Opinion

'The View' for men offers evidence there is no constitutional right to be heard

       We were playing one of those “tell your secrets” board games.      The question I had to answer: Which of your five senses would you prefer to live without first, if you had to choose?      My wife knew what my answer would be: Hearing.      There is way too much noise in our world – and in our American society.

The little engine that could, and did...

A couple years ago, we had a discussion in our house about careers and how it seems that in the newspaper business nothing was a sure bet.  Businesses were constantly being sold, bosses get moody, and you are suddenly out the door over a typo...it seems to be the easiest way to get rid of reporters, of course the company never would pay a proofreader.

Winter driving safety: Don't be that guy.... or that one..or that one...

Sights like these are too common, and often unnecessary.     I once had the enlightening experience of working with a teenage girl who had already wrecked her car two or three times.      She did not seem to make the connection between driving decisions and unpleasant results.      One a day when the weather was very similar to what we have seen in the past few days in the Vinton area, this girl was driving to Cedar Rapids on Highway 30.

Christmas classics: Let them renew your faith

     Saturday was a great lesson for me. It answered a question for me that many married people at times have in their mind but dread to voice outloud:     "What would life be like if I were still single?"      Well, I got one answer to that question Saturday.     I spent the morning listening to NPR.

11:45 and most is well....

Last week, I wrote about what it's like on a day when there is no news. See that story, if you have not already seen it, HERE. Today seems to be a day very much like that one. Other than having a few holiday event photos, and a news release about wind power at an area utility, today's news is pretty quiet.  And after the week we've had, it's a welcome change.

Letter to the Editor: Crossing paths with a dishonest Christmas customer

       I would like to address my remarks to the Big Box Store Customer with whom I had the misfortune of crossing paths. Dear Costumer,      Last week I purchased a number of boxes of Christmas lights.  On Tuesday I pulled out the tree and the boxes of new lights.  The first box I opened reeked of mice.

Big city reporters inspire one to want to carry a big stick

      As I'm sure you've read, we had a bit of excitement out here yesterday...more than I EVER want to see again!      Thank God, the outcome was only the loss of a material things, and unfortunately keepsakes and memories...those things matter, but no lives were lost, down to the little dog that lived in the house.

Every story affects somebody's neighbor; today it was mine

Fire destroyed the home of Lester and Donna Geiger in rural Brandon Wednesday afternoon.        Two significant newsworthy events – a minor house fire and a tragic double-fatality automobile/bicycle accident – in the year before it became my job to write about such events taught me a significant lesson: Every person involved in a fire, flood, accident or any other tragedy is somebody’s Somebody.

Journalism lesson: Avoiding the armpit pitfall

       Lots of people were probably thinking lots of things Friday night as the Vikettes prepared to play Marion.      “Is there something I forgot to do before I came here?”      “I should have stopped for supper first.”      “I hope my kid gets to play/score/win.

Growing Old in Vinton

You know the smells in the air when you go to Cedar Rapids? Sometimes its bad, sometimes you smell Captain Crunch. I have the same relationship with old folks homes. This last Sunday, the girls and I did something that I don't believe we've done for probably 10 years. We went to a couple of "care center" services with the folks from church.