The Boogeyman

 THE BOOGEYMAN

Once again it is time to turn our attention to the new legislative session that will begin in January.  I'm sure that our representatives and senators are simply aching to get back to Des  Moines to do the public's business.  Nothing like the attention and money and publicity for those so engaged - - a thrill a minute.

I know - - the Boogeyman!  It's time to turn our attention to the perennial problem, the Boogeyman.  It simply must be addressed before our current crop of legislators either leave office or are defeated at the polls.  The Boogeyman is responsible for most of the mischief currently creating distress and disgruntlement.  Whatever complaints you as a citizen may have, you can be sure that the Boogeyman is responsible.

Therefore, I suggest that we get our little gnomes at the statehouse to work on legislation banning any books, magazines, newspapers, pamphlets, or other writings, viral or actual, discussing or in any way mentioning Boogeymen.  This is not something that our young minds should be introduced to until after graduation from K-12 when presumably they will be able to cope having been properly isolated from all contact with Boogeymen until their minds have reached some form of adulthood and they are deemed able to handle the stress of confrontation.

There are just certain things that young minds should not be exposed to.  We have a long list of such things such as gay people, transgender people, furries, people whose ancestors did not come from Germany or Holland, to name just a few, which should not, and I repeat should not, be addressed at all; and Boogeymen must be added to this list.   

Let's just remember that we have standards that need to be maintained which need to be reflected in that paragon of school activities - - the homecoming pageant.  Can you just imagine a Boogeyman being  the homecoming king?  Not going to happen folks.  Not on our watch.  

Our elected representatives need to plan to meet this issue now.  Things are moving fast and quick and strong remedial steps are needed while such a thing is still incipient.  I can think of nothing more disgusting than our homecoming pageants being besmirched with such unorthodoxy.  Get on your computers and smartphones now and contact your elected representatives about this issue.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo

Tracking Criminals

 TRACKING CRIMINALS

The new license plate readers are going to allow the Newton Police Department to track criminals.  Apparently they are to be placed at the main entrances/exits to the City of Newton.  The express purpose is to track criminals coming and going from the city.  

Apparently we want to know when they come into town and when they leave; or as was stated: catching "fleeing criminals".  The quote, worth noting, is "We're trying to hit the gateways to the community.  We're trying to, first off, keep the bad guys out.  And if they do come in, we're going to know they're here.  Apparently there will be a gate at the entrance to town which automatically lowers if the license plate reader identifies a criminal.

Of course, the assumption is that the bad guys will have some sort of banner or sign or insignia of some sort identifying themselves as bad guys.  "Hello, Newton!  I'm a bad guy here to do dastardly things to your town and citizens."  Don't even bother pulling in off the interstate, we are ready for you.  

But not so fast, maybe the cameras can help with local criminals as well.  Of course the problem with all this is, who are the criminals?  The answer of course, is all of us.  We are all criminals - - the State of Iowa has made it possible to make us all criminals subject to stop, search, and arrest.  If you exceed the speed limit, if you don't come to a complete stop and hold it for five seconds, if you don't put on your seat belt, if you don't signal to turn, if you cross the center line - - you are a criminal and the new cameras will find you.  

So when our police chief tells us the cameras are going to make us safer, it simply will make it easier to keep track of us all.  It's called surveillance; the police will be able to see who is moving around day and night.  "Hey Joe, why were you driving down the road at 3:00 a.m.?"  "Up to no good were you?"  "You better watch it, we are on to you."

The whole idea of license plate readers is to keep track of the citizens of Newton and those who visit it.  We read about China's surveillance of its citizens and wonder how they can live that way.  Well, there is very little difference.  The ability to monitor the citizens of this country is in place.  We are told that it will not be used for that purpose.  But there will come a time when it will be used for exactly the reasons they say they will not use it now.  It is inevitable folks.  

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo