Those Darn Drugs

  THOSE DARN DRUGS

Representative Dunwell has enlightened us with reference to the Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy or ODCP.  Presumably this is to soften the blow of a renewed war on the citizens of Iowa which is euphemistically termed "The War on Drugs".  The Office of Drug Control Policy has as its defining purpose the arrest and prosecution of all who indulge in substances which our enlightened legislators have decided we can't have, use, deliver, conspire with, or otherwise engage in.

We have been told for years that "drugs" are bad and woe unto those who don't do as they are told - - here in the land of the free. This flows right into an announced freedom - - to have guns ready at hand.  I saw the other day, the remark by a legislator that the legislature will be addressing once again the "freedom" to possess weapons.  Now one can only assume that the rationale for all this is that drugs are bad and guns are good.  

For various reasons, I have some concern with this selective use of the word "freedom".  I for one, would certainly feel safer, and be safer, if I am confronted in front of the courthouse with someone who had a little meth in his pocket as opposed to someone bristling with hardware.  There is little possibility that the person with a little meth in his pocket is going to tackle me, hold me down, pry my mouth open, and stuff in some meth or other illegal substance he or she just happens to have on them as they stroll around town.  On the other hand, I don't need to be tackled to get shot and the person doing the shooting can even be across the street.

The war on drugs has caused immense suffering in this country - - far more suffering than the use of drugs ever has or will.  Prosecuting someone for the use of drugs, which by the way, is a crime that has no victim (to say otherwise is making things up again), disrupts the life of not only the person being arrested, but his or her family, employer, and others who have a personal relationship with the person being arrested.  I am not being harmed, if my neighbor smokes marijuana in his house or snorts a line of coke or meth.  It is none of my business nor should it be the State's.

The cliche that drugs destroy lives is simply nonsense.  Prison destroys lives.  If you want to see someone whose life has been destroyed, hop down to our local prison and take a look around and then tell me that the people inside haven't had their lives destroyed. And while there, take a good look at mom and the kids coming for a visit. There has always been a demand for drugs, there is a demand for drugs today, and there will always be a demand for drugs.  The Governor's Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) is not for the purpose of controlling drugs, it is for the purpose of controlling the people of Iowa.  Drugs will be with us as long as there is a demand so how about it, let's just get over it already.  After all, aren't we free?

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo, Iowa

Educationally Speaking

 EDUCATIONALLY SPEAKING

Educationally speaking, few care.  Public and private education, meaning K-12, is not to educate, but to train.  Are you, as a graduate, prepared to enter the modern workplace; do you have computer skills, can you code, well if you must, there are universities for business, engineering, computerization, medicine, law, accounting.  But once again, for purposes of usefulness, for joining the modern economy, earning a living, buying a big house and expensive car - - things that matter.

There are some that don't care.  They are either not capable or really don't care.  Let's talk about those that really don't care.  The uncaring, as I will call them, aren't particularly interested in a big house and expensive car.  Certainly they are nice to have and being offered one, would not reject the offer.  However, normally speaking, the issue is what you have to do to get these things.  

As it is becoming understood by those who give it some thought, we achieve our economic status through forcing ourselves to achieve.  We are not forced to do so by anything other than ourselves.  This is how you gain status in our world, by achieving, by working, by being employed, by making money, by buying things, by presenting oneself as a success.

Let us just say, you know, for the fun of it, that a person wants to go to college to major in English, or history, or art, or music - - what then?  What good are you, what will you do with those kinds of degrees?  They are not worth much and you will be poor.  Nobody wants an English major or a history major, or even a sociology or anthropology major.  You can't earn a decent living with that type of learning.

What we need are people with business degrees, MBAs at a minimum.  They know what they are doing.  Corporate America is where it's at.  Lets not forget.  Marketing, now that is a degree that is worth something.  You can make a lot of money with a marketing degree.  How to sell stuff to people who don't need what they buy, but will buy it anyway because you, as a marketing major, have figured out how to sell stuff that is not needed to people who simply don't have what you are selling.  This is, actually, what our economy and hence our world is about - - continually buying stuff that you have been coaxed to want but don't need.

