| Kim Reynolds, high school graduate, looking for work |
Like Congressman Steve King, the man who nominated her as a candidate for lieutenant governor at the Iowa Republican Party state convention this summer, Kim Reynolds, a half-term state senator from Osceola, attended Northwest Missouri State but failed to leave Maryville with a degree. (I’ve driven through that northern Missouri city a hundred times and didn’t realize there were so many distractions to academic achievement, especially now that the Long John Silvers is closed.)
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| Donald R. Tigges, Carroll |
To the Editor:
The King has spoken. The King has decided that Matt Campbell, the duly nominated Democratic candidate for 5th District U.S. representative, doesn’t deserve a debate.
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| What if Terry Branstad were a Jewish Latvian? |
(Editor’s Note: The following editorial was written by Art Cullen of The Storm Lake Times. It is reprinted with permission here.)
Terry Branstad is a Jew. From Latvia, where Communists no doubt still live. A lot of people think the Jews killed Jesus, although the Establishment might want to tell you that Roman Centurions did. It was a conspiracy even back then.
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| The Republican Party's real Mr. Beck |
I’m an Iowan. I knew a conservative named Beck. His newspaper stood down the Klan. His newspaper championed a region in need of one. And his politics were reasoned, well-read — and decent.
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| Steven Kock |
To the Editor:
This letter could have easily been written in the “Cheers and Jeers” column, but I feel being anonymous is a somewhat cowardly way out. If you have an opinion you feel strongly about, don’t hide in the shadows but speak openly and hon-estly. When Matt Greteman felt, as did I and the Carroll Tennis Association, that as a progressive city we needed better tennis courts, he spoke out in City Council meetings and presentations to schools and boosters. When the detractors fired back anonymously, he spoke more openly.
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| Dr. William D. Blohm |
To the Editor:
Some of the intrigue in the approaching off-year election involves the low-approval rating of Congress, the uncertain status of many incumbents in both parties, the qualifications of new candidates, federal and state, etc. The next couple months is the avoidance of political misspeaking/screw-up time.
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| Much Ado about Non-News Stories |
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Did you see those pictures of Michelle Obama sashaying around Europe--Spain I think it was--and staying at that fancy hotel? I mean, who does she think she is, Nancy Reagan? Isn't she kind of getting ahead of herself, putting on airs?
Whoa! Wait a minute. Stop. Apparently the IT officer of the local tea party coven has hacked into my computer and these are the distressing results. I have deleted him.
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| Obama's groundbreaking speech shows thinking Christian |
During his time in the U.S. Senate, President Barack Obama delivered one of the more groundbreaking, even magisterial speeches, you’ll hear, a “Call to Renewal” address in which he frankly discusses his own Christian beliefs.
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| The Case for Killing Bush's Tax Cuts for the Rich |
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Things in Washington these days are beginning to look a lot like Dickens' A Christmas Carol: Two ghosts from Republican administrations past have risen from political Palookaville to rattle their chains and issue dire warnings to their former colleagues.
"Change your ways, "they're telling conservatives, "lest you wind up like us, doomed to wander the op-ed pages of America, despised and ignored as you issue unheeded advice."
(1 comments)
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| Politics is like driving: Don't give up the wheel |
One of the questions those of us covering politics frequently wrestle with is this: Why do politicians place their careers in the hands of advisers who often give poor counsel out of self-interest or hubris or plain ignorance? It’s dangerous giving up the wheel. But it happens a lot. Pols hear the campaign gurus mumbo jumbo-ing in their ears, and what they watch themselves saying on the news that night — or on a YouTube post — sounds nothing like them. They’re not themselves, but rather vessels.
(2 comments)
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| Carroll Shields, Carroll |
To the Editor:
Has anyone else noticed a glaring mistake with the newest urban renewal project?
