SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
May 21, 2020
Sullivan’s Salvos 5/26/20
In this edition:
*Governor Reynolds Mishandling Covid-19 Crisis
*Health Versus the Economy
*End of Ramadan
*Foster Care and Adoption Month
*Sullivan for Supervisor!
*Primaries Are Good!
*Using Superlatives
*Did You Know?
*Governor Reynolds Mishandling Covid-19 Crisis
As you know, Governor Reynolds “opened up” Iowa back on May 15, despite the fact that infections and deaths both continued to rise. There was no ramping up. It was let ‘er rip! That is in keeping with the way in which she has mismanaged everything regarding the Covid-19 crisis. To wit:
*For starters, long before we had a pandemic, she made critical cuts to the State Hygienic Lab.
*Let’s be very clear: despite her extreme overuse of the buzz words “data” and “metrics”, Governor Reynolds has never used either in response to the Covid-19 crisis.
*We never had adequate testing. We never had adequate tracing. We still don’t.
*The UI has volunteered to help. But the Governor doesn’t want to work with Iowa City liberals. Once she finally relented, we have a contract that prohibits data from being released. This, despite the fact that you and I paid for this data.
*The data we do have has been misused. Remember our “regions”? They were critical. Until they weren’t. With no explanation.
*Ask to see the data? Not happening. She refuses to share this public information with the public that both pays her and paid for the info!
*Speaking of paying – Governor Reynolds spent $26 million on a no-bid contract with an out-of-state company for testing that never worked. Now those results are lumped in with all the rest, so we cannot see how badly these tests perform.
*The Governor traveled to DC when Zoom would suffice. She didn’t wear a mask. When she got exposed to the virus herself, the rules didn’t apply to her. Her quarantine was “modified.”
*Reynolds appeared onstage (without a mask) with meatpacking executives – all rich, white, men. She has not visited the workers she calls “essential” - people of color who work on the line.
*Black and brown people are affected at a much higher rate. But we refuse to track that data. Meanwhile, the places they work are defined as “essential,” even though they don’t get the PPE other “essential” employees get.
*Other workers? The Governor “opened up” so that you lose your unemployment. Now get back to your job. And quit whining about the fact that Iowa’s minimum wage remains $7.25.
*Want to ask questions about all of this? Sorry – 4 questions per day, no follow ups. Only two of the four questions are the type of tough ones we need; she simply doesn’t answer those.
*Finally – and most importantly – where is the compassion? We have had over 15,000 of our fellow Iowans fall sick. Almost 400 have died as of this writing. But all she can talk about is people going out to restaurants!
The whole thing is shameful!
*Health Versus the Economy
Republicans are presenting us with a false choice. It is NOT a choice between staying safe/healthy and opening the economy.
The best thing for our economy is to get the virus under control. Nothing will help the economy more than a vaccine. Beyond that, taking steps to ensure people do not get sick and die is the next best thing.
Public health and the economy are NOT mutually exclusive! As a matter of fact, they are deeply intertwined!
*End of Ramadan
Ramadan is coming to an end. Eid Mubarak to all my Muslim friends and neighbors! Thank you for enriching my life and the lives of all our friends and neighbors.
*Foster Care and Adoption Month
May marks National Foster Care and Adoption Month. As many of you know, Melissa and I have 3 adopted children, and served as foster parents for another 50 + children. We surrendered our license two years ago after over 20 years.
Unfortunately, the need did not go away. In fact, it may be greater than ever. Even if you do not feel you can serve as a foster parent, help us to recruit others. We need families!
You can learn more by visiting Four Oaks Family Connections at: https://iowafosterandadoption.org.
*Sullivan for Supervisor!
I am on the ballot in the Democratic Primary for County Supervisor. I am grateful for your past support, and I thank you for your future consideration. I promise to never take this position for granted! I respectfully request your vote on or before June 2.
One more thing… there are a lot of ballots out there. A record number, actually. If you believe in me, please share that with others in your life. Please spread the word about voting Sullivan for Supervisor. Thanks!
*Primaries Are Good!
As you know, we have a primary for County Supervisor. For three of us, that is stressful as hell. But you know what? For the other 155,000 people in Johnson County, that is a very good thing.
As stressful as it might be for me personally, I wish every single seat was contested in every primary. These seats belong to the people. Primary elections are part one of a two-part job evaluation from your bosses. Nobody should be allowed to skip the evaluation.
Primary elections push elected officials to do a better job. Primaries improve their communication. While they might stress incumbents, these elections are not FOR those incumbents. They are for everyone else!
*Using Superlatives
I am a frequent critic of the way in which we overuse superlatives; particularly those that require a bit of historical knowledge. Here are just a few that have gotten my goat:
*Superlative: The Covid-19 crisis is unprecedented.
*Fact: The 1918 flu pandemic affected 500 million people worldwide. 50 million died. There were 675,000 deaths in the US.
*Superlative: Hillary Clinton was the most qualified Presidential candidate we have ever had.
*Fact: Prior to running for President, Thomas Jefferson was the foremost intellectual of the American Revolution; established the ideas of a free press, religious freedom, and universal education; wrote the Declaration of Independence; had tremendous influence over Madison as he wrote the Constitution; served in the Virginia House; served in the Continental Congress; served as Governor of Virginia; served as Ambassador to France (the top US ally); served as Secretary of State; and served as Vice President.
*Superlative: The Joe Maddon era was the greatest in Cubs history.
*Fact: In 5 years, Maddon went 471-339, a 58% winning percentage, with a World Series Championship. In the 11 seasons between 1903 and 1913, the Cubs went 1068-638, a winning percentage of 63%. They appeared in four World Series, winning two.
*Superlative: The US has never been more divided politically.
*Fact: See 1860-1865.
*Superlative: Donald Trump is the worst President in US history.
*Fact: OK, with apologies to Andrew Johnson and James Buchanan, this one might be true. But you get my point.
*DID YOU KNOW? The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and the month in which the Quran was revealed to the Islamic prophet Mohammed. The calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Islamic lunar calendar year is 10 to 11 days shorter than the solar year and contains no intercalation, Ramadan migrates throughout the seasons. The Islamic day starts after sunset.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
"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.
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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 @ 1:58 PM
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