20 Dec 2006

Are We a "Christian Country" by Law?

By Administrator

The controversy over "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas" requires that we examine what has happened to our right to "petition the government for a redress of grievances." This is one of our inherent and inalienable rights. We have a "property" in that right. This means that any prior restraint placed on that right constitutes a "taking of property without due process of law" unless we are given something of equal value in return.

13 Dec 2006

Where Did Air America Go?

By administrator

On Tuesday, December 5, the Quad Cities lost its only progressive talk-radio station, WKBF 1270 AM. Considering results from the recent elections, there should be a market for progressive-talk programming in the Quad Cities. Is anyone else upset by this loss? Will another radio station pick up the Air America network programs and other progressive-talk shows?

Patti Franklin

Riverdale, Iowa

 

22 Nov 2006

Making Prosperity a Realistic Goal

By administrator

With some regret, I have tendered my resignation to the River Music Experience (RME). The past two years have been a very interesting time for me. Certainly, I gained a fair share of life experience. The great people that I have met and worked with, through our educational programs, River Roots Live fest, and Redstone Room events, have time and again demonstrated their appreciation for our mission. I thank each of you for the opportunity to work and play together. My staff was awesome. I laud their passion for our purpose and their tenacity for hanging in there with me through thick and thin.

15 Nov 2006

Personal and Positive Campaigning Work

By administrator

A couple of notes now that the election is over:

Positive campaigning works: See Elesha Gayman's win.

Negative campaigning fails: See Mike Whalen's loss.

24 Oct 2006

The Press Must Assert Its Relevance

By administrator

"The Top 10 Stories the Media Missed in the Past Year" as published in River Cities' Reader Issue 602 (October 11-17, 2006) might be called "10 more reasons why the ‘freedom of the press' will be abolished."

In January 2005, the results of a survey of students were published in which (only) 51 percent of the students believed that the press should be allowed to publish without permission from the government.

This survey should have awakened the press to the fact that they must inform the people of what is going on in our courts so that they can decide for themselves if our system of justice is fair.

10 Oct 2006

No Wall Between Church and State

By administrator

Mr. Jeff Ignatius, in his article "Mixed Colors, Mixed Messages" in the September 23-October 3, 2006, Reader, made the statement "in the sense that the barrier between church and state is explicitly and clearly articulated in the Constitution." I don't know what Constitution he is reading, but the one I am familiar with says in the First Amendment that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Not one word about separation of church and state.

03 Oct 2006

Lack of Investment in Military Has Undermined Safety

By administrator

Why are we not safe today?

(A) The U.S. Army was reduced in the 1990s by 500,000 active soldiers. Today we only have 417,186 active Army, 305,404 in the National Guard, and 154,047 in the Army Reserves. (These figures are from the September 15, 2006, Federal Executive magazine, page 38.)

(B) In the 1990s, the leadership of the Department of the Army reduced from 26 Army ammunition plants to only eight by 2006. (See History of Ammunition by George Nickolas, dated 2006.)

(C) The civilian production base for military ammunition and equipment reduced in the 1990s because of lack of requirements as reported to a congressional hearing in 2004. (See Federal Executive magazine pages 17 and 18 in the July 2004 issue.)

26 Sep 2006

The Play's Not the Thing

By Administrator

Mike Schulz should take his own advice. For someone who rags on authors so much, he sure missed the point of his article "The Playwright Did It." (See River Cities' Reader Issue 599, September 20-26, 2006.) It's a play review, not a playwright review. While he spent seven-eighths of his time harping on the writing, he spent little time critiquing the production itself, save for a few passing lines. Of course, I'm glad no one in the cast got raked across the coals as much as the author was. Hopefully he keeps his eye on the ball next time.

 

Megan Ridl

Davenport

 

 

19 Sep 2006

Concerned About Illinois Teacher Retirement Pension System

By administrator

I am writing this letter on behalf of the many retired teachers in Illinois and those who plan to retire. We have an election in November for governor, as well as some representatives and senators. It is imperative that we know where these candidates stand in regard to the recent under-funding and diversions of funds for the teacher retirement pension systems.

05 Sep 2006

Can We Stop This Madness?

By administrator

I am saddened and frustrated (again) by the reports of another young person killed, here where we live - the Quad Cities. The latest victim is a 19-year-old girl from Davenport who was shot while sitting outside talking, minding her own business.

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