It is the final day of the Great Iowa State Fair and perhaps that should have been in the title of this weeks Sunday Morning Coffee however we've gotta roll with what we've got. Thanks for coming by for some news stories you may have seen and some you might have missed all with my commentary. Sometimes fun often serious grab a cup and let's go!
The Secret
Over the past week I had to opportunity to work the Iowa Democratic Party booth at the Iowa State Fair. For those of you who are not familiar both the GOP and the Democrats have the same size booth at the entrance to the Varied Industries Building. I was able to watch people line up to have their photo taken with not one but two life-size cut-outs of "45" in front of a huge banner that screamed "Stand With Trump". Given all the crap that has been going on, especially during the past week, one would think it might be difficult to "Stand With Trump" but people kept to have their photo taken with the "Cardboard King". I heard them talk about the "fake media" and Hillary and how our "culture is being eroded" and how Ron Corbett would make a better governor because, "he knows politics". The secret is Republicans have no decency. None. They will say and do anything...and as our contributor Tim Lloyd notes "They have made their bed..." and we must continue to remind voters that their lack of decency, their callous disregard for the rule of law, their primary focus on race baiting and division must not be ignored. When you look at a Republican you are, today, looking at evil. No matter if they wear a fancy suit or a pretty dress. When they "Stand with Trump" they are embracing evil and we must not give them a pass.
The RepubliKlans
Call me slow. I had never heard of this term until this week. However, this week has been unique in our nation. So unique that some major magazines had some interesting covers depicting the times we are in. Not since the Democrats of the south stood in opposition to freedom have we seen times like this. And, they are so damn open about it. No secret that the sheets are out and here, thanks to CNN are those covers.
The Difference in Timing
Notice how long it took "45" to call out the terror in Charlottesville vs. how long it took him to tweet about Barcelona? Remember fear is a great motivating factor and "45" cares nothing about the people who do not make up his base. Always remember that.
Guns and The Fair
We're already gearing up the next Iowa Legislative Calendar and be advised that allowing anybody and everybody to carry firearms at the Iowa State Fair is going to be a priority in the next session. Rep. Matt Windschitl (R-Missouri Valley) has already said he will introduce a bill to allow you and your friends to carry during the State Fair. Last session that language was taken out so the GOP could get enough votes to allow you to carry "wherever in the hell you wanted to carry". All of this was in reaction to a stabbing during the fair. So, "Law abiding men and women of Iowa have a right to defend themselves!" No word on if either of the individuals, Yuri Green, 17, the "stabber" and Tay Ronce Denton, 21, the "stabbie" were "law abiding men" prior to this event...the second in two years...and we've still got one more night to go! Just thinking...hundreds of drunks at the Bud Tent...what could go wrong?
Iowans Supporting Israel
Until two months ago I had no idea this organization existed. Should have...but didn't. It is a non-partisan organization that was co-founded by highly placed Republicans like Matt Strawn and Democrats like Tom Henderson. This past week we went to a meeting where Rep. David Young (R-IA) spoke about his recent visit to Israel. (Photo: Iowans Supporting Israel) About 30 GOP House Members and the same number of House Democrats went on the trip. While traveling separate they did come together for two days to learn and share their experiences. It was an emotional speech from the Congressman and, once again, I was reminded of what so many people say about Mr. Young: "But, he is such a nice guy!" And I think he is...but his politics hurt Iowans. I can not for the life of me get it. How can these "nice people" embrace such evil in the White House and vote to strip Americans of health care, be against voting rights, and vote to cut taxes on the wealthy while sticking it to the rest of us. Somebody got an answer? Anyway, if you want to learn more about Iowans Supporting Israel here is a brief interview we did for the Business News Hour with another founding member, attorney "Bud" Hockenberg:
IOB 16 August 2017 Bud Hockenberg
Women in Urbandale?
Last week my friend, and he is, Urbandale Mayor Bob Andeweg posted this photo on his LinkedIn profile. Nice selfie of the folks that serve one of my favorite communities in the Des Moines Metro. However, it got me to wondering if there are any women in Urbandale. I know I've seen them around the HyVee and the Funky Zebra but in the City Council? Hmmmm....anybody want to run?
Partly Personal
The final day of the Iowa State Fair...whew! What a run. Just a "heads up" and something I've noticed over the past 10 days...if you shake hands with a man during the fair I suspect there is an 80% chance that he didn't wash his hands after taking a leak. Best to simply...wave?
The Windsor Heights Foundation is today sponsoring the Annual Ice Cream Social. This is where the foundation pays for ice cream and (I think) the Windsor Heights HyVee provides bowls and spoons...we provide toppings and about 30 homes here in The Village host their neighbors and friends. It's such a cool (excuse the pun) event and one of the things that makes living here so very nice. If you drive around The Village today you'll see these signs announcing the Ice Cream Social...neighbor to neighbor. What a neat idea but I wonder if they got a...permit? Which brings me to this:
Meanwhile the City (Not to be confused with "The Village) of Windsor Heights has trouble, it would seem, with free speech. City workers removed and then threatened residents with fines for posting signs on their homes or in their lawns that were critical of the city and the sidewalk issue. I am not making this up. On Monday the Iowa ACLU weighed in demanding the city recant and allow citizens the right to post whatever in the hell they want to post. You know...that old "free speech" thingy. The City Council is going to take up the matter tomorrow evening. I get to be there to offer a brief Windsor Heights Chamber update. Sometimes you just can not fix...silly.
Thanks for reading and have a fantastic Sunday!
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