Wednesday
Feb052014
Super Bowl: A superb low?
Wednesday, February 5, 2014 at 9:12 PMWith its commercialism, hype, gluttony, abject disappointment and false promises, Super Bowl Sunday may be the most honest holiday we have.
Friday
Dec311999
Too young to be a baby boomer, too old to be a Gen-Xer
Born in 1964, I am too young to be considered a baby boomer, but too old to be considered part of Generation X. Can a person go through life without having a generational label hung around their neck? Well, yes.
Friday
Dec311999
It’s the game of the name, baby
Choosing name for newborn is less a great process of creativity and more a process of elimination.
Friday
Dec311999
Big vegetables? Stop the presses!
It’s the season for shameless gardeners to appear in newspaper photos holding aloft gargantuan-sized vegetables and fruits.
Friday
Dec311999
Lessons learned from birds that tried to kill me
In three completely separate incidents within a few months of each other, birds swooped out of the sky and flew at me with what I can only assume was murderous intent. What did it all mean and what lessons did I learn?
Friday
Dec311999
Computer checker raises essay questions
New computer program to check student essays shouldn’t replace teachers.
Friday
Dec311999
If only terrorists were cowards
Politicians who call terrorists “cowards” are not only imprecise, but are doing more harm than good.
Friday
Dec311999
Doodling in the pool
What does one home-worker miss the most about the office? Doodling and the NCAA basketball office pool.
Friday
Dec311999
NCAA’s new rule is nothing to celebrate
College football players should ignore the new anti-celebration rule; we all should feel free to do an end-zone dance when we’re deserving.
Friday
Dec311999
Is it apropos to make English official?
Miguided attempts to make English the official language will create problematic red tape if bureaucrats are truly put in charge of regulating the language.
Friday
Dec311999
Evolution forces creation of silly obstacles
Creationism-favoring lawmakers state the obvious when they say the theory of evolution is a theory.
Friday
Dec311999
An ode to farm market reports
I’m embarrassed to admit it but for years I was confused; but I think I now can understand farm market radio news.
Friday
Dec311999
Wavering over flag burning law
Burning flags and banning flag burning are both one-dimensional acts designed to play on our emotions.
Friday
Dec311999
Trying to show foreigner 'normal Iowa' fails during flood—or does it?
When I tried to take a foreign journalist on a tour to see the "normal Iowa," a historic flood intervened and I never got to show her what I thought was the "real Iowa." Or maybe I did.
Friday
Dec311999
Why kids should watch more TV
Politicians’ effort to reform kids’ TV is out of touch with voters and reality, according to recent polls and studies.
Friday
Dec311999
Longer isn't better when it comes to state mottos
Proposal to increase the size of the state motto is either a complete waste of time or doesn't go far enough.
Friday
Dec311999
A profound profusion of profanity?
Proficient use of four-letter words can improve productivity.
Friday
Dec311999
‘How to write a quiz’ quiz
Can you decode the secrets of writing a great magazine quiz? To find out, take this quiz!
Friday
Dec311999
Snow warrior or snow wimp?
In Iowa, I was a normal guy when it came to shoveling snow. Moving to Indiana, where snow was rarer, I became Superman. But moving again to Minnesota became a big test of my snowmanliness.
Friday
Dec311999
Ban on violent toys would not have deterred 'Donny'
Restricting violent toys would not have deterred a childhood acquaintance, who could turn even the most placid, tranquil playthings into blood-and-guts horror shows.