had wonderful, almost world famous universities. The Iowa legislature aims to hollow them out and stifle rational, realistic thought.
The Republican Iowa legislature and governor have now projected Iowa as bigoted, misogynist, uncaring, insulting, and mean. Many of us are truly ashamed to admit we are from Iowa when we meet someone elsewhere.
What did happen? We know that as young Iowans matured, droves left for greater opportunities and locales that were a better fit. Truly the best and brightest left—or escaped. The popular term is “brain drain,” which I find anatomically irritating. It implies to me an en masse trephining or prefrontal lobotomizing. Or maybe I just happened to be visiting in Minnesota during that conflagration. I have posited a the term “intellect erosion,” although with little uptake, as evoking the image of Iowa topsoil eroding down the border rivers to the Gulf of MEXICO.
Thanks for covering and writing about this Bob, and sharing the voices of the protestors. Seems like every MAGA controlled state legislature is competing to see who can pass the vilest anti-trans legislation (with the Trump administration's cruel, bigoted, despicable, inhumane actions in the background).
And thanks for speaking with the pastor (or administrator) - maybe you had some impact. I've tried to have similar conversations with Kansas Republicans, including some legislators. May have had a positive impact on one or two. A few legislators have stopped engaging with me I believe out of shame and fear of the GOP leadership.
And calls for "respectful" dialogue are so disingenuous as you point out. They also provide another avenue for the leadership and committee heads to flex their muscle / abuse their power by banning people from hearings or tossing them out, portraying themselves as cool heads in the face of hysteria, pontificating on the need for civil dialogue, etc.
But there is nothing respectful about erasing a vulnerable minority (and often targeting trans kids specifically). Cursing and yelling while protesting, even in a legislator's face, is a perfectly reasonable response. It's no where near equivalent in it's level of disrespect compared to the MAGA legislators' actions.
But I also know in such a hyperpartisan environment such actions lead many to just dig their heels in. And I know it's on me as a white cisgendered male to have these, let's say calmer, conversations when the transgender community may feel too angry, too scared, too tired, or whatever the reason to do so. I know Cy has little interest anymore in trying to have such conversations. And I still have them. But as the parent of a trans young adult there are days I just want to tell these MAGA bigots to have the fucking day they deserve (https://marcelharmon67.substack.com/p/have-the-day-you-deserve). I just want to tell them to go take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut.
How do conservatives square depriving a certain ‘class’ of people of their civil rights and then setting up another class of people (law enforcement) to have the death penalty imposed when one of them is killed during his employment?
No thank YOU. I have been out of town and unable to attend and am so grateful for you sharing the moment.
I listened to Senator Bisignano’s powerful speech, and could imagine the pastor who somehow imagines he personifies God’s word as he advocates rejecting people and destroying their lives. Lastly, listening to the crowd “singing for our lives”. Profoundly moving, and helps me remember we are not alone as we stand against hate and for our mutual humanity.
I have tried to be content in watching from a distance in my feeble old age but I like to imagine I could have joined that crowd which I would have in a younger age. Thanks for the polite way in which you are able to make connections with those who don't realize how uninformed and hateful they are.
I emailed my state senator and representative for the second time on this issue last Wednesday. The senator never responded. The representative sent his canned response thanking me for contacting him. I intend to keep contacting them. Since they both represent Dickinson County we will see if they have the courage to protect IWill. I have my doubts. But I’m not quitting. Republicans have already overplayed their hand. They just don’t know it yet.
When will Demo elected officials and party leaders start talking about Iowa becoming a THIRD rate state? Will our 2026 potential candidates for statewide office start this conversation? Will our leaders put the trans issue in context?
I wrote legislators asking them to spend time on the most important issues affecting the greatest number of Iowans. 800,000 Iowans are on Medicaid---- at risk of losing benefits. Iowa risks closure of rural hospitals.
There were more cases of elderly abuse than trans athletes (8600 reports last year) I believe. (In Iowa approximately 10 athletes in K-12, are openly transgender.
Thanks, as always, for telling the truth.
Iowa is now a THIRD rate state. Threat. Hate. Intolerancer Racism. Discrimination. This acronym now applies for these 5 reasons. Less than 1% of Iowa youth identify as trans.. About 10-15% binge drink. About 20% gamble. 6000 Iowans died from cancer last year.
We are worried about how many trans youth again?
I don't know anyone who captures a moment better than Leonard. He puts you in the scene. And you feel it. He captured the pain and the intensity of belonging. If you've ever had a moment of clarity about creation, you know exactly where Jesus was at the Capitol this week.
Jesus would definitely be down among the people.
When FUCK YOU becomes a prayer
Words have meaning
words have power
and there are times
when cursing is called for
As few people with immense privilege
and not an ounce of empathy
decide the fate of many human beings
Fuck you becomes a prayer!
As we raise our voice
as we link arms
as we channel our ancestors
Fuck you becomes a prayer!
Paraphrasing Michelle Alexander
they are the resistance,
trying to stop the flow of love and justice.
Fuck you becomes a prayer!
As People’s existence tries to be erased
Fuck you becomes a prayer!
But you know what?
Our trans siblings had always existed and will always exist
To be surrounded,
by BIPOC, Immigrants, Queer, Trans,
Women, Allies, siblings
what a delight!
We are not alone, we are many
we are resilient,
we will protect one another
and today, yet again, Fuck you becomes a prayer!
I’m not offended by words,
I’m offended by actions
Transphobia, Queerphobia, Xenophobia,
White Supremacy, Christian Nationalism, Racism…
Leave your Midwest sensitivities aside…just for a few minutes
you don’t need to say it out loud
(although it is highly recommended, especially in community)
you will be channeling all the people that had come before us:
F U C K Y O U
Alejandro Alfaro-Santiz - poet
Thank you Robert for showing up for those of us who can’t!! What would Jesus do indeed!!
