SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
May 1, 2015
Sullivan’s
Salvos 5/5/15
In this edition:
*RIP Flash!
*Congrats BJ!
*Bike To Work Week
*Ready For Hillary?
*Some Punditry
*This Is My Brave
*Did You Know?
*RIP Flash!
You
may have read about the passing of Austin “Flash” Schroeder a few days ago. It
is truly remarkable what an impact this 15 year old has made upon our
community.
I
played softball with Austin’s Dad (Craig) from 3-4 years before Austin was born
until Austin was about 6 or 7. As a matter of fact, Craig hung up his own spikes
in order to coach Austin’s teams. We then sort of went our separate ways – my family
on the east side and the Schroeders on the north.
Craig and his wife Stacy are great people, and they obviously
raised a great son. Rather than being a victim, Austin served as an
inspiration. It is a great legacy. RIP, Flash!
*Congrats BJ!
Congratulations
to my son BJ, who has been named a winner of an Iowa City Human Rights Youth
Award for the second consecutive year!
I
know I’m biased, but you know what? He deserves it! BJ is an amazing young man,
who is as kind as any kid I’ve ever met. I am very proud!
Great
job, BJ! I love you!
*Bike To Work Week
Whether
you’re an old hand on two wheels or are looking to join a community of joyful
cyclists, there’s something for everyone during Bike to Work Week 2015,
celebrated from May 3-8.
The
cities of Iowa City, Coralville, University Heights, Johnson County, Think
Bicycles of Johnson County, the University of Iowa, and local businesses and
organizations will host a series of meals, rides, and events to celebrate and
encourage residents to park their cars and enjoy our towns on two wheels.
Sunday, May 3: Family
Ride—No rider left behind!
10 am, Lower City Park
start. Meeting at Riverside Shakespeare Theatre in Lower City Park, ride south
along Riverside Drive, and pick up additional riders at the Johnson County
Administration Parking lot by 10:30 am. Then it is on to Terry Trueblood
Recreation Area. This is an 8 mile round trip—10 miles if you ride around Sand
Lake. The County Building start is 4 miles round trip; 6 miles around the lake.
Riders will cross at controlled intersections at Burlington and Benton streets,
but are otherwise on trails and wide sidewalks. Children must be accompanied by
an adult and riders must wear a helmet.
Monday, May 4: Bike
Commuter Breakfast
7:30-10 a.m., 312 E.
Prentiss St.
Bus/Bike/Car Race: Meet
11:15 am at Coralville Public Library. Participants Jim Throgmorton, City of
Iowa City; Tom Gill, City of Coralville; and Virginia Miller, City of
University Heights, drive, bus, and ride in a race to the Iowa City Public
Library.
Wheely Fun Bike Basics: 6-7:30
pm, Iowa City Public Library, Room A
Sponsored by the Iowa City
Public Library and Iowa City Bike Library. Learning the nuts and bolts of bike
maintenance in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
Full Moon Ride: 7:30 pm
start Iowa City Public Library. Enjoy a group ride under the stars with the
Iowa City Full Moon Cruisers.
Tuesday, May 5: Commuter
breakfast, 630 Iowa Ave., 7:30-9:30 am.
Wednesday, May 6—Bike to
Schools Day
Commuter Breakfast,
6:30-8:30 am, University Heights City Hall, 1004 Melrose Ave. Sponsored by City
of University Heights and Geoff’s Bike and Ski
Old Pi to New Pi Family
Ride: 5:30 pm start Chauncey Swan Park, Washington St. Ride together to Coralville New Pi Co-op.
Thursday, May 7: Commuter
Breakfast, 7-9 am, Johnson County Administration Building, 913 S. Dubuque St. Sponsored
by Johnson County
Books and Bikes Brown Bag:
Noon-1 pm, Iowa City Public Library, Room A. Bike on over, bring your lunch,
and chat about books to take biking, maintaining your bike, bicycling authors,
and more. Sponsored by the Iowa City Public Library.
Friday, May 8: Commuter
Breakfast, 7-9 am, World of Bikes, 723 S. Gilbert St. Sponsored by World of Bikes.
End-of-Week Party from 5-8
pm, Iowa City Bike Library, 840 S. Capitol St. (east parking lot). Sponsored by
Iowa City Bike
Library and Think Bicycles.
*Ready For Hillary?
In
big news that comes as a surprise to no one, Hillary Rodham Clinton has entered
the Presidential race.
Let
me be clear: I respect Secretary Clinton, and if she is the Democratic Party
nominee, I will support her. But I am not yet ready to make an endorsement.
Here
are a few things I’ll be watching:
1.
Gender
dynamics: I want to see the first female POTUS. But it is more important to me
that we get progressive economic policies. So – will any and all decisions to
support other Democrats be painted as acts of misogyny? If so, we are going to
have serious inter-party problems.
2.
Economic
populism: I am looking for someone to punch Larry Summers in the face.
Literally. And if HRC won’t do that, she needs to demonstrate that her policies
will be driven more by Elizabeth Warren than Goldman Sachs. This cannot be
overstated – we need to make dramatic changes!
3.
Peace,
not war: I think that as a female, HRC has always felt the need to demonstrate
how “tough” she can be. That cost her the Presidency in ’08, and it could
again. I don’t want that kind of tough. We need to spend less on the military,
MUCH less on the CIA, and more on diplomacy. I want butter, not guns. HRC can
accomplish this, too – she has incredible diplomatic experience!
4.
Race
and corrections: No country has more people in jail and prison. Far too many of
these folks are people of color. We need leadership on this from the very top.
While I care deeply about other issues, these are the issues that
are going to motivate me when I choose a candidate. I sincerely hope Secretary
Clinton takes similar positions on these important issues.
*Some Punditry
Will
HRC become our first female POTUS? I think that all depends upon the
opposition.
If
HRC is the nominee, she will beat any candidate from the far right. No matter
what the country feels about HRC, the country is not interested in the policies
of Ted Cruz.
You
might think I’m too confident in this stance. After all, the same thing could
have been said about the Ernst-Braley Senate race last year. And I would agree
that you have a point.
But
while Iowans did not really know Bruce Braley, EVERYONE knows HRC. As a matter
of fact, HRC is among the top 3-5 most well known people on planet Earth. She
has been vetted. There will be no surprises.
In
addition, HRC will fight. Braley’s campaign focused far too much on the Koch
Brothers, who were not running for anything. Experience shows us HRC will not
sit back.
I
also believe HRC will beat Jeb Bush. The issue is really quite simple, and
Barbara Bush (of all people) nailed it some time ago: “We don’t need another
Bush.”
If
HRC is the nominee, she will be guaranteed 45% of the vote. The GOP nominee
will also get 45% of the vote. But that final 10% that might be up for grabs?
They don’t want another Bush.
The
people who scare me are folks like Scott Walker and John Kasich. They are not
crazy, and they are not Bushes. That is the best formula for the GOP in’16.
*This Is My Brave
Stories
of mental health brought into the spotlight by the people who experience them.
The
show is 7pm on May 15 at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets
available at thisismybrave.org.
*DID YOU KNOW?
According to national studies,
40 percent of errands are 2 miles or less. Of these, 68 percent are by car. On
average, Americans take 10 trips a week of 2 miles or less by car. Taking just
a few of those trips each week by bike, bus, or on foot will improve health,
cut down on fossil fuel use and pollution, and improve the quality of life for
everyone.
Anyone
interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the
County website-
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serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 1:15 PM
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