SundayMorningCoffee

Sunday Morning Coffee 8 December 2019

I know...if you are dialing up Sunday Morning Coffee and it's now lunch time...I take full responsibility. The past 24 hours are a blur from services in Mason City to bell ringing for the Salvation Army to a hockey game to getting our radio program out the door because of an early broadcast at 11:30...yikes.  Excuses...right? Let's go!

Disappointing

We have become so tribal and none of that is good for our nation. While members of the Republican Party continue to deny what "45" has done and seek to obfuscate the reality of a corrupt and dishonest president. His base continues to believe that what he has done to obstruct a co-equal branch of our federal government is just fine. We have seen this before friends and it is not that different to what we saw take place in Germany in the 1930's. For those of you who think things like that can not happen again...beware. It is on our doorstep.

Russian Bots?

As the Iowa caucuses heat up there has been a growing number of hateful remarks about various Democratic candidates. Usually those remarks have to do with ageism, sexism and homophobia. If I didn't know some of the people who are writing these insults, on Facebook or other platforms, I would think they were Russian Bots. 

The fact of the matter is that it is highly unlikely that your prefered candidate will become the nominee of the party. Then what do you do? Take your campaign lit with you to the basement and fail to work for the eventual nominee following the convention? 

Take a breath. You are not doing your candidate any favors. In fact, some of the comments made would embarrass your prefered candidate and my bet is they would disavow them and censure you in a heartbeat. We are better than that.  And, sure it's easy to click off a 20 word insult...but think before you send.  Are you really shedding a positive light on your candidate?  No...and it is more than disappointing.

Mayor of Des Moines

It was an expensive race. The two main candidates spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on the contest. In the end the incumbent, Mayor Frank Cownie squeaked out a narrow win over former state senator and developer Jack Hatch. It was not only expensive but also toxic. While nobody asked my advice...had they...I believe the outcome may have been different. Both are friends of mine and I truly hope fences will be mended. But, fear that may take some time.

We Have a Race

Last Sunday I attended a house party for Kimberly Graham one of four running to become the next United States Senator from Iowa. I have watched this contest and over the past several months and noted how Graham has grown as a candidate. While not the favored one by many in the establishment circle she has become a solid campaigner and speaker. I was impressed.

I also know the other candidates and I'm personal friends with two of the three. I've yet to meet Admiral Franken but look forward to that opportunity. One thing is certain Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) is in trouble and that's more than me saying so...the polls also indicate she will fall in November.

Neighborhood Groups

Democrats all over the state are organizing what are being called "neighborhood groups". Geographical parts of the cities to rural towns are not only working with their county organization but are working at a more grass-roots level to encourage Democrats to mobilize. It's really refreshing and it's brought so many more people together.  Stunning.

Immigration

Last week, while campaigning, I heard a troubling story I'll share here. We have known for some time that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have been targeting hispanic folks and that has led to many staying out of sight. Even those in the country legally are avoiding community gatherings and events because they fear being caught up in the hysteria that has infected our nation. 

Imagine that you are an immigrant who is in the process of securing a Green Card. It's something that takes time and money. You have a job and you are doing everything right. But, one day, in a convenience store, you are confronted by ICE. Before you know it you are on a bus to Omaha and a detention center. There you are informed it will cost you $7,000 to be reunited with your family. No, you've not done anything wrong. You have been in the process but now you are told pay up of get shipped out. You call your family and they pony up the 7K and you are released.

Think it doesn't happen?  My sources tell me this is fairly common and that many immigrant families hord a stash of cash just in case.

Really?  Yes...really. What have we become?

The Jobs Report

It was a blockbuster. The U.S. added 266,000 jobs in November. That is nearly 100,000 more than what was projected. But, what kind of jobs are they? Yeah, you guessed it. Many are low pay jobs in health care, food service and hospitality. 45,000 jobs were GM workers going back on the job following their successful strike. 12,000 were government workers and a mere 1,000 in construction. 

Of the jobs created 80 out of 100 pay above average and while you might think that is pretty good consider that just ten years ago 94 out of 100 jobs created paid above average.

At the same time new data indicates that fully one-half of Americans are earning the median income of $18,000 a year.

One more stat for you. There is not one state in the United States where a person can work 40 hours a week and live "comfortably". Every state, based on numbers from the Labor Department for wages and then adding 20% for a "comfort factor", requires more hours of work. In Hawaii it is 91 hours a week. In Iowa a worker must log 48 hours a week to make $44,000 a year.

Yeah...but the economy is...booming.  For...who?

Partly Personal

It has been a busy weekend. Friday saw me driving to Mason City for my work at Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Northern Iowa. I go there once a month to do their services and to lead a two hour Torah (Bible) study session with folks from many religious backgrounds...and even several Jews.

Rolled back into town in time for Jovie and me to head to the Iowa Wild hockey game to raise money for the Salvation Army. What? Wait! A Jewish guy raising cash for a Christian group that many of my friends in the party don't much care for?  Yeah...it's what we do for each other.  We had a blast and a big thank you to my friend Tamyra Harrison for calling me and asking for some help.

From the campaign... I was able to speak at the Southeast Dallas County Democrats forum this past Tuesday. That was great fun and I'm grateful for that opportunity. This Tuesday I'll be speaking to the Clive Democrats for their December meeting. 

Between working, knocking doors, and "call time" it sorta keeps a person busy.  But, I've been encouraged by the number of people who sense that I have a solid message for working families and a solid background in working on behalf of others. Thank you. Here is the campaign website. 

Coming up on 21 December at the West Des Moines Library at 10:00AM I'll kick off the first of many "Listening Posts" that have to do with various issues confronting Iowans. This session will be about "Finding Common Ground with Common Sense on Gun Laws". 

Hey, sorry, once again this is so late...think of it as Sunday Morning (Brunch) Coffee.

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 1 December 2019

Snow...as I write this it's snowing in Central Iowa. Might have to brew a second pot and put a log on the fire.  Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly look at the news stories you may have seen (or missed) all with my, often, acerbic commentary. Let's go:

He Will Say Anything

It really is astounding. "45" will say anything, mostly lies, and people swoon. I don't get it and suspect you don't either. But, beyond the lies and the dishonesty in business and government the Republicans stick with him. Perhaps out of fear. Perhaps out of ignorance. When faced by reality his supporters shrug and say silly things like, "He's doing what he promised to do."  If this person gets another term it will, I believe, sink our democracy. We've got to move on.

Voting for "45"

it's a fun new game here in Iowa where Sean Bagniewski, the chair of the Polk County Democrats, continues to ask, publically, if current elected officials are going to vote for "45" next November. So far, from what I'm told...crickets. It's fun to see then squirm.

And The Beat Goes On

The House Intelligence Committee will begin reviewing a report tomorrow on the committee’s investigation into "45's" dealings with Ukraine. The committee is then expected to consider and adopt the report Tuesday evening. The report and any minority views will be sent to the House Judiciary Committee, which could draft articles of impeachment against the president in the next few weeks.