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| Ferrell, McKay together again in 'Other Guys' |
Will Ferrell and Adam McKay should stick together when it comes to comedy. The two seem to have an uncanny relationship that constantly produces entertaining and memorable comedies.
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| Sheryl Schachtner,Carroll |
To the Editor:
A recent conversation with a certain councilperson has me wondering what happens to people’s values once they get elected to office. This particular councilperson ran on the premise that they were concerned for the people of Carroll who were on fixed incomes. My call concerned the added expense of the brick pavers the city has decided to go with for the Corridor project.
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| Don Kanne, Carroll |
To the Editor:
The most important thing left out of the Times Herald article on Tuesday, Aug. 10, pertaining to the Municipal Golf Course is handicapped accessibility. Anyone in a wheelchair must be carried up four steps, realizing they most likely won’t golf but they have the right to eat, drink or just visit friends, after all it is a public place.
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| We're Not Colorblind |
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Tea partiers get upset when you call them racists. "We're not racists," they yell. "We're God-fearing Americans who don't like Obama's socialist, affirmative-action ways. We just want freedom from government interference in a colorblind society."
So you say, "What about that time a bunch of you lined up at the Capitol and yelled racist epithets at black congresspersons as they went into the building?"
(1 comments)
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| Mandy Halbur, Dubuque |
To the Editor:
I would like to start out by saying thank you to the sol-diers of A Company 168 In-fantry, Iowa Army National Guard. Actually thank you is not enough, I do not have the words to express the pride and gratitude I have for the job you do. You will be greatly missed over the next year, and we have already started counting down the days until we can welcome you home.
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| 'The first 150-year-old
may have been born' |
The search for the Fountain of Youth didn’t stop with the passing of explorer Juan Ponce De Leon. Science’s push at the boundaries of human health continues to raise fascinating and frightening scenarios with life expectancies. The Atlantic Monthly recently carried an article on the subject: “The Death Shortage: Why the Longevity Boom Will Make Us Sorry to Be Alive.” In the piece, author Charles C. Mann isn’t advocating the pulling of feeding tubes (or the ghoulish death panels of Sarah Palin’s Twittering mind). He’s discussing extraordinary means that will be available to enhance life and add decades to lifespans — developments like gene therapy and offshore organ banks where wealthy westerners can go to literally get spare parts. Real sci-fi meets life stuff.
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| Efron can't save 'Charlie St. Cloud' |
Charlie St. Cloud” by director Burr Steers, and starring the most famous young male actor not playing a vampire or werewolf at the moment, Zac Efron, is a hard film to pin down.
On one hand it is over-the-top sappy romantic melodrama you may expect from an adaption of a Nicholas Sparks’ novel (“The Notebook,” “Dear John” etc.). But on the other hand it is a supernatural thriller as Efron’s titular character develops the freakish ability after a car accident that takes the life of his younger brother.
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| Carrell loveable loser again in 'Schmucks' |
Steve Carrell has found a role in “Dinner for Schmucks” that is even more moronic, obnoxious, and oblivious than his career-making role on TV’s “The Office” as Michael Scott. Carrell gets away with playing such characters and still remaining one of the most likeable comedians in entertainment today because of the honesty he brings to the roles.
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| Remembering George Steinbrenner |
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Do we really have to say nice things about George Steinbrenner just because he's…you know…dead? Really? OK, here goes:
About a dozen years ago or so, maybe more, Sen. Tom Harkin, an Iowa Democrat, was talking with Steinbrenner and happened to mention that I, an Iowa columnist at the time, was a great Yankees fan. Big George immediately had his public relations staff send me a package of "stuff"--the most impressive of which was a lightweight Yankee warm-up jacket.
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| Templeton leads way with
legal Iowa distilleries |
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| Carroll's brushes with sports fame |
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| Carroll's Laker legacy in good hands with Springers |
It is clear from talking to Steve and Alan Springer that Carroll will be cast in the role of hero, that we will be portrayed in a positive light. Which is what’s great about the landing story. Carroll can’t come out looking anything but proud.
