Author Archives: Marty Ryan

Learning to Read

Posted on January 6, 2022 by Marty Ryan

Children today read at a very early age.  When I was a child in kindergarten, learning colors was the big deal.  Reading didn’t come until first grade.  “See Spot.  See Jane.  See Dick and Jane.” In 1955, I entered kindergarten … Continue reading →

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Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Read No Evil

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Marty Ryan

Censorship: “the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.” What is so attractive about shutting down the ability of another to read, see, or hear … Continue reading →

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Driving Me Nuts

Posted on October 28, 2021 by Marty Ryan

A recent article in the Des Moines Register, Iowa drivers are the worst in the nation, according to insurance comparison website QuoteWizard, was an interesting read.  I really didn’t have to read it; I know Iowa drivers are the worst.  … Continue reading →

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Picking Trouble

Posted on October 20, 2021 by Marty Ryan

George Powers was a neighbor.  He lived on the southern end of our block, two houses away.  Johanna Scanlon lived between us. George’s property contained a small orchard.  He had a pear tree, a peach tree, a couple of different … Continue reading →

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Flag Desecration and The Iowa Code

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Marty Ryan

This is my favorite unconstitutional statute in the Iowa Code.  The Iowa Supreme Court has never ruled on Iowa Code Section 718A, but the Federal District Court of the Southern District of Iowa has.  In Phelps v. Powers, 63 F.Supp.3d … Continue reading →

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It’s a Swede*

Posted on September 8, 2021 by Marty Ryan

When I was a teenager, before I could drive, I ran errands on Saturdays for a shut-in just a few houses up the street from us.  Swede Chamberlain [his first name was Lester; Swede was a nickname] was a tall, … Continue reading →

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