I’m hopeful you reached the young guy’s heart with your “what would Jesus do?” question. Good for you!
Thank you for showing up and for confronting the lies and hatred that are so blatant and disturbing. Thank you for presenting your perspective to the administrator of a "Christian" school. Sadly, he likely cannot hear the truth. No, I take that back because it is not a matter of can't or can. It is a matter of will. You also never know when your words may change someone's heart. So we must keep on trying. I am so proud to follow your writing and that I am represented by Tony Bisignano.
further,
Surely, thinking has deteriorated. It seemed a bad taste joke when that yahoo legislator advocated “buying” part of Minnesota. There is suggestion he was serious, as if Minnesotans had offered themselves for sale. I have been astonished to realized that Republican “leaders” actually believe persons are clamoring to join their right wingnut “utopia” of decaying public education, 2nd in the nation and rising cancer rates, misogynist shredding of women’s rights, especially to standard of care reproductive health care, and relegating women to status of chattel and brood sows, of hog manure and field chemical runoff into lakes, streams and rivers, obliterating civil rights of anyone not right wing or mutant judgmental religion, rejecting food for children for political theater, and governing in secret while preventing review and audit.
I suppose they might attract the kind of people who define best quality of life as being able to shirk the citizenship obligation and duty to pay their fair and just share of taxes to support services all must have. Something for anyone but themselves does rankle them. If that is their definition of a good life, then Iowa is beckoning.
If, indeed, the best and brightest have left—or escaped— is Iowa thus left with the worst and dimmest? As this legislature ignores any actual developing problems while underfunding public education, seeking to disrupt the universities, and only adding more discrimination and hate to Iowa laws, I am pretty sure all intellect has eroded. If I think of the two state house delegates from my area, then, well, “Yup.”
Only 10-15 years ago Iowans had an image of highly educated, warm, embracing, rational, decent, and simply trustworthy people. No one anywhere now has that image. We had wonderful, almost world famous universities. The Iowa legislature aims to hollow them out and stifle rational, realistic thought.
The Republican Iowa legislature and governor have now projected Iowa as bigoted, misogynist, uncaring, insulting, and mean. Many of us are truly ashamed to admit we are from Iowa when we meet someone elsewhere.
What did happen? We know that as young Iowans matured, droves left for greater opportunities and locales that were a better fit. Truly the best and brightest left—or escaped. The popular term is “brain drain,” which I find anatomically irritating. It implies to me an en masse trephining or prefrontal lobotomizing. Or maybe I just happened to be visiting in Minnesota during that conflagration. I have posited a the term “intellect erosion,” although with little uptake, as evoking the image of Iowa topsoil eroding down the border rivers to the Gulf of MEXICO.
I would not be able to have a conversation with the guy you engaged with. I appreciate you speaking on my behalf.
Thanks for covering and writing about this Bob, and sharing the voices of the protestors. Seems like every MAGA controlled state legislature is competing to see who can pass the vilest anti-trans legislation (with the Trump administration's cruel, bigoted, despicable, inhumane actions in the background).
And thanks for speaking with the pastor (or administrator) - maybe you had some impact. I've tried to have similar conversations with Kansas Republicans, including some legislators. May have had a positive impact on one or two. A few legislators have stopped engaging with me I believe out of shame and fear of the GOP leadership.
And calls for "respectful" dialogue are so disingenuous as you point out. They also provide another avenue for the leadership and committee heads to flex their muscle / abuse their power by banning people from hearings or tossing them out, portraying themselves as cool heads in the face of hysteria, pontificating on the need for civil dialogue, etc.
But there is nothing respectful about erasing a vulnerable minority (and often targeting trans kids specifically). Cursing and yelling while protesting, even in a legislator's face, is a perfectly reasonable response. It's no where near equivalent in it's level of disrespect compared to the MAGA legislators' actions.
But I also know in such a hyperpartisan environment such actions lead many to just dig their heels in. And I know it's on me as a white cisgendered male to have these, let's say calmer, conversations when the transgender community may feel too angry, too scared, too tired, or whatever the reason to do so. I know Cy has little interest anymore in trying to have such conversations. And I still have them. But as the parent of a trans young adult there are days I just want to tell these MAGA bigots to have the fucking day they deserve (https://marcelharmon67.substack.com/p/have-the-day-you-deserve). I just want to tell them to go take a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut.
How do conservatives square depriving a certain ‘class’ of people of their civil rights and then setting up another class of people (law enforcement) to have the death penalty imposed when one of them is killed during his employment?
No thank YOU. I have been out of town and unable to attend and am so grateful for you sharing the moment.
I listened to Senator Bisignano’s powerful speech, and could imagine the pastor who somehow imagines he personifies God’s word as he advocates rejecting people and destroying their lives. Lastly, listening to the crowd “singing for our lives”. Profoundly moving, and helps me remember we are not alone as we stand against hate and for our mutual humanity.
I have tried to be content in watching from a distance in my feeble old age but I like to imagine I could have joined that crowd which I would have in a younger age. Thanks for the polite way in which you are able to make connections with those who don't realize how uninformed and hateful they are.
I emailed my state senator and representative for the second time on this issue last Wednesday. The senator never responded. The representative sent his canned response thanking me for contacting him. I intend to keep contacting them. Since they both represent Dickinson County we will see if they have the courage to protect IWill. I have my doubts. But I’m not quitting. Republicans have already overplayed their hand. They just don’t know it yet.