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| 'Kitty Galore' provides outdated entertainment |
In an era of cinema where animation studios can create incredibly detailed and realistic animals and have them do whatever they can dream up, why on earth would anyone make a film where you use actual cats and dogs and just computer generate moving mouths?
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| Our Grandchildren Deserve Better Politicians |
We live in grim times, which is why you have to take your laughs where you can get them.
For example, in Washington, where Republican congresspeople keep talking about their concern for their grandchildren as an excuse for voting against…well, practically everything: economic stimulus packages, financial reform, immigration reform, etc.
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| 'Salt' showcases Jolie's starpower |
“Salt” from director Phillip Noyce might have been an all out failure if not for the presence of its star actress Angelina Jolie.
Jolie’s presence in this film is the sole reason why an audience can take this film seriously.
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| Martha A. Sibbel |
To the Editor:
Brian Johnson of Midwest Financial wrote in the Friday, July 16, Daily Times Herald that “… probate and administrative fees can consume between 6 percent and 10 percent of your estate.” This statement does not reflect Iowa law.
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| Lloyd Kline, Carroll |
To the Editor:
Thanks to the folks of Carrolland and the west-central Iowa people who attended the “Lloyd Kline Ideations” art show over the past two weeks at the Carroll County Historical Society Museum.
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| Stephanie Eifler, Carroll |
To the Editor:
In about one week, my wedding will take place in my hometown. This town. The wonderful town of Carroll, Iowa. I wouldn’t want it anywhere else.
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| Remembering John Wooden |
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John Wooden was a legend.
That's a word that's thrown around a lot these days, particularly in the realm of sports. Most sports legends aren't. But he was.
Wooden died at the age of 99 in June, 35 years after retiring as the most successful (and many would say best) basketball coach of all time.
(1 comments)
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| Lenz,Carroll |
To the Editor:
We are writing to express our deep gratitude for the Spirit Lake dive team and to make people aware of their tremendous and selfless efforts.
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| Julie Belstene, Carroll |
To the Editor:
Iowa needs job creation. There is no better choice on the ballot this fall than Terry Branstad and Kim Reynolds to make this happen. They are committed to creating 200,000 new jobs all across Iowa.
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| Carolyn Miller,Templeton |
To the Editor:
The 4th of July is a wonderful holiday, but why do others have to ruin it by vandalism? My daughter and son-in-law just moved to Templeton in June, and unfortunately they were the target of a very cruel intentional act on the night of July 3, following the Templeton street dance.
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| 'Inception' affirms power of an idea |
How on earth did a film like “Inception” end up being released in a summer as vapid as can be in terms of movies? Writer and director Christopher Nolan has made a big budget Hollywood blockbuster that stimulates the audience’s mind rather than placate the masses with more formulaic entertainment.
(1 comments)
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| A well-balanced formula equals 'Sorcerer's Apprentice'
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“The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is as formulaic as blockbusters come.
The film was produced by Hollywood icon Jerry Bruckheimer, directed by veteran Jon Turteltaub and stars Nicolas Cage along with rising star Jay Baruchel of “She’s Out of My League.”
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| Nyla Heuton, Carroll |
To the Editor:
This is directed to all the dog-walkers who leave dog messes in other people’s yards. Please stop. There is a law against littering, and this is one of, if not the worst forms of litter.
(1 comments)
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| Minions steal show
in 'Despicable Me' |
It is a bold move to make a super villain the lead character in a film, especially an animated children’s film. But this is exactly what “Despicable Me” does. This choice plays into the notion that audiences are more fascinated with the villain in a film than they are the actual superhero. “Despicable Me” is the first but will not even be the last animated film this year to place a super villain in the lead.
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| A walk around the block |
The end of June marked my second year as life and leisure editor/cub reporter for the Daily Times Herald. It was not long after joining the staff that columnist was also added to my title, and this little foray into the lives of the people of the Carroll area was added to the mix.