Sixty-Four Days

We're just 64 days away from the Iowa Caucus. 64 days. Sixty-five days from now we'll be reviewing every aspect of the event. Campaign staff, many of whom we've gotten to know well, will be moving on to New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada and beyond. It's such an honor to live in a place where we get to experience this process and get so close to the candidates. If you live here you know what I'm talking about. 

Field organizing is going to be full on over the next two months. Our phones will light up with text messages...and that's OK with me. It's all going to be over way too soon.

Shooting in The Big Easy

Eleven people are reported injured in New Orleans early this morning. Eleven people. Meanwhile yesterday a man was shot in Dallas as he sat in his car. Some guy opened the passenger side door and just fired. And then in Chicago one person died and four others wounded in a shooting there. Remember, we don't have a gun violence issue in America.

Election in Des Moines

Voters in Des Moines, Iowa will, once again, head to the polls on Tuesday to select a mayor and two city council members. The runoff, which was required after none of the candidates received more than 50% of the vote back in November. If you want to listen to an interview I did for Mayor Frank Cownie you can do so here. If you would like to listen to my conversation with challenger Jack Hatch that is here.

The race has been really ugly with plenty of scrappy ads by Jack Hatch that surprised some. Meanwhile the TV time purchased, lately, by Frank Cownie have been upbeat. Sort of "stay the course" message. Whatever happens on Tuesday it will cost Des Moines about $85,000. It's the price of democracy.

Partly Personal

I know...not much today. I have an excuse and she is sitting on my lap. Her name is "Tinker" and the rescue tells us she is six. She is a "special needs" dog who, we are told, suffered a fever as a puppy which caused her to lose her balance. So when she walks she looks like somebody on Court Avenue at 2:00AM. Her former owner was told by family members that he had to get rid of her. They were going to take her out and shoot her but somebody thought of a rescue center. And now she is with us. She's pretty clingy but that's OK. It's what we do...

I spent several hours on Thanksgiving helping others prepare a dinner and then serve it to some people in a drug and alcohol recovery center here in Central Iowa. It was a humbling experience. The stories were both shocking and sad. I am grateful that they allowed me to join them. It made a huge impact.

This coming Wednesday evening I'll be at a Flip Senate District 22 event in Clive with the Southeast Dallas County Democrats. It takes place at  Rookies Sports Bar & Grill - 2180 Northwest 156th Street. It's a fund-raiser for the eventual candidate that will seek to "Chuck Chuck" in November. Should be a good time.

Later this afternoon I'm headed to a "Meet & Greet" for Kimberly Graham who is running to represent Iowa as our next United States Senator. She will be with Rep. Cindy Anxe (D-IA) and I'm looking forward to the visit.

Two quick reminders: I'll be speaking to the Clive Democrats on Tuesday the 10th at Wobbly Boots in Clive about my campaign and then on December 21st the first of several "Town Hall Events" where my goal is to bring people together to listen to issues of importance to Iowa and to my Senate District 22. That event will be in West Des Moines at the Public Library starting at 10:00AM. 

Sorry for a short cup today...but next I've got to finish my broadcast for News/Talk 1540 KXEL that airs this afternoon at 2pm. Yikes!

Have a wonderful Sunday and thanks for reading! 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 13 October 2019

I wish I could become a Republican and look at the world as if everything was just fine...except my faith, values and reality tend to get in the way. Our nation is in serious trouble...you know it is true. We have a monster in the White House and his pals across the GOP spectrum fail to have the guts to call him out. Meanwhile his supporters, maybe you know some, have doubled down on what is indefensible. Let's get started with Sunday Morning Coffee.

Murder in Fort Worth

While you were sleeping a police officer in Fort Worth, Texas was investigating a "courtesy call" because a person called 911 to report that a door was left partly open. The officer walked the perimeter of the home, it seems without announcing he was the police, and in just minutes shot through a window of the house and killed a mother who was in the room with her child. The officer, who joined the force in 2018 has been placed on leave and the Mayor there has said there will be a full investigation. And, yes it was in a Black Neighborhood and the officer is White. Details are still emerging. But the question remains....if you are a person of color do you dare call the police...for anything? Her name: Atatiana Jefferson

Minneapolis

Last week "45" lost his mind, or what is left of it, at a rally in Minneapolis where he spewed vitriol attacking anybody that fails to fawn over him. Targets were the press, congress, the mayor, members of congress...you know the drill. While watching him one cannot make a direct comparison to the speeches in Berlin where that nation's Fuhrer would attack everybody who did not fawn over him. The similarities are too striking to avoid. Frankly, I don't care who the Democratic nominee is...he or she...will see an outpouring of support. It's got to happen.

Meanwhile in Syria

I was up this morning before 5:30 doing some work. But, before I dived in I spent thirty minutes checking the news stories. What I saw coming out of Syria was horrific. Turkish backed forces executing Kurds along the highways. Mothers holding lifeless children who have died in the bombing. ISIS prisoners rushing out of jails and back to work against...us.  Meanwhile the architect of all this was golfing. This is his handiwork. This is on him. That his minions remain silent is yet another indictment of those of you who place an "R" next to your name. You are complicit in this horror. You...who still support this monster...you. That those of you who call yourselves faithful servants of Jesus can stand in silence while this goes on belies your true outpouring of your religion. I cannot comprehend this...there are no words.

And, in case you've forgotten it was the Kurds who worked with and fought against ISIS with U.S. troops. This is how we treat our allies. 

Oh and it was "45" speaking last night at the Values Voter Summit in D.C.  The "Values Voter Summit" folks have some very strange values.

Coming for Brunch?

The word is out that the most powerful woman in the United States is headed to Des Moines. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will be taking questions to what is shaping up to be a sold-out event being put on by the Polk County, Iowa Democrats. Titled "A Conversation with Nancy Pelosi" should get the Values Voters all churned up.  Why? Just last night "45" told his fawning crowd of evangelicals that he might sue Congressman Schiff and Speaker Nancy Pelosi because they are "very bad, very bad people".

If you would like to attend the Conversation with Nancy Pelosi you can get tickets here. 

City & School Board Elections

The game has been played for a very long time. We all know that in Iowa our city and school board elections are supposed to be non-partisan. The idea is that everybody is going to work for the goodness of their community. The exception has been...for years...that the GOP has used these elections to groom their candidates for partisan politics and they have been very, very successful. 

Guess what? The Democrats are now openly supporting those candidates in city and school board elections that share Democratic Values of equality, fairness and local control. Here in Polk County the Polk County Democrats have been spending money to get out the November vote and have assisted in mailing items to those voters who are registered as Democrats but may not have voted in past local elections.

I get to live in the "Village of Windsor Heights" and in keeping within the spirit of disclosure you might want to know where the three candidates are with respect to their voting records:

• Mark Coy - Is a registered Democrat and business person who has lived in Windsor Heights for the past 28 years;
• Threase Harms - Is the incumbent and is registered as an Independent which is no surprise as she is a lobbyist;
• Susan Skeries - Is a registered Republican.

