-
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
- Jorgen Rasmussen on Rock The Boat
- IRV on Fun With Geography
- Kathleen Kinneally on Fun With Geography
- Jorgen Rasmussen on Fun With Geography
- Marty & Stephanie on Control the Issue
Archives
Our Friends
Issues
- General (29)
- Issues (79)
- Criminal Justice (28)
- Death Penalty (11)
- Fairness (18)
- Medical Cannabis (3)
- Open Meetings/Public Records (9)
- Privacy (9)
- Substance Abuse and Alcoholism/War on Drugs (4)
- Voting Rights (4)
- Youth (5)
Author Archives: Marty Ryan
“Ryan, You Cheated!”
In a May 8 (Run, Ryan, Run) article, I wrote about some Army Basic Training events that attempted to carve me into the man the Army wanted me to be. I hope my readers don’t think that was the end … Continue reading
What IS the Age of Maturity?
A recent question in CityView, a Des Moines alternative newspaper, asked readers: “Should the minimum age to purchase tobacco products be raised to 21 in Iowa?” All sorts of answers ensued. One reader said tobacco should be outlawed and marijuana … Continue reading
Posted in Criminal Justice, Fairness, Issues, Youth
Tagged Associate Justice Elena Kagan, CityView, Graham v. Florida, Miller v. Alabama, Roper v. Simmons, Sister JoAnne Talarico, Twenty-sixth Amendment
Comments Off on What IS the Age of Maturity?
Run, Ryan, Run
It’s hard to believe that only forty-nine years ago this month I was in Basic Training in the Army. The Vietnam War had peaked just two years earlier with the Tet Offensive, but the war was far from over. Every … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Basic Training, Drill Sargeant Green, Fort Lee, Low crawl pit, VA, Vietnam War
Comments Off on Run, Ryan, Run
It’s a Matter of Taste
Twice a year, we like attending the Planned Parenthood Book Sale in Des Moines at the Fairgrounds. This past visit we acquired a shopping cart full of books for less than $10.00. Some people exclusively use Kindle, and many more … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Chef Alan Clark, Chicken Marsala, clarified butter, Planned Parenthood Book Sale
Comments Off on It’s a Matter of Taste
Flaws in the Laws – Part III: 2nd Degree Kidnapping
“He got off on a technicality.” This is a quip that drives me crazy whenever someone walks away from a courtroom in which the person otherwise should have been found guilty. Just what is a technicality? A technicality can be … Continue reading
Posted in Criminal Justice, General
Tagged Auen v. Alcoholic Beverages Division, Kidnapping 2nd Degree, Rep. Mary Lynn Wolfe, Rep. Rick Olson, Rep. Ross Paustian
Comments Off on Flaws in the Laws – Part III: 2nd Degree Kidnapping
The Earth Always Wins
Most of the time, I live about 2100 feet from the Des Moines River. Right now, a levee keeps me approximately 375 feet away from the river. However, I received a notice earlier this year that about 10 square feet … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Fremont County, Hamburg, Iowa, Missouri RIver, Neal Smith, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Comments Off on The Earth Always Wins