Dexter Iowa Community Site

Consider this quote from Abe Lincoln

"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves."

I had thought of taking the week off and refusing to write a column during the government shut down, but then I thought of how very unfair that would be to all of you who really enjoy suffering through week after week with me. So let’s get on with it shall we?

1. So far the only real fall out I’ve seen from the shutdown has been the closing of various places run by the National Park system and the department of the Interior. I especially find it funny that outdoor places which really don’t need anyone around are shut down, as though we all can’t see them.

2. I was impressed with the World War II vets from Iowa that “stormed” the closed memorial in Washington D.C. Not only did those men deserve to have been escorted by the entire populace of this nation into that memorial, but they shouldn’t have had to wait to get someone to disobey orders and let them in.

3. It seems to me that the only people playing politics is the White House. Have you noticed how they have stayed out of it, but certainly the President isn’t about to go to “the hill” to try to work a solution with everyone involved. Great Presidents lead….and that is what we see lacking here.

4. For those of you who are in agriculture…this is a crazy fall. Don’t get discouraged, we will all get the crops out by Thanksgiving, if the wind doesn’t blow them into the neighboring states that is.

5. I came home after the storms the other day to find the ducks swimming around a mud puddle and George tending to them like they were his babies. He’s such a confused chicken.

6. It is no surprise as an Iowa State fan I was disappointed by many things in Thursday’s game against Texas, however what really bothered me was the cheap shot by Texas player M. Davis who went for the knees of an unsuspecting Iowa State defenseman. Oh sure, he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct but the Big XXII should have suspended him for what could have been a career ending cheap shot. Instead he was handed a verbal reprimand which is akin to being given a warning for driving 100 in a 25 mph zone. In my estimation the referees should not only have booted him from the game, but the conference should have sent a clear message and suspended him for at least two games.

7. I could have done without the cold weather this past weekend but I did enjoy the first couple of bowls of chili of the season.

8. I went to Max’s football game today…it was cold and raining and the kids were cold. But they won for the first time this season and what did those cold wet kids do? Went running across the field and belly slid in the biggest mud puddle they could find. It made me smile thinking about just how much fun it was being a kid.

9. Speaking of being a kid, when I was in high school I remember always carrying Hawaiian flavored Life Savers with me. I wonder what happened to them.

10. Finally this week. Christmas is coming soon, and many are still not doing as well as the government would like you to believe. Think about donating to a local food pantry in your area. They need your help, and think of giving toilet paper and shampoo or laundry soap. Those often overlooked items are needed the most. Remember the meaning of the season to come, and what a joy it is to give.

See you next week. Remember, we’re all in this together.