Viewpoints

In a recent letter to the editor, Dr. Steve Perkins asked us to stop belittling each other, saying there’s just too much anger. He concluded his powerful missive with: “It’s the only life we have together here on Earth… so let’s use it for positivity, kindness and love.”

I couldn’t agree more. It’s an exhausting time for all of us. Emotions run high as we try to navigate our way through a deadly pandemic and an ever-increasing climate crisis, along with an endless array of thorny political issues. Sometimes, it feels like all we have is division.

President John F. Kennedy famously said: “What unites us is far greater than what divides us.” He was addressing the Canadian Parliament at the time so he was talking about the U.S. and Canada, but I believe it can be said of us and our fellow Americans: What unites us is far greater than what divides us.

To the Editor:

South of Waukon on State Highway 76 at Rossville, there is a flag flying with some very offensive and inappropriate script on it. Perhaps if someone has this sort of “whatever” to walk out and place this display, that person should stand there and count the number of school buses and automobiles with younger children in them that drive or ride past this display each day. Let your pride be with you.

Mark E. Young
Waterville
 

To the Editor:

After 20 long, deadly years, the U.S. war in Afghanistan is finally over. President George W. Bush got the war started, and neither Obama nor Trump was successful in ending it.

But President Biden ends it after being in office for less than a year. Now we can rest assured that not another American soldier’s life will have to end in Afghanistan.

Some may criticize our president for the way this was all handled, noting the “disconnects” in the way the facts were presented (better known as lies), and the bad timing of many of the decisions made. But please, can we maybe, just maybe, give our president even a little credit for what he has done?

Arthur Clocksin  
Waukon

To the Editor:

The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, as interpreted by the 2008 District of Columbia v. Heller decision, affirms individuals’ right to keep and bear arms in their homes for legal purposes, such as self-protection. Now, as of July first, concealed carry, even without a permit, is legal in Iowa. The right of hunters to own and use the weapons designed for this purpose has never been seriously threatened.

In light of these well-protected gun rights, we have to wonder just what it is that those who advocate making our county a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” want? Are there additional gun rights that they seek? If so, precisely what rights? The right to carry military-style assault weapons on the streets of our peaceful towns? Do they seek sanctuary for right wing militia groups?

“Be strong, fear not!”

This is a critical line in a scripture passage from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah: “[Thus says the Lord] Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.” Isaiah 35:4-6a

I want to share with you some thoughts on these words from God through Isaiah. 1) This scripture passage presents a different view of the world – the blind see, the deaf hear, the mute speak, and waters spring up in the desert … In the Kingdom of God there is freedom from fear, healing from division. I think everyone prays for this in their life. With the Lord the broken find healing and wellness; furthermore, God’s people shall be brought from brokenness to wholeness.

To the Editor:

The events of August 14 in Afghanistan have glaringly displayed that “Peter’s Principle” is running rampant in the White House.

For those of you who do not know or remember what “Peter’s Principle” is, it is as follows: “People working in a hierarchy tend to rise to their level of incompetence”. This clearly applies to President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of Defense General Lloyd Austin, Joint Chief of Staff Chairman Mark Milley and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

To the Editor:

This letter is in reference to the DNR’s decision to take a “passive management” approach to Yellow River State Forest. In doing so, they have cut the hours of the park ranger at Yellow River State Forest down to only eight hours per week. There are so many reasons why this is not a good idea - the big one being safety.

It is very concerning that there will be no park ranger available to people who are utilizing the forest as there are obviously many, many things that can happen that could cause injury. If such a thing does happen, there is no cell phone service in most of the forest. The camp host now has a landline but that is one area in nearly 10,000 acres of land.

To the Editor:

We are leaving Afghanistan but we are not doing it right. We should not evacuate. We should withdraw, even if we are still there after August 31, 2021.

The French, British and Dutch have sent their own soldiers into Afghanistan to evacuate their citizens out of Afghanistan. Are we doing the same? We have great soldiers who would risk themselves to fight for a perimeter around the airport that is being controlled by the United States. Those U.S. soldiers would also evacuate American citizens and Afghan interpreters, and their families, who have helped our military effort.

Governor Kim Reynolds has decided that a number of people from Afghanistan may come to Iowa. I agree with Governor Reynolds, if they are Afghans who have helped our military effort. This would give us some redemption.

To the Editor:

Are you considering running for a seat on the Waukon City Council? Or if you knew more, would you consider running for a seat?

If you answered “yes” to either question, or even if you wish to know more about the workings of our Waukon City Council and city government, you are invited to attend an informational meeting Tuesday evening, August 31 at 6:30 p.m. at the Robey Memorial Library Community Room in Waukon.

You will have the opportunity to visit with two current councilmen and Waukon Mayor Pat Stone to learn the duties of a councilperson and other pertinent information that would be helpful to know as a potential candidate. Allamakee County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Denise Beyer will be on hand to talk about the campaign process and timelines for filing nomination paperwork to help you get started on the campaign trail.

This will be an informal gathering and politics or current city issues will not be discussed.

To the Editor:

You promote what you permit is a piece of management advice that’s been helpful to me. By reducing the Yellow River State Forests (YRSF) park ranger position to 25%, what is the Iowa  DNR trying to promote?

A decline in reputable users of our park and forest system? YRSF is a mecca for tourism, hosting thousands of visitors a year. As word gets out that YRSF is being “passively managed”, families, people legally hunting and fishing, hikers and equestrians are going to be less likely to visit our area. This is money out of your pocket. Tourists visit our shops, get gas, groceries, hunting and fishing licenses, and enjoy local attractions, paying tax money along the way.