Ridge quiet in Homeland Security role sparks debate
Editorial notes Tom Ridge keeps a low profile as director of the Office of Homeland Security while critics say his restrained public presence contrasts with other Bush administration figures. The piece argues for careful government secrecy in foreign intelligence and ongoing scrutiny of detention practices.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tom Ridge
Office of Homeland Security
U.S
Ridge
Wall Street Journal
R. James Woolsey
Woolsey
Central Intelligence Agency
Pennsylvania
Gary Cooper
Bush
America
Parole Board Chair Urged to Step Down in Iowa Letter
A May letter calls for removing Elizabeth Robinson Ford from the Iowa Parole Board chair, accusing her of a personal agenda and blanketly delaying releases. The writer urges release of more long-term offenders and criticizes legislators for re election concerns.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Elizabeth Robinson
Ford
Iowa Parole Board
Robinson-Ford
Parole Board
Tom Allar
Sigourne
The Gazette letter policy guidance for readers
The Gazette invites letters up to 300 words and requires name street address and daytime phone. Only name and hometown will be published. Provide address to The Gazette Box 511 Cedar Rapids IA 52406 or fax 319 398 5846 or email gazedit fyiowa com.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Gazette
the Gazette
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
Smokers ask for fair treatment in public spaces
A 27 year old nonconforming smoker defends rights of smokers and urges others to stop demonizing tobacco. She argues bans push smokers home and notes air pollution from other sources. Written by Ericka Tinnes of Hiawatha.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ericka
Hiawatha
Special legislative session lament in Iowa opinion
Gary Hamer of Marion voices impatience with repeated special sessions and costly reprises. He calls for a governor with CEO smarts and stronger management to improve the governor's office, urging voters to elect a more capable leader.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Governor's Office
Letter condemns GOP and praises Governor Vilsack and family
Erika Olson of Cedar Rapids criticizes Republican leaders for poor budgeting while praising Democratic Governor Tom Vilsack and his wife Christie. She argues against GOP plans, highlighting Iowa’s unemployment and poverty concerns and praising a schoolbook project for children.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Tom Vilsack
Christie Vilsack
Cleveland
Cedar Rapids
Iowa
Terry Branstad
Vilsack
Gazette Letters Deadline for June 4 Primary
The Gazette calls for letters to the opinion department by noon on Wednesday May 29 for the June 4 primary elections. Shorter letters have a better chance of publication and should address specific proposals and how candidates may perform in office.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
The
Gazette
Opinion Department
Not lowan at heart Who question on WMT radio
A reader from Cedar Rapids questions a WMT radio host about the farm bill credit to Sen. Tom Harkin. The letter accuses the Farm Bureau of favoring conglomerates over family farmers and calls for Harkin's removal.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
WMT
Tom Harkin
Farm Bureau
Harkin
Secondhand Smoke Health Facts Urge Local Action
A public health statement stresses long standing evidence that secondhand smoke harms health including lung cancer heart disease and asthma. It calls Linn County officials to pass an ordinance protecting residents and rejects tobacco industry tactics.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
National Academy of Sciences
Surgeon General
EPA
Linn County
Buckle Up Iowa Week Urges Belts for Safer Driving
Gov Tom Vilsack designates May 20 27 as Buckle Up Iowa Week urging every driver to wear a safety belt. The Iowa Life Toll now lists 4770 belt use beneficiaries with 260 added in 2001. Despite 81 percent usage, 2001 fatalities show 447 in Iowa and 3600 serious injuries statewide. Kevin Techau, Iowa DPS commissioner, cites belt use as the top crash risk reducer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa
Ilowa
Department of Transportation
Tom Vilsack
Seat belt crackdown drawn into harsh personal critique
The writer denounces seat belt enforcement as harassing for non-drivers and blames the focus on belted victims, contrasting with traffic offenders. They call for legal action against seat belt laws, likening it to protests against tobacco and personal protection narratives. The piece targets law enforcement, media, and politicians.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Big Tobacco
Detroit
Church scandal not a gay issue says Catholic reader
A Catholic reader denounces the church sex scandal and cover ups while asserting pedophilia is not a gay issue. The writer emphasizes harm from priest abuse across generations and rejects linking homosexuality to pedophilia, calling for fair treatment of gay people.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Father Maciel
Also Mentioned on This Page
Mark Bowden
Jerry Elsen
Dave Storey
Scott Swenson
Peg Schmitz
Osama
bin Laden
al-Qaida
Congressional Intelligence Committee
Pentagon
New York Times
Aginee
vAagis
Cie
Doug Gross
Gary Hamer, Marion
Erika Olson
Robert O. Ferguson
Kevin Techau
Iowa Department of Public Safety
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