By Paul Deaton, Solon I’m upset about the flag bill, HR 4392, the Flag Standardization Act of 2021. Why didn’t Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks just call it the “I hate the gay and Black people flags act” when she introduced it? It was bad enough when Republicans reacted to Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s announcement he […]
Opinion
Letter to the editor: We know what Christina Bohannan stands for
By Trish Nelson, Iowa City It is great news that Christina Bohannan, Democrat from Iowa City, State Representative and University of Iowa law professor has announced her campaign to re-take the IA-02 congressional seat narrowly won by six votes in 2020 by Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks and previously held by seven-term Democrat Dave Loebsack, who retired […]
Letter to the editor: Your community needs you
By Mohamed Traore, Iowa City You have a rare opportunity to offer your eyes, ears, heart and mind to affect actual change. Do not let it slip away. Too often are we told “your opinion matters” from those in positions of power, only to look back and see that we were given a false promise. […]
Letter to the editor: No, local law enforcement don’t need a BearCat
By Gerene Denning I read the community response regarding the Johnson County Board of Supervisors meeting where the purchase of a BearCat was discussed. As a retired injury and violence prevention public health researcher, I strongly agree that the comments by BOS members were inappropriate and badly misinformed. Psychologically, the false meme that “law enforcement […]
Letter to the editor: Johnson County supervisors owe public an apology for comments during BearCat discussion
We the people have some reflections about the informal meeting of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors on Thursday, Aug. 19 wherein Sheriff Brad Kunkel requested funds to purchase a Lenco BearCat. From this meeting, after being subjected to inappropriate remarks, we demand that Sup. Porter apologize and take steps to repair the harm her […]
Letter to the editor: What is the matter with the Iowa City school board?
By Carol deProsse and Caroline Dieterle, Iowa City What is the matter with the Iowa City Community School District board? If school boards in Texas and Florida are brave enough to defy their fanatically anti-mask governors Abbott and DeSantis, why can’t a school board in a community like Iowa City defy the destructively anti-mask insanity […]
Letter to the editor: The UI president and provost are already failing on COVID before the semester begins
By Caleb Klipowicz, Iowa City By siding with the Iowa Board of Regents against the safety and well-being of our community, incoming President Wilson and Provost Kregel have already failed at preventing outbreaks of COVID-19 this fall. Families, students, campus labor unions and academic departments across campus are begging for stricter policies to prevent outbreaks […]
Letter to the editor: Miller-Meeks should open more constituent offices
By Paul Deaton, Solon Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks appears to be dodging constituents in the Second Congressional District. According to her congressional website she has two constituent offices available: in the District of Columbia and in Ottumwa. That’s not enough. It’s time for the congresswoman to be more accessible by staffing offices where her constituents live. […]
Letter to the editor: Iowa Republicans and the socialism boogeyman
By Ellen Ballas, Iowa City Representatives Ashley Hinson and Mariannette Miller-Meeks like the term “socialism,” especially when they fundraise. Hinson’s fundraising letter, “Line in the Sand,” accused Democrats of “socialism” twice. Miller-Meeks said it nearly 20 times in her last letter. They’re purposely blurring the facts. The facts don’t lie: The U.S. has practiced taxpayer-funded […]
Letter to the editor: Iowa’s House Republicans say they care about clean water, but don’t vote for it
By Dave Bradley, West Liberty Over and over Marianette Miller-Meeks states that clean water is a priority. The House voted and sure enough her priority went down the drain along with the steady flow of contaminants, undetected. Voting against regulating dangerous chemicals in our food and drinking water in the “PFAS Action Act of 2021” […]
Letter to the editor: Taxes and animal abuse
By Lynn Gallagher, Solon It is very unfortunate that the Johnson County Board of Supervisors continues to provide taxpayer money to fund the Johnson County Fair even though it continues to include a kids’ rodeo. They call it a family rodeo, but it consists of children participating in events that include mutton busting, junior bull […]
Letter to the editor: A plea for Hickory Hill Park
By Carol deProsse and Caroline Dieterle, Iowa City There are several solid reasons why the City Council should unanimously vote no July 27 on the third reading of an ordinance to create housing on land adjacent to Hickory Hill Park. Among these reasons are: the planned development does not comply with the Iowa City Comprehensive […]