Vote accordingly.

Partly Personal

I was out knocking doors and visiting with voters in Senate District 22 yesterday when I stopped into the newest restaurant in Windsor Heights, Kathmandu. My friend Thakur Neupane opened the restaurant just 5 days ago and judging by the crowd that was there it's going to be a hit. I had the Lunch Buffet...because it's fun to try different things. YUM!  Thakur also has Kathmandu on S.E. 14th Street in Des Moines that, while smaller, has the same vibe and great food. So...go already!

Today, at nightfall, begins the Jewish Festival of Sukkot. You may know it as the "Festival of Booths". Observant Jews "move into" these temporary dwellings for the eight day holiday. Some of us may not "move in" but will take our meals there. It's all a reminder of the wanderings, the harvest and tends to put us closer to nature and...besides we're told to do so in the Torah.  You can look it up: Lev. 23: 42-43. Building the Sukkah isn't such an easy task but enjoying it...truly is.

Last week I did an in depth interview with Des Moines Mayor Candidate Jack Hatch. We had lots and lots to talk about. In the past I've interviewed the current mayor Frank Cownie. If you follow Insight on Business the News Hour next week you'll be able to catch the Hatch conversation. Or on Twitter check out IOB_NewsHour. 

If you would like to take a peek at my campaign website...and perhaps donate to the effort...here you go: LibbleForIowa.com is where you'll see some of the issues we need to address as I take on one of the architects of the GOP effort to destroy working Iowa families. Time to "Chuck Chuck". 

Thanks for reading and...it's yet another weekend for softball around here. Enjoy your Sunday!  

Sunday Morning Coffee 22 September 2019

Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly piece on some of the political stories you may have seen, or missed, and laced with my commentary. Heads up, this is going to be a shorter cup...I have two events to cover today. One is the youth forum at a local high school with several presidential candidates and the other is a health care conversation with Bernie Sanders. Hey, always working and learning it would seem.

The President of the United States

We all know "45" is dirty and I'm not going to spend a bunch of time on him. It's enough to say this is the most corrupt person, next to Andrew Johnson, to ever become president. It is a shame and disgrace that this person is the leader of our great nation. We've never seen anything like it and, hopefully, never will again. In an interview, just yesterday, I was asked what I thought were the two most pressing issues that we need to address. I said that health care and repairing our standing on the world stage are critical for moving forward. One addresses the root cause for financial ruin and the other addresses how this president has trashed our reputation world-wide.

Bill de Blasio

I may have been the only person on the planet to have been dismayed that Mayor de Blasio pulled out of the 2020 race. I met him twice over the past several months and enjoyed the conversation and the interviews. I also know how much the NYC media hate him. Saw it first hand when they lied about an event he was at in Des Moines and listened to them "bad-mouth" the mayor when the microphones were off. I remember I asked the reporter about it and she said, "It's what we do in New York."  Anyway, the Polk County Steak Fry had one less candidate speaking yesterday.

The Polk County Steak Fry

It was a big deal. A really big deal that took organizers months of work to pull off. That a county party could put together an event with 16 presidential candidates and feed nearly 12,000 people was extraordinary. An army of Democrats volunteered to do everything from parking cars to serving the food, to cleaning up the tables, to transporting people around Water Works Park. It was a tremendous success. The folks in this photo Judy Downs, Sean Bagniewski, Peter Crane and Lindsay Paulson were the leadership team for the event and they were joined by hundreds more. It was a true team effort. This was the third year since the Polk County Democrats resurrected the Tom Harkin Steak Fry and it was truly the best yet. Thank you to everyone who worked their ass off to make this happen. People will talk about it for...at least a year...right?

Mental Health in Iowa

Is on life support. Today, in an exclusive interview with Peggy Huppert of NAMI-Iowa you'll learn how under funded and convoluted our mental health care system really is. While we blame everything from mass shootings to domestic abuse on mental health wouldn't you think we might seriously start to properly fund and pay for mental health care?  One would think. The 24 minutes conversation will air in on News/Talk 1540 KXEL this afternoon at about 2:35PM Central. You can hear it by going to www.KXEL.com or, if you have a smart speaker, "Hey, Google/Alexa, play KXEL Radio!".  If you miss it you'll be able to catch it this week on my newscast, "Insight on Business the News Hour".  This really is an important issue and serves as the basis for my policy on mental health in Iowa.

Jack Hatch

After several weeks of push polling former gubernatorial candidate and former state senator Jack Hatch has entered the race for Mayor of Des Moines. Clearly well funded, Jack has the backing of some very influential brothers, Mitch Henry and Joe Henry. I saw Mitch working the Jack Hatch Booth at the Polk County Steak Fry yesterday...in full campaign mode. I'm not sure Mayor Frank Cownie has faced this serious a challenge in the past. I know and like both of these guys and I think...based on the funding alone...Hatch might just pull this off. His campaign video was well done, his social media is excellent and he is a known person. Stay tuned. 

Partly Personal

Told you this would be short today...I was pleased to have the opportunity to volunteer for the Polk County Steak Fry yesterday. In past years I was there to cover the event. This time it was all about taking a cue from my fellow Polk County Democrats and getting involved by helping out. Did two hours in the massive food tent cleaning up plates and tables, taking trash away and re-setting chairs for the next wave of guests. It was done under the watchful eye of Suzette "Don't Throw The Steak Knives Away" Jensen. Thank you for everything! Then a bit of talking to voters and mentors. Had a great conversation with my friend former Governor and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack...who told me his bride Christie also enjoyed "call time". I know...we're odd.  Thanks for the tips.

Then it was to the stage to participate with other Polk County Democratic Candidates seeking to flip a ton of seats. An interview with Cenk Uygur of The Young Turks about Iowa and my senate race, a brief conversation with Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE). Then my friend, and I believe I can call him that, John Bessler and I had a great conversation about friends, family and (of course) his wife Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). Iowa Democratic Chair Troy Price gave me a few minutes to explain the approval of the DNC to the supplemental caucus location plan for 2020. That also will be heard, first, today on News/Talk 1540 KXEL in the 2pm hour. I also learned that my friend Cal Woods is the latest entry into the 2020 race for U.S. Senate...that makes five folks...and he'll also be on with me in the near future.  

Then, as I was about to leave, Scott Thompson said he was short drivers for the golf carts that shuttled folks from the event to their cars or waiting busses. I asked for a key and he flung one at me. So, in the closing hours of the event I was able to meet a ton of people who appreciated the 2.3 mile ride to their vehicles or the front gate so they could call a Lyft. 

I'd do it all again. What a wonderful time...it will be long remembered for the hundreds of volunteers who made it so. Thank you all!

Gotta GO!  Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday! 

