I am appalled at the lack of community participation in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's proceedings for the re-licensing of the Cordova Nuclear Power Plant. This is an issue that affects everyone living in the Quad Cities and surrounding areas.
The cacophony of angry voices has started rising to a fever pitch in the wake of Governor Rod Blagojevich's state budget address last Wednesday. Most of the complaining is coming from three areas: riverboat owners; elementary and secondary educators; and higher-education institutions.
Activists trying to ensure that the City of Davenport improves public access to cable-television-production and -broadcast services are competing against some tough opponents: a public vocally concerned about cable rates and a cable provider threatening to pass increased public-access costs onto consumers.
A new source of cash fell into the laps of Springfield lobbyists this past week. Several New York-based stock-trading firms have hired statehouse lobbyists. But they don't want the lobbyists to lobby for or against anything.
The big business of asbestos litigation is encroaching upon the livelihood of Iowa's small businesses. Small companies with as few as 20 employees are finding themselves mired in this unending legal morass.
Three big players in Davenport an nounced last week that they are launching the Go Davenport initiative, a public-image effort designed to "boost Davenport's image." It's a noble goal, and the community should actively promote its strengths and pat itself on the back for its accomplishments.
I am fascinated by the phenomenon that we as Americans are deliberately kept in a state of extreme fear. Here is a quote from Hermann Goering during his war-crimes trial at Nuremberg. "Why, of course, the people don't want war.
The state's new deputy governor, 29-year-old New York native Bradley Tusk, evidently has a lot to learn. Tusk was appointed to the important job not long ago even though he has absolutely no Illinois political experience and has never managed anything larger than a tiny staff.
"Gretchen was a true individual who has the ability to relate to anyone in so many ways. Her honesty arose from the look in her eyes, humbleness from recognizing her own imperfections, and the love for life as she laughed from her innermost soul.
Things could get a little less peaceful in Rock Island now. You might not be able to tell the difference yet, but once word gets out, citizens will probably take to the streets en masse, making loud and unusual noises at will, perhaps even beating sounding vessels or hallooing.

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