Have you ever thought why a person will spend a million dollars on a house when one for one hundred thousand will meet every need?  Marketing - - that's where it's at. Why buy a $100,000 house when you can buy a $1,000,000 house?  Nobody pays the slightest attention to a $100,000 house, and for good reason - - it's crappy, probably doesn't even have a yard.  So let's get with it - - work and earn, work and earn.

Richard E H Phelps II
Mingo

It's a "Values" Year

 IT'S A "VALUES" YEAR

The anticipation is great that this year in the Iowa legislature it will be a "values" year - - "Iowa values".  I remember that our local representative earlier in the year was promoting "Iowa values" and I am quite sure knowing the ways of our political parties here in Iowa that this was not something that representative Dunwell came up with on his own.  Hence, I am anticipating that there will be a strong effort in the next legislative session to not only encourage "Iowa values", but to legislate some. 

I have previously recommended the Capital City Dispatch to readers.  It is an online publication, and free, that reports on the doings of our local state government.  Recently they had a piece on the refusal of our state administration to commit $3,000,000 to match a federal commitment of $30,000,000 from the Administration of Children and Families as a Preschool Development Grant.  Therefore, Iowa will not be receiving this $30,000,000.  I only mention this item for the reason that this failure must be  an example of "Iowa values".  "Values" over dollars is a sign of moral strength as far as I am concerned.

In addition, there are rumblings that our legislature is still not satisfied that our state school system is ensuring that our teachers and librarians  are teaching the correct values.  This seems to be important to our legislators.  I think Mr. Dunwell would concur.  When we talk about Iowa values, Mr. Dunwell has professed expertise.  Of course, the "values" effort will include abortion.  Abortions are not representative of "Iowa values" according to our Iowa legislature and additional efforts will surely be made to further address this aspect of "Iowa values".

I remember when it was "family values" that was the concern.  But, frankly, I never was quite certain what "family values" were.  That uncertainty has carried over to "Iowa values" - - I'm not quite sure what they are.  First of all, it would seem to me that one has to define "values":  it's always in the plural by the way.  There is never talk about "a value".  We don't say we are in favor of "Iowa value" - - that wouldn't make any sense now would it.

What I'm looking for is a list of "Iowa values" so that I will know what they are.  I really do feel left out of this whole conversation about "Iowa values" without knowing what they include.  I need a list!  So if someone could provide one to me, I would appreciate it very much.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo

Here Comes Fido

 HERE COMES FIDO

I've come to the conclusion that our law enforcement agencies should expand their collection of specialized mutts.  They have an important function in our modern world, they being the mutts.  Dog lovers of all kinds should be particularly pleased with the notion. One can catch the national dog show on PBS occasionally and I have never seen a category for police dogs.  This is an outrage.  Someone needs to contact the American Kennel Club (AKC) about this.

The Newton Police Department has what we now call a "canine officer" - - a cop with a dog.  This officer drives around town with his canine and upon request will go to the assistance of another officer who has pulled over a motorist for some traffic violation, remove the canine from the patrol car and prance it around the vehicle which has been stopped for the traffic violation, you know like not having a current registration or going 30 in a 25.

The purpose of this, of course, are "drugs".  We are looking for drugs - - illegal drugs.  Now since we know that about a third of the population uses marijuana and another third use methamphetamine, traffic stops become not just another ticket writing affair, but a whole lot of fun for most of the department that happens to be on duty at that given time.

Our Supreme Court, following most other courts, has declared that a "dog sniff" is not a search so you don't have to have any specific reason to call the dog guy to have a "dog sniff".  All very handy.  So even though the dog is in fact searching for a smell of illicit drugs, it is not a search.  Interesting isn't it.  A search is not a search because the court says it's not a search.  

