SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
September 20, 2009
Sullivan’s Salvos 9/22/09
Please stop by and pick some apples! We truly have far more than we could ever use, and I hate to see such good food go to waste. If you picked some once, pick some more! Just reply to this E-mail if you would like to arrange a time to stop by.
For fans of great writing, local author Larry Baker has a new novel out. A Good Man is now available at local bookstores.
Harry Ducharme is at the end of his rope. Booze and bad decisions have taken him from the A-list of talk-radio fame down to a tiny station in St. Augustine, Florida. He talks mostly to himself, not sure anybody is listening, reading books and poetry that he likes, playing golden oldies from the 60s, and wondering how he got there.
From Iowa farm to Florida beach, Harry is surrounded by men and women with their own burdens to carry. Eventually, his role becomes intertwined with contemporary politics, Iraq, 9/11, old-time religion, and classic literature from writers like Flannery O’Connor and Emily Dickinson, as well as the music of Harry Chapin.
Larry Baker will be reading from A Good Man November 19 at Prairie Lights… make sure you have a copy by then!
I continue to struggle with the role of the Press Citizen in our community-wide dialogue over race, class, crime, low-income housing, immigration, and other issues.
First let me clear up a common misperception: freedom of speech does not apply here. Freedom of speech means the government cannot limit your speech. It does not apply to speech between two private entities. The PC is a private business, and they can say virtually anything they wish. They can also provide a forum (or not) for virtually anything they wish.
Here is the way things play out currently: write anonymous, racist, hateful comments, and the Press Citizen will publish them. Stand up to the anonymous, racist, hateful comments, and they censor your posts.
It is like being in a bizarro universe! I cannot believe this is really where the Press Citizen is choosing to be on these issues. It is difficult times like these that require a local paper to step up and serve as a leader in promoting public discussions. Unfortunately, instead of contributing to solutions, the PC has chosen to exacerbate the problems.
I am sure I’ll get an E-mail from someone at the PC following this column. They will express once again that they have a “report abuse” system in place. So nothing will change. I just wish they understood how much good they could be doing, and how badly they are failing us.
The 2009 Amish Tour to Cure Cancer Bike Ride is Saturday, September 26 at 9 AM.
The Courage Ride, in honor of Seth Bailey, raises money for researching cancer. Proceeds from ride registrations and donations go to the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Iowa. Proceeds from 2008 = $52,906.
This year's ride starts and ends at the Iowa Mennonite School where Seth Bailey played basketball.
In November 1995, seventeen-year-old Seth Bailey was surprised when a sore leg turned into a diagnosis of soft-tissue Synovial Sarcoma. After a valiant fight, he died in 2004. This ride was organized as a tribute to Seth and to others who have been diagnosed with cancer.
The Courage Ride is for amateur and experienced bike enthusiasts alike! Riders will choose to ride 16, 24, 39, 67, or 95 miles. The day begins with Dad’s Belgian Waffle Breakfast. Riders will also enjoy snacks along the route at several well-stocked rest stops. For those riding longer routes, lunch will be included at Wellman. Riders on shorter routes will have lunch at IMS. Showers are available at the school.
Spend a part of your day with us riding through glorious country, listening to the music of local artists at rest stops and the Iowa Mennonite School. Whether you want to raise money for the cause, or just register and ride for the sheer joy of it, this ride is for you. To register, visit http://www.courageride.org/
All City High Alumni, Students, Staff, Families and Friends are invited to City High on Sunday, September 27 from 2 pm to 4 pm for a 70th Anniversary Kick Off Party to begin a year of celebrating 70 years in the beautiful Morningside Drive building. The program will consist of speeches by City High alumni and current students, a short musical tribute, displays of City High memorabilia, tours of the building and refreshments.
Government is GOOD! How do I know? Because our water is very clean relative to the rest of the world. According to UNICEF, 1.8 million children die every year from unclean drinking water. Clean water… brought to you by GOVERNMENT!
DID YOU KNOW? The Domestic Violence Intervention Program (DVIP) served 1,870 people in FY09.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
www.johnson-county.com
"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.
If you do NOT want the weekly E-mail, simply reply to this message, and type "unsubscribe" in the subject line.
If you know anyone else who might be interested, just forward this message. They can E-mail me at rodsullivan@mchsi.com with "subscribe" in the subject line.
As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 1:20 PM
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