Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Saturday, January 17, 2015
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Freedom Trail
Debbie and I are planning to do a “Full Grassley” with Luis and Ronna in 2015. The Full Grassley is named after Sen. Chuck Grassley. He has held at least one meeting in each of the 99 counties every year since 1980.
Most of the aspiring presidential candidates do the same during caucus season. The 2016 campaigns for president have started and in Iowa, we are already inundated with 30+ potential candidates. So we will run into them as we travel the state.
I thoroughly enjoy the political process and jump in with both feet. I am amazed at the percentage of Iowans that do not participate. Perhaps worst is the one on the margin that participates by following directions from a handler. If you are still reading this post you likely participate in the process (good for you). If you do not know what I mean by a “handler” you probably have one.
Debbie and I were just talking about our recent Boston trip and the thrill it was to walk the Freedom Trail. Just a few people with conviction and courage, along with some luck, can change the world!
Perhaps the Full Grassley should be called the “Maintaining Freedom Trail”!
Most of the aspiring presidential candidates do the same during caucus season. The 2016 campaigns for president have started and in Iowa, we are already inundated with 30+ potential candidates. So we will run into them as we travel the state.
I thoroughly enjoy the political process and jump in with both feet. I am amazed at the percentage of Iowans that do not participate. Perhaps worst is the one on the margin that participates by following directions from a handler. If you are still reading this post you likely participate in the process (good for you). If you do not know what I mean by a “handler” you probably have one.
Debbie and I were just talking about our recent Boston trip and the thrill it was to walk the Freedom Trail. Just a few people with conviction and courage, along with some luck, can change the world!
Perhaps the Full Grassley should be called the “Maintaining Freedom Trail”!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
MIA
I voted in the Iowa Straw Poll and have the blue ink on my index finger to prove it. It was not easy to be part of this event. I had to endure a three mile shuttle bus ride from the east side of Ames to the parking lot by Hilton Coliseum. Fortunately the bus was air conditioned or the ride would have been unbearable in the 70 degree heat. The wide cushioned seats were a nice touch too. Upon exiting the bus I was handed a $30 admission ticket, some leaflets and a t-shirt – all for free.
After a short briefing I was free to visit the various venues set up by the candidates. National media and international media were swarming the grounds so I played a game to get into the background of live camera shots. (Hi Ma!)
Then it took a bad turn. There was food everywhere! There was BBQ from Famous Dave’s, pizza from Godfathers and ice cream from Dairy Queen just to name a few of the options. Did I mention it was all free? How could I stay on my diet with so much free food available for the taking? I made my food choices, listened to the candidates’ speeches and actually met a few of them.
Finally I found time to vote. Walking out of the voting area I was required to dip my finger in blue ink. I suppose it was to discourage people from voting more than once. Then it hit me. The ink on my finger reminded of the iconic picture of an Iraqi woman that had voted and held up her purple stained finger with a look of pride that only comes with true achievement.
She likely risked her life to vote. There was no bus, no free food and no clowning around for the press. In fact, the picture made her more of a target for reprisals. So why did only 16,000 voters participate in the Iowa Straw Poll? If an apathetic people get the government they deserve then we are in trouble!
After a short briefing I was free to visit the various venues set up by the candidates. National media and international media were swarming the grounds so I played a game to get into the background of live camera shots. (Hi Ma!)
Then it took a bad turn. There was food everywhere! There was BBQ from Famous Dave’s, pizza from Godfathers and ice cream from Dairy Queen just to name a few of the options. Did I mention it was all free? How could I stay on my diet with so much free food available for the taking? I made my food choices, listened to the candidates’ speeches and actually met a few of them.
Finally I found time to vote. Walking out of the voting area I was required to dip my finger in blue ink. I suppose it was to discourage people from voting more than once. Then it hit me. The ink on my finger reminded of the iconic picture of an Iraqi woman that had voted and held up her purple stained finger with a look of pride that only comes with true achievement.
She likely risked her life to vote. There was no bus, no free food and no clowning around for the press. In fact, the picture made her more of a target for reprisals. So why did only 16,000 voters participate in the Iowa Straw Poll? If an apathetic people get the government they deserve then we are in trouble!
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Friday, August 12, 2011
Ich bin ein Iowan!
I went to the Iowa State Fair today along with 104,621 other paid attendees plus fair workers and vendors. Between sightings of four presidential candidates I kept running into people I know. I got to thinking I could pass for a native Iowan as well as I have the layout of the fairgrounds memorized.
When the National Weather Service reports Iowa counties under the threat of severe weather I no longer need a map to know where they are located.
I am going to The Iowa Straw Poll tomorrow in Ames. I have become an Iowan.
I was born in Ravena, Ohio in 1953 and moved into 1980 Hanover St, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio before my first birthday. In 1963 we moved to Villa Park, Illinois followed by a move to Oak Park, Michigan in 1964. 1965 had a move to Mount Clemens MI, 1966 on to Royal Oak, MI and in 1967 to Beverly Hills, MI and then on to a second house in Beverly Hills in 1969. My last move during high school was to Hazel Park, MI in 1971. My first house on my own was also in Hazel Park, MI then in 1979 I moved to Carlisle, Iowa to work in the Preferred Risk Home Office. Preferred Risk transferred me to Clovis, California in 1989 and then back to Iowa in 1993. Iowa locations after the 1993 return included Waukee, Urbandale and now West Des Moines.
So adding it up and listing it in ascending order: Illinois 1 year; California 4 years; Ohio 10 years; Michigan 16 years; and Iowa 28 years. So with apologies to JFK: Ich bin ein Iowan!
I was born in Ravena, Ohio in 1953 and moved into 1980 Hanover St, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio before my first birthday. In 1963 we moved to Villa Park, Illinois followed by a move to Oak Park, Michigan in 1964. 1965 had a move to Mount Clemens MI, 1966 on to Royal Oak, MI and in 1967 to Beverly Hills, MI and then on to a second house in Beverly Hills in 1969. My last move during high school was to Hazel Park, MI in 1971. My first house on my own was also in Hazel Park, MI then in 1979 I moved to Carlisle, Iowa to work in the Preferred Risk Home Office. Preferred Risk transferred me to Clovis, California in 1989 and then back to Iowa in 1993. Iowa locations after the 1993 return included Waukee, Urbandale and now West Des Moines.
So adding it up and listing it in ascending order: Illinois 1 year; California 4 years; Ohio 10 years; Michigan 16 years; and Iowa 28 years. So with apologies to JFK: Ich bin ein Iowan!
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