I live in BV County, and in 2020, I had some Democratic signs in my yard. If you know anything about BV County, it runs mighty red. It's not quite Sioux County red, but it is definitely not blue. A sign for Biden was among the signs displayed in my yard. One night someone placed a massive collection of very large dog turds under those signs. They also placed more turds near two of the entrances to our house. One of these entrances is between the east entry and the main gate to the fenced-in portion of our yard. We have a dog, but he is nowhere capable of defecating that much, nor do we ever allow his poop to lie fallow. I found yet a third "deposit" OUTSIDE of the second gate of the fenced area. This is an area that one would have to deliberately leave the sidewalk in order to reach. Heck, that is true for all of the dog-doo'd entrances.
Enough! I reported this to the police, but what could they do? We don't surveille our property; we have no idea who thought this was funny.
In the last week before the election, those political signs were stolen. I reported this to my county Democratic party, and they brought replacements post haste, but this has left a bad taste in my mouth about local politics and the inability of some people to allow for another point of view.
I'm in the minority in my views in this county, for crying out loud!!! Am I that big of a threat?? Well, maybe, since my candidate won the presidency.
Earlier comment about a Trump-Haley ticket was after reading Jonathan V Last in The Atlantic, not Jonathan “Fast”. Poor with keyboard! Anyway Ms. Haley is an apologist for Trump and would be a disaster. I cannot fathom why any moderate or independent would consider her ....
Haley was opposed to same-sex marriage. As Governor, she signed a 20-week abortion ban. So, dear friends, a vote for Haley is not for a ‘Bob Ray moderate.’
Not sure what you're saying here - for a pro-life Republican, a 20-week abortion limit is super liberal. More abortions than what Europe has. Obama and Biden were opposed to same-sex marriage, as, I would bet, Governor Ray was as well. So I don't get it.
Ms. Gammock: You nail it on every point. I recently railed a bit on Dave Yepsen talkinig about “Bob Ray Republicans” coming out of Haley. Sorry—very sorry, really—but that’s an extinct electoral species, with only scattered individuals still roaming in the political wilderness.
Julie, I think the right response to your post is “ you go girl!” I am not completely sure I can say that as a white male but the sentiment is there even if it is politically incorrect today.
And I’m the lucky guy who Julie Gammack puts up with (most of the time). Her rebuttal to my screed about caucusing in sport of Nikki reminds me of my time as a pledge to my fraternity when we lined up for an old fashioned paddeling to which we were required to shout out: “Thank you sir! May I have another!”
Electronic applause Julie. Fortunate to be home today and read all of the discussion regarding caucus choices. I prefer to cast my vote for someone versus against someone. My next excitement for today will be watching Kim Reynolds expound on how great she and her friends are making Iowa. Her open budget forum last week has a shameful sham. Thanks for this forum. Stay safe and think about what is at stake in the 2024 election.
And BTW, I love Chuck Offenburger, always have, always will. He's a treasure for Iowa. I applaud his courage but I simply disagree with him on this one, and that's okay!
And I really, really, really don't get men who are so anti-abortion when the majority of women are not. If men had to have periods and cramps and push humans out of a 10 cm opening, they would see things VERY differently.
Thank you Julie for this clear, well thought out response to Richard's column. For me, this election more than any other in my life time, will matter to my life, my family and friends' lives, and to the state of the world. Can we keep our democracy? This isn't an election where Robert Ray and Tom Harkin are on the ballot or awaiting election results in Congress. This isn't a vote between a Republican and a Democrat, with expectations of a peaceful transition of power. This is a vote about democracy or autocracy. Misinformation is everywhere. The story about the fear of putting up yard signs says it all.
I live in BV County, and in 2020, I had some Democratic signs in my yard. If you know anything about BV County, it runs mighty red. It's not quite Sioux County red, but it is definitely not blue. A sign for Biden was among the signs displayed in my yard. One night someone placed a massive collection of very large dog turds under those signs. They also placed more turds near two of the entrances to our house. One of these entrances is between the east entry and the main gate to the fenced-in portion of our yard. We have a dog, but he is nowhere capable of defecating that much, nor do we ever allow his poop to lie fallow. I found yet a third "deposit" OUTSIDE of the second gate of the fenced area. This is an area that one would have to deliberately leave the sidewalk in order to reach. Heck, that is true for all of the dog-doo'd entrances.
Enough! I reported this to the police, but what could they do? We don't surveille our property; we have no idea who thought this was funny.
In the last week before the election, those political signs were stolen. I reported this to my county Democratic party, and they brought replacements post haste, but this has left a bad taste in my mouth about local politics and the inability of some people to allow for another point of view.
I'm in the minority in my views in this county, for crying out loud!!! Am I that big of a threat?? Well, maybe, since my candidate won the presidency.
Earlier comment about a Trump-Haley ticket was after reading Jonathan V Last in The Atlantic, not Jonathan “Fast”. Poor with keyboard! Anyway Ms. Haley is an apologist for Trump and would be a disaster. I cannot fathom why any moderate or independent would consider her ....
Haley was opposed to same-sex marriage. As Governor, she signed a 20-week abortion ban. So, dear friends, a vote for Haley is not for a ‘Bob Ray moderate.’
Not sure what you're saying here - for a pro-life Republican, a 20-week abortion limit is super liberal. More abortions than what Europe has. Obama and Biden were opposed to same-sex marriage, as, I would bet, Governor Ray was as well. So I don't get it.
Love both Richard and Julie's comments.
This is spot on! Thanks Julie!
Ms. Gammock: You nail it on every point. I recently railed a bit on Dave Yepsen talkinig about “Bob Ray Republicans” coming out of Haley. Sorry—very sorry, really—but that’s an extinct electoral species, with only scattered individuals still roaming in the political wilderness.
Thanks, Stephen!
Julie, I think the right response to your post is “ you go girl!” I am not completely sure I can say that as a white male but the sentiment is there even if it is politically incorrect today.
;)
A low bar, indeed. Nice column, Julie.
Big thanks Julie
Correct, there are no "Bob Ray Republicans" left in that party. Trying to find one is a pipe dream.
And I’m the lucky guy who Julie Gammack puts up with (most of the time). Her rebuttal to my screed about caucusing in sport of Nikki reminds me of my time as a pledge to my fraternity when we lined up for an old fashioned paddeling to which we were required to shout out: “Thank you sir! May I have another!”
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 applause and 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 thank you for these words, and this conversation!
Electronic applause Julie. Fortunate to be home today and read all of the discussion regarding caucus choices. I prefer to cast my vote for someone versus against someone. My next excitement for today will be watching Kim Reynolds expound on how great she and her friends are making Iowa. Her open budget forum last week has a shameful sham. Thanks for this forum. Stay safe and think about what is at stake in the 2024 election.
I'm with you, Julie!
And BTW, I love Chuck Offenburger, always have, always will. He's a treasure for Iowa. I applaud his courage but I simply disagree with him on this one, and that's okay!
And I really, really, really don't get men who are so anti-abortion when the majority of women are not. If men had to have periods and cramps and push humans out of a 10 cm opening, they would see things VERY differently.
I like him, too, but what the heck, Chuck?
Thank you Julie for this clear, well thought out response to Richard's column. For me, this election more than any other in my life time, will matter to my life, my family and friends' lives, and to the state of the world. Can we keep our democracy? This isn't an election where Robert Ray and Tom Harkin are on the ballot or awaiting election results in Congress. This isn't a vote between a Republican and a Democrat, with expectations of a peaceful transition of power. This is a vote about democracy or autocracy. Misinformation is everywhere. The story about the fear of putting up yard signs says it all.
Bring on the yard signs.