  

Politics, Religion and More - SMC 7 January 2018

Happy New Year and for those of you who STILL have your Christmas Tree up...get 'er down! Yesterday was Epiphany ya know. Welcome to a later than usual Sunday Morning Coffee. I know, slept in...don't judge. Let's get started with some of the stories you might have seen or perhaps missed but all laced with my acerbic comments. Hey, it's what I do.

 

The Book That Shook

We all know how badly "45" desires to be admired and loved. Yet, on a daily basis, he goes out of his way to earn the disrespect of the majority of Americans. Last week "Fire and Fury" the "behind the scenes book about "45" was all the rage. People lined up at book stores all over the nation to grab a copy. Meanwhile "45" and his minions fought back with calls of "fake book" coming from the president as well as his former staffers. Yet, others who are no longer in the White House, confirmed that author Michael Wolff had unprecented access to the administration and could be seen wandering the halls of the White House undisturbed. Don't you get weary of this mess? 

The Wall and DACA

There is a deal cooking in D.C. that could result in a multi-billion dollar "wall" along the southern border of our nation. "45" and others in congress are now cooking up a deal which would allow congress to fund this insanity while passing some sort of protection for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). I do not trust it mostly because I do not trust anything this administration says. However they have Democrats in a bind. Agree to the demands of a wall and increased border security or face the possibliity that thousands of "dreamers" would be deported. It is a cruel joke on the backs of "national security". Oh, and yes "45" said yesterday that Mexico will "in some form" pay for the wall. 

Let's Move On...

Here in Iowa the final GOP controlled legislative session kicks off tomorrow as legislators file back into their chambers to do as much damage to this state as possible. Expect the Democrats to put up a fight but they will be unable to block further destruction to our state budget, working families, health care, mental health delivery, wages, public safety, education and collective bargaining. Last year was just a warm up session for more outrageous legislation that will come in the days ahead. The stunning thing is that Republicans are headed back into session with their heads held high and clearly oblivious to what Iowa has become. I've heard it suggested that Democrats should "work with Republicans" to accomplish legislation that is agreeable to both parties. And, what would that be? Oh...wait...is the die cast for lowering corporate taxes? My bet is it is. Business groups are clamoring to reduce what is, on paper, the nations highest corporate tax rate of 12.5 percent saying it is a disincentive for business to move or expand here. It's bullshit...all of it. But, my bet is that Democrats will cave just like they did four years ago with the lowering of business property taxes which shifted the burden to chumps like us with higher property taxes and destroyed city budgets. Watch and see...

eanwhile Sen. Janet Peterson (D-Des Moines) and Rep. Mark Smith (D-Marshalltown) have their work cut out for them. As minority leaders in the Iowa Senate and Iowa House they are busy finding candidates who will tackle the task of running this year and in the future. As Rep. Smith said at a recent event, "If you are interested in running for the Iowa House come and see me. We will be competitive all across the state only if we can field the candidates." If you are so moved...let's get going!

From The Gossip Line

The story last week was that former State Senator Jack Hatch might be wanting to run for a seat in the Iowa Senate. The person who shared that with me says that he would primary Sen. Tony Bisignano (D-Des Moines). I dunno either but it was juicy enough to share.

Communication and Branding

It would seem that, at least, the Polk County Democrats are attempting to get serious about their message to the general public. Yesterday there was a long session on that and the use of social media to drive the progressive agenda in each of the neighborhood groups organized over the past several years. The goal is to better unify the message being shared with now over 9,000 people who are impacted by the various groups on Facebook. When you count the individuals on Twitter the number gets even larger. Here, however, is the challenge: The vast majority of people involved in the local Democratic neighborhood groups are not very well equipped in the area of public relations and social media. Yesterday was a great start and I'm hopeful that more people will come to understand that we need to not only reach out by using social media tools but also in an effort to recruit more people face to face. (Photo: Al Womble)

First In The Nation

I had a conversation with a self-described "Old School Democrat" last week who told me that if Iowa wants to retain its position on the national stage with regard to the Iowa Caucus we're going to have to change how it is done. "The rest of the nation looks to Iowa as a joke. We have a system that was designed by politicians which has become arcane and irrelevant to a vast majority of Iowans and the rest of the nation." He went on to say, "The younger people in this state want a simpler system and instant gratification. The caucuses last year were a mess because people were frustrated with not being allowed to have their vote counted because of the silly percentage system that is used. We are going to have to change this or lose thousands of future voters." Wow, quite an indictment. But he may be on to something. Meanwhile the Iowa Democratic Party and the Polk County Democrats are busy holding caucus training sessions in an effort to mitigate the frustrations of many who attended last in 2016. We better get it right because next year promises to be very, very busy.

The image here is the new logo for the Polk County Democratic Party...pretty cool huh?

Partly Personal

Many of you know that for the past five years, along with my real job, I also write, deliver and host Insight on Business the News Hour. It's the only daily, hour-long business news broadcast in the Midwest and it has been rewarding in allowing me to, not only, share the business news of the day but also engage in long-form business interviews with people from start-ups to well established corporations. It's something that has been recognized by the Iowa Broadcast News Association as a "best of" the past two years and I'm grateful. Over these past five years we've worked hard to stay OUT of politics and stick to business. However, as we have seen over the past year, politics and business is so entwined it's often hard to separate them. This year we're changing things up a bit by doing interviews with political candidates starting with Iowa's Third Congressional District. We have already had Eddie Mauro on the air. Heather Ryan is scheduled for this week and next week Austin Frerick will join us. Between now and the June Primary we hope to have each of the seven candidates in studio. I'll keep you in the loop.

The question is, "Can a journalist be both a media person AND a candidate?" It's a question I've wrestled with for some time and I'll be giving it a much longer look in the coming weeks. I think, based on my recent run for City Council in Windsor Heights, it can be done. So, what to do....you'll be among the first to know as I ramp up the social media content once again. Hey, it's what I do...

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!  

 

 

We Are Being Duped - SMC 16 April 2017

Good Morning and welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee my weekly set of random thoughts about politics, religion, gossip...you know the stuff you love to talk about. Some of the stories you may have seen others, maybe not. If you agree...fine. If you do not agree...that's just fine too. If you wish, leave a comment...but whatever happens enjoy...Hell, it's Easter.

We Are Being Duped

You know all that frustration you feel when President Trump or his people do something stupid...like daily? I'm convinced that he, and they, are just playing cover for the crap that is going on in our backyards with school boards, state legislatures and city governments. Truly, no administration can be this incompetent...can it? Recent polls suggest the majority of Americans want Trump to release his tax returns. Why? So we can all see what the heck this guy who loves the spotlight is really doing behind closed doors? Speaking of closed doors last week the Trump White House said it would stop sharing the names of White House Visitors. Why? "National security." Bunk. While it is true that President Obama also kept "some names from the press" Trump said he wants to protect visitors from the eyes of the public. Meanwhile, last week, Sean Spicer (on the first day of Passover) said that Hitler never used chemical weapons... Of course he has apologized for the gaff but, really? If this were a comedy we'd all be laughing but these idiots are playing with the lives of our people. Sad what you have wrought on yourselves.

