Author Archives: Marty Ryan

Challenging times

Posted on December 18, 2019 by Marty Ryan

“What’s your address?”  “You can’t ask me that,” I said.  “That’s a test, or at the least, it’s a challenge.” The election official was taken aback and became defensive.  We engaged in a small discussion.  I could see that I … Continue reading →

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Back to the Jungle

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Marty Ryan

Less Regulation, Faster Line Speeds Could Compromise Pork Safety Posted on October 28, 2019 by Trish Nelson Reprinted with permission from the Fall 2019 issue of The Prairie Progressive, Iowa’s oldest progressive newsletter.  The PP is  funded entirely by reader subscription,  available only in hard … Continue reading →

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Irritations

Posted on September 11, 2019 by Marty Ryan

As I get older, I notice that I am becoming one of those old people that I despised as a young boy.  There are several things that piss me off, and I think I should jot them down.  You may … Continue reading →

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A Pattern Begins to Develop

Posted on August 28, 2019 by Marty Ryan

Prior to graduation from basic training, orders came down from above. Before we were provided with individual orders, a permanent clerk in the company read from a list the MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) and next base assignment for each of … Continue reading →

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How’s Your Pension Doing?

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Marty Ryan

A favorite question to ask a Democrat in Iowa right now is: “What candidate are you supporting in the 2020 Iowa Caucuses?”  I don’t have an answer, yet.  I don’t watch debates.  Debates, which is a misnomer today, have turned … Continue reading →

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Bear With Me

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Marty Ryan

He’s back at it.  That damned bear I encountered as a young boy is still putting a responsibility on me that triggers shame and guilt.  It started out when I was a child.  “Only YOU can prevent forest fires!”  Me?  … Continue reading →

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