Viewpoints

To the Editor:

Trump and his supporters in attendance exhibited a new low at the New Hampshire town hall telecast by CNN this past week.  Trump was found guilty of sexual abuse and defamation by a New York district judge and jury of his peers, per the requirements of the U.S. Constitution. Trump lied to millions of people on the telecast stating he didn’t know E. Jean Carroll, called her a “wack job”, the verdict a disgrace and a continuing “witch hunt”.

To the Editor:

Recently my wife and I went to Waukon to renew our drivers licenses. I had heard appointments were no longer needed. Not true in Waukon. We were told we couldn’t be served without an appointment, and they are going to keep it that way.

To me, it feels like more power over the people. I thought our county officials were there to serve the people. In my opinion, the time spent taking phone reservations and keeping a log could be better spent just doing the job.

I called the Elkader drivers license office and they said welcome, walk right in. They were the nicest people and the service was quick. We left feeling great. The Elkader office is on Gunder Road in the Supervisors building across from the Elkader Golf Course.

Leigh Rekow
Postville
 

To the Editor:

The saying “old is often considered obsolete” bears little fruit and is not only costly to the environment but also to the taxpayer. A prime example of contradicting that saying was an excellent event and showcase of young people in action in the production of the classic musical “Grease” held in the old Waterville High School gym a couple weekends ago.

It not only was entertaining with great, enthusiastic energy and drive, but it was performed under the same roof as the famed Waterville High School girls basketball team played under 60-70 years ago. This was an excellent example of how repurposing is supposed to work.

The old Waterville School District, the mayor, the city council and involved area residents should all be commended and applauded for their work and foresight in preserving and repurposing such a fine, solid rural facility. This may well be another hidden gem in the driftless area of tourist attractions.

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.