Really would you hire any of these clowns to work for you or with you? Every day that goes by it's another head-scratchier. "Where in the hell did that come from?" seems to be the daily question around here. Meanwhile, as the cartoon from our contributor Tim Lloyd suggests we're sitting on a potential disaster. 

Democrats Have A Problem

There is a neat article in The Hill about the potential problem Democrats have when it comes to the next set of elections. The theory is this: Democrats have seen an amazing rise in activity since the 2016 elections but most of that activity is coming from the progressive wing of the party. The question is this, "Can the Democrats field candidates who are progressive but yet will not alienate people who are more moderate?" The answer to that question is that we got into this mess because we were afraid. Democrats were unable to articulate a message that resonated with the electorate. What is that message?  It sure as hell isn't "Let's do business like we've always done business." Why spend time and resources fawning over our solid base? We are not going to abandon the LGBT Community. We are not going to abandon the Hispanic Community. We are not going to abandon the Unions. We are not going to abandon the Black Community. We are not going to abandon other minority groups but by focusing on messages designed to placate our base we leave out the vast majority of Americans. Safe to say the folks in Clive, Iowa don't much give a damn about folks in the near north side of Des Moines. Folks in Polk City don't much care about our LGBT community and Gay Pride. So...how do we craft a message of inclusion that does not alienate our base? We deal with substantial issues that we can all agree on:

• Health Care For All - There is no reason under the sun we can't win the hearts and minds of the vast majority of Americans if we stand for Universal Health Care like most modern civilizations on the planet...none;
• Soil & Water Protection - What the hell are we doing poisoning the planet? Rally around the impact this is having on everything from health to safety and let people know;
• Better Jobs and Livable Wages -  It is a crime to humanity that the Iowa Legislature rolled back advances in the minimum wage...and we just take it. But, the vast majority of Americans don't care about a "livable wage" because they are beyond that. However if we link being a slave state with how it impacts the lives and the incomes of folks in West Des Moines...we'll see people turn. Except those business owners who say it's just fine to take government handouts to allow them to pay slave wages;
• Tax System Changes - Our tax system is rigged. We hear all the time about how corporations pay little to no tax. Hell, here in Iowa we've got several hundred corporations, because of tax breaks and tax credits pay nothing but yet get a check from the state for hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars? How do we allow this to continue? The message here is clear...but we're unwilling to share it;
• Education - If we really believe that education is a right and not something for the privileged few what the hell are we doing cutting funding, treating teachers with such disrespect and being willing to take your tax dollars to fund home schooling and for-profit schools? Show me a parent who gets a kick out of kicking in for pencils, tape, paper, stamps...our public school teachers have also become beggars. It is shameful and this will resonate with the electorate...proper funding of life long learning.

Now, if you want to see all of this in writing. If you want to see all of this in a thoughtful review of where we have been and where we should go...please get the book "No Surrender - Building a Progressive Agenda for Iowa with the Five Securities" by Jack Hatch. I have read this no less than three times...with highlights. It is a playbook for success. Otherwise keep doing what you're doing...and we'll get creamed...again. If you want to support local book sellers call yours and ask that if they have or can get.

Iowa Legislature

Today on my Facebook Feed came this from Tim Henry Winter:

"Some takeaways on today's forum in Boone with Behn, Bacon & Baltimore. I give them credit for showing up, but that is all I give them. They said, "I don't know" a lot. You would think that they would have a better understanding of the issues they are voting on. They don't. The information they have is derived from big business, not science. For example, they don't have a clue as to what the Leopold Center is or why it should be considered important. Nitrates in our groundwater, what's that? What's the nitrate level in Boone/Xenia water before treatment? No clue! Behn used air quotes in discussing "nitrate contamination". Asked about education cuts, they deflected to what they done previous years. How do we compare ISU to other Big 12 university funding? "Don't know" was their answer. Non-existent voter ID?, "Huge problem that they have fixed". Cuts to labor? "We have really improved our relations with labor". Defunding watershed improvement initiatives, water trails, CRP, and buffer initiatives? "We love the environment and will be discussing ways to move forward". I swear if we had asked them about defunding PBS, their answer would have been; "We love public bathroom stalls". I know we can do better than these three!"

Yeah...I'm with you Tim!

Jennifer Konfrst - One More Time

Last week I was to have lunch with my Windsor Heights friend Jennifer Konfrst. She couldn't make it because she was busy announcing that she will run, again, for the Iowa House. This time she promised to be more forceful in her campaign. I hope so. There is no reason that we should be timid in our run against Chris Hagenow (R-Windsor Heights). We understand the dirty tricks and lies that he is capable of sharing with the public. He's in church right now...  Should, maybe go more often...like daily to beg for forgiveness for following his true masters.

 

Partly Personal

Tired. Got home from our Passover Seder at Adas Israel in Mason City close to 1:00am. It was a wonderful experience. Of the 50+ people there the majority came for the first time to a traditional Jewish service. We had folks from Webster City, Northwood, Rochester, Charles City, Waterloo, Clear Lake and of course Mason City. I'm sure many were a bit surprised that a service, any service, would take over three hours to complete but it seemed that all had a great time, learned much and left with a better understanding of Judaism and, perhaps their own faith...whatever that may be.  Oh...and we're still eating Matzah through Tuesday.

Thanks for coming by and have a blessed Easter, Passover and Sunday!  

Welcome to Amerika - Sunday Morning Coffee 5 March 2017

"The United States no longer quite the United States." So said French Holocaust historian Henry Rousso following a ten hour detention at
Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee featuring some of the news you may have heard or
maybe not. It's just politics with a dash of religion just to keep it fun. Grab a cup but, careful, it's hot.

Holocaust Historian Detained

Yep, that's reality. Professor Rousso was to have taken part in a discussion, "Writing In Dark Times" when he was stopped by an immigration official and told that his visa would not allow him to give a lecture and receive an honorarium. If you would like to read the entire article from CNN here you go. The stunning thing is this is happening all over the country. Forgive me for sounding a bit paranoid but our country is starting to resemble something from Schindler's List. But, wait...there is more:

I Think You Are Guilty of Being a Threat = Deportation

The recent crack down on undocumented people took a chilling twist last week when the White House determined immigration officers could determine, on their own, if a person posed a threat to the national security. For example if a person is arrested for speeding or for domestic violence or for drunk driving the officer, who may be deputized by the federal government, can decide to lock the person up and start the deportation process. Trial? Nope... The effect this has had on the immigrant community is they don't want to seek medical treatment, call the police about a safety issue or any interaction with anybody in authority. It drives the community deeper underground. Even in the minds of those of us not under suspicion the whole thing is frightening and reminds us we have become a police state. The kind of Soviet Bloc system we, at one time, loathed.

