On April 29, the Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments for the appeal of a nine-year-old Davenport Civil Rights Commission (DCRC) case, Botsko v. Nabb. Finally, much-needed clarity was brought to bear by attorney Tom Waterman, who presented on David Botsko's behalf. (A link to the 28-minute video is available HERE .)

Last week Isle of Capri (IOC) announced Bernie Goldstein's retirement as CEO and named his successor, Jim Perry, formerly of Trump Entertainment Resorts and Argosy Gaming. Goldstein will remain chair of the board of directors. Included in the shareholder's financial report was the news that the IOC Bettendorf property was planning a landside expansion of additional hotel rooms and new gaming facility to be joined to a new 50,000-square-foot convention center. What was implied and confirmed in subsequent media reports was the intent to scuttle any landside development for the Davenport casino, which they intend to ultimately re-brand as the Lady Luck. The Isle in Bettendorf would be "regional" casino, and the Davenport casino would serve a local market.

The action last week by the Davenport City Council to move all its meetings to Wednesdays sparked some controversy, less for the substance of the day change than the swiftness with which it was done. (See "Big Hat, No Cattle," River Cities' Reader Issue 666, January 9-15, 2008.) Arthur Anderson filed a formal complaint on Friday, claiming "violations of the Council Rules of Order, Robert's Rules of Order, state law, the cities [sic] special charter, and the public's trust." He has requested a formal written response.

How does one stomach a city that can be characterized as 75 percent lousy Americans? A lousy American is one who is eligible to vote, but ignores the privilege that for centuries contributed mightily to make America the greatest nation on the planet.

Ron Paul, the 10-term Republican congressman from Texas, is running for president, and his candidacy warrants much more exposure than the mainstream media has afforded the voting public. Dr. Paul, an OB/GYN and former Air Force flight surgeon, has a sterling conservative, limited-government voting record over 20 years. The Wall Street Journal wrote last week, "As the GOP front-runners address crowds of dispirited primary voters, Mr. Paul has been tearing across the country, leaving a trail of passionate devotees in his wake."