Sunday Morning Coffee is my weekly piece about politics and religion...with a little
gossip thrown in for flavor. I enjoy this and figure it's like therapy. My name is Michael P. Libbie and if you want to leave a note here, feel free and/or let's connect on my PERSONAL Twitter Stream @MichaelLibbie or my personal Facebook Page which is right here. Why politics and religion? Because your Mother said never talk about it... Let's go:
Because I'M Not A Christian...
I don't get it. Now I don't want to lump those of you who "believe" into the same
basket but you've got some serious problems with regard to actually knowing what you do or do not believe. In addition, this notion that the United States is a "Christian Nation" and for some reason you feel compelled to push your belief on the rest of us is...scary. Last week I posted something about a gay couple from Ohio who were married in another state because Ohio does not recognize marriage equality. One of the men is in end-stage ALS and they are fighting, in court, to be declared married so benefits such as being buried together can come to pass. I posted it without comment and it took just minutes for some "loving Christians" to voice their hate. I seriously don't get it and I am soooo grateful I don't have to. Here is the link to the story about "Ohio Plans Unspeakably Cruel Appeal". And, the image is a screen grab of some of the comments...yikes. If you click it should open up so you can read. It just goes to show you that your Mother was right. Never talk about religion or politics. (I know, I didn't listen either.)
Meanwhile in Western Iowa
Rep. Steve King (R-IA) is once again mouthing some stuff that is about as filthy as our Iowa water. His hate of minorities is astounding. His record of distasteful speech is astounding. However, the most astounding thing is the people of Western Iowa continue to elect him to congress. Just about anywhere else in the nation should an elected official spew stuff like this he/she would/should be shown the door. As Rekha Basu asked, "Is this the best the 4th District can do?" For a complete read of what my friend Rekha wrote for the Des Moines Register here it is. (If you can get through the pay-wall) But a word of warning...make sure small children are not in the room. Shocking... This just in: My friend Ed Fallon started a new Facebook Page, "Draft A Moderate Republican To Beat Steve King". If you are so inclined.
And Then North Carolina
Politicians in the North Carolina House are trying to push through a series of sweeping anti-abortion restrictions. First, they attached the provisions to an anti-Sharia law and more than 60 activists were arrested last Monday at protests at the capitol. Then the Governor said that he'd likely veto the restrictions if they weren't changed. So the bill's proponents tried sneaking the provisions into a different bill-this one relating to motorcycle safety. The "motorcyclevagina" bill just passed the Senate and is now on the way to Gov. Pat McCory (R-NC).
But We're Not Done with North Carolina
In June the United States Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Bill. Justice Roberts said things had changed and it was no longer necessary to protect the voting rights of citizens by requiring places like Texas and North Carolina (And other southern states with historic records of voter suppression and bigotry) to first get federal approval for voting changes. Well, it didn't take long for both Texas and North Carolina to work some "Republican Magic" and...PRESTO laws and/or bills to suppress the vote. Attorney General Eric Holder is already working a case against Texas and it looks like North Carolina with the most sweeping anti-voting legislation in the nation is going to be next. I know you missed this...so here are the details from our friends at The Guardian.
Des Moines is "Bike Friendly" Unless...
You happen to be an Italian-American? This past week the 4th Annual Italian-American Heritage Festival kicked off in the Western Gateway Park. My son and I decided to ride out bikes from "the burbs" to take in some music and do some walking around. However, once we got there we were told "Sorry bikes are not allowed." I asked why and the nice lady said, "I don't know we just don't allow them." But monster strollers and wagons are OK. So much for Bocce Ball. But then again I'm not an Italian-American so no foul.
Jobs in Iowa
If we start up "The Way-Back Machine" we would learn that as a then candidate Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) made much of his promise to add 200,000 jobs in his first term and "...get Iowa back to work". That promise, of course, was a lie and, while we all knew it, the recession was grinding on and we were ready for a False Messiah. Last week Debi Durham, carrying the water for the governor from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, said it was impossible to reach that goal without having more people move to Iowa. You see, we just don't have enough folks here for the jobs to be filled. So...Iowa will launch a massive PR campaign to attract returning veterans to the state. Maybe they will take the thousands of government
jobs our austerity loving governor has cut. Weary...kids...weary.
Branstad on Board
Our friends at Progress Iowa are offering you an opportunity to "Speed like the governor" and travel fast across Iowa with this stunning sign. I donated but not sure I want a Branstad sign on my car. Somebody might get the wrong idea. Here is the story from our friends at the Des Moines Register. I would have sent you to the KCCI-TV8 page but the pop-ups there drive me crazy(er).
Tyler Olson - Iowa
Several weeks ago I wrote something about state senator Jack Hatch (D-Des Moines) being at the top of the ticket and young statehouse member Tyler Olson (D-Cedar Rapids) running as Lt. Governor. I know Senator Hatch and like him but the more I look at this the more I'm thinking differently. What might happen should the youthful Olson be the choice with his Lt. Governor...perhaps be state senator Janet Petersen (D-Des Moines). The difference between that ticket and the Branstad/Reynolds ticket would be interesting and the energy these two would bring to the process would be great fun. Just throwing that out... And, Janet has been top of mind at several Olson events in the city. Hmmmmmm
Partly Personal
My Bride is home from RAGBRAI. She did all 406 miles and says she feels great. LOVE this photo of her dipping her tire in the Mississippi River. Well done and happy to have stayed home with "the kids".
For those of you who follow Mom you should know she is back at Edgewater and being grumpy. Things are on the mend me thinks.
Have a wonderful Sunday! - Michael
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