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Author Archives: Marty Ryan
Draft Day 1970
Part I Throughout the history of the United States, there has been a military draft. Conscription, as it’s called, was used first in the Revolutionary War. However, it was the states that drafted able-bodied men in the militia, since the … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Air Force, Coast Guard, Conscription, Delayed Enlistment Program, Draft Lottery of 1969, U.S. Navy
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Fool me once
As a lobbyist, having lunch with a legislator is a great opportunity to discuss the issues that matter most to you, and if it’s just the two of you, the legislator’s ear is all yours. And if the legislator is … Continue reading
Those dog-gone blues
A good friend of mine, and also a homegrown native of Vail, Iowa, Tom Hawley, was the publisher/editor of The Record-Herald and Indianola Tribune when I lived in Martensdale with my sixteen-year-old daughter in 1994. Tom approached me to contribute … Continue reading
Life’s a drag
A popular critique of current times involves the controversy of drag shows. There are actually proposed laws, rules, and regulations to prevent children from seeing a man or woman in drag. We’ve all seen the memes of Flip Wilson, Bob … Continue reading
Nailed It
Al Johanson stormed into Leonard Bartson’s law office and shouted, “I need to sue my neighbor!” “Calm down, Al, calm down,” Bartson gently replied with his hands held up. It was a warm spring day in 1885. The doors and … Continue reading
A Different Kind Of Holiday Season
Two of my favorite holidays are celebrated this week, Pie Day (3.14) and Saint Patrick’s Day (March 17th). We began the week with corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots. You can never start celebrating St. Patrick’s Day too soon. Actually, … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Cal Hultman, Ides of March, McDonald's, Pie Day, Shamrock Shake, St. Patrick's Day
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