Viewpoints

To the Editor:
Last year Allamakee County spent $900,000 for road rock. At the same time, Mr. Ridenour said that white line striping would cost $50,000 but it would be sufficient for two years. On March 2, Mr. Ridenour stated that white line striping would double the cost of striping, around $68,000. He did not say if that was for one year or two years. A Minnesota company three and a half hours away received the contract for the work. What’s your opinion?

Maynard Johnson
Lansing

To the Editor:
If the deer are dying off from some disease, that would be the best thing that could happen to them. It would stop the “vehicle vs. deer” crashes that have killed some motorists and cyclists, and stop that invasion of armed strangers and vehicles stopped on the traveled portion of the roads, turning around and speeding back and forth every hunting season, and stop their shooting into property without permission, which endangers humans, pets and livestock. The hunting community thinks the above are worthy sacrifices for their game of killing, wounding and causing misery.
I remember a time when we didn’t have a “high deer population,” and we didn’t have the above hazards and misery. Those deer herds are managed in such a way as to have plenty of live targets.

The the Editor:
I see GOP Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa is still trying to crucify President Obama for a tragic shooting from a young illegal immigrant who Grassley said that the president let stay in this  country because he might have been born here. How very absurd, Obama didn’t know this man any more than Republican Chuck Grassley or any other member of the GOP party did.
Has Senator Grassley lost his mind and again forgotten what his party did for the invasion of Iraq and the torture of human beings, and that they are guilty of war crimes and he has done nothing about it? Let’s not forget, some of the GOP had a meeting on the first Inauguration night when President Obama was sworn in to make sure Obama and his administration failed.

by State Representative Patti Ruff

by State Senator Mike Breitbach

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

by State Representative Patti Ruff

by State Senator Mike Breitbach

by Dick Schilling, Editor Emeritus

To the Editor:
I was recently talking with my 5th grade granddaughter about our National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag and country. It troubled me to learn that her class seldom recites either.
As an elementary school student and citizen I was taught, and recited it every morning as school began and we did it with our hands over our hearts. We also learned our national anthem. We continued to better understand and appreciate more of what each of these meant as we matured. Patriotism, respect, support of country and dedication to these United States just for starters.
Are we becoming so jaded by the dance of political correctness that these basic American values are being diminished and ignored? As adults, it’s imperative that we guide our youth to instill the highest civic values and respect for this country.  Talk to your kids.  You might be glad you did when they’re running it some day.