Pipelines and Steel and Lies

During and after the campaign Donald Trump called on business to buy and build with American products. Things have changed. At issue is the Keystone Pipeline. The very pipeline that Trump said should be built with "American steel". In fact Trump signed an executive order and said that at the time and even mentioned it during a speech to Congress last week. But it was a lie. On Friday the White House said,  "Since [Keystone] is already currently under construction ... it was hard to go back. Everything moving forward would be all under that executive order." If Donald Trump's mouth is moving he is lying. Here is the article from CNN Money. Random related thought: Last week Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) said it was an "outrage" that the FBI was investigating protesters who were decrying the Dakota Access Pipeline but not looking into the serious nature of the administrations ties to Russia. I know...it's a head shaker but remember...in a police state the authority is never questioned. If you would like to check out the story from Ring of Fire here you go. But, come back...there's more!

Trump Tweets Because...

I think you'll find this interesting. George Lakoff is a Professor Emeritus at University of California Berkeley and he created this visual which explains the thought process behind the constant Tweets of President Trump. It's perhaps the best explanation I've seen for what, to many, seems like the work of a frantic lunatic with a cell phone. Wait, maybe that still works. Anyway...here you go. Method to the Madness?  

Voting Rights

Yesterday I had the opportunity to listen to Gov. Martin O'Malley offer his thoughts on voting rights. The event was held at Drake University where Nathan Blake introduced the former presidential candidate who was making a requested swing through the Hawkeye State on behalf of several Democratic candidates. (I'm thinking his second in the past several weeks?) When you spend time listening to the madness that emanates from Donald Trump and his gang you tend to forget how sane, reasonable and principled some politicians are. Meet Martin O'Malley whom I have seen at least a dozen times over the past two...maybe three years. His issue, today, is taking on voter suppression in all its forms and calling for states to introduce constitutional amendments for voting rights.  "Passing a constitutional amendment that enshrines this fundamental right will give U.S. courts the clarity and authority they need to strike down Republican efforts to suppress the vote. The proposed amendment would set a high legal bar to defend against attempts to disenfranchise eligible voters, and empower Congress to enact strong electoral standards nationwide." The visit was timely. On Monday the Iowa Legislature will hold hearings on a voter suppression bill that demands voters show identification at the polls.

Sidebar: I'll have Gov. O'Malley on the Business News Hour this Monday afternoon for a discussion about Democrats, Business and Economics.

Nathan Blake

He was named the "best candidate" to replace State Senator Jack Hatch (D-Des Moines) by the Des Moines Register but came up short in a three-way primary which, in 2014, propelled Tony Bisignano into that "safe seat" in the Iowa Senate. Now Nathan has his sights set on the Secretary of State. He has not yet announced but that is expected and traveling with and introducing Gov. O'Malley ain't a bad way to get out there. Expect Nathan to join me on the Business News Hour at some point before he announces. I'd like to learn more about how he thinks...you too?

Dumb Must Be Better

When you consider all of the bills being thrown around in the Iowa Legislature ya gotta wonder where in the heck are these hair-brained ideas coming from. Let us introduce you to the American Legislative Exchange Council where the Iowa GOP legislators are bought and paid for. So, cutting public education, gutting collective bargaining, pitting one firefighters against the police, shutting down mental health facilities, insane gun legislation...all that stuff has to come from somewhere...right.  Millions of dollars have been flushed into the pockets of our state legislature in an attempt to carry out the same policies that have sunk Kansas. If you would like to learn a bit more here is a great piece by Rick Smith for the Iowa Starting Line along with our cartoon of the week from our contributor Tim Lloyd.

Dumb it down for us...right? 

Unintended Consequences

When President Trump said he wanted to "unify" the nation he was kidding. However, in a sense, he has done just that. He and Gov. Terry Branstad (and his son Eric), the Iowa Republican House/Senate Caucus and their minions have sent hundreds of Democrats and Independents into action all across Iowa. It is a ground swell that I have not seen in decades. While we may not all agree on every issue there seems to be a common sense of purpose in fighting for the progressive values to more our cities, counties, states and nation forward in service to all our people.

Tomorrow in Polk County, Iowa hundreds will turn out for the Off-Year Caucus. Here Polk County Chair Tom Henderson and Executive Director Tamyra Harrison talk about the event and why it's important:

 

Join us tomorrow evening. Here is a link to the locations across Polk County...I'll see many of you in Windsor Heights at Saison Kitchen and Pub.

Partly Personal

Next week I get to travel back to Mason City, Iowa to conduct services and do a two hour Torah Study for Adas Israel the Jewish Congregation of Mason City. Last week a teacher from that community reached out on Facebook and asked how she, a Christian, might be able to show support for the Jews in light of the recent spate of destruction of burial head-stones, graffiti on synagogues and hate speech on the Internet. I suggested that she write a letter to the editor of the Globe Gazette and include all people of various minorities. I hope she does...and maybe we'll have the opportunity to visit, in person, next week.

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!   

  

 

Sunday Morning Coffee - Tired Yet 12 February 2017

Politics and Religion two of my favorite topics...mostly because my Mother told said,"Never talk about politics or religion!" Why? Because most folks know squat about the subjects and make up their mind based on emotion rather than intellect so when you question their politics or religion it is an attack on their emotion and folks tend to get angry. Silly...no?  Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee...a shortened version today because "they" are making me tired.

Deportations and Being King

No, not Steve King (R-IA) but King Trump who has yet to figure out that there are actually three branches that make up our republic. Let's review fifth grade civics: There is the Executive Branch of which Mr. Trump is the "Supreme Leader". There is the Legislative Branch which is controlled by "wack-jobs" who seem intent on trashing liberty and the Constitution because they want, so badly, to get along with the "Supreme Leader". There is the Judiciary which may be our only hope for sanity.

Which gets me to Deportations. It was bad enough under the Obama Administration as ICE carried out thousands of round-ups. Today the Trump Administration has stepped up their efforts to rid the United States of dangerous mothers and fathers who came to this nation in search of a better life for their family and, to get a job, used a phony social security number. Really? This is keeping America safe? Weary... Oh, and "The Wall" just came in at $6.7 billion more than forecast. See you are tired too...right? 

Decisions, Decisions

This past week the United States Senate (see above) had a tough job on their hands. They had to choose a leader for the Justice Department and for the Education Department. Actually the "Supreme Leader" had already made the choice in a former friend of the KKK and a person who knows squat about public education. But, never fear the "lock-step" GOP fell into line and confirmed both Jeff Sessions and Betsy DeVos. I am fortunate enough NOT to come from Alabama, that beacon of racial equality, so I can't speak directly to the life and times of Mr. Sessions. However, I am from Detroit, Michigan and have a long history with the DeVos ( Amway and The John Birch Society) Family. What a train-wreck. The "Supreme Leader" went out to find the individuals who have little to no experience in protecting the public and put them in charge. Please... (Cartoon - Tim Lloyd)

Meanwhile In Iowa

The working class people who ran to the polls to elect Terry Branstad are being rewarded. Isn't it grand? Gutting of unions, taking away local control of governments, taking away health care, slashing mental health care, killing public education...it's a full throat attack on the people of Iowa. In the meantime you can count on more and bigger gifts to already successful businesses and continued attacks on "working folk". Elections have consequences and you are about to find out just how much Iowa will be more like Kansas. But, hey, you voted for it. Weary...

