opinion
Properly funded public school would result in the excellent education young people deserve
Sunday, February 14, 2021 5:12 pm
Dear Editor, Recently a principal for North Charleston H.S. in Charleston, S.C. has made national news. This individual has appeared on the Today Show, been featured in People Magazine as well as other media because of his efforts to help …
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What message does the school choice bill send to educators?
Sunday, February 14, 2021 5:11 pm
Dear Editor, Governor Reynolds’s proposed school choice bill (SF159) would allow public funds to be diverted to private schools in districts with underperforming public schools. This bill is not supported by educators and administrators in Iowa public schools. Legislators …
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Family planning highest impact, most cost-effective investment
Thursday, February 4, 2021 8:20 pm
Dear Editor, My September 2020 “Population Connection” magazine states: “Family planning and slower population growth have a positive impact on nearly all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS).” These goals are as follows: 1. No poverty; 2. …
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Repudiate misinformation or perform an exorcism?
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:20 pm
Dear Editor, After looking at the Thursday, Jan. 21 opinion page, I could not make up my mind whether to sit down and start repudiating all the misinformation or call a priest to perform an exorcism. Let us give the …
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‘School Choice’ bill offers no choice to taxpayers
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:19 pm
Dear Editor, Ninety-two percent of Iowa’s children are educated in public schools*. As a parent, taxpayer and college educator that receives this product, I care as much about the success of a child in Cedar Rapids or Western Iowa as …
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A Simple letter about a simple idea: the beauty of public schools
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:18 pm
Dear Editor, Public schools are one of the basic foundations of the U.S. They work as an equalizer because they accommodate, in theory, everyone and everything. Public schools have a built-in system to care for differences in students. Paid for …
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Decorah needs a vaccination plan
Wednesday, February 3, 2021 8:17 pm
Dear editor, Before making any comments on the County Supervisors meeting this morning that heard a COVID-19 update from (Winneshiek County) Emergency Management and the (Winneshiek County) Public Health department, I must say that the last thing needed now is …
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From the Edge to the Overlap
Tuesday, February 2, 2021 10:17 pm
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about both the positive and the negative aspect of edges, boundaries, and overlaps – of our experiences, of our commitments, of our beliefs and values, of our identities, and of the transitions in our …
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Farewell to Decorah
Saturday, January 30, 2021 2:30 pm
Dear Editor, In a few days, we are leaving Decorah to move to Traverse City, Mich., to be closer to our son and his family. We made this decision in order to be closer to family as we age, but …
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Private schools should be funded with private funds
Saturday, January 30, 2021 2:29 pm
Dear Editor, Here we go again. Once again, our governor and some Republican legislators want to take public tax monies from public schools so that parents can use the money to select a private school or even home schooling. This …
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Contact your legislators on proposed amendments
Thursday, January 28, 2021 2:27 pm
Dear Editor, Two issues are making their way through the Iowa Legislature that would fundamentally change the way we live because they are being proposed as constitutional amendments. The first proposal addresses the right to keep and bear arms. Unlike …
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Improving our civic health
Thursday, January 28, 2021 2:26 pm
Dear Editor, Many of us would agree that constitutional democracy in the United States is in a state of poor health. Broken institutions and mutual distrust among citizens have caused individuals to turn inward and seek self-protection while they turn …
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Snowmobiling is a privilege, not a right
Thursday, January 28, 2021 2:25 pm
Dear Editor, Do you see what’s wrong in this photo? This is one of many photos taken this year of snowmobilers completely breaking the rules. Users are ignoring our double-marked trail signs and driving off the designated trail system on …
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Club 45 welcomes all; DHRC’s attempts are step backwards
Thursday, January 28, 2021 2:20 pm
Dear Editor, Recently, members of the Decorah Human Rights Commission (DHRC) stopped by the Club 45, the new educational/meeting center in Decorah dedicated to enlightening the public on the founding ideals and principles of America, and wanted to know if …
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Chief speaks in support of Marsy’s Law for Iowa
Monday, January 25, 2021 10:39 pm
I recently had the opportunity to join Marsy’s Law for Iowa for a Facebook live event discussing victims’ rights in Iowa and the need for the state to put these rights in our constitution. Our discussion primarily focused on the …