It’s Friday, May 2, 2025.

🗣️ It’s Friday: Time for the takes!

 

But first, here’s this week’s Pets and Bloomers:

🐶 This is Geode, “an adventure dog through and through,” according to Kelsea H. That includes “going to take the leaves, branches, yard waste to the local brush spot … going for a hike in the White Mountains up serious mountains and even some bouldering … tent camping [and] chill[ing] in the house on a lazy day.”

 

Too bad you didn’t see your shadow this year, Geode!

 

Send me your pet photos here.

🌼 Lois R.’s Oriental poppy was looking nice and leafy when this photo was sent my way last month.

 

Send me your flower photos here.

Readers are invited to add to the conversation by emailing responses@iowastartingline.com. Please include your first name and last initial. You may also want to include your city, but that’s up to you.

This week, we asked:

What do you make of our souring relationship with Canada, and how will that affect us? Are we losing respect around the world?

• “Like Canada and have lots of friends in Higher Ed there. Trump is just trying to be a dictator again. I’m getting sick of it.” ~Clare L.
• “Of course we are. What else can we expect with our ridiculous president?” ~Jane T.

Next week’s question:

If you could describe Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office with one word, what would it be? Click the button below and email me.

No point in being ‘bipartisan’ with Republicans:

• “I, too, would like Iowa to go back to being a progressive state that’s focused on solutions to problems and not corrupt to the gills! But can we try and check this reflexive reach for ‘bipartisanship?’ Great that Reynolds is going, but which Republicans, exactly, are Democrats supposed to work with once she’s gone? Pat Grassley and his statehouse pals, who are deleting constituent emails unread if they dare to contain pronouns in the signature? I have heard directly from my state senator that Republicans will not even move nonpartisan bills forward if the ideas come from Democrats.

   

  I’ll be the first to agree that what matters is problems getting solved well, not the ideological makeup of the people who vote for the solutions, but Republicans DO. NOT. WANT. to fix things, much less work across the aisle to do so. If you say ‘bipartisan,’ I need you to name names of which current GOP legislators we can work with. If you can’t—and good luck with that!—then we need to focus on the Minnesota model: slim (to start) Democratic majorities that are not afraid of exercising their power to the fullest extent possible without permission from the folks driving our state into the ground.” ~Alan S., Cedar Falls

Why isn’t Iowa in the Big 10 defense pact?

• “That’s interesting that less than 50% of the schools have signed on. Are they getting any increased pressure since the Harvard announcement? I’m just worried Iowa will be left in the dust if things escalate, or do you think they’re trying to play both sides out of concern?” ~Jennifer N.
  
  
  (NOTE: If they are getting pressured, it doesn’t seem to be having an effect yet.)

Protest intimidation:

• “That is horrendous that some MAGAhead tried to intimidate the rally-goers. Violence is not a good solution, although in extremis—where someone was doing something right in front of you—it could be a last resort. Otherwise, our best option might simply be to stand our ground and continue the resistance—which is peaceful, but not passive. The other option is to take license plate numbers and take photos and videos of the perpetrators and use that evidence to get at them sooner or later. Although the MAGAs think they are the law now, or the orange menace thinks he owns it, the courts have overall a good record of supporting law and keeping some of the illegal acts of the right in check. It’s too bad about SCOTUS, but even they (most of them) have had enough of the bullshit sometimes. Thanks for what you do!” ~Jeffrey A.

• “I am disappointed to see Pam W.’s response to shut up about our opinions. Apparently she has an opinion too, or she would have followed her own suggestion to be silent. We believe in standing up when anyone is being attacked.” ~Carol/Butch M.

On Kilmar Abrego Garcia:

• “Kilmar Abrego Garcia entered the usa unlawery and never became a usa citizen in 14 years and you wonder why he was deported you can not read any better than slow joe” ~Kenneth W.

  (NOTE: Abrego Garcia came to this country as a child and a judge granted him a legal, federal work permit to stay here when he became an adult. SIDE NOTE: I usually clean up folks’ spelling and grammar in these letters, but I’m letting it stand since literacy is being used as an argument here.)

Spotted lanternflies now found in Iowa:

• “See a spotted lanternfly? Why you should show no mercy.” ~Lee H.

Spring is here:

• “What’s my favorite part of Spring? Spring.” ~Kevin S.

Reply from Greg C. to responses to his letter of the week:

• “Kevin and Clare’s remarks were kind and thoughtful, and I appreciate them! Thank you for doing this and, if it is possible, please let all three persons know that I read and appreciated their input.” ~Greg C.

Letter of the Week:
Iowa refuses to pass a bill investing in dementia service specialists

• “In 2015, I was honored to be hired as the Director of Veterans Affairs for Black Hawk County, after years of experience working at VA facilities in St. Louis and Iowa City. During my time as Director, I earned a reputation across Iowa—and even at the federal level—for
  my expertise in veterans’ care. I was routinely called upon by the staff of Senator Ernst, even receiving calls directly from her, including one from the White House as President Trump prepared to sign into law one of the initiatives I had helped create. I worked with Senator Grassley and Governor Reynolds to advocate for Iowa’s veterans, and I was proud
  when some of my recommendations, like coverage for Blue Water Navy veterans, became reality.

  But in 2019, I was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia and forced into early retirement. Since then, we’ve seen a sharp rise in veterans being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, Lewy Body, and other dementia-related diseases—many tied to military exposures like Agent Orange, contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and environmental hazards both overseas and right here in Iowa.

  In 2023, I helped draft legislation to establish Dementia Service Specialists in Iowa—trained individuals who could serve as ‘battle buddies’ to help veterans and families navigate the lonely, confusing journey of these diseases. Senate File 216 would have provided a small, crucial investment in support, education, and hope.

  Yet, once again this year, SF 216 was quietly allowed to die.

  I met personally with members of the Appropriations Committee, including Mark Costello and Amy Sinclair. I reached out repeatedly to Governor Reynolds, Senators Ernst and Grassley, and Congresswoman Hinson—only to be met with silence. I recently learned that Health and Human Services Chair Jeff Elder refused even to bring the bill up for debate.

  Shame on them.

  When the people of Iowa called on us veterans to serve, we did not hesitate. We fought for their freedoms, their families, and their futures. And now, when we are asking for help in the final battles of our lives, we are left alone to die on the battlefield — abandoned by those we once protected.

  SF 216, the Dementia Service Specialist bill, was an opportunity to do something good, to stand by Iowa’s veterans and families. Their silence is deafening. Their inaction is a disgrace.

  In the book of Acts, a man once warned the council: ‘Leave these men alone! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.’

  The fight for dignity, for care, for veterans, will not end here. Shame on those who turned their backs this time.” ~Kevin Dill, Waukee

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