Jack Hatch

Some of you know that I do a daily (M-F) business news broadcast in the Des Moines Metro. In the three and a half years we've been on the air I have prided myself in, largely, staying clear of politics. I leave the "toxic talk" to those blithering idiots who get big ratings by filling your head with lies and deception. But, hey, it's America! No, we stick to business. But, sometimes something from the world of politics comes along that we feel has merit for a broad discussion. Enter former State Senator Jack Hatch (D-Des Moines) who has written a book, "No Surrender - Building a Progressive Agenda for Iowa with the Five Securities". You can buy it here.  The book, in the words of some long-time Democratic Party activists, has "pissed lots of people off". For me...that would be a good thing. I invited Jack to the broadcast for a conversation. Have a listen:

IOB 8 Feb 2017 Jack Hatch

Partly Personal

Sunday Morning Coffee is a bit late, and short, today. Need a little "down time". You see, once a month I head to Mason City, Iowa where I conduct services, do a bible study for the Jewish (and Christian) Community of Adas Israel and visit folks in the hospital and nursing homes.
BTW Adas Israel is one of only 13 active synagogues in Iowa. In case you were wondering. Got home last night and my Bride had plans for hooking up stuff she purchased. It was a long day.

But, more important is the fact that today is our granddaughter's Birthday Brunch, Taylor is now eight and smart and beautiful and wonderful!  So it's up early to get things done around the Libbie Compound and off to Brunch. I hope you understand.

Have a great week and thanks for reading!  

 

 

 

All That and a Cup of Coffee - SMC 5 February 2017

So much going on that it's sometimes hard to keep up. Maybe that is the strategy? Time for Sunday Morning Coffee some political news stories you may have seen or missed all laced with my personal opinion. Why? Because once a week it's "Fun and Awe". Let's go!

Stay Out...Well, Maybe

Banning travel to the United States from seven nations that have a majority population of Muslims isn't such a popular move as evidenced by scores of protests in the U.S. and around the world. Then when the Trump Administration doubled down and said that Christians from those countries could enter but not them folks who don't pray to Jesus...well that was enough to ensnare us in that old "Establishment Clause". On Friday a federal judge in Seattle issued a nationwide restraining order halting the travel ban and then, today, the federal appeals court denied the Justice Department's request to reinstate the "Let Them Christians in But Keep Out them Muslims Act of 2017".  Sometimes the law does work.

Used Car Sales

There are a couple of things most people dislike. Stuff like having a root canal or shopping for a car...new or used. One can hurt like hell the other, not so much because they use Novocaine and sometimes gas. But at least you know it's coming. Last week Mr. Trump signed an executive order requesting the Department of Labor check to see if they could lay off telling your financial adviser to work in your best interests rather than their own. On the surface the ruling that financial folks should work in the investors interests, formed by the Obama Administration, sounded like a good idea until you get lawyers involved. Here is the problem: What if your financial adviser works in your best interest but you don't think so and you sue? Wouldn't happen? Please... If you, the person who is being advised with regard to financial matters, can't tell if you are being sold a bill of goods maybe you've got the wrong adviser? This went down in my world over the past two weeks and because I could smell something fishy...I ended that relationship because I took the time to check things out.  Sometimes we have got to ask the tough questions.

Still putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop has never worked....and the Big Banks, as evidenced by this week's cartoon by Tim Lloyd pretty much sums it up.  

Uniting the Nation

The population isn't happy and Donald J. Trump has done what I did not think he could do...unite the nation. Millions of people have joined the active resistance against, not only Mr. Trump, but the Republicans marching in goose step with their supreme leader. It has been an amazing thing to witness. When you get 25,000+ men and women to a day of protest at the Iowa State Capital and millions in Washington, D.C. "somethings happening here"...  Wait! How about a musical interlude?

Feel better?  As I was saying, Trump is uniting the nation in a resistance movement I've not seen since the 1960's. Here in Des Moines every Democratic Neighborhood Group that was formed last year is now reporting record numbers at their meetings. There isn't a day that goes by where we don't see people in the streets, at the state capital, at federal buildings protesting and it is starting to work. Keep it up.  Thank you Mr. President.

When the Pot Calls the Kettle Black

The Republican controlled senate thinks they can tell you that "sh*t doesn't stink" as they stand in a pile of poo. That's what is going on as they tell you that it is unfair the Democrats are boycotting hearings and talking about tanking the nomination of Judge Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. If we get in the "Way Back Machine" you might remember that it was the Republicans that didn't allow even a hearing on Judge Garland when President Obama nominated him to the Supreme Court. And the GOP is pissed off that the Democrats actually are demanding that this nominee get the 60 votes that were required for every Obama nominee...just like the Republicans demanded. Don't you love it?

But, and this is important, you also need to stay focused on what is happening in your backyard:

Meanwhile In Des Moines

Tomorrow (Monday) it looks like the GOP controlled legislature will send out their anti-workers bill in an effort to cripple unions and the workers who are paid livable wages and have protection because they are in a union. The Republicans hate that. You see in their world the goal is to keep wages and benefits as low as possible so more dollars are directed to the bottom line. Why? Come on...investors are demanding a return. "More for me and less for those stinking workers." So, when the GOP floats that balloon you should be poking holes in it. We hear one of the ways they intend to crush the unions is to make it more difficult for unions to collect their dues. It's what they did in Wisconsin and if you liked that...welcome to Iowa. Charles Schneider (R-WDM) we will be watching, 

Got a Coat Hanger?

Iowa is about to return to the days of "Coat Hanger Abortions" by denying Planned Parenthood funding. Even in the face of the fact there are fewer and fewer abortions happening in the state. Of course we know that the majority of work done by Planned Parenthood is providing low cost medical care and contraception and THAT is the reason we have fewer abortions. But the Governor and his cronies have made a promise, "We love us them kids before they is born. We loves them so much we want more of you poor folk to have chillen so we can deny them access to public schools and push them into poverty and then into for-profit prisons."

Think this doesn't matter?  Try this article from the New York Times about what happens in places like Tennessee when faced with tough decisions. Welcome to...Iowa? 

Gotta love those guys. 

Keep 'Em Dumb and on The Farm

The Republicans in the Iowa Legislature continue to do their best to defund public schools. Tomorrow (Monday) Iowans For Public Education will hold a news conference that is intended to share with you the need to have strong public schools to ready our kids for the workforce. The event will take place at 10am in the Iowa State Capital, Room 15 off of the Legislative Dining Room. You are invited to attend. They are supporting three basic issues:

•  Full funding for public education SSA (Supplemental State Aid) – state aid is now set at 1.1 % for 2017-2018 and after seven years of cuts, districts are being starved of operating funds. This is a statewide crisis in districts large and small.
• Rejection of school vouchers, also known as “ESAs.” Public school funds should not be used for private schools or unregulated home schools.
• Preservation of Iowa Chapter 20 – Collective bargaining is an essential system that keeps our teachers and districts able to reach mutual agreements that avoid strikes and provides our teachers good benefits and retirement security.

