Viewpoints

To the Editor:
In the Word for Word column in the May 3 edition of The Standard, Pastor Laura Gentry talks about how it is growing season, both in our gardens and in our spiritual lives. She discusses the deep concept of how to grow spiritually by mentioning four simple steps: dive into the word, sing the songs, live the life, and tell the story.

Sometimes we tend to make our spiritual journey too complicated as we seek to draw nearer to God. We can put the burden on ourselves and be bound down by legalism, or in our self-righteousness we can cause others to feel bad about themselves.

Religious people have been heard to say, “I don’t smoke, drink, chew, or go with those who do.” That is fine for those who have conquered such habits, but what about those who are still bound by these habits; how does such a self-righteous comment make those people feel?

To the Editor:
Iowans are good people with common sense and compassion who care about one another. They value their public schools which are the hub of rural communities. They want to drink clean water and they want a government which works for them.

When Iowans voted, did they ask for their public schools to be starved and weakened?

Did they want to make it harder for the hungry to be fed?

Did they ask for  books to be banned and the teaching of Black and Native American history suppressed?

Did they want facts about Iowa’s dirty, polluted water to be hidden and ignored?

Did they want the governor, who favors corporations and wealthy donors,  to have more power?

Did they ask for waste, fraud and abuse of public money to be concealed?

The Iowans I know would answer “no” to each of these questions.

To the Editor:

The Supreme Court is run amok, and it’s time to get it under control.

For the last year, we have witnessed scandal after scandal come out of the Supreme Court. From learning that Samuel Alito may have leaked a decision about reproductive health to conservative anti-abortion activists, to discovering Clarence Thomas has been secretly accepting luxury vacations from a GOP megadonor for twenty years, the actions of these justices on the highest court in the land are unconscionable.

Thankfully, this bad behavior can be addressed. Congress has the ability - and responsibility - to act as a check on the Supreme Court and restore faith in our judicial system. It’s time they take the first step and pass a code of ethics for the Supreme Court.

No one is above accountability, and that includes our justices on the Supreme Court.

Sincerely,
Wendy Schutte
Harpers Ferry

To the Editor:

Iowans are compassionate people and share the belief that people who have been victims of crimes should receive support and assistance. Most would agree that rape is one of the crimes that certainly necessitates comprehensive services to victims.

Victims of rape have an acute need for timely access to health services as soon as possible after a violent assault, including emergency contraception to prevent an unintended pregnancy from occurring. Making sure victims have access to this care is good public policy and consistent with medical ethics and standard of care.

Costs for this, and the forensic examinations provided to victims of rape and sexual assault, are funded by the state’s victim compensation fund, which is administered by the attorney general’s Crime Victims Assistance Division. Dollars for the victim compensation fund come from fines and penalties paid by offenders and no taxpayer dollars are used for the fund.

To the Editor:

When dairy farmers want to know if they are feeding the optimal rations, they will monitor the amount of milk any one cow is producing. If adjustments are needed, obviously they would make them.

If a person goes to the doctor with an illness, the doctor will want to monitor whether the medicine given was working or not and make necessary adjustments. When a businessperson wants to check if they’re on the right track to grow their business, they will look at the data and trends.

Protecting and growing one’s resources requires monitoring and accurate information. Ignoring facts and data won’t fix any problems.

This is why I am really puzzled as to why the Iowa House and Senate Republicans decided to defund the water quality sensors around the state. These sensors provided 24/7 monitoring of many creeks and rivers.

It’s “almost” growing season. I can’t wait to get outside and get my garden going. How about you?

It’s exciting to grow plants in the spring and summer and it’s a great time to grow our faith as well. As the earth warms, it’s a wonderful time to intentionally invite God to expand our love, peace and faithfulness. So in that spirit, let me suggest four ways you can be about spiritual growth this time of year.

1. Dive into the Word
By “the word,” I mean the bible. Why read the bible? There are lots of reasons. Most of all is that by reading it, we can encounter God. The bible is living: “The word of God is alive and powerful... It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires” (Hebrews 4:12). There are apps for your phone to help you read the bible conveniently. So in the coming months, don’t just dive into the pool, dive into God’s amazing word. You’ll be glad you did!

To the Editor:

For the past 30 years state victim compensation funds have covered the cost for contraception and abortion care for rape victims. Plan B works to prevent unintended pregnancy by preventing ovulation and is a highly effective method to help rape victims avoid unintended pregnancy.

These non-taxpayer offender accountability funds are separate from taxpayer funds appropriated by legislators each year in the state budget process. Most startling, a majority of those served by these funds are juvenile victims of sexual abuse.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has halted this practice. She is not sure if this is an appropriate use of public funds even though these are not tax dollars. This is funding put forward from the fines, fees and penalties paid by convicted criminals.

To the Editor:

We love our state. We know how great Iowa can be when we put our money where our values are. Creating bike and hiking trails to enjoy our pristine lakes, rivers and landscapes. Repairing our roads for safety and moving the goods we produce. Paying for the public schools and educators our kids deserve, and so much more.

But Iowa’s priorities under Governor Reynolds are skewed as she continues to pick winners who are already winning and punishing the struggling households and families. From installing barriers to those on SNAP, reducing earned unemployment security, and refusing to lift the minimum wage while passing bills that give the richest among us and wealthy corporations more and more handouts and less and less taxes.

Reynolds picked MAGA Republicans and corporate greed over everyday Iowans. She’s taking away our freedom to access abortion, our freedom to learn, and the freedom to afford groceries and a roof over our heads.

To the Editor:

The Des Moines Register recently reported that our state legislature has passed a new law (House File 802), since signed by Governor Reynolds, that prohibits the teaching of the view that Iowa or the U.S. is “fundamentally or systemically racist.” As a former teacher I have a few questions regarding the interpretation and application of this law. Is teaching that our country or state is systemically racist prohibited because the view is false? Or is it banned even if it happens to be true?

Suppose there are reputable historians on both sides of this issue, then presumably one side can be taught but not the other? Notice further that the law is worded in the present tense - “is fundamentally or systemically racist.” How then are we to approach the study of the past? Is it okay to teach that pre-Civil War America was racist?

To the Editor:

It can be difficult to watch someone struggle with their mental health, and it can be equally difficult to experience your own mental health struggles. Here are some common symptoms of depression to watch out for.

Difficulty Getting Out Of Bed. It’s perfectly normal to enjoy sleeping in or spending time in bed. However, if it has become difficult to find the motivation to get out of bed or get ready in the morning, this could be a sign of depression. Depression can make us feel fatigued and physically drained to the point where even small tasks, like getting up in the morning or taking a shower, can feel exhausting.