So simply for the edification of the public, which is becoming more and more necessary it seems, if you get stopped by law enforcement you are subject to a "dog sniff".  The problem is, we don't have as many dogs as we need.  Every traffic stop should include a "dog sniff".  And if fido should sniff something illegal (rental cars are a good bet), out you come while the police rummage through your vehicle; they might even decide to handcuff you while the search is happening.  If  fido "hits" on your car, it's now officially a legal reason for a search - - a real search where complete strangers are rummaging around inside your car looking for something to allow them to take you to jail and impound your vehicle.  It's fun for everybody.

And so in conclusion, I vote for more drug dogs for the City of Newton.  Any concerned citizen with his or her animus against everything illegal should contact their city representative for increasing the budget for "canine units".  Every time we see an officer pulling over a vehicle for some traffic violation, we should see fido prancing around,  sniffing out illegal drugs.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo

Modern Ed

 MODERN ED

I think a conversation of modern ed would be appropriate as the second semester begins for all our little darlings. Having a child recently graduated from our local educational system and being reasonably well informed, it seems I have the opportunity to engage in that conversation.

First, we need to continue the efforts to criminalize our teachers and librarians in our public schools.  We don't want them inculcating notions in our children's minds not consistent with the antiquated idea that the world is the same as it was 50 years ago and the same prejudices and discriminatory practices prevalent in our schools 50 years ago shouldn't be the same now. 

Second, there is a movement spreading anew throughout the country that parents be able to decide their children should not be immunized against childhood diseases.  Such diseases include measles, chicken pox, polio, small pox, diphtheria, tetanus, etc.  If your kid gets one of these diseases, so be it - - he or she will survive and be better for it.  And if the other kids in the school get one of these diseases because your kid gave it to them, too bad - tough luck.  Parental freedom should prevail; the parents should decide whether their children are protected from disease.

Third, the continued belief that the earth is ten thousand years old should be maintained with the current biblical exegesis.  I understand this causes some trepidation with our local biology staff, but once again they will have to man up and give their students the alternate explanation of why they are on the planet and in a public school in Iowa.  Just because our DNA can be traced back to show that somehow, somewhere, humans and neanderthals decided to share their genes can just be ignored.  Our children don't need to know they may have some neanderthal DNA; it could cause a depressive episode.

Four, to be more specific as to One, we need to continue to ignore that there are some people, which includes children, who do not so much enjoy the people of the opposite sex, as those of their own sex, or somehow both sexes, or  somehow do not identify as sexual beings.  These things are not necessary to know or to understand and therefore should not be the subject of discussion in our schools.  If your child is one of these "special" circumstances; well, I just don't know what to tell you.  Maybe some therapy would help.

Five, the mantra that winning is everything, to quote Vince Lombardi, should be maintained in all sporting activities whether football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, track, wrestling, bowling, trap shooting, badminton, cross country, golf, tennis, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, skiing, snowboarding, swimming, diving, weightlifting, water polo, gymnastics, field hockey, dance team, cheerleading, and the myriad activities developed for P. E.  Maybe they will bring in cornhole and pickleball with once again "winning" the sole criteria of success.  As you know, school sports develop character and teamwork. For many, sports in high school are the apex of one's life achievements and I certainly think this should not be taken away from them.  They will always remember with pride the last second basket that won the game of the season or bowling that strike in the last frame.  They won't have read a book since commencement, but basking in the adulation received from their high school athletic prowess will remain with them to the grave.

So, let's get with it folks.  Get involved.  Be heard.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo

Family Values

 FAMILY VALUES

As has been pointed out, Jesus wasn't a family man.  In fact it would appear that he and his disciples wandered around the countryside living on alms.  There is no indication any of them were gainfully employed and although it appears that Jesus could feed the multitude, there is no indication that he used godlike powers to feed himself and his twelve disciples.  