For someone not a native to the Carroll area, there was really no better way to learn the ins and outs of your wonderful communities than to do it through the people. Not only the people who live on the block, so to speak, but those who come to visit and leave their mark here as well.
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| 'Winsome' Reynolds an insulting choice for Iowa |
In the brilliant 1960 movie “Inherit the Wind,” the William Jennings Bryan character, sweating with religious fervor, allows a truth to emerge amid his hubris, albeit accidentally and embarrassingly.
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| Dave Prenger, Carroll |
Tuesday’s (July 12) opinion article by Doug Burns entitled ”Branstad touts tough ultrasound law” is just that, an opinion, a poorly informed opinion. I’m not writing to support Terry Branstad’s run for governor. (I personally believe that he is only as pro-life as he thinks he needs to be in order to get your vote.)
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| 'Winter's Bone' gives us rural heroine for the ages |
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Rural white poverty is very much alive and well, although not always easy to spot, as it hides around the mountain or in an apparently abandoned trailer off a county road that is surprisingly a home. We don’t see it, or we don’t want to. “Winter’s Bone” grabs us by the hand and leads us into this world, quickly punching us in the face with its realities. Set in the Missouri Ozarks, “Winter’s Bone” chronicles the heroic efforts of Ree Dolly, a 17-year-old who raises her two younger siblings amidst the squalor of off-grid living and danger of the methamphetamine trade in which her entire extended family is seemingly entangled.
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| The art of living well |
In talking for only a few minutes with Carroll’s Lloyd Kline, it is immediately apparent that he has lived a life filled with excitement and accomplishment.
He has won national, regional and local awards during his 63 years spent in the advertising industry in Omaha, Neb., and New York City. He has worked alongside many famous, and infamous, individuals, like C.W. McCall (born William Dale Fries Jr., in Audubon), who is probably best known for his Cleo Award-winning Old Home advertising campaign and he has been in the presence of such dignitaries as Winston Churchill.
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| 'Grown Ups' far too
nostalgic for own good |
“Grown Ups” is a film that lacks that special punch that any good comedy has these days. I kept waiting for some kind of escalation in the story. Everybody seems to get along too well in this.
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| Noomi Rapace is 'The Girl
With The Dragon Tattoo' |
The original Swedish title of Stieg Larsson’s bestselling novel, which this film is based on, is “Men Who Hate Women.” Despite the title being lost in translation the film “The Girl with the Dragon tattoo” certainly stays true to the intent of this title.
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| Branstad supports getting Oklahoma tough on Iowa women |
A few weeks ago, in an effort to appeal to his party’s base, Terry Branstad threw uncompromising (and one suspects uninformed) support behind an Oklahoma law that requires pregnant women to watch ultrasounds of their fetuses and listen to details from doctors about the function of vital organs.
(4 comments)
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| Donald R. Tigges, Carroll |
To the Editor:
A few years ago, I did urge Rep. Steve King to run against Sen. Tom Harkin. I figured that was the only way we could get rid of him in the 5th District. But this year the Democratic Party has nominated a candidate, in Matt Campbell, who, I hope, can beat Steve King.
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| We've Got to Get out of There |
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Pretty much everyone (outside of the nutty "he's the Antichrist" coalition) thinks President Barack Obama did the right thing in firing his Afghanistan commander, Gen. Stanley McChrystal. Unfortunately, he did it for the wrong reasons.
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| Shyamalan shows heavy hand in 'Last Airbender' |
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“The Last Airbender” is a film adaptation that fails to excite the fan base of the original animated show or even to win over any newcomers.
The original show has much more engaging and lively animation or images than this film. The only thing that appeared intriguing in the trailers, to a stranger to the series like me, was the “bending” of the elements earth, air, fire, and water. But if you’ve seen the trailer than you have seen all you really need to in order to get the idea.
