Viewpoints

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that in The Waste Land, poet T.S. Eliot describes April as “the cruelest month.” It’s early yet, but that could be true this year. At any rate, spring will be a little late this year.

I think I am right, and that justices of the Supreme Court take the oath of office which includes the phrase “support and defend the constitution of the United States.” So it is confusing to me how retired justice John Stevens could advocate doing away with the second amendment.

And how sitting Justice Ruth Ginsburg could warn the Egyptians not to base their first constitution on the flawed American model.

In other words neither supporting nor defending.

There’s an old saying in farm country that you never want to confront a pig in a muddy sty, because after the conflict, you will wind up muddy and dirty, and the pig will have enjoyed it.

For your meditation:
Acts 4:32-35
I John 5:1-6
John 20:19-31

These scriptures are all echoes of the Good Friday catastrophe and the East Triumph.

The gospel, even though it is a post-resurrection event, is still in the mood and feeling of Good Friday because the apostles and particularly  Thomas, Doubting Thomas, still have not accepted the fact that Jesus has really, really risen from the dead.

The first reading, on the other hand, is definately in the upbeat mood and feeling of Easter. “The community of believers were of one heart and one mind.” “With power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great respect was paid to them all.”

Quite a change, eh, from the Eleven hiding out in the Upper Room. “Where they were for fear of the Jews.”

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that when northeast Iowa escaped the heavy snow experienced by many other areas of the state, with up to a foot or more of snow while we had nothing. I admit to the feeling that the Germans have a word for, schadenfreude, that is, enjoying the misfortune of others. So many times in a normal winter, it is the other way around, and we get the snow while they do not.

But then, this morning I heard the forecasts for the Easter weekend, which included the possibility of more snow somewhere around here, perhaps an April fool trick on us?

Easter is a moveable feast, and weather can range from a snow storm to a summer day, no matter whether Easter is early or late.

Speaking of Easter, I saw a story about a book for children written by the vice-president’s wife and their daughter, about their pet rabbit.

Nobody could object to a book for kids, right?

Wrong.

Do you think after Jesus’ resurrection it got the attention of at least the 500 that were eyewitnesses? He is still getting our attention 2000 years later!   The resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is by far the greatest event of all human history.

When you face the fire, it’s tremendously helpful to follow the footsteps of someone who has made it through. Upcoming speaker at New Life Christian Church, May 5, 7 p.m., Pastor Meka Dany will give testimony of God’s divine intervention in the darkest of circumstances. His story has encouraged and inspired countless people to face their own trials with confidence in God. Jesus assured us that we would all have troubles in this world but that we could rest in His victory.

To the Editor:

Republicans passed a new tax bill in December. It was to bring money to the working class.

An example close to home is Walmart’s bonus plan. Interesting to note: you had to be with the company for at least 20 years to receive the full $1,000 bonus. The average length of Walmart employment is 3.3 years. That bonus was only $250. This does not cover what those workers are going to have to pay to cover the cuts in federal spending made up in an increase in state and local taxes and the increase to their health insurance premiums.

This was a one-time bonus for workers. Yet, the Walmart corporation will be reaping between $1 and $2 billion every year in tax savings from this new tax bill. There is no condition or rule in the bill that ensures that the corporations must secure additional gains for their workers with those tax savings such as wages keeping up with inflation, coverage for health care insurance, and more.

To the Editor:

From Mitzrayim we fled that night
‘midst wails and cries of panic and fright.
Through the lamb’s blood on the door we went
our God was with us as we were sent

into the desert with silver and gold
from neighbors in Egypt, we were so bold
to demand our wages for 400 years
of backbreaking labor and scores of tears.

The lamb that lived in our homes for four days
was taken and slaughtered to show us God’s ways.
This Passover lamb was our awe-filled salvation
with his blood on the doorposts to make us a nation.

The flies and the frogs were warm-ups, you see,
from this night of the death angel you cannot flee.
The Egyptians knew not of the lamb’s sacrifice
that began our journey to paradise.

by Dick Schilling, "Editor Emeritus"

... that National Geographic recently devoted a large part of an issue to the habits and routes of migratory birds. I was disappointed in the amount of attention it paid to the Mississippi River flyway. Some of the birds brilliantly photographed for the article are very familiar to eastern Iowans, and presentation of the map of flyway routes was very detailed. But somehow, this area seemed to be underplayed in the magazine.

I was reminded of that when I was treated to a recent afternoon’s tour of the highway from Lansing to New Albin, and then down what we always called the Army Post road through the wildlife refuge to the Minnesota (I think) slough boat landing.

To the Editor:

We want to send a quick note to acknowledge and show appreciation for EARL transit and the Irish Express (Wayne Kelly) and their drivers for providing a safe, cheap transportation alternative for citizens and visitors alike during the Waukon St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Your commitment to keeping everyone safe did not go unnoticed and it’s greatly appreciated!

Chief Phil Young and the entire Waukon Police Department

To the Editor:

What should matter? Each and every one of us matter.

It should not matter if you are a homeowner or a large money company, we should all be treated equally, fairly and with respect.

It should have mattered that the property line was the same for 112 years.

It should have mattered that in 1989 the City of Waukon, with an annexation, accepted the property line as it was since the late 1800s. Then, 22 years later, they say it is wrong. The other two changes in 30 years did not change the property line.

It should have mattered that the property owner took care of and paid property tax on that same property.

It should have mattered that the property owner was still paying property tax on that property after it was sold and the earth was being moved. Calling about this, I was told, legally, they can not change it for a year. Then how could it have been sold, legally, within that year?

To the Editor:

I took special note of the story of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Lansing (The Standard, March 14, 2018), which adopted a new welcome and belief statement to include all people, especially those in the LGBTQ community.

To this church’s credit, they want to include all, and to show Christ’s love to all segments of society. Too often, even within church walls, many can feel left out.

However, in regard to the church’s response to those with a homosexual lifestyle and those in the LGBTQ community, I believe the truths in the Bible must also be proclaimed.

There are certain verses in the Bible (specifically, Leviticus 20:13 in the Old Testament and Romans 1:26, 27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 in the New Testament) which condemn homosexual practices in no uncertain terms. Is it right for our churches to not mention these parts of Scripture, but instead just celebrate “the wonderful differences in all God’s people”?