The photo is of my friend Claire Celsi speaking to a packed room of Polk County Democrats on Saturday morning. If you want more information or want to help you can reach Claire now at 515-554-6754.

He Has Pissed Some Folks Off

And, I like that. Former State Senator Jack Hatch has written a book, "No Surrender - Building a Progressive Agenda for Iowa with the Five Securities" that maps out a progressive agenda for Iowa and calls out a system that has been more intent on keeping power-brokers in power than in doing what is right by the people of Iowa. In his book he doesn't just bitch about the problem he offers action steps to put the Democratic Party of Iowa back on a progressive course of action that will not only build success politically but also resonate with the people who are negatively impacted by regressive actions on the part of the GOP.

I was at his book signing this weekend and if you are interested in reading and then doing you can buy Jack's book here. And, while we do not "do politics" on The Business News Hour Sen. Hatch will be my guest on Tuesday afternoon talking about the impact politics has on business. You'll be able to hear that about 5:15pm on AM-940 and FM-104.5. And we'll post the Podcast as well. 

Partly Personal

We did it. After weeks of practicing our dance moves it was off to the Father Daughter Dance in Urbandale last night. Jovie had a great time and the place was packed with Dads and Daughters. As with any "date" it was off to dinner following the dance which, by the way, was fueled by tons of sugary snacks...

The last dance at the event was something about "Butterfly Kisses". Damn. "No, Jovie I just have something in my eye."

Thanks for reading and have a great week! 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee - 25 September 2016

There are forty-three days until the General Election on the 8th Day of November. It has come
to this...  Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee where I write about some of the news you may have heard about and some that you might have missed. Sit back, grab a cup and let's get going.

Principled Leadership

No doubt that would be a quality each of us would respect and demand of our elected leaders. This week Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) proved to the world that he has none of that and it is politics as usual. In case you missed it Sen. Cruz this week endorsed the man who made fun of how his wife looks and the man who implicated the Senators father in the assassination of President Kennedy. Astounding. Meanwhile former President George H.W. Bush said he was going to vote for Hillary Clinton. While that shocked the GOP some were not impressed. Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who (hold your nose) supports Donald Trump, explained it away because President Bush is, "Getting up in years". Now that, my friends, is true principled leadership. Weary...

You Had It Better...

Meanwhile Donald Trump, speaking in front of a large white crowd, rewrote history and told our African-American brothers and sisters that they had it better off...back then. Now, because of Progressives, black people are dumbed down, unemployed and in constant danger of being shot. Clearly the private schooling Mr. Trump attended skipped over that whole slavery issue. That whole segregation issue. That uncomfortable time during the past century were African-Americans were hunted, beaten, hung and set on fire...by white folks. This guy makes stuff up and, it would seem, the media just gives him a pass. Somebody once said that if you tell a lie often enough people will start to believe it as truth. Yeah...look it up. (Cartoon - Tim Lloyd) You should know that when Tim sent this weeks cartoon he admitted it was tough to draw. I understand, brother...I really do.

Tulsa

Black folks have it so good in America that when their vehicle quits running the police show up and kill the driver. It would seem that it is now a capital offence to litter in Tulsa. What is amazing about all of this is that it would have been just another murder of an unarmed civilian by the police who, according to the video, had been profiled as a "big bad dude" if that very same video did not exist. In this case Tulsa Police Officer Betty Shelby, who shot and killed 40 year old Terence Crutcher, was charged with voluntary manslaughter. The Justice Department is also involved in the investigation.

Charlotte

In North Carolina four shots from police service weapons killed Keith Lamont Scott. Video footage released by the Charlotte Police Department after several days of violent protests do little to answer the question about a gun being in the possession of Mr. Scott. What it does show is Mr. Scott walking away from his vehicle the moment the shots ring out. Another "bad dude" down?

Shall We Continue?

It is the end of September and so far this year, according to several sources between 790 and 844 people have lost their lives at the hands of police officers in America. The numbers are different depending on how those calculations are done. In 2015 there were, according to the Wall Street Journal approximately 1,200 people were killed by police officers with zero officers being convicted of murder or manslaughter. What is troubling about the 2016 numbers is the percentage of Native American, African-American and Latino people who have been killed. If you would like to read the entire article here is a link.

Washington State

A nut case with a gun opened fire at a mall in Burlington, Washington and killed five people. Arcan Cetin is charged with the murder and five peaceful people guilty of simply going shopping are now dead. Just for the record in Canada seven people have been killed in mass shootings...and three of those were with a crossbow.  So, is there something different with regard to gun laws in Canada and those in the United States?  Nah...guns don't kill people...remember?

Tom Vilsack and Millennial Voters

The former governor and current US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was in town this past week speaking at an event which focused on young voters and he had a solid message. Rather than focus on the candidates what the Iowa Democratic Party needs to do is focus on the progressive issues which will mostly impact Millennial Voters. Duh! And, what are those issues? The agriculture secretary mentioned water quality for one. Everybody, except the governor and the Iowa GOP, know Iowa water stinks and is getting worse and there needs to be some serious spending to reverse decades of damage. How about college loans? Voting rights? Equal protection for sexual orientation? All issues that impact the youth vote. However the Iowa Democratic Party seems to think that focusing on candidates is enough. It ain't. A photograph used by The Iowa Starting Line had Sec. Vilsack with a group of young voters and former State Senator Jack Hatch. I happen to know that Jack is drafting a book about where the Iowa Democratic Party needs to go rather than what their focus has been. He promised me it would "tell all" and raise some eyebrows. Look for it after the General Election and...he too is right.

GOTV Drives

So far this week our door has been hit by two young democratic activists driving the Get Out The Vote effort. Have no fear...we're in. However, I don't remember a time where there were so many people out...so early. In the past four months we have been visited by five GOTV folks from the Iowa Democrats and one from the Iowa GOP.

Miyoko Hikiji

This past week I volunteered to make business phone calls for Iowa State Senate Candidate Miyoko Hikiji who is running in the Urbandale area. Why? It really is time for my friend Sen. Brad Zahn to retire and let a progressive woman with loads of great ideas represent Senate District 20. Let us do away with the fear and intimidation and elect a principled person. Join me?

Partly Personal

I still have a Bernie Sanders bumper sticker on my vehicle. It's not that I am not for Hillary it's just that I can't seem to find a Hillary Bumper Sticker!!  Hey...got one?  Get it to me for cryin' out loud.  I know...whining right?

My bride was on a vacation to Minnesota this weekend. She and a group from the Des Moines Cycle Club headed north for a trip to Lanesboro. Talk about a community that truly embraces the economic impact of cycling...check out their website. Nicely done!

Have a great week and thanks for reading!