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| Laugh, cry and dance a jig with Irish tenor Michael Londra |
So how does an international recording artist who has performed on stages from Dublin to Broadway and had his work included on a compilation CD titled “Arias,” with artists Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman and Luciano Pavorotti end up scheduling a tour that goes from New York to China to Denison, Iowa? Well for Irish tenor, Michael Londra, his stomach played a part in that decision.
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| Gerald L. Clausen, City Manager |
To the Editor:
Recently the City recognized the efforts of its employees at an appreciation lunch. I presented the following remarks at that gathering:
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| 'Twilight' clearly plays to the passionate fans |
I have to be honest. I have never seen the first two installments of the “Twilight” saga.
So it is painfully apparent to me that “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” is not interested in converting newcomers like me. But, get real, do the uninitiated even matter at this point? The team behind this franchise knows exactly what keeps the theaters packed, the love triangle between Bella (Kristen Stewart), Edward (Robert Pattinson), and Jacob (Taylor Lautner). The recognition of this selling point is about the best thing I can say about this film.
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| Amy Carpenter, Carroll |
To the Editor:
It’s information that has been in the news for months now: child-abuse cases in Iowa saw a sharp increase in 2009.
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| Joe Barton's Honest Mistake |
A clever politician can get away with a lot; standards in the profession aren't high. But if there is one thing Americans will not put up with from their elected officials, it's complete honesty. The only truly unforgivable sin in Washington is sincerity.
(1 comments)
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| Letter to the Editor: Altman & Ritchie |
To the Editor:
Domestic violence is not just a family matter, it’s a crime, and it is the single most common source of injury to women, more common than car accidents, muggings and rape by a stranger combined. It increases in severity and frequency over time. It is estimated that over 2 million American women are beaten in their homes each year.
(1 comments)
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| You must build it because they have come |
There will never be an appearance made by Shoeless Joe Jackson or the Chicago Black Sox, but thanks to those iconic images, Iowa is well-known for its love of America’s sport and communities continue to see that reflected in their youth.
In 2009, the Manning Little League program saw an increase of 22 players from the year before. This year, it saw another increase in participation and now has 141 boys and girls who play across 12 teams from T-ball to senior league.
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| Controlling your kids
through their cell phones |
Cell phones have granted this current crop of teen-agers freedoms unknown even to relatively recent generations of kids. Ubiquitous texting and the ability to stay in contact with one’s friends 24/7 has allowed kids to scrub their lives of certain interactions with older people. The deadline for such living is fast approaching for kids of parents savvy (or snoopy) enough to avail themselves of developing technology. Case in point: Taser International Inc. is poised to release a new product in August called Protector.
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| Cruise and Diaz stunted by 'Knight and Day' |
“Knight and Day” is a romantic action comedy that can be considered a success on any level only because of the natural chemistry between Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz.
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| Margaret Davis, Carroll |
To the Editor:
There were three people who died senselessly and tragically because of one person known for domestic abuse. This shouldn’t be happening, but it is. Why did he have guns? Why wasn’t more done to stop this tragedy?
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| 'Toy Story' delivers
to original fans |
The reason these films are so effective on an emotional level is the portrayal of the relationship between a child and their toy. No matter how far computer animation or 3D technology advances, nothing can bring a toy to life as well as the imagination of a child. “Toy Story 3” certainly pays respect to this fact in both the first and third act in very poignant scenes.
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| Not enough from
'Jonah Hex' |
This film commits the mortal sin of assuming that the audience is full of ADD cases who only want to see “Jonah Hex” firing off Gatling guns attached to his horse’s saddle.
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| Congressman King still our employee, not shock jock yet |
Congressman Steve King, who gets testy when others challenge his motivations on racial matters, had no problems doing just that with Obama on Monday on the talk show of Watergate alum G. Gordon Liddy. Our congressman also spent the week doing a number of other interviews in which he defended, amplified and elaborated on the statements.
(1 comments)
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| Education: A Nobel endeavor |
The funny thing about life is that it is usually when there is something that you don’t want to do, or don’t think is really going to amount to much of anything, that the most memorable moments of our lives occur.
Such was the case with Kuemper Catholic High School calculus instructor Bill Kane after being notified he was going to be receiving an award.
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| All aboard for Chicago to Des Moines to Omaha |
Imagine being able to catch a passenger train in Des Moines and take it to Union Station in downtown Chicago, going through Iowa City and the Quad Cities along the way.
(1 comments)
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| 'Karate Kid' a remake
that stands on its own |
Is it odd to be envious of an 11-year-old boy’s charisma? Probably so. But it is hard not to be once you see the confidence Jaden Smith exudes in “The Karate Kid,” a modern reimagining of the original 1984 film by the same title.
(2 comments)
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| Mr. T.'s supporting cast
brings real muscle
to 'A-Team' movie |
Even as an A-Team novice I know the one reason that the show has remained relevant in our society for so many years. That reason of course is Mr. T. How do I know that? Because people only had one question for me when they found out I had seen the film version, “How is the guy playing the Mr. T role?”
(1 comments)
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| It's Your Fault |
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The great question of the day is: Who is to blame for the BP oil disaster that's dominating the news? There are many answers.
Texas Governor Rick Perry, known as the conservative's conservative, provided my favorite. He thinks God did it. At least he called the spill "an act of God," which is pretty much the same thing.
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| Do 'Qwitters' ever win? |
The debate rages on about the benefits and detriments of technology on our day-to-day lives.
Few could disagree with the fact that advances in technology have made our school, work and personal lives easier, maybe a bit more costly, but a price we are obviously willing to pay for convenience.
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| What can Carroll do to improve as a community? |
This is an open-ended question. What can we do to become a better community? This isn't just about local elected officials. What can businesses do to improve the commercial district and economy? What about the culture and attitude here? What are your best ideas for making Carroll, Iowa a better place to live for all?
(31 comments)
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| Check out our new
online calendar |
The new version of our Web site, carrollspaper.com, contains many features designed to increase interaction with readers and make it possible for you to get more information and news to us.
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| KAUL: Fly the unfriendly skies, if you dare |
Before the old year passes out of sight and I’ve broken the last of my New Year’s resolutions, I’d like to relieve myself of a few opinions I didn’t unload when I should have. For example:
The Friendly Skies: I have never been a great fan of flying, an experience I compare unfavorably to being strapped into your seat in a stagecoach as it travels through hostile Indian country. At least a stagecoach has scenery.
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| What do you think of Rod Roberts' gubernatorial campaign? |
Rod Roberts’ entry in the 2010 gubernatorial race has been voted the top Carroll-area news story of 2009 by The Daily Times Herald editorial staff.
Roberts, a five-term state representative who represents all of Carroll County and parts of Sac County and Crawford County, formally announced an exploratory committee in late July. He’s been campaigning across the state and raising money in earnest since.
What do you think of Roberts' candidacy for governor? Is he qualified? Would he be a good governor? Should he be running? What do you think this means for Carroll? And does Roberts have any chance in your view of winning his party's nomination?
(1 comments)
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| 5 travel questions
for Cathy Greteman |
In a feature story on Jan. 5 we focused on Cathy Greteman of Carroll who was just elected as chairman and CEO of the National Tour Association.
We asked Greteman her opinion on five travel questions. Here they are:
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| Health-care bill
burns tanning salons |
With controversy centering on the vague yet now-politically explosive term “public option” and long-running battles over abortion assuming center stage in the health-care reform debate some local businesses are feeling more than a bit blindsided by one element of a U.S. Senate-passed plan.
The U.S. Senate, on a party-line vote, passed a sweeping heath-care bill that includes a 10 percent federal sales tax on tanning salons.
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