Which brings us to the last supper.  One has to wonder where those victuals came from.  Since, once again, there is no indication that any of them were gainfully employed, some or all of the thirteen must have had independent sources of income; or else, how could they sustain themselves?  We have no information on this issue and it would seem to me to be relevant.  

As with all presentations, much must be left out simply for reason of brevity and irrelevance.  However, there is much to think about when it comes to means of support.  If Jesus or any of his followers had wives and children, they certainly were ignored and left to fend for themselves - - it would seem.  One can not assume otherwise; for if one does assume differently, one is simply making things up with conjectures and opinions without facts.

Consequently, one must accept the fact  that family life didn't have much attraction for Jesus and the others which brings us to the issue of "family values" being one of the foundations of our religious faith.  The family is important, the family is relevant, the family is sacrosanct - - these appear to be ideas firmly entrenched in our Christian mythology; and one can only wonder where the idea of "family values" ever came from.

It certainly didn't come from the Bible.  Family often didn't work out well.  Look at Cain and Abel, or, how about Jacob being sold by his brothers?  And then you have Noah and his daughters, but that is another story altogether.  Abraham was ready and willing to kill his kid. It just doesn't seem that the family was of much concern to those portrayed.  How would you like to have been in Soloman's family if you could have even called it a family?  Now that would have been interesting.  Does a harem constitute a family?  I think we need biblical exegesis on all these issues before we can even begin to think that the idea of family had much value  in biblical times.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo

It's Not a Search

 IT'S NOT A SEARCH

It's a dog lover's paradise.  A highly trained dog is an inspiration to all.  If you don't like dogs, I don't know what to tell you.  Many police departments, sheriffs, and other law enforcement agencies in Iowa and elsewhere now have dogs they drive around with so they can sniff out illegal substances.  Of course, this doesn't apply to marijuana for the reason that every cop in America has a nose acute enough to smell marijuana, burnt or unburnt, and in whatever form it may take without the use of a canine.

I am assuming it is part of the training of becoming a law enforcement person, learning the smell of marijuana.  They must have a special room at the training facility for that with the ability to fill it with various aromas of marijuana and marijuana products.  Isn't it amazing how much money is spent to stop you from using a little THC?  Just think, they get a whiff of marijuana and they can force you from your car and tear it apart looking for illegal substances.  Woe to you if you just drove in from Illinois and they find a "stem" while tearing your car apart and hence charge you with marijuana and haul you off to jail, impounding your vehicle, and otherwise making your day more difficult than it already was.  Welcome to Iowa.

What's particularly amusing is that a dog being pulled around your car to sniff out illegal substances is not a search.  And why is that? Because the courts say so.  They have simply decided that stopping your vehicle, either pulling you out of the car or not, and having their trained mutt prance around your car a couple of times to smell for illegal substances is not a search.  It is a wonderful thing when you can simply define something out of existence; when a search is not a search because they say it's not a search.  I wish I could do that.  It would make life a lot easier.

But the war on drugs continues here in Iowa and elsewhere.  I suggest you invite a member of the drug task force to give a talk to your school sometime.  Rather than asking him or her about the evil  of drugs, ask things like how they are funded and who funds them, how much money is involved in a search of a home where they find some marijuana.  Or better yet, how much time they spend going through people's garbage looking for evidence of illegal substances?  Do they have a particular affinity for garbage? Pertinent questions like that.

If it weren't for the fact that our governments have made it their business to make our lives as miserable as possible, the whole drug thing would be amusing.  But it is not amusing, when minding your own business, harming no one, having a decent day, you are hauled off to jail in handcuffs, hands behind your back, in the rear cage of a squad car,  and your car not only being impounded but ransacked so that you are not only required to pay to get out of jail but to pay to get your car out of hock. Quite an inconvenience actually, but fun for some.

Richard E H Phelps II

Mingo