Keep the pot bubbling, Art! And may we all add more ingredients. I love the "Stone soup" parable - and not just because it was named (?) for my family!
Now is the time for all good men (persons, individuals) to come to the aid of their country.
It is a time for open, reasoned debate. It is time to focus on the facts. Developing the facts will lead to the truth. The truth is not always what we want it to be.
It is my hope that there will be dedicated, honest, and courageous members of the Congress who will keep the President and his sycophants at bay.
Have courage. Be patient and persistent. Remember, 2026 is on the horizon!
Thanks, Art. Thank you for being a source for the truth. To paraphrase a saying used widely by many people "The truth shall set us free, but first it will piss us off".
As a former Iowan (Burlington and Sioux City) i'm sharing my thoughts on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same!
Trump’s efforts to spread hate, fear. lies and division worked. As families split there will be empty chairs at the table this year. Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same!
Today, China’s dictatorship has 380 internment camps holding over one million religious prisoners. How many camps will Trump open and who will be imprisoned amongst your friends and family? Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same!
Today, Amnesty International estimates there are over 3,000 political prisoners in Saudi Arabia. And they murder their opponents. In his adoration of strong man Mohammed bin Salman, Trump promises to use the US legal system of justice to go after political opponents. Will he take your sons and daughters as he has promised to punish those who did not support him? Who is safe? Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same!
Today, in Russia’s corrupt legal system, Putin imprisons and murders his political opponents, dissenters and imprisons American citizens jailed on false charges. In his adoration of Putin, Trump too has promised to throw his enemies in jail. "Lock her up". Does he still like you, your family members, your community or church? Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same!
And if you, as a MAGA supporter, should decides to vote against Trump in the next election or express any criticism, he has promised to go after you too. Your Thanksgiving dinner will never ever be the same!
Harland Soper, now retired to Santa Fe, New Mexico
"The state universities will be controlled by the politics. The private colleges will have to assume more of the burden of advocating for reason and defining reality."
I had great teachers and role models both in my private Catholic grade and high school education and in two public state universities. I was taught faith and morals by one and critical thinking by both. I agree politics has influenced public education and the state universities - it always has -- but private institutions of higher learning and the churches and faith traditions they are affiliated with are not sacrosanct from politics or the influence of money and power.
With the utmost respect, I suggest you ask some of the neighbors around your alma mater about how "neighborly' it has been in its expansion plans. Charity and civic discourse begin at home.
I found out years after the fact as a journalist that some padres in my high school and parishes we attended were messing with kids and shouldn't have been priests. It was very difficult, but I had a duty as a journalist, a Catholic and a parent to report on that and survivors' efforts to cleanse the temple. I will be the first to admit it wasn't enough.
In any age, but especially when times are difficult or foreboding, we all have to speak truth to power, even to the institutions we hold dear, to make them better and keep them strong.
I learned that from the nun who taught me working at the high school paper, my general ed profs at UNI and my journalism profs at Iowa State. And I DO know from friends we have in common that that is being taught at UST journalism classes as well -- in one case, by a fellow alum of Iowa State I sat in reporting class with 47 years ago. And the students are listening. That is very encouraging.
Keep the pot bubbling, Art! And may we all add more ingredients. I love the "Stone soup" parable - and not just because it was named (?) for my family!
Now is the time for all good men (persons, individuals) to come to the aid of their country.
It is a time for open, reasoned debate. It is time to focus on the facts. Developing the facts will lead to the truth. The truth is not always what we want it to be.
It is my hope that there will be dedicated, honest, and courageous members of the Congress who will keep the President and his sycophants at bay.
Have courage. Be patient and persistent. Remember, 2026 is on the horizon!
Thanks, Art. Thank you for being a source for the truth. To paraphrase a saying used widely by many people "The truth shall set us free, but first it will piss us off".
Ain’t that the truth
As a former Iowan (Burlington and Sioux City) i'm sharing my thoughts on Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same!
Trump’s efforts to spread hate, fear. lies and division worked. As families split there will be empty chairs at the table this year. Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same!
Today, China’s dictatorship has 380 internment camps holding over one million religious prisoners. How many camps will Trump open and who will be imprisoned amongst your friends and family? Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same!
Today, Amnesty International estimates there are over 3,000 political prisoners in Saudi Arabia. And they murder their opponents. In his adoration of strong man Mohammed bin Salman, Trump promises to use the US legal system of justice to go after political opponents. Will he take your sons and daughters as he has promised to punish those who did not support him? Who is safe? Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same!
Today, in Russia’s corrupt legal system, Putin imprisons and murders his political opponents, dissenters and imprisons American citizens jailed on false charges. In his adoration of Putin, Trump too has promised to throw his enemies in jail. "Lock her up". Does he still like you, your family members, your community or church? Thanksgiving dinner will never be the same!
And if you, as a MAGA supporter, should decides to vote against Trump in the next election or express any criticism, he has promised to go after you too. Your Thanksgiving dinner will never ever be the same!
Harland Soper, now retired to Santa Fe, New Mexico
"The state universities will be controlled by the politics. The private colleges will have to assume more of the burden of advocating for reason and defining reality."
I had great teachers and role models both in my private Catholic grade and high school education and in two public state universities. I was taught faith and morals by one and critical thinking by both. I agree politics has influenced public education and the state universities - it always has -- but private institutions of higher learning and the churches and faith traditions they are affiliated with are not sacrosanct from politics or the influence of money and power.
With the utmost respect, I suggest you ask some of the neighbors around your alma mater about how "neighborly' it has been in its expansion plans. Charity and civic discourse begin at home.
I found out years after the fact as a journalist that some padres in my high school and parishes we attended were messing with kids and shouldn't have been priests. It was very difficult, but I had a duty as a journalist, a Catholic and a parent to report on that and survivors' efforts to cleanse the temple. I will be the first to admit it wasn't enough.
In any age, but especially when times are difficult or foreboding, we all have to speak truth to power, even to the institutions we hold dear, to make them better and keep them strong.
I learned that from the nun who taught me working at the high school paper, my general ed profs at UNI and my journalism profs at Iowa State. And I DO know from friends we have in common that that is being taught at UST journalism classes as well -- in one case, by a fellow alum of Iowa State I sat in reporting class with 47 years ago. And the students are